“Pretty color.” Elizabeth said as she sat down in the oversized chair next to the sofa her feet curled under herself.
“You want to use it after me?” Aurora asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No, but thanks.” Elizabeth said as she cussed at a stubborn knot refusing to be undone. “But…I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”
“Sure.” Aurora said as she looked up with mild curiosity.
“Could you cut this mop off my head for me?” Elizabeth spat out as her arm with the brush fell away from her head in defeat. Then laughed when she looked back over to Aurora, who had stopped painting her toes, her mouth open in shocked surprise.
“Cut your hair? You’ve got to be shitting me. Why would anyone want to cut that beautiful hair?” Aurora asked as she stood up from the sofa to hobble on her heels over to Elizabeth, a hip rested on the arm of the chair as she lifted Elizabeth hair, her hand stroked it affectionately. “I would just love to have this hair.”
“Well, if you cut it just right, then maybe you can have it and make it into some sort of wig for yourself.” Elizabeth said with a playful chuckle. “ But, for myself. I’m sick of it, I want something different…carefree, sassy.”
Aurora laughed, “carefree and sassy, now that is something I wanted to hear. I just knew this trip would be...”
Elizabeth lifted her hand to pause Aurora’s enthusiasm. “Yes or No?”
“Yes. Yes. I’ll give you something beyond sassy. I’ll give you a whole new look.”
“Great. But lets do it quick before I change my mind.” Elizabeth said, as she stood to get dressed, “Hey, you going to keep the left over bits for yourself?” Elizabeth asked in a teasing note.
“Maybe.” Aurora said with a wink as she hobbled back over to the sofa. “Maybe I’ll ask the front desk if they have anything along the line of wig making supplies.” She said with a chuckle. “But, if I do, and you regret cutting that beautiful head of hair of yours…well lets just say you are shit out of luck.”
Elizabeth shook her head at Aurora’s words; unexpected butterflies filled her stomach as she wondered what she was doing. She had hidden behind its length for so long, the thought of living without its security filled her with an almost unbearable apprehension. But, she also knew that she needed to do something that would give her a fresh new look otherwise she felt she might just stay in the comfort zone of the unknown.
The beat of celebration hit Elizabeth as they stepped out of the restaurant on Bourbon Street. The crowd swallowed them in their drunken brawl of beaded enjoyment, which made it impossible for her to escape the carnival of festivities. Her heart lightened with excitement. Her shorter hair made her feel new and improved, smiling as she mouthed “Thank you, I love it.’ over to Aurora.
“It looks good on you, now lets go have some fun and find ourselves some studs, girlfriend. Because earlier I saw a whole slew of them on the prowl.” Aurora replied as she raised her well-groomed eyebrows comically.
“Good because I’m game for some fun.”
Aurora screeched in excitement as she pulled Elizabeth into the crowd yelling over the noise, “I’m so happy. I knew this trip would be good for you.”
Elizabeth felt light and content while she skirted people on the street to follow close behind Aurora, where black street lamps illuminated the street party well underway. Their shoulders brushed against the thick crowd as Elizabeth drank in the activity around.
Shocked when she saw a couple of girls lift their shirt to flash a group of guys leaning over an old fashion black cast iron balcony. The guys hollered in approval tossing colorful bead necklaces to them, a loud excited screech escaped the girls as they swept up their prize placing the plastic gems around their necks like they were precious jewels. Giggles filled the air in a ripple before the sound blended once more with the constant drone of the masses the girls blowing kisses to the guys as they linked their arms together to dance away into the crowd. The expression ‘We are not in Kansas anymore.’ twirled through Elizabeth’s head.
Aurora’s earlier description of the events was less descriptive than what she was actually seeing. Elizabeth lifted her arms finding the atmosphere contagious and carefree, her body started to move to the rhythm of the music. Elizabeth realized this was what she had envisioned, not the earlier nightmare when she planned this trip, her inner inhibitions released with the beat of the festivities.
