Free Vow of Silence by Roxy Harte

proposed
Operating Room. I like it. Actually, I get hard just thinking about it. “Too
much fluorescence. Keep the soft lighting throughout the room but over each
table install round operating lights that are fully adjustable between bright
and dim.”
    “So we can begin?”
    My head is nodding in tiny bobs but I still can’t say the
words.
    “You should schedule three months of downtime with a grand
reopening.”
    “Close Lewd Larry’s completely? No. That would be
disastrous.”
    “You’ll lose the wow factor if you make the changes in
increments.”
    “We can’t afford to close the doors completely.”
    “Thirty days?” Jasper implores. “And keep the public nightclub
open.”
    I shake my head. “We can’t lose the cash flow from the
private sessions in The Attic.”
    “Aside from a name change, little will change on the fourth
floor. Maybe new carpet, different lighting and music. We could do all those
things on our closed days. I could schedule the switch from The Attic to The
Asylum to happen this Sunday and Monday. We’ll make the announcement that The
Oasis and Puppy Pound will be closed for two weeks for renovations and extend
everyone’s membership for one month for the inconvenience.”
    I push my fingers through my hair nervously. “Are we doing
the right thing?”
    “It’s what Garrett wanted.”
    “I just have doubts.”
    “Mr. Kirkpatrick, we both saw the will. Joel and Morgana
confirmed it was his handwriting.”
    I know. I know. I just don’t want to believe it. “Do
what you have to do.”
    He knows he’s been dismissed, and I’m sure he thinks my foul
mood is entirely fueled by the changes he proposed. If he only knew.
    I’m completely overwhelmed. All I can think about is Lin.
    I clear my calendar, making changes to the schedule as
needed to allow me some time away. I should have done this weeks ago. My mind
hasn’t been in a good place since being informed of Garrett and Celia’s deaths.
    I need a vacation.
    * * * * *
    I’m losing my mind, but just to prove it to myself I show up
unexpectedly at Lin’s studio. She answers the door wearing flame-retardant
overalls and goggles, irritation plain on her face—until she sees it is me. She
smiles widely, pushing her goggles up on top of her head. Her face is smudged
and she isn’t wearing any makeup but her beauty glows.
    “George! What a nice surprise.”
    “I hardly believe that. You appeared ferocious when you
opened the door.”
    She laughs and pulls me inside. “I’m so sorry. I’ve had
nothing but interruptions all day and my showing is very soon.”
    “I shouldn’t be here.”
    “Nonsense. You are a welcome interruption. I needed to take
a break anyway. Sit, I’ll make us some tea.”
    I don’t sit on the futon offered. I follow her to the small
kitchenette and watch her fill a teapot with water.
    “Something is wrong. What is it?” She lights the gas burner
and faces me.
    “I’m glad you called me. I’m so glad we reconnected.”
    She frowns and I realize she must think I am about to end
the relationship, but that is the last thing on my mind.
    “I’ve recently realized how out of balance my life is. Being
with you has shown me just how one-sided my life is. I’ve become all work and
no play.”
    She tends the teapot but I know she is still listening.
    “If we are going to pursue a relationship, I need to come
clean with you. I’m the sole owner of the nightclub known as Lewd Larry’s.”
    She pivots jerkily to face me. “What? The place you work?
You own this place?”
    “Yes.”
    I can tell by her shocked expression she is even less
impressed to learn this bit of news than when she discovered what I did for a
living.
    “You lied to me?”
    “No. This is recent. The owner died and left the business to
me.”
    She looks relieved. “You could close the business? Sell it?
Reopen your medical practice?”
    Oh God. How did her mind leap to that conclusion?
    “No, Lin.” I try to sound patient,