(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women

by Linda Hadaway

  Elvira placed her hand on Jacki’s back, rubbing it lightly. “I’d like to meet her sometime. And the rest of your friends, of course.”

  Jacki turned around. She held a look of apprehension.

  “What?” Elvira asked.

  “If....they don’t accept you, then you must know the engagement is off.”

  In response, Elvira scooped up a handful of water and tossed it in Jacki’s face.

  * * * *

  Meanwhile, Roxy finished cleaning the last room at the motel. She took out the trash and nearly ran into Ebby.

  “He’s back!” Ebby giggled.

  “Who?” Roxy placed the garbage in the container.

  “The Pepsi guy. The cute one.” She took a hold of Roxy’s arm, nearly dragging her to the rail.

  Roxy peered over the edge and sure enough, she saw the driver. He loaded the last crate on the dolly, tilted it back and guided it up the walkway.

  “Go on down there, Roxy. Say ‘hello’ or something.”

  Roxy’s stomach felt jittery. A wave of excitement surged.

  “Go on!”

  “Naw.”

  “I’ll buy you a triple mocha after work.”

  Roxy pondered her dilemma for a moment. She took a deep breath. “I’ll do it!”

  Ebby giggled as Roxy walked past her and down the stairs. Each step caused her legs to feel more like Jello. Still, she continued on. The bottom step took her to the hard concrete floor. She could hear him filling up the pop machine. He would be gone in...maybe a couple of minutes! Roxy reached up, pulling on the tips of her spiked hair. She stuck her hands in her front jean pockets; only the fingers were covered. Roxy stepped around the corner. There he was! That handsome six-foot-something kneeling down in front of the machine.

  “Got a Coke?”

  “No, I only carry...” He looked at Roxy. Her wide grin and blonde/red hair must have taken him by surprise. “Pepsi.”

  “Ya, I know. I thought I’d try though.”

  He stood and brushed off his coveralls. “I’ve seen you before.”

  Roxy leaned against the wall, hoping to hide her trembling body. “I’ve worked here for a few years now.”

  “You must know Miss Louise.”

  Roxy laughed and nodded. “Oh ya,” she waved, “me and Miss Louise go wayyy back.”

  He adjusted a few bottles in the machine. “She seems like a great lady.”

  “Oh, she is.”

  He pulled a bottle out and held it out to Roxy. “On the house.”

  Roxy took a few seconds before taking the soda. “Trying to get me to switch? Do you get bonuses for that?”

  He grinned. Suddenly his face took on a look of seriousness. He pointed to her lip. “Doesn’t that hurt...”

  She touched the stud in her lip. “Not now. It did, of course, when they...”

  He winced. “Why would someone do that?”

  Roxy bristled. “Why does a woman color her hair or a guy get a tattoo. Maybe to be different, feel like an individual.”

  He must have noticed he had bruised her feelings because he quickly backtracked. “I didn’t mean...”

  She locked his stare. She wasn’t backing down.

  His eyebrows furrowed. He seemed puzzled. Seconds later he broke into laughter.

  Roxy crossed her arm in front of her chest defensively, while she still held the bottle.

  “You are absolutely right,” the big man stated.

  Now it was her turn to look surprised when he added, “You are definitely a Coke drinker.”

  Roxy broke into laughter.

  The man picked up his clip board. “BUD” was stitched in red thread above his pocket. In two long strides he stood in front of Roxy. “I gotta go.”

  She had to tilt her head a little to meet his eyes. “Ya. I hav’ta get back to work myself.”

  He nodded his head and walked towards the office. Roxy walked slowly up the stairs, still watching him. Before he entered the office he turned around and waved the clip board in her direction. “Stay away from big magnets!”

  Roxy laughed and ran up the stairs to find Ebby.

  * * * *

  Roxy was still feeling the “high” of her flirtations with the Pepsi guy; however pulling into her mother’s driveway, the good feelings dissipated, over taken by the dark clouded emotions that seemed to take over her being whenever she was at this house.

