(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women

by Linda Hadaway

  Madison chuckled. “It’s way too early in the morning for all this nonsense!”

  Roxy pointed the pencil towards Justin. “What are you doing Saturday? It’s our cleaning day and we need all the help we can get.”

  “Cleaning here?”

  “No. We pick up trash around Clear Lake. We spend two to three hours. Afterwards, Madison puts on a barbecue and we have a picnic. We start at nine. Can you bring a box of those big black plastic garbage bags?”

  Justin shrugged. “Sure, why not? Since I’ve now been able to sleep with two women, I have no other goals to accomplish in my life.” He ducked as the plastic salt shaker flew over his head.

  * * * *

  Saturday morning Jacki grabbed two of the hardhats Sunday was passing out. She handed one to Elvira.

  “Do I have to wear this? It will mess up my hair.”

  Jacki laughed. “Better your hair than your brains. We had a car load of teenagers drive by one time and they threw a beer bottle. Just missed Sunday’s head by inches. So ever since then...”

  “I got it,” Elvira stated, slapping the hardhat down upon her head.

  Jacki leaned close to her. “You still look very pretty, my dear.” She cackled like an old witch.

  “Hey, lesbo,” Cory called out, walking up to the women.

  Elvira’s eyes opened wide.

  Jacki yelled back, “Ya, pencil dick. Whaddya want?”

  Cory made a fist, with his thumb sticking out, and jerked his arm, pointing in Roxy’s direction behind him. “Couldn’t you talk her outta this for today? I didn’t get to bed until four.”

  “Big gig last night?” Roxy inquired.

  “Ya. It was sweet.” He glanced in Elvira’s direction. “You Elvira?”

  She nodded.

  Cory stuck out his hand. “Glad to meetcha. Don’t know what you’re doing with her though.” He grinned.

  Jacki explained, “Cory is Roxy’s brother.”

  “Oh. Roxy seems to be an old soul,” Elvira stated.

  Cory blinked twice, but said nothing for a moment. He glanced towards his sister and back to Jacki. “You been to Mom’s since the funeral?”

  “No, actually I haven’t.”

  “She’s crazier than I thought. Did Roxy tell you about the urn?”

  Elvira smiled and nodded. Jacki held back her grin.

  “She sits at the table talking to that damn thing. Spooky,” he said and shivered.

  Jacki kept her face solemn. “If it makes her happy...”

  “Hey,” Madison yelled. “Cory, if you don’t get busy, I won’t cook you any oysters.”

  “Damn! ’Bye, Ladies,” Cory replied. He picked up a black garbage bag and began to pick up trash along the road.

  They worked their way to the other side of town. By noon they were done. Cory boasted at the seventy-eight cents he found.

  Roxy waved a wrench. “This is my lucky treasure.”

  “I’ll give you the cash for the tool,” Cory offered.

  Roxy shook her head no, shoving the wrench in her back pocket.

  Elvira fretted over loose threads in her blouse, caused by a clinging blackberry vine.

  Jacki opened her mouth. “I...”

  Elvira snapped, “Don’t even say, ‘I told you so’. Next time I’ll wear an old shirt like you recommended.”

  Jacki smiled. “I was only going to say I was sorry you tore your blouse.”

  Big John, Madison’s dad, drove up in his four-wheel drive pick up. “Throw it on,” he said gruffly.

  Roxy threw in a bag of garbage. “I thought you weren’t helping this year?”

  “People should pick up after themselves; I could be home in my recliner watching a game.”

  “You’re coming to the barbeque, aren’tcha?”

  “Might as well get something outta this,” he grumbled.

  * * * *

  While Madison was in the shower, Roxy built a small fire in the round pit in the back yard. She used some cedar for the kindling and small pieces of dried alder.

  “What’s taking you so long?” Big John growled while he cranked up the barbeques. The two grills sat side by side. The oysters would cook on one, while the other would hold hamburgers and hotdogs.

  “Oh, stuff it!” Roxy responded. She lit the small wad of newspaper tucked tightly under the cedar. Roxy sat back on her haunches, watching the flame grow.

