“We’ll probably at least need to stay one night though.” Arrow said looking at Harmony. “A storm is rolling in tonight and it might not be safe to be on the open water when that happens.”
“I don’t want to impose.” Harmony said softly.
“It isn’t an imposition. Our home is your home. Let me get you two men settled into rooms and, Harmony,” Zion was able to calm anybody with that smile of his and those kind eyes. It seemed to work even on Harmony, as her discomfort gradually dissipated. “my wife Rachel will take you to the women’s wing.”
Harmony and Clive mirrored a skeptical expression, but they followed Zion inside anyway where the decor was warm and open. Every wall was filled with gallery walls of oil paintings and photographs. Behind these hangings was textured tan wallpaper and each room was trimmed with intricate-looking crown molding and baseboards. Everything felt truly antique.
Clive assumed Rachel was the lovely woman at the end of the hallway because she mirrored Zion’s joy and light coloring. Dr. Evers never missed a beautiful woman, so he immediately noticed her. This woman was exactly who Mayre had been when they first were married, but she had become too comfortable with mediocrity. This reminder pricked his heart. He was torn between being justified in his anger and disappointment while simultaneously missing her. He was so worried but he knew that his being in prison would be much worse for her safety.
“Rachel, this is Harmony. She will be staying with us tonight. Would you show her to a room?”
“Yes, of course.” Rachel led Harmony away from the men and began to talk to her about how lovely her hair was.
“Dr. Evers.”
Clive snapped to attention. “Yes?”
“I hope you don’t mind, but, we have a young man staying here that could use a roommate. Would you be comfortable with that?”
“I don’t think so.” Dr. Evers said bluntly. “I have never had a roommate before besides…” He trailed off before saying “wife”.
“Of course. I understand.”
“I wouldn’t mind. I’ve had to share rooms here before.” Arrow offered.
“Thank you.” Zion said clapping his hands together. “Let’s go there first then we will find you somewhere to stay, Doctor.”
“You can call me, Clive.” Dr. Evers said with an unintentional edge to his tone. He didn’t want to admit that Arrow showing him up in kindness bothered him. In this environment, he was an outsider and did not like the feeling.
Zion nodded without even seeming to pick up on the tone shift and led the men to the third floor of the house. He made an immediate left and at the very end of the hallway was a seemingly forgotten red door. As they approached to knock, it swung open and a man in his early twenties with arms and legs that seemed too long for his body walked out.
“Well, you beat us here.” Arrow said wryly.
Pat looked mildly startled. His eyes went from Arrow to Zion and then Clive. The discomfort spread to his shoulders as he seemed to shrink a little.
“You all already know each other?” Zion asked excitement in his tone.
“We were going to travel together but that never happened.” Clive said pointedly.
“Pat has been through a lot, Clive. You should hear his story.” Zion insisted.
“We’re going to be roomies.” Arrow said, smacking the young man on the bony shoulder and shoving past him. As Pat, Zion, and Clive peered into the room they saw Arrow had commandeered one of the twin beds.
“That’s my bed.” Pat said softly.
“What?” Arrow slipped off his shoes and rubbed his dirty socks on the comforter.
“Never mind. I’m going outside for some fresh air.” Pat said simply and left them.
“How did you all meet?” Zion asked, still oblivious to the tension.
“It’s a long story.” Clive said.
“That’s a cop-out.” Arrow shouted across the room. “You have time, outlaw.”
“We can discuss it over dinner. I think we should all talk.” Zion said cheerfully. “Let’s find you a room, Clive.”
They let the door shut on Arrow and proceeded down the opposite side of the building. The furthest room from Arrow is where they found themselves. The room was much smaller, but the bed was king-size and directly under a slanted part of the ceiling. The windows also were floor-to-ceiling and had heavy red velvet curtains drooping down the sides. A very small half bath sat in the far right-hand corner.
“Where do I shower?”
“You will have to visit Pat and Arrow for a shower. I am sorry about this. When we bought the property, the architect did not seem to have a mind for practicality.” Zion said sadly. “Here is your key.” He handed him a key and then said, “I have to tend to a few things but I will see you all at dinner.”
“Thanks.”
Zion left and the silence crept its way into Clive’s bones. He had so many questions. It still surprised him that Pat was here and the mystery of his presence wouldn’t be answered at that exact moment, so Clive had to content himself with exploring the room and relieving himself in the bathroom. When that was done, only 5 minutes had passed.
With a sigh, he plopped onto the bed and realized it was a water bed. It took him a solid minute to gain his balance, and when he had managed that he pulled his cellphone from his pocket. Fingering it he debated powering it on just to check his messages and see if Mayre had texted or called. As soon he was about to hold the home button down, a knock sounded on his door.
He stood and walked over to answer it. When he swung it open, Arrow was standing there.
“I’m going to get some beer from the store. Do you want anything?”
“This is a rehab facility.” Clive said incredulously.
“Yes, Captain Obvious.”
“You can’t have alcohol here.”
