I heard her roll up the two remaining car windows and pull her key out of the ignition. It was one among a ring of keys.
Nilla was right at the front door when I let myself in. I leaned down and scooped up my little princess. She licked my face and I could feel the soft vibration of her wagging tail. Merlene walked in behind me.
“Nilla pilla!” she said, as she plonked down on the sofa. “Why can’t you assist Mommy here with her interview? After all, you’ve gotta live with the newbie too.”
I heard Theodore’s footsteps descending the staircase. His was a totally different vibration from Anthony’s. Anthony’s steps were softer like that of a woman’s feet. I had a good look at him a few times and he definitely was Mister Debonair. And that desk job he had at the computer company suited him just fine. Theodore was different; he was more hardcore, a blue collar worker at the welding plant, pee sprinkling the toilet seat kinda guy. That was my biggest problem with him – he wasn’t all that tidy, especially in the bathroom. But I hadn’t kicked him out already because he’s got good manners and sort of treats me like I’m his mother. Anthony mostly stays to himself and that’s fine with me too.
After I’d sat down, Nilla wiggled constantly to get out of my arms. She didn’t like “hands” as much as she preferred dashing all over the place, particularly when her energy level was high. I could tell that was the case at the moment, so I gently let her down on the tiled floor and immediately saw her sprinting through the wide hallway which led into the kitchen, then doubling back into the living room seconds later, and making her way under the sofa. Under there was her favorite spot in the entire house. Often, she stayed in her hut-like habitat for hours at a time.
“Good evening, ladies,” Theodore said as he entered the living room. How did the meeting go?”
“It was horrible!” Merlene replied.
“It went fine, Theodore. Beautiful atmosphere; beautiful people,” I said.
“She got her fifteen minutes of fame,” Merlene snapped. “That’s all she cares about. She should’ve invited you to waste a full two hours there instead of me.”
Theodore laughed. “Well, I’ll be heading out to work. See you later.”
“Yeah, later,” Merlene replied.
As Theodore opened the door, he met someone standing on the other side. “Oh, I’m sorry. Almost bumped into you,” he said.
Theodore went his way and the person stepped inside.
“What’re you doing here, David?” Merlene asked.
“I’m here to see Miss Lucille. I’m interested in renting the room.”
I could sense Merlene’s shock. After all, why would her son who lives with her come to rent a room from me?
3
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David had an air of innocence about him; he’d always been that way. He was more on the slim side, had dark hair and a cute dimple in his left cheek. He looked a lot like Merlene; her genes were obviously just as strong as her personality. That runaway husband of hers, Roy Bostwick, hardly injected any looks into their only child. I always thought Merlene’s failed relationship with Roy had embittered her from ever investing in any new relationships since he upped and left her for a younger woman shortly after she retired as a school secretary. She’d spent just about all of her retirement money on expensive “man toys” like that convertible she had to fight him for in court after he’d left. Merlene was just never the same after the divorce. She went through her house on a daily basis, constantly looking for something to clean, or came over to my place to shoot the breeze, if we didn’t have plans for an outing. That’s of course, when she wasn’t busy prying into David’s personal affairs and trying to live her life through him.
“What are you talking about, David?” She sat straight up, suddenly finding the energy it took to do mounds of laundry when she got home.
“Mom, if you don’t mind, I need to speak with Miss Lucille. You and I can talk later, okay?”
Merlene was stunned. Knowing her, she was also seething inside after being casually handled by her son.
“Miss Lucille, I called this morning, but was told you were in the restroom. I heard you have a vacant room for rent and was wondering if I can have it.” He spoke with the humility of a saint. The boy was just so good. If I had children, I’d want them to be like him.
“Well, David… I don’t know. I think you’d better discuss this with your mother. I really don’t want to be placed in a situation where I must choose between my friend and her son.” Although, in my mind, I was leaning more towards the boy. Maybe he only needed a short reprieve at my house to clear his head. Didn’t know how that would happen though since Merlene’s here almost every other day.
