A Couple of Years of Gardening (Chapter 5) (standard:romance, 2664 words) [5/10] show all parts
Author: kmr412002	Added: Dec 27 2006	Views/Reads: 2337/1764	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A courtship and marriage of a detective as told by his wife.

It is an hour before Kate's wedding. One of her bridesmaids has not
shown up. The bridesmaid is a cousin of Kate's. Last night, Kate and 
her attendants went out for a couple of drinks last night. Robin met up 
with another girlfriend and that was the last anyone ever saw of her. 

Kate keeps looking at me. I know what she needs me to do. I rush out and
find David and Jack standing together.  I keep my focus on David to let 
him know I'm going to get Robin. 

Up until this time, I've done a pretty good job avoiding him.  I would
be lying if I said I did not fantasize about Jack calling me to say the 
night at my hotel was magical.  I would say, “What about Megan?”  and 
he would say “Megan, Shmegan.”  But the call never came, and I thought 
at worst, what had happened was a mistake, and at best, a sweet little 
dream. 

I say to him, “It's okay, Jack. I got the address. I think I can find
it.” 

He shakes his head, “I know exactly where it is. I could probably get
you there faster. 

I can't help but grimace, “Why I am not surprised?”  He shrugs his
shoulders and I follow him to his car. 

Jack puts that siren on the roof of his car and takes off. He takes a
sudden left turn and I crash into him. He can't help but smile a 
little, “Nina, seatbelt.” 

We race upstairs, and bang on the door. No answer. I begin back
downstairs. Where are you going?  To the super, maybe he'll let me in. 
Maybe I'd have a better chance. He shows me his badge. I step back and 
say, “After you.” 

While we wait for the superintendent, he says, “This will probably work
better if you don't stand there looking so great.” 

He points to the column across the hall. I walk over there resenting how
he had totally controlled this situation.  But of course, that's not 
really what I resent. When the door is opened, we find Robin still 
asleep.  She's fine, but terribly hung over.  I mumble something about 
having to get her dressed. I point to the dress hanging on the back of 
the bedroom door.  Jack says he will wait outside for us. I say, “I'm 
sure there are no surprises for you here.” 

I immediately regret my words as he waits outside anyway. 

After the customary bride and groom dance, Jack and I begin to dance. I
say, “I'm sorry about what I said in Robin's apartment. It's none of my 
business and I'm sorry I was so rude to you. I know you were just 
trying to help,” 

“I knew where Robin lived, because Kate told me she had a pretty serious
drug problem, and we swing by occasionally to check on her. 

I say, “You don't have to tell me anything.” 

I'm trying to back away, but his arm around me stiffens.  He pulls me a
fraction of inch closer. 

“Nina, I know I don't have to tell you anything, but--. 

The music has ended and we leave the dance floor.  I stand by a potted
fern hoping to separate myself from him.  Instead he positions himself 
behind the fern and reaches out to take my hand. 

“Nina?” he says. 

“Yes?” 

“I don't like this.” 

“What are you talking about?”  I know full well what he is talking
about.  I also know I may look like I'm talking to myself, but I don't 
care. 


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