Ronald waited until he got into his van before taking a bite of his sandwich. He hummed as flavor danced about his taste buds. He drove to school a happy man that morning, and with Gertrude on his mind, no doubt. She had accomplished the goal she’d set forth that Friday morning, securing a space in his mind. From then, all she had to do was garner a place in his heart, which happened to be a challenge Gertrude was well equipped to handle.
* * *
During Orientation Day, she met a couple of other girls she seemed to vibe with, cousins Brenda and Tiffany. Tiffany was dark skinned with long, jet-black hair. She wore it in a wrap, which many of the guys found classy back then. A beautiful girl with a pretty, gleaming smile that could mesmerize a room full of gentlemen. Tiffany was all about the books. Finishing school was at the top of her list of priorities, much like her cousin Brenda. Most people would mistake them for twins because they were both dark skinned and had the same last name, their fathers being brothers. Brenda was just as beautiful, with long, thin dreads draped down her back. Neither of them weighed over 125 pounds, soaking wet. Still, they held their own.
The girls’ energies meshed well. Gertrude liked nice girls who didn’t have time for drama. That, alone, made pickins slim, and I’m not referring to the American rodeo performer. Regardless, she’d managed to find a pair of girls that pretty much stayed to themselves. The duo was their own book club. For the most part, they read crime, thriller, and mystery novels. They called themselves the Mystery Book Dames. Not only did Gertrude find that they matched her energy, but like the cousins, she loved reading books. Therefore, she made a perfect addition to their group.
That morning, Gertrude headed to the library first, where they’d decided, yesterday, they would meet up. She found them there lounging in plush leather chairs, both reading the same book by novelist and activist Barbara Ann Neely, Blanche on the Lam. The girls admired the fact that she’d created Shady Side, a community-based housing program for female felons in Pittsburgh.
“Hey, Queens. I see you’re enjoying our selection of the month.” They both looked up, the frowns on their worried faces turning upside down.
“Hey, Queen,” the pair whispered in unison to not disturb any others in the immediate vicinity.
“You ready to head to class?”
They closed their books, of course, not before placing their bookmarks between the pages they were to return to.
“Let’s go.”
Together, they headed to class, chatting it up along the way with Gertrude walking between the two of them.
“Oh my gosh, there he is.” She pointed discreetly upon seeing Ronald up ahead, crossing their path.
“The security guard? He’s kinda weird. He never talks to anyone.”
“I never thought he was weird. I just thought he didn’t have a taste for girls. I mean, look at his hair. It looks better than mine,” Tiffany chimed in, stating her piece.
“He is not weird. He’s not gay. He’s just a guy. A simple man who likes the simple things in life,” Gertrude came to his defense.
“Girl, I guess. Whatever floats your boat. Just be careful. Guys these days seem only to want one thing.”
“Ronald is definitely not like that. He hasn’t even tried inappropriately touching me, nor has he even alluded to sex.”
“You sure you got what he wants?”
“Oh, I’m positive,” she smiled.
Brenda could see the glimmer in her eyes. Gertrude was smitten. “Don’t give up the goods just yet. Hold out and make him appreciate it.”
“Honey, I’m trying.” Gertrude shook her head, doubting how long she could resist throwing herself at Ronald.
“I’m not settling for anyone unless he has a pocket full of cash.”
“You and me both, little cousin,” Brenda agreed.
“Well, he has his own house and his own car . . . more than one. That’s got to count for something.”
“Do your thang then . . . He never gave either of us a first look, let alone speak to us.”
“He likes them thick and beautiful, apparently,” Brenda admitted with a smile, nudging at Gertrude’s arm with her elbow.
Gertrude blushed, delighted by its truth. “We’re going shopping on Saturday. I don’t know what I’m going to wear, let alone buy.
“We’ve got you, Queen. Don’t worry,” Tiffany professed.
“This should be fun. We get to do a makeover. Should we do it at your house?” Tiffany cooed. “Then we can get a better look into the life of Wayne State University’s bachelor security guard.”
