The Karma Set - Summer Spirit Novellas 4 - 6

by Samantha Jacobey

  “About fifty pounds,” she smiled up at him. “And this is the same company, but I was promoted after about six weeks.”

  “Yeah, your name is on the door!” he clipped, indicating towards the entrance with a flat palm.

  “Well, all of our names are on the door,” she smiled brightly. “They like what I can do. And I’ve been practicing, you know; letting go of my negativity. It’s been hard some days,” she sighed loudly, “But I’m really getting better at it.”

  At that moment, the young woman from the front joined them, offering a vase made of clear glass. Seeing the water inside of it, Charlie helped her set it on the table smoothly. “Thanks,” she grinned politely before leaving them to their discussion.

  Hesitating, Charlie wished he could start over. He didn’t want his mother to think he was upset; on the contrary, he was more proud of her at that moment than he had ever been in his life. “I’m here to take you to dinner,” he offered quietly. “I haven’t made it for visitation in months, so I don’t have to worry about going back tonight; tomorrow is fine.”

  “I’d like that,” Beth continued to grin as she arranged her gift into the vase. “Let me take care of a few things here, and we’ll go. Do you have somewhere in particular in mind?”

  “We have reservations at The Bazaar,” he supplied more calmly. “Get what you need; we have about two hours to get there.”

  “All right,” she moved to her desk and began clearing things away. Putting her current project into a large folder, she spoke softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the promotion. Or the diet.”

  “It’s ok,” he mumbled, inspecting the items on her large shelving unit that ran along the wall straight in front of the office entrance. At the far end, he noticed a door. Taking the handle firmly, he pulled it open to reveal a private bathroom. Pretending he had known that was what lay behind it, he excused himself, closing the large wooden cover behind him when he was safely inside; shit.

  Relieving himself, he turned to the granite-topped vanity. Leaning on it with stiff elbows, he inspected himself in the mirror. He had shaved for the occasion, removing the thin layer of stubble he typically wore these days, and the eyes staring back at him seemed hollow. What the hell is wrong with you? he demanded of the image. She’s doing great; don’t be an ass about it!

  Splashing cool water on his face, he used one of the soft towels hanging on the rack to pat his skin dry. Smiling at his reflection, he coached himself to hold the gesture and be happy for the woman who had raised him. Exiting the cubical, he apologized, “I’m sorry I reacted so strongly. You surprised me,” he chuckled. “I’m happy for you, mom.”

  Her desk in order, Bethany stood at the tall table, admiring the bouquet. “It’s quite all right, baby,” she replied. “I understand. We’ve both changed; for the better from the looks of it,” she indicated her son with an open palm.

  Charlie stiffened, noticing for the first time that his mother’s accent had all but vanished. “Have you been taking speech lessons, or something?” he tried not to sound accusatory.

  “I have,” she flushed, “I’ve been learning to sound more… professional. It helps with communicating with clients.”

  “So, on the phone…” his voice trailed away.

  “Oh, it comes back when I’m not thinking about it,” she flushed, “Especially when I’m talking to someone who has a bit o’ southern drawl,” she lapsed for a moment.

  “Nice,” he nodded. Feeling awkward, he indicated the door. “Well, shall we?”

  “Yes,” she agreed, picking up her purse and hanging it over her shoulder. Following him to the elevator, they climbed off on the first floor, where a large black car awaited them. “Thank you, Henry,” she addressed the valet before sliding into the driver’s seat.

  Taking the passenger side, Charlie looked around the leather interior anxiously, “Mom, where’s my car?” he demanded loudly.

  “Your car is fine, baby. It’s parked at the apartment. This one’s mine,” she grinned, suddenly overcome with pride.

  Looking over the dash of the new BMW, Charlie could feel a lump in his gut he doubted had anything to do with hunger. Not only had his mother been successful in his absence, she had thrived. He had felt guilty at the idea of lying to her, and had even worried about what would become of her if he did not return to their apartment and their lives together. He could see now that she didn’t need him; she could handle things just fine on her own.

