Don't Look Back (8 page)

I glanced at my watch. The clock was ticking. Five minutes had passed and I had accomplished nothing. Should I confront Amanda or should I just drive away and forget the whole thing? Uncertain what to do, I looked at Greta. “What should I do, girl?” She just smiled at me with her sweet doggie smile. I reached over and pet her, then looked back toward the apartment.

My hand froze in mid-scratch as I watched Amanda walk across the grass and toward a car parked on the street. She climbed into the driver’s side and a moment later she drove away. I couldn’t believe it - my opportunity had come.

As soon as her car was out of sight, I drove my car forward and parked right in front of the apartment. I considered taking Greta in with me, but didn’t want to take the extra time to undo her seatbelt and then have to strap her back in.

I left my purse in the car and just brought my car key and the key I had kept from the apartment. Locking my car, I raced to the apartment door and inserted the key into the lock. It worked. Grinning in relief, I pushed the door open. Memories assaulted me - both good and bad. Yes, things had gone sour with Trevor at the end, but before that we’d shared good times.

My gaze darted around the room and I saw that the place looked pretty much the same. Amanda, if she was living there, kept the place tidy. Leaving the front door open, I went into the bedroom and then stopped. The bed was unmade and I couldn’t help but wonder if Trevor was sleeping with Amanda. The thought of him with another woman hurt. Even though I’d left him, we were still married. I wondered if that meant anything to him.

Pushing those troubling thoughts aside, I went to the closet and slid open the door. To my surprise, my boxes of Christmas decoration were untouched. I pulled them out and quickly carried them out to my car, placing them in the trunk. I closed the trunk and went back inside.

I looked around to see if there was anything else of mine that I wanted to take. First I searched the bedroom but nothing else of mine was there. I also noticed that none of the clothes in the closet and dresser belonged to a woman. Somehow I felt better in knowing that Trevor appeared to live there alone.

The only other room that might contain items I’d want to take was the kitchen. I had brought a number of kitchen implements, like small appliances and mixing bowls, from Dad’s house after I’d first moved in. Quickly going through the cupboards, it didn’t take long for me to gather the things I wanted to take.  Things like my Dad’s toaster, blender and can opener as well as mixing bowls and utensils. I could use those things at my new place in California. And, after all, they were mine. There was no reason I should have to go out and buy new things when I had these.

Glancing at my watch, I knew Trevor had been gone about twenty minutes and Amanda about fifteen. Time was getting short, but I thought I could get it done. When I had looked in the closet earlier, I had noticed a plastic tub that I could use to carry things out to my car.

Dashing to the closet, I dumped out the contents of the tub, which looked like some gaming equipment of Trevor’s. Then I took the tub to the kitchen and set as much as I could fit into it, then carried the tub to my car. I opened the door behind the driver’s and moved the items from the tub to the floor of the car. Greta watched my every move, but stayed in her seat, restrained by her seatbelt.

I went back into the apartment for another trip. After another trip I came back inside once more and was able to fit the remaining items, including the silverware, into the tub. I looked through the cupboards and drawers one last time to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Satisfied that I’d gotten everything that belonged to me, I took the last load out to the car and unloaded it all into the back seat.

After locking the car, I took the empty tub back into the bedroom. I was putting Trevor’s gaming stuff back into the tub when an angry voice filled the room.

“What the hell are you doing?”

My head whipped up to see Amanda standing in the doorway. I sincerely hoped Trevor wasn’t with her. I looked at my watch and knew I had only minutes until he would be back. I had to get out of there. I jumped up, the tub forgotten. “I was just leaving.”

“How did you get in here?”

Angry to be questioned by this girl who was in
my
apartment, I said, “Not that it’s any of your business, but this is
my
apartment. The lease is in
my
name.”

Clearly not convinced, Amanda shook her head. “But you don’t live here anymore.”

“Do you?” I shot back.

“Not yet,” she said, a mean glint in her eye.

