by White, Karey
“Who’s he?” She inclined her head my direction.
“He’s my friend.”
“He’s not a cop?”
Charlotte shook her head.
The landlady glared at me a couple of seconds before she said, “Sorry. It’s not refundable.” She didn’t sound sorry.
I took a step forward, and the landlady bristled. “Her car was damaged here last night. It’s not a safe apartment. You should let her have her money back and you can rent it to someone else.”
“She shoulda read her contract.”
“Ma’am.” Charlotte smiled. “You requested that I not call the police, and I haven’t. Maybe, as a goodwill gesture, you could give me a refund. Even if it’s just the deposit.”
This made me angry. If I had known Charlotte wasn’t calling the police because this woman had warned her off, I’d have called them myself.
“Call the police. You’ve moved the car out of the parking lot. There’s no way to prove anything even happened here.”
“Maybe we should call them.” I took my phone out of my pocket.
“Go ahead.” The woman lifted her chin a little. She seemed pretty sure of herself.
Charlotte handed the key to the woman and took my arm, pulling me toward the door. “Let’s go.” I resisted at first, but then her voice became pleading. “Please, Angus. Let’s get out of here.”
I let her lead me out to the parking lot. Three guys passed us just outside the door, one of them bumping me hard with his shoulder.
He stopped and turned toward us. His eyes never left Charles as we walked to the car, and I felt a cold dread settle over me when I thought about her spending the night here alone. Charlotte had to go home. I had to convince her she shouldn’t be here. She needed to go back to her job, and her family, and especially her safe neighborhood.
Charles got in the car and closed the door. I met and held his eyes over my open door, determined to let him know that Charlotte wasn’t alone.
“Come on, Angus.” Her voice sounded panicky, so I got in and we left. The man on the step watched us until the building blocked his view.
Charles stared out the window as we drove across the city. The car was uncomfortably quiet, but I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t want to offer words of encouragement and give her the wrong idea, but now wasn’t the time to tell her how foolish she’d been.
We were almost to my apartment when she finally spoke. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
“I know. Hopefully they can have your car fixed by tomorrow, and you can head back home.” Charles looked like I’d slapped her, and I felt terrible. “Please don’t feel bad. It’s just that you should have talked to me before you came.”
“You’d have told me not to come.”
What could I say? She was right.
I pulled into the parking lot of the Milton Apartments and into my assigned parking spot. “What do you need for one night?”
“You can take me to a hotel.”
“You can stay here. I’m headed back to the hospital this evening.” I wasn’t scheduled to work again until tomorrow morning, but there was a break room with a futon, and it would be easier to sleep there than to spend a night in an apartment with a girl I’d loved and was trying to put behind me. “I’m not sure you can afford a hotel, anyway. Stay here tonight and call Jayne. See if you can get your job back.”
Charles didn’t say anything, and I could tell by her expression she was digging her heels in. Arguing with her wouldn’t get us anywhere.
“What do you need for tonight?”
Chuck relaxed a little and pointed to a suitcase. “Just that one.”
I carried her bag up one flight of stairs and into my small, one-bedroom apartment. The contrast between this cozy, clean apartment and the place we’d just left was stark.
Charlotte looked around. “What are you paying for this? If you don’t mind me asking.”
I tried not to smile, but failed a little. “More than you were paying. Unless you count replacing four tires as part of your rent.”
“Ha ha. You don’t want to tell me, do you?”
“I’d tell you, but I don’t want to encourage this irrational behavior. You need to go home.” He turned and walked into the bedroom. “I don’t know what you were thinking.” I was talking to myself with that last sentence, but of course she heard me.
“You know exactly what I was thinking.” She spoke under her breath, and I decided it was best not to say anything back.
Charlotte
Angus’s apartment was nice—a little small, but after the pit I’d lived in for a day, it looked luxurious. I felt sick that I’d lost a significant amount of money to Cissy and was about to lose even more to Sid’s Garage, but what was I to do? I could mope and cry about how badly things were going, or I could look forward and press on with my mission. It didn’t matter what Angus said. It would take a lot more than this to make me give up and go back to San Francisco.
My stomach quietly snarled, reminding me that it was afternoon, and I still hadn’t had a bite to eat.
“Hey, Angus? Do you have any food?”
Angus stuck his head around the corner. “You haven’t eaten anything, have you?”
I shook my head.
“Oh, Chuck.” His voice was sympathetic and tugged at my heart. “I don’t have much. I was about to go get groceries when Will called.”
“Me too. I mean, I was on my way to the grocery store when I found my tires slashed. What if my car had been fine? Maybe we would have run into each other in the produce section.”
“Probably not. I would have been in a reputable store and in the freezer section. I rarely have time for anything more than a sandwich or a frozen meal. When I first got here, I bought a bunch of fruit and vegetables and then I worked a week straight. Most of it went bad.”
Angus went into the kitchen and pulled out a bread bag. “There are two crusts. You want them?”
“What about you?”
“I had breakfast.”
“Do you have any peanut butter?”
