“I’ll walk out with you and wait for Phil. Freddy is guarding the door.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“It’s no bother.”
I force another smile. I know she means well, but…
I lock up and head down the hall with her following. Outside the door, Freddy stands on alert as if he’s guarding the queen’s castle. An odd duck I’d gauge to be around my age; he’s tall and lanky, with the same bird-like features as his mother. Despite the heat, he’s in his standard uniform, a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head. Like I said, an odd duck.
“Hi, Freddy. Thanks for watching out until Phil gets here.”
He gives me a quick nod as if he can’t concentrate on pleasantries and man his post at the same time.
“Isn’t he wonderful?” Miss Carol beams.
“Absolutely.” I wave goodbye to the two looney tunes and jog down the stairs.
My red Miata is parked on the street a couple of spaces away from the house. I click open the locks and shove my bags onto the passenger seat. If traffic isn’t too bad, I should make it to the office by nine o’clock. Skirting around the hood, I pull up short and curse profusely in my head—of all the freaking mornings. My front tire is a pancake.
I stand there for a few frustrated breaths thinking through my options. If I order an Uber, I’ll have to deal with the flat tire tonight after practice. If I change it now, I’ll have access to my car but need to move the meeting.
“Is something wrong, Hun?” I look over to see Miss Carol coming toward me.
“Flat tire.”
“Oh no,” she says glumly, right before she brightens. “Freddy can drive you.”
“That’s okay, Miss Carol. I’m going to change it.”
“You know how to change a tire?” This seems to dismay her.
“My dad taught me.”
“How very modern.”
“My dad’s a practical man, and he wanted my brother and me to know the basics of owning a car.”
“Your clothes will get dirty.”
“If so, I’m home, and I can change.”
“Hun, if you won’t take a ride from Freddy, please let him change your tire.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m old school, and I wouldn’t be comfortable watching you change a tire while Freddy’s right here, willing and able.”
Her sensibilities weren’t my problem. “With all due respect, Miss Carol, I’ve got this.”
“Men need to feel useful. I had a career too. But I still knew when to let my Jerry wear the pants.”
I’ve had just about enough. “Miss Carol, I’m going to kindly ask that you keep your opinions to yourself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change this tire.”
“I’m just trying to help,” she says with an exaggerated sniffle in her voice before pushing up her glasses and walking back to her son.
I’ll rectify the situation with her later. I don’t want animosity with a tenant, but jeez, talk about not understanding boundaries. I pull out my phone and give Talon the benefit of the doubt.
“What?” he answers with a sneer in his tone.
