Assuming she’s at the house, I turn onto Main Street to the large Queen Ann.Her truck is parked in its usual spot.I pull in behind her, throw my car into Park, and stare.From the outside, there doesn’t appear to be any damage except for the window in the rotunda covered by plywood.“Damn.”
Opening the car door, I step onto the gravel drive and stretch.My body is sore from the trek, but I’d do it again.
At the front door, the first thing I notice is the metal security plate that has been placed over the lock.The perps must’ve broken in through the front door.“Jesus.The balls.”You’d think they’d try to sneak in through the back or one of the windows, not through the goddamn front door.Raising my hand, I’m tempted to knock, but the door is ajar.
“Woman….”I’m a little peeved she hasn’t learned her lesson.Pushing it open, I poke my head in to give a listen.That’s when I hear her.Singing.It’s not that same song, the one about the wet cake.No, this one is a bit less peppy.I take a moment to look at the main hallway.“Christ.”She wasn’t kidding.There are large holes in the walls on both sides that extend to the opening into the kitchen.Peeking into what would have been the dining room, gaping holes are there too.Stepping left, into the room with the broken curved windows, the walls are worse there.I hear her start to sing again and, true to form, her voice is just as off-key as the first time I heard her.I’m not disappointed.Not in the least.As a matter of fact, I couldn’t be happier.Until she sings the sad, sad words.I’m not happy about those.
“I’ve played all my cards.And that’s what you’ve done too.”
Is she talking about us?I miss the next lines when she belts out, “The winner takes it all.”I know I’ve got to find her.Rounding the corner into the kitchen, I spot her in what would have been the butler’s pantry but now is filled with broken cabinetry.“I bet that looked nice.”
Her back is to me and while I want to take a moment to look at her, I can’t.Stepping up to the doorway, I reach in and tap her on the shoulder.I do what I’ve done one too many times before: I scare the shit out of her.And damn, what was I thinking?She’s had her house vandalized by God-knows-who and here I am touching her shoulder while her back is turned.I used to be quite an intelligent man but ever since I met this woman, shit, I’m as dumb as a fucking rock.I deserve the crowbar that just thwacked me across the forehead.I really do.
“Chase?”She yanks off the headphones and stares, panting.“What are you doing here?”
“You called.I came to help.”
“Oh, shit.”Lou’s face turns a bright shade of magenta.“I was hoping I dreamt all that.”
“No.You didn’t.”
Our eyes meet and it feels like we just stare at one another for minutes rather than seconds.Lou finally breaks the stalemate.“You didn’t need to come.I’m fine.”She reaches out to touch my head but pulls back quickly.“You’re going to need ice for that.”
I touch the large lump that’s already forming.“It’s fine.It’s good it’s swelling out rather than in.”
“Uh.Okay.”
She sounds unconvinced.
“After you told me about the house, I had to get up here.”
“Things are fine.I’ve got it under control.”
“So, you’re going to sell it?To some shoe guy?”
She shakes her head.“He’s no longer interested.”
“But—”
Holding up her hand, she shakes off my question.“Thanks for stopping, Chase.I mean, Ryder, but I need to get this….”She points at the cupboards in the butler’s pantry that were probably, at one time, gorgeous, but are nothing but splintered wood barely attached to the walls now.
“Lou.Let me help.”
Placing the crowbar on the floor, she turns, hands on hips.“Why are you really here?”
“You called.”
“I was drunk.”
“You still called.”
“I wasverydrunk.”
“The point is, you picked up the phone.Something compelled you to call just like something compelled me to get in my car and drive fifteen hours to get to you.”
“You drove fifteen hours?”
“From Arizona, right?”There’s some bite to her voice.I deserve it.“NotCalifornia.”
