Patricia Kay - The Girl He Left Behind

Eve couldn’t stand Joe Ferguson. He was one of those politicians who’d been in office way too long but seemed impossible to unseat. He had a vastly inflated opinion of himself and seemed oblivious to the fact a lot of people didn’t share that view.

“Sure, I understand. Well, you can let me know on Monday. And if Tuesday doesn’t work out, we can find another date.”

All this time Ferguson had acted as if Eve wasn’t there, not that she minded. But Adam noticed, for he said, “I don’t know if you’ve met Eve Cermak—”

“Eve Kelly,” Eve corrected. “And Mayor Ferguson and I know each other from church.”

“Yeah, of course,” Ferguson said. “I see you at St. Nick’s all the time.”

Now Eve noticed someone else approaching their table. She looked at Adam, telegraphing her wish to leave, and it worked, for he immediately said, “You know, we really need to get going. I’m planning on going back to the hospital tonight and it’s getting late.”

“Oh, sure. No problem,” Ferguson said. He fished in his shirt pocket and pulled out a card. “My cell number is on that. You can call me about Tuesday night either tomorrow or Monday. Try to come, okay? All the guys are wantin’ to meet you.”

“Is it just me or is he kind of obnoxious?” Adam said after they’d made their escape.

“He’s definitely obnoxious,” Eve said, laughing. “I couldn’t wait to get away from him.”

They were outside on the sidewalk now. Adam looked around. “Where’s your car?”

“I walked to the shelter.”

“Really? Where do you live?”

“Over on Maple Avenue, just off Center Street. It’s not far.”

“It’s far enough. I’ll walk you home.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Eve, it’s nine o’clock. It’s dark. I’m not letting you walk by yourself.”

“It’s perfectly safe. I walk at night all the time. You’ve been living in the big city too long, Adam. You’ve forgotten what small-town life is like.”

“I don’t care. I’m still walking you home.”

“But you said you have to go back to the hospital.”

“I lied. I just wanted to get away from your esteemed mayor.”

“He’s not my esteemed mayor. I haven’t voted for him in either of the past two elections.”

“Whatever. I don’t have to go to the hospital, and I am walking you home.”

Because it was obvious nothing she could say was going to change his mind, and she didn’t want to argue with him, Eve shrugged and said, “Okay, fine.” But down deep, she knew these weren’t the only reasons she was letting him have his way.

Whether it was wise or not, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

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