"It's what you want. That's the issue here. That's always been the issue. You just never choose. No, you choose and then you change your mind. You can't keep doing that."
I tried to ignore my racing heart and sweaty palms. "Is that why you called? You want me to choose?" I stood and looked out the back window. The view might've been breathtaking, but I barely registered it. A moose could've been staring back at me, and I wouldn't have even blinked. "You called me for this? You want to have this talk now over the phone?"
"No. I called because I talked to Grace."
"Why didn't you say so right away?" And why was he bringing up the other stuff?
"Because I'm drunk and you're running away. I don't want you to run away." He sounded sheepish.
"Oh." A ball had formed in my throat. "What'd Grace say?"
"Nothing." He burped and laughed. "You're right. She's really watching what she says. But I think you're wrong that she doesn't trust you. She does. It's just…I don't know what it is. You're right that something's going on with her."
"What exactly did she say?"
"Nothing, like I said. She asked how you were. I told her we weren't talking anymore and then I laid on the charm."
"And?"
"Nothing. She rejected me. She no longer carries a torch for me. I'm going to die alone, Sheldon, unless you…"
"Shut up." I rolled my eyes now. "She didn't even flirt back a little?"
"Nope, but she kept looking over her shoulder the whole time."
"Like someone was watching her?" My heartbeat had calmed, but now it picked up again.
"You mean like she has a stalker? Why would Grace have a stalker? She's so…blah." He burped again.
"Not to some people. And I'm not talking about a stalker. I'm talking about people making sure she doesn't say anything to the wrong people."
"I don't know. Grace has always been the kind to run to the police right away or organize a prayer circle for someone. Being threatened or blackmailed doesn't make sense. Grace stood up to us in high school. Why wouldn't she to anyone else?"
"Yeah. You're right." It felt like someone had just popped my balloon. Although we never threatened to hurt her physically, we would've destroyed her emotionally.
"No worries, Sheldon. We'll figure it out. We always do."
"Until then…" I was about to say that I'd have Bryce to figure out in the meantime. Then I remembered who was on the other end and shut my mouth. "The doorman is waiting for me. I have to go, Corrigan."
"Yeah." He sounded disappointed. "Stay warm in New York. It gets freaky cold sometimes."
"I will. Bye." I put my phone away and stood still for a moment. My heart was trying to leap out of my chest. Taking a few deep breaths, I waited until it calmed a little and then shook my head to clear my thoughts. Sometimes I felt as if the world was going to collapse on top of me. As I rubbed my clammy hands on my pants, I looked up and took in the view of Denton's backyard.
It was breathtaking. There was a small creek that wound through his yard. Trees were densely clumped on both sides of the bank, and a few large boulders sat in the middle of the small river. When I had imagined seeing a moose before, I hadn't been far off. I could envision one right then and there, walking through the trees, or at least some deer. Maybe a bear.
"Hello?"
I jumped at the sound of a woman's voice. My heart rate shot right back up as I moved in the direction of the front door. As I got closer, I heard the sounds of someone taking a coat off.
This woman seemed familiar, very familiar with Denton's house.
"Sheldon?" She called out, "My name is Dr. Thompson. Sondra Thompson. Denton asked me to come and look at your dressings."
I stepped around the corner. "You're the one that texted him about me?"
She screamed, "Oh my God!" She laughed and put her hand on her chest. "You scared me, appearing out of nowhere. You were there the whole time?"
I nodded.
"And here I thought I'd have to look for you in this huge place. Yes, I'm the one that texted Denton. I know he cares for you. He told me you were friends with his sister."
"I was, once upon a time." I watched her, still cautious. She was a willowy blonde with a stick thin figure and a plain looking face. Her hair hung loose past her shoulders, which gave her a frazzled look that was in contrast with her square jaw. Her face made her look sturdy, as if she could withstand anything. Then she smiled and it lit up. Her green eyes sparkled. My eyes narrowed. "And you're friends with Denton?"
She laughed. "Goodness no! You think I'm crazy? There's no way I'd have an affair with a superstar like him. He's good friends with my brother. Lawrence is his agent."
"Oh." I scratched my head.
She motioned towards the kitchen and grabbed one of her bags. "Come on. Let's take a look at your wounds. We can dish about Denton over a glass of wine. He's got a great selection."
Before I followed her, I saw that she had three other bags. "Are you planning on getting wasted?"
"What? Oh, the bags." She flashed a smile. "I'm not planning on getting drunk, but I'm not against it either. Denton asked me to stay a couple days till he could get back from New York. He gave me strict instructions to change your dressings, but leave you alone for the rest of the time. I packed enough reading material to last me months. This is a little vacation for me too. I love Denton's house. It's a world away from my crazy one."
Indeed it was.
She watched me intently. "Does that sound okay with you?"
I shrugged and sat down on a chair in the kitchen. "It makes no difference to me."
She placed her bag on the table and started rifling through it. I saw that she was trying to hide a smile. "Okay. Let's see your stuff here."
I was quiet as she took off all my dressings, poked, prodded, and mumbled under her breath. It tickled my skin as she bent close a few times, and I could smell coffee on her breath. She applied ointment and new dressings and then stood back. It seemed like hours later. "Your stitches look good. They should dissolve with no problem. Do you have enough pain medication?"
"He gave me a couple months' supply."
"I don't know how long you'll be sticking around, but I can write you another script when you're out."
Tentatively, I touched my cheek. It was where she had prodded the hardest. "How long till everything heals?"
"I'd say a couple weeks, at least."
I hoped she wouldn't stay the whole time, but I didn't have much choice. I didn't want to head back until I was recovered, so it looked like we'd be roommates till Denton returned. "Did Denton tell you why he needed to go to New York?"
"Nope, just that it had something to do with Mena. He's normally tight-lipped when it comes to her." Her voice was business-like as she packed everything back in her bag before she straightened again. "Okay! We're done here. I'm going to open a bottle of wine and fix something to eat. You are welcome to join me, but I'd understand if you want to lay low. You've been through a lot." Something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone quickly.
What had that been? "You said that Denton's agent is your brother?"
"Lawrence Thompson. He's been Denton's agent since the beginning. He discovered him at the mall. Can you believe that?"
"So your family is from around here?"
She nodded as she washed her hands. When she grabbed a wine bottle and started to open it, she said, "Yeah. My folks hail from early Hollywood. You?"
"Me too, but we don't run in the same circles. Do you know the Hempler family? Cadence Hempler?"