Sherlock

Sherlock cha 4

Chapter 4

Air travel always made me nauseous.

I sip slowly from my bottle of Canada Dry, just willing myself not to vomit. I watch the conveyor belt's undulating movement, throwing suitcases every which way. I was miserable, depressed, and ready to hurl. Coming back home was worse than what I thought it would be.

Grabbing my suitcase, I will myself to not check my phone messages until I am in my car, but it is hard to wait. One might be from him.

I peek at my Android, but there was no way to know. He might just text me, anyway.

Vacating the shuttle, I trudge to my faithful jeep, a friendly face to greet me.

         “Hello, little Jeep. Did you miss me?” I ask. Jeep just patiently waits as I throw my junk anywhere into the back seat. I'm sure my jeep is ready to hit the road like me, always happiest when we were tooling the highway, together.

I get in, shutting the door. Its dark; I had the roof up while it was parked for the weekend at the airport. I find my reading glasses in my bag, and sliding them on, begin checking my messages.

Only five, not too bad. I had told work I had some 'family business' to take care of this weekend, so I shouldn't have to worry about work related issues or mothers calling in crisis. Tara was covering my mommies Friday through the weekend.

Ugh. Thinking of her put me in a worse mood.

I listened to the first message...it was Downey. Likely from Friday.

         “Uh...honey, just show your license to the guard at the gray security building on twenty third and Lexington. Text me when you land. Can't wait to see you...” I smiled despite my low mood. He sounded excited, nervous, his voice quavering in his message. Nervous and excited, as I had been.

It had been a good decision to meet him in New York, I now knew.

The next message was from a friend back in Maryland, wanting me to call and catch up. I made a mental note to do so soon.

The third message was from the office.

         “Michelle, I know you are out of town, but a family member of a client was here at the office looking for you on Friday. His name is Indio Downey, and I gave him your personal cell number, because he was so upset. He has some serious issues he needs to discuss with you...”

What the hell did Downey's son want with me?? I couldn't imagine.

Typical of Tara, I thought. Even giving my personal number out- unprofessional. Always going for maximum drama, too. I'm sure she enjoyed this turn of events for her own entertainment.

I felt my heart rate increase, contemplating possible problems. For the life of me, I had no idea what he would want- I had not even met him before. A wave of nausea washed over me.

Immediately, I wanted to text Downey for reassurance. Looking at the car's clock, I realize it was unlikely he would be anywhere near his phone. He was working late tonight, in the studio's push to get Sherlock 'in the can'. It was unfair to bring him into anything while he was so far away, too. I didn't know what to think.

Message number four is...nothing. No message left. I check the number. I don't recognize it.

Message number five is Downey, again.

         “I wanted you to know I was so glad to see you. I can't stop thinking about you. You are so beautiful, I just..” he exhaled on the phone, “just so need you with me. You are driving me crazy!” I laughed to hear his excitement, the sound of his breathlessness. I felt so much the same, so much so. I couldn't wait until he got back home.