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It’s also not lost on me that it really doesn’t even matter that Nora and I are married anymore. There are too many other people in the know for it to matter that I can’t testify against her. I wonder if she’s realized this and, if not, what she’ll do when she does. End the marriage as quickly as it began?
The sudden ache in my chest reveals my own feelings on the matter. Unfortunately a marriage can’t be built on just one person’s love for the other. It’s a two-way street. But if having her back in my life has taught me anything it’s that even if she ends our marriage I won’t be able to stop loving her. As much as I tried to deny my feelings for her these last three years, it was clear the second she showed up on my doorstep that I’d been a fool. Her rejection broke me, but it didn’t erase the love I have for her.
Nothing ever could.
You can’t rid yourself of something etched into the very fibers of your being.
These are all problems for future-me, though. Present day me needs to think about what I’m going to say to Cleo.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you to Nora’s office?” Lucy asks as she turns onto my street. “I’m very good at asking questions. Well, actually I’m better at just talking without interruption. Hazard of being a dental hygienist–no one can ever answer you back with all of that stuff in their mouth. But hey, if you end up needing to distract someone I would be really good at that.”
“Thanks, but I think Nora and I are going to do this one solo,” I tell her.
“Sure, sure,” Lucy says with a sigh. “I suppose it is their wedding day,” she says to Emily. “A murder coverup isn’t an ideal honeymoon, but at the very least we can let them run the coverup as just the two of them. After all, honeymoons are meant to be a two-person sort of thing.” She starts humming Olivia Newton John’s song “Let’s Get Physical”; I don’t have to look at Nora to know she must be blushing.
“I do need you guys to do one thing,” I tell Lucy and Emily, ready to move on from the topic of sex that will never happen.
“Anything, just name it,” Lucy says eagerly.
“He’s going to say, babysit me,” Mel supplies morosely.
“Ding-ding-ding,” I agree.
“Don’t worry, I understand,” Mel tells me. “I gave Emily my phone earlier because my fingers were twitching from the urge to text Noah and tell him everything.”
“We are more than happy to babysit you, Mel,” Emily tells her. “I already canceled all of my classes for the rest of the day.”
“And I called Jonathon a long time ago and played the pregnancy card,” Lucy informs us. “Considering how often I’ve shown up despite feeling like death warmed over these last few months, the other hygienists were kind enough to agree to cover my afternoon cleanings between themselves.”
“What about your car, Nora?” Emily asks. “Does it need to be picked up from the shop?”
“Oh.” Nora fumbles around for her phone. “I forgot all about my car.” She lights the screen. “But I haven’t heard anything from the repair shop. Usually they call.”
“Okay.” Emily nods. “Well, let us know if you do hear something and need us to get it.”
“Wow, that’s really nice. Thank you. Thank you all.” Nora’s eyes shine with sincerity as she looks around the car. “I really don’t deserve–”
“No, no, no,” Mel interrupts her from the backseat. “No self-deprecating speeches for you, young lady. Murderer or not, we support you.” She cocks her head. “There’s a sentence I never thought I’d say.”
Nora lets out a single, relieved laugh, the pressure visibly draining from her body.
“Alright, we should go,” I say before things can get too emotional. We have got to keep our heads in the game. Or maze. Or whatever. I can’t keep up with all of the metaphors in my head.
We exit Lucy’s car and head toward mine. Her steps slow as we approach and I turn back to find her holding her phone to her ear.
“What’s up?” I mouth.
She holds up a finger, mouthing back, “One sec.”
“Yes, I was just calling to check on the status of my car,” I hear her say. She lists off her info then pauses to listen. “It’s not. Are you sure?” Another pause. “A tow truck should’ve brought it in.” Heavy sigh. “No, it’s not your fault. Thank you for your help.” She hangs up.
“Your car isn’t there?” I ask.
“Nope.” Concern lines her forehead.
“Maybe he took it somewhere else,” I suggest. “We’ll just call Kenny and ask.”
“Right. Yes, good idea. What was the name of the towing company again?”
