Nikas Deliver 08

 

We let the answering machine take the call, whoever it was didn’t leave a message.

The reporter switched to another story and Nika slowly turned the volume down.  Her elegant eyebrows knit together and her eyes jumped around, not looking at me or anything else, just constantly moving, I felt the urge to reassure her again. I reached out and squeezed her forearm a little.

“Darling?” Her eyes finally stopped moving as she looked down at my hand.

“It’s Ok. I’m Ok.” She looked up and tried to smile at me, conflicted emotions played across her face, she ended up looking pained. “I need to make a call.” She lightly stroked my fingers before standing up grasping my hand.

If you want some privacy use the phone in my office.”  I offered.

“Kathryn, thank-you for being so understanding and supportive. You’ve no idea how much you mean to me.”  She leaned down and quickly kissed my cheek before releasing my hand and leaving the kitchen.  I smiled after her. I did know how much she meant to me and thus far had only hoped she might feel the same way.  As much as she was affectionate and passionate she could also be very closed off, I had wondered why, now I knew. Her past made it hard to be vulnerable to any emotions.  I vowed to make her understand that it was safe to be herself with me, safe to love me.

 

 

“Jesus Nika, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?” Stan chuckled.

I smiled knowing it was his way of reassuring me.

“That’s quite a long story, Stan.” I said lightly despite the feeling that my life was once again falling apart.

“You’re not quitting on me are you?” I heard him take a drag of his ever-present cigarette.

“Well, I won’t be able to lift anything very heavy for a while.”

“I been thinking of promoting you anyway, you’re too smart to be bustin’ your hump to make a living.”

“But I like…”

“How’s about dispatch? Give ya time to heal and let me keep an eye on you.”  I was touched by the protectiveness hiding under Stan’s gruff manner.

“I guess I could try it.”

“How ‘bout you start Thursday, that’ll give ya some time to rest up.”

"I think I’ll go crazy with nothing to do for that long.”

“Didn’t know you were a workaholic, what with all the 26ounce flu you’ve been getting lately.” He chuckled again.

“That was one time!” My voice was whiny.

“Seriously you alright?” His voice lowered as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear.

“I will be. I am. I’m just not sure how to handle this.”

“mmmm, well let me know if you need anything, anything at all. I’ve got some connections, folks who don’t mind clearing up misunderstandings if you get my meaning.”  I was surprised at the offer.  “I used to be a bouncer myself.”

“Thanks Stan, I really appreciate the offer, but I honestly don’t think…”

“well, if all else fails…”

“We’ll call that plan Z.”  Stan laughed.

“That’s the spirit girl! You’ve got a job here wherever you want one chica.”

“Thanks.”

“Got to go, you gimme call.”

“I will."

Stan hung up with out saying good-bye. I put the cordless receiver back on the cradle and stared at it for a moment wishing there were someone else to call. There was no-one else.  A sudden sob surprised me; quickly followed by emptiness. The image of Grandma’s beautiful quilt scorched and destroyed appeared in my mind.  The emptiness was soon replaced with rage, which slowly bloomed into determination.  This was the last time Shelley was going to fuck with my life.  Wiping the tears away I strode into the small bathroom just off the foyer. I washed my face and ran wet fingers through my hair before tying it back. I had to do something.  Kathryn was on her cell phone when I went back in the kitchen.  Feeling antsy I cleared our plates and fussed around the sink. Kathryn walked out onto the terrace and kept talking. I felt like I was going to explode.

Scrawling a quick note I grabbed a few items and went outside. I could hear her voice above me as I tied my shoes and hopped on my bike.  I had no idea where I was going but I knew I had to vent some rage and frustration.  A few hours of cycling usually did the trick.

 

The ticking of a bicycle caught my attention.  I leaned over the balustrade just in time to see Nika turning the corner towards the front drive. “Nika.” I yelped pulling the phone away from my ear. “shit, sorry Gil… no she just rode off on her bicycle.  No. I don’t think she quite understands … Yeah. Thanks Gil.  You’re a lifesaver. Yes, I’ll make a few more calls.”

