We Are Here and Now

"Enjoy your spring break Miss B!" Tyzaun shouted as a group of juniors rushed through the front door of school. CiCi waved and knew she would be busy during the ten days they had off. Her show was only three days away and Sidney was out of town until Sunday morning. Both her parents and his were expected that evening at their home in Sewickley and she was beyond nervous about their spending an extended amount of time together. It would be their first time doing so in the nearly two years that she and Sidney have been together.

CiCi hurried to her car to try to make it to the grocery store before their parents would arrive. In preparing for her gallery premiere she had neglected to go grocery shopping. She was almost safely inside when she heard someone shouting to get her attention.

"Cesira! Wait!" She turned at the sound of her name and gave a polite smile.

"Oh. Hey Sam. I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Oh no problem. I just wanted to see what time your show is on Monday," Sam Harris, the theatrical arts teacher, said.

"You're interested in my show?" She asked curiously. She knew he took an interest in her paintings that she would work on during her free periods and moments during instruction.

"Of course I am! I may want to buy one or two," he explained.

"Wow, thanks. It's at 7 at Space."

"Not at Wood Street Gallery? I just figured since you worked there before that you'd get to have your first show there."

"Not yet. Starting out a bit smaller."

"Space closes at 6."

"Yeah, but this is a premiere show so they are having a special opening for me."

"That's awesome. Well I'll see you Monday," he smiled at her. CiCi couldn't deny that Sam was cute with his unruly blonde curls and facial hair. He was an obvious theatre geek and she had to admire his passion for that art form. But she knew he liked her and she avoided being near him alone as much as possible. Often he left her feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Bring a date or some friends. The more the merrier!"

"Alright." He turned and proceeded to his own vehicle, glancing back and waving at her.

She waved goodbye and continued to climb into her car. Knowing Sam was going to be at her show made her anxious. And she didn't like that feeling. It didn't mix well with her nerves.

She made it to the grocery store and home in record time and found herself unpacking the grocery bags when the buzzer went off. Either her parents or Sid's parents were there. Given the time she assumed it was her parents. She never successfully got an itinerary from Sid or Trina to let her know what time the Crosby's would be arriving.

"We're here!" shouted Diane as she and CiCi's father entered the large home through the front door.

"I'm in the kitchen!" CiCi yelled in response as she continued working on putting away food.

"Hi sweetheart!" Joseph greeted as he led his wife into the sprawling kitchen.

"Daddy!" CiCi stopped what she was doing to give her father a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Did you guys have a safe drive down?"

"Yes. You living here cuts our commute down considerably. It's wonderful!" Diane gushed as she pushed past her husband to hug her only child. CiCi felt an instant relief as her mother embraced her, but knew it wouldn't last. The Crosby's would be there soon and she would need to entertain them without the help of Sidney for the next couple days. All the while making sure the finishing touches were on her paintings and they were transported safely to the gallery.

"Stop worrying, Trina and I spoke already and we are excited to actually get a few days together rather than on the phone and Facebook," Diane stressed.

"I forget you have such a keen sense of knowing when something is bothering me," CiCi said.

"I did raise you, did I not? And your father and I know what we are doing is the whole transporting process. Trina and Troy are trainable. It will be perfect. Trina said Taylor was sad she has to miss this, but she is preparing for finals."

"No it's not a big deal and everyone is making it out to be."

"Baby girl, this could launch your career as a serious artist. Something you only ever dreamed of. Embrace this! It will be a fantastic experience," Joseph said. CiCi smiled, her father always knew how to make her feel better.

"Trina said Sidney doesn't stop talking about it. He is so incredibly proud of you. She told me it was to the point where she overheard Troy even gushing about the paintings you are planning to display. She said their conversations are only ever about the hockey season. You've got yourself a keeper there," Diane said.

CiCi couldn't help but smile at her mom. A year and a half ago her mother was discouraging CiCi from rushing into moving in with Sidney and now she was practically best friends with his mother.

"When will Sidney be making an appearance?" Joseph asked as he settled into a seat at the breakfast table.

