Absolute Zero

by Anlyn Hansell

  “Sure. I think that would be best,” Rand responded before Ian turned toward the door again. At least from his facial expressions and the almost perceptible slump of his shoulders, it truly appeared that this decision weighed heavily on him. He didn’t seem to be his normal confident self during their conversation. There might actually be a chance…

  “Ian?” Rand watched as he turned his head and gave a glance over his shoulder.

  “Phillie’s game tonight? Seven?” A smile formed on Ian’s face as he looked at Rand. Amazing how they could argue one minute and hang out the next. He gave a shrug, “We’ll see,” he stated before opening the door.

  He had plans in mind for the evening. Hopefully his ‘plans’ didn’t insist on hiding somewhere to avoid him…

  *****

  The pounding on the door blended with the sound her mallet was making on the chicken breast. It actually made her jump after she set the tool down and the sound continued.

  Even though she pretty much anticipated this, her heart still hammered in her chest. No more hiding, no more avoiding, she had told herself earlier on the way home. Between McClellan and Irene, Anne would probably be spending the majority of her off-hours hiding out somewhere other than home if she let them run her off.

  She turned resolutely and walked from the kitchen to the front door, intent on saying her piece and closing the door in his face.

  She took a deep breath before she turned the lock and opened the door only enough to reveal her face. The breath in her lungs left in a whoosh when she eyed the visitor on her steps.

  It wasn’t McClellan. It was Shay.

  “What are you…? Ah, hey,” Anne amended, actually finding herself relieved. The door opened wider.

  “Hey. I thought if I showed up at your door you wouldn’t have enough time to come up with an excuse to avoid me. Can I come in?” she asked, flashing a smile. She was dressed almost as casually as Anne. Well…maybe not that bad… She opened the door wider for Shay to step in.

  “Wow, Sexy…nice outfit,” Shay laughed out as she walked past Anne into the Living Room.

  Anne looked down at her Chargers shirt and loose sweats. She had chosen her clothing carefully with the thought of another visitor in mind.

  “Yeah, well…I wasn’t exactly expecting anyone,” she lied.

  Shay sniffed the air. “What is that? Oh my god, that smells incredible,” she stated as she walked further into the living room.

  “Dinner. Bruschetta chicken,” she added. “Garlic…lots of garlic,” she stated as she walked past Shay after closing the door.

  “Hmm. You don’t by chance have enough for two, do you? My culinary skills have officially diminished after having two kids. We had Easy Mac and dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for dinner,” she joked as she walked into the kitchen. “See? You do! Thank god,” she breathed out noticing the two breasts pounded flat on the cutting board and one more still in the packaging.

  “I usually make extra for lunch the next day,” Anne stated absently.

  “Well, there’s a third one – perfect, right? I swear, I’ll return the favor. I’ll wow you with my grasp of pre-packaged kid-friendly culinary delights any time you want,” she quipped as she continued through the kitchen and headed straight for the door to the basement. “Does Ian still have wine in the cellar?” she asked as she turned the knob.

  She shrugged, knowing that he had grabbed a bottle during his visit. She hadn’t fully explored the basement since the laundry room was on the first floor. There simply wasn’t a reason to venture down there, so she hadn’t.

  “I guess so,” she shrugged.

  “You guess so? Sorry, If I had a stocked wine cellar in my basement I’d be all over that damn thing,” she said in a serious tone. “I’ll grab a white. Dang, that smells good, girlfriend,” Anne could hear as Shay descended the steps.

  She stood immobile in the middle of the kitchen, staring at the steps beyond the door. For some reason, the intrusion didn’t seem to bother her overly much. Maybe it was because she was relieved to see Shay instead of McClellan. Or maybe it was because Shay would be the perfect buffer when he showed up at the house. And he would show up. She would bet her life on it.

  *****

  “So, isn’t this house too cute? I love this place,” Shay stated as she diced a tomato on the cutting board.

