Why do those dots seem so ominous?
Me:Yes. I need my bag.
Sir:How the fuck did you get downstairs on a sprained ankle?
Me:On my butt.
Sir: ??
The text bubble comes up and disappears several times before he finally texts.
Sir:I’m on my way.
There’s no way it took that long to write that, so he either changed what he was going to say or got distracted while he was texting, but I have a feeling it was the former. His language also makes me think he’s not happy, which builds this edgy excitement inside me I’m not familiar with. It’s part fear I’ve done something wrong, and part interest in what he might do about it.
TOLERANCE
Memphis
I’m soakedby the time I make it to the truck. I shake the water off my hand before slipping it inside my bag to get my keys.
The rain is coming down so hard, even the wipers can’t keep up when I’m only going twenty-five miles an hour. Thankfully, there’s barely any foot traffic, so I can turn on red, making it that much faster to Waylynn’s house.
Her car is still in the driveway, so I park behind it, then tuck my bag into the floorboard. I’ll come back for it when the rain lets up. Her house key is in my pocket. I took it off her key ring last night. Would someone think it was a little shady that I did it without her knowledge? Maybe. But I really don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks, and I haven’t made a copy yet. I’m showing some restraint.
In the few minutes it took me to drive here, I forgot how cold the rain felt until I’m running for her kitchen door with my head ducked low. The overhang from her little porch offers a slight reprieve as I slide the key into the lock and open the door. The house is as silent as I’ve ever heard it. There’s no whir of a fan or even the hum of a fridge.
When I look toward the keypad for her alarm, the screen is red with a warning showing the battery symbol. “Waylynn,” I call loudly.
“I’m…coming,” she pants. A few seconds later, I see her entering from the shadowy hall. She leans her shoulder against the wall and tries to give me a smile, but it’s flat and filled with frustration.
“You should be up in bed,” I scold and rush over to her, forgetting about my wet shoes and clothes until she hisses when I haul her against me.
“You’re soaked.” She tries to push off of my chest but gives up in the next breath, leaning against me for support instead.
“It’s raining,” I tell her needlessly.
“I hate feeling helpless,” she mutters under her breath, ignoring my comment.
“You’re not helpless, you just need to be careful for a little while,” I remind her, pressing my lips to the top of her head. I can still smell her strawberry scent, and my entire body relaxes.
“Will you find my purse please? I need my medicine,” she admits in a small voice.
My first instinct is to ask her what the pills are for, but I stifle the question. “Let me help you sit back down, then I will find it.”
“Okay.” She gives in, leaning against me as I take her back to the living room. She even allows me to lift her leg and place her ankle on a pillow before her head falls back and she blows a raspberry.
I try to turn on the lamp on the table next to her, but it just clicks.
“The power is out.” She lifts her head to look at me. “I was going to find some candles, but…”
“Where are they? I’ll get them.”
“I know there are some in my bathroom linen closet, but there might be a few in the laundry room.” She adjusts a little so she’s not lying down so much. “Can you find my purse first?” Her eyes are a little wide, and she looks wary. I’m trying to tell myself it’s because of the storm and not because of the pills.
“I’ll be right back,” I answer noncommittally. In truth, I have no idea where her purse is. I know we had it last night, so I think back to the last time I remember seeing it. During the ride home, it was in the car when I took her keys out. Shit, I may have left it in the backseat. I hope it’s still there.
I duck back out into the heavy rain and round the car. The rear door handles don’t even pop up for me to grab. I realize too late I need her keys, so I stomp back into her house, making a mess as I do, and grab her key fob off the counter.
