Are You Jealous (part eight)

Are You Jealous

(part eight)

“I have to be there early. Just, please, don’t fuss. You’re old enough to find a place by yourself.”

Eva, wearing black…many layers, but all black, rooted in her bag. She pulled out her turquoise beads. “Gabriel, do the clasp.” She had all her hair out for this day. “I’m working with McFadden… Stop. You’re tugging.”

I’m not, you’re catching. “Sorry. Working for?” He never really knew what she was doing, professionally.

“Working with. Helping him set up.”

“And Kuaia. Others.”

Her glance back was not friendly.

“You know, I could ride along. I don’t mind sitting in a corner, keeping quiet.”

What now. She muttered it. Some effect she’d meant to create was spoiled by a search…car keys out, car keys in, pencil case and drawing pad out, thought given to leaving them on the countertop…

What now? He rehearsed his words again. You know…

That you’re overlooking an obvious and reasonable point.

You know! I just thought of something fun!

That we could do together. I could ride along.

“Upstairs, I think,” he said. “You were on the phone, getting dressed.”

On this Monday, then, to attend Presby’s afternoon party, his gathering, Gabriel navigated in ignorance the path Eva knew. He had located Landingfield Road. He had driven up; he had driven down. In some disconcerting way, Landingfield Road intersected the same highway at both ends.

The house was called Waldhütte.

Which proved nothing in particular. The Bodmin-Hodges firm might have rented it.

Renewing acquaintance with a stone pillar, Gabriel noticed the design an ornate W. That, for signs, was all. The drive carried through a windbreak of pine opening onto hedge and pasture. He might find himself at Willowbrook, Winterhaven, Whitsuntide, Weltschmerz; it seemed a likely neighborhood. Where the horse-fence tapered away, one of the fresh-planted country châteaux emerged. Timbered gables, many half-concealed entrances, portico like an outdoor showroom of fittings, bronze and glass, lantern-chains and triple door locks…

Weighty paneled doors, shut. On one a sign, printer paper, handwritten in black marker.

Friends, please join us at the studio!

8

Are You Jealous

Are You Jealous (part one)

(Stephanie Foster, 2016)