Page 21 of Velvet and Valor
“Is this mall off the freeway going to work?”
“Sure,” I say, not bothering to look.
The mall he speaks of has seen better days. About half the shops are closed, but there are enough clothiers that I can pick out a few outfits. Nothing I’d wear to a premiere…or a first date…but passable enough garments.
Axel takes me to a hole in the wall apartment next. It’s quite small, but there’s plenty of room due to the fact that there is almost no furniture. Or kitchen appliances. Or dishes…
There’s a big screen TV on the wall, a beanbag chair, and a PS5 sitting on the box it probably came in. Other than that, nothing. Not even curtains.
“Ahem,” I say. “Which way is the bathroom? And do you even have towels?”
“Through that hallway, should be towels in there. It’s my buddies place, closest thing to us at the moment,” he says, indicating the only hallway. I nod and start down it.
He stares for a few moments before I clear my throat.
“So, I’m going to shower now?—”
“Right, sorry.”
He has to move out of the hallway in order for me to close the door. It’s that cramped. The shower head in the tub is just a bare inch over my head. How does the six-and-a-half-foot tall Axel manage? He must really have to crane his head to even get his hair wet.
I clean my body, disappointed that I’m in yet another unfamiliar bathroom. I really was looking forward to spending some time at my own house. I dress business casual, with pants instead of a skirt, and pair it with flat shoes. If I have to run, I want to be prepared.
When I leave the bathroom, I find Axel pacing back and forth in the living room, texting up a storm with someone. Whoever is on the other line has much shorter responses than Axel.
I feel a bit awkward, because there’s nowhere to sit but the bean bag chair and I’m not about to do that. It looks too dubious to support me. I’m left standing around watching him text and pace.
There’s a raw energy in Axel’s movements. Something primal. I saw a mountain lion on a hike once, far enough away that I didn’t soil myself but too close for comfort. Axel has the same energy as that mountain lion. Sleek, almost majestic at times, but lethal.
I realize I’m starting to look at Axel the way he watches me when he thinks I’m not looking. I remind myself he’s a bit of a goof who doesn’t take life seriously enough in a vain attempt to deny my own truth.
Finally, he grins in triumph and stows his phone away.
“All right, I got us a lead,” he says proudly. “Our first step to finding Moorcrock.”
When we go to the apartment parking lot, I’m surprised to see one of those auto glass replacement people finishing up the rear window. Axel waves the red-shirted employee off.
“Looks good, man,” he says. “You can stop now. I don’t care about a couple of finger smudges.”
“That was quick,” I say. “I can’t even get a same day appointment with those people, and you got one in an hour.”
“The owner had an ex-boyfriend that wouldn't leave her alone,” Axel said. “I straightened him out with one visit, and ever since then I get the VIP treatment.”
“I see. So, you slid right into her DMs, right?”
A laugh rips out of Axel that’s so spontaneous and infectious I can’t help but smile.
“Oh my god…sixty. She’s sixty! The boyfriend was like seventy. I mean, not that it’s a deal breaker for me. The older the berry the…”
He stops himself and turns a little red.
“Sorry. Army humor.”
“I work in a male dominated industry, Axel,” I say with a chuckle. “I’ve heard much worse, but I appreciate you trying for my sake.”
“Yeah, well…”
He holds the door open for me, which is both gentlemanly and unexpected.
