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“What do you have in this luggage?” I struggled to get Tamar’s bag down the garage steps.
“Sorry, girl. I thought Stephen would be here. I overpack when I don’t fly.”
“That still doesn’t answer the question about what’s in here.” I parked the bag at the bottom of the steps and climbed up to where Tamar was waiting. “And why do you have to pack at all? You own a house in Pine. Don’t you have a wardrobe there?”
“I’m a creature of habit,” she replied. “I like what I like.”
“Well, can you start getting two of what you like. This is ridiculous.” We reentered the house. “You guys need to install an elevator or move to a spot that’s stepless. You’re not going to want to deal with all these steps with a baby.”
Tamar rubbed her belly. “We’ve already decided to buy another house.”
I’d only been kidding. “Really?”
“We’re going to start looking when football season is over.”
“Can I have this one?” I asked, laughing.
Tamar looked around. “I think it’s probably a little big for one person.”
I rolled my neck. “Stephen lived here alone.”
“You got me there. I don’t know. I’ll have to see what Mr. Pierce wants to do with it.”
I waved a hand. “Don’t ask on my account. I fully intend for my dollars to multiply, but I’m not even trying to pay rent for a place like this. Besides, I have no interest in living in a three-story townhouse by myself. I’m too scary, but I want to look at the new houses with you. Looking for a mansion has got to be fun.”
“I know right?”
“I bet they have good snacks in castles.”
Tamar chuckled. “They might.”
I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a few bottles of water. “So is Pete taking us?”
Tamar shook her head. “I don’t think so. Last I heard he was sick, so there’s no way Stephen asked him.”
“Limo service then. They should have snacks in back.”
Tamar cocked her head. “Girl, you don’t know what those people have. Raid the pantry already. I’m going to pee for the fiftieth time today.” She waddled away.
Raiding her pantry wasn’t fun. All they had was healthy stuff. How in the world did poor Isaiah live here? This commitment to non-GMO, organic, and low salt food was unparalleled. It felt like Whole Foods up in this joint. They did have popcorn, but it was the skinny stuff. Boring. I was going to have to invite Isaiah to visit me more often. He wasn’t living his best life up in here with no Doritos.
The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” I bounced down the stairs in my new suede boots. I looked through the peephole and rolled my eyes. Frustration rose in my gut. If the driver had been on time, we’d already be gone. I pulled the door open. He looked as excited to see me as I was to see him.
We exchanged an awkward moment of nothing before he said hello and stepped in.
“Hello,” I replied. I had nothing else and neither did he.
Tamar peeked her head around the corner and smiled. “Clyde.” She walked toward us. “What’s up? Stephen’s still in Minnesota.”
Clyde kissed her on the cheek. “I know. That’s why I’m here. I’m reporting for driver duty.”
I thought my ears were deceiving me. “What?”
Clyde pulled his eyes away from Tamar and turned to me. “I’m driving Tamar to Pine.”
I struggled to unlock my jaw. “That means you’re driving us both. I’m going.”
I could see he was surprised, but he recovered quickly. Nodding, he said, “Stephen didn’t tell me that, but it’s cool. Let’s get on the road.”
I rolled my eyes and walked away. Tamar and I gathered our coats and with Clyde in front of us, walked down to the garage level. Clyde loaded the trunk of her SUV and we all climbed in. I followed Tamar into the back seat.
“You need to get in front,” Tamar said. “I have to put my feet up.”
I turned my face in her direction and pursed my lips. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “My feet are swollen. I definitely have to put them up.”
I sighed and backed out of the car. Clyde turned the key to start the ignition as I climbed in and settled in the front seat. The engine didn’t turn over. He tried again. It was still dead.
“What’s wrong?”
He cocked his head in my direction. “Your guess is as good as mine.” He popped the hood and climbed out.
“When was the last time you drove it?” I asked.
Tamar unlatched her seat belt and inched forward. “About a week ago.”
“Any warning that something was wrong with it?”
“No, it was fine.”
