Endless Paradigm

Bradley was a man of simple pleasures.

He enjoyed the company of his wife, Lilibeth—not to mention their immense and passionate love for each other—and he found his job quite gratifying, along with other every day facets of his life. He could find joy in almost anything, and he knew how to treasure such things. And yet on this night he couldn’t see a particular thing to take satisfaction or pleasure in, and nothing seemed to mean quite as much anymore.

After his father had retired to an early sleep, he and Lilibeth only stayed behind long enough to relieve his mother of the mess they had made at dinner, and soon thereafter had said their farewells. After that there was nothing left to do besides retire to their own home, as they had not scheduled much for their New Year’s celebrations. I will not find solace here.

Sure, he and his wife had friends aplenty, but both were too tired to make any calls, despite the fact that it was New Year’s Eve and midnight still at least three hours away. But attending a party or being in the presence of several unruly people didn’t appeal very much to Bradley, so he had no idea what to do besides stare at the ceiling as he lay abed. Next to him was his wife, she too abed, but she held a magazine in her hands, giving her something to do to pass the time away. If only I was so lucky, he thought as he glanced at her enviously. That got her attention.

Setting her magazine down in her lap, she looked at Bradley and asked, “What shall wee do for the rest of the evening?”

I am that lucky, Bradley reflected, realizing how fortunate he was to have his job, his house, his cars, and especially Lilibeth. But he still didn’t have an answer, his head starting to swim in his confusion. “I do not know.” With his best efforts could he only draw blanks.

“Let’s get out of here,” she begged, sitting up on her side of the bed. She wasn’t one to lounge around all night and do nothing, especially not on New Year’s Eve. He knew that she had to get out and experience life; she wanted to see the bright lights and hear the loud music, all the noises ever imagined mingling with the small talk of the thousands of party-goers that plagued this night.

But not Bradley. He didn’t care anymore, and he didn’t have the energy needed to simply roll out of bed. “Where will wee go?” he asked, his voice sharp with annoyance, but he didn’t know why he was acting this way. What is wrong with me? I should be reveling with the rest of them.

“I don’t know,” Lily replied quietly. “Wee could go anywhere, just you and I. I just don’t want to waste this night.”

“What’s the point?” he retorted, still gazing at the ceiling. “I’ve wasted every night of my life.”

“What are you talking about?” Lily asked angrily, but she sounded more scared than anything. “Are you implying that you’ve wasted your life by being with me?”

I’ve said too much. “Of course not,” Bradley whispered, finally pulling his attention away from the many images that hid themselves cleverly in the ceiling. You cannot hide forever. I will be back soon, and I will find you. He sat up on his side of the bed, staring his wife in the eyes. “I love you, Lily. Nothing will ever change that, and a day in my life is only wasted if you’re not there by my side.”

She opened and closed her mouth, most likely thinking of something to reply with, but she seemed stunned by his answer. Apparently she hadn’t expected him to apologize so quickly. After a few moments she gave in and leaned over, kissing her husband. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry about all of this,” Bradley said after they broke apart. “I’m just not…I don’t know what’s happening to me. I can literally feel myself changing, and whether it is for better or worse, I do not know.”

“This is exactly the reason you need to get out more, babe,” Lilibeth told him with a smirk, and she pecked him on the lips again. “You get too stressed out, and then you just draw a blank. Trust me, I get it too. Although not as badly as you’ve been getting it recently.”

Bradley chuckled, trying to bring his composure back up. “Where shall wee go, then?”

“Anywhere,” Lilibeth exhaled fervently, her eagerness rising. “I can’t stay cooped up in here all night.”

“Alright babe,” Bradley said, trying to think of something to waste their night away. “Let me make a few calls, see what the guys are up to.” He picked himself off the bed and with such effortlessness that he almost chortled aloud. Not a few moments previous had he been contemplating never moving from his position above the sheets and blankets and now he was up and about as tranquil as could be.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” Lily responded on his way out of the room, but he didn’t feel motivated to answer. She was most likely going to change her clothes to fit the mood of wherever they were going, but he didn’t care to do the same as he was still dressed in what he had worn to the dinner at his parents’ house, and was suitable enough to be seen worn out in public.

