Queenie's Cafe

by SUE FINEMAN

  <>

  A week later, Laura insisted on checking on things at the café. She’d been away too long. Luke seemed reluctant to take her there, but she insisted. When he pulled into the parking lot, she saw the construction dumpster and men in tool belts going in and out of motel rooms. “What’s going on here?”

  She couldn’t believe there were people working on the motel already. Why didn’t he tell her? Luke had taken over as if she didn’t have a say, as if she didn’t have an opinion, as if her approval wasn’t necessary. She was an equal partner, yet he hadn’t even told her he’d started work on the motel. “What are you doing?”

  “The renovations we discussed.”

  “Discussed, not agreed on.” She waved her hand at the motel. “I can’t believe you did this without talking with me first.” The more she thought about it, the more angry she became. “How could you do this without my approval?”

  “You knew this was what we were going to do. We talked about it, Laura. We have to turn this place into an income producing business to recoup our costs.”

  “I understand that, but you didn’t even ask me to approve the plans. You went ahead with it as if my opinion didn’t matter, as if I was too stupid to understand. Well, I may not have a fancy college degree, Mr. Windsor, but I don’t like people doing things behind my back. I own an equal interest in this property, and I should have an equal say in the decisions.”

  She jumped out of Luke’s truck and stormed into one of the new units. Jay was inside, finishing the trim around the new bedroom door. “Somethin’ wrong, honey?”

  “Luke had no right to go ahead with this without my approval.”

  “Well, it’s a little late now. We got Rusty and Morris’s place finished, except for the floors, and another five units almost done.”

  “How did this get so out of hand?” she muttered.

  “You don’t like my work?”

  “It’s not that. Luke keeps doing things, expensive things. I know he has money to throw away, but—”

  Jay tapped in a nail and turned to face her. “But you’re not used to takin’ nothin’ from nobody. You’re used to doin’ it all by yourself, even if you have to kill yourself to scrape by. Is that about it?”

  His words stung, because they were true. Her eyes filled with tears.

  Jay handed her his handkerchief. “Better dry those tears, Miss Laura. Seems to me you got some apologizin’ to do. Luke’s a good man, honey. He did this to help you, not to upset you. Hell, he even ran interference with Frank Fosdick for you.”

  “He’s spending so much money.”

  “So what? He uses his money to help people. What’s wrong with that?”

  She looked down. “I don’t want to be his charity case.”

  Jay’s voice softened. “Don’t let foolish pride get in the way, honey.”

  She wiped her eyes and nose. “Is that what I’m doing?”

  “You knew this was what we was gonna do. He didn’t tell you we started because he didn’t want you here every day when you were ’sposed to be resting.”

  “I don’t need to be coddled.”

  “Aw, c’mon, Laura. Everybody needs to be coddled once in awhile. Go find that boy. Kiss and make up.”

  “Some friend you are, telling me to apologize.”

  “You don’t want me for a friend?”

  “Of course I do. I just wish you didn’t always have to be right. You’re a good friend, Jay. The best.” Jay was twice her age, but she’d never had a better friend.

  “Yeah, well, if I was a few years younger, I’d give Luke a run for his money.”

  She wiped her eyes again. “I don’t know why your wife left you, but she was a fool.”

  Jay looked away, running his hand over the new doorframe. “Shoot. You keep that up, I’ll have to buy myself a bigger hat.”

  Laura found Luke in another nearly finished apartment, his hands in his back pockets, looking like a whipped puppy. She put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Luke. I’m not used to having people do things for me. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, it’s just—”

  He turned to face her. “What do you want me to do, Laura?”

  “Forgive me for being such an idiot. If not for you, I would have lost everything.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you, but I wanted to get started on this while Jay and his crew were available. When we get finished, these apartments will bring in a steady income. It’s the right thing to do, Laura.”

  “Of course it is.” She slipped her hand in his. “Why don’t you show me Rusty and Morris’s apartment?”

