Page 117 of The Twisted Beats

“Just show me and let’s get it over with.”

She opens the next file and starts the slide show. She moves through these images much slower than the others. The reason…because they’re text messages between Callum andFaith. The thread goes on for a year and doesn’t end until last night.

Him:I had a great time with you last night. I’m glad we met.

Faith:Me too. Thanks for the necklace. I’ll cherish it and our night together for as long as I live.

Him:Glad you like it.

Faith:When do I get to see you again?

Him:The next time I’m in Long Beach, or you can always come up to North Hollywood and visit me. I could show you around.

Faith:That would be fun, but I don’t drive.

There’s a month where there’s nothing exchanged. She starts up the chat again.

Faith:We need to meet. Can you come down to Long Beach?

Him:Sorry, I’m slammed with work and family shit.

Faith:No. You don’t understand.

Him:What?

Faith:I think I’m pregnant.

What the fuck? He never told me about that.

Him:Are you sure?

Faith:No, that’s why I want you here when I find out.

Him:I’ll make time. When and where.

Faith:I’m sending you a calendar invite with all the information.

Him:Okay. I’ll see you then.

She sends him an invite through his messages and the texts stop for about three months. She starts the thread again.

Faith:Surprise. I’m in LA. Ready to show me around?

Him:How long are you in town?

Faith:For good. We moved here.

Him:That’s cool.

Faith:Now we can have that relationship we talked about when you were in Long Beach the last time.

Him:Stop by my house sometime and we can see where it goes.

He sends his address. I close my eyes as the betrayal starts to sink in. He told me it was a one-time thing.

Yeah right, he doesn’t lie. Motherfucker, I’ve been played.

My mom scrolls through a bunch more text like the previous exchanges. I’m to the point I don’t care anymore, but then there’s a group of messages that catches my attention.