by J. D. Shaw
“I would have done the same thing.” Kathy confided as she gave her Greek yogurt a stir to mix up the strawberries from the bottom. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
Vivienne munched on a buttered cinnamon toast point and swallowed before answering. “I don’t know. I sort of feel a bit guilty for sticking my nose in.”
“We’re doing a good thing here.” Kathy reminded her as the new waitress, a young college student named Alexis, poured a refill of coffee as she sauntered by the booth. Unlike former waitress, Stephanie Bridgeman, Alexis had the grace of a runway model and the looks to go along with it. Kathy smiled at the pretty girl. “Thank you so much. Would you be a love and get our checks ready?”
Alexis nodded, as she brushed her expertly trimmed blond bangs to the side of her face. “Sure thing.” She swayed her hips back and forth as she walked to the cash register where Clara was busy signing paperwork for the truck driver who had dropped off her weekly food delivery.
“I’m almost done, Frank.” Clara flipped to the last page of the manifest. “I know you’re always in a hurry.”
“Take your time, Miss Clara.” Frank smiled as Alexis moved past, causing him to suck in his stomach which spilled over his belt. “I’m not complaining.”
Clara cast a wary eye at him. “There’s a first time for everything I suppose.”
“Ah, to be that young again.” Kathy pointed with her index finger at the scene taking place near the cash register. “Like he’d even have a chance with her.”
“I just hate it when someone is mad at me.” Vivienne replied as she took a sip of coffee. “It just throws my whole day off.”
“You’re not even listening to what I say, are you?” Kathy said with a hint of annoyance in her tone.
“I’m sorry.” Vivienne took a deep breath and shook her head.
“He’ll get over it soon enough when he realizes that he’s wrong.” Kathy smiled back. “So, I haven’t heard anything about Eddie Robertson’s condition. Bryce Starr mentioned that he was in critical condition at Cayuga Memorial Hospital on his radio show this morning.”
“I heard it too. They’re describing it as an ‘incident’.” Vivienne used her fingers to make air quotes.
“Do you think Natalie shot him?” Kathy whispered.
Vivienne shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t get to see the actual crime scene.”
Kathy finished off the last of her yogurt and dapped a napkin across her lips. “Well, I don’t think there will be many people shedding a tear if he doesn’t make it.”
“Don’t say that.” Vivienne interrupted. “I don’t ever want to get involved with a murder again. I’ve barely recovered from the last time.”
Kathy shook her head. “Look on the bright side. At least he didn’t end up in the dumpster behind your bakery.”
“That’s the bright side? Really?” Vivienne scoffed.
Alexis returned with two checks and placed them face down on the table. “Have a good morning, ladies.”
“Thanks hon.” Kathy grabbed Vivienne’s check.
“I can afford to pay for toast and coffee.” Vivienne protested.
“It was my idea to come here.” Kathy opened one of her many designer Coach purses and pulled out a ten and a five. “That Alexis sure was a good waitress.”
Vivienne nodded. “She’s very quick and polite.”
Kathy slipped the five under the sugar container. “She has a figure most women would die for.”
“Where is this going?” Vivienne asked.
“Whatever do you mean?”
Vivienne pointed to the five. “Our breakfast couldn’t have been more than seven dollars. Why the huge tip?”
Kathy sighed. “Okay, you’ve got me. There’s a spring fashion show coming up in Syracuse and I want her to model for my store.”
“So why don’t you just ask her? “
Kathy pursed her lips together. “Because I don’t want her to have the power in this deal. I know kids these days and they all have such an air of entitlement about them. I ask her to do this and the next thing you know she has a contract drawn up with some crazy modeling fee.”
Vivienne exhaled at her friend’s response. “Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse a bit?”
Kathy shrugged. “Could be. But I’m just a few big tips away from becoming her favorite customer. Then, when she’s fawning over me I casually mention I have this big fashion show spot coming up and how much press the young models are going to get by participating.”