Not bothering to close the door behind him, Bradley made his way downstairs through the darkened house, the only light to guide him emanating from his bedroom forgotten behind him. Descending the staircase that emptied into the main hall and the front door, he glanced out the window that stood atop the front door like a rock climber who’d overcome the tallest of mountains. Only blackness remained outside, plaguing the streets and the Earth in nothingness for only God knew how long. The darkest days shine before the brightest, Bradley told himself as he stepped down from the bottom stair. He could only wonder what kind of creatures roamed the streets tonight; nevertheless what they were capable of. Bradley didn’t know if he was puzzling about the drunken party-goers who were found bountifully across the country this night, or the creatures of darkness that haunted his very dreams. Set it aside, he told himself. If he worried about monsters and the like that hid under his bed and in his closet, he was sure to lose his sanity. Such things don’t exist.

He walked through the main hall and entered the kitchen that lay to the left of the front door, flipping on the light as he entered the darkened room. Wondering why he hadn’t just used the phone that was placed so conveniently in their bedroom, Bradley crossed the kitchen and snatched up the phone from its port underneath the microwave. Turning it on, he wondered who he should give a call. No one came to mind, so he had to strain to think who would be available this late at night and who wouldn’t already be out celebrating.

Then his long-time friend he had first made acquaintance with in high school popped into view in front of his eyes, and frantically he dialed. After a few rings, the other end answered, and a woman’s voice asked, “Hello?”

“Yes, this is Bradley Descombs. I was wondering if Anthony was in?”

“Hold on,” the woman told him, sounding either aggravated or annoyed. Bradley wondered who she was, as the last time he had talked to Anthony the man hadn’t said anything about being married or having a girlfriend of any sorts. She’s just another being to give someone like him pleasure and happiness, be it long or short term.

“Hello?” Anthony suddenly said into the phone, and Bradley greeted him warmly.

“Hey, man, it’s been a while.”

“That it has,” Anthony replied kindly, recognizing his friend’s voice. “How have you been?”

“Same spoon, different day, you know?” Bradley said, and they both laughed. “Listen, I was wondering what you were doing tonight. Lily and I don’t have anything planned for the evening, so I would like to invite you to join us for New Year’s tonight. That is, if you aren’t already doing something.”

In the background Bradley could hear the woman complaining. “Who is that?” she demanded. “What does he want?”

“A friend of mine,” Anthony yelled back to her. “And it’s none of your business.”

“It’s not a problem if you’re busy,” Bradley apologized quickly, already feeling awkward. He hated the way Anthony was treating whoever the woman in his house was, but he couldn’t do a thing about it; he’d also rather not lose a friend.

“No, no, man. I’m not busy at all…what are wee doing tonight?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Bradley countered with a smirk. “I don’t have the slightest idea of where to go.”

“I’ve got a perfect place in mind,” Anthony acknowledged, sounding enthralled. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere tonight, but if you want wee can meet there.”

“And exactly what place are you talking about?”

“It’s a new nightclub downtown, called Angel’s Kiss. It seems pretty nice, and not so many people know about it, but it’s probably going to be packed despite that.”

“Sounds good to me, where is this place?”

Anthony cleared his throat, and the phone went silent for a moment. “It’s on 55th and Santa Ana Street. You’ll see it easily enough.”

“Alright man, wee’ll see you soon then. Lily’s getting dressed now and then wee’ll be on our way.”

“Hey, do you mind if I bring Millie along?” Anthony enquired hastily before Bradley could hang up.

“Who’s Millie?”

“One of the girls I’m seeing,” Anthony whispered into the phone.

Bradley exhaled, once again disappointed in his best friend. “Doesn’t matter to me, you can bring whoever you like. It’ll be like a double-date.”

“Cool,” Anthony said. “Well, I guess wee’ll see you in a little while.”

“Goodbye,” Bradley said, anxious to finish the conversation.

“See you later, man.”

