She opened the pantry and pulled out a pouch of salmon. Then, she hobbled to the refrigerator and withdrew a head of Romaine lettuce. Allegra didn’t have fattening foods in her cabinets, but she was a caffeine addict. There were several bags of Godiva Premium Roast coffee in the pantry.
A wistful sigh escaped Mariah. She wanted KFC, but lettuce and salmon would have to do.
Anthony put his hands on his hips, unconvinced. “You say that a lot.”
Breaking off a few leaves, Mariah limped to the sink to rinse them off. She made her way to the marble island, where she’d set up a tray, utensils, a cutting board, and a bottle of raspberry vinaigrette dressing. “What?”
Anthony dropped his hands and approached, stopping at the other side of the island. “I’m fine.”
Mariah’s brow arched, but she didn’t look at him. She rolled the lettuce on the cutting board. She held the leaves in place with her right hand…and picked up the knife with her left. “What the –?”
The blade disappeared from her hand and she was gently, but steadily, shifted to the side.
“Have a seat,” Anthony directed as he cut the lettuce into various sizes. He didn’t even spare her a glance.
Mariah grasped the edge of the counter with her good hand. Her eyes blazed with outrage and the knuckles of her fingers strained against the skin. “Did you just push me?”
#
She was giving him a good reason to kiss her, Anthony thought as he sliced the lettuce. For some reason Mariah felt she had something to prove by stumbling around the kitchen with a bum ankle and wrist, and that really pissed him off. The only advantage was the view. A tank top outlined small breasts and her shorts emphasized the dip in her waist that flared into shapely hips. She wasn’t a gym junkie, but she did some form of exercise, a treadmill or an elliptical machine, because her legs were toned and nicely-shaped, the calves not too skinny or too thick.
“First, if I had pushed you, you’d be sliding across the floor,” he shot back with returning impatience. Anthony opened the pouch of salmon onto the lettuce, and put the plate and fork on the tray. He locked his hands around the edge of the counter and leaned closer, matching her glower. “Second, only a fool would sit back and let you use a knife with your weak hand.”
Maintaining eye contact, he reached for the salad dressing and opened it.
Mariah ripped the bottle out of his hand, throwing words at him like stones. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be, like a job?”
A bright mockery invaded Anthony’s stare and his comeback was sarcastic. “Thanks to my savings and the dot com boom, no. And if you’d stop being hardheaded, you’d get off that leg.”
Mariah met his unwavering stare with one of her own. “I can pour my own dressing,” she snapped, giving the salad a squirt before slamming the bottle on the counter without blinking, “and my leg is my business, not yours. I’ll get off of it when I’m good and ready. Mr. Caine.” Mariah grabbed the tray and attempted a dignified shuffle out of the kitchen.
After Mariah hobbled upstairs, Anthony could’ve banged his head against a wall. He didn’t mean for things to get heated. He just wanted to help.
A glimmer of amusement broke through his exasperation. Yes, Mariah’s stubbornness got under his skin, but her temper aroused him even more. Beneath her aloof exterior was a fiery spirit, and Anthony wanted to know what else she was hiding.
#
After Anthony left, Mariah finished her salad and moved the tray aside. She was so incensed that she forgot to grab a cup of apple juice. Now she had to trudge downstairs, clean her dishes and get one, but that was okay.
She’d be fine.
Shortly after the argument with Anthony, Mariah called Gran D and promised to visit in a few days. Later that night, Anthony called, but she let him go to voicemail.
Mariah knew it was juvenile. She could’ve answered his call and been civil about it, but he couldn’t try to boss her around and then expect her to speak to him.
The next morning Mariah put on an apricot sundress and white flip flops. Then she called her mother and they talked for about fifteen minutes.
When Mariah hung up, she made her way to the stairs, and Allegra’s bedroom drew her gaze.
Mariah knew she should start clearing it out, but her injuries – and her misgivings about entering her dead sister’s room – impeded the task, so she headed downstairs. She knew she had to clean it out soon, regardless of her feelings. She had to put the house on the market and return to her life. She wanted to be back at work when the summer semester began.
