Lily’s silver compact drove past not long afterward. I gave myself plenty of time before pulling out behind her, the rain my accomplice. With this bland block of a car, I’d fade into the background unless she was paying attention. I half expected her to stop at the site of my mother’s grave, but though she slowed, she carried on . . . for only about five minutes, before she pulled into the drive of a home of cedar and glass set back against the green of the forest.
Sliding my car to a halt behind a fortuitously parked phone-company van, I watched her get out. The front door opened to reveal a stunning blonde in a skintight red dress. She brought a cigarette to her lips, took a drag. But though she appeared brazen, she stepped back when Lily walked toward her.
The two women disappeared inside.
The door shut.
Not sure quite what I’d seen but with time on my hands, I decided to wait. More movement on the drive a bare ten minutes later. Another stunner, this one a brown-skinned brunette in an old Mini Cooper that all but rattled when it moved.
Twenty minutes later, two more cars arrived, both in considerably better condition.
A gleaming black Lexus, and a white Audi. The Lexus arrived first. Parking next to Lily’s compact, the black-clad man who got out glanced around the hushed green privacy of the area with a furtive look before walking up to the front door.
The blonde welcomed him with a kiss.
Audi was a pudgy executive-type who walked like he owned the world. Brunette for him.
But even though I waited and waited, no one came for Lily. Meanwhile, blonde and brunette had both welcomed three men each over the course of three hours.
Lily finally exited around five-thirty. I didn’t follow her, well aware of her destination. Instead, I waited for the brunette with the bad car.
At one point during my wait, I decided to take a risk and get out despite the pain in my leg.
Transcript
Session #6
“I felt as if we had a breakthrough last session. Yet today, you’re telling me nothing.”
“Didn’t you say that I could sit here for an hour and say nothing if I wanted? I’m paying for that hour after all.”
“If that’s what you wish.”
“Passive-aggressive doesn’t suit you.”
“Is that how you see it?”
“Is that how you see it? What the hell is this? Amateur hour?”
“You have a lot of anger inside you.”
“Oh, fantastic. Now my highly paid therapist is resorting to clichés. I must’ve really screwed up your head with everything I told you last time.”
25
I was back in my car by the time the phone-company guys tramped out from the bush, orange-vested and with safety helmets on their heads. I didn’t know what they’d been doing in there, but they’d made it out just in time—the sky was starting to darken fast.
“Yo, mate, you break down? Need a jump start?” One of them leaned down to look through the open passenger window; a tattoo snaked up the side of his neck, and his knuckles spelled out love.
I pointed at my leg. “Just needed a rest. Safe to drive the auto but it starts to hurt after a while, so I have to get out and stretch.” Damp shirt and hair now explained.
“Bad luck, eh. Broke my leg once—bloody hard to get around.” The small leaf stuck in his short black beard moved as he spoke. “Hope the sucker fixes up soon.”
“Amen to that.”
He bumped fists with me before returning to his workmate.
I watched as the two loaded up their gear, and figured I’d have to give this up for today—no way could I sit on the road without the cover provided by the van. It wasn’t like people parked on this road—it was empty of any stationary traffic as far back and forward as I could see.
The brunette exited the house.
Starting up the engine, I pulled out a minute after she’d left. The phone guys gave me a thumbs-up as I headed out. I waved.
Brunette’s car broke down on cue five minutes later. The small part I’d removed safely hidden in the glove compartment of my car, I pulled to a stop next to her. Speaking through my open window, I put on my most charming smile. “Hey, you need help?”
“I have a phone,” she said through her partially raised window, a sulkiness to her face that a lot of men probably found attractive. “It’d be better if you knew how