  Anne dredged the third chicken breast and placed it on a plate with the other two already residing there.

  “I mean, it’s nothing compared to the house on the hill, but I think this one suited him better,” Shay continued. Her words cased Anne to pause.

  “Why did he buy that house?” she asked. She was fully intrigued, especially since McClellan hadn’t answered that question the last time he was in this very kitchen.

  “That would be Shelby. She wanted that house ever since she was a kid. Hell, everyone wanted that house but no one in their right mind could ever afford it in this town. It sat vacant for years before Ian bought it. You should see it. It’s gorgeous,” she stated as she continued to chop.

  “Why does he keep it?” Anne blurted, instantly regretting the question. Why did she want to know? What answer did she expect anyway? And why on earth did she even care?

  “Are you kidding? With all the money he sunk into that house, it’s worth triple what it was before. Nobody needs a five million dollar house,” Shay responded. “Except me,” I could totally live in a five million dollar house.”

  Five Million Dollars. Geez.

  “You should see the pool. You know, he opens it every year and pays a company to maintain it, even though he’s not here. We have a key. I take the kids swimming all the time in the summer. We’ll go crash his place when it gets hot out, OK?”

  Anne shrugged before taking a sip if the crisp wine Shay chose. She leaned back against the counter, her chicken completely ignored as Shay rambled on.

  “You would never know it’s up there through all the trees surrounding it. Do you know what Shelby wanted to do?” she asked but continued without waiting for a response. “She wanted to cut down all the trees around the property so people could see the house from down below. Ian flipped out. Obviously he didn’t do it. That was Shelby, though…in a nutshell,” Shay stated before turning and regarding Anne.

  “What happened to her…unless you don’t want to tell me. It’s none of my business, really,” Anne quickly amended, embarrassed at her sudden lack of couth.

  “Oh, no. Are you kidding? You’d find out eventually,” she confided before take a sip of her wine. “It pretty much rocked this town. I’m not big on gossip, but this is like a soap opera. Do you want to sit?” Shay asked before wandering through the kitchen, prompting Anne to follow.

  Shay settled herself into the love seat in the living room as Anne sat across from her on the overstuffed couch.

  “Alright, maybe I should start at the beginning, huh?” Shay asked before placing her wine glass on the coffee table between them.

  “So, I grew up here. Shelby and I went to school together. We were in the same grade. Rand too,” she added. “She was really popular. We were on the cheerleading squad in high school together. She was actually pretty cool,” she stated with a wistful expression on her face.

  “Her dad was a physician in town, right? Total bigoted asshole. He still called us ‘coloreds’, seriously. He had the biggest practice in town and this town is pretty much half black and half white. He had like 5 black patients – just enough so he wouldn’t get in trouble. He didn’t want Shelby associating with any of the ‘coloreds’ and do you know what she did? She would sneak out and hang with us anyway,” she smiled.

  “He was a big shot in town, though, and no one really ever said anything to him. Maybe because he was loaded, I don’t know…He died a year before her accident. She took some of the money he left her and donated it to NAACP in his name which I thought was funny. That would have pissed him off to know his money and name were associated with an organization that helped the p
eople he despised so much.”

  Anne sat and stared at Shay, completed engrossed.

  “So anyway, Shelby was always sort of the town princess. She stayed here after college and I wasn’t sure why. She was so pretty, she really could have been a model, but I think she just wanted to be a big fish in a small pond or something. Then Ian shows up and holy shit did she chase after that man!” Shay laughed.

  “I don’t think he knew what hit him. She was gorgeous, so I guess that was a bonus and I really thought like they got married as sort of a business deal at first. She’d get the prestige; he would fit in a little better around here. Anyway, I’m pretty sure it started out that way.” Anne watched as Shay’s face turned somber.

