― Iris Murdoch
Cindy
You’d think I’d be happy. A four year old went missing, but the drama had a happy ending—but not for me. I went home feeling defeated.
Everyone else had a significant part in the search. Me? I babysat two year old Ben while the other adults scoured the river and fields.
On the drive home, I could barely look Cindy in the face. She figured I was tired—I was—tired of my role in this play.
Who was I kidding? Cindy’s a beautiful undercover detective—I’m way out of my league.
Of course, I don’t want to lose her, but maybe better now than later.
I was so exhausted, I fell into bed and didn’t care what time I woke up. I was done with being a loser.
Well, as I expected, I didn’t sleep much that night and was dragging my butt to my morning lecture, but had to stop off at Hart House for coffee as a fortifier.
I was glad I did.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Hey Prof, did you miss me?”
I was sitting facing a table of gawkers—the usual gaggle of female graduate students.
But my spirits leapt at the familiar voice behind me and I grasped her hand and pulled her toward me.
She didn’t stay standing long, but slid onto my lap, scandalizing my female students.
“Guess you did miss me, huh?” She laughed, her eyes close to my face and sparkling with delight at my discomfort.
She saw the students and took pity on me—casually sliding onto the chair beside me
In a grand gesture against all doubters, she brushed her lips across mine, gently resting her head on my shoulder.
If there was any doubt about our relationship, she made it clear—she was staking her claim on me.
“I want coffee and croissants,” she purred.
I fast-forwarded in a blur and saw us married and her waking up beside me, repeating this ritual the rest of our lives.
“I know, I know,” I reassured her, “I know all your needs—not to mention, black raspberry jam.”
“Of course,” she smirked and then smiled at the table of gawkers.
She made her point. I headed to the order counter to allay any further gossip.
When I returned, she was leafing through my daytimer.
“Good you’re free this afternoon—Mitzy wants to see you.”
I almost fumbled the tray, sloshing a bit of coffee as I set it down before her.
“Nervous, huh? Guess I’d be nervous too if Abe knew his wife was seeing someone behind his back.”
“Abe doesn’t know?” I croaked.
“That’s right, Prince Charming. Mitzy phoned me and told me to keep it confidential. I asked her what would be a good time and she said the kids napped between two and four. I said I’d drop you off because I had a call in the area.”
”Any idea what she wants?” I probed.
“Funny, I was going to ask you the same question. But don’t tell me you were lovers in a previous life—I lost you once before and don’t want that to happen again.”
“Such an imagination,” I chuckled. “She probably wants to thank me for babysitting Ben.”
“What ever happened to a plain thank you, or a Tim Hortons gift card to buy a few coffees?”
I shook my head. “Really, I have no idea.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell Abe your little secret—and I won’t pry, unless you want to tell me.”
I feigned nonchalance, but inwardly was worried.
Did Mitzy know some terrible secret and want to warn me before my heart was broken?
Or was she privy to something everyone else knew and wanted to tell me out of pity?
I had no idea why she summoned me, especially without Abe’s knowledge, but I had secrets of my own.
I knew where bodies were buried.