Recipe for Enemies

by P T Winger

  The woman said, “I’m Mrs. Fagan, and if you’re from that church and doing religious rounds, I’m not interested.”

  “No, I’m not doing religious rounds,” Erin said. “I wanted to speak to you about your son, Jake.”

  Mrs. Fagan raised her chin. “What about him?”

  “It seems Jake is picking on my Ryan,” Erin said. In response to the woman’s incredulous scowl, she added, “At least that’s what my son says.”

  “Your son says wrong,” Mrs. Fagan said. “My Jake is an angel.”

  Nervous, Erin took a step back. Did she have the right house? “Oh my. When did he pass? I’m so sorry.”

  The woman’s expression turned confused. “What do you mean, when did he pass? He’s at school.”

  Of course, the comment had only been an endearment. Erin gave a clumsy, dismissive wave. She wasn’t thinking clearly. “Never mind.”

  Mrs. Fagan stared at her.

  “Could you at least ask your son to stop picking on mine? Ryan came home with a scraped arm last week and said Jake knocked him off his bike. Yesterday he pushed Ryan to the ground.”

  Mrs. Fagan planted a hand on her hip. “If Jake pushed your son down, he must have deserved it.”

  Taken aback, Erin didn’t say anything. Seconds later she realized the woman had just given her a perfect opportunity to hand out some candy.

  Mrs. Fagan turned to go back into her house.

  “Wait.” Erin reached into her purse. “I’m hoping Jake and Ryan can be friends. That was my reason for coming here.” She pulled out the bag of chocolate balls. “I figured as long as our sons know each other, you and I can be friends, too.” She opened the bag and held it out, and gave what she hoped would come across as a friendly smile. “I made these for you. Would you like one?”

  Jake’s mother peered at her as if she’d grown a second head. Then she shrugged and took the entire bag. “Thanks.”

  Erin spoke quickly.” Those are just for you. I’ll make more and bring them by for your family.”

  The woman began to visibly relax. “Well, thank you.”

  “Try one, if you would,” Erin said. I want to see what you think of them since I’m entering the recipe in a dessert contest.”

  “Okay.” Mrs. Fagan poked her index finger and thumb into the bag. She drew out a chocolate ball and popped it into her mouth. Like Jeffrey, her face scrunched up for just a second. “Not too bad. Not what I was expecting, but the mix is decent. What’s in it?”

  “Chocolate, mostly, and just a little paraffin wax for shine.”

  Mrs. Fagan chewed on another one. “Well, they’re good. I hope you win.”

  “Thank you,” Erin said. “Maybe we can get together and have lunch one day.”

  “Sure,” Mrs. Fagan said. “I work at home doing medical transcription, so whenever you want to have lunch is fine with me.”

  The dog bumped by Erin on its way back into the house, and she gasped in fear.

  “Don’t mind Sasha,” Mrs. Fagan said. “That dog’s a big ’ol hunk of love.” She hesitated, then added, “I’ll talk to Jake. Sometimes he’s a little rough on the other kids. But he’s only trying to make friends. He’s my youngest, you know.” She smiled. “I love all four of my boys and would die if anything happened to them, but Jake’s my baby. He’s special.”

  Erin began to feel sorry she’d given the candy to Mrs. Fagan. But it was too late now. “Everybody needs friends,” she said. “Jake can come to our house anytime he’d like.” She turned to go.

  “Thanks again for the chocolates,” Mrs. Fagan said. “Good luck with the contest.”

  Erin was tempted to snatch the bag from Mrs. Fagan’s hand, but the woman had pulled out two more chocolate balls and stuffed them into her mouth. Only one remained.

  On the way home, Erin tried to remember what her words had been as she recited her intention. She thought she had simply asked that Jake’s parents make him stop bothering Ryan. That seemed clear enough. However, Erin had wished for Jeffrey to stop having sex with David, and Jeffrey had gone missing.

  But Mrs. Fagan had offered to speak to Jake, so perhaps Erin’s intention would be accomplished without unexpected consequences. In fact, the outcome could be good. Perhaps the woman would encourage her son to be friends with Ryan. The kid seemed to want attention, and that was fine with Erin; she’d give him all the attention he wanted if he came over to her house. She didn’t mind being a good mom to other kids as well as her own.

  These mustard-road-kill-chocolate balls might actually have a positive effect. Erin felt good about initiating an outcome that might lead to Jake and Ryan being buddies.

  Once home, she went to the butler’s pantry and pulled out the fourth bag of chocolate balls from where they were hidden in the cabinet. The only enemy left was Coach Dumcas, the football coach who had kicked Andrew off the team and humiliated him in front of his peers. Andrew’s removal from the team had upset him so much that he’d failed his science test. Lower grades might lessen his chances of getting into a good college.

  The coach’s actions could very well mess up Andrew’s future.

  If the concoction worked – and she hadn’t yet seen direct proof that it did – it was worth the time to seek out the coach as well as his wife, Shelby. Perhaps they could both sample the treats. Erin put the candy into her purse.

