Chapter Twenty
"You're really making these meetings a regular thing lately," said Boyd to Felicia a few hours after he'd woken up. He wasn't hungover for a change, since the relatively large amount he'd had to drink was way less than his body routinely had to endure on any other given day and night. There was something else going on that made him feel good too, although he hadn't quite had the time to think about it.
"It's always been regular. You're usually just a lot less sober, and a lot happier to see me. What's the big change suddenly?" said Felicia. They were in Boyd's kitchen as usual. "Don't you enjoy my company anymore?"
"You're like a mother to me. I know I've never admitted that, but I guess I didn't think about it before. I haven't done much thinking lately."
"Wow, what's gotten into you, Boyd? Oh, I know, it's your new bedroom partner. Does it really take so little to make you give up your whole way of life? I mean, you met her what, a day ago?"
"It's been more than just a day … last night was our first date, that's all. So what? You're the one who's always on my case to change my ways and stop screwing around all the time."
"No, I'm on your case to stop getting yourself into legal trouble. There's a big difference here, and I'm sure you'll realize that pretty soon. I just hope you do before you let this Opal girl get under your skin. Do you know that your uncle supposedly has someone working specifically to find dirt on you?"
"So, he's been doing that since I turned eighteen. Obviously not his strongest skill, or he would have already found out something by now."
"Yes, it's not as though you've given him a shortage of leads to follow. You have been quite the asshole, if you don't mind me saying."
"I don't mind you saying. It's the truth anyway. But there are a lot of people who work either for me in some way, or with the trust in their daily business. What do you think, Opal's been sent to trick me and ruin my chances at this interview?" It didn't actually sound that stupid when he said it out loud. He'd been thinking it, at least in the back of his mind, ever since Felicia brought the topic up.
"I can tell you haven't considered that until just now. I know you, Boyd, better than you know yourself in many ways. Unfortunately, I was lumped with being your surrogate mother-figure after the accident. I know it's been mostly on a professional level, but you hardly gave me a break from taking care of the legal shit you get yourself in to; how was I ever meant to help you excel when you wouldn't stop hitting bottom every week?"
"Hey, that's a bit heavy for a breakfast discussion." He had already finished his toast and was working on drinking the coffee from his ten-thousand-dollar espresso machine. "Did I offer you something to eat?"
"No, you didn't. That's fine though, I already ate. Boyd, I'm just trying to tell you that, despite the way I'm forced to treat you like a burdensome client—I do actually care about what happens to you. And I don't want you letting this girl get too close, not so close that she could do any damage. I mean, Christ, just keep her at arm's length until this trust fund interview ordeal is over."
"You never told me when that would be, Felicia."
"Don't you think I would have, if I knew? They either haven't set a specific date, or someone is doing a very good job keeping that part secret. They're not required to tell you about the interview at all, and I'm sure there's at least one person on the board who is pissed off that you found out. If I can find out when it is, don't worry, I'll tell you."
"What you're telling me, is I might just have to keep on keeping a low profile, indefinitely?"
"No, you have choices just like anyone else. The only thing is that you've been able to soar above the law up until now, where the average person wouldn't have the money to save them. Boyd, please don't start to think that you're being unfairly treated. You're just being put under the same scrutiny as everyone else. Welcome to the real world."
"Gee, thanks." He downed the rest of the coffee and let the surge of warm energy flow through him.
"However, other people don't have the best damn lawyer in the country on their side, do they? Don't worry, we're going to get through this. Wait, are you drinking plain coffee?" She took Boyd's cup from his hand and sniffed at it, swirling the liquid around under the light above. "This doesn't have scotch or bourbon in it? Not even a liquor or something?"
"It's just coffee, water, and milk," Boyd said. He wondered what the problem was. Felicia stepped closer and smelled the air around him, like a mother checking their baby's diaper. She took him by the chin and moved his head left to right, taking in the light's reflection in his eyes.
"You're sober, aren't you? Are you even hungover?"
"I guess I can't blame you for being surprised. I'm not 'on the wagon' if that's what you're getting at. Don't sign me up for those bullshit AA meetings just yet, thanks. But no, I'm not drinking this morning. I feel pretty good actually."
"Does this Opal girl have anything to do with that?" she asked. Boyd nodded slowly.
"I think she might. I didn't really think about it. Just didn't feel like getting drunk so early in the day today. We fell asleep early last night as well."
"Wait, was she alone in your apartment? Have you checked the safe?"
"You think anyone would ever figure out there's a safe under the floor boards, under the carpet? I forget how to get at it half the time."
"Well, good, you don't need to open it. Leave that to me."
"I don't see why we can't just burn those documents. If anyone got their hands on those, the papers would have a field day."
"Trust me, you're better off knowing exactly what's on them, in case other copies did emerge."
"Whatever. So, is Opal a good influence or a bad one? Make up your mind."
"If she winds up helping you clean your act up, I suppose I can tolerate her presence for now. I don't trust her though. And it looks like Carl's watching her too."
"My cunt of an uncle?"
"Watch that word, thank you. Yes, your uncle. It looks like he's been watching her, at least since she met you from what I can find out. Of course, that's not unusual for him to do. Just be doubly careful, Boyd."
"I promise I'm not going to mess things up this time, Felicia, okay?"
"I'll hold you to that, Boyd. Enjoy your coffee. Good boy."