“I do. And I even have a little jam. Your favorite.” He pulled a nearly empty jar of blackberry jam out of the refrigerator. “Sit down.” With the knife in his hand, he motioned toward a sturdy-looking barstool pushed up to the counter. I sat and watched him make the sandwich. “Sorry. No milk.” He slid a glass of water to me and pulled out the stool next to mine. He scooted it several inches from me and sat down.
“What would you have thought if we had run into each other at the store?” I asked.
Angus shook his head. “I’d have thought you had a twin because you’re much too smart to do something this nuts.”
“A twin, huh? You know me having a twin isn’t that far-fetched.”
Angus laughed. “I guess I’d have thought you and Will had a long lost triplet.”
“Would you have introduced yourself to this look-alike?”
“Hmm.” Angus’s face turned serious.
“Wouldn’t you want to be the hero that reunited her with her true family?”
“Probably not. I think I’d have headed for the exit.”
“Wow. Some hero you are.”
“Yeah, well, if she looked like you, introducing myself would be counter-productive since I moved out here to forget about you.”
“Oh.”
Suddenly the conversation felt like I was perched on a mountain of Jell-O. One word could send me slipping and sliding down the slope until there would be no way to get back. I took the last bites of my sandwich in silence, and when I finished, Angus put the plate and glass in the sink and cleared his throat.
“Speaking of grocery stores, I have to go or I’ll spend the next week with nothing to eat. Do you need anything?”
“Can I come with you?” I held my breath, praying he wouldn’t reject me.
“Go ahead. I’m not your boss.”
Those were wonderful words, and they melted all the slippery Jell-O away. I can’
t remember who had said that phrase first, but Angus, Will, and I had said it many times over the years. When two of us were involved in a game and the third asked to join, one or both of us would say, “Go ahead. I’m not your boss.” If someone was going somewhere and the others asked to tag along, the answer was, “If you want to. I’m not your boss.” I’m not sure if it was the sentimental phrase or the thought of walking down the aisles of the grocery store that made me silly with happiness.
“We can get you some Lorna Doones and some Pringles.”
Ouch! He really knew how to hurt a girl. I love Lorna Doones and Pringles, but years ago, I had decided I would only allow myself those unhealthy snacks when I was road tripping. Angus’s suggestion plainly told me he planned on me being California bound, junk food in tow, as soon as possible.
“Man, you really want me out of here.” I tried to keep it light and was glad that he played along.
“Nothing to see here. Move along.” He softened the words with a smile, and I decided I’d save the news that I wasn’t going anywhere for another time.
At the grocery store, I pretended I didn’t notice when Angus put the cookies and chips in the cart. They wouldn’t be eaten on a road trip. I vowed I wouldn’t touch one cookie or eat one chip. He’d have to eat them himself or let them grow stale in his kitchen cabinet. I added a package of lasagna noodles and Angus gave me a questioning look.
“For chicken lasagna. I thought we could have some tonight, before you leave for the hospital.”
“You don’t have to cook for me, Chuck.”
“I know. But it’s the least I can do to thank you for rescuing me today.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“No, you don’t. Friends help each other.”
“Well this friend”—I emphasized the word friend—“is fixing you dinner tonight.”
“I guess it can be a farewell dinner before that friend”—he pointed at me—“leaves town tomorrow.”
I rolled my eyes and started for the meat department, pulling the cart, and Angus, along behind me.
Angus purchased a few easy-to-prepare things for the coming week, and we returned to his apartment.
“Do you mind putting the groceries away?” he asked after setting the bags on the counter. “I’ve got a couple of errands I need to run, and I’ve got to get some laundry started in the basement on my way out.”
“Aren’t you worried someone will steal it?”
Angus smiled. “This isn’t The Royal Crowne. And I’ve got a key. Only residents can get in there, and I haven’t had a problem yet.”
My imagination got a little ahead of itself while I put away the groceries and started dinner. I tried to close the door on the eager thoughts, but like sunshine that teases through the clouds, suggesting maybe it will warm up enough for an afternoon picnic, wishful thoughts kept peeking around the corners of my mind. If all goes well, this will be your life. You’ll be in a cute, little apartment, fixing Angus dinner. Someday, he’ll walk through that door and be happy to see you. He’ll tell you how nice it is to come home to you and a delicious dinner instead of to a lonely, empty apartment. He’ll let out a long, satisfied sigh and walk straight to the kitchen, where he’ll put his arms around you and kiss you. Sometimes it will be a kiss that takes your breath away, because he’s missed you and you belong to each other and he can’t get enough of you. Other times it will be a kiss on the forehead, just because he likes you so much. Then, once in a while, he’ll kiss the end of your nose, because he’s in a playful mood and you’ve said something clever.
I couldn’t decide if letting my imagination take me that far down the road was a good thing or a bad one. I could argue the case that it was good to visualize the end goal, but I also knew that if Angus didn’t have a change of heart, all my visualizing would make it that much harder to lose him for good. Still, I couldn’t help but long for that warm, affectionate homecoming.
