by Lisa Clancey
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I arrived at the office around nine, give or take a few minutes, the next day. Okay take, I was rarely early. I typed up my report, printed out the photos and called Greg Adamson. I had looked up his wife’s name, so when I called him, I could say it. I learned from experience clients didn’t like it when you say what’s her or his name; they think you don’t care. I did care; I just can’t remember names that well.
Greg said he could get the report tonight unless I wanted to meet him on Pointer Drive. It so happened that was on my way to Gardener, so I met him. He was wearing work boots with worn jeans and a flannel shirt— real working man’s clothes. He wasn’t bad looking. I couldn’t see his hair underneath his cap, a matter of fact I had no idea what his hair looked like. I had never seen it. He was a little overweight, just like Savannah. They made a cute couple, and I was glad she wasn’t cheating on him.
“Hello, Mr. Adamson, I have your report.” I smiled and handed it to him. He took it with wide eyes as if afraid to look at it.
“Don’t worry, it’s all good,” I said smiling broader. “Mrs. Adamson’s not cheating. She really loves you. She even told me you work too hard.”
“You talked to her?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes, but again, don’t worry. She doesn’t know who I am.” I paused, and then added, “I can tell you where she goes at night, even show you the pictures but it’s a surprise for you.”
“It’s a surprise?” he asked holding the report tight in his hand.
“Yes. Look, why don’t you ask her again where she goes at night. If she says she can’t tell you right then, tell her fine. When she’s ready, you’ll be ready to listen. Then be ready to listen.” I smiled touched his arm and said, “She loves you.”
He stood there looking at me stunned, not knowing what to do with the report. “If you want to read the report and look at the pictures then do it. If you want me to keep them a while, I can do that too. Those pictures will ruin her surprise.”
He stretched out his arm, slightly smiled and said, “Here, take them. I’ll get them later, ‘cause if they’re pictures of her surprise, I might want to look at them. Later.”
I took them back, smiled and said, “I’ll keep them safe. When you’re ready, just let me know.” I hesitated then asked, “Um…about my fee?”
“That’s fine. How much do I owe?”
We settled the fee, and he wrote me a check. Hot dog, now I can pay my rent this month.
I got back in my truck and continued on my way to Gardener. I stopped off at a branch office of my bank and deposited my check. I thought about doing a little happy dance right there in the bank but then thought better of it. The last time I did that one of the cashiers threatened to call the cops because she thought I was causing a distraction so it could be robbed. Cheri was with me, and if she weren't laughing so hard, they would have called the cops for sure. Wouldn’t Cody have loved that? He actually did because big mouth Cheri told him. I can’t take her anywhere.