The Lying Mirror

by alvinna edwards nwoko

  I’m cooking Jack, can’t you do it yourself. Linda stopped in mid stir, closed her eyes and curse herself. Sure Jack! Linda called back as an afterthought.

  Jack was struggling to get the leaf out of a closet when Linda came into the hallway to help him.

  Here let me get that. Linda took the table leaf out of Jack hand and easily pulled it out of the closet. Then went into the bedroom and the living room to retrieve the extra chairs.

  Sorry Jack. I lost myself there for a moment. It won’t happen again.

  Lost yourself, Jack thought. That was an understatement. I’m starting to think you never had a chance to find yourself. Ms. Eevan can deal with this later. For tonight I’m going to enjoy eating whatever that beautiful smell is coming out of that kitchen.

  Jack sat the table to the best of his knowledge with the modest flower arrangement in the center of the table. He found his fake silver wine bucket and placed it in the center with the flower arrangement. Beautiful, even if I have to say so myself.

  Linda finished her cooking with a few minutes to spare and went to check on Jack and his table setting.

  Jack! Linda shouted. Have you never set a table before? The water glasses always goes to the right of the plate at the top and the silverware is all wrong. Where’s the other forks and spoons.

  I thought you brought too many so I left them off.

  No! Jack, I need all the silverware for what I’m serving.

  And why is this fake wine bucket in the center of the table with my beautiful flower arrangement? I should have known someone from the inner-city wouldn’t know anything about setting a table properly. My mother always told me your table should be as beautiful as you are. Don’t you know anything Jack?

  There. Now it’s right. Thanks Jack. Then Linda disappeared into the kitchen again carrying the wine bucket with her.

  Jack sat there looking at the table after Linda rearranged the setting he had done and came to the conclusion, well it does look better, much better actually.

  At 7:15 Jack answered a knock at the door and found His buddy Ant, Sunday and four of Linda’s care takers standing with big smiles on their faces awaiting entry.

  I can smell it out the door, Ant boasted, Italiana, Portobello, and Cioppino. And I am ready. I didn’t know she could cook, ant whispered.

  I heard that Linda yelled from the kitchen.

  Jack and Ant smiled at each other and left the other guests sitting in the living room talking while he and Ant went to hand Linda three bottles of rose’ wine for the evening’s meal.

  Thank you Ant, Linda acknowledge while she took the wines out of their bags and stared at the bottles for a long minute. She took the wines and placed them in an isolated corner and advises Jack to please seat the guest at the table. If everyone is ready.

  Linda was seated at the dead of the table with Jack in his manual wheelchair, and Ant took the position at the other end of the table because of his rank at the lab. Sunday and the other five were seated comfortably in between.

  Linda stood to make a statement, but before she could start Jack interrupted her in saying prayer first. Linda took her seat again and waited, somewhat embarrassed.

  Ant would you be so kind as to say blessing for the day.

  Sure.

  Dear Lord thank you for the food we are about to receive, and thank you for the hands that prepared this meal for us tonight. And if that’s Italian cooking I’m smelling, thank you, thank you, thank you and Amen.

  All laughed except Linda at Ant’s gratefulness for Italian cooking.

  Linda stood again, and started acknowledging and thanking all those that were involved in her recovery.

  I also want to thank each and every one of you for restoring my beauty and giving me a reason to live again.

  The lab crew look at each other as if to say, I can’t believe she think we did all of what we did to restore her beauty.

  Ant stood quickly, before anyone had a chance to speak their mind and thank Linda for her acknowledgement. Now food.

  Linda announced her menu to her guest and new or hoped they would be impressed.

  We will start first with, Cioppino style seafood soup. It’s more of a stew but it’s great as a starter.

  Amen! Ant saluted.

  Next you will be served Italian seafood Portobello

  Yes Lord, Ant showed his agreement.

  Followed by Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes.

  Yes! Here it come, her it comes.

