The Keys to Jericho

by Ren Alexander

  Rubbing his chin, he asks, “About what?”

  “She isn’t sick. She’s just been avoiding me.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Again. I need answers. Not more questions.”

  Dad loudly sighs. “I have told you. I think Kat…likes you. I don’t know why she’d be avoiding you, though.”

  I roll my eyes, which was again, stupid. “Yeah… And I like her. We used to hang out a lot, but she wants nothing to do with me now.”

  “I doubt that’s true. What happened?”

  I blurt out, “She’s on a date.” I don’t mention Dash because I don’t want my dad high-fiving him behind my back. Plus, the thought of saying his name out loud, makes me want to break something, even if it’s every knuckle in my hand.

  “She doesn’t want to go out with you?”

  “I haven’t asked.”

  “Oh. Why not?”

  I shrug, blurrily knowing I’m entering dark territory, and I need to get out of here. “I’m going upstairs.”

  “You can stay here.”

  I shake my head, swaying as I stand.

  He also stands and extends his hand to me. “Let me help you.”

  I push him off. “I got it.”

  “Jared, you can’t keep doing this.”

  As I move around the coffee table, I scowl at him. “Doing what?”

  “Drinking your problems away. That’s not how they get solved.”

  “Maybe the solution is the problem.”

  “Well, let me try to help you.”

  I laugh as I stagger to the staircase. “You? Right. You can’t even get your own life together.”

  “Maybe that’s true, but I see you following the same path.”

  Grabbing onto the banister, I heave myself up the stairs and yell over the railing, “Well, somebody’d better get me a new tour guide, ASAP!”

  He throws his arms out. “I am trying to help you!”

  “That’s like the blind leading the blind, isn’t it?”

  With his hands on his hips, Dad shakes his head. “I’m fairly certain I know what your problem is, Jared, and I want to help.”

  “I promise you, you don’t know. Just worry about your own problems, and I’ll not worry about mine anymore.”

  “You can’t ignore them. Or her.”

  “Coming from a true expert. Goodnight.” I grab onto the corner of the wall as I swing into the hallway, stumbling into my room, and passing out across my bed. I think.

  “Good morning, Jared.” I look over my shoulder and give Brenda a polite smile, but subtly look around the yard. I haven’t seen Dash or Kat this morning, and I’m growing more suspicious and frustrated each second.

  Brenda says, “Kat said you’re coming to dinner tonight! It’ll be so great!”

  I nod, stiffly smiling again. “Yeah. Thank you for the invite.”

  “Of course.”

  She picks up a list on Tony’s clipboard. “He said a small shopping list. My Thanksgiving grocery list is smaller than this shit.” I genuinely smile, remembering Kat mentioning Thanksgiving yesterday. She sighs. “Okay. I’m going to go find my daughter and drag her with me. At least if I screw this up, I won’t be the only one Tony blames.”

  Brenda walks to the side of the house, and two minutes later, she and Kat go to her Chevy SUV. I try not to watch Kat, but I can’t help it. Her hair is in a ponytail, which is the usual when she’s here, but my eyes are drawn to her blue-striped tank top, hugging her tits, and I automatically squeeze my hands into fists, reminding me how it felt to hold them.

  Walking past me, Brenda smiles, but Kat doesn’t; however, when we do make eye contact, I look away from her, and I don’t look up from my measuring until I hear the car pull away.

  “Hey, Jericho.”

  Hazily studying Tony’s blueprints, I whip my head up from my morose daydreaming to glare at him. “Where’ve you been, Dash? You avoiding me, too?”

  He gives me a confused look. “No. I was helping my mom this morning at the shop.”

  Straightening, I seethe, “How was your date last night?”

  Dash laughs, enjoying my ire. “Date? With Kat? It was just two friends seeing a movie. You know about being friends with her.” He shakes his head with a wide grin. “Oh, wait. My friendship package is way different than yours.”

  “If you don’t watch it, your package is going to be undeliverable.”

  He scoffs, putting his hands on the table, and leaning onto it. “We just saw a movie and picked up some dinner. Nothing big. Jeez. She needed a night out.”

