by Elle Limpkin
The door that led to Polly’s bedroom was closed, but Eda didn’t let that stop her from checking in, releasing a sigh of relief after seeing her turn in bed.
If she’d left some video recording device on the previous night, then she wouldn’t have to stand there wondering what had happened between them, if anything. Knowing Polly, she could easily picture her locking herself in her room and refusing to share a word.
She should’ve locked them in her bedroom instead...
∞∞∞
Polly and Joe stayed on her mind for the better part of the day, between inserting codes in her laptop, replying automatically to whatever At or Lari said, and thinking about Johan. During all this time, that tension in her forehead refused to dissipate.
She went to the bathroom to clear her head, but the peaceful rest she needed avoided her when Matilda stormed in, face in tears.
“What happened?” Eda asked, using a paper towel to wipe her hands dry.
“Leave me alone!” Matilda screamed, pushing her away with a force that didn’t match her frail stature.
Her rejection was merely a loud cry for help. Eda neared her again, laying a friendly hand on her throbbing shoulder, waiting for the moment when the cry would melt enough for Matilda to speak.
“Why don’t you tell me what's wrong?”
“Everything’s wrong. My job. My life. I can’t take my life anymore. It’s too much, and it will only get worse.”
Their eyes met in the mirror. “How do you know it will get worse?”
“I had a meeting with Peter. He was clear that if this project doesn’t go smoothly, I can say goodbye to my job. I can’t lose my job! Especially if I get fired with a bad review. I will never afford Mom’s treatments if I do.”
Eda resisted the urge to ask more personal questions, fearing Matilda would push her away even more vehemently. “Why wouldn’t the project work? You have a great team.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” Matilda said, deep horizontal lines decorating her forehead. “This is the best team. Has been for three years. Peter said that if I can't get this team right, I’m definitely the problem.”
It was hard to contradict the senior manager; everyone in the company knew it, except perhaps for Matilda herself. Could it be that she had no idea she was alienating people?
“I can see how everyone looks at me. They expect me to behave exactly like Talia and are against me because I can’t.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?”
Matilda took a napkin from the stand and blew her nose. “What do you mean?”
“I’m saying that this team wants a leader they like. They love their jobs for the most part, but they don’t want just to be told what to do. They want to be on good terms with their boss. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt for you to practice smiling in the mirror.”
Matilda’s lips cornered up in a failed attempt at a smile.
“There you go!” Eda exclaimed.
“I don’t feel like smiling.”
“You have to. You need to form relationships with everyone on the team. They’re not machines performing a specific task; they’re real people who need encouragement and a well done from time to time.”
“I’m sure they all know they’re doing a great job,” Matilda argued.
“They do, but they want you to know it too.”
Matilda seemed much more open than Polly to take her advice. Whether that was good or bad, Eda hadn’t decided. Giving advice was a huge responsibility, and she’d taken that burden willingly with Matilda, Polly, and even Johan. What if her advice led to more pain?
Maybe living alone was better. This way, she could cause no harm to her dear ones.
But she couldn’t help them either.
The bathroom discussion left its marks. As the team was getting ready to leave, Matilda passed by their aisle with a smile on her face.
“Great job today,” she said.
The entire team froze with their mouths open.
“Someone slap me; I think I’m dreaming,” Lari said.
“I will,” everyone else responded in unison.
Next Step
Tension increased as they waited for the DNA results. In the meantime, the cold treatment from Polly froze to icy. She refused to say even a hello to Eda, summarizing her entire message in a deep frown each time they bumped into each other in the small apartment. Between her and Joe taking possession of the couch, she was considering renting a room at a hotel during their stay.
Despite her need for downtime, Eda remained in the apartment, knowing that moving out, even temporarily, would be interpreted as a ‘get out’ message by her two guests. Besides, the fact that Joe was still there, tolerated by Polly, fueled her hopes in a peaceful resolution. He wasn’t saying much either, but that was just Joe. From the bits and pieces, she understood that they hadn’t talked about their core problems yet, but Polly did allow him to take the couch.
“Where are the kids?” Eda asked the next morning, taking advantage of the fact that Polly had retreated into the bathroom.
“With my sister. They still have no idea what happened. All they know is that Mom went to visit a friend, and Dad accompanied her as soon as he could.”
“Do you believe you’ll get back together?”
“I have to believe it,” Joe said, taking a sip of coffee.
That had been their entire conversation in two days.
The next day, Eda tested her theory that if she checked her cell every two minutes, she increased the chances of receiving a message from Johan. Silly theory indeed. By the end of the day, Eda gave up, believing that he had other priorities than to inform her of the DNA results. She should’ve called him herself and get it over with.
Her cell vibrated while she was debating what to do.
“It’s positive,” Johan said without any introduction. “Can you meet me?”
“Where?”
“I’ll come to you. We can go to Michael together.”
***
“Are you sure Polly got the address right?”