  Party Crasher

  Looking around as they made their way to their table, Charlie could feel his heart in his throat; damn, this place is nice. Fortunately for him, Karma was picking up the tab; otherwise they might have ended up in the back washing dishes after the meal. Taking a seat in a single chair on his side, his mother faced him on a long couch. “This is pretty unusual,” he commented aloud.

  “Yes,” his mother agreed. “I’ve been here a few times with clients. The food is delicious and the décor really adds to the experience.”

  Picturing the Dairy Queen that had constituted eating out when he was growing up, he felt shocked by how much things had changed. Shaking his head, Charlie stared at his lap to hide his grin. “I can’t believe you sound so different.”

  Her laughter low, she flushed with pride. “I’ve been working very hard on myself. I only wish your father could see me now,” she sighed, opening her menu. “I’ll take the sautéed shrimp,” she informed the waiter who arrived a moment later.

  Glancing down the list, Charlie nodded, “I’ll have the same.”

  As soon as they were alone, Beth asked, “Do you think your father can see me now?”

  Choking on his sip of wine, her son faltered, “What do you mean by that?”

  “Well, you know,” she toyed with her napkin, “Do you think he’s in heaven, looking down on us? I think he would be so proud of us; both of us! Sitting here together, enjoying a meal without any bickering,” she beamed. “I hope that he is.”

  “Yeah, me too,” he raised his glass to her before gulping several large swallows. Changing the subject, he worked his way through the list of questions he had prepared before making his way to L.A. He hoped to keep things on an even keel and avoid topics that might lead to uncomfortable conversations. Starting with Aunt Belinda, he mentioned people they both knew who could be used for suitable topics. Soon, their meal arrived, and the need to keep up his end of the discussion lessened.

  “Oh my God, this is delicious!” he exclaimed after a few bites.

  “Yes, this is my favorite dish,” she informed him. A few minutes later, she indicated her glass, “I need a refill.”

  Spying their waiter, Charlie telepathically nudged him to return to their table, then said, “Here he comes,” aloud.

  “Here who comes?” Phil asked, taking the empty seat on the sofa next to Beth.

  Charlie’s mouth fell open in shock, “What are you doing here?” he demanded, snapping his teeth shut and grinding them together.

  “I’m having dinner, or was,” the man across from him grinned deviously. “I noticed the two of you and just had to stop by and see how you were doing.”

  “Phil, is that you?” Bethany breathed, a warm flush coloring her cheeks.

  “Ah, you do remember me,” he smiled at her. “I wondered if I had over-stepped my bounds.”

  “For the second time, yes!” Charlie snapped. “We didn’ invite you t’ sit with us last time, an’ we sure as hell don’ want you here now!”

  “Charlie, please!” Beth intervened, glancing around anxiously, “Don’t be rude.” She turned to the older man and asked, “How have you been?” as if they were old friends.

  At that moment, the waiter arrived to refill her drink. “Would the gentleman like a glass as well?” he asked, holding up an empty.

  “Yes, please,” Phil nodded approvingly. Accepting his libation, he turned to her; “I’ve been well,” he answered Beth’s question without missing a beat. “I’m here on business and recogn
ized you; I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving without saying hello,” his voice dripped with honey as his fingers toyed with the fresh glass of wine on the table before him.

  “I’m so glad you did!” she placed her hand on his. “I’m so sorry you had to leave before I could say goodbye last time. I enjoyed your company very much.”

  Charlie watched as Phil curled her fingers into his. “What the hell are you doing?” he demanded telepathically, forcing a smile onto his lips at the same time.

  “Oh, now you’re ready to share a little covert conversation,” Phil countered.

  “This isn’t the same as you randomly reading my thoughts,” Charlie insisted. “Why don’t you get the hell out of here and let me enjoy the evening with my mother?”

  “I think I’d like a bit of desert,” Bethany stated as she finished the last bite of her meal. “Tonight is a special occasion, after all.”

  “It sure is,” Phil agreed, “Would you like to split something chocolate with me?”

  Charlie could no longer hold the fake expression, and a deep scowl crinkled his features. “Mom,” he stated flatly, “I really think Phil should be on his way. I don’t get to see you that often…” his voice trailed away, seeing that she hardly noticed his presence.