  “I’m done in the shower,” Madison yelled out the back door.

  Roxy turned and saw the wave of her pink bathrobe before the door slid shut.

  * * * *

  “Go on and clean up. I’ll watch the fire,” Big John offered.

  “Okay. Thanks.” Roxy walked into the house, picking up her bag of clean clothes she had brought with her and headed for the bathroom.

  By the time she was done, the fire in the pit was going strong. Madison sat out her lounge chairs, circling the fire. The smell of the fire reminded Roxy of camping. She’d have to remember to ask Madison about that. They hadn’t planned a trip yet.

  “Will you go to the shed and grab a couple more chairs?” Madison called out.

  Roxy nodded and headed that way. Before she got half way there, a loud motor caused her to turn. Justin drove his diesel pickup through the grass and parked it. He waved and got out of his vehicle, toting a case of Bud Light Lime.

  “Party time?” she asked, grinning.

  “I worked up a sweat picking up all that garbage.”

  Roxy looked him up and down. “Did you take a shower or just change clothes?”

  “Do you think I’d let dirt rest on this perfect body?”

  Roxy rolled her eyes and continued into the garage to find the chairs. Locating them quickly, she carried them back toward the pit.

  Justin stood by the barbeque talking to Big John when he leaned down and picked up a raw oyster shell out of the netted bag. He sliced the shell in half and dropped the raw creature in his mouth.

  “Madison! Your boyfriend is disgusting. That’s enough to gag a maggot!”

  Madison laughed. “Can you put the pop in the ice chest? I’ll get some more ice.”

  “Work! Work! Work!” Roxy grumbled, grinning all the way into the house.

  It wasn’t long before the rest of the company showed up. Cory offered to cook a hotdog over the fire for Elvira. She accepted.

  “Hey, Jacki!” Big John hollered.

  “Yes, Madison’s papa?”

  “You bring any Jello shots?”

  “Yes. They’re in the fridge.”

  “Would you bring me a couple?”

  Jacki feigned a sigh. “I suppose, since you are cooking and all. Remember, I want my hamburger dead!”

  Big John laughed. He turned the hamburgers. The sizzling grease caused the flames to shoot up high. He leaned back when he flipped the next burger.

  Jacki brought out a plate of the gelatin squares. She had mixed the gelatin with alcohol instead of water. The fruit squares were highly potent. Big John popped one in his mouth.

  “Mmmm. Good.”

  “Who’s the designated driver today?”

  “Sunday offered.”

  “It might take all of ya to throw me in the truck if I have many of these.”

  “We’ll get you home, safe.”

  Big John chuckled, turning the burgers again.

  * * * *

  Madison was standing close to the fire when Justin walked up and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Looks like everyone’s having a great time.”

  She nodded in agreement.

  “I have a lot of fun when I’m with you.”

  Madison nodded. “Same here.”

  He pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. “I like you a lot. I think you’re growing on me.”

  Madison smiled. “Like a big wart?”

  He laughed. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind. More like...you’re taking up a space in my little ole’ heart.”

  Madison felt her heart pick up a pace. A wave
of delight washed over her. She felt her face grow warm and knew it wasn’t from the fire in the pit, but in her heart. He probably doesn’t mean it. She placed her arm around him anyway.

  * * * *

  The following night, Madison sat at her dining room table with Roxy, going over her budget.

  “This is better than last month.”

  “Well, it damn well better be! I’m working two jobs.”

  “If this continues, you’ll only have to borrow money from me for another month or two.”

  “Yeah. And thanks again. It helps with you giving me a break in what they would be charging.”

  “You don’t have any allowance for clothes or extras.”

  Roxy sighed. “That’s because I don’t have any left for that.”

  “Next month. Let’s see how it goes.”

  “With summer coming on, I’ll have more hours at the motel.”

  “Good. And when you’re all caught up, we are going to make a savings account. I want you to be able to budget a little away every month into that.”

