'You've been in bed for days and your body's been through a lot of trauma. See why you've got to go slow?'
'Yes, mother.'
'I ain't yo mama.'
'Damn straight. You're way better lookin'.'
'Don't you ever quit?' Frank asked, turning into traffic.
'Uh-uh.'
Frank checked her mirrors, thinking it could be a very long week. When Frank parked in her own driveway, she hopped out to open Kennedy's door, but of course Kennedy was already out and reaching for the suitcase. Again Frank snatched it from her but this time the younger cop didn't protest. She was busy studying the stuccoed house, the trimmed lawn on either side of the brick walkway, the lush bougainvillea hedges. Frank opened the front door into the big living room, and Kennedy whistled.
'Are you on the take? How the hell do you afford this on a cop's salary?'
'You don't. It was in foreclosure, so we got a great price.'
'Who's 'we'?'
Realizing her mistake, Frank said, 'Let me show you your room.'
Kennedy followed slowly, nodding approvingly at the gym. She paused at the den.
'Dang. Have you read all those books?'
'No,' Frank said patiently.
Kennedy smiled as she passed the dining room table, cluttered with the xeroxed guts of the Agoura/Peterson case. Standing behind Frank, she surveyed the guest room.
'This is nice,' she said. The room was simply furnished. Pale yellow walls and a couple of large, healthy plants gave the room a sunny, tropical feeling. Fingering a palm frond, Kennedy said, 'I never would have figured you had such a domestic streak.'
'I don't. My housekeeper takes care of everything. If they die she gets new ones.'
Frank opened the door to a small bathroom and said, 'Let me know if you need anything.'
Kennedy poked her head in, regarding the folded yellow towels on their racks, the new bar of soap in the dish, and a vase of tiny white and yellow flowers.
'Did your housekeeper pick the flowers, too?'
Kennedy reminded Frank of a lioness observing its quarry, carefully noting every weakness and opening. She admitted to having cut the flowers and Kennedy twanged, 'Ah knew it. Yer just a big ol' femme under that crusty outside.'
Frank knew Kennedy was teasing, but all the butch and femme references still made her uncomfortable. They alluded to a sexuality that was well buried, one that Frank wanted to keep that way.
'You're welcome to use the dresser. Why don't you unpack while I start dinner.'
'Can I help?'
'Yes,' Frank said firmly. 'You can watch.'
Frank put groceries away then started the barbecue, relieved by the familiarity of her household chores. Stirring together a marinade for the chicken, she wondered if she had enough fruit on her trees to make a citrus salsa. Kennedy wandered out to the patio as Frank was picking oranges.
'This is a most-excellent house.'
'Glad you like it,' Frank said through the branches.
'Did you buy it like this or remodel?'
'Bought it.'
'Was the gym already there?'
Always the detective, Frank mused. Luchowski was a lucky guy.
'Nope. I did that.'
'Who decorated?'
Frank remembered the day the big leather couch was delivered. Maggie had laughed,
'A friend,' Frank offered.
'You have friends?'
Kennedy was humored with a fake smile. She followed Frank back into the kitchen.
'Sure I can't help?'
'Yep.' Frank pulled a beer out of the fridge and asked Kennedy if she wanted anything. She said, 'Yeah,' and got up, but Frank pushed her onto the barstool.
'You sit. I wait. What do you want?'
Kennedy rolled her eyes and said exasperatedly, 'Make it a Coke, slave-girl.'
Frank handed her a can, then a glass with ice.
'Do I leave a tip when I go?'
'All gratuities were included in your hospital bill.'
Frank disappeared into the den, and a moment later a bossa nova swayed gently from the living room speakers. She resumed her stance against the counter as Kennedy watched her chopping scallions and garlic and ginger. The absence of words between them was comfortably filled by the music. Kennedy relaxed against the bar.
'Tired, sport?'
'A little. It's kinda nice just to sit here and watch you. What's the music?'
'Antonio Carlos Jobim.'
'It's pretty.'
Frank nodded, pausing her chores to drain a quarter of her beer. Beyond the living room window the sun was sinking red. Pretty soon the lights would flick on automatically and she would get the chicken grilling. The evening's order soothed Frank.
'You like cooking?'
Frank smiled a little.
'Yep.'
'Did your mama teach you?'
'Pretty much taught myself.'
The two women swapped information about their families and where they'd grown up. The conversation continued casually as they moved outside while Frank barbequed. Returning to eat in front of the TV, Kennedy surveyed her abundant plate and said, 'Geez Louise, do you always cook like this?'
'I like to eat,' Frank said simply.
'I guess so.'
Frank sipped from a wine glass as Kennedy started wolfing her dinner. Frank used to bolt her food too, but Mag had shown her how to slow down and draw out the pleasure. Frank picked up her fork, warning herself not to go there. After they ate dinner and watched a little TV, Kennedy admitted she was bushed. While she got ready for bed, Frank started washing the dishes. She was rinsing a plate and didn't hear Kennedy come up behind her.
Frank jumped and Kennedy said, 'Sorry. I just wanted to thank you for everything. The dinner was incredible and your hospitality could make you an honorary Texan.'
'That's something I've aspired to for a long time,' Frank said wryly.
'I'm sorry to flake out on you so early.'
'No, that's good. You need your rest. Get to bed.'
'Alright.'
Kennedy turned away, thanking Frank once again.
'Sure.'
Frank stuffed the flatware in the drainer. She felt ridiculous accepting Kennedy's thanks. If anything, Frank should be down on her knees thanking Kennedy for not having died on her. She couldn't even consider what that would have been like. She wiped the counter, finding comfort in the familiar blue tiles, but she was still disconcerted by Kennedy's gratitude. Staring at the light spilling onto the floor from the guest room, Frank stood drying her hands longer than she needed to. Finally, she walked toward the yellow beam and knocked gently on the open door.
