At noon, Alex dropped by with Chinese take-out, enough for four. The bag overflowed with chicken chow mien with mushrooms, breaded shrimp with lemon, chicken fried rice and fortune cookies. The delicious aroma reminded me of my empty stomach.
“I hope you like Chinese,” he said, smiling.
“I love Chinese.”
Like an old friend, he kissed me on the cheek. The gesture was so familiar it occurred to me he might greet all of his friends that way — a peck on the cheek that would befit anyone from casual acquaintance to a lifelong friend. I felt a little put out until it entered my mind the reason behind those thoughts. Then I simply felt sheepish.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did. Very well. Why don’t you build a fire, and I’ll lay out a blanket. We’ll pretend we’re having a picnic.” I guided him around boxes and stacked furniture and into the living room. “There’s more kindling in the back porch if you need it. I’ll get the plates.”
A fire blazed in the hearth when I returned. “I hope the chimney is sound.” Though I'd already made a fire, the size of the flames shooting up the flue from Alex’s fire caused me concern.
He grinned and winked. “We’ll soon find out.”
“I don’t want the house to burn down.” It occurred to me that I didn't have a fall-back plan. I needed one now that I was the sole caregiver of Katie and Benjamin. Who could I turn to in a time of need? A hand patted my arm. I looked at Alex's slender fingers, then into his eyes.
"The chimney's fine," he said. "I checked."
“Oh, okay.” I relaxed and spread a throw across the floor.
We sat cross-legged and spooned food onto our plates.
Around a jumbo shrimp, I said, “Leroy came by a little while ago."
“Oh?”
Unable to hold back, I laughed at his stunned expression. “Don’t look so surprised. This is a small street in a small town and everyone likes to know everyone's business. You told me so yourself. Besides, Leroy and I are friends. Is it so surprising he'd pay me a visit?”
"It is, given how he feels about this house." Alex peered at the ceiling.
I answered his unasked question. "Irwin's not here. Probably otherwise occupied."
"Ah."
Leroy's cryptic response to my query about Alex made me even more curious about the man sitting aside me. Men loved to talk about themselves, especially their accomplishments and successes. Alex didn't. The little I'd learned about him I virtually had to drag from him. He seemed almost bashful about his self-worth. Why? Had something happened in his past that made him less than forthcoming?
“How would you describe yourself, Alex?”
He gave the fried rice his undivided attention before answering. “As a man who appreciates the little things life has to offer. I’m an ordinary man, Susan, leading an ordinary life.” He looked around. “I should have brought wine.”
Clearly, talking about himself made him nervous. The effects of his discomfort pervaded the air, making me antsy. “I have a bottle. Somewhere.” I looked around, too.
“Bottled water is fine.”
So much for plying him with alcohol to loosen his tongue. I returned with two bottles and handed him one. I clinked my bottle against his. “May you never forget what is worth remembering, or remember what is best forgotten.”
The color drained from Alex’s face. I became alarmed. “What is it? Did I say something wrong? It was one of my father’s favorite sayings. It just popped out.”
He coughed, sputtered and shook his head. “I … I swallowed the wrong way.” He coughed again.
I stood and pounded his back. “Better?”
“Yes, much.”
I sat back down, feeling unnerved by his reaction to a simple saying. I hadn't meant anything by it, but the adage had obviously struck a chord for Alex.
He raised his bottle in salute. “May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.”
“That’s so sweet. Thank you.” I smiled, the moment leading to this one already forgotten. Without further conversation, we finished eating and set our empty plates aside. “Tell me about yourself.”
“I’m an open book. What would you like to know?”
I stretched out before the fire, my head resting on a throw pillow and my legs crossed at the ankles. “I know we're the same age, but on what day were you born?”
“November 1st.”
I turned toward him. “All Saints Day.”
He nodded.
I made a mental note to check newspaper articles around that time on our birth year for an announcement. Taking a look at the society pages seemed a good idea, too. First though, before I hit the library, I’d interrogate Leroy more. This time on his own turf where he wouldn’t run like a frightened banshee.
