Lunch and taking care of friends

The front door clicked open before I could get to it. Darnell let himself in, scanning the first floor with quick, precise movements—kitchen, living room, hallway—before closing the door behind him. His eyes lingered on corners and windows, assessing, before finally settling on me.

“DeppGrl?” he called.

“I’m coming!” I replied, stepping out from the hallway.

He gave a short nod, shoulders easing slightly. He hugged me gently as he knew better than to risk my bruised ribs. “You look better than I expected,” he said softly, scanning my face for anything I might be hiding.

“You look worse,” I said, and he exhaled a brief, amused sigh.

He crossed his arms. “Alright. Start from the beginning. How did all this with Patrick start?”

I took a deep breath. “It started years ago during my first trip to New Zealand fifteen years ago. I met Patrick at the bar that I met Scott but I declined any drinks from him.  I found gifts, notes, dead animals and a lot worse left on my porch where I was staying. It escalated slowly at first, but then his behavior became invasive and terrifying. Calls, death threats, constant harassment. I finally confronted him one night and I thought it ended, but it didn’t. When I traveled on the behalf of different governments between that first trip to New Zealand and the trip I just came back from, I knew that there were leaks because he always found a way to find me and scare me. The governments always denied the leaks but I didn’t have enough evidence to prove it. A week or so before I came back, Patrick was caught and was put in a secure wing of the psych ward attached the prison. He committed suicide not long after getting admitted to the psych ward. Even now, I can feel traces of it if I’m not careful.”

Darnell exhaled sharply. “Fifteen years carrying that around… I can’t believe it.”

“I didn’t realize how connected it all was until recently,” I admitted.

He nodded. “And Mike?”

“Mike is—was—Patrick’s nephew.”

He blinked, then swore under his breath. “So he’s been around all this time, knowing…?”

“Yes,” I said. “He knew almost everything but anything until I confronted him when I said that I knew he and Patrick were related. He said that all he knew was that he had severe mental health issues however it was clear that he knew more than what he was admitting.”

Darnell leaned back, shaking his head. “Do you think you’re in danger from him?”

“Who, Mike? No,” I said quickly. “But I want him to understand I’m not alone. I’m protected.”

He nodded. “Good. He needs to be clear about that.”

I smiled faintly. “And I want that message to land.”

“So what’s next?” he asked.

“Mike’s moving,” I said. “He’s staying in the school district for the kids as per the estranged wife and their mediator.”

“Should we draw up an eviction notice?”

“Nah. I sent him lists of apartments and movers already.”

“Alright,” he said. “Lunch at Aditi’s?”

“The answer is always Aditi’s,”  I said. “Any ideas of what you want to eat?”

“Oh, about thirty of everything!” he said.

“Sounds reasonable! I’m not sure how long she’ll let us stay there before wanting to kick us out,” I said as I chuckled. “Let me go get dressed.”

I went upstairs. I put on panties, leggings, a sweatshirt – sans bra - and winter boots. When I came downstairs, Darnell stared at my chest and grinned. “You’re trouble.”

“Bras are overrated,” I said.

“Agreed!” he said as he chuckled.

We walked the three blocks, cold air stinging our cheeks. The moment I pushed open Aditi’s door, warmth and spice enveloped us.

Aditi’s eyes lit up immediately. “DeppGrl! How are you feeling? And here have you been, Darnell? You used to come by all the time.”

Darnell chuckled. “Busy…”

“Busy? You look like you haven’t eaten in months,” she said. “Go sit down at her favorite table and we’ll bring out some food and wine.”

We slid into my favorite booth; hidden but still able to see everything and everyone. Food began arriving—samosas, chili paneer, lamb vindaloo, biryani, dal, naan, and a dish she was experimenting with.

“You’re feeding us like we haven’t eaten in months,” I said.

“That’s because you both look like you haven’t,” she said, pointing at Darnell. “Deppgrl, I have no clue who fed you while you were in New Zealand because you lost weight and it’s clear that Darnell hasn’t eaten a home cooked meal in months!”

Darnell leaned back into the booth as Aditi left, looking at me. “Actually, while we’re here, I guess I can tell you. I went undercover for a few weeks. That cult was intense and they were the worst that I’ve dealt with. They were hardcore believers into their beliefs and it was a police state, to be honest. If you were caught doing anything against their bylaws, they believed in 700 calories a day and constant physical labor were the cure for that. Even if you were following the rules, they only allowed 900 calories.  I had to maintain cover by following their guidelines but as I was doing what I was sent there to do, it broke them. They were busted because of my work.”

“Were you cleared by your doctor when you were debriefed?” I asked.

“Yeah but barely,” he said with a sly grin. “I told him that I was going to come here with you and he immediately cleared me!”

“Glad to hear that, friend,” I said.

I am going to talk to his captain, Claire Montoya, sometime today, I told myself. Darnell’s almost 45 and he can’t be doing this severe undercover thing as much as he’s used. I know, I am calling the kettle black but I’m not constantly putting myself at risk like he is.

