Truth About Men & Dogs

by Andrea Simonne

  “No, sweetheart,” I said softly. “You’re just right.”

  She reached out and stroked the side of my face that didn’t ache. “So you got punched in the face for me?”

  “Basically.”

  Her eyes searched mine. She appeared to be contemplating something. “Men are such odd creatures,” she said finally.

  I chuckled. “Don’t make me laugh. Seriously. It’s too painful.”

  She moved back and sat with her legs folded. “Well, they do say love hurts. I can’t decide if I’m complimented or angry after hearing all this.”

  I moved the ice pack from my face and reached for her hand. “Be complimented. I know I’m glad things turned out the way they did. Aren’t you?”

  She studied me for a long moment and then smiled.

  We were still holding hands when I decided it was probably a good time to explain what I’d been working on the last week and a half. Negotiating the largest commercial real estate venture NorthStone had ever been involved in. Our investors were thrilled. Gavin had been right all along. It would make everybody a ton of money.

  But this deal was going to do a hell of a lot more than that. It would finally settle the score with my father.

  “Listen, Claire, I need to talk to you about something. I know you’ve been wondering—”

  “Look.” She pointed toward the house. “Isn’t that your mom and Elliot over there?”

  “Huh? Where?” I still hadn’t met Elliot yet. To be honest, I’d had him discreetly checked out a week ago. Thankfully, nothing bad turned up.

  “By the edge of the fence.”

  Finally I saw them, or I thought I did. “Is that my mom?”

  Claire stood up and waved them over. I stood too as they headed toward us.

  Glancing at Claire, I realized I would have to wait until later to tell her about the deal with Atlas. I hadn’t wanted to discuss it with her until it was a sure thing, and I knew she’d get upset, at least at first, so I didn’t want to tell her over the phone.

  “Mom?” I said when the two of them got closer. “Is that really you?” She was dressed like a real old-fashioned pirate wench with a white blouse that came off the shoulders and a long blue skirt. I’d never seen her in anything like it. Her hair was pulled up with curls falling down around her face. She looked pretty and younger somehow.

  “Philip, I just heard what happened with Doug,” she said, coming closer with a worried expression. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. It was nothing.”

  “Did he really punch you?” She examined my face. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard. Do you need to see a doctor?”

  “I’m okay,” I assured her. “Just guy stuff. That’s all.”

  My mom nodded, but I knew there would be more questions later.

  “You must be Philip.” Elliot stepped forward and put his hand out. “It’s great to meet you finally.”

  His grip was firm. I took his measure, still not quite sure what to make of him. He wore the most realistic pirate costume I’d ever seen. From what I could tell, Claire had described him fairly accurately. He was in his late fifties and ruggedly handsome.

  “That’s quite a costume,” I said to him. “Probably the best one I’ve seen tonight.”

  “You guys both look amazing,” Claire enthused. “Like real pirates.”

  Elliot chuckled. “I have some friends who make historically accurate clothing. They’re both professors, and it’s become something of a side business for them.”

  We talked a little more. I asked questions about his work with the university, and he told me about some of the places he’d traveled to. He was articulate and entertaining. I imagined his classes were popular.

  Most importantly, my gut told me he was all right. I didn’t sense anything that worried me.

  The sun was starting to set, and I was ready to suggest we go back inside and get more food when a bell clanged. It sounded like it was coming from the house.

  “What’s that?” I asked Claire.

  She didn’t answer right away, a wistful expression on her face. “It’s the town crier bell. My dad used to ring it in the past.” She sighed. “Violet must be doing it now. Afterward they’ll light all the bonfires.”

  “What’s it for?” my mom wanted to know.

  “Mostly announcements about various things in the community. Come on.” She took my hand and motioned at the others. “We should head up to the house.”

  The three of us followed her, and everyone gathered in the main room. Violet, who was dressed like a male pirate, including a sword at her side, was standing partway up the staircase. She held out a sheet of paper.

  “Ahoy there, mateys.” She spoke in a loud voice tinged with a southern drawl. “I have news for all good and upstanding citizens, and even for those citizens who aren’t so good and upstanding.” She stopped and gave a sly wink as people clapped and whistled. “Let me begin with the retirement of our current mayor.” She went on to talk about how the mayor and his wife planned to travel the country in their new motorhome as people clapped and hooted.

  I stood next to Claire, holding her hand and listening as Violet continued with the announcements. There were engagements, weddings, anniversaries, and babies being christened.

  It was an interesting experience for me, as I’d never been part of a small community like this. The closest thing I’ve experienced were some of our company parties at NorthStone. I had to admit, it wasn’t bad. Nice, even.

  People continued to clap, cheer, and make jokes at the various announcements. About fifteen minutes into the whole thing, some guy walked up to Violet with another piece of paper. I watched as she read it. And then I watched as she looked down into the crowd, searching. Her eyes didn’t stop until they found mine.

  We studied each other from across the room. Judging by her expression, I knew what was on that paper.

  I glanced down at Claire. We were still holding hands.