Bradley hung up the phone and positioned it back on the charger, then gripped the edge of the counter, pressing his brow against the microwave. He had a peculiar feeling that there was a tragedy soon coming his way, and he didn’t doubt that it was going to arise at the club he would soon be attending.

“All set?” Lilibeth said, causing Bradley to turn around.

“Yeah,” he said softly, still gripping the counter behind him. He supposed Lily could see his distress, as she edged forward with an apprehensive look on her face.

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t think I know,” Bradley answered, pushing himself off of the counter. “I just feel like something wrong is happening.”

“Baby, everything is fine,” his wife reassured him. “This is exactly what you were thinking when wee were abed, weren’t you? Wee need to go out, and now, before your thoughts get the best of you.”

Bradley gaped at her, his mind blank once again. What seemed to be a few years later, he shook his head to wake himself up, saying, “You’re right. Let’s get out of here.” He started forward and wrapped his arms around Lilibeth’s shoulders, holding her tight. When he broke away from her he kissed her neck, and she giggled elatedly.

“Later,” she teased, and the look she gave him was the only thing he could ever need to feel alive. Smiling, he bent down and kissed her lips, and she kissed him back.

“I love you,” he told her.

“I love you, too,” she said with a laugh. “But can wee leave now?”

“Right,” Bradley agreed, beaming. Holding hands, they made their way to the front door, letting go of each other just long enough to slip into their shoes; he put on a pair of plain, white running sneakers, and he watched as Lily struggled into a pair of high-legged black boots that reached out, almost touching her bare knees. It was only then that Bradley noted what his wife had changed into—a short skirt that he almost wished was a little longer, and a black and white checkered button-up shirt over a plain black t-shirt. Her brown hair was tousled and wavy, just the way Bradley loved to see, and he couldn’t help but smile as he gazed at her.

“Shall wee go then?” she asked after both of her boots were on.

“Wee shall,” Bradley told her, and he gave her his arm. She took it, and Bradley opened the door to step out into the night, closing it behind him.

“You never learn, do you?” Bradley heard his wife say, and with a bewildered look he gaped at her.

“What was that?”

“What are you talking about?”

Bradley was taken aback. “Didn’t you just say—?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” his wife asked, her eyebrow raised in concern. “I didn’t say anything, and you’re starting to scare me. What’s going on with you, Brad?”

“I’m not so sure these days,” he answered, guiding her down their front steps by her hand. She followed him timidly, and he could feel her eyes on his back. Quietly they both entered the large black SUV parked in their driveway, its only company that of a small blue car. Since it was Lilibeth’s car, it was only customary that she drove it to their destination, as was won't by her status as owner. She didn’t mind if Bradley drove it, of course, but this night he felt too tired and out of the loop to be able to drive anywhere safely.

“Do you know where Angel’s Kiss is?” Bradley asked his wife as she slowly began to back out of the driveway.

“Well I’m assuming it’s somewhere downtown.”

“Right,” Bradley approved. “I’ll show you where to go.”

The drive there was awkwardly quiet; they hadn’t even bothered to turn on the radio, and the silence seemed to pierce Bradley’s soul. After a while he couldn’t keep quiet, and once again he tried to reestablish his composure.

“I hope this place isn’t packed,” he inquired, and Lily agreed, merely nodding her head. He glanced at her. “Babe.”

“Yes?” She kept her eyes sternly fixed on the road that lay ahead. Bradley didn’t care about what lay ahead, only what he had with him right now, right that very moment.

“I love you.”

Her reply began with a laugh, making Bradley feel unwanted. “Wee’ve been over this a million times, honey. I love you too.”

“Good,” he muttered, and once again the awkward silence ensued, Bradley growing colder with each passing second.

After a while of even more quiet he began to pay attention to their surroundings, and giving his wife directions to the night club gave him an excuse to break the stillness that blanketed their vehicle. Not long after they parked, paid the meter that stood sentinel alongside their SUV, and made their way arm in arm across the street to the thumping and raised voices that emanated from the building across the street.

Before they reached the other side of the street, Bradley stopped in his tracks, gaping at the thickness of the line of patrons waiting to get in. “Wee’ll be here all night, waiting in that.”

