by Jack Gibby
“I think you’re going to have a pretty daunting task getting all your stuff to fit in here,” said Dunn. “We still need to figure out where we’re going to build a kitchenette.”
“You worry too much,” mused Missy, returning to searching through her box. “Ah ha,” she said, pulling a small envelope from inside and lifting it up. “Here we go. The ratchet set for my bed.”
Missy stood up and walked closer to Dunn. She tossed the envelope onto the desk and put her hands on her hips. It had been a long day of moving already, but she still had much more to accomplish. The bed, however, was the first in line in case she needed to crash out.
“Are you trying to insinuate something?” Dunn asked coyly.
“Yeah,” said Missy. “Nice pickup. You’re on bed building duty.”
“And what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to go into your house and take a shower,” said Missy. She smirked.
“You have your own shower here,” Dunn said and pointed.
“Yeah, but you’re going to be in here building the bed,” Missy countered. “I need my privacy.”
“I might need to rethink this whole you-moving-in thing,” Dunn retorted. “I may have made a mistake.” Missy laughed and pushed his shoulder.
“Too late now, Dunn,” said Missy. “I’m yours.”
Missy felt a buzz in her pocket and she retrieved her phone. Looking down into the screen, she read through a text message. Then she smiled at Dunn.
“My father’s here,” she said. “Will you go meet him and grab a box or two for me. I’ll be out in just a moment.”
“Yeah,” said Dunn. “All right.”
Dunn ambled out through his front door and down the steps, looking out and seeing an elongated black SUV standing at the curb. The windows were tinted and he couldn’t see inside. He approached it, having a lot of preconceived notions about Missy’s father despite that he’d never met the man. Dunn could only assume what Michael Marlowe would be like.
As he came up next to the car, Dunn tapped on the passenger side window with his knuckle and the window began to roll down. Michael came into view. His dark hair was slicked back, perfectly manicured. He was clean shaven with a handsome face. And he was grinning at Dunn.
“Mr. Dunn,” he said. “Michael Marlowe. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Yeah,” said Dunn. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Some parents would think it rather odd to have their daughter moving in with an older man,” said Michael. “And while I’m no different than those parents, I also know that my daughter can be rather odd. I’m aware of what the two of you went through together, and because of that I know Missy has developed an affinity toward you. But I just want you to know, Mr. Dunn, that I’m not blind to what happens in this town.”
“I understand,” said Dunn.
“Do you?” said Michael. “That’s good. You should also understand, then, that I don’t take kindly to people interfering with my family or my business. When someone does both, I tend to keep an even closer eye on those people.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Dunn, feeling a sense of angst rise up within him.
“Is that so?” Michael replied. “I’m not as concerned with my daughter moving out of my house—she’s almost thirty, that’s to be expected—but when someone begins sticking their fingers into the cogs of my machinery, just know that those fingers are bound to be crushed.”
Dunn paused and took a breath. Michael had a serious look on his face and, in that moment, Dunn could tell that the man exuded a certain gravitas that he had seen before in powerful CEOs and the most wealthy investors that he dealt with in the past. Michael Marlowe gave off the aura that he owned Traverse City—in his mind, at least—and he wanted others to feel the same way.
“I don’t do well with metaphors,” said Dunn. Michael snorted a laugh.
“You’ve already meddled, Mr. Dunn,” said Michael. “I can understand why. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But whatever misplaced sense of justice you felt, I want you to stop carrying that load. It’s over. You got your man. Why don’t you just live your retirement like you planned and you leave the winery business to the vintners.”
Almost as though it were a reflex, Dunn felt around near his back to check if he had his pistol. He did not. And then it struck him as odd that he’d even be checking in this moment.
Luckily, the tension was broken when Missy traipsed up. She grinned through the open passenger side window, forcing Dunn to the side.
“Hi Daddy,” said Missy. “You got those other boxes?”
“I sure do, dear,” said Michael. “Mr. Dunn and I were just talking about how I expect him to look after my baby. Weren’t we, Mr. Dunn?”
Dunn raised his eyebrows sarcastically and nodded.
“I think it’ll be the other way around,” said Missy. “This guy’s a mess.” She laughed and Michael smiled.
“Yes, I think you’ll be a positive influence,” said Michael. “Let me pop the trunk, and the two of you can grab your boxes.” Reaching out to the console, Michael pressed a button and the rear door began to slowly open with a steady beeping sound.
“Thanks, Daddy,” Missy said. Then she disappeared from the window and walked to the back.
“I’m watching you, Dunn,” said Michael, pointing two fingers to his own eyes and then pointing them toward Dunn. “You’re already on my shit list. Don’t get your name moved further up.”
“Okay,” said Dunn. “It was nice meeting you.”
Michael made a face and nodded in mockery.
“Come on, Dunn!” Missy called. “We can get these in one trip.”
Dunn turned from Michael without another word and walked to the back of the car to help Missy. How did he get into all this?
It was the middle of the night. Brooke carefully walked down the stairs wearing just a t-shirt, taking each step slowly as she tried to navigate in the dark. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, however, she noticed a light beaming out from the kitchen. It was odd, but she figured either she or Gannon had left the light on before bed and continued on in her journey for a glass of water.
