“Let’s go over the contract and then we can go to the hardware store.”
“Sounds great. Do you want to stay for dinner? We can grab a pizza on the way home.”
“There’s always room for pizza and cookies!”
We finish up the contracts and head to the store. Before I know it, it’s eleven o’clock at night and we’ve eaten half the pizza, and a whole bottle of red wine. A half of pizza doesn’t sound like much but when they are New York slices, it’s a big deal.
“Mitch, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Amelia, I’m pretty much an open book.” Except for the fact that I pulled of the heist of the century with your husband whose been missing for twenty years along with the jewels.
“What do you think really happened to Peter?”
“What do you mean by really?” I ask quickly. She shifts in her seat, seemingly uncomfortable.
“I don’t believe that he just vanished in the middle of the night. I would like to think he didn’t just walk away from his life with me. I mean, after all, I was seven months pregnant, and that would just suck in so many ways.”
“I agree; it would suck, but it wouldn’t be anything new. Unfortunately, plenty of men take the easy way out—women, too.”
“You didn’t.”
“I’m not like plenty of men.”
“Is that why you stayed with your wife?” she asks, then quickly gasps. “I’m sorry; that just flew out of my mouth. It’s really none of my business.” Her face turns beet red before she turns away from me.
“Amelia, look at me, please.” I reach out and slowly stroke her cheek until she turns back toward me. “There are a lot of reasons I stayed with Becky, some of which I’m learning were not for the best, as I thought. You know Peter and I went to Catholic school together. We were taught to love, honor, and respect our spouses until death. Honestly, I was not in love with my wife and she really wasn’t in love with me. We married each other for all the wrong reasons. When we had Brook right away, I knew I would never leave. I didn’t want her to grow up in a broken home. What I didn’t realize is that Becky and I were just going through the motions, and Brook was very aware of it. Last week she told me that she was having her boyfriend move in so they can test the waters. She didn’t want to end up like her mom and me. At first, I was hurt but then, I took the time and thought about it. She only knows what I showed her: two parents coasting through life. That’s not what life should be about.”
“That’s so sad. Why did you settle?”
This is my opportunity to put it out there, but I’m not ready to tell her how I feel. “I settled because the one person I truly loved was with someone else. I would never come between them, so I walked away.”
“Wow, if you had it to do all over again, would you do anything different?”
“Of course, I would want to but if I did, I wouldn’t have my daughter; she is my world.”
A calming look comes over her face and her whole body seems to relax. “I totally understand. Life gives us the hand we are dealt. It’s up to us to run with it how we see fit. I would never do anything different. My daughter is my world, as well. Do you ever wonder what happened to the person you were truly in love with?”
How do I say this without telling her that it’s her? “Sometimes I do but, in the end, she had to do what was best for her. If I learned nothing else in life, it’s that there’s no going back. There are no do-overs, only tomorrow is another day to try and do better.” She curls up next to me with her wine and a blanket and mindlessly flips through the television channels.
Amelia
This week has been a whirlwind. The best part is—I’ve gotten to spend most of it with Mitch. I’m even more excited to head out this weekend. Chloe is on her way here to pick up Rusty until I get back. I don’t know who’s more excited: Rusty or me. He’s staring out my bedroom window as I’m finishing up the last of my packing. I can tell Chloe must be close because Rusty does the wiggle butt whenever she is here. When she gets to the steps, he takes off running. I finish up and head downstairs, knowing she’s going to give me the third degree.
“Hey, Chloe, thanks for taking care of him for me. I have his bag all packed up for you.”
“Don’t even think of rushing me out of here. Don’t lie; do you still have a thing for him?” I roll my eyes and start tidying up the kitchen. Anything to avoid this conversation.
“What makes you think I have a thing for him. We are friends, that’s all, so don’t make something out of nothing.”
“So, if I open that overnight bag, will I find some sexy shit?”
“If my oversized Springsteen shirt is sexy shit, then yes.” She rolls her eyes and grabs Rusty’s leash.
