The half-smile on Roderick’s face
disappeared as he heard the bedroom door lightly open. He kept his
eyes closed. Maybe Alex was just looking around. As he heard the
door close, Roderick felt something in him sink. He opened his
eyes. The room was empty, as he had known it would be. He walked to
the bedroom window. Carefully concealing himself behind a thick
velvet curtain left by the previous owner, Roderick looked into the
driveway. Behind the moving van there was a taxi. Three Rivers
Taxi.
Roderick watched and waited. It took a
moment, but soon Alex was outside, and Roderick watched as Alex
walked to the cab. His heart raced when for just a split second
Alex looked up at the house and hesitated. Maybe he wouldn’t get
in. Maybe he would stay. Roderick lowered his head when he saw Alex
open the taxi door, but then he looked up again.
“Decision made,” Roderick said, as he
watched the taxi back out of the long driveway.
***