Vivienne nodded back in response. “So, she then asks for a favor to put her in the show?”
“Now you’re getting it.” Kathy stepped out of the booth and straightened her outfit.
“Care to fix my mess with Joshua?” Vivienne eased out of the booth and gave a few stray crumbs a quick brush off her pants.
“I’ve got my hands full at the moment.” Kathy smiled. “If you’re so unsure, why don’t you try that New Age store on the corner of Weyer Place?”
They stepped out the front door into the cold morning air. “I didn’t think they were open yet.” Vivienne buttoned her coat up.
“Not until after the first, but the owner stopped in my store the other day and introduced herself.” Kathy hurried to her car. “She gives psychic readings too.”
“Maybe I’ll stop by for a friendly visit.” Vivienne waved goodbye as she climbed into her car and slammed the door. Their breakfast meeting had taken much less time than she thought, so she still had over an hour before she was due to open. She turned the engine on and cranked up the heat. As she pulled out of the parking lot, she headed for Weyer Place which was just a few blocks down the road from her current location on Spruce Street.
Traffic was light and parking places plentiful along the less busy section of motley businesses which lined Weyer Place. Unlike Main Street with its uniform look, this area had buildings which were well overdue for facelifts and overhauls. The sidewalks were broken and narrow, the tree branches overgrown and snarled in the remains of shredded awnings. Less-than-savory landlords rented the buildings out to whoever could come up with the rent fast enough. Of course, they evicted them even faster when the rent check bounced which created a revolving door of failed small business attempts.
Vivienne had a hard time making out the names of most of the businesses as makeshift signs were crammed into small display windows, most with ‘Store closing, everything must go!’ signs nearby. A few very lucky businesses had a stroke of luck and were able to relocate to Main Street after a few months, but most just locked the doors one night and never came back.
As she reached the corner of Weyer Place and McCann’s Avenue, she was surprised to see a warm light emanating from a red brick building that was in better shape than most. She pulled into the nearest parking spot, her daytime running lights reflecting off the display window which was partially filled with geodes, crystals, tarot cards, spirit boards, and other curious items associated with modern Paganism and metaphysical practitioners. Further in, she could make out a few rows of shelving where it looked like herbs, bulk food barrels, and other grocery-type items would be displayed.
There was a small sign above the door which identified the business as Mother Earth Mercantile. The words were framed on each side by the triple moon characters which Vivienne recognized as a symbol Wiccans used to represent the Goddess. Below that, was a handwritten note that the grand opening was to be January 2nd.
Vivienne stepped out of her vehicle and admired the items in the display window. The owner had done a good job with the shelving which had been left behind from a former pawn shop that had closed almost five years ago. Richly colored swaths of cloth had been laid out to give some visual pop from behind the old window glass that was discolored from age and pollution.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when a slender hand rapped on the window glass from inside the store. “Oh!” She gasped in surprise as the hand pulled back to reveal a woman in a purple blouse an
d faded denim pants who smiled and motioned for her to come inside.
Vivienne walked over to the door and gave it several good yanks, but it failed to open.
The owner helped push from the other side and soon the door swung outward with a rusty-gate type sound that was as grating as nails on a chalkboard. “I’m sorry if I scared you. Please come in.” The woman had light cocoa skin that was well moisturized and glistened with a bit of sparkle from blush on her cheekbones.
Vivienne stepped into the shop, noticing immediately the spicy scent of incense burning in the air. It was one of the more spicy scents, something like cinnamon mixed with patchouli. “I didn’t think you were open for business yet.”
“I’m not officially, but sometimes the Goddess sends people to me regardless.” Her voice was soft and melodic, with the hint of an accent from one of the Caribbean islands.
Vivienne smiled. “Thank you for allowing me in to see your new business.”
