by S. L. Baum
“It’s fine. There isn’t much more to know. I put the brakes on pretty fast after that, which amazingly he seemed pretty okay with. Not all guys would be.”
“I would be!” Pete balked.
“You are a pretty special guy. I knew that when I met you. Opal is one lucky girl,” Krista told him.
“And Sam’s a lucky guy. We are pretty spectacular people, you and I.”
Krista laughed. “Totally spectacular. That’s how I’ve always thought of myself, funny you should mention it.” Krista loved that Pete could be just as sarcastic as she was. He was her first close male friend, and Krista wondered why she’d waited so long to embrace the concept.
“Go home and get some rest,” Pete told her.
“I will. I’ll need it. Sam’s coming over after the diner closes.”
“Opal too. It’s like we are living parallel lives,” Pete said in his best spooky voice. “I bet you even showered this morning, just like me.”
Krista shook her head. “You really are too much sometimes.”
“You can never have too much of a good thing. I thought you knew that,” Pete replied as he shuffled her out the door.
Krista went straight home, as ordered, and made dinner for herself. After that she decided to clean the house, because she figured it was the easiest way to keep her mind off of Marlene and especially off of Sam. Sam, Sam, Sam… She wanted to smell him, she wanted to feel that closeness again, she wanted to hear his heartbeat as she rested her cheek on his chest. Krista shook her head. Scrub, she ordered herself. By the time she heard a knock on the door, she was positive the kitchen and bathroom had never looked shinier.
Krista opened the door. “Hi, I lost track of time. I’ve been cleaning, I’m sweaty, I look disgusting, and I’m going to go take a quick shower,” she told him as she spread her arms open wide to display her disheveled appearance.
Sam swooped into the house and kissed her. “You look good to me.”
Krista batted him away. “Stop. You are obviously blind, and I feel gross, so I’m showering!”
“Can I join you?”
“NO!”
“You’re no fun.”
Krista gave him a stern look.
“Fine. I’ll run up to the main house and take a shower too. Then I’ll come back over.”
“Perfect.” She kissed his cheek and pushed him out the door.
As soon as Sam left, Krista jumped in the shower and made sure the water was steaming hot. After washing her hair, she decided that a fresh shave was necessary. Stubbly legs would simply not do.
Sam had sprinted back to the main house, said hello to his uncle, and then showered as fast as he could. While he rushed back down the stairs, Abe called out to him. “What’s going on with you and that girl?”
“Not sure, Uncle Abe. Something good, I hope.”
Abe smiled at his grandnephew. “That’s good to hear, son. It’s time you let a little joy back into your life. Oh, to be young again.”
“You’ll always be young. I don’t think you ever grew up all the way,” Sam laughed.
“And no sane man should! If you don’t keep a piece of your childhood with you, you’ll miss all kinds of wonder and excitement as time goes by. I never want to lose that stuff. That’s what makes life fun.”
“Life is good right now. Life is real good,” Sam told him.
“Glad to hear it. Now, go have some wonder and excitement.”
Sam gave his uncle a hug and sprinted back over to Krista’s. She was still in the shower when he arrived. He stood in the hallway and listened to the water run, while she hummed in the background. She continued with the tune after the shower stopped. Sam knocked on the door. “I’m back. Just letting you know.”
“I left the TV on, find something to watch while I get dressed.”
“Okay. Do you want to go for a walk?” Sam asked.
“Tonight?”
“Um. Yeah.”
“Sure, I guess.”
“It’s a little cold out, so dress warm,” he told her.
“Okay. Go away now, so I can go to my room without you being there,” Krista ordered. Her voice was stern. She wasn’t quite sure she trusted herself not to fling off her towel and rush into something she wasn’t ready for… yet.
“Alright, alright, I’m going!” He stomped down the hall, making sure Krista was aware of his retreat.
