“I think love had the opposite effect on me, Ms. Emma. It made me insane. I think blocking my feelings is the best thing to do. Take my word for it. I’m not all that great when it comes to relationships.”
“That’s because you’ve been involved with the wrong men. Young men are the dumbest thing in the world, and it takes a long time and many women to mold them. Every once and a while, you will stumble upon a winner from the start, and you won’t have a single solitary doubt about him. Never, ever give up on love, Angela. It is the strongest thing in this world next to God.”
I wished I had her outlook and perception. I was done with love. It was safer and easier.
Ms. Emma took our plates, even though there was food still on them. I didn’t mind. I ate a lot of grits an hour ago, and I was barely putting a dent in the pasta. Ms. Emma offered, “How about dessert?”
I didn’t want it, but I graciously accepted her offer. “Sure, dessert sounds wonderful.”
“Yes, it does sound wonderful!” She laughed and lighted around the kitchen like she was on a cloud.
When she came back to the table, Ms. Emma set a plate in front of me, and it had a single huge marshmallow on it. I was expecting to see a chocolate cake or even a piece a pie. I stared at her to see what she had on her plate, and she had a marshmallow, too. This woman was for real. She held the marshmallow down with a fork and began cutting it daintily with her knife. Okay, if this was normal to her, I guess I better do the same.
“Angela, I really like you. You are such a pleasant guest. I wanted to invite you back to my home for a concert this evening.”
I didn’t hear her correctly. I asked, “A concert?”
“The concert will begin at 5 p.m. sharp here at my house. You must bring your own chair because I won’t be able to provide seating, or you can just stand.”
I was growing tired of trying to cut the marshmallow. So, I stuck the entire thing in my mouth. I answered as I chewed, “I’ll be here.”
“I haven’t performed in such a long time. I am so nervous.” Ms. Emma began fidgeting in her chair.
I was willing to play along. She can’t be for real about a concert at her house. I complimented, “I’m sure you’ll be great. I can’t wait. Will you be singing?”
“Of course, I will. I used to be a professional singer. I was famous. I used to sing with all the great performers, and I used to travel all over the world. I have sung for presidents and kings and queens.”
“That’s very exciting, Ms. Emma.” Yep, she was delusional.
“Oh, it is, but at times, it used to be a lonely existence. You meet hundreds, sometimes thousands of people and not know a single one of them. They all want something from you. When I finally stopped touring, I was grateful. I was grateful for the experience, but I was even more grateful to plant my feet.”
She was convincing me. I asked, “How often do you perform?”
“Oh, I don’t have a set schedule or anything like that. I must feel inspired. With you being here and this wonderful meal Beth has prepared, I am more than inspired. I might sing two songs this evening.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see you perform, Ms. Emma.”
Her face lit up and she said, “You are such a doll, Angela.”
After dessert, Ms. Emma told me it was time for her afternoon nap. I put the book back on the seat and pushed the chair back under the table. Ms. Emma noticed I was being considerate of her things, and I knew she appreciated it. She walked me to the door, and she reminded me about the concert. I told her I wouldn’t forget. When I was out of her yard, Ms. Emma slammed the door shut much like she did the night before. I understood why Beth helped her now. Ms. Emma was not really connected all the way, and Beth was making sure she was taken care of.
I went to Beth’s back yard to turn off the water on the newly planted azalea bush. It was right in front of the bathroom window, where the other brown bush used to be. No way! It wasn’t him, was it? I bet it was Dillon peeping in the window last night. I was about to get mad, but I put my anger in check. Okay, he saw me naked, and that’s why he was staring me down today. So what? I wasn’t going to worry about it. I put it out of my mind. What could I do about it anyway? Beth doesn’t know me very well, and she’ll believe Dillon long before she believed me. Then I’ll be homeless. Yea, I’ll keep my mouth shut. No harm done.
