Chapter 6: The Haunting
"University of Edinburgh has a fantastic program."
Edward said as he poured himself some cream into his morning tea. Cait poked at her baked beans and wrinkled her nose, "It's a wee bit far away, though. I think mum would be crossed."
"You're right about that!" Suze yelled from the stove over the sizzling breakfast in her pan. "What about Glasgow? It's a good university, close to hame. You could stay here and all. Save you rent money."
"Aye, but they donnae have the legal program I want."
Suze sighed as she trotted over to the table with a pan and started placing ham on Cait's plate. "Maybe you can look at other programs, darling. I mean, you told me you wanted to be a criminal lawyer, too. You're still fixed on corporate litigation?"
"Aye. Lost my dad to corporate corruption. It's the whole reason I wanted to be a lawyer in the first place."
The morning sun was beginning to warm through the shutters of their cleanly kitchen. Doilies and a flower arrangement of lilies on the dining table. Edward held a newspaper in his right clutch as he sipped on his tea. The date reading January 10th, 1986. BBC news chittering on their 20-inch television in the living room. It was nearing 7:30 in the morning, and soon Cait would need to drive to school with Maidie in tow.
"Where's Noelle and Maidie? They should be up by now." Suze worried, glancing to the clock.
"Upstairs fighting over the bathroom."
Edward asked timidly, "Should… Jo be here soon for Noelle?"
"Aye. She usually shows up last minute. Probably stayed up late doing the… you know." Suze said discreetly, gesturing to Cait who was busy eating.
Then she said, "Aye, mum. I'm eighteen, I know what sex is."
"You donnae need to know your aunt is having it, Jesus. Keep it from Noelle, would you?"
"I wouldnae tell Noelle that. Who do you think I am?"
The front door suddenly flew open with Josie struggling with her unbuttoned blazer and briefcase along her forearm. "Noelle! It's time to go!"
"Fucking Christ, Jo." Suze nearly flew out of her slippers at her entrance. Josie's curled hair had grown down to her hips. It was hanging loosely, as well as her blouse that wasn't tucked into her pencil skirt.
Edward chimed, "Top of the morning, Jo! Had a steamy night?"
"Stop talking, connard." She grumbled back, "Where's Noelle?"
Suze yelled up her name one more time for good measure before stating to Josie, "Upstairs getting ready. You right? What, you just woke up?"
"Yeah, yeah. Was up late cleaning wine out of my couch."
"Ho! That steamy, then?" laughed Edward beside Cait (who was shaking her head).
Suze leaned towards Josie as they fled into the kitchen from listening ears. "How'd it go?"
"I threw my wine glass at the cunt. Fucker wouldn't wear a condom. Can you believe it? Wasted my whole night."
Suze moaned, "Jo…"
"What? You think I'm getting this… AIDS going around or herpes? Non. I'd rather settle with my go-to. Billy and Bobby," she twiddled her two fingers, "Only ones who don't speak or think. I'd wager that's my problem. I keep going on dates with men. Maybe I should just become lesbian. All nails and perfume. Less stupid, too."
"This is your third date this month that's gone wrong, lass. The question is, what are you doing?"
"I'm not doing anything! First guy shoved his fingers in my mouth like it was some stud move. Second couldn't get it up. They're all boring or they're… fucking weird. Honestly, I think I'm done."
"You're forgetting all your dates have a common issue. You keep trying to get pumped the first night. You ever consider… getting to know the man before you get to the frisky?"
Josie curled a lip in disgust, "Ugh. Putain. No! Why'd I do zat?"
"Someone you can settle down with?"
"Ha! I don't need a man for comfort. I'm in my mid thirties, okay? My sexual prime is… dying away with my ovaries. I'm a CEO with a daughter to feed. All I need in this juncture of my life is an orgasm."
Cait suddenly spat out her juice, "Ugh! Auntie, foul!"
"You're not supposed to be listening, fille!"
Edward grumbled as he turned a page, "Could try being quieter, too."
Cait pulled out from her chair when she saw the time. "Maidie! Move your arse or I'm leaving without you!"
Suze hushed, "Easy, easy. Girls! Time for school!"
Maidie called down the stairs, "We're comin'! Steady on!"