Her career had been her rock for the past six years, ever since she left Terry. Heartbroken, Mariah determined that work was the one dependable aspect of her life, and she focused on it with frightening deliberation, teaching numerous classes on-site and online and attending the faculty meetings. Unlike some colleges and universities, where professors were expected to focus on writing and publishing papers, Mariah concentrated on teaching and advising students. Her exemplary attendance and single-mindedness rewarded her, and she became the youngest Associate Professor of Biology at the community college in Teaneck almost two years ago. The climb hadn’t always been easy. She faced racial and gender bias along the way.
Mariah stepped out onto the large deck and admired the clear, warm day. The deck had steps that led down to a spacious backyard. A fence surrounded the property on three sides, separating it from neighbors and tall trees on the trail. The backyard, along with several others, rested high on a hill that sloped downward at a steep angle toward the well-used trail. Mariah soaked in the sun for a few minutes before going back inside.
The following morning a plaguing sensation swept over her.
Despite the soothing shower, the warm bowl of oatmeal mixed with honey and brown sugar and the tall mug of hot chocolate that delighted her taste buds, Mariah couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was coming.
Without warning, Mariah’s thoughts turned to a Memorial Day weekend when she was young. In her mind’s eye, she could see herself, her parents and Allegra at a park near their home. She remembered the emotional and physical distance between her parents and knew something was wrong.
Soon after, her parents broke up.
Shoving the memory away, Mariah headed upstairs to get dressed, but she couldn’t get rid of the chill that rattled her.
Later, Mariah went to check the mail. Today’s weather was cooler than yesterday, so she put on a light jacket. As she turned toward the house, a gold Toyota RAV4 pulled up and her brows came together.
Thomasina stopped the car and rolled down the window. “Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Her tone was apologetic.
“No,” Mariah replied. “Not at all.” Truth be told, she did feel a bit.
You know who you could call to remedy that, came a sly voice inside her head. Mariah bit her lip and kicked the thought to the curb.
Though Mariah was surprised by Thomasina’s visit, she stepped back, allowing the taller woman entry. Thomasina looked plain and worn out in her beige shorts, a white T-shirt and tennis sneakers. A neutral purse hung over her shoulder.
“I called Ms. Della to see if she needed anything and she told me about your accident. Since I’m working from home – I’m a web designer − I had to stop by. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
“Thanks.” Mariah closed the door. “I appreciate that, but I’m fine. Just a mild concussion, some bruises, a strained wrist and ankle.” She held up her bandaged wrist. “I wanted to start packing Allegra’s clothes, but I’ll have to wait a few more days. Allegra wanted me to take them to Mimi’s Closet. Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll have time for that.”
“Oh.” Thomasina’s eyes took in her surroundings before returning to Mariah’s. “Well, don’t hesitate to call me when you need help packing. I can take them to Mimi’s for you, too.”
“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that.”
Mariah extended a hand toward the kitchen. “
Would you like something to drink? I’ve made some sweet tea.”
Thomasina inclined her head in a gesture of thanks. “Sure.”
Mariah surveyed her. “You don’t look well.”
Thomasina’s shoulders lifted in resignation. “I haven’t had much of an appetite the past several days.”
Mariah nodded with understanding. Allegra’s death had ruined her appetite, too. Thomasina followed her into the kitchen. Mariah retrieved a tan pitcher from the refrigerator.
“Oh, I can get it,” Thomasina offered, putting her purse on the table.
“It’s no problem,” Mariah reassured her, but Thomasina was already on the job, pulling out glasses from the cabinet.
Thomasina looked comfortable as she moved around the kitchen, and it made Mariah feel out of place, like a guest instead of a hostess. She poured the tea, placed the glasses and the pitcher on the table and took a seat across from her.
“Thanks,” Mariah said as Thomasina handed over a glass.
Silence was their friend for a little while as they sipped their beverages.
Mariah was the first to speak. “Did you know Allegra well?” she asked.
