MAP OF THE PROBLEMATIQUE

Chapter 5: Like Machines Do

An hour later, I collapsed on top of him, breathing heavily. Joe put his arms around me and let out a deep breath. He tilted his head at me. "And how are you feeling now, love?"

"Spent."

"Hmm, spent..." Joe chuckled. "That is a good word. I don't believe I've heard it used in such a fashion."

"No?" I looked up at him, resting my chin on his chest.

"No," he shook his head, and I smiled. Nothing was said between us for a few moments, in which I went back to resting my head on his chest, his arms around me, running a hand up and down my forearm. If I were to open up those hands I would find nothing but metal wire and a thin steel frame..... and that chest, the one that rose and fell beneath me...... I realized I didn't hear a heartbeat. There was a faint whirring sound, as if a motor rested there..... Part of me became scared, but intrigue won out. Either way.....

"Mmm......"

"Mmm?"

"You're comfortable, Joe."

"Thank you, love," he smiled, snuggling me closer to him. I buried my face in his neck. Jesus, I thought; he even smells good. A moment later, his head gave a slight jerk.

"Someday.... when I'm awfully low..... when the world is cold..... I will feel a glow just thinking of you...... and the way you look tonight......"

"Wha..... is that..... is that music?" I lifted my head and looked around as a slow smile crept across Joe's face.

"What, you don't like it?"

"No, I-- I mean, yes, I love it! I....." I looked at him, and I actually gave a little laugh. "Well, I've never been with someone who could produce music from their neck, Joe."

"Aha," he grinned, tapping my nose. "Well there is a first time for everything, now, isn't there?"

Joe and I grinned at each other, and he ran a finger down my cheek, gazing into my eyes. Those eyes would never cease to haunt me. "You are so beautiful, Wendy."

"Thank you..." I melted, burying my face in his neck again. He gave me a hug and kissed my forehead, and for a while we just lay there, listening to Frank Sinatra.

"Who is Lydia?"

Those three little words caused my blood to freeze. It took me a few moments to find the words necessary to give him an answer. "She's..... she's my daughter."

"She's not home, is she?"

"No, um....." I sniffed. "She went missing a few months ago. Back in May. The case is still open, but..... it's going cold." I looked up at him as sadness registered itself upon his flawless face.

"Wendy..." he looked down at me and kissed my forehead, and in an instant I could feel his fingertips trace gently up and down my back. "I am so sorry. I can imagine that it must be very difficult for you. You miss her."
"With everything I have," I nodded.

"You say the police have been looking for her; have you yourself done any searching?"

"I have, but.... sometimes it just doesn't seem like enough. I need to go to work. Not just for the money, but for my own sanity. It helps keep my mind on something else for a couple hours a day. Aside from that, I try my best at home and on my lunch breaks. I'm becoming desperate for answers......"

We didn't say much else for the next few moments, but eventually, I frowned, realizing he must need to leave soon. "You have somewhere else to be, don't you? Another...... another client?"

Joe tilted my chin up to make me look at him. "Not until tomorrow night, love." I must have had a questioning look on my face, for he continued. "Sallie wanted me to stay with you until tomorrow afternoon. Your..... companion, until then." He smiled. "What..... are you jealous?"

I smiled, leaning back against him. "I suppose I've never been all too good at sharing. But then again, I guess it comes with the territory when you have the job you do, doesn't it?"

"Mmm," Joe nodded, kissing my forehead. "I suppose it does. And I'm sorry for that. But it is my job."

"I know," I yawned. "I know. And it's okay."

"You're alright, darling?"

I looked up at him and smiled. "Totally."

"Good," he smiled back at me, and there was a pause. "You were talking about your job earlier. Where do you work?"

I sighed and smiled, thinking of the little bookshop down the street. "I'm the manager of a little bookstore a few blocks away. It's small, but perfect. Just last week I planted morning glories and snap dragons out front."

"Do you own the bookstore?"

"No.... it's owned by a sweet couple down the street from where my parents live. Bill and Tina. They're grandparents and they're retired, but they loved that little shop so much they bought it out, and now, here I am, the manager....."

"Well it sounds lovely."

"Oh, it is," I nodded, yawning. "You should come see it sometime."

"I will make it a point to stop by." Joe smiled. "You look completely worn out."
"Huh," I scoffed. "Is it any wonder?"

"Get some rest, love. Everything will be better in the morning."

"Mm," I nodded through another yawn. "What..... what will you do? Will you be okay?"

"Don't you worry about me. I'll stay here with you all night and I will be here in the morning when you wake." Joe smiled. It was the last thing I remembered before finally dozing off.

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Music: Title of chapter is a line taken directly from the song "Headlock" by Imogen Heap. :D Whoopeee!