by T. F. Walsh
Dee’s blond hair never moved as she stripped the soiled sheets from the bed, promising to wash them later. I stepped into the tiny shower of my six hundred square foot house. A living room/kitchen combo divided by a bar with a small area for a table, and one bedroom comprised the remainder. The intended in-laws quarters were close, but not too close, to the main house. The space was enough for Willy and me. My rent helped Jimmy and Dee make their mortgage payment.
As I tried to explain the events at the clinic, I honestly didn’t remember the mistakes Julie claimed I’d made, any more than who had told me Willy was misbehaving. They did say insanity ran in families.
“Working at the salon is fun but that doesn’t mean the boss will make it permanent.” I yelled over the blow dryer. “I have to give Julie an answer tomorrow. One way or another … ”
“Just tell Mr. Thornton you’re sorry, but you need his answer now. It’s unfair to your current employer to leave her swaying in the breeze. He’s a businessman. He’ll understand.”
“You seem to assume I’ve made my decision.” I opened my mouth so I wouldn’t blink while applying my mascara.
“Connie, the salon pays three dollars an hour more than the clinic and there’s health insurance. What’s to decide?”
I put on some lip gloss before mentioning casually, “Jimmy didn’t seem to care for my gay co-worker.” I slipped into a pair of black short-shorts and pulled the tee over my head.
“Sweetie, I love my husband but he is a homophobe of the first order. You know, I know and he knows, although he’d never admit to it. Connie, he doesn’t have to like them. You do. You do, right?”
“Oh hell, yeah, Raf’s a doll. That’s his name, Rafael. The verdict is still out on Tom Thornton. I mean he’s totally dreamy. Don’t get me wrong. There’s just something hinky about him.” I bent to tie my shoes.
“A hinky hunk, huh?”
“He’s my boss, Dee.”
“Behind every strong man is an even stronger woman who got there by screwing the boss.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help grin at her. Dee was a liberated woman, confident in her abilities. She had a ton of blond hair, huge bright blue eyes and curves in all the right places. Men fell at her feet. One day I hoped to be just like her, in the confidence department anyway, but I had a few obstacles to overcome.
I glanced at the clock, “Oh Shit! Dee, go call me a cab or I’ll be late on my second day. Not a good way to keep a job.”
“Already done. Should be here any minute.”
A horn blared from the drive. I grabbed Willy, his cart, my purse and Dee grabbed his crate. The cab company didn’t allow dogs un-crated. Thank God, Dee had thought to ask!
“You got cash? How are you getting home?” Dee asked in mother-hen mode.
“Yes.” I put Willy in the seat. “I have no idea. I’ll call when I know. Bye!” I gave her a quick hug.
During the ride in I silently calculated the fare — and gagged at the figure I got. Eating is highly overrated.
Although I arrived early, my dayshift counterpart left as soon as I walked through the door. Choking back tears I carried fresh towels to the storage closet as Raf stepped out of a tanning room — naked.
He saw me. I saw all of him. My trembling lips froze in the shape of an O.
He grinned and snatched a hand towel from my arm, draping it over the pertinent areas. “Sorry, Hon,” he said without emotion. “I thought I’d sneak in some sunshine. Did the bus run early?” He turned to walk away.
Dear Lord, the back’s as good as the front.
“I took a cab,” I wailed, as my circumstance overruled my shock. He turned back to offer comfort but I held up a warning hand.
He grinned unabashedly. “I’ll be quick as a bunny and you can tell me all about it.”
He was. When I had finished my tale of woe, his shoulder was wet, and I needed to wash my face and reapply my mascara. I felt better having shared my problem with someone.
I hurried from the restroom to the lobby feeling like a shirker. Raf smiled and pointed toward the office. The boss was in, and I, his first order of business. Oh goody.
“Come in,” he said without looking up from whatever he was reading. “Have a seat.”
I sat, expecting the worst.
“Raf tells me you’re a good worker.”
I opened my mouth, but he waived me to silence. Fine.