  “They got married after about six months and they were together for a few years. I know they were trying to get pregnant and it never happened for her. She had some medical…issues. They found a brain tumor when they scanned her for something else. It was inoperable, they said. It was really sad,” she said as her eyes wandered to her lap. “She wasn’t supposed to drive. Ian was in Scotland, her nurse wasn’t there and her maid decided to take off for parts unknown with her boyfriend that night. Shelby got in her car, completely missed a curve in the road and drove into a quarry. The car pretty much exploded. Sometimes I think she did it on purpose,” she confided quietly.

  Anne’s mouth opened and closed but no sound came forth. How could he do that? How could he leave her in that condition? It was killing her not to ask.

  “Why…how could he just…leave?” she muttered, watching Shay’s face intently.

  “I don’t know,” she answered softly before shaking her head. “Actually, I do know. I mean, I heard they had a huge blow out about…something and he went back to Scotland for some meeting, but he was coming back. But…by then…It was too late. She was gone. It was so…unreal,” she paused and dabbed at the corner of her eye.

  “Is that why he had everything in the town named for her?” Anne blurted as Shay’s eyes snapped to hers.

  “That wasn’t him. She put that in her Will. Her Dad left her a pile of money and her Mom died when we were in grade school. She was an only child. She endowed all that money to the town. I guess she wanted to put her stamp on Pernell and boy, did she ever. Ian didn’t have anything to do with it. I often wonder if it bothers him, but I won’t ask him. He doesn’t like to talk about it, so I don’t push,” she stated before grabbing her wine.

  “So there you have it. Pretty crazy, huh?” She asked before taking a sip and setting the glass back on the table.

  “Mmm,” was all Anne could respond.

  “Kind of a buzz kill, I know. Do you know that Shelby was responsible for getting Rand and I together? For that, I will be forever grateful,” she stated as her face brightened considerably.

  “I lusted after him for years, and all he cared about was football. He went away on scholarship and came back here after he graduated. Eventually Shelby sort of finagled us on a double date with her and Ian. The rest is history,” she added in a lighter tone. “She was actually a pretty good person, although there’re some people in town that would say otherwise. I think they were just jealous. I liked her,” Shay said before she cocked her head.

  “So you two were pretty close?” Anne settled back in the couch.

  Shay seemed to consider this for a moment. “We were more like friendly acquaintances. Shelby didn’t have friends. She was sort of in her own little world. Always was. Did you know - only a handful of people showed up for her Memorial? I thought that was really odd, to tell you the truth.”

  That was odd, considering half the town was named for her, Anne thought.

  “So, enough about that depressing stuff,” she waved her hand erratically. “What’s your story?”

  My story? Yeah, no thanks…

  “No story. Just moved here for a job,” Anne responded as casually as possible.

  “Yeah, right. Rand says you were a brain surgeon. Is he full of shit?”

  Anne shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Umm, no, he’s not,” she finally responded.

  “Ok, now why on earth would you go from being a brain surgeon to a scientist? Do you know how weird that is?” Shay asked with an incredulous look on her face. It made Anne all the more uneasy.

  “Just…some…it’s personal? Just some personal reasons…” she finally stammered.

  “Is that Anne speak for ‘Shay, mind your own business’?”

  “Pretty much,” Anne stated honestly.

  “Gotcha. I’m sure you’ll tell me at some point. We’re going to be friends – good friends, Anne. I really like you,” she stated and her expression seemed so earnest it caused a smile to form on Anne’s face.

  “Can we please start cooking? I’m getting about half a buzz on this wine and my stomach is growling like crazy,” Shay stated as she stood up and paused near the couch Anne was sitting on.

  “Come on,” she jerked her head toward the kitchen and disappeared around the corner shortly after.

  Anne took a deep breath and blew it out. It was a lot to absorb. She wondered briefly if the conversation affected her because it was so tragic or dramatic or if there was some personal connection she felt because of Ian. The information she received caused only more questions than answers and it was pretty obvious he wasn’t going to answer them. Not that she should care anyway. It was just intriguing – that was all. Just intriguing from someone outside looking in. Nothing personal…

  *****

  “So, I hear Ian’s back in town, which of course puts Rand in a foul mood. That’s why I had to get out of the house,” Shay said over the sizzling sound the chicken was emitting from the frying pan.

