“Kayla, can you take this chair with you into the back?” Tabitha dragged it across the floor through a thin path that almost took out an entire Christmas family of elves.
“Yes, I will.” After her hand clutched it, Kayla felt a thin piece of paper beneath the seat, and when she pulled it out, a photo of a family dinner had been snapped and held close to whoever adored this furniture. The father in the photo appeared to not be as thoughtful with his words. This picture revealed anger that flashed in his eyes and submission offered by all in attendance. Kayla released the chair and let it sit near the cash register after she slipped the photo in her pocket.
“Are you okay, Kayla?” Tabitha hurried to stand next to her with a hand on Kayla’s arm.
Kayla nodded. “Yeah, I’m taking this in the back.” This kind of thing happened to Kayla often within the antique store. Most items came in with documentation, photos, and whenever she touched something, no matter where it came from, Kayla seemed to already know the story of that piece. Each article took her across time and space where ever the antique originated from. Kayla usually overlooked these trips up until now. The man in the water appeared similar in the angry man at the dinner table. Something felt off about it though, and Kayla couldn’t put her finger on it.
Kayla shrugged with it for many long seconds. The picture refused to let her go from its tight grasp. Was that the man Kayla saw floating in the water? It didn’t feel like the deceased man, but another relation, perhaps. Anger must have killed him or was an aspect of what did. Kayla pushed it from her, and when she entered the back with the chair, Kayla was floored. She saw the exact table in the picture, and this piece was sitting before her. It had ornamental legs, a large top that held numerous family dinners. It wasn’t a coincidence now. It was a reality. It was that family’s reality, and whatever happened to them must not have been pleasant.
“I need the entire table cleaned thoroughly, Kayla. I already have a buyer for it. Isn’t that great?” Tabitha danced in and out of the back room.
“Yes, it is, Tabitha.” Kayla carefully pushed the chair into its position at the table and went to set her keys on the workbench nearby. After she snapped on gloves to prevent hand oils from smudges that could ruin this beautiful piece, Kayla went to fetch a solution from the cabinet on the other side of the room.
With Kayla’s best accuracy, her hands worked on this large dining table dowsed in grime from years of family gatherings, messy children, and dried food finally releasing its grip. The wood underneath was absolutely gorgeous and deserved to be waxed once thoroughly wiped clean. Kayla was always surprised whenever something came into the shop filthy with years of caked-on dirt. When a piece leaves sparkling, nobody would hardly recognize it.
After her hands scrubbed seat cushions, each one was suddenly transformed back to the beginning. A newness was once again gaining momentum from this table. A smile crossed Kayla’s face at the sparkle before her after cleaning every inch of this excellent piece. Kayla gave it everything she had within. After many hours scrubbing on this elegant table and chairs, Tabitha came into the back room to check on the progress.
“What a difference, Kayla. It’s amazing now. The new owner will surely be giving us a great review.” She tapped Kayla’s shoulder when a smile crossed her face.
Kayla turned to look at her and grin. “I’m happy to do it.” After she glanced at the clock, half the day was gone already. “I’m heading home to eat lunch. I’ll be back in thirty minutes or so.” Kayla pulled off the now torn gloves and tossed them into the trash.
“See you soon.” Tabitha hurried to another customer that entered the antique store.
With a head shake to release herself from work, Kayla made her way to the front door of the antique store and onto the sidewalk where fresh air awaited anyone willing to breathe it into their lungs. Kayla inhaled deeply, not realizing her lungs were filled with the aroma of furniture cleaner. After coughing and moving quickly over the sidewalk home, she saw Stan sitting on the lower step with flowers held in his hand.
“Hey, Stan. Callie is at work. I’m sure she will be home later.” Kayla walked past him and up the steps.
“Can I at least leave these for her?” He wanted desperately to place them in water so Callie could see them and adore them to the fullest.