“I’m out of here. I hope you find what you’re looking for!” she yells as she’s running out the door. I know she’s pissed at all of Peter’s friends for not coming around, but that’s their choice. Not everyone knows what to say. Hell, I wouldn’t know what to say. I head to the front door to wait for Mitch only to see him outside with Chloe. She seems to be yelling at and poking him in the chest. Do I rescue him or let her have her say? Oh hell, he’s a big boy; he can handle it. Instead I fill up two travel mugs with tea. By the time I’m done, Chloe is gone, and Mitch is knocking on the door. When I open it, I notice, in the sunlight, the deep lines etched on his forehead.
“Hey, how bad did she tear into you?”
“Nothing that I can’t handle. She has your best interests at heart, but she can be a tough one.”
“You’ll either get used to her or run away.” I shrug. “I’m ready to go. If you take my bag, I can take the tea.”
He loads the car and opens the door for me. Something I’m not use to. “Let the fun begin, Amelia.”
Chloe
The more I think about Mitch, the more pissed I get. I know I should mind my own business, but I can’t, I never could. However, there is one person who, unfortunately, I realized too late, can’t lie to save his life . . . not even to me. I bang on Doug’s door for a good fifteen minutes until his wife, Nadine, finally answers the damn thing.
“What are you doing here?”
“I have to talk to Doug. Where is he?”
“I haven’t seen you in well over twenty years, since that night you walked in on me and Doug, and now you want to talk to him? Fuck you.” She tries to slam the door in my face, but Rusty lets out a wail that stops her in her tracks.
“I mean business, Nadine. Where is he?”
“Maybe if you meant business that night, you would be his wife and not me.”
It takes all of me not to punch her in her face. In the corner of my eye, I see Doug walking up the block. Oh, I really missed out big on this one. Thank you, God, for always having my back. I turn and head down the steps, leaving her in the doorway.
When I get close enough to him, he stops and stares at me and then Rusty. He tries to step around me. “Doug Kane, stop walking, right now. I have some questions for you. I don’t need your wife listening, so let’s walk and talk.”
“After all these years, now you want to talk? What about the day you called me a useless prick and walked away? You never even stayed to hear my side of the story. She got me piss ass drunk and convinced me I was on my way to marrying you, Chloe. I was so drunk, that’s what I thought I did. Instead, when my long bender was over, I found myself married to the hag.”
“If that’s the case, then why did you stay with her?”
“She was pregnant, and, unlike Peter, I wouldn’t walk out on a pregnant wife.”
“That’s a low blow, even for you. I didn’t believe you then and I don’t believe you now. Besides, it all worked out for the best. Now what about Mitch? He always had a thing for Amelia. All of the sudden, he’s sniffing around. Why? What’s in it for him? Please don’t tell me he wants to rekindle their relationship or some bullshit like that.”
“You’d have to talk to him and find out why. I’m not his keeper.”
/>
“Bullshit, and I already did. He gave some lame excuse. Did you ever tell him about us?”
“No. At the time, I didn’t want to look like some lame ass pussy to my friends. Besides, right after that, Peter married Amelia. Mitch was the last of us to get married. Did you tell Amelia about me?”
“I told her I knew you from the neighborhood but you’re an ass, so stay away. Do you know what happened to Peter that night? If you do, just tell me already. You know everything that goes on in the neighborhood, even Peter’s business, so tell me the truth.”
“I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?!”
“Maybe a little bit of both.”
“Is he alive?! Do you know where he is and you’re not telling?”
“I don’t know anything; I only know what you know. I just don’t believe anyone would walk out on a seven-month pregnant woman. What do you think happened that night?”
I’m trying to read between the lines but with Doug, it’s always been so hard when he’s got his stone-cold face on. I usually can tell when he’s lying but right now, I’m on the fence. I knew that day I walked in on him that he was telling the truth. He was so drunk, I’m surprised he was able to get it up. Problem is, the picture of Doug’s cock in that slut was burned in my brain forever. “Doug, I thought about it for a long time; I think he’s dead, but I don’t know why anyone would want to kill him. It’s not like he was rich, famous, or anything like that. Plus, why torch the car with no body in it?”