Thomasina cupped the cold glass in both hands. “As well as can be, I suppose. She and Thomas have dated off and on over the years, and he’s had a lot of women, but she’s the only one he fell hard for.”
“Allegra had that effect on men.”
“Yes. They were a stunning couple, but when Thomas said he was going to propose to her,” Thomasina’s voice dropped to an incredulous whisper as she leaned forward, “I couldn’t believe it. I’m his twin; he usually tells me stuff first.”
“Who’s older?”
“He is, by three minutes.”
“I thought so.”
Thomasina sat back and sent Mariah a knowing look. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. He’s so…”
“In-your-face?”
Mariah nodded. “Yes, but so was Allegra.”
“But she was more charming about it.” Thomasina sighed with acceptance. “My brother always commanded attention, even when we were kids.” She got up and retrieved a napkin out of one of the drawers.
Mariah watched Thomasina. “That’s a hard thing to live with.”
“Not really.” Thomasina sat. “Attention isn’t always positive.”
Mariah paused for a moment. “Did you speak to or see Allegra before she died?”
“We were supposed to go shopping before she left for Nassau, but she left a message to cancel. I’ve known her to come home from trips a few days early just because she got bored. She was energetic and friendly, but there was something about her that kept people at a distance.”
Mariah nodded in agreement. She also had a mean streak that underpinned her dynamic personality, something Mariah could never handle or soften.
Allegra was twelve, and Mariah had just turned nine. It was the first week of summer and school had just let out. Mariah and Solé were playing Double Dutch with two other girls in front of her house on Berry Street when Allegra and three other girls approached them.
“We’re going to Carla’s house to watch movies and play with makeup. You want to come with us, Mariah?”
Delightfully shocked, Mariah accepted. Allegra never wanted to spend time with her, and except for Solé and Mark, Mariah didn’t have a lot of friends. When she wasn’t hanging out with them, she often spent time at the ‘Y’ or reading books. Mariah turned to Solé. “You want to come?”
“She’s not invited.” Allegra pointed to her sister’s best friend as though she were diseased-ridden with the pox.
Mariah felt her smile fade as she turned toward Allegra – whose expression held a note of derision – before returning her gaze to Solé, who shot Allegra a withering glance. It was no secret that the two girls didn’t like each other, and Mariah didn’t understand why.
“But…she’s my best friend.”
“It’s me…or her.” Allegra’s dark eyes blazed down into Mariah’s, sparkling as though she was playing a game. Mariah transferred her gaze between her best friend and big sister. She hesitated, torn between conflicting emotions. What should she do? She and Solé spent a lot of time together. Allegra wanted to spend time with her now.
“Okay.” Mariah heard her voice, stifled and unnatural. In the end, Mariah found herself voted out of the club a half hour later. Allegra and her friends were going to try on makeup and have pizza and decided that Mariah wasn’t worthy enough of their company after all…
The worst part was that Allegra voted against her, too. Mariah suspected that her sister planned to humiliate her all along. With her mother’s help, she and Solé reconciled, but Mariah was always wary of Allegra after that.
“Are you okay?” Thomasina asked.
Mariah shut her eyes for a moment. “Yes. Why?”
“You looked like you were in another world for a minute.”
“Just trying not to be overwhelmed by the responsibility Allegra left me,” Mariah lied.
“I heard, and I don’t envy you. Well, Ms. Della said that you’d heal fast with Anthony helping you out.”
Mariah nodded with a taut jerk of her head. “Speaking of Anthony, I didn’t realize you two were first cousins.”
Dark brown eyes magnified behind tawny glasses. “Oh. Yes. He came to live with us after Grandmother Lilly died. He was ten.”
“I gather that he and Thomas were never the best of friends.” Mariah waited, analyzing Thomasina’s reaction.