Sam went into her kitchen and opened the fridge, hoping to find bottled water. He grabbed two and went to the couch to wait. He sat down and flipped through the channels, finally settling on some scientific show about asteroids, at about the same time he heard Krista’s hairdryer turn on. He wasn’t really sure what the scientists were talking about, because he wasn’t paying much attention to the television. His mind was replaying what had happened the night before. He pictured the curve of her hips, the feel of her soft skin, the way her mouth fit so well with his. Sam leaned back against the cushions and closed his eyes.
Krista found him that way when she came out of her room. “Did you fall asleep?” she whispered.
“No,” he said softly with a smile on his face. “I’m just picturing you last night.”
“It was so boring it made you want to fall asleep?”
He pulled her down onto his lap. “It was so wonderful,” he said as he pressed a kiss against her neck. “That closing my eyes was the only way to give the memory my full attention.”
Krista leaned her head back. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
Sam trailed his kisses down and across the exposed skin on the top of her chest. “We should probably go out now, but… we could always stay in.”
Krista moved to straddle Sam, placing her thighs on either side of his. She brought her lips to his and kissed him slowly. When she pulled her mouth away from his, she sighed. “You’re the one who suggested the walk, so let’s go. We have time enough for this later.”
“There is a huge boulder, with a flat top, that is perfect for gazing at the stars. I want to show it to you.” Sam placed his hands on her hips and pulled her down harder against him.
“Sam, are you using nature to talk dirty to me? Because it’s pretty hot.”
“You’re pretty hot.” Sam pushed the strap of her tank top down and kissed her shoulder. “But outside will not be. You’ll freeze in this.”
“Should we take a blanket? Since it is so cold out.” Krista kissed his forehead. “And I have a sweatshirt right there.” She pointed to the end of the couch.
“Definitely a blanket,” he kissed her neck again. “You smell amazing.”
“Eucalyptus mint,” she told him. “I’m going to get up now.”
“I really shouldn’t have suggested the walk.”
“Yes. You should have.” Krista stood up and reached for his hands. “I’ll get us something to drink.”
Sam sighed as he got up from the couch. “I grabbed some waters from your fridge.” He pointed to the table where they stood.
“I didn’t even notice. You distracted me.” Krista kissed him again.
“You’re the distraction. Grab a blanket. Grab two,” he told her. “I brought flashlights.”
It was definitely cold outside, with a lazy breeze moving through the trees. The wind had pushed away all the clouds and allowed the stars to shine brightly in the sky. Sam held her hand as they walked. At first they stayed on the worn trail, and later moved off the visible path. But Sam’s steps were sure, purposeful; he knew exactly where he was going. When they turned in the direction of the creek again, Sam pointed to a rocky spot ahead.
“There it is.” Sam waved his flashlight so she could see it.
When they got to the boulder, Sam helped Krista climb the few feet to the top. They spread out one of the blankets and rolled the other up to serve as a pillow. Flat on their backs, they held hands and looked up at the sky. Sam started pointing out constellations, and Krista watched as he traced his finger across the bright dots on the black inky background. S
he’d never tried to find any of the constellations before and was excited to find that she could actually see what he was describing.
When a far away light shot across the sky, Krista gasped in excitement. “Make a wish, quick,” Sam told her.
“I think that was my first shooting star! Thanks for bringing me out here,” Krista told him as she snuggled closer into his side. “This place is perfect. Did you used to come here with your mother?”
“I did. She’s the one who showed me all the constellations. She had so many books about the stars. It was more than a hobby to her, it was something she was really passionate about.”
“The stars will always be there as a sweet reminder of her. I think that’s pretty special.”
Sam squeezed her tighter to him. “This is the first time I’ve really looked up at the sky since she died. It almost feels wrong to look at them knowing she’s not able to do it anymore.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe she is somewhere where she can see those stars. Maybe she’s looking down on them, while you’re looking up.”
“That’s a real nice thought. I like that.”