After a few minutes, Clyde closed the hood. “I don’t see anything.”
“What are we going to do?” Panic rose in Tamar’s voice. “Your sportscar is too small and Stephen’s parents took his SUV to Pine. They needed it to transport the gifts for the toy drive.”
Clyde took his phone out. “We’re going to take a rental.”
“You think we can get one in this weather?” Tamar asked.
Clyde scrolled and tapped for a few minutes. “I reserved another SUV. I’ll get the bags and put them in my car. We’ll go to the rental place and leave my car there.”
It took an hour to get there in traffic, but we finally arrived at the rental car place. The clerk was apologizing for only having a minivan. “I’m sorry, we barely have anything. The inventory on the website takes a few hours to update, and you’re late for your reservation.”
“Are you serious? Do I look like I want to drive a soccer mom mobile?” Clyde leaned over the counter like that would change the reservation.
The clerk cut her eyes to Tamar’s belly.
“Don’t do that,” Clyde said. “It’s not mine.”
The clerk looked at me.
“It’s not mine either.” I cleared my throat. “The van is fine. We’re glad to have something other than a small sedan.” I twisted my head in Clyde’s direction and gave him a dirty look.
“That’s easy for you to say. I’ve never driven a minivan.”
“Well, I doubt you’ll see any of the women who know you to drive the chick mobile on the road to Pine.”
“Chick mobile? Did you actually say something that corny?”
“Yes, I did and like I was saying, you’re not likely to see any of your exes.”
“You’re one of my exes. Won’t I be seeing you?”
Heat rose to my face. I rolled my neck. I was about to let him have it when I felt Tamar’s hand on my arm. She’d grabbed Clyde’s too. “Stop it.” She looked at the clerk. “The van is good. I promise not to let them tear it apart.”
Tamar directed her attention to Clyde. “Your job is to get me to my dad’s wedding. Focus.”
Clyde nodded. “You’re right.” He opened his wallet and handed the clerk his credit card.
Tamar’s eyes widened. “Kim, join me in the restroom.”
I followed her. Once we were inside, Tamar turned to me. Disapproval was strong in the room. “What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“It was fighting.”
“It was a little heat.”
“I need you to do better. I don’t want to listen to you two argue. You’ll make my baby’s nerves bad.”
I let my shoulders drop. “I’m sorry I’ve traumatized the baby. I won’t say another word to that manwhore.”
“Manwhore?”
“Is there any real doubt that I’m being generous. He was whoring before I met him. I’m sure he’s gone back to what he knows best.”
Tamar bit her lip. “Don’t assume the worst of him. It’s not fair.”
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see him or think about him.”
“Like you’d actually do that.”
“I’m over him.”
“Oh yeah, I can tell.” Tamar hesitated before asking, “Are you sure the breakup wasn’t a mistake?”
“I’m sure.”
Tamar wasn’t convinced, but she let her bladder win the war. She turned and entered a stall.
I hung back for a few minutes before I left, mostly checking my reflection to make sure I looked as fine as I had when I got dressed this morning. I might not be Clyde’s woman anymore, but I wanted him to wish I was.
The clerk had just handed him the keys. I watched as he emptied the contents of his trunk into the van. Looks weren’t everything. I knew that, but Clyde’s lean athletic build stirred regret. With every movement in and out of the vehicle, his long arms and legs extended in smooth, limber harmony. As an ex-basketball player, he had rhythmic style.
“I’m tall, but not tall enough for pro-ball, so I do the next best thing. Earn my living off those who can play.”
Clyde was smarter than me. I liked that, because it was rare, but he would have smarted me right out of my relationship with Jesus. I was weak for him.
Tamar startled me. This time it was she who looped her arm through mine. “I don’t believe in coincidences. He’s on this trip for a reason. If you’re open to hearing from God, I’m sure he’ll tell you why.”
I wasn’t convinced, and my not too subtle grunt conveyed it. “I’m always open to hearing from God, but dear friend, this is plain old bad luck because I never should have been with Clyde Stowe in the first place.” We walked to the van.