Feeling sinfully wicked, she smiled slyly at Aurora, the crowd made her feel anonymous among the many as she realized she wanted…no, needed to separate herself from her life of secrets and unknowns for one night. She wanted to be that carefree girl with no worries or cares for at least one night; she wanted to be those girls from earlier who had no inhibitions.
For tonight…she wanted to reach beyond her comfort zone. She lifted her hands up to the top of her black-strapped dress yelling loudly over the noise of the crowd, “Want some beads?”
Aurora’s laughter filled the air as she leaned close to Elizabeth, “and what does your devilish mind suggest?”
Elizabeth rolled her shoulders playfully when she pulled the thin material down just before she turned to a balcony along the street where a group of guys leaned over the edge, their faces lighting up at the sight, cheering as they tossed her some cheap gaudy beads. Her stomach flipped in excitement as she reached forward to catch the beads as they fell.
Aurora yelled over the crowd, “You are sooo, sooo, bad! If your mommy could see you now.”
Elizabeth opened her eyes wide in mock horror to imitate her mother, “Not my daughter, my precious little girl,” she said with a sarcastic laugh pulling her top up before reaching down to retrieve the beads that had eluded her grasp, feeling giddy as she placed them around her neck, the plastic cool on her naked skin.
Invigorated, Elizabeth leaned close to Aurora to yell into her ear, “This is probably the grave danger my mother saw me in. Beaded necklaces being thrown at me and my morality lost.”
Laughter laced Aurora voice, “You’re most likely right.” She said, as her eyes scanned the crowd, before she turned back to Elizabeth, a small sly smile lifting one side of her mouth. “Look girlfriend, I think we need something to drink.” She said, as she finger waved to a guy standing at a bar stationed outside a restaurant.
Elizabeth looked over to see a dark hair guy wink in Aurora’s direction nodding for her to come over. “Not bad, not bad at all.” Elizabeth said as she turned back to Aurora with a raised eyebrow in approval. “I can see why you all of sudden have a quench that needed to be satisfied.”
Aurora’s laughter giddy as her eyes light up. “Pretty hot, hey? I met him earlier today. I had told him I would meet up with him but I didn’t think he would actually come.”
“Well, obviously he is into you.” Elizabeth said with a chuckle. “So, go. Go.” Elizabeth said with a slight push to Aurora in his direction. “But, find out if he has a cute guy friend for your poor love deprived friend, and while you’re at it I’ll have a Captain and Coke.”
“Oh, no you don’t” Aurora said with a chuckle, “you’re coming with me.”
Elizabeth laughed as she stopped Aurora, “Don’t worry about me, Aurora. I’m just going to be over there.” Elizabeth said as she pointed to a band playing to a crowd down the street. “I’ll find us a prime spot.”
Aurora reached over to give Elizabeth a peck on the cheek, “Okay, you got it girlfriend. Find us a good spot and I’ll be right over with your drink and hopefully a guy for you also.” She said, before she shimmied through the crowd.
Elizabeth smiled, watching Aurora, before she turned to push herself through the throng of people towards the rock band. Finding a calm spot just left of the stage where a female singer, her voice husky, sang. The guitar music raucous as a drummer plays a steady beat on the drum. Relating to the verses of the song, Elizabeth found herself enjoying the blues s
ound. Then Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat, and as earlier that day, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise in warning. The music faded in her mind when her heart accelerated in anticipation. A sixth sense of danger kicked into high gear, her mind racing to understand. “No, no, this can’t be happening.” she thought, while the people around her started to close in on her, taking her air, her mind racing. Her breath slowed as a pain started to pierce her just behind her eyes, a fear consuming her. The crowd spun as she turned...her movements halted short by a strong hand that grasped her upper arm. The action stopped her short, while a vaguely familiar masculine voice hissed in her ear, “Whom do I have here?” Elizabeth’s heart dropped at the sound. “Where’s your friend? I hope she didn’t leave you all alone.” His cool fingers brushed her hair back, while he leaned closer, his breath hot and repugnant against her neck, reminding her of death. “I like what you did to your hair. Although how it was earlier was nice also.”
