Romance is Dead

Bains drove along Bell Boulevard as the mid-day sun beat down on his truck. It was his regular run, although he also went elsewhere from time to time. As he stopped at a red light his mind wandered back to a month ago, when he first saw her. He had delivered a package to the beautiful woman, and soon afterwards a plan formed in his mind. When he noticed another package for her today, he could hardly contain himself. The name on the address label read: Ms. Carol Davis, 20-14 46th Road Apt 4B, Bayside, New York 11361. The small box was marked fragile.

While driving, Bains couldn’t stop thinking about his ex-wife who requested a divorce last year. As he thought about her, a rage grew within him that had to be set free. Bains double-parked his truck and walked to the building. Most people weren’t home at this time of the day. However, he knew this woman would be waiting for him because she missed the first delivery attempt of her package. She had called the UPS office, and asked for another delivery on June twenty-ninth. Bains would have returned anyway because United Parcel Service’s policy is to make three delivery attempts on consecutive days to their customers. The package was then kept at a local depot if no one accepted it after the final try.

Bains rang the buzzer to apartment 4B.

“Who is it?” a female voice asked pleasantly.

“Hi, Miss Davis. This is UPS; I have a package for you.”

“Good, I’ve been waiting for it.”

Carol rang back, and Bains opened the front door to the building. He noticed the lobby was well kept; the paint looked fresh and an expensive chandelier hung from the ceiling. He saw no security guard or doorman around. Bains got on the elevator and pressed 4. When it reached his destination he got off as an elderly lady with a walker waited to get on. He held the elevator door for her, and she smiled at him in a thankful way.

Bains walked along the hallway until he came to 4B, and rang the bell to the apartment. The door opened a crack, but was held back by a chain.

“Hello. I have your package, Miss.”

“Oh, thank you. Let me take this chain off.” Through her peephole, Carol Davis looked at the man in the brown uniform. She knew it was safe to let him in.

The door opened, and Bains stared at the gorgeous blonde standing in front of him. She had on pink shorts, a white halter-top, and a pair of Reeboks. She looked like she had just come from shooting an ad for an exercise club. One of those places where everybody drank juice, and looked at the other perfect bodies around them without ever breaking a sweat.

“Sorry about the chain, you can never be too careful.”

“Yeah, that’s what I tell everybody.”

Carol looked at Bains, and thought he had an ordinary face. However, there was something about his eyes she found appealing. The way they sparkled gave him an aura of confidence.

“Here’s your package.”

“Thanks. It’s the Hummel that I’ve been expecting.”

“Don’t worry, I handled it carefully,” the UPS driver said.

Buying the hand-made collectibles was a hobby of Carol’s. She had a collection of sixty different pieces scattered throughout her apartment.

Carol walked toward the door, hoping the deliveryman would follow.

Bains understood the unspoken message.

“Sign for the package, and I’ll be on my way.”

“Of course,” Carol replied.

She hurriedly wrote her name in the appropriate box.

“Have a nice day Miss Davis.”

“Thanks, you too.”

Carol opened the door and the UPS man walked out of her apartment. After she closed the door behind him, she opened the package. Inside was a figurine of a poodle standing on its hind-legs, begging for a treat. Carol smiled and thought it looked lovely, just adorable.

Bains walked back to the elevator with the rage alive inside of him. First he remembered his ex-wife’s face when she demanded the divorce last year. Then he saw Carol Davis as she led him out of her apartment. He felt as if he was being mocked by both of them. 4B, he thought to himself, I’ll have a very special delivery for you soon, bitch.