“I foresaw difficulties with your employment because of your pet, but he doesn’t seem to be an issue after all. Distance from work and lack of transportation are.”
“I’m looking for a car.” I offered hopefully.
“You still want this job?”
I thought it was a rhetorical question until he paused. I replied. “Yes I do, if you’re sure Willy won’t be a problem.”
“According to this fax no ordinances will be broken, as long as you keep him in line.”
And if something goes wrong, then what, I’m out of a job?
“As to housing, we may have come up with a solution,” Raf chirped in my right ear.
I clapped a hand over my heart. “God, wear a bell!” Sinus rhythm restored, I inquired, “And what is your solution, pray tell?”
Raf whirled around and sat on my lap. “We’ll be roomies, girlfriend!”
I never even considered refusing.
“Oh. My. God. Raf, really?” Then my bubble burst. “Jimmy and Dee need my rent to help cover their mortgage.”
“Boss, didn’t Cindy mention she was looking for a place, cheap?”
“Yes, I recall something about her mother driving her crazy. I believe her exact words were, ‘The bitch is driving me bat-shit! I’d move to the moon but I can only afford five hundred in rent!’” Tom did a fair impersonation of Cindy’s nasal whine.
That was more than double what I paid Dee and Jimmy. Four hundred dollars would tickle them pink and leave Cindy with a hundred for gas. She’d need it.
“Consider the convenience and let us know — ” Tom started.
“I’ll call Dee on my break. Raf, can you call Cindy? I don’t want to get Dee’s hopes up.” I wasn’t letting this opportunity slip past.
“Sure thing, Honey.” Raf gave Tom big eyes and a shrug.
Tom waved his hand toward the door as the chime sounded. “Customers.” A perplexed smile played along the corners of his mouth.
Raf and I grinned at each other like reunited long lost siblings. What can I say? It just felt right or just maybe … Cindy’s mom wasn’t the only one gone bat-shit.
Raf allowed Cindy time enough to reach home. The phone conversation was short. I heard her answer on the other side of the room. She may also have told her Mom to go screw herself. Obviously, theirs was a closely-knit family.
Too excited to keep still, the extra dose of adrenaline worked in my favor and kept me awake. The three diet Dr. Peppers I drank having nothing whatsoever to do with my high. I took an early break in order to call Dee before bedtime.
The fireworks danced in bright patterns of color across the night sky. I had forgotten it was Independence Day. I frowned. My memory seemed to be slipping lately. Pulling my cell from my hip pocket, I dialed. She picked up on the first ring.
“Hello.”
“I got it!”
“Of course you did, you ditz! Didn’t I tell you?”
“No, I believe you told me to screw the boss — which proved to be unnecessary.”
“Sorry. Still sounds like a plan to me.”
“Ah Dee, there is one other thing.”
“What?”
“I’m moving out.”
Dee screamed a curse. Jimmy echoed the expletive in the background when she repeated my words. Geeze! I waited until they calmed down a bit.
“Since
you’re so happy for me, maybe I’ll skip the rest of the news.” Jimmy said something about being ungrateful. “I have him a new renter.”
“Okay … ”
“Tell your jerk of a husband she’s willing to pay four hundred a month.”
The screaming resumed.
“Dee. Dee! I’ve got to get back to work. We’ll talk tomorrow. Oh, and I won’t be coming home tonight. I am staying over with Raf.”
“You’re what?” Jimmy asked. Dee must have dropped the phone.
“You heard me you big jerk. Deal with it.”
“We love you, Connie,” Jimmy said.
“Yeah, I know. Bye!”
I folded the phone and stuck it in my pocket. Ever the good citizen, I policed the area, tucked Willy under my arm and headed for the dumpster in the alley. Willy began a low growl. The growl grew more menacing as we grew nearer the receptacle.
“Hush, Willy.”
Had he caught the scent of a cat or a rat? I pushed open the dumpster lid only to be greeted by a horrendous odor. Willy’s growl turned to a shrill whine. His hackles stood on end as did mine. Caution aside, I peered through the dark shadows cast by the street lamps. The headlights of a parking car briefly illuminated the container. I saw a face and an arm.
