Page 130 of When the Smoke Clears

By February, I find myself back in Missoula, staring at the half-finished barndominium next to the Airstream. After trudging through the fresh layer of snow to the barndo, I cup my hands next to my face and peer through the window. It doesn’t look much different from the last time I saw it. There’s a Jeep next to the camper, so I knock on the door.

“Hi,” a young woman with short blond hair beneath a pink beanie says.

“Hey. I’m looking for Everleigh Reichart.”

“Oh, she’s not here. Who are you?”

“I’m a friend. Is she in Baltimore?”

The woman shakes her head. “She’s in Key West.”

“Vacationing?”

“Not exactly. I mean. Maybe. Sort of.”

This woman is no help, so I frown.

She wrinkles her nose and shrugs. “We swapped houses for a year. But it’s only been two months.”

“What?” I shake my head. She’s mistaken. “Dr. Reichart? Are we talking about the same person?”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t think she’s a doctor. That would be weird. Come inside. It’s cold out.”

I bang the snow off my boots and step onto the mat. My gaze immediately goes to the bed that I spent time in with Everleigh. I can still see the defeated look on her face as she took off her clothes, probably despite her better judgment.

“Why do you think I’m talking about a different Everleigh? And why do you think she’s a doctor? Do you mean a PhD?” the woman asks.

“I mean psychiatrist.”

She shakes her head. “That doesn’t track.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because she’s like in her twenties and working at a café.”

Is this girl high? “She’s working at a café?”

“Well, not just any café. They sell key lime pies. It’s a big deal. They’ve been listed in national publications and have won all sorts of awards too. They have more than just pies. Candies. Jellies. Breakfast and lunch.”

I tune her out somewhere between awards and candies.

“What does Everleigh do there?”

She shrugs. “Works behind the counter.”

I’m nauseated. Did I do this? Why isn’t she at Hopkins? Why isn’t she practicing psychiatry? It makes no sense.

“Would you give me her new home address?”

She shakes her head. “Sorry. I don’t know you. I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but . . .”

“It’s fine. I appreciate the information. Sorry to have bothered you.” I open the door, desperate to figure out what’s going on.

“No bother. Bye.” She closes the door as soon as I step outside.

I stare at the barndominium. “What are you doing, Everleigh?” I mumble.

Chapter Forty-Three