“I’m one of those people who didn’t think
I showed him Dracco’s card.“He knew what I did for a living.”
“He called him ‘Hollywood Reb,’ ” Ginny added.
“And he knew I could come up with a lot of cash, Archie. You’re the only person I told I had money. You and Ginny.”
Archie shrugged. “So? What’s that worth? If he knew you were a stuntman, he’d know you’re the best. So he’d figure you’re not working nights at Chuck E. Cheese.”
“Mm-hm. But how’d he know I’d be carrying it?”
Archie shrugged again. “C’mon. I didn’t tell anybody anything about any money.”
I mulled that over.
Archie raised a brow. “A guardian angel’s a handy thing to have.”
I rested my elbows on the table, wondering who it was.
Archie broke the silence.
“Here you are back in California to see Mona. I tell you, that’s somehow fitting. You know what I mean? It’s . . .” He turned to Ginny. “What’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Symmetrical?” Ginny said.
“Symmetrical, sure. Like these circles. So, Reb, you gonna call her or just show up on her doorstep?”
The hanging lamp’s light cast shadows on Archie’s and Ginny’s faces. I left the room to make the call.
Thirteen years. Three presidents. How many unanswered cards? What would Mona say? What would she think? What would she sound like?
She answered on the fifth ring, out of breath.
“Whew! I hope it’s a client because if this is a sales call I’m going to be very petulant. I was outside at the car just about to leave.”
I took a deep breath to calm myself.“Don’t be mad, Mona. It’s a client.” Silence.
Then, “This voice sounds familiar. Where do I know this voice from? The past, that’s where. Oh my . . .”
I told her it was me.
Silence came from her end. All the anxiety was mine.
“Martha’s Reb . . .” she said softly.
I didn’t reply. My throat felt tight. I massaged it with one hand, aware of the pressure of the receiver against my ear.
“I can feel your hesitation,” Mona said. “There is nothing casual about this call. Something’s brought you to me. Something powerful.”
“I . . . need your help.”
“Help,” she repeated. “You’re saying I’ll get to see you?”
“Right away, if possible.”
“What about?”
I hesitated to answer.
“It’s all right. It can wait till you’re here. Are you coming alone?”
I told her no.
She asked if I was coming with family. That threw me. I had no family. I closed my eyes, sensed the moat I’d built around my life.“No,” I confessed.
“Well,” Mona said. “I’m a ride up from anywhere. If you plan on staying over, you should go to the Hollister House Inn in Little River, just outside of Mendocino. I’d offer you my couch, but the last person who slept on it woke up needing a chiropractor.”
The Hollister House sounded faintly familiar, but I didn’t know why. “What’s a good time?”
“Tomorrow. Eleven. Ask directions from the man who owns the inn. His name’s Pop. He’ll send you my way.”
I wanted to say something, but didn’t know what. “Mona . . .” I began. “I’m sorry for—”
She interrupted. “Whatever it is that brought you to me, it’s something to be thankful for. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She rang off.
I kept the phone to my ear for a moment, surprised by the calming effect her voice had had on me. I rubbed my eyes too hard so when I opened them everything was slightly out of focus. Now I was off-center again. That was better.
I reentered the room where Archie and Ginny were waiting expectantly.
