He just looked at me, his expression bland. Only his eyes betrayed the pain and anger I caused when I went away to college. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The sound of footsteps caught my attention, and relief flooded me. “Maddie, Liza, this is my brother. Brandon, this is my good friend and roommate Madison and her friend Liza.”
Maddie smiled and held out her hand. “So you’re Brandon. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
His eyes opened in surprise for a second, then his forehead pulled into a frown. “Buffy talks about me?”
“Buffy?” Liza’s confused expression would be funny at another time. Tonight, it just seemed sad.
“Yeah,” Butch put in, “that’s her real name. And she comes from a trailer park in Alabama.”
I opened my mouth to correct him, but my brother beat me to the draw. “We grew up on Keller Street. It’s an exclusive upper class neighborhood that’s also known as ‘Snobs’ Knob’. Our mother and stepfather still live there.”
A harried middle-aged woman stuck her head around the corner. “Are you coming?”
Maddie’s eyes widened. “We’ll be right there, Mrs. Stoker.”
The woman disappeared, and Maddie looked at me. “They’re about to announce the winner. That’s why we came to get you, so you could take pictures.”
I looked at Brandon. I wanted to go somewhere and talk, but I had a responsibility. “I promised the newspaper I’d take photos. Their regular guy is out of town.”
Brandon shrugged. “Whatever.”
Maddie grabbed his arm. “Come with us and see the show. Then you and your sister can go out to dinner and catch up.”
He didn’t have a chance. Maddie was strong for an ex-cheerleader-beauty-queen turned reporter.
We trudged out into the audience and stood near the front while the emcee cracked jokes, gave out special awards, and finally got to the runners up. By the time Lavern Walker took the crown, the tension was pitched so high it should have been possible to strum it. When the new Miss Ugly Creek walked down the aisle, the crowd went wild.
I zigzagged all over the place, getting shots of the stage, the crowd, the emcee and anything that looked interesting.
As soon as the festivities were over I hurried back toward my brother. I looked forward to spending some time with him. It took a few minutes to slip through the mass of people to get back to the side of the auditorium but I finally made it. “Where’s Brandon?”
“He’s gone,” Liza said, frustration pulling at the corners of her mouth. “He was right beside me. I was watching the crowning, and when I looked back he was gone. She touched my arm, and I felt her regret. “I’m so sorry. I should have kept an eye on him.”
“It’s not your fault. He’s an adult.”
Wow. That’s something I had never actually faced. I guess somehow I thought he’d be a kid forever. Back there in Alabama waiting for me to come home and rescue him.
But of course he grew up without me, and had an understandable load of anger aimed straight at yours truly. Well, so be it. I wanted to apologize and try to explain myself if I could. I wasn’t at all sure he’d listen, but I had to try. I rushed through the building trying to find him, but both Brandon and that hateful Butch appeared to have vanished.
Eventually I was forced to admit defeat and headed back to where Liza sat and chewed on her lower lip. She saw me and rushed over. “Any luck?”
I shook my head mournfully. “Where’s Maddie?”
“She’s still looking for Brandon.” Liza pulled out her cell. “Maddie, Stephie’s here. She didn’t find him.” She closed her phone. “She’s on her way back.”
“I can’t believe he’s gone.” I hurriedly looked away so Liza wouldn’t see the tears filling my eyes. Damn! My brother shows up and then just as quickly he’s gone.
Worse, that Butch idiot was involved.
“I tried, Stephie.” Maddie hurried over to us, took one look at me and pulled me into her arms. “I’m sorry.”
I nodded, glad that after everything, my friend was willing to hug me and give me support.
“He’s around; he can’t hide from us. We’ll find him and lock him in a room with you so he has to listen.”
“Thanks, Maddie.”
We got in Liza’s Silver Lexus and headed back to Margaret’s house. As we went, Maddie kept glancing back over the seat. She was worried about me. Just a few hours ago she was treating me like dirt, but now she was worried. I’d be mad but I knew there was more going on here than just a girlfriend spat. Maddie, like me, had some deep-rooted issues. For her, Jake was part of the whole issue thing. For me, my brother was the symbol of all that had gone wrong with my life. We’d work it out, Maddie and me. Of that I was sure.
