It’s been a couple months.
Mostly just worked around the shop.
Read through the journal in pieces.
Some nights more than others.
Z checked in every once in a while.
Usually texts.
Sometimes calls.
Could always tell when the job was getting to her.
Voice changed.
Started sounding tired all the time.
One night she called and stayed on the phone longer than usual.
Said she was starting to regret taking the job.
Told me she should’ve just stayed back at the shop helping me understand the journal instead.
Told her I could come help finish the job if she needed another set of hands.
Said I could use the distraction anyway.
Been spending too much time alone with the journal.
She got quiet for a second.
Then:
“Might regret that once you see the place.”
Another pause.
“Still wouldn’t mind the company though.”
Told her to send me the address.
Said I’d head out in a few days.
Just had a couple things to tidy up first.
Asked if there was anything I should bring with me.
She got quiet again.
“No.”
Another pause.
“Just you.”
Think that was the first time since the divorce eight years ago a woman said something that actually made me smirk.
Text finally came through around dinner time.
Just an address.
Northern Georgia.
Read it twice.
Then noticed the timestamp.
3:14 AM her time.
“Oh, what the fuck.”
Sat there staring at my phone for a while wondering what kind of job had her sending messages from a place like that at three in the morning.
Booked a flight that night.
Texted her back:
“Be there in two days.”
Sent her the flight information.
Couple minutes later my phone buzzed again.
One word.
“Good.”