“That’s our time. For this week, I want you to journal on that question: ‘Why is it scary to let someone love me?’”
The topic is shoved out of my mind as I drive to Kat’s condo. Checking my forwarded mail, it’s bill, bill, bill. But the last envelope from an insurance company catches my eye.
Opening it, I grab the check, my eyes going wide at the zeros.Pay to the order of Taylor McKenna.The note line includes the renters insurance claim number.
Renters insurance? Did I have renters insurance? Who cares; this will put a nice dent in my debt!
There’s a sticky note attached to the back of the check.
The family takes care of our own. Unless you’re not one of our own…
Bribed and threatened in the same breath; I should have known it was too good to be true. Unlocking the condo, I enter the kitchen, but no Bonnie. Panic floods my body.
The mob wouldn’t kidnap my cactus…right?
My fingers tremble as I pull up Gavin’s contact and send him a message.
Do you know where Bonnie is?
Bubbles appear as I pace back and forth.
Yeah, the movers took her and all your things to your place this morning.
I let out a huge sigh of relief.
Why didn’t you tell me?
Got distracted when you asked me to masturbate with you.
I roll my eyes with a grin, my thumbs flying over my keyboard.
Go fuck yourself.
Later. I can’t right now.
And I can’t help but laugh.
Locking up behind me, I drive to my favorite art gallery, browsing for a wedding gift. Nothing catches my eye, and so I stop at the art store and buy an empty frame and canvas, scrawling an IOU over it.
With a gift bag in the front seat, I follow the GPS directions down the shore, continuing my audiobook.
Hold on, Father, because I’m about to take you to heaven.
Sister straps on her dildo…
Nope, enough of that.
I arrive at a showstopper of a beachfront property, with a security guard there to greet me at the gate. He motions for me to roll my window, and I do so. “Identification,” he says gruffly.
“Um, sure,” I say, fumbling for my wallet. Handing it over, I wait for him to eyeball me before checking something off a list and returning my license.
He silently walks around my car, peering inside before returning to my window. “Pop your trunk.”
I do as he commands, but if the guy breaks out gloves for an anal probe, I’m outta here. After my vehicle and I pass inspection, I’m instructed to pull through the gate, where another security guard directs me to park.
I’m already stressed by the time I step out of my car, and I haven’t even seen Kat’s husband yet.
Reaching the backyard gate, I’m halted by yet another guard. “Purse,” he tells me gruffly, and I sigh, handing it over. He rifles through it, when I spot Kat bounding my way.