“Hmm.” She plucked the book off the shelf, returned to her chair and plopped herself down, curling her legs into the plush cushioned seat to get comfortable. Without looking, she reached toward the table for more food to find the platter was gone. Sky checked the empty doorway for signs of Rose and seeing nothing, returned her focus to the book. With her one hand, she pressed it open on her lap and rested her head against the wing of the chair.
The book began with the narrator stalking a beautiful English major. Sky scanned the pages, looking for the juicy bits. By the second chapter, the protagonist had slipped a drug in his target’s drink at a bar while she fixed her lipstick. Sky leaned in closer as the narrator described the challenge of getting a limp and barely conscious girl into a cab.
“You’re still here.” From the doorway, Gareth’s deep, rough voice startled her.
Sky slid the book into the crevice between the cushion and the arm of the chair. Gareth turned off the overhead light and walked over to Sky.
“What are you reading?” He leaned across her to reach in the crevice and pull out the book. Sky sat rigid and observed him as he looked at the book.
Gareth sniggered. “This is terrible,” he said. He put the book back and pulled out another. “Here, this is much better.” He handed Sky a copy of Lolita.
“I’ve read that already, sir.”
Gareth raised his eyebrow. “Oh, OK.” He looked for another.
“What about Dracula? Have you read that?”
“Yes.”
“Mm, you probably haven’t read this.” Gareth pulled another white book off the shelf. He handed Sky a copy of Blindness.
Sky gave Gareth a crooked smile. “Blindness?” She shook her head. “I haven’t read this.” She looked up at him with her large, amber eyes.
Gareth smiled and nodded. “If you want other books that I don’t have, just let Denise know.” Sky’s face lit up.
Gareth walked toward the doorway. “I’ll be in my room. Come up when you’re tired of reading,” he said and left.
Sky placed the book in her lap to slide her fingertips across the embossed cover then flipped it over to read the back. She nestled into the chair and opened to the first chapter.
Oh his way upstairs, Gareth received a message from Kitty.
Thank you for the cupcakes. They were delish! You are very sweet.
- -
Sitting in her room, Kitty flashed a big smile into the webcam. “Hello my darlings, how is everyone tonight?” She glanced at the flurry of comments on her computer screen as they rolled in.
“Mm-hmm, I’m so glad to hear that. I’m excited for the weekend. Most of you probably know I’ve got tickets to the Menagerie Fashion Show and it’s going to be very, very hot. I’ll have pictures and video for all of my Prowlers, so if you want to be in the loop just sign up on the right and click the pink button.” Kitty leaned forward and pointed at the screen.
“OK, let’s talk about some exciting new developments in my love life. I have a few hot date details to spill. Of course, I’ll leave a few things to your imagination. But first, I want to show you these gorgeous yummy cupcakes Mr. Mystery sent me today.” Kitty slid the small box of cupcakes in front of her and tilted them up to her screen.
“I’m sorry there’s just three, but I had to try one. What did you think I was going to do, wait?” She threw her head back and laughed. “Mm, look at these. Don’t you just want to sink your teeth into them?” Kitty dipped her finger into the delicate mound of blue icing on one cupcake and scooped it up. She stared into the camera and wrapped her lips around her finger, licking it clean.
“You know what? I think I’m going to have to send out a cupcake prize to one lucky Prowler. All you have to do is message me the name of my new teddy bear and you’ll be entered to win a box of cupcakes from Scrumptious, OK? That’s it, super simple. Just check the archives for last night’s video. I’ll pick a winner tonight at the art opening.” Kitty paused. “I’ll announce the winner from the show. You are going to the show, right? My dear friend Creep is freakishly talented and his show opens tonight at Spin Gallery. I’ll be there with a video crew. It runs for the next three weeks, so if you miss the opening you can pop by later and check it out. If you’re out of town, you can watch the opening and my interview live, as always.”
Kitty curled a tuft of pink hair around her fingers and scanned through the line of comments underneath the video.
More date details!
What the hell happened with Mr. Mystery?!
