His mouth flattened in concern, and his worry radiated over me.
I shook my head and opened my window, feeling the wash of fresh air.
“He was an asshole,” he said.
He confirmed that he’d sensed something from my dream.
“You don’t need to see him. If you do, tell me. I promise I won’t let him hurt you.”
I considered texting my daily concern about being followed and the home invasions, but I still had no proof. I didn’t want Christopher to think I was making up reasons for him to be nearby. I shoved my concerns aside, but without the bricks, Christopher had questions.
“You saw him again. Where?”
I held up a finger to show once. Shopping was the only time I’d seen him.
“Did he threaten you?” Christopher’s voice growled.
I shrugged, then shook my head. I’d interpreted Eric’s words as a threat, to someone else they might seem innocuous. Christopher didn’t answer right away. I stared out the window.
Another few minutes passed as we drove and exited the interstate toward Reno.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” He kept his eyes on the road.
“Who?”I said. “Now or before?”
He glanced at his phone when it buzzed. “Ever. Your friends, your family?”
“I don’t have many friends. Even before I lost my voice, I was socially awkward, if you remember. I was too embarrassed to tell my family. He made me feel like I deserved it.”
“That’s not what you deserve,” he said.
It looked like he had a lot more to stay, but he stopped himself.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m stopping for coffee. Want something?”
“Tea with stevia, please.”
He parked at a Starbucks and we got out.
While we were stopped, I sent him Benny’s address—so he could get directions—and the list of questions to ask, so we were prepared. This was better than me handing the list to Benny Jacobs and not being able to speak. Meeting Eric at the party, then the store, had made me more aware that without a voice, I was vulnerable. Christopher was more than a driver or moral support. He was protection.
When we arrived in downtown Reno, the streets were packed. Several were blocked to traffic, and crowds of people filled the streets. I hadn’t considered that it would be busy this weekend, given that summer was over. We circled several blocks before Christopher parked.
We sauntered the last few blocks, the smell of roasting meat in the air. There were“Ribs”signs in the windows of many of the restaurants, and a huge banner proclaiming this weekend:“Best in the West Rib Cook-off”. Jewelry tables, street vendors, and food trucks of all varieties lined the streets. Most advertised different ribs. Hot ribs, Buffalo ribs, spicy ribs, smoked ribs, and a multitude of sauces. I hoped it wouldn’t be too long until dinner.
“Dinner is my treat afterward. Thanks for driving.”
“This isn’t a favor. Brandon’s my brother. It’s good to have a plan with action. I hate sitting and waiting, doing nothing but watching him in that bed.”
From the distance floated the sounds of live entertainment, a keyboard and someone singing a haunting cover of“See You Again.” The rap portion came in with a different voice. At the end of the block, I glimpsed a street performer juggling aboard a unicycle, riding backward and forward in a dizzying motion. It was a whole busy street fair downtown. I became concerned about where we’d stay the night. I hadn’t made a reservation, figuring we could be spontaneous and get rooms somewhere. The trip was too long. We couldn’t drive back today. It wasn’t realistic.
“We don’t have hotel reservations.”A tight band circled my chest. I didn’t like to make people mad. Christopher wasn’t like that. He wouldn’t hurt me, but I hated that fear was my first reaction.
“We can head back out of town, where it’s quieter.” He spoke with a gentle voice. “I’m not angry with you, Lizzie. We’ll find something, don’t worry.”
I was grateful he understood, both the problem and the fear.
Benny’s collection was advertised as:“The Biggest Little Collection of Venomous Creatures.”The sign on the door read,“Open 10-5 daily. Closed Sunday.”It was just after five, so I rang the bell as instructed.