  Violet spoke again. “I’ve been given some information from our lawyers.”

  As I listened, I thought about how I’d spent my whole adult life taking calculated risks. It had gotten me to where I was now. It had made NorthStone a success.

  “They say they’ve been informed by the bank that a deal’s been made. The land in our historic district is being sold to two companies. Atlas Investments and… NorthStone Capital.”

  Silence engulfed the room. There were a few mutterings. Mostly, I sensed confusion. My mom and Elliot were looking at me.

  “That’s not true,” Claire spoke up. “Do we have to go through this again? Philip’s already explained to you he has no part in any of it.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have it right here in black and white,” Violet said. “Let’s ask him whether it’s true.” She turned to me. “What do you have to say, Philip?”

  I felt the whole room full of people turning in my direction. As ridiculous as it sounded, it only now occurred to me that I’d made a colossal error in judgment. I should have told Claire about all this sooner. Much sooner. I should have prepared her. What the hell was I thinking? I’d gotten so caught up in my own priorities, I’d lost sight of the obvious.

  “Come on,” Claire insisted. We were still holding hands, and she tugged on mine. “Tell them you have no part in any of it.”

  I studied her. This woman who’d captured my heart, who’d brought so much joy and light into my life that the days before I met her seemed murky and dark.

  “I can’t.” I knew it was another calculated risk, that Claire might not stand by my decision. But I also knew she’d understand why I had to do it.

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s true, sweetheart.”

  She blinked at me in bewilderment. “What are you talking about?”

  “NorthStone is partnering with Atlas. We’re buying that land together.”

  “That can’t be right.” But then her eyes lit up. “Did you do it for me? If NorthStone’s involved,
you can stop them from tearing everything down, right?”

  I shook my head. “That’s not how it works. It isn’t structured that way. We offered it to our investors as a package.”

  She yanked her hand from mine.

  “I should have told you sooner,” I admitted, “but I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”

  “That’s all you have to say for yourself?” Her voice rose an octave. “This is what you’ve been working on so obsessively?”

  I sensed everyone around us watching and listening to our conversation with keen interest. “Let’s discuss this in private.”

  Claire glanced around too. Violet was still on the staircase, ready to spring into action. I heard someone in the crowd mutter, “Asshole,” and knew it was directed at me. I ignored it. I hadn’t gotten to where I was in life without pissing people off.

  “Fine,” she said, her face stony. “Let’s go.”

  Conversation around us picked up as we left out the back door. I was glad to be leaving, though I was concerned about Claire.

  We walked down the dirt and gravel road toward the carriage house in silence. It was a nice night, and I figured we’d sit outside, but she walked over to the driver side of her little turquoise car.

  “Are we going someplace?”

  “Yes, we are,” she snapped. “Get in.”

  I opened the car door. Once inside, I glanced around with interest. I’d never been inside her car before. It smelled like stale coffee and cleaning supplies. There was a pirate charm hanging from her rearview mirror.

  “Do you always keep your keys in here?” I asked as she started the engine and backed us out of the driveway.

  “What’s it to you?”

  “It’s not safe. You should bring them inside.”

  She rolled her eyes after pulling onto the main road. “Who’s going to steal a turquoise car with the name Your House Sparkles on it? It’s a little conspicuous, don’t you think?”

  “Screw the car. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  Her head spun toward me. “Oh, no you don’t. You don’t get to act like you care about me, like you’re concerned for my welfare. Not after what just happened.”

  “Don’t be like that. Of course I care about you. I’m in love with you.”

  She shook her head, staring at the road. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

  “Claire, you know why I had to do this. You know exactly why. I couldn’t let my father land on his feet again.”

  She went silent after that. I didn’t say anything more either.

  Eventually she parked near the ice cream parlor where we went on our first date. We both got out of the car.

  I glanced around in confusion. It was a quiet summer night. The scent of saltwater drifted in on a breeze. We appeared to have the streets to ourselves. “You brought me here to get ice cream?”

  “Everything is closed tonight for the party.”

  I stood next to the car and crossed my arms. “Then what are we doing here?”

  “We’re here because I want you to take a good look at everything you’ll be destroying.”

  “I’ve already been down here. I don’t need to see it again.”

  “Tonight you get to see it through my eyes.”

  I took a breath and held my hand up. “Look, Claire, I know you’re upset, but this is pointless.”

  She ignored me and strutted off, leaving me no choice but to follow.

  We passed a number of shops, and she told me the history behind each one. “See this shoe store? I bought my first pair of high heels there when I was fourteen. And that flower shop across the street? Three generations have owned it. They do all the weddings in our town.”

  I remained silent as I listened, letting her lead me wherever she wanted to, telling me about each place and its significance. The cafe where she’d been meeting friends all her life, the movie theater where she had her first kiss with some guy named Caleb.

  I wasn’t a monster. I didn’t enjoy hearing all these stories. I didn’t enjoy knowing I was part of destroying all these places. I knew most people living here were against the land development.

  I didn’t like being the bad guy, but I didn’t get rich being the good guy.

