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Then I considered the note might contain something embarrassing, like photo blackmail of me wearing a bucket hat and braces in the fourth grade. Or someonehad a telescope lens and captured an image of me in my apartment wearing bathrobe belt braids.
“Thanks, Rachel. I’ll come see you next week, I promise.”
She seemed disappointed but nodded and left. “See you then, Katie! Drive safe.”
I closed the door and slid to the floor, ravishing the envelope open. Inside was a small invitation card with calligraphy writing.
Your presence is requested tonight, April 25th, in the year of our Lord 2023, at 5:30 pm at the finest Bark Park.
We do hope to see you there, Ms. Katie and Dolly.
No return address, no hint of who sent it, and the worst part… now I wascurious.
I felt horrible that I wouldn’t be there tonight, but I was hitting the road, and they didn’t leave any contact information. Also, I was not about to walk into a den of murderers. So, while I find this sort of charming as I’m easily impressed (though treacherously jaded), I didn’t do the wholeanonymousthing.
My bags were still sitting at the door. This note made me feel like I was being watched. I grabbed my keys, the bags, and told Dolly I’d be right back.
“If I’m not back in five minutes, Dolly, make sure they use the right picture for my Dateline special.”
I stepped out my door and spun around, locking it behind me. Looking both ways was moot, considering to the left was a concrete wall. I still gave it a solid once-over and ran to my car with the finesse usually only seen in a three-legged jaguar.
Using my key fob to unlock the car, I hit the button twice and then struggled to open the back door. I was in the middle of sliding my luggage all onto one arm, sufficiently cutting off all circulation, when someone said my name right behind me. I let out a shrill scream for the ages. No one was touching me, and I wasn’tbeing attacked, but I blamed the cryptic note and years of my mother telling me to be afraid, be veryafraid.If the police weren’t on their way after that call of the wild, I’d be horrified. It was all I could do to not wet my pants.At least I have 37 pairs packed.
“I’m so sorry to scare you, Katie.”
It was none other than Eli.
As I turned to face him, he was holding a bouquet of beautiful blooms in varying shades. There were so many flowers; in fact, a bee landed on one. My neighbors hustled outside, one of them still in her bathrobe, rubbing her eyes. I must've awakened her, but instead of asking for help, she fumbled to get into her chair to watch.
There wasn’t too far to go from screaming like a banshee when the only threat at this moment was a bee sting.
“Hi, Katie. I hope you are alright.”
I looked at the flowers, imagining Carolyn lighting up when he handed them over. “I’m alright, thanks.”
“Are you going somewhere?”
Never let people know when you're leaving town,a top rule from my upbringing which was also hilarious because we never, ever,ever, went anywhere. Mainly because my parents were homebodies to the point where I’d consider them shut ins. Not only did they travel in a five-mile radius and only because there’s a good thrift store that benefits animal rescue at the edge of this radius, but also, they lived with all their windows covered with curtains for the last eighteen years.
“Ye-no, not really, I mean—”
Ugh, do I lie and commit sin, or do I announce to my entire complex I will be going out of town if anyone wants to stop by and loot?
“I’m going to see my mom, but I’ll be back soon.”
There you go, vague, direct, not misleading but also aloof. I could use a little more mystery anyway.Thou shall not lie.
“That sounds fun. You’ll have to ask her if she’s following the Crane trial.”
“She sure is. It’s all she could talk about last week.”
“I’m about to see my mom, too. It’s her birthday.”
I felt relief wash over me when I realized the flowers were not for Carolyn.
“She will love the flowers. Lilies are my favorite.”
“These are so strongly scented. I hope she doesn’t find them overpowering.” He motioned to the bouquet, and I couldn’t help myself. I leaned in to smell them, but the longer I breathed in the intoxicating scent, the closer I found myself getting, and I’d forgotten I was holding up the hatchback of my SUV. When my hand wasn’t pressing on it anymore, it swung open hard and fast, nearly knocking me out in the process. I fell sideways, the duffel back padding my fall.
