The Other Side of the Story

Disclaimer: If you think that I own any part of Chicago, I suggest you get your head examined. Because I don't.

Six

"… you know, some guys just can't hold their arsenic …"

I finished my coffee, tipped the waitress and left the café. I glanced nervously at the dark clouds and hoped that I could hail a cab before I got drenched. Looking back and forth along the busy street, I finally saw one. Breathing a sigh of relief, I started to run towards it. Then I bumped into her.

"Hey! Watch it!" she yelled in annoyance as her basket of groceries spilled all over the sidewalk.

It was tempting to keep running, but I grit my teeth and picked up some of the groceries. I stole a glance back up the road and noticed someone else hailing my cab. Dammit, I thought. I looked back at the woman, who was collecting the last of her groceries. She was a slender redhead. Very pretty, I thought. She glanced up at me and nodded her thanks before beginning to walk off.

"Wait!" I grabbed her wrist. "So sorry, Miss …?"

"Forbes. Annie Forbes."

"Enchanted, Miss Forbes," I said. "Ezekiel Young at your service."

She threw me an amused expression.

"Where are you from, Mr. Young?"

"Just Ezekiel, if you don't mind. And I'm from Salt Lake City."

"Really? I have some friends there. What brings you to Chicago?"

I thought fast. The real reason was that I felt like I had to get away from Sally, my wife in Salt Lake City, and I didn't feel like visiting the other five. I decided on a partial lie.

"Well, I just broke up with my girlfriend. Wanted to get away from the memories."

"Oh, that's too bad," Annie said.

"And I suppose a beautiful girl like you has a fella waiting at home for you?"

"Actually, no," she giggled. "Mr. Young – Ezekiel, you flatter me."

"Not at all. If you were mine, I'd never let you go."

Annie blushed. I was about to suggest we get to know each other better, but she beat me to it.

"Well, if you're new around here, you'll need someone to show you around," she said. "I'd be happy to oblige."

Of course I accepted.

-------

Annie and I kept seeing each other for a few weeks, and it was obvious that we were really hitting it off. It seemed natural that we should move in together, so Annie came to live with me. By this time, I'd gotten a job in Chicago as a banker, which was fortunate as Annie was between jobs. We quickly settled into a routine: I'd go to work and when I came home, Annie would fix me a drink before dinner. She was so good to me that sometimes I felt bad about the whole six wives thing, but then I figured that it was part of being Mormon, so it was okay.

Every now and then I'd go away for a week or two here and there to visit my other wives, but most of my time was around Annie and my job in Chicago. That's the way it stayed for about two years.

One day after coming home early from seeing Paula (the New York wife), I found Annie writing a letter.

"Oh, hi, Ezekiel, sweetie," she said, looking over at me. "You're home early."

I smiled back at her. "Who are you writing to?"

"Oh!" she smiled. "Remember when I told you I had friends in Salt Lake City? Well, having you around made me realise how long it had been since I wrote to them."

I kissed her cheek and went to fix us some drinks. If I had known exactly who she was writing that letter to, I would have burned it.

-------

It had been a normal day. I got home from the bank to find Annie sitting on the couch holding a letter. She started when she saw me, but recovered quickly.

"Hello, darling," she said, her voice a little strained. "I'll go fix you a drink."

"Thanks," I said distractedly.

I loosened my tie and went to sit down. Annie was back in a few minutes, handing me a drink. She had a strange smile on her face that made me wonder if she was hiding something. I sighed and kicked off my shoes.

"Ezekiel," Annie said quietly. "Would you know a Sally Young from Salt Lake City?"

The question took me aback, but I tried to seem unfazed.

"Doesn't ring a bell. Why?"

"Well, she seems to know you pretty well. Very well, in fact."

I was sweating now, and took a sip of my drink. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

"And the other five Youngs spread across America, too. They know you"

I thought I choked on my drink because of what she said, but pretty soon it became apparent that it was something else. Something more serious. Something deadly. My eyes opened wide with shock as my throat began burning. I was feeling nauseous and could hardly focus.

Annie shoved the letter she had been holding across the table. I could only make out a little.

… after your letter I did some research. The bastard's got five other wives! Annie, I suggest you get rid of the creep now …

As the taste of bile rose in my throat I realised that Annie had taken Sally's advice a little too literally …