Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
Cruz
She hasn’t left her house in over a month, except to open the door and bring in the groceries she orders online. I wouldn’t know that, of course, only I installed an exterior camera so I could keep an eye on things when I’m not home.
I’ve been picking things up and leaving them at her door as well based on what I’ve seen her order. I always knock, but she seldom answers, and I’ve seen her ignore Jolie’s attempts as well. I don’t like that she’s self-isolating, but I’m at a definitive loss right now.
We’re not really friends, more friendly acquaintances.
We’re not in a relationship, although if I thought she’d be interested, I would shoot my shot. Well, I would’ve before, but right now, I think that’s the last thing she’s willing to consider.
But I’m glad I decided to put the cameras in, because that prick was arrested then immediately made bail. I don’t want him coming around and harassing her. Thankfully, due to the charges, the judge gave her an emergency restraining order, but honestly, those are usually worthless.
As I sit in my living room, I decide that she needs to at least come outside and get some fresh air.
Decision made, I head into my kitchen and pull out the steaks I’ve had marinating.
It’s time to fire up the grill so I can entice her into joining me.
The few times I’ve caught glimpses of her on my cameras, she’s been so pale I’m worried about her overall health.
“Maybe some asparagus too,” I murmur as I ready the baked potatoes to go into the oven side of my grill.
That’s one of the things I made sure to get out of the storage unit my family got for all my things when I was sent to prison.
Once I was on parole, I went through it and spent quite a bit of time purging shit.
Years spent confined in a ten by ten concrete cell showed me that less was more.
The local non-profit operation that takes donations to help those getting back on their feet was thrilled when I pulled up with my truck and a trailer full of shit.
But I kept my Blackstone grill. That fucker cost me a pretty penny because it’s got all the bells and whistles. I head out onto my back deck and look over. All the plants that Mindy took such good care of are now wilted and some are likely past the point of saving.
Once I have the grill heating up, I walk to my hose house and unwind it so I can reach her porch, turn the water on, then begin watering her plants, plucking the dead leaves off as I go. After I finish, I grin and muse out loud, “Well, y’all were certainly thirsty, weren’t ya?”
My mom, who has a green thumb, taught me a bit about caring for plants and I decide that I’ll take a trip out to the local nursery for some plant food, as well as a few planters since several pots are almost root bound. May as well throw in some soil too, while I’m at it.
“What are you doing?” Mindy asks, her face peering at me through her sliding glass door, which is open just enough for her to speak.
“Watering your plants, babe,” I reply. “They’re looking a bit bedraggled.”
I hear her sigh, then the door opens wider and she steps out. I’m glad I have a poker face because seeing her pale, wan face is concerning. Her hair is a ratted mess, she’s wearing sweats that are at least two sizes too large, and the circles under her eyes are dark and bruised looking.
“Yeah, I haven't been able to get myself back online yet,” she murmurs, her eyes looking over my shoulder.
I hate that she won’t make eye contact with me.
While I logically understand it, it’s as if she’s embarrassed or something and as far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t need to feel that way around me.
She was a victim, plain and simple. I just wish I had been home earlier on that night, so I could’ve stopped it from happening to begin with, but since I can’t change the past, there’s no use in dwelling there.
“Understandable. I’m going to put some steaks on the grill shortly. You’re coming to dinner,” I decree.
“Oh, I am, am I?” she sasses, a bit of the spark she lost coming back.
“Yes, you are. I want to see you eating food for myself, Mindy. You look like a strong wind would blow you away.”
“Haven’t felt all that well this past week or so,” she admits. “Not sure how I caught a bug since I’ve been home for weeks now.”
I shrug. Viruses and shit are airborne, for the most part, so one of the packages she handled could’ve had germs from the shopper or driver on them. Who the hell knows? Still, it explains why she looks so fucking wiped out at least.
“Let me know if you need anything picked up,” I say. “In the meantime, it’ll be about an hour or so before dinner’s ready.”
I don’t say it, but I’m sure the implication is received based on her flush.
I’m letting her know that she’s got time to get cleaned up before we eat.
“Um, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get a brush through my hair, Cruz,” she replies.
“I, uh, yeah, I’ve been doing the bare minimum and that means I haven’t messed with my hair at all. ”
“How are you able to work like that?” I ask. “I know you have those Zoom meetings, right?”
