Chapter 26
Riva was just bringing Kitty’s breakfast tray downstairs, trying to block out her complaints about “soggy toast and cold coffee,” when she heard the doorbell.
It’d been ten long days since Kitty’s injury, and her ankle was no longer swollen.
Riva was certain her contrary tenant should be mobile by now.
Laurel claimed she’d seen her getting around without crutches, but Kitty still claimed to be in pain.
Each of Riva’s attempts to bring up the topic of moving on were met with hostility and resistance.
The doorbell rang again, and Riva set down the tray to answer her persistent guest. But she didn’t recognize the man standing on her doorstep.
He wore a faded Dodger’s cap, a deep tan, and a nervous-looking smile.
She opened the door, and he asked if Kitty was home.
Riva studied him closely. “May I ask who wants to know?”
“I’m Danny, Kitty’s ex, and I, uh, I know she rents a room here. Mazy at the salon told me.”
“Oh?” Riva realized that other than Kitty, she was home alone right now.
Windy and Laurel were on a grocery run and Fiona was at work.
And based on what Kitty had said about Danny, she didn’t know what to do.
Was this man truly dangerous? “Well, Kitty is laid up with a sprained ankle at the moment, and she’s .
. . um, not taking visitors. Sorry.” She started to close the door, but he blocked it with his heavy work boot.
“Please, wait,” he insisted. “Can I talk to you?”
“Me?” She peeked through the opening, gripping the door handle.
“Just a few minutes. Please?”
His expression and tone didn’t sound aggressive or threatening, just insistent, so she stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her before folding her arms in front of her. “Yes?”
“I apologize for showing up like this,” Danny started, “but I’m concerned about Kitty.”
Riva waved to her neighbor, who was edging his lawn, then went over to the porch rockers. “Care to sit?”
“Thank you.” He sat, removing his cap.
“So what can I do for you?”
Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and a forlorn expression, he shook his head. “I know I made loads of mistakes with Kitty, and we were both drinking way too much when we were married, but I never quit loving her.”
Riva didn’t know what to say. Why was he telling her this?
“I really want to talk to her. I think she needs me . . . but she’s too proud to admit it. I want her to know I’ve changed my ways.” He twisted his cap in his hands. “I’ve been on the wagon. Regularly attending AA. Sober for more’n a year.” He looked at her with clear blue eyes.
“That’s great. I’m sure Kitty will be glad to hear it.” Riva was confused. Hadn’t Kitty claimed her ex was a threat? Wasn’t she hiding out from him? And yet he seemed polite and decent, even rather nice. “Can you clarify something for me, Danny?”
“What’s that?”
“You were Kitty’s first husband, right?”
“Yes.” His eyes darkened. “Her second husband was a real piece of work.”
“Kitty mentioned that.” She scrutinized this guy. Was he playing her?
“When Kitty and me first got married, things were great, but we both got into partying a little too much and, well, things unraveled. But Kitty got a good divorce settlement from me. Unfortunately, from what I hear, she’s blown right through it and is about to lose the salon too.
I’ve been trying to connect with her for weeks, but she just keeps slipping through my fingers. ”
“Why do you want to connect with her?”
“I guess I feel kinda guilty.”
This surprised Riva. “Guilty for what?”
“I’m the one who got her into partying and drinking in the first place. According to what I’ve learned in AA, I need to take responsibility for that. I need to apologize.”
“Why not just write her a letter?” She studied him closely as he continued to crumble his cap with his hands.
“I guess, in a way, I still love her. At least, who she used to be. And I feel sorry for her. I mean, her life is a real mess. Besides being on the brink of losing the salon, she lost her apartment and can’t even drive.”
Riva raised her eyebrows. “She can’t drive?”
“She didn’t tell you about all her DUIs? That her license is revoked?”
“So that’s why she walks.” Riva sighed.
Danny nodded. “Mazy thinks her car was repossessed too. It’s a real mess.”
“So, is she totally broke?” Riva shook her head.
“Worse than broke. She’s underwater on her bills. Mazy says the salon might not even have water and electricity by next month. Not that it should matter since they’ve lost so many clients. They can’t make enough to keep the doors open.”
“And Kitty’s missed work for over a week now. That can’t help.” Riva sighed as she imagined being stuck with Kitty indefinitely. “You say you want to help her. May I ask how?”
“I’d like to talk to her. I know it’s a long shot, but I’ve wondered about us getting back together.
I inherited a place out of town. My parents’ old farm.
