“Wanna see?” I ask nervously.
“Yes,” she replies instantly, excited gray eyes meeting my slightly nervous ones.
I slide out of the car and walk around. Lia already has her door open and is stepping out by the time I get around to her. I take her soft hand within mine and walk her towards the shack. I use the key to unlock the second padlock on the door and pull out a couple of folding chairs.
The earth in front of the building is pretty flat so I open up the first chair and place it on level ground. I make a gesture with my hand, indicating for Lia to take a seat, before I open the second chair. I set my chair nice and close. Maybe I’ll grab a hold of her hand again.
Hell yes I’m doing it again.
With Lia sitting snugly next to me, I reach over and take that hand within mine. We sit in silence for several minutes, just enjoying the quiet and warmth of nightfall. The breeze is warm and has a sticky, muggy feel, but I’m so used to it that it doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t appear to bother Lia too much either, as a matter of fact.
I glance over at her. She has her legs extended in front of her, her head back and her eyes closed. She looks so peaceful in the dark of night. Like nothing could possibly bother her. No secrets. No past. No baggage that I know we all carry.
Lia must feel my eyes on her because she slowly opens hers, lashes seductively moving like a slow motion dream sequence, and then looks over at me. We stare in that crazy dreamlike trance for several heartbeats before she finally speaks. “So, tell me about this place.”
“This is my favorite spot. I’ve fished right here along these creek banks for as long as I can remember. My dad and brothers don’t really come out here too much anymore, but I still do. My parents’ house isn’t too far away past those trees over there so they can always tell when I come out here. It’s not like the Mustang is quiet. But, they don’t bother me. They just let me be,” I tell her and look off into the distance.
“I can see why you love it,” she says and stares at the slow moving creek.
“Someday, I’ll have my own place like this; preferably along the creek with a bunch of trees.” I don’t know why I told her that. I’ve never told anyone that - ever. My dream of living in the quiet of the woods is similar to that of my dad and a few of my brothers, but to actually share that piece of my soul with someone is so unlike me. I haven’t shared anything real in years. Fourteen years to be exact.
“That sounds nice,” she replies without looking at me.
“What’s your dream?” I ask curiously.
Lia exhales and continues to stare off into the night. I start to think she’s not going to answer my question when she finally says, “Freedom. Safety. Roots. That’s what I want,” she whispers into the quietness surrounding us. I know those three little words mean so much more than their basic definitions. Lia is like a giant jigsaw puzzle that you don’t have the box to anymore. You can’t see the picture, and I’m working hard at putting the pieces together in their correct spots. With each piece that falls into place, I start to learn a little about the real Lia. I know that it’s going to take work to get it right, but damn it if I don’t love fucking puzzles.
“That’s a nice dream.” Lia doesn’t reply. “Lia,” I start and I sit forward and turn towards her. I take her hand that is still securely tucked within mine and turn her towards me. “This place is my safe haven. I know that when I’m here, nothing can bother me. Nothing can get me. I am safe. No one comes back here.” I stand up and pull her upright. I lead her towards the shed and grab the flashlight from its spot on the shelf by the doorway. I flip it on, bathing the room in light. I head towards the cot, finally letting go of her hand for the first time since we got here. I quickly squat down and retrieve the small locked box from underneath.
“This is a twenty-two pistol,” I say as I turn the dial on the locking mechanism. “Five-Eight-Two. That’s the combination,” I say as I line up the numbers and open the box. “It’s always loaded. Do you know how to use it?” I ask, looking at Lia for the first time since we entered the shed. Her eyes are wild. She stares down at the gun in my hand. Hell, I’m not sure if she’s breathing right now.
“Lia? Do you know how to shoot?” I push. She shakes her head from side to side. “Then we are going to come out here very soon and show you how, okay?” I place the gun inside the box and set the box on the cot. “Lia, I want you to know that if you ever need a place to go - a place that’s safe - you can come here. Anytime. Day or night. No questions asked. I will come for you. I promise. Okay?” I ask, urging her to acknowledge me.