Uncertainty crept into the other woman’s expression. “No. I guess two strong personalities are bound to clash, especially when they’re the same sex. My dad tried to mentor Anthony, but Thomas didn’t like to share…never did….and Mother was always on his side. Then there was puberty. You know how that is.” Thomasina faltered. “I-I felt bad for him, growing up the way he did, losing his mother. He was close to our grandmother and after she was gone, coming to live with us was…an adjustment,” she added. Thomasina downed the rest of her tea, cleared her throat and pushed back the chair. She snatched up her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “I’d better get back to work. Thanks for the tea. If you need any help, just call.”
Thomasina’s edginess made Mariah’s want to question the woman further, but she stopped herself. She walked Thomasina out. “Thanks for stopping by.” The woman gave Mariah a quick, nervous smile and wave and hurried to her car. As Anthony’s cousin drove away, Thomasina’s agitation increased Mariah’s curiosity about Anthony, despite the warning in her head that urged her to mind her business.
Mariah closed the door with more force than necessary. The man wasn’t here and he still managed to get under her skin.
Later that night, Mariah ordered Chinese take-out. She plopped herself in front of the plasma TV that hung high on the living room wall, elevated her ankle on the table and settled back against the couch. As Mariah proceeded to enjoy her meal, she thought she heard a dog bark, but ignored it.
Then a large rock crashed through the kitchen door window.
#
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Kevin’s light brown eyes darkened with concern and anger
“I’m fine. I was nowhere near the glass.” Mariah sat down on the bed. “It was probably a prank,” she reasoned.
The broken window triggered the alarm, sending the neighbors’ dogs into a barking frenzy. A representative from the alarm company called within minutes to make sure she was okay and then notified the police. While they were en route, Mariah had called Kevin while packing a few things. There was no way she was staying there tonight. After she filed a police report, she and Kevin went to his place, a sizeable two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse off Six Forks Road near I-540.
Kevin’s right eye twitched. “Breaking someone’s window isn’t a prank. It’s vandalism.”
Apprehension slithered through Mariah, but she clamped down on it. “I’m fine,” she insisted.
#
Mean
while, Fury worked off excess energy by pacing around the room, eyes filled with contempt. Throwing that rock through the window should have sent the perfect message: Allegra St. Cloud couldn’t screw with people and get away with it.
#
An hour later, Mariah’s eyes were still wide open. As she stared into the dark, images and the sound of the rock crashing through the window kept replaying in her head.
She thought she heard Kevin nearby and got out of bed, ambling across the carpet. When Mariah reached the door and cracked it, she heard the frustration in his voice from his bedroom down the hall. The door was partially open.
“No, Mia, I can’t. Because I’ve got a family emergency, and that takes precedence right now. Listen, I’ll call you tomorrow night, alright? Mia, come on—” The woman must’ve hung up, because Mariah heard Kevin curse.
#
“Another late meeting?”
He was halfway out of his tie when her voice startled him, causing him to glance in her direction.
“Yes.” His eyes never left his wife’s. If he were a timid man, he’d feel impaled by her gaze. Fortunately, he’d learned to cultivate a casual façade, even when he was lying. He finished unknotting his tie and chose his words. “We’ve got a meeting with a potential client on Thursday, had to work out some kinks.”
He set the briefcase down and placed his keys on the table beside the door.
The line of her mouth tightened. She didn’t believe him.
His eyes swept over her face. Things weren’t always like this between them. They’d been happy for a while, a long time ago. He looked at her and still saw the beautiful, young girl she’d been. At forty-eight, his wife was still youthful-looking, even with the few tiny lines around her eyes, but she’d lost her spark, and some of that was his fault.
He still loved her, and he never meant to hurt her. But after three decades of marriage, he’d fallen in love with another woman.
#
She watched her husband with a withering stare. They had been married thirty years. He’d been unfaithful twenty-five of them, but the encounters were always short and meaningless. She put up with his infidelity because she’d loved him since they were nineteen and broke, she loved the lifestyle he provided, and he still desired her whenever she was in the mood – which wasn’t often. Her sex drive had dwindled after she delivered a stillborn son twenty-four years ago, and they drifted apart after that. She told herself that he had to satisfy his sexual appetite somehow, and as long as he used protection, she could live with his cheating.
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