Read If Hooks Could Kill for Free Online

don’t know if you know, but I went back to work,” he said. He was watching me from across the room. I was all befuddled about where to look. It was normal to face someone speaking to you and I glanced up from the mug of tea. He must have changed out of his work clothes into the faded jeans and soft blue tee shirt he was now wearing. He’d looked pretty bad when he first got to my house, and I was glad his face had lost the gaunt look. I might have had a little residual anger about the way things had worked out for us, but I still cared about him. I was having a hard time making sense of it but I thought the best way to deal with it, was by keeping a distance.
    “You must be glad to get back to it.” I picked up the mug but still he didn’t move.
    “I’m not exactly back to my regular job.” He held up a blue binder that had been tucked under his arm. “I’m easing back in by working cold cases.” Heglanced toward the steaming cup of tea. “That smells good. What kind of tea is it?” I wanted to take the tea and go, but it felt wrong to just rush out, and the way he was looking at my mug, it was obvious he wanted some, too. I certainly wouldn’t begrudge him a tea bag. I pointed to the cabinet and told him to help himself.
    Without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed a mug and found one of the tea bags. As I made another move to go, he said, “Maybe we could have our tea together. To toast my going back to work.”
    I was going to beg off, but it was just a cup of tea after all, so I agreed. Barry didn’t wait for me to have second thoughts and led the way to the living room.
    “Seems like old times,” Barry said looking at the couch. When we’d been a couple, we’d spent a lot of time sitting there together. The idea of sitting there now felt strange and uncomfortable. I just wanted to drink my tea fast and escape.
    “Let’s sit outside,” I said, making an abrupt turn. Barry followed me through the kitchen and out the door.
    The yard was filled with the night sounds of crickets chirping and birds calling to each other. My gardenia plant was covered with creamy white blossoms and they filled the air with their heady scent. The floodlights along the back of the house illuminated the patio area and I noticed that Barry still seemed a little stiff as he lowered himself into one of the patio chairs. Above us the sky was midnight blue and the full moon peeked through the orange trees.
    “It’s nice out here,” he said setting the mug of aromatic tea on the small glass table between our chairs. He stretched his leg into a more comfortable position. I asked where Jeffrey was and he said he’d gone to bed.
    In a certain way, Jeffrey had benefitted from his father being laid up. Barry’d had to let go a little and his fourteen-year-old son had started using his bike for transportation. Jeffrey loved the freedom of getting around the area on his own. I might have kept my distance from Barry, but Jeffrey kept me up-to-date on what was going on in his life.
    “The important thing is that you’re better. It looks like it’s all healed up.” I glanced toward his outstretched leg. “I’m sure you’re anxious to move back home and get on with your life. So, what do you think it will be? A few days, a week?”
    Was it my imagination or did Barry’s expression falter. “I don’t have an exact date. I’m still getting physical therapy and I’m not feeling ready to tackle all those stairs.” As if to make his point, he moved his leg and seemed to feel a twinge of pain. “But if we’ve overstayed our welcome, I’ll try to make some other arrangements.”
    “No, no. Stay until you can run up and down the stairs,” I said. I wanted him to go, but at the same time I didn’t want to push him out while he was still healing. What difference did a little more time make, anyway? I drained my cup and prepared to make my exit.
    Before I could say anything along the lines of good night, Barry laid the