Lily paid no mind to the people in line. “At least wee won’t be waiting alone.”

“I know that,” Bradley replied casually, but he gestured at the line in distaste. “But should wee waste our time even trying to get in?”

“C’mon,” Lily teased him, breaking herself away from his side, and she strolled over towards the line, “live a little.”

Bradley had no choice but to follow, so he did just that, his hands in his pockets to keep them warm. Lilibeth was walking in a brisk pace, so he had to hurry to catch up. When he was only a few strides behind her, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that someone in the line had been staring.

Bradley took this upon himself to confront the man, as he had nothing to lose tonight. “Can I help you with something?”

“What do you want, geek?” the man asked mockingly, his faction of friends standing around him, their laughter echoing about.

“I’d like you to give me a reason for staring at my wife,” Bradley announced, clenching his fist. What have I got myself into?

That only made the man and his friends start to laugh all the more, unable to comprehend Bradley’s words. He was pointing at Lily, who was frozen in place a few feet away, a scared look on her face, saying, “She…you…can’t…together?”

That’s it, Bradley thought, his anger taking control. He lunged forward and punched the man in the stomach. He fell backwards, only to be caught by his group of friends. Their laughter had died down now, and the friends helped Bradley’s assailant to his feet.

“Bradley, don’t!” Lilibeth cried out when Bradley lifted his fist to strike the man again, and he knew it was a mistake to look at her. The distraction was just enough, and the other man landed a punch square on Bradley’s left cheek, making him lurch a few steps to the side. When he opened his eyes, he could see his wife’s boots as she stood over him.

Bradley turned his head to find the enemy striding towards him, his friends following closely behind. The man knelt down by Bradley’s head, a smirk playing across his lips. “Like I said,” he almost whispered, “what do you want, geek?”

Turning over from his side onto his back, Bradley tried to give his reply, but all he could do was stutter and groan, no comprehensible words able to flee his lips.

“What was that?” the man from the line asked, cupping his hand around his ear. “I can’t hear you.” Laughter rang out from the onlookers, and Bradley was forced to swallow his pride.

“Fuck you,” he muttered. It must have been loud enough this time, as the man’s eyes went wide in surprise.

“I’ve had enough of this,” the man said, standing upright, and he lifter his leg up to stomp on Bradley’s outstretched hand. Lily screamed, and all Bradley could think was, I’m sorry.

“Stop,” a voice suddenly said, and bafflingly it sounded like a murmur and a bellow at the same time. Bradley twisted his head to the left and found another person standing over him. He was sure it was a cop, but to his astonishment the man gave him his hand and helped him up, and when he looked upon his savior he found him to just be a passerby.

Bradley turned his attention back to his assailant, but already they were returning to their places in line, muttering words of contempt and revenge under their breath. “Thank you, Mr.—” he began, but when he turned back, the strange man was gone. He glanced down the road but no one was to be seen going either direction.

“Babe, are you okay?” Lilibeth asked, placing her hand on his shoulder, and he flinched away from her touch. He turned around and found his wife staring at him wide eyes wide in horror—whether from the fight or from his reaction to her touch, he didn’t know.

“I’m fine,” Bradley replied quietly, rubbing his jaw. He hoped it wasn’t broken. “Let’s just get out of here.”

“Still a skinny dweeb, are you?” came another voice from the line, but Bradley had had enough of it for the night. He began to turn around to voice his opinion, but was shocked to find a familiar face smiling at him.

“I guess so,” Bradley said with a disdainful grin, and he shook Anthony’s outstretched hand. “I take it this is Millie?” Anthony’s eyes grew as large as eggs, and it was only then that Bradley realized what he had said wrong.

“Danielle,” Anthony’s date suggested, and Bradley shook her hand, seeing the anger in the woman’s face. Bradley had, in one way or another, revealed to her that Anthony was seeing more than one girl.

“How long are wee going to have to wait in this line?” Bradley asked as Danielle and Lilibeth exchanged greetings.