  I sneer, “And you were so eager to give it to her.” I swallow, close to throwing up all over Tony’s prints.

  Rolling his eyes, Dash laughs. “I didn’t give her anything. I don’t have the kind of clearance you do.”

  I scowl as I cross my arms. “Shut the hell up.”

  “You could’ve easily taken her out instead of me, but you didn’t. Next time, it may not be me, and you can’t say a damn thing about it, if you don’t do anything about it.”

  Exasperated by this conversation, I snap, “Enough, Calder.”

  “Is Merrick here?”

  I shake my head. “She and Brenda went to pick up things Tony needs.”

  “They didn’t go to the store on Defense, did they?”

  I slowly say, “That’s where Tony usually goes. Why?”

  “Shit. I just heard on the traffic report that there was a fatal accident on John Hanson. Do you think they took that road?”

  I vaguely nod. “Yeah.”

  He pulls his phone out of his jeans. “How long ago did they leave?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  Dash puts his phone up to his ear, and after several seconds, mutters, “Shit. No answer.”

  “Dash…”

  He shakes his head and looks around. “No worries. I’m sure they’re in the store and they don’t have a great signal or don’t hear their phones ringing. I’ll find Tony or your dad to call Brenda.”

  “My dad’s upstairs.” Dash heads into the house and I try texting Kat, but as usual, she doesn’t reply.

  After what feels like forever with my pacing, Dash returns. “No answer. Tony said he’ll keep trying to reach both of them.” I nod, but don’t really know why I am. “I have a friend who is a paramedic and probably could get some info. Kenny Rogers. Remember him in high school? Everyone used to sing “The Gambler” to him and taped playing cards to his locker. That really pissed him off.”

  I yell, “Dash! Just fucking call him!”

  He walks over to the porch, and it seems he actually gets through on this call. As he talks, I pace along the walkway, trying not to think of Kat needing me.

  Finally ending his call, he walks over with a stark-looking expression. “He said that a blue SUV struck a white sedan. The SUV went off the road and rolled. Two women were in the SUV. The driver died on impact. The passenger was sent to Anne Arundel and is critical. That’s all he knows.”

  “Fuck, Dash.”

  He sadly nods. “I know.”

  “Brenda has been letting Kat drive.”

  “Holy shit, Jared.”

  “What do we do? I can’t just wait around, waiting for them or a fucking hospital to call.”

  “We can tell Tony to call Anne Arundel. You and I can drive to the store to see if they’re there. It’s something for us to do.”

  “Come on.” I run to the Nissan with Dash following.

  When we’re on the road, Dash starts texting as fast as I drive.

  After yelling at traffic lights to change, and cussing people out for being so slow, Dash says, “Chill. I’m sure they’re okay. Don’t put us in a hospital.” I grip the steering wheel, squeaking the cover and he sighs. “I know you’re worried about her. I am, too.”

  Clenching my teeth, I vow to the windshield, “If it’s her…”

  “And when it’s not, make sure you savor the time left you have with her in Annapolis. Tell her how y
ou feel.”

  I glance at him, but don’t respond, because I sincerely don’t know how I should respond to that.

  I pull into the parking lot, and we drive around, looking for Brenda’s blue Chevy Blazer. After many trips around, on our way back up an aisle, Dash yelps, “There they are, coming out of the doors!”

  I swerve into a handicap spot and jump out of the car, leaving it running, but at least closing the door this time, and Dash and I hurriedly meet them as they cross the lot traffic.

  Dash says, “Oh, my God! We’ve been trying to reach you two!”

  Brenda’s eyes pop. “Oh, no! What happened? Please say my house isn’t on fire!”

  Dash shakes his head, smiling, but he drops the smile when he says, “We thought you were in an accident.”

  As that statement comes out of his mouth, I feel the heaviness of what could’ve been, and I impulsively grab Kat, pulling her away from the cart, and to me for a hug, hearing her gasp. Eagerly inhaling her, I whisper, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  Kat doesn’t put her arms around me, and mumbles against my shoulder, “I’m fine, Jared.”

