by Cat Clayton
“As in the pet costumes?” she asked. She jingled her keys in her hand and I noticed she wore rings on every finger except her thumbs. Chunky, silver rings with turquoise and other colorful gems.
“Yes. I planned on Petunia judging for us, but I’m afraid at this late notice I won’t be able to find a replacement in time. Would you be interested?”
“I’d love to,” she said. “Lloyd and I have decided not to enter our sweet Ramen, and Patches has been so depressed since I brought her to the house, so, sure!” She pulled a small day planner out of her rather large leather purse. She flipped it open to the month of October and jotted down the event for Saturday. “There, all scheduled.” She replaced the planner inside her handbag.
“If you don’t mind me asking, is everything okay with Patches?”
Patches? Who? Where? Cuff jumped up and trotted around the corner of the counter. Uh oh. Look out, Chiquita.
I glanced in Cuff’s direction and saw Vivienne Peacock marching through the doorway. In the shop. With an umbrella. All kidding aside this time. She arrived armed with a long white and red umbrella with a hooked handle. She glared in my direction.
“I have a bone to pick with you, young lady,” she spat.
Cuff growled.
“I really don’t have time at the moment.” I pointed to the lobby. “As you can see, I’m working.” It took every ounce of my five-foot body not to chase her out of the shop. Blonde beehive and all.
I glanced at Lizzie. “I am so sorry for the interruption.”
She raised an eyebrow at Vivienne. “No problem,” she said. “It seems Mrs. Peacock needs something. You go ahead.”
“She’s right, and as the owner of this establishment, you should make time!” Vivienne shouted. She reeled the umbrella around nearly taking off Mr. Walton’s head. He ducked, but the dog clock on the wall didn’t fare so well. It clattered to the floor in pieces. The plastic face popped off and bounced across the lobby.
I shrieked, thankful she didn’t hit anyone.
Cuff hopped back, barking.
Gertie skidded around the corner from the groom room. “What in tarnation is going on out here?” she asked.
“Your granddaughter needs to learn some respect for her elders,” Vivienne snapped, pointing her umbrella at me.
“You’re blowing this out of proportion. I said, I didn’t have time at the moment.” I realized how rude I sounded, but only after it spilled out of my mouth. I tried again. “What I meant to say, is I had my hands tied up with another client. If you could’ve waited two minutes, then I would’ve given you my undivided attention.”
Vivienne blew a raspberry. “Likely excuse,” she said, and then directed her focus on Gertie. “I’d like to sign Pop-Tart up for the pet costume contest. Since Petunia won’t be there with Patches, well, the first place ribbon will probably go to my little pumpkin spice.” She cut me a sideways glance and smirked.
Wow, did she just go there?
Yes, Chiquita. She did.
Gertie toddled over and picked up the pieces of the dog clock and set them on the counter. She folded her hands together and a prize-winning smile appeared on her face. “Vivienne, since I have about thirty years on you, maybe you ought to show some respect for your elders. This is our place of business. You can’t come in here breaking things and pushing my granddaughter around. Now, I expect you to pay for the damage to our clock and be on your way.” She pointed toward the front door. “And FYI, we have our eyes on you. We know you were out for Petunia’s job.”
Vivienne sucked in a breath. “Well, I have never,” she said, pulling a wad of cash out of her purse. “I have never been treated so rudely as I have here today!” She tossed a twenty-dollar bill on the counter and stormed out of the shop.
“And don’t let the door hit you in the butt on your way out!” Gertie hollered after her.
“The door is propped open,” I said, amazed Gertie had the ability to chase her away.
“So, it is,” Gertie said and put her hands on her hips. “Well, bless her heart. Someone ought to tell her she doesn’t wear desperate well.”
Mr. Walton chuckled.
“What’s up, Walton?” Gertie said with a sly grin. “Nice job on our last match.” She winked, waving her cell phone at him.
I guessed it answered my question about them playing “Words with Friends” together.
“Gertie can take Sid back now, Mr. Walton,” I said.
Gertie led Sid to the groom room, and I continued my conversation with Lizzie.