Bile rose in her throat, the voice touched off a memory in the back of her mind. The crowd evaporated when his hot breath rushed against her ear, the world spun in a chaotic deadly spin, as she felt evil surround her, stealing her very breath. Years seemed to melt away as she sensed her childhood memories start to pound at the door of her conscious mind, begging her to release them from their prison, to remember this evil pressed against her back. A sense of foreboding consumed Elizabeth that her life was nothing but an illusion, a mirage of events and people, as she attempted to recall the evil. How could she have forgotten? An inner voice urged her to run, her mind searched for an outlet, an answer, while people brushed past oblivious to her nightmare.
Elizabeth opened her eyes slowly while she blew out her breath in an attempt to still her heart; bare toes filled her vision as she saw his feet barely covered in sandals. Survival, sheer will, filled her as she lifted her foot and brought it down hard onto his exposed toes. A sharp gasp of pain brushed past her ear, when he fell backwards, freeing her. The sudden release sent Elizabeth’s body falling forward into a current of walking skeletons who swept her up in their drunken celebration. Her mind frantically grasped for reality as bodies closed in on her, pushing and pulling her along, their drinks spilling, the smell of alcohol strong, their laughing faces loomed, then faded, her breath stolen as her panic continued to rise.
Chapter 6
Roger cussed under his breath, as he watched Julia be carried away by a group of people dressed as skeletons. He looked around to make sure no one had seen the little interaction as he leaned down to rub his bruised toes. Then he smiled in pleasure at the memory of Julia’s unconcealed terror, her body quivering against his, the thought made his heart skip in giddy anticipation. But, what pleased him even more than her terror, was the fight she had in her. She was her mother’s daughter he could see that clearly. He found himself unconcerned that she had gotten away, this time, because he knew that with her return there would be no place she could hide that he couldn’t find her. His little mouse had finally come out of her hole, and with her return, there was no place she could hide once more.
Satisfied, Roger turned away from the band, almost bumping into a young dark haired girl who was frantically attempting to keep two plastic cups from spilling, as her eyes scanned the crowd. A frown marred her slightly plump face as her eyes searched the crowd around them. Roger puzzled for a moment at the hint of recognition she invoked in him, then he remembered why when he realized she was the one he had seen join Julia on the boulevard earlier that evening. Grateful for his luck he casually sidestepped into her path, a look of surprise crossed her face as she looked over at him, apologizing, as she attempted to step around him. Smiling, Roger cleared his throat, “Can I be of help?” he asked as he nodded at the glasses in her hands.
“Oh, thank you but I got it.” She said with barely a glance as she continued to look around him and into the crowd.
“Well, can I help you at least find...whom or whatever you have lost or am I assuming too much?”
“No, no. I’m sorry. I guess I have lost her after all.” She said as she looked more directly at him. “A friend of mine told me she was coming over here to listen to this band and now I can’t seem to find her.”
“Well, what does she look like? Maybe I can help you find her. Two sets of eyes are better than one and I do hate to see a beautiful girl in distress.” He said casually, pleased, when a flush of pleasure filled her cheeks at the compliment. Her reaction giving him an indication on how easily it was going to be too manipulate. Normally he liked a challenge, but he was willing to make an exception with this one.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” She said with a smile that curved her overly bright red lips. “My name is Aurora by the way.”
Roger smiled as he took one of the drinks out of her hand, before he lifted her hand to his lips, as he looked into her startled eyes. “Well Aurora, it is a pleasure to meet you.” His thumb caressed her palm as he smiled, pleased as her brown eyes clouded over in bewildered pleasure.
He was an expert at this game, polished over the years to a perfection of a perfect dance as he winked, “Now, tell me what your friend looks like, so I can wipe that look of distress from your lovely face.”
“Well, she has blonde hair that goes about here.” She said indicating her shoulder as she continued to look around him and into the crowd. “Well, actually strawberry blonde, maybe a little bit amber, but mostly blonde. She’s about five three or four, slim with really pretty, exotic blue eyes.”