“When’s your birthday?”
I took a sip of water. “December 25th.”
“Poor you.”
“Poor me? Why? I share my birthday with Jesus. I got double the amount of gifts Christmas morning and turkey with all the trimmings every year. What more could a child ask for?”
“You’re glass is always half full, isn’t it?” He brushed a strand of hair away from my eyes.
We stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Oddly, words failed me. Unlike last night, this lapse in conversation grew more awkward with each passing second.
Alex broke the silence. “What’re your plans for tonight?”
I turned on my stomach and faced him, resting my head in the palm of my hands. “No plans.” Like I ever had any.
“Then I have a treat for you.”
“What do you have in mind?” Images of our sweat-slicked bodies, his legs entwined around mine, long slender fingers shivering my fevered flesh flashed before my eyes. Being this close to him inspired those thoughts.
“It’s a surprise.”
I hugged myself. “I love surprises.” Something occurred to me. “Is this a date?”
“No way.”
My spirits plummeted. I wanted this man and to know he wanted to date me would do wonders for my self-esteem.
“Legally, you’re still married.”
He did want to date me. Yay. “Right.” A fact I forgot more and more in his company.
“And you’re pretty traditional, right?”
“Right.” But less and less.
A smile poised at the corner of his mouth. His sensual mouth. How would his lips feel against mine? I envisioned the two of us leaning in toward each other. Preparing to kiss, our mouths parted. Just as I was about to learn what it would be like to kiss him, fingers snapped before my face.
“What?” I asked, feeling annoyed by the intrusion.
“Where were you just now?”
“I ... I ....” Aie-ya-ya. Before I could make a complete buffoon of myself, Irwin appeared and ruffled the curls on the nape of Alex’s neck. I feared what Irwin might do. He hadn’t hurt Alex in the past, but I couldn’t take the chance that wouldn’t change. Alex needed to leave and right away.
“How should I dress for our non-date tonight?” I stood and held out my hand to him.
“Casual and warm.” He clasped my hand.
I helped him to his feet. “Should I bring anything?”
“Just yourself.”
We walked toward the door.
“I guess I’m leaving.”
I laughed. “I’m giving you the salesman’s rush. Do you mind? I really have a lot to do this afternoon.”
“Not at all. I have some things to do, too.” He leaned forward and planted a we’ll-do-lunch kiss on my cheek. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“I’ll be ready.”
When the door latched, I scooted into the living room. “Irwin?” I spun in a slow circle.
“Irwin?” Still no response. Damn. I needed to make sure he remembered my rules. “Okay. Have it your way.” I snatched a fortune cookie out of the bag, cracked
it open and read: The answers you seek are yours to find. “Harrumph.”
I grabbed my jacket from atop a packing box and dashed from the house. Within two minutes, I rang Leroy and Clara’s doorbell. Footsteps sounded from within, then the door swung open.
“Hiya, Leroy. I decided to take you up on that offer of tea.”
“Clara," Leroy said over his shoulder. "We’ve got company.”
Leroy's excitement made me cringe with shame. I was there for one reason — to pump him for information — and he was treating me like royalty. I slipped out of my shoes and followed him into the living room where he ushered me toward the sofa. They probably didn’t get many visitors. The thought saddened me. I vowed to stop over more often for no reason other than to sit and chat with two people whose company I enjoyed.
Clara came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron. “Susan, what a pleasant surprise. It’s so nice to see you again.”
Okay, on my lowlife meter, I hovered near ten. They were so excited about my visit and I hadn’t really come to visit with them. I was such scum. “Hi, Clara.”
“Where’s Benjamin?” She looked around.
“Benjamin and Katie are with their father this weekend.” The look of disappointment that swept her face made me say, “I’ll bring him by Sunday night.”
She beamed. “We’d like that. Would you care for a cup of tea, dear? I just brewed a fresh pot.”
