Page 95 of Tequila Tuesdays

The adrenaline from earlier in the day hadn’t worked itself out either, so I decided to take Gary for a quick run over to the park and back. I knew it wasn’t smart to run alone at night, but I needed to get some energy out and the gym was closed. I grabbed my mace and whistle, put on a light-colored pullover with a hood, and headed out.

Gary started wagging his tail and wiggling his body when I pulled his leash out. While we ran, I let my mind drift.

When I was in high school, I had a few short-term boyfriends. But between school, volleyball, and trying to hide Ava’s addiction, none of them lasted. Then in college, I met Ryan my freshman year, and we were together until he died. After he passed away, I found myself talking to him out loud sometimes when I was alone.

He'd always been a good listener, and he didn’t try to solve my problems or minimize my concerns. As time passed, my habit lessened until I couldn’t remember the last time I’d talked to him like that.

Grief is a peculiar thing. Sometimes it’s powerful and overwhelming, and sometimes it’s a quiet ache or memory that brushes by like a soft wind.

When I was half a block away from my house, I noticed a car turn slowly onto my street. My hackles rose and my instincts kicked in. There was something suspicious about the dark tinted windows and slow speed. I quickly pulled my hoodie up over my head.

The car slowed way down in front of my house, and my heart rate sped up. I squinted at the license plate but could only pick up the last three digits––SFW.

The car seemed to slow down even more when it was close enough for the driver to see me. I walked between a parked car and the gutter so I wouldn’t be an easy target and turned my head away so the headlights wouldn’t blind me. After it passed, I heard the car speed up and continue down the street.

When I got closer to my house, I quickly glanced back to make sure the car was out of sight before I went inside. It might not be anything, but the whole incident made me jumpy and uneasy.

Chapter 29

OnChristmasmorning,Ibrought Gary with me over to Ava’s house. I decided I was done walking on eggshells, and I wanted him around after the strange drive-by last night.

Olivia met me at the door and smothered Gary with affection. “How’s my favorite guy this morning? Are you having a good Christmas?”

He wiggled happily and danced around her. When she turned around, I noticed the Grinch’s face smiling malevolently from the butt of her green and red striped pajama bottoms.

“Nice ass, Cindy Lou Who.” As a child, Olivia loved the Jim Carey version ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmas. We’d watched it together so many times, we used to quote some of the lines to each other.

“Thanks. Where’syourChristmas spirit, Scrooge?” She looked at my clothes. I had on gray leggings and a black pullover.

“It’s in my heart. I don’t have to wear it on my butt.”

She shook her head. “Ava’s still asleep. She stayed up watching another Hallmark movie after you left. I made coffee and was going to toast a bagel.”

I followed her into the kitchen. “Did you notice anything strange last night after I left?”

“Like what?”

I shrugged, a little embarrassed. “I don’t know. Maybe cars passing by slowly, or anyone around the neighborhood who looked suspicious?”

She studied me. “I didn’t. Tell me why you’re asking.”

“It’s probably nothing, but I thought it’d be good for you and Ava to know.” I told her about the incident at Shanda’s house, Jason the psycho drug dealer, and the car I’d seen in the neighborhood.

“Why were you running at midnight on Christmas Eve?” she asked.

I shrugged defensively. “I don’t know. My mind wouldn’t shut off, and I felt restless.”

Olivia nodded slowly. “Holidays get to me too sometimes. I’m not sure we need to tell Mom about the car. She’s already kind of weird about you being a criminal defense attorney.”

“I’d rather not tell her. But on the off chance it’s something we need to worry about, I thought you should know.”

She stuck another bagel into the toaster. “Does that kind of thing with Shanda happen a lot?”

“Domestic violence incidents? Yes, they happen all the time. But I’m usually not in the middle of it. I learn about it after charges are filed and I’m representing the defendant.”

She rubbed her forehead and sighed. “I hate to say this, but I think Mom has a point about you being safer as a real estate attorney.”

“I wasn’t cut out for that. It’s too sedentary and boring. Criminal defense is rewarding and interesting. It also involves actual people.”

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