I awoke the following morning with a serious backache. Theo had once again taken up most of my queen-size bed. I really was going to have to teach him to sleep in his own bed. I'm sure Betty would never have put up with it. I rolled into a sitting position and rubbed the area giving me the most grief. All the movement obviously suggested to Theo it was breakfast time.
I watched as he stood up, took two steps, stretched his front legs out—butt in the air—and groaned. Finishing his stretch, he stood back up and shook himself. That was it. He was now ready for the day. Gee, I wish I could get ready that quickly, I thought, catching sight of myself in the mirror. It would take me at least half an hour and a hot shower before I could be seen by other humans.
I was just wrapping a towel closer around my body, when I heard a pounding on the front door. I looked towards Theo who was running to the stairs, tail wagging. Oh well, at least it was someone friendly. How Theo could tell that from the way they knocked had me beat though.
Following him, I walked down the stairs and peered through the opaque glass door panels. Judging by the size of the silhouette, I guessed it to be Isaac. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Is that you, Isaac?" I called out.
"Yes. Are you going to let me in or must I stand out here in the rain all morning?" He didn't sound very happy. I unlocked the door and let him in.
"Oh my God! You're not even dressed yet!" he squealed.
"Yeah, well, it won't take me long. Anyway, you're early so what did you expect?" Last night I had agreed to go with Isaac to visit his grandmother. I don't know why. I'd met his grandma before, and let me tell you, it was not a pleasant experience. "Just get inside would you, so I can close the door. God, if any of my neighbors walk past I'll give them a heart attack." I thought about last night and the creepy moment I had in the backyard.
"Hurry up and get dressed. I'll feed Theo and give him a brush. He needs to look his best today," said Isaac, finally smiling as he bent to pick up Theo.
"He's coming with us?"
"Of course he is. He'll distract her, and she'll leave me alone."
It took me a lot longer than normal to get ready. For a start, Isaac's grandma was very picky, so I needed to make sure I wore something she could find no fault with. I soon realized I owned nothing of the sort. I settled on my pretty, floral silk dress that stopped at my knee and slipped on my slinky patent heels.
The rain that had started during the night had just stopped. I knew it wouldn't be too long before it turned humid. Just what I needed. Fixing my hair and applying just the right amount of makeup so I looked my best, but not too overdone, I walked down the stairs and was greeted with Theo all dressed up in a bow tie and top hat. I stopped dead in my tracks.
"You've got to be joking?" I asked, my mouth hanging open. "Where the hell did you get that?"
"I bought it for him last week," smiled Isaac, obviously very pleased with himself.
"Why?"
"So he'd look nice for today."
"But why did you buy it for him last week if you only asked me last night to go with you?" I watched as Isaac's ears turned pink. I stood, hands on hips looking up at him with my most stern expression.
"I'm sorry, Chloe. I knew you wouldn't come if I gave you enough time to find an excuse."
I watched Isaac's face sink as his smile disappeared. That was so unfair. He knew all he had to do was put on his sad face, and I'd be putty in his hands. I rolled my eyes and let out a very big breath.
"Fine, but take that ridiculous thing off him or I'll change my mind."
"Can we at least keep the bow tie?" said Isaac, scooping Theo up in his arms. "He just looks so adorable in it."
"Whatever," I huffed, following Isaac to the front door.
Stepping outside, I turned the lock behind me and slammed the door shut. I expected Isaac to turn left and head up the street towards his car, but instead he moved and stood next to mine.
"Where's your car?" I asked.
"It's blocked in. The idiot up the road parked his truck right up my bumper, so I can't get out."
"Again? You know, if you didn't park so close to the car in front of you that wouldn't happen."
I searched the bottom of my bag for my keys and sighed. I stopped at my neighbors' wall, put my bag on it, and started to pull things out. I had this really weird feeling creeping up my spine, like someone was watching me. I stopped what I was doing and looked around. Isaac was holding onto Theo, muttering to him about how he needed to be a very good boy today, and no one else seemed to be in the street. Shaking my head, I turned back to my bag and continued my search. I really needed a bigger bag. Either that or I needed a cleanout.
Finally finding what I was looking for, I threw everything back in and moved to my car. Beeping it open, I walked around to the driver's door and happened to look up before getting behind the wheel.