"He plays in Arizona tomorrow. So you won't see him until Sunday at some point. I think they fly out right after the game, but we will be sleeping when he gets in."

*****
The game was ugly, to the point of being brutal, but the pens managed to get the win and Sidney was okay with that. He looked forward to a few days off, no practice until Tuesday's morning skate and the chance to spend time with CiCi and their parents. But mostly her. And his thoughts went to her as their plane descended into Pittsburgh International and they prepared to land. He knew he was still at least an hour away from sneaking into their home and climbing in bed beside her as she slept. He hadn't seen her in nearly a week and his desire to wake her was starting to outweigh his desire to let her sleep.

When he finally walked through the garage door into the kitchen he placed his suitcase in the laundry room as he saw no sense into hauling the bag upstairs when everything in it needed washed. He wasted no time in getting upstairs, careful not to make a sound as he passed by the two guest rooms that their parents occupied. He creeped through the closed door to the master suite and sighed when he found CiCi curled around his pillow wearing one of his numerous penguins t-shirts. He tugged his tie loose, stripped out of his dress clothes, allowing them to crumble in a ball. He intended on sending it to the dry cleaners Monday anyway. When he was down to his boxers he crawled up the bed, lying on his side, and brushed his rough knuckles across CiCi's smooth cheek. He wanted to find a way to bury himself inside her, but if nothing of the sort happened he knew he would be content in just removing the pillow burrowed between their bodies and feel her petite frame curl into his.

He didn't expect CiCi to jerk away from his touch the way she did when she realized he had his hand on her face or scream when he whispered, "Baby, I'm home." But a red flag signaled when she started kicking and telling him to stop touching her.

"CiCi! Wake up! You're going to wake up our parents!" Sid said sternly when her reaction to his being there didn't subside. Her loud sobs and the realization dawning on her face that he was in fact her boyfriend wrenched at his heart. She continued to cry, but finally let him comfort her. "Shh, you were dreaming. It's okay, it was just a dream."

"It wasn't!"

"What?"

"CiCi! Sweetie are you okay?"

"Shit, that's my mom. Babe..."

"It wasn't a dream!"

"CiCi, may I come in?"

"Mom! I startled her. She's fine." But he was increasingly getting concerned by her words and continued sobs. But given their lack of clothes he didn't want any of their parents to come into their room at that moment. "Babe, what do you mean it wasn't a dream?"

"I...I..." She stammered. The bedroom door swung open startling the pair on the bed apart. Sidney scrambled to cover himself as he was just in his boxer briefs while CiCi sat up and adjusted to the light shining in the room.

"What's going on?" Diane asked as she scurried over towards her daughter. She instinctively thought Sidney was hurting her. "Did he hurt you?"

"Mom, no! I'm sorry I woke you," she let her mom fuss all over her as her tears slowed and her breathing leveled out. Sidney was confused by everything that had unfolded in front of him.

"What happened?" Trina asked as she made her way towards the bed as well.

"I just climbed into bed and she started kicking and screaming."

"CiCi?"

"I was having a nightmare."

"That's not what you were saying just now."

"It felt real Sid, I wasn't fully awake yet."

"Ok, ok! I'm sorry, you just scared me."

"Mom, Trina, you both can go back to bed. I promise I'm fine." And as their mothers retreated from the room and CiCi curled up next to Sidney, he couldn't help but feel as though CiCi wasn't telling him something. And he was determined now to figure it out.

*****
"Big day tomorrow," Julia said nonchalantly at lunch Sunday afternoon. CiCi met up with her and Maria to do a little planning for Caroline's bachelorette party and CiCi's show came up in conversation.

"Yeah, I'm nervous," CiCi said as she picked at her salad in front of her.

"You shouldn't be. You're amazing. Derrick is already planning on buying the landscape painting for the den," Maria gushed.

"I could just give that to you!" CiCi groaned as she leaned back against her chair. She felt her phone vibrate indicating a message and glanced to see her coworker sent her something.