“Well, I hope you and Trevor will be very happy together.” I paused. “Has he hit you yet or is he still playing the part of Prince Charming?”

She shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I knew I needed to get out of there but she stood between me and the exit. I watched as she pulled out her cell phone and pressed two buttons.

“Trevor doesn’t love you anymore, Lily. You just need to get over it.” Then she put the phone to her ear.

Her words sank into my heart and I felt hot tears welling up in my eyes. Even though I’d left
him
, I still loved him in a way and it cut me deeply to think he didn’t love me at all.

“She’s here,” Amanda said into the phone. Then, “Okay.” And she hung up. “Trevor wants to talk to you.”

My mind spun as I focused on what Amanda had said.
Trevor was on his way. He knew I was here. I had to get away
. Gathering my wits, I shook my head. “I have nothing to say to him.” Then I walked toward her. She didn’t move. “Get out of my way,” I demanded.

“No. Trevor told me to keep you here until he gets back.”

I tried to push past her but she wrapped her arms around me. It was just like Steve, my self-defense instructor, had done. For a full second I was immobilized as I tried to recall the moves I’d practiced. Then in a rush, they came to my mind and I executed the moves exactly as Steve had taught me. Amanda cried out as I bent her finger back as hard as I could. A moment later I was free. Momentarily stunned to discover the moves really worked, it took me half a second to react. Then I raced out the door, unlocked my car with shaky hands, started the engine and drove away.

Just as I began turning the corner, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw Trevor’s Camaro entering the street at the other end. I drove as fast as I dared, the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. Soon I was back on I-80 and heading west.

“Woo hoo!” I shouted, startling Greta. “I did it!” Giddy with relief, I laughed as I pictured Trevor and Amanda’s faces when they realized I had cleaned out the kitchen cupboards. I hadn’t taken anything that belonged to Trevor and felt no remorse for what I’d done.

As I replayed the encounter with Amanda, I felt elated. I had broken out of her grip and I had gotten away. As I continued heading west I kept a close eye on my mirrors, watching for Trevor’s Camaro. As I reached Sacramento I felt safe.

I had done it.

Chapter Fourteen

Within a few hours I pulled into my driveway, exhausted. It had been quite a day. I let Greta out of the car and she stayed near me as I walked to the front door and unlocked it. The sun was starting to set and I wanted to get everything into the house before it was full dark.

There were no street lamps on my street and the porch light wouldn’t penetrate the darkness near my car. I carried in the boxes with the Christmas decorations first, stacking them in the living room, then I went back out the door to get another load. As I stepped off the porch, I saw a tall man jogging toward me up the gravel drive. There was just enough light for me to recognize my neighbor, Marcus.

“Hi, Kate,” he said when he reached me.

I noticed he was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. “Hi,” I said, wondering why he’d come over.

“I was coming back from my run and saw you carrying things in. Do you need any help?”

I was so exhausted that I was happy to have the help. “Sure. That would be nice.” I had left the trunk open and pointed in that direction. “If you can get the things in the trunk, that would really help.” I watched him lift my suitcase from the trunk, as well as Greta’s food and then carry them into the house. I opened the door to the backseat and grabbed as many items as I could hold, and carried them into the kitchen.

“Where do you want me to put these?” he asked.

“Just on the floor in the living room is fine.”

It didn’t take long for him to bring in everything from the trunk. When he brought in his first load from the backseat and set the items on the dining room table he asked, “Where did you get all this stuff?”

The question caught me off guard. I didn’t want to tell him that I’d tricked my estranged husband into leaving so that I could get into my old apartment and “steal” back my stuff. “Garage sales,” I said instead, smiling.

He believed me without question and helped me bring it all in. When we’d finished, we stood in the kitchen and in the bright light I got a good look at him. In his running shorts and snug fitting t-shirt I couldn’t help but notice what good shape he was in. He was all male and his nearness made my pulse quicken. But I had zero desire to get involved with anyone.

Besides, I thought, what makes you think he’d want to get involved with you? You’re married
and
pregnant.