Gertrude nodded in agreement. “My house would be perfect. I don’t have a job yet, and the less gas I have to buy, the better.”
“After this, remind us to help your broke behind to find a job. Independence is life, Queen. Remember that.” Brenda would always “spit knowledge” out of nowhere. She prided herself in remembering choice learned phrases from books and whatnot.
“We should have lunch and discuss strategy,” Tiffany chimed in.
Brenda rolled her eyes. “Girl, I swear you have a tapeworm.”
* * *
Meanwhile, Ronald sat in a back row of the stadium classroom just up the corridor with his foot propped up on the seat. The instructor never bothered him much, knowing he handled the security and safety of students and staff. I wonder what she’s doing right now. I wonder what she’s wearing today. She’s such a great person. She’ll make a man happy someday. He started to think maybe he could be that man. It was a glimmer of a thought that lasted only a moment before the sound of her voice dashed his hopes.
“You really have taken a fancy to her, huh? You know there is no way you’d be able to keep your secret if you do. If you like her, dear brother, you’ll leave her be—if you indeed care.”
And live a life alone forever, right? Maybe that’s exactly what I deserve for the crimes I’ve committed. Whether or not against the innocent, it’s an injustice. It’s my curse, isn’t it, dear sister?
Cecelia heard Ronald’s every thought, just as she did the others. “You can have whatever it is you like. It’s your life. You’re free to live it as you see fit. Just remember, all actions have consequences,” the apparition threatened before vanishing from view to simmer in her anger.
In a huff, Ronald let out a heavy sigh, regretting the day his sister’s apparition appeared to him—a thought he quickly forced from his mind for fear Cecilia would get wind of it. Ronald was trapped with her forever. If he were going to welcome Gertrude into his life, he would have to learn to do his duty while keeping her in the dark. Was that even possible?
Chapter 19
Searching for Clues
Down at the police station, the phones buzzed off the hook. Barnes and Alanis were held up in an interview room with a two-way mirror, going over the Arthur Columbus case.
“Forensics has been working all night on this. I contacted them early this morning. We should be getting results back about the identities of the women we found dismembered. They’ve already tested the blood splayed all over the residence. Forensics confirms the blood belongs to Arthur Columbus—a dead man. There’s no way someone loses that much blood and is alive to tell the story,” Detective Alanis rambled as she dug into a file on the table in front of her.
“His record shows him being arrested numerous times for voyeurism. Seems he was a habitual Peeping Tom. He was also arrested for groping women in the park. How this guy continued to get away with this time after time baffles me. If we only would have paid closer attention, those women would still be alive.” She blamed the entire force for the tragedy.
“Look, Alanis, Detroit is a big place with over a million residents. There is no way we can catch every sick person out here. We try, but we can’t prevent every crime. We’d have to be mind readers,” Detective Barnes reasoned with his partner.
“So now it’s up to us to find out who did it for us.”
“You think someone killed Arthur Columbus and took the body with
them?”
“That’s exactly what happened, and I plan to find out just who our late-night vigilante is.” Alanis slammed her fist against the desk.
* * *
Gertrude had waited all day for their powwow lunch between classes. She and the girls planned to eat al fresco downtown Detroit. They would get a chance to chat and talk more about her and Ronald. Although she valued her girls’ opinions, she still was dead set on pursuing him. Gertrude just needed the skinny on Detroit men. She had Chicago cats down to a science if you asked her.
“So, what’s on the menu, Queens?” Brenda asked as she pulled out of the student parking area.
Tiffany searched her purse, a shortage of cash becoming more of a reality to her. “We should just go to American Coney on Lafayette Street. They have the best coney dogs, and since Gertrude doesn’t have a job, it won’t stretch her pockets.”
“Her pockets or your pockets?” Brenda mumbled under her breath.
Tiffany shot her cousin a dirty look. “Girl, I heard your subtle shade. Now, can we go get some reasonably priced lunch?”
