Page 23 of Better Together

“Thanks, Tommy, but I don’t know what I’ll find. I may have to call HVAC if I can’t fix it.”

With flashlight in hand, Alexis pried open the old rickety door that led to the church cellar. She swallowed hard. The creak of the hinges reminded her of the endless horror films she and her girlfriends enjoyed watching in their youth. Give her an action or superhero film over horror any day. She never understood why young girls would run into a rundown barn or a haunted house with an ax- or chainsaw-wielding nutcase following them, leaving only one exit for themselves.

But here she was, entering a dark, damp cellar with dirt floors and only a single bare light bulb. At least there wasn’t a madman after her.

Alexis switched on the light. It didn’t even illuminate the steep and narrow wooden steps. She’d have to ask Zeke to run a few more lights down here. She flicked on her black steel flashlight.

The dim and earthy space had low ceilings. At five foot ten, Alexis needed to crouch, straining her leg muscles. The confined space started to close in on her. She swung her flashlight in front of her to break up the thick cobwebs. Shivers radiated up and down her spine when she walked into a spiderweb. She dropped the flashlight and frantically wiped her face.

Maybe she should have called her HVAC guy, but they charged so much and she needed to stay on budget. Besides, she could reassemble ductwork. Easy peasy.

“Hey, boss. Can you hear me?”

She relaxed some when she heard Tommy’s voice. He had to be lying on the floor, yelling through the vent.

“Almost there,” she yelled.

Dammit. She’d have to crawl on her belly, soldier style, to reach it. She’d brought the wrong flashlight; she needed a penlight she could hold between her teeth, or a head lamp. She looked around for a place she could prop up the flashlight to direct the beam of light.

“Hey, Tommy. Can you shine a light down here?”

“Sure, give me a minute.”

Alexis heard him walk overhead to find a flashlight and return.

“Okay, how’s this?”

“Great. Just hold it like that.”

She unhooked her tool belt, pushed it forward, and belly-crawled over the dirt. Thank goodness she’d worn gloves. The light illuminated several sets of mouse bones. Shit. She hated mice, even dead ones. She cringed. With her gloved hand, she swiped them out of her way.

Alexis continued to belly-crawl. There was no way to turn around; she’d have to back up when she was done. She felt the damp earth rub against her skin. She closed her eyes and centered her thoughts. Next time, she’d pay someone to do this. No matter the cost.

She reached the ductwork where it had detached. With just enough space to roll onto her back, she connected the round aluminum duct pipe and moved it back into place. She reached for the screwdriver she had placed in her back pocket and tightened the clamp. “Okay, Tommy, screw it in place so I can get out of here.”

Now with only her beam of light attached to the rafter, she needed to crawl out.

Tommy’s muffled voice came through the floor. “Good to go, boss.”

She flipped back over to her stomach, her shoulder touching the floor joists, and inched her way out.

Alexis looked down at her dirt-covered clothes. Her hair needed washing, and she knew if she didn’t run home now, she wouldn’t have time to shower before meeting Linnie.

“I need to head out. You can knock off for the day as well. Thanks for sticking around, Tommy, I really appreciate it. Sean will be back to work on Monday.”

“It was sad to hear about his mom. See you tomorrow?”

Sean’s mom had been in a nursing home the next town over, but she had passed. He had called and let Alexis know he’d be back to work next week after his mom’s graveside service.

“You’ll see me at some point, but I’m sending Zeke over in the morning. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

Alexis brushed the cobwebs and dirt from her clothing and headed for home. She sent a quick text to Zeke: I’m meeting up with your mom. I just finished crawling around in dirt, spiders, and mouse bones. I’ll need to use your shower.

I’ll be right home, he responded.

In your dreams, Reynolds.