Page 37 of Rumors in Bayberry
The thought weighed on him.He didn’t want theBayberry Gazetteif she didn’t come with it.She was the one who made the words sing on the page.He supposed he was going to have to tackle that subject with her sooner rather than later.Although, he supposed he didn’t have to rush it.He still had the rest of the week to iron out things.
Just then a few drops of rain splashed onto the windshield.The sky had been threatening rain all morning.He opened the car door.As soon as he stepped outside, the light rain switched to a downpour.The raindrops bombarded him as he ran for the overhang by the front door.Sadie must have made a run for it, too, because they reached the stoop at the same time and practically ran into each other.
As the large raindrops pounded off the asphalt, Sadie spoke into the phone.“Thank you for keeping me updated.I look forward to hearing more from you.”
When she slipped the phone back into her purse, he said, “Good news?”
She shrugged.“No assignment yet.But they want me back.It’s just a matter of time until the right story comes along, and then I’ll be out of here.”
There was a bright flash of lightning off in the distance.A short time later, thunder rumbled through Bayberry.And then, if it were possible, the rain came down harder.The wind blew the rain toward them.
Sadie quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside.He thought she was just going to leave him there, but then she turned back to him.“Come on before you’re totally soaked.”
He wasn’t going to argue.He ducked inside and was happy to be out of the rain.He swiped the rain from his face.“Boy, it’s really coming down out there.”
She waved at him to follow her.“Come on upstairs.”
He hesitated.“Are you sure?”
“Well, you don’t want to go back out in the storm, do you?”
Before he could answer, another crack of thunder shook the floor he was standing on.“I think I’ll wait until it passes over.”
“That’s what I thought.”
After he kicked off his shoes by the door, she led him upstairs.When he made it to the landing, he found it opened up into the living room.It was spacious and bright.The walls were painted white and had some landscape paintings on them.There was a large flat-screen television on the wall.The décor up here was modern, while downstairs, the newsroom, looked as if it were stuck in the nineteen fifties.
His gaze moved to the big navy-blue couch, and that was when he noticed a ball of black fluff.It wasn’t until it moved that he realized it was a cat.“You have a cat?”
Sadie smiled.“I don’t exactly have a cat.The cat claimed me.I named him Binx.”
The cat stretched.He was a big kitty.“How did he claim you?”
“I found him one night in the alleyway a few months ago.He followed me to the door, so I got him some food and water.He downed both.When I went to take the bowls inside, he slipped through the doorway.He made himself at home.He didn’t have a tag or anything.I posted his picture all over town.When no one claimed him, I took him to the vet to get his shots and everything.Binx now considers himself a house cat.”
The cat jumped down and approached him.Reed stared down at the cat, not sure if the cat wanted to make friends or claw his eyes out.
“Go ahead,” Sadie said.“He’s very friendly.”
Reed looked into the cat’s green eyes.He didn’t see any malice.So, he bent over and slowly lowered his hand to pet the cat’s head.A few moments later, he heard Binx purr.
“Well, now that you met my roommate, you can make yourself comfortable.”Sadie dropped her stuff onto the table in the small dining room.She returned a moment later with some paper towels in her hand.She handed them to him.“These might help you.”
“Thanks.”He took them from her and ran them over his face and his hair.
He glanced down at his pants.There was no helping them.They’d have to air dry.At least it was just below his knees that got wet.
“It’s past lunchtime,” she said.“Would you like something to eat?”
He glanced at the window, where the rain was still coming down.“I don’t want to put you out.I can wait.”
“It’s up to you, but I’m going to make a grilled cheese with a bowl of tomato soup.I have enough for two.”
“I haven’t had that since I was a kid.”It brought back good memories.
She smiled at him.“Am I to take it that you want some?”
“Well, if you really don’t mind making extra, then yes.”
