On the 11th of September 2021, at 4:45 pm. Katherine Glover drove with her nine-month-old daughter to KO Supermarket. As she approached a red light, she eased her foot on the brake. Then Katherine's phone rang, she gazed at it for a while before she made a decision, it was an unknown caller, she declined the call and drove onto Lewis Lane St. She fixated on the rearview mirror, as she watched her daughter, Mila; sleep peacefully in the baby seat, Katherine smiled joyfully, suddenly Katherine's phone rang again, she fixed her eyes on the road, and this time curiosity got the better of her.
She picked up and answered. "Hello." she said cautiously. "Hey Kathy, it's Antonio." Antonio greeted. A gasp portrayed her shock "Hey Antonio, how're you doing?" Katherine asked. He sighed "I'm alright just a bit bored, how about you?" Antonio asked. "I'm doing great… So, what's up?" Katherine replied. Antonio cleared his throat "Kathy, I was wondering if we could talk?" he asked. "Yea sure, I'm all ears." she said. "I think It would feel better if we spoke in person, rather than talking over the phone." Antonio stated. "It would, but I'm not in the Palm right now." she replied devastatingly. "Not really a problem, I'm in funky Town; we could meet up somewhere?" Antonio suggested. "Mm—how about KO supermarket, I'm headed there right now." Katherine told. "That's not far from me… I'll meet up in a few minutes." Antonio responded hastily. "Okay… no problem, I'll see you soon." she replied generously. Katherine dropped her phone on the seat, and she drove to KO supermarket.
Ten minutes later, Katherine finally reached the entrance of KO's parking lot. She scanned around the lot for free parking, as she drove around slowly—Suddenly, Mila woke up and her cries pierced through the car, 'Oh no, I have to sort Mila out quickly.' Katherine thought to herself. Eventually, she found a spot to park in, so she parked then switched the car off, she stepped out and rushed to the backseat to comfort Mila. Katherine dug into Mila's backpack; she took out the baby bottle with milk, Katherine cradled Mila gently, soothed her as she drank. While Katherine nurtured Mila, her phone began to buzz, but she forgot it on the driver seat, just out of her reach, Katherine did not bother to pick up her phone. She let it ring until it cut to voicemail, "Hey Kathy, I'm in the parking lot… come on—could you please pick up the phone?" this message played through voicemail as Katherine fed Mila.
Suddenly by surprise… THUMP! A hand struck the back window of Katherine's car. She yelped "what the hell!" she mumbled. Antonio appeared at the window with a smile on his face. He laughed maniacally "Oh man, you should have seen your face." he said jokingly. "that's not funny! you're so childish." Katherine huffed. "Yeah—yeah, can I come in?" Antonio asked. Katherine unlocked the door and he climbed into the car. His eyes softened as he looked at Mila, she dozed off peacefully in her mother's arms. "You are such a great mother Kathy." he complimented her. "Really? sometimes I feel like I'm a bad person, you know?" Katherine stated. "No, you're not. You're the best woman I've ever met. Your joy, your love, your peaceful spirit—and your beauty—they're all contagious. It's like the air I breathe. I can't imagine my life without you." Antonio said earnestly. Katherine sat there, as tears quietly rolled down her cheeks "Don't cry, I'm here if you need someone to talk to?" he wiped her tears. She smiled blissfully "I'm sorry… it's been a while since anyone made me feel seen." Katherine replied. "Doesn't Stephen give praise to you once in a while?" Antonio asked her. "Our relationship doesn't feel the same anymore, it almost feels like we are both invisible to each other, but he is my husband and I can't…" Katherine confessed to him. "Kathy, love is a two-way street. If your husband's not showing you affection, you shouldn't let that hold you back from finding someone who will. You deserve to be loved completely." Antonio responded adoringly.
Katherine slowly put Mila back on her baby seat, Antonio then carried Mila's baby seat and left her on the passenger seat. Vigorously, Katherine reached out, she gripped his collar with hand that trembled. Her breath hitched as she pulled him closer, their faces inches apart. Antonio's lips curled into a slight grin. He leaned in but paused… he searched her eyes as if he silently asked for permission. Katherine closed the distance. Her palm pressed gently against his cheek, finally their lips met—soft at first, then desperate. The air in the car grew thick with heat and guilt. Antonio slid his hand under her coat; his fingers brushed her side like he had memorized the shape of her. Katherine unfastened the buttons on his red polo one by one; her heartbeat drummed in her ears. Their hands moved like they'd done this a thousand times—like this was the only time. He lifted her onto his lap, her body filled with goosebumps, anticipation and shame. "Wait." Antonio whispered, his voice hoarse. "Are you sure about this?" She paused—just for a moment. "We're already in the thick of it." she said softly, almost breathlessly. "Don't ruin it." she said cunningly. She guided his hand, and he responded without hesitation, his touch both cautious and possessive. The line between passion and regret blurred each other, and for a moment, the world outside grew distant from her mind, the fogged-up windows disappeared in the shade of the lot.
Crystal Avenue. 4:57 pm.
Stephen Glover stood quiet and vigilant, in front of the kitchen door that opened to the backyard. He stared outside, his gaze fixed on the environment, though his mind was empty. Then, a faint sound of a cry broke the silence. Without a second thought, he rushed to the second floor. He climbed the steps quickly and turned left down the hallway, when he reached Akirá's bedroom, he walked to the baby cot, "Hey, don't worry, daddy's here Akirá." He said as he picked him up. Stephen gently kissed his son's forehead and soothed Akirá with soft whispers, a stench caught his nose "Akirá…did you mess yourself?", he asked euphoniously. 'I have to change him.' Stephen thought to himself, he took Akirá to the changing table, Stephen changed his diaper and cleaned him with care. After, he helped Akirá into a fresh set of clothes and held him. The two left the room and made their way downstairs.
