She jumped out of the vehicle to run across the lawn to the porch. A long, gift-wrapped package with a bow, laid against the wall. She picked it up and flipped it around to find a mailing label. There wasn’t one.
Olivia jogged back across the grass to her garage. Before she could grab her purse from the car, her curiosity grew to open the box and see the contents. She placed the package on the hood and struggled with the tape to open it with her fingernails.
“Ouch.” She winced from breaking her now raggedy-edged nail. The tape broke from her effort and she ripped off the wrapping paper. After opening a box, a gasp slipped from her lips with the revelation of a brand new, top of the line racquet with a red ribbon tied around the handle. Baffled, Olivia couldn’t stop staring at the gift.
Her cell phone began vibrating in her purse. She fished it out with her free hand and glanced at the caller’s name. Durbin.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Olivia
Olivia hesitated before speaking as she tried to process the gift in her hand. “Hello?”
“Hi, Olivia. It’s me. Durbin.”
“Yes, hi Durbin.” Olivia rolled her eyes.
Olivia balanced the phone between her ear and shoulder before grabbing the racquet and unlocking the door to enter the house.
“Did I catch you at a bad time? Are you in a rush?”
“I’m sorry. I arrived at my house and I’m trippin’ out since strange things are showing up on my porch.” Olivia sighed. “Oh. Which reminds me. I planned to give you a call today. Great timing.”
“Oh. You were?” Durbin’s voice perked with surprise.
“Yeah. I’m concerned about the quality of the picture I’m getting with the cameras. I viewed some of the video footage earlier today and it’s grainy. When you did the installation, you told me I wouldn’t have any of these problems.” Olivia slid her shoe off to massage her left foot. “Are you available to check it out for me?”
“Um. Sure. I’d be happy to check it out,” Durbin agreed.
“Great. When will you stop by?” Olivia asked.
“I’m not too far from your house. I’ll swing by now if you want me to.”
Olivia lowered the phone from her ear to check the time. “Yes. This is a good time. Come on through. Thank you, Durbin. By the way, what were you calling about?”
“Oh. Checking on how your camera system is working out for you.”
“What great customer service,” Olivia exclaimed. “I’ll see you when you get here.” She ended the call and speed-dialed Savvy’s number.
After the phone rang, Savvy answered. “Hey, whassup? You caught me at a good time. I just got home a moment ago.”
“You won’t believe what showed up on my porch,” Olivia said.
“What?
“A new racquet,” Olivia exclaimed.
“Who would send you a racquet? Strange. Did you order one?”
“Absolutely not. What makes it weird is I told myself earlier in the day I wanted a new racquet to play against you next time. I can’t allow you to get lucky and beat me again.”
“Girl, you are funny. It will require more than new equipment for you to win. I’m ready for you,” Savvy laughed.
“Whateva. You didn’t send it as a joke?”
“Why would I waste money? You know I’m not a prankster.”
“I’m confused about who sent this and the mystery flowers
I received earlier. It has to be the same person since this happened back to back,” Olivia surmised.
“Flowers, too?” Savvy questioned. “Did you look at the camera footage?”
“You know what? I looked to see who delivered the flowers but I didn’t check to see who left the racquet. I received a call from Durbin as soon as I got home and then I contacted you.”
“Durbin? What did he call about?”
“He said he wanted to check on how my camera system is working out.” Olivia snapped her fingers. “Now as I think about it, I bet he gave me the racquet. He’s probably still trying to find a way to get me to play racquetball with him.”
“Boy. He sounds desperate,” Savvy added.
“You know, he called as soon as I arrived home. Since he’s monitoring my cameras, he had to have seen me get the package from the porch.”
“The sleuth has done it again,” Savvy exclaimed. “Watching crime shows is paying off. Durbin had to be the one who gave you the racquet. I bet he also left the flowers.”
“Yes. We have him all figured out.” Olivia nodded. “He’s trying to fake like he called to check on the cameras. I’m on to him now.”
“Wow. Good luck with getting him to leave you alone, although he’s a nice guy and cute.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Olivia dismissed Savvy’s comment.
“Did we both end up with stalkers?” Savvy groaned.
“I sure hope not. I needed Durbin to come by anyway to address the grainy view on the cameras. Let’s pray he doesn’t ask me out again. I’ll make him show me the camera footage and then, BINGO, guilt will be plastered on his face.”
“It would have to be him since he knows how much you like to play. Is it a nice racquet?”
“Yes. It’s much more expensive than I would’ve paid. You would think he’d want me to be aware that he gave it to me. Right?”
“Exactly. Well, let me know what excuse he gives. This may turn out to be comical,” Savvy laughed.
“I’d prefer to not be the subject matter for this comedy routine,” Olivia complained.
“By the way, I need to change the subject before I forget to mention this to you. I heard about a bunch of good parties going on in Austin for the Texas Relays coming up. We should hit the road and check them out,” Savvy suggested.
“Um. I don’t know. I’m not in the hanging out mood these days.” Olivia plopped onto the living room sofa and turned on the TV. “With the way today progressed for me, I realize I need to stay away from humans. Remind me to tell you about what happened with Dr. Fluellen and his wife Quinn.” Olivia sighed. “I’m
