Vern waited impatiently, curling the bill of his ball cap with one hand like he was apt to do, the habit resulted in a bill so narrow it looked to Ellie like he had a beak jutting out of his forehead. “Well Ellie?”
Ellie tried to control her temper but her blood was boiling underneath her skin. “Scrap it!” she spat.
Vern gave her a disappointed look, annoyed at loosing the only business he’d had in a couple of days. “Okay, call me if you change your mind.”
Ellie didn’t hear him. She had already turned and was storming out of the garage, fuming as she went. She had only planned to stay in Saltar’s Point for a little while, just until she could get back on her feet. Now that little while just became a while longer.
Ellie walked along Main Street making her way slowly back to the general store. The late afternoon sun was beating down on her relentlessly and she could feel the stinging soreness of sunburn on the back of her neck. When Randall came to pick her up she would probably look like a lobster.
She had spent the day strolling about town reliving the memories of her childhood and taking notice of any changes to the town’s architecture. More buildings had been torn down than put up and the thought filled her with sadness. Saltar’s Point was dying she knew, slowly, but dying none the less. Many of the residents still remained however, and she had stopped to talk with them briefly before moving on. She smiled to herself as she replayed the conversations in her head, surprised at how everyone remembered her and how happy they were to see her again.
There was Mrs. Wexler the kindly old lady who sold homemade pies to the diner on Front Street. Her arthritis had been acting up and her husband Jim had passed away four years ago, but she claimed to be doing fine. Mark Crier the town vet had recently retired and spent his days spoiling his grandkids. Ethel Parnell still operated the hobby shop in town, proudly displaying her hand knitted doilies and sweaters. They all welcomed her with hugs and kisses saying what a beautiful woman she had become, and that she must stop by again to chat when she got the chance. Ellie was surprised at how warm they had been, not harboring any resentment or scorn and making her feel like she was back home where she belonged. Like the prodigal son (or daughter in this case) all was forgiven, if not forgotten.
Ellie heard the sound of a vehicle driving up behind her and scooted off to the side of the road. She turned to watch it pass but instead it came to a gentle stop alongside her.
“Hey there pretty lady. You need a ride?” The driver of the big brown van flashed a smile with a missing front tooth.
“Um, no thanks I’m fine, but thank you.”
She emphasized the last three words hoping the driver would catch the hint that she wished the conversation to be over. Something about the man gave her the creeps. The way his eyes roamed her body seemed less than innocent. Ellie wished he would just drive away. He didn’t.
“It’s too hot for a pretty flower like you to be wilting out here in the sun. Come on hop in.”
He patted the vinyl passenger seat causing a puff of dirt to rise into the air. Ellie was beginning to get nervous.
“I’m okay. So thanks again.”
Ellie picked up her pace. The driver crept along beside her, relentless in his persistence.
“Aw come on now sweetheart, last chance.”
Ellie had lost her patience. “Look mister, I said I don’t want a ride so buzz off!”
The driver’s smile faded from his face, morphing into an angry sneer. “Suit yourself,” he said before driving off.
God what an awful man. The thought made her shudder.
SIX
Randall picked them up exactly at seven. Dressed in jeans and a red flannel shirt, Ellie thought he looked a lot like the Brawny paper towel man only with black hair and minus the mustache. She had chosen to wear a floral pattern summer dress and sling-back flats. They stood in the deli section of the general store, Aiden staying close to his mother’s legs overcome with shyness at meeting the burly stranger. Randall squatted down so that they were at eye level.
“Hey there champ. What’s your name?”
Aiden pulled the hem of Ellie’s dress up against his face, shielding himself from Randall.
“Go on Aiden, tell him your name,” Ellie coaxed.
“Aiden.”
“Well then Aiden, I heard that a certain someone likes peanut butter cups. Now that someone wouldn’t happen to be you would it?”
Aiden nodded his head.
“You’re in luck then because I just happen to have some peanut butter cups and I’m not hungry enough to eat them. Do you think you could help me?”