Damage Control; mentally I listed what had to be done. It was a long list.

Gil’s P.I. was still watching Mark’s every move so if he tried to take advantage of the news I’d know what he was up to.

Tamara, the head of Ridgeway’s PR department almost dropped her cell phone when she realized who was calling her on a Saturday.  The two of us composed a press release that was factual yet vague.  Then I called the Security Company to request a stronger presence at the office and to arrange guards for the house. I wondered if I should send some guards to Nika’s apartment too?

My stomach growled at me. It was well past lunch and Nika hadn’t come back.

I flicked on the big TV in the living room and checked the security channels. A remote broadcast van labeled Channel 8 was pulling up to the front gate.

“O Fuck!” Nika was no where to be seen. Had she gone home? I threw down the remote and stalked back into the kitchen. I noticed the note while I was

listening to her Service Provider’s automated message. I clicked my phone closed and read the messy script. 

 

Kathryn, going stir crazy.

Gone for a ride

Won’t be too long.

Promise,

                                    Nika XO

 

The phone rang. My first urge was to throw it across the room.  I picked it up and calmly answered secretly hoping it was Nika and knowing that was ridiculous as she had just left.

“Hello.”

“So your new girlfriend has a psycho ex huh?” Mark sounded quite pleased.  I slammed the phone down; my almost numb hand started to smart with pain again.

“Fuck!

My cell was ringing.  I checked the display, Garnet Foster? Still feeling a little awkward with the bandages I slowly flipped open the phone.

“Hello Garnet.”

“Hello Katie, saw ya on the news…”

“Mmm, that was unfortunate, I was hoping to keep that under wraps.”

“Way I see is all you’re doing is looking after a friend, can’t see how that will reflect badly.”

“Well, let’s hope so.”

“Anyhow, we’ve come up with a way to get the asshole out of the picture.”

“Oh?”

“Make him an offer he can’t refuse as they say.  Gil let us in on a few things Katie, and you should know we’re all behind you. Since you’ve been CEO our stock just keeps climbing.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yeah, so you don’t worry about your husband,” he pronounced it with bitter sarcasm, “just make sure this crazy woman doesn’t hurt our stock, ah-right?”

“Alright, but what’s this offer?”

“We’re going to buy him out, all of us to spread it around, and if he makes a fuss well … should anything happen to him his shares would go to you anyway wouldn’t they?”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that, Garnet.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Katie, it won’t come to that.” He cackled. “we’ll keep you posted s’don’t you worry.”

“Alright Garnet.”

“So where’d you meet her?”

“ah…” I was taken back by his normal non-chalant tone. “Who?”

“The leggy blonde from the news, it was a shitty photo but it was clear you’ve got good taste.”  For a moment I had no idea how to respond.

“Ah-um, we met through work.” he made a noise that sounded like approval. “Honestly Garnet I’m a little surprised you’re taking this so well.”

“Hey, I may be old but I’m not totally unsophisticated, some of the boys were… well, shit, they’re only concerned with their wallets, Katie.  Gil assured them that as long as they stayed behind you everything in their world would be fine.  Actually might improve our approval ratings in certain sectors” He seemed to find this quite amusing.

“whe’ well thanks, that’s a bit of weight off my shoulders.”

“Don’t get me wrong, if it was your husband in this position, he’d be out on his ass.” He laughed again, ”well he will be soon anyways!”       

There it was, the honest truth, in their minds Lesbians weren’t a threat, but a Gay man with power, that was the last thing they wanted.

“Thanks for your honesty and support, Garnet.”

“Well, for what it’s worth. See you at the next pow-wow.”

With that he hung up. I flipped my cell closed and stared at the ivory coloured walls for a minute.  I was being protected by the boards’ bigotry. I sat down and slouched low on the couch while I let that sink in. Not for the first time

I wondered where life would have taken me if I hadn’t inherited Dad’s company.

