Zenon's Game Chapter 261

Officer Patel took Anushka and me to dinner at an Italian restaurant. He said that tonight was 'daddy and daughter dinner', which had become a weekly tradition in their family. He then asked where my dad was, and I said:

"He could be working the kitchen here or on the other side of the moon," I said, "I really don't know."

I slurped up my creamy pasta and had a side of vegetables to boost my vitamin intake. At home, my pop tart supply was running low but that didn't have many nutrients anyway.

It's amazing what good food can do to your spirits. I felt myself come to life.

After tiramisu, Officer Patel drove me home and waited in the car with Anoushka for my 'adult supervision' to arrive. I was a bit nervous about that.

I didn't exactly call the most law abiding adult.

But it was very clear that Officer Patel cared about my wellbeing and was worried for me. I worry about me, too.

While we waited, a car drove up from around the corner and I recognized that black jeep wrangler. It slowed down as he passed by, and I knew Zenon was staring at Officer Patel's suburban.

I watched Zenon park his car in his driveway and get out, walking straight towards us. I wish he'd been here earlier. He was a lot smoother in these adult situations than I was.

Zenon was in his basketball uniform and just as he began crossing the street, the loud sound of a motorbike penetrated the air.

"My adult supervision," I told Officer Patel.

The motorbike sped past a red light and up to my house. It skidded to a halt on the sidewalk and a guy in a leather jacket jumped off.

The gambler announced, "I'm here for the muse."

I wish I could see Zenon's reaction. But I saw officer Patel's expression instead, and it was priceless.

"Is that a concealed firearm?" Officer Patel pointed at the bulge in the gambler's jacket.

I'm glad no one commented about the 'muse' part. I was busy staring at the skid marks on our sidewalk, that I hadn't noticed the weapon.

"It's licensed," the gambler replied, "I have proof."

While Officer Patel inspected the gambler's paperwork, Zenon approached me.

Our street was not well lit at night and the taillights from the suburban and the motorbike created contrasting shadows across his athletic build.

"Hey, what's going on?" Zenon asked, coming close to me, "Is that the police officer from the other night?"

"Yeah, he took me to dinner," I answered and, seeing Zenon's surprised reaction, I added to it, "Have you met Anoushka?"

"Who?" he asked, looking at me with even more confusion.

~5 minutes later~

Before Officer Patel left, he told me to call him anytime I needed. "It's OK to ask for help, Candace. That does not make you weak."

"Thank you, officer," I said, watching as he returned to his car, "It's nice of you to care about a stranger like me."

"You're not a stranger," he answered, "You're a someone, and it's my job to try to make the world a safer and friendlier place."

I watched the Patels' drive off, feeling less afraid to reach out if I needed help - or more tiramisu. Could 'daddy and daughter plus Candace dinners' become a thing?

Meanwhile, Zenon and the gambler were having a way less sentimental reunion behind me.

"Why are you still here?" the gambler asked Zenon, "You're a tween. You should be at home."

Zenon didn't bother to correct his age, since it was blatant that he'd experienced puberty. Instead, he said, "What are you doing here?"

"Are you asking me what I just asked you?" the gambler snapped, "We're not singing chorus like a f*cking high school musical."

I burst into laughter. Zenon wearing his basketball uniform made the comparison extra appropriate.

But Zenon didn't hesitate with his response, "No? Because you showed up dressed for a Grease remake."

The black leather jacket and black pants had a certain John Travolta vibe, I had to admit. I bit my tongue trying to avoid laughing at the gambler.

I half expected him to explode with anger. But instead, he chuckled.

"Kids these days," he mused, "You're all such *ssholes. Except you, Candace, but you already knew that."

~Saturday morning~

The gambler didn't stay long last night. We spent an hour catching up. I offered him ice cream that we didn't have. He then asked how I was holding up, showed me a couple skits for the comedy club, ripped on Zenon a little bit more and left.

On his motorbike and off into the darkness...

My fairy godmother

I woke up the next morning feeling so much better. I had been in a dark place these last few weeks, but knowing the gambler was only a call away, Zenon a house away, Officer Patel a short drive away...

It felt encouraging. It felt like I wasn't alone anymore.

And then I went downstairs to pick up my car keys for Mission Matt.

I left the house and locked the padlock on the front door. I still can't believe we were using a padlock.

"Candace, you're early," Jake called out from across the street, slinging a massive bag of ice across his shoulder.

"Am I?" I asked, not sure what he was talking about.

Jake was usually dressed so casually, but today he was in a button-down shirt and belt. His tattoo peeked out from under the sleeve of his left arm.

I was forgetting something. Something in the back of my mind was nagging me. Wasn't there something I was meant to do today?