I screamed bloody murder for all of ten seconds. Bile rose in my throat and spilled onto the pavement.
Tom was beside me in an instant. So quickly in fact, I am pretty sure what little was left of my lunch landed on the toe of his boot. His sudden appearance coupled with my distress, sent Willy over the edge. He snapped, catching Tom’s wrist as he reached to turn me away from gruesome scene.
“You’re bleeding,” I whispered. “Willy’s never bit anyone before. I’m real sorry.”
“I’ll mend.” He ushered me back inside.
CHAPTER 5
A crowd had formed in the lobby. Raf rushed to take Willy — who didn’t seem to mind — now. The crowd parted to let us proceed to the office.
“Cops are on their way, boss.” Raf deposited Willy in his bed. “Stay!”
Siren warbles quickly grew louder. The police station was only a few blocks away. Tom pulled a small box of individually wrapped antibacterial wipes from a desk drawer, opened one and swabbed the blood from his wrist. I watched in awe as the wound disappeared with the blood.
A detective’s unmarked car arrived on the scene first. Tom went out to the sidewalk to meet her. I watched them walk out of sight. Raf patted my hand like a nervous, little old lady. I could tell he wanted to ask questions but wasn’t sure I was in any condition to answer. Good call.
I never vomit — a great quality for a vet tech. The stench from the dumpster had been something so foul, so disgusting — I’d tossed up my toenails.
Tom returned with the detective. The uniformed officers questioned customers. Only after the cops had contact information was anyone allowed to leave. The detective knelt in front of me.
“Miss, do you think you can answer a few questions?”
I know that voice. I looked up. “Becki? You made detective?”
“Connie? You’re not at the clinic anymore?”
Becki Elms had a Rottweiler. I hadn’t seen her at the clinic in a couple of months but vaguely remembered her telling Dr. Smith she’d taken a second crack at the detectives exam. She must have aced it this time. Good for her.
“Nope, this is my second day here.”
“Do you feel up to telling me what happened?”
“I can’t tell you much. Willy and I were outside on break, while he took care of business I called home. When we headed toward the dumpster he became agitated. I raised the lid and the smell about knocked me over! I think I saw a face — a hand maybe — but I’m not sure. It was pretty dark. That’s about it. I must have screamed, because next thing I know the boss had hold of me.”
I saw the coroner’s van round the corner to the parking lot. Becky stood and smoothed her navy skirt before directing her attention to Tom.
“I hate to do this on your second business day Mr. Thornton, but I must ask you to close your doors for the night. If everything goes smoothly you should be able to reopen tomorrow morning, noon at the latest. The fewer gawkers, the faster we’ll get our job done.”
“Don’t concern yourself Detective Elms. I’m sure business will recover. I’ll stay in case you need me. I think Raf should take Connie home, if, you have no more questions?”
Becki looked from Raf to me, and raised an eyebrow. “You see or hear anything else while you were in the parking lot?”
“Not a thing. Willy was fine until we started for the alley.”
“Okay then, you can go. If I need anything else I know where to find you.” She gave me a hug. “Try to get some sleep, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
What I wanted most was a shower and to brush my teeth. I felt as if the stench of death clung to me.
Raf ushered me out of the office and I picked Willy up, startling him from sleep. Raf made me wait on the curb while he brought the car around so I wouldn’t have to go back to the side lot. We turned at the light and headed uptown, toward MacArthur Park.
There were some really nice restored homes in the area. Maybe Raf lived in one. I closed my eyes. The streets downtown got me so turned around it made me dizzy and Raf’s driving didn’t help.
We didn’t end up at one of the quaint antebellum homes in the Quapaw Quarter, but rather in an industrial area. The area was full of red brick structures ranging from two to five stories. Some had ornate facades, others, not so much. The windows were all bricked up leaving the buildings blind. Granted it was night, but the sheen of glass was in none of them, a perfect place for vampires.
