Page 14 of Ice Darling
Plus, my feet are cramping. I usually ride my bike everywhere, and if I’m not riding, I’m standing over the hood of a car, working on a repair job. It’s been a while since I’ve walked that much.
I lean over and massage my thighs, fighting back the swell of loneliness that threatens to hit me.
“I’m happy,” I say out loud to the quiet, to the stillness, to the darkness. “I’m happy.”
As the clock strikes 2 a.m., I happily brush my teeth and put on a T-shirt and short pants.
I happily open the dresser and take out my prescription sleeping pills.
I happily shake out two into my palms, read the label that says I shouldn’t mix sleeping pills with alcohol, and knock them back with a glass of water anyway.
And then I happily lie on my back, hands folded over my stomach, and let my gaze bore a hole into the ceiling while I wait for sleep that never comes.
Chapter Five
Sasha Davenport: Hello Mrs. Renthrow. I’m Sasha Davenport. Do you have a moment for a quick chat?
Brendalee Renthrow: Of course! Hello, Mrs. Davenport. I’ve heard about your collaboration with Lucky Strikers! I assure you, our boys will qualify for the league and make you proud.
Sasha Davenport: Oh, I’m sure of it. But that’s not what I wanted to discuss with you.
Brendalee Renthrow: ???
Sasha Davenport: You don’t know me, but I’m the mother of the new mechanic at The Pink Garage.
Brendalee Renthrow: Ah yes, the one with short hair who rides motorcycles. My granddaughter is currently obsessed with her.
Sasha Davenport: I think there’s something going on between my daughter and your son. But Cordelia won’t speak a word of it to me. Would you know anything about that?
Brendalee Renthrow: I don’t but I’d be absolutely delighted if that were true. Did you notice something between them?
Sasha Davenport: Well, earlier tonight, my daughter was about to introduce your son as her boyfriend.
Brendalee Renthrow: Are you serious!!! That’s amazing! Why didn’t Viking tell me?
Sasha Davenport: I observed them all night and I think the two might be sabotaging themselves here.
Brendalee Renthrow: Really? Oh dear.
Sasha Davenport: I’ve negotiated million dollar deals in rooms full of Wall Street sharks. This is nothing a little intervention won’t fix.
Brendalee Renthrow: But…how are you so sure they like each other?
Sasha Davenport: My daughter is very selective about the people she allows into her life. It’s not like she’d choose your son as a boyfriend at random.
Brendalee Renthrow: Viking’s the same. He’s very careful about who he brings around Gordie.
Sasha Davenport: Plus, at dinner tonight, your son was very disappointed Cordelia chose to sit beside Max instead of him.
Brendalee Renthrow: I knew Viking was in a strange mood tonight. He’s usually so hyper after a win, but I thought it was because of the news I shared about his nanny.
Sasha Davenport: did something happen to his nanny?
Brendalee Renthrow: yes, sadly, she’s leaving Lucky Falls.
Sasha Davenport: Brendalee, I think this may be an opportunity for us.
Brendalee Renthrow: An opportunity for what?
