“Yeah, maybe, but, at the same time, what the hell does any of this have to do with anything? And why did this young woman, only eighteen years old, have to die today? For what reason? Did some asshole do it because she wouldn’t date him? Or just targeted her because she’s a redhead?”
“Do they often pick redheads?”
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “I’m just depressed and upset that some asshole could do this to her. She had her whole life ahead of her, and it’s gone in the blink of an eye.”
“So the vehicle didn’t kill her then?”
“I don’t have the—no.” She stopped, gathered her thoughts. “I shouldn’t even be talking about this. Nothing has been released to the public yet.”
“It’s not like I’ll be calling the media with an exposé.”
“They probably wouldn’t believe it anyway. I’m not sure I believe it. Look. I’m almost inside. I’ll have a shower and grab some sleep. I’ll talk to you later.” And, with that, she hung up.
She stared up at the sky all around her, shaking her head. “It’s such a messed-up world. We really need to do something about that.” Maybe, just maybe, a hot shower and an early bedtime would reset her attitude. She doubted it.
*
Simon didn’t liketo hear the defeat in Kate’s voice, that negativity. He also had not been invited over, which made him a little worried because of the tone of her voice. Giving her a bit of space to get over whatever was bothering her was one thing, but giving her the space to decide that she didn’t need him in her life was something completely different. Grabbing leftovers from his lunch today and checking the fridge, finding a bottle of wine, he grabbed that too, strolled to his penthouse elevator and took it all the way to the lobby. As he walked toward the front entrance, he saw that Edgar, on nightshift, was manning the front door and immediately opened it for him.
“Have a good evening, sir.”
“I hope so,” he said.
“Hey, you’re bringing wine and food. What every woman needs tonight is to be looked after.”
Simon stopped and stared out, realized it was pouring down rain. He swore.
“You want a cab? Do you want to drive? I can get your car brought around.”
Simon looked at Edgar. “Grab me a cab, will you?”
After that, as he waited a few minutes for the cab to pull up, Edgar said, “What about the Ubers? Are you happy with them?”
“They’re fine, and, if they’re faster than cabs, that’s good too. Normally I’d just take the Aquabus.”
“At least she’s worth it,” Edgar said, with a beaming smile.
There was some truth to that. When Simon said good night to Edgar and walked out, he got into the back of the cab, gave the address to the driver, and was there in no time. “Too wet to walk tonight.”
The cab driver laughed.
Simon nodded, then dropped in the fare and a tip, and headed up to Kate’s apartment. When he knocked on the door, there was no answer. He swore at that, realizing he should have checked to see if she would stay home or would go for that workout. When it opened suddenly a few moments later, he was startled.
She looked at him in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
He held up the food and the wine and watched as her eyes lit up. “That’s all it takes, is it?” he said, with a smile.
“Nope, not at all.” She reached for both and snatched them from his hands. “I’m not that easy of a lay.”
“Hell, there’s nothing easy about you.” She was already walking back into the kitchen, but she turned and tossed him a grin. He checked her out carefully. “You sounded despondent earlier.”
She stopped, looked at him, and shrugged, and he almost felt bad for bringing it up. “Sometimes I just hate the senselessness of what’s out in the world right now,” she said quietly. “People should have every moment of joy coming to them, not get cut down in the prime of life over nothing. Less than nothing. It’s like a whim of some asshole who deems at that moment in time that a person shouldn’t be allowed to exist anymore. Who gives them the right?” She grabbed a dinner plate and slammed shut the cupboard.
“Nobody, which is why it’s so important that you’re there.”
She stilled, looked over at him, and finally nodded. “I was depressed and upset today, so thanks for this.” She held up the silverware she had grabbed. “I haven’t eaten.” With her dish and knife and fork, she sat at the kitchen table.
“Maybe that’s partly why you were depressed.” He took a seat across from her.