Although I’d lived in and around Little Rock for twenty of my twenty-five years, I really hadn’t seen much of it. I pretty much knew how to get from home to the clinic and back. Of course I knew the location of most of the Wal-Mart stores in the area, the poor girl’s best friend.
I thought this might be the area I read about in the paper. The article had been all about attempts to reinvigorate the downtown area. The River Market played a big part. The city wanted people to move back to the downtown area and converted some of the old well-built buildings into condos and loft spaces. Some were for sale, others for rent.
Raf pulled up to a metal door at the base of a three story red brick building and inserted a card into a little box on the driver’s side of the door. The metal door rose and Raf steered through, the iron slab closed behind us automatically. The car’s headlights shone in the otherwise pitch-black space. He pulled into a parking space beside a metal entry door and shut off the engine. It was a good thing the car lights stayed on for a couple of minutes otherwise I would have tripped over the curbing.
“You guys don’t need lights huh?” This was my tactful way of reminding him I couldn’t see shit.
“Sorry, Sugar, I forgot. Stay put … ” A bank of fluorescent lights illuminated the parking deck. “There you go. Come on honey, let’s get you settled.”
He stuck a key in the door and held it open for Willy and me to precede him. When we stepped inside I expected stairs, but instead found we were in an elevator. Raf hit two.
The scent of leather wafted in as the elevator doors opened. I inhaled deeply.
As a teenager I cleaned the tack at a riding stable and got hooked on the scent. If it came in a spray bottle, I would probably wear it for perfume. Funny, I could see Raf wearing leather, but he seemed more an overstuffed chintz kind of guy. Hey, what did I know? I’d known him less than two days.
The masculine space’s very a high ceiling showcased the metal beams overhead. A balcony with iron railing was to the right, exposing part of another floor. There were built-in floor to ceiling bookcases along one end wall of the living space, filled with books, comple
te with one of those sliding ladders you see librarians use in some old movies. Cool!
The large sofa in a bomber jacket sort of leather, sat in front of the bookcase, along with a matching chair. The leather was either old or distressed to look that way. A couple of smaller upholstered chairs dotted the space. Tabletops had leather insets as did the desk positioned catty-corner at the far end of the room with, you guessed it, a high back leather chair behind it. Diamond tucked of course.
A tiny kitchen occupied the left corner, with a sink, microwave, stove and a fridge, but little else. Willy whined, bringing me out of my reverie. He wanted down and my arm wanted to put him down.
He’s a standard dachshund, weighing in at twenty-five pounds. I’m used to toting him about and have the guns to prove it, but after a while he does get heavy. I sat him down, not sure what he’d do. The rug appeared to be some kind of a hide, whitish and woolly. I didn’t want him chewing on it. He didn’t. He rubbed his face over and over and pawed with his front feet like it was the most wonderful thing he ever felt then he just stretched out and lay there. His doggie grin said “mine!”
I giggled and repaired the diaper and wrap he’d almost dragged off.
“Girl, you gonna stay on the floor or come with me?”
I shrugged and grinned. “We have to talk ya know?”
Raf grimaced. “Yeah, but let’s play twenty questions after we get you cleaned up because, honey, no offense, your breath could choke a mule and you got barf on your shoe.”
The memory of what caused the barf came rushing back and my stomach rolled.
“Don’t even think about it!” Raf squealed and pushed me toward a dim corner.
A close inspection revealed an iron, circular stairway. I started to turn.
“He’ll be fine. Willy’s out like a light.”
At the top of the stairs were six doors. Raf pushed me toward one and opened it.
The decor revolved around an old claw foot bathtub that sat smack dab in the center of the room. It had one of those oval shower curtain rods going all the way round. The bead board walls were in dark tones. A full-length cheval mirror in the corner reflected the dim light of the antique chandelier. As I surveyed the room, a heavenly smell of yellow roses wafted over me. Raf poured amber oil into the bathwater, which foamed into lush bubbles.