Cait grabbed for her coat and backpack. She tied her dusty blonde hair in a half pony with a scrunchie. Her keys rang when she pulled them from the hanger. A herd of footsteps came flurrying from upstairs. Firstly, Maidie with her black hair held in a Dutch braid. Already donned in her jumper and coat. Her backpack jingling with a chain. Then Noelle, pale blonde wavy hair with her bangs pinned back and a rainbow knitted sweater under her coat.
"Hey mum!" Noelle's accent was a perfect split of Scottish and French. More French, but definitely Scottish fluctuations. "How was your business meeting?"
Edward said amusingly, "Didn't exactly go the way she hoped, I'd reckon."
Josie shot a short sneer at him before rushing Noelle out the kitchen. "Let's go, la chérie. You're gonna be late for school, I'm gonna be late for work. We gotta hustle." She quickly turned around to Suze, "Thanks for watching her last night, Suze."
"Nae bother, Jo. Hey, come by after work! We'll have a natta!"
"Sounds good!" Josie mumbled as she tripped over herself while following Noelle out the door. Outside, Cait and Maidie soon followed calling goodbye to Noelle and Josie before getting into Cait's car. Both girls went to the same high school. Cait a senior and Maidie a freshman, they usually routed to school this way now that Cait had a vehicle. Even before, they took the bus together. With Noelle's elementary so close to their high school, Josie drove just a car behind them.
"Did dad pack lunches today? If so I'm gonnae boke. He always uses corned beef in our sandwiches. Yuck." Maidie said in passenger as they waited for a red light. Cait just huffed and rolled her eyes.
"What?"
Cait made a side eye, "Really, Maids? You're still calling him dad."
"Edward is our dad."
"He's our step-dad."
"So? He's still our dad."
Cait rolled her eyes, "I guess I shouldnae be mad. You donny even remember dad."
"Aye, I do!"
"Not as much as I do."
Maidie shrugged, "Well… he's here. Dad isn't. Who else am I supposed to call dad if not him?"
Cait didn't respond, knowing she had nothing nice to say if she did. Maidie asked meekly, "Can you play that Madonna tape?"
Cait huffed and pressed play on the stereo. Angel from Madonna started to sing, with Maidie singing along in a quiet hum as she glanced out the window. Cait's memories went to her father. Her real father. The one who would carry her on his back through Glasgow streets. Who would always find her in a game of hide n seek. Who would watch her cartoons with her every morning. The one who disappeared near Christmas when she was eight and never came home. Her memories liked to bring him back at the most unpredictable moments. They'd catch her off guard like a winter chill in spring. She'd find herself missing him. Then the heat to do something about that nagging grief would always rise afterwards. Her dream to fight others' battles who suffered the same loss stayed true. Her last year in high school was the first step to that dream.
It's good she doesn't remember him. I wouldn't want her feeling this, too.
When they got to school, they'd depart to their friend groups already outside the front doors. The hiss of busses stopping and revving was the ambiance of a typical morning with the other kid's rowdy chatter. As well as what noise carried from the screams of the elementary.
Josie pulled up with Noelle at the carpool. "Alright, darling. You made sure to study for that English test last night like I asked?"
"Yes, mum. Cait helped me with the book."
"Oui! Good. You also have piano lessons after school, Cait knows to take you. Make sure you wash your hands lots. It's always after the holidays the flu does rounds again. Wash really good. 'Happy Birthday' twice, alright? Happy birthday song twice…"
"Mum. Can I go to school, now?"
Josie sighed, "Noelle…"
"Happy birthday song twice when washing my hands. Cait is taking me to piano lessons after school. Got it. I gotta fly, mum. I'm gonnae be late for math!"
"Oui! Oui! Je suis désolé. Have a good day, la chérie. Je t'aime." Josie leaned in to give Noelle a smooch on the cheek.
"Je t'aime aussi. Au revoir!" Noelle called as she shuffled out the door of Josie's sedan. Josie blew a few kisses before speeding out of the carpool lane like a stunt devil. Alarming the parents of the other children and making Noelle cringe as she walked inside. You couldn't have waited till you got out of the school zone, mum?
Suze and Edward were busy cleaning the plates after breakfast. He snuck up behind her with his arms along her waist and lovingly kissed her cheek. She giggled and turned herself around. "Donnae try to sweeten me up again."
"What?" He asked like the statement was a physical jab. "You're that sharp, are you?"