Krista turned her face to his and kissed him. “We have to think about the ones we’ve loved and lost, keep them close in our hearts and minds. It keeps a little part of them alive and with us always. Grandma is still looking out for me. I know it. And your mother is doing the same for you.”
“Thank you for saying that. I needed to hear it. Sometimes it feels like if I stop thinking about her then things will get better, but it just makes me feel worse. I get angry.”
“Let the anger go and celebrate her life instead of dwelling on her death. She’d want you to live with joy. She’d want you to be happy,” Krista told him.
“You’re right. She would. Being with you makes me happy,” Sam whispered to Krista.
“I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time,” Krista whispered back. “Especially now that you’re not a big jerk anymore.”
Sam laughed. “Come on. I was still kinda cute as a big jerk. Wasn’t I? I had to be or you wouldn’t have given me the chance to prove that I wasn’t one.”
“Maybe a little cute.”
“Only a little?” Sam grabbed her side and started to tickle her. “Just a little? I can’t believe that.”
“Stop it,” Krista tried to wiggle away from him. “Stop it. Stop it!”
“Admit it,” Sam urged as he kept tickling.
“Stop it! Okay, okay. A lot cute. Very cute. You were the most handsome thing ever!” Krista screamed.
Sam took his hands off of her. “That’s better.”
Krista tried to catch her breath. “You suck! I hate being tickled.”
“Sorry. But tickle torture totally works.”
Krista put her hand up the back of his shirt and pulled him closer. “I know a better kind.” She flattened her chest against his and brought her leg up over his hip. “My kind of torture works too.”
“I’ll let you torture me any time you want to,” Sam grinned.
Krista’s face contorted in discomfort. “This rock is digging into my side.”
“It isn’t the most comfortable of rocks. Not enough cushion to it.” Sam chuckled. “We’ve been out here for a while. Want to go back?”
“I think we should,” Krista said, as she untangled herself from him. “Next time we bring a couple of sleeping bags and a blanket. More cushion that way.”
“Good suggestion,” Sam agreed.
They walked back in silence, both knowing that they were forming a bond. It was the sweet, sweet start of new love. Their bodies, their minds, and their spirits were in overdrive, eager to move the budding relationship forward. Sam squeezed Krista’s hand as they neared the guesthouse, and she hugged his arm. “Come in and watch a movie with me?”
“Absolutely. I’d be crushed if you didn’t want me to.”
“We can’t have that.”
“No. We can’t.” Sam kissed the top of her head as they walked up the steps to her house. “Halloween is only a few days away.”
“Yup. It is,” Krista said as she opened the door. “What does Cedar Creek do for Halloween?”
They tossed the blankets into the corner of the room.
“I’m going off what I’ve been told because, like I told you before, this is my first October. But I know they do a big party on Main Street,” Sam told her. “Everybody is in costume, and the kids can trick-or-treat at the stores and restaurants. It’s supposed to be a big deal.”
“I guess that sounds like fun.” Krista walked toward the kitchen. “I’m making hot chocolate. Do you want anything?”
“Coffee?”
“I only have instant.”
“That’s fine.” Sam followed her into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “So, listen, about Halloween… I told Opal and Jim I’d hand out the candy at the diner. Do you want to do it with me?”
“Dress up?” Krista asked as she put two mugs of water in the microwave and turned it on.
“Yes. Opal wants the whole place themed like the fifties. I think it’s because she already has the clothes.”
A light bulb went off in Krista’s mind. “Oh yeah. Pete was talking about that the other day. He said something about doing the whole leather jacket, white t-shirt, and jeans thing for Halloween. To be honest, I was only half listening to him, I was thinking about something else at the time.”
“There’s a letterman’s sweater in Abe’s attic. I’m wearing that.”
Krista stirred powder into each cup. “I’ve never been a huge fan of dressing up, even as a kid. Plus, it’s a little late to find something, isn’t it?”
