Chapter 13
Denise
The good news: the pawn shop is open, and the owner confirms someone sold him a watch that matches the description Isaac texted me.
The terrible news: someone else already bought it.
“It was a beautiful piece. The moment I saw it, I knew it wouldn’t last long in my store.”
He’s right. Matt admitted he pawned the watch the day after he stole it. Barely two days later, someone else has already snatched it up. I clutch the edge of the glass countertop that’s also a jewellery display case.
“Do you have any contact information for the person who bought it?”
The owner’s grey, bushy eyebrows draw together as he gives me a look that says you know the answer to that question. I do, but I don’t care. I’m desperate.
“I’m afraid not, my dear. I also can’t give you any information about the seller. If the watch was stolen, you can file a police report—”
“That’s OK. I don’t need to do that.” I live with the seller. “Thanks for your help.”
Panic bubbles inside me as I leave the store. I linger outside, taking deep breaths of the chilly fall air to soothe myself, although the unpleasant smell from the dumpster in the alleyway nearby doesn’t help.
This is bad. Isaac calmly accepted the delay last night, but he’ll be furious all over again when he finds out his watch is gone for good.
What am I going to do?
Only two options left now: I either convince him not to force us to leave tomorrow, or I pack as soon as I get home from work this evening.
I picture myself getting out all the flattened cardboard boxes I saved from the previous move, filling them up with our stuff, dreading the uncertainty of where we’re going to sleep tomorrow night.
The mental image is so uncomfortable, I sweep my hands across my forehead as if I can physically wipe it from my mind.
Option one, then. Except, pleas didn’t work the last time I tried to convince Isaac to show mercy. It still involved my mouth, though. Will I be willing to do that again?
No. I’m going to pay him what the watch is worth, and even offer to help him in some way that doesn’t involve sexual favours.
Sure, the money for the watch doesn’t replace its sentimental value.
Sure, he rejected my offer to help him with whatever he needed the last time.
But at least I’m not showing up totally empty-handed and with bad news about the loss.
But what I definitely won’t do is throw away the last shred of my morals and self-respect by getting on my knees again for him. Even if I didn’t totally hate the experience yesterday. Just like I didn’t hate it last night when he was touching me, or when he pulled me closer to kiss me…
A gust rushes past me, a cold, prickling slap to the face like nature is rebuking me for my dirty thoughts. I shudder and squeeze my arms to my body to preserve some warmth. Ugh. It’s too early for fall to hand the baton over to winter.
I take out my phone and go to the message chain with Isaac.
His last text to me was from this morning, describing the watch.
My fingers hover over the screen’s keyboard.
I don’t know what to say. I’m not ready to give him the bad news yet.
So I put away my phone and head to the nearest coffee shop to grab something quick for lunch.
* * *
After work, I head home. I have the place to myself. Isaac’s car isn’t in his driveway, and Matt’s out on his first shift at his new job. I shower, then tidy up the apartment, pretending everything is normal and there’s no looming threat of homelessness.
I’m lounging in the couch, watching TV, when there’s a knock on the door.
I freeze, then glance at the time on my phone.
Matt said his shift ends at nine. It’s almost nine thirty.
More than once, he’s forgotten his keys, used the spare key under the plant pot outside, and forgotten to put that one back too.
Still, I hesitate because I strongly suspect it’s Isaac. I consider hiding from him but then stand and head up the short flight of stairs to the door.
“I’ve been waiting for an update all day,” Isaac says as soon as we’re face to face. “But I guess your silence tells me everything. You didn’t get the watch.”
The lights from the deck or the one behind me doesn’t quite reach where he’s standing. He’s a tall, intimidating, shadowy shape. Like a demon. Maybe I should go for some salt and sprinkle it by the threshold so he can’t come in and possess me.
“Someone had already bought it by the time I got there,” I say, resigned.
“Were you going to come and tell me this, or were you going to hide from me tonight?”
“I hadn’t made up my mind yet.”
“At least you’re honest.”
I was snuggled up under a thick blanket on the couch while watching TV, but a frigid, passing breeze reminds me I’m only wearing a tank top and shorts. I shudder and rub my arms.
“Matt isn’t home. Do you want to come inside so we can talk?”
Silently, he steps forward, and I move aside to let him enter. Another chilly breeze tries to sneak in. I quickly block it with the door and head back down the stairs.
Isaac sets a paper gift bag on the kitchen peninsula and pushes it toward me. I hadn’t noticed it in his hand, but I recognize the cupcake logo and bakery name on the bag.
“I was in the neighbourhood for work,” he says. “Figured I’d pop in and get it for you.”
I open the bag and pull out a plastic container.
Inside are four golden-brown slices of banana coconut bread.
They’re from a bakery I used to love to visit near his old house.
I haven’t been back there in a long time.
Even through the closed lid, their delicious scent makes me crave a slice.
Instead, I stare at them for a moment before meeting Isaac’s gaze.
“Thank you, Isaac,” I murmur.
Yesterday, Isaac was mean to me right where we’re standing. Today, he’s the sweet guy I’ve always known, bringing me my favourite cake. Guilt swamps me he did it even though I’m partly the reason he lost something precious too.
His expression is unreadable, his stare so focused, I feel self-conscious and look away before I speak.
“I was thinking, I know it’s not the same, but I can pay you what the watch is worth.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to. I want to make this right somehow.”
“You’ve already done a lot for me, Denise,” he says, his tone solemn. “I was pretty hollow after Camille died. I went through the motions, but I wasn’t fully there. I was kind of… floating through life, I guess. Until you anchored me.”
Surprised by his admission, I don’t know what to say. He doesn’t give me a chance either.
“At first, your constant visits annoyed me. I wanted to be left alone, but there you were, showing up every day to check up on me, forcing me to eat properly, harassing me to get rest when I needed it instead of overworking.” He gestures at the cake container.
“And I hated that you always brought that cake. Banana and coconut don’t belong together. ”
“You’re wrong.” I smile. “They’re soulmates.”
“Anyway, after a while, I liked having you around,” he continues.
“I liked the way you’d always show up at my door with a coffee, a smile, and that godawful banana coconut bread.
You’d come in and hug me, then completely miss the shoe rack when you kicked off your shoes.
You’d tell me about some weird dream you had while you wandered about my house putting away things like you lived there. ”
He slowly comes around the peninsula, closing the distance between us. When he speaks, his voice is lower.
“I liked having you around so much, I started to look forward to it. I’d lie awake at night, thinking about how I couldn’t wait until the next day to see you again, hear your voice again, hold you again for those few seconds before you moved on into the house.”
My smile fades, as my eyes widen. Isaac didn’t say the exact words, but there’s no mistaking what he means. He has feelings for me. As I process this shocking realization, he slips his arms around me, pulling me close. A thrill courses through me, flutters in my stomach, my heart beating faster.
No.
This is wrong.
I press my palms against Isaac’s chest and push him back until he releases me.
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to play dirty, but you’ve left me no choice,” he says, a determined gleam in his eyes. “Since I didn’t get back my watch, I’m going to follow through on my promise.”
I tense. “You’re going to make us leave?”
“No. I’m calling the police on Matt.”