Page 11 of Just The Way You Aren't

“That way. Take a left in two blocks,” she replies.

I have to wait several time-gobbling minutes in order to find an opening in traffic, then again to shift to the lefthand lane. But I get there, and we get to the shelter shortly thereafter. It’s a building that appears to be leaning on the one next to it.

This neighborhood could really use some upgrades.

The woman bounces out of the car with the kitten in her arms. “You coming?” she asks.

I was just going to wait in the car for her, but now, I decide I will go in. Still worrying about my car getting hijacked, I lock it just the same and walk away from it in favor of following the red-haired dose of liquid sunshine into the shelter.

The kitten blinks at me, just as surprised as I am.

“Hey, Jane,” the woman says just as soon as I open the doorfor her. “I’ve got another one for you. Poor thing was on the median on my way to work. Can you believe no one stopped? Except this nice man here. I wasn’t sure he would help, but then he did, and he even drove us here. Didn’t he, Pixie?”

Oh God. She’s named the cat already.

I look at Pixie and wonder how a boy cat is going to feel about that name.

He just purrs happily in the woman’s arms.

“Pixie. What a sweet name. Say, how are Mrs. Baumgartner and Mr. Katz?” Jane asks.

“Cute as ever,” she responds. With a sad sigh, she hands Pixie across the desk to Jane. “They’re still waiting for their portable oxygen units.”

“That’s sad.” Jane shakes her head. “But you work miracles at that organization, let me tell you.”

“I just wish I could make the Medicare cogs turn faster,” she replies in frustration.

My Apple Watch flashes. It’s time for my meeting with the Executive Director of Silver Hearts. Actually, I should already be there. And I’m not. Because of this… distraction. I growl softly and tap my foot.

The two women look at me.

“Sorry,” I grunt. “I’m late for an appointment.”

“Oh!” the woman gasps. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Jane, I’ll see you later!”

“See you soon,” Jane agrees, giving me a dirty look.

Apparently, I’ve interrupted her social life. Well, Jane’s interrupting my very important meeting so she can stuff her attitude.

The red-haired woman hurries past me and out the door before I can open it for her. She all but leaps into my Mercedes. “I’m ready!” she announces.

I get behind the wheel and navigate us, as quickly as possible, back to her bike. Though she is still as sunshiny as ever, I can’t get the dark cloud to leave my mind. I’m late. Damn it. I’m never late.

She stops talking after she realizes I’m not engaging anymore, and I feel a little bad about that, but I’m on a mission now. I need to get to my appointment, and fast. The last thing I need is to give Alfred and the board any more reason to doubt me.

“Can you handle the lock on your own?” I ask gruffly when I drop her off at the mouth of the alley.

“Absolutely,” she smiles. “Thank you again for helping me and Pixie.”

“You’re welcome,” I grunt. I watch her to make sure she gets to her bike and gets it unlocked, even though I should be on my way. I just don’t want to leave her alone to get jumped.

Once the bike is unlocked and she’s astride it again, she waves to me and goes on her way.

I sigh and turn the car around at the light, traffic still as bad as ever. I only realize then that I never got her name.

No matter. It’s not as though I’m ever going to run into her again. I pull up in front of the Silver Hearts office, another listing building, and park my car next to a meter that… still accepts coins?

Do I have coins?

---