Sintown Chronicles III: In Dark Corners

by David O. Dyer, Sr.

  Without another word, Julie marched to the store with Ally and Cliff staring. “Nice to see you again, too, Julie,” Ally mumbled.

  The aquarium stand was not heavy, but it was awkward. After setting it up in the desired spot, Ally and Cliff carefully eased the aquarium out of the back seat and gently placed it on the stand. Cliff tugged the red bucket from the floor of the Cavalier and set it on the ground. “Take this inside while I remove the rest of the buckets."

  Ally gripped the handle, but the bucket did not budge. “What the hell does she have in here?"

  Cliff chuckled. “What's the matter, weakling. Need help?"

  "Kiss my ass."

  He grinned. “You don't know just how close I came to doing that this morning."

  "Promises, promises,” she said as together they lugged the bucket into the apartment. She pried the top off and gazed at the tangle of frantically swimming tropical fish.

  Cliff shook his head. “I remember the aquarium, but I didn't realize there were so many fish. You think the other buckets have fish also?"

  "I guess we'll find out,” she said, heading for the door.

  Before removing the next bucket from Julie's car, Cliff pulled off the top. “Just water,” he said. “Why in the world would she bring nine buckets of water all the way from Charleston?"

  "Beats me, partner. Let's get on with it."

  They lugged the remaining buckets to the apartment and then emptied the trunk of Julie's car.

  Ally surveyed the pile of buckets and boxes in the living room. “What do we do now? What's keeping her?"

  "Beats me. I'll go get her."

  Cliff expected to find Julie in the store or restaurant, admiring their handiwork, but she was not there. He went to the open office door and froze. Julie and Roger were engaged in an amorous embrace and passionate kiss.

  "Scuse me,” he muttered as he backed away. They didn't seem to notice.

  He rejoined Ally in the apartment.

  "You look like you just saw a ghost."

  He shook his head. “They're playing smackimouth. Something tells me they are more than childhood friends."

  The rumble of a large truck entering the parking lot interrupted the conversation. Cliff emerged from the apartment, remembered seeing Julie's key still in the ignition and motioned to the driver of the moving van to wait a moment. He climbed behind the steering wheel and drove the car out of the van's way. When he climbed out of the Cavalier, Ally was directing the van as it backed up to the apartment door.

  The two workmen raised the rear door of the van and Cliff whistled. “Where are we going to put all that stuff?"

  Julie rushed up with Roger trailing. “Open a couple of the motel units, Cliff. Then you and Ally get on with whatever you were doing. Spunky will help me settle in."

  Cliff opened four of the units, not certain even that would be sufficient, and joined Ally in the store. “Who the hell is that woman who drove up in Julie's car?” he joked.

  "Bossy little bitch, isn't she?” Ally laughed.

  With an exaggerated sigh, Julie flopped into an easy chair in the living room of the apartment.

  Roger studied her sneakers. “If there's nothing else, I should get back to cleaning the store."

  She tried to find his eyes. “We still have a dozen boxes and half as many suitcases to unpack."

  "I wouldn't feel comfortable putting away your clothes."

  She chuckled. “I remember one time, on the bank of the pond, when you seem to have enjoyed handling my clothes. You undressed me and pressed my panties to your nose."

  "I'm sorry, Julie. That was very wrong."

  "Lighten up, Roger. We were what, nine—ten years old?"

  "Still, I knew better."

  "You think there's anything cold in the refrigerator to drink?"

  "I'll check."

  Julie watched the fish, swimming happily in their familiar aquarium.

  "There's Pepsi Colas and beer,” he shouted from the kitchen.

  "I'll have a Pepsi."

  He returned to the living room, handed her one of the two red, blue and white cans, went to the aquarium and peered through the glass as he sipped his drink.

  "I wanted you to touch me,” she said, “but you wouldn't."

  Roger did not reply.

  "Do you remember my breasts?"

  He nodded.

  She snickered. “They're still the same size."

  He squatted in front of the tank without reply.