The woman yanked the door closed and rubbed her hands together from the cold. “I’ve talked to the owner three times now about getting this door fixed, but he’s always busy. But then again, aren’t men always saying the same thing to women when there is real work to be done?”
Vivienne nodded. “These buildings are very old.”
“We never had cold like this in Barbados.” She winked playfully and extended her right hand. “I’m Miss Octavia.” Her slender fingers were bejeweled with various rings of all kinds of metal and sparkling gemstones. Along her wrist, a small crescent moon tattoo was visible.
“Vivienne Finch, owner of Sweet Dreams Bakery over on Main Street.” Vivienne shook her hand. “You’re doing a wonderful job with this place.”
Octavia whistled back in response. “So you’re the one everyone’s talking about.”
Vivienne cocked her head slightly to the side. “All good I hope.”
“The winner of the gingerbread house competition.” Octavia clarified as she fiddled with a floral-print scarf wrapped around her short afro-styled hair that had come loose.
“Did you have an entry?” Vivienne asked, recognizing the scarf as one that was currently available for sale at Kathy’s store.
“Oh Goddess no, I have zero talent when it comes to baking.” She laughed. “So what brings you down here today?”
Vivienne picked up a small wooden rod that was wrapped with copper wire and topped with an amethyst crystal from a nearby shelf. “I was curious to meet the owner of the newest business coming into town.”
Octavia’s brown, almond-shaped eyes narrowed. “Well, here I am.” She walked over to a small round table that was set up in the center of the room. It was covered with a silver cloth upon which rested a large crystal ball on a brass pedestal shaped like two dragons “But I think you’d rather talk about your troubles.”
Vivienne set the wand down and followed her to the table. “My troubles?”
“With your man.” Octavia pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “Isn’t that why you’re really here?”
“I’m not having trouble with my man.” Vivienne protested.
Octavia shrugged. “It wasn’t all directed at you. There are other circumstances in play that are making him edgier than usual.”
“Did Kathy tell you about what happened?” Vivienne put her hands on her hips. “She probably posted a status about it on Social Butterfly too.”
“I did meet Miss Saunders the other day, but she did not betray your trust.” Octavia clarified. “I picked that up all on my own.”
“So you’re a psychic?” Vivienne asked, her posture refusing to relax from its defensive stance.
“I get visions from time to time, but they’re just fragments really. You need to put them together to make them meaningful and change your fate.”
Without thinking, Vivienne found herself compelled to sit down at the table. “You had a vision about Joshua?”
Octavia nodded. “He’s a fine looking man, but he’s hiding something from everyone. There’s a darkness very close to him.”
Vivienne nodded. “We all have our secrets in a small town.”
“True, but this is something like I’ve never felt before.” Octavia shuddered. “It’s something that doesn’t want to be discovered.”
Vivienne felt her heart flutter a bit. “You can’t tell what it is?”
“Not yet, but it’s getting closer to being revealed.” Octavia warned.
Vivienne knew that it was still some time before the full moon when Joshua would take up his wolf form for the night. That had to be what Miss Octavia was seeing in her vision. Would she keep quiet about it if she discovered the truth? Would she expose him to the townsfolk and the world for fame and fortune?
“Are you okay sweetie?” Octavia asked with concern in her voice.
Vivienne glanced at her watch. “I really need to get going and open up shop for the day.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you off.” Octavia responded. “I can sense you know your way around magic pretty well.”
Vivienne forced a polite smile. “Well, I’m not an expert by any means.” She pushed back the chair and stood up. “But I’m aware of certain things.”
Octavia nodded back. “If you want to know more about the situation, I’ll be happy to do a card reading for you. Or perhaps you’d like me to read your aura?”
Vivienne nodded back. “Thank you, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” She turned to leave. “It was very nice to meet you.”
Octavia rose from her chair. “Likewise, my dear.” She placed her hand upon the crystal ball and yanked it back with a startled gasp.