Brenda didn’t bother to respond. She felt bad for pointing out her cousin’s financial situation in front of a third party. Sometimes, she took it too far. Then was one of those times. Brenda gave her attitude some silent self-adjustment. Although she couldn’t say it aloud, her softer tone of voice notified Tiffany of the shift.
“I could actually afford to save a few coins. Coney Island sounds good.” Brenda finally spoke up.
Gertrude hadn’t even noticed the slight angsty moment between the two. She was busy daydreaming in the backseat.
They walked along the bar deeper into the restaurant for a table in the back so that they could talk as privately as possible in the busy restaurant.
A guy sitting at the bar spun around in his seat to observe Tiffany’s movements. She noticed his interest in her but pretended she hadn’t.
She had left him no choice but to come over and introduce himself. He walked over. “Hello, ladies. My name is Terrence. It’s nice to meet you,” Terrence greeted with his hands intertwined in front of him.
“Hello,” the girls all greeted him pleasantly.
Terrence looked down at Tiffany sitting along the aisle. “Feel my shirt,” he said.
Tiffany rubbed the tail of his collared button-up between her thumb and forefinger while Gertrude and Brenda gave each other the side-eye.
“You know what that’s made of?”
“I don’t know, rayon?” an unenthused Tiffany answered.
“Nah . . . That’s boyfriend material.”
The girls burst into a fit of laughter. Terrence had successfully broken the ice between himself and Tiffany, which was precisely what he’d intended to do.
“Can I talk to you for a moment privately?”
Tiffany looked at her cousin and friend for a silent yay or nay. Brenda, of course, shook her head no. Gertrude’s expression, on the other hand, said, why not?
She hopped up from the booth. “Order me a coney dog with chilly cheese fries. Oh, and a water with lemon,” Tiffany said, hoping the latter fancied her order up a bit.
“And that’s what they would call a Detroit player or a wannabe Detroit player. She would ditch us as soon as we get to the restaurant. I swear that girl cannot sit still. Always switching up,” Brenda griped.
Gertrude giggled. “Let that girl live.”
“Anyway,” she shrugged off Gertrude’s comment, “speaking of switching up, what book is that hanging out of your purse? It certainly doesn’t look like our book of the month.”
Gertrude pulled out the book, flashing her the cover. “It’s called Lookin’ for Luv by Carl Weber. He’s the best thing to happen to Urban romance.”
“Girl, no wonder you’re so smitten by this Ronald character. That book is getting you all worked up. Let me read it.” Brenda playfully reached for the book.
Gertrude clicked her tongue against her teeth, snatching it back just in time. “I don’t mind you borrowing it but not until I finish.” Gertrude stuffed the book back into her big brown purse.
Over at the end of the bar, Tiffany sat with Terrence sipping lemonades as they got to know each other.
“So, you live with your twin?”
“Brenda’s not my twin. She’s my cousin. Our dads are brothers.”
“You got a boyfriend?” Terrence inquired, looking her up and down.
“No, but neither am I looking for one.”
Terrence chuckled, confident he’d be able to break through that barrier. He kind of liked the fact that Tiffany was playing hard to get. Most girls he’d attempt to take out jumped at the chance. He was skinny, but his bad-boy persona gave him a sort of swag the women on the more immature side of life were turned on by. He wore a nice outfit, from the wallabies on his feet to the button-up collared shirt. She had to admit, he was high yellow and packaged nicely.
“I’m not looking for a girlfriend either.” Terrence thought two could play that game.
“Oh, really? So, you’re just looking to hang out as friends? Is that why you called me over here, interrupting my lunch with my girls?”
“You have to start somewhere, right? If you never reach out, how can you establish a relationship?”
He doesn’t sound like a knucklehead, Tiffany thought, already having begun tallying his favorable attributes. “I guess you’re right.”
“I usually am. But there’s always room for improvement.”
Tiffany smiled. “I like that. Room for improvement.”
