Chapter Six
Tera
I don’t find anything in Joe’s house that leads me to a relative. It’s a sad and lonely three-bedroom that’s perfect for a family and way too easy to break into. There are photos of his wife everywhere and seeing them makes me cry all over again.
Maybe they met up in the afterlife and are happy now. I hope so. He always talked about her as if she was the most precious thing he ever held. He considered himself lucky to have had her for as long as he did before she passed. That kind of love just isn’t real anymore.
They never had children, which is a shame. I would have loved to meet any kids he produced. They would all have his sense of humor and her smile. The perfect combo.
It’s a spotless place with clothes folded neatly and no clutter. There isn’t any liquor in the cabinets, which I think is weird. Maybe he was just a social drinker? But he never came in with anyone.
I found the number to a lawyer’s office with the word ‘will’ written on the back. I left a message, hoping his paperwork has a next of kin listed. Then I called the hospital at the number they left for me and let them know. It’s the only thing I can do. I keep the card just in case.
I’m trying not to think about the fact the county is going to have to take care of his burial. I can’t afford anything like that. My friend has to be handed over to strangers to be taken care of. I shove the feelings down to think clearly, exactly what South would recommend. I need to call her.
It’s been several blissfully quiet days since I kicked everyone out of my apartment and my life. Except for Trevor, that is.
After I woke up again, because I still hadn’t turned off my alarm for work, I went through all my contacts and blocked Andi’s number and her boyfriends’ and bodyguards’. I even blocked the unknown number Max called me from. I may have made him laugh, but he’s a grump, and I know the degrading comments are bound to start any time.
Then I deleted all of the messages in one fell swoop, not listening to a single one. Now I have Trevor’s number saved, some of my fellow servers who call when they need me to take their shift, the bar’s main line, and Mrs. Danvers, who lives down the hall and needs help hauling her laundry downstairs to the washing machines and back. Everyone else is terrified of her because she’s always so surly. I think she’s hilarious, personally.
To anyone else, my lack of other contacts would be depressing, but a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I don’t have to wait for a phone call anymore. I don’t have to dread when my phone rings. I feel like I just went through a breakup with a guy and have finally let the thought of him crawling back go. I haven’t experienced that, but Andi has had it happen before. For me, they never do, but the hope that I’m memorable enough to be worth regretting is always there.
I’m back home making myself some dinner when my phone rings. It startles me a little. I’ve gotten so used to it being left on silent that I almost don’t recognize the shrill tones.
When Trevor’s name pops up, I hesitate before answering. I haven’t spoken to him since I kicked him out of my apartment. He’s probably mad now that he’s had a chance to think about my behavior yesterday. I didn’t even thank him for the donuts. He might be calling to fire me. I wouldn’t even blame him.
“Hello?” I ask cautiously.
“Max wants to know if you blocked his number,” Trevor starts and sounds like he’s trying to hold back a laugh. There’s some grumbling in the background, and I’m pretty sure it’s Max complaining. I never thought I would hear something like that. Are they roommates?
Feeling more like my old self than I have for months, I ask innocently, “Who’s Max?”
Trevor barks out a laugh, and the grumbling gets a little louder.
“She did, didn’t she?” I can just barely make out the words.
“I don’t know anyone by that name who would call me. The only Max I know can’t speak,” I smile as I lie. Trevor’s laughter turns into guffaws, and I also giggle a little.
“Let me hear her. Give me that.” There are some rustling sounds, and then I can hear Trevor’s laughter and Max’s irritated voice clearly.
“Did you block my number?” He demands point blank.
“Who is this?” I bite my lower lip to contain my giggles.
“You little brat,” he hisses across the line, and I start laughing. “Did you just block everyone but Trevor?”
“Pretty much. It’s been nice and quiet,” I taunt.
“I bet,” his tone tightens with anger, and Trevor’s laughter dies down.
“I’m glad you didn’t block me,” Trevor says, trying to catch his breath. “Max was going to go to your place and break down your door if you didn’t answer this call.”
I scoff at the idea. My door is flimsy, and the landlord here isn’t the responsible type for repairs. “I still have those donuts. They’re probably stale by now, so they’re more effective weapons.”
“You didn’t eat any of them?” Max sounds so offended that I laugh again.
“You never know when you need ammo, Max. I wanted to be prepared.”
“Jesus,” he mutters, and I hear stomping footfalls recede and then come back.
“Have you been eating?” Trevor’s voice slides down into an ominous tone.
“Yes, sir,” I answer peppily.
“Have you heard from any of those guys since we last spoke?”
“Nope. I blocked them all.” I’m so giddy with the idea I giggle again.
“And me,” Max says stridently.
“And you, grumpy,” I agree and try to flip my grilled cheese one-handed. When that doesn’t work, I set the phone down and put it on speaker.
“Hello?” Trevor’s voice carries across the kitchen.
“Sorry, I missed that. I can’t do this one-handed.”
“What the hell are you doing?” Max asks, confused.
“I’m making grilled cheese, and it was almost ready to catch fire. I can’t cook one-handed like my mom could, all right? Some of us don’t have the magic touch,” I sigh wistfully. I miss my mom, even if I was the black sheep when she passed.
“We’ll let you go then.” As soon as Trevor says it, a desperate urge to keep them talking hits me. I was enjoying my solitude just a second ago, wasn’t I?
“I was mostly calling to ask if you wanted to come in tomorrow around eight. The police have cleared out, and we have some cleanup to do before we can open again. Kind of an all hands on deck thing.”
“Yes, sir, of course.” I don’t hesitate to agree.
If Trevor asked me for a kidney, I would fall all over myself to give it to him. I am not healthy when it comes to him. Plus, to get out of my apartment and speak to real people?
That sounded horrible ten minutes ago. Why is it so appealing now? Maybe all this peace and quiet has just been me rattling around like a lonely ghost.
I can’t resist asking in a sweet, loud voice, “But, at eight in the morning or night?”
“Of course in the morning,” Max sounds so frustrated that I have to laugh. He’s surprisingly easy to rile up. “And unblock my number.”
I’m still laughing when he hangs up.