“Thanks for your help, Marcus.”

“Anytime.” He paused. “If you want, I can put that crib together.”

I felt my face redden, like I had done something wrong. “What makes you think it’s for me?”

The question seemed to embarrass him. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

Now I felt bad. “No, it’s okay. Did your mom tell you I’m pregnant?”

He seemed uncomfortable. “Well, yeah. That’s what Mary told her. I should know better than to listen to old woman’s gossip.”

I laughed, trying to ease his discomfort. “It’s actually true. And I would appreciate it if you could put the crib together.”

“Great. Would tomorrow be okay?”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I walked him to the door and locked it behind him, then went into the kitchen and began putting everything away. As I placed each item in the cupboard, I smiled, pleased with myself for getting everything back without getting caught by Trevor.

I wondered how he had reacted when Amanda had told him I’d been inside the apartment and then when he had discovered I’d taken all my kitchen things. I pictured him going into the kitchen to make dinner, opening the cupboard to take out a pan or a casserole dish or a utensil and finding the cupboard bare. I smiled as I imagined him yanking open all the cupboards and drawers and finding them empty. He would kick himself for leaving to meet me. He would probably change the locks now too.

True to his word, Marcus came over first thing the next morning, tools in hand. I led him up to the baby’s room, Greta on my heels, and he got right to work on the crib. I wasn’t sure if he expected me to keep him company, but I felt I should since he had taken the time to come over and help me out.

Since there was no furniture in the room, I sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. Greta pressed herself against me. I had made sure to close the closet door before Marcus came over; I didn’t want him, or anyone, to know about the secret room. If they did, it would no longer be a secret, and therefore useless to me.

After working in silence for about ten minutes, Marcus glanced at me and asked when I was due.

“Just before Christmas,” I said.

“I can’t even tell you’re pregnant,” he said as he attached two pieces of wood together.

For some reason I felt defensive, like he thought I was making it up. “Well, I am.”

He stopped what he was doing and looked at me. “I didn’t say you weren’t. I just meant . . .” He paused and looked back at what he was doing, then said quietly, “You look really good.”

I smiled, feeling foolish for my attitude. “Thanks.”

“So, where are you from?”

I almost said Lovelock, but then remembered I’d told his mother I was from Las Vegas. If I’m going to lie, I thought, I’d better keep track of what I tell who. “Vegas.”

He glanced at me again. “What brings you here?”

Crap, I thought. I’d forgotten to work out a story and would have to make it up on the fly. I knew I needed to keep it simple so I could remember what I’d said. I also thought it would help if I tried to keep it as close to the truth as possible. “Well, my father passed away recently and I felt like I needed a change of scenery, so I packed up and started driving and ended up here.” That was actually all true, I thought, proud I’d been able to avoid lying.

“That’s cool.” He worked for a few more minutes then stopped and looked my way. “Just tell me to mind my own business if you want to, but my mom said Mary told her something about you being a widow.”

So much for telling the truth. I nodded and tried to look sad. It was difficult as I had just spoken to my “late husband” the day before. In fact, as I again imagined Trevor’s reaction when he’d discovered I’d cleaned out his kitchen I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling.

“I’m sorry,” Marcus said as he turned back to his task.

“It’s okay,” I assured him, a little too brightly.

“It is?” He looked at me, a surprised expression on his face.

Trying to figure out how to cover my lack of grief, I silently berated myself for not thinking before speaking. I would have to improve that habit. Thinking quickly I said, “What I meant was, even though it was sad when he died, we had been having some trouble for a while and he had recently left me for another woman.” That was sort of true.

“Oh. Well excuse me for saying so, but he must have been crazy to cheat on you.”

I felt myself blush. “Thanks,” I murmured.

A short time later he had the crib put together and he wheeled it against the wall.

“That looks great!”I said. “Thank you so much.”

“No problem, Kate.”

Just then there was a knock at the door and I felt the blood drain from my face. Greta started barking and took off down the stairs. Marcus was watching me.