Three Chords, One Song

by Beatrice M. Hogg

  She handed him an envelope. He looked inside at the large bills and rifled through them. “When do I get the rest?”

  The next morning, Sally had come through with another $250,000. He had the cash in his bag. At customs, he planned to tell them that he was buying some vacation property. They could run his name through their files, since as far as he knew he wasn’t on any criminal databases.

  He didn’t know what it was that made Sally decide to agree to his terms. Was it the movies or the mention of her Uncle Bob? Or maybe she really did kill Mik DeSalle.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Brad

  Brad stepped out of the cab and pulled out his small leather duffel bag. He started not to even bring a bag, but he thought it would seem conspicuous if he left the country without any luggage. He bought the expensive bag at Gucci yesterday. He ran his hand along the smooth-grained leather. The bag matched his new coat. He was traveling in style.

  He looked at the hubbub surrounding him at the Los Angeles International Airport. Not too long ago, he had arrived here with nothing and now he was on his way to Mexico to start a new life with money in his pocket. He never knew blackmail could be so easy. It was a lot easier than kidnapping. He didn’t dare go back to Faith’s place to pick up his belongings. Good thing he didn’t leave anything there with his name on it, except for the tag on the beat-up vinyl duffel bag he replaced yesterday. He didn’t want to see the spot where Faith died or see the bed they had shared. Even though their relationship had been built on sex and greed, he still had feelings for her. He would try to remember the good things about her. He had a snapshot of her that he found in her bedroom, a photo taken when she was young and beautiful. He wished he could have known that girl.

  He headed into the terminal and checked his denim jacket for his passport. Thanks to his ex-wife, he had a current passport. Luckily, he had remembered to bring it with him. He regretted that he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to his parents, but he didn’t want anyone to know where he was until he got settled. He also regretted that he had never got to know Lucy. But he was glad he was able to get her out of that storage bin. He hoped she and Eve didn’t have to wait too long to get a ride back to LA.

  He stood in line to purchase his ticket. He answered the questions that the pretty Latina asked him after she put his information in the computer. He told her that he was going to Mexico for a vacation. Thankfully, he had the address of an old school chum who had moved to Puerta Vallerta. Tom had been receptive to his visit when he called him last night.

  As he walked away from the counter and headed to the escalator, he turned when two black women entered the terminal. He caught the eye of the taller woman. He tried to control the fear that balled up in his stomach when he realized that the woman was Mariah Williams. He could tell that she recognized him. He turned his head and stepped up his pace. Once on the escalator, he looked back down. Lucy’s mother was still in the same spot, staring up at him. The other woman followed her gaze. He focused on the back of the person in front of him as if his life depended on it. Maybe it did.

  He sat and waited for boarding to begin. In spite of himself, he kept looking down the hall, looking for policemen to come for him. He could feel the sweat gathering at his armpits. He was so close, only a few minutes away from leaving the country, from leaving his past behind him. He couldn’t get stopped now, could he?

  Another pretty Latina woman gave the boarding announcement. Only a few more minutes to go, he told himself. Once the plane took off, he’d be free. When his row number was called, he started to breathe again. He hadn’t even realized he had been holding his breath. He gave the woman a big smile after handing her his boarding pass. He pocketed the stub and walked down the jet way.

  He wiped his forehead as he collapsed in his window seat. As he shuffled through the in-flight magazine, he noticed that his hands were still shaking. He wasn’t safe until the plane left the ground.

  The plane was nearing cruising altitude. Finally, he was safe. Safe and well off for life. If only the kids at Mt. Lebanon High could see him now.

  Lucy

  Lucy couldn’t stay in bed. If she stayed in bed, her mind kept replaying the last two days. Last night, she had said goodbye to Olivia, as she knew she would not get up before she left for the airport. After she heard the conversation between Olivia and Mariah this morning, she fell back to sleep.