“Oh yes, of course. Date details! I wouldn’t leave you hanging. That would be so cruel. And I love you, each and every one of you. I really do! Without you, this show would be nothing, just me talking into the void.” Kitty blew a kiss onto her two fingers and flashed a peace sign at her audience.
“OK. Here’s the G-rated version. I took a cab to the hotel. It was gorgeous and glamorous. Even the elevators were sexy. The doorman was very cute. I went up to the ninth floor and then . . . I came out the next morning. The end. I can’t say any more about it. There wasn’t a lot of talking; he’s a man of few words. He communicates in other ways, if you know what I mean.” She winked and gave the webcam a coy smile.
What?! That’s it?!
Tell us what he’s like. We need more girl!
“Well, if I told you more he wouldn’t be a man of mystery, now would he? And I don’t know much about him. But I like that. He’s different.” She twirled her hair, staring off into space, then released a heavy sigh.
“Well my darlings, the big city needs a fresh coat of pink paint so I’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s it for now. Hugs and kisses all around.” Kitty leaned in, hunched her shoulders, and beamed into the camera. “This episode of the Kat’s Meow was brought to you by Scrumptious cupcakes and strange men.” Kitty dipped another finger in the cupcake icing and licked it off. “See you tonight,” she said with a mouthful of icing. Kitty waved good-bye just before she turned off the camera.
- -
In his dark bedroom, Gareth lay on his back staring up at the ceiling above his bed. He closed his eye and tried deep breathing, his hands resting on his abdomen. Wisdom was passed out on the floor next to him. Every few minutes he checked the time on his phone, and as his impatience grew he began drumming his fingers on his chest. Just as he started to get up, the door cracked opened and light from the hallway peeked into the room. Wisdom jumped up and huffed at the door. Sky slipped through the small opening, closing the door behind her.
“I was just going to come get you,” Gareth said.
Sky crept toward the bed, her hand extended to feel her way through the darkness. She gasped when she bumped Wisdom’s nose, but the wolf merely sniffed her hand and moved out of the way. Finally, her leg hit the edge of the bed and she tumbled forward, her hand landing on Gareth’s chest. He reached out to catch her and guide her to the bed. Sky sat sideways, next to Gareth.
“The book is good. It was hard to put down,” she said, speaking more toward the side table than the man next to her.
“I’m glad you like it,” Gareth said, his voice wavering. He cleared his throat.
“Books make good company,” Sky said, feeling emboldened by his tone.
A small trail of moonlight accentuated Gareth’s silhouette against the light colored wall. He reached inside the loose sleeve of her T-shirt and ran the tips of his fingers down her arm. When he reached the end of her stump, he started over again from her shoulder, stroking her in an endless loop.
“Aren’t you going to ask me about my arm? Everybody wonders about it, but you haven’t asked.”
Gareth shook his head. “No, but you can tell me about it, if you want to.”
“I was in a car accident when I was fifteen.”
Gareth used his other hand to brush her hair out of her face, revealing a four-inch scar up the side of her cheek.
“The scars on my face are from the accident, too” she said as Gareth continued running his fingers alo
ng her skin, inching his way along her neck. “I was going to ask if my scars bother you. But that seems like a stupid question,” she added.
“Your scars are insignificant. You look beautiful,” Gareth whispered.
Sky felt herself blush in the darkness and had to look away from him. “But, how can you tell in the dark?” she asked, seeking assurance.
Gareth chuckled. “There are cameras all over the house.”
“Oh.” She brought her fingertips to her mouth. Gareth slid his hand under her T-shirt and rubbed the small of her tense back.
“I’m not sure what you want me to do,” Sky said.
“You can do whatever you want.”
Sky paused and thought for a moment. “What if I want to read?”
Gareth pulled his hand out from under her shirt.
“Then go read.” He slid his other hand under her hip to lift her up off the bed. “Go get your book and read it here.” He patted the large, empty space next to him, his gesture more audible than visible.
