by Tia Lewis
She shook her head again. “I never met a woman with an eye for detail like my Meleyna.”
“She would have made a good Marine then. We are all about the details.” But then I spotted the sudden grief on her face and remembered that her husband died from war. It was no wonder that had the subject come up, she would discourage her granddaughter from serving too.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay. I know she would have done us proud, but we’ve given enough to our country, don’t you think?”
“Yes, ma’am, you have.”
She sighed and then stood. “At least we can thank the good Lord that you came home, along with others. And I’m glad you and Meleyna are getting to be good friends. I keep telling her to be more social and branch out and meet new people.”
I felt a little guilty then because here this kind woman opened her home to me, and what was the first thing I did? Try to get her granddaughter into bed.
“You are both good people, and I thank you for your kindness.”
With a sad smile, Susan patted my cheek with her hand and pushed past me to exit the office. The screen door squeaked open.
“Now who is that?” said Susan.
“Hello,” said a feminine voice.
Parker picked up his head, and I stood and walked out of the office. “Hello,” said Susan.
“It’s me, Mrs. Harris. Cherie Tate.”
I walked toward the main door. Cherie Tate was a five foot five (the same height as Meleyna) and was a brunette. But she had pretty eyes and a bright smile so I could imagine how a man might find her attractive. That is if I hadn’t already set my sights on one woman in particular. “Good to see you again, Officer.”
“You’re…?”
“This is Matthew Rees. He’s helping us while Meleyna and I get back on our feet.”
“Oh, yes. I saw you last night. Good to meet you, Mr. Rees.”
“Matthew.”
“I’m looking for Meleyna.”
“Not here,” said Susan. “She went to town for a few hours.”
“Oh,” she said. Her eyes narrowed as if she suspected something. “I wanted to give her the rabies test results.”
“That’s quick,” said Susan.
“I had them rushed. They are negative, by-the-way. I sent a copy of the results to the hospital.”
“Thank you, Cherie,” said Susan. “That’s mighty kind of you.”
“No problem.”
“Is there anything else?” said Susan.
“I just want to ask Mr. Rees here some questions about the attack.”
“I’m afraid I didn’t see much.”
“Well,” said Susan. “If you don’t need me, I best be getting back to my knitting. Now, when you see your mama, Cherie, tell her I’m ready to start up the quilting circle again. Have her call me.”
“Yes, Mrs. Harris.”
The screen door slammed after Susan.
“I’ve told Meleyna she needs to fix that door,” said Cherie.
“So, you know her well?”
“Went to high school with her. She and Randy were juniors when I started. She was on the softball team, he was on the football team. The cheerleaders loved the fact that Meleyna was into sports rather than cheerleading.”
I’m sure they would, I thought.
“So, what can you tell me about the attack?” Cherie asked.
“The coyote, from what Meleyna said got into one of the runs from the roof. I noticed when I cleaned it that the rope from the canvass was gnawed. It must have been looking for food.”
“Unusual. There are plenty of rabbits and squirrels to eat.”
“I’m sure there is no accounting for taste. Besides Meleyna said something had been knocking over the garbage cans and licking out the dog food cans. Maybe it was ill and couldn’t hunt.”
“It was well enough to attack her. Well, show me the area again.”
I walked Cherie to the dog run, and she examined the area. After pulling out her phone, she snapped a few pictures.
“You know,” she said, “Randy seemed awful upset about the incident. I mean, yeah, it was a bad attack, and Meleyna was hurt, but aside from the rabies scare I knew she’d be okay.”
“Meleyna is doing well. Walking. Talking. Everything.”
“That’s good. But I’ve never seen Randy that upset. “
I wondered why she was veering off the subject and onto Meleyna. It was a puzzle, especially since she seemed into Randy Barker the night before.
“From what Meleyna told me they were friends for a very long time,” I said carefully.
“Yes,” she said drawing out the word. “You know, there was an awful lot of talk about those two in high school. Thick as thieves they were. Inseparable. Couldn’t put a ruler between them. Then when they started dating things got interesting.”
“Oh?” I asked. “How’s that?”
“Well, you know,” she said. “Even though they seemed joined at the hip, there were rumors about Randy. Like how some guys like other guys—instead of girls.” I wasn’t going to play her game. Obviously, she was fishing for information.
“Do they now?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. What was this woman up to? “It wouldn’t be any of my business, anyway.”
“Perhaps not. You don’t sound like you’re from around here.”
“Idaho,” I said.
“Yeah, a real liberal place, Idaho. Pot is legal there.”
“So?”
“Other things aren’t frowned on either.”
“Such as?”
“Well, you know—”
“No, I’m not sure I do.”
“Things the Bible doesn’t approve of.”
“You mean like wearing clothes woven from two different kinds of thread?”
“Pardon?”
“Leviticus 19:19. Or do you mean the prohibition against working the Sabbath? Have you worked any Sabbaths, Officer?”
“That’s different.”
“How so?”
“It just is.”
“Oh, so, when it’s different for you, it’s okay to go against Bible teachings?”