  Now that she had showered and dressed, she needed to direct her mind to other topics. First, she took a look at her reflection in the mirror. Even with the bandage, she could tell that the swelling of her nose wasn’t as bad as she thought it was. It didn’t hurt as much, either. She was glad it wasn’t broken. The bruises on her face would go down in a few more days. The events of five years crept back into her thoughts. Talking to Eve had helped, but not enough. Maybe it was time to seek professional help. Once she got back home to San Francisco, she would look into finding a therapist.

  But she needed to do something now. She took out her laptop and decided to get some work done. She had been neglecting the websites she worked on since coming down to LA.

  Lucy went downstairs to the living room and plugged in the computer. It was quiet. Even the ocean seemed calmer this morning. Mariah hadn’t returned yet, and Eve was probably still asleep.

  It was too quiet. The quiet reminded her of the storage room. She wanted some noise and light. Lucy went over to her mother’s sound system and selected an Earth, Wind and Fire CD, something positive and bouncy. She sat down in the brightest area of the room.

  First, she checked her email and clipping services. She got comfortable and immersed herself in her work.

  Over an hour had passed when she heard Eve walking down the stairs. Mariah had not returned yet with Soleil. She looked up when Eve entered the room.

  “Good morning.”

  Eve’s hair was slicked back and still wet from her shower. She thought the shorter bob haircut made Eve look younger. Her face also looked less bruised. “It’s almost noon now, so good afternoon.” She smiled what she hoped was a welcoming smile. “I’m just trying to catch up on some work.”

  Eve sat down in a chair facing her. “I forgot that I went to bed so late. I sat outside listening to the ocean for a couple of hours.”

  Lucy thought it was best not to mention that she had overheard last night’s conversation. “Did it help? I have always found listening to the surf to be soothing.” She hoped Eve wouldn’t be able to read anything into her comment.

  “I don’t think anything could help. I’m getting homesick. I want to go back to Pittsburgh.”

  “We’ll call Lieberman tomorrow and see where things stand with the will.” Eve got a strange expression on her face, like she was remembering something.

  “Brad said Sally would stop contesting the will.”

  “Why would he say that? How does he know Sally?”

  Eve shook her head. “I have no idea who Brad knows anymore. From what little he said to me yesterday, I think he exhorted money from her. How or why, I have no idea.”

  Lucy turned towards the kitchen when she heard the door opening. Mariah came in the room, followed by Soleil. Soleil had on one of Lucy’s old tee shirts and a pair of her jeans that barely fit. With her red eyes and disheveled hair, Soleil looked like a madwoman. In fact, she had just been released from the psychiatric ward, so maybe that was what she was.

  “Hi, sisters.” Soleil’s voice was flat.

  Lucy looked at Eve before she answered. “Hello, Soleil.”

  Soleil stared straight ahead.

  Eve stood up and rushed over to Soleil. She gave her a big hug. “Soleil, I’m so glad that you are here.”

  Lucy tried to hide her surprise. Eve sounded like she meant what she was saying. She wondered what had gone on when Eve visited Soleil at the hospital yesterday.

  Soleil gave a weak smile and stood like a statue while Eve held her. “Thanks.” She pulled away quickly. “I’m going upstairs to take another showe
r. That hospital soap sucks.”

  Mariah handed her a leather tote bag. There was a pair of jeans peaking out of the top. They must have stopped by Soleil’s place so she could get a change of clothes.

  Eve and Mariah watched Soleil leave the room. Lucy watched the three of them. She wished she had hugged Soleil also. But when she saw Soleil, she saw Faith.

  Mariah looked at her. “Give it time, Lucy.” Sometimes she wondered if her mother could read her mind. Sometimes that was her greatest fear.

  Lucy felt obligated to say something. “We were just talking about Eve’s ex-husband Brad.”

  “Brad is gone.”

  Eve’s head swiveled towards Mariah. “What the hell did you say?”

  Mariah sat down on the sofa facing Eve. “I saw him at the airport. He was heading to a gate. He was leaving the country.”

  Lucy could see a storm brewing. Eve’s famous temper was building. She imagined her sister was a teapot, and she was ready to blow.

  “We’ve got to stop that motherfucker from going anywhere!”

