A Kiss With Death

by Frances Hoelsema

  The picture behind the dean appeared to be a drawing of the original college campus. Something like that was okay to stay. It was important to remember their grassroots.

  A few other things would need to change as well. For one, the walls were way too dark. No wonder someone could walk in with a sense of dread or despair. She’d choose something more upbeat. Lively.

  Some of the knick-knacks would be replaced. The furniture would be rearranged. And, of course, she’d be sure to have her favorite picture of her and her boyfriend proudly displayed on the desk. The one where he stood behind her, arms wrapped around her neck. The sun going down behind the trees.

  At the mention of her name, Laura was brought back to reality.

  “I’ll start with you,” the dean began.

  Laura nodded for him to continue.

  “There are many reasons why I’d choose you to be the next dean. What tops the charts, though, is that your teaching style is something I commend. I see how your students get engaged with the material. They really seem to connect with you.”

  She smiled. She knew that to be true, but it was nice to have others notice as well. “Thank you, sir.”

  Continuing, Hilton said, “I also like how you get involved with things around the campus. You’ve been a part of different groups. I see that you’ve started a book club a while –”

  “Yes, sir, I have. It’s small, but growing. A lot of fun.”

  “Good. Good.” A pause made its way into the conversation. “But…”

  But? Laura hated that word. A ‘but’ was never good. And did she just see Chris pass a sneer in her direction?

  When Hilton didn’t say anything at first, Laura licked her lips. “Yes, sir?”

  “Well…”

  The hesitation was starting to bother her. And the constant tapping of fingers on the desk irritated her. She raised her eyebrows and arched her head the dean’s way, trying to entice him to spit it out.

  Hilton sighed, scratching the bushy hair above his lip. “It’s just that you don’t have as much experience as the Board prefers, and you’re only 32, which is –”

  Laura cleared her throat. “33, sir. Almost 34.”

  “Oh, yes. Sorry. You’re right.” He shook his head, not sure how he could have made that error. “Either way, you’re still young.”

  “I am, but I know that, given the chance, I could be great at this position.”

  Hilton slowly nodded, seemingly agreeing to her pathetic rebuttal.

  She slouched. Her dream came to an abrupt halt.

  “And, Chris,” Hilton began.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “I like that you’ve been here for quite some time. That shows loyalty.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “And you’re motivated. You can fire up your students in a way that no one else can. I admire that.”

  Chris sat up a bit straighter with each praise he received. “Well, thanks, sir. I try my best.”

  Laura rolled her eyes. All else aside, Chris Peterson was a nice person. He was known to be funny and smart. But if she had to choose one trait for him, it would be that he was cocky.

  “And you also are quite involved with activities around campus.”

  “I am,” Chris agreed.

  “But…”

  But! This time Laura welcomed the ‘but’. This was a cause for a little pick-me-up.

  “Yeah?” Chris dragged out.

  The dean didn’t hesitate on any of Chris’s faults. “Let’s face it. You’re prideful and way too full of yourself.”

  Laura snickered, but quickly covered her mouth as soon as it came out louder than she intended. Both men looked at her. “Sorry. Just a little tickle.” She hoped they believed her. Thankfully, they were quickly back to the matter at hand.

  “Well, sir, I –” Chris began. It was evident he was baffled.

  The dean held his hand up, interrupting what was about to be said. “Now before either of you say anything further, I share all of that because we all have our pros and cons.”

  “Yes, sir,” the two colleagues agreed.

  “But despite all of that, I still feel you’d both do a great job. Laura, you come with glowing recommendations. Chris, you come with a history of experience motivating your students. That’s why this decision is a hard one.” Hilton took a deep breath and looked at each of the two before him once again. “I’ve got roughly a month before my job here is done. You’ll both know by then.” With that said, he half-smiled.

  All three of them stood up, Mr. Hilton’s lanky body a head taller than the other two. Laura was the first to reach over to shake Hilton’s hand, thanking him. Chris copied.

