After Thought Read online

  Table Of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  After Thought

  Copyright © 2021 by P. A. Crenshaw

  All rights reserved.

  First Edition: 2021

  Published by P. A. Crenshaw Books

  www.pacrenshaw.com

  ISBN (paperback): 978-1-7367752-0-2

  ISBN (ebook): 978-1-7367752-1-9

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2021904202

  Cover design and formatting by Streetlight Graphics, LLC

  Edited by Suzanne Johnson

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Dedicated to my family and friends who have encouraged and supported me.

  Chapter 1

  Who knew a trip to the mailbox could irrevocably change a person’s life? Certainly not the unsuspecting Adam Lancaster, who paused on his way to the mailbox to look out the window at the iconic spire of One World Trade Center in the distance. After living in his high-rise studio apartment for several months, and making the same trip to the bank of mailboxes almost every day, he still marveled at the magnificence of the Manhattan skyline every time he saw it. He couldn’t believe he had finally realized his dream of having his own place in New York.

  When Adam reached his mailbox, he mechanically retrieved his mail and sorted the stack as he walked.

  Junk mail. Ads. Junk mail. Electric bill for Mr. Adam Lancaster, Apartment 810. Oh the joys of reaching adulthood. Letter from Mom—not so much adult-like. Package for Madeline Smith, Apartment 811.

  Adam paused.

  He always seemed to get other residents’ junk mail, which he usually threw away. He figured they wouldn’t miss it. However, in this case, he guessed the package was probably not junk. He made an about-face to return the package, but paused again when he realized there was no way to fit it in the tiny mail slot of the correct mailbox. He didn’t want to just leave it sitting in the hall. Someone would surely call the bomb squad about a suspicious package. Instead, he decided to knock on the door of apartment 811 to see if anyone answered. After all, he should make an attempt to meet more of his neighbors.

  If he was lucky, Madeline Smith might be really hot. With his luck, she would be a nice, old lady. Either way, it would be good to put a face with the name.

  Adam knocked on the door and waited and listened. No response. He knocked again and waited a few moments longer. Still no response. He turned to walk away but stopped when he thought he heard footsteps on the other side of the door.

  “Who is it?” he heard a muffled, feminine voice say.

  “Um, I didn’t think anyone was home,” he said. “It’s your neighbor.”

  He heard the ker-chunk ker-chunk of at least two deadbolts being unlocked. The door opened a crack and caught on a couple of swing-type door guard bars like the ones in hotel rooms.

  Paranoid much?

  Adam could barely make out two squinting eyes peering at him. The eyes looked a little unfriendly…or suspicious…or annoyed…or maybe all of the above.

  “What do you want?”

  The abruptness didn’t surprise him. Many New Yorkers were that way—they didn’t trust strangers until they got to know them.

  “Um, I’m looking for Madeline Smith,” he said.

  She paused for a moment and finally said, “Who are you and how do you know that name?”

  “I’m Adam Lancaster. I live next door. A package for Madeline Smith at this address was delivered to my mailbox mistakenly.”

  More silence. Then the door closed and Adam heard the creak of metal from the remaining locks being unlocked.

  When the door finally opened, there before him stood the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She appeared to be in her early-to-mid-twenties with sleek, baby-doll blond hair that fell just below her shoulders. Her pale-blue eyes looked like ice crystals fringed with long, thick lashes. A natural beauty, she wore no makeup, except for the subtlest hint of a glossy shine on her full lips. Her white V-neck Beatles t-shirt conformed to her full breasts and accentuated her slim waist. His eyes drifted down to her skinny jeans that displayed her curvy hips in a sexy, yet tasteful way.

  Adam caught himself gawking at her and regained his composure.

  “M-Madeline?”

  Please let her be Madeline. Please let her be Madeline.

  She must have noticed his…admiration. With one eyebrow slightly raised and her lips curled into an amused half-smile, her eyes scanned him up and down.

  “That would be me. It’s very nice to meet you, Adam.”

  She extended her hand, palm down. Adam stared at it for a split second. He didn’t know whether to shake it or kiss it like the queen. It seemed rather odd. He ventured on the cautious side and went with the handshake. Her hand felt warm and soft in his. He didn’t want to release it.

  She brought him back to focus when she said, “But please call me Maddie. All my friends call me Maddie.”

  “Oh, gotcha…Maddie,” he said. “But Madeline is a beautiful name.”

  She smiled a dazzling white smile that revealed perfectly straight teeth.

