Page 63 of Penalty Shot

“You’re full of shit, Gordon. I know you’ve got Lily’s number.”

“She didn’t tell me I could give it to you.”

“I don’t want her number. I want you to call her and get an address for me. Where would Elise be when I roll into Cleveland this afternoon?”

Thirty minutes after jumping northbound on Interstate 71, I realized I didn’t know where exactly I was heading. The only thing less clear than my destination is my intention.

“Ask Elise yourself!”

“What part of surprising her do you not understand?”

“All of it!” His yell fills my car and I turn the Bluetooth volume way down. “Why are you playing around, Randi? You like each other. Show up and tell her. Don’t creep into town like a fucking weirdo.”

He’s right. I’m being weird about visiting her. What is stopping me from announcing my arrival, after all? Nothing. Or everything.

“I’m turning around,” I mutter.

What am I doing? If I can’t even call Elise about a spontaneous visit, why am I heading her way at all?

“I’m taking the next exit and going back home.”

“No!” I hear a woman’s voice. A familiar voice.

“Shit,” Gordon says.

“Gordon, who is that?” I ask suspiciously. It was a very distinct voice.

“No one. I meansomeone. Not at all someone you know. No one you know.”

“She sounds familiar.”

“No, she doesn’t!” Gordon exclaims. Again with the yelling.

“For God’s sake, Gordon, you are the worst liar,” the woman says. I can almost see her saying the words.

“Lily?” I ask incredulously.

“Hi, Randall.”

“What the hell? Why wouldn’t you tell Gordon what I’m asking for?”

Because she doesn’t immediately answer, I have to assume that Lily doesn’t want me to see Elise.

“Do you think I’m making a mistake? Does she not want to see me?”

“Seeing her is a good idea. Making it a surprise, not so much.”

“Why didn’t you say so when I asked. You’re right there!”

“That’s whatIsaid,” Gordon pipes.

“Shut up, Gordon,” Lily and I bark at the same time.

“It’s not your business where I am, Randall,” Lily says. “But if you must know,thisjust happened, and I wasn’t ready to—”

“To tell everyone how irresistible I am,” Gordon interrupts again.

“For fuck’s sake,” I say because the sound of giggles and ruffling fabric grates my nerves. What do I need to do to get an address?