Ties That Blind. Zachary Klein

goes both ways. You mean an enormous amount to him. He’s pretty clear about that.”

      “Lou’s usually clear about everything.”

      Lauren nodded. “When he says something you can actually count on it. You can rely on him.” She grinned but there was sadness in her eyes. “It’s not something I’m used to.”

      “Lou’s a good man.”

      “Better than good.” Lauren paused then added quietly, “That’s why I want you to give me a chance. I want him in my life and if you and I don’t get along, well...”

      I was embarrassed. “I’d never interfere with Lou’s friendships.”

      “We’re more than friends, Matthew,” Lauren said gently.

      Someone pushed a shopping cart into the chain-link fence that separated the grocery store’s parking lot and my back alley. The scraping rekindled my headache. I appreciated Lauren’s straightforwardness, her caring toward Lou, apparently her good looks, but right then there was no shaking my distance.

      “Lou makes his own decisions, Lauren.”

      She frowned and placed a hand on her cocked hip. “A touch disingenuous, don’t you think? You’re practically his entire life.”

      I was spared from responding by the crunch of footsteps on gravel. Lou appeared around a corner of the building and walked alongside Lauren. “I didn’t realize you were back,” he said. “How is the boy?”

      Lauren smiled, but the troubled look never left her eyes. “Ian’s doing great. I can bring him home in a few days.”

      “That’s terrific! He must be strong.”

      “Lou,” I blurted, “the boy tried to kill himself!”

      Maybe it was the leftover stain on the car seat, maybe it was seeing them together, or maybe the ease with which they talked about bringing Ian home, but my criticism was harsh, and it stung. I saw Lou frown and Lauren’s hand pull off the scarf. Her thick, black hair dropped almost to her shoulders, youthful, despite wide streaks of natural gray. No more suspicions about dye.

      “Don’t sound so damn sanctimonious,” Lauren said mildly. “I’ve already been in contact with a therapist. He’ll see Ian as soon as possible.”

      I slid off the fender onto my wide awake feet. “I’m sorry, Lauren, I was out of line.”

      She reached up and placed her hand on my shoulder. “That’s okay. You did me a huge favor and got rewarded for it with a ruined shirt, bloody car seat, and an ugly scene between me and Paul. I owe you the apology.”

      I willed myself to leave my shoulder where it was. “How about no apologies, period? Ian’s okay, the car’s okay.”

      “That sounds good to me,” Lou said, relieved. He nudged Lauren, “Did you tell him?”

      Lauren removed her hand, “No, Lou. I told you it’s probably my imagination.”

      “What if it is? It can’t hurt to talk.”

      “Tell me what?” I lit a cigarette and eyed them warily through wisps of smoke.

      “It feels as if someone has been stalking me,” Lauren reluctantly admitted. “I know it’s absurd, but I can’t get rid of the sensation.”

      Lou chimed in, “This is no one or two day thing, Matty. It’s been going on for a while. I’m pretty sure I felt it too when we’ve been out together.”

      I wanted to tell him paranoia was contagious but instead groped for something polite. “How long has it been happening? Is it regular?” I sounded like a fucking doctor.

      Lauren gave no sign of noticing my skepticism. “Maybe six months. I can’t date it exactly.”

      “But you’ve never actually seen anyone?”

      “I told you it sounded foolish,” Lauren said with a quick toss of her head.

      “Matt’s not saying you’re foolish,” Lou disagreed. “He’s asking for information. That’s how he does his job.”

      I glanced toward Lou and confirmed my fear. He wanted to deal me in. “Let’s slow down a little. Have you seen anybody following you?” Right then I didn’t want to be dragged into Lauren’s life through any door.

      Lauren shook her head. “No,” she grimaced, “but I’m not prone to delusions.”

      I didn’t care what she was prone to. My game plan was “in again, out again, Finnegan.” “Does anyone have reason to stalk you?”

      She paused. “Not that I can think of.”

      “But you feel it all the time?”

      “Not all the time. Sometimes.”

      “Is there a pattern?

      She tilted her head appreciatively. “I’ve never thought about that.”

      I plotted my escape. “Well,” I said, all business, “keep track of the situation. See if there is any rhythm or pattern.”

      “That’s all?” Lou asked, dissatisfied. “I thought you would look into this, Matty.”

      “First things first,” I replied.

      “He’s right, Lou. Who knows? Maybe it will be like a toothache, hurts until you get to the dentist, then goes away.”

      I wasn’t thrilled with Lauren’s metaphor, but at least she wasn’t forcing me to sign on.

      Lauren stuck her hand in my direction. “I have to change clothes before I can walk into that hospital again. It’s been nice talking to you, Matthew, and I’ll take your advice.”

      She let go of my hand and hugged Lou. “You don’t have to go back with me tonight.”

      “You’re going to drive back and forth and again tomorrow?” he asked.

      “Maybe I’ll just stay at the hospital.”

      “Don’t be silly. You’ll come here after your visit. We’ll have tea.”

      “It may be late.”

      “It’s never too late to boil water.”

      Lauren smiled appreciatively then kissed Lou on the lips. I was okay until he kissed back. I turned away and heard Lauren chuckle, “I think we’re embarrassing Matt.”

      I watched them walk toward the front of the buildings before turning my attention back to the car. I had finished gathering the cleaning materials when I heard Lou approach.

      “You had time to talk?” he asked.

      “You knew she was back here?”

      He nodded. “I want you to get to know each other. It doesn’t help to have me hovering around.”

      “It’s been a long time since you hovered over anything.”

      “Oh, I don’t know about that.” A wide smile lit his grizzled face and he winked.

      “You’re a dirty old man,” I said grinning in spite of myself.

      “So nu? There’s a problem with that?”

      “What do you want from me?”

      “I want you to tell me what you think of Lauren,” he replied obstinately.

      I chose my words carefully. “She’s charming, forceful, a real looker, and direct. How’s that?”

      “You don’t like her?”

      “Her family situation makes me uncomfortable.”

      “What do you mean?”

      “She has a