The Silent Treatment by Suzi Wieland

Author:Suzi Wieland [Wieland, Suzi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twisted Path Press
Published: 2020-03-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The next weekend, I was at home, wishing I were with Roman and Elijah, that he’d invited everybody out again. Despite my early misgivings, Elijah’s friends had really welcomed me, and our time at the lake had been so fun.

But this weekend was only Elijah and Roman working. I told him I’d go with. I’d be okay if they ignored me all day, and he laughed and said no, but he promised to be home Sunday afternoon so we could hang out together and get some things done.

Since it was Friday night, and Roman was gone, I could spend a bit more time at the shelter. They were open until nine and had so many little projects they needed to catch up on.

Just before I left, the doorbell rang. I opened it to find a guy about my age.

“Hello, I’m looking for Roman. Is he around?”

“No, he’s not here right now.”

“Really? Shoot. The last time I stopped nobody was home either.” The man sighed and then stuck his hand out. “I should introduce myself. I’m Javier Bustos. He and I went to school together. High school. I moved to town and found out he was living here.”

“You went to West High too? Did you graduate with him?” Roman didn’t keep in touch with many people from school.

“Yes, I did. I played football with him a long time ago. You tell him I didn’t go pro either.” He laughed. “We had fun.”

“I bet.” Roman brought up those days every once in a while, their winning season. He hadn’t mentioned it for a few years now.

“Say, you don’t know when he’ll be back, do you? I really would like to catch up with him again. Even with the internet, it’s hard to keep up with people.”

“Sunday. He’s at the lake helping a friend with some projects.” The deck was done, but I wasn’t sure what they were working on now. Roman might’ve said something about replacing sections of the dock.

“Ahh, the lake.” Javier looked longingly off down the street. “I miss those days. We used to go when I was growing up. Which one do you go to?”

“Oh, it’s not ours. It belongs to a guy he works with. Round Lake. It’s beautiful out there.”

“Whose place is it?” he asked. “I know a few on Round Lake.”

“Elijah Mandel.”

“Nope.” Javier shrugged. “I don’t know them. There are a lot of cabins out there though.”

“Well, thanks, um…” He gave me a sheepish look. “I’m sorry. I should’ve asked your name. I’m assuming you’re his wife.”

“My fault.” Heavens, that was silly. I was glad Roman wasn’t here to witness this. “I’m Kacee.”

“Ahh, Kacee, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He stuck his hand out, and we shook. “Hopefully I’ll see you again sometime.”

“It was nice to meet you too. Did you want his number? I can give that to you.”

“That’s okay. I’ll probably see him next week. Have a good evening, and enjoy your weekend.”

Javier gave me a goodbye and strolled down the sidewalk to his car.

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