Indirect Route

by Matthews, Claire

  “Nope,” he groaned, and met her lips more confidently than before. After a while, he lost track of time, and it seemed like their kisses were all that was left in the world, all he had to concern himself with. His lips, her lips, their tongues colliding, caressing, exploring…

  “My arm is numb,” she finally conceded, and Aaron sat up stiffly.

  “I’m sorry. I knew I was too heavy. Here.” He grabbed her by the elbow and began massaging her from wrist to shoulder. Long, slow strokes, which made her close her eyes and lean her head on his shoulder.

  “That feels so good.” Her hot breath hit him under the chin. He began to pluck soft kisses from her swollen lips like ripe berries from a vine, and couldn’t remember a time when he’d been happier.

  “I just thought of something,” Janie said abruptly, bring him up short.

  “What?”

  “I mean, seriously, when was the last time you ate? Like, anything? Not since breakfast, right?” Aaron released a bark of surprised laughter.

  “Janie, I can assure you, food is the last thing on my mind right now.” He moved in to kiss her again, but she planted her palms against his chest.

  “Aaron, you need to eat something more than a Pop tart today. I’m serious. I don’t mean to get up in your grill and all—“

  “Up in my grill?”

  “Whatever.” She shook her head, clearly frustrated. “You have to eat! I can’t help worrying about you.”

  Aaron heaved himself off the bed, adjusting his jeans in what he hoped was a nonchalant manner. “Fine. There’s one restaurant I can eat at. It’s not fancy, but if it’ll let you sleep tonight, let’s go.”

  Within a minute, they were headed out the door. Aaron just wanted to get this over with.

  CHAPTER NINE

  JANIE

  “McDonald’s?” she cried, incredulous.

  “Afraid so.”

  “So let me get this straight. You have a phobia about germs in food, and the only restaurant you’ll eat in is McDonald’s? That’s like someone with a fear of heights living in a treehouse!”

  “I know if doesn’t make sense, but in my mind, the chances of an actual human being touching the food is less likely here than at any other fast food restaurant. It’s all so processed and conveyor-belty.”

  “Is that an adjective?”

  “I choose to think so.”

  They got in the drive-thru line, and Janie watched Aaron out of the corner of her eye as he called his order out the car window. When he finished and put the car back in gear, she looked straight ahead, trying hard not to crack a smile.

  “What now?” He barked, but she knew he wasn’t really mad.

  “Why? Why a happy meal?”

  “Because, I figure they have to be more careful with the kid food than with the adult food.” He cleared his throat. “I hope you noticed that I told them to leave out the toy.”

  “I did. It was very manly of you.”

  At the window, Aaron passed his money through the window and took his bright red box of food with a rueful grin. “Try to contain yourself.”

  “I wasn’t going to say anything.” She was biting the inside of her lip so hard, she felt as if she’d soon draw blood. She took the food from his hands so he could drive.

  “Do you—“She stopped herself.

  “What?”

  “Do you want me to put the straw in your juice box?”

  “Go on, get it all out.”

  “You can’t have the cookie until you finish your sandwich.”

  He closed his eyes and sighed. “Keep ‘em coming.”

  Janie took a deep breath and shook her head. “I’m done.” He eyed her suspiciously. “I am!”

  “Just hand me my burger.” She obeyed, unwrapping the small hamburger and handing it to him, holding it between her thumb and index finger.

  “Oh! I touched it! Did I ruin it?”

  “What? No, of course not,” he said, grabbing the burger and biting it in half. “I don’t mind you touching my food. I just don’t like the idea of strangers touching it.” He reached across the gearshift and grabbed a handful of fries from the box on her lap. “I wish I could explain it. I’m not a germaphobe. I mean, not entirely. Hell, I just sucked on your face for a good half hour.”

  “Language!” Janie cried, stealing a fry.

  Aaron rolled his eyes. “It’s just the unknown that bothers me, I guess.”

  “But life is just a series of unknowns. Do we know whether or not a bus is going to mow us down between here and the hotel? Do we know if an asteroid’s on a crash-course with earth as we speak? If you take that line of thinking to the extreme, you’d never leave the house.”