Charlotte
It was almost midnight when the phone rang. I was still up. Angus had told me to sleep in his bed since he’d be at the hospital and had even changed the sheets before he left, but I had been too busy looking up apartments and job postings to go to bed.
The screen showed a picture of Will holding Emily above his head while she giggled. It made me smile and long to play with my sweet niece.
“Hi, Will.”
“Where are you?”
“What? No pleasantries or small talk?”
“Sorry. I was in meetings until about an hour ago, and I’ve worried about you all day. I wanted to be sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.”
“Please tell me you’re not at that apartment you rented. Angus said it was terrible.”
“Yeah. It was. What were your meetings about?” I was tired of being the topic of conversation.
“The Devlin case starts tomorrow. We met all day with the defense, hoping for a last-minute deal, but they’re having none of it. Ineffective counsel if you ask me. They should be jumping at our offer. He’s going to end up in prison for twenty years because of their bad advice.”
“That should make you happy, shouldn’t it? You said he’s guilty.”
“He is, but that doesn’t mean I want him to have lousy representation. Our offer was fair. I think his lawyer wants the publicity he’s going to get from such a high-profile case. He’s in it for himself instead of his client. So tomorrow we start jury selection. We spent all evening meeting with our jury consultants.”
“You’ve been so busy with this. Sorry I worried you.”
“Yeah, not cool, Chuck. I get that you were anxious to go make amends with Angus, but I thought you were smarter than to go off halfcocked. Please tell me you called the police about your tires.” Will groaned when I didn’t answer. “You’re making me regret that I came in on your side with the family, Charles.”
“Please tell me you haven’t told Mom and Dad.”
“Not yet.”
“Not ever, Will. I don’t want them to worry about me.”
“They’re already worried. And if they knew about this, they’d know their worries are justified. If you’re going to do grown up things like move and change jobs, you need to be smart. Why didn’t you call the police?”
“I just wanted out of there.”
“You’re a disgrace to my profession.” There was no more edge to his voice and I was happy to hear him crack a joke.
“You’re the prosecutor, not me. I just wanted out of there without having to deal with Cissy, or anyone else, once I was gone.”
“Says every intimidated witness. You haven’t answered me. Where are you?”
“I’m at Angus’s. He’s at the hospital. He said I could stay here tonight, but he wants me on the road tomorrow morning as soon as my tires are fixed.”
“He said that?”
“More than once.”
Will’s voice sounded sympathetic. “Sorry, Charles. That’s probably not the outcome you were hoping for.”
Will’s sympathy was like a cord tightening around my throat, and I knew I was dangerously close to crying. That would really show him I was behaving like a responsible adult.
“No. Not what I pictured.”
“How were you planning on letting him know you were there?”
“I thought I’d get settled, and in a day or two, I’d invite him to dinner. He’d find out when I gave him the address. And he’d be so thrilled I was here that everything would be better.”
“Nice thought, but I’m afraid he’s not going to be that easily convinced.”
“Believe me, I know. Reality has punched me in the face a few times in the last twenty-four hours.”
“Are you okay?”
I laughed as a couple of tears escaped my eyes.
“Sure.”
“Seriously, Chuck. Are you?”
I sniffed and wiped my eyes on my sleeve.
“I will be. If Angus thinks I came all
this way to fail, he’s wrong. I’m not leaving.”
“That’s fine, but only if you find a safe place to live.”
“I’ve been looking online ever since Angus left.”
“Didn’t you find your last place online?”
“Don’t worry. I’m reading reviews, and I’ll ask more questions. And I’m here now, so I can check them out in person.”
“Be careful.”
“I will. Thanks for calling Angus and sending him to help me.”
“Yeah. What exactly were your plans before I called?”
“I don’t know. I’d just found the tires, so I hadn’t had a chance to think about what to do. I couldn’t believe they were all flat.”
“It must have been scary.”
“It was. The whole place was kinda terrifying. I don’t know if I’d have had the guts to stay there another night.”
“That wouldn’t have shown guts. It would have shown lack of judgment. Just be more careful. Please.”
“I will.” I told him to give Gina and Emily a hug, and we said goodbye. Suddenly I felt exhausted. I closed the laptop and got ready for bed.
There was a soft knock at the front door of the apartment right before it opened.
“It’s me,” Angus said before he rounded the corner. “I didn’t want to startle you.”
“Hi. I didn’t know if I’d see you today.”
It had been a productive day but I wasn’t sure if Angus would be happy about what I had accomplished.
“I called the shop and they told me your car had been ready since this morning, but that you hadn’t come to get it. I figured I could run you over during my dinner break.”
“Thank you. I was about to call a cab to take me over before they close.”
“I was surprised you hadn’t picked it up. I thought you might already be on your way home.”
I frowned. I had been too busy to think much about it. I had called on several apartments before I convinced myself it would be okay to check at the office here in Angus’s complex. I had rejected that idea at first, knowing how unhappy Angus would be about it, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. The least I could do is check.