far more important occupying my attention, and keeping me warm.
After a moment, however, I did notice that I hadn’t yet bothered to take a breath ever since the wind had been knocked from my lungs. But, that was okay. There would be plenty of time for breathing later.
“All they said was ‘Sorry for the inconvenience, Miz O’Brien, you’re free to go,’” Felicity announced softly. She paused before repeating a particular word from the sentence, her voice falling into an annoyed whisper, “Inconvenience.”
I didn’t have an answer for that. There was nothing I could possibly say that was going to make it better or make either of us understand. Right now it didn’t matter, though, because I knew all she wanted was for someone to listen. That was a task I was more than happy to perform, if for no other reason than to hear her voice once again inside the walls of our home.
She continued, slightly louder, but still subdued. “I wasn’t even sure if they were going to let me use the phone. The first person I asked said no. I guess I just got lucky when I asked someone else. I suppose I should be grateful for that.”
“Did you say thank you?” I asked facetiously, my voice low.
“No. I think I was still too stunned.”
“I wouldn’t worry. They’ll get over it.”
True to his word, Ben had seen to the removal of Austin. He surreptitiously pulled me aside once we had returned home to let me know that my brother-in-law was being held overnight by the Briarwood police for violating a public intoxication ordinance and that he would most likely be cut loose in the morning. I sincerely appreciated his tact where that situation was concerned because it was something Felicity didn’t need to worry about at this moment. Hopefully, once Austin was fully sober, he would give some more thought to the points I had tried to make. Then, maybe we could have a truly productive discourse.
After that, Ben and Constance didn’t stay long. Once they were certain we were settled in, they said their goodnights and left us alone. I had offered to put on a fresh pot of coffee, but they immediately declined. It seemed the elation of having my wife home had nullified any of the remaining anger I was feeling toward Ben-at least, for the time being. While it would be impossible to forget everything that had transpired, I hoped that our friendship was on the mend. Of course, that was really up to me, not him. He had remained loyal throughout it all, even if my rampant emotions hadn’t allowed me to see it.
In any case, it was obvious that even though we had several questions, they were just as in the dark about the situation as us. They both definitely planned to find out what they could, but for the moment the mystery behind my wife’s sudden release was going to remain just that. Besides, and perhaps even more important than solving that riddle, they also knew what Felicity and I really needed in the wake of all this was some time alone. In the end, that was a bit of wisdom with which I couldn’t disagree.
“You’re sure you don’t want something to eat?” I asked after what seemed like several minutes of silence.
I was sitting on the floor of the master bathroom, my back against the cool tiled wall. Felicity was in the tub, up to her neck in warm water and lavender scented bubbles. I had offered to make her something to eat earlier when we had first arrived home. Ben had even offered her the left over tacos he hadn’t gotten around to devouring, but she didn’t seem to have an appetite. All she wanted to do, she said, was soak in a hot bath. That was a desire I found easy to help her fulfill.
“I’m sure,” she told me softly.
“A drink? I think we still have a bottle of Bushmills in the cabinet. There might even be some Black Bush in there too.”
“No…well, maybe…but, not just yet.”
“Okay. Just let me know.”
There was a quiet splash of water as she shifted then sighed with what sounded like reserved contentment. She stayed silent for a moment and then finally said, “You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot, then, Rowan.”
“I thought you were into that sort of thing.”
“Well…yes…I am…but, that’s…I mean…not right now…I just…”
I replied without looking up, rescuing her from the incoherent stammer. “It’s okay. I know what you’re trying to say. And, don’t worry about it. I don’t mind.”
“Aye, I love you, you know.”
“Yeah. I do. Same here.”
Another quiet interlude fell in behind our words. Eventually it was pushed aside by the sound of movement, but this time it was me who shifted, seeking a somewhat more comfortable position.
Reaching to the side, I picked up one of the towels that had been carelessly tossed to the floor during the search. Leaning forward a bit, I shoved it behind myself then settled back with an involuntary groan.
“You don’t have to stay in here with me,” Felicity said. “You can’t possibly be comfortable.”
“Do you want to be alone?” I asked. “I can go do something else.”
I was sincere in my offer to give her solitude, but inside I hoped she wouldn’t take me up on it.
“No…not really…but…”
“But nothing,” I cut her off gently, feeling a sense of relief. “I’m with you, which is right where I want to be.”
She whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
In keeping with the sporadic, up and down trend of the conversation, a period of quiet settled in between us. After a few moments we heard the metallic rattle of dog tags, followed by the click of canine toenails on hardwood. The sound came closer and finally our English setter poked his head in through the doorway. He looked at us curiously and then huffed out a low “woof”. I knew from experience, he was beckoning us to come to bed. It was readily apparent that, as far as he was concerned, his routine had been upset more than enough, and it was time for things to return to his concept of normal.
“We’ll be there soon,” I told him. “Go on back to bed.”
He looked at me as if he understood, woofed softly once again then turned and padded away, presumably back to his overstuffed pillow.
“Been rough on the kids,” I offered.
“Aye, I’m sure,” my wife replied. “And, you too.”
“Yeah, in more ways than you know. But it was a lot worse for you.”
“I’m not so sure,” she began, seizing on the opening I’d unconsciously given her. “When are you going to tell me what happened to your lip?”
I had all but forgotten about the wound that graced the lower half of my face courtesy of her brother. Her mention of it reminded me that it was still throbbing and soreness was setting in. Still, it was a subject I didn’t want to get into right now.
“I cut myself shaving,” I replied.
“Rowan…”
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t tell me you and Ben got into it again?”
“No,” I answered, shaking my head out of reflex but stopping quickly when all it did was further enhance my pains. “I think I would have ended up with more than just a split lip if I had.”
“What happened then?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
“Row…”
“Really, I will,” I told her, overt sincerity in my voice. “I promise…Right now, let’s just pretend for a while.”
She paused for a long moment, and then with a thread of disquiet accenting her voice, she whispered, “Pretend what?”
