Beyond the Checkpoint

by Addison M. Conley

  “Dammit, Scott.”

  “Think positive. She’s cute, and you might get lucky.”

  “I’m not dating! And it would be awkward with her living in the neighborhood.” Ali leaned on the banister, which started to give way. Scott caught her as it snapped and crashed. Her eyes wide, she stared at the pile of wood below. “Okay. I need help. How do you know she does good work?”

  “She inherited the house from her aunt and has been living in it while renovating it top to bottom. Joe swears by her. The best part—she’s does wood working even though she’s a desk jockey like you through the week.”

  “Where does she work?”

  “Don’t know, but judging from the lower level bedroom she turned into a library, she’s some sort of important professional. She had a history and an electrical engineering book on the coffee table by the window.”

  Ali rubbed her chin. “And what were you doing in her library? Having tea and crumpets?”

  “Joe told her I was a carpenter, and she gave me a tour. Made the bookshelves herself out of walnut. Simple but a thing of beauty. Oh, and she did her own kitchen cabinets. I’m telling you, she’s the real deal and seems kindhearted. Not like the wackos you usually manage to attract.”

  Ali walked into the kitchen. “Does she know I can’t pay top dollar? Or did you neglect to mention that.”

  “I told her you had a breakup and were getting back on your feet.”

  Ali flung her head back. “Oh my God, how much did you reveal?”

  “That’s it. Besides, it gives you an advantage.”

  “Yeah and makes me look like a damsel in distress looking for a sugar mama.”

  Scott bit his lip. “Oh, the only project she has left on her house is landscaping. I told her you might exchange that for her skills.”

  “Ohhhh…You’re so dead, dude.”

  “Come on. It won’t hurt you to make friends with your neighbor. And you know it was over for months with Tracy.” He laughed and went about taking measurements.

  Scott grinned as he opened the door. “Please come in. My cousin’s in the backyard, enjoying the sunshine while sketching some designs.”

  The smell hit Lynn immediately. Though the windows were open, the musty smell mixed with smoke was strong. There was a hole in the wall into the kitchen. The fireplace hearth was falling apart. If this were any indication of the rest of the house, it would be a lot of time and hard work.

  “You didn’t mention this was a total gut job.”

  “It’s a challenge, but that’s what makes it fun. And my cousin is excellent at interior and landscape design but struggles with the other.”

  Lynn could see Scott was a charmer a mile away. He didn’t say his cousin was a lesbian, but she got the feeling Scott was trying to play matchmaker. The blue sports car parked in front of his truck prominently displayed the HRC “=” sticker in the rear window and probably belonged to Scott’s cousin. Also, knowing Joe’s fat mouth, he probably outed Lynn to Scott.

  They stepped into the kitchen and past the old pine cabinets. “Does this Chambers gas range still work?”

  “Ah, I don’t know. Too afraid to turn it on. Is it an antique?”

  “Sure is. Model C series from the late 1960s. Looks in decent shape.”

  Lynn crouched down and had her head in the main compartment and ignored the kitchen screen door slamming.

  “Lynn, I’d like you to meet my cousin, Alaina.”

  She backed out of the oven and turned to meet the homeowner. Ali’s beautiful face was before her. She had forgotten Alaina was her formal first name. Seeing Ali brought back a rush of warm feelings, but when Ali’s mouth turned into a scowl, Lynn’s heart sank.

  As they stared at each other in silence, Scott’s head whipped back and forth. “You two know one another?”

  Ali backed up and spun out the door.

  “Ali, wait!” Lynn pleaded.

  “Please leave,” Ali shouted over her shoulder.

  Lynn ran after her. “Please, Ali! Please talk to me.”

  Ali walked to the shed and proceeded to arrange garden tools. “I’m busy, so make it quick.”

  Lynn’s brain fumbled for a reply and finally blurted out, “I never had feelings for anyone the way I did for you.”

  “Excuse me?” Ali’s sharp tone cut like a knife.