  “He’s dead,” she commented out loud to herself before getting out of the car. Roxy began to feel resentment towards her mother. She had felt so happy a few minutes ago.

  She’s your mom. Get over it.

  Roxy walked to the steps and knocked.

  Her mother called out, “Come on in, Roxy. I’m doing laundry.”

  Roxy opened the door, laughing. “How did you know it was me?”

  Madeline answered from the small enclosure off the kitchen. “No one else comes to visit me.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Roxy walked towards the laundry room. Her mother was leaning over the washing machine.

  “It’s true. Ned’s friends used to come over, but not anymore.” She placed the last article of clothing into the dryer, stood up and turned the machine on.

  Roxy closed her eyes and sighed. “You have your friends in the neighborhood.”

  “No one visited yesterday. Not one phone call to see if I was alive or dead.”

  Roxy gritted her teeth. “You could take some initiative and get out more. They have lots of activities at the Senior Center.”

  Madeline walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. “Those people are all old! Pour me a cup of coffee, will you?”

  Roxy did as asked and got herself a cup too. Setting her mother’s cup in front of her, she suddenly noticed the thing on the table and backed up. Her hands trembled. “Mom. Is that what I think it is?” She pointed to the ceramic urn taking its place in the middle of the table. A home-made doily sat underneath.

  Madeline reached over and affectionately caressed the side of the jar. “Yes. That’s Ned. He does give me comfort.”

  “I thought you were...doing something with it.”

  Madeline turned to her, “I am. I’m keeping it here.” She faced the urn. “I think he looks nice here. He’s my little centerpiece.” She giggled. “Ned would just die if he knew.”

  Roxy could only stare at the urn, sitting on the table. She felt an urge to swipe it off the table, let it crash on the floor. But then...his ashes might fill the air. She could breathe some of him in. The ultimate violation!

  “Sit down, honey, and tell me what you’ve been doing.”

  “Just working, Mom.”

  Madeline leaned towards her. “Honey, can you loan me thirty dollars?”

  “Huh?” Roxy asked, still trying to get over the fact her dead uncle was still taking up space in the house.

  Madeline reached up, and ran her fingers through her hair. “I need a permanent. I need to go to the beauty salon.” She stared at Roxy for a moment. However, Roxy’s eyes remained staring at the urn. “Roxy, didn’t you hear me?”

  Roxy blinked twice before she nodded and reached into her hand bag. She pulled out a twenty and a ten. Only a few ones remained. She handed the cash to her mother and gave her a quick hug. She couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

  “I gotta go, Mom.”

  “Roxy, you just got here!”

  “I have a second job to go to, Mom. I just stopped to say hello.”

  Madeline pouted. “Oh, Baby. I’m sorry you have to work two jobs! Thank you for the money!” She looked at the cash and spoke under her breath. “Maybe Cory and I can go play bingo Friday night.”

  Roxy walked to her car. Hate and disgust bubbled up inside of her like an erupting volcano. Every time I go to that house, he will be there. The thought burst forth a new wave of rage. Roxy leaned her head back and let out a loud scream, like some crazy banshee. The scream lasted several seconds. Roxy took a moment trying to ground herself. She got into her car when her mother opened the
door.

  “Roxy, did you hear something?”

  Roxy shook her head. “No, Mom. Not a thing.”

  Madeline looked up and down the street, frowning. She began to slowly close the door, hesitated for a moment, peering at Roxy one more time before she shut it.

  Roxy picked up her phone and tried Madison. No answer. She paused for a few seconds. She punched in Sunday’s number. She answered on the second ring.

  “I can’t ever go to Mom’s again.”

  “What happened now?” Sunday inquired.

  Roxy sat in her car and told the story of Crazy Madeline and the Uncle that would not leave. After ending the call, Roxy drove to her second job.

  * * * *

  Sunday poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at her dining room table. The thought of Roxy having to look at the urn every time she went to her mother’s house caused her stomach to roll. “Crazy old bat.”

  She knew it was senseless talking to her Aunt Madeline. She simply “wouldn’t get it.” Could she go for a visit and accidentally knock it over on the floor and hope it would break into a million pieces? Sunday peered into the dark steaming liquid in her cup. Magically the answer came to her. She lifted her head in laughter.

