A smile crept across her face as she remembered being a child and roaming the aisles of the library near the house where she grew up. She loved hiding from her mother, then jumping out from behind a stack of books, scaring a scream from her.
Continuing her journey, she stopped at the next corner. Where she stood seemed to have been a gas station, but it was now boarded up and painted white. Across the rutted street, a dozen abandoned cars sat to the side of a two-story brick building. On its side near the top painted on the gray brick wall was ‘the Different Place.’ She wondered what it had been as she walked closer to it.
Two long narrow windows flanked the door to ‘the Different Place.’ Weathered, brown paper covered the windows and doors. Leaning back, she looked to the windows, sensing someone spying on her.
The blinds swayed as the watcher hid from her searching the façade, but at least the movement confirmed someone did live in this town. She glanced at the post office—she was sure it was the newest building in town—then at the building near it with peeling letters on the window now reading ‘L W’ and ‘ EAL ESTA E.’
On the same side of the street as ‘the Different Place’ was a small house pushed back near the alley, and another larger home with a well-kept yard with trees and a chain-link fence surrounding the property. The street she stood on extended to the south and out of sight in the dry, hilly plains.
Back at the highway, she continued her voyage west. A dog turned its head toward her, wiggling its nub of a tail and shaking its entire body. Cartoon voices and sounds wafted through the cracked window of the trailer house the dog was supposed to be guarding. A car missing its muffler stopped in front of the convenience store as she stepped from the shadow of the building.
Seeing two gas stations across the street from the one she stood in front of, she wondered aloud, “How many gas stations does this town need?”
A young woman glanced at Jen suspiciously as she exited the car, her long, straight brown hair hung loosely around her face.
Jen returned her gaze, holding eye contact for longer than the other woman wanted. Hurriedly, she went inside. Jen followed, but not to upset the woman. She yearned to be around others. Though she’d been at the Shanley for a mere two nights, it felt as though she had become isolated. The woman from the car turned and stopped talking with the woman behind the counter as Jen entered.
“Hi,” Jen said with a genuine smile.
The first woman she had seen stared at her suspiciously with hazel eyes, but the woman behind the counter returned her smile, and said, “Good morning, honey. How are you this morning?”
“I’m ok.”
“You just passing through?” the woman continued, brushing a strand of faded red-colored hair with two inches of dark growth pushing from her scalp from her mouth. Gleaming dark-brown eyes fringed with shallow crow’s feet added welcome to her smile, making Jen feel as though she were a member of her family. Her age tried to hide in the brilliant warm hue of her skin but wasn’t entirely successful with the soft indentions circling her mouth. She was maybe an inch taller than Jen and carried a little girth around her waist.
“Kinda, I’m staying at the hotel for now.”
The first woman gasped with surprise; had she not already been leaning against the counter, she would have stepped back. As it were, she slid sideways against the counter away from Jen.
“The Shanley?” the clerk asked, astonished by the young woman’s proclamation.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Why?” the first woman asked.
“It’s a long story.” Jen paused, looking at the strange expressions on the women’s faces. “I’m here with Tyler.”
“Tyler Harris?” the woman behind the counter said, relaxing from the owl impression.
“The one and—”
“Eric said he thought he saw him yesterday,” the first woman interjected before Jen had time to say more. “But when he flipped-a-bitch to go back, couldn’t find him.”
“He’s been exploring his old haunts,” Jen added, her tone filling with anger again, and tears readied themselves. “And he’s left me at—”
“Oh, honey,” the woman behind the counter said, coming around the side. “I’d be upset staying there, too.” She glanced at the other woman. “We used to live there a long time ago. Carrie, here, is my second to youngest. So we know how you feel.”
“It’s not so bad,” Jen replied. “It’s strange now with Carol gone.”
“Carol left?” Carrie said. “I didn’t think it was possible.”
“I’m Connie, by the way,” the older woman said.
“Jen,” she replied, glancing at the two women, finding the striking family resemblance. “I was beginning to think Tyler and I were the only ones in the whole town.”
“Pretty close,” Carrie said sharply. “There aren’t many people left; nothing keeping them here.”
Connie gave Carrie a harsh look.
“What?” Jen asked.
“Nothing,” Connie answered. “Carrie thinks she’s stuck here forever, but she can leave anytime she wants, just like Candi.”
The bell above the door clanged, and the three women stopped their conversation, looking toward the door. Tyler’s smile stretched across his face as he entered. Rushing forward, he took Jen in his arms, lifted her an inch off the floor, and kissed her firmly on the mouth.
“I’m glad you’re out looking around!” he exclaimed. “Isn’t it a great town? And you’ve met two of my favorite people. Connie is my second mom.” Letting go of Jen, he draped his arms around Connie. “And grumpy-butt Carrie by extension is my sister.”
