He looked at me for a beat then turned toward the books and dragged me along behind him. He walked in two rows, turned left and stopped halfway down the aisle.

“Eddie, I have to help out. Did you see how many people were in line?”

He dropped my hand but then both of his went to where my shoulders met my neck.

“I’ve got something else to explain to you.” Oh no, not this again.

I braced for impact.

“This morning, things changed,” he said.

I stared at him.

“What things?” I asked.

“Before, I was makin’ you my business. Things are different once I sleep with a woman, make her come and intend to do it again. Now you just are my business.” Dear Lord.

My knees went weak and I grabbed onto his t-shirt to stay standing.

One of his thumbs started stroking my neck.

“You stil got a bouncer takin’ you to Smithie’s?” I nodded.

“Get Tex or Duke to take you home from Fortnum’s and walk you up to your apartment. I’l pick you up from work tonight.”

“Oh… kay,” I said.

He smiled, dimple and al , and bent his head to kiss me deep. He let my neck go but tucked my hair behind my ear.

Then he was gone.

I wandered out of the books stil half in an Eddie Daze.

The minute I exited the shelves, Indy and Al y descended on me. I saw that Duke had arrived and was working the espresso counter with Tex.

“How’d it go?” Indy asked.

“You have to ask? She’s stil in her clothes from last night. Fuckin’ cool!” Al y said.

Both of them stared at me.

I stared back.

“Wel !” Indy nearly shouted.

I gave them an abbreviated version of the Eddie Date.

They looked at each other then turned to me.

“More,” Al y said.

I sighed and gave them the longer version, including Mom and Trixie, Blanca and Eddie’s siblings, details on Eddie’s “Sleep with You/Keep You Safe/Wear You Down” Speech and maybe got a little carried away and shared a bit much about that morning’s activities.

When I was done, both of their mouths were open and their eyes were glazed over, just like I expected I looked when I was in an Eddie Daze.

I nodded in understanding at their reaction.

“I know,” I said.

“If you hens are finished pecking over Eddie’s carcass, we could use a hand back here.” Duke yel ed.

* * * * *

The morning was a crush, Al y chose a Nickelback CD for the occasion and played it loud.

Normal y, “work” at Fortnum’s didn’t seem like work. It was more like hanging out with your friends al day, which was sometimes interrupted by something that felt kinda like work.

Just after noon, the crowd significantly died down and Tex turned to me.

“Let’s go, Loopy Loo. I got a plan to get your Dad’s friend talking.” He turned to Al y, “We’l take the ‘stang.

You’re drivin’.”

I gave him a look.

“Does this plan involve your shotgun?” I asked.

“Nope,” he said and I felt some relief. Then he said, “At least Plan A doesn’t.”

Uh-oh.

“What about Plan B?” I pressed.

He started walking toward the door. “Let’s just hope Plan A works.”

Wonderful.

We al got into Al y’s brand-new Mustang convertible, Indy, Tex, Al y and me, and rol ed out to Lakewood. Al y parked outside Bear’s house and we barely cleared the Mustang when Bear appeared at the door, turned and careful y closed it. He met us halfway down the walk.

“I haven’t seen your Dad,” Bear said by way of greeting.

Not good.

“Bear…” I started but then the door opened and Lavonne appeared.

Lavonne dyed her bobbed hair an ultra-fake-looking black. Her roots were steel-gray, she was two inches shorter than me and at least thirty pounds lighter, if not more. She was petite, wiry and had a two pack a day smoker’s voice.

“What’s goin’ on out here? Jet! Ohmigod! Look at your hair. It looks great!”

She rushed forward, always a bundle of energy, and gave me a tight hug.

“It’s been too long,” she said and then her pleasure at seeing me started to dissolve as she looked around, took in Indy, Al y and especial y Tex. Everyone stared at Tex. Tex was a sight to see.

Then her gaze settled on Bear.

“What’s goin’ on?” she asked again, reading the situation like only a mother, or the wife of Bear, would.

“Nothin’,” Bear said.

“I’m lookin’ for Dad,” I said at the same time.

Lavonne looked at me.

“Your Dad was here just this morning. Hasn’t he been to see you?”

I looked at Indy. Indy looked at Al y. Al y looked at Tex.

Tex looked at me.

“What’s goin’ on?” Lavonne asked for the third time.

“Can we come inside?” I said.

Lavonne’s mouth tightened, she turned and we al fol owed her inside.

The inside of Lavonne and Bear’s house could not have been more different from the outside. Lavonne had strict rules about what was a woman’s domain and what was a man’s. The man tended the yard, garbage and car. The woman tended the house, food and laundry.

Lavonne’s living room was neat and tidy and overly decorated in hearts. There were bent twig hearts on the wal s tucked with dried flowers, heart wreaths, little painted-wooden hearts, heart toss pil ows on the couch, heart frames fil ed with pictures of her kids.

I did a round of introductions, Bear sat on the sofa, Indy and Al y took armchairs and I stayed standing. Tex positioned himself close to me, like a guard. Lavonne stood by Bear and lit a cigarette.

Everyone listened to my latest tale of woe.

Then Lavonne’s hand streaked out and she flicked Bear upside the head using her middle finger propel ed by her thumb.

“Yo woman!” Bear yel ed, arching away from her.

Lavonne turned to me and said, “Ray’s been stayin’ here the last two nights. I didn’t know any of this was goin’ on.” Lavonne’s tone said Lavonne was pretty unhappy.

Then Lavonne’s hand came out and she flicked Bear again.

“I said yo!” Bear shouted.

She had one hand on her hip, the other one holding the cigarette aloft and the glare she directed toward Bear was evil.

“What’s this al about, Bear? And I’m warnin’ you, you spil or this time I ain’t leavin’. This time, I’m packin’ your bags.”