"Nonsense. We want everyone to oh and aw over your paintings. Then fight for the right to own them!" Maria said, but she noticed the change in CiCi's body language. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

"You look visibly upset. What's going on Ci?" Julia asked, being just as perceptive as Maria.

"Are you and Sidney alright?" Maria asked.

"Sid is beyond perfect."

"Then what's wrong?"

"This creep from the school. He's been texting me and harassing me for the past couple days. He's going to be there tomorrow too. Or so he says."

"He just sent you a message?"

"Yeah."

"What does he say?"

"Here, just read what he sends me. I never respond," CiCi said as she handed the phone over. Julia scooted close to Maria in order to read the small screen along with her. Their expressions mirrored each other's as they read through each text.

"You need to go to the cops, Ci. This is grounds for an arrest," Maria said, not handing the phone back to CiCi's outstretched hand.

"They won't do anything with this now. He hasn't acted upon any of it."

"It is making you visibly scared for your safety. You need to go," Julia urged.

"But," she stammered.

"I'm sure Sidney agrees with us," Maria said.

"I haven't showed him any of it."

"You don't tell him when you get home, then I will call him tonight and tell him to check your phone," Julia demanded.

"Stop. I think they are a bunch of idle threats."

"No you don't. And neither do we. This strange man is detailing exactly how he wants to rape you. You need to go to the cops!" Julia exclaimed.

"He wouldn't."

"Jesus Christ! I'm calling Sidney," Maria pulled out her own phone to dial her friend's boyfriend.

"No!" CiCi protested.

"Too late, it's ringing," Maria said. CiCi was furious. She leaned back against her seat and crossed her arms in a huff.

"Hello Maria. To what do I owe the pleasure? Kidnapping my girl on a rare day off for me isn't enough?"

"You're so selfish Sidney. You need to learn how to share," Maria chided.

"Well, CiCi is pretty damn near perfect and awesome so I don't like sharing her. When can I get her back?"

"We are just finishing up lunch. She will be heading home after. Give her about a half hour, okay?"

"Thank you."

"No, thank you! Keep an eye on your girl for me, will you?" Maria faltered. She didn't like what CiCi was going through, but she also knew she didn't want her friend mad at her.

"I always do."

"And give her some of what she likes in the bedroom."

"Oh God," Sid laughed, a blush creeping across his face. His dad and Joseph both puzzled by his sudden embarrassed state.

"But it's probably hard when your parents are in town. Alright, well bye! See you and your delicious behind tomorrow!"

"Bye Mo," Sid laughed and hung up.

"You better tell him," Maria said as she tossed CiCi back her phone.

"I will, I promise."

"Maybe you shouldn't work there anymore," Julia suggested.

"And do what? Hope my paintings sell? Pittsburgh is not the art epicenter of the world. I doubt I will make what I need to make to sustain a living."

"Maybe things will turn around for you," Julia said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" CiCi asked confused by her friend's words.

"I just mean maybe you get this guy arrested and he can get fired. Then you can keep your job and have Sidney and live a happy little life together in the suburbs."

"Okay," CiCi wasn't entirely convinced. The girls finished their meals, chatting excitedly about their plans for Care and said their goodbyes within the time frame Maria had given Sidney. And CiCi was happy they were finished and heading their separate ways. She wanted to get home to her family and explain to them what happened before Maria called again to make sure she followed through.

*****

CiCi walked through the door to an empty kitchen. She couldn't hear much of anything and noted that her parents' car was missing from its spot in the driveway. She wondered briefly where they would have run off to when she heard shouting coming from the entertainment room. She followed the voices to see her dad watching passively as Sid and his dad got into a Canadiens game on screen.

"Where's mom and Trina?" CiCi asked as she sat on the armrest of her dad's seat.

"Hi sweetie. They went to the store for a few things to go with dinner."

"And now you're being entertained by these two goofs and their love of hockey."

"I just thought it was Penguins hockey, clearly I was wrong. They are so engrossed that Sid doesn't even know you are here."