  “Relax, Charlie,” the party crasher said aloud, then tacked on mentally, “Didn’t I warn you about poisoning her life?”

  “I’m not,” he tossed back bitterly. “We’re having dinner, for Christ’s sake.”

  “Yes, but I could tell that you were struggling. Let me help you; I can steer the conversation to things that she’ll enjoy talking about; things that will be safe to discuss at the same time. Call it a favor.”

  “Some favor,” Charlie mumbled, snatching up his glass and leaning back in his chair dejectedly.

  “What favor?” Bethany asked, still toying with Phil’s hand.

  “Oh, nothing,” her son lied flatly, “I was just thinking about owing someone when I get back to the center.”

  “Oh,” her features darkened for a moment, as if she had forgotten why he had been away. “I’m sorry, baby. I shouldn’t be wasting our evening,” she glanced at him, then back at Phil.

  “That’s quite all right,” the man next to her patted her hand, “But if you’ll agree to have dinner with me tomorrow night, I’d be more than happy to wait my turn.” His grin covering his face from ear to ear, he awaited her reply.

  Opening her handbag, she retrieved a business card. “This has my office and my cell,” she informed him. “How long will you be in town?”

  “For a few days,” he assured her, running his thumb lightly across the embossed lettering. “Thanks, Beth. I’ll give you a call tomorrow and we can arrange for a real date.” Standing, he left the two of them as quickly as he had arrived.

  Charlie cringed; real date, my ass! His blood boiling, he couldn’t wait to get back to Purgatory; see what Karma has to say about this!

  The remainder of their meal strained, Beth and Charlie returned to their small apartment as soon as they had finished. Putting on a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt to sleep in, he met her in the living area for a bit more discussion before they went to sleep. Noticing that she wore a broad smile, he commented aloud, hoping to smooth things over between them, “I’m glad you’re so happy I made it for a visit.”

  “Oh,” Beth curled her feet beneath her on their sofa, “I’m sorry, hun. I was just thinking about running into Phil again. It almost seems like fate that we were meant to know each other. Or would that be destiny?”

  “Neither,” Charlie flopped back in the over-stuffed chair and crossed his arms. Breathing out and angry huff of air, he snapped, “Look, mom; about Phil. I thought he was a fruitcake las’ time we met. The fact that he jus’ walks up to total strangers an’ sits at their tables has got t’ say somethin’ about his character.”

  “Well, sure it does!” the woman across from him agreed brightly. “It says that he’s an open and friendly person. Do you think he finds me attractive?”

  The color drained from Charlie’s features. “Mom!” he glowered at her, “what about dad?”

  “Baby, your father’s been gone over a year,” she frowned. “Or have you forgotten?”

  Glaring at her, he realized it was too soon to get into that conversation. I’m sure Karma will handle Phil as soon as I tell her what’s going on, he assured himself. “No, mom; I haven’t forgotten,” he said aloud.

  “Then you have to understand,” her lips drew into thin lines, her brow taking a pair of deep creases. “I’ve been on several dates, since you’ve been away.”

  The air trapped in his lungs, Charlie’s face went from ghost white to bright red. “You’ve been dating?” he asked more forcefully.

  “Yes, baby. I’m a fairly young woman, you know. Forty-two is barely middle aged, an’ you can’t expect me t’ spend the rest o’ my life alone!” her accent grew thicker, a sure sign she had become upset.

  “Calm down, mom. I’m not asking you t’ be alone. I jus’ think that Phillip Parson isn’t the right type o’ man for you, tha’s all,” he offered more calmly.

  “After one conversation with him, you think you can tell? I happened t’ like him, an’ I’m gonna date him if I want to,” she leapt to her feet. “In fact, I think I’ll go to bed now. I’ll be up at six, an’ I can drive you to the airport.” Turning her back on him, she stomped to her room and closed the door angrily before he could reply.