“Deppgrl? Hellooooooooooooooo?” Darnell said. “You still there?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” I snapped back to his company. “Sorry, I was committing something to memory.”

“Speaking of commitments, I’m going to ask Jessica to marry me,” he said. “I need your help with getting the ring. You have connections to jewelers.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Already planning your proposal?”

“Yeah,” he said with a grin. “She’s been amazing, and it’s time.”

I smiled. “Good. You do have to tell her that you’re spending time alone with me though! The last time I knew something that she didn’t, it didn’t go well.”

“Fair enough,” he said. “Between you and me, you’re annoying as fuck.”

“I know!”

Aditi laughed as she overheard while bringing to go containers to our table. “You two are impossible! You’re worse than siblings!”

I laughed so hard I snorted, clutching my ribs. “Stop! My ribs!”

Darnell leaned back, shaking his head, laughing.

Before the to-go containers arrived, the door opened and Bob came in.

“DeppGrl!” he said, hugging me too tightly. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were home?”

“Bob!” I laughed, pushing against him. “Loosen up! I was going to tell you after lunch.”

He smirked. “No, you weren’t!”

We laughed. He grabbed a plate and utensils from another table, sat next to Darnell and dug into the food while we continued chatting.

“This is amazing,” he said. “Why did I have to hear from Vince that you were home?”

“I told you that I was going to tell you after lunch,” I said, “You just didn’t want to listen to me.”

Bob shook his head, grinning. “You’re unbelievable.”

Aditi and her servers arrived with more food, and Darnell said, “You’re going to have to roll us out of here, Aditi.”

Aditi grinned. “I wouldn’t mind.”

We all laughed as Darnell, Bob and I ate even more. We ate until we were beyond stuffed.

Bob went into the kitchen to grab a to go containers for himself. I heard Aditi yell at him and he left seconds later with a smile on his face. Once he got to the table, he packed his to go container to the brim, closed it and nodded to us.

He hugged me again, shook Darnell’s hand, and said, “See you soon.”

As he left, Addit came with a few large bags and about three hundred to go containers, I asked Aditi how much we owed her.

“$800,” she said casually.

I handed her $1,200. She hugged me gently.

“You’re too generous,” she whispered in my ear.

“No,” I said. “You’re undercharging me a ton, my friend. I gave you more than what the bill should’ve been. Staff, food, fuel, and overhead all need to be taken care of. You know it, I know it.”

We hugged goodbye and headed back to my place. On the way, I told Darnell, “Aditi is behind on rent.”

“How do you know?” he asked. “How far behind?”

“The landlord is a friend of Bob’s from years ago and he told me -in passing - before I left New Zealand. said that he’s looking to evict her,” I said. “Four months, $35,000.”

He nodded. “We both know what we have to do.”

“Yes,” I said. “Put the food in the fridge at my place, then head to the landlord’s office and catch her up.”

We booked it to my place, stored the food, then hopped into his candy apple red 1963 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. What should’ve been a forty-five-minute drive took thirty.

I jumped out before Darnell could stop the car. “Wait here. I’ll be a few minutes.”

I took the stairs two at a time, reaching the third floor and catching my breath before walking into the office. I approached the receptionists’ desk and spoke with Rose.

“I’m here to pay Aditi’s past-due rent and her upcoming rent,” I said.

Rose looked at her computer. “Give me a second to access her account.”

A moment later, she looked up. “She’s behind her rent by four months. It’s $35,000.”

“I’ll pay that and a full year’s rent as well,” I said.

She calculated it. “That comes to $140,000.”

I paid it gladly. “Ok. Oh when or if Aditi asks, please tell her that a generous but anonymous donor took care of it.”

Rose nodded. “Understood.”

I turned and left, taking a deep breath as I ran down the stairs back to Darnell.

“Done?” he asked.

“Done,” I said, smiling. “$140,000 later. Totally worth it!”

He nodded, a rare softness in his eyes.  “She’s lucky to have you and yes, she’s worth it.”

I slid into the car beside him, and we drove off, the weight finally lifting, knowing Aditi was safe and secure.

As Darnell and I headed back to my house, my phone rang. It was Vic, and I answered.

“Vic, hey,” I said.

“Hey,” he replied. “How are you? How’s your day going?”

“Hey,” I said. “Darnell and I went to Aditi’s for lunch, ran an errand, and we’re just a few minutes from home now. How’s your day been?”

“Not too bad, but super busy with the holidays,” he said. “Good to hear you got out for a little bit. I’ll be over in a few hours to spend the night.”

“What do you want to do about dinner?” I asked. “I can heat up leftovers or cook. You spend your whole day cooking for everyone else… you deserve a break.”

“Tonight? I’ll cook here and bring it to you,” he said. “Something warm and comforting. I’m thinking pasta, or chicken, or maybe a combination of both.”

“You’re too good to me, Papa,” I said, smiling. “I don’t mind cooking.”

“I know you don’t, but I mind,” Vic replied with a chuckle. “Hate to break it to you, amore, but you can’t really cook. You bake sweets beautifully, but cooking? Not your strong suit.”

“Ouch,” I said, laughing. “That’s a little harsh!”