Page 13 of Caught in a Storm

Margot Hammer’s attention falls then on Billy, and his breath catches in his throat. She’s in jeans and scuffed boots, a loose button-up with the sleeves rolled just past her elbows. Her eyes. Her drumstick tattoos. Her hair—part up, part falling across her face. She’s Margot Hammer.

“Caleb? Do you have something you’d like to say?”

His son slouches, like he’s trying desperately to be smaller than he is. “I’m Mazzy,” Caleb says. “And I’m Mazzy’s dad, too. I’m also Caleb. I’m so sorry.”

Rebecca’s fists move to her hips. “You’re…who?”

“I ate three gummy bears,” Caleb says.

“You ate what?”

“They had pot in them. It may’ve been four, actually. Dad, a couple were smooshed together. I didn’t tell you that part.”

“You could sign the wall later, maybe,” Grady says.

“Should I cut?” asks the camera guy. “Is this, like…part of it?”

“I thought maybe you’d like my dad,” Caleb says. “He’s really nice. And he had a huge crush on you. I think he still does.”

“Oh my God, Caleb,” says Billy.

“Wait a minute.” Rebecca takes a step toward Caleb and Caleb takes a step back, like they’re waltzing. “Explain to me what’s going on. Immediately.”

“There’s also a nice spot open next to Cal Ripken, Jr.,” says Grady. “See, right here.”

“Dude, enough with the wall,” says Rebecca.

“There is no Mazzy,” says Margot. “Right? No little girls?”

She isn’t asking everyone—she’s asking Billy. Until this moment, this has felt slapstick, like some ridiculous celebrity-encounter story he’ll tell at parties for years. Margot’s face changes that, though. Billy can see that she isn’t just pissed off. She looks hurt. “I’m afraid not,” he says.

“But you sent a picture,” says Rebecca.

“I found it online,” says Caleb. “Google. I added a filter.”

“Did you catfish us, you asshole?” asks Rebecca.

“He didn’t mean to be an asshole,” says Billy. “He made a mistake. He’s sorry.”

“Yeah, this is good,” the camera guy says. “I’m gonna keep filming.”

“No you’re not,” says Margot. “Turn it off. This was stupid. I’m out of here.”

Margot walks out of the store and turns left on Thames Street. Everyone who remains looks at everyone else. The sound system plays “Brandy” by Looking Glass, because sometimes soundtracks are random as shit. Then Billy does the only thing he can think to do. He goes after her.

Chapter 7

It takes Margot all of ten seconds to figure out that she’s being chased. Which is just perfect. Even better, Billy or whatever he said his name is keeps shouting her name. His voice echoes off buildings, like he’s using a megaphone.

“Margot!”

“Goddammit,” she whispers.

“Miss Hammer! Margot, wait! Please!”

People turn and look, and Margot wishes desperately to be home, back in her apartment, because being a rock-and-roll recluse is better than this bullshit.

“Did he say Margot Hammer?” someone asks. Another woman says, “She was married to Lawson Daniels,” because apparently people think Margot is deaf.