  Mariah shook her head. “It’s too late. He is probably in Mexico or the Caribbean by now.”

  Eve stood up. “Well, he can be extradited! Look what he did to Lucy! He kidnapped her at gunpoint! That is a federal offense. He should go to jail for what he has done. He probably extorted money from Sally Fountaine, and who knows what he did while he was shacked up with that crazy bitch Faith.” Her eyes lifted to the ceiling.

  Lucy wanted to forget the whole thing. “I don’t want to go to court. Let him go wherever he wants to go. He got what he wanted, so maybe we won’t ever hear from him again.”

  Eve looked at her as if she were insane. “Yeah, he may have money now, but what happens when he runs out? Remember, we will be receiving royalties in perpetuity and he knows that.”

  “I don’t care.” Lucy shook her head.

  Eve looked at Mariah. “Can’t you talk some sense into her? Don’t you want him prosecuted for what he did?”

  Mariah sighed. “He’s gone, Eve. Let’s just move on and get past this.”

  “Get past this? Lucy, are you going to get past this, get past everything that was done to you?” Eve’s face was turning red.

  Lucy wanted to shut her up. “He was following Faith’s orders. Faith was the mastermind, and she has already paid for her crimes. He brought you to me, which probably saved my life. Let’s not forget that.”

  “And then ran away and left us stranded, let’s not forget that, either.” Eve was pacing the room.

  Lucy was not going to cry any more. She was tired of letting the past control her life. And she was tired of always trying to be the peacemaker, trying to please everyone. She shook her head, shaking the cobwebs out of her brain. “Shut up, Eve! Don’t bring me into it just because you have some unfinished business with your ex-husband. I said I’m not going to press charges. If Brad resurfaces later, we will deal with that then. Okay? Now sit the fuck down!”

  Eve glared at her, then looked at Mariah. Mariah sat looking out the window, acting as if she wasn’t even listening to the conversation.

  For once, Lucy didn’t need her mother to come to her rescue.

  Eve started to go out to the sun porch.

  “And quit trying to run away. Your problems will follow you, wherever you go. Don’t think that going back to Pittsburgh is going to change anything, either.” When Lucy looked into Eve’s eyes, Eve looked away.

  Soleil

  Soleil chuckled as she went in the bathroom to take a shower. She overheard the conversation between Lucy and Eve from the top of the stairs. And they thought she was the crazy one, she thought to herself.

  Soleil wanted to get the smell of industrial soap off of her body. Mariah kept the shower stall filled with scented soaps and body washes and shampoos. She wanted to smell like a whole person again, not a patient.

  But I’m not a whole person. I’m an orphan. I have no mother and no father. All I have are two crazy half-sisters.

  She stripped and turned on the shower. The wide showerhead pelted her with hot water. She poured shampoo on her dreads. She had gotten the blood out of her hair, but she could still feel it there, still weighing her down. She scrubbed and rubbed until her scalp hurt. She used a strong scented body wash, scrubbing her body until it tingled all over. She was surprised when the water ran clear. In her mind, she saw only blood, her mother’s blood, all over her hands, her hair, her body.

  She got out of the shower and grabbed a towel. She looked in the mirror. Her hair looked wilder than usual. She ran her fingers through her dreads and came to a decision. If it worked for Lenny Kravitz, maybe it will work for me, she thought. She searched one of the drawers under the sink and found a pair of scissors. She took one thick dreadlock in her hand and cut her hair near her scalp. She watched as the lock dropped to the ground like a fuzzy brown snake. Then she cut off another one, then another one. In many cultures, women in mourning cut off their hair.

  She had trouble reaching the locks in the back. She looked down at the small mountain of hair covering the floor. She brushed hair off of her bare shoulders and back. There was a robe on the back of the door. She put it on and walked to the stairs. “Lucy! Could you come up here please?”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She could hear Lucy walking towards the stairs.

  “I need your help.” She went back into the bathroom and sat down on the toilet. Lucy walked in the room.

  “What…” Lucy froze in her steps when she saw Soleil. “Your hair,” she whispered.