I wasn’t so sure about Brandon and me.
Two hours later I was sitting on Margaret’s screened-in porch, staring at the screen of my laptop—and the remarkably clear picture of a Bigfoot. Incredible!
I’d always quietly made fun of the whole Bigfoot hunt thing, thinking the creatures couldn’t possibly exist. After all, if something that big existed wouldn’t somebody find a body, or get clear pictures of one? Like the shot on my screen right now.
Maybe things like that didn’t happen because the Bigfoot creatures were smart and organized enough to not leave their bodies lying around. Maybe smart enough to speak English—which presented anthropological and physiological questions I didn’t have the background to contemplate. Is it bad I was kinda happy I didn’t?
It was obvious the people of Ugly Creek, or at least some of them, were being careful to keep the Bigfoot (Bigfoots, Bigfeet?)...hairy critters secret. Even as they held a Big Foot Festival every year.
I leaned back against the chair and sighed. Apparently I’d been right all along. It looked a lot like the festival was a celebration of the creatures. Likely the story about the big-footed founder was just a cover.
And that was yet another reason why the creatures remained hidden, there probably were towns all over the place that kept the Bigfoot secret and shielded them from the outside world.
Holy big hairy secret, Batman.
I looked out into the dark woody backyard, squinting hard, listening with everything I had, studying every tiny movement, every little noise. I longed to see or hear something that would indicate a creature that could not possibly exist, not only did, but might be just a few feet in front of me.
I wanted to see him or maybe it was a her. I wished I could talk to him, he seemed like a boy to me. I thought maybe I understood him, but what did I know?
I felt empathy for him. He was alone, different, lonely, scared, looking for his place in the world.
I realized I was crying and swiped at my face. Was I really feeling sorry for the creature, or was it myself I was crying for?
I forced away the pity party and sat up straighter in the chair. Good grief, I’d made a fantastic discovery and all I could think about was my own pathetic life. So I’d had it rough as a kid, I was far from the only one. Many folks had lived much worse childhoods than I had and still gone on to achieve incredible things. All that crap was in the past. I had to put on my big girl panties and get the hell over it.
I just hoped somehow the little brother I left behind would again be part of my life.
I heard footsteps and hurriedly clicked the Bigfoot photo off the screen.
Maddie opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. “How’re you holding up?”
“I’m fine.” But I looked down at my keyboard as I said it.
“You and your brother will work things out. I just know it.”
“I hope so.” The thought of Brandon had my eyes stinging again. How could I have gone away and left him there? How could I have left him to the monster?
But what else could I have done?
Maddie’s hand touched my shoulder, and then she was gone. She probably assumed I needed time to myself to think, that was my usual MO, after all. But for once in my life, I really w
anted somebody to talk to. I wanted to open up and tell another person the kinds of things that had made me run as soon as I had an opportunity, and what made me feel so bad about leaving my baby brother behind. I’m not at all sure I could have given words to the nightmare, but I kinda wished this time she’d have tried to convince me to talk.
Of course I could have gone after her, asked her to listen. And she would have. I didn’t go, though. For the same reason I hadn’t said anything to her about the way she’d spoken to me earlier. I was scared. Yeah, that’s right, I’m a chicken. Cluck, cluck. I don’t have a lot of friends, not really. I have a lot of acquaintances; there are a lot of people in my life who probably would be my friends if I knew a damn thing about how to make a friendship work. But the honest truth was I was pretty lonely most of the time. I wasn’t about to do anything that would lose me the best friend I’d ever had, and hearing some of the stuff I had to tell might push her away. It wasn’t worth it.
At least that was what I told myself as I closed down my computer and headed upstairs. I had a busy day planned for tomorrow, and I needed to try to sleep.
As I stepped across the threshold, I had a sudden tingling feeling on the back of my neck. I turned, but I didn’t see anything in the trees.
