Page 18 of Pride

SIX

Fisher

A city of 200,000 people along the coast of Southern California, Oceanside was home for many of the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. The base prepared them for combat, keeping them in a constant state of preparedness for war. While the majority of the enlisted men lived on base, many of the officers lived abroad, in neighborhoods like the one we were in.

The two-story homes were constructed of stucco, fitted with Spanish tile roofs, and painted in earth tones. The neatly manicured lawns were adorned with mature palm trees and colorful shrubs.

It wasn’t Beverly Hills by any means, but from my research, a man needed to spend seven figures to live there. Anna gazed down the length of the block, and then turned to face me.

“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” she asked. “You’ve been gone a long time.”

“I’m sure.”

“He could have moved.”

I lowered the kickstand. “He has. A few times. This is his new place.”

She stepped over the seat and brushed the wrinkles from her jeans. “Is he expecting you?”

“Not exactly.”

“So, it’s a surprise?”

“Of sorts.”

“Why did you park here, and not in the driveway?”

“Because I want him to answer the door.”

“If you parked in the driveway, he wouldn’t answer?”

I stepped off the bike. “Probably not.”

“He’s not a friend, is he?”

“Not exactly. He was, though.”

“Is this going to be one of those times when violence is necessary?”

She wasn’t stupid, that much was certain. As far as my real plans were concerned, I’d kept her in the dark. Making it to the coast was my only objective as far as she knew. The surprise meeting did have the possibility of turning violent, and hiding that from her at this juncture wasn’t something I was willing to do.

“It might become violent.” I folded my arms across my chest. “I was going to ask you if you’d stay here while I went up there.”

“Getting here was your goal all along. I see that now. I’ll remind you that I just rode half-way across the United States on the back of a Harley to get here. I’m sunburnt, covered in bugs, and my legs are numb.” She crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking me. “I’m going with you.”

“Have it your way.” I waved my arm toward the house. “Follow me.”

With her trailing a few steps behind me, we walked up the street, toward his home. As we reached the front porch, I gestured behind me – toward the sidewalk. “You might want to stay down there. Just in case.”

“Does this have to do with whatever happened over there?” she asked. “While you were at war?”

“It’s got to do with a lot of things.”

“But this is why you came here. To the coast?”

“That is correct.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “I’ll wait here. But make me a promise.”