It’s a little rundown, but it’s quiet and peaceful.
I think she could be happy there. It’s a good place to get sober.
That is, if she’s willing to stop drinking. That’s my one condition.”
“That sounds like a good condition. I do think Kitty could have a drinking problem.”
“Yeah, Mazy said the same thing. Kitty was drinking at work and after work and just getting out of control.”
Riva nodded.
Danny looked up at her. “So if you could help me, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Help you how?”
“Just talk to her, tell her I was here, ask her to see me.”
Riva stood. “Okay. I guess I can do that. But don’t expect a miracle. Kitty is a pretty stubborn woman.”
Danny smiled. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.” He put his cap on and stood. “I might be crazy, but I still love her.”
They exchanged phone numbers and Riva promised to let him know how it turned out before heading back inside. She picked up the breakfast tray, then remembered Kitty’s bad attitude about the lousy food and service here. She set it back down. It was high time to give Kitty a serious wake-up call.
As Riva knocked on Kitty’s door, she silently prayed, asking for help with what would be a dicey conversation. When Kitty answered, Riva braced herself and went into the room in time to see Kitty scrambling back into bed.
“Looks like you were up,” Riva said. “Good for you.”
“Had to put the shade down. Too much sun in my eyes,” Kitty grumbled.
“Right.” Riva sat on the chair by the bed and explained about their unexpected visitor and some of their conversation. “He wants to help you.”
“Sure, he wants to help me. Right into the poorhouse, he wants to help me.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Just the fact that he’s stopped my alimony.”
“Because you remarried?” Riva waited.
“Yeah, that’s true. But after the divorce, well, Danny kinda stepped up again. I guess he was worried about me. Or maybe he thought we’d get back together. I don’t know. But that all came to an end a few months ago.” Kitty’s eyes grew moist. “I need that money, Riva.”
Riva just nodded. “I’m sure you do.”
“My bills are piling up.” Kitty reached for a Kleenex and dabbed her eyes. “I might even lose my salon.”
“Danny mentioned that too.”
“How does he know?” Kitty growled.
Riva shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is he wants to help you.”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Danny hates me. He’s been stalking me. I know he wants to ruin me. He’s told me enough times. He’d love nothing more than to see me go down.”
“You told me he was dangerous when you moved in here, but he seemed genuinely nice to me. And sober.”
“It’s all an act, Riva. I can’t believe you fell for it. But you’re so gullible, you probably have the deed to the Golden Gate Bridge tucked away somewhere.” She laughed grimly.
Riva decided to ramp up this conversation. “Well, I suppose I was gullible to believe you, Kitty. To trust you and allow you to have a room in my home.”
She pouted. “So are you kicking me out now?”
“No, I’m just trying to talk to you, to help you figure things out. Whether you can admit it or not, you’re in a predicament.”
“Maybe I am. But it’s my predicament.”
“Not completely. It’s my house so that makes it partly mine too.”
“Then throw me out.” Kitty pointed to her foot. “Just toss the poor little injured girl out on the streets. That’ll solve all your problems.”
Riva laughed. “You need a blizzard, a hungry babe in arms, and Fiona playing a tragic tune on her fiddle to make your pathetic image really work.”
Kitty picked up her book, then opened it toward the back. “If Danny comes back again, you have my permission to call the cops.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because he can make a big stinking mess. Especially if he’s drinking.”
“I told you. He’s been sober for a year. He goes to AA.”
“Good for him.” Kitty pursed her lips.
“And he’s inherited some property out of town. His parents’ farm.”
“Lucky Danny. That place is a dump, but I suppose he could sell it.”
“He wants to keep it and fix it up, and he really wants to talk to you.”
“So you’ve said.”
“Look, Kitty, I realize you’re in a tough spot.
And I actually care about you. I’d like to see you get your life on track.
I can tell you’re unhappy, and you admitted you were a mess.
But if you’re not willing to let others help, and I don’t mean by bringing you food and cleaning up after you, well, I’m not sure there’s much more we can do.
Your foot should be healed enough to move out so you can get on with your life. I suppose I should give you notice.”
“Is this supposed to be tough love?” Kitty pouted.
“Yeah, I think so.” Riva stood. “So, what do you want me to tell Danny? I promised him I’d call.”
“Seriously?” Kitty shook the book in the air. “You remind me of Elizabeth Bennett. If you ask me, that woman’s a royal pain, always butting into other people’s business and messing things up. She should fix her own life.”