Intersection (6 page)

“I wanted you to know I was here,” Alex said as a bell rang and the halls immediately began to fill.

“Thanks,” Cassidy said. “I appreciate that.”

“I promise, no inquisition,” Alex crossed her heart as students began to poor in.

Cassidy tried not to laugh. “I’ll hold you to that,” she said. Alex nodded and headed out the door getting knocked by several students in the process. Cassidy watched her leave, and suddenly realized that she was looking forward to going home.

The lens was not fitting on the camera properly. “DAMMIT!” The man yelled in frustration. He held his breath and tried again, attempting to steady his hand. He carefully and slowly turned the lens until he heard a click and then exhaled. He picked up a pack of Marlboro’s and fished out a cigarette, lighting it and taking a long drag. He put the camera in its
case and then caressed the case lovingly. The phone began ringing on the desk behind him but he seemed lost in his exploration of the camera case. The ringing continued and he looked over at the desk. He released his grip from the case and made his way to pick up the receiver of the old fashioned rotary phone.

“Hello…..No…No… an assignment…yes, to take some photos…fine…..not tomorrow…..Sunday….fine.” He hung up the phone and went back to retrieve his camera case. “Assignment,” he said to himself with a sly smile.

Cassidy walked into the living room and greeted her mother. “Hey mom,” she said tossing her bag down and flopping onto the sofa, exhausted. She looked around a bit, wondering if the agent was still out.

“How was your day?” Rose asked.

“It was all right. I am glad it’s the weekend,” she confessed. “Alex here?”

Rose smiled and put a toy in the toy box. “No, she was…said she would be back shortly…..seemed a bit mysterious about it,” she laughed. “Must be the FBI thing.”

“Maybe,” Cassidy said pulling off her shoes. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Why? What are you making?” Rose joked.

“As tired as I am it might be macaroni and cheese and hot dogs… a Dylan delicacy.”

“Think I’ll pass on that one. Let me know when it is caviar,” Rose suggested.

“Second Tuesday of next week…be here,” Cassidy offered.

Alex stood at the counter waiting patiently and sipping a glass of water. “Sure you don’t want a drink while you wait?” The bartender asked.

“No, thanks.” She was swirling an ice cube around in her glass when something caught her attention.

Big vote coming in the house next Tuesday. Congressman Christopher O’Brien has been working overtime to muster support for the bi-partisan initiative, but with his private life tarnished does he have the influence?

Alex looked up at the monitor and saw the congressman and Cassidy during the last election.

“Crazy,” the bartender said.

“What’s that?” Alex asked.

“Tarnished… Hell they’ve practically sainted the man. Personally, anyone who lets that woman go has a screw loose.” Alex looked back at the monitor as the image was just changing and felt the bartender’s comment lodge in her chest. She agreed. “All set,” the bartender said as he handed the agent two large boxes.

Alex started to reach for them when she felt a strong bump in her back. “Hey!” She yelped as a matter of reaction. The man did not speak. His eyes were focused on the ground where a beer had crashed and spilled from his clumsy collision with the agent and another customer. Alex bent over and picked up the case that was lying in the small puddle and handed it to the man. He glanced at her for a second and immediately looked away, swiftly heading for the exit. “You’re welcome…” Alex called after him. She turned back toward the bar to retrieve her boxes shaking her head.

“Nut,” the bartender said watching the man leave.

“Thanks again,” Alex said.

“Next time, stay a while,” the bartender winked.

“I’ll think about it.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to stay for my improvisational cooking?” Cassidy asked, not wanting to move from her current position on the sofa.

“Tempting, but no,” Rose laughed. “I have a date with a nice glass of wine and some takeout sushi.”

“You’re back!” A small voice yelled as the front door closed.

“Looks that way, huh?” Alex replied.

“What’s that?” The boy asked.

Alex stepped into the living room holding two large pizza boxes. Cassidy looked over at her and cocked her head with an inquisitive squint. Alex held out the boxes, “peace offering.”

“Well… you certainly have good timing,” Rose laughed. “You just saved yourself from starvation, I think.” Cassidy shot her mother a playful look of disdain. Rose just shrugged. “I’m off kiddos.”

“Are you leaving?” The agent asked.

“I am. I have a hot date with some cold sushi. I’ll see you Monday.”