Johan’s question mirrored Eda’s concerns. Ever since they entered the neighborhood, she asked herself whether the heat of the moment interfered with Polly’s eyesight. Her excuse for dismissing the idea was that the address Polly provided led to an actual location.
“I’m sure,” she confirmed unenthusiastically.
Two rows of houses flanked the road on both sides. It seemed idyllic. After living in a small town, Eda had been excited to move to the most crowded area in the biggest city she knew. But that was then. Now, she could see herself living in a quiet place such as this.
Except they were meant for families, not single women past their prime.
“Do you think he has a family?” she asked. “I’ve pictured him living in some fancy apartment in downtown Manhattan, not in the suburbs.”
Johan didn’t take his eyes off the road. “Me too. I hope we won’t go knocking on some stranger's door.”
“But he did have this address on his driving license, so there has to be a connection,” Eda protested. “Even if he doesn’t live here, there’s something that will guide us in the right direction.”
Johan parked across the street from a house that stood out with nothing in the sea of white residences with perfect lawns. The only thing missing was a woman about her age, playing in the yard with twins running about her skirt.
What if he was married? The idea of a wife who had no clue of her husband’s escapades bogged Eda down. If this theoretical woman existed, there had to be a way to avoid hurting her.
The white door opened as if some unseen force wanted to make the situation as bad as possible. Eda’s heart stopped, almost seeing a woman in a white dress running out. She relaxed in an instant. It was only Michael, who rushed down the five steps at the entrance with his car key in his hand.
He froze when his gaze rested on Johan’s SUV, with his face resembling that of a 3-day guest at the City Morgue. He eyeballed the
car and the driver, seemingly unsure what the best course of action was.
Eventually, he continued his trek to his car and got behind the wheel.
“Does he think I’m going to let him go?” Johan asked.
Michael’s car screeched on the road then kept driving at legal speed. Johan followed. Every time Johan’s car approached, Michael accelerated so that no matter the speed his pursuer had, he’d be at a safe distance.
“It’s like he’s toying with us,” Johan said between his teeth. “He knows I can’t do anything in this neighborhood.”
“Which is why you should keep your distance until we get on the highway,” Eda said. “There are kids here; you don’t want them jumping in front of you.”
Johan kept his car at a safe distance without giving up the pursuit, tapping the wheel in perfect rhythm. He’d been on edge ever since he came here; this game of cat and mouse did nothing to improve his mood.
Eda’s hand unwillingly squeezed the door handle as countless scenarios flashed through her mind, most centered around a high-speed chase on the highway with her as an uncooperative and terrified passenger.
Her fears proved to lack any basis because Michael pulled into a gas station as soon as they left the city.
“What the hell are you doing at my house?” he asked before Johan even had the chance to park in the nearest space.
Johan jumped out of the car, stopping a few feet from his opponent. “I told you I’ll find you. I would’ve used another one of Eda’s friends as bait, but she doesn’t have that many.”
“Do you think that stalking is the best way to get me to do what you want?”
“The stalking hasn’t even begun,” Johan countered.
They maintained their silent war for a few more moments, both with her arms crossed.
Johan broke the silence. “Congratulations. It’s a boy.”
“I told you I don’t care about some progeny,” Michael protested.
“I couldn’t be happier with that. I will leave you to go back to your exciting activities as soon as you agree to be a donor.”
“And risk my health? No. Freakin’. Way.”
Johan turned to his car and hit the ceiling with his fists before trapping Michael in his green eyes. “We’re talking about a 5-year-old boy. Your 5-year-old boy. Are you telling me that you’re unwilling to save his life because of some insignificant risks?”
“This is exactly what I’m saying,” Michael insisted. “Now, get the hell out of here and leave me alone.”
“I will never leave you alone,” Johan said, throwing fiery darts out of his eyes. “I’ll be your shadow, everywhere you go until you give me what I want.”
Michael huffed. “I doubt you can spend all your time following me around.”
“You don’t understand how much JP means to me,” Johan said, out of options. A punch in the nose wasn’t going to work this time.
Michael narrowed his eyes and moved around the space, thinking. “Let me be clear. I don’t care about the bastard. But I do have a price.”
“A price?” Eda asked.
“Yes. One hundred large. That’s how much my bone marrow is worth.”
Michael took advantage of their surprise to speed off, leaving Johan and Eda with their mouths open as they followed his car, which soon reached the size of a dot and vanished.
The lines around Johan’s eyes deepened.
“Am I to understand you don’t have the money?” Eda asked.
He released a tense laugh with no trace of amusement. “You can say that.” He sighed. “Look, I’ll do my best to get the money. I’m sure my brother would be willing to help. I could sell my share of the cabin.” The thoughts seemed to form on Johan’s lips instead of his prefrontal cortex.
“Maybe you don’t have to pay him,” Eda said.
“You heard him. He doesn’t care about JP. I should’ve thought of offering him money from the start. He’s definitely the type to take it.”
“I know.” Eda thought carefully about how to make herself clear. “Did you notice how panicked he was when he saw us at the house? It wasn’t surprise; it was panic.”