“David, what you’re asking of Lucille is foolish! You have a home. What on earth are you thinking?” Merlene was clearly concerned.
“Mom, I love you, but you’ve become overbearing,” he replied. “I’m a grown man; I’m sick of you trying to run my life.”
“David...” she tried to interject, but he stopped her.
“Now, this thing with you and Sabrina has gone too far. If you don’t think she’s the right one for me, it’s my job to find that out, but I’m not leaving home because of that situation. It’s because of everything.”
He glanced at me, then shifted his focus back to Merlene.
“I didn’t want to do this in front of anyone, but Miss Lucille’s like family.” He paused for a moment. “What I’d planned to do was to move out completely and get myself an apartment, but decided instead to just take a little break and clear my head.”
I was right on.
“Maybe after a while, I’ll be back home, but things would have to change or I’m going back to plan A which is to get an apartment and leave for good.”
I sensed Merlene was humbled by David’s assertion and his poignant, yet subtle threat. I knew her greatest fear in life was losing him – and that would be in any way, shape or form. Moving out for good because she’d chased him off by dominance was worse than him deciding it was time to just venture out on his own. It seemed like a good ten years before she responded. It probably was the very first time I’d noticed my friend at a loss for words.
“Well, David… if that’s how you feel. I mean… if being here is what you think you need, I won’t try to stop you,” she finally uttered, almost in a whisper.
My heart went out to her, but she knew she’d always see the boy because my house was just like her second home. I kind of wondered at first why David chose to come here instead of staying somewhere else for a while. He must have known by making such a move, he wasn’t really getting away from his mother. Then it hit me that he was just trying to prove a point to her – to use this step as a warning so that he didn’t have to do the thing she dreaded most which was to leave permanently. Smart kid. A kind one too.
“So, can I rent the room, Miss Lucille?” he asked.
I sighed deeply. “Seems fine with your mother; so the answer, my son, is yes. You can have the room for as long as you like.”
“Great!”
“Now, bear in mind, there are rules. There’ll be no drinking alcohol or smoking in my house; no shacking up in any of these bedrooms with any women – or men for that matter.” I got the stare of shock when I said that, but I didn’t care. He had to be told the rules just like all the others who’d rented rooms in my house. “The TV room, living room and front porch can be used for privacy when visitors come over. Everyone here can use the kitchen, but must each buy their own food and clean up their own mess. This is not a bed and breakfast, ya hear?
“I hear you, ma’am,” he replied with a chuckle.
“That’s good. And one other thing… no peeing on the toilet seat. You boys need to learn how to aim straight. As a cautionary method, please raise the seat. There’ll be no special treatment because of your mother. You must obey the rules like everyone else.” I raised my chin. “So, if the laws I’ve set down don’t sit well with you, it would
be best to walk right out of that door with your mother.”
“Understood,” he said. “When can I move in?”
“Anytime you’re ready, sonny.”
David went out and grabbed a large luggage bag from the trunk of his car. Merlene and I were surprised he’d wasted no time packing up his things and tagging them along.
I showed him to his room while Merlene waited downstairs. David stayed long enough to unpack his bag and then he was gone. Said he’d return in a couple of hours. We figured he’d gone to spend some time with Juliet.
“Can you believe that kid?” Merlene exclaimed.
I shook my head. “I told you, Merlene. You were gonna drive that boy away. I just never imagined he’d end up in my direction. No need to worry though; I’ll keep a good eye on him.”
“There you go joking again when we’re discussing a serious matter, Lucille! My son just walked out on me and to you—my best friend! I’m so ashamed right now, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“You can’t be serious with that!” I grinned.
“What?”
I knew she was even more annoyed. “You said you’re so ashamed!”
“That’s right!”
“Well, it’s not like he set you straight in front of strangers. Like he said, we’re all practically family. You’ve never one day been ashamed of anything that happened in my presence. You’re just making the matter seem far worse than it is.”