Sky, now standing, twisted her hair around her fingers. “OK!” Wisdom lifted her head to watch her walk out the door.
Sky returned with her book and crept to the edge of the bed. Gareth helped her climb over him and made her comfortable with pillows. He pulled out a small book light from his bedside table, fit it onto the back cover, and turned it on for her.
Sky watched Gareth slide back under the covers and turn to lie with his broad back to her. She completed a few more chapters before she fell asleep with the book in her hand and the light on.
- -
Birds chattered outside the window as they gathered in the small clearing for an early morning buffet. Gareth gazed at Sky’s small figure asleep next to him. He watched her breathe, a thin strand of hair in front of her nose waving like a little flag with each breath. He leaned in until his lips brushed her forehead, and he gave her a light kiss. He stretched briefly then made his way to the en suite bathroom.
After changing in the dark, he quietly exited the room so he wouldn’t disturb Sky. Two flights down, on the lower level behind the staircase, there was a large home gym with a bank of windows overlooking the valley of greenery and a winding creek. Several pieces of gym equipment sat on the thin rubber floor. A large speed bag hung by a chain from a thick wooden beam overhead. Gareth built up his pace on the treadmill to a brisk jog as the sun was just starting to rise and streams of warm light reached through the trees, illuminating the room.
When he was finally damp with sweat and his legs were weak, he grabbed his gloves off the weight rack. He took a swig from his water bottle and placed it on the bench nearby. With his hands on his hips he stared at the bag to size up his imaginary opponent. He released a deep breath and leapt forward, driving his right fist into the bag. He started slow, taking sure strikes at the bag with alternating fists. After his warm-up, he increased his tempo and pummeled the bag with great speed. His wet hair spun out to the side with each twist of his waist, but Gareth kept on until he was weak and sloppy. He dropped onto the bench, his elbows resting on his legs and his hair clinging to his face. He looked out at the trees as he caught his breath.
- -
Sky awoke surrounded by feather pillows. She writhed in the bed and stretched on her back from her fingertips to her toes. She rolled over and found the other side of the bed empty. The room was still dim as the dark curtains held back the morning sunlight. Her book sat on the table next to her, the book light extinguished.
She pushed the covers aside, slid out of the bed, and walked to the tall windows where the sunshine begged to be let in. Sky squinted as the bright rays hit her face. In the distance, beyond the treetops, a small object in the sky was growing larger and louder. She watched a helicopter near the house, hover over a pad in the middle of the green clearing, and lower to the ground. A husky woman in a tailored, plum-colored suit stepped out of the helicopter and gathered an armful of shopping bags. She spoke to the pilot and then walked toward the front door.
Gareth came out from the house to greet her, his hair blown back by the wind, exposing a patchwork of rippled flesh on one side of his face. He flipped up the hood on his sweatshirt as he approached his guest and kissed her quickly on one cheek before taking her bags and seeing her into the house.
Sky watched the two figures until they were out of sight. Leaving the curtain open, she went into the bathroom to pee and splash cool water on her face. She swished tap water around in her mouth and spit it out. When she looked up to examine herself in the mirror, she was surprised to notice instead two framed paintings on either side of the sink, vibrant colors colliding and fading to pastels on rough paper.
Finding that strange, she poked around the room, opening vanity drawers. The first was filled with boring bathroom supplies, everything a dentist would recommend. A bottle of mouthwash looked appealing, and she sipped directly from it. After spitting out the minty green liquid, she explored the second drawer and found a hairbrush, an electric razor, and a dusty box of condoms. The third drawer, the largest of the three, was empty. Sky closed the drawer, and just as she stood up, saw Gareth in the bathroom doorway, leaning on the frame with his arms crossed, his single gray eye staring hard at her.
“I was just . . . looking for a mirror,” she stammered.
The hood of his sweatshirt cast a dark shadow on his face, so she couldn’t read his expression.
Gareth only heaved an annoyed sigh. “I have a meeting downstairs,” he said with his back to her on his way out. “I need you to stay in your room.”