Cherie’s face began to turn red.
“That’s not what I mean. There are things that Christians shouldn’t do.”
“I agree. Like judge. As I recall from my Sunday school that was a biggie on the list.”
“Now see here,” stammered Cherie.
“I see just fine. You aren’t getting along with Sheriff Barker like you think you should, so you look for a reason. And you hang your theories on old gossip for which you have no proof and come around here sniffing for any little thing that will back up your theory.”
“Well, aren’t you rude?” she snapped with her hands on her hips.
“Not rude enough to go poking my nose into other people’s business.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“I think that this a conversation you should be having with your boyfriend, Randy,” I said. “And certainly not with me.”
“Really. How many things are not your business? Has Meleyna become yours?”
I involuntarily tensed, and my body grew rigid.
“You’re a good investigator, aren’t you?” I retorted. “I’m surprised you’re not a detective.” Even to my own ears, the tone of my voice was harsh.
Parker stood on all fours and trotted over to me and put his head on my knee. I thought I was handling this conversation well, but Parker picked up on my annoyance.
“Officer,” I said, “let me introduce you to my service dog, Parker. I served in Iraq, you see. Parker here helps to keep me calm. He reminds me to use the calming techniques I learned in therapy. Do you get my meaning?”
Cherie Tate’s face flushed bright red.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. And for the record, I do like Meleyna and Mrs. Harris. And they happen to need a hand, and I have the tim
e to help them out. But if you think that my certification as a dog trainer, as well as my background in the Marines, doesn’t qualify me to work here, well, I’m sorry. But all that matters is the Harris’ opinion, doesn’t it?”
Cherie’s jaw set, and she looked like she wanted to say more, but she held herself back.
“Here’s a copy of the rabies report.” She pulled a manila envelope from her pocket and handed it to me. “Please see that Meleyna gets this.”
“I will.”
“Tell Meleyna I came by.”
“Sure.”
Cherie Tate turned to leave but ran right into Susan Harris standing in the door.
“Cherie,” she said stiffly.
“Yes, Mrs. Harris.”
“I think there is something you forgot.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You forgot to thank Matthew for his service to his country.”
By now, Cherie’s face was almost purple with anger and embarrassment. “Thank you for your service, Mr. Rees.”
Cherie left quickly, allowing the screen door to slam against the jam.
Meleyna
I left the restaurant with my jaw clenched tight and my own warning to Randy ringing in my head. I had had enough of his shit. Why did I even bother with meeting with him? When was I going to learn? What was going to change?
“Meleyna, wait up—” Randy called.
I stopped next to my truck and hung my head. There were too many years, too much between us for me to just climb in the vehicle and drive away. I should, but I couldn’t. Randy stopped his jog next to me.
“What is it now, Randy?”
“Don’t be like this. I mean, please, don’t be mad at me. You can’t expect—”
“Stop, Randy.”
Randy looked away and pursed his lips.
“Okay, look, I have some of your things at my apartment. If you don’t want to have anything to do with me you should get them.”
“Just drop them off.”
“Look, just come to the apartment.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“I worked third shift. Switched out with one of the guys. I’m done for the rest of the day.”
“Well, good for you.” I pulled open the door to my truck and tossed in my lunch. Randy put his hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I’m an idiot for dragging you on.”
“Now that’s a surprise.”
“Meleyna.” A look of pain crossed Randy’s face, and my resolve to keep my distance crumbled.
“Okay. Sorry. That was harsh.”
“Look, come to the apartment for a few minutes. Get your stuff. And after that, I won’t bother you again. It will be officially over between us. Friendship and all.”
“You promise?”
A shadow fell over Randy’s face as if I was forcing this agreement.
“Yes,” he said hoarsely.
My old truck rattled driving to Randy’s apartment. I knew where it was, alright. I had helped him move to his new digs after high school and spent a lot of time there. When I entered, it was the same way as I had left it several months ago. Dirty laundry was strewn on the floor and leather couch. Beer cans and pizza boxes littered the ersatz coffee table constructed from concrete bricks and a piece of plate glass. In fact, the bricks were leftovers from my construction upgrade of the kennel.
The scent of the man cave, stale pizza, beer, and Randy hit my nose bringing back memories of the things we’d done here. Not that we had sex here, not after those first six months. We had hung out, appearing like a couple outside, but then reverting to being friends inside. At least, that is, while we were together.
I stood at the door, unwilling to move further into Randy’s personal territory. I would just collect my things and leave.
“Shut the door, Meleyna,” said Randy. “Want a beer?”
“No. I need to be getting back to work. Where’s my stuff? I just need to get it and leave.”
“In a box, in the bedroom.”
I just shook my head and walked into the bedroom, a place I rarely went. It was in need of a good cleaning like the rest of the apartment. But that was none of my business, except I was poking through piles of clutter looking for the box Randy mentioned.
“I don’t see it,” I said, getting frustrated.
