We shop at asmall market on Davie street and then drive along the water andpark in a lot by the Oak Street Bridge. Katie tells me about hervisit with her parents, and I fill her in on my visit to thegraveyard with Dad. She tells me that she’d love to visit where Momand Abby are buried and pay her respects. It’s no surprise thatshe’d want to visit Abby’s grave, but I love the fact that she’sequally interested in seeing my mom’s grave. Katie asks how myfather is and if his condition is worsening?
“I’ve noticedwhen he’s gotten a few headaches, but I don’t say anything to him.He’s proud that way and the last thing he ever wants to be is avictim.”
“I’ll rememberthat,” she nods.
* * *
Over dinner,Dad and Katie talk while my mind drifts to Slinky, Fournier, andthe book. The call that Slinky and I had earlier has left me with aton of confusing questions. What if we get caught trying toretrieve the book from his private room with the red door? It’ll bea death sentence for both Slinky and me. And what happens if we aresuccessful? Who do we give the book to? Other bad guys? Or do wejust drop it off with the cops? I guess I should put more faith inthe fact that Slinky has a plan; I mean…he’s managed to stay aliveon the streets so far. He must know what he’s doing to some degree.Plus, the bottom line is, I need Slinky right now. For me to comeup with fifty grand is near impossible, so Slinky’s idea of usingthe book as a way of getting rid of the debt… well I kind of haveno choice but to go along with him.
“Jules…Jules?Where are you right now?” says Katie.
“Oh. I’m sorry.I guess I was spacing out,” I say, resuming eating.
Dad looks at mewith a curious expression.
When we’refinished dinner, Katie and I do dishes, and Dad sits on the couch,with the remote and flicks through the channels.
* * *
After an hourof watching TV, Dad fixes a plate of cheese and crackers and takesit down the hall to Charlie’s. I poke my head into the hallway andwatch until I see Charlie answer, and Dad goes inside. When thecoast is clear, I shut the door and tell Katie that we’re alone inthe apartment for at least the next hour. Running down the hall ina race to get to my room, we take off our clothes as quickly aspossible and fall onto the bed laughing. When we start to kiss, ourbodies heat up and soon we are sweaty and hot, our bodies slidingagainst each other. We take turns pleasing one another, both of usclimaxing repeatedly. When we’re spent, we lie naked on top of thebed, out of breath with our arms around each other. I laugh whenKatie sprints out of the room stark naked to get us a much-neededdrink from the kitchen. While she’s gone, I lean over the bed andgrab my pants, pulling my cell out of my pocket to check the time.The last thing I want is for my father to come home while Katie isin the kitchen with no clothes on.
Katie runs backin the room holding two glasses of water. She uses her foot to shutthe door then passes me a glass. Still holding my phone, I reachout with my free hand to take my drink when my phone rings. It’sJason. Quickly putting my glass on the end table, I answer thephone.
“What’s up,girl?” he says cheerfully.
“Umm, not toomuch. Just lying around,” I say, winking at Katie.
“Did I catchyou at a bad time? You sound bagged.”
“No. I’m fine,”I say, trying not to laugh. If Jason knew that I am naked right nowwith a naked girl beside me, he’d never let me hear the end ofit.
“What’s up,Jay? Is everything ok?”
“It is. Infact, it’s better than ok. I’m actually calling with somenews.”
“You have morenews since you called me recently?”
“I do. I’veactually decided to make England my home.”
“No way. Do youmean forever?”
“Yep. Exactlywhat I mean.”
“Does your dadknow?”
“He does. Andsurprisingly, he was for it. He’s actually looking forward tocoming over in June.”
“How cool. Yourfather is going to go see you?”
“Well yeah. Itwould be pretty lame of me to get married without my dad beinghere.”
“Jay, what inthe hell?”
He laughs andsays, “That’s right babe. I’m getting hitched.”
“That wasbloody sudden. How long have you been there, five minutes?”
“I know. But,when you know, you know. And for the first time in my life, I’mcompletely sure about this.”
“Aww, Jay. I’mso happy for you.”
“Thanks, Jules.Anyways, listen. There’s a couple of things I need to discuss withyou.”
Oh shit. He’smoving to England permanently and he’s going to have to sell thisapartment. He’s going to tell me that I have to move.
“Ok. What’sup?” I ask, hesitantly.
“The apartment.I’m obviously not going to be using it any more so…”
“So, you needme to be out of here.” I say, trying to beat him to it.
“No. Of coursenot. What I am trying to say is that because I won’t be livingthere anymore, at some point, I’ll need to sell. If you really likeit and want to stay living there, I’d like to sell it to you.”
“What? Oh, Jay.That would be great, except for one major thing. I have very littlemoney for a down payment and other than my bike, I’ve got nothingfor to use as equity.”
“I know. Don’tworry about it. You can go on payments or whatever. We’ll be comingfor a visit in the summer and we’ll work it out then.”
Katie coughs inthe background.
“Who was that?”says Jason.
“Would youbelieve the cleaning lady?”
“Nope, Iwouldn’t.”
I laugh.
I tell him thatKatie is here