Her mind screamed no, but her lips said, “Sure, come on in.” Kayla unlocked the door and entered to see a half dozen socks lying on the floor downstairs. “Muddles, I’m home!” Kayla called the cat. When she heard Kayla’s voice, the bouncy feline came racing downstairs with another sock in her mouth.
“Why does she do that?” Stan asked with brows knitted together. “It’s weird.”
“It is, but she enjoys them, and if something gives another creature joy, I say let them have it.” Kayla walked around picking up each sock after setting her keys on the dining table.
“I will put these in water.” He rushed into the kitchen. Kayla didn’t care if he put them in the sink filled to the brim with water, she needed to eat and pick up every one of those socks lying throughout the house.
Kayla then headed to the back door where she spotted another sock and noticed the door was shut and still locked. It was odd though, Kayla thought. When Stan came around the corner and saw her, his eyes constricted.
“Are you okay, Kayla?” He asked. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m okay, Stan. When I was about to leave this morning, this door was wide open. Callie didn’t leave it open, and I didn’t do it either.” Kayla’s grazed eyes over him. Her stomach needed to eat something as Stan traced her every step.
“You don’t think it was me, do you?” His words pressed Kayla like a juicer.
“No, Stan, I don’t believe it was you. Callie must have forgotten to shut it earlier. Nothing to worry about.” She began to make a sandwich after setting a single sock on the counter nearby.
“Good, because I wouldn’t ever do that to you gals.” He waved and left through the front door.
Kayla carefully spread peanut butter over one slice of bread, and she added jelly to the other slice. When the sandwich was complete, Kayla put everything away and started eating with eyes focused on the flowers. They were beautiful red roses. Kayla counted six of them. When she saw the card, Kayla wanted to read what it said, but thought better of it and left it to demolish her meal with Muddles watching her every move.
Chapter Two
Kayla stared up at her dad’s house with its red brick exterior, and its white wood railing raced around dark, stained wood porch. Hanging from the ceiling of the porch were two wind chimes shaped like circles and feathers, and when the wind blew, tinkling could be heard from the sidewalk. A smile crossed her face when she approached the immaculate white painted entrance steps where she climbed them to the exterior door as it opened for her to enter.
“Hey, sis.” Her father greeted from the open slab with a stained glass insert. “How was work?”
“It was good. How are you, dad?” Kayla entered the house and saw neat piles of clothes stacked on the sofa, and when the small noise of the radio floated to her ears, it was Frank Sinatra. “I love his voice.” She muttered.
“Me too, Kayla. Why do you think I listen to him?” He grabbed her hand and began to dance with her around the living room.
“Dad!” She pulled from him after a few minutes. “I dropped by to check on you and see how you’re doing.” She went to the couch to sit with eyes on him.
“I’m doing good, how about you, sis?” He turned to walk into the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of tea, Kayla?”
“Sure, dad.” She leaped off the couch and went to watch him from the dining room table. “What prompted you to listen to me when I was young about my dreams, Mouse?” She rolled her eyes up to look at her father.
“Frank named me Mouse because I was silent like a rodent while on the beat.” He dropped tea bags into two cups. “Why are you bringing this up now? You know I relied upon your d
reams when you were growing up.”
“I know, dad. I wanted to understand why, though.” Kayla’s hand went to her chin where she leaned on it after sitting in a chair at the wooden table.
“An interesting question, young lady. Whatever conjured this up, I will offer you a reasonable answer.” His electric tea kettle started to boil, and that was when he went to pour water into the two teacups, and after lifting them, he brought both to the table where he sat across from Kayla. “Well, I always trusted your mother’s intuition because she generously told them to me, even before you were born.”
“Mom had dreams too. I never knew she received such images during sleep.” Kayla appeared astonished by his words. “Well, Mr. Decker, I was not privy to her dreams or her interpretations of said dreams. Can you enlighten me, please?” She bounced her shoulders to and fro.
“She was quite accurate, Kayla, much like you. She would tell me what was about to take place, and of course, she never knew the day or the time, that was up to me to discern.”