She snickers, but there’s no real mirth behind it. “It’s amazing how a hair clip can make you look put together. That and plenty of concealer, a nice top, and voila! I look presentable.”
“Is there a reason you don’t want to shower, Mindy?” This time, my voice is quieter because I’m genuinely concerned. While I’ll never pass judgment on someone else’s hygiene habits, it’s not healthy to completely forgo soap and water a few times a week, at least.
“I… well, I swear when I get inside my shower, the walls close down around me and I end up with a panic attack,” she says. “Logically, I know my door is locked, the alarm is set, and there’s no way for anyone to get inside, but I can’t think logically when I’m naked in my shower stall.”
Don’t think about her wet and naked in the shower, Cruz, don’t do it! I chastise myself.
“Would it make it easier if I sat in the living room?” I offer.
“It… it might,” she whispers, a look crossing her face that I don’t understand. I won’t push her on it; her secrets are her own.
“Then let’s go do it, and once you’re done, we’ll come out here, I’ll toss the food on the grill, and help you with untangling your hair.” When her brow raises, I grin and say, “Two sisters with long, curly hair. I learned early how to brush it out and I’m pretty good if I say so myself.”
“It all smells so good,” she says as we sit on my deck and I work her brush through her hair.
Even though she used conditioner, and she also brought out a bottle of detangler, it’s taken quite some time to get the majority of her hair brushed. Still, seeing the soft curls that are now drying in the light breeze has me grinning inside because she looks more like herself.
The baked potatoes are nearly done and I took a few minutes to put the asparagus on to grill. Once I’m done with this last section, I’ll get the steaks going, which means every stray animal in our neighborhood will likely be lining up soon.
“It’s gonna smell even better once I get the steaks on, Mindy,” I reply. “Used my mom’s special marinade and they’ve been in it since last night.” I hear her stomach growl and chuckle when mine answers.
“Seems we’re both hungry, huh?” she teases.
“Looks that way,” I admit. One last brush has me sitting back with a satisfied sigh. “And… you’re done, but you might wanna go check and make sure your part is okay.”
Her giggle has me smiling down at her. Right now, she sounds carefree, like she was before that night. It’s my hope that she’ll eventually have more good days than bad, but I know from talking to my sister that it’s going to be a process.
“Slow and steady wins the race, Cruzzy Boozy.” Serena’s voice whispers in my head, despite the temptation to once again roll my eyes at her childhood nickname for me. I swear to God I’ll be an old man and she’ll still call me that even though I threaten to tickle her to death.
Serena and Sadie are my older sisters, not by much, but enough that they try to mother me at times. Still, growing up, they were two of my closest confidants and companions, and when everything went down for me, they had my back.
Hell, most of my coworkers did as well, but for the prosecution, it was a slam dunk. It was my ID badge that was used and regardless of the fact that I had proof I was out of town, I was convicted.
“Then let me go do that so you can focus on the steaks,” she replies, bringing me out of my reverie.
“Thanks again for dinner, Cruz,” she says while standing at her sliding glass door, shuffling her feet. “It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome, Mindy. We’ll do it again, okay?”
She isn’t as shrunken as she was when she first came out, and there’s now color to her face.
I’d like to think it was the combination of the fresh air, good food, and all the stories I told her about growing up with my sisters.
She laughed so hard a few times that she had tears rolling down her face.
Of course, she shared stories of her and Jolie, as well as her brother and Dex growing up.
Her giggles still ring in my ears at some of the things she and her friend have gotten into over the years.
I think I need to buy Dex and Brock a case of their favorite beer for putting up with their respective sisters, because I know what I endured growing up with mine.
“I’d like that, but maybe I can cook next time?” she asks.
“You’re the total package, huh?” I tease. “Beautiful, talented, and you can cook?”
She scoffs then a funny look crosses her face before she says, “Thanks again, I need to head inside.”
“Good night. Be sure to lock up,” I reply.
“Will do. See you soon.”
With that, she quickly steps inside her place and I hear the lock engage. Sighing, I check to make sure the grill is completely cooled, then grab the last of the stuff from dinner and carry it inside. Now to find something to watch, I guess, while I replay the events of the night.
Slow and steady wins the race, Cruzzy Boozy.