  “A savings account? That’s beyond my wildest dreams!”

  Madison, knowing her friend was being facetious teasing her, reached over and pushed her off her chair.

  Chapter 17

  Roxy was finishing up at the motel when she saw Bud drive up in the Pepsi truck. She quickly decided it was a good time to pick up some clean sheets from the laundry. She secretly hoped he would notice her. She whistled a tune crossing the driveway and walking past the pop machine. Her heart skipped a beat when she walked toward the alcove. She continued walking, turning into the laundry area. He didn’t notice. Or...want to.

  She gathered up an arm load of sheets and headed back the same way. Her body tingled with anticipation. She was almost to the doorway. Now, she was visible in the opening. Don’t look! Keep going. Her heart seemed to sink. She passed it. Now, her steps slower. What if he didn’t see me?

  “Hey, Roxy?”

  She nearly jumped with joy. Instead, she stopped and turned slowly, trying to appear surprised.

  “Oh. It’s you. Hello. Bud...isn’t it?”

  “Yes. I was looking for the manager...” He looked toward the office.

  “Oh. Let me ask Meredith. She’s in the front, working the desk today. Caroline had to take the day off.”

  Bud followed her into the lobby. Meredith looked up from the counter when they entered. Bud turned. “Thank you, Roxy.”

  “Sure,” Roxy answered. She went back to her tasks, happy to have laid her eyes on that handsome man one more time. That night, she let herself fantasize about Bud. His strong arms, picking her up and carrying her off.

  * * * *

  Monday morning, Madison was working at her desk when one of her co-workers set a vase of fresh flowers on her desk. “The florist just brought these. Somebody must like you...” Her brown eyes twinkled with her grin. “Who are they from?”

  Madison looked over the spring bouquet: white daisies, yellow roses, Peruvian lilies and green button poms. A small envelope was tucked under a yellow rose bud. “My Girl.” Madison smiled and felt warmth spread to her face. She was so surprised that her hands even shook a little as she pried the card out.

  To a woman who knows how to pick up trash and put on a great barbeque!

  Your guy.

  Madison touched her finger to her lips. She felt light and giddy. It had been along time since a man had sent her flowers!

  “What did the card say?” her friend asked.

  Madison hesitated before handing the card over. She felt self conscious about the “picking up trash,” line. She understood his sense of humor, but if you didn’t know Justin...

  Her friend glanced up after reading the card. Her eyebrows rose in question. “Did you clean his house?”

  “Oh, no!” Madison laughed. She explained about her annual cleaning party. By now, two other women had walked over, curious about the flowers.

  * * * *

  “Thank U 4 flowers,” Madison texted on her cell. She pushed, “Send.”

  She reached over and lightly touched a daisy petal. Why did this seem so special to her? Her attraction to him was great. It was stronger than she had felt for a man in a long, long time. The more she cared for him, the harder it would be to have to let go of him. And that time would come. It always did. She could begin to push him away now, before the feeling became too intense. Before the thought of letting him go would cause her to think she would simply die without him. But she wouldn’t die. She would continue on, like she always did. She would enjoy the time they had together. Besides, I’m not in love with him. I’m not.

  Chapter 18

  After her evening shower, Sunday took her robe out of the closet and wrapped it around her, cinching the tie snuggly. Walking to the small bar in the dining room, she took a glass from the cupboard and tossed in a few ice cubes. She poured herself a heavy dose of Kahlua, adding cream. She settled into her comfy love seat sofa, setting her bare feet on the matching foot stool. Crossing her ankles, she leaned over and picked up the remote. Surfing through the channels, she sipped her drink slowly.

  The front door opened and shut loudly. Knowing it was Duffy, she turned to him.

  “Hi, Honey. Do you want something to eat?”

  “It’s too late.” He took off his jacket and fitted it to the back of a dining room chair.

  “I could pop one of those frozen sandwiches you like into the microwave.”

  Duffy smoothed over the back of the jacket. Without looking up, he replied, “Sure. Why not.”

