“Oh, she just left town. I can fuck you now,” he says, grinning like a mischievous child as he gets closer to me, extending his hands like he’s about to grope me.
“Um, what?” I raise an eyebrow, completely confused.
“Oh,” he winks. “I’m role-playing.”
A wave of disgust washes over me. “That was gross,” I mutter.Another ick unlocked.
Timmy, ever the performer, frowns and calls his parents in the next breath. “Please, I’m begging you. Fly me home now. Margaux is being such a bitch to me,” he whines into the phone.
I update Alice and also text one of his brothers about his behavior.
Me (to Alice):
Drunken fugue state perhaps?
I watch as he opens the door and leaves it ajar, and my heart leaps as Sabre runs outside.
Me:
Omfg he let Sabre out. Not fucking again.
Alice:
I see another friend is online—Mirabel, or Bel for short. I met Bel while living on the East Coast, and she’s back in New Zealand these days, working as a cop.
On a whim, I reach out.
Me:
Hey! Can I chat with you?
I need some advice.
She replies immediately.
Bel:
Sure.
I’m just at work. Call me.
I call Bel on Facetime, and she answers immediately.
“What’s up?” she asks, and I fill her in. “What the actual fuck?!” she exclaims. “First things first, go get your cat.”
She’s right. Sabre is my priority.
Next thing, Timmy re-enters the apartment, panting. “I found him,” he says. “He’s hiding under the stairs over by the laundry, and he won’t come out. He’s hissing at me. You need to come get him.”
I sigh, my heart pounding as I realize Sabre’s out near the busy street in front of the apartment complex.
I walk to the stairwell and retrieve Sabre, Timmy walking beside me, as the security team looks on from their shack.
They must think we are complete basket cases, I think to myself.And they’re probably right on both counts.
When we get back to the apartment, Sabre in my arms, I give him a cuddle and a Churu. “Don’t you go running out there, buddy,” I say, my voice soft. “It’s dangerous.”
Timmy glares at me and leaves again.