Ironically money could be as limiting as it was liberating.  I looked around my perfectly decorated million-dollar home and wondered why the hell I was living there. Since Mother died I had rarely had any use for the guestroom never mind the three other bedrooms.  Mark and I had stopped entertaining long before I’d even bought this house. The thought of Nika in the pool gave me pause, where else would I find this kind of privacy. Where else would I ever find a woman like her? A ride? I ride to where? Fuck where was she? Why had I fallen so fast for her? Where was my usual caution? The phone in the Kitchen was ringing again.

 

I had been riding aimlessly for over half and hour, turning with whatever traffic lights happened to be green, eventually ending up on a bike path along the river. Speed and the reassuring rhythm of pedaling usually helped quiet any emotions fighting for expression: fear, doubt, anger, regret. Finally half-blinded by tears I had to slow down.  There was an open grassy area with a few picnic tables scattered around in the shade.  I pulled up next to one and leaned my bike against the seat. I sat on the table and pulled my water bottle from its holder trying desperately to stop crying.     When Am I going to stop living life like I’m on the run? I have been on the run, from everything, everyone, even myself. A pair of squirrel’s chirping and chasing each other up and down a nearby tree distracts me enough to pull back and find some answers, some direction.  I lay back on the peeling brown paint and watch the sunlight dance through the trees.  Mentally I arrange the scattered pieces of my life and try to figure out how to re-order them, regain some sense of control. The insurance money will help with the cost of moving, have to find a new apartment. I’ll stay in that neighbourhood if I can. Work on dispatch for a while, give me some time to find out how to actually use my education; look into local college courses maybe find some inspiration there. Kathryn … Kathryn, my body responds just thinking about her.  It feels like more than lust, but I’ve been wrong before.  I really want to keep things going with her if she’s not totally put off by everything that’s happened with Shelley.  Why do I feel like I don’t deserve her? Is it just the money or am I so insecure that I’d rather feel safe and alone than risk happiness?

 

I heard voices nearby and sat up, the pain in my ribs screamed at me, I felt dizzy. I braced one hand on the table and my other arm on my knees to support my forehead. What the hell had I been thinking? The pain lessened a little when I sat up straight.  Two young women were walking down the path holding hands; I saw them before they saw me. Their hands dropped away from each other when they saw me. I felt tremendously sad and shook my head at them trying to communicate that they shouldn’t stop on my account, not on anyone’s … When I came to they were hovering over me and there was a throbbing pain in the back of my head. I felt like a complete idiot.

“Maybe we should wipe her face?”

“What if she has a concussion?”

“Check her pulse.”

“There’s blood on her head.”

“Fuck what do you think happened?”

“I’m Ok.” I finally said opening my eyes.  They gasped and stepped back.

“Shit are you really Ok?”

“You so fainted! It was … fuck what happened to you?’

“Got in a fight.” I tried to sit up, the girl with the glasses helped me. “Thanks.”

“You’re all bandaged up.

“Cracked ribs.”

“Ah, is it really a good idea to be biking when you’re like injured?” Asked the one wearing black and white striped tights on her arms.

“Ah, probably not.” I smiled at them chagrined. “You two make a very cute couple, It made me kind of mad that you stopped holding hands when you saw me.”

They were very cute, both blushing.  They looked to be in their late teens with matching spiky black hair and mostly black punky clothes.

“well, normally …” The one with glasses who still had a hand on my shoulder began.

“You never know who’s going to be an asshole.” Her girlfriend stated.

“That’s true.” I agreed. “My name’s Nika.” I extended my hand and the girl with glasses took it first smiling.

“Mandy.” She had a firm grip.

“Cece,” said the other girl taking my hand,  “Are you going to be ok?”

“I think so, um what neighbourhood are we in?”

“wow, you’re really not ok.” Cece stated.

“Scona is just up the hill a little.” Mandy pointed back the way they had come.

“Good that means I’m close to home.” I slowly moved off the table.

“Are you really going to be ok?” Mandy asked.

“Yeah, I’ll just take it easy, thank-you very much for your concern.”