  They walked quietly around to the back. Luke stood back and let her look around.

  “Oh, this is nice.” The motel had never looked better, with light tan or pale sage green paint on the walls, new woodwork, windows, bathrooms, and quiet, efficient air-conditioners. The kitchen was small, but nice, with a little eating bar separating it from the living area. Before, the rooms were dark and smelled like mold, stale cigarette smoke, and air freshener. Now they were clean and bright and smelled fresh. “What color carpet and drapes are we putting in?”

  “Mom suggested white blinds to match the woodwork, so I put those on order last week. We haven’t bought flooring yet. We thought you’d like to pick it out.”

  She ran her hand over the new laminate on the kitchen counter. It was nicer than anything they’d ever had in the café or in the motel. So were the cabinets. Outside, the changes were subtle. Inside, it didn’t look like the same place.

  The light from the window lit Luke from behind, giving him an all-over halo, and she realized how lucky she was to have him in her life. She felt closer to Jay and Barbara than she did to her own parents, but she and Luke had a special bond. They grew closer every day. In spite of the way she’d chewed him out, she knew he’d gone ahead with this because he didn’t want her here supervising, getting in the way, and second-guessing the decisions that had already been made. He had a vision of what the apartments could look like, and so did Jay.

  “I had no idea it would look this good.” She thought it would look like two old motel rooms with an adjoining door, but the small kitchen and fresh paint had completely changed the look of the room. The bedroom was smaller, but it had a big walk-in closet. “It doesn’t look like a motel, does it?”

  “No, it doesn’t. Frank Fosdick said it should be torn down.”

  She cocked her head. “What happened with Frank?”

  He shrugged. “Cindy said he wanted to put you out of business, so I...” He grinned. “I asked him if his wife knew what he did on Tuesday nights.”

  Laura felt her mouth tug into a smile. “That’s blackmail.” She knew about his Tuesdays with Cindy. Why hadn’t she thought to use that information when she applied for a loan at the bank?

  They walked back toward Laura’s apartment. Luke said, “We’ll redo your apartment after Jay gets the others finished. It’ll include Florence’s old room.”

  “Oh, I like that. What about Cindy? Is she staying?”

  “No, she left a couple weeks ago. She offered me a free one for the road and I turned her down.” He gazed into her eyes. “She’s not my type.”

  She wanted to ask if she was his type, but she couldn’t. If he gave her the wrong answer, it would crush what pride she had left.

  “Jay has been really nice.”

  “That’s because he’s in love with you.”

  The way Jay teased, it was hard to tell what his feelings were, but she didn’t doubt what Luke said. Jay was a great guy, and she liked him as a friend, but he wasn’t the man for her. “Let’s find Jay a woman of his own, someone closer to his age, like your mother.”

  Luke seemed stunned. “Jay and Mom? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “She can handle him.” If Barbara could look beyond the surface and see the real man, she couldn’t help but love him.

  While Luke talked with Jay, Laura walked up to the café. It was late afternoon, between
meals, so the dining room was empty. Judy worked in the kitchen, getting ready for the dinner shift.

  “Well, it’s nice to see you, Laura. How you doin’?”

  “Great, but I need to get back to work. I’ve been lazy long enough.” Her shoulder had healed, and she couldn’t let other people do her work for her any longer. “Has Earl been here?”

  Judy shook her head. “We been watchin’, but nobody’s seen him.”

  That didn’t make Laura feel any easier. Earl said he’d be back, and she knew he meant it. She shivered at the thought of that pig touching her like he owned her, of his fists hitting her, his fingernails scratching her, his arrogance, and his lecherous smile.

  Would she be able to fight him off if he came back?

  She might have to.

  Chapter Eleven

  Laura and Luke shopped for carpet and flooring for the new apartments that week, but they went to Earl’s competitors rather than do business with Windsor Floors.

