by Robert Boren
“I’ll only have one,” Hendrix said. “In case something breaks loose at the office.”
“I can go back after this too, if you’d like.”
“Nonsense,” Hendrix said. “You need to sleep after this. I can’t believe you’re still awake after last night and the issues with your sister.”
“I hope she’ll be okay,” Maria said. “She’s so fragile, and the world is so crazy.”
“She had problems before all of this happened, though, didn’t she?”
Maria was silent for a moment, looking down. “Yes. She’s always had depression, and when the panic attacks started up, it was really hard for her.”
“There are medications that can help,” Hendrix said.
“I know, but she hasn’t always been med-complaint,” Maria said. “My mom basically washed her hands of her because of that. I talked her into taking Celia back when she moved here from Zapata, but it only lasted a few days.”
“That’s hard,” Hendrix said. “How about your father?”
“We don’t even know where he is,” Maria said.
“Sounds a lot like my family,” Hendrix said.
“How did you cope with your mom?” Maria looked like she wanted to take it back as soon as it came out. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask you about that.”
“Don’t be silly,” he said. “It actually helps to talk about it sometimes, and it was a long, long time ago.”
“I don’t want to pry,” she said. “Tell me to stop if it bothers you, okay?”
“I will,” Hendrix said. “My mother had depression and panic attacks too. There were long stretches where she wouldn’t leave the house. She’d be med compliant for a while and do fine, but then she’d stop the meds and everything would fall apart.”
“Did she try to kill herself before she was successful?” Maria asked.
“Yes,” Hendrix said, feeling his eyes tear up.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said. “We shouldn’t be talking about this.”
“No, it’s okay,” he said. “Really. She had an incident very much like what your sister went through today. I called 9-1-1.”
“How old were you?”
“Thirteen,” Hendrix said.
“Oh, geez. What did you do when they took her away?”
“I went to live with my grandmother for a while,” Hendrix said. “She was a saint. I lived with her after my mother succeeded the following year.”
“I’m so sorry you had to live through that,” Maria said.
The drinks arrived. Hendrix took a sip of his, watching Maria do the same.
“What were you planning to do with Celia?” Hendrix asked. “After she moved here.”
“I don’t know,” Maria said. She took a bigger sip of her drink. “I was hoping she’d find a job that made her happy. I was hoping I could help her stay on her meds. I was hoping things would go okay between my mother and her, too.”
“She’s lucky to have a sister like you, Maria,” Hendrix said. He took another sip of his Martini, feeling it in his forehead.
“I haven’t been a lot of help so far,” Maria said.
“Maybe I could find her a job with the state when she gets better,” Hendrix said.
“You’d do that?” Maria asked.
“Of course,” he said.
Maria was silent for a moment, then looked away. “Is it because you want me?”
“It’s because I like you,” Hendrix said. “You’ve told me you don’t want an intimate relationship with me. I can take no for an answer.”
“But you don’t want to,” she said.
“I’m fine, really,” Hendrix said. “Remember what I said before. I need the company. If I can’t be more than a friend, that’s just the way it is. To me, it’s a whole lot better than nothing.”
“It feels like I’m taking advantage,” Maria said.
“You aren’t,” he said.
Carl came over. “Have you decided?”
“Have whatever you want, Maria.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll take the rib eye.”
“Very good choice,” Carl said. “And you, sir? The usual lunch?”
“Yes, I’ll take the Rueben,” Hendrix said. “Those are gonna be the death of me yet, Carl. You should be ashamed.”
“They are sinfully good, aren’t they?” He smiled as he took their menus. “Another drink for either of you?”
“Feel free, Maria,” Hendrix said.
“Oh, maybe one more,” she said.
“I’d like something a whole lot less powerful,” Hendrix said. “Maybe just a single shot of Jameson on the rocks.”
“Coming right up,” Carl said. He walked away.
“Straight whiskey is less strong than a Martini?” Maria asked.
Hendrix chuckled. “Do you know what’s in a Martini?”
“No,” she said, a smile slipping on her face as the drink hit her.
“It’s two large shots of gin and a little vermouth,” Hendrix said. “They’re more than twice as strong as a single shot of whiskey.”
“Oh,” she said. “How about a Bloody Mary?”
“They usually have just one shot of vodka,” Hendrix said. “We used those for a hangover remedy when I was in college.” He laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“You know who made the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had?”
“Who?” she asked, smiling.
“Governor Nelson,” he said. “We got drunk together a lot in college. He’d always be the first one up the next morning at the Frat house, mixing Bloody Marys for everybody.”
She giggled, her eyes flashing. “You’re kidding. He always seems so serious.”
“I’ll tell you a secret,” Hendrix said.
“What?”
“I love that man,” Hendrix said. “Like a brother. I’m so glad we’re friends again.”
“That’s so sweet,” she said. “I’m happy for you. I wish I had good friends like that.”
“Well, you have me,” Hendrix said.
“Yes, I do, don’t I?” She smiled, then giggled again. “I feel that first drink.”
