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Maybe he forgot. No, he was insistent on meeting here at seven. Made it a point to tell me several times. I doubt he forgot. Maybe he fell asleep? I’ll give him ten more minutes. If he isn’t here by then, I’ll go find him.
Ten minutes come and go, and he’s still not here. I make my way back down the walk and stand in front of his cot
tage. I can hear muffled noises coming from inside. I knock on the door and wait. Nothing. I knock again, this time with a little more vigor. A blonde bimbo comes to the door and opens it part way.
“Yeah?” she slurs. Wow, I think the door is holding her up.
“Um . . . is Chase here?”
“Nope.” Umm . . . okay. It seems she has an extensive vocabulary. Someone comes from behind her and opens the door wider. It’s a young dark haired guy, one of Chase’s friends from college that is staying there with him.
“Can I help you?” At least he’s cordial. Blonde bimbo stumbles back inside.
“I’m looking for Chase,” I say.
“He left about an hour ago, had to go back to the mainland for something. Are you Olivia?”
“Umm . . . yes.” I stutter.
“He told me to tell you if you came by that he was sorry and that he’ll make it up to you.”
“Oh, okay. Could you please tell him that I was here?”
“Sure, but I don’t think he’s going to be back tonight.” His tone is reticent, almost like he’s hiding something. He turns and closes the door. I just stand there speechless. I wonder what is so important that Chase needed to go back to the mainland this time of night. I head back to my cottage to sulk.
“I thought you were going to the Casino?” Brenda asks puzzled.
“I thought so too; although, it’s just as well. It’s karaoke night.” I am quite irritated.
“Ugh, no thanks,” Brenda agrees with me. “So what happened?”
“Chase went back to the mainland for something.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. But I think his roommate knows more than he let on. It seemed like he was hiding something.”
“They probably ran out of expensive wine or something,” she quips.
“Brenda! Be nice,” I scold. “I don’t know. My gut tells me there is more to this story.”
“Doesn’t he have your cell number?”
“No, I never got around to giving it to him. I mean, we were right next door from each other. I could have yelled from here, and he would have heard me.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find out tomorrow.”
“I guess so.” But I’m not so sure.
“I was just about to pick out a movie. Why don’t you go and make some popcorn,” she suggests.
I head over to the kitchen, grab the popcorn bag, and toss it in the microwave. I think of all of the possible reasons that could be important enough for him to stand me up and go back to the mainland. I’m at a loss. I don’t know Chase well enough to have any idea why he needed to go back. I decide to put it out of my head for now and not dwell.
I find a bowl for the popcorn just as the microwave dings. With the popcorn in the bowl, I pour a glass of pinot grigio and head back into the living room.
“What are you in the mood for?” Brenda asks.
“I don’t care, just no tear jerkers. Not tonight.”