  On the refrigerator, held on by an emergency contact information magnet, was a school flyer listing all the football games for the season. She should have thrown it away since it probably caused Andrew anguish to see it. Now, she glanced at the date for the next game. Tonight at seven o’clock! Normally, she or David would go to see Andrew’s game, but since he was off the team, she had no reason to go. She’d have to create some excuse.

  Erin opened the dishwasher and put away the clean dishes while she thought about it. This might not be a good idea, to discuss Andrew’s dismissal with the coach during a game. Too many people would see him eat the chocolate balls, if indeed he wanted any. Instead, she could visit the coach during the school day and offer him the candy. The school had cameras everywhere, though, and she’d be recorded going down the hall to his office.

  It might be best to go to his home, away from the crowd. Yes, that was the best option. Follow him home after school, discuss Andrew’s dismissal from the team, and offer him some chocolate if he didn’t agree to let Andrew back on. She knew her son didn’t really want to be on the wrestling team. Football was his life.

  This plan would work. She’d be back home in plenty of time to put dinner on the table.

  For the next hour, she cut up apples for a pie, chopped potatoes and carrots to go with the roast, and made dough for biscuits.

  Finally, the cat clock’s face indicated three o’clock. She left a note for Ryan and Alyssa to get a snack and start on homework, and then she drove to the high school and parked in a visitor’s space to wait.

  At 3:20 the bell rang, and the older students headed toward the parking lot to their cars. Erin looked for Alyssa as students boarded the buses lined up in front of the school, but didn’t see her. Andrew didn’t come out; wrestling tryouts were today. Erin would need to come back here to pick him up.

  The parking lot emptied amazingly fast, except for a row of parked cars in the spaces nearest the school.

  At 3:45, adults began to leave the building, moving somewhat more slowly than the teenagers who had rushed out less than a half hour earlier. Erin spotted Coach Dumcas as he emerged through one of the front doors, phone at his ear. He’d been a star football player in college while he majored in physical education. Somewhat heavier now, he nonetheless still looked in good shape.

  Erin considered ducking down to hide so he wouldn’t recognize her when she showed up at his house later, but his phone call seemed to be taking all his attention. He got into a small white two-door car, pulled out and drove off, all while still on the phone. Erin followed him through the parking lot, frowning. He didn’t appear to be wearing his
seatbelt. What a great example to teen drivers.

  On the road, she tried to stay as far back as possible and still keep him in sight. He turned right at the stop light and picked up speed. Erin pressed down on the accelerator to keep up with him. The man drove far too fast. Did he know he was being followed?

  The coach drove another half mile, then braked. Instead of turning onto another street, though, he pulled into a convenience store parking lot. Erin followed him into the lot, parked and waited. He was no longer on the phone as he entered the store, but he didn’t seem to be aware of her presence.

  Minutes later he strolled out with a plastic grocery bag. Back into his car he went, and Erin noted with disgust that no, he definitely did not put on his seatbelt.

  He pulled out onto the road in the direction from which he’d come. This surprised Erin. If he were going home, why would he go out of his way to a convenience store in the opposite direction? Unless he had none near where he lived.

  To her concern, he drove back to the school. Had he forgotten something?

  This time he continued around the side of the building and parked near the gym. He hopped out of his car with the plastic bag and went into the school.

  Idling her car at the end of the lot, Erin drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. Of course. He had a game tonight. Perhaps the plastic bag contained food. He had merely gone out to get something to eat and then come back for the game.

  Annoyed, she roared toward the parking lot exit. A teacher had reached his car and caught her eye as she rushed past. He raised his hand and then lowered it, palm down, gesturing for her to slow down.

  She almost ignored him and then remembered who she was. Mother of three, two of whom attended this high school. She gave him a friendly wave and slowed until she left the parking lot. Once on the road, she sped home.

  Coach Dumcas would have to wait for Erin’s chocolate. Perhaps his wife Shelby would be with him next time, and they could share the bag.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  David’s car sat in the driveway as she pulled in. What was he doing home almost two hours early?

  Inside, Erin walked through the kitchen and parlor to the stairs, listening. Music and voices floated down, so she knew the kids were home.

  She went into the den, where David sat slumped forward on the couch, head clutched in his hands, chest heaving with gasps of anguish.

  Erin rushed to him. “What is it? Has something happened?” But she felt she already knew the reason for David’s utter despair.

  “They found him.”

  “Who?”

  “Jeffrey.” David sat back and rested his head on the back of the couch, staring up at the ceiling. His face was blotchy from crying. His body heaved with a sob. “He went to the park yesterday morning or sometime during the night before. I don’t know why. They found his car by the side of the road and tracked him to Bluestone Cliff. He… he climbed all the way up there to the top and then fell. Or... he jumped.”

  “In Shenandoah National Park? On the news they said a body had been found.” So it had been Jeffrey.

  He nodded.

  Erin sat stiffly beside him on the couch. “I’m so sorry, David. Why would he do something like that?” But she knew.