“Jerk.” Carrie sneered.
“I didn’t know you were coming to town,” Connie started before the bickering between the two started. “Eric said he thought he saw you yesterday.”
“It’s an unexpected trip.” He winked at Jen. “It was spur of the moment.”
“I see,” the older woman said, shifting her sights on Carrie, who shook her head, tears sticking in her lashes. Connie forced her mouth to turn into a smile, and continued, “You two should come out to the trailer for dinner some night. Candi’s the only one who doesn’t live here anymore, but the rest of them do. Everyone will insist on seeing.”
“I’d love to,” Jen said first. Tyler beamed at her.
“How about tonight?” Connie said.
After accepting the invitation, Jen and Tyler left the women in the convenience store with unease.
“Mom?” Carrie said, putting her arm around the other woman. “What’s he doing?”
“I wish I knew.” She squeezed her daughter tightly.
Chapter Twelve
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.
1 Thessalonians 2:3, KJV
Belphegor sat on the sofa in the lobby. Jen and Tyler continued down the street, without seeing him inside. His gaze followed them until they were out of sight, then focused on the wall opposite him as though he were able to see through it.
Their muffled voices found their way to him as they opened the kitchen door—for whatever reason they chose not to enter through the lobby. He didn’t move from his position. He never had the wherewithal to chase a human. Eventually they came to him, or those under his employ brought them if it were more urgent. He had nothing but patience and time. It wasn’t as though he had anything else to do.
A smile came to his mouth as footsteps approached. Tyler opened the door, and almost shouted his excitement seeing the man sitting casually in the lobby. Unlike their encounter a few nights before, his penis didn’t respond to his proximity. The door to the suite swung partially shut as Tyler approached.
“Hello, Tyler,” Belphegor said, the blue glow adding to Tyler’s glee. “I see you’re in good spirits. How are you liking your reunion with Shoshoni?”
“It’s great!” Tyler exclaimed. “I didn’t think I’d be this happy to see this place.” He glanced out the window. “I am surpris
ed how run down it is, though.”
“Yes, it is a pity,” the man in the brilliant blue suit replied. He took hold of Tyler’s hand, gently squeezing, then released it. “I don’t think anyone cares any longer. They wish it gone.” His concentration flicked to the door, hearing the faint groan of the floorboards.
Tyler didn’t notice the short time he wasn’t in Belphegor’s beam, and said, “It sucks, Shoshoni is a great town.”
“Well, Tyler, I think it’s time we changed the decline,” he said, standing. He placed his hands on Tyler’s shoulders, looking down at the young man with the look of an adoring parent. “And why you are here. I am giving you and Cody the section of the block where the Shanley stands to where First Street begins.”
“I don’t understand,” Tyler said, staring at Belphegor in the hotel lobby. “You’re giving me what?”
“The Shanley,” he replied. “And the rest of the block. Understand, it is your brother’s as well.”
“But why would I…we want it?”
“So you can rebuild it to its original splendor.” He paused, his smile broadening. “Once it’s started, the town will follow suit. All you have to do is say yes.”
“Oh, wait, Mr. Bel,” Tyler said with a quavering voice. “We don’t have any money. I lost it all on a bad investment.”
Belphegor laughed a short laugh. “I am quite aware of your folly, but you misunderstand me. The cost of labor and materials is of no concern. Everything will be paid in full. You will need to oversee it; make sure everything is done to your liking.”
“Oh!” Tyler beamed. “I need to call Cody.”
“Don’t worry about. I have a feeling he’ll be calling soon.” He turned from Tyler, making his way to the stairs. “You have a lot coming your way,” he continued before starting up. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“Yes, of course.”
“And what about Jen? Is she up for the task?”
“Why not ask her?” Jen said, coming out of the manager’s apartment. Belphegor smirked at her not so sudden appearance. His work on her had faded, and her anger for the situation came through in her tone. “I have a choice in this. I’m not married to Tyler. He doesn’t decide for me.”
“Jen,” Tyler said as his hands pushed in the air toward the floor. “He’s offering us a lot.”
“Yeah, you and your brother. What is he offering me? I didn’t ask to come here.” She paused, tears welling, and choking sobs distorted her voice as she continued, “If someone had just asked me.”
“My error completely.” Belphegor’s face brightened. “And I apologize. My dearest Jen, will you stay on with us? I don’t think this is something you will want to miss.”
He was always surprised by how humans agreed to do his bidding if asked nicely. From the blush flashing her cheeks as she rubbed away the tears, to the pleasure beaming on her face, he knew she was no different.
