“Nope. It’s just a suburb of the city itself. Over on the West End, not too far from the University. Won’t take long to get there.”
I gazed out the window into the dark, watching the lights pass. “It’s pretty. Richmond is, I mean.”
He grinned. “Can’t see much in the dark from a speeding car, but yeah. Come spring time, it’ll be much prettier. But I love it here. I was born downtown, and I’ve lived here all my life. Wouldn’t change it for anything.” He stopped at a red light and met my eyes in the mirror again. “So are you here for a visit, or for work?”
“I’m ... surprising a friend. He doesn’t expect me.” I wasn’t sure why the words came tumbling out, but they did. “I hope it’s a good surprise.”
“Aw, honey, why wouldn’t it be?” The light turned green, and the taxi jumped forward. “Did you have a spat? Are you coming down to patch things up?”
“No. I mean ... not really. I guess I’m coming down to see where we stand now.” I stared straight ahead, into the night. “We’ve been friends forever. Then ... more. But the last few years have been difficult, and things kind of pulled us apart. I need to know if we still have a future.”
“If you cared enough to haul your cookies all the way from ... where did you come from?”
I smiled. “New Jersey.”
“From New Jersey, then you still got a future.” He paused. “Unless this guy’s married or something. Or if he’s not a good guy.”
“He’s a very good guy. The best.” I believed that with all of my heart. “I know he loves me. It’s just that circumstances have made it hard for us to stay together. His career ...” I didn’t want to say too much; I figured here in Richmond, Leo’s name might be familiar, at least to Rebels fans. “He’s trying to do what’s best for me, but his job is very demanding, and I have a problem with that, I guess.”
“Is that all?” The cabby waved his hand. “That’s nothing, Listen, honey, the wife and I’ve been together since we were fifteen. Fifteen, can you imagine?”
I smiled and nodded. Oh, yeah, I could imagine. I’d loved Leo longer than that.
“And we just celebrated forty years married. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t always appreciate her, or what we had, but we stuck it out. Four kids, three grandkids and we’ve never been happier.”
“That’s wonderful.” I twisted the strap of my bag around my thumb. “I’m not sure we’re going to get that same kind of happy ending. Once, I’d hoped ... but now, after everything that’s happened, I’m not so sure.”
“Keep the faith, honey. Don’t give up.” He turned a corner and slowed as we approached a guard’s booth in front of a large gate. “Hey, your fellow does all right for himself, huh?” He twisted in his seat, raising his eyebrows. “Is he ... is this guy older, honey?”
My face went hot. “No. It’s not like that ...” I trailed off as a guard, holding a clipboard against his hip, leaned toward the car and the driver lowered the window.
“Good evening. How can I help you?”
I scooted forward and peered up into the uniformed man’s face. “I’m here to visit a friend. The address is 2215 Graydin.” I dug into my purse. “Do you need my ID?”
The guard frowned at me. “Are you expected?”
“Ahhhh ...”Shit. “No. I was, um, trying to surprise him.”
“Uh huh.” He rested one hand on the top of the car. “Well, ma’am, I’m sorry, but we have a very strict policy about admitting visitors who haven’t been invited by a resident. We have a list of names of expected guests, and if your name isn’t on it, I’m afraid I can’t let you in.” He studied me in the dim light coming from the booth. “Of course, I can always call the resident and see if he—uh, or she—is okay with you coming in.”
I dropped my forehead onto my hand. I’d come all the way here and never even considered this. The entire train trip down, I’d been picturing the expression on Leo’s face when he opened his front door and saw me there. Now, instead, he’d find out when this stranger called to say some crazy girl was at the gate.
But what choice did I have? I wasn’t going to turn around now and go home. The cab driver was looking at me expectantly.
Sighing, I handed the guard my driver’s license. “Okay. Please call him.”
“Certainly.” He took my ID and tucked it into the clipboard. “Can you tell me the address again?”
I recited the number and street as he noted it down.
“And the name of the resident?”
I avoided the cabbie’s interested gaze. “Leo Taylor.”
“I’m sorry?” The guard leaned further into the window.
Clearing my throat, I spoke louder. “Leo Taylor.”