In the kitchen, Stephen opened the fridge and selected the baby's bottle. Akirá wriggled with excitement in his father's arms, he desperately tried to snatch the bottle "Hey, relax… I'm going to give you just now." Stephen said happily. He sat down on the one-seater with Akirá, Stephen fed him as he cradled Akirá in his arm. He turned on the television and switched to a sports channel. As the screen lit up, his teenage daughter strolled down the stairs. She went into the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the fruit stand. "Afternoon Tokyo." Stephen greeted her, but Tokyo ignored him as she walked to the entrance door.
"Wow… are you really going to ignore your father?" he said sorrowfully. Tokyo finally made eye contact with him "Afternoon Dad, how are you?" she asked sarcastically. "I'm good, thanks for asking. Anyways… what you up to? where you going?" he asked curiously, "I'm going to my friend's house." Tokyo replied. "It better not be a boyfriend's house." he stated anxiously. "DAD!" she clamored embarrassingly. "What? you're only 16 years old, and I can't allow my daughter to visit a horny rabbit!" Stephen said confidently. "First of all, Eww… gross! second of all, I'm turning 18 in 5 months, and third, I'm going to visit Abigail." she told pityingly. "Okay… just don't do anything illegal, capiche?" he said politely. "Okay, I'll be back by 11 pm." she stated.
"Yea, you better be, I don't want your mother to argue with me." Stephen said dreadfully as Tokyo made her way out through the door. Stephen dialed Katherine, but her phone went through voicemail. 'Why isn't she picking up her phone?' Stephen thought to himself, "Where's LJ when you need him?" Stephen muttered—regret clear in his tone.
352. Sinister Road. 5:00 pm.
'Planet skate park'.
Lucas Glover, Stephen's oldest child, was at Planet skate park in downtown San El Zorro, he skated and performed tricks in the halfpipe. Abruptly, he spotted Ashley—a short, light-skinned African with an oval-shaped face, her beautiful green almond eyes and curly brunette Afro hair, combined with an hourglass figure. Ashley waved at Lucas, he walked went to her, until his friend Joshua threw his arm over his shoulder. Joshua laughed on the top of his lungs "Yoh, LJ you should've seen how Brian just collapsed—" he joked. "Yea sure." Lucas said. Joshua was puzzled "Why so serious?" he asked, then his eyes locked on Ashley "Oh okay, you tryn'na hook up with Miss Ashley huh?" Joshua mocked. "Shut up bro…I'm just going to go talk to her." Lucas replied, Joshua stopped in his tracks. Joshua lifted his hands into the air "Alright bro, just don't choke like last time!" he shouted as he returned to the halfpipe.
Ashley held onto her thigh "Don't choke like last time?" she giggled. "Don't listen to him, he's a bit crazy sometimes." he stated. "So, how've you been?" Lucas asked. Ashley twirled her hair "I've been good you know, it's just the studies that's making me stress so much." she said. "Tell me about it—" he began but Ashley interrupted "Anyways, I was wondering if you could help me out with my studies tonight?" she implored. "I don't know…" Lucas hesitated. She chipped in again "Please? you're the only friend I thought of." she persuaded. Lucas held the bridge of nose "Okay…" he agreed "when should I pull up?" Lucas asked. "How about 10 pm?" Ashley suggested. "Cool… guess I'll see you at 10 pm." he replied adoringly. "Yea… I guess you will." she said— as she searched deep into his eyes "I'm going to head out, I'll see you later." Ashley kissed him on his cheek as she walked away, Lucas stood there—stunned struck, he did not know what to do or say.
Knock Out Supermarket. 5:15 pm.
The KO parking lot was near deserted and silent. Katherine laid with her head rested on Antonio's chest. Suddenly, Mila began to cry, she stirred awake. Katherine jolted up quickly. She vociferated "Shit, shit, shit… Antonio wake up!" she said worryingly. "Hmm…" he muttered "what's the time?" he asked. "Fuck… I think we overdid it." Katherine said "It's five fifteen. I got to get back home before Stephen starts getting suspicious." she continued— her voice shook with guilt. "Damn… I'm sorry, Kathy. I—I messed up. I came to talk about something, but I pushed the situation a bit too far. Please forgive me." Antonio sincerely apologized as Katherine rushed to dress herself up. "Anyways what was it that you wanted to talk about?" she asked curiously. Antonio clicked his tongue "It's about Stephen—" he confessed. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean. We've been doing all of this behind his back for a year now and…" he stated tensely. "AND!?" she repeated angrily. "I think it's about time we tell him about… us?" Antonio said nervously. "NO! no way." Katherine replied angrily. "If we do that, he will leave me." she stated. "It's OK I'll just—" he said. "NO, it's not OK!" she demanded. "Look let's just go our separate ways for now, and we'll talk tomorrow, OK?" she suggested. "But—"
"No buts… look… I just really got to get back home right now." Katherine told him. Antonio grabbed his clothes and climbed out the car—butt naked. She quickly moved to the driver seat then started the car. Katherine Rolled down the window and she gazed at Antonio, "Look I'm sorry that I'm rushing…but I've really got to get back home, I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" she said. Antonio sunk his head "It's Okay, I understand." he replied. Katherine shifted into reverse; she backed out of the parking spot with a heavy heart. She turned onto the main road; Llama crouch road, the weight of her decisions sat beside her in silence.