  “Yeah. That was a…surprise. I guess,” Anne stated before adding another breast to the pan.

  “You don’t sound very excited,” Shay commented. “I kind of thought maybe the two of you…I don’t know, I think maybe you guys would be kind of cute together.”

  Her words caused an unflattering sound to erupt from Anne’s lips.

  “What? No?” One of Shay’s brows lifted as well as one corner of her mouth.

  “Let’s just say we resemble that salad dressing you’re making,” Anne nodded her head toward the cruet in Shay’s hand.

  “What? Spicy? Zesty?” Shay laughed out.

  “More like oil and vinegar. We don’t mix.”

  “Well maybe…” Shay flipped the cap and pushed it down before shaking it vigorously, “You need to shake it up…” she stated with a smirk.

  “I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean, but no thanks,” Anne stated with an involuntary smile.

  A knock on the door caused both women to still as their gazes held. Anne’s stomach fluttered at the sound and she sincerely hoped her face didn’t register any emotion.

  “I’ll get that,” Shay said quickly before she walked through the room leaving Anne to turn toward the stove and try desperately to gather her wits.

  *****

  Shay opened the door and almost barked out a laugh when she saw him.

  Speak of the Devil…

  “What are you doing here?” she asked slyly.

  “What are you doing here?” he countered.

  “Hanging out with my girl. She’s going to feed me,” Shay smiled smugly. “And you’re here because…?” she trailed off.

  “Maybe I’m here to check on my property,” he replied as she opened the door wider.

  “Uh, huh. The house or Anne?” she asked in an almost whisper.

  “Just step aside. God, you’re annoying,” he breathed out in an amused tone as he walked past her. He wandered into the house as if he owned it, Shay thought as she followed him. Then again…he did, actually.

  “Hello, Anne. Oh dear lord…” he stated as soon as he stepped into the kitchen.

  “Don’t you look…lovely,” he stated as she turned toward him. Of course he was referring to her outfit.

  He, on the other hand… He was wearing a baseball
cap, a T-shirt that showed a portion of his biceps and low slung jeans. Amazing, but he actually looked even sexier than his usual dress attire.

  Crap. Hopefully her cheeks weren’t burning.

  “So what are you doing here, Ian?” Shay walked past him toward the salad she was preparing.

  “Well, I was just stopping by to see if Anne wanted to catch a bite. We’re neighbors, after all. Just being neighborly,” he shrugged before crossing his arms and leaning against the cabinets.

  “Mmm hmm, right,” Shay stated before snorting.

  “It’s true. She’s alone, I’m alone. Who likes to eat alone?” he shrugged as his eyes caught and held Anne’s.

  “I do,” Anne stated in a soft voice as she held up her hand like a kid in class.

  That caused a small laugh to escape him. “What’s that smell? That smells great,” he commented as he pushed from the cabinets and walked further into the kitchen, never taking his eyes from her. It almost appeared as if he was planning on walking right up to her and kissing her; at least from the intense expression on his face.

  He wouldn’t. Not in front of Shay. Would he? It caused her to step back and bump into the stove.

  “Bruschetta chicken, cannelloni beans and salad,” Shay supplied. “If you ask nice, maybe Anne will let you stay.”

  “That was…my lunch…tomorrow…” she mumbled as she watched him warily. He stopped, luckily.

  “I’ll buy your lunch,” he stated in a low voice.

  “Do you want a glass of wine?” Shay interrupted. Actually, you’ll have to go grab another bottle.”

  “You’re drinking my stash?” He asked as his eyes finally drifted over to Shay.

  “Somebody has to,” she responded. “Go and make yourself useful. Maybe a Reisling or…Pinot Grigio?” She looked toward Anne who just shrugged in answer. Her solitary life was being invaded in the worst way and she was powerless to stop it.