He nodded again. Randall pulled the candy bar from his shirt pocket and handed it to Aiden.
“What do you say Aiden?” Ellie said.
“Thank you.”
Randall laughed and patted his head. “You’re welcome champ.” Randall stood up and looked at Ellie. “You look lovely Ellie.”
“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”
There was an awkward silence.
“Should we get going then?” Randall asked and motioned to the door.
Ellie smiled and followed Randall outside with Aiden in tow. Randall had driven his patrol vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee adorned with the sheriff’s emblem and matching lights. As soon as Aiden saw it his eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Wow! A police truck!”
“That’s right champ. Come on and I’ll give you a ride.”
Randall opened the door for Ellie and she climbed inside. He picked up Aiden and handed him to his mother. He was still in awe of the police vehicle, admiring all the switches, buttons, and lights.
“Would you like to sound the siren?” Randall asked.
Aiden nodded again.
“Okay then just flip this switch right here.” Randall pointed to one of the many switches on the dashboard. Aiden didn’t hesitate and the siren blared to life causing him to giggle with glee. After a few moments Ellie convinced Aiden that play time was over. Aiden reluctantly flipped the switch back off.
“You certainly know how to make a first impression,” Ellie said.
Randall laughed. “A little bribery goes a long way I guess.”
With that he closed the door and headed around to the driver’s side and started the truck. Ellie wasn’t sure if it was the way in which Randall treated Aiden or the allure of his machismo when he operated his police vehicle, but right then she thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
The police radio was on and occasionally it would crackle to life picking up snippets of conversation.
“I hope you don’t mind but I have to keep the scanner on.” Randall glanced at Ellie and then his eyes found the road again.
“Not at all. It’s kind of cool. Isn’t it Aiden?”
Aiden nodded. Randall reached over and turned the volume up slightly. A distant voice came in, barely audible.
“Breaker breaker this is Big Daddy, I’ve spotted smoke and fire just off of 16 westbound mile three.” Another voice came through. “Roger that Big Daddy, will keep a look out.”
Randall noticed Ellie’s face etched with concern. “Don’t mind that. We get a lot of crossed frequencies out here and we pick up truckers talking on their CBs all the time.”
“But it sounded like there’s a fire. Shouldn’t you radio the fire department?”
Randall tried to control his laughter but didn’t do a very good job and a couple of chuckles escaped his lips. “That’s just trucker talk. Smoke and fire is CB lingo for hot pants. Sounds like one of the long-haulers spotted a good looking girl wearing some short shorts.”
“Oh” Ellie said, feeling stupid.
Denny’s house was located just a few minutes outside of town. Ellie was relieved when they finally arrived because the small talk they made on the way over felt forced and awkward. Randall pulled into the dirt driveway. The house was quaint, a small two-bedroom rambler that sat in the shadow of a large willow tree, causing the house
to appear even smaller than it was. A billow of sweet smelling smoked wafted above the house signaling that Denny had already fired up the barbeque. Randall turned off the ignition and Ellie and Aiden followed him around back through the gate of the waist-high chain link fence.
Denny heard them and called out. “Make sure to latch the gate so Chubs doesn’t get out.”
Almost as soon as Denny had the words out of his mouth Chubs came bounding around the corner, barking and romping about playfully. He was a ten-week-old black Labrador puppy, enormous for his age and full of boundless energy. Chubs was immediately drawn to Randall as most dogs were. He jumped up and put his muddy paws on Randall’s jeans, leaving over-sized paw prints as incriminating evidence before bounding away.
“Mommy a puppy!” Aiden pointed just before Chubs disappeared around the back of the house.
“I saw him. Let’s go see where he went.”
They followed Chubs around the house and into the spacious back yard. Denny was flipping steaks and sipping on a Bud. He wore a novelty apron that read: COPS DO IT WITH HANDCUFFS.
“Heck of a watchdog you got there.”
