15
Katie spotted me and came right across the floor without hesitation.
I reflexively checked to see if Alan was awake, which he was, and so what?
Id done nothing wrong, I reminded myself.
The sheriff told me where you worked.
I was going to get you a card.
You know, for … She gestured toward my face.
Oh, you dont have to do that.
It was all a misunderstanding.
She poked her finger into her hair and twirled it like a fork full of spaghetti.
Well … Im sorry, she said.
We looked at each other.
I couldnt stop grinning at her, even though I felt foolish.
So, I said finally.
What sort of card do you get for something like that?
Her mouth curved into a soft smile.
I figured theyd have something suitable.
Sorry I spit, Ill give a shot to quit?
Oh like,Alan protested, but Katie laughed.
I steered her over to a table and sat down.
Becky appeared, her eyebrows raised in unwelcome curiosity.
My sister could read me so well.
I introduced the two women.
So what if I was interested in Katie?
No big dealbut I could feel my face flushing, for some reason.
With her father there.
So, youre the bouncer here?
More like the business manager, I promoted myself.
My sister owns it, and I run it.
I glanced over at the bar to ensure Becky couldnt hear me.
I told her how the Black Bear came to get its name, then cleared my throat.
Actually, I dont spend much time here.
My profession is collateral recovery.
Katie thought about that.
Come on, Ruddy,Alan prodded.
Im a repo man, I elaborated.There, happy now?
Have you ever been shot?
No, just joking.
Ive had a gun pointed at me a few times, but not with intent to use it.
I thought about Einstein Croft.
Well, maybe once.
I could never do that.
I left out the part about being beaten up by a twenty-pound goose.
So the theme of this conversation is, all about me, by Ruddy McCann,Alan noted sardonically.
But what about you?
Well, what about me?
I took a deep breath and broached the subject Id been dreading.
Her finger started twirling her hair.
Were supposed to get married.
What?Alan shouted.
Well, congratulations, then, thats just great.
Her eyes regarded me with an unreadable expression.
It isnt official, though.
I mean, he hasnt proposed formally; weve just talked about it.
Ask her about Marget,Alan directed.
Im living with her, actually, Katie informed me with an embarrassed blush.
But in a trailer, out back.
Like, a travel trailer with a kitchen and all?
Just until, you know, Dwight and I figure things out.
I hope that doesnt happen for a while, I said sincerely.
I thought maybe I was pushing too hard, but she just gave me a frank and appraising look.
Did we ever meet before?
she finally asked softly.
It was like my heart had climbed a wall and then fallen over onto the other side.
I barely knew her, but I was in love with Katie Lottner.
Its just that I have this sense from you, like we were friends before, somehow.
Well, did you ever hang out with the Kalkaska High School football team?
she replied, laughing in surprise.
Top ranks of government?
Upper strata of society?
Internationally recognized cultural events?
Alan tsk-tsked in my ear.
Well wait, would the East Jordan fireworks be considered a cultural event?
Was there a truck pull afterward?
She thinks she knows you because she senses me, here inside you,Alan chided.
I decided that wasnt right, because I didnt want it to be.
Maybe in a former life, I suggested, we were together as repo men.
Do you believe in that, though?
In reincarnation, of former lives becoming mixed up in current ones?
Oh, I do now, I admitted.
I believe it, too, she said.
We stared into each others eyes as if sharing a secret.
After an hour or so she told me she had to go and I offered to drive her home.
Well, thanks, but that would mean leaving my car here, she pointed out.
Come on, Ill show you.
I drove Katie Lottner home in the tow truck, dragging her Ford behind us.
She kept laughing at the arrangement.
This is the first time Ive ever donethis.
I flipped the switch back on before Alan had a chance to start panicking.
The travel trailer was clearly visible in the backyard, the lights on inside.
When I unhooked her car in her driveway we stood there in the chill air a little awkwardly.
I watched her enter the main house and noticed a woman standing at the window.
Corn silk hair, not at all like Katies, but the same pretty features.
She watched me impassively as I slid behind the wheel and threw the truck into reverse.
Well, arent you going to say anything?he finally demanded.
Do you know how hard it was for me to sit there quietly during all that?
No, and neither do you.
You talked the whole time.
Shes a grown woman, I reminded him.
Besides, didnt you hear her?
Shes engaged to marry about three hundred pounds of deputy sheriff.
He groaned.No, thats not what she said.
She said they were talking about it.
Nothings been decided yet.
I decided not to tell Alan how much pleasure it gave me to agree with him.
Thats right, Jakey, I told him.
Summer will come again, I promise.
Jake wagged as if he understood me.
I pictured him running through the summer grasses, something he still did, if for much shorter bursts.
Such a good boy, I told him.
I stooped down and looked him in the eyes.
Hey, I said softly.
I want you to live a long, long time, okay?
I dont get it.
Why cant you treat people the way you treat your dog?Alan asked.
Alan, can you just give it a rest sometimes?
I get it, Im not perfect.
Who knew, maybe Katie and I would be talking to each other.
The next morning I awoke in an irrepressibly good mood, and then things got even better.
Milt had a hot tip for me: A skip was back in the area.
I felt like whistlingmy fee doubled on skips.
I looked at my hands and they were not trembling.
My heart wasnt beating any faster than normal, and my stomach felt fine.
Repo Madness, my ass.
I was still forty feet from the truck when I saw the customer sitting at his table drinking coffee.
He sees us!Alan yelled.
No, he sees me.
I think youre still safe, I corrected.
I nodded at the guy, raising my hand in greeting.
He jumped to his feet.
Hurry!Alan was shouting unhelpfully.
The key went in as the customers cabin door banged open.
I jumped inside, locked the doors, and fired up the engine.
He started shouting at me but I had it in drive and tromped on the accelerator.
I asked, grinning in triumph.
I think he said no brakes!Alan replied.
Frowning, I put my foot on the brake pedal and it went to the floor without resistance.
I started pumping it, watching in alarm as the road rushed toward me.
Look out!Alan yelled.
The driveway dipped where it met the road and the impact was like crashing into a wall.
The windshield cracked as a thin tree tried to stop me.
I hate those things, I muttered.
My nose felt like it had been hit by a basketball.
Ruddy, were sinking, were sinking!Alan shouted, his voice shrill.
We were, indeed, sinking.
The front bumper was pointing down at a severe angle and water was rushing in around my feet.
I looked out the window and saw that the stream was up to the side mirrors.
I searched my mind for a sense of deja vu, but felt nothing.
This wasnt anything like the last time Id been in a vehicle in the water.