"Of course, I am. I told you I wasn't sure. I'm still not. No more prying."
"I don't pry!" Edward's Irish accent inflated, "I… encourage."
Suze tittered another chuckle in her throat. "You pry. Too much. You know I've lived here all my life, Ed. Leaving isn't something I can just decide after a week. It takes time to decide, right?"
"Look. I know you love Glasgow. I love Glasgow. You got… a lot of history here. But… the private practice in Edinburgh has offered to have us relocate to a home of the same equity. We'd make a killing on this place, Suze. We've treated it well and then some. Imagine how much it'll be when it's fixed up for the market."
"Ugh, Ed!" Suze groaned, "What's wrong with the clinic? You loved it there, and it's where we met! The girls have their mates here. I mean I canny just leave Josie and Noelle. They're like our family."
"You know I love Jo and Noelle. But let's face it, she's kind of a big shot now. She doesn't really need our help, anymore. Cait will be going off to university, and when she does, she's probably gonna go to Edinburgh. Which works well for us if we go through the move, anyway! And Maidie will make friends. Have you met her? She's the most social butterfly from the cocoon. She could make friends with a… Russian. They'll be fine."
Suze shook her head and sighed, looking away for only a moment until Edward's hand grazed her cheek. "Suze."
"Edward… I canny…"
"I know you… don't want to leave his memory behind. But… don't you think you've grieved long enough?"
"This was his hometown, too."
"I know. But… it's been ten years, Suze. I only met him a handful of times but when I did, he seems like the type who wouldn't want you holding onto him in the past. You deserve to open the next chapter. Edinburgh. With me and your girls."
The two fell into a warm embrace before the steam of the dishwater. Swaying back and forth to the radio music in the kitchen. Then a sudden guilt gripped Suze's chest. It loosened her hold of Edward's shoulders. When her thoughts went back to Caz she felt out of her own body. Back to who she was when she was a McLeary. Edward's embrace was the security and stability she always yearned for. He was never the one to get into a fight or start a row. Supportive and responsible were Edward's guiding principles. Then when Caz would re-emerge her conscious again, all those warming benefits were swiftly taken for granted. Like a worm between two birds she struggled with her loyalties. When she remembered the cold truth of it all, she tightened into Edward's embrace again.
Josie marched to Glasgow Technical Works LTD with each clack of her high heels more dominant than the last. She checked her clock to see she was two minutes late. Connard! I'm zee boss, I'm always early!
She got inside the lobby and the receptionist greeted, "Morning, Ms. Cartier! How was…"
"It's only two minutes, cúle! Get off my ass!"
With that, the receptionist slowly dwindled back into their seat (as did their cheeriness).
She got into the elevator in a fast step and as soon as she reached her office floor, she was bombarded by her assistant, Ben, a Welsh man in his late twenties. He started to ramble as she made her stride to her office passed the cubicles. "Ms. Cartier, I got those cash flow documents you requested last night… and… and the share prices for this quarter. Also, did you still want to reschedule that photo session, or have you changed your…"
"Ben! Just… please! I still have crusty things in my eyes. You know what that means? Means I'm still tired. Coffee first. Then you can bug me."
"Right. Sorry, Ms. Cartier." He started to walk back to his desk. Josie slowed her pace at this and whipped back around to him stopped like a deer in headlights.
"Well?! Does coffee grab itself now? Run, connard!"
Ben nearly tripped over his feet as he started to scramble from his desk.
Josie yelled after him, "The coffee shop on George Square! Zee hazelnut kind! Faster, man! Burn off that Christmas turkey in your glutes!"
As soon as Josie got into her office she hissed angrily at the phone ringing off the hook and the documents spread over her desk. "This place has gone to the fucking baboons."
She answered the phone with spite, "Bonjour, hello! What do you want, huh?!"
"Josie? This is Carmin. Sheesh, please tell me you don't answer all your calls like that. Miss Face of Glasgow Technology."
"Only the ones Ben doesn't patch to me before giving me a heads up on who I'm talking to and why. Anyone else is fair game. What can I help you with, manquer?"
"Well, what else? The Rennick brothers are still trying to sue you for fraud. I've done all I can in this case, but considering this isn't my specialty, I know a Civil lawyer that can help you. But first I have to ask, you haven't been talking to them again, have you?"