I went to my bedroom, and my attention was immediately drawn to the large, wooden dollhouse. I always wanted a dollhouse when I was a little girl. The tiny furniture and the dolls were so neat to pick up. The details in the furniture were amazing. The lamps had tiny decorative flowers painted on the base. The step railings had real carved wood banisters, and the curtains in the windows were lined. I loved straightening everything room by room. I laughed when I saw the tiny pots and pans, and the kitchen table had a gingham table cloth. I hated I missed out on such a treasure as a child. The doll house was so beautiful. When I was done, I sat back with my legs crossed and beheld it, catching new details every single time I looked at a different room.
I lay down in front of the dollhouse and closed my eyes. Before I knew it, I was asleep. The silence of the house was a comfort.
CHAPTER FIVE
Something wasn’t right. Whatever it was brought me out of a deep slumber. I was resting on my side feeling uncomfortable. I sat up a little, and my attention was immediately drawn to my dress. It was partly up to my abdomen showing my underwear. I wasn’t convinced I slept so rough to the point where my dress came up. Just as I was about to stand, I heard the front door close. I rushed to the window. I saw no one. Maybe, Beth was in the house. I searched every room and ended in the kitchen, but the house was empty. I hoped Dillon didn’t sneak in. Okay, maybe, I was sleeping rough, and I was being paranoid.
When I was about to return to the bedroom, a note on the refrigerator caught my attention. It read:
Angela,
Go to Burkett Books at 200 Main St.
Right at the end of the road, left on
Beehive Street, right on Main.
Brandon will see you today.
Thanks, Beth
From the directions she gave me, it didn’t sound like a long walk. I decided to leave at that moment. I had nothing to do anyway, and I didn’t mind the walk. I didn’t have a key to the house. So, I simply closed the door. I didn’t recall Beth unlocking it anyway when we first came home last night.
As I walked down the cul-de-sac, I saw that every house had a rooster mailbox beside the curb. I didn’t notice yesterday because it was too dark. The openings of each box had the metal necks and heads of a red rooster on top. They were all the same height and set on a cast iron base. I turned once I got down to the end of the road just to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. Sure enough, a mailbox at the end of each driveway, all the same. I gazed up at the street sign. It read Red Rooster Circle. I guess they really liked the name of their cul-de-sac. I started walking down Beaver Road, and it was the same concept. All of the houses were different colors and sizes, but the mailboxes had metal beavers attached to them, and they were fixed on a cast iron base. And the beavers were so hilarious because their teeth were bigger than the beavers and they were bright white. I wondered which neighbor fought to put up a different mailbox and was summarily put down and threatened. I could see the neighborhood meetings now. Everyone would be yelling and upset because one of the mailboxes didn’t have a beaver like the rest of them. Actually, I thought it was really neat how the mailboxes represented the name of the streets. If you didn’t know which street you were on, you only need to look at the mailboxes. There was no mistaken.
I made it to 200 Main Street within a few minutes, and a tiny sign stuck out from above the display window. The door creaked open and a bell sounded. I thought of Ms. Emma’s house as I entered into the store, except all of the books were neatly placed on shelves or on tables, and they weren’t piled high to the ceiling or dirty. The store was bigger than I imagined, and it included a second floor in t
he back. The bookstore was spacious, and it had plenty of customers.
I went to the register, and a middle aged woman greeted me with a smile. “May I help you?” She asked in a pleasant voice.
“I’m here to see Brandon. I don’t know his last name.”
The middle aged woman pushed her glasses closer to her eyes and pointed to the display window. “Mr. Burkett is right over there.” I was glad she told me his last name because I only knew his first name, and I didn’t want to be disrespectful on this job interview.
