Tarot

 

 

While we waited for dusk to arrive, I called Peyton to find out how things were going.

“Great. Ruby and I have been playing Yahtzee and Monopoly,” she replied.

“Good. You found some of my games,” I replied.

“Among other things,” she answered dryly.

I knew the board games had been in a box next to a stack of Playboy Magazines.

I smiled. “What can I say? I haven’t had a girlfriend in a while.”

“Apparently, not since 2012?” she replied.

“Some of them are worth money,” I argued.

She snorted. “Great, I’ll help you sell them on eBay. Do people even buy used Playboys?”

“They’re as good as new. Definitely not… used.”

“Hey, I’m not judging,” she replied, a smile in her voice. “You’re not the only one who hasn’t been with anyone for a while.”

“Does that mean if I go looking through your drawers I’ll find some mags, too?”

“No. Maybe some tools,” she replied.

My own tool suddenly was charged and ready to go. “Sounds kinky. You going to give me some demonstrations on how to use them?”

“Who needs battery-operated toys when you’re like the Energizer Bunny? I could barely keep up with you the other day.”

I grinned at the memory.

“Anyway, we’d better change the subject,” she whispered. “Ruby just walked out of the bathroom.”

“Oh. Right. I just wanted to remind you that it’s going to be a late night. If you need anything, you can use my truck. The keys are hanging up in the kitchen on a hook.”

“I saw them. Actually, I was thinking about stopping home and grabbing the stuff I bought for Ruby. And Chilly is getting into all kinds of mischief here. She’s been barking up a storm. I’m pretty sure your neighbors have heard.”

“Shit. I didn’t even think about that.”

“I can bring her with us and let her get some exercise, too. Do you think it’s safe to go home?”

“Yeah. From what we can tell, Blade is in Cottage Grove. Probably recovering from the stab wounds you inflicted on him. We’re keeping an eye on the place where he’s holding up.”

“Oh, good. Crap. My cell phone is about to die. I forgot my charger at home.”

I pictured mine on the counter. “I have one in the kitchen.”

“It doesn’t work with my phone. I already tried it. You should really think about getting a new one. How old is yours, anyway?”

Mine was about five years old, and I was fine with it. Now that I had Ruby, however, I knew that I needed to shopping around for new ones. Although she was very young, I wanted her to have a cell phone. For emergencies. “Old. It’s probably time to replace it and get one for Ruby. Maybe the three of us could get on a family plan?”

“If that’s your way of proposing, you’d better rethink your technique,” she said, a smile in her voice. “You make scream-o music sound smoother.”

I chuckled. It was far too soon to talk marriage, but the thought of her moving in with me was definitely on my mind. I told her.

“That’s a little fast, isn’t it?” she replied softly. “Not that I’m totally opposed to it.”

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

“Sure. We can do that. It’s kind of crowded in your apartment. I was thinking that Ruby and Chilly could stay with me for now, if you’d like. I could also take the next few days off of work, too. The agency owes me some time off. I can find someone to handle my shifts at Olive Garden, too.”

“That would be awesome,” I replied, relieved. “I’ll even pay you.”

“Nonsense,” she replied, sounding almost insulted. “Ruby needs someone to help her adjust to everything and I’d love to be there for her. You’re going to be busy with packing and… other things, I’m sure.”

She wasn’t kidding. There was a lot to do and I definitely could use her help.

“Well, I appreciate what you’re offering,” I replied, wondering where she’d been all my life. The woman was beautiful, thoughtful, and giving. I probably didn’t deserve her, but Ruby did. I could only hope I didn’t fuck anything up between us.

“No problem. My phone is about to die here. So, we’ll head over to my place with your truck. Call me later.”

“I will.”

“Remember,” she whispered. “Don’t you dare die. You have a daughter that needs you. I need you.”

I was about to answer when her phone went dead. Swearing, I put mine away. If there was ever a time when I needed things to go perfectly, it was today.

I need you, too, I thought, picturing Ruby, Peyton, and Chilly in my head. All three of them.