Merlene was quiet for a few moments, perhaps pondering my assertion. “I guess you’re right.”
“The boy didn’t disrespect you, my friend. He did what he did out of love because he doesn’t want your relationship to be destroyed for good. Give the young man his space—which means don’t go and up your visits here just to be checking on him. When he sees you’re being mature about the whole thing, he’ll be outta here and back with Momma in no time,” I said.
4
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“Ouuuuchhh!” I heard Theodore yell the next morning. Immediately, I knew who the culprit was. After slipping into my duster, I headed for the hallway. I’d just rolled over in bed a few minutes earlier after my six-thirty alarm buzzed, so wasn’t quite in the mood for another of Nilla’s disturbances.
My inner vision wasn’t quite clear at that point, and though I knew my way around the house—every single inch of it—I was cautious to hold on to a wall here and there in case something was in the pathway. I was thankful for the occasional gift of sight without the use of my eyes, though sometimes faces and shapes were not clearly defined. I wondered why that was, but never once complained about it. To me, it was a rarely-given second chance.
“Theodore! What happened?” I asked as I walked along. “Where are you?”
“In my room. It’s just Nilla again,” he said, evenly.
I arrived at his bedroom and leaned against the door frame. “I figured as much! Nilla, dear. You mustn’t be so mischievous. You know Theodore absolutely hates when you bite his toes!” The pitter-patter of my dog’s little paws headed my way. I leaned over at just the right moment and picked her up. She hastily licked my face.
“There…there. Such a precious little princess you are. Be good, so you’ll get an extra special treat today, okay? No more biting Theodore.”
More licking.
My blank gaze went Theodore’s way. “It was the toes again, wasn’t it?”
“Yep, but I’m fine. My yell this time, unlike the other times, seemed to have gotten her attention. She actually stopped biting. Would you believe that?”
Theodore was always good about it, despite the numerous times Nilla yearned for a taste of those white socks he wore, then would afterwards sink her little teeth into Theodore’s flesh. Thankfully, he always managed to prevent her from biting deep enough to cause any real harm.
“Guess she’s finally learning now.” I smiled. “So, are you off today?”
“I wish. I don’t have to work the morning shift, so at least I get to stay in for a few hours and catch up on some rest.”
“Well, I’m going to get her out of your hair and take her for an early walk, then we’ll head into town. There’s nothing like the fresh morning air.”
First things first—I had to feed Nilla and at least grab a coffee for myself. Our walks often lasted around an hour.
Theodore’s stare bore into the pit of my back as I descended the stairs with Nilla at my heel. I had my cane, but he just dreaded the ever-so-slight possibility that I could miss a step and go tumbling forward, perhaps, to eternity.
“I’m fine, Theodore,” I calmly assured him. “I told you I know these steps like the back of my hand. Go back to bed. We both agree you need your rest.”
I heard him leave, quietly. I’m sure he wanted me to think he was never there. They say that a blind person’s sense of hearing is quite sharp. I’d have to agree. Before I lost my eyesight, people would sometimes have to repeat what they’d said to me, especially if they were several feet away. However, I found that I can hear the slightest sounds now, even Theodore there tip-toeing away. Then again, his steps were heavy anyway, so I’m not sure if a sharper sense of hearing can be attributed in this regard.
I always wore my sunglasses whenever I ventured outdoors. They certainly weren’t to protect my eyes from the sun’s rays, but simply to make a point to the general population to be careful when driving in close proximity to this old lady. And whenever Nilla’s with me, they’d better be extra careful.
She had on her favorite leather leash with the gold trimming. Merlene once asked me why I didn’t get a guide dog, but I wondered if Nilla had suddenly become invisible to her. Sure, she was a little Shih Tzu, but she’d been with me before I ever went blind and no one knew or in my mind, could guide me better. She did wonderfully when I really needed her and no other dog could do any better.
