Eighteen
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The dream was shattered by the alarm clock’ s high pitched bell before he was lost completely in the fog. Eddie remembered he was not alone this time. There were two female silhouettes in the haze and his fear was for their safety and not his. Dogs were barking in the mist before he woke. He shook off the misty feeling, dressed and headed out.
The morning was like the dream as his headlights tried to cut the heavy fog. Driving through the tree lined street, branches dipped and dripped on his truck. The sound was not the steady drum of a downpour keeping beat with the windshield wipers. The tree limbs moved to their own rhythm, reaching for his truck as it passed beneath. One branch released it’ s load and snapped upward setting off a chain reaction causing a sudden roar as droplets clanged on the metal roof overhead.
Setting up the coffee maker and retrieving a couple boxes containing a dozen donuts each, he poured his first cup and heard the crew arrive.“ It’ s Friday, help yourselves to the coffee and donuts,” Eddie said. Jeff thanked Eddie for the refreshments as he sipped from a white Styrofoam cup and took a bite from a warm glazed donut. Work resumed. Eddie started another pot and opened his briefcase. He put in fresh earplugs. As he donned the new safety glasses he felt something strike the surface.
Eddie stood the first empty donut box in front of the coffee pot. Jeff smiled, cocked his head and held up one thick finger.“ Don’ t move,” he said, reaching for Eddie’ s glasses. He plucked a concrete chip, half the size of a finger nail and shaped like an arrowhead from the right lens.“ You must be living right,” he said, dropping the shrapnel into Eddie’ s palm.“ I doubt if that’ s the case,” Eddie said. Jeff placed a hand on his shoulder.“ None of us are Jesus,” he said, as the smile that never faded was gone for the briefest of moments.
Rodney arrived looking like he just came from the secret service shooting range, wearing dark sunglasses and a headset. Jeff stuck out his hand. Rodney grabbed hold. Eddie could see the suit coat sleeve ripple. Jeff’ s forearm twitched. They stood like that for a few seconds until Rodney said,“ Morning Jeff.”“ Morning Rodney.” The grip was released and Rodney waited for Jeff to turn around before massaging his hand. Eddie sipped his coffee to hide his smile. Grabbing a cup for himself, Rodney nodded toward the door. Outside, Eddie dropped the tailgate and they were able to remove the hearing protection.“ One of these times he is going to be the first to say‘ good morning’,” Rodney assured, taking a seat next to Eddie and flexing his hand.“ How long has this been going on?”“ Seven years,” Rodney laughed.“ So what’ s up?”
The fog was lifting as the sun became more than a glowing orb on the horizon. Eddie told Rodney the entire insane week he had been through. Rodney listened patiently and sipped from the cup he had filled. Eddie finished the story and waited for a response.“ Virgins fall in love and you don’ t really need that. Sam’ s married and won’ t mess up what she has. From where I am sitting, I’ d say you have the world by the balls. The only downside may be the unprotected sex with Kate. But I don’ t think that is an issue. I don’ t think she likes men.”“ Do you think she was after Tanya?” Eddie asked.