Natalie was at the screen door, watching. She held it open for Angel.
Angel stepped inside, and turned to her. “He didn’t want me out there.”
“I’ll go. It’s my car, and I’m the homeowner.” She opened the door, and walked outside as the squad car pulled in front of the house.
When the police finally left, Natalie and Cole came back inside.
Angel was in the kitchen, sitting at the table, a mug of coffee in her hands. She looked up when they walked in. “I made coffee.”
Cole shook his head, and leaned back against the counter. He folded his arms, and looked at her.
Natalie poured herself a cup.
Cole looked over at her. “Mind if I start parking my bike in the backyard? I feel better if I can keep an eye on it.”
“Of course, Cole.” Natalie sat down at the table with Angel.
Cole looked over at Angel. “The officer told us some things tonight.”
She looked up with a frown. “What do you mean?”
Cole looked from Angel to Natalie.
Natalie looked down at her coffee.
Angel looked at them both. “What is it? Tell me.”
Cole blew out a breath. “He said crime in this part of town has skyrocketed in the last year.”
“What?” She looked from Cole to Natalie. “But this has always been a safe neighborhood.
“Not anymore.” Cole was blunt with her. She needed to hear this. They both did. He looked over at Natalie. “Look, I’m sure this was a real nice neighborhood when you and your husband bought this place, but things change. Businesses start to close, they get boarded up, lower income moves in, next thing you know the gangs start to take hold.”
“Gangs?” Angel was stunned. She’d always felt safe here.
“You haven’t noticed the changes? I’ve seen three boarded up businesses down on the boulevard. Graffiti, broken down cars in driveways.” Cole looked at her.
“I guess I’ve turned a blind eye to it all. I guess I just didn’t want to see it,” Natalie whispered.
Cole looked at her. She knew what he was going to tell her. “You need to sell. Get out of here, before your property value plummets.”
“Sell?” Angel couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Natalie nodded, looking at Cole. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s time.”
“But this has been your home for as long as I can remember,” Angel protested.
“Yes. It has.”
Cole looked between them. He hoped they listened, and heeded his words. He didn’t even want to think about his kids growing up in a place that wasn’t safe. “I need a smoke.”
Angel watched him walk out the backdoor. She turned back to her aunt. “Are you serious about selling? It’s just a car breakin. They happen all the time. I think you’re overreacting.”
Natalie looked down at her coffee. “I don’t want to go, but…I don’t want us to be where it’s not safe. If anything ever happened to you or the children, I’d never forgive myself.”
“It’s not going to. Oh, Aunt Natalie, don’t worry.” She reached out her hand, and covered her aunt’s.
Natalie looked up, and smiled. She looked past Angel to the back window. “I’m glad Cole was here. It’s nice having a man around. Especially when something like this happens.”
“Yes. It is,” Angel agreed.
“He cares about you. A great deal. I can see it.”
Angel didn’t say anything.
“Well, I’m going back to bed.” Natalie stood up, and carried her coffee cup to the sink. She bent, and kissed the top of Angel’s head, and then walked out.
Angel turned, and looked out the back window. She stood, and went outside.
Cole turned when he heard the back door open.
Angel walked over to the table where he was sitting. She pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Cole took a hit off his cigarette, watching her.
She looked back at the house, and then at him. “You really think it isn’t safe here?”
He shrugged. “Maybe you’d be okay for another year, who knows? But why take the chance? And like I say, once the neighborhood turns, your aunt will be lucky to even find a buyer, much less get what the place is worth.”
“You said the officer told you some things. What types of crimes? Did he say?”
Cole studied her. “Break-ins, vandalism, purse snatchings. Nothing too violent yet, but give it time, and that’ll come, too.”
“None of Dad’s friends have ever said a thing.”
“Like Bill and Mark?” Cole smirked.
She looked at him, and nodded. “Yes. Like Bill and Mark.”
He looked away.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He ground his cigarette out in the ashtray on the table,