“Nope,” Gabe said finally, with a ghost of a smile.
Mac gave a short laugh, more sympathy than humor. “So tell me, Gabe, do you think she’s your destiny?”
He gave the worddestinythe sort of melodramatic flourish that would warm Annelise’s heart.
Gabe was saved from answering that question when Glenn leaped to the stage, seized the microphone, and announced, “Everyone give it up for Mikey McShane!”
Mikey’s songs tended to be heartfelt and literal, and Gabe and Mac often enjoyed them, not always for the reasons Mikey intended.
“Thank you,” Mikey, whose hair was dyed black and whose nose piercing looked as though it might be a little infected, said to the smattering of applause. “This song is called, ‘The Polar Bears Are Dying.’”
Mikey settled himself on the stool onstage, stuck his tongue between his teeth, and painstakingly went about tuning his guitar down a half step, as befitted a dirge.
“What do you think this song is about, Mac?” Gabe wondered dryly.
“I’m gonna guess it’s about dying polar bears, Gabe.”
What would he do if he was afraid of losing? What would a polar bear do if it was cornered and afraid?
Fight back.
Lash out.
“So what are you going to do?” Mac broke into what was turning into an epiphany.
He didn’t have to say “about Eden.” The subject of all the sentences in Gabe’s life right now was Eden.
It was a fair question. Mac had known him long enough to expect Gabe to know. To have a plan. When didn’t he?
“He’s floating on a glacier all alooone...”
Mikey sang.
Which felt a little uncomfortably on the nose, at the moment.
“Finish this beer,” he told Mac finally. “And survive this song.”
Chapter 19
Eden spread her fingers apart and pressed them to her forehead as she sat at the kitchen table and reviewed the printed directions to her new all-in-one printer. Maybe Greta at the New Age Store would have some magic reflexology tips. Greta, whom she was tempted to blame for the upheaval in her life, thanks to the stupid tarot cards. Several nights of fitful sleep with too much caffeine and not enough water and too much Gabe angst was enough to give anyone a headache. At least Jasper had left town. Her whiteboard might start to look accurate again.
“Mom?” Annelise called from the computer room.
“Yeah, honey?”
“What’s r-e-h-a-b?”
“It’s a place you go if you want to break a bad habit. You pay money and helpful people help you to learn better habits,” she replied.
“Oh!” Annelise shouted cheerily. “Okay. Thanks.”
Seconds later, comprehension set in.
And Eden broke land speed records dashing across the carpet to the computer room. She wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d left a narrow flaming trail of fire behind her.
She positioned herself casually in the doorway. Panting.
“Hey, Leesy. Whatcha looking at?”