“What is all this?” I inquire, lugging the heavy packages to the counter.
“This and that,” she replies.
I peek into the bags to find not just groceries but brand-new home security items, including glass break detectors, doorbell cam, and motion sensors. “What is all this for?”
She quirks an eyebrow as if I should know, while proceeding to unload her monstrous number of purchases.
“How’d you pay for all this stuff?” She proceeds to quietly put the few groceries away.
On the counter remains; spaghetti, two Roma tomatoes, a bulb of garlic, and olive oil.
“Are you making pasta? Who are you and what have you done with my culinary challenged roommate?!” I defend myself by holding up one of the security monitors to my chest and playfully point my finger in her direction.
She cracks and a smile breaks through. I miss our games, jokes, and just laughing with her.
Andrea grabs the box from me and sets it back down with the others. “I should have you know that I am an excellent cook. Just not the best with frozen waffles.” Her grin fades as her tone switches. “All of this is to make you feel safe. No more cops showing up without you knowing. Also, no more surprise visits from you know who.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. He really wouldn’t ever surprise me again?
“I should have done this years ago,” she adds.
Pulling out a large sauce pot, she stops suddenly as her gaze catches on the board in the sitting room. “Did you write that?” She walks over to the board and points to the wordLombardi.
“Yeah. Eamon told me to look it up.” I joined her, staring at the way the lines connect to names.
“And?” She looks at me with rapid blinks.
“Nothing much online. Just that it’s some kind of Mafia family that had a heavy presence in Southie, from the sixties to early nineties. Apparently, the real estate market is still suffering despite the family name all but disappearing when I was small.”
Andrea sucks her teeth, then saunters back to the kitchen to continue preparing to cook. She seems off… lost in thought or bothered, so I spin the whiteboard toward the wall and tuck it away for later.
Just as Andrea put the water on the stove, a knock comes at the door. Automatically, she pushes me aside and checks the peephole. She pulls back and motions me toward the door, before signing, isthat who I think it is?I look through the opening to find a head of vibrant auburn hair and a familiar nineties jean-jacket, bouncing just in front of our apartment door. We both let out a long breath before opening. I can tell from Andrea’s body language that she wasn’t exactly delighted to have her visit. Knee bent, foot and back against the entry wall, her eyes travel up and down the spunky girl with such scrutiny, I am happy not to be on the receiving end. She clearly remembers Mairead’s last visit here, when she took the liberty to explore the apartment herself. Or maybe it’s how she nonchalantly told me our manager was murdered, on her way out. Lucky for Mairead, she doesn’t seem to even notice the way Andrea assesses her.
“Hi friend! Are you ready?”
I look at Andrea, then back to the oblivious girl atop our welcome mat. “Umm… Ready for what?” I ask.
She steps between us and lets herself migrate deeper into our apartment. My roommate already appears flushed, her complexion matching that of the produce on the counter. Following the unannounced visitor inside, we find her helpingherself to the fridge, popping open a can of flavored seltzer water, and taking a seat at the kitchen table.
“Mairead! Ready for what?!” I press. My thoughts are pulled in various directions; I honestly can’t figure out why she’s here.
She takes a sip of the poached drink before answering. “For the escape room, silly. You promised me we’d go after you got better… Remember?”
Andrea stands just behind Mairead’s seated position mouthing, “what the fuck?”
“I know you don’t work today.”
Ok? Weird. I was supposed to work. How would she know? My best friend’s face might get stuck like this, because her perpetually puzzled expression hasn’t fallen since Mairead entered our home.
“Come on, sis! You can bring your cranky roommate too.”
Holy shit, Andrea might take a swing at this girl. Then I’ll have to deal with two murders in a one-week stint. Since when did my life become aB gradeepisode of Law and Order?
“Okay. We’d love to go.” I look at my roommate who all but throws her arms up in the air, allowing them to quickly fall down to her sides with a thud. All subtle cues must go over Mairead’s head because she squeals and instantly hugs each of us.
“Today is going to be perfect! I have it all planned. Hurry up and get ready, we hit the town in five minutes.”
I am not keen on going, but since I learned Mairead is Eamon’s sister, I need to learn more about the Murray family and how they may play a part. I will learn what happened to my brother. Even if it means keeping a bit more information from Andrea. Let’s hope that bringing her along won’t turn around and bite me in the butt.