“I am so sorry about the interruption.” I offered her a weary smile. “Now, what were you saying about Patches?”
Lizzie looked confused. She fidgeted with her keys.
“You said she isn’t doing so well.” I pushed the clock pieces to the side.
“Oh, right,” she said, a flicker of anger appeared in her eyes. “She’s taken to peeing on one of my authentic Navajo rugs. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she has a bad case of depression.”
A little sympathy for the dog would’ve been nice. “I’m sure she only misses Petunia. Don’t you think?”
Lizzie squinted, as if she were trying to read something else into what I’d said. “You’re so right, Steely. We all miss Petunia. As for judging on Saturday, is there anything I need to do? To prepare?” She glanced down at the floor, her expression undetectable.
I considered giving her some advice for Patches, but thought better of it.
“Not a thing,” I said. I offered her a reassuring smile.
“Got it,” she said. “Okay, well, Lloyd’s expecting me back. I best be on my way.” She turned to go.
“Lizzie?”
She twirled around. “Yes?”
“Tell Patches we said hello.”
“Will do,” she said and left in a whirling cloud of linen.
AS WREN DEMONSTRATED the mechanics behind the Warrior II pose, I tried to study my form in the mirror without judgment and without tying myself in a knot. I found remembering my breath more difficult than the actual pose itself. My hips rebelled. Both knees ached. My right hamstring burned like fire. And I did not resemble a warrior. I looked more like a spooked bird about to take flight.
The atmosphere of the studio with its cozy lighting matched Wren’s warm glow as she drifted between the mats. I tried to focus on relaxing and being present, as Wren suggested.
I recognized several faces from town. Sadie, part-owner of The Best Little Hair Shop in Texas, Lizzie, Caylee, and my own motley crew. Seeing Caylee reminded me I needed to tell her about Stoney. I wondered how she’d take the news of her homecoming. They’d been best friends when Stoney disappeared.
Look at me, Chiquita. I am doing Updog.
I glanced over at Cuff in the room's corner with Wren’s pup, Lotus, and sure enough, he performed the proper form of Updog according to Wren.
Good job, little buddy.
Gertie had wrapped herself into a pretzel. She issued a groan and collapsed on her mat. Crossing her arms, she pouted.
Daniel’s long, lean body moved with grace and a flexibility I never knew he had, his Warrior II pose picture perfect. He inhaled and exhaled audibly. I tried to mirror his moves. Tried being the operative word.
“Wonderful, yogis,” Wren said in her usual melodious voice. “Now, let’s be trees. Come to your Mountain Poses, feet lined up under your hips.” She drifted over to Gertie, bent down, and whispered to her.
Gertie extended her hand and Wren helped her to her feet. Gertie pulled herself into the pose.
“Look at me. I’m like a little, fat tree stump,” Gertie said, examining herself in the mirror. She’d squeezed into a pair of my yoga pants and one of my T-shirts.
“We must be kind and gentle with our thoughts and ourselves,” Wren said. Her smile lit up the room. “Now, root your feet into the mat, spread your toes, tip the pelvis forward a little. Nice, everyone!” She moved about the room, assisting those in need. “Now, bring your attention t
o your left foot, find your balance, and now, take your right foot and either place the heel at the left ankle or place it lightly on your left leg. Yes, such nice, graceful trees. Careful not to put any pressure on the left knee. Now, extend the spine upwards, like the trunk of a tree. Lift upwards. Stretch toward the sky. Be the tree.”
I planted my bare left foot, attempting to balance, breathe, and not look like an idiot. Graceful, Wren had instructed.
“We’re dedicating this pose to sweet Petunia, as she adored tree pose,” Wren said.
Okay, Petunia. This one’s for you, I thought, and tried to lengthen my spine. I wobbled when Lizzie’s tree snapped and she withered to her mat, burying her face in her hands.
Wren tip-toed over to Lizzie and placed a hand on her back and gave her a gentle pat.
“Yoga is such a beautiful way to express our feelings and let go of things which no longer serve us,” Wren said.