I thanked her and started towards him. A woman got to him before I did, and he handed her a book. I stopped and waited. He opened the book and pointed to something inside. She laughed, nodded, and flipped her hair. She leaned towards him, making sure her bare shoulder touched him. She was flirting big time with him, and he was oblivious to it. He happened to glance over at me and saw I was waiting. They kept talking, but I could tell he was trying to end the conversation. The lady knew I was waiting, too, but she kept right on, even turning her back towards me. I could only laugh. Finally, Mr. Burkett gently finished the conversation. The lady glared at me like I was the enemy, and I glared right back. Sometimes I wish I could say just what I felt in public and not get in trouble for it. This was definitely one of those moments. I was trying to get this job at the bookstore, and I knew if I ran off at the mouth and told this woman where to stick her glaring eyeballs, I might as well forget about the job.
Mr. Burkett approached me with an open hand, and he asked in a kind voice, “Can I help you?” His gentle voice broke my stare from the woman.
I put on a smile and said, “Yes, my name is Angela.”
“Oh, great, Angela, I’m Brandon.” He shook my hand and continued, “Come with me to my office. Are you new in town? Sharyn, this is Angela, Beth’s friend.”
Sharyn nodded with a grin, and I waved at her.
“I am new in town.” I followed him directly to the back. I could feel the rejected lady’s eyeballs burning a hole in my head. Maybe, if she wasn’t so desperate, she’ll be able to snatch him. I had to look back and see what she was doing. She stood at the register with Sharyn, still staring as we disappeared into his office. I bet she came into the store everyday just to see him. I bet he could smell the desperation from every pour of her body. I laughed aloud, not realizing he was paying attention to me.
“What’s so funny?”
I quickly answered, “Nothing. I was telling myself a joke.”
“Oh, okay, maybe you can share your joke with me one day.”
“It’s not that funny.” I shook my head.
“Well, have a seat. Sorry for the cramped space. I sacrificed my office space for store space.” The office was just big enough for two people, a desk, and a file cabinet.
Brandon was younger than I expected. I thought I was going to see an older man with eyeglasses and a wrinkled face with a bald head. Brandon had the eyeglasses, but he was nowhere near wrinkle, and he had a full head of wavy blonde hair. He had hazel eyes and long eyelashes just like his brother. Brandon looked more reserved, less beat up from the sun, and it was obvious from his appearance and stature, he was very intelligent.
Brandon smiled at me when he sat behind his desk. He seemed like an easy going, cordial person.
“Well, shall we get started with the interview?” Brandon rotated in his chair towards the file cabinet. He opened a drawer and brought out sheets of paper. He placed them on his desk, and he interlocked his fingers on top and asked, “Angela, have you ever worked in a bookstore?”
“No.”
“What other jobs have you worked before?”
I wasn’t about to bring up the job at the nursing home after I got fired for being caught with the boss’ brother at the boss brother’s house. That’s all I needed was for Brandon to call and talk to Sherrie Westing. She’d bad mouth me, and I wouldn’t get the job. Then on top of that, she would know where I was, and I didn’t want that, either. Then there was my job with Roscoe Madison. I couldn’t tell Brandon I used to help transport drugs and money. I answered, “None.”
Brandon twisted his lips not really happy with my answer. I wasn’t about to make up a place because then I’d probably have to provide proof.
I said trying to sound confident, “Mr. Burkett...”
“Please, call me Brandon.”
I put on a cute smile and continued, “Brandon, don’t hold my inexperience against me. I am here to learn. Consider me a clean slate.”
“It wouldn’t be fair if I did hold your experience against you. I believe everyone deserves a chance.” He cleared his throat and said, “I would like to hire you, Angela. Beth speaks very highly of you, and she also told me you lost everything in the hotel fire.”
“I did. Thank you, Brandon.”
“Okay, good, I have some forms for you to fill out.”
Brandon handed me a pen, and I filled out the tax forms. I didn’t know Beth’s address. So, I kept that field blank. Brandon knew. So, he offered to fill out the fields I couldn’t.
He asked after I handed him the form, “So, how long do you plan on staying?”
“I don’t know. I have to figure out a few things.”
Brandon nodded. He said as he put the paperwork in his desk drawer, “You can start tomorrow. Can you be here at 9 a.m.?”
“Yes, I can.”