  "Did you think that I was deformed since I had no penis?"

  "I ... I thought it was the most wonderful thing I'd ever seen."

  "Then why did you refuse to touch it? Why did you run away?"

  He turned, but still did not look at her. “I was afraid. I knew it was my turn and I didn't want you to see my little penis that I knew was sticking out like a toothpick."

  Julie chuckled. “God, how I loved you."

  For the first time, he looked up. “Julie! We were just kids."

  "Yeah, but my feeling just grew stronger as the years went by."

  "You're kidding. We never even dated."

  "With all the cheerleaders and majorettes chasing the high school football star, you never noticed me on the sidelines, but I was there, Roger."

  "Why didn't you let me know?"

  "I was ugly, Roger—flat chested and ugly as homemade sin as my daddy used to say."

  "Your daddy never said any such thing. He's the finest man I ever knew, other than my own pop."

  "No, Dad never said that about me. It was just an expression he used.” She smiled at him. “Did you ever marry?"

  He shook his head. “Thought about it once, but then I joined the Agency and there was no time."

  "Don't tell me you are a virgin."

  He sipped the Pepsi. “I didn't say that."

  She chuckled. “Didn't think so. You seeing anyone now?"

  He shook his head.

  Julie rested her head on the back of the chair. “Boy, I used to have some wild fantasies about you. Still do occasionally, if the truth be known."

  "Julie, you're not suggesting..."

  "In my fantasies, you are my first and only lover."

  "Don't go down that path, Julie."

  "Why not? I'm not seeing anyone and you're not.” She leaned forward in the chair. “Roger, look at me."

  He reluctantly raised his eyes.

  "You asked me why I didn't let you know I had a thing for you when we were in high school. Well, I'm letting you know now. I know I'm not much to look at, but can't we give it a chance?"

  His eyes roamed from the top of her head to the tip of her sneakers and remained there. “I'm not a virgin, but I don't have much experience. You see, there was always a problem."

  Julie heard him swallow.

  "Every time I was with a woman, it was your body I visualized, not hers."

  "You're kidding."

  He shook his head. “I never asked you for a date because I didn't think I was good enough for you."

  She leaped from the chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Spunky, if we had only been honest with each other ... but it's not too late."

  "Yes it is,” he said softly, unable to resist the urge to hug her close. “I'm really not good enough for you now. I ... I'm just half a man."

  "Hey, you guys in there?” Cliff bellowed as he knocked on the door.

  "Come in, Clyde,” Julie responded.

  "Wow,” Ally said as she preceded Cliff into the apartment. “Looks great."

  "Ally and I are starving. Want to join us at the Korner Kafe?"

  "What time is it?” Julie asked.

  "After seven,” Cliff replied.

  Roger stood and took the empty can from Julie. “You folks have a good time. I'll grab a bite at my place and work on the store a little more."

  "You'll do no such thing, Spunky,” Julie responded. “You'll have dinner with the rest of us. I, uh, have some things I want to run by you all. I may as
well do it while we eat."

  Cliff pushed back from the table and burped. “Scuse me. That one slipped up on me. Man, that sirloin was tasty."

  "They serve good food here,” Ally agreed. “I know they were frozen, but my shrimp plate was delicious."

  "I thought you were going to discuss something tonight while we ate, Julie."

  Julie sipped the last of her iced tea and nodded. “Since Dad's funeral, I've been on a roller coaster. My emotions and interests have been twisted and turned in every direction, but my feet are now back on solid ground. Because you, Cliff, and you too, Ally, were involved with my fluctuating life, you deserve to know what my present situation is. If my being driven by every wind that blew has screwed up your lives, I am truly sorry."

  Cliff and Ally exchanged glances and she rested her hand on his thigh under the table.

  "I have completed three of the Wal-Mart ads and on Monday morning will present them to the people at the Holder Advertising Agency. My work is excellent. If they don't buy it, they're amateurs."

  "Hey, Julie,” Cliff beamed. “That's great news."

  "I like my life as an illustrator and that will continue to be my primary vocational interest."