Probably the Bigfoot, I decided. But that didn’t explain the warning claxon howling in my subconscious. When I got to the bedroom I looked out again. For a second I thought I saw movement, but then it was gone.
A chill washed over me. Something just seemed off. Oh great. Now I was turning psychic. Or paranoid.
Disgusted at myself, I pulled on an oversized T-shirt and threw myself into the bed.
****
It was so dark, even the faint light of the moon didn’t invade the space in which I lay. I felt for the sheet and pulled it over my shoulders. The air conditioner must be working well, because there was an actual chill in the air. It felt wonderful after the cooking I’d endured for the last few days.
Then I heard Maddie’s voice, quiet, muffled, coming from the bed next to mine. And I saw the briefest glow of a tiny light. She must be on her cell phone, I decided, as I yawned and pulled the sheet tighter under my chin.
“I can’t believe my own mother would lie to me like that,” I heard her say. “A boyfriend, at her age. What is she thinking? And working for Jake after the way he’s acted all these years. Liza knew about it, but she didn’t tell me.”
I stifled the groan as I rolled over and covered my head. She was talking to Greg, her mostly off again sort-of boyfriend. Personally, I didn’t like the guy; he struck me as an irritating toad’s behind. Sometimes, though, Maddie gave in to the urge to see him or talk to him. And I guess this was one of those times.
“I even saw Stephie kissing Jake. No kidding. Right on the tonsils. So embarrassing.”
Oh great, not only was my best friend still seriously pissed at me, that slimy Greg would probably take an ad out in The Weekly Tattler, that cheesy tell-all paper at the checkout counter. Not the one on top, the one near the bottom of the rack.
I heard a soft sob. “I can’t believe the three of them have so little consideration for my feelings. Especially my own mother. Working for him. Do you believe that?”
I closed my eyes and finally dozed off to sleep, leaving Greg to stir the flame of Maddie’s anger. I knew I should stay awake and talk to her after they hung up, but it was late and I was tired. Maybe I’d regret ignoring the conversation, but I was tired. Tomorrow was soon enough to deal with it. I hoped.
Chapter 12
“Those photos you emailed me yesterday are amazing. It’s incredible how you captured the ambiance of the pageant. I know you have a great reputation, but I didn’t expect to be so totally blown away.”
“Thank you, Mr. Costa.” Someone with my experience as a photographer shouldn’t be blushing just because of a little praise, but the happiness in the face of this small town newspaper editor gave me the warm fuzzy tingles. I’d received serious photography awards, but that was nothing compared to the pure satisfaction of seeing someone enjoy my pictures. “Here’s the disk with all the photos.”
“Thank you so much for doing this.”
“My pleasure.” Trust me, it was.
“If you ever decided you want more from life than big city antics, I’d give you a job in a heartbeat.”
I cringed at the uncomfortable pitch of my chuckle. How could an offer like that sound so good? “Wouldn’t your regular photographer be upset if you gave away his job?”
“Ace only works part-time anyway. He’s a big animal rescue person who takes pictures to support himself and his pack of dogs.”
“Yikes, I wouldn’t want to take away his income.” Just thinking about it sent guilt through my heart.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. He does a lot of freelance photography while he’s on the mutt rescues. Besides, he’s one of Ugly Creek’s own, and we’ll take care of him.” The editor grinned. “Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love to have you join our staff.”
In spite of Mr. Costa’s reassurances, I left the newspaper feeling a bit guilty. Logic told me this Ace dude wasn’t even in town. There was no way he could have covered the pageants. I had nothing to feel guilty about for helping the local paper in his absence.
Of course, I’m pretty sure Jake could have waited a little longer to get the shots for the website and brochure. So I did take that job from Ace whoever. Hey, it was for a good cause. The kids, remember? Sick kids in the hospital. Can’t argue with that. Right?