Josie nonchalantly laughed, "Of course, not! Fuck them. I threatened Jack with a baseball bat docking last time I spoke to him. If I saw him again, it wouldn't just be a threat."
"Okay, good. Don't. They're still using the defence you want to slander their father's name. Want Noelle's name changed."
"Ha! They can get fucked. They should be flattered a sweet, wonderful angel like Noelle has their last name. You know why she's sweet? Cause' I raised her. Clearly Davey raised them. Should have never told them about her, I'd have avoided eight years of bullshit!"
"Unfortunately, it's probably going to have to go to court. They aren't letting this go."
"Zee fuck is their problem with me, you think. They just really hate May and December romances? Or they just hate zee French?"
"Grief displays its self differently. Sometimes exuberantly. Probably doesn't help you've had public and heated fights with them in the past."
"Hey! I tried to be nice to those fils de putes, and what did it get me? Got me a fucking criminal record and three – not one – three grey hairs!"
"Just behave yourself from now on, alright? I'll contact the lawyer you'll need and she'll reach out. No more spats with the Rennicks. She should be in contact with you before your served, anyway."
The door barged open with Ben holding a coffee. "I have it! Hazelnut!"
"Ben, I'm on the phone!"
"Sorry." He started to tiptoe inside and quietly set the cup on her desk as she stayed on the phone with Carmin.
"You know it's bad enough they got all of the lawsuit money from Cadal. Noelle and I didn't see a cent of that, even though I was the one who got it started with Suze!" Ben hunched out her office and closed the door behind himself. "The only reason I got to where I'm at is because of me! Yet, they still want more. Because they know I have money now. God… there so much like Rennick I'd almost admire it."
"They're ruthless, there's no arguing that. You'll be fine, Josie. They just want to make you sweat. Without proof that Noelle isn't in fact Rennick's baby they can't argue much. It's a stale mate. However, that's only what I know."
"Well. Thank you, anyway, Carmin. It's been sweet. Can't thank you enough for what you did for the families of the Beira. You're a proper badass, you know zat?"
"As are you, Miss Technology. Keep at it. Just… no more incarcerations, okay?"
"Have you met me?"
It was 6pm on a school night at the Kaine home. With Maidie still doing homework and Cait watching MTV. Suze and Edward were just cleaning up after supper. It was a chore they usually shared. It was their time to brief of the day without the girl's listening in. To simply just be in each other's company.
"So it's getting better?" Edward asked with a chuckle.
Suze laughed as she handed him dishes to dry, "Aye! Chicken was a wee bit salty, more practice, and you'll get it."
"Here I always thought I was an adept cook."
"Still gots a way to go, Ed. Donnae worry. I was able to turn Roy into a decent enough cook to make it a career, I'm sure I can make you not bad for Sunday dinners." Suze felt the giddy pull of her hip as Edward leaned a kiss into her cheek. Their bubble was interrupted when Suze caught headlights coming into the driveway. "Oh, that's gotta be Jo."
"Ah. Time for me to wait and sleep into the lazy boy for four hours. By that time, I reckon you'll be too tired," said Edward dryly but keeping a lighthearted smile. Suze playfully slapped him on the arm.
"Gies peace, you bampot! Is that all you can think of?"
"No!" Edward leaned into her ear at the sink, "Just how utterly beautiful you are, Susan Kaine."
"Oh, ya sook. Put your head in the sink."
The two laughed as Josie let herself and Noelle in. Cait called from the couch, "Alright, Noelle! How were piano lessons?"
"Good," she cooed back, "I can do Fur Elise in full now." She sat down with Cait on the couch.
Josie set their things on the racks as she lazily walked inside the kitchen. She took a droll gander at the two for a while before saying, "Oh. Getting a bit steamy in here, isn't it?"
Edward scoffed and ambled out the kitchen. Josie said after him teasingly, "What? Don't care for your own gag?"
Suze chuckled as he left, leaving her and Josie alone. She pulled a bottle of wine out her tote. "Back porch?"
"Aye."
Suze's backyard was a few scattered gardens and raised beds. A greenhouse and shed. A patch of dead grass from a standup pool and another from a play set that had been taken down over five years ago. As of now the yard was nearly black if not for the porch light and warm orange hues from the windows. There was just the echo of Glasgow's nightlife and sweep of wind as they sat down on a patio swing. Each taking turns swigging from the bottle of wine as they enjoyed the quiet and company.