  Laura grabbed her bag and headed out. On the other side of the dean’s office doors, she stopped Chris. Now that she was face to face with him, she noticed how his hair had gotten thinner, even from the last time she saw him. It must be due to stress. He wouldn’t possibly want to add any from taking this kind of position, would he?

  Sticking her hand out, she smiled as she stated, “You’d make a good choice. Good luck.” Laura hoped her politeness would mask how she felt within. In all reality, she desperately wanted the job. Becoming a dean was a dream of hers since before she could even remember. If she had her way, Chris wouldn’t even be in the picture. But she tried to keep telling herself the very words she just spoke. Maybe at some point it would change her view on him.

  “Thank you,” he replied, grabbing her hand to shake it.

  It wasn’t until he had strutted out of sight that it dawned on her he never acknowledged that she was a good candidate as well.

  Sighing, she shook her head as she began her trek to her car. Upon exiting the building, she took the couple of steps down to ground level. The sun was beating warmly down on her. Its rays bright enough for her to dig out her sunglasses from her bag. A few feet ahead on the pathway, a plump, black squirrel darted across the cement, running for the tree on the other side. In its mouth was a nut that would undoubtedly be stored for use in future months.

  Laura loved the campus of Capstone University. Strategically set back far enough off the road amidst countless trees, it gave off a small-town vibe. Not that Crimson Shores was that big of a town to begin with. But the setting allowed students to feel safe and comfortable. All the foundations of being able to thrive in education.

  This time of year, the trees were all ablaze with color, mostly reds. Ever since Laura had arrived, there hadn’t been a year that went by where she didn’t hear at least one person explain the reasoning behind why Crimson Shores was called Crimson Shores. Besides its location nestled along the Eastern coastline, each fall brought on reds of every color. Laura even heard a rhyme about it once. It went something like, “Crimson Shores gets red trees in fall and no winter at all.” Though the first half proved itself to be true, the latter half had yet to live up to the adage.

  Hopping into her white Jeep Cherokee, she placed her bag beside her. The first thing she did after turning the vehicle on was hook up her phone to the Jeep’s Bluetooth system. There was someone she needed to call, and it couldn’t wait until she got home.

  Inching out of her spot, she said, “Hey, Siri!”

  “Yes, Laura? How may I help you?”

  “Call Marissa.”

  “Calling Marissa.”

  The sound of a phone ringing echoed through the Jeep’s speakers. Once. Twice. Three times.

  Laura lightly tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, anticipating her best friend to pick up at any moment. Checking both directions, she merged onto the road.

  The fourth ring almost made its way through when it stopped. “Hey, Laura!”

  “Hey, Marissa! Tell me you’re free tonight.”

  “Tonight? Um, yeah, I think I can do something. Why?”

  As Laura turned onto another street, she exclaimed, “I’ve got BIG news! Where can we meet?”

  There was some hesitancy in Marissa’s voice. “Um, the Tommygun Tavern?”

&
nbsp; “Is seven okay?”

  “That should be fine.”

  “Great! I’ll see you tonight!” Laura ended the call.

  * * *

  A chilly breeze caught Laura as she exited her vehicle, making her hug herself for protection. She walked through the dimly-lit parking lot to the heavy wooden door of the bar. The large neon sign hanging on the ragged brick building flashed brightly at her. Except the ‘Y’. That letter appeared to have taken the night off.

  Although the outside could have fooled anyone, Tommygun Tavern was well-maintained. The owners did an impeccable job of insuring the best inside their doors. Everything was up to date. Clean. Many patrons frequented the place for its sound quality and eclectic taste in alcoholic beverages. The dance floor was also a huge hit. Not that all the music was danceable to.

  The very moment she entered the establishment, her body vibrated with the beat of the music. Though the lighting was dim, she saw the bartender busy making his concoction while simultaneously conversing with a customer. To her left, the place opened to where quite a few souls moved about on the dance floor. Some in a manner she wouldn’t describe as dancing. The place wasn’t crowded, but busier than Laura thought a Wednesday night might be. Finally, on the opposite side of the bar, her friend sat at a table, hand straight up in the air, waving at her.