“Better not step out of line RJ or I’ll turn him loose on ya.” Denny said as he flipped another steak. “Hey little miss car trouble, how you doing tonight? Good to see ya.”
“Good to see you again too Denny.”
“Beer’s in the cooler by the table, help yourself. Oh and I got Cokes in there too since you’re the one on duty tonight RJ.” Denny took a long swig of Budweiser making a production out of it and staring right at Randall. “Man that’s good!”
“Up yours Denny.”
“Oh great you’re here!” Laura exited the house from the sliding glass door. She was carrying a slab of freshly glazed ribs. She set the ribs down next to Denny and made her way over to Randall throwing her arms around him and planting a big kiss on his cheek. Randall spun her around, her bare feet dangling just off the ground.
“Randall Jackson you are one fine lookin’ man. When are you going steal me away from Denny, and make me the happiest woman on earth?”
It was good-natured kidding but Ellie couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, mostly because she was stunned by Laura’s striking beauty. She looked as though she stepped right off of the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Her shoulder-length black hair was pulled back in pigtails giving her an alluring girlish charm. She wore a red-checked shirt with the front looped through Daisy Duke style, exposing her cleavage and midriff. A pair of jean shorts cut off right where her legs and buttocks joined together complimented her perfect figure and completed her carefree image. Smoke and fire, Ellie thought to herself.
“Watch yourself RJ. Remember I’ll sic Chubs on ya.”
Chubs was rolling in the long grass just a few yards away, feet in the air he rubbed his head back and forth on the ground working out an itch.
“Mommy can I go play with the puppy?”
“Sure honey.”
Aiden ran off to join chubs in the grass. Randall set Laura down.
“And you must be Ellie. It’s so nice to meet you. You know when Denny said Randall was bringing a friend I was beside myself. I mean RJ hasn’t even looked at a woman since —“
“Laura, don’t talk the poor girl’s head off,” Denny butted in. Laura continued undaunted.
“Well I’m just saying you must be a real charmer to turn this man’s head is all. So let me get a look at you.”
Laura stepped back taking Ellie all in. Ellie felt like a cocker spaniel being judged best in show. Laura talked with a southern drawl that would have been charming if she didn’t talk a mile a minute. She chewed through words like a wood chipper spitting out verbal mulch.
“Oh my God you are just like a little china doll with the porcelain skin and all!”
And you’re like a supermodel without the charisma Ellie thought.
“Come on, come on, let’s go sit down and leave these two men to do the cooking!”
Laura grabbed Ellie’s hand and dragged her over to the small picnic table. Ellie glanced back over her shoulder at Randall, almost in a plea for help. Randall smiled but didn’t come to her rescue. Laura could be a bit much at first he knew, but under the abrupt exterior she had a heart of gold.
It felt good to sit down. Ellie legs ached from the walk and burned from the sun. Laura had covered the table with a red-checkered tablecloth that matched her shirt perfectly. Ellie doubted it was a coincidence. She gawked at the food already set out on the table. Potato salad, green salad, Jell-o salad, green beans, baked beans, baked potatoes, cornbread and rolls. How many people are eating? It was a culinary smorgasbord of redneck proportions. Laura opened the cooler and withdrew two bottles of Corona from the icy water then popped the tops off in one continuous motion on the edge of the table. Why not just use your teeth? Ellie quipped inside her head. Laura handed a bottle to Ellie.
“Now the boys like to drink that Budweiser, but we gals have a more sophisticated palate.” Laura cut up a lime into tiny pieces and plopped one into the longneck bottle. “Lime?”
Ellie shook her head.
“Suit yourself. I love Corona and lime, but without the lime, no thank you. I mean you might as well be drinking Mexican piss in a bottle. So your little boy is simply adorable. How old is he?”
Ellie marveled at Laura’s ability to change topics mid sentence, but was relieved that she finally might be able to get a word in edgewise.
“He’ll be five next spring.”