  Dash says, “We were so worried. I thought Jericho was going to have a stroke.” I tighten my arms around her, but she remains somewhat limp against me.

  Brenda declares, “Aww, Jared. That’s so sweet of you.” Remembering we’re being forever watched, I let go of Kat and step away, as we both cross our arms at the same time.

  Smiling, Brenda grabs the shopping cart. “Okay. We’d better get going, Katydid.”

  Dash says, “Let Tony know you’re okay. He’s waiting to hear from you.”

  “Will do, sweetie. We’re going to drop these things off at the house and then work on dinner. We’ll see you tonight, Jared.”

  I respectfully smile at her, but am too preoccupied with watching Kat trying hard to ignore me as she looks to the far end of the parking lot.

  They go to another aisle as I retrieve the ill-parked Nissan.

  When we’re back on the road, Dash says, “I like seeing that side of you.”

  Not caring to really hear what he has to say, I absently grumble, “What side?”

  “Your nice side.”

  I frown at his stupid grin. “Fuck off.”

  He rolls his eyes and looks down to his phone. “And it was nice while it lasted.”

  Thankfully, Dash doesn’t say anything more on the way back to the construction.

  If Kat truly doesn’t want me around, then maybe it’s a good thing that I’m leaving. Hell, I don’t even know if she really wants me at dinner tonight.

  From her reaction to me hugging her, she’d rather I eat dinner in Philadelphia.

  Dad gets out of his truck and grabs food from the backseat. He walks to the garage, while I sit in the passenger seat. Eventually, he stops and gives me a questioning look that turns into an unambiguous scolding.

  Rolling my eyes, I get out and grab the covered bowl of salad that he roped me into making. I hope everyone appreciates my half-assed effort of throwing a bunch of compost into a bowl.

  Dad knocks on the door and whispers, “Smile.”

  “What do I win if I do?”

  “Why do you have to argue with me?”

  “I think it’s a law.”

  Brenda opens the door, grinning enough for the two of us. “Adam! Jared! Come on in! Dinner is almost ready.”

  We walk into the living room, nearly identical to Kat’s, except for the shit on the walls, which Brenda has a ton. Strange since she wasn’t planning on living here long.

  She takes the bowl from me and as they go into the kitchen, I gravitate to the pictures, finding some of Kat. Seeing her high school senior pictures, a slightly more grown-up Kat, and without her glasses, I’m surprised by how dim her smile was, because it was usually so pretty.

  The door opens, and I look to see Kat holding a bottle of Merlot. Her purplish hair is piled on top of her head, and she’s wearing a lot of dark eye makeup, like the first day I saw her at the construction. And didn’t recognize her. At least her eyes are still brown.

  She’s wearing jean shorts and a black T-shirt, and I can’t stop imagining what’s underneath. Shit.

  I nod. “Hey.”

  Shutting the door, Kat looks to the floor, tugging on her purse, slung across her body, and mutters, “Hey.” She takes the wine into the kitchen and I follow her, smelling roasted chicken and potatoes.

  My dad smiles at Kat and says hello, in which she seems more responsive to his greeting when I’m a pariah.

  Kat goes into the hallway, where the bedrooms are, and my dad asks, “What’s wrong?”

  I scowl at him as an answer, wishing he’d find another catch phrase.

  Brenda says, “Okay have a seat anywhere.”

  Kat takes the chair on the other side of the table, while I take the one across from her. Dad and Brenda take the end chairs, sort of like spectators to a boxing match.

  Food is passed around and plates are filled, but I barely notice or even care.

  Brenda asks, “Doesn’t your job start soon, Jared?” Christ.

  “September 1st, but I have to attend some meetings earlier that week before I actually start the job.”

  “What is your job exactly and what’s it entail?” Am I on a fucking job interview now?

  “I’m a structural engineer. I work with architects, designing the skeletons of their design. I have to calculate what weight the skeleton can support and what kind of forces it can withstand. I have to inspect buildings during and after construction to make sure they’re not going to come falling down.” I grin. “I also get to blow things up.”