  “I get it. You think I haven’t had this argument with myself a thousand times?”

  Janie stopped. “Well. Of course you have. What a sanctimonious shit I am.”

  “No you’re not. You’re right. I just wish I could make my crazy self listen to my not-so-crazy self.”

  “You’re not crazy. And I shouldn’t tease you. I’m sorry.” She reached out and threaded her fingers through his.

  “Don’t make me into some kind of tragic figure, Janie. I told you when we first met—I’m kinda weird, but I’m cool with it. I just have to surround myself with other people who’re cool with it, too.”

  Janie smiled. “That’s about the most normal thing I’ve ever heard.” She stole another fry, then read him the kids’ jokes on the bottom of the Happy Meal box until they arrived back at the hotel.

  Holding hands in the hotel parking lot, Janie was surprised to find that she wasn’t nervous around Aaron, even after the interlude they’d shared earlier in the evening. Something about him made her feel comfortable in her own skin. She hadn’t felt so at peace with the world since before her mother died.

  “So, what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?” Janie asked once they were back in their room.

  “Let’s see…” He opened his laptop and looked at the document he’d compiled earlier in the day. “We need to hit up some of the employees at JPI—see if any of them remember Kenneth. We also need to talk to some of the other neighbors on Cypress Hill Drive. I imagine there are a few people around who still remember him and your mom. Possibly even you.”

  “It’s still so weird to think I lived in that house. With my mom and a man I know almost nothing about.”

  “Do you think your mom had a job while she was here? Maybe before you were born?” Janie stopped pulling her pajamas and makeup bag out of her suitcase and looked at him curiously.

  “Oh my God. Why didn’t I think of that earlier? My mom was a pianist. She taught private lessons to kids. Usually she arranged them through the elementary schools in the area. And she played for churches. We can ask around tomorrow. I bet some of her former students still live in the area.”

  “Now you’re thinking like an investigator.” Aaron smiled warmly and pulled her over by her wrist. She fell with an inelegant plop into his lap. “Good girl.” When he kissed her, she closed her eyes and melted into the feeling, knowing that whatever she found out about her parents, she’d still hold on to these happy memories for a long time.

  They kissed, and kissed some more, until Janie realized that Aaron was approaching a point of no return. “I’m going to get into my very G-rated pajamas.” Aaron nodded wordlessly.

  In the bathroom, Janie splashed cold water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. She was twenty-three. She wasn’t a kid anymore, but that was a good thing. She’d grown up while dealing with her mother’s illness and death. But she’d also gained maturity, and a sense of self.

  When she emerged from the bathroom, she noticed that Aaron had changed into a threadbare grey t-shirt and a pair of basketball shorts. His legs were nice—long and lean, with knees that were just knobby enough to be cute.

  “Do you need the bathroom?” She looked at her toes, suddenly shy.

  “Yeah, I’ll just be a second.” After he closed the bathroom door, sh
e put away her travel toiletry bag and sat awkwardly on the edge of her bed. What would happen tonight? Was she ready to sleep with Aaron? She wanted to, but she’d known him for such a short time. She wasn’t the type to jump into bed with men on a whim. On the other hand, it was possible that her hesitancy was partially to blame for her continued single status. Maybe she should follow her desires for once.

  “Are you sure you’re okay with the bed by the window?” Aaron asked as he entered the room.

  “Sure, window’s fine. I’m a window kinda gal. I always take the window seat when I fly, too.” She knew she was rambling, but felt powerless to stop.

  “Or,” Aaron said softly. “We could, you know. Share.” He pointed to his bed with his thumb, attempting and failing to look casual. “In case it gets cold.”

  Janie grinned. “It’s August. In Alabama.”

  “But the air conditioner seems quite powerful.” He crossed his arms and rubbed his triceps with brisk strokes.

  “Uh huh.” She covered the three steps between her bed and his and crawled under the covers.

