I thought there was so much I wanted to tell my friend, but now that we’re actually chatting, I realize I can’t share the details of my emotions or my new life.
Bike gang.Motorcycle club.Crazy cousin.Vampire lover.I can’t drop words like that and expect my friend not to worry.Or not to call the authorities.
“The general store doesn’t exactly offer customized shopping, Tallie.”
We giggle together like old times.
Being on Landslide has cut me off from the human experience.Coffee shops.Movie theaters.Having a picnic in the park.
Am I ready to say goodbye to my simple city life forever?Two weeks ago, that would have been a hard pass from me, but my outlook has undergone a seismic shift.
“Have you got a pen, Tal?I need you to take down these details.”
I shampoo my hair as my friend goes to fetch a pen.I imagine Tallie rummaging around in the drawers, and I smile.My Twin Cities studio holds fond memories.
“Okay.Got one.Shoot.”
“These are my bank card details, Tal, so make sure you write them down accurately.”
I know all my card numbers and codes by heart.My dad told me it would help to be able to recall bank numbers if I ever needed to cancel my cards after my phone was stolen.
Tallie repeats the account information back to me.“Yes.And now I need you to buy something for me.And here’s the thing, Tal.Ido not carehow much it costs.‘Kay?I’ll text you the details.Make sure it isgenuine.Get a specialist to verify the item before you pay for it.In fact, you have my permission to fly to the place with the specialist to get it authenticated before you buy it.Right?”
Stepping out of the shower, I wrap my wet hair in the hand towel before shrugging into my towel robe.Wiping my fingers on the fabric, I tap the information into the message app and press send.I hear Tallie’s phone ping and wait for her to confirm she’s got it.
My phone is dripping with condensed droplets of steam.Rubbing the screen with my sleeve, I hear Tallie confirm.
“Fuck, Luna, why do you want to buy this shit?This issonot like you.”
“It’s a surprise, Tallie, but it’s also hella important.You have my entire life savings at your disposal, babes, so go nuts.And please hurry.Start sourcing them today and set up appointments to view the items tomorrow.When you have it, courier it to Angle Inlet.I will send the ferryman to pick it up in three days’ time.”
“It’s your funeral, Luna,” Tallie scoffs with disbelief.“I’m interested in buying your apartment, by the way, do you?—”
“Friend, you can stay in my apartment if you agree to pay the mortgage.I’ll send you the deets.I trust you.But I don’t have time to deal right now.I love you so much for helping me like this.Gotta go.Love you.Bye.”
Tallie says bye and we disconnect.
It feels as if I am disconnecting from my mainland life, too, as I transfer Shadow’s note from my old bra into my fresh one.
Time for me to call my dad.Just in case.
Vince Pruitt comes up from the cabin when he hears my voice.Touching his cap, he asks what he can do for me.
We both politely ignore the fact that we were part of an angry bloodthirsty mob out for justice yesterday.
“I came by to pick up those ingredients you keep in stock for my aunt, Mr.Pruitt.And please order some more, enough for winter.”
He scratches the top of his head before sliding his cap back in place.
“Calling me Vince is fine.And you should know I don’t order this stuff, Miz Luna.Just so we’re clear.It falls off the back of a crime laboratory trolley in not so many words.”
“No, I get it.Tempest and Shadow explained it to me.Thank you.”
I walk with Vince to the hatchback and open the trunk door for him to load the ingredients.“Please stay available for Friday, Mr.Pruitt.I mean, Vince.I need you to take the boat over to Angle Inlet for me and pick up a delivery.”
He makes a note on one of those small pads with a miniature pencil threaded through the binder.“Mind if I take your boat, Miz Luna?Give the old girl a run to test the battery before we get frozen in.I can teach you some more about how to use the two-way radio if you like.”
Such a kind offer, but Vince tried to show me how those stupid two-way radios worked before, and it went in one ear and out the other.I mean, honestly, what a stupid system.To shout aimlessly into a speaker and pray that someone is listening on the other side.And don’t get me started on how much my creative brain hates all that shit about frequencies and bandwidth!