“The store opens at ten. I can show you around before I open.”
“I’ll see you then.”
We stood at the same time and shook hands. I exited his office glad to have a job, and it didn’t seem to be too bad of a job, either. I wasn’t going to mop floors and I wasn’t transporting drugs. Hopefully, I’ll make enough money to help Beth with the rent and eventually move on. I really didn’t see a future in Wisp anyway. It was another small town, and it was never meant for me.
CHAPTER SIX
The air was summer hot, and I thought about going to the beach instead of going back to Beth’s house. The day was wonderfully bright with puffy clouds hanging overhead. Wisp was quiet and calm, hardly anyone moved around. I did like this small town, but there was a distance between me and this place. I didn’t belong.
It had a lot more character than Colum, and it wasn’t a placed based on skin color or financial status. People moved around Wisp not really caring if you had a luxury car or a rusted bucket of bolts on wheels. Life was really simple. From what I’d seen so far, there was no drug use in public. No public intoxication. People weren’t standing on corners or in parking lots staring as you drive in or walk by. The stress was gone, left behind in a world that seemed like a dream.
The more I compared Wisp to Colum, the more I considered staying. But I knew if I stayed, sooner or later, the past would come and it would come hard and fast. I wouldn’t be able to hide or escape. The reality set right back where hope lay. I was going to work for a little while at Burkett Books, live in Beth’s home, and when the time came to move on, I was leaving Wisp just as quickly and quietly as I showed up. I would never come back, even though this small town was a perfect place to plant my roots.
I still considered going to the beach as I strolled towards the house. I could sit in the sand. It had to be dry by now. But then I remembered Ms. Emma was giving a concert later on, and I didn’t have a watch to keep track of time. Maybe, after work tomorrow, I’d go to the beach and settle in until sunset.
A car horn startled me and interrupted my thoughts. I didn’t recognize the car or the passengers, and I stopped to look cautiously. The red car drove past me a bit, made a quick U turn and parked right beside me. Beth’s mom got out of the car wearing a tight red dress, rushing to the sidewalk. She was out of breath as she spoke, “You remember me, right?”
Of course, I remember her. The last time I saw her she was getting ready to punish Walter. I didn’t answer, but I did smile.
“I’m Shannon, Beth’s mother. She brought you over last night. We didn’t get a chance to meet. What’s your name, dear?”
“Angela.”
“It is so very nice to meet you, Angela. So, where are you headed?”
“I was going back to Beth’s house.”
“Oh, you were! Excellent, I can drive you over there. You don’t need to be in this awful hot sun anyway.”
“I don’t mind walking. Her house is not too far from here.”
“Dear, come on and ride with me. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”
I couldn’t imagine the conversation we could have in less than a minute with Beth’s house nearly around the corner. I got in the car anyway.
Once we were in the car, she turned around to give Walter the evil eye. He sat back in his seat, with his bottom lip poked out. Shannon checked to make sure the road was clear before she whipped back out and did another U turn.
“How have you been enjoying your visit?” Shannon asked with a grin that seemed to take up the entire bottom part of her face.
“It’s been nice.” I answered.
“Are you in town to see family? I know almost everyone here in Wisp, except you, of course.”
“I don’t have family here.” She knew that.
“Oh, okay, you must be passing through.”
Just when I was about to answer, Walter began kicking the back of my seat. I was about to say something, but Shannon beat me to it. She roared which made me jump, “Walter! How many times a day will you get your butt whipped! Stop kicking that seat, sit back, and behave yourself or I will be in the back seat with you!”
Walter did exactly as he was told without muttering a single word. I was glad she made him stop. It wasn’t my place to scold him, but I wasn’t about to allow the kicking to continue.
She pronounced in a softer tone, “I apologize, Angela.”
“No need to apologize.” I remarked.
Shannon was turning into the cul-de-sac, and she stopped in front of Beth’s house. She remarked, “I guess Beth isn’t home yet. She told me she would be.”
The Ex Killer Series Page 35