  As they walked out to his truck, Luke said, “One of these days we’re going to force Earl out of business. He’s running behind on all his payments, so I’m buying up the loans on his property.”

  That didn’t make sense to Laura. “How can he spend all that money on advertising if he’s hurting for money? Television time is expensive.”

  “He’s so far in debt, I don’t know how he stays in business.”

  “Speaking of business,” said Laura, “I’m going back to work next week.”

  Luke shook his head. “You need at least another week or two.”

  “No, I don’t.” She’d been away for over a month, and her shoulder had healed. “I can’t let your mother and her friends keep doing this for me.”

  Laura still carried her little knife with her, in case Earl came back. Being in the same room with him terrified her, but she wouldn’t be victimized again. If she had her way, he’d never be able to hurt anyone again. He’d be in prison.

  On their way back from the flooring store in Melbourne, Luke said, “Meg wants to keep working part-time. She said if she stays on at Queenie’s, she’ll rent one of the new apartments.”

  “I’d love to have her stay at Queenie’s, but can we afford—”

  “Yes, we can afford it. If you get in a bind and need more help, call Judy or Mom. You can’t do all this by yourself, Laura. Judy would be glad to have the work. Her last husband left her a little money, but not enough to live on.”

  “Last husband?”

  “She’s been married a few times, all of them losers.”

  “What do you think I should do?”

  “Let Meg handle the breakfast shift. The regulars love her, especially Marv and Charley. Judy can help with the management chores. She’s a good organizer. Sit down with them and work out a schedule. Your shoulder will be tender for a few weeks and I don’t want you to overdo it.”

  She wouldn’t mind having help at the café, but she wondered what Queenie would think about it. Would she think Laura was lazy because she wasn’t doing everything herself?

  Did Queenie’s opinion matter?

  No. Queenie was dead.

  <>

  Laura’s first morning back at work, Jay kissed her on the lips. “Don’t tell Luke,” he said, grinning.

  “Jay Fisher, are you harassing the help?”

  “Nope! Just the boss.”

  “How’s the project coming along?”

  “I got the units on the right almost finished. The vinyl is in and the carpet comes tomorrow. We’re all movin’ down in a couple days.”

  “We? Are you still staying here?”

  “Somethin’ wrong with that? I ain’t got nowhere else to go.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “’Cause I don’t want you feelin’ sorry for me.”

  “And you talk to me about pride?”

  “Why you sassy little—”

  “Ah, ah, ah, don’t go picking on me or I’ll call Luke.”

  “Why don’t you marry me and get rid of that guy? He ain’t good ’nough for you. Baby, we’d be so good together.”

  She shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?” He needed a woman to love. Meg was too old for him and Judy wasn’t right. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered how Jay would like Barbara. He liked a woman with spirit, and Barbara had plenty of spirit.

  Things went very well that morning. The regulars all seemed glad to have her back. She made the rounds, thanking each person for their business while she was gone.

  Laura washed tables and cleaned up the dining area that morning after the regulars all left. She was alone when Earl Windsor came through the door. Although Meg was outside the back door just a holler away, Laura felt safer with a table between her and Earl. She slipped her right hand in her apron pocket and closed her fingers around her little knife.

  “Well, darlin’, the place is lookin’ better all the time.” Earl looked at the café as though he owned it.

  “Get out, Earl.”

  “Or what? Huh? You gonna call the cops on me agin? You be nice to me, girl. Queenie was nice to me. She was nicer than Florence. Purty little gal before she got fat.”

  Laura couldn’t picture Queenie with Earl, fat or not. According to Queenie, the only man she’d ever been with was Bruce Whitfield, and only after they married.

  As Earl walked closer, Laura heard the back door open. He stopped cold, his eyes darting nervously from the kitchen to her and back. Was he afraid of someone hearing his threats? Of course he was. He wouldn’t want to risk going to jail. He’d gone to the trouble of planting lies with the Kingston police before he attacked her because he didn’t want any interference. He didn’t want an audience either.