  “I chose my career. I was a scared chicken shit. I should have told you how I felt from the beginning. If I had it to do over again, I’d choose you.”

  “You’d choose me, huh. Aren’t you forgetting a few things? One, your girlfriend. Two, I haven’t been exactly waiting around for your return. Three, you’re my fucking boss again!”

  “Cynthia and I broke up some time ago.” Lynn felt the old scars of regret and shame. “The mistakes I made were awful, and I can’t take them back, but I’ve had plenty of time to think and shape up my life. You probably don’t want anything to do with me, but I hope you can forgive me. I’d at least like to be your friend.”

  “Friends? Do I have to repeat myself? You’re my boss!”

  Lynn put her hands back behind her head and rubbed her hair several times. “I think about you all the time. I intended to contact you once I got settled, and never imagined they would assign me to your division. It was sheer coincidence.”

  “Coincidence or not, seeing you at work will be difficult enough. There’s no way you’re helping on my house.” She stood with her hands on her hips. “I admire your knowledge and how you execute and handle tough intelligence problems, but outside of work, your life is a disaster. Please leave.”

  Lynn swallowed. “I’m sorry, Ali. Please believe me.”

  “At NGA, I’ll work with you and be polite, but that’s it. I don’t want any contact outside of work.”

  Lynn turned and walked away. The best thing in my life, and I fucked it up.

  Sitting on the bench next to the pond, Ali mindlessly stared at the cost analysis paperwork for the reno.

  “You okay?” Scott asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Got more than one word to say.”

  “No.”

  “It’s unlike you to keep things from me. I’m your straight male cousin, but aren’t I your best buddy?”

  Ali didn’t look up or say another word.

  “Okay, Crazster. I have to check on the other job. Call me if you want.”

  The tears welled in her eyes, but she was hell-bent on not letting him see her lose it. “Sure.”

  As she watched the setting sun, her thin jacket no longer kept out the chill.

  Chapter 41

  April 2017 – NGA Headquarters, Springfield, Virginia

  Ali tapped on the door and stepped into Dory’s new office. “Welcome back. Do you have a few minutes?”

  “For you? Always.” Dory motioned around the room. “You’ll have to excuse the boxes. I’ve been too busy to unpack.”

  After carefully mulling over what she wanted to say, the words wouldn’t come out. She took the time to move a small box out of the seat across from Dory’s desk. “Nice office.”

  “Hmmm. The shades of white and gray aren’t extremely cheery, but it will do. I can’t believe my trip turned into three months. You think we’ve got problems here, you should spend time with our colleagues out in the field. There are many days that I hate being at this level of management—too much political ‘grin and bear it.’ Why the long face?”

  “The new deputy division chief.”

  “The retired lieutenant colonel.” Dory stopped twiddling her thumbs. “Ohhh…” Her eyes widened. “She’s the one?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh. My. God. I’d argue to take you with me, but I’m afraid you’ve made a name for yourself. They’re not going to let you move for the foreseeable future. Sorry. As for your personal life, Tracy is a rough ride, but gives you a good excuse. You’d never cheat.”

  Dory was laying it on thick. Ali drew in a deep breath and let it go. “We broke up.”

&nbs
p; “At last.” Dory’s mouth turned into a rueful smile as she poured hot tea into cups. “Hope it wasn’t too painful.” The look said to Ali the words she knew that Dory would never speak—I told you so.

  “No. I was going to end it but hadn’t made my move yet.”

  “And what about the new deputy? Maybe Lynn has changed since leaving the military?”

  Ali’s head whipped up. “She’s my boss! Again!”

  Dory took another sip. “Yes. So, why let something from years ago bother you if it’s not a problem? You must work together, and you’re both adults. Seek common ground, apologize, and move on.”

  “I’m not the one who needs to apologize!”

  Dory held up one finger and paused. Instead of chastising Ali, she rummaged through a box and retrieved a bag of cookies. Ali declined the offer. Dory took a couple. After taking a bite, she said, “It’s the thought that counts. I’m sure Lynn carries much of the blame, but it does take two to tango. Be the bigger person. Go smooth things over. I hate to point out the obvious, but holding onto bitterness is unbecoming, and others will notice if your positive personality turns sour. They will gossip. Lastly, your work will suffer if you don’t dump the negativity.”