  “I don’t know.” David rubbed his eyes. “He was terrified of heights. He wouldn’t fly in an airplane. He didn’t even like being on a balcony two stories up. He never looked out the window in our office.”

  Erin nodded. Jeffrey had said the same thing to her. “Maybe he got lost on a hike and didn’t know he was on a cliff.”

  David’s bloodshot eyes narrowed and glinted. “What do you mean, he didn’t know he was on a cliff?” He stood and towered over her, hands clenched into fists. “He wasn’t stupid, Erin. He wouldn’t have knowingly climbed the path to a cliff and jumped off!” He stalked to the window that looked out onto the front porch.

  Erin pressed back into the couch at David’s sudden rage. This was the first real emotion he’d shown in months.

  Maybe, just maybe, she’d caused Jeffrey’s death, and that hadn’t been her intention at all. Something had gone terribly wrong with the recipe. A chill began in her chest and spread through her body until she felt riveted to the couch. She took a shaky breath and then spoke, unable to control her apologetic tone. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry?” He moved back toward her, his intense, almost maniacal gaze riveted on her. “Did you do something?”

  “No.”

  But she had. Her intention was that Jeffrey stop having sex with David, but for him to die? That hadn’t been part of the plan at all.

  David glared at her for another moment and then his shoulders slumped and his hands unclenched. He began to sob again. “This is my fault. All my fault.”

  She stood and put a hand on his arm. “It’s not your fault, David. Unless…” Daring to hope, she touched his face. “Did you break up with him?” But even as she spoke the words, she knew what he’d say.

  “No. I didn’t break up with him.” His eyes met hers. “He was happy after you left the office last week. But I told him I wasn’t ready to end my marriage yet. We still have kids to raise.” He wiped his eyes. “And then later when I finally realized I wanted to be with him, I didn’t tell him. And now he’s gone.” He trudged to his recliner and sank down into it, and stared off into space with vacant eyes. “It’s my fault.”

  She looked at him, and then, as his words sank in, lowered her head. Breath left her body in a sigh. She felt sympathy for David’s loss, for his sorrow, but it seemed that even in death, Jeffrey came between them. David was lost to her no matter the recipe’s results.

  But time healed hurts, or at least dulled the edges. Eventually, he might look to her again as his loving partner. Their marriage could grow stronger as a result of this tragedy. Perhaps he wouldn’t want anyone else.

  Erin wanted their marriage to work. David, for all his flaws, was a good man at heart and worth giving one more chance.

  She decided she’d be as supportive of him as she could, given the circumstances. And that meant keeping her household running smoothly and routinely. She asked, “Can I get you anything? A beer?”

  He looked at her blankly, then shook his head.

  “I’ll just go start dinner then,” she said. “We’ll have pot roast and vegetables. And apple pie. Then I need to go pick up Andrew. He has wrestling tryouts today, you know.”

  David’s gaze drifted away from her, and he closed his eyes.

  In the kitchen Erin pulled out the carrots and potatoes she’d chopped up earlier and arranged them with the pot roast. This she put into the oven with the apple pie.

  She heard footsteps pounding down the stairs and then running through the parlor toward the kitchen. Alyssa rushed in and yanked out her earbuds. The tinny sound of a popular song wafted through the tiny speakers.

  “Good, you’re home,” Alyssa said, her voice breathless. “I found out something at school today. And I just got a phone call. You’ll never guess what happened!”

  Erin paused in the act of placing a tea towel over the pan of rising biscuits. Foreboding and thrill played equal parts in the sudden clench of her stomach. “I have no idea. What happened?”

  Alyssa punched her hands into the air and then leaped up into a cheerleading jump. “I made the squad!”

  Erin looked at Alyssa’s ecstatic expression and then back down at the towel. It loosened from her hands. She could barely speak. “How?”

  “Well,” Alyssa said as she hugged Erin, “I guess I shouldn’t be so happy about this since it’s a bad thing, but Stacie quit the cheerleading squad.”

  “Oh really? Why?” Erin wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.

  Alyssa’s smile faltered and then disappeared. “Her mom got sick. Well, something happened. I’m not sure what. Something to do with her eyes.”

  “Her eyes?” Erin pressed her hands onto the counter to hide their sudden trembling. “What do you mean? What�
�s wrong with her eyes?”

  “All I know is that Stacie quit the squad. Everything is crazy at her house and a bunch of her relatives are there helping to take care of her mom, and she wants to help, too.”

  Erin took a shallow breath. “Well, I hope her mother is all right.” At least Tiffany hadn’t walked off a cliff and died. She smiled at her daughter. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you.”

  “I’m so excited.” Alyssa danced around the kitchen. Then she asked, “Why is Dad home so early? I said hi to him but he looks like a zombie.”

  “He’s not feeling good.” He would soon, though. Everything would be all right. Erin had saved her marriage and made her daughter happy. “You know, I think this calls for a little break in routine. Why don’t you all eat dinner in your bedrooms tonight? Or you can eat outside. It’s a little cool out, but not too bad.”