13th Avenue

by Cyrus Winters

  CHAPTER 6

  He didn’t say anything more about it on the way back to the car. Graves had gone into his shell. Stasia didn’t press him. She knew he would come out with the truth when he was ready. She was certainly interested in what he’d have to say about this. How he’d try to word it. Tell her what happened in the theatre was something it wasn’t. Stasia had a pretty good idea where it was all heading. Stasia knew what happened to a guilty person when they started to crack.

  In the car, the conversation was distant. He avoided her gaze. Held back his thoughts. She was content to hold hers back too. For the time being anyway. She turned her mind to other places and things, staring out the window at the passing city roads. The sky’s blue was starting to lose its color. The sun was sinking behind the clouds. Soon the moon would take its place.

  “Where should I drop you?” Graves asked. “Your abode or Wendy’s?”

  A pause.

  “Or do you want to go back to the Precinct?”

  Stasia shifted her gaze. “Wendy’s is fine.”

  Graves sighed with relief.

  Stasia remained focused on what was ahead.

  It was twenty past five when they finally arrived at her sister’s house. Nicholas and his wife Patricia had come here on three or four occasions for dinner. They had a five-month-old baby boy who was just gorgeous. Stasia had held the child in her arms. There had been an unwillingness to let go.

  “Your ex is here,” Graves observed, pulling the car into park. “Unexpected?”

  Stasia felt herself tense. “I hope nothing’s happened.”

  “Do you want me to come in with you? Make sure everything’s alright?”

  Stasia made eye contact and forced a smile. “No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

  “Listen, before you go,” Graves said, “I want to make sure we’re not parting on the wrong foot.”

  “Whatever it is,” Stasia replied, “your secret is safe with me. Nine months being partners and all. I know I’d like to think I could trust you with things.”

  “I’m going to tell you everything. Just call me when you’re done with this.”

  “No, I have to see Fae first –”

  “Right. When you’re done with Fae.”

  Stasia pushed open her door. “Thanks for the lift.”

  “See you soon, Stasia.”

  She closed the door and his car made a u-turn as she walked up the drive. Stasia glanced back at it as it faded from sight.

  Then she faced the house head on.

  Christian was going to be in a lot of trouble if he didn’t have a reason for being here.

  CHAPTER 7

  Stasia let herself into the house. She crossed through the hallway, in pursuit of voices in the kitchen and dining area. The space opened out, Stasia climbed a couple of steps and then moved around into the room.

  She saw Christian first. He was by the kitchen bench, one hand resting there. The other twisting a glass of white wine. She could tell he’d just come from work, as he still had his suit and tie on. Along with his guns and holsters.

  “Hello Stasia,” he said calmly without moving.

  Christian’s full name was Qiu “Christian” Nguyen. Or just Detective Nguyen. He was born in Vietnam but had migrated here as a boy. Stasia had met him when she was twenty and he was twenty-eight. They’d gotten engaged a year later and she was married by twenty-two.

  They divorced four years later.

  “Hello,” Stasia said awkwardly. She walked down a couple of steps and moved behind him to get a full view of the kitchen.

  Wendy was there. Preparing food.

  “Hi Stasia. Christian’s here,” Wendy advised.

  Stasia raised her eyebrows. “I know.”

  “He brought Mei-Lee with him.”

  “When did she get back?” Stasia fired off in Christian’s direction.

  “A few weeks ago,” he said softly.

  Stasia approached him. “She didn’t say a word to me. No calls, no messages –”

  “Well, she’s here now, so.”

  “Where?”

  “Out the back with Janette.”

  Janette was Wendy’s daughter, Stasia’s niece. She was thirteen, the same age as Mei-Lee. Wendy was thirty-two, five years older than Stasia.

  She opened the fridge and brought out a bottle of wine.

  “Have a drink,” Wendy suggested. “Sit down and relax.”

  Stasia felt herself express some irritation, but eventually conceded and accepted the wine. She sat down and Christian pulled up a chair next to her.

  “How you been, Stasia? Mood wise?” he asked.

  Stasia frowned at him. Sipped her wine. “I don’t know. Fine.”

  “You know, we think about you a lot,” Christian said. “Mei-Lee and I. The house isn’t the same without you.”

  “I haven’t been there in like eighteen months,” Stasia scoffed. “I swear with each day that goes by it’s like my relationship with that girl dies a little. But maybe it’s better that way.”

  Mei-Lee wasn’t their biological daughter. Her parents were killed in a car crash when she was only eight years old. The parents were friends with some of Christian’s relatives. They adopted her the same year they were married.

  “She said she wants to spend more time with you. It’s just that between her trips to Vietnam, school, and your hectic work schedule, finding time can be hard.”

  “I know it is. I’m not going to resent her for it. It’s just … sad, you know.”

  “That’s our journey,” Christian said. “Life’s not about an everlasting joy. There are lessons to be had.”

  “Alright, don’t preach,” Stasia muttered.

  “You like lamb casserole, don’t you Stasia?” Wendy piped up.

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “And herbal bread?”

  “Sure.”

  Christian’s head shifted a bit. “I’m sorry to spring it on you like this. I thought we had a relationship where we can still be friends.”

