little personally. The first few days, I gave him space, thinking he just needed to cool off. I figured that I’d see him in class, at least. But he’d stopped coming. After a week, I’d tried to call him, but his phone went straight to voicemail.
I hadn’t seen him since the night of his birthday party.
That wasn’t strictly true. I’d seen him, he just didn’t know that I had.
About a month ago, unbeknownst to Holden, I’d installed a Wyze pet cam in my backyard. I’d done it because I was worried that Channing was sick, since he had so much less energy at night and he kept asking to stay outside whenever I would leave for work. I was scared that he was eating something poisonous or maybe trying to escape and wearing himself out.
The mystery was solved the first day. Not twenty minutes after I left, I checked the app on my phone and what, or should I say who, did I see? Holden was in the backyard throwing a tennis ball with Channing. That’s how I knew he’d been using his cane.
Over the next two days, it became evident that this was not a one-time thing. The two of them had a routine. They’d play ball, work on new tricks, and then they’d just hang out sitting on the deck together while Holden drank beer. I couldn’t hear what Holden was telling my dog, but he talked to him for hours.
Their relationship reminded me of ours when we were kids. We’d play tag, he taught me magic tricks, and we’d talk. Every day I saw the two of them bonding when I checked my app, it bothered me more and more on several levels. I didn’t understand why until one day it hit me: I felt betrayed.
I was jealous of Channing Tatum. Plain and simple. I wanted to be the one that Holden was spending time with. And also, I felt like Channing was cheating on me. I was his person, not Holden. Yet, he obeyed him, he learned tricks for him, he sat on his lap and gave him kisses. Those were things he was supposed to do with me. His person.
My response wasn’t healthy, I was self-aware enough to recognize that. Unfortunately, I wasn’t self-actualized enough to correct it.
Then, about a week ago, Holden stopped coming out to play with Channing. I was concerned the first day that he was a no show, but thankfully the walls were fairly thin, so I knew that I didn’t have to call the police to do a wellness check. His television was on every night. And more than once I’d thought I’d heard the Sunset Bay theme song.
Not that I would’ve called the police, I’d had an emergency set of keys since my brother bought the place.
“Are you asking her about Holden?” Mrs. Scoggs said loudly as she joined me and Mrs. Nelson.
“Yes.” Mrs. Nelson dropped my hand and shushed her. “Shh. You’re so loud.”
“She’s been like this ever since she got her new hearing aid.” Mrs. Scoggs explained as she adjusted the mat strap on her shoulder. “Anyway, I did my part. I stopped by with a casserole, but he didn’t answer the door.”
Join the club.
I’d stopped by with my mom’s chicken and nothing. I’d considered doing naked yoga again, but since his blinds were always shut, I didn’t see the point. I wasn’t even sure if he was going to physical therapy. From the amount of time he’d been spending with Channing I would guess no.
The thought had crossed my mind to have Molly ask Jake if Holden had been going in, but I figured that there was probably some sort of patient-client confidentiality thing that would prevent him from disclosing that information. I was getting desperate enough though, that I might just play the, you-started-dating-my-twin-while-you-were-on-a-date-with-me card.
I hoped it wouldn’t come to that. I didn’t want to be the reason that someone violated HIPAA.
“She hasn’t seen him either, Edith.” Mrs. Nelson gestured to me.
Mrs. Scoggs sighed. “Well, if you do see him, you let him know that we miss him. And that my garage door won’t shut all the way.”
“Edith!” Mrs. Nelson’s tone was reprimanding before she looked at me. “Just tell him that we miss him, dear.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.
Mrs. Nelson gave me a decisive nod before shuffling toward the exit. “Let’s go, Edith, we won’t get our table.”
“Don’t forget to tell him that my garage door won’t shut,” Mrs. Scoggs added before she followed behind