"You know you're not gonnae find that orgasm unless you find a guy you actually give a shite about. You're just fucking. That's not healthy, lass." Suze advised and handed the bottle back.
"I'm having fun. There's nothing wrong with it. If it's two consenting adults, it's nobody's business. Don't worry about me."
Suze observed, "You threw a glass of wine at a bloke's face. You're playing a dangerous game."
"I always play that game. The other one is boring." Josie jibbed back.
"What's the other one? Playing it safe?"
Josie started to laugh, "Yeah. I mean, who am I gonna tie to a bed and leave for their mum if I play it safe?"
Suze started to bust into a belly laugh that wheezed out, "Oh, Christ. I almost forgot that one. What was it, you went home with the roaster, you talked him into being tied to the bed, then you find out it's not his house it's his…"
"Mum's. Yup. I should have known by the needle point on the walls."
Suze barely managed to say it before she wheezed, "Then you left him there…!"
"His mum was out on bingo. Probably came back to a shock, right?"
"Jesus Christ, can you imagine?"
"I'm proud of that one."
"Of course you are, you… psychopath. Jesus. All for a damn orgasm, aye?" Suze shook her head and took another sip before handing Josie back the bottle.
Josie took a chug and lazily slumped the bottle over her knee – staring out to the garden. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just… past that part of my life. Like I found my love. Experienced the best of what that could offer. Now I'm just chasing that feeling. You can't replicate it, though. There was only one of him."
Suze made a pent up sigh and Josie panicked, "I didn't mean for you! Okay, you found Edward and that's great. I'm happy you did. But… I seriously doubt I'm gonna find my grumpy old man. Capitaine. Now he… he was the final spark. The biggest one. I haven't been able to find another quite as thrilling since. I'm just… bored, I think. My girl isn't a baby anymore. I've reached the height of what I can do, I'm CEO. I'm chasing sex like it's gonna wake some part of me, but… fuck it. Maybe I'm depressed. Maybe I need a kick in the head?"
Suze chimed, "I'll do the honours?"
"Sure, make it look good. Maybe that's the thrill I need," laughed Josie with Suze tittering alongside her.
There was some contemplating silence until Suze said, "I still think of him, too. When I do I canny help but feel like I'm being disloyal or something. Then again, I felt that way for the longest time with Edward. Only took me four bloody years to agree to marry him."
"This is true." Josie nodded.
"Like we're… cursed. Right? No matter where we go or what we do, they always come back to haunt us."
"I wouldn't say haunt. More like… remind us. They do say we keep them with us or something… annoying like zat."
Suze dug for a pack of smokes from her jacket, "Wanna fag?"
"A fag and a shag?" laughed Josie, carrying one to Suze, as well. "Sorry. Just something a guy named Roper used to say on the rig. Got a laugh outta me every time. It's not just Rennick, you know. It's all of the connards. I miss them. On that rig was like our fishbowl - like a community. I lived on it for eight months. It's like a whole town I once lived in exploded and took all of my mates with it."
"It took the love of my life," said Suze weakly. "Donnae tell Ed. But... it did."
Josie and Suze leaned into each other. Both repeating the same sentence in their heads like a catchy song. Each time it did, it sunk in more. Where tears for Rennick and Caz were almost grown after years of drought. Suze nudged her shoulder then. "We'll be right, though. Come a long way since 1976. You're the big boss, I'm married and soon to have a daughter go to university. The first McLeary to do so, too. Caz would have been rapt."
"He wouldn't have been able to shut up about it. Would have had to slap him with my shoe."
Suze leaned her head over Josie's as they laughed. Then Josie confessed, "You know it's okay. You can go. I won't be mad."
"You what?" Suze lifted off her.
"You moving to Edinburgh. You're scared to leave, but don't stay here cause you think you're doing me a favour. You've done more than enough for me. Look where I am. It's because of you. You didn't let me get sucked into the dark place. I almost did a few times if you weren't there constantly nagging. Telling me to get off my ass and build something. Get back to the dream I've always had, even before the Beira. It's your turn to go and build now."
Suze's eyes sparkled in the low light as she started to tear up. "Jo… it wonnae feel right leaving."
