Rod, again - Chapter 19, Debbie comes clean

Cindy walked Debbie down the hallway to Rod’s apartment. Once inside, she released her grip and ushered Debbie to the sofa. Debbie sat down and quietly waited as Cindy joined her and Rod settled into an easy chair. For a moment, the three sat quietly, exchanging glances. Finally, Debbie cleared her throat and sat up. Since her capture, she’d been considering how to explain herself. She could see that, on the surface, one might come to the conclusion that she was some sort of obsessed stalker - the ex-girlfriend that never got over Rod and wouldn’t let anyone else have him. She was sure that was how Cindy saw her now and she realized that it was Cindy she needed to convince. Rod was almost irrelevant to the conversation. He wasn’t upset, just confused. Cindy, that girl she’d just met but felt like she’d known forever, needed to understand. Debbie felt like she could make her understand. After all, they were kindred spirits.

Debbie took a deep breath, calmed herself and began speaking. She fixed her gaze at Cindy and spoke earnestly. She started with the initial letter from Cindy’s father and took Cindy step by step through the design process, noting that the groom’s name was never mentioned. She cited an inexplicable connection she felt with Cindy as the reason why she came to Phoenix personally. Cindy smiled a little at this - she’d felt a connection as well.

Debbie hesitated as she started to explain that first night in the hotel - studying the route because she was often nervous when driving in a strange city. Cindy nodded, another thing they shared. Debbie described her anxiety when Spencer informed her that the groom was Rod. Here, Debbie admitted that she’d behaved irrationally. But, she was distraught, surely Cindy would have felt the same. Cindy smiled sympathetically. The hotel room felt so confining and she just needed some air. She was acting on instinct, Debbie explained. Is it any wonder she followed the path she’d just been so keenly examining? Cindy leaned over and patted Debbie’s knee before reaching for a box of tissues. Both women had moist eyes. Rod watch, somewhat dumb-founded, unsure if he should keep listening to what appeared to be a very private conversation.

Once at the apartment, Debbie explained that she just needed to know. To really know for sure that it was the same Rod. She was anxious, nervous. She’d entered the apartment building to erase some of the unknowns - to help her when she returned the following day. Once in the hallway, she heard someone and feared it might be one of them. She was embarrassed, so she ran down the hall and out the side door. Debbie paused and touched Cindy’s hand. She admitted that she should have gone back to the hotel at this point but she didn’t. She still didn’t know, for certain, that it was really the Rod she knew. She entered the courtyard and saw the two of them through the patio window. When she realized it was him she left. Debbie paused again, sensing that Cindy wanted to speak. Rod stood and quietly slipped out of the room.

“But, why didn’t you tell me earlier, when we met?” Cindy wondered.

Debbie shrugged. “I should have. I almost did. I didn’t know how to bring it up. It felt so awkward. When I came over here, I expected Rod to be with you. When he wasn’t, well, I thought he’d show up any minute and then we’d clear the air. As the meeting wore on, I realized I might be gone before he came back. I guess I hoped I could just sneak back to Minnesota without either of you ever knowing.”

Cindy nodded and the two women sat for a few moments in silence, looking idly at Rod’s empty chair. Suddenly, Cindy turned to Debbie. “There’s one thing I don’t get.” she said, slowly. “Your plan would have worked if you had left when we were done. Why were you in the courtyard tonight?”

Debbie grimaced, obviously embarrassed. “You told me about the security you’d hired. I was worried they would hurt Rico.”

“Rico?” Cindy responded, surprised. “You know Rico?”

Debbie nodded. “I met him in the courtyard last night. I know it sounds silly, I mean, I barely know him, but I like him. I think he’s sweet.”

“And cute.” Cindy added.

“Very cute.” Debbie confirmed, with a grin.

“Really?”

Both women turned at the sound of Rico’s voice. While the women were talking, Rod had left to let Rico and Chet into the apartment. Debbie blushed and put her hands over her face. “Ah, well there you have it.” she said, sarcastically. “I believe I have completely embarrassed myself with every person I know in Phoenix. It must be time to fly home.”

Rico stepped over to the sofa and wedged himself between Debbie and Cindy. Cindy stood and walked over to Rod, giving Rico and Debbie a little privacy.

“You shaved.” Debbie noted.

Rico was momentarily confused, then he remembered the moustache. He pulled it from his pocket. “I can put it back on, if you like.”

Debbie grabbed the moustache. “No, no. This thing has no business on your face. Trust me.”

“Do you really have to leave soon?” Rico asked, quietly.

Debbie nodded. “My flight is tomorrow morning. I have a business to run back home.”

Rico nodded, unsure of what to say.

“Have you ever thought about visiting Minnesota?” Debbie asked, hopefully.

Rico shrugged. He wasn’t really sure where Minnesota was. “I’ve never thought about it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to. It’s just that, well, plane tickets are expensive and I don’t make very much money. Plus, I don’t know if Nina would let me take a vacation anyway. She’s going to be pretty mad at me when she finds out I talked to Chet.” Rico frowned, suddenly worried that he might get fired.

Debbie put her hand on Rico’s shoulder. Poor sweet Rico, letting Nina push him around, not realizing how much Nina depended on him. “Rico, have you ever thought of pursuing another career, something a bit more lucrative?”

Rico shrugged. “Not really. I mean, I don’t know how to do anything else. Plus, I’m not real smart.”

Debbie smiled at Rico. “You’re smarter than you know.” she said, assuredly. “And I can think of at least one job that you would be awesome at. Have you ever considered being a model?”

Rico frowned. “Do you think I’m smart enough?”

Debbie chuckled. “More than smart enough, Rico. Trust me.”