“I thought the same thing. When everything happened, Mitch and I searched everywhere we could think of, but we came up empty. I have no idea how someone could be gone without a trace. I even had a friend of mine on the police force, whose sister works for witness protection, check to see if that’s what happened to him—nothing.”
I know Doug. There’s more. But, at this point, he’s not about to give me anything. “I’m not going to stop digging, no matter what. Take care of yourself, Doug, and tell Mitch he better watch his back. He broke her heart once, I’ll be damn if I let him do it again,” I warn. He starts to say something but, at this moment, I don’t believe anything. Rusty and I make our way to the car and head home.
Amelia
The flight wasn’t bad, and our rental car was waiting for us. I booked us at a very cute bed and breakfast. Since I’m the one who booked it, I didn’t want to seem presumptuous that we are sharing a room. So now, with the help of the owner, it looks like we got the last room left. Truth is, I let him slip through my fingers once, and I want to try and make up for it. I knew the day we ran into each other at the courthouse that it was still there. I let Peter take control of my life back then, but not anymore. I’m the only one who is at the wheel. He’s dead, and I’m driving this bus . . . hopefully, it’s not off a cliff.
“Amelia, I can call around and see if there are any hotels that have something available.”
“No, we are adults; don’t be ridiculous. I’d rather hit the ground running. There is a lot of exploring to do, not just the houses.” That seems to satisfy him. We leave the stuff in the room unpacked. He takes my hand, making my stomach do a flip. As we head out the door, the owner gives me a wink and a smile.
He has the printouts of the houses that I found and he’s flipping through them. He’s got on tight fitting jeans, a pullover sweater in a royal blue that brings out the blue in his eyes.
“Do you have a special order you want to go in? Hello, Amelia, did I lose you?”
“Sorry I was just worried about Rusty.” Thank goodness I’m quick on my feet.
“Is this the first time you’re leaving him with Chloe?”
“No, I always worry when I have to leave him. Why don’t we pick the one that’s furthest away and work our way back here?”
With his hand in mine, we head out on our adventure.
After seeing six houses, we head back to the bed and breakfast to get something to eat and figure out my options. We stumble upon a quirky little eatery within walking distance to our place. I don’t know what I was expecting, but we ended up with barbecue ribs, hush puppies, slaw, collards, beer, and baked apples. This was totally different from any kind of Brooklyn food.
“You know, if you move here, you’re going to have to get use to this kind of food. In New York, you have access to anything and everything twenty-four-seven. You won’t have that here.”
“Everything is going to be different, but that’s what I wanted. I’m tired of the stress and angst of everyday life in New York. Don’t you ever want to get away from it?”
“I never thought about it. I’ve been so used to one way of living, plus, I have a business in New York.”
“I read someplace that what you’ve done the first thirty years of your adult life is not what you end up doing the second half of your life. What do you want to do in the second half of your life?” He gets a faraway look in his eyes, like he’s pondering my question.
“Photography. I’ve had a love for it and would eventually like to focus on that.”
“What did you think of the houses we saw today? I have a favorite, but I want to know your opinion on them.”
“Amelia, you have to pick the house and then I can tear it apart.” He throws his head back and laughs.
“Is that why you’re here, to tear apart my dream?!”
“No, sweetheart, I’m here to make your dream happen. There is nothing worse than buying a house and ending up with buyer’s remorse. Think of this like House Hunters. Let the elimination process begin!”
“Okay, the one I like the best is the blue and white cottage style.”
“That one is completely renovated, and it even has a she-shed. You could use the she-shed as your workshop. The only drawback is it’s only two bedrooms.”
“I thought about that but it’s just Rusty and me. Emma plans on staying around the Chicago area. Besides, if she did move home, I have the second bedroom.”
“Yes, you do, but you wouldn’t have a guest room. What if you remarried someone with children?”
“This might sound mean or terrible, but I’m done raising my child. I wouldn’t mind grandchildren but, realistically, raising babies are for the young.”