“You don’t drink often, do you?”
“No, not very,” Maria said. “Oh, here they come.”
Carl came over and set their drinks on the table, along with a basket of bread and some whipped butter. “Enjoy,” he said as he walked away.
Hendrix took a short sip of his Jameson, watching Maria take a healthy sip of her drink. She’s getting a little drunk.
“These are really good,” she said.
“Good,” Hendrix said. “Mine tastes great too. Not as good as a Martini, but close.”
“Maybe I’ll try one of those sometime,” she said.
“Well, if we go out again, I’ll get you one.”
“Out? Are we on a date?” She giggled and took another sip.
“Friends can go out on dates,” Hendrix said. “Happens all the time.”
She took another sip. “I guess so. Hey, can you tell me what you wanted to tell me yesterday?”
He looked around. Nobody was nearby. “We have to get closer. Slide to the middle of the booth and I’ll meet you there.”
She giggled. “Okay, but watch your hands,” she said.
“I’ve been better, haven’t I?” he asked. “I’m not staring at you anymore. I’ve tried really hard.”
“Yes, you have, and I picked this top,” she said. “When I noticed it in the mirror on the way out I almost turned around and changed.”
“It’s lovely,” Hendrix said, sliding to the middle. “You did present me with a challenge there, though.”
“Sorry,” she said. She took another big sip of her drink, a mischievous smile spreading over her face as she slid towards him. “You have been good. I’ll tell you what. You can look for a few seconds.”
Hendrix smiled. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Oh, go ahead,” she said. “It’s my fault. I should have w
orn something else.” She pushed out her chest. “There.”
He feasted his eyes, looking at the curve and the hang that he adored, wishing he could touch them, his pulse quickening.
“Time’s up.” She giggled, but got serious when she looked closely at his face. “Your face is red, and your eyes are...” She looked away. “I’m sorry. That was mean.”
Hendrix looked down. “I’m sorry, Maria. I should have refused.”
“You’ve really got a case for me, don’t you?” she asked softly.
“Yes, but it’s okay,” he said. “I can handle it. I’m a grown-up.”
“Of course you are,” she said. “And so much a better man than I ever imagined.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek.
He fought the urge to turn her head to him and kiss her deeply.
“Okay, what were you going to tell me?” she asked.
“It’s scary,” he said. “You sure you want to know?”
“Yes,” she whispered, getting closer.
“You can’t tell anybody, no matter what, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, her pulse quickening.
He got his face to his ear and whispered. “There was a nuclear device off Kemah. We got to it just seconds before it was going to detonate.”
She sucked in air. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “What would that have done?”
“Killed a whole lot of people, all the way into Pasadena. Radiation would have covered much of Houston.”
“No,” she whispered, her breath coming ragged.
“I don’t think I should tell you the rest,” Hendrix said, backing his head away from her. He missed her scent immediately.
“Why not?” she asked.
“You’re so scared,” he said. “Your’re trembling. Breathing faster.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “Tell me the rest.”
“You sure?” he asked, looking at her eyes. They locked, her pulse quickening. Her hand went to his thigh, but then she pulled it away quickly, her eyes dilated.
“Sorry,” she said softly.
“I liked it,” he said. She shot him an embarrassed glance, and reached for her drink, giving him a chance to check out her lovely form again. She brought the drink to her lips and had another sip.
“I caught you,” she whispered, that mischievous smile back on her face. She put her hand back on his thigh again, softly. “Please, tell me.”
Hendrix sighed, trying to keep himself under control. I love this woman. He got close and whispered again. “That roadblock that got shot up. You heard about that?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“That was there to run radiation sensors on all of the cars coming into Austin from that direction.”
Her hand tightened on his thigh, her arm trembling, breath coming faster. “Why?”
“The device they found at Kemah was small enough to put in a vehicle,” he whispered.
She squeezed him tighter, then leaned against him, trembling harder. “Oh, God, we could die any minute, couldn’t we?”
“That’s why I didn’t want to tell you,” he whispered. “We’ve got good people looking out for us. Chances are good the enemy won’t get anything in here. Trust me.”
“I’m so stupid,” she said, tears forming around her eyes.
“Why? No you’re not.”
“I’m worried about slap and tickle in the office when all this is going on,” she said.
“Maria,” Hendrix said. “I don’t have the right to misbehave. You were right to slap me down on that.”
Carl came over with their food. “Would you like it there, or where the place settings are?”
“Place settings are fine,” Hendrix said, sliding back to his space, feeling Maria’s hand slowly come off his thigh. She moved over too, and they ate their meals, being quiet for a little while.
“That was so good,” Maria said. “Thanks you.”
“You want desert?” he asked.
“No, no, I’m stuffed as it is,” she said.
“Okay,” Hendrix said.
Carl came back with the check. Hendrix signed and they left, walking into the bright early afternoon. The valet brought the car over and they both got in.
“Are you going to sleep okay tonight, after what I told you?” Hendrix asked as they drove back to her apartment.
