Chapter Three
Close Calls and Crows Feet
True to Mollie's word, the computer wasn't nearly as intimidating now. Rex was confident that he could accurately describe a "mouse" in the little lines beneath the term on the vocabulary worksheet. He placed the paper in his pocket when he heard Mollie's voice again.
"Mr. Shepard?"
Rex stopped a few paces from the exit and turned to see Mollie trying to catch up with him. Did she suspect something? His heart raced but he waited to find out.
"Hello, Mrs. Sherman," he said, politely. "What can I do for you?"
Mollie stopped and regarded Rex with an odd expression. It made him nervous.
"Do I…know you from somewhere?" she asked, finally.
"Well, I own a jewelry store out on the outskirts," Rex said. "It is a small town; it's possible we've run into each other before."
"I don't think I've seen you in town before. You just remind me of someone I knew back in…oh, well. Everyone has a twin I guess."
She still seemed uncertain and Rex wasn't sure what else to say.
"May I walk you to your car?" He asked.
"My husband drove me here. He's picking me up shortly," Mollie said. A moment of silence later, "Wait a second…"
"What's wrong?"
Mollie shook her head.
"Something you said a second ago." She had to think about it more.
Rex realized how dangerous it was to give her time. He grasped at the first thing that came to mind.
"Have you been teaching long?"
"What, oh, about forty years."
She stammered a bit as her train of through was interrupted. Rex made a note of it.
"Well, it certainly shows," he complimented her. "The more you taught us the less terrified I became of the computer."
"I'm glad you feel that way. I don't get many compliments from my students, even the adult ones."
A car horn ended the conversation and Mollie bid a good weekend. Rex heaved a sigh of relief.
By now he was ready to put the night behind him, when something else caught his eye. It was the younger woman from his class. She was looking at the bulletin board in the lobby: the peg board with all of the want ads posted.
Young enough to be your daughter, Rex chided himself.
She was quite attractive, of course and she wore a faded yellow dress that seemed to contrast the modern dress styles of most women her age. It had been over a decade since Rex had seen a girl wearing a dress, outside of a wedding or other formal occasion. Her sneakers were the only oddity about the uniform, although their worn and tattered look was consistent with the shape of the dress.
Rex was about to leave the building, but the bird nibbled again. He sighed. Wasn't one close call bad enough?
"Uh…excuse me?" He asked, approaching the woman slowly so as not to be threatening.
The woman looked at him. At the closer glance Rex noticed the crow's feet and darkened circles beneath her eyes.
"I was just wondering do you have a way to get home tonight?"
The woman shrugged.
"I usually just walk. My house isn't that far."
"Where is it, may I ask."
She told him. Rex's jaw dropped.
"Forgive me, but that doesn't seem like a short walk," he said. "May I offer you a ride home? It'd be much safer on a night like this."
The woman stared at him blankly. Rex understood if she was reluctant. After all, chivalry was a dying art these days and whenever a man used it he usually wanted something in return. The only thing Rex wanted was a clear conscience.
"Sure," the woman said finally.
The drive was silent. Rex put on some classical music to place her at ease.
"I'm Susan," she said, finally.
"Raymond," Rex offered took her offered hand briefly.
"Thanks for the ride."
"You're quite welcome."
"Sorry if I seemed rude. It's just…a lot of guys usually want something in return and I…" she trailed off and looked out the window.
Street lights illuminated the droplets of water collecting on the windows as a light rain fell. There'd be ice tomorrow.
Rex tried to think of something to say. There were a million questions he could ask, but he didn't want to upset her. He dropped her off at her trailer, located just a few miles outside the city.
Isn't that far, Rex thought with pity.
For now his conscience was appeased. He did his good deed and all was right with the world. Now would have been as good a time as any not to get involved any further. But it would never end like that.
Oh, Marcus, he thought. How I could use your wisdom now, old friend.