  Kat unexpectedly laughs, and I smile, liking that I made her smile, too.

  “You always liked making a mess,” my dad observes. I do light the fires.

  “I hope my house won’t fall in!” Brenda teases, I think.

  “No. It’s good.” I smile at her and she relaxes. See, Dad? I’m not all that bad.

  I reach for my wine and notice Kat staring at me, but she hurriedly looks away. Yet, I don’t. I can’t. As I watch her anxiously fidget, anxiety also builds in me. Why doesn’t she want me anymore? I made a mistake joking around about our deeply personal undertakings. I didn’t do it, taking our actions lightly. I just fucked up. Can’t she forgive me? Even enough to not pretend I don’t exist anymore?

  “Jared.”

  “Huh? What?”

  He laughs. “I asked you to pass the salt. Twice.”

  “Oh. Sure.” I grab it and slide it toward him.

  Brenda asks, “Aren’t you hungry, Katydid?”

  She frowns. “Yes, Mother. I am eating.” However, she picks up her wine and takes a long drink.

  My dad asks, “So, Kat, do you like being a teacher?”

  She smiles. “I love it. I always have great kids, and I enjoy watching them grow throughout the school year.”

  Again, I stare at her, watching how her glossy, pink smile lights up her face, making her even more beautiful. She glances at me and then darts her eyes to her plate, but then they abruptly meet mine, and we’re caught in each other’s gaze. This time, she doesn’t look away.

  Offhandedly, I hear our parents talking, but it’s all background noise.

  “Right, Kat?”

  “What?” She looks at her mom, blandly smiling. I don’t even hear the question that she repeats, since I’m still gawking at her.

  “Are you okay with that?” my dad asks.

  “With what?”

  He laughs. “Brenda and I are going into the living room to work on my presentation. Are you and Kat okay with cleaning up in here?”

  I shake my head, but reply, “Yeah. It’s fine.”

  He nods, grinning. “Okay.

  Dad and Brenda leave the room, and Kat and I are left, still staring at each other. I watch how her chest rises and falls faster, and I like it. Too much.

  Clearing her throat, Kat says, “I guess I’m finished.” Pushing out h
er chair, she gathers her silverware and plate.

  Falling into my usual dinnertime custom, I say, “If you want to put the food away, since you know better where things are, I’ll clear the table.”

  She smiles. “Okay.”

  We quietly clean up, but the silence isn’t so heavy for some reason. As I open the dishwasher, she asks, “Were you really worried about me yesterday?”

  I avoid looking at her as I admit, “Yeah, I was.”

  “Why?”

  “I thought…” I sigh and say, “I just was, Kat.”

  Knowing what I was going to say, she asks, “And if I had been?”

  I look at her and say, “I would’ve been at the hospital.”

  She contritely smiles, and glances to the dishes. “That would’ve been different than my first time in there.”

  “No, it wouldn’t have been. I was there, too.”

  Her eyes fly to mine, widening. “What?”

  I shrug. “I visited you in the hospital, but you were sleeping. The nurse told me to come back, but I didn’t.”

  “Why didn’t you, or why didn’t you tell me you had been there? I had no idea.”

  Shrugging again, I put a glass into the dishwasher. “I don’t know. I didn’t think it was a big deal I came by.”

  “It is. I thought you didn’t care.”

  “I did care, and I was so worried then, too. I didn’t sleep or eat. I was like your brother, listening to people’s conversation to see if anyone mentioned you.”

  “Jared, I’m blown away. I honestly thought…”

  “So, yeah. I was there. Maybe only once, but I never stopped thinking about you.” I laugh. “But that wasn’t different than any other normal day.”

  Kat leans against the counter, her mouth agape. Closing the dishwasher, I wash my hands, asking, “What?”

  When she doesn’t answer, I grab a towel and step in front of her. “Kat?”

  Looking up, her eyes are filled with tears. “Thank you.”

  Confused, I toss the towel onto the counter. “For what?”

  “Visiting me. For telling me. I’m…” Seemingly at a loss for words, she shakes her head and looks to my chest.