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “It’s scary. Puts things into perspective.”
“It makes me value my friends more,” Hendrix said. “Governor Nelson, and you.”
She looked over at him, ready to say something, but she paused.
“You okay?” Hendrix asked.
“I’m glad you’re my friend,” she said. “Thanks so much for the help with my sister and the lunch.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. He made the turn into her parking lot and pulled into a spot near the door. “Here we are.”
She looked at him for a moment. “You want to come in for a little while?”
“I’d love to, but I’ll pass,” he said. “I’m pretty worked up. I don’t want to mess things up.”
“You won’t,” she said.
“I’d feel more comfortable if we didn’t push it,” he said. “I’d love to take you out again, though. Would you like that?”
“You mean a date?” She giggled.
“A friend date,” he said. “What do you think? Tomorrow night, perhaps?”
“Okay,” she said.
“Great. Now go get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
She bent over to him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He looked at her longingly as she hurried to the door of her building.
Chapter 13 – Ranch Road Detour
“Oh, geez,” Kim said, sitting up in bed. She held her head. Eric stirred.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Southern Comfort,” she said. “My head is killing me.”
Eric chuckled. “You were pretty drunk last night. I think Sherry was even worse, though. She was trying to feed the girls some of that stuff before Francis stopped her.”
“I remember,” Kim said. “I think it scared them.”
“They didn’t drink any?”
“No,” Kim said. “Those are small-town girls.”
Eric laughed. “Small town girls were usually more aggressive, at least when I was growing up.”
“What do you mean?”
“One of my small-town friends said it best. Nothing for teenagers to do in those little towns except get high and screw.”
“Oh, brother,” she said, getting out of bed. “Ouch!”
“There’s aspirin in the bathroom. Cabinet over the sink.”
“I miss anything last night while you guys were inside Dirk’s trailer?”
“Not really,” Eric said as he got up and went for the coffee maker. “We couldn’t decide about today.”
“Today?”
“If we should go for broke and drive the five hours to Fort Stockton.”
“Oh,” she said. “Well, whatever you guys feel comfortable with. I can drive too, you know.”
“You ever pulled a trailer?”
“Does a small boat count?”
“Yes,” Eric said. “It counts, but they’re lighter and easier. It’s fine. You should learn. Maybe you should take the first leg today.”
“I’m game,” she said, “if my head quits banging.”
“You’ll feel better after some coffee and breakfast,” he said. “Trust me. Take a vitamin pill too.”
“Does that help?”
“Helps me,” Eric said. He brewed a cup of coffee and handed it to her, then made one for himself. “I’m gonna go see what time the others want to leave. Have some cereal.”
“Okay, honey,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee as he left.
The air was crisp, the cows starting on their daily trip down to the front gate. They might hold us up. Francis was outside the trailer having a smoke. He smiled as Eric walk
ed up.
“Good morning,” Francis said. “Sleep okay?”
“Like a baby,” Eric said. “Kim didn’t feel so good this morning.”
Francis snickered. “Neither did Sherry. They drank that whole bottle last night.”
“She do that often?”
“Almost never,” Francis said. “I’m glad they did last night. Good to blow off a little steam every once in a while. Had to draw the line at the girls joining in, though.”
Dirk walked out of the trailer. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Eric said. “What time do you guys want to leave?”
“Sooner the better,” Dirk said. “You?”
“Same,” Eric said. “Want to try for Fort Stockton today?”
“I still think we ought to play that by ear,” Dirk said. “Who knows what we’ll run into on the road.”
“Fair enough,” Eric said. “I suggest we keep our weapons handy.”
“I agree,” Francis said. “Been hearing bad stuff on the grapevine.”
“Grapevine?” Eric asked.
“Police message boards, on my laptop earlier,” Francis said. “Problems are worse to the east of us, but there have been problems in Sonora, and the southwest part of the state, too. The border with New Mexico is really bad. So is the Rio Grande Valley and along the Gulf.”
“We have to drive right by Sonora,” Eric said.
Don climbed out of the trailer. “What’s up, guys?”
“Just talking about the drive today. We’ll try for Fort Stockton, but be ready to stop earlier if we need to.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he said. “Wish me luck. I’m gonna go wake up the princesses.”
Dirk snickered. “Better you than me.”
“Gee, thanks for that,” Don said as he walked to the Suburban.
“I’ll go back to my rig and have breakfast,” Eric said. “See you guys in, say, a half hour?”
“Yeah,” Dirk said. Francis nodded in agreement.
Eric walked back, listening to teenage girl protests and Don’s pleading. He shook his head. I want to have kids?
Kim looked a lot better, finishing off her cereal and coffee. “When do they want to leave?”
“Half an hour, give or take,” he said, sitting down with a bowl at the dinette. He poured in cereal and milk and started eating.
“I feel a lot better,” Kim said. “I think I’ll be able to drive.”
“Good. Might have to wait a little bit because of our friends out there.”