Blue Smoke

mental patient, shoved his hat farther back on his head. “Then winter of ’99? I’m stuck in traffic coming from a client’s place. Got the Boss on the radio. ‘Growin’ Up.’ And I look over, and I see you in the car beside me. You’re tapping out the beat on the wheel. You’re just there. And I—”
    “Oh my God. Weird Guy.”
    “Sorry.”
    “The weird guy who goggle-eyed me on my way to the mall.”
    His grin spread again, but this time seemed more amused than manic. “That would be me. Half the time I thought I made you up. But I didn’t. You’re right here.”
    “Doesn’t mean you’re not still Weird Guy.”
    “Not criminally. We could talk. You could ask me in for coffee.”
    “I don’t have any coffee. I don’t have anything yet.”
    “You could come to my place for coffee—except I don’t have any either. See, it’s right next door. You could come over for a beer, or a Coke. Or the rest of your life.”
    “I think I’ll pass.”
    “Why don’t I make you dinner? Take you to dinner. Take you to Aruba.”
    Laughter trembled up her throat but she swallowed it back down. “I’ll take Aruba under advisement. As for dinner, it’s one in the afternoon.”
    “Lunch.” He laughed, pulled off the ball cap and stuffed it in his back pocket, raked long fingers through his dense black hair. “I can’t believe how completely I’m screwing this up. I didn’t expect to see Dream Girl next door. Let me start over, sort of. Bo. Bowen Goodnight.”
    She accepted the hand. She liked the strength of it; she liked the calloused roughness of the palm. “Bo.”
    “I’m thirty-three, single, no criminal record. Got thumbs-up my last physical. I run my own business. Goodnight’s Custom Carpentry. AndI’ve got this real estate thing with a partner. The pal I came to that party with. I can get you references, medical reports, financial statements. Please don’t disappear again.”
    “How do you know I’m not married with three kids?”
    His face went blank. It actually paled. “You can’t be. There is no God so cruel.”
    Enjoying him now, she angled her head. “I could be a lesbian.”
    “I’ve done nothing in my life to earn such a vicious slap by Fate. Catarina, it’s been thirteen years. Give me a break.”
    “I’ll think about it. It’s Reena,” she added. “Friends generally call me Reena. I’ve got to go. I’ve got people coming over.”
    “Don’t disappear.”
    “Not until my mortgage is paid off. It’s been interesting meeting you, Bo.”
    She slipped back inside, left him standing there.
    T hey brought food, of course. And wine. And flowers. And most of her furniture.
    Since they were moving her in, Reena decided she’d better get in the spirit. She made trips back to the apartment over Sirico’s for boxes, for suitcases packed with clothes. For a last good-bye.
    She’d been comfortable here, she thought. Maybe too comfortable. Comfort could become a rut if you didn’t keep an eye out. But she’d miss being able to dash downstairs for a meal, or just to chat. She’d miss the easy routine of strolling up the block and stepping into her parents’ home.
    “You’d think I was moving to Montana instead of a few blocks away.” She turned to her mother, saw the tears swimming. “Oh, Mama.”
    “It’s silly. I’m so lucky to have all my children close. But I liked having you right here. I’m proud that you bought a house. It’s a good, smart thing to do. But I’ll miss knowing you’re right here.”
    “I’m still right here.” She lifted the last box. “Part of me worries that I’ve taken on more than I can handle.”
    “There’s nothing my girl can’t handle.”

    “Hope you’re right. And remind me of that the first time I have to call the plumber.”
    “You call your cousin Frank. And you should talk to your cousin Matthew about the painting.”
    “Bases covered.” Reena walked to the door, waited for her mother to open it. “And I’ve got a handyman right next door.”
    “You don’t hire somebody to work in your house if you don’t know him.”
    “Turns out I do—or he knows me.”
    She told Bianca the story as they finished loading the car and started the short drive to the new house.
    “He sees you once at a party when you’re in college? And he’s smitten.”
    “I don’t know about smitten. He remembered me. And he’s very cute.”
    “Hmmm.”
    “He took it well when I threatened to cuff him.”
    “So, maybe he’s