“Well he is one good lookin’ boy. His father must have been quite a looker. Where is he? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“He’s somewhere in L.A. We don’t see him much.”
Laura frowned, and Ellie thought it was genuine. “That’s terrible. Doesn’t he want to see his little boy? It must be hard on him not to have his dad around.”
“Well I don’t think he knows any better. Michael took off before Aiden was even a year old.” Ellie paused a second. “He never really wanted kids, I just never really believed him. I thought that once he saw his child, he would change his mind.”
Ellie’s eyes welled with tears. It was a subject she didn’t talk about with anyone and she didn’t know why she was talking about it with Laura of all people, but it felt good to get it off her chest.
“Well I’ll tell you one thing Ellie. The nice thing about livin’ in Saltar’s Point is that everyone here is family, and if you or Aiden ever need something all you have to do is pick up the phone.”
Laura put her hand on Ellie’s arm. The simple gesture filled Ellie with guilt. Perhaps she had judged her too quickly.
“Oh yeah, steaks and ribs are done!” Denny carried the plates full of steaming hot meat to the picnic table.
“Aiden come on, time to eat.”
“Awe mom do I have to?”
“Right now Aiden.”
Aiden reluctantly obeyed his mother, returning to the table. Chubs followed behind making sure to look as cute as possible, hoping that he might get a scrap or two. The meal was delicious. Ellie was surprised at how hungry she was, and the five of them managed to eat a lot more than Ellie ever thought was possible. When they were finished she and Laura made their way into the kitchen to clean up, scrubbing the dishes and making small talk. The boys had begun a game of backyard baseball. Aiden wielded a small plastic bat and Randall underhanded the whiffle ball towards the plate. Aiden swung and missed spinning around and landing flat on his butt, laughing the whole time. Denny played first base and Chubs was content to chase the ball wherever it went.
“You know this is the first time I’ve really seen Randall smile since Cheryl left.” Laura said, her arms up to the elbows in the kitchen sink. “I think he’s got it bad for you. Denny said you two used to be sweethearts.”
Ellie blushed. “No nothing like that, he was sort of my older brother. He looked out for me.”
“Well honey, any man that looks after your best interests, is a man worth keep
ing. At least that’s what I think.”
They watched through the window as Aiden took another swing, finally making contact. The ball rolled just past Randall and Chubs pounced on it grabbing it in his mouth and running away from the makeshift infield. Randall chased after him and Aiden took off for first. By the time Randall had finally managed to catch Chubs and wrestle the ball away Aiden was rounding third and heading for home. Denny covered home plate and Randall threw the ball with everything he had. Aiden slid on the grass just under Denny’s tag.
“Home run!” Aiden said giggling the entire time.
Denny hoisted Aiden on his shoulders, parading him around like he just won the World Series.
“Way to go champ!” Randall cried.
Randall grabbed Aiden off Denny’s shoulders and placed him on the ground tickling him while he did so. Aiden giggled and laughed. Denny came over and tackled Randall, exciting Chubs who bounded in and jumped on top of them. The four of them rolled around on the ground wrestling and laughing.
“They never do grow up do they?” Laura said.
“No they don’t.” Ellie couldn’t wipe the smile off her face had she wanted to.
“You know if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that Randall could be Aiden’s father.”
Ellie nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. She couldn’t agree more.
When the evening ended they said their good byes. Ellie had one of the best times of her life. She still felt guilty about her first impression of Laura, but she was happy they went. Randall drove them home. Aiden slept quietly on Ellie’s lap. They made some more small talk although this time it didn’t seem forced. Ellie was content to listen to the police scanner and reflect on the evening.
They pulled into the parking lot at Bernie’s and Randall opened the door for Ellie, and walked them to the front of the store.
“I had a lovely evening. Thank you for everything.”
“I did too. That’s a great kid you got there.” Randall nodded at Aiden, fast asleep in his mother’s arms. There was a bit of an awkward silence and then Randall kissed her gently on the lips making Ellie blush and sending a rush of adrenaline through her body.
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