I gave Abe a half wave signalling I was staying over at Marilyn’s that night after almost drowning in the lake.
He, of course, assumed Marilyn and I were now lovers, but what he didn’t know is that I would be sleeping on the couch.
He gave me the thumbs-up sign and drove away happily smiling. I felt bad misleading him, but in a way, I was glad—he needed something to take from tonight—and so did I.
Marilyn and I were safe. We lived and didn’t die.
I turned to go in and then spotted Cindy and Erin in an unmarked car across the street. A hand shot out from the passenger window and gave me a thumbs-up as well.
Tonight was a life-lie. Ibsen would be happy. It was one of those fictions that although not technically true, was not a falsehood either.
Marilyn and I were together as Abe and the girls thought—we just weren't golden, but we were close. We were silver.
I awoke to the jangle of the phone and Marilyn’s cheery voice reassuring Ella everything was all right.
There was a delicious aroma of bacon and eggs and coffee brewing—and knowing Marilyn, it would be perked coffee on the stove.
I stretched and headed to the bathroom and when I emerged, two meals were set out on the dining room table, complete with orange juice, hash browns and fruit.
“You’re spoiling me,” I called out to the kitchen, but two silken arms came from behind and encircled my waist.
“Am I?” she whispered seductively in my ear, “Seems fitting for someone who saved my life.”
I turned to face her. “Sorry, love—I’d like to claim that honor, but the distinction goes to Abe—can’t swim. He pulled both of us out of the water.”
“Then maybe I let the wrong man stay over,” she teased.
I felt crushed, and must have looked it..
“C’mon,” she giggled, “that’s not what I meant when I said you saved my life—I meant, you gave me a reason to live.”
“Oh.”
“Good thing I could swim a little though, or we might have been in real trouble.”
“You can say that again,” I sighed.
She smiled and brushed back a stray lock of hair from my forehead. “Let’s eat this breakfast, before it gets cold.”
“Alright,” I laughed, “I guess almost drowning gives you an appetite.”
“Well, the alternative definitely would have left us with no appetite at all.
“Touche,” I smiled.
We sat at the table and ate our meal—the sunlight pouring in through the windows and the curtains floating, billowing on the breeze.
“Say, what happened to the rain?” I asked.
“It’s gone for now—It’s going to be in the low fifties today—just like spring.”
“You’ve been listening to the radio,” I teased.
“Nope, saw the weather in the morning paper.”
“The paper? Is there anything in there about us?”
“No mention of our ‘unfortunate accident’. The only thing reported was a man shot in the arm overnight.”
I sighed in relief. “Abe must have kept it out of the papers—good—I wouldn’t want my students gossiping about that.”
“Speaking of which—don’t you have to go into work?”
“I’ve got a committee meeting at eleven. I’ll phone Nancy and tell her I have a personal emergency and won’t be in. today.”
“Playing hookey, eh? Ella did say she’d watch the store today. Maybe we can do something.”
“I’ve already got plans.”
“Oh!” Her face fell.
“With you, my Love—my plans are with you. I want to go and visit Havelock Street and see what memories that stirs up.”
“Well, in that case, you phone the university and I’ll finish getting ready.”
She jumped up and headed to the bathroom.
“Oh no,” I groaned, “My car—I left it at the Palace Pier last night.”
She stopped and looked surprised.
“You did? That’s funny—it’s parked right outside our front door.”
I got up, parted the curtains and looked down at the street. The car was sitting, waiting for us.
“Abe must have towed it, because I’ve still got the key.”
I punched in his number on my cell and he immediately picked up.
Before I could say anything I heard, “You’re welcome,” and him chuckling.
“What did you do, get it towed?” I asked.
“Towed? Naw, I didn’t want to risk damaging it. I called Gan last night and asked if he had a spare key—he did, and left it for me at the service desk—they open at seven, you know. So, I picked it up, drove it over and Cindy gave me a lift back to my car.”
I was humbled by the gesture. “Jeez Abe—you didn’t have to go to all that trouble.”
“I kinda felt guilty, Pal—I was the one who got you into this mess in the first place.”
“Yeah, but if you didn’t, I wouldn’t have met Marilyn.”
“Ha-ha, you’re right—I forgot about that part. Well, you can buy me a pint sometime.”
“A pint? I think I should pay for all the drinks—you name the night—we’ll go pun-crawling.”
“I’ll do that, Pal—be sure to give Marilyn a kiss for me.”
Before I could respond, he hung up. I moved the window curtain aside and gazed out.
Sure enough, Cindy and Erin’s unmarked car was parked in the alleyway opposite the shop.
I felt a lump in my throat. Abe was doing what he did best—watching over us—encircling us with legions of blue. It was hard not to love the guy.