  A movie star smile.

  “Thank you. But I think Madeline is a bit old-fashioned. Don’t you?”

  “Not at all, but if you prefer Maddie, then Maddie it is.”

  She smiled again, nodded slightly, and then looked down at the package in his hands. He followed her gaze.

  “Oh, right. I guess I should give you this,” he said as he handed the package over.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Adam didn’t wan
t the conversation to end. He usually had no trouble talking to the ladies, but with her he felt nervous.

  After an awkward silence he said, “Have you lived here long?”

  “Oh, only a few months or so,” she replied offhandedly. “What about you?”

  “I just moved in a few months ago as well, and I don’t know many people yet. I thought I’d take this opportunity to meet one of my neighbors.”

  She nodded and said, “Well, welcome to the neighborhood.”

  “Welcome to the neighborhood to you too,” he said. “I love it here.”

  “It certainly is a great city,” she mused. “One of the best skylines in the world.”

  Maddie held his gaze for a few moments and then looked down at the package in her hands. She looked up, held the package up slightly, and said, “Well, thanks again for delivering my package.”

  She took a step back. He needed to think of something to say…anything.

  “By the way,” he said. “Nice shirt.”

  Maddie raised a curious eyebrow.

  “I mean…the Beatles,” he said. “I think they’re amazing. It’s cool that you’re wearing a Beatles shirt.”

  “Big fan?”

  “Definitely. I’m a music fanatic. I like all kinds of music genres from all ages. In fact, I’m the lead singer of a band and we jam in my apartment sometimes. I hope the music hasn’t bothered you.”

  She shook her head. “No, it hasn’t bothered me at all. I guess the walls have good insulation. Now that you mention it, though, I have heard music coming through every now and then, but it wasn’t terribly loud. From what I could hear, it sounded good.”

  “Really? You liked it?”

  “Seriously. I thought it was coming from iTunes or something. Does your band have a name?”

  “It’s an alternative rock band called Night Fury. Ever heard of it?”

  She pursed her lips, wrinkled her eyebrows, and looked up as if trying to recall. After a few moments she said, “Sorry, I don’t believe I have.”

  “No need to apologize. We’re not exactly famous yet. But we have recently landed some steady gigs at some of the biggest and hottest nightclubs in town. Our goal is to get a recording contract and hit the big time.”

  “That’s really cool. I love alternative rock. I’m also a music fanatic of all genres and ages.”

  “That’s pretty sick,” said Adam.

  She seemed genuine when she said, “I think it’s admirable to have such big dreams.”

  She smiled that dazzling smile again. Adam thought he would melt. He decided to take a chance.

  “We practice in the residents’ lounge every Thursday night,” he said. “You should come watch us sometime. It’s an open invitation. Several of the residents, our friends, fans, and significant others come to our practices. We hang out, drink beer or whatever, and there is always plenty of good food to munch on. It’s just as much social time as it is a rehearsal.”

  “It sounds like a good time. I just might do that. Well, thanks again for delivering my package. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  She took a step back, indicating the end of the conversation. He wondered if he had come on too strong. She didn’t give him a definite ‘yes,’ but it wasn’t a flat-out ‘no,’ either. Adam glanced down at Maddie’s left hand and smiled inwardly when he saw no ring.

  “It was very nice to meet you, too, Maddie. Hope to talk to you again soon and maybe see you at rehearsal.”

  As he turned and walked away, he gave himself an imaginary high-five. His friends would not believe this. He couldn’t wait to tell them.

  Chapter 2

  Maddie paced back and forth in her kitchen, waiting for her friend to answer the phone.

  Why was she not answering?

  Maddie tapped her foot impatiently and called again. She really needed to talk to her.

  Then, finally, she heard a voice—her best friend, Sancha. After a short greeting, she asked, “What took you so long to answer?”

  Sancha replied with mock exasperation, “I was out in the garden. I didn’t hear it ringing. I’m fine, by the way. Thanks for asking.”

  “I’m sorry. I just need to talk to you about something.”

  “It’s fine. I’m just teasing you. What’s on your mind, dulce amiga?”

  “Well, I met one of my neighbors today,” Maddie said as she continued pacing.

  “Is everything okay?” Sancha interjected before Maddie could say anything else.

  “I’m fine. It’s fine. Everything’s okay. It’s just…”

  “Really? Are you sure?” said Sancha, sounding worried.

  “Yes. Yes. I’m sure. It’s just…” Maddie paused.