Sky’s arm shielded her body and rubbed her short arm, a familiar posture Gareth caught a glimpse of as he left the bedroom. When she could hear his footsteps on the stairs, she glanced back at the art on the wall. She took out the hairbrush and tried to yank the knots out of her long hair without a reflection to guide her.
Chapter 7
Downstairs in the living room, Denise and Gareth settled into the long, white leather sofa. Rose appeared with a tray of teacups and a series of wrapped appetizers arranged in neat little rows.
“It’s great to see you Gareth,” Denise said, turning toward him and smiling. Her shoulder-length hair was pinned up at the sides, not a single golden strand out of place. She reached toward the tray on the table, took hold of the teapot, and poured each of them a cup. “You look very well, although I see you haven’t been shopping in a while,” she said with a coy expression as she looked him up and down.
Gareth laughed. “Denise, you do all my shopping.”
“True, but you should have called me earlier. That poor girl has nothing to wear, not even a bra.”
“I know. Her coming here . . . It was unexpected. I wasn’t prepared.”
“Well don’t worry, she’ll have everything she needs for a few months anyway. Is she here? She’s quite a soft-spoken, delicate little thing, isn’t she? On the phone the poor dear sounded like a wounded bird.”
“She’s quiet. She fits in well here.”
“I won’t ask where you found her, that’s your business, but I do hope you’re taking good care of her. A woman has certain needs, Gareth. Few people can live in isolation like this.”
Gareth nodded and blew on his tea before taking a sip, and Denise placed a shiny gift bag between them.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“A birthday gift from your sister.”
Gareth put his cup down and peered inside the bag. When he pulled out the tissue paper, his face shifted from a frown to a grin and then he laughed. “A new soldering gun! How did she know mine was busted?”
Denise only offered a knowing expression. “Oh, before I forget, I wanted to make sure this is what you asked for.” Denise reached into her bag and handed Gareth a small box, just larger than the palm of her hand.
Gareth took the box and opened the lid to peer inside. He nodded his approval, closed the box, and put it in the pocket of his sweatshirt. “Thank you,” he said.
“Did Katherine receive the
cupcakes?” Denise asked.
“Who?”
“Katherine Andersson, the girl you wanted me to find.”
“Oh, you mean Kitty?”
“Yes, her. I guess you know her by her nickname.”
“Yeah, she did. She sent a message to thank me. How did you find her so quickly?”
Denise grinned. “Oh, she was a cinch to find. She’s all over the Internet. Kind of hard to miss, actually.”
“Oh?” Gareth said, tilting his head to one side, his brow furrowed.
“She’s somewhat of a celebrity. Has her own little following. Interesting girl, very cute and perky. If you didn’t find her online, how on earth did you meet her?” Denise sipped her tea.
Gareth huffed. “Long story. Louis dragged me out to meet some potential investors and we got a little sidetracked.”
“Hmm. Well, you must have laid on some charm I didn’t know you had because she is quite smitten. She mentions you in a few of her little videos.”
“Really?”
“Trust me. I’m just as confused as you are,” Denise said as she reached for a small sandwich from the tray.
- -
Rain bounced like tiny rubber balls off the concrete sidewalk. Kitty ran for the yellow cab in her bare feet, her shoes in one hand, and the other attempting to cover her head with a magazine. Despite her efforts, her wet silk dress clung to her skin and she dove into the backseat, right after a man in pointed leather shoes hopped out.
“The Traveler’s Choice Hotel please,” she said to the driver, out of breath. He nodded and wove his way around the slick streets as his wipers struggled to keep up with the demand of the rain. Shortly, the cab pulled up in front of the hotel, and after tossing the driver a few bills, Kitty darted for the protection of the awning over the front door.
Once inside the lobby, she slid each foot into a pink platform with a long, needle-thin heel. She sauntered past the front desk to the waiting elevator and pushed the button for the ninth floor. When she pulled her phone out of her purse, water slid off the leather bag and formed a puddle on the elevator floor. Oblivious, Kitty typed out a short message.
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