Standing very still in their upstairs window was my neighbor Rick. Watching me.
* * *
The visit was actually bearable. And only once did I get a lecture from Isaac's grandmother. She didn't think I was a very responsible pet owner when I informed her I didn't know Theo's heritage. I thought I'd redeemed myself when I explained that I had had him microchipped, but that backfired when she then gave me a fifteen minute monologue about her dying friend who used his dog's microchip to store a safe combination. Apparently, his wife had Alzheimer's. He was worried she would never remember the combination, and he didn't trust the children with it. Didn't sound like a very functional family if you asked me, but I chose to keep that opinion to myself.
Thankfully, the visit did end, but it was almost four o'clock by the time we merrily waved goodbye. Even the ever-patient Theo had had enough.
I didn't even look in my rear vision mirror as I sped out the drive and headed for the highway to freedom. I looked at Isaac as I heard a very loud, satisfied sigh.
"Thank God that's over."
"Yeah, tell me again why I had to go?" I asked.
"Because you love me. Turn left here."
"What? This isn't the way we came?"
"I know. It's a short cut."
"Then why didn't we come this way?"
"Because I didn't want to get there any faster than necessary."
"Good call." I smiled and turned as directed.
I'd never been this way before, but it was much more picturesque than the other route. Before too long we were driving past green fields filled with trees, and I felt my soul relax.
Unfortunately, my relaxed mood didn't last long. I gasped in horror as my car coughed and spluttered and eventually conked out right in the middle of the road. Crap.
"What are you doing?" Isaac asked, panic straining his voice.
"I'm not doing anything," I snapped. "It's not working." A few cars passed me, very impolitely honking their horns as they did so. I stared in horror as Ravel—that's my nickname for her—slowly rolled to a stop, the sound of Isaac's breathing replacing the sound of her motor.
"Does it have fuel?" he asked. I discreetly checked the gauge.
"Of course it does! Do you think I'm that stupid?"
"Well, you can't stop here!" Isaac's voice got higher by the second.
"Then I suggest you get out and push," I huffed. The look on Isaac's face was priceless.
"I cannot push a car!"
"Of course you can. You're big and strong. Anyway, you don't have to push it far. Just off the road." I gestured to the grass running along the roadside. "Come on, Isaac."
"No. I am not pushing. It's your car. You push."
I let out a sigh.
"Whatever," I snapped. "Get around here and steer then, will you?" I barked, kicked off my shoes, opened my door, and stomped towards the back of the car. Isaac decided to walk around the front. He probably saw the look on my face and maybe thought his life was in danger. Waiting until I felt the suspension drop as Isaac took the driver's seat, I called out, "Ready?"
"Yes. Start pushing."
I looked at the road ahead, grateful that I hadn't stopped on an uphill slope. I put both my hands on the vehicle and pushed. It didn't move. I turned, using my back and all my body weight to see if that would move it. Thankfully, inch-by-inch, it started to move. I knew there was a reason I hadn't started my diet.
My legs burned as I leaned against the car with all the force I could muster, and as it started to move, I picked up the pace. Spinning around, I used my hands again as the effort got easier the faster we went.
Hang on a minute. We were only moving it to the edge of the road. Why was I almost sprinting? I stopped running and tried to call to Isaac. Unfortunately, as I was very unfit, I had to drop my hands to my knees and double at the waist, desperately dragging air into my lungs before I could even think about shouting. As I watched the rear brake lights come on, Isaac pulled the car to a stop and got out.
"What's wrong? Why did you stop pushing?"
"Where—" I dragged in a breath. "Were…you…going?" I rasped.
"Well, there's a really good parking spot just up the road," said Isaac, pointing to where the roadside was slightly wider.
I honestly didn't care if my car was parked in a narrower spot. I glared at Isaac. "You've got to be kidding?" I spat, attempting to stand upright.
"Safety first, Chloe. How dangerous is it to be stopped here?" he asked, pointing as a truck zoomed past, blasting its horn.
"Probably safer than stopped in the middle of the road!"
My patience was at an all-time low. Today had turned out to be really humid, and sweat dripped down the side of my face and down my neck, where it pooled with the sweat that broke out between my breasts. I felt the silk skirt of my dress cling to my thighs.