“You’re sure there’s no-one who could pick you up.”

“You could use my cell phone.” Cece offered digging through her shoulder bag.

“Really it’s ok.” I steadied myself on the edge of the table.

“But you’re bleeding, maybe we should walk with you?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way but are you always this helpful with complete strangers?”

“No but, you seem nice.” Mandy made a nonchalant face.

“And you’re a Babe and Mandy likes to fantasize about rescuing damsels in distress.” Cece teased.

“Shut-up.” Mandy emphasized both syllables.

“Well, today you succeeded, so thank-you.” Mandy beamed a huge grin.

“No-problem.”

“My girlfriend is probably worried sick.” I watched their surprise turn into a ‘yeah, we knew that’ face.

“Well now we have to escort you.” Mandy stated.

“I’ll push your bike.” Cece put a hand on the crossbar.

“Ok, on one condition.” I said smirking a little. “You hold hands the whole way.”

“Shiny” said Mandy smiling, pushing her glasses up, before reaching out to Cece.

 

I called Capital Security and arranged for a 24 hour guard on my house.  I wondered if I should do the same for Nika’s apartment. I didn’t want to seem controlling; perhaps they had a car in the neighbourhood. I asked and remarkably there was an electronics store near Nika’s apartment that had a regular guard, and a supervisor who drove around showing up at different jobs unexpectedly. I gave them her address and descriptions of her and Shelley.

Feeling better I hung up the phone and stretched in my chair, my neck and shoulders feeling tense. ‘Where on Earth had Nika gotten to?’ My stomach grumbled, 4pm.  I got up to fix a snack, my cell phone was vibrating across the kitchen counter.

“Hello!” I knew my voice must sound anxious but I didn’t care.

“Kathy?” Only one person got away with calling me that.

“Hi Peg, how are you?” I asked rummaging through a drawer searching for the spare earpiece. I found it tangled up with a pile of dead batteries.

“Oh I’m fine sweetie, but how are you holding up?” Peg, Gil’s wife had been a close friend of my mother and had always tried mother me, a compulsion that intensified after Mom passed on.

“just a sec, “ I slipped the earpiece on and plugged it in slipping the phone into my pocket. “Sorry, I needed hands-free, I’m starving.”

“Do you want me to bring something over?” She asked.

“no-no, it’s ok, thank-you though, for the offer…” I reached up to the cupboard.

“Kathy, you don’t sound like yourself, are you sure you’re all right?”

I hesitated and she jumped into my silence. “Ok, Gil is heading to your place soon and I’m coming with him.”

“But.” I stammered almost dropping the jam jar.

“no but’s young lady, he can take care of the legal stuff and I’ll just be there for some moral support, you need your family at a time like this.” I felt tears threatening I was so touched by her concern.  “We could all have dinner it would be nice, it’s been so long since we’ve really spent any time together, Kathy.”

“Alright, that does sound nice.” I had no desire to be alone right now.

“Anyhow I have to meet this young Lady friend of yours, what’s her name?”

“Nika” I sighed wonder where she was. “I …I hope she’ll be here, I don’t actually know where she gone.”

“You’re worried.” I nodded, not able to speak. “Uh-huh” Peg continued, “Well we’ll both be there soon. You try to keep it together honey, we’ll work it all out.”

“Thanks, Peg.” I stared blankly at the counter overcome with worry.

“Ok, toodle-loo.”

“Wait, Peg!”

“huh?”

“have Gil come to the back gate.”

“Sure, sweetie, sure thing.”  I disconnected and focused on making my peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwich. The phone went off again, I still had on my ear.

“Hello?” I said quietly hoping again like hell that it was Nika.

“You’ve been hard to get hold of today.” Mark’s voice was a sneer.

“I have nothing to say to you.” I was about to hang up when he said

“What’s this emergency board meeting about?”

“What are you talking about, what meeting?”

“Old Foster called me a little while ago, sounded really concerned about some recent developments.” He sounded smug.

“Well, it’s news to me.”

“Perhaps you’re not invited.” He almost laughed.