  And to slave you to me, Cod with Italian crumb topping served with spicy slice tomatoes.

  I’m in heaven! Ant gave his thanks again.

  Everyone laughed at Ant’s fixation with Italian foods.

  And… and to salivate your taste buds, Walnut Biscotti served with Amaretto Pudding.

  I’m going to faint, I won’t be able to enjoy the meal because I’m having a head rush.

  You act the same way with any food Ant, you idiot.

  Yes but I don’t have to cook today.

  Sunday notice Linda getting up to go to the kitchen and asked her if she could have one of the bottles of Rose’.

  Linda turned to Sunday as if Sunday had cursed at her and told her. You mean to tell me you are going to ruin my beautiful dinner with Rose’. I have a beautiful bottle of Mondavi Cabernet Savviqnon. Which is much better than your Rose’.

  Everyone at the table including Jack knew what was coming next. They all set there and let it happen.

  Linda, I happen to enjoy the taste of a good Rose’, but if you are trying to be impressive then maybe you should start with the Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes then the Cioppino and while I’m at it, to really impress me consider Chateau Latour Pavilla Chardonnay with all the seafood. Even a cheap bottle of white wine would be better. Or if you must go red try next time Pesquera Ribera Del Duero Janus Gran 2003. But right now I have a taste for Rose’.

  Linda first brought out the fake silver wine bucket half filled with ice and sat it next to Sunday, left for the kitchen then returned to Sunday with an open bottle of Rose. I sorry whispered Linda. I apologize.

  No problem Sunday lied.

  After that grand meal they all gathered in the living room with their coffees and discussed how Linda might want to proceed with marketing her formula.

  Jack watched Linda closely as they talked, and didn’t like what he saw at all.

  Linda became arrogant, demanding and trifling.

  The professor wants to sit down with you and discuss terms. Ant advised.

  Why do I need the Professor?

  Because it was he that discovered the application and the remix of your formula and it was our lab that tested it for weeks, surely the least you could do is sit down with the Professor and talk with him.

  Ant could not believe his ears. How could someone like Linda be so inconsiderate? Well Jack, Linda thank you for a nice meal be leave it or not we are headed back to the lab. One of the students is having a problem their project and need our help. We’ll see you both maybe tomorrow.

  See you guys. Good night Jack said as he led them to the door.

  Good night Linda yelled as the lab team were going out the door.

  Thank you Linda that was very nice what you did tonight. How did you get all that cooking done so quickly?

  Carry-out Linda laughed.

  And you let us believe you cooked it all?

  Yep.

  Why?

  It had to be perfect Jack.

  But life isn’t perfect Linda, those simple people would have been happy, satisfied with spaghetti, a salad and a bottle of wine because it was coming from you Linda, from your heart, that’s what counts. Not how much money you spend or how beautiful the table is, simply because it came from you. Is there a reason you can’t or refuse to understand that?

  Life isn’t perfect Linda! Look at me, do I look perfect? Do Ant with his red hair look perfect? Does Sunday with her mouth for a weapon look perfect? Think about it Linda. The world we live in is not pretty all th
e time, it has a lot of blood stains where people have been hurt or neglected. You of all people can relate to that.

  Jack left the apartment before Linda gave him another excuse that was going to anger him further. Lord what have I done?

  CHAPTER

  15

  Linda sat on the sofa in the living room confused after Jack left. What did I do wrong? She asked herself. This was the chance for me to say thank you, but all I got in return was thanks for a nice meal. Nothing about how beautiful the table was. They did say how delicious the meal was, but they didn’t rave about it. Mother spent a lot of money on those preparations.

  I needed them to like what I did, see I was grateful for their help and maybe they would be willing to speak on my behalf at the hearing. Now what am I’m going to do.

  When Jack returned to his apartment, Linda nor any of her things including the frame from the mirror were there. She had left without a thank you or a reason for leaving. She may have been well enough in body, but in spirit, she was a wreck. She needs more time. What she need is Ms. Eevan and Sunday.

