Page 8 of Tucker
“Notfrom your side of it,” he agrees. “Call me if she gets herself into trouble.”
Withthose words he pulls away, leaving me standing in the driveway with no ideawhat to do next.
Roommate.
Fuckme.
* * * *
“So,let’s get some ground rules straight,” Leah says, placing a platter of baconand eggs on the table. I waste no time filling my plate and digging in. I’llsay one thing for her, the woman can cook.
Shewas in her room when I went back inside after Dare left last night, so this isthe first time I’ve seen her since we becameroommates. “Ground rules.In my house,” I state.
“Ourhouse for six months, so yeah. Rule number one, clean up after yourself,” shesays while I shovel in the food. I want to get out of here as quickly aspossible. That’s my plan for the next six months. Be somewhere else.
Sheglances around the kitchen and continues, “Which doesn’t seem to be an issuesince the place is pretty clean. Rule number two, let me know if you’re havingfriends over. I need quiet to write. Rule number three—
Shedoesn’t get any further because I’m on my feet, chucking my empty plate in thesink. “Sorry, kid. My house, no rules. Leave the dishes.” I toss a credit cardon the table. “For groceries,” I add, and make a quick exit.
Herlittle bossy act is cute, but this is feeling a little too domestic.Fortunately, I have things to do outside. Winter is just around the corner, andwhen you live out in the boonies like I do, you need to be prepared.
Firstthing on my list today are the barn doors. After the heat and humidity of thesummer, they’ve swollen a bit and are no longer flush when you close them. Iwas out at the crack of dawn this morning to feed the animals and release theminto the small pasture, but was surprised to see Leah had beat me to it. Asmuch as I don’t want the hassle of a roommate, I am glad to have a little help.
WhenDare first showed me this place, the pigs were the only animals, other thanHumper, the eternally horny dog. I realized that being around animals has acalming effect on me, and I like the idea of producing some of my own food, soI’ve since added goats and chickens.
Thegoats are mainly there to help keep the grass trimmed, but the chickens provideme with more than enough fresh eggs. I know what it’s like to be hungry, and Idon’t plan to suffer like that again.
Humperflops down in the shade as I adjust the doors and sand down a few rough spots.After tackling that problem, I climb into the loft and bring down the portableheaters I use to keep the animals warm through the winter and test them. Theywork fine, so I set them aside for future use.
Grabbinga can of gasoline, I do the same to the two generators, and find them inworking order as well. I’ve only had one power outage that lasted long enoughto need a generator, but I have a stubborn kid to look after now, so I need tomake sure I’m ready. They both roar to life without a problem, so I store themagain.
Mygarden is in full bloom with the last vegetables of the year, so that’s whereI’ll be spending the rest of the afternoon. I love having the fresh veggiesthrough the summer, but I’m not interested in preserving and canning, so I justdrop off what I can’t eat at Striking Back’s shelter.
It’sfunny how things have worked out. Dare was the one to bring me into hisorganization, In Safe Hands, but not as a hacker. My computer abilities arelimited to checking email and Googling. When I first moved in here it was tokeep an eye on things and make the place appear normal, giving ISH a place todispose of the bodies of predators. They’ve since decided not to kill anymoreand signed the place over to me permanently. When I protested I had donenothing to earn such a place, Dare suggested that his friend Mason, who runsStriking Back, could use another security guy and needed someone like me whocan keep his mouth shut.
So,my life went from being a homeless nothing to a part-time farmer, part-timebodyguard, and now full-time baby sitter.
Allin all, I’m more content than I ever thought I could be. I get up early, carefor the animals and crops, and head out to wherever Mason needs some musclethat day. He usually only needs me a couple days a week, but the pay is morethan enough to sustain me. It’s the boredom in-between that eats at me. Toodamn much time to think.
Woodworkhas always been a hobby of mine, and just recently a local furniture storenoticed the patio set I built for one of the women relocated by Striking Back.They made me an offer to sell the stuff I make through them for a cut of theprofits. It’s been a lot more lucrative than I expected. I’ll have to stop inand let her know I’m accepting orders again, now that I’m not leaving.
Ispend the rest of the afternoon working in the garden and there’s not a peepfrom Leah. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
She’ssitting on the rear, screened-in porch with a notebook in her lap when I enter,a frown on her face. It isn’t until the door falls shut with a thwack that shelooks up and realizes she isn’t alone. I give her a quick nod and head insidefor a shower. I want to make a quick trip to town before it gets too late andthe stores close.
WhenI return downstairs, she’s sitting on the couch with her tablet. “Do you wantme to make something for dinner? There’s still leftover lasagna.”
“I’llgrab something in town.”
She’son her feet and pulling on her shoes before I can finish tying mine. “You’regoing to town? I’ll ride with. We need some things from the grocery store.”
There’sso much wrong with that statement I don’t know where to begin. First, there isnoweand at no point did I ask for company, but when she looks up at meall bright eyed and excited, I can’t make the wordnopass my lips. Iled a squad of men into combat and barked orders for a living, but I can’t tellone perky, annoying girl no.
Shetakes my silence for consent, and before I know it, we’re in my truck, headedto town. Fortunately, the supermarket is in the same strip mall as thefurniture store.
“I’llmeet you back here,” I grumble, getting out of the truck.
“Oh…okay,”she replies, like she expected me to follow her around the supermarket pushingthe cart. Not going to happen. I need to keep this…roommate relationship asdistant as possible.
