Part 15 (1/2)
”I don't know, man. Maybe. I do know that you're a s.h.i.+tty liar, though. So, really, you can consider this me giving you a second chance.”
I said nothing.
”Up to you,” he said. ”Just remember, if I feel worried, I might have to go to the police myself, first. I don't want to have to do that, but look. It's one way or the other. Hey, here comes the bride.”
”Good evening,” Alma said. Her hair was damp. ”Shall we eat?”
”For sure,” Eric said. ”I'm starved.”
”HE EXHAUSTS ME.”
Alma groaned as she sank into the sofa. I was standing near the entry hall, having just closed the door on Eric. He had winked at me again on the way out, and my mind was still spasming.
Tell her.
It would be so easy.
Speak up.
Use words.
”You have disobeyed me,” she said.
I looked at her.
”Your shoes.”
I looked down at my loafers, much the worse for wear.
”For shame, Mr. Geist. One thing I ask of you before I die. I gave you that money for a specific purpose; did you think I would forget?”
”I'm ...”
Tell her.
”I'm still looking for the right pair.”
”Well, do find them, or else I shall think you ungrateful.” She s.h.i.+fted with discomfort. ”Forgive me for noting that you seem a tad anxious today.”
Tell her.
I shrugged.
”I imagine that it has to do with your imminent return home.”
I'd forgotten all about my trip.
”I don't have to go,” I said. ”I can cancel.”
She raised her eyebrows.
Tell her.
”I don't want to go,” I said. ”It's going to be depressing.”
”A little angst is good for the soul.”
”But,” I said. ”But who's going to look after you?”
”As I have said, I managed very well without you for years, and I shall continue to do so in your temporary absence. Dr. Cargill is due Monday. I expect that I shall survive until then.”
Tell her.
”But what if something happens to you?”
”What in the world would happen to me?”
Tell her now.
”Anything could happen,” I said.
”You would s.h.i.+eld me from the Apocalypse, then?”
”I-”
”You are expecting a typhoon.”
”I can't leave when you're ... like this.”
She frowned. ”I shall elect to let that pa.s.s without rejoinder.”
”Don't. Let's be honest. Isn't that what you want from me? Honesty? Well, I'm being honest, and honestly, I'm worried about you. You're not well.”
”Surely you do not believe this to be a new development.”
”You know what, I'm going to call and cancel. It's far, and I'm not in the mood to get on a plane.... I'm going to call her right now.”
”You will do no such thing.”
”It's really fine.”
”It may be fine with you,” she said, ”but it is not fine with me.”
Tell her.
”But I don't want to go.”
”Rubbish.”