  * * * *

  Madison and Princess lay in bed watching television, waiting for Roxy’s arrival. She had called earlier, giving her the “news of the day,” and asked if she could spend the night.

  Roxy didn’t bother knocking when she arrived. She walked into Madison’s bedroom and sat her overnight bag down and plopped at the foot of the bed.

  “Watching anything important?”

  “No. Just another reality TV series.” She lifted the remote and clicked it off. “Gotcha something.” She tossed a small wrapped box to Roxy.

  She opened it quickly and smiled when she saw the key.

  “I figured you might as well have your own. Just know you may find Justin here.”

  “You guys seem to be hitting it off pretty good.”

  “No problems yet. I keep waiting for the shoe to drop.”

  Roxy raised her eyebrows in question.

  “Things are too fine. It makes me nervous.”

  Roxy laughed. “He may surprise you.”

  “Ya. We’ll see.”

  Roxy sighed. “I need to ask you something.”

  “Shoot.”

  “When I was at Mom’s today, she borrowed the last of my cash and now I don’t have any gas money.”

  “You can’t tell her ‘no,’ can you?”

  Roxy shrugged her shoulders.

  “Sure. I’ll write you a check in the morning.”

  “I was hoping I could wait until payday and do my pay day loan thing...”

  “What’s that?”

  Roxy explained.

  Madison tightened her lips. “That’s a lot of money you have to pay back.”

  Roxy shrugged again.

  “You need an accountant.”

  “I need a third job.”

  “You shouldn’t have to work yourself to death, Roxy.”

  “It is what it is.”

  * * * *

  The next morning, Madison wrote Roxy the check. She held it out to her. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”

  “I’m not selling you my body.”

  “A different proposition. Come over the day before payday and I will loan you the money for your loan...and charge you twenty-five dollars less. I’ll still make a profit and you will save money. It will help you get out of the hole faster.”

  Roxy pondered the idea before nodding. “Sounds good to me.”

  “There’s more.”

  “Oh...”

  “You bring your bills over the first of every month and I will help you budget for the month.”

  Roxy frowned at that comment.

  “Or...” Madison paused for a moment. “You could get another job.”

  Roxy reached up, slapping the sides of her head. “All right! Just don’t get so OCD about it.”

  Madison laughed. “You quit abusing yourself and I’ll try to not worry about the pennies when we balance your check book.”

  * * * *

  Sunday sat at the office desk. Watching out the window, she saw Duffy drive away in one of the work trucks. She picked up the phone book and found the number she was searching for.

  Sunday pondered her plan once again before dialing. Seconds later her call was answered.

  “Mr. Jones, I have an unusual request.”

  Chapter 14

  Later that week, Sunday drove to her aunt’s house. Before she could knock on the door, Madeline had jerked it open and threw her arms around her tightly. “I’m so glad you came. I hardly ever have visitors anymore since Ned is gone.”

  Except he’s not, Sunday thought.

  Madeline glanced at the oversized designer bag on Sunday’s arm.

  “My goodness! Is that your purse?”

  Sunday laughed. “It’s the fashion now, Aunt Madeline.”

  “I would think you’d have back problems, carrying that around all day.” She turned and trotted into the kitchen and poured two cups of coffee, bringing them to the table.

  Sunday followed Madeline. Her eyes went directly to the table. There sat the flowered urn.

  Madeline sat down. “Have a seat.” She must have noticed Sunday staring at the ceramic bell-shaped jar. “It’s Ned. I couldn’t think of him locked up in one of the tiny rooms, or where ever they put them. And I didn’t think he’d like to be underground. This was his favorite place to be. Right there in the chair you’re sitting in.” She smiled broadly.

  Sunday squirmed in her chair. “How nice,” she offered politely. She took a sip of the coffee. It tasted pee-warm and old. She smiled again and reached in her bag, pulling out a small box. “I saw Momma last week. She asked about you, and during our conversation she mentioned I should give this to you. I bought it for her a few years ago.” Lie. “She wanted you to have it. She doesn’t have much use for jewelry these days.”

