Mort's PoV
When I drive back to Tashmore lake, I replay Joan's words in my head over and over again.
What is keeping me in Tashmore Lake?
What is making me live for two years in a cabin you're only supposed to spend your holidays in?
Why have I turned into a hermit, only leaving that old, worn-out cabin to do signing books?
At first I had locked myself in that house to get over the divorce, then out of fear for Shooter but now? A force of habit, probably.
Joan was right. I'm stuck in a rut. I let the events of a year ago stop me from living.
Do I want to continue to live like this?
Joan's PoV
"So, what did he say?" Mary asks. I quickly tell her, Alice and our friend Jessica. After Mort left I couldn't stop thinking about what he told me about everything that had happened between him, Amy, Ted and Shooter. I really didn't know what to make of it and I could truly use some advice.
My friends stare at me when I'm finished.
"Congratulations, you've got yourself a freak, get out while you still can. He obviously doesn't know the difference between real life and fiction anymore," Jessica advices me.
"Oh come on, stranger things have happened here. Besides, what if he actually tells the truth? If it's true it must have been a very painful period in his life and if you dump him because of that…" Alice, always trying to see the good in people, points out.
"Stranger things have happened in New York, yes, not in Lake Whatever, where he lives," Mary replies.
"Guys, what should I do? I really like him, he's the first nice, dateable guy I've met in a year…..I really don't know what to think anymore.
"I'd say, give him a chance but as soon as you notice something else about him that's weird, be prepared to leave."
When I get home and check my messages, I find out Mort has called me and left a message. He's going to look for an apartment in New York and asks me if I know a good broker.
I smile, happy that he's turning his life around. I can't help but to be flattered too because maybe I'm part of his motivation to change his life for the better.
After I had digested the not so normal excuse of why he hadn't called after we had sex I, despite assuring I liked him, truly had some doubts. I'm sure anyone would who have heard the one they liked had been stalked by a mad man. But now that I know that he's trying to get his life back on track and truly likes me a lot, I realize I don't think I hadn't been able to let him go this easy.