Chapter Eleven: Joel:

Around three o’clock, Kathy made it to the next house. She knocked on the hunter green door. Amy and this next neighbor hadn’t talked to each other in fifteen years? It was crazy in her eyes. But then again, the Exile can do that to people. Kathy had no idea what state this guy was in. She would have to approach with caution. The carer looked up when the door opened. A man eyed her. Kathy about gasped at how tall he was.

“Are you Mr. Joel?” she asked.

“Who’s asking?” the man asked.

“My name in Kathy and I’m here to check on you, sir.”

“What for?”

“It’s part of my job. I just want to ask a few questions.”

“Okay…”

Kathy pulled out her clipboard. “How are you doing today?”

“Fine.”

“Are you eating and sleeping well?”

“Yes.”

She took down the notes. “Any illness or bad dreams?”

Joel looked down at her hand. “What are you writing?”

“They are notes on you.”

“Why?”

“That’s what I have to do on my job.”

“I see.”

“Any illness or bad dreams?”

“No.”

“How is your mental health?”

“Good.” Then the questioning took a different turn. “How is Amy doing?”

Kathy paused from taking notes. “Fine, she’s doing fine.”

“And how are you doing?”

“Fine.” The carer looked him in the eye. “Why do you and Amy talk to each other? You live nearby each other. I don’t understand it.”

Joel gave her a sad, little smile. “It’s not that easy.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t think she could face me after what happened to her Sergeant.” He pressed his lips together and nodded.

“But it wouldn’t hurt to talk to her at least once,” Kathy said.

“Maybe,” Joel said. “But it can’t be right now.” He looked over at the house next to him. A pair of eyes watched them from the window before the blinds closed. Joel turned his attention back to Kathy.

“How many more rounds do you have to do today?” he asked.

“I just have one more house,” she said.

“I hope you finish before it rains.”

“I hope so too. Is there anything else?”

Joel thought about that question. “No, there is nothing else that I can think of.”

Kathy finished up her notes. “Okay, thank you for your time.”

“Get home before it rains.”

“I will.” Kathy shoved her pen in her jacket before heading down to the final house on the block.