“I’d love a cup. Thanks.” And that was the God’s truth. Better than Prozac, which I felt I needed from time to time. “Can I help?” I half stood.
She shook her head. “Sit and keep Leroy company. I’ll just be a minute.”
Clara’s spry step amazed me. Truthfully, so much about these people amazed me. I relaxed against the luxurious cushions and turned to Leroy sitting in the lazy-boy across from me.
“She likes to do things herself. I let her. It makes her feel in charge.”
The twinkle in his eyes made me smile.
“I heard that.”
He laughed and shifted positions. “She’s not as deaf as she lets on.”
I wouldn’t argue that.
“So, what would you like to know?”
His directness caught me unaware. “You know why I’m here? Am I that transparent?” I fiddled with the buttons on my jacket.
“When you live to be my age, you learn a little about reading a person’s expressions. For instance, I know you feel guilty because you’re not here only to have tea with us.”
I nodded and studied my white-stockinged feet. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Clara and I enjoy company however it comes to us.”
Was it possible for me to feel any crummier? I didn’t think so. I decided to get right to the point, but first Leroy needed to be put at ease. “This is not about the uninvited guest in my home.”
He leaned forward. “It’s not?”
“No. This is about Alex.”
“Oh.” He reclined against the back of his chair.
“You mentioned this morning about some rumors?”
“Aye. That I did.”
“Would you tell me about them?”
He deployed the footrest and took his time placing his feet on it. Then he leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling.
Clara appeared carrying a silver-plated tray and set it on the coffee table.
I expected tea, maybe cookies, but not the spread she'd laid out. Sandwiches, cream puffs, strawberry and raspberry jam — home preserves — biscuits and cookies. Oh God. My stomach was full. I mustered a smile. “This looks wonderful, Clara.”
“We were just about to have lunch.” She filled a plate. “Bridget used to join us like this all the time. Isn’t that right, Leroy?”
“Back when she still knew who she was.” He grunted and took the plate Clara handed him.
I helped myself to one of everything and spooned jams on biscuits. My stomach cried out in protest. I’d force down every last speck of food on my plate if it killed me. Since Clara went to so much trouble, I could at least appreciate her effort.
“What happened in Alex’s past that was so awful?” I bit into an egg salad wedge, chewed and swallowed, taking a cream puff in my hand.
“Such a sad story." Clara shook her head.
Leroy held up a finger toward Clara and stared into my eyes. “Do you really want to get involved in Alex’s problems?”
He had a point — my cup runneth over in that area — , but I nodded.
“You’ve had your share of problems,” he said.
My surprise must have shown because he laughed. “I’m not a wizard. I can see the pain in your eyes, though you do a good job of covering it up with a smile.”
I swallowed the last bite of cream puff. "I'll get over it."
“Susan, do you believe in a purpose in life?”
“I never thought about it, but I suppose so.” I chomped a biscuit to bits and swallowed.
“Good. Do you see the move to this street as a belittlement, an anticlimax to how you envisioned your life?”
“No.” He looked at me over the rim of his bi-focal lenses and I gave that answer more thought. “Maybe a little.”
“Do you think you were destined to take the path of the last few months?”
Now that I believed in ghosts, I could believe in anything. “Maybe.”
"Life has all sorts of twists and turns." Clara sipped her tea. "That's what makes it so exciting."
“Have you researched your house?” Leroy asked.
“Yes.” I told him what I learned.
“Good. You’re on the right track. Keep following the path.”
“Can you give me some ideas about what I should be looking for?”
He gazed into space for so long I thought he'd fallen asleep. “Check the birth announcements around the time Alex was born.”
"I planned to do that. Anything else?”
He cast his eyes upward and to the right. I knew what he was about to say would be the truth. If he'd cast his eyes upward and to the left, he would be formulating a lie. At least, that's what lie experts say.
“Check the obits for the next day.”
“The obits for the next day? Why? Alex didn't die." At his stern expression, I said, "Okay, got it. Anything else?”
“If I tell you everything I know now, would you come back for tea?”