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Her stepmother mutters, “No meddling.”
“I’m just curious.”
“I should bring my kids here,” Landry announces. “How big are your sandwiches?”
“I can make them child sized.”
When Landry smiles warmly, I settle down. Yet, I get the feeling Wynonna wants to start trouble with me. She’s oozing a weird energy.
Mostly, I sense she wants to tell me something. Maybe she plans to warn me off Tommy. Or order me to stay away from him.
Either way, Wynonna doesn’t speak her concerns. Instead, the women drink their coffees and order sandwiches. They keep the conversation on themselves, allowing me to enjoy their company without feeling on the spot.
During the next hour, I struggle with the urge to ask about Tommy. He’s why they’re here. Wynonna’s clearly editing herself in regards to him. That’s the “meddling” the others keep mentioning.
I recall my fantasy about Tommy showing up to my little house. We can sit outside as he shares about his life. I really should learn the details from him.
The other reason I don’t ask questions is because I’m afraid what they’ll tell me might ruin my fantasy. Tommy is the one dream I still cling to as my days drone on.
After the women leave, I look over my finances. Even with Tommy’s friends showering me with pity business, I can’t survive much longer. My lease has a termination clause. There’ll be a penalty, but it’s cheaper than paying rent for the rest of the contract.
Just before I close, I find myself lingering at the front door. The woods across the road seem like a portal to wherever Tommy goes. I can’t picture him in the world. If others didn’t mention him, I’d think he was a ghost.
I’ve begun to doubt everything now. I don’t know what happens next. Should I cancel my date with Francis when I’m considering walking away from McMurdo Valley?
I stare at the woods and beg Tommy to appear. If he gives me even a few minutes of his time, I’ll have enough hope to keep going.
No one appears. As I give up on Tommy, I lock up the shop and feel myself telling it goodbye.
TOMMY
Over the next few days, McMurdo Valley swallows me up. I lose track of myself and the time. Xenia feels like a fantasy I dreamed up. I can’t even be sure she’s real by the time I arrive at the Pigsty for a shower.
I find several club members on the back deck. Walla Walla is trying to do tai chi. That or he’s acting out a scene from “The Karate Kid.” Either way, he moves really slowly like he’s in no hurry to kick anything.
“This shit is hard,” he finally tells Goose and one of the younger guys, Smokey.