Alex looked at Cassidy as Rose left and noticed that she looked a bit pale. “You feeling all right?” She asked with genuine concern.

“Yes, just tired. Long few days, I guess.”

Dylan was standing under the pizza boxes attempting to determine what they might be. Alex looked underneath them at him and then back at his mother. “Well, I’ll tell you what… why don’t you go change and Dylan and I will get these all set.”

Cassidy could hardly believe Alex’s gesture. “You don’t have to do that… I mean Dylan…”

Alex interrupted her. “Dylan and I, we got this, don’t we?”

The boy peeked out and nodded at his mother who laughed. “Okay, then.”

“Good… Just come on down when you are ready,” Alex said.

It was such a welcome surprise for Cassidy. She couldn’t believe it as she climbed the stairs. She couldn’t remember the last time she was able to just relax for even a few minutes,
unless she was asleep. She put on a pair of gray sweat pants and a sweatshirt and sighed at the relief she felt in them. She heard Dylan laughing downstairs as she entered the hallway and she stopped to listen. “You see… if the pepper is the hurdle and the hamburger is you…. You have to run really fast and make sure you take big steps so you can make it over the pepper. I mean the hurdle… if you don’t, well then you have pepper and hamburger on top of each other… and that is just NOT good.”

Cassidy shook her head and laughed. Alex was actually illustrating hurdles with their pizza. Dylan was still laughing and she could only imagine what the agent’s demonstration had looked like. She made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen where she was greeted by a small boy with a towel draped over his arm. He looked back at Alex who gave him a nod. “Dinner is served,” he said to his mother who fought to contain her laughter.

“Why thank you, Sir,” she said as he led her to the table. She looked at Alex who was watching with great satisfaction and found herself locked momentarily on the agent’s blue eyes.

Alex caught herself and looked at the pizza. “I didn’t know what you liked so… one is half veggie and half meat and the other is half Hawaiian and half cheese. Figured that covered most of the bases.”

Cassidy sat down at the table. “It’s perfect…and not necessary.” Alex opened her mouth to say something but Cassidy continued before she had the chance. “But it is appreciated,” she looked back at Alex. “So…how was YOUR day?” Cassidy asked the agent.

“Other than the klutz who ran into me where I got the pizza, uneventful, I am happy to say.”

Cassidy smiled. “And you, Dylan?”

The boy was eating a piece of Hawaiian pizza and seemed completely consumed by the task. He shrugged, “unementmul.”

Cassidy laughed. “Looks like you have a fan,” she said to the agent who just smiled. ‘Maybe more than one,’ she thought to herself.

“I don’t want to go to bed,” Dylan griped.

“Well, I’m sorry, buddy…. Your dad will be here early and it’s bed time,” Cassidy directed. He looked over at the agent who was wiping off the table. Cassidy could tell he was wondering if Alex would still be there when he got up. “Alex will still be here in the morning.” Alex smiled at the boy and he sighed heavily. “Say good night, Dylan.”

He walked over to the agent and put his arms around her waist. “Good night,” he said with a squeeze.

Alex was taken aback by his affection at first but quickly responded with a pat on his head. “Good night, Speed Racer,” she smiled.

Cassidy looked at them and wondered if that nickname had come from the agent’s earlier pizza slash hurdling lesson. Dylan ran past Cassidy and up the stairs. “Thanks,” Cassidy grinned at the agent.

“Least I could do.”

“No…it was far more than you had to do,” Cassidy said. She suddenly felt her heart begin to quicken as the agent held her gaze. “And, I owe you an apology.”

Alex shook her head. “No…seeing the good in people is not something to apologize for.”

“Well, I am sorry for taking my frustration out on you.”

“No apology necessary,” Alex smiled.

Cassidy stood frozen for a moment looking at the agent before she pulled her stare toward the hallway. “I’ll take care of all of this once he is settled in bed.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “I told you; I got this. I can handle empty pizza boxes and you already know I am dishwasher savvy ...Get some rest.”

“Alex, you don’t have to…”

“Yeah… I do… and I want to… least I can do for intruding in your life.”

Cassidy nodded at the sentiment and started to leave before she stopped herself. “For the record, Agent Toles,” Alex looked at the woman staring back at her as Cassidy finished her thought. “It’s a welcome intrusion. I’m glad you are here,” she said as she continued on her way out of the kitchen.