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Old school.
I reminded myself that our being together was a necessity. I hadn’t sought him out to have a good time. He had saved me and Emily. He hadn’t done anything that could be interpreted as a pass at me. In a way, that sort of hurt. I thought I was reasonably attractive. Yet, he had barely glanced at me. I chided myself. I should be very happy he hadn’t hit on me. Since I couldn’t kick him out into a blizzard, things would have become exceedingly awkward. It was far better that he showed no real interest.
Was he gay?
That question raced through my mind. That would explain his behavior and his status in the bank. If he was gay, then I need not feel guilty. There could be no romance between us. Of course, that was the logical explanation. We could enjoy each other’s company without any guilt or fear. Simple and to the point. I pushed him out of my head.
By bedtime, I had received an email from Doak. The bank would be closed for one more day. He instructed me to send out an email to all employees, informing them of the shutdown. That was simple enough. I had an email list that included everyone. It would also forestall all the mail and texts I was bound to receive. The extra day was convenient, as Emily’s school would also be closed. I was learning that blizzards were as messy as hurricanes.
“You’re one lucky girl,” I told Emily over dinner. “No school tomorrow.”
“Yay.”
“I’m sure your teacher will assign homework, so be prepared.”
“I will. When are we going to get our car?”
“Tomorrow, if Codrin remembers.”
“Good. Can I build another snowwoman?”
“Sure. And I guess I should shovel off the drive. It’s supposed to be warmer.”
“I can help.”
“Absolutely.”
That night, after Emily went to sleep, I stood by my bedroom window and admired the white snow under the full moon. There was a serenity in the scene. No headlights or horns or any kind of traffic. Snow and quiet and bright moonlight cast shadows of naked tree limbs. It looked like a painting, perfect and static.
Where was Wayne?
Could he see the full moon?
I hoped he could. There was some sort of power in the moon. There was a promise in the beauty of the snow. Mother nature had given me something to marvel at, and that was a good thing. I believed he was still alive. I believed that he would either escape or be traded back to the states. I believed because I needed to believe. Codrin popped back into my brain. I knew that when I needed someone to talk to, I could call him. That made my waiting a bit more tolerable., and I slept off.
It’s a new day, Emily and I were clearing the drive. Bright sunshine was melting the snow, which was not a great thing. It seemed much heavier when it was wet. I was taking a little break when Sylvester walked up, cat in arms.
“You have to shovel the sidewalk too,” he said.
“I will,” I answered. “As soon as I finish the driveway.”
“It’s a city ordinance. You’ll get a fine if you don’t do it.”
“I hear you. I’ll make sure we clean it off.”
“Because older people need a clear path. When they fall, they break bones.”
“Mine will soon be as clear as yours.”
“I was out early. You should have been early. The snow was lighter.”
“If you don’t mind, I need to get back to work.”
He stepped away as if I was going to bash him with the snow shovel. “Clear. Remember.”
“Trust me, I won’t forget.”
I went back to work, making sure that Sylvester went back to his house. The last thing I needed was someone hectoring me. I had just started on the sidewalk when Codrin drove up in his SUV.
