Page 8 of Space Oddities

His face still passive, he tips his head in my direction. “It’s not mine, it’s Trish’s.”

“Oh.” The women all take in the meaning of that statement. My Airstream in Ian’s garage is the equivalent of staking my claim.

“Isn’t that nice.” Veronica looks like I pissed in her Cheerios. “Your vacation vehicle, is it? My Henry and I were thinking of getting one, just to play around with on weekends, maybe.” Her perfect white teeth are bared in some semblance of a smile. “But they’re so cramped, I’m not sure I could do it.”

Kate honest to God titters and pulls her phone out of her bra.

“This”—I wave at the Airstream—“is my home. I live in there. Permanently.”

“Oh. Isn’t that something.” Veronica gives her friends a meaningful smile. “Ian’s place must be a nice little vacation from reality.”

Melissa has the good grace to look uncomfortable. “Um, I heard that they’re hard to find. Airstreams, that is. A lot of people are restoring them.” She cringes a bit at Veronica’s glare and shrugs. “I see it on Pinterest all the time.”

Smiling at Melissa, because I know full well what it’s like to speak out when others are judging, I nod. “I did do a bit of restoration when I got it. It’s a bit of a mess now, with me having just moved it, but when I set it to rights, you’re more than welcome for a visit.”

Not looking at Veronica or Kate, Melissa nods, a small smile on her rather pretty face. “Thank you.”

Veronica throws Melissa a sour look. “Yes, we’d all love a look at your quaint little trailer, wouldn’t we, Kate?”

“Yep.” Kate’s eyes are focused on her phone, thumbs flying.

“Did you need something, ladies?” Ian voice cuts across the tension.

I look at him, surprised. I’ve never heard him use such a harsh tone before.

Apparently it’s enough to shock Veronica out of her unveiled animosity as well. She shifts in her pristine Nikes. “Oh, no. We were just being neighborly is all.”

When Ian doesn’t smile in return, she steps back. “But we have to be going now. Calories to burn!” She taps her Apple Watch. “Come on, ladies.” With a wave, she turns, her followers starting to power-walk behind her. As a woman, I can easily see the extra sway she puts in her step as she strides down the drive.

But when I turn to Ian, he isn’t looking at Veronica’s backside. His eyes are on me. “I…” He seems embarrassed. And I don’t know why, but that shoots a flame of anger through me. I break out in a sweat.

Using my anger, I haul the heavy generator out from the back of my truck.

Hurrying to my side, Ian tries pushing me away from the machine. “What are you doing?”

I push right back, edging him out of the way so I can set the generator down. My back twinges when I bend over. Dang it. Blowing out a breath as I stand, I fan myself for effect. “Well, sugar, it’s too dang hot for no a/c, even if summer’s fading.”

“But…” He glances at the generator before looking at me, frowning. “I have plenty of room in the house.”

“That’s okay.” I unroll the hook-up cables. “I’m good.”

“Running a generator is loud, the neighbors might complain.”

I smile at his grumpy tone. “Oh, sugar, no one will ever even hear this one.” Tilting back the generator on its wheels, I move it like a dolly outside the garage and onto the driveway.

Ian follows, still looking confused.

“This here gennie is a Honda EU2200i, and runs as quiet as a vibrator under the covers.” I pat the top of it, most likely looking and sounding like a used car salesman.

Ian opens and closes his mouth a few times but never actually speaks. I think me choosing to stay in my trailer instead of living in his mansion has stuttered his brain.

While Ian continues to gape, I grab the gas can and fill up the generator before turning it on. After the initial start, the Honda motor hums quietly. "See?” I say proudly. “No one will even know I'm here."

Finding his voice, Ian follows me back into the garage. “You’re really going to stay in your trailer? In my garage?” The disbelief in his voice is both amusing and insulting.

I rest the gas can on the floor of the garage, just by the threshold. “Yep.”

His response is a shake of his head and another lost look.

---