Text Message (714) 435-7891

“I thought we were meeting a Dino’s at 7?”

“I think you have the wrong number…”

“No Kelsey, you agreed to meet me tonight! You are such a whore! I waited for an hour!”

I flip to my phone calendar looking at today’s appointment. I glance at my wall calendar as well. Maybe I forgot I was meeting Shara tonight? She always getting a new phone.

“I’m so sorry but I don’t have your number. Who is this?”

“Man, that sucks. I thought we had something special. I guess you are just another one of those fucking teases. Just act nice and then blow off nice guys like me. Fucking slut!”

Freaking crazy people. There are a lot of Kelsey’s in the world…I fidget my bracelet around my wrist, set down my phone, and pour a glass of rose. I walk to my front door and twist the deadbolt shut, just in case.

Text Message (714) 435-7891

“Kelsey, I’m sorry. I love you. I will see tomorrow at Tonya’s party ok? Talk then babe. Xoxo”

My face reddens, and I can heart my heart beating my ears. Something’s not right, as I glance at the calendar that says In red letters “Tonya-6pm” on the wall calendar for tomorrow.

I immediately dial Chris’ phone. On the third ring I hear

“Hey you” I hear the smile in his voice even on the phone. I relax just a hair.

As I roll the soft petals through my fingers “Hey you, did you happen to send me a dozen long stemmed roses to work today?” The plea in my voice is a little desperate.

“Umm no honey I’m sorry. Shit did I miss an anniversary? Or your birthday?”

“Oh no….a dozen just showed up an work with no note and I just assumed….”

“No wasn’t me. Maybe your mom thought you needed a pick me up after how hard you have been working, pulling late nights on that pitch? You know how she sent you favorite chocolates last week?”

“Yeah I haven’t actually gotten to thank her for those yet….”

“Well maybe I should go and you can call you mom! Sounds like you have a big thank you to make!”

“Actually babe, umm could you come over. I just…umm don’t want to be alone tonight.”

“Sure hun, I’m just wrapping up a drink with some of the guys for a birthday and I’ll be right over. I’ll be an hour tops? Ok?”

“Ok! Thanks babe. I’ll see you soon”

Pacing I watch the counter on my Fitbit jump from 7,500 steps to 9,000 before Chris arrives.

As he keys into my house, I notice a stamp on his hand. My heartbeat jumps through the roof as I recognize the familiar Dinosaur shape.

I back up and say “umm Dino’s tonight?”

“Yeah a couple of work guys, I don’t think you know anyone” He walks to the sink to pour a glass of water. “Wait no, Gage, you met him once a couple of weeks ago? At Tonya’s renaissance dinner thing? He kept saying how pretty you were in your dress, and you made a joke about being engaged?”

“Oh yeah…I think I remember him….it is actually weird I bumped into him at Target yesterday. It took me a minute to place him…”

“Yeah he mentioned it. It was his birthday so we took him for some beers tonight.”

My blood went cold. It’s not possible right? Maybe I am blowing this all out of proportion. There is no way, this isn’t like one of those videos from college. All of this is just too much rosè and crime podcasts.

1 year later

Channel 5 News KVLA at 7pm

“This is Charlotte from Channel 5 KVLA reporting to you live where they have found the body of Kesley Tragger. Kelsey has been missing for the last month after a suspected stalker Gage Vallon violated her restraining order breaking into her local area home. Family and friend of Tragger are furious at local authorities response to Tragger’s claims of being stalked. Family is claiming that Vallon’s influential standing in the local business community clouded local response and investigation. Statements have come in that Tragger did report many of the stalking incidents to the authorities but was not followed up with due to lack of evidence. We go now to a statement from Tragger’s mother about her work in stalking prosecution reform. This is Charlotte with KVLA”