“Aren’t you a bummer? Dressing up on Halloween is fun, handing candy out to kids is pretty great, and I’m quite sure Opal would be willing to lend you a dress. All she wears is stuff from that era.”
Krista sprayed whipped cream into a perfect swirl on top of her hot chocolate and then handed Sam a mug of coffee. “Do I have a choice?”
Sam raised a single eyebrow. “Not really.”
“You know, I think I’m going to be handing out candy with you at the diner on Halloween.” Krista smiled as she took a sip from her mug.
“Really? That’s great news. I had no idea.” Sam smiled back at her.
“For that, you get tortured with a Jane Austin movie,” Krista told him as she went to the couch and turned on the TV.
“Don’t get mad if I fall asleep,” Sam warned her.
They both ended up falling asleep on the couch before the movie was over. Sam went first, about halfway through, and Krista followed just before the end. When she realized she was nodding in and out, she turned off the television, pulled a blanket over them, and curled up in Sam’s arms.
Chapter Fourteen
Pumpkins, scarecrows, and fall wreaths lined Cedar Creek’s Main Street, while orange and red lights lit it up. The town’s decoration committee had been working on it for days. Adeline told Krista it would all stay up until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when the committee would switch it out for the Christmas decorations. Apparently the orange lights would be swapped out for green ones at that time. Adeline called the mixing of orange and red lights a “bad move” on the committee’s part; she thought the orange lights would have looked better by themselves.
Early Halloween evening, at around five o’clock, Krista and Sam arrived at the Downtown Diner dressed up in their fifties era costumes. Krista had found some cat-eye glasses at the thrift store and popped out the lenses, she’d pulled her hair up into a pony, and was wearing one of Opal’s outfits; a voluminous skirt with a full petticoat underneath it and a white collared shirt with a fuzzy pink cardigan over it.
Sam was wearing dress pants and Abe’s letterman’s sweater, with a shirt and tie underneath. Abe insisted Sam wear it as if he were going to a team banquet, and refused to allow him to wear dungarees with the sweater. “If that sweater is going to be worn again, then give it a nice night out at least,” Abe
had told him.
Main Street was filling up with costumed residents who were waiting for the trick-or-treating to begin. Krista waved to Adeline, who was sitting in one of three chairs set around a small fire pit. Sheriff Tucker and his wife, Pauline, occupied the other two. Krista walked over to where they sat and noticed a black cauldron that was bubbling and smoking, thanks to the block of dry ice Albert had ordered from the grocery. Adeline, Albert, and Pauline wore black robes, but while the two women had tall witch hats on their heads, Albert Tucker wore his Sheriff’s hat.
“Where’s your hat?” Krista asked him.
“I’m wearing it!” Sheriff Tucker said as he stroked the brim.
Pauline laughed. “He’s such a party pooper. At least we got the robe on him.”
Adeline put her hand to the side of her mouth. “Don’t call it a dress,” she said in a not-so quiet whisper.
“It’s a robe,” Albert insisted. “Kings wear robes.”
“And you are definitely king of your own little world.” Pauline leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. “And of my world too, honey, as long as you realize that queens are the real rulers.”
“Believe me, I know who rules the Tucker house.” The sheriff squeezed his wife’s hand with a knowing smile.
“Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that you look amazing. I love the cauldron, and the fire. It’s cold out here, you definitely need one,” Krista told them as she shivered. “So, are you the three witches of Cedar Creek?”
“I’m casting spells over here,” Adeline laughed. “Oh wait, let me try that again,” she said and laughed in her best witch’s cackle.
“Say, you’re a natural at that,” Albert teased his sister.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Adeline shot back at him.
Albert looked at Krista. “I suppose you already know this, since you spend so much time with Marlene Richardson in the mornings, but Ben just gave me his notice. Said he’s finally making the move to Charleston, said Marlene’s feeling better, said he wants to wait until I can get somebody trained but they’re at the mercy of his family. Apparently when they say go, Ben’s going. Kinda strange, don’tcha think?”