“Hey, Darce, what’s up?”
“Hey, kiddo, I uh, what are you doing right now?” I tried to keep my voice from shaking. I was back to feeling terrified, and I hoped Amy could make me feel better. I wouldn’t tell her anything about what was going on, but I could at least talk to her.
“Not much. Is something the matter?”
“No, not at all. I was just wondering if I could come hangout for a little while.”
“Of course. I’m at Shane’s. I can send a car for you.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m going to walk.”
“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?” There was genuine concern in her voice and I figured she was seeing right through me.
“Yeah, I’m totally fine. I’ll see you soon.”
“Alright, sounds good.”
I hung up, and then turned east and started walking toward Old City. I knew where Shane lived because I’d been there when I was brand new to the city. I didn’t know what I was doing, or what I would tell Amy, but I knew I needed to stay away from my apartment, at least for a few hours. As I walked, my mind buzzed with confusion, the image of Michael holding my knife replayed over and over.
––––––––
Outside of Shane’s house, I rang the bell. Immediately, the door buzzed, and I let myself in. I looked at the long hall, the clean wooden floors, and the antiques, and felt a strange sense of safety.
“Hey, Darce!” Amy said, poking her head out of a door up ahead.
“Hey,” I said, and walked toward her. I passed a bunch of old looking paintings, but I didn’t feel much like looking at art. Shane’s place was beautiful, clean and well decorated, the sort of place you imagined a billionaire would own. I turned the corner into the kitchen and Amy wrapped me in a big hug.
“What’s this for?” I said.
“You seem like you could use it.”
I melted into her hug, and felt the fear and anxiety release, at least for a moment. We broke apart and sat at the kitchen island. Amy poured us both a glass of wine.
“So what’s up?” she asked.
“Not much. Just didn’t feel like being stuck in my apartment.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I hear that.”
“Must be tough spending your time in luxury.”
She laughed. “You’d be surprised. Half this stuff is antique, and the other half is worth more than I make in a year. I pretty much don’t touch anything, ever.”
I looked around at the clean, modern kitchen, and realized it was about as big as my apartment, if not bigger. I felt jealous suddenly of Amy’s life. There were no complications, aside from Shane’s crazy privacy issues, and everything she needed was taken care of. The place was cleaned and they even had a private chef. It was the opposite of my life, living in a tiny studio apartment, and trying to run away from drug gang thugs. The only positive thing I had was Rex, but he was missing.
“Where’s the man of the house?”
“Working. Some special product launch is coming up.”
“Does he work a lot?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, he does. But it’s not bad since we’re usually together. I actually like it sometimes, having this place to myself.”
“Trouble in paradise?” I was trying to keep her talking. I needed a distraction, even if it was mindless small talk. Amy had a way of calming me down, but at that moment I felt like nothing could calm me.
“Not at all. Things are pretty great, actually. It’s just that, he has such a huge library, and when he’s home I don’t get much time to myself to read.”
I laughed. “Must be horrible having such an attractive, rich man constantly needing your body.”
“It has its perks.” She grinned.
I looked around the kitchen again, and had the sudden, irrational desire to stay. I didn’t want to be afraid anymore. I wanted a husband and kids and a big house, strong safe arms, and nothing more.
“Are you sure everything is okay?” Amy asked, and I realized I had been staring off into the half distance, imagining my life in a house like Shane’s. I looked back at Amy.
“Things are weird, with Rex.”
“I figured it was that. What happened?”
I shook my head. I couldn’t tell her, but I wanted to. “It’s not something you need to worry about. It’s just ... things are complicated.”
“I understand complicated.”
“Really, I can’t say. Rex didn’t do anything, though, if that’s what you’re thinking.” I took a drink of my wine to avoid looking her in the eye. I felt guilty hiding something from her.
“That’s fine, Darce. But if you’re in trouble, please tell me. Shane and I can help, whatever it is.”
I knew that no matter what happened, Amy would help me. And Shane would as well; he’d do anything for her. I felt the bulk of the anxiety in my chest slip away.