“What the hell is this about Mark?”

“I think they’ve figured out you’re too much of a risk Ryn.”

“Right.” I kept my voice flat not rising to his bait. “I’m hanging up now.”

“But you …”  I felt a quick bit of satisfaction at cutting him off.

As I reached for a coffee cup the phone rang again. I pulled it from my pocket and checked the number, it wasn’t familiar. Who the hell could it be? I didn’t want to risk talking to the press. Just as the forth ring cut off I realized it might be Nika.

I quickly called up the number and hit send. I could hang up if it wasn’t her.

“Hello?” said a young voice.

“Sorry, wrong number.”

“Wait Ryn?”

“Who?”

“Nika it’s for you.” I held my breath for a moment relief and confusion fighting in my chest.

“Kathryn?” Her voice caused a flood of relief. I gasped.

“Thank-god! Darling, I was so worried.”

“I know, I’m sorry I just had to clear my head, I was going stir crazy and feeling … well totally useless.”

“Where are you? Are you alright?”

“I’m mostly ok, I’m at a Donair shop on Landsdowne, and I’m on a … friend’s phone. Um, Could you pick me up?”  Nika sounded uncertain. I didn’t respond for a moment trying to think of the best course of action.

“I’d love to darling but the Press is camped out at the gate. I’d suggest a cab but you’d never get through either, Wait!, Gil and Peg are coming over I could have them pick you up.”

“I could …”

“I’ll call them, it’ll be faster this way and they’ll be passing through that neighbourhood.”

“But how are they going to get passed?”

“They will.”

“What about my bike?” ‘We could lock it at my place!’ another unfamiliar voice said in the background. “No, you two have already done too much.” I heard Nika say to them and wondered with a twinge of jealousy just who they were. ‘It’s no trouble you could lock it in the back yard and come get it whenever you want.’ The young voice in the background insisted. “I don’t have my lock with me.”

Nika said with a strange twinge in her voice. I remembered her trying to explain how important her bike was to her.

“They’ll have plenty of room in the trunk, Darling.” I said.

“Thanks, Hon.” Nika said softly, clearly relieved. Two loud teasing “awww” noises came from the background.

“Charming.” I said a little sarcastically.

“I’ll explain later.” I could hear from her voice that she was smiling. Knowing that she was ok made all the difference, I felt calm again as we hung up. I quickly called Peg and gave her directions to the Donair shop. My comfort food was waiting forlornly on the table.  My stomach gurgled reminding me just how hungry I was. I sat down at the counter and flicked on the news channel, it was the usual menu of war, suffering and lighthearted info-tainment. After a few minutes I was ready to turn it off. Shelley’s picture appeared in the box and I turned up the volume to hear the reporter say: “Who was arrested yesterday managed to escape from police custody today while she was being moved for psychiatric assessment. Ms. Snyder escaped on-foot and police say should be considered dangerous. Her arraignment hearing had been scheduled for Monday.  The story switched to civil unrest in the South Pacific I switched off the TV and tried not to panic. I called the number that Nika had called me from and got no response.  Frustrated I waited a few moments and tried again. A young woman picked up and drawled “WhassssUp!”

“Hello, ahm, is Nika there?”

“Oh, is this Kathryn?”

“Yes.”

“Hi, my names Cece, say hello Mandy.” “Helllllooo!” came shouted from a short distance. Then Cece came back on the line. “Nika’s not here, or actually we’re not there, we had to go. Mandy’s Mom gets real mad if we’re late for supper. Sorry. You know she should really get a cell phone.”

“It’s broken.  So she’s alone.”

“Yeah but, like your friends are picking her up right?” the girl sounded protective and slightly accusing.

“Yes, of course, I just wanted to talk to her.”

“That’s sweet … Well, sorry. Umm I have to go.”

“Ok, thanks.”

“Kay, bye.” The connection broken I sat there for a moment listening to the empty silence. Her insane ex-girlfriend was on the loose and Nika was basically a sitting duck!

 

Part 9