and number. A voice answered and I asked for Aaron Calvert. I was told, in a friendly, twangy way, that I was speaking with the night service, but that they’d be glad to take a message. I left my name and number and hung up, still not knowing into what time zone I’d been speaking.
This was not going well. I sat a moment, regretful that my burst of resolve hadn’t come earlier in the day. Then, undaunted, I reached for the receiver again. I dialed Gabby’s number and got no response. Apparently, even the answering machine had dropped out. I tried her office at the university, and listened to the line roll over after four rings. As I was about to hang up, the phone was answered. It was the departmental office. No, they hadn’t seen her. No, she hadn’t picked up her mail for a few days. No, that wasn’t unusual, it was summer. I thanked them and hung up.
“Strike three,” I said to the empty air. No Lucy. No Aaron. No Gabby. God, Gabby, where are you? I wouldn’t let myself think about it.
I tapped the blotter with a pen.
“High and outside.”
I tapped some more.
“Fourth and long,” I added, ignoring the mixed metaphor. Tap. Tap.
“D.Q.”
I leaned back and flipped the pen end on end into the air.
“Double fault.”
I caught the pen and sent it airborne again.
“Personal foul.”
Another launch.
“Time to switch to a new game plan.”
Catch. Launch.
“Time to dig in and hold the line.”
I caught the pen and held it. Dig in. I looked at the pen. Dig in. That’s it.
“Okay,” I said, pushing back my chair and reaching for my purse.
“Try batting from the other side of the plate.”
I slung the purse over my shoulder and turned out the light.
“In your face, Claudel!”
14
WHEN I GOT TO THE MAZDA I TRIED RESUMING MY SPORTS CLICHÉ soliloquy. It was no good. The genius was gone. Anticipation of what I had planned for the evening had me too wired for creative thought. I drove to the apartment, stopping only at Kojax to pick up a souvlaki plate.
Arriving home, I ignored Birdie’s accusatory greeting, and went directly to the refrigerator for a Diet Coke. I set it on the table next to the grease-stained bag containing my dinner, and glanced at the answering machine. It stared back, silent and unblinking. Gabby hadn’t called. A growing sense of anxiety was wrapping itself around me and, like a conductor high on his music, my heart was beating prestissimo.
I went to the bedroom and rifled through the bedside stand. What I wanted was buried in the third drawer. I took it to the dining room, spread it on the table, and opened my drink and carry-out. No go. The sight of greasy rice and overcooked beef made my stomach withdraw like a sand crab. I reached for a slice of pita.
I located my street on the now familiar foot, and traced a route out of Centre-ville and across the river onto the south shore. Finding the neighborhood I wanted, I folded the map with the cities of St. Lambert and Longueuil showing. I tried another bite of souvlaki as I studied the landmarks, but my stomach hadn’t altered its negativism. It would accept no input.
Birdie had oozed to within three inches of me. “Knock yourself out,” I said, sliding the aluminum container in his direction. He looked astounded, hesitated, then moved toward it. The purring had already begun.
In the hall closet I found a flashlight, a pair of garden gloves, and a can of insect repellent. I threw them into a backpack along with the map, a tablet and a clipboard. I changed into a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and braided my hair back tightly. As an afterthought, I grabbed a long-sleeved denim shirt and stuffed it into the pack. I got the pad from beside the phone and scribbled: “Gone to check out the third X—St. Lambert.” I looked at my watch: 7:45 P.M. I added the date and time, and laid the tablet on the dining room table. Probably unnecessary, but in case I got into trouble I had at least left a trail.
Slinging the pack over my shoulder, I punched in the code for the security system, but in my building excitement I got the numbers wrong and had to start over. After messing up a second time, I stopped, closed my eyes, and recited every word of “I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight.” Clear the mind with an exercise