This is episode twenty-five of the novel, From Here To 1137. If you would like to purchase From Here To 1137, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.
Debbie Pries
Tom woke up in his own bed. The escapade in New York seemed like a dream. Frost on the window shielded his vision from the cold winter day outside. He turned over and looked at the clock. It was 8:17.
He heard someone downstairs. He heard the washer begin to agitate. He slipped his clothing on and went downstairs to the kitchen. Debbie was in the laundry room, a room off the kitchen. Her back was to Tom.
“Good morning.”
Debbie jerked and turned around. “Oh, Tom, I thought you were gone for a couple of days.”
“I was done in a day,” Tom said. “This place is cold. I’m going to start a fire in the fireplace.”
“While you’re doing that, how ‘bout breakfast?” Debbie said buoyantly.
“Let’s see who’s done first,” Tom smiled.
Debbie brewed a pot of coffee, prepared eggs, toast, bacon, and hash brown potatoes. And they ate together.
“You never did tell me where you had to go,” Debbie said.
“Edgar is moving out of the country,” Tom said. “He asked me to take care of a few things for him.”
“After the way he’s treated you, you should have told him to take care of things himself,” Debbie said with what little indignity she could muster.
“I know,” Tom said, “but he’s my brother. Maybe someday he’ll come around.”
“Where’s he going?” Debbie asked.
“Central America, he’s going to call me as soon as he’s settled.”
“Central America has what, five or six countries?” Debbie stated. “Which one will he be going to?”
“There are seven countries in Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.”
“I stand corrected,” Debbie wagged her head. “But which one?”
“I’m not sure. All he said was Central America. He said he’d call as soon as he got settled.” Tom tried to appear unconcerned.
“Did he get transferred there?” Debbie asked.
“I don’t know. He just told me he’s moving to Central America.”
“That sounds fishy to me,” Debbie frowned and shook her head.
“Maybe he joined the Peace Corps.”
“Edgar?” Debbie said.
“Look, Debbie, Edgar is in big trouble. I’m not sure if he’s in Central America yet or not. But that’s where he’ll be for a while. I should have thought things out better before saying anything.”
“You mean like a better lie?” Debbie said.
“Yes,” Tom admitted. “Please say nothing to anybody about Edgar. If somebody asks about where I’ve been, just tell them I'm clearing up some matters for Edgar. And that’s all you know.”
“Is he in trouble with the law?” Debbie asked, concerned.
“No, I can assure you of that.”
“You’re keeping something from me,” Debbie said. “I can tell. I know you better than you know yourself.”
Tom grinned. “I’m not keeping something from you. If I did, it would mean it’s something you should know. And it’s nothing you should know or care about—truly.”
“I care about you,” Debbie said. “And, here it comes, I love you.”
“And I love you. There we both said it. I’ve known it for a long time.”
“I expected a more romantic setting.” Debbie chuckled, “But I’ve known it for at least five years. I told my mom then, and she said it would pass—it hasn’t.”
Tom reached across the table and held Debbie’s hand. “Debbie, there will come a time when I can tell you what’s going on, but it’s not now. It is a load only I can carry for now. If I were to let you in on all this, it would be more than unfair.”
“I don’t understand what could be so important or secretive,” Debbie said. She leaned back in her chair and smiled. “Here’s one thing I’m sure of: I trust you. And you have always looked out for me. And I know that’s what you are doing now. I’m going to leave it at that and be satisfied.”
“There will come a time when I can let you in on everything.”
“And I can wait.”
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