  Ally nodded. “We understand, Julie. There was never any question about that."

  "I'm just getting started, Ally. Cliff, you're a good man. How you got messed up as a youngster I'll never understand. You came into my life at a very vulnerable time. I needed the tenderness you offered and the words of encouragement. You said I needed an attitude adjustment. Thanks to Ally, I've come a long way towards doing just that."

  Cliff shifted in his seat. “But?"

  "You awakened some emotions in me that were dormant for a long time. I'm grateful for that, but Cliff, I'm no longer interested in you romantically if I ever was."

  He nodded and felt Ally squeeze his thigh.

  "Ally, you came into my life quite by accident. I always wondered what it would be like to have a twin sister. Now I know.” She smiled. “I think I love you—like a sister. I will not pretend that I did not consider trying to seduce you. I'm not a lesbian, Ally, and I don't think you are either."

  Ally felt her cheeks flush, but remained silent.

  "I don't know what life has to offer me sexually. I may wind up an old maid. I can live with that if I must. Something neither of you knows is that I was once in love with a wonderful guy who didn't even know I was alive. He knows now, but doesn't care. There's nothing I can do about it. Time tells tales that only time can tell."

  Both Cliff and Ally noticed the pained expression on Roger's face. “Julie,” Ally said gently, “would you feel more comfortable if I move back to Charleston?"

  Julie's hand shot across the table searching for Ally's. “Oh, hell no, Ally. That isn't what I meant at all. I want us to be friends. Close friends."

  "I'd like that,” Ally agreed.

  Cliff smiled. “I hope we can be friends too, Julie. Remember what I once told you?"

  Julie nodded and smiled faintly. “I hated you for it at the time, but you were right. Thank you for caring so much for me, Cliff."

  Roger seemed confused.

  "Here's the part that is going to piss you off. I'm sorry, but it's a take it or leave it situation,” Julie continued.

  Ally's hand returned to Cliff's thigh. The muscle was rock hard.

  "As you know, I am selling most of my land to Carl Elliott in exchange for professional services and a little hard cash. Carl plans a residential development, which will, in time, be good for Dad's Place. I plan to meet with him Monday afternoon to work out the details."

  As if the same puppeteer pulled their strings, Ally and Cliff nodded in unison.

  "I'm afraid I gave you the wrong impression about Dad's Place, Cliff. I fear I led you to believe you would be in charge. I don't blame you if you're miffed. After all, it was your idea, but it's my land and I am the majority partner. I intend to run the show."

  "It was your dad's idea,” Cliff corrected.

  "Yes, but it was you who convinced me to make Dad's dream come true—at least the business part of it."

  Cliff nodded and placed his hand on top of Ally's.

  "Roger,” Julie continued, turning to face him, “through Cliff, I offered you a partnership. I insist that you accept it."

  "Julie. I appreciate it. You ... you just don't understand. I want to be your handyman like my dad was for your daddy. That's important to me, Julie."

  "And it is important to me that we be partners."

  "Like Cliff once said,” Roger objected, “the pie is just not large enough to cut into so many slices."

  Julie glared at Cliff.

  "He's right, Julie. We have no idea if there will be a profit, and if so, how much it will be. Even if Ally and I continue to live at the motel, we must make a little something to live on."

  "I thought maybe you could work out a small salary for the partners, Julie,” Ally offered. “I don't know what your financial situation is, but most new businesses do not begin to make a profit until the fourth year."

  Julie took a deep breath. “I don't know exactly what my financial situation is either. I'll have a better idea after I meet with the Advertising Agency and Mr. Elliott. I'll sit down, make out a spreadsheet and run some financial projections. In our partnership, I will own fifty-five percent and each of you will own fifteen percent. Somehow, I'll also work out a reasonable salary for the three of you."

  "You know how to do that, Julie?"

  "No, but my computer does."

  Cliff cleared his throat. “I am pissed, Julie. You seem to have done a one eighty on Dad's Place. Your instructions to Ally and me were to get the job done. You said you'd back any decisions we made."

