Another Drink

It was just another night out with my friends, the same friends who were in my wedding, the same friends who watched my daughter grow, the same friends I grew up with. “Another night, another drink!” I said as we swung our heads back taking a shot. “So how's the wife?” my best friend Steven said, laughing. He knew things have been tough since the incident, I guess it helps to joke about the pain, but at the same time I've never felt more hurt. “She’s okay.” I responded, then took back another shot. “You know, we've been nonstop bar hopping since.. It happened.” My other best friend Michael said with worry in his voice. I zoned out trying to avoid responding. I feel the liquor start to hit my system. I look around the bar just glancing at who's left and who's here now, considering we've been at the same table for hours now.

I notice an older man, staring at me from across the bar. He looked angry like I had done something personal to him. He looked like a familiar face, but I didn't know where. We locked eyes with each other, he didn't break contact, just kept.. Staring at me with the same angry look. I zone back into reality and turn back to the table nudging Stevens arm. “Hey, is that guy looking at me funny or what?” I said, laughing nervously. Steven glanced over at the guy, then looked back at me nodding his head. “What's his problem?” Michael said, looking directly over at the guy. “Call him over here, maybe he's just lonely seeing us having fun.” Said my third best friend Henry. Maybe he was lonely, but why was he so mad? I glance back over at the man waving, signaling to come over. He immediately stood up, not breaking eye contact with me. I felt my stomach sink. Something inside me regretted this. He came to the table silent. He pulled a chair out and sat down, then cleared his throat. “Round of shots on me?” he spoke. “Hell yeah!” Michael said, excited. Henry, Steven, and Michael all seemed pretty relaxed with this guy after a couple of hours and drinks later.. But I still felt.. Uncomfortable. He had this weird vibe about him. He was creepy and tried so hard to fit in with us younger guys. Trying to relate to everything we said, knowing damn well this guy wasn't actually relating. I knew something was off about him. But what? A few hours go by and I'm pretty much drunk as all hell. “Alright guys it's getting late” Henry said, standing up and pushing his chair in. We all followed doing the same, walking outside the bar together. “Anyone wanna come over for more drinks? I got beer!” the older man said suddenly before everyone went their separate ways. Michael and Henry had work in the morning so they couldn't, and Steven made up a stupid excuse, as he does, to avoid saying no. I glanced at the man, noticing his demeanor change back to being angry. I felt bad, and i didnt wanna go back home anyways. “I'll go man, I'm down,” I said. He smiled at me. I waved goodbye to my friends and went with the man to his car. We hopped in and drove off. I didn't know why I said yes, I felt my stomach drop more and more further down as he drove. Something about this guy made me so.. Uneasy.

He pulls into a familiar neighborhood, I couldn't quite wrap my finger around where I was, considering how drunk I already was. He pulled into his driveway with a broken tire swing in the yard and the rope hanging from the tree, almost looking like a noose. My spine felt cold. It clicked. This is my neighborhood. He's my neighbor. I glance over at him still sitting in the car silent. then looking over to my house next door. “Well let's go!” he said, jumping out the car and going inside, leaving the door open behind him. I followed. I wanted to see what his plans were. Does he not realize I'm his neighbor? Was I supposed to say something? I was so confused and drunk I couldn't form words. “So this is it!, make yourself comfortable. I'll be back with beers!” he said excitedly, almost skipping to the kitchen. I looked around his living room, he had guns on display from the 18 hundreds. Weird. I kept scanning the room, noticing a pile of bright colored clothes on the floor, next to his fireplace. I slowly step over to the pile, being noisy. Checking behind me to see if he is gonna catch me snooping. I was good. I leaned over to get a closer look, the clothes were covered in dark red spots and white stains, they had tears and rips all over. I kicked over the pile gently, noticing a familiar pair of childrens socks, they had ruffles on the ankle and were bright yellow. My jaw dropped. I picked up the clothes to get a better look at exactly what they were. It was my daughter's clothes. The same clothes she had on when she went missing two years ago. I started shaking, realizing what was done. I dropped the clothes from my hands. I couldn't believe what I just saw. I didn't believe it. It couldn't be. I turned around slowly, looking back at the kitchen. He was in the doorway. Staring at me, the same look he gave me from the bar. “You’re gonna want another drink”