Blow - Kim Karr Page 0,7
park?” he asked.
“Around the corner.”
Michael’s Mercedes was sitting right in front of us. He nodded his head. “Get in. I’ll drive you there.”
I shook my head. “No, I think I’ll walk.”
“Are you okay?” he asked as he unlocked the doors.
“Yes, I’m fine. I just need some air.”
Michael bent to buckle Clementine into her car seat and I flashed him a disgusted look. I couldn’t believe he was really going to pull the “it’s for your own benefit” crap.
When Clementine was secure in her seat, he turned toward me with remorse in his eyes. “I’m not purposefully keeping you in the dark.”
With my brows raised, I responded emphatically, “Yes, you are.”
Again, he glanced away. “Okay, you’re right. I just don’t want you involved.”
“But I already am.”
Michael shook his head and took a step toward me. “Stop saying that.”
I sighed in frustration.
Michael gently put his hands on my arms. “Don’t let McPherson rattle you. He went to school with my father; they’re old friends. He’s a hothead, but he wouldn’t hurt me.”
I wasn’t so sure.
Having had enough, I shrugged out of his hold and stepped around him to kiss Clementine. “See you soon, baby girl,” I said to her and nuzzled her nose.
I hated saying goodbye.
Michael opened his door. “You all set for tomorrow?”
“I’ve just got a few more things to do. I’m heading there now to finish up.”
He gave me an encouraging nod. “Let me know what I can do to help.”
I smiled and said, “I think I have it all under control.”
“I know you do. You’ve done a fantastic job.”
Praise wasn’t what I looking for. The wind was cold and I dug into my pockets for my gloves. “Thanks.”
“’Bye, Elle,” he said, staring at me for a beat. When he got in the car and started it, he glanced at me before shutting his door. “I’m sorry I was short with you earlier.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I told him.
Michael closed the door and turned back to check on Clementine.
He was a good father.
I waved goodbye as the tires rolled forward, and then I put my gloves on and shoved my red felt hat farther down on my head.
As I walked up the sidewalk, I occupied my mind by trying to avoid getting my heels stuck in the cracks between the bricks.
It gave me something to do—I was feeling restless. I wasn’t used to staying in one place for so long and it was beginning to catch up to me.
I gave up on not ruining my favorite boots when the late March drizzle began to fall and I had to move briskly to avoid getting too wet. As soon as I turned onto Tremont Street, I immediately saw that my rear tire was flat.
“Crap,” I muttered as I stood there and the rain started falling harder.
I looked around for shelter. The corner bar I must have passed at least a dozen times was only a few feet away. I decided to go in and call AAA from there.
I didn’t want to bother Michael about something I could take care of.
My damp, thin raincoat clung to my body and I reminded myself I should really buy a coat that was functional, not just fashionable. Shaking my head, I hurried toward the door to Molly’s Pub, getting wetter and wetter with each passing moment.
As soon as I entered the vestibule, it was quiet enough for me to make the call. The operator connected me to the nearest station. “The mechanic will be at least thirty minutes,” the attendant told me.
Contemplating what to do, I decided on a drink. “That’s fine. I’ll be at the bar at Molly’s.”
“Wait,” she called. “What number should the mechanic call when he arrives?”
I gave her my cell but doubted I’d hear my phone. The music was already pretty loud from here. “Also, in case he has to come in, I’m wearing black—black raincoat, black pants—oh, and a red hat,” I added.
She huffed and sounded annoyed. “Normally we ask that you wait by your vehicle but since it’s raining, I’ll let him know how to recognize you if he can’t reach you.”
“Thank you,” I told her before hanging up.
Once I’d tucked my phone back inside my purse, I pulled open the interior door to reveal a very crowded bar. Not only was I certain I would never hear my phone, but there was also no way the mechanic was going to be able to spot me in here.
I’d have to keep my eyes peeled for him.
The large room was