  "I won't go back on my word, but step aside, Cliff. Julie's back in town."

  "Why so glum, chum?” Ally joked as she emptied a shelf of ancient merchandise.

  Without pausing his effort to scrub rust from an old Coca-Cola cooler, Cliff replied, “I always wondered what it would be like to be screwed. Now I know."

  "I think the Julie that you and I thought we knew doesn't exist. Give it time. We may like the real Miss Wilson just as well."

  He tossed his sponge into the bucket. “Do you know how many women I've told I love them?"

  "Fourteen billion, six hundred million, two hundred thirty-three thousand, one hundred and thirty-six."

  He shook his head, but, in spite of his mood, could not suppress a grin. “Once, damn it. One time in my entire life and she threw it in my face."

  "I thought she let you down easy."

  "At the very least she could have told me in private. To sit there and hear it in front of you and Roger was ... was humiliating."

  "Wounded your masculine pride, did she?"

  "She wasn't all that easy on you, either."

  "It came as a relief to me, but I agree, I would have preferred to hear it in private."

  He squeezed out the sponge and resumed work.

  "It looks like it's just you and me, partner. My room or yours?"

  "I'm not going to do that to you, Ally."

  "Do what? Make me happy? Give me physical pleasure? Make my day? Just what is it that you aren't going to do to me, Handsome?"

  "You ever listen to that radio program, Bawdy Talk?"

  "How could I not listen? You turn on the portable radio every afternoon—except today. Why didn't you listen to it today?"

  "It's a weekday program. Have you noticed that for the most part, the callers talk about sex as if it was no more than emptying a full bladder?"

  Ally placed the final box of nails on the floor, stood and stretched. “They rarely talk about commitment, if that's what you mean."

  "That's exactly what I mean. I've been there and done that as they say, but I'm beyond it now. There has to be more to sex than the old in and out thing."

  "You're not going to pleasure me unless I marry you and you will never marry me because you don't love me?"

/>   "I didn't say anything about marriage, Ally. That's a whole different ballgame if you ask me."

  She approached him from behind, wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her chest to his back. “You love me, Cliff. You just don't know it yet."

  "I love your body—that's the truth. But if I want to ejaculate, ten minutes alone in the bathroom will solve that need."

  "Ten minutes, huh. I'll bet you a backrub you can't go two minutes with me."

  Ally staggered backwards as he whirled around. He caught her by the shoulders and shook her. “Do you want to be my plastic doll? Is that what you want? Or maybe you want me to be your dildo. There has to be more to it than that."

  She stood speechless as he stomped towards the door. “Turn the lights out when you get through."

  "You wait a damn minute!” she shouted.

  He hesitated and heard her approaching.

  "Look at me, Cliff Baker!"

  He turned.

  "Why did you bring me a mug of coffee this morning?"

  "You asked me to."

  "Liar!"

  He searched her eyes. “Because I wanted to do something nice for you."

  "Go on."

  "Damn, Ally. I don't know. I thought you'd like it."

  "And?"

  He dropped his eyes. “I thought it would be, uh, romantic."

  "Turn the damn lights out yourself,” she hissed as she pushed past him.

  He caught up with her at her room door. “I'm sorry."

  "For what?"

  "Damned if I know. You want me to service you? Okay."

  "Kiss my ass."

  "Okay."

  She snickered. “Why is it I can't stay angry with you for long?"

  "Because you love me?"

  "Bull!"

  "I see Roger's car is still here. Wonder what they're doing?"

  "Can't you guess?” she said with a wink.

  "I doubt it."

  "She said she wanted him to help set up a studio in the spare bedroom and put away her clothes. I wonder if they'll shower together before going to bed?"

  "You have a one track mind."

  She inhaled noisily. “And you need a shower bad."

  He nodded. “May I come in?"

  Ally opened the door, kissed him on the cheek, patted the crotch of his jeans while smiling seductively and said, “No.” She closed the door behind her before he could recover.