“That explains where I received my uncanny dream accuracy. It doesn’t explain why I do this. That’s what I want to know, dad.” Kayla lifted her cup to her lips and blew lightly on the steam.
“Maybe some remembrances that aren’t for us to know. There are certain things in the universe some people are not privy to, Kayla. I have a sneaky suspicion you dream your dreams because you are supposed to. That is your gift from something incredible.” He held his cup in one hand and dipped his tea bag up and down with the other. “Your mother believed they came from God. I like to think there was truth in that.”
“It would make perfect sense. I would like to know if that’s absolute. If it is, I’m either blessed or cursed. There are those times, I feel cursed by God for showing me these things. Murder isn’t how most people dream.”
“Not everyone has that same sentiment. Your mom was a unique individual, and her interpretation of where they came from differed greatly from what I believed. I loved her anyway; I accepted her anyway.”
“I know you did—she was the light of your life, and always will be, dad.” Kayla reached out and touched his hand. “Your love for her knew no bounds, it extended outward into the great unknown. She would be proud of you today, dad. I know I am.” Kayla grinned.
“Thanks, honey. I needed to hear that today.”
“Why is that?” Concern washed over her.
“We had a tough guy earlier. He refused to exit his house and surrender, so we had to do what the department recommended. We tossed in tear gas and went in after him. It was difficult because he had a family living there in such primitive conditions, Kayla. I wouldn’t have allowed Muddles to live there.
“That bad?” She asked with head shaking.
“Yes, it was awful, and the smell made my nose curl. I had to put Vicks on to avoid the stench.” He shook his head. “It shouldn’t surprise me how others live their lives, and when children are involved, it’s so much worse.”
“It goes along with the job, I guess. How often do you go out?” Kayla scrutinized him. “You weren’t supposed to be out of the office or leave your desk.”
“It’s just for today, sis. I was needed because we were short staffed. It most likely won’t happen again, Kayla. Don’t worry.” He sipped his tea and stared at her with his own set of blue eyes. Her emotional upsets were not going to become his.
“I’m glad you’re not going out that often. It makes me feel better knowing that.” She chortled.
“What was that? I can take care of myself.” He showed his teeth to her. “I’m tough, and you know it. We had two officers retire last week alone, and no new recruits have stepped into the department. Being short on officers is really pressing us against the wall. They had no other choice than pull old guys like me back outside.” He indicated.
“Be careful, please. You know I worry so much about you, dad. If anything were to happen to you, I’d melt into the carpet.” Kayla drank down her tea with worry moving through her forehead.
“I know, you worry too much, like your mother.” He sucked and exhaled.
“I have a lot to worry about even now. Callie and her boyfriend, Stan are so upsetting. She cries a lot over that guy. It’s frustrating for me because I can see what he’s doing to her, and she cannot see it for herself. It’s depressing.”
“You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink. Be a friend only, Kayla, and let her make her own mistakes the best way she knows how. That is the only way Callie will learn for herself. She will finally have enough of his crap and will dig herself out of that hole.” He set his mug down. “It’s only a matter of time, sis. Everyone wakes up when they are darn good and ready.”
“I know she will. Today, Stan left flowers and a cross necklace for her. It’s creepy to me. He’s creepy, and I don’t trust him whatsoever, dad. If something happens, please look into his past and at him. I fear for Callie and what he’s doing to her.” Kayla frowned.
“Again, sis, she isn’t your problem. Callie is Callie’s problem. Only she can fix what’s broke, and it’s brutally obvious something is awry. If she doesn’t see the hairline cracks in her relationship, that’s on her, and if this Stan ever touches a hair on your head, he will have to contend with me, sis. That’s a promise I’m willing to keep.” His lips were taunt, and his face revealed no one was going to hurt her.