Randy stood in the doorframe, nearly frozen, and looking as if he didn’t know what to say. He licked his lips. “Meleyna,” he sighed. “I don’t want, hell—”
“You didn’t put my stuff together, did you?”
“No,” admitted Randy. “I just thought if I could get you alone, to talk to you, we could work things out.”
“And are you willing to work things out, Randy? Are you willing to make this work between us?”
Randy looked away. “I guess. I mean, it’s been tough, not seeing you. We’ve been friends for so long.”
My heart sank. This was just the same nonsense from Randy. “So you aren’t willing to change anything? You’re still going to see men on the side?”
“It’s complicated,” Randy replied.
“No. It’s not. God damn it, Randy, I love you. Get it. Love you. Or at least I did. I don’t know anymore. But I do know that I can’t go on like we used to. I’m sick of the meaningless farce of a relationship we had. I’m not willing to share you anymore until you figure things out. I’m moving on and you should too.”
“Couldn’t you?”
I spread out my hands. “Damn it, you are thick headed. We’ve discussed this.”
“Yeah,” he said rubbing the back of his neck.
“You just have to decide how you are going to live your life. Either you’re gay, or you’re not. If you’re gay, you should come out, and live it as a gay man, or you will stay in the closet and pretend to be something you’re not. Either choice is okay, and I support you. It’s just if you choose option B, you can count me out. I can be your friend, I don’t care if you’re gay. But you’re pretending, which is wrong. And you do have your girlfriend. If you want something to work out with Cherie, then you should put your energy into that. She’s a sweet girl, and probably would be good for you. It’s not like you’d be the first gay guy to have a relationship with a woman. But we tried that while you were in denial, and see how well that worked out.”
“It’s not the same,” Randy said through gritted teeth. “It just isn’t the same. She a nice girl, but—”
“She does nothing for you? Just like the rest of the girls you’ve gone out with. Just like me.”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry. Can’t help you,” I said coldly.
“She’s talked about getting married.”
“Has she? Congratulations,” I said, unfeelingly.
“It would be a good move, you know.” Randy moved back into the tiny living room, flopped on the couch, and studied his hands. He spoke in a low voice as if convincing himself more than me. “When you’re married, upper echelons give you more respect. Make you more promotable.”
“I’m sure that is true. You can’t have barbecues with the crew at this place but if you bought a house, you could.”
Randy snapped his head to meet my gaze.
“But I can’t do it alone. I need you, Meleyna. If I had you, I could do all that.”
A part of me felt a tingle of hope and the pull toward Randy, of wanting to take that bit he offered, and run with it. But it would be a life unfulfilled, and I resolved not to settle for less than what I deserved.
And then anger flared in my heart. How dare Randy offer so little just so he could make the life he wanted, without a care for mine. How did I not see before now just how selfish this man was?
“Seriously? You want me to live a lie so you can make your career? You are delusional.” I crossed the living room and closed my hand on the door handle. I couldn’t believe that Randy, once again, was trying to convince me to live his life with him in the shadows.
“Meleyna,” Randy pleaded.
/> “Look, Randy. I don’t deny that I have powerful feelings for you too. But it can’t be like you want. Not ever.” I closed my eyes as I turned the knob. Would Randy ever relent? Would he ever see that my needs were just as important as his?
“God damn it, Meleyna,” he said. In one step, his hand gripped around my arm and flipped me toward him. We were chest to chest, him pressing me against the wall, pressing his hips into mine. Randy’s semi-hard cock pressed against me.
“Do you see? Do you see what you do to me? I can’t help it.”
“Randy,” I breathed.
“Ssh, ssh,” he whispered unthinkingly in my ear. “We don’t want the neighbors to hear.”
That brought me to my senses. He thought I was one of his guys. He’s confusing me with a man. That thought killed any remaining hope that I had left for Randy and me.
“No,” I said firmly and sharply pushed him away from me. “I’m not one of your gay lovers! Live in your truth, Randy! Shit!”
“Meleyna, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I—.”
Randy opened his mouth to speak, but a sharp knock on the door shattered the moment.
Randy looked through the keyhole and shook his head.
“Fuck,” he whispered. “Cherie.”
“Hey, Randy. Open the door. It’s me, Cherie.”
“Go ahead,” said Meleyna. “Open it.”
Randy shot me a glare, but I stepped away from the door and motioned for Randy to let in Cherie. She swung the door open as I gained cover by stepping behind the couch.
“Hi, baby,” said Cherie walking into the apartment. “You weren’t answering your phone. I thought we could—” She stopped short when she saw me.
“Oh, hi Meleyna,” she said slowly. She glanced back at Randy then at me again. “What are you two up to?”
“Just saying hi,” I said. “But I’ve got to be on my way.”
Cherie gave me a glare that was all suspicion with a tinge of anger.
“You two always were thick as thieves,” she said with her eyelids lowered.
“We’ve been friends since we were kids,” Randy said reassuringly.
“Until recently. Tell me,” she said looking into Randy’s eyes. “Just what was the fracas about, eh? You never said.”
“I really must get going,” I said, anxious to get away.