Page 38 of Provoked

I return to the first bed and strip all the bedclothes off before remaking it on the diagonal. It may be odd, but now only my butt is in the dip and that’s surprisingly comfortable. I yawn and wonder if I should share this tip online somewhere…

I go to sleep reliving the feeling of Justin’s arms around me, his hands touching me intimately, but with such gentleness I know that deep down inside he has real feelings. I just need to make things safe enough for him to express them.

Despite my creativity in bed making, I wake in the early dawn, undeniably bleary eyed. My lower back is screaming at the maltreatment and I’m considering relocating after I test the waters with the first of Justin’s family.

After getting dressed, I decide to drive into the center of town. I’ll get breakfast in whatever appears to be the most popular hangout and ask if anyone knows any of the Wildes.

The diner I locate on the corner opposite the fire station wouldn’t normally attract my attention, but there’s no denying the bustle of people coming and going through the simple steel and glass door. The green vinyl booth is still warm from the previous occupant when I slide in. Instantly I feel guilty for taking up the space when I see a family of four waiting by the cash register. But they’re quickly seated and I remind myself that I won’t be lingering, presuming I can obtain some information quickly.

When a middle-aged woman swings by with a coffeepot and a pencil tucked behind her ear, I steel my nerve. “Do you know anyone named Wilde around here?” I ask hesitantly.

She spears me with a look. “Why do you want to know?”

I pause, not sure what I can safely say. She gives me a knowing and disapproving look. “What can I get you?”

“Um, tea and toast?” Suddenly I’m not very hungry. When she turns away, I spot the thin yellow phonebook on the counter. Of course! There’s bound to be at least one Wilde in the phone book, right? I can simply call and ask their relation to Justin, assuming I can figure out how and where to do that discreetly.

I gulp my toast when it comes and ignore the frown the woman who delivers it gives me. She’s younger than the one who took my order, but not by much.

“You the one asking about the Wildes?” she asks abruptly when she clears my empty plate away.

“Yes.”

“Why? You don’t look like the reporters that swept through town last week. Or are you one of those internet busybody types?”

I stare at her, bemused. Reporters? Here? Oh dear.

“No.” I shake my head emphatically. “I’m the wife.” I hold up my left hand, although what that proves is beyond me. However, her eyes widen in shock. “Holy fuck,” she breathes out. “Shit. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”

I nod, but I swear she doesn’t see it. Does she think I’m going to rush off without paying? I could have given her cash. It won’t be much. Not when all I had was toast and a mug of tea.

The waitress swings back with a fresh cup of tea that I never asked for. “Dina will be here in about five minutes. I went to school with her.”

I blink. “Um… who’s Dina and who are you?”

She stares and then sort of shakes herself. “Oh! She said he never came home, but I hadn’t realized he never talked either. Dina is his little sister and I’m Tanya. Best not to say any namesaround here. Too many people listening for a fresh bit of gossip. Not the locals you understand…” Tanya pauses as if uncomfortable. “I’ll send Dina over just as soon as she arrives.”

I think I spot her before she even enters the diner. A woman in her early thirties with dark hair and Justin’s eyes bustles out of a silver car. Nothing fancy, pure middle of the road America. Her eyes scan the restaurant anxiously and briefly meet mine. Her shoulders stiffen and then relax.

A minute later, I’m studying the face of someone that I could have picked out of the crowd as being a relative of Justin’s. Dina stares at me too. I think she doesn’t quite know what to say.

“I’m here to introduce myself and I’m hoping to get some help.”

She blinks. “With what?” There’s nothing but curiosity in her voice.

I grimace and steel my nerve. “You know that saying about fighting fire with fire?”

She opens her mouth to say something and then thinks better of it. “Look, I know we’re strangers, but I don’t think we should talk here. Do you want to come to my parents’ house? We can gather the troops there throughout the day if it becomes necessary.”

I nod enthusiastically, not quite believing I found the heart of his family so quickly and efficiently. “Please. I can follow you. I have a car.”

She gives a quick nod and pauses while I settle the bill. Dina blows a friendly kiss to Tanya and then ushers me out to the sidewalk. “Just on the outskirts of town. If you lose me for some reason, just stop and I’ll circle back.”

Grateful, I nod and slide behind the wheel of the rental. I suck in a deep breath, not quite believing I’m about to meet all of Justin’s family.His family.

21

Justin’s family descends on the house en masse. It’s like none of them have jobs or other responsibilities. I do notice that there aren’t any school-age children present. At least not until 2:30 and then they suddenly begin appearing and filling in the gaps of the already crowded living room. My voice is hoarse from talking, but strangely, I’m invigorated for once. They all love Justin. They don’t understand him in the slightest, but his siblings seem ready to acknowledge that.

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