I was roused by an incessant knock on my door, more like someone was doing a tap dance on it with their knuckles. I checked my alarm; it was barely past midnight. Only one person in the entire house was capable of such a disturbance—Lexie.
I reached for my walking cane and hobbled toward the door. Why was she here at this time? I pulled the door open, and she sashayed in as if she hadn’t just interrupted my sleep at such an ungodly hour.I just knew it.
“Lexie, what's the matter? Are you having trouble sleeping?” I was not pleased at all but concerned nonetheless. Going back to bed after an interrupted sleep was always a hassle.
Some nights when Lexie was much younger, she would sneak into my room and crawl into my bed when there was a storm or when she couldn’t fall asleep. But that was years ago, and there was no storm tonight either,so what’s the occasion?
“Sorry, I woke you up, but I needed to talk to you about something very important. Probably then, I can rest peacefully,” she stated calmly.
I surmised that whatever the matter might be must be dire and couldn’t wait till morning, so I dragged myself to the double couch directly facing Lexie, who was perched on the footboard bench.
“I’m all ears.”
She took a deep breath. “It’s about Licia.” She was studying my expression.
Corking my brows, I leaned forward, putting my weight on the cane. “What about her?” I was really curious.
“She’s so cool, and I like her. Please, tell me you are going to win her back?” She folded her hands like she was saying a prayer, rubbing them together.
I sniggered. “Lexie, let me get this straight. You came all the way from your room to mine, by…” I turned to look at the glowing bedside digital clock “...12:27 am to tell me to get back with Licia?”
This girl was unbelievable.
She nodded without any hesitation. “Yes. Wasn’t she your girlfriend far back in high school? I remember seeing her around the house… but she's changed so much. She's a lot more beautiful than I remember.” She rattled, a grin on her face.
“‘Was’, Lexie… was. It means it is in the past. Besides, who said she isn’t dating someone else by now or at best, married? Have you thought about that?”
Lexie and I usually talked about everything since it was just the two of us, irrespective of our age difference. But talking about Licia or better still having her drill me on the matter and play fairy godmother by this time was just unacceptable.
“She isn’t married, Kevin and neither is she dating anyone.” Lexie claimed, with every ounce of seriousness she could display.
I felt relief wash over me. If I was being honest with myself, the thought that she possibly belonged to another gnawed away at my heart, and I secretly prayed she wasn’t.
I needn’t get ahead of myself though. “And how do you know this, detective Lexie?” I probed.
“Halfmoon Bay is a small town, bro. And it hasn't changed in the time you've been away. Everyone knows what's going on with everyone. Besides, have you seen her with a wedding ring?”
“You know it’s not everyone that wears their wedding bands, right? And who is to say she isn't seeing someone quietly?”
he shook her head sadly. “Let me break it down for you. We girls, we talk. So, Licia and I are cool…”
“Okay… so how does that translate to her being single?”
“I indirectly asked her about her relationship status the other day, and it might interest you to know that she’s single.” She kicked about excitedly, clapping her hands together.
“I see.” Pretending that I didn’t appreciate the insight.
“So what’s the plan?” She enquired innocently, after the euphoric display.
I feigned ignorance. “What plan?”
“Have I been talking to a brick wall all along? The plan to get Licia back, of course.”
“Oh, that plan? I don’t have any yet, sweetheart.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you need my help? I can put in a good word for you.”
“No. Stay out of it, Lexie. Let the adults handle their issues.”