“What about the four-bedroom split ranch with eight acres?”
“That’s a big ass house and way too much land for me. I’m one person with a dog.” He goes through every house and each one I find something wrong. That is until we get back to the first one.
“So, I guess tomorrow you are putting an offer in on the blue and white cottage.”
“Yes! I really think it will be great for me. A whole new life.” I try to stifle my yawn with no luck.
“Come on, Amelia, it’s been a long day and tomorrow will be no different.” He takes my hand again and we walk back to the B&B. I’m nervous about being alone with him in the room. Damn it, the chicken in me is coming out now. When we get in the room, all I can see is that huge king size bed. I swear it looks like it grew since we left.
“I’m going to jump in the shower.” I don’t give him time to answer as I grab my toiletries bag and race into the bathroom. I climb into the clawfoot tub, letting the hot water cascade down my back. I thought I was so ready for this, for him. Truth be told, I’m just as nervous around him now as I was all those years ago. I can’t stop thinking about what he said about being in love versus loving someone. Maybe that was the problem all along for both of us.
The water is starting to run cold. I shut it off and pull the curtain back only to find Mitch brushing his teeth. His eyes lock on mine in the mirror. When his eyes begin to slowly travel down my body in the mirror, I realize I’m naked as a jay bird. I yelp and pull the curtain in front of me. I can hear him laughing right before his hand reaches in with a towel. “Thank you.”
“No big deal. Remember, you’re the one who said we were adults.” He takes my hand and helps me out of the tub. When he reaches in to turn on the water, the towel that I didn’t notice around his wai
st, falls. I try to look away . . . really, I do. Oh hell, he’s got such a tight ass. I’m proud of myself for not looking away.
“Do you like the view?” He climbs into the tub and pulls the curtain closed.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” I throw on my Springsteen shirt and with a beet red face, head into bed. The more I sit here and stew, the more I want to jump him the minute he comes out of the bathroom. Selling a house, buying a house, moving out of state, and on top of all of that, a man that I’ve had feelings for long before Peter and I got married is now naked in the bathroom. He’s getting ready to join me in this bed! I really need to slow this down. I have an idea on just how to do it. I look in the dresser and find a flat sheet. I pull out two of the clothespins I have with me that have a hook to hang it. I took them with me so I could wash my bras and hang them up to dry. I hook the sheet to the headboard and footboard, so it makes a sort of pony wall. The bathroom door opens, and he steps out. He doesn’t move.
“Mitch, you can come in.”
“I thought I was in that movie It Happened One Night.”
“I love classic movies. That’s where I got the idea. Our situation here reminded me of that movie. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, as long as you’re comfortable.” He climbs into his side of the bed and peeks around the curtain. “Good night, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.”
I pull the covers up to my chin. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed. It’s like I’ve been transported back in time to when I first met him. I turn off the light next to the bed and try to get some sleep.
Mitch
I’m lying in bed, trying not to laugh. She was so adamant about sharing the room and being an adult, yet, she chickened out in the end. If I wanted to, I could push the case, but I don’t want to scare her away. Besides, she decided she’s moving out of New York. Even if she wanted me, I don’t know that I’m ready to do that. When you’ve only lived one place your whole life, it’s all you really know. Moving out of New York reminds me of the movie Goodfellas when Henry Hill goes into witness protection and ends up in some midwestern state eating jar tomato sauce. Not that there is anything wrong with that, if that’s what you know, but when you grow up on one type of sauce and then you can’t have it, it freaks you the fuck out. Peter’s finally out of the picture, permanently. According to Brook, Becky is dating. Amelia is trying to move on with her life. I’m the one who is stuck . . . stuck in the past, remembering a love that was lost. I peek around the sheet again to find her fast asleep. I inch my way closer toward her and take her hand. I refuse to let life pass me by again. Back then, it was Peter’s time. Right here, right now, it’s my time. I squeeze her hand a little tighter as I drift off to sleep.
The Heist Page 8
