"Good morning. Please, just call me Logan. Evy is fine. I actually came to look for some books on parenting and hearing loss. And I'd like to pick out some children's books for the girls."
Her smile returned, relieved I was just a customer. Well, notjusta customer, but I figured it was best to browse before broaching my real objective.
She was incredibly kind, guiding me through the sections. I told her I’d take every title she recommended on parenting and hearing loss. In the children's section, I selected books for ages four to six, and even a few for six to eight, thinking ahead to their upcoming birthdays.
The pile required two boxes at the register. Jenna insisted on handling the transaction herself to give me a discount. I thanked her, and once the other clerk stepped away to help a new customer, I saw my opening.
"So, Evelyn lived with you for a while, didn't she?"
"Oh, my apartment was always her second home. Ever since she was little. Camila's room had a trundle bed just for their sleepovers." She laughed wistfully. "Evy said she’s bringing the twins by this afternoon. She’s still coming, isn’t she?"
“No, of course not. She’ll probably come.”
“That’s great. I miss her so much. How sad that she had to come back to Los Angeles for such a bad reason. By the way, dear, I’m so sorry about your sister-in-law. How sad...”
“Thank you, Mrs. Jenna. But then...”
“Oh, just call me ‘Jenna’. No need for that ‘Mrs.’; it makes me feel older.”
“Speaking like that, you... I mean, you look like my mother.”
“Oh, I wish I looked anything like Trinity Turner. She’ll reach my age and still look twenty years younger.”
“So... I need to ask you something.”
“Of course. What?”
Only then did I freeze, wondering how I would approach her. I’d gone there to get information, but I hadn’t even considered what arguments I would use to do so. Because it was obvious that if I told the truth, Jenna wouldn’t want to help me.
I thought quickly.I was the son of an actress, damn it. Acting shouldn’t be that hard.
"So, Evy mentioned she has a great ASL booklet from her college days, but she left it at her old apartment."
"What a shame."
"She spoke to Peter and asked him to leave it outside the door. I told her I’d pick it up."
Jenna’s face clouded with concern. "It's better that you're the one going. I don't like the idea of Evy near that man."
"Did he ever… put her at risk?" I asked, my voice carefully neutral. I needed to know if that bastard had ever laid a hand on her.
Although she told me that this never happened, I knew that many women were ashamed or afraid to talk about physical assaults.
"She always said no, and I believe her. But I never liked him. Nor did Camila. He was always putting her down, chipping away at her confidence… Especially someone like Evy, who deserves the world."
My hatred for the man solidified into something cold and hard.
"Don't worry, Jenna. He's just leaving it outside. I won't even see him. There's just one issue," I said, weaving the lie with what I hoped was a convincing, slightly embarrassed smile. "With everything that'shappened, I'm a bit scattered. She gave me the address, but I've lost the note. I texted her this morning, but she must still be sleeping after yesterday. I didn't want to wake her, but since I was coming here, I thought you might be able to help."
"Of course I can," she said without hesitation. "It's very close, actually."
As she reached for a pen and paper, my suspicion was confirmed. Evelyn had lied last night when she said Peter had moved. Camila would have known, and Jenna would have been the first to hear about it.
When she handed me the slip of paper, I smiled gratefully. She walked me to my car and helped me open the trunk. After loading the boxes of books, I kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Jenna. For everything. Especially for always being there for Evelyn."
“You don’t have to thank me for any of that,” she said, waving a hand. “Evy’s always been like family. She’s got a bit of a fiery spirit, I know—can scare some folks off. But that heart of hers is pure gold.”