  “I don’t know. I see enough of you already at the Precinct.”

  “Have you spoken to Fae?” Christian asked.

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Okay.”

  “What?”

  “Big changes coming. Good changes.” He stood up. “Mind if I use the rest room?”

  “You know where it is, don’t you?” Wendy said politely.

  Christian smiled and excused himself.

  Stasia had a drink of her wine and stood up.

  “I didn’t invite him or anything,” Wendy said quietly. “He just barged in here.”

  Stasia nodded slowly. “I know the feeling.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Mei-Lee was in the backyard lying on the grass, staring at the deep blue and gold dying sky. She had a cigarette in one hand and a metallic lighter in the other. She flipped it open, triggered the flame, and put it to the end of her smoke.

  Hands over knees, sitting beside her was Janette, looking on with admiration. “Does Christian know you smoke?”

  Mei-Lee shrugged. “He’s caught me a couple of times.”

  “What about my Aunt?”

  Mei-Lee scoffed.

  “You know,” Janette added. “I think she’s here now.”

  “Guess we better go then.”

  Janette swayed a little. “You don’t want to say hi?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “Did you guys have an argument or…?”

  Mei-Lee forced herself up and got to her feet.

  Janette followed in sync.

  Mei-Lee took a drag and blew the smoke out into the air around them. “She’s your aunt. What do you make of her?”

  “Me? I don’t know. She’s fine, I guess.”

  “She’s not fine,” Mei-Lee asserted. “She has a lot of issues.”

  Janette shrugged. “I know you guys used to fight a lot.”

  “Whatever.” Mei-Lee checked her phone. “Are we going or not?”

  “Yu
p.”

  Janette strode past her, leading the way. They went around the side of the house and through the back-gate so as to avoid the adults inside. Then they were out on the footpath, making their way down the street.

  “So how far are we walking?” Mei-Lee asked.

  “Oh, it’s just over there,” Janette said. “Like less than a minute away.”

  “And who’s meant to be there?”

  “Ash and Cody. I’m friends with Ash more. He’s Asian too.”

  “So?”

  “I think … he might be from Thailand or something. Actually, I forget.”

  “Tell me about Cody.”

  “I only met him a couple of times. He’s a bit of a dick. But you know, not in a massive way.”

  Mei-Lee flicked her cigarette out to the road. “Do they have girlfriends?”

  “Not to my knowledge.”

  “Are they cute?”

  “Sort of. I don’t know.” A pause. “Why? What do you have planned?”

  Mei-Lee grinned. “Nothing.”

  “Sure.”

  They reached the edge of the nature reserve. Two lanky teenage guys were standing near a playground, chatting.

  One slapped the other’s arm.

  The girls had been spotted.

  Both pairs walked forward to meet each other halfway.

  “Hey,” Janette said. “This is Mei-Lee.”

  Ash, the Asian guy smiled a friendly smile. “Hello,” he said warmly.

  Mei-Lee looked from him to the boy standing next to him. He had spiky dark hair with green streaks, a wide jaw and a goatee. He was wearing shades, but she could see his eyes beyond them. And they were hard.

  “Janette said you were a bit of a dick,” Mei-Lee blurted out.

  “What?” Janette mumbled. “I did not.”

  Cody’s eyes went up and to the left. “Nothing to what she said about you.”

  Janette laughed. “I didn’t even say anything. You guys!”

  Cody turned to Ash.

  Ash lowered his eyes. “Uh, Janette, can I have a word with you?”

  “What about?”

  “Just, a school thing I’m having trouble with.”

  “What is it?”

  Cody stepped away from the pack, walking slowly.

  Mei-Lee made eye contact with both Ash and Janette.

  Then she went and joined him.

  CHAPTER 9

  The casserole had been served. Stasia stared at the plate in front of her, thinking about how hungry she’d been when devouring the cheesecake Graves had bought for her this afternoon. Somewhere between there and now she’d lost her appetite.

  Christian was sitting opposite her, eating his food, watching her closely.

  Behind him, Wendy was on the phone with Janette.

  “Okay … I understand,” she said glancing at Stasia. “I’ll let them know. Bye.”

  She put the phone down and came over with the herb bread.

  Christian reached in and took some.

  Stasia reluctantly accepted a piece also.

  “Janette and Mei-Lee are hanging out with some boys around the corner,” Wendy explained. “Said they won’t be back till late.”

  Stasia bit her teeth together.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” Christian said. “I really thought she wanted to see you.”

  “Looks like she’s going out of her way to not see me,” Stasia exclaimed. “I don’t understand. What the hell did I do to make her hate me so much?”

  “She doesn’t hate you,” Wendy said touching Stasia’s arm. “Right, Christian?”

  “She’s certainly disrespectful,” Christian muttered. “I’ll have a word with her when they get back.”

  “I think Mei-Lee wants to stay with Janette tonight. At least that’s the impression I got. Should we try and reel them in or –?”

  “Why bother,” Stasia said. “It will only make things worse, won’t it?”