  Madeline opened the box. “Oh...it’s...very pretty! Help me put it on.” She held the necklace up towards Sunday.

  Sunday walked over and fastened the hook. “Go look at it in the mirror.”

  Madeline got up, her hand touching the necklace on her chest, and walked into the living room and around the corner.

  Once out of sight, Sunday stepped quickly to her bag, unwrapped the large urn from a towel and set it on the table. She placed the other one back into her bag, covering it with the towel. She reached over and re-centered the urn.

  “What are you doing?” Madeline accused.

  Sunday felt herself jump from fright. She stood up, her hands dropped to her sides. “I was wondering, you know, if you can ‘feel’ Ned, inside?”

  Madeline grinned. “I think so. I touch it often myself.” She walked over and caressed it. She frowned.

  Sunday’s heart gave a jump. “What is it?”

  “He feels so cold.”

  Oh, crap. Her house was colder than her aunt’s. Sunday touched it. It didn’t feel any different to her. Still... “Madeline. You did say this was his favorite chair. Maybe he’s upset... That I was sitting in it.” She took a chair closer to her aunt and sat down.

  Madeline’s eyes grew large. “I think so. Come to think of it, that same thing happened when Cory was here last night. He sat in Ned’s chair. I’m going to make sure no one sits there ever again.”

  Sunday waved her hand out, palm up. “There you go.”

  Madeline sipped her coffee. “I wish Roxy would come over more often.”

  Sunday smiled. “Hopefully, she can.” Maybe with Ned gone she’ll want to come over more often. “She is working two jobs, you know.”

  “Yes. It’s a shame. I hope she can learn to budget her money better.”

  Sunday bit her tongue.

  * * * *

  Later that evening Sunday called Madison. “We need to have a pow-wow. I’m thinking Saturday afternoon when Roxy is don
e at the motel, unless Jacki has a job that day. Find out, will you? We can meet at the Iron Skillet.”

  “Sure. Sounds good. What up anyway?”

  Sunday explained and Madison began to laugh so hard, Princess jumped off of her lap, sat on the floor and stared at her crazy master.

  * * * *

  At two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, at the down-home restaurant, Madison sat next to Roxy. She was on pins and needles, wanting to share “the plan” with her. The entrance door opened, causing a bell to ring. Jacki walked in, followed by a young woman that Madison presumed was Elvira. Jacki wore her usual jeans and t-shirt. Elvira wore a flowing long skirt and a white peasant blouse, accented by a layered beaded necklace. Dangling bracelets hung from her wrist. They picked chairs across from Madison and Roxy, sitting so close to each other, it was obvious they were a couple. Jacki did the introductions.

  Roxy offered her hand. “I was beginning to wonder if you were a figment of Jacki’s imagination.”

  “Sometimes fantasies are better than the genuine article,” Elvira commented.

  “That’s a fact.” Roxy grinned.

  “I’ve heard so much about you all, it’s nice to actually put a face to the name.”

  Madison piped up. “You’ll have to come over next time we have a girl’s night.”

  Elvira glanced at Jacki.

  “Sure,” Jacki answered, seemingly for both of them.

  The bell rang again. Sunday came through the door. For a few seconds, a quietness filled the restaurant, like an unspoken hush within the crowd. One older man froze, his fork halfway to his mouth.

  Roxy leaned towards Elvira. “She always has that effect on people, especially men.”

  Elvira turned her head in the direction of Sunday and back again. “I can see why—she’s beautiful!”

  Jacki placed her arm on the back of Elvira’s chair. The motion didn’t go unnoticed. Elvira patted Jacki’s arm. “I didn’t say she was my type, just beautiful.”

  Jacki grinned. “I think you’d have to grow a body part before Sunday would be interested in you anyway.”

  Sunday sat at the end of the table, placing her large bag at her feet.

  Roxy pointed. “I hope you’re not moving out with that. Although it’s so friggin big, you probably got half your belongings in there.”