  Sunday could tell by his reply that he wasn’t happy about something. She set her drink on the coaster lying on the cherry wood end table. She stood up and walked into the kitchen, opened the freezer and pulled a sandwich out. A minute later it was heating in the microwave while she poured him bourbon over the rocks in a glass tumbler. Sunday tightened her robe belt again and carried the meal and drink to her husband. Duffy had taken a seat in his recliner.

  “Thank you,” he noted gruffly.

  Sunday sat back down, her body holding tension. “Anything you want to talk about?”

  He took a long drink from the glass. “I hear your new job is working out for you.” His eyes were piercing with anger.

  Sunday pulled her hands into her lap and stared at the floor. “I told you it was just for some extra money.”

  He slammed his drink on the end table; the alcohol splashed onto the expensive cherry wood.

  Sunday felt her body jump from the sound. Fight or flight mode.

  Duffy continued, anger remaining in his tone. “I don’t understand why you need extra money.”

  Sunday starred at the wet spot on the end table, knowing it would leave a stain if not cleaned up quickly.

  “I want to be able to buy something without having to explain to you why I wanted or needed it.”

  “You could have given yourself a raise.”

  “Just like that? I didn’t realize I could take extra money from the company just because I decided to.” She glanced away from him and looked at the stain on the table top. “Can’t I do something different? I thought it might be interesting. Besides, that’s not the point.”

  “What is? To keep secrets from me?”

  She couldn’t stand seeing the water mark any longer. Sunday jumped up and headed for the kitchen.

  “You come back here dammit! I’m not done with you.”

  “I’m coming.” She returned with a paper towel, a spoon, and a jar of mayonnaise.

  “We aren’t done talking yet!”

  Sunday kneeled on the floor and wiped up the liquid. She took a spoonful of mayo and spread it over the spot. Soon, the oil would do the trick and her table would be unmarked.

  Duffy stood. He reached down and grabbed her wrist tightly. “I said we weren’t done. But we are now.” He shoved her so hard she fell back against the hardwood floor.

  Sunday glared at him and said nothing with her mouth, but her mind screamed: B
astard!

  “Guys are talking about my wife working for someone else, making cracks.” He pointed at her. “You tell Michael you can finish out the month, but that’s it!”

  He turned and stomped down the hall into their bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Sunday’s eyes welled with tears. She fought to not cry and rubbed her tender wrist. A violent rage overcame her like a sweeping hurricane. Part of her wanted to go after him and confront him for his behavior, hit him. She stood up, clenched fists held at her side. Bastard! I should go right after him. Her tightened muscles felt strong, invincible. She pictured herself grabbing his shoulder and whipping him around to face her. She even imagined his eyes opening wide from surprise. In her mind she hit him several times, bloodying his face, splitting his lip. The satisfaction of the thought brought a smile to her face. It was short lived. The reality, she knew, would bring forth a different ending to her story. She’d be the one who would have a hard time moving the next day; a cracked rib, bruises that hid behind her clothes. I’ll just have to bide my time a little longer.

  Her attorney had promised her she would not leave the marriage empty handed. She had to be careful, going through the safe at the office when she knew he would be gone for a while. She probably had copies of most everything she needed; she just wanted to make sure.

  Sunday freshened her drink and sat down, curling her legs under her. Her fingers continued to push the button on the remote. Channels blinked by rapidly while Sunday was thinking other thoughts.

  * * * *

  At the office the following day, Sunday was going through business email. She couldn’t wait for Duffy to leave. Being in his presence was too much to bear this morning. She wasn’t afraid of him. On the contrary, she was pissed! She wanted to keep her temper to herself. If he did hit her and she retaliated, the outcome could be...deadly...from either party. It was the first time she began to contemplate different scenarios besides her just being beaten. She knew she would be unable to defend herself unless she had a weapon. But what then? If he was able to take it away from her before she could kill him...his revenge would be...

  “What is wrong with you this morning?” Duffy growled.

  His voice caused her to jump. Sunday hadn’t even heard him walk up behind her. Not a good sign.