When There Is Nothing Left But Love

A single wall separated the two rooms. Sound traveled easily across the balconies.

I rang the bell of the neighboring villa. Joseph answered the door. When he saw me, he started ever so slightly, then asked, “Mrs. Fuller, is something wrong?”

I paused, then smiled at him winningly. “Were you aware that we were neighbors?” It was peculiar that Joseph hadn’t asked me what I was doing here. Instead, he had immediately seized on something going awry.

Joseph’s eyes darted uneasily. He avoided the question altogether and exclaimed brightly, “Please come in!”

“No need for that,” I assured him. “It’s time for dinner, and you just moved in today. I suppose you haven’t had the time to cook. Would you like to join me?”

Joseph smiled but insisted on showing me in.

I felt it rather peculiar of him to do so. It all made sense to me, however, after I’d stepped and caught sight of the man himself seated on the grey couch and reading a book.

The one who had pushed for this move must have been Ashton rather than Joseph.

“Mrs. Fuller, let me get you a glass of water!” Joseph chirped, already darting out of the room in haste.

I remained standing where I was in the living room, tension creeping up my spine. I searched my mind frantically for something to say. Linda’s words flashed across my mind and I blurted, “Thank you for the ointment you sent me today afternoon!”

Ashton’s eyes never left his book. He casually turned a page, then replied coolly, “OK.”

Silence returned to the room.

I gulped, then continued, “Are you planning to stay here?”

intoned. He clearly didn’t seem interested in having a conversation with me at the

and pressed on. “I’m guessing that you haven’t had anything to eat. I’ve already made dinner. Do

got his feet and replied evenly, “All

set his book

living room bearing a glass of water. He froze when he saw Ashton stalking out. Joseph hurriedly shoved the glass

my head and replied, “No need. Come over

“Thank

to stand on courtesy,” I

dishes on the table. When she saw us enter, Nora beamed, remarking, “What a crowd we have today! It’s

set the table, I noticed that Armond wasn’t present. Turning towards Nora, I asked, “Did you call Mr. Murphy to come

her face coloring slightly. “He’ll be down in

I probed, “Is something the

smiled faintly. She said in a low voice, “Let’s

changed. He didn’t seem surprised to see Ashton and merely

suddenly had the peculiar feeling that everyone was privy to some information I was

Nora abruptly asked. I raised my head and met her

it with

flabbergasted. What is this woman trying to

Joseph, however, who

exclaimed. She enthusiastically shifted her attention

his usual collected self. He eyed Nora,

Nora fired back, “I’m

Armond suddenly erupted into a fit of violent coughing. Flustered, he reached