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Knock. Knock. Knock.
She felt each heavy thud as she forced the knocker against the paint-chipped surface of the door, as thought each hit was her very heartbeat. The steady warble of a radio somewhere inside clicked off, and she heard a man clear his throat and begin to shuffle toward the door.
Blue eyes darted down to check the fabric of her dress, quick hands smoothing out any wrinkles that had formed amid her anxious fidgeting. The cloth matched her eyes—she knew because he’d mentioned it before. It was one of his favorites.
Was.
“Well,” he said, taking a moment to straighten his jacket, “you’re not from DiVino’s I don’t suspect. They’re late with my order.”
“No, hah,” she bit her lip nervously, “I’m Doctor Lake, uh--Jim’s mom.”
“Yes,” he smiled, though with a curious brow. “I recall.”
Both of them shifted in anxious silence, until Walter, once again, cleared his throat. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Ms. Lake, though I must admit I’m a tad surprised. Er, how might you have gotten my address?”
“You gave it to me.”
“Oh,” A twinge of nervous suspicion passed across his green gaze, imperceptible had she not known him so well. “did I?”
“Yes,” she said, firm, if nervous. “Don’t you remember?”
Don’t be desperate, Barbara. She said to herself, stick to your guns.
“I was recently concerned about Tobias and Jim,” he said. “They’ve both been nodding off in my classroom. Seeing that they’re close friends, I assume they’ve both been up to something. I asked Jim to pass along my number, but I don’t recall the address.”
“No, Walter, that’s not when you gave it to me.”
“Walter,” his hackles rose, though again it might have passed as simple surprise, had she not known him. “that’s a bit familiar, don’t you think?”
“I know it is,” she took a deep breath, bracing for what might come next. Then, lest someone hear them in the halls, she dropped her voice to a whisper. “I also know that your full name is Waltolomew.”
He took a step back, sparks beginning to ignite behind his eyes.
“There’s no need for violence Walter,” her voice wavered as she fought back the pang of tears. She used his shock to step into the apartment, closing the door behind her. “I’m not your enemy.”
The whites of his eyes had gone amber and his jaw was set to the hardness of stone. “What is your game?” He asked through his teeth.
“I don’t have one. I really am just a doctor and a mom. But you made me feel like so much more...”
“We have no relations,” he grumbled, and she watched his hand twitch, eager to brandish a knife. “If you truly knew me, you would know that I have no allies.”
Barbara shook her head, almost wanting to laugh. “Yeah, you used to think that. Look Wal—Mr. Strickler. I know this is a long shot. I thought I was crazy too, but deep down, I believe you feel the same way. Like there’s something missing…”
When his eyes returned to their glimmering green, she knew she’d struck a nerve.
“I’m not here to trap you, and I’ll leave if you want me to.” She shifted, though kept her stance firm. “I’m also really hoping you aren’t planning on using that knife...but you once begged me not to forget how deeply you loved me, and now I’m begging you to do the same. Please.”
He was cold, and for a while as still as a statue. Then, he took the concealed weapon and raised it into the light where she could see the metal glinting. Slowly, and with deliberation, he set it on the table beside him.
“Darling...” she said, dropping her hand to her sides, wanting so badly for him to have crossed the threshold.
It was then that the doorbell rang. They both froze for a moment before Walter recovered and dug a wallet from his pocket. She stepped aside as he brushed past her--close enough for her to smell that haunting cologne--opened the door, and took his order from the deliverer, muttering to ‘keep the change’ before gently shutting the world away. He didn’t lock the door, she noticed, giving her room to leave.
“I don’t entirely know what you’re talking about Ms. Lake, but it is peculiar that you mention all of this..." He smirked, if still somewhat guarded, and then lifted the large brown to-go bag in the air. “Because I keep ordering for two.”