“Can she have visitors?” I asked.
“How do you know her?” Dawn crossed her arms, now regarding me with suspicion.
“I’m uh… I think she knew my mother. Vivi Bonds. She owned The Aunt-Tea-Query at the top of Main.” It was a bluff, but a solid one. Most people who had spent any time in town knew Vivi Bonds.
“Your Vivi’s daughter?! Well, why didn’t you say so? I used to go to school with your mom, years ago. How’s the old broad doing?”
“I’m sorry to say the broad has passed away. Died in a car wreck last year, with my dad.”
Dawn uncrossed her arms and beckoned me into a kitchen of green appliances and yellow ochre counters.
“I’m so sorry!” She chatted fondly about her memories of my mom while she poured us coffee. Apparently, they were quite the duo of delinquents in the eighth grade. I memorized the stories, to use against Mom later.
When the tales had run dry, Dawn led me to a bedroom off the kitchen. She opened the door to reveal the old woman from my vision, hooked up to a breathing machine. Her eyes were open and the TV was on, volume muted.
“You got a visitor,” Dawn called into the room.
Beatrice lolled her head my way, blinking as if uncertain whether or not I was real. She had no eyelashes and her skin was the color of milk. The energy around her was dim, fading like an old light bulb. I wasn’t in the medical profession, but I knew with certainty she wasn’t going to live much longer.
Beatrice stretched her arm out, pointing towards a chair beside the bed. “Sit, dear,” she rasped, trying to pull herself up to a sitting position. Halfway through the effort, she sighed and slid back into her blankets.
“I’m Baylee,” I said tentatively, now unsure why I had come. It had seemed so important earlier. But now seeing this woman on her literal deathbed, it felt so…inconsequential. “Your daughter is a customer at my antique store.”
“Yeeeeesssss…” she said, the word creaking out like a bad hinge.
“I found this comb at the antique shop… after I had sold it to your daughter. She meant to give it to you as a present. I have no idea how it got back to my store. I was wondering if maybe you knew… anything?”
I lifted the comb, my gloves safely on. Beatrice’s colorless eyes flickered with recognition, before she turned her head aside. “That was my mother’s!’ she said, thrusting out her words as she thrust out her hand. “Get it away from me. I don’t want to see it.”
“It was?” I had thought the woman in my vision was Beatrice as a young woman, but the comb must be even older than I thought. She must have been the baby.
On the dresser was a black and white photograph of a woman, wearing the jade comb in her hair. “Is this your mother?”
Beatrice nodded solemnly.
“I see the comb in this picture,” I said, gently. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want one of your mother’s heirlooms returned to you.” I held out the comb, giving her one last chance to reclaim it.
Beatrice leaned across her bed, coughing, until she found a small brass bell. She rang it loudly. Her machine began to whistle and beep.
“Make her leave!” Beatrice screamed, now thrashing about in her bed.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, backing quickly to the door. I turned towards to Dawn. “I was just trying to return this to her.”
I showed the nurse the comb and her face went white as a bed sheet.
“My aunt lost that at her mother’s funeral, decades ago. She dropped the comb onto the casket as the dirt was filling the grave. No wonder she doesn’t want it,” Dawn said, backing away. “It’s obviously cursed!”
Nine
(Alex)
Alex still couldn’t believe Elmer was gone.
Despite his outward crustiness, the mayor had been a good guy – once you got past the fact he was a politician. Alex had even begun to feel affection for the man while teaching him to use a computer. They had developed an actual friendship, and sometimes even met for coffee downtown.
It was almost like having his dad back.
No, it was better. His own dad had been a been a good provider for the family, who appreciated the outdoors. Beyond that, his father was short on words or praise. Secretly, Alex had always wondered if his father was disappointed his son wasn’t more rugged, more like him. If his dad were still around, Alex was certain he would be unimpressed that his son was serving tea and polishing silver. He would have wanted Alex to be out on the road, searching for antiques, just as he had – a manlier occupation.
But Elmer was different.
Like Alex’s father, Elmer had been an outdoorsman in his younger days, exploring the surrounding woods and nearby lakes. Though he was entering his sixth decade, there was still muscle around his shoulders and arms – muscle acquired by chopping wood and manning the oars.