“If you were here by yourself, I’d say all night,” Anthony explained, clapping Bradley on the shoulder. He took out a cigar and lit it, a large cloud escaping his mouth. “But since you’re with me…” Anthony didn’t bother to finish the sentence, and instead turned on the spot and literally danced his way past the line, and at the door he said to the bouncer, “They’re with me.”

All four of them got in without so much as a word of complaint, besides those of the guests still waiting in line.

Holding Lilibeth by the hand once again, they both had to skip a few steps to catch up with their guests, and when they finally did, Bradley asked, “How did you do that?”

“How do you think?” Anthony challenged, and Bradley and his wife followed him and Danielle into a private room. Inside was a large booth that could seat at least ten people, and the large table in the middle seemed like nothing more than a place to store extra bottles of booze. Anthony and Danielle scooted their way into the booth, so Bradley and Lily were imposed with no other choice but to follow suit and scoot into the other side. “I work here,” Anthony finished, and to Bradley’s astonishment he grabbed a bottle from the middle of the table and proceeded to drink straight from it.

“You mean to tell me that you’re a bartender here?” Lilibeth had to almost yell over the music and the conversations, the clatter of fudge and knife on plates, the cheering of toasts and the terribly high-pitched sound the speakers made when the DJ made an announcement, which was almost nonstop.

“Not exactly,” Anthony said after draining the entire bottle, and he grinned at his guests. Danielle sat next to him, gazing at something at the wall, looking bored. “More like, I own the place.”

“Right,” Bradley had to laugh. He could never imagine someone like Anthony Gremo to own anything besides a house, no less an entire night club.

“It’s true,” Danielle said with a sigh, and she crossed her arms to make herself seem official.

“You’re damn right it’s true,” Anthony said after blowing out another puff of smoke, and he held the burning cigar between his index and middle finger. “Why do you think I invited you out here in the first place? I wouldn’t want my best friend and his beautiful wife to be stuck in a line all night on New Year’s Eve, now do I?”

“I guess not,” Bradley said simply, already convinced.

“Well, this is very nice of you, Anthony,” Lily told him with a smile. “I’d rather be here than stuck in line, or worse, stuck at home.”

Bradley couldn’t help but feel that something weird was brewing between his wife and Anthony, and he glanced back and forth at their faces, both of them smiling at each other. “Oh!” Bradley exclaimed, looking at the watch on his wrist, breaking the silence in their group. “It’s almost time!”

“That time already, eh?” Anthony asked, and he scooted out of the booth. When Danielle tried to follow him, he placed his hand atop hers, saying, “Wait here, sweets. I’ll be back quicker than you’ll know.” Then with that, he was gone.

With each passing minute it grew closer to midnight, Bradley could have sworn that the music and all the other sounds that reverberated about the club seemed to grow and give birth to even more sounds, amplifying everything tenfold by each minute. Soon there would only be seconds left until midnight, and Bradley felt something in his gut that wanted scream and that told him to get out. I’ll have none of that tonight. Bradley made himself sit still, trying to enjoy the night and all the sounds that came with it. He placed his arm around Lilibeth’s shoulder, and she scooted closer to him, her arm around his back.

Danielle must have noticed, for she suddenly said, “I envy you two.”

“Why’s that?” Lily asked, sitting up a bit straighter.

The other girl blinked in surprise. “You seriously have to ask me that? Just look at you two, I can see how much in love you are, and it seems to grow stronger every second.” She glanced towards the direction Anthony had left, and Bradley thought he understood her pain. Grabbing a glass from the middle of the table, she poured herself some champagne. “If there was anything I’ve ever wanted, it’s what you two share.”

“Wee are very blessed and lucky to have each other,” Lilibeth told Danielle, and when she turned her head to look at Bradley, he surprised her with a quick kiss.

The only reason it was quick was because they suddenly heard their friend’s voice through the speakers. “Ladies and gentleman!” he exclaimed, and unbelievably the dancers and guests grew even louder than ever before. “How are wee all feeling tonight?” That set them off again, and after a second the cheering died down, along with the music. “Let’s get it dead silent in here, alright?” It didn’t take long for the guests to obey, and Bradley thought that Anthony must have been well known in this place. “Wee’re about two minutes away from midnight, and I have only one thing to say,” Anthony’s voice rang through the speakers, and Bradley listened intently, his wife leaning her head against his shoulder as they relaxed in their booth. “I’ve invited my best friend and his wife here tonight, and without saying any names I would like to congratulate them on their recent marriage and I only wish them the happiness in life that they deserve. Let’s give it up for them.”