“Okay, I will keep you up to date on what’s taking place at the house. I’m beginning to believe she gave him a key to the place. That frightens me to no end—our back door was open this morning when I came downstairs, and Callie said she didn’t have anything to do with it. I’m not buying that she didn’t know. I think Stan did it, but I don’t have any evidence to fall back on.”
“Keep your eye on him, Kayla. If something smells dirty, it’s dirty. People like him always wind up messing things up in the end or right before the end. Once Callie sees his misgivings and agrees they are harmful to her mental and emotional health, she will come to you crying about how closed minded she had become.” He rubbed her hand when she placed it on the table. “Time is all it takes.”
“Okay, I will do that. Stan doesn’t stand a chance against the truth because he will be forced to stare it in the eye. Once he moves out of her circle, I think Callie will finally wake up to his absolute repressed obsession with her. It’s so unhealthy, dad.” Kayla shivered and placed both hands in her lap.
“I know, Kayla. You have always been able to see the truth surrounding you. It’s been unsettling, but good in many ways. Your inner conscience will never steer you wrong, and it will always be there to steer you to the right path.” He took their mugs and went to clean them out in the sink where he tossed the tea bags and placed their dirty cups into the dishwasher.
“Thanks for listening to me. I should get home and feed Muddles. Mud most likely has dozens of socks strewn all over the house by now, as usual. She might find more in my room and scatter those too. Muddles is such a scamp.” Kayla laughed. “I love her to death.”
“She was a gift from me, and I bet that kitty reminds you of me every single day you wake from sleep.” He was on his feet and leaning on the kitchen counter.
“Very true. Muddles have been a gift all right. That cat is the gift that keeps on giving, and socks are what Muddles offers up.” Kayla hugged her dad and went to leave through the front door. “If something did happen, would you let me come back and live with you, dad?”
“Of course, I will, sis. You are always welcome here anytime. It’s your home too, Kayla.” He held the door open for her, and when she left, thoughts of not being under the same roof with Callie cropped up more than ever.
“Night, dad.” Kayla skipped down the front steps and walked to the sidewalk that would lead her home.
Along the way, Kayla saw a dog racing down a short fence line with her, barking happily. A slight breeze was beginning to crop up as it tangled through her long blond hair. She wrapped her jacket close around her and
kept walking along the walkway with thoughts about how to approach Callie concerning Stan. She decided against it when she arrived home and entered the house.
“Callie, are you home?” No answer came to her. “Hey, Muddles, I’m here to feed you.” Kayla flicked on the lights and went to feed her cat. Socks were scattered everywhere. “You scamp.” Kayla grinned when she went into the kitchen, and pulled the can of cat food from the fridge and dumped the rest of it into her dish. Muddles grazed with joy and a loud purr. “I guess it’s just you and me tonight. Why don’t we go on upstairs, when you are finished eating, and research that dream of mine?”
Callie came barreling through the front door after giving blowing kisses are someone outside, she closed the door and leaned against the slab with a massive smile lighting over her face. “He’s such a dreamboat.”
“What was that all about, Callie? And you’re crazy if you’re talking about Stan.” Kayla watched Muddles race upstairs, forgetting all about her meal.
“Stan took me to dinner and bought me a steak, along with a great dessert. He so loves me, Kayla. And you didn’t think he did.” Callie sauntered through the dining room and into the kitchen.
“I never said he never loved you, Stan acts like he doesn’t care as much as he should. Besides, your life isn’t any of my business.” Kayla moved to the stairs with a cup of ice water in her hand.
“Okay, I guess so. Can we talk, Kayla?” Callie went to sit in a chair in the dining room. “We need to talk about Stan.”
“What are we discussing here, Callie?” Kayla observed her every frown and hand gesture. “Your relationship isn’t my problem. You should live your life any way you want, and without me telling you how to do it.”
“I appreciate that. I know Stan, and this might not last forever, we are most likely will last only a few more years together. A lifetime together isn’t in our cards, at least that is what I believe.” Callie interlaced her fingers before her on the table.
Kayla's Chronicles- Will Travel For Murder Page 2