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Not that there would be a next time.
I was startled by a knock at my door. I didn’t want to see anyone, but I was curious to see who it was and what they wanted. I wasn’t one to have visitors, and I hadn’t talked to Erin lately, so she didn’t know about the attack yet.
I had to admit, when I realized it was Kim standing outside, I wasn’t that surprised that she came to check on me when she hadn’t seen me out and about for a couple days. She had become a fast friend.
“Good morning,” she beamed with a warm smile once I opened the door. “I wasn’t sure if you’d answer, but I’m glad you did.”
“Good morning,” I said. “I wasn’t going to until I saw it was you, then I figured I wouldn’t pass up the chance to get to see a friend. How are you?”
“Worried about you,” she told me.
“Why don’t you come on in?” I asked as I took a step to the side, letting her through the door. “I’m fine. Just haven’t really felt like going out for the past couple of days.”
“Or playing your guitar?” she asked.
I didn’t say anything, not sure how to tell her what happened. But then she put up her hand.
“I already know,” she said. “I ran into Gavin, and he told me about the incident.”
“He did?” I asked, slightly angry at the news. “I didn’t take him for a gossip.”
“I think he’s more concerned for you than gossiping about you,” Kim said. “And he wanted me to keep an eye out for anyone who looked like the guy who attacked you and to call the police if I saw him around here. I hope you called.”
“I didn’t,” I said. “I just kind of want the whole thing to go away.”
“That’s understandable,” Kim said. “But when he told me you had been attacked like that, then I didn’t see you that day or yesterday, I figured I would stop by and see how things were going. If there is anything I can do for you that will help you feel more secure here, you let me know, okay?”
“Thank you, but it’s not here that’s the issue,” I assured her. “I don’t feel afraid he’s going to come here or anything. It’s more that I’m annoyed with the entire situation, and more than that, I’m upset with the fact he broke my guitar. I know it’s like talking out of both sides of my mouth to say that I want him to be held accountable then not call the police, but I guess I’m more pissed off with the fact that he broke my guitar, and nothing came of it than anything.”
“I’m pissed for you, too,” Kim told me. “I can only imagine how you feel being the one who was his target. I can tell you one thing, if there is any sign of him around here, I’m making sure he knows he’s not welcome. And I’m sorry about your guitar. You are more than welcome to come play any of the instruments at the clubhouse any time you’d like.”
“I appreciate that,” I said. “Really, I do. It’s just that, I don’t know. I get really attached to the guitar I’m playing. It became a friend to me in a way, and the fact that mine is gone, well, it’s like I lost a good friend. And I’m not sure how I’m going to make it to those gigs I said I would play without one, either.”
“You can use one from the clubhouse,” she said. “If that helps.”
“I might have to, I guess,” I admitted. “And save up for a new one of my own that way.”
“Sure,” she said. “It would be a way you could get back on your feet.”
I nodded. I wanted to point out all the money I would be making from the hotels and bars I was scheduled to play would be going to rent, but I didn’t want to complain about that with her being my landlord. I didn’t want her to feel like I was asking her for charity or for a free ride here.
I would pay my rent just like everyone else. Even if it meant I would have to go for a while without a guitar of my own. I could survive.
“Well, I’m glad to see you’re okay. I was getting a little worried about you without seeing you for a couple of days and knowing what you went through. You have my phone number, so you text me or call me if you need anything, okay?” she asked.
“I will,” I said. “I’ll make sure to text you on Friday and let you know I need to be let into the clubhouse to get the guitar from you so I can play that night. Maybe you can let me in there in the morning so I have some time to practice before playing the gig?”
“Of course,” she said. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Thank you,” I told her. I walked her back to the door, and she gave me a hug before leaving.
“You take care now,” she said. “And I mean it. If there is anything at all we can do for you, let me know.”
“I will,” I promised. “Thank you.”
She left, and I sighed. I was grateful to have her in my life, and I felt less alone than I had before she stopped by, but there was only so much she could do for me. I was still shaken from the attack, even though a couple of days had passed since then.
And I was a little bothered with knowing that Gavin had told her about it. I didn’t mind that she knew, but I worried he was out telling the whole town, and everyone there would think that I was some helpless damsel in distress that had to be taken care of when I wasn’t that at all. I wanted to be viewed as the strong, capable woman I was, not as someone who had to be saved and protected.