Bradley and Lilibeth both glanced around the room in embarrassment, but since they were in a private booth no one was there to see them besides Danielle—she happened to be beaming at them, raising a glass of champagne to them. Bradley bowed his head to her, and Lily sat there smiling at no one in particular. I’m glad she’s happy. He was lost in thought when the countdown began.
“Twenty!” Anthony exclaimed, and when nineteen came around, most of the guests in the club added their voice to the countdown. “Nineteen!” they all shouted. “Eighteen, seventeen!”
“When the counter gets to zero, drinks are on the house!” Anthony screamed into the microphone, and the club exploded in cheering. After that Anthony wasn’t heard again, but the countdown continued with the life of the patrons.
“Twelve!” they all shouted in unison as Anthony returned to their private booth.
“Brother, you best be dead if you’re not drinking tonight,” he said, pointing at Bradley.
“Eleven!”
He glanced at Lily next to him. “Are you going to drink?”
“Ten!”
“No, honey, go ahead.”
With a half-hearted smile, Bradley took it upon himself to grab the nearest bottle and a glass, and then took his first shot of the night after toasting Anthony. The rest of the countdown seemed to run together as his best friend sat back down in the booth, placing his arm around Danielle’s shoulder, and all but Lily began to take shots and play drinking games. Bradley never heard the countdown reach zero, but he assumed it did all the same.
Soon the night began to run like ink on a wet piece of paper, and after a while he thought he heard his wife announce to him that she was going to the restroom, but he couldn’t have been sure of what was actually said. She left him standing there, and it was only then that he realized he was drenched in sweat in the middle of the dance floor. He looked down and found a cup in his hand and drank the rest of its contents, only to throw it to the floor, the glass shattering into a million pieces.
“You’ve had too much,” someone was telling him soon thereafter, holding him up and guiding him towards a dark and deserted area. Bradley didn’t want to go there, but he was powerless against the man who was guiding him around the room.
“Why are wee walking in circles?” Bradley managed to ask, but whoever was helping him only laughed.
“Wee’re not walking in circles, my dear boy. I believe that is the alcohol that is making your head spin like a top.” After that, the man sat him down in the private booth he and his friends had previously occupied. Bradley made to reach for another bottle of some kind of liquor, but the man slapped his hand away. “Look at you, you’re a mess. Your father would be ashamed.”
Bradley could only gape at the man before him, the man’s face hidden behind a shadow that seemingly shouldn’t have been there. “You know…my…dad?”
“Indeed I do, but I cannot say that he knows me quite as well as I know him. He dreams tonight will prove otherwise.”
“What…what are you…saying…to me?” Bradley murmured, letting out a belch.
“Tonight is both you and your father’s return, although this will be your first and your father’s second.”
“What?” Bradley asked, and he thought his vision was growing foggy.
“It is your return tonight. Satur—”
“There you are!” someone called out, and Bradley looked past the man to find Lily striding towards their table. She glanced awkwardly at the man standing next to their booth, so the stranger took it upon himself to bow to the lady and make his exit.
“Who was that?” Lilibeth asked quickly, although in a whisper.
“Some…one. Who knows…my…father.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. “C’mon, birthday boy, let’s get you home.” She helped him up and through the still crowded club, saying a brief goodbye to Anthony and Danielle on the dance floor, and Lily had to half-carry, half-drag her husband back to their car. When they were finally inside and the loud music and the world was shut out, Lilibeth asked through ragged breaths, “So, did you have a good thirtieth birthday?”
“I…I think…I did,” Bradley replied, struggling with his seat belt. After a moment he figured it out, then reclined his chair so he could go to sleep. “Just…get us…home, please.” The ride home seemed to take hours, and it felt like he was growing older quicker than usual.