  Laura rushed over and greeted Marissa with a hug.

  Right on her heels came a waitress. She was a tiny, older woman with short, red, spiked hair. In a smoker’s voice, she asked, “What can I get for you ladies tonight?”

  Marissa ordered her favorite, a Sex on the Beach. Laura wanted a Cherry Coke. Together, they decided to split an order of the bar’s famous parmesan garlic boneless chicken wings.

  “Will that be all?”

  “That will be all,” Laura replied.

  The two alone now, Marissa commented, “So is that a new lip color? It looks great on you!”

  “What? This lipstick?” Laura asked, pointing at her lips. “Thanks. I wanted to try a different brand. One that was more organic yet not terribly expensive. Here, let me show you.” She reached to her side for her purse. Finding the lipstick, she pulled it out and slid it across the table.

  Marissa picked it up and examined it. “Cherry Passion by Only One You,” she said aloud to herself. To Laura, she asked, “Do you like it?”

  “It’s actually not that bad!”

  “Well, I think it suits you,” her friend complimented, sliding the lipstick back over.

  “Thanks! So how in the world have you been? I feel like it’s been a while since we’ve last gotten together.” Laura found herself rotating her shoulders a little to the music.

  “I know, right?!”

  The spikey-haired waitress dropped off their drinks and quickly made her way to another table.

  Marissa took a sip. “I’ve been good, though. You? I mean, something good must be going on if you have big news!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She leaned over the table and asked, “Did Connor finally propose?”

  Laura laughed. “No. I’m afraid my news isn’t THAT big.”

  “Oh. Well, spill! What is it?”

  “Okay. So, I got called into the dean’s office today after my last class. At first I thought it might be something to do with the Thanksgiving banquet.”

  “Right.”

  “But when I got there, it was just him and another professor, Chris Peterson.”

  “Is he the one that looks like he should be coaching football?” her friend interjected.

  “YES! Totally. But anyway, no, come to find out, Mr. Hilton is leaving and is sort of in charge of choosing the next dean. He says it’s going to be either Chris or me!”

  Marissa slammed a palm on the table. “No way! That’s awesome! Congratulations!”

  “Thank you! It would be such a dream come true. Seriously, I can’t even begin to tell you how bad I want this.”

  “Oh, I know. And I think you’d be great at it. Really!”

  “Thank you, Marissa. I’m so glad you were free tonight to celebrate! I’m so pumped!” Laura sipped some of her Coke and swayed side to side as the music moved her.

  A man from the dance floor came up to the table, eyes transfixed on Laura. “Excuse me? Are you a magician?”

  Both girls looked at each other funny before Laura replied. “No. Why?”

  “Because whenever I look at you, girl, everyone else disappears.” Though the music had stopped for a moment, this man, who looked like someone who got quite a bit of sun, kept moving. He just couldn’t keep still.

  Laura saw her friend roll her eyes. It’s not like she meant for this to happen. But poor Marissa was often looked over while Laura caught the attention of too many men. Good thing her friend was usually the more reserved, stay-at-home, doesn’t-need-the-attention-of-anyone type of person. Smiling toward the man, she replied, “That’s very flattering, and you are?”

  “Trey. Trey Cooper.”

  “Nice to meet you, Trey.” She took another sip of her drink.

  The next song came through the speakers and immediately Laura recognized it. Everyone, in fact, seemed to know it based on all the reactions.

  “I love this song!” Laura exclaimed.

  “Good! Want to dance?” Trey asked.

  The offer was tempting. Maybe it was because his simple white t-shirt and dark jeans looked far too good on him and she did want to dance in the worst way. But she didn’t want to leave her friend alone at the table. Good thing she had the perfect excuse. “Oh, I shouldn’t. I’ve got a boyfriend.”

  Trey cocked his head to the side while stomping his right foot to the beat. “You don’t have to be single to dance, honey. I’ll behave myself.”

  “Come on. Go dance with him,” Marissa encouraged. “Connor’s not here anyway.”