Lizzie’s soft cries turned into a wailing sob and she jumped up and ran out of the room.
I found her exit distracting and lost all focus. My tree timbered and I sat down on my mat. I considered going after Lizzie and checking on her when Jackson sauntered into the room, a yoga mat under one arm and a water bottle in his hand. I pinched my lips closed, holding in a sigh.
He had to be one of the most gorgeous creatures on the planet.
Dressed in workout shorts and a tight black tank top, he rolled out his mat, gave Wren a little nod, and didn’t even look in my direction. Maybe he didn’t see me.
Oh, he saw you, Chiquita. He is playing it cool.
I glanced over at Cuff in a Downdog position.
Show off, I thought.
“Let’s bring our trees down to the ground and pull into a comfy Child’s pose,” Wren said.
I eyed Jackson while I moved my body into a contorted, not so comfy pose. My hips screamed in protest. Holy cow. How long do we have to stay like this?
As Gertie pushed her little body back, she did the dreadful. Inside the quiet room, the noise almost echoed.
“Oops. Sorry, I’ve been eating a lot of fiber lately,” she said with a giggle.
Wren didn’t skip a beat. “Sometimes, it happens in yoga. It’s only natural.”
I busted out in laughter. I couldn’t help myself. Once I started, the giggles took over. I tried to hold them in to the point my stomach ached. I clapped a hand over my mouth, snorting through my fingers.
Wren gave me a look and pointed to the door.
I jumped up and quickly exited the room.
I mean, who gets kicked out of yoga?
Out in the hallway, Lizzie leaned against the wall, crying.
I tried to console her and tell her sometimes we lose people and we don’t understand why. I should know.
A perplexed expression spread across her face. “You can’t possibly know what I’m going through!” She barged past me and dashed out the front door.
Too stunned at Lizzie’s outburst to return to class, I remained out in the hall until class ended. I sat with my back against the wall and waited for Wren to open the door. When she did, I went inside to put my mat away.
You missed it, Chiquita! I did a Mountain Pose! Cuff hopped up on his back paws, bouncing. I am like a bouncing mountain.
Without drawing too much attention to myself, I gave him a thumbs up.
“Sorry,” I told Wren.
She shrugged with a sweet smile. “No worries. Laughing is a natural reaction, too. But I could see you had the giggles, and I didn’t want it to distract the others. I thought maybe if you went out for a minute or two, you could get it under control.”
“Yeah, no,” I said. “The more I tried to control it, the more I couldn’t stop.” I walked over and rolled up my mat.
Daniel still lay sprawled out on his mat, really enjoying the relaxation part of class. His eyes were closed, his hands folded together on his stomach.
When Gertie and I made eye contact, we both chuckled. She knew it’d been funny. I’m surprised she hadn’t laughed more at herself when it had happened.
Jackson stretched on his mat. I wondered if he always came to the class; he’d never mentioned it before. But then again, he hadn’t told me he was married either.
“Hey, Steely!” Caylee said, beaming her Texas-size smile. She approached with two cups of water and handed me one. “So, how did you like yoga?”
“Well, except for getting kicked out of class, and the poses being harder than I expected, I liked it.” I took a sip of water and enjoyed the infusion of lime and cucumber.
We laughed. Tall, blonde, and so beautiful, Caylee glowed under the ambient lighting.
“It’ll get easier. I promise,” she said.
I hoped so for my aching body’s sake. I reached out and took her hand. “I have something to tell you.”
“Oh please, no more bad news,” she said. “After hearing about Petunia, I don’t think I could take any more negativity. I’m really trying to keep it positive after learning of mom’s diagnosis.”
Last month, we’d learned her mother had breast cancer. Only stage one, but still such devastating news for Caylee and her family.
“It’s actually good news. Wonderful, really.” I squeezed her hand.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?” she said, her ice-blue eyes shimmering.
“Stoney. She’s home.”
Caylee’s eyes widened. “Where? I mean, where she’d come from?” She pulled away from me and turned her back against the wall. Her body slid to the floor. She sat, peering up at me. “Where’s she been all this time?”
