Page 14 of Gator's Gambit
Daddy laughs, and Mama gives me a quick hug as I stop beside her. “Do you have time for a quick bite to eat, at least?”
“No thanks, Mama. I’ll grab something later when I get hungry.”
By the time Godric knocks on the front door, I’m ready to go, thoughts of Evan Alexander and his craziness pushed from my mind for the moment. There’s a fun day of hanging out with friends, family, and neighbors ahead of me, and he doesn’t deserve a moment of my precious time with these beloved folks.
6
GATOR
Sitting in front of Fancy’s house, I listen as Tex repeats the license plate number I gave him back to me. “Yeah, that’s the one. My guess is it’s a rental, but it’s all I have at the moment.”
“It’s a starting point. And you never know where it might lead. I’ll see what I can dig up and let you know when I have something. In the meantime, if you find anything else out, let me know.”
“Will do. Chat soon.”
“Yep.” And with that the line goes dead. John “Tex” Keegan, international man of mystery and few words. Our go-to guy for all things needing discrete investigation. If he can’t find it, it can’t be found. No one has any idea how the man does it, and I think it’s probably best we don’t know, but he always comes through.
Tucking my phone back in my pocket, I hop out of the car and make my way to the front door. There’s a gentle meow as the door swings open, and it takes me a minute to spot where the sound is coming from, since I’m completely enchanted with the vision that stands before me. Fancy’s glorious mane cascades down her back like a burnished copper waterfall. Her flowy dress flutters around her in the breeze caused by the open door,highlighting her womanly curves as the material hugs her close, before hiding what it covers once again.
Something bumping into my lower leg has me shifting my attention to find one of Fancy’s cats twining herself around my limb, purring and rubbing herself against me. I’m grateful for the distraction.
“Wow, you’vereallymade an impression on Milly.”Meow, Milly chimes in as if in agreement.
I bend down to pick her up, but she dashes behind Fancy’s legs. “Sorry, Ms. Milly, did I overstep my bounds?”Meow, comes the reply. The guys would bust a gut laughing at me holding a conversation with a bundle of fur like this.
The cat comes back over and allows me to stroke her sable-soft fur. “Come on back for a second. I just need to grab my things and let Mama know I’m leaving.”
I follow Fancy down the hall, Milly following along right beside me. “Mama’s in the kitchen if you want to say hi. I’m just going to grab my things.”
I make my way into the kitchen to greet Mrs. Gilmore, and we chat for a couple minutes while I wait for Fancy.
“I’m on my way, Mama. I’ll see you later.” Fancy gives her mother a quick hug.
“Godric, you tell your mama to give me a holler if she needs any help, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure will. Otherwise, we’ll see you later at the boil.”
In no time at all, we’re at Mama’s house since Fancy’s house is pretty close by. In fact, it takes far longer for everyone to hug and greet than it did to get here. There’s lots of tears and hugging and laughter as everyone takes their turn to say hi to Fancy.
It strikes me as odd that she’s been home for a little bit and only getting to see everyone today. Most unlike her, but I refrain from giving voice to my thoughts.
Whatever is going on in her world, whatever it is she’s hiding from, it’s definitely got her avoiding people. And that’s also unlike her. Fancy loves to spend time with those who mean the world to her, and for her to avoid them is a big tell. Something she’s not talking about. I make a mental note to try and get her to open up, see if she’ll let me in, even just a little.
Recently, more than one person has voiced concern about Fancy and how she seems unlike her usual, sunny self – the latest being Em during a late-night chat only last night. It hurts me to know that something is weighing heavily enough on Fancy to have her acting out of character and not reaching out to ask for help. Isolation is unhealthy and just leaves a person more vulnerable.
But how do I broach the topic without getting her defenses up?
For the moment, though, I put those thoughts on hold as I hear Mama call for me. Preparations have been underway for the crawfish boil since early this morning. It’s been a while since I’ve been back home, and Mama’s making good on the opportunity to have all the family and friends over to come say hi.
By the time people start to arrive, things are well under control and on time. Dad and I – well, technically my stepdad, but we’ve only ever thought of him as Dad since he’s treated us like his own from the very beginning – get a fire going for the pots, while Mama and her team of helpers prep the ingredients. Having so many people in one space reminds me why I appreciate having my own place, in a city where very few people know who I am.
Yes, I love my family, and all our friends, but I also enjoy the freedom to be myself and not be under constant scrutiny. Growing up in such a small town, where everyone knows what everyone else is doing or has going on at any given time canfeel incredibly constrictive. Living in California definitely has its benefits.
With an outdoor fire going for the boil, it’s hot as hell, and Dad and I are dripping with sweat, so I’m deeply grateful when Em appears with a couple of ice-cold beers in hand. What I don’t like is the look of concern on her face. She tips her head, showing for me to follow as she walks a few feet away.
“Everything all right, Em?”
Answering my question with one of her own, she asks, “Have you seen Fancy recently?”
