One - Memphis
Three Years Later
The piece of paper in my hands showed that I had graduated university. My name in fancy writing, above my top marks in accounting. For all my class who either attended the graduation ceremony or who skipped it, like me, it was the beginning of a new career, an amazing achievement. For me it wasn’t either of them. Instead of a new beginning, it was the push I needed to go back, into my past, three years ago.
“Levi?!” I shouted out as I went to the door, putting my trainers on.
“Yeah?!” He shouted back and I looked up as he came out of his bedroom.
“I’m going out,” I told him quickly, grabbing my car keys from the slim radiator cover by the door.
“Will you be back for dinner?” He asked, pushing his braids back.
“Nah, do your thing.” I shut the door behind me, taking deep breaths as I went down in the lift, getting into my car in the underground parking. As I drove through London I prayed it wasn’t going to be a wasted journey, my hands sweating on my steering wheel as I parked up, my hands in front of me after I rang the doorbell, my heart beating quickly.
“Yeah?” He asked as he answered, his old face screwed up, his dark hair now with silver strands around his ears. It had been three years since I saw Eddie Charles and he terrified me now, as much as he did then.
“I’m not sure if you remember me,” I managed to say, before swallowing down nausea. He looked at me up and down, slowly, before his eyes came back up to mine.
“Memphis?” He almost whispered and I nodded, shuffling my feet, surprised he was in and that he remembered me. Clearly he wasn’t going to let me in, and I took a step back, needing to blurt this out.
“I need you to tell me where Scarlet is,” I said quickly and he chuckled, his shoulders rising.
“It’s been a long time boy, you haven’t found anyone else?” He said with a stupid smirk.
“Please just tell me where she is,” I pleaded and he was silent for a moment, his face stern.
“Dominican Republic,” he spat out.
“Do you know where or-”
“That’s all I know.” He shrugged and it wasn’t any new information to me either.
“Sir I’m begging you, I need to see her, I need to know she’s-”
“I don’t know shit, I haven’t spoken to her in ages,” he growled and this was going worse than I even imagined. “Just give up, Scarlet isn’t interested clearly.” With that he slammed the door in my face and I walked backwards, down the marble steps. My throat was burning but I refused to cry, I refused to get upset because that wasn’t going to help me. My number one option gave me nothing and I got back into my car, going to my second and last choice.
The queue to get in was long and I walked towards the door, recognising one of the muscular men standing next to it and prayed he recognised me too.
“Bro, I know you,” the light skinned guy chuckled and I took my hands out of my pocket, slapping his open hand.
“It’s Memphis,” I smiled at him, feeling some relief.
“Shit yeah, how are you doing?” He asked, checking an ID quickly, before moving his face back to me.
“Yeah good, is Jim about? I need to speak to him,” I rushed out, not in the mood for chit chat.
“Second floor, go in,” he slapped my back as I walked up the stairs, failing at keeping my breathing calm. Kyrian didn’t work here anymore, he left not long after me and thankfully we stayed in touch, he was a good friend and had helped me through my mum dying, finishing university and every single emotion I had, relating to Scarlet. The second floor was packed, it being a Friday night and I scanned the crowd, moving out of the way of a drunk woman, my eyes finally seeing him. Jim stood in the corner, even bigger than I remembered, his hair now shaved bald. As I walked towards him I was still nervous but about what information he could give me, not that he was going to be a prick, like Eddie fucking Charles.
“Memphis?!” He shouted as he saw me, his arms out wide. “Shit you look good mate,” he chuckled, slapping my back as he grabbed me.
“Thanks Jim,” I said loudly, the music pumping through the floor. “Have you got ten minutes?” I asked in his ear, and he moved his head back, his face crinkled. He just nodded and I followed him into the staff area, my stomach doing another flip as we went into Eddie’s office.
“You alright Memphis? Not begging to come back are you?” Jim laughed as I shut the door behind me.
“Fuck no,” I chuckled, Jim sitting on the edge of the desk. “I just went to see Eddie Charles, he gave me nothing, so I thought to come to you next,” I said quickly, my voice shaking with nerves. Jim sighed deeply, a tiny smile on his face.
“Memphis,” he dragged out.
“I need to find her, Jim,” I threw my hands out.
“It’s been three years mate, I thought you would have moved on, at uni and shit,” he shrugged and I shook my head, my breathing getting quicker again.
“Do you know where she is Jim?” I ignored his statement, pleading with him instead now.
“Dominican Republic,” he said softly.
“I know that, do you know where? It’s a big fucking country,” I took a step forward, my stress coming out of every pore. Jim stood straighter, his hand out to attempt to calm me.
“Her number doesn’t connect-”
“I know Jim, I’ve tried,” I cut over him, running my hand down my face. This was pointless, the only two people who I dreamed would know anything, knew nothing. I was at square one, knowing nothing more now than I did three years ago.
“Memphis, I think you need to let it go-”
“I’m not doing that,” I huffed, getting angry now as well.
“Three years Memphis, she’s been gone three years, who knows what she’s doing now,” he pointed out and I knew that, it was a thought that had gone through my head countless times. Was Scarlet even still single? She could be married, even have a kid, I didn’t know but I needed to, I was desperate to know, desperate to find her and see her face, even if it was for one last time.
“I’ve thought about her every day for three years, please Jim,” I sniffed, not crying and definitely not crying in front of Jim. He put both his hands on the top of my shoulders, us both the same height.
“She sent me a postcard, it was from Punta Cana, but Memphis, that was eighteen months ago at best,” he said softly and I nodded, okay, I knew something new.
“No return address?” I asked him and he shook his head. “Okay, thanks Jim,” I nodded quickly, my eyes to the floor.
“What’s the plan? You go there and walk around?” Jim asked and I looked back up at him, shrugging.
“She’s not made any contact with you? Via phone or anything other than a postcard?” I asked, the desperation obvious in my voice.
“Nothing,” he shook his head and a huge lump formed in my throat. “She’s not on social media?” He wondered.
“No, I checked again yesterday,” I sighed, my hand on my forehead. “What about any of her friends?” He asked, sitting back down on the desk.
“When she left she wasn’t talking to them and even if she was now, I have no clue on how to contact them,” I explained, because I had tried that too. I didn’t know her friend’s surnames, so it was another dead end. Jim scrunched up his face, in thought and I stared at him, praying he would remember something. Finally, he spoke again, looking up at me.
“I will try and contact the admin manager, maybe she can log into Eddie’s credit card, see if any money has been moved or-”
“Really?” I cut over him, moving closer, my heart leaping in my chest. That was a brilliant idea, but we had to be cautious. If Eddie Charles found out we were sniffing around relating to his money, then God help us all.
“I can’t promise you anything Memphis, but me and her are tight, give me a few days,” he said softly and I nodded, checking my watch.
“Do you still have my number?” I asked him, my phone in my hand.
“Yeah, I will text you anything,” he replied quickly and I walked to the door, letting out a breath. “What’s the plan now?” Jim asked me and I turned to him, chewing my bottom lip.
“I have a flight to catch, first thing.”