  Yes, I may have made her angry, but I’m struggling trying to help someone who don’t want to help themselves. What have I gotten myself into? Jack questioned himself in frustration.

  Linda left Jack’s apartment laboring with her large suitcase Sunday brought to her from her dorm room filled with a lot of her personals and clothing. She was also faced with the dilemma how she was going to get her mirror frame and a large trash bag full of her stuff to her dorm room as well.

  Jack showed me how to use the bus system, I’ll just take the bus, yep, it’s better than lugging all this stuff down the street and across campus. Linda’s thought her conversation with herself was inspiring, she had worked up enough courage to go outside of her comfort zone and create an adventure for herself.

  Linda waited right next to her designated bus stop sign for her designated bus to stop. After waiting ten minutes she started looking down the street left then right for any signs of her bus.

  She watched as a bus turned the corner and head her way then stop directly in front of her. The bus doors open and Linda started to bring her belongings onboard.

  Mr. Hard Drive, I thought you told Jack you were retiring?

  Hard Drive left his driver’s seat to help Linda get the rest of her things onto the bus while she searched for two dollars for the bus fare. Hard Drive folded up the seat for disable passengers and placed Linda’s things neatly where the Jack-Mobile would have gone.

  Thank you little lady, Hard Drive said as Linda was depositing money into the bus fare receiver.

  Hey little lady what happen to your face? It’s different.

  Why, I don’t know what you mean.

  The last time you were on my bus, your face had scaring, and now it don’t. What happen? All of your scaring is gone. Wow! Man I know some children who could use your magical treatment. Oh by the, where to?

  The girl’s dorm on campus.

  No need to pull the cord today. I’m stopping right on your corner. I sure would like to know what they did to your face. It would be great to make some kids happy for Christmas.

  This is your stop little lady. Hard Drive helped Linda remove her things from the bus, placed them on the side walk and yelled back to Linda, tell Jack-O I said hello.

  Straight to her storage closet in the basement of her dorm building Linda went to store her belonging, while she ran to the store to get supplies for cleaning and freshening her room.

  At the checkout counter of the store, the cashier recognized Linda, waiting in line two customers back. She couldn’t stop staring at Linda noticing something different about her.

  Hi, the cashier greeted Linda when she was next to check out. What did you do to your face? It looks different. I don’t remember your skin being so perfect. Looks great.

  Linda paid the cashier for her purchase, thanked her speedily for the complement, and off to her dorm room with haste.

  Back at her dorm, Linda noticed a small tail- tail odor of her lament still lingering in her room. She fought the onslaught of bile in her throat while going to the window and opening it to its fullest. The welcoming fresh air not only lessen the grievous smell in the room but relaxed the distressful mode she now found herself.

  The first thing Linda did after opening the window was to arrange the mirror frame in its original place on the wall. Then she decided to deodorize the air with disinfectant spray, using almost the entire can before the odor was tamed. The dark heavy drapes were replaced with bright colored cheery curtains that allowed the sun in easily without a fight.

  But the pillows, the pillows blocked any hope of cheerfulness she tried to bring into the room. The stains from her tears could still be seen along with the blood and ooze of miscarriage envy.

  She tried to remove the pillowcase from the pillow but found the two bonded together.

  Just throw them both away, Linda told herself. Start fresh, this is a new beginning for you.

  Linda stripped her bed of all remaining linen, placed them in a black plastic bag and gave the bag and its contents a speedy burial in the trash dumpster outside. A second trip to the campus department store was now required for new bed coverings.

  A shopping spree! That’s what I need to lift my spirit. Hope they’re having a sale. Maybe something in pale blue to match the curtains. This is going to be fun!

  Linda thought it great that she was getting back to being her old self again. Tomorrow a double ice cream sundae.

  After buying all that was needed for her bed, Linda rushed back to her dorm room, dressed the bed and was totally satisfied with the end result. Beautiful, she said to herself, beautiful just like me.