  Aaron was soon ensconced on the other side of the bed, the covers pulled to his neck, has back flat against the mattress.

  “You look like you’re ready for an alien probe or something,” Janie observed.

  “What?” He rolled onto one elbow.

  “Nothing, you just looked somewhat…uncomfortable.”

  “Well, I’m not really sure what your feelings are regarding…you know.” He rolled the edge of the sheet between his fingers.

  “I know what?”

  “Sheesh. You know. Us. What am I supposed to do here? What are you expecting?”

  “What are you expecting?” Janie countered.

  “I was kind of expecting to follow your lead.”

  “So you’d be okay if we just stayed in our pajamas and kind of, I don’t know, cuddled?” she asked.

  “Of course I’d be okay with that.”

  “And would you be okay with me stripping naked and molesting you for the rest of the evening?” Janie expected him to turn bashful, but instead he broke into hearty laughter.

  “God, yes!”

  She giggled. “Well, you’re no help at all, then.” She reached to kiss him, but had to stop to suppress a yawn.

  “Wow. I’m gonna try not to be offended by that.”

  Janie shoved his shoulder. “I’m sorry, it’s just been a long day.”

  “I know.” He reached for her and pulled her close, and she rested her head on his warm chest. “What do you say we defer this decision for a little while and get some sleep?” he asked, bending to kiss the top of her head.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Janie agreed, her eyes suddenly burning with fatigue.

  “Good night, Janie.”

  “Good night, Aaron. Thanks for today.” She hugged him gently around the waist, and was asleep within minutes.

  ***

  When Janie awoke, the bed was empty. She sat up and rubbed her eyes to get her bearing, and soon realized that not only was the bed empty, the room was empty as well. She peeked in the bathroom, where Aaron’s pajamas were folded neatly on the towel rack. Who folds their pajamas?

  “Are you awake?” Aaron called from the doorway?

  “No, I’m asleep here in the bathtub.” She emerged to find him toeing off his jogging shoes. He was in his running attire, and was drenched in sweat. She had to admit it was sexy.

  “Alright smart-ass. Let me jump in the shower real quick and then the bathroom’s all yours. I can get us something to eat while you get ready.”

  “McDonald’s” Her voice was sticky-sweet.

  “You’re mouthy in the morning. I like it.” His grin made her warm all over, and she couldn’t help but reach for a kiss, even in his sweaty state.

  “Oh, God. No.” He jumped back quickly, grabbing a towel and backing into the bathroom. “None of that while I smell like a gorilla.”

  “Okay, but you owe me one.” She took her phone and sorted through her email with the sound of water running and Aaron humming a tune she’d never heard. By the time he was emerged, she had her clothes and towel ready. “Hurry up. I need a minimum of ninety minutes, plus hair-drying time.”

  Aaron’s eyes widened in alarm.

  “Or, I could be ready in ten minutes and join you for breakfast if you’d like some company.”

  His broad smile lit up his entire face. “For you, I’d wait all day.” She waived and closed the door, then took the quickest shower of her life. When she emerged in a light yellow sundress and strappy white sandals, Aaron smiled appreciatively.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Charmer. But she blushed anyway.

  They took off in search of edible food for Aaron, and found themselves at a grocery store in a nearby neighborhood. Aaron was able to get some pre-packaged breakfast bars, and Janie found a few breakfast tacos in the deli area. They decided to eat at a nearby Starbucks, sipping coffee on their covered outdoor patio.

  “I think we should go back to Cypress Hills this morning and try to talk to a few more neighbors,” Aaron said through a bite of rolled oats.

  “Okay. But which neighbors? I mean, do we just start going door to door? That could take all day.” She couldn’t keep the discouraged tone from her voice. Aaron reached over to squeeze her hand.

  “I think we can probably be a bit selective. I went through the county property registry this morning before you woke up, and jotted down the addresses of homes that people have owned since the mid 1980s.”

  “Wow.” She was impressed. “What time did you wake up, exactly?”

  “Early enough. Now hurry up, let’s get a move on.”