Entering the kitchen, she gasped and jumped. Standing at the counter, eating a bowl of cereal, was Missy dressed in a matched set of pajamas. Missy smiled at Brooke through a bite and waved with her spoon.
“Missy,” said Brooke. “What are you doing here?” Brooke, feeling a bit exposed, held an arm across her chest.
“I live here,” said Missy plainly.
“You live in the back,” Brooke countered.
“Yeah, but my kitchen isn’t set up yet,” Missy said, taking another bite of cereal.
“What time is it?” asked Brooke, searching around for the clock. “It’s almost two in the morning.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” said Missy. “And I was feeling hungry.”
“I don’t think this is acceptable,” said Brooke. “I don’t like the idea that I could come down the stairs in the middle of the night for a glass of water and run into somebody else. I’m hardly even dressed.”
“I’m sorry,” said Missy. “I’ll just finish this bowl and I’ll go back to my room. You have your water. Forget about me.”
Brooke frowned. After a pause, though, she stepped further into the kitchen and retrieved a glass. She then moved to the sink and started to fill it.
“You know,” said Missy, crunching through another mouthful of cereal. “I think this might be the first time you and I have been together in a room, just the two of us.”
“Yeah,” said Brooke, turning off the tap. She brought the glass to her lips and drank.
“Yeah,” Missy affirmed. “Just saying.”
“Okay,” said Brooke.
“I know you don’t like me very much,” said Missy with a raised brow.
“Did Gannon tell you that?”
“I can just sense it,” said Missy. “That’s okay. I underst
and.”
Brooke sighed and leaned against the counter, one hand behind her to brace herself and the other holding the water glass aloft. She had been fighting this thing between Gannon and Missy for a while, but it was obvious that it wasn’t going away. It could pay off to make amends.
“I’m sorry,” said Brooke. “You must know that it’s a bit strange, whatever it is you and Gannon have going on. And, as his girlfriend, it makes me a bit suspicious.”
“Yeah,” said Missy. “Well, Dunn’s just a friend. Not my type, anyway.”
“Oh?”
“I prefer women,” said Missy. She grinned to herself. Brooke’s eyes widened and she brought her arm back to her chest, once again feeling exposed. “Relax. You’re not my type, either.”
“I don’t… I don’t know what to think about you,” Brooke admitted.
“Just don’t worry about anything,” said Missy, putting her now empty bowl of cereal down on the counter. “You’re too high strung about all this. It’s just a friendship.”
“Okay,” said Brooke cautiously.
“Dunn’s a good guy,” Missy went on. “I wouldn’t second guess what he says.”
“You think so?” asked Brooke.
“Definitely,” said Missy. “We’ve been through a lot together, and we really haven’t known each other very long. I can tell he’s one of the good ones.” She smiled a big, toothy smile.
“You know, he told me a lot of what happened with the two of you,” said Brooke. “It does seem like you two had some experiences together.”
“Yeah,” said Missy. “Did he tell you anything that stuck out in particular?” she asked, wondering how much Brooke knew about it all.
“Well, he said he found you tied up in the basement of your family’s winery,” said Brooke. “By that guy we saw getting arrested.”
“Right,” said Missy slowly and with trepidation. “So you know my family owns Emperor Vineyards.”
“Yes,” said Brooke. “And that got me thinking… my ex-husband works with a lot of wineries in the area. I know he specifically mentioned Emperor in the past. Do you know Jake Green?”
“Jake Green,” repeated Missy. “Yeah, I know him. That’s your ex-husband?” She was playing dumb.
“He is,” Brooke said with a sigh. “He’s an asshole. Avoid him if you can.”
“Huh,” mused Missy. “Jake Green is your ex,” she said once again, trying to figure out how she could twist this to her advantage. “Isn’t that something.”
“What?” said Brooke through a half-smile. “Something wrong?”
“No, no,” said Missy. “I know Jake Green. I’ve worked closely with him.”
“You have?” Brooke replied. “Well, don’t listen to him. He’s a liar. He’s only out for himself. I trust him to be there for our son, but that’s about it. I’d avoid him at all costs.”
“I don’t know if I’m able to have the luxury of avoiding him,” said Missy. “So if you have to deal with him, like you do because you have a kid together, what’s the best way to deal with him?”
“Well,” said Brooke, taking another drink of water and considering the question. “Jake thinks he’s pretty damn smart. He’ll tell you that if you really get him talking. But he’s also a liar. His lies and his ego often clash. So sometimes you can get him to admit his lies through boasting about how smart he is.”
“Wow,” said Missy. “That is some real insight. I love it.”
Brooke smiled.
“That’s really good to know, Brooke,” Missy went on. “I’m going to store that up here,” she said, pointing to her head. “I think it’s going to come in handy.”
“I hope it serves you well,” said Brooke.
“I should really get back to my room,” said Missy. “I finished my cereal.” Picking up the bowl, she crossed the kitchen to put it in the sink.
“And I should get back upstairs,” said Brooke.
“Right,” said Missy. “It was nice talking to you, Brooke.”