  Eventually we stopped in front of a classic old brick building with tall, narrow windows, and white trim around the edges. There was an ornate white paneled front door. A For Rent sign was taped to one of the windows.

  Anger had been fueling her as she led me around, but I sensed it sputtering out.

  “What is this place?”

  She pointed at the gold lettering above the door where it said Sullivan & Tunney Attorneys at Law. “My dad’s old law office.”

  I moved closer and tried to wrap my arms around her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

  She shrugged me off. “No you’re not. This is one of the buildings you’ll be destroying.” She turned to face me. “How could you not tell me you were doing this? You honestly thought I’d be okay with it?”

  I rubbed my jaw, which ached and felt swollen. “I knew you’d be upset, but I also knew you’d understand where I was coming from.”

  “Why would I understand?”

  “Because you’ve been betrayed too. You know the wound it leaves behind.”

  Her breath trembled. “But you’re betraying me.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not. I’d never do that. This has nothing to do with you.”

  “Of course, it does. How can you say that?”

  “Because this is how the world works, Claire.” I laid my hand on the brick wall beside me. “You can’t stop change. These old buildings aren’t going to last forever.”

  “You don’t know that,” she said stubbornly. “What if they declare this whole area a historic district?”

  “It won’t make any difference. Our lawyers have already looked into it.” I gestured around. “Many of these buildings aren’t old enough, and even the old ones have been significantly altered. The fact is, if it’s not NorthStone tearing them down, it’ll be my father’s company doing it.”

  She licked her lips. “Then let it be his.”

  I gave her a long look. “You can’t possibly mean that.”

  “I don’t want it to be you.”

  “This deal is going to be extremely profitable. I can’t turn my back on that. I don’t want to.”

  Her eyes blazed. “So that’s all you care about? No wonder green is your favorite color. It’s the color of money.”

  I ignored the dig. “There’s too much at stake here. I’m flying to Seattle tomorrow to sign contracts.”

  “You haven’t signed anything yet?”

  “Not until Monday.”

  She moved closer, her face stamped with hope. “So there’s still time for me to change your mind?”

  I looked away from that hope, staring out at the street, surrounded by this town’s infamous past—its history both good and bad. Oddly, I’d soon be a part of that history.

  “Please, Philip,” she whispered. “Don’t do it. If you love me, don’t do it.”

  “Stop.” I took a deep breath, feeling like shit. “You can’t ask this of me.”

  “It’s a mistake on so many levels. One you’ll regret. You think it’ll fix the past, but it won’t.”

  “Are you kidding? The only thing I regret is that I didn’t find a way sooner. I can’t let him win.” My voice hardened. “Not this time.”

  She studied me and then took my hand. I slipped my fingers through hers. We gazed at each other. I hated the unhappy expression on her face. I hated that I was the one putting it there.

  “You’ve already won. Can’t you see that?” Her voice carried into the night. “You have your mom and sister while he has no one. Your father lost everything a long time ago.”

  “It’s not enough, Claire. I wish it were, but it’s not.”

  “Listen to yourself. When is it ever enough? How much money will it take for you to feel safe? To be hap
py?”

  I didn’t reply.

  “The wolves aren’t howling at your door anymore. It’s nothing but revenge.”

  “No.” I pulled my hand from hers. “That’s where you’re wrong. This isn’t revenge. It’s justice.”

  “You’re better than this. I know you are.”

  I walked a few paces from her and gazed at the gold lettering above that solid and respectable doorway. Claire’s father was a good man. I could tell without ever having met him. I could tell from the way she spoke of him, from the kind of person he raised in her.

  “I left something out of the story I told you that night.” I turned to her again. “After my mom, Eliza, and I were forced out of our home, and after we moved in with my aunt, I went to see my father. He’d moved into a high-rise downtown. I snuck past the building’s security and made my way up to the top floor, to the penthouse. Do you know what I found?”

  She shook her head.

  “He was having a party. Just him and a bunch of women—hookers, I imagine. One of them let me in.” I closed my eyes. Nausea cut through me at the memory of it. The stink of booze and perfume in that apartment. “He was in bed with two of them. I should have left right then, but I didn’t. I told him what had happened to us. I asked him—” I swallowed, shame burning through me, “I asked him for money.”

  Claire’s eyes were on me, but I couldn’t look at her.

  “My father got out of bed and wrapped a towel around himself. He grabbed his wallet from the dresser. Then he handed me a single twenty-dollar bill and said, ‘That should be enough for a taxi home.’”

  I finally met her eyes. “I took the twenty dollars, because we needed it, and rode the bus home.”

  “Philip—” Claire tried to reach out for me, but I wouldn’t let her touch me.

  “I have to do this. I have to.”

  “You’re not that thirteen-year-old boy anymore.”

  “You asked me if it will ever be enough?” I shook my head. “No, it never will be. Those wolves are always at my door.”

  “But they aren’t real.” There was compassion in her gaze. “You think you have to take care of everybody. It’s just like that Monopoly game. You want to control everything. You think it’s all up to you, but it’s not.”