  Ali bit her lip and threw her head back, then leaned onto Dory’s desk. “There’s something else.”

  Dory rocked in her chair. “Yesss. Go on.”

  “I bought a house while you were away on TDY. For myself.”

  “And that’s a problem why?”

  “My cousin’s friend found this handywoman that lived around the corner. Care to guess who she is?”

  Dory’s hand flew to cover her mouth, and she giggled. After getting the laughter under control, she leaned back. “Well, that takes the cake. You had better find a way to be civil or your life will end up utter hell for the next year.”

  “I need her help at the house,” Ali stared at her feet, “but I’m not sure how we’ll get along. One minute, I want to punch her lights out, and the next, I want to kiss her.” The volume of Ali’s voice trailed off at the last words.

  “She is rather dashing. And if she’s the professional you described, then she will point out the conflict of interest and remove herself.”

  Ali nodded.

  “Look Ali. Regardless, patch things up. For now, you have to work with her. If you become more than friends,” Dory waved her hand, “you can worry about which one needs to move on to another office. And always keep your private life outside of work, and not like what happened last week.”

  “What happened last week?”

  Dory scrunched her eyes tight and shook her head. “Let’s just say that one high-level person should have his butt fired. Apparently, he doesn’t care if cameras are in the parking garage.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “And it wasn’t with his fiancée.”

  It dawned on her who Dory was talking about. “That’s why she threw the engagement ring at him and told him off in the coffee shop! News of their fight spread like wildfire.”

  “Pretend I didn’t tell you that story and don’t spread their names around. My point is, do your job and maintain decorum. If you lose control of your heart, don’t lose control of your brain and act irrationally in the office. And for God’s sake, lose the negativity.” Dory pointed at the clock on the side wall. “Time is marching on. I have an appointment coming in at five. You’d better hurry because it is with the new illustrious Ms. Lynn Stewart.”

  Ali jumped out of the chair. “Thanks for the advice.”

  “Anytime.”

  Chapter 42

  May 2017 – Northern Virginia

  The strong smell of coffee urged Ali to get up. Her eyes fluttered open to the exposed ceiling joists, and the two new beams that would support the weight of the new layout of the upstairs living area.

  Get moving.

  As she swung her feet out from under the covers, the cool basement air sprung her to life. She dashed to the bathroom.

  From the toilet, her living quarters sprawled before her—a bed, a single nightstand, a rollaway clothes rack, and loads of boxes packed with her possessions. In the far corner, a dinky makeshift kitchen with a coffee maker and toaster on a small table next to a small refrigerator and utility sink. She was thankful Scott’s crew got the basics done so she could move into the basement, but there was still so much to be done.

  “I need this basement studded and drywalled first, starting with the bathroom. This is driving me nuts. Where’s the towel?”

  She flung her hands to shake off the water, then jumped into worn jeans and a sweatshirt, slipped on her work boots, and shuffled over to the automatic coffee maker. With a mug of steaming brew in her hand, she traversed the old pine stairs and took stock of what needed to be done.

  Yesterday, Scott looked like the grim reaper when he dropped off the tools necessary to demolish the non-load-bearing walls marked with a big X. She had helped him with this type of work a zillion times but had never worked alone.

  Gazing down at the sledgehammer, reciprocating saw, and circular saw, she remembered his words, “Look Crazster. I tease you a lot, but you know what you’re doing.” He shook his finger in her face. “But even pros screw up a time or two. Don’t cut off a damn finger.”

  Thud, thud, thud.

  “Geez, I haven’t even started yet, and he’s checking up on me.”

  Thud, thud, thud.

  “Coming!”

  She stretched, and popped her knuckles before swinging the door wide.

  “What are you doing here? It’s seven thirty.”