"Yes I do!" Sid said without looking over. He was so absorbed by the game that he didn't look over to acknowledge CiCi. She rolled her eyes and walked over to stand behind the couch. She leaned over, wrapped her arms around his shoulders and planted a solid kiss on his cheek.

"Hi," she greeted simply.

"Hi yourself. Come over here," he said as he tugged on her to come around and sit with him. Troy moved enough to make room for CiCi to sit in between them.

"Awe come on! That was a shit call!" Troy yelled at the tv.

"How you hangin' over there Dad?"

"I've invested in the NHL app on my phone so I can keep up with this team. Just trying to fit in Ci."

"You're doing great Joe," Troy piped in. Then their fathers fell into conversation about the sport with Troy explaining who to watch on each team and a few new rules that went into effect at the start of the season. CiCi was able to turn her focus onto Sidney and tell him about the texts she had been getting.

"Ah, Sid. I have something I need to talk with you about," CiCi said as she shifted back to her boyfriend.

"Okay, what's up?" He leaned back against the couch and draped his arm across the cushion behind her.

"Uh, here. Just...read through these," CiCi handed Sid her phone with the open text messages from Sam. He scrolled through them quickly with a look of confusion and frustration on his face.

"What the hell babe?" He read over them again, noting the most vulgar ones.

"What should I do?"

Sidney sat back and looked at his girlfriend's profile. And then the reaction he got in the wee hours of the morning made sense. "This is why you acted the way you did this morning?"

She nodded her head slowly and as discreetly as possible. "We're going to the cops Ci. Right now. I'm calling them."

"Sid, wait!" She tried to stop as he stood from the couch.

"What? Wait until this freak messes with you? No. I don't think so. Don't you work with him?"

"Yes."

"You are not going back there. Not until I know he has been fired."

"You can't stop me from going to work!"

"What's going on?" Troy muted the television to listen in on the conversation.

"Some coworker of Ci's has been texting sexually explicit things he wants to do to her. It's crossing a line and terrifying her."

"I can handle this. I just want you to be aware of it."

"Oh good. So when he corners you in your classroom and does what he described he will do to you is when we should tell the cops?"

"He wouldn't do them."

"Ci, you clearly are saying these things to convince yourself otherwise or you wouldn't have had such a violent reaction to me when I got home last night! He is in your head. He has you right where he wants you and now he is waiting to pounce."

"Can we just get through tomorrow? I would rather just wait."

"Good, he can show up to the gallery and I'll just kill him."

"Sidney!"

"What? I'm furious CiCi! This man has one too many screws loose and he wants to do things to you that I've only seen happen on Law and Order!"

"Please, if he shows up tomorrow we can confront him together."

"I'm getting extra security at the gallery."

"What? There was already going to be security there?"

"Well, yeah. Whatever the gallery provides."

"Daddy."

"I'm agreeing with Sidney sweetheart. Why would you even consider putting off reporting this to the authorities? That's just being irresponsible."

"I knew I shouldn't have said anything."

"Cesira this man is threatening to rape you! What the hell?" Sid stood as if to make a point. "I'm calling the cops now."

"Alright, fine. But if this causes problems for me at the school I am blaming you," she said pointing a finger at Sidney. She walked out of the room with him following close behind.

"You don't have to work. I can take care of you, you know," Sidney said as he reached for the home phone to dial the local police department.

"I knew you'd say something like that." She leaned against the counter in the kitchen, out of ear shot of their dads.

"Please, let me take care of you," Sid pleaded as he placed the phone down beside her on the counter and trapped her between his arms. The look on his face only indicated how he desired to do what he was pleading with her to do. With a bite of her lip and the look he was giving her melting her insides, she nodded and let him sweep her up into his arms and place a delicate kiss on her lips. Her only nagging thought was whether she would have agreed to it if her safety wasn't being jeopardized.

Notes

Eh, may be a little dramatic and reaching, but I don't care. Hope you all like it anyway! Enjoy! Comment, subscribe, vote. You know what to do. Thanks!