He seemed to be saying everything Tiffany wanted to hear. However, she didn’t know if she was just interested in him because Gertrude was about to couple up with Ronald or because she really wanted to give someone the time of day. Either way, Tiffany wrote her number down on a napkin, then handed it over to the persistent young man.
Chapter 20
Torn between the Two
After school that day, Ronald headed straight home. If he didn’t have to go to work or school, he usually stayed home for fear of having to punish someone. Because of that, he lived a leisure-deprived life. The time he’d spent with Gertrude had been the most human interaction outside of those places he’d experienced since his father was alive.
Ronald flopped down in a plaid sofa lounger tucked in the corner of his room, watching mysteries. He couldn’t resist hoping Gertrude came by to bug him. Although he didn’t actually see it that way, Ronald merely assumed she worried it did. With his feet kicked up and head tilted back, his eyes began to feel heavy. He was due a nap considering all the activity he’d had in the past few days.
Hours later, his eyelids drew open to the sight of the glitter-sponged ceiling above his head. A long sigh oozed from his parted peach lips. Ronald placed the palm of his hand upon his deflated chest, letting it rest there as the memory surfaced.
* * *
That day, the weather in Hamtramck, Michigan, was scorching hot. Some of the neighborhood kids had even decided to open the fire hydrant on the corner, sending a violent stream of water from one side of Gable Street to the other. They all played, taking turns dashing through it one by one.
Ronald sat on the corner nearby. He wanted to take his turn, but Cecilia hadn’t made it outside just yet. The twins were around 6 years of age then and rarely did anything without the other. He wanted to make sure Cecilia would be willing to come out and play with the others first.
As usual, she was running behind. Cecilia rushed to stuff her feet into her red Chucks with one hand—the other planted firmly on the brick, stabilizing her position on the front porch, so she didn’t fall over.
“Sweetheart, can you do me a favor and fill Sheba’s bowl out back?” her mother called out to her, peering through an opened window in the living room.
“Do I have to?” Cecelia complained. “That stupid dog almost made me fall on my face yesterday. She won’t sit still,” the little girl whined.
“Honey, please don’t make a fuss. Just
use her leash,” Mrs. Doolally rebutted.
Looking across the street, she could see the other kids laughing and frolicking about. Cecilia just wanted to get across the street as fast as she possibly could, sensing her twin’s eagerness to join in.
“Yes, Mother,” she digressed. Once her shoes were on, the little girl didn’t wait for another second, leaping from the porch stairs, then down onto the grass below. She sprinted through the driveway into the backyard, where their German shepherd roamed free.
Ronald saw his sister disappear at the side of the house, deciding he’d take the opportunity to give her a scare.
Once Cecilia opened the fence, she made sure to push the latch closed. Otherwise, Sheba would be out frolicking in the water like everyone else. For the time being, she lay flat on the grass, tongue hanging from her open snout. Even for Sheba, it was a scorcher. Shade from the creepy apple tree provided her the only relief available since her bowls, both water and food, were empty. Usually, Mr. Doolally would have fed Sheba before he went to work in the morning. Unfortunately, he was working on a stakeout and hadn’t been home in over twenty-four hours.
Sheba hopped to her feet once she spied Cecilia grabbing her food to replenish the bowl. Full speed ahead, she barreled toward the little girl lifting the seven-pound bag of food. Cecilia had her legs open and knees bent, allowing the bag to rest on her legs for support. Of course, Sheba saw the opening as an opportunity to slip right through. Forcing her broad head between Cecilia’s knees sent the bag of food spilling out onto both bowls, covering them, along with the surrounding cement.
Cecilia gasped. “Now, look what you’ve done. Who’s gonna clean this up?” She scolded Sheba, who at the time was paying her no mind. The starving pooch was quite content eating her vittles, whether they were served in a bowl or on concrete.
“Just wait a minute,” Cecilia yanked at her collar, pulling her back from the mound of nourishment. But instead of putting her on the leash connected to the doghouse out back, the little girl dragged her pooch over to the garage, opening the side door, then shoving Sheba inside the hot, dark space.
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