"Well, there's no need to shout," huffed Isaac. "I was only thinking of you. It is your car after all, but if you don't care that it's left in an area that's not safe, then why should I care?"
Isaac opened the driver's door, climbed in, and slammed it shut. I stood up, my arms hanging at my sides, my mouth open. Sometimes I could smother him.
It took another few minutes to get Ravel moving again, but thankfully Isaac just pulled it to the side of the road.
"Now what?" he asked, glaring at me.
"I guess I could call Sam to come and pick us up," I reached into the back seat, grabbed my bag, and started the usual routine of pulling everything out in an attempt to find my phone.
"I can't find my phone. Ring it will you, Isaac?" I waited as he dialed my number, but after a few seconds, he looked at the screen with a puzzled look on his face.
"I have no signal."
"Well, if you don't, then I don't either. You have a better service provider than I do." I leaned back against the car and looked up the road.
"I know what you're thinking," snapped Isaac. "And we are not walking it! It's far too hot, and look at those clouds. Another storm is definitely brewing." He was right, but what other choice did we have? No car, no phone signal, and no one even slowing down to help us. I grabbed my shoes, Theo's leash, my bag, and locked the doors behind me.
"Well then, when I get home, I'll call you a cab," I said, walking away from him. He must have not liked the idea of staying out there alone. Within seconds, he walked beside me.
Had I known about our walk today, I would have worn different shoes. Patent leather heels looked incredible and made my legs look better than any other shoes I owned, but they were made for just that. Looking good. They were not made for the ten-mile walk we were about to undertake. Five minutes into our walk, the only one who seemed to be enjoying it was Theo, trotting along, head held high, and his tongue hanging out.
Well, that's because he's not wearing these bloody shoes, I thought.
We walked in silence for the next twenty minutes, and if I was sweating before, now I was drowning. My hair was stuck to my face, my skirt clung to me even more inappropriately, and blisters had broken out on my heels. I had tried to walk barefoot, but the ground was so hot I burnt the soles of my feet. I looked at Isaac, his lovely, blue shirt now a much darker shade. Another ten minutes and he'd be able to wring it out.
"Have you checked that signal strength yet?" I asked.
"Of course, only every five seconds."
"I was only asking."
"Is Theo okay?"
I looked down at Theo. His tongue hung so far out his mouth, it almost touched the ground. I bent down to pick him up. Great, now I had a fur coat warming me up even more—just what I needed.
"I think we can take a short cut through this field," suggested Isaac. I looked at where he pointed and then back up the road again.
"Well, how much further do we have to go?" I asked, hoping we were just around the corner from home, but knowing we were miles away.
"We're nowhere near home, but I'm pretty sure if we cut across this field it will take us to the river, and then we can follow it into town. After that, it's a short walk up Nelson Road and we're there."
"Surely we'll have a signal before then?" I asked hopefully.
* * *
No, we didn't get a signal, but we did find Brody. Or should I say he found us. By then though, my hair was frizzy, my makeup had run, my shoes were ruined, and my feet were killing me. Life could really be so unfair. He pulled his SUV alongside us and wound his window down. The air conditioning poured out to us.
"Hi, guys!" He smiled, looking between Isaac and I. "What are you doing?"
I couldn't answer him. I just stood close to his window and sucked in the cold air. Theo, who'd been carried most of the way, felt differently though. His tail wagged, and he wiggled his body so much in his attempt to get to Brody, I almost dropped him. Brody laughed.
"Chloe forgot to fill her car with fuel and it broke down leaving us stranded," scowled Isaac.
"I did not! I had at least a quarter of a tank left."
Isaac looked at me and rolled his eyes. Honestly, I could murder him some days.
"Where did you leave it?" asked Brody. "I can go and take a look at it if you like. I'm no expert on mechanics, but I can try to get it going."
"Thanks. That would be great," I said smiling at him.
"Get in," he said, nodding his head towards the passenger doors.
"Shotgun!" called Isaac. Bugger. Not only would he get the full force of the air conditioning, he also got to sit next to Brody. I resentfully climbed into the back.
"I just need to stop by home and change first, if that's okay?" explained Brody.
I looked at him and noticed he looked even better than usual. He wore lovely, navy-blue dress pants and a white collared shirt and smelled exceptionally divine. Okay, after spending two hours walking across fields with Isaac, anything would have smelled good, but Brody was a treat to a tired, worn out body.