  Janie stuffed the last bite of taco in her mouth and followed him to the car. “We’re going to spend some time on the drive back to Houston refining your manners.” She slammed the door and swiftly fastened her seatbelt.

  “What do you mean?” He looked genuinely surprised.

  “Your manners. People skills. Whatever you want to call them. You bark orders without so much as a ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. Doesn’t that get you in trouble at work?”

  Aaron stopped, his mouth opening, then closing. “I…” He stopped again. “I’m sorry. I told you before, I’m just teasing you. Are you really offended?”

  “No, it’s just kind of jarring, I guess. I’m not used to people barking orders at me. But then again, I work with seven year-olds, so my life is a lot more soft and fuzzy than most people.”

  “So my manners are a little too raw, and yours are a little too soft? You’ll have to help me out here, I’m a social lunkhead.”

  “No you’re not. You’re just a bit rough around the edges. Don’t worry, I’ll polish you up a bit.”

  “That sounds interesting.” Janie slapped his arm as he laughed. “See, you’ve worked around men too long. Nothing but a filthy mind on you.”

  They made it back to Cypress Hills Drive before ten o’clock, but did not find anyone who remembered Kenneth or Elaine until they visited the fourth house on their list, which was close to the end of the block.

  “Oh my God, Kenneth and Elaine. Geez, I haven’t thought about them in years!” a lady by the name of Corrine Baxter exclaimed. “They hung out down at the bowling alley almost every Saturday night, at least until the baby came along.”

  “That would be me,” Janie said, raising her fingers ridiculously.

  “You’re little Janie!” Corrine cried. She seemed to be a very excitable individual. Janie couldn’t help but wonder at the blandness of her life.

  “Guilty.” She nodded and pointed at Aaron. “My mother, Elaine, she died earlier this year.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you.” Janie deftly moved the conversation forward. “The thing is, I never knew my father, Kenneth. Something must have happened when I was a baby. My mother always told me I was the product of an anonymous one-night stand, but I’ve learned since her death that wasn’t the case.”
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br />   “It most certainly wasn’t.” Corrine waived them inside the house, clearly eager to tell them all she knew. “Come on in, but ignore the mess. My Eugene’s on a fishing trip, and I just can’t be bothered to keep the house when it’s just me and Tara at home.” Janie could only assume that Tara was the tabby cat sitting on the windowsill, licking back paw.

  “Sit. Would you like some sun tea? I’ve got a jar out on the porch.”

  “No, thank you.” Janie said. Aaron just shook his head.

  “Well, you listen here, Janie. I don’t know what happened between your mother and father, but it most certainly was not a one-night stand. That man loved you to pieces. And there’s no question that he was your father. You’re the spitting image of him. You’ve got his eyes. And his dark hair.” Corrine was beginning to look somewhat wistful, and Janie bit back a grin when Aaron cleared his throat to get her attention.

  “Do you remember when they left Mobile, Mrs. Baxter?” he asked.

  “Well, it would’ve been sometime around 1990 or so. I remember I had just found out I was pregnant with Stephanie, my oldest. Janie, you were about two years old, I guess. Elaine came over one day and asked if we had any old boxes she could borrow. She said that your father had found a new job in Tulsa, and that you all were moving. I remember thinking it was strange, because your mama was packing everything by herself.”

  “What do you mean?” Aaron leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

  “Well, I brought boxes down to the house later that afternoon, and Elaine was packing real fast, all by herself. I asked where Ken was, and she said he was still at work. Which I thought was odd, you know, since he had a new job. But your mama was always very independent. Such a sweet woman.”

  “So that was it? Did you and my mom keep in touch?”

  “No, honey, we sure didn’t. By the next day, you girls were both gone. I remember seeing Ken in the driveway and asking why he wasn’t with you. He said he had to finish out his last two weeks at the pipe plant before he joined you. By the end of the month, he was gone, too.”

  “What about other neighbors?” Aaron pulled a small pad of paper out of the front pocket of his jeans. “Anyone they were particularly close friends with? Anyone they might have kept in touch with over the years?”