Vivienne whirled around, fully prepared to deal with a carnival-style side show performance when she noticed that her brown eyes were fading into pure white. Not rolling back, but losing all color in a matter of seconds. “Miss Octavia? Are you ill?”
“Beware the cold moon. It is still hungry.” Octavia’s voice was low and foreboding.
Vivienne took a tentative step toward her. “What about the moon?”
“It is not finished. It will strike again. The voice in the wind gives warning.” Octavia finished and then slumped onto the table.
Vivienne rushed forward and pulled her back against the chair. “Miss Octavia?”
Octavia’s eyelids fluttered and her brown eyes returned to their normal hue. “What happened?”
“I wish I knew.” Vivienne patted her gently on the arms. “You started to say something about the moon and then you passed out.”
Octavia took a deep breath and shook her head. “I did?”
Vivienne nodded. “You mentioned the cold moon.”
“That’s what the December moon is called on the witch’s calendar.”
“I’m aware of that.” Vivienne replied. “You said it was hungry and going to strike again. What did you mean?”
“I have no idea. I just remember feeling dizzy and then you asking me if I was okay.” Octavia groaned and put her hands on her temples. “But I’ve got a nasty headache all of a sudden.”
“Would you like me to take you to the urgent care center to get checked out?”
Octavia waved her off. “No, my dear. It’s fading away now.” She shook her head a few times and then gave a little smile. “Besides, I’ve got plenty of natural remedies that cost far less than a trip to the doctor.”
Vivienne glanced at her watch and knew she couldn’t afford to stay much longer. “I’d be happy to take you.”
“Go and bake your goodies.” She smiled and stood up from the chair. “I’ve been working so hard trying to get this store together and skipping meals. My blood sugar is probably all over the place.”
“Are you a diabetic?” Vivienne asked.
“No, praise the Goddess.” Octavia gave her a wicked little grin. “But making friends with the town baker isn’t going to do me any favors.”
Vivienne glanced at her watch once more. “Well, it was nice to meet you. I’m making apple doughnuts this mornin
g if you’d like to stop buy and try a complimentary sample.”
“Isn’t that sweet of you?” Octavia beamed with a warm smile. “I just might do that.”
“See you later today.” Vivienne rushed off to open her bakery.
CHAPTER 8
Joshua stepped into the Sweet Dreams Bakery still dressed in his uniform. His steel-blue eyes looked heavy and sleep-deprived as he walked up to the counter where Vivienne was busy transcribing a telephone order onto a notepad. She thanked the caller and hung up, clipping the order to a large magnetic board that had ‘New Orders’ labeled in bold letters on top.
“You look like you haven’t slept in days.” Vivienne spoke softly, trying to gauge his mood.
He nodded. “This case has been keeping us all on edge.”
Vivienne stepped around the counter and faced him head on. “Before we say anything else I just want to apologize for snooping around like that and making trouble for you. I’m planning to go down and tell Sheriff Rigsbee it was all my idea and you had nothing to do with it. I’m so sorry.”
Joshua reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I know you are and you don’t need to do that because I’m not in any sort of trouble.”
Vivienne exhaled. “Good. Heaven knows I’m probably the last person he wants walking into his office right now.”
“Sheriff Rigsbee wanted nothing more than to toss you in a cell for being a busybody, but you haven’t broken any laws so that’s not an option.”
“I promise I won’t go near Eddie, Natalie, or Connor.” Vivienne held her right hand up as if taking an oath. “I learned my lesson.”
Joshua swallowed hard and looked away from her. “Yeah, about that.”
“You don’t believe me?”
He shook his head. “No, I believe you. It’s something else.”
Vivienne couldn’t take the agonizing silence that followed. Her thoughts drifted back to her conversation with Miss Octavia. Could he feel that she was close to figuring out his secret? She reached up to his chin and turned his head toward hers. It was then that she saw the tears in the corners of her eyes. “You’re starting to scare me here. Whatever is wrong, we’ll deal with it together.”