“I have no idea,” I said, sitting down next to her. “I’m kind of in shock, to be honest.”
“Well yeah,” she said. “I understand. Gosh, I can’t believe it.”
“You and me both. I know little else. But from what I’ve learned from Pop, she’s been through some horrible trauma.” I swallowed a lump in my throat. “A human trafficking ring somewhere in Houston.”
Caylee clutched her heart. “Oh, dear! I’ve heard it’s terrible there. And to think, she was so close.”
I nodded. “I know. I’m not even sure what to say to her. I can’t even imagine. But, she’s my sister. I have to deal with this.”
She turned and sat facing me, taking my hands in hers. “You’ll be fine, Steely. When the time comes, you’ll know what to say. I know you can handle this. Look at what you’ve dealt with already in your life. Stoney disappearing. Losing your Grandpa Lamarr, your mama, Nick. You’ve got this.” She patted my hand. “And you have someone to help you through it now.” She winked and nodded toward Jackson.
Ugh, she didn’t know. “Yeah, so you apparently haven’t heard the latest.”
“What?” she asked.
“He’s married.”
Chapter 14
“What?” Caylee jumped to her feet. “I’ll kill the son of a—”
I grabbed her leg, pulling myself up. “No, don’t.”
She sent a death glare in his direction. Occupied on his mat, he didn’t witness it.
“How dare he!” she said. “Where’s this so-called wife been for the past three months?”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “The story goes, she cheated on him and left him for some other guy while he was overseas.”
“I hate hearing that,” Caylee said in a harsh whisper.
“I know. But, it still doesn’t excuse him for not telling me about her or the fact he’s married.”
Caylee offered me a sympathetic glance. “Would it have made a difference? Ya know, if he’d told you? Y’all really have connected. I hardly know anything about him. Brandon says he’s not friendly, and he’s a loner at the station. But, I’ve seen you two together; you seem to mellow him out. It also doesn’t hurt he’s super easy on the eyes.”
I felt it, too. Jackson and I complimented each other. But it didn’t erase the fact he’d been dishonest with me.
“Yes, it would’ve made a huge differenc
e. I wouldn’t have gotten involved with him. Or at the very least, I would’ve waited to fall head over heels until after he divorced her.”
Caylee patted my hand. “I’m so sorry. Let me know if you need anything,” she said. “But back to your sister. I’d love to see her. When she’s ready. I’ll call you soon and we can set up a get together with her.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
“I need to run. Brandon has the kids, and with Petunia’s death investigation, his fuse has been short.” She gathered her mat and her water bottle, waved goodbye to Wren, and left.
Without the protection of my friend, I felt vulnerable. As if watching us out of his peripheral vision, Jackson glanced in my direction.
Crap.
He nodded, sprung from his mat, and headed my way.
“I texted you,” he said, his eyes holding me captive.
“I know.” I squirmed, wanting to bolt. “We were busy at the shop.”
“Uh huh,” he said. “I’m getting the impression you’re avoiding me.”
I shrugged. “Can you blame me?” My heart pounded inside my chest and my nerves were all over the place. Gertie and Daniel were chattering away with Wren. Cuff and Lotus dozed in the room's corner. I had nowhere to hide, no way to dodge him.
He rubbed the top of his head. “Look, you’re right. I should’ve told you about Angelica. I just thought...”
“What? You could get away without telling me? That you could pull a fast one on me and I’d never find out?” I stabbed my fists on my hips. “Well, you got caught, buddy. It didn’t work. My parents didn’t raise a fool.” No, they raised a sarcastic, stubborn butthead.
His eyes pleaded with me. “Steely, please hear me out.”
“Fine.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Give it your best shot.”
Wren breezed over. “Hey, y’all. I hate to interrupt, but I need to clear out the room. My intermediate class is arriving.”
I hadn’t noticed, but other folks had drifted into the room, and we were the only ones left from her beginner’s class.
“Oh, sorry,” I said.
She smiled. “No worries. I’m so glad you tried the class. Give it some time. And you’ll catch on. But you did wonderful this evening!”