  “I’ll be back to collect what’s mine. I’ll put a lien on your property if you don’t pay me next time.” Earl was gone before Meg could see him.

  Laura’s hand cramped from holding the knife so tightly, but Earl was gone, at least for now. She sank into a chair before her legs gave out. Had he been watching her? Or had someone in Kingston told him she was back at work in the café?

  She took several deep breaths to calm herself and stop the trembling. Seeing him again had brought back the fear and pain of a night of terror.

  She wanted him locked up.

  Or dead.

  <>

  Luke came by for lunch and Laura explained what happened that morning with Earl. Before they finished their conversation, people started arriving for lunch, including someone Laura hadn’t seen in a couple years.

  Annabelle Fosdick.

  Just what she needed on her first day back. Laura had never liked Annabelle, and the only time she’d seen her in Queenie’s had been after school dances, when she came in with her dates. Annabelle had always acted as if she were too good to come into Queenie’s. She couldn’t be over twenty-one or so, a year older than Laura, and she’d been divorced at least twice.

  Laura greeted her as she greeted all her customers, but Annabelle was less than kind in return. “It looks a little better inside, but outside it still looks like a dump. How can you work in a place like this?”

  Laura’s tongue hurt because she was biting it so hard. Finally, she said, “Will you be eating alone today, or did you bring your latest husband along?”

  Annabelle scanned Laura’s face and body and came back to her face. “At least I don’t sell it, although I have to say, I don’t see why men would pay—”

  “When they could have you for the price of a cheap gold band?”

  Her face burning with anger, Laura put the coffee pot down on the counter and retreated to the kitchen.

  Meg gave her a squeeze. “I heard. What a bitch!”

  “I never could stand her or her father.”

  When Laura looked back, Annabelle had latched herself onto Luke, smiling and flirting and turning on the charm. “Oh, no you don’t,” Laura muttered to herself. She couldn’t have Luke.

  “Luke,” Laura called, “Have you me
t Annabelle Fosdick? She’s Frank’s daughter. I think she’s looking for another husband. She’s already had what, Annabelle? Two? Or is it three?”

  Luke’s eyes sparkled with a barely hidden smile. Laura walked over. “Annabelle, this is my good friend and business partner, Luke Windsor. Luke, are you shopping for a wife today?”

  “No.”

  Laura shrugged up her hands. “I guess he won’t be needing your services today.”

  Annabelle’s face matched the red dye on her hair. “Well! I’ve never been treated so rudely in my whole, entire life.”

  “Then it’s about time, isn’t it?” Laura turned to Luke. “Are you ready for lunch?”

  “I’ll wait for you, Laura.”

  Without a word, Annabelle marched out the door.

  Laura couldn’t afford to turn away customers, but Annabelle had come here to spy for her father and to insult the owner. She didn’t need customers like that.

  As she waited on other customers, Laura thought about Annabelle’s remark. Did she really think Laura was selling sex? Had Bobby told her? Of course he had.

  Who else had Bobby told? Did everyone in town think she was working as a prostitute? No, not her regular customers. They all knew how hard she worked to keep this place going, and they’d seen her the morning after Earl had attacked her. But people who didn’t know her might believe it. Annabelle had always had a big mouth. She’d tell everyone in town, and business would suffer.

  Time to do some damage control. But how did people fight nasty rumors?

  <>

  Later that afternoon, a nice looking young man in a suit and tie came in. Luke introduced him as, “Billy Berkley, an old college friend. He’s also my attorney.”

  She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Billy.”

  “Laura, I’m afraid this isn’t a social visit. Even though Luke paid off your bill at Windsor Floors last month, Earl Windsor put a lien on your property.”

  She’d offered him money the night he beat her, and he wouldn’t take it. He didn’t want the money then and he didn’t want it now. He wanted someone to beat and rape. Being a big shot on TV wasn’t enough for Earl. He wanted to be a big shot in the bedroom.