Alex knew the mayor was rather soft-hearted, under his strong veneer. He revered the town and worked his entire career to preserve Reed Hollow from urban sprawl. He believed the lakes and forests should be kept as natural and wild as possible, and for this, he earned Alex’s respect.
In time, they also discussed movies, music, and literature. Alex had even once shared the details of his painful breakup with his ex-fiancé, a story he had never told another soul. The mayor had listened sympathetically, not offering advice or Kleenex like Baylee or Kela would have done. He just… listened.
And now, just like that, Elmer was gone.
Alex knew Elmer was getting up in years, but he seemed so healthy, inside and out. On top of that, his young wife seemed to keep him young, too. Just a few months ago, he was talking about having his first baby.
“Life isn’t fair, Mr. B,” he said to the black cat curled up at his feet, as they sat on the front porch steps of The Aunt-Tea-Query. Mr. B purred contentedly, stretching his paws towards a splinter of sun piercing the overcast day. A storm was coming. Alex could smell the electricity in the air.
Two adolescent girls in conical witch hats entered The Mean Bean, giggling as they opened the door. A young woman wearing cat ears came out. October and Halloween were generally Alex’s favorite time of year, but this season he was ho-hum about it, at best. How could everyone just continue on with their costumes and their revelry, he wondered, when they had lost their mayor? A candle had been snuffed out, permanently, and Alex appeared to be the only person in Reed Hollow who missed that light.
Alex kicked a stone and watched it tumble down the three steps, landing with a soft thud as it hit the sidewalk. He knew no one was going to investigate Elmer’s death. The man had reached the unofficial age where people just shrugged their shoulders and remarked, “Those things happen.”
He stood, his knees clicking as he rose. He stretched his arms high overhead, in a salute to the lone ray of sun. Checking his watch, Alex realized his break was over. He spotted Kela through the window, her brows deeply knit as she set the tables for morning tea. He groaned. No matter how many times they’d gone over it, she could never remember the proper placement of the utensils.
He scooped up Mr. B, preparing to go inside and fix her mess. The cat hissed in his arms as a robin fluttered onto the porch railing. The bird regarded them both, while Mr. B fought Alex’s grip.
“Stay!” the bird chirped.
“I’m in no mood for chitchat,” Alex said, shooing it away. If it were a more intelligent animal, Alex might have enjoyed the company. But small birds rarely had interesting thoughts.
“Stay!” The bird repeated, swiveling its head towards the Bend and Break yoga studio next door.
Just then, the front door of Yvette’s studio opened. She appeared, wearing tight black leggings and a scoop-necked sweater. Her blonde hair was fastened in a loose bun atop her head. She was pretty, Alex had to admit, if you were into icebergs.
Two women followed her out. Alex recognized one of them from The Little Tea Pot – she had been sitting with Dave and a baby. She didn’t have a baby with her today, or Dave, for that ma
tter.
It took a minute, but Alex recognized the other woman too. It was Audrey, Elmer’s wife. She was dressed in a powder-blue blouse, smiling, as if she should be going to brunch instead of in mourning.
Alex clenched and unclenched his fists, to let his anger settle. He shouldn’t judge how someone grieved. After all, his own sister never shed a tear when their parents died, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t sad.
A fourth person emerged – a tall, handsome man with rust-colored hair. He had broad shoulders and a confident gait. It was Garett, the director of the Senior Center.
But why were they all there together? As far as Alex knew, there were no yoga classes scheduled around this time. Though he wouldn’t admit it to anyone, he knew Yvette’s studio schedule by heart.
The four spoke in a quiet huddle, while Alex did his best to unobtrusively listen in. He caught a snatch of their conversation.
“So, I’ve got you registered,” Yvette said. “Rachel, will you be bringing Dave?”
Rachel smiled. “Baby yoga isn’t his thing, but I bet I can convince him.”
“Are you sure my vitamin order didn’t come in?” Garett asked as they came down the steps.
“I’m sorry Garett, you’re going to have to look elsewhere for those.” Yvette was smiling, but Alex knew the smile wasn’t real.
“Thanks for everything!