  “Seven fifty, and I get it. You hate me. You have a right to, and we’ll probably never be friends again. A day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t felt guilty for my mistakes, but you need help now. Scott can’t spare anyone.” Lynn motioned to the truck. “He sent me with this load of supplies. If you want me to leave after I unload, then fine, but please let me help you. I could work on a different part of the house, and we wouldn’t have to see one another.”

  “That’s still fraternizing.” Ali crossed her arms tightly.

  “Not anymore. I spoke with the director and explained that it would be best if they moved me because of personal reasons between us.”

  Ali’s hands flew to her hips, and her face scrunched up. “You had no right!”

  “Look, I didn’t go into details. The words ‘personal reasons’ were enough. He’s friends with Admiral Kent. And yes, disclosing a conflict of interest is required and the right thing to do.”

  Ali attempted to shut the door, but Lynn jammed her boot into the opening.

  “Please, Ali. I’m not asking to start a relationship again. We don’t have to become friends if you don’t want to. Let me work for forgiveness. I’ll help for free on weekends. It’s the least I can do for you. Besides, your cousin will be pissed if I bring the truck back full. He needs it empty for a job after lunch.”

  Ali sucked in a deep breath and stepped aside. “Fine. Unload then help me with demolition. It’ll work faster with the two of us. Tomorrow, be here no earlier than eight thirty.”

  “You got it.”

  For the next two weekends, they worked with only small talk. Lynn still had hope.

  Zip. Zip. She screwed the subfloor sheathing to the floor joists.

  Ali walked in and leaned up against the door, watching her. “Good thing Scotty sent three workers this week. I didn’t think things would be that tough.”

  “Yes. And thankfully, there were no surprises to add to the timeline.”

  “Did you watch The Walking Dead last night?”

  Zip. Zip. “Yes. It was different.”

  “I sometimes hide my eyes at the squirmy stuff, but I like to see how the different characters react to stress.” Ali shrugged. “Sort of like a release valve for my own steam.”

  “That makes sense.” Lynn chuckled. “I just never would have guessed you’d be into zombie shows.” She reached into her tool belt but came up empty. “Can you
hand me the box of screws over there?”

  “I think it’s interesting how they all need each other to survive.” Ali handed her the box, and their fingers touched.

  “Thank you.” Lynn continued to work even though the touch had sent a tingle down her spine.

  “You’re almost done.”

  “Yes, about another hour. It helps that this is the only room that needed the subfloor replaced.”

  “Want to grab a quick bite of dinner when you finish?”

  The piece of sheathing slipped out of Lynn’s hand. She snatched her finger away before it got pinched. “Sounds good. I’m hungry.”

  Ali thumbed over her shoulder. “Okay. I’m going to sit out by the pond.”

  Lynn took a moment and smiled. The offer was the first solid step towards reconstructing their friendship. Happy, she whistled a tune as she maneuvered another piece into place.

  A shrill, piercing scream came from the backyard. She dropped the heavy-duty screwdriver and ran to the kitchen door only to see Ali racing toward her. Lynn barely got out of the way as Ali came blasting through.

  “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Her hand was on Ali’s shoulder, and her eyes skimmed her body looking for an injury.

  Ali sputtered out, “Big snake,” between labored breaths.

  “Did you get bit?” Lynn sunk to her knees looking at Ali’s legs for any indication that her skin had been penetrated.

  “No, but it was big. It’s coiled in the grass near the pond.”

  “Calm your breaths. Do you have a square point shovel?”

  “Shed. Right side. Hanging up on the pegboard.” Ali’s eyes were wide. “You’re going after it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me get my camera.” Ali whipped around and disappeared.

  One minute, she’s wailing and running into the house, and another, she wants to capture the moment in a picture.

  Carrying the shovel out of the shed, Lynn saw Ali creeping toward the pond with eyes cast downward, scanning over the grass. Lynn wanted to shout, Watch out. It’s next to you, but that would be too cruel. A few snorts through Lynn’s nose gave away her humor at Ali’s expense.