  Trey’s dirty smirk and Marissa’s nudge was all the confidence she needed. “Okay. Fine. ONE dance.” Looking directly at her friend, she said, “Watch my purse.”

  Laura allowed Trey to take her hand as he led her to the dance floor. It was just in time for the chorus to kick in, which many attendants nearly ruined by deciding to sing along.

  As the words, “Pour some sugar on me,” rang out, Trey stood behind Laura and put his hands around her waist, gyrating his hips close to hers. His control excited her a little. She could tell he was good at complementing what she did with her body. It was pretty impressive for someone she had just met.

  Because she didn’t want to leave Marissa completely out, occasionally she’d look at her and make a funny face or two, to which Marissa would sometimes laugh. But mostly, her friend wasn’t even paying attention, too busy playing on her phone or taking a sip of her alcoholic beverage. When the waitress finally stopped at the table with the chicken wings, Marissa no longer even looked at her.

  The thought of sitting back down to eat the food was enticing. She was almost hungry enough to quit dancing and go eat. But Trey grabbed one of her hands and draped it around his neck. Slowly, seductively, he lightly touched her skin, starting at the tip of her finger and tracing the arm down to near the top of her chest. All this while the two of them grinded into one another’s hips. If she wasn’t hot before, she was starting to boil now. Thoughts of an inappropriate nature invaded her mind. Thankfully the song was about over. And thankfully Connor wasn’t there to see them.

  At the final beat, he released her. “You’re good, you know that?”

  “Thanks.” She smiled. As she planned on leaving it at that, she started heading back to her table.

  However, Trey called out. “You must be Cinderella! Because I can see that dress coming off at midnight!”

  If she had a drink in her mouth, she was fairly confident it would have been spewed out. Why did he have to go and ruin this experience? Laura turned her head and pierced him with eyes like daggers. He laughed it off, finding another woman to dance around.

  Laura shivered as she took her seat across from Marissa. She wanted to rid h
er mind and body of Trey and his stupid, cheesy pick-up lines.

  “You okay?” her friend asked.

  “Yeah, it’s just…” Not knowing what word to say, she sputtered, “Eww.” Again, a tingle crawled up her spine.

  Marissa laughed, not pushing the topic any further. Shoving the wings over, she said, “Here. I saved some food for you.”

  Inhaling the warm scent, Laura’s stomach gargled. “Yum,” she said aloud, grabbing a piece.

  “So how does Connor feel about this possible promotion?”

  Laura put a finger up and quickly chewed the rest of what was in her mouth. “I haven’t told him yet.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Well, I thought I’d mention it over a nice, romantic dinner when he gets back.”

  “When does he get back again?”

  “This weekend.” Laura smiled. She couldn’t wait until he came back to her. These business trips were the absolute worst part of his job.

  “Ooooh. Well, enjoy,” Marissa teased, taking the last sip of her Sex on the Beach.

  For a few moments, the girls were silent. Laura took a few more bites of the boneless wings, washing them down with her Coke.

  “Do you need another drink?” asked the waitress.

  Her sudden presence nearly startled Laura, causing her to gag.

  “You okay?” Marissa asked, stifling a laugh.

  “I’m fine,” she croaked.

  “Yes, I’d like another one,” Marissa answered the waitress.

  “Remind me what you had again,” the older woman’s raspy voice asked.

  “Sex on the Beach.”

  As quickly she came, she left.

  Laura took another sip of her drink. “Hey, what are you doing next Tuesday?”

  Her friend looked to the ceiling as if her calendar was written all over it. “Well, I have to work until six, but I think I’m free after that.”

  “Do you have any interest in going to my book club?”

  Marissa shrugged her shoulders. “Sure. I guess.”

  “How about I pick you up around a little after seven?”

  “That works.”

  Both girls continued to make small talk. They giggled about the awkward, yet sexy, dance Laura shared with Trey. Marissa even mock danced to portray her version of what she saw of them. Laura expounded on the possible promotion, including some changes she would like seen at the university. Connor came up a time or two. More than once they concluded it had been far too long since they had gotten together and vowed to do something more often.