“Does your friend have a name?” He asked as he put a teasing note with the question, to hide the fact he was digging for information.
“Yes, she does.” Aurora said as she looked back with a smile. “Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth he thought. So that is what she had changed her name to. Knowing that if he played his cards right with this slut, he could get the rest with barely breaking a sweat.
“Was your friend wearing a black dress by chance?” He asked casually.
“Yes, yes she was. Do you see her then?” Aurora asked with hope as she looked around them.
“No. But, I did.” He said, always knowing that any good ploy is laced with some truth. Perfecting the knowledge, until he always knew what part of the truth to keep back and what to give. The line fine, but if played right no one is ever the wiser to your full knowledge or intentions.
“You had? Where?” She asked, her eyes brightening wide with excitement.
“Over there, about five minutes ago.” He said as he pointed to the spot he had cornered Julia, he meant Elizabeth, earlier. The new name played over in his mind, so he wouldn’t slip up with the wrong name later. “But, I saw her go off with some guys dressed as skeletons.” He said as he pointed in a direction he knew his sneaky little Julia had not taken.
“What? That doesn’t sound like Elizabeth.” Aurora said surprise filled her words. “Are you sure?”
“It sure looked like the girl you were describing to me. Although, I could be mistaken.”
“I’m sure you were. Because Elizabeth would never just take off with a bunch of guys.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because...” She said as she wrung her hands, a look of concern on her face. “Something happened to her...a while ago...and now she is cautious.”
“Well, in that case we really do need to find your friend. I’ll help. How does that sound?”
“Oh, thank you, but I hate to put you out. Although, I do appreciate the offer.” She said, concern reflected on her face, the expression alone told Roger a lot about her and Elizabeth’s friendship. After years of reading people to get what he wanted, he knew he wasn’t wrong. Aurora was the doorway into all of Julia, Elizabeth’s, secrets that she most likely kept hidden from the world. And with a little bit of coaching he would be able to get them all from her. Telling him where she had disappeared to all these years and why she had returned. If ther
e was one thing about women he had learned over the years, it was that they always confided in someone. It was in their nature. Roger mentally rubbed his hands, elated, with how the pieces were falling into his lap. He couldn’t of planned it better if he had arranged it himself.
Chapter 7
When the crowd finally released Elizabeth from their hold, she stumbled incoherently into a back alleyway, falling against the brick exterior in relief. The brick cool and rough against her exposed back, shaken, she let out a calming breath while she attempted to regain her composure. Her hands rubbed against her silk skirt while she searched the darkened alley, frustrated when tears started to gather behind her eyelids, wondering what the hell had just happened. Startled, she jumped back when a stray cat screeched out from behind a dumpster, her head hitting the sharp edge of the brick in the process. Swearing, Elizabeth glared at where the cat had been, her hand rubbing the back of her head where she felt a small bump starting to protrude. “Fantastic, just what I needed to top this whole New Orleans experience off so far,” she thought as she clenched her other hand into a fist, mock punching the air in aggravation.
After what seemed like an eternity she pushed away from the wall, her steps hesitant, while she stepped back out onto the street to orient herself to the location she had been dumped into. A small handwritten sign advertising a gypsy caught her eye while another neon sign in the window flashed open.
Sidestepping into the doorway, Elizabeth’s body brushed aside a curtain of beads, laden with small bells that chimed her arrival. A surprised gasp escaped her when she looked around the murky room that reminded her of a gypsy tent she saw once at a local carnival. A slight tremor filled her voice as she called out to anyone that would answer.
Relieved when an old woman in a colorful oversized muumuu dress walked in slowly from the back, her body hunched over a cane while she waved to a small round table where a glass ball sat in the center held by a brass claw with three prongs that reached up and around it, cradling it. Her voice raspy from age as she beckoned, “Come, come my child. I have been expecting you.”
Secrets of the Weeping Willow Page 4