"Sure, no worries. You can drop Isaac off at the same time." I smiled, knowing that Isaac would much prefer to be sitting here with Brody than sitting at home alone.
In a car it didn't take long to reach home, and whilst Brody went to his house to change, I quickly went to mine to freshen up. Isaac sulked his way to his. Leaving Theo on the couch for a much needed nap, I moved upstairs, gave myself a quick spray of deodorant and perfume, then swapped my shoes for my flat sandals, and touched up my makeup. I felt better already. I walked back outside just as Brody came across the road.
"Ready?" he asked. I noticed he had changed into a pair of old jeans and a black T-shirt. He still looked amazing.
"Yep, always," I replied.
It didn't take long to get back to my car, and I will report that Brody's company was way more enjoyable than Isaac's. Not once did he whine about anything. It was pure bliss.
Unlocking my doors, I reached for the lever and popped open the hood. I stood back and contentedly admired the view as Brody tapped and tightened things I couldn't even name.
"Can you try starting it?" he asked.
I immediately did as asked. I listened as it coughed and spluttered, but unfortunately it did not come back to life. I watched as Brody scratched his head.
"Like I said, I'm no expert, but I think it's a problem with the fuel line. My mate Doug owns a tow truck. I'll see if he can stop by and pick it up. Do you have a mechanic you usually take it to?"
I shook my head. "No. I can't remember the last time I visited a mechanic. My dad usually looks at it for me, but he's on holiday at the moment."
"Well, I can get it taken to the one I use, if you like. He's really good, and I'll get him to give you a good deal," explained Brody, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Damn. No signal," he sighed, throwing it onto his seat. "I'll try again when we get closer to town. I'll see if he can come by later this afternoon and get it. We'll just have to stop at his place and give him the keys," he said, looking to me for agreement.
"Yeah, if you don't mind, that would be great."
We locked up Ravel, got into Brody's SUV, and headed back into town. It took a little bit longer than the trip there as it was now six o'clock, and everyone was on their way home from work. That was fine by me as it meant I got to spend more time with Brody.
I sat contentedly and listened as he told me about his day, making me laugh as he recalled some of the characters he had come into contact with. Only after we had left my keys with Doug did he ask how I had enjoyed Becky's party the night before.
"Oh! It was okay," I shrugged.
"You left pretty early."
"Yeah, well, I just wasn't in the partying mood, that's all." I sighed as Brody turned into our street.
"I'm actually glad I bumped into you today." He smiled shyly. "I was going to come over and see you anyway. I wanted to ask you something." I looked at him as he pulled up to the curb outside my house. My heart missed a beat as I saw the vulnerability in his eyes.
"Oh! Umm…okay…sure," I stammered, suddenly breathless.
"Well," Brody looked at the steering wheel, the tips of his ears going slightly pink. "The thing is…I was wondering…umm," he said, unable to look me in the eye.
What a sweetie, I thought. Not only was he the hottest man I had ever met, but he was shy too. My heart melted as I looked at him.
"I'm taking Becky out on a date and wanted to take her flowers. I thought since you're her friend, you'd know what her favorites were." He smiled, finally looking back up at me.
The jolt to my stomach hurt. I looked away, pretending to fiddle with the door lock, as I willed the tears stinging my eyes to leave. Of course, he was asking me about Becky. I felt the familiar roll of jealousy turn my stomach, but this time it seemed more painful than normal.
"Oh. Her favorites are lilies. White lilies," I lied. She hated lilies. They reminded her of funerals, but at that moment I couldn't help myself. Sometimes the Devil jumped off my shoulder and right into my mouth. I pushed the door open and stepped outside the vehicle.
"Okay, thanks," he replied, opening his door and stumbling after me, a confused look on his face. "Well, they should be easy to find."
"Yep, real easy," I said, hurriedly walking to my front door. I fumbled with the key in the lock and managed to get it open, Brody stopping behind me. "Have a good night, and thanks for your help today."
I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I could see his silhouette through the frosted glass on my front door and watched as he stayed there for a moment before he turned and left. I heard the gate slam shut. Only then did I bury my head in Theo's fur and allow myself some indulgent tears.