28. Salem
SALEM
“ H ey, if you’re not gonna pick up, you could at least text me back so I know you’re alive. Come on, Denzel—Shit.” I turn sharply, almost missing the dirt road I’ve been looking for.
The windows of my car are ingested into a dense stretch of towering trees as I end the call. A few minutes later, GPS tells me I’ve arrived.
The “secluded mid-century cabin with private riverfront” listing description wasn’t an exaggeration. Looks like nothing but forest and river for—I scan the listing—eight-and-a-half acres.
Pocketing my phone, I slip out of the rental and blow on my hands as I peer up at the two-story, A-frame cabin with a slightly menacing facade and large, inviting glass doors and rectangular windows.
Unlit string lights hang across the expansive deck.
If Blue were a cabin…
I unload the bags and follow the lockbox instructions to retrieve the key.
Placing my bags down inside the door, I peel off my shoes and search for the thermostat.
A suspended, bright-red fireplace with a cone-shaped head and a tulip-style bottom steals my attention.
Moving closer, I tilt my head for a full view of the interior.
A wooden block hangs from a metal chain on the exterior with an inscription that reads: Original 1970s fireplace. A little wood goes a long way. Enjoy!
Stepping back, I snap a picture of it, then grab wood and kindling from the log rack to get a fire going.
I turn and sweep my gaze over the space. Bracketed between two camel-colored leather couches, I stare up at the bohemian wall hangings. I spot a projector up there, and I turn to see a retracted screen hanging from the ceiling directly across from it.
I pad over to the wall of windows to take in the dense forest and grin. Of course someone wild like Blue would choose a place like this to disappear.
I continue checking the place out, pausing to peel a vinyl out of its sleeve, dust off the record, slide it on the player, and lower the needle.
A distorted rustle leads to a crisp flow of piano emanating from the speakers.
Fighting the pull toward the kitchen, I’m headed upstairs to the open second level when my phone vibrates.
“Hey, Ma.”
“Sorry I missed your call. Did you make it in alright?”
“Yes. Just now.”
“Is Arnaz there?”
“Not yet.”
“You feel safe?”
“Yep.”
The bedroom’s cozy with a king-sized bed in the center, two mid-century modern-looking nightstands, and a dark blue rug. Natural light fills the entire space.
I like all the light. Blue might hate it, though.
“Have you heard from Denzel?” I ask her.
“No, have you? We’re both worried sick.”
I’m getting there too.
I peek into the bathroom. A large whirlpool tub is situated in front of a window, providing a sick view of the treetops and sky.
“If we don’t hear from him in the next few days, what should we do?”
“I’ll hire someone to find him,” I answer as I head back downstairs.
“Someone like whom?”
“A private investigator.”
“What if he’s back in the hospital, Salem?”
“We’ll find him.”
“What if he’s worse off than before?” she frets.
“W-we’ll find him.” I wince as my voice shakes.
She won’t miss it.
“I’m sorry, son. I don’t want to ruin your night. Did you dress up?”
I grab the grocery bags from the front door and head to the kitchen. “Like how?”
“A dinner jacket. I suppose a tie’s too much.”
I snicker as I duck plants and stainless-steel pots hanging from an overhead rack and place the bags on the counter.
“We’re at a cabin in the middle of nowhere.” I open the vintage-style fridge to find it empty except for a few bottles of water.
“Okay. Well, let me leave you to it. Tell him we say hello.”
I grin, imagining Blue meeting my mom. He’d probably hiss like a vampire in the sun as she went in for a hug.
“Love you.”
After we hang up, I fill the fridge with lagers and open a bottle of red to breathe. Then I wash my hands and get to work on dinner.