  Staring after her for a while, he thought about going in and telling her how sorry he was. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. In the end, he decided to leave well enough alone. Besides, he had his car, there wasn’t any need to wait for her to wake up. Airport? She thought he had flown into town. Well, I never have told her where Purgatory’s located. And furthermore, he wasn’t going to.

  Going into his room, Charlie slipped off the sleep-clothes and put on plain old jeans and a tee from the few he had left behind. Quietly collecting his suit and the keys to his car, he set out on his long drive home in the dark. At least taking the normal way back will give me plenty of time to get this whole mess sorted out.

  Not What I Meant

  Charlie’s thoughts rolled in an angry jumble, the night around him feeding his mood. Gripping the wheel tightly before striking it with a fist, he grimaced; “How can this be happening?” he whined aloud to the empty interior.

  “Don’t take it personally,” a deep voice replied.

  “Dante!” Charlie shouted in surprise, his eyes darting around to look in the space behind him before his cohort appeared in the passenger seat next to him.

  Chuckling, the newcomer teased, “You know how long it’s been since I rode in a car?”

  “No idea,” Charlie focused on the headlights ahead of him, his shoulders slightly hunched in disgust. The white stripe flashing past almost hypnotic, he heaved an exhausted sigh. “Why would Karma let this happen?” he finally demanded.

  Dante had been waiting patiently, ready to help the younger man when he was ready. “Karma doesn’t really have anything to do with this.”

  “The hell she doesn’t!” Charlie bit back. “She let Brett have Tabs, an’ now Phil gets my mom? How messed up is that?”

  “Who says Phil gets your mom?”

  Gripping the wheel with rage, Charlie ground his teeth, in no mood for games. “He was there; he’s gonna date her. That’s more than should be allowed!” Making the turn onto the dirt road that served as Purgatory’s private drive, he growled, “I’m gonna figure out how to stop it.”

  “Charlie, you wanted your mother to be looked after,” Dante pushed, the darkness around them growing deeper on the empty stretch of desert that surrounds their headquarters.

  Stomping on the breaks, the car slid to a stop and Charlie leapt out, slamming the light metal door with a bang. Running his fingers through his hair, he seethed. Tilting his head back, he stared at the clear sky above them; millions of twinkling lights decorating the black
canvas. “Tha’s not what I meant,” he stated when Dante joined him. His companion climbed onto the hood of his car and waited without a reply.

  Turning to face him, Charlied sighed, “Yeah, I wanted her t’ be ok without me, but Phil?” A sick thought seeped into his mind. “She didn’ earn all that on her own, did she. Phil’s been medalin’ in her life for a while,” he considered aloud. “Is that why Karma sent me t’ see her? To announce their official beginning?”

  “I don’t know,” Dante denied quietly. “You’d have to ask Karma or Phil about that, but I doubt either of them would admit it, even if it were true.”

  His brow furrowed, Charlie demanded bitterly, “What are you doin’ here, anyways? You should be in bed asleep right now!” He turned away, staring into the distance. Able to make out the faint outline of their compound, he sighed.

  “I tagged along,” Dante informed him evenly. “I wasn’t invited, but I was a little curious about your mother.”

  “Bull shit,” Charlie didn’t look at him. “Nothing happens with the Forgotten Angels that isn’ planned or assigned somehow. Why was Karma havin’ me followed?” When only silence surrounded him, he turned around to find the hood vacated. “Well, tha’s jus’ great,” he mumbled.

  Staring at the car, he no longer felt like driving it. With a wave of his hand for focus, he transported the vehicle, placing it next to Karma’s Ferrari under the long covering that ran along the back of her haven. Arriving in the kitchen, he opened the fridge and helped himself to a glass of Phil’s milk.

  Moving to the transparent wall next to the cacti, he stared out at the dark sky. His anger dissipating, he sipped his drink. His eyes grew distant as he considered Keeper, Karma and the rest, as he had only grown more curious about them since arriving there. With the vastness of the universe, he wondered again where the powers that be had come from.

  “There,” Karma’s voice soft, she moved next to him. Raising her hand, her shimmering red gown flowed down her arm and surrounded her body in waves of shiny silk. Her finger indicating a patch of light in the distance, she left the exact location vague.