“So?”
“Then he did his best to lead us away. There is something in there he doesn’t want us to see. I’m sure of it.”
“I see where you’re going with this,” Johan said pensively.
“All I’m saying is we should find out who else lives in that house before you start selling property.”
I Need a Wife
Eda stepped into an apartment void of any movement or life. Holding her breath, she raced to Polly’s bedroom, fearing they’d both left without a word. It was hardly the first time her best friend had given her the silent treatment, but she’d never gone so far as to make it permanent.
As soon as she opened the door, she released a sigh of relief. Polly’s clothes as well as several toiletries lay randomly all over the bed and flowery carpet.
With the apartment all to herself for the first time in ages, she proceeded to a quiet night, accompanied by a bowl of instant soup and some TV show. Her mind wondered, constantly shifting to Johan as if she could figure out what he was doing that moment.
While Johan had made it clear that he planned to find out more about the mystery house, he had no obvious means to do so. Surveilling the house was a terrible idea; he’d stick out like a Christmas tree in a darkened basement. He could get arrested. Or Michael’s presumable wife or whoever else lived in that house might discover the truth, and they’d lose their leverage.
Once more, Eda tried to refocus on the screen when voices coming from the hallway seized her attention. She turned off the TV, listening in to the casual conversation between the two familiar people.
In a flash, she was out the door, eyeing the couple in expectance of some explanation. Joe returned her salute; Polly retreated into her private space with the attitude of a queen walking among her subjects.
Oh no, she wasn’t getting off that easily. Polly barely closed the door when Eda sneaked in.
“What happened?” Eda asked. No answer. She crossed her arms and positioned herself in the door with a raised eyebrow. “It’s basic courtesy that if you’re staying in someone’s apartment for free, you could at least talk to them.”
Polly rolled her eyes. “What do you want to talk about? The weather?”
“Stop being an insufferable cow, will you?”
“Insufferable?”
“That’s right.”
“I know I’m a cow, but insufferable?” Polly asked.
The Deja-vu Eda felt wasn’t just that. As their conversation unfolded, she remembered having the exact exchange with her in their senior year. She couldn’t remember what they’d argued about at that time no matter how hard she tried.
Polly must’ve had the same recall because she de-tensed and started laughing, then sat on the bed, pushing aside a dress and a pair of pants to make room.
“What happened with Joe?”
“Nothing,” Polly said mysteriously. Eda needed to throw an angry look at her for her to continue. “We talked...kind of. He’s going overboard to win back my affection. He took me to Central Park today and then to a fancy restaurant.”
“I don’t suppose you thought about the fact that he paid with money coming out of your family budget, right?”
Polly frowned. “No. It feels good to have someone desperate to be with me.”
“I don’t think Joe ever stopped wanting to be with you.”
“That’s what he says, but his behavior was completely different. He’s exactly like the Joe I fell in love with years ago again. Says the same things, does the same things. I’m confused. I fear I’m becoming that woman who’s head over heels over him, and I don’t know what to do.”
Eda headed to the door. “Well, I’m not giving you advice anymore, that’s for sure.”
Polly placed both her hands on her hips. “Who’s an insufferable cow now?”
“Still you,” Eda sa
id before she left the room.
The renewed friendship with Polly lifted part of the weight resting on her heart, but it was not enough. At this point, she would’ve done almost anything to have that entire weight lifted.
Why did she ever think her life hadn’t been good enough before? It was quiet. Void of any problems whatsoever. Boring...
Yes, that’s why. It was boring. She’d lived through the books she’d read and the movies she’d watched. That was no life at all.
Whether venturing into the world with her eyes fully closed had been a good decision, she was yet to determine. Now that she was there, she couldn’t escape her responsibilities, despite the increasing desire to have a few days to herself to realign internally.
For now, she had to choke that desire and take care of life, she told herself as she was getting ready for work the next morning.
Eda spent the entire morning checking her phone and email for messages. Johan was out of office, she realized when she sent him an email with their response to the team’s proposal. That could mean that he was doing who-knew-what to get inside Michael’s house, and from that moment on, the stress didn’t leave her.
When she finally received a text, it wasn’t from Johan but Talia. “Lunch?”
They agreed to meet within fifteen minutes in the cafeteria. When Eda got there, she found Talia slicing up a salad.
“Is that all you’re eating?”
“I’m getting married soon. I can’t afford to eat anything else.”
Eda rummaged the refrigerator for her sandwich. “How soon is soon?”
“It could be in a month if Bud manages to secure the venue we found outside the town.”
“Wow!”
“I know!” Talia exclaimed, taking her bowl of green to one of the empty tables. “Everything is happening so fast, and I’m still busy with work. Bud said he’ll take care of the details, and I’m sure my mother will get involved, so I guess I don’t have to worry about that.”
“How’s work, by the way?” For some reason, the sandwich didn’t taste as good as she’d hoped.