Caroline and The Body Under The Stairs



Chapter Four

So I had dinner with Del. I know what you're thinking but forget it. He and I are just friends and we still hang out together. It's strange that I feel no strong emotion for him now. That alone tells me that he was not the right guy for me. If I had really loved him, I would feel sadness or even jealousy when he's with someone else, right? But nada, zip, zero. It was just a dinner with a friend. I would much rather have dinner with Richard but he didn't ask me. He never asks me. But I guess I'm getting off the subject again.

Anyway, dinner at Remo's is usually the same. I order the pasta, Del orders the veal. He talks about his latest girlfriend and I talk about my cartoon strip. He tells me he can write it off for the IRS that way.

After dinner, we separated, leaving me on my own to walk home. I preferred this so I could think. As I walked, I glanced in the store windows. I love window-shopping because it doesn't cost a thing. I must have been walking and checking out the newest merchandise for at least twenty minutes when I felt it.

It wasn't anything obvious that I could put my finger on. There was no spooky background music to catch my attention. It was just a strange, kind of creepy feeling going up and down my spine. I had the distinct feeling I was being followed.

I stood staring in one of the Bloomie's windows trying to catch a reflection of who might be behind me. I turned around and scoured the street and saw nothing. Of course, there were people. Lots of them, going in all directions and ignoring me but I still didn't see anyone that I could say aroused my suspicion. I tried to shrug it off but I was sure I wasn't wrong. Somebody made me feel as if I had a bull's-eye painted on my back.

I quickly whipped around and blindly headed up the street to get away from the intense feeling and ran smack into Richard. I was thrown off balance and landed in his arms. I don't mind telling you that it didn't bother me at all. In fact I have to confess that I used those few seconds to my advantage. As I pressed my body close to him, I took in his scent, a combination of citrus and something else I couldn't put a finger on. It didn't matter, it was just him.

"Whoa, Caroline. Are you all right?" He had dropped his arms from around me way too soon. "How was your date with Del?"

"Uh-" I was still trying to catch my breathe. "Uh…it was okay." When Richard said the word date, it was laced with sarcasm and something else indefinable. I straightened him out.

"It wasn't a date, Richard. We just had dinner as friends, that's all. Where are you going?"

He was looking down at me, his brown eyes hooded and impossible to read. "Actually I was on my way to a small art show a couple of blocks down." He hesitated and then asked if I wanted to accompany him. He didn't have to ask me twice. My fears of a few moments ago were put behind me and forgotten.

I have to say that the evening was wonderful. It wasn't the art show or the coffee we sipped afterwards or the incredibly wonderful weather. It was the company. Isn't that usually what makes or breaks a date? Because I did consider this a date even if Richard had no idea that it was. As we slowly circled the exhibit, I studied each painting at leisure so I could drag out the evening as long as possible. Three newly discovered artists proudly displayed their talents. The style filling the room was a type of abstract with violent blobs of paint here and there that evidently had meaning. I still don't get it.

Way back in the corner were two small landscape paintings of a farm surrounded by fields. I remember blinking in some shock as I was drawn to them. To say they were out of place was an understatement. I just stared at them, realizing how much I enjoyed art if I understood it.

"Beautiful." Richard murmured next to me. I turned to look at him and caught him watching me. "The paintings." He added quickly for explanation in case I got the wrong impression. I preferred to think he was talking about me. Ahhh, wishful thinking.

As I contemplated the artwork, it suddenly occurred to me what had bothered me about Tuesday. Something was out of sinc in my day. Some tiny detail didn't fit with the rest. I couldn't remember it but my subconscious had and was trying to tell me so. Maybe if I just stopped thinking so hard, it would occur to me. I have found in my work that if I distract myself with other things sudden inspiration abounds. Looking at Richard, I knew I could distract myself very easily.

As we left the gallery, I had resolved to forget the murder and forget my earlier fears that someone was following me. I decided not to mention this last to Richard. After all, what if I had just imagined that someone was watching me? Or maybe, it was Richard himself that had given me that feeling. I would look like an idiot to him and that was the last thing I wanted. So I said nothing.

I would come to regret this decision later. As they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty.

The rest of the evening was spent talking and walking, my arm through his. As I said it was wonderful. I'm not sure he thought so because with Richard it's so hard to tell. He keeps everyone at a distance, locking his feelings and emotions behind closed doors. Once in a while, a door cracks open and allows me to catch a glimpse of the soul inside the man. I love this view. So, I'll admit it. I am in love with this guy. For the first time in my life, I felt unquestioning love and total fear. Yes, those two emotions fit together. I have always questioned my feelings for the men in my life but this time it was different. The fear was his possible and probable rejection of me. I didn't know what he wanted in a woman.

So I said nothing. For some reason, the words I love you sort of stick in the back of my throat. I can talk up a storm on just about any subject but those three little words scare me to death. I had to get over this fear.

Yet again, I digress. Of course, this is my story so I guess I'm allowed.

The evening passed and Richard walked me to my door. I wanted him to kiss me goodnight but he didn't. I can't say I was surprised. But I did see a light in his eyes when he looked at me that wasn't there before. For now, this was all I needed.

"Caroline, lock your door." He stood just outside the doorway watching me with his arms folded across his chest.

"I always lock my door, Richard." I did, didn't I?

"No, you don't. You forget. You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. This is New York."

"Okay, okay, okay. I'll lock my door." I acted tough but secretly I was thrilled. I shut the door and made a show of turning the deadbolt. "There, happy now?" I said through the door.

He didn't answer. I waited for a full minute and then there was a knock at the door. I grinned to myself and unlocked the door, opening it wide. Richard was standing there with his arms still crossed and looking quite irritated.

"Caroline, when someone knocks on the door, you're supposed to ask who it is before opening the door." I knew this but I just didn't practice it. I guess I've become complacent. After all, nothing bad has ever happened to me. Isn't that the way everyone thinks? "Maybe you should have a peephole put in the door."

I assured him I would change my bad habits and schedule a locksmith on Monday. We said goodnight and on impulse, I stepped up to him and kissed him full on his mouth. It was wonderful. I knew I could easily get lost kissing those soft lips. He looked shocked, his breath coming out in rasps. Oh yes, I did have an effect on him.

"Good night, Richard. See you on Monday." He just nodded and strode down the hallway towards the stairwell. He obviously didn't want to wait for the elevator. I smiled to myself.



To be continued…