  Linda took a shower thinking that would be the last thing needed to be done to freshen up the room. She had yet to unpack her large suitcase Sunday brought to her during her recovery, and when she open the suitcase right on top laid the Bible Jack had given to her.

  The Bible was a reminder of what almost happened. Or was it supposed to be a reminder not to let it happen again. In any case it did its job and now she can go on with her life.

  First thing first, how do I get the students on the Student’s Board of Ethics to swing my way? Jack, Ant and Sunday, no, not Sunday, Jack and Ant will speak on my behalf I’m sure. Then there’s the other ten I have to sway. How do I get them to see I am not that destructive monster they thought was a student? How do I convince them I’ve change? How am I going to do this alone? I need help I need Jack.

  Dean Becker, I don’t see a problem here that can’t be fix. If the Student Board of Ethics expel Linda from school, we may not ever be able to reach her. Ever.

  Ms. Eevan, I have been informed of your remarkable assistance you have given to Ms. Laakenworth. But what guarantee do you have that she would not pull another stunt like the last one. Do you understand exactly what happen to Jackson and Cassey?

  Who?

  I mean Jack, sorry, they could have been scarred for life. Isn’t it enough that Jack is a paraplegic and Cassy blind, do they or any student have to worry about having a formula strong as acid thrown in their faces. No Ms. Eevan I have done all I can do. I have already extended myself beyond authority and placed this university in jeopardy of a possible law suit if the mother doesn’t like the way we handle things so far.

  Well how did the Board of Ethics come to know of this problem, Dean?

  Cassy Phillips. Jack did not tell her what his intentions were and she talked to some of her friends. They put two and two together, spied and came up with Linda Laakenworth. When Cassy went to place a formal complaint to the Board, they have to do an inquiry. If from the inquiry they find the student guilty as charged one of three things could happen.

  I know, Ms Eevan interrupted, expel, suspend or probation. All still having a negative outcome when the word gets around.

  Ms. Eevan, the word is already around. That’s how it got to me.

  Now what? Ms.Eevan asked.

&nb
sp; Ms. Laakenworth have only two weeks for the board to gather up any evidence they are going to use during the trail. I suggest she take that time to evaluate her standing with the school.

  Thank you Dean Becker for letting me speak to you unannounced. I’m sorry we couldn’t work anything out on Linda’s behalf. But at least we know where she stands.

  No you don’t.

  What do you mean I don’t know?

  It gets worse. Letters to all the Student Board of Ethics members have been sent out along with a letter to Ms. Laakenworth. The ball have already started rolling and Jack and Anthony may have placed themselves in the line of fire.

  Who?

  Sorry, Ant.

  What on earth do you mean? What are you trying to say?

  Exactly this, Jack and Ant are members of the Student Board of Ethics.

  They will also be questioned about their part in all of this. If they lie their reputation for being fair and impartial will destroy everything the committee stands for. If they tell the truth it may be the end of Linda’s terms at this university.

  What! Ms. Eevan screamed losing her composure. How could Jack let this happen? Surely he knew what this would mean for him if it doesn’t turn out right.

  Why would he do this?

  Jack have received praises from every student he has tutored. His grade average is above 4.4 and with all his goodwill projects he is sure to make Summa Cum Laude. Every Professor on this campus is doing their part to help him make this happen. Do you know what that means for this university?

  I’m not entirely sure.

  It means Ms. Eevan, never in the history of this school have a paraplegic African American kid from the inter-city ever graduated Summa Cum Laude. The press will be all over this story and Jack would have first picking for any job he goes after. This school would become a legend. Jackson will become a legend.

  It may not have been his intention when he came to this university but this was his result of unselfish, unbridled care for his fellow man and himself.

  Now Ms. Eevan, tell me who deserve to be saved.

  I see your point. Jack didn’t know what he was destroying when he tried to stop someone else from destroying their life.