After a few moments of feigned deliberation with herself, she said, “Thank you. I am glad to stay.” Tyler hooted and hugged her as she continued, “I’m worried about my mom, though. I’ve never been away for so long, and I can’t get the phone to work.”
“Oh, my,” Belphegor said, his brows lifting in surprise. “I thought Carol had fixed the phone. I know she normally made calls from Alice’s house, but she said she’d have it taken care of before she left.” He glanced at the door near the entrance to the manager’s suite. “Bill?” The door cracked open. “Please have the phones fixed today with whatever technology these two want.”
Tyler glanced at the door quizzically, unaware there was anyone in the room beyond the door.
“Yes, sir,” Bill replied, his toothless mouth slurring the s’s together.
“Well then,” Belphegor said as the door closed. “Anything else?”
Jen and Tyler shook their heads. Without another word, Belphegor silently ascended the stairs.
“Wait!” Jen said, louder than she expected.
“Yes?” Belphegor inquired in a perturbed tone.
“Is there somewhere I can get some current clothes?” she asked. Belphegor wanted to scream. Her trivial matter was taking away from his time watching out the window.
“Of course,” he replied. “Bill arrange for a car for them as well. They can drive to Riverton, or maybe Casper, to find what they want.”
“Yup, yup,” the man said behind the closed door.
“I will see you two later then.” He continued up the stairs, not allowing another interruption.
Jen and Tyler stood in silence for a long moment. A shiny, blue car pulled up to the curb outside the window.
The man driving jumped out. Looking through the hotel window, he nodded and waved, then walked across the street, disappearing into the garage on the other side.
“That was quick,” Jen muttered, glancing at Tyler, then back out the window.
“Thanks, Bill,” Tyler said in a whooping voice. An undecipherable grunt was his reply behind the door.
The door to the room opened, they turned around, finding Bill. Sweat glistened on his waxy forehead. He mopped it dry with a stained handkerchief he pulled from his rear pocket. He stared at them with wonder without speaking, then turned his attention to the stairs.
“You sure you want to do this?” he asked in a hissing whisper, focusing on them again. “You don’t want to get stuck here. Once you agree, you can’t get out of it.”
“What?” Tyler started in his normal volume, but seeing Bill’s anxiety and his finger go to his lips, lowered his voice again, “What are you talking about?”
“Making a deal with him isn’t to be taken lightly, is all I’m sayin’.”
“Who is he?” Jen interjected. “Are we in danger?”
“There’s always danger.” Bill swallowed hard, then changed the subject as his brow twitched. “You want a regular phone, or one of them newfangled cellphones?”
“Cellphones, please,” Tyler answered, not wanting Jen to question anything else. “I have mine,” he said, pulling it from his pocket. “But it stopped working.” He handed it to Bill, who had no intention of touching it. “Having my same number is a good idea if you can pull it off. No one can get ahold of me.”
“I’m sure it died.” Bill chuckled. “You want one like it?”
“Yeah!” Tyler’s voice echoed with bliss.
“And you miss? Same number, same phone?”
“Yes, but you don’t know my number, or what kind of phone I had.” She glanced at Tyler who had a blank expression on his face as he tried to get his phone to respond. “Do you even know my name?”
“Jen Stevens, six, one, seven, five, five, five, one, three, one, three.” He rattled off the information.
“How?” Jen glanced at Tyler incredulously.
“I’ll have them to you by lunchtime.” He glanced again at the stairs. “Why don’t yous kids head over to Riverton; get some clothes.” He stepped back into his room and closed the door.
“But I don’t have any money,” she said to the door, then glared at Tyler. “How are we supposed to buy clothes?”
Tyler laughed, hugging her. “You worry too much.” He pulled away, showing her a wad of money he had taken from his pocket. “It’s all taken care of.” He grabbed her hand, heading toward the glass door.
“I can’t believe how dirty and dry it is here,” Jen said, watching the parched yards and shabby houses as they passed through town on the highway headed west. “This town needs a good drink of water and a thorough washing.”
He grinned as he passed the motel at the far edge of town, and accelerated.
“She’s going to be demanding,” Belphegor said, watching the blue car make its way out of town. “But she’s right, so let it rain.”
Chapter Thirteen
And they did all eat, and were filled.
Mark 6:42, KJV
By the time they had returned to the hotel, the rain had let up, but the dark clouds remained, churning in the sky. Both had been silent si
nce leaving Riverton. Although the shopping choices weren’t what she was used to, she had managed to find several outfits meeting her approval.
Jen glanced at the windows overlooking Main Street as the car slowed to park along the curb. A dark silhouette stood without moving in the window on the second floor. Wondering if it were all their host did all day, she faced Tyler as he stopped the car.
“Does he stand at the window all day?” she asked, finding her voice.
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