As I walked over two streets and down a block to Blackwood Antiques, my mind turned over the idea of what it would be like to stay here in Ugly Creek. No more over-priced and over-done parties. No more catching shots of politicians and their girlfriends or boyfriends or hookers. Or even politicians just being too cozy with someone of the opposing viewpoint. No more being perpetually late because more was expected from the Spy employees than any mortal could do in a week, much less twenty-four hours.
I took a deep breath, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle tickled my nostrils. It would be great not to smell the acrid stench of vehicles, to be able to open my window at night. To be able to relax once in a while. To not always be searching for the one big photo opportunity. The one that could propel me from Capitol Spy to The New York Times.
I stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk, earning me a glare from a well-dressed woman who was walking way too fast to be a small town resident.
Of course I had The Shot. The one that could make my career. The Bigfoot. It was unthinkable, of course, the idea of using that shot. Even if it put me on top of the heap. Most photojournalists would.
But I’m not most photojournalists.
Truthfully, the whole idea made me want to vomit. What would happen to those beautiful creatures if I did manage to get the scientific community to believe? What would happen to Ugly Creek?
Whether one photojournalist made it to the big time wasn’t nearly as important as the Bigfeet and the well-being of an odd little town.
I smiled and continued walking toward Jake’s store. I’d delete the photo when I got back to Maddie’s. Until then it should be fine. I’d saved it in a locked file and made the password “Feisty”, the name of the dog I had when I was a kid, before my dad left. Who would know that, other than Brandon, of course? Ugly Creek’s secret was safe.
I pushed open the big wooden door into Blackwood Antiques and found Jake comforting a crying Margaret. My throat filled with fear as I rushed over to the counter. “What happened?”
“I’m just a big old weepy mess today. I’m sorry.”
She sat back and wiped her eyes, but Jake didn’t move from where he sat next to her, his arm around her back, his frown locked on her face. “She hurt your feelings.”
Margaret’s smile was weak, forced. “Children and parents are supposed to hurt each other’s feelings. That’s just the way things are.”
Oh boy. “What did Maddie do?”
Margare
t sniffled and wiped at her nose with a tissue. “She didn’t mean it. She’s still hurting. It’s hard for a girl to lose her father.”
Jake’s gaze dropped to the counter, and I saw him swallow. “Maddie said Margaret was a traitor to her own daughter because she works for me.”
I sucked in air. This was not good. I couldn’t believe Maddie had spoken to her mother that way. Something was very wrong here, and I had a feeling Greg had a lot to do with instigating it.
“It’s okay, Jake,” Margaret said.
“No, it’s not.” Jake stood and turned away, his fists gripped, his jaw muscles clenched. “It’s me she has a problem with. She has no right to take it out on you.”
“But—”
“No.” Jake closed his eyes, and his entire body tensed for a moment. Then his shoulders dropped and he turned to Margaret. He gently cupped her chin with his hand. “I won’t have you dragged into this crap. If Madison has a problem with me then she should come to me.” His gaze dropped to the counter. “But we all know she’s a coward.”
Margaret’s eyes all but popped out of her head and she was on her feet before I could blink. “Jacob Blackwood! I will not have you talking about my daughter that way.”
“I’m sorry, Margaret, but it’s the truth.” With that, he stomped off into the back. I heard his footsteps as they went up the stairs and then across the floor into his apartment.
“One of these days I’m going to turn the both of them over my knees.”
Margaret stood, arms crossed tightly in front of her, glaring in the direction Jake had gone with an intensity I honestly thought would blow a hole in the back wall.
I swallowed hard and made a mental note to be careful never to get on her bad side. I was pretty sure I’d rather face down a big old hungry Grizzly than that woman when she was pissed.
And she was thoroughly pissed at the moment.
An idea that had been wandering through my head for a few days popped to the surface. It was a crazy idea, and could just as likely make things worse as to solve anything. But Maddie and I were heading back to D.C. soon. I only had a short amount of time to try to do something about the Clark-Blackwood feud. Maybe, just maybe, it was worth a try. I could at least see what Margaret had to say about it.
The Ugly Truth Page 13