  Soleil smiled. “It will grow back.” She turned her back to Lucy. “I need some help with the back.”

  Lucy picked up the scissors and cautiously started cutting a lock.

  “Just cut it, Lucy, it won’t bite you!”

  “But Soleil, you have had those locks for so long!” She cut another lock.

  “Seven years. I started growing them when I came back from Oklahoma.” Soleil watched another lock hit the floor.

  “Why?”

  The click of the scissors was a soothing sound. Soleil felt naked, and not just because she was only wearing a robe.

  “It’s time for me to stop hiding behind my locks. It’s time for me to face the real world. I don’t have to hide from Faith anymore. I don’t have to hide from anyone.”

  Lucy cut the last lock. They both looked at the pile of reptiles on the floor.

  Soleil ran her fingers over her head. “Wow.”

  Lucy looked at Soleil in the mirror. She smiled. “Wow is right.” She put her arms around Soleil’s shoulders. She kissed the top of her head. “My brave, beautiful sister.”

  Soleil looked back at her reflection. Her short, damp hair was curly. She forgot she had such curly hair. She looked up at Lucy. “Same to you.”

  Lucy straightened up. “Get dressed and I’ll get a broom.”

  Soleil picked up one of the dreads. “I think that I’ll save one.”

  Lucy laughed. “Well, you better let it dry first or it will mildew.”

  Soleil was alone with her new look. She didn’t feel any more traces of blood. Now she felt truly cleansed.

  Lucy came back with the broom and dustpan. She swept up the hair. Soleil picked up the lock. “I think I’ll put it on the windowsill and let it dry naturally.”

  Lucy grinned. “I can’t believe how different you look. You have never worn your hair short. It looks cute.”

  “Cute. Fuck cute.” Soleil went to the bedroom to put on her clothes.

  Lucy laughed. “Same ol’ Soleil.”

  “Same ol’ Soleil, only different.” Soleil threw on her jeans and a long gauze top. She was surprised to see how long her neck looked.

  “Come on, let’s show Mariah and Eve.” Lucy acted like it was show-and-tell day at school.

  Lucy walked into the living room with Soleil walking a few steps behind her. “May I present the new Soleil DeSalle! Ta-dah!” Lucy pushed Soleil into the room.

  “
Oh, my goodness!” Mariah blinked and her eyes widened. “You cut your dreads!”

  Eve looked her up and down. “Now your tits look bigger.”

  Soleil grinned. “Fuck you, jealous bitch!”

  Eve grinned back. Lucy looked at both of them and shook her head.

  Soleil was surprised at the warm feelings she had toward Eve. She just stood smiling for a few minutes, running her hands over her head and twirling. Then she remembered what she had to do.

  “Well, you will have to excuse me, ladies, as I have a funeral to plan.” She willed her voice not to crack. The old Soleil had one final thing she had to do for her mother.

  She looked at the concerned looks of the women in the room and went into the kitchen to use the telephone.

  It was almost evening by the time Soleil had finished making the arrangements. Mariah had driven her to Faith’s place so she could pick up her truck. She was glad she had left her guitar at Mariah’s house, because when she got closer to the truck, she saw that the passenger side window was broken and a hole remained where her stereo used to reside. “Shit,” she muttered. Faith lived in a bad neighborhood, and Soleil had forgot to put on her alarm. But at least the truck was still there, which was a minor miracle. She looked up towards her mother’s apartment.

  While she was in the hospital yesterday, Mariah had made arrangements with the landlord to have the carpets cleaned. Since it was a rush job on a weekend, Soleil knew she had paid a lot for the service.

  Soleil walked into the building. The apartment manager came out of her apartment. She was a heavy-set Latina woman with pockmarked skin and lank brown hair. “Hey, chica, here are the keys to your mama’s place. What do you want to do with her shit?” The woman eyed her suspiciously and looked at her hair. “That gringo that was staying with her for the last few weeks never came back. Where is he?”

  “I don’t think that he is coming back. I’ll get what I want from Faith’s place and you can give the rest to the Goodwill.”