CHAPTER 20
Pierre
Later that evening
“Thanks for everything today,” Matilda says.
She comes up on her tiptoes and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
“You know I’m here for you whenever you need it.’
“But unfortunately whenever is becoming way too often these days.”
“It’s never too often.”
She smiles and gives me a hug.
“I’m going to go check on Andrew.”
“Sounds good. Dishes will be done by the time you get back.”
“You’re too much,” she says.
“You’re too much. No go check on that beautiful son of yours.”
She walks off toward the nursery. It was just a spare bedroom all these years so I’m glad it’s finally getting some use. It is meant for sleeping after all, I just never figured it would be a baby who’d be the one who’d actually be sleeping in there.
I start in on the dishes thinking how nice it is to have Matilda back in the house. I’ve been here by myself for quite some times, only having company when she comes to visit, but now that visit is looking less and less temporary and more and more permanent. It’s a good thing. It’s nice to have her and her energy here. I still can’t believe whoever the guy was who got her pregnant was foolish enough to let her go. If I ever cross paths with that guy he better watch out.
I hear the doorbell and look up at the clock. It’s well past eight in the evening, almost nine…definitely late for a visitor, and the whole door to door marketer or salesperson type of thing hasn’t really taken hold so I should probably answer it.
I turn off the water and dry off my hands. Before I can reach the door the bell is already ringing again. Somebody’s in a rush.
I arrive at the door and look through the peephole. What in the hell kind of motley crew is this? But it’s not a band of misfits it’s only one. The porch light has kicked on illuminating him so it’s clear to see that this is some sort of scam or robber or something. No sane person has…tattoos on his neck? Good grief.
I quietly move away from the door knowing they’ll go away. In the meantime I’m going to phone it in to the police. Last thing we need is some hooligan in the neighborhood stealing and causing trouble. I’ve got a young woman and a baby to watch out for these days.
I hear a knock on the window and freeze.
“I see you in there. I just want to talk. I’m not as scary as I look.”
Yeah right. I wouldn’t expect a bad guy to announce to the world he’s a bad guy. Luckily he’s already done it with all that ink on his skin and the hard look he gave through the peephole.
I slide my socked feet along the floor. Better to slide through the house and out of view. He probably can’t see me anyways. This way I won’t make any noise.
“I’m a doctor. I just need to talk. And I’m not leaving until I get a chance to say my peace.”
I slide away a little more.
“I see you, man. Come on! You can open the door or I can open it myself. I’m not leaving. I’m not here to hurt you. I’ll sleep on your front step until you come out if I have to.”
Open it himself? Then he changed his tone a bit. This guy is definitely dangerous.
“Is everything okay in here,” Matilda says as she enters the room.
I hold my finger up to my lips signaling her to be silent. I see the fear in her eyes and it’s completely justified. I’m scared too.
I mouth the word “police” to her.
She slowly back steps out of the room.
I stay in place making sure not to move. The police can get here in thirty minutes or less. Hopefully I can stay still that long because this guy looks way beyond rough.