"Why? You're the one haunting, Suze. You need to release it. Go fly to another nest and let your babies find their own. Edward is a cheeky cunt but he's the sunset in your horizon. He's good for you. If he thinks this move is good for you, too, listen to him. I'll come visit! Edinburgh isn't that far; I'll fly out every weekend."
"That's a wee much," cringed Suze.
Josie amended, "Every second weekend."
"Sure. Better."
The sliding door to the porch cried open with Edward. He had a glower of concern shadowed in friendly tones.
Josie groaned, "Go use your hand. She's mine for another hour, connard."
Suze's laugh faded quick when Edward said, "There's men at the door, Suze. Government types. They wouldn't tell me what they wanted, they just said they wanna talk to you."
She sat up from the swing with Josie quickly after. "What are you talking about? Men?"
"Did you do something?" Josie asked worryingly.
"Naw. Got a parking ticket last month but… fuck." Suze started for inside with Josie tight to her side. As if she was ready to go to war. Suze snipped at Noelle and Cait on their way to the door, "Upstairs, both of you."
"What's going on?" Noelle asked.
Josie warned sternly, "Listen. Both of you, scat."
Cait and Noelle went upstairs, and Edward stayed in the living room quietly listening in as Suze opened the door. Josie was stubbornly at her side. As Edward said, the men were clearly government. Black suits, square jaws, hearing pieces in their ears like secret service. There was two of the six-foot daunting figures under her front light, taking up the whole space of the door. She caught a quick glimpse of black sedans outside on the road. Glaringly out of place in their neighbourhood.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, you're Susan Kaine? Formerly Susan McLeary?" His voice rumbled low and thick. A base that was felt in their chests.
"Aye?"
The man asked to Josie, "Ma'am, you need to let us speak to Ms. Kaine privately, please."
"Naw," protested Suze, "I want her here. It's okay, Josie, you can stay. They have something so important to say at seven on a school night, they can say it now."
The man changed his tune, "You're Josie Cartier?"
"Uh-huh."
"Nevermind, this concerns you, as well."
Suze threw a confused glare down to Josie (who animated one right back) and said, "The fuck is this? What are you on about and what're doin' on me porch? What do you mean this concerns both of us?"
"Susan, we're here because this concerns your husband. Or ex-husband Cameron McLeary. You're aware he was working on the Beira D platform oil rig in 1975 before it exploded?"
"Of course I do! What kind of question is that?!"
Josie angrily stepped forward, "You better start telling us why you're here now, Mr. Chisels. This is technically harassment at zis hour. No matter what government you work for."
"And you, Josie, you knew a Davey Rennick on the rig. You had a relationship with him?"
Josie went white and glanced up to Suze, when she did, she wasn't assured. In moments of fear, Josie could look up to Suze and be relieved by sureness. Unbending optimism that was warmly encouraging. Now that comfort was far gone. Suze's eyes sharing the same terror in glossing tears. Only a blink from falling down her cheek. Both the women started to silently panic in their own muffled four-by-four room.
"What's going on?" quaked Josie.
"Were you? Yes or no."
"Yes, I was! But that was ten years ago, and you still haven't told us why you're talking about them now! What is this?"
"We're going to need you both to come with us. I promise your questions will be answered in time. For now, it's of the most importance you grab what you need and leave with us. Now."
Josie and Suze instinctually felt for each other's hands and held on. "Please… just tell us what's going on."
"I wish I could, ma'am, but you will have to wait till we arrive and all your questions will be answered. I can say that we recovered something from the remains of the Beira that concerns both of you greatly. If you choose not to come with us, I'm afraid there will be a low chance of retrieving it again. I'm going to need you both to trust and come with us timely."
"We… we canny just leave. We have children. We… don't even know who you are!"
The man pressed, "Ms. Cartier and Ms. Kaine, I will ask one more time. If you do not agree to come with us, we will take our leave. Now, time is running short. What will it be?"
Edward peeked around the corner then. "It's fine! I'll watch the girls. You two should go, this could be important. Like he said, you don't want to miss your chance. You promise everything is okay?"
The man answered, "Everything is fine, no one is hurt. If we were here to arrest you, it would already be done. This is your choice. Both of you."
Josie looked up to Suze and nodded. Her hand squeezed down on Suze's a little tighter. That was the encouragement she needed. "Right. Let me go get my purse."