“You too,” said Brooke. As Missy turned to leave, Brooke spoke up again. “Missy?”
“Yes?”
“You think Gannon is really into me?” Brooke asked. “Sometimes I just don’t know.”
“Why would you say that?” said Missy.
“I don’t know,” said Brooke, shrugging her own question off. “Forget it. I’m just being silly.”
“I think he likes you,” said Missy with a reassuring smile. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Thanks,” said Brooke, looking away demurely. Missy could tell Brooke felt embarrassed by her question.
“You’re welcome,” said Missy. “Goodnight, Brooke.”
“Goodnight.”
Dunn sat on the couch with a book in his hands, relaxing and reading while Missy sat across from him in a chair. She was crosslegged, laptop in her lap, typing away. Occasionally, Dunn would look up at her and then return to his book. Missy was focused on her screen, her face intense and stoic, her posture upright and square. Folding his book closed and putting it off to the side, Dunn smiled softly at her.
“What are you working on?”
“It’s just this thing for the winery,” Missy replied. “Nothing really.”
“I’ve got to admit,” Dunn said. “I think it’s kind of weird that you’re still working for the winery after all we’ve gone through.”
“Yeah,” said Missy. “I know. It is weird. What else can I do? It’s my family.”
“So you’re fine with how things turned out,” Dunn continued. “Even though it pretty much indicates that your family’s hands aren’t so clean?”
“Dunn,” said Missy, looking up from her laptop. “I thought you wanted to be done with all this?”
“I do.”
“Okay, then,” she said plainly.
“I’m just trying to get some greater insight into you,” said Dunn. “You don’t always add up.”
Missy laughed. She resumed typing into the computer.
“I told you how your father talked to me,” Dunn went on. “You don’t think that’s a little suspicious?”
“Yeah,” said Missy. “It is.”
Dunn waited for Missy to say more, but she was silent apart from the clacking of her keyboard.
“Brooke said she talked to you in the kitchen the other night,” said Dunn, changing the subject. “She said it was the first time she felt she really connected with you, and she wasn’t so worried about you and me anymore.”
“That’s probably because I told her I was a lesbian,” said Missy. Dunn let out a skeptical laugh, while Missy looked up from her laptop and grinned.
“What?” said Dunn. “Are you messing with me?”
“No,” said Missy. “I told her I like women. I thought that would get her off my back for a while.”
“Okay,” Dunn said. “Thanks for letting me know the narrative.”
“You really think this is going to work out between the two of you?” asked Missy. “She’s not like us, Dunn.”
“And how are we?”
“You know,” said Missy. “We get it. We’re with it. We aren’t so easily duped.”
“You think I’m duping her?” Dunn said, suddenly beginning to feel bad.
“I don’t know,” said Missy, offering an indifferent shrug. “I’m sure you’re having fun.”
Dunn let Missy’s words sink in. He wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, but it didn’t seem all that fun. It seemed complex more than anything else. As Dunn pondered his new life in Traverse City, his mind drifted back to Chicago and to thoughts of his ex-wife Amy. He missed his old life. He missed Amy. But that was a different world from the one he now inhabited. A completely different life.
“I miss the marina,” Missy mused after a few moments of quiet. “I miss how things were before.”
“You could go back,” said Dunn. “Why not?”
“I think I’ve got to move on,” Missy said. “Working for Emperor, that’s my destiny. I avoid
ed it for so long, but I don’t think I can avoid it any longer. It’s where I’m supposed to be.”
“I don’t think there is any destiny,” said Dunn. “I used to think that what I was doing, working in corporate technology, I thought that was my destiny. I was good at it. I made great money. But it ruined me. I ended up losing everything I thought was a given.”
“Your ex,” said Missy.
“Yeah,” said Dunn.
“And now you’re dating a jealous blonde with baggage,” said Missy. “And you’ve got to deal with a firecracker for a roommate.”
“Life is much different for me now,” said Dunn.
“It’s a new act,” said Missy. “You’re still so young and there’s so much to do. Hey, we just had a pretty crazy adventure, didn’t we? Not everybody gets to have that kind of experience.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure most people would want to experience what we just experienced,” he posited.
“I liked it,” said Missy. “Now I’m buried in spreadsheets. It’s not as fun.”
Their idle conversation was interrupted with the crash of glass. The front window, just behind where Dunn sat on the couch, shattered and shot out all over the living room. Dunn dove to the ground, while Missy held her laptop up to protect her face. The squealing of tires could be heard out front. Leaping up, Dunn looked outside but by then the car was already gone.
“What the fuck!” said Missy, looking down at herself. There were shards of glass on her lap.
“Careful,” said Dunn. “It’s everywhere.”
After folding her laptop closed and setting it aside, Missy plucked the glass from herself and from her chair, and she tossed it onto the floor with the rest of the broken shards. As she did this, Dunn looked around the living room until he spotted it. There, lying off to the side on the floor, was a brick.
“Look at this,” said Dunn, carefully walking over to the brick and picking it up. He held it up for a moment and inspected it.
“Flip it over,” said Missy as she approached him. “There’s something written on the other side.”