The sun embraced me the moment I stepped out of the house and the crisp air flowing from the surrounding trees made my lungs happy. I heard birds chirping an indecipherable melody, but all I could see before me was darkness. It surrounded and blatantly reminded me of the dismal truth that I was, in fact, blind. The probing cane always came in handy in times like these. At least, I hadn’t tripped over anything for a really long time, especially since at my age, a fall could be detrimental—it could mean a hip fracture or worse.
I knew which direction to turn from my front door and exactly where to go; that’s the benefit of having lived in a neighborhood for many years. I hadn’t always been brave enough to venture outside though. I remember those early days how terrified I was to go anywhere alone. It was hard enough depending on my loving Donnie for everything; just hated putting him through that. “In sickness and in health,” he reminded me when need be. It was one of our vows which we both took very seriously.
I was sure by the distance Nilla and I had walked that we were passing Chloe Dunbar’s house. Her home was at least four properties down from mine. Chloe was around my age and had pretty much ignored Donnie and me ever since she moved there ten years after we did. Heard she hadn’t been doing so well for the past few years and was confined to a wheelchair. She often complained of seeing ghosts outside her windows every night after the care-taker put her to bed. By all accounts, even when the curtains were drawn, she still saw their silhouettes through the blackness of night, just as clear as day. No one took her seriously; they all thought she was nuts, but even though I’d never told her, I knew she was telling the truth. Sad state to be in when you see those apparitions and can’t get away—when your bed becomes your nightly prison.
“Ruff!” Nilla barked.
“What’s wrong, dear?” I asked, as she jerked a bit from my grip. I then heard the other barking, which meant we were passing Robert and Diane Clover’s residence.
“Hi, Lucille! Hi, Nilla!” Diane’s soft voice reached us moments later.
She tried to settle her two Pit Bulls behind the gate, but they were paying her no mind. I raised my hand. “Hey There
!”
“How is everything?” Diane asked.
“Splendid. Just splendid!” I replied. “We’re out for our usual walk.”
“That’s nice. Well, have fun, then. Bye, Nilla!” She waved.
Our neighborhood had always been well-kept. Everyone did their part to ensure their surroundings were kept neat and tidy. No stray dogs, as far as I knew, ran the streets and everyone’s pets were either kept inside or enclosed by a fence or a gate. Sometimes, I got to see colorful flowers, the manicured lawns, and gorgeous greenery. I wish I was able to see them all the time during our walks, but I’m grateful for whenever I did.
Nilla and I continued on toward the cul-de-sac, which was an excellent guide for me, especially on days like this, as it took me straight around and finding home again was a breeze. We rarely ever ventured around the corner to the other section of the neighborhood where the properties were slightly elevated. They offered an attractive view into the subdivision from the main road.
As we approached the cul-de-sac, random images began to appear before me, then I realized after the mental ocean was calm that I could right then and there see Sir Clement Tucker’s house—the one directly on the curb. Back in the day, Sir Clement was a wealthy British entrepreneur who’d migrated to Chadsworth with loads of his hard-earned money. He’d come to enjoy the warmer temperatures, but mainly to avoid paying taxes back in his hometown. Always keen on real estate, he sought to invest in large parcels of land throughout the city and within three years, owned the largest chunk of it, apart from the government. Harriet’s Cove—my neighborhood—was his pride and joy.
A door slammed in the house. As far as I knew, that house had been vacant for most of the year as the grand-nephew and new owner, Luke Tucker, spent the past six months in England. The poor fellow always lamented to the local media how unfair it was that his grand-uncle had invested his money in that huge tract of land and some crookery went on in the legal system which transferred title of the remaining plots to big, bad Tony Brawn—the sharpest realtor to hit Chadsworth since Sir Clement’s arrival. Luke’s assertions had all fallen on deaf ears, however, and he and his family were convinced there was a conspiracy involving higher powers.
Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series Box Set Page 2