Chapter 5
After I left the office, I sat in the parking lot for a long time.
I had no car. Mine was in Richard's name, and he kept the keys.
I had no money. My bank card was frozen, and even my phone payments were tied to his account.
My phone was down to 12 percent.
I perched on the edge of a flower bed, flipping through my contacts.
I went through the whole list, but there wasn't a single number I could dial.
College classmates? We drifted apart after graduation.
Relatives? I had none. My mom was an only child, and after my dad died, all those distant relatives disappeared.
The only friend I had left was Monica.
Just as I was about to turn off my phone, the screen lit up.
That same unknown number popped up again.
The call Richard ended last night.
I hesitated for a couple of seconds, then answered.
"Ms. Lane, this is Frank Bennett. We got cut off yesterday, so I thought the timing might have been bad," he said.
"You said you were my dad's friend?" I asked.
"That's right. Your father and I were classmates in college, and later we went into business together. When he died there were things he never got the chance to tell you. I've been looking for you for years," Frank said.
"What things?" I asked.
"Not over the phone. Could you meet in the next day or two? I live here in the city, so any time works."
I didn't even get a chance to answer.
A hand reached over my shoulder and grabbed my phone.
Richard had come out of the building at some point and was standing behind me.
He glanced at the caller ID and ended the call.
"Him again?" Richard said.
"He says he knew my dad," I replied.
"Your father has been dead five years. Someone crawls out now claiming they knew him? What do you think he wants, money or your name on something?" Richard scoffed.
"He said he would explain in person."
"You've got nothing. What is there to explain?" Richard handed the phone back. "Stay away from people like that. They'll take you for everything."
"Let's go home," Richard said.
He pulled out his car keys, pressed a button, and the car lights flashed.
"Get in," Richard said.
I didn't move.
"Evelyn," Richard said.
"I can walk. I'll get home on my own," I said.
He looked at me, his lips twitching.
"You don't have cab fare. How are you going to walk it? That's ten miles," Richard said.
I couldn't say a word.
Because he was right.
I had no money, no car, nowhere to crash.
Not a single person I could call for help.
Eventually, I got in the car.
Richard started the car. As we drove out of the lot, he suddenly spoke.
"Evelyn, I'm not the one keeping you from being free. You can't survive without me, and you know it," Richard said.
Outside the window, the whole street was buzzing with lights and people.
I looked at the lit shop windows and the crowds going past, and it felt as though a pane of glass stood between me and all of it.
I could see the world out there, and I couldn't step into it.