  “She’s a troubled kid,” Christian said. “Losing her parents at such a young age has a disturbing effect on the mind. Watching us, as her new parents, break down and fail each other – it was like we failed her as well.”

  “But she doesn’t hate you for it,” Stasia said quietly. “She blames me.”

  “It’s just a phase,” Wendy remarked. “Everyone’s crazy when they’re that age. You should hear the way Janette talks to me sometimes.”

  “That’s because you’re so soft,” Stasia snapped.

  “Well, being a bitch doesn’t work either apparently,” Wendy fired back.

  “Alright, let’s settle down,” Christian said. “We’re all friends here. Mei-Lee will come around eventually. In her own time.”

  “Here’s hoping,” Stasia said raising her glass.

  Dinner soon drowned itself out. The food gradually diminished. The wine bottles and glasses drained. The three of them packed away their plates into the dishwasher. They threw out scraps. And wiped down benches. The conversation faded along with the food.

  It was a quarter to seven.

  And outside it was now dark.

  “I don’t suppose either of you can give me a lift to Glenrow Village,” Stasia asked when they were done.

  “What’s in Glenrow?” Wendy inquired.

  “I’m meeting Fae,” Stasia yawned. “I think she has an office there or something. It’s meant to be important but really it could be anything.”

  “I know what it’s about,” Christian said. “I’ll take you.”

  “Oh, I see,” Stasia replied. “You alluded to that earlier. Big changes.”

  “I always liked Fae,” Wendy said. “You should bring her over sometime, Stasia. I prefer the adult conversation.”

  “Yeah sure,” Stasia shrugged.

  “Are we ready?” Christian asked.

  “When you are.”

  The three of them walked out of the house together.

  Wendy stood at the top of the drive to see them off.

  “So, you’re just letting our daughter roam free now, are you?” Stasia said, getting into the passenger seat. “When did that start?”

  Christian closed his door and buckled up. “She’s with Janette. They’re with some neighbors. I’d hardly call that roaming free.” He turned the ignition.

  Wendy walked forward, smiling a big smile.

  Stasia smiled back. “You don’t know where she is though, do you?”

  The car reversed.

  “Well, if you want to know you can always call her.”

  Wendy waved them goodbye as they hit the road.

  And then they were alone.

  “I somehow doubt she’d be forthcoming,” Stasia said sourly.

  “Are you really worried? Or are you just angry?”

  Stasia stiffened in her chair. “Who cares how I feel?”

  Christian reached over and put his hand near hers. She allowed him to slowly take hold of it.

  “I care,” Christian said.

  “In a completely plutonic way,” Stasia said. “Right?”

  He hesitated.

  She yanked her hand away.

  He shook his head. “Not necessarily.”

  “Well, what does that mean?”

  He sighed. “It means … it means I’m always going to have feelings for you…”

  “But what are those feelings worth really? What are they worth to me?”

  Silence.

  “Can we just not talk for a while?” Stasia asked. “You know I don’t mean to –”

  “It’s okay,” Christian said. “We don’t have to speak.”

  Stasia didn’t reply.

  CHAPTER 10

  After Detective Graves had dropped Stasia off at her sister’s for dinner, there were a million places he could have gone. A million things he could have done. The world was like that for a man with his car. The temptation to break away from life – to show up in some unknown street or city and call yourself by a new name – it was always there. Gone would be his problems. Gone, his
responsibilities. This whole façade of the Detective Nicholas Graves would be soon forgotten. Until of course, the day it came back.

  Detective Graves adjusted his seat so he was leaning a little further back, but could still see out the window. The car was parked, stationary. The lights off. The engine dead. Graves wasn’t dead himself – he was merely dormant. He just needed that spark. The volcano would erupt.

  But the Theatre House was completely still.

  He reached over to his cell phone and saw there were two miscalls from his wife, Patricia. He reflected on what time he’d said he’d be back from work. Had he even given her a time? He couldn’t recall.

  She would have to wait now. He didn’t feel like talking to her.

  And then there was Stasia. He was going to have to talk to Stasia soon.

  Surely he couldn’t allow himself to open up about 13th Avenue, and all that had happened that day. She was a bright girl and they were friends, but she wouldn’t understand. She wouldn’t see it as though it could’ve been her. There would always be that distance – that willingness to disconnect from the guilty. As though it was Graves’ fault. That he was defective in some way. Call it defective, call it sinful, call it weak, call it evil, they were just meaningless labels. Unless you were there that day in the same situation then you were the enemy. She couldn’t even begin to understand.

  Graves swallowed.

  He’d still have to tell her.

  If she went that way – the way of betraying him –

  Then he’d deal with that road as it came.

  The phone was ringing again. Patricia. She wouldn’t go away.

  Graves exhaled. Picked up the phone. “Hi honey.”

  “Oh you’re finally there! Gees. About time.”

  “Yeah.” A pause. “What do you want?”

  “It’s after seven. Your parents are here and we’re all waiting.”

  Shit.

  He’d forgotten they were coming over tonight.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” Graves said. “I’m – I’m held up with work stuff –”

  “How long?” Patricia asked. “Just tell me how long you’ll be.”

  Graves closed his jaw.

  Stared at the empty theatre.