Gavin's Greed (Sinful 3)

(Linda)

The trilling of the phone in the living room startled Linda from an already restless sleep. Stumbling and tripping over her own feet as she hurried to the other room, Linda swore aloud—something she hardly ever did since she was a teenager.

Relying on the dim glow of the small lamp in the corner, Linda snatched the phone from the sofa where she’d accidentally left it before giving up on Gavin calling and going on to bed alone.

“Hello?” She looked at the digital clock on the microwave as she stepped into the kitchen: 4:10. She looked out the window and saw that the predawn darkness was beginning to lighten up.

“Linda? It’s me. I need you to come get me.” He sounded strained.

“Of course. Where are you? Did the car break down? Did you have an accident?” Already pulling on her clothes, Linda moved through the house, flipping on lights as she went, nearly panicked for Gavin.

“Geez, Linda! Later! Just come to county lock-up and bail me out. You’ll have to bring…” His voice faded to a drone in her ear.

County lock-up? What had happened and why was he there? The more she listened, the more she understood that he’d not been in an accident.

On her way to county, Linda’s panic faded into the background and anger, in the form of a low-burning flame replaced it.

By the time she reached the jail

and posted bail for Gavin, Linda was numb. So many scenarios had run through her head, terrifying and angering her. Gavin had been charged with assault apparently.

She wasn’t all together surprised, as Gavin did sometimes have a rather hot temper. Waiting on him to come out to the car, Linda figured that something had gone wrong at the pool tournament and resulted in a fight.

Gavin opened the car door and flopped into the passenger seat, slamming the door and immediately rolled down the window. Huffing in irritation, he looked at Linda.

“What the hell are we waiting on? Nobody’s sending an invitation for you to get me home, you know.” He pointed at the road and raised his eyebrows in simulation of an angsty teen.

“What’s this? No explanation? No…nothing?” She put the car into drive and headed toward home.

“Jesus! I said later, Lin! Don’t nag me so much, woman.” He turned to look out his window—again, just like an angst-filled teen.

Linda gritted her teeth against the hot retort. He’d called her woman and that was one of her pet peeves. She had a name and it was certainly not woman—especially when he used it with the tone that made it sound annoying and dirty.

Pulling up to the house, she motioned for him to get out. She was going to go on to work and not have to deal with the arguing that would surely explode if she followed him inside.

“You’re going somewhere?” He opened the door and put one foot on the concrete.

“Work.” She kept her eyes straight ahead and gripped the wheel.

“Not even interested in my bad night, huh? Just like a self-absorbed woman.” He stepped out and slammed the door, stalking toward the front door.

So angry that her whole body trembled, Linda drove just around the corner to a little convenience store and parked beside the decaying little building. Digging through her purse, she pawed at her cell phone in anger and finally succeeded in dialing Joan’s number.

“Hello?” Joan sounded tired.

“It’s Linda, Joan. I’m not going to be able to work today. Something has come up.” Her voice quavered as she fought back the tears that threatened.

“Linda? Are you all right? You sound terrible; what’s going on?” Joan’s voice perked up and real worry tinged her words.

“Gavin was in jail and I just bailed him out. A fight with someone over something that he won’t tell me about. Joan, he spoke to me as if I was nobody.” The tears began streaming down her cheeks silently.

“Where are you? Where is Gavin? You two aren’t fighting are you?”

“I’m at Pap’s Store and no, we’re not even speaking. I left Gavin at home alone.” She sniffled loudly.

“Why don’t you come over and stay here for the day? Don’t go home until you’ve calmed down, Linda.”

Linda agreed and headed to Joan’s house, driving erratically along the small back roads where her friend lived.