  “Well, spill it then. What’s his name?”

  Maddie started to speak, realized what Sancha had just implied, and paused again before saying, “Who said it was a he?”

  “Well, if nothing is wrong, then what else would it be? Am I right?” Sancha said smugly.

  Maddie sighed and said, “You know me too well. Do I really only call you when something is wrong?”

  Sancha laughed and said, “No, don’t be silly. Well…so, maybe you do, but it’s okay. That’s what best friends are for. Go on. Is he muy guapo?” Very handsome.

  Maddie thought about it a moment and said, “Actually, he’s…beautiful.”

  Sancha paused and then said slowly, “Really? I don’t often hear someone describe a man as ‘beautiful.’ ”

  “True,” Maddie agreed, “but that is the best word I could think of to describe him.”

  “Wow, he sure must be something then. Tell me all about him.”

  Maddie twirled her hair as she said, “He lives in the apartment next door. His name is Adam Lancaster. My mail was accidentally delivered to his mailbox and he stopped by to deliver it and introduce himself. He’s in an alternative rock band, and he wants to be a rock star, which is really cool. He’s tall with dark hair. It’s kind of like a modern pompadour, you know the style, with short, faded sides, longer on the top, and combed into a high mound in front. It looks like he works out a lot because his arms and shoulders looked cut. He’s got indigo-blue eyes that draw you in. And he actually seems really nice.”

  “All of that sounds great,” said Sancha. “So what’s the problem? Why the urgent call? Do you want me to get my connections to run a check on him?”

  “I think he’s harmless, but you probably should, just in case.”

  “Did he ask you out?”

  “Not exactly. He did mention that his band rehearses in the residents’ lounge every Thursday night and he invited me to stop by. He said there are always lots of people hanging out and having a good time.”

  “So if he checks out okay, you’re going, right?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why don’t you know? Do you think he’s secretly freaky or something?”

  “Geez. No, I don’t think he’s secretly freaky. Do you really think I should go?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  Maddie hesitated and said, “You know why I’m hesitant. That’s why I’m calling you for advice.”

  “The answer seems obvious to me. He likes you enough to ask you to come hang out, and you seem to like him too, so you go.”

  Maddie paused for a moment then said, “Do you think it would be safe?”

  Sancha sighed and said, “Try not to worry so much.”

  “I have a good reason to worry, and you know it,” protested Maddie.

  She sat down on her barstool and poured herself a glass of wine.

  “You know I understand more than anyone,” said Sancha. “But you are due to have some fun in your life. You need to get out and meet people, make friends, date, and have a good time. You can’t just waste away your life in that apartment, being a recluse.” />
  Maddie silently contemplated her friend’s words. She knew Sancha had a point, but her intuition told her to be cautious.

  “I don’t know. There’s a part of me that wants to go, and a part of me that thinks I shouldn’t even start anything.”

  “Well, you called me for advice and my advice is for you to go. Go—have a good time, socialize, meet some new people, and quit worrying. Just because you go doesn’t mean you are starting something. If nothing else, maybe you’ll make some new friends.”

  Maddie didn’t respond.

  Sancha apparently sensed her hesitation and continued more forcefully, “Maddie, I want you to promise me you will go.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that. I still haven’t made up my mind.”

  Sancha cut her off, “Then I’m making your mind up for you because I love you. And I think it’s about time you let go of everything from your past and get a life.”

  Maddie knew her friend truly cared about her and meant well. She sighed. “I know deep down that you’re right. I just don’t know if I can do this.”

  “Of course you can do this, cariño. Promise me you will go to the rehearsal. And I want a full report.”

  Maddie silently debated.

  “Okay, I don’t normally do this, but you’ve forced me. If you won’t do it for you, then do it for me,” said Sancha.

  Maddie whined, “That’s not fair, Sancha.”

  Sancha ignored her and went on, “It’s not very often that I ask you to do something for me. So now I’m asking you, sincerely, please do this for me.”

  Maddie sighed again and said, “Okay, okay, already. I’ll do it. I’ll go. Against my better judgment, I’ll go.”

  “Great! You’ll be so happy you decided to go. Trust me. You’ll be fine, and you’ll have a great time. And even if all that comes out of this is you make new friends, it will be a step forward. Now, aren’t you glad you called? You can thank me later.”

  “Yes, so glad,” said Maddie sarcastically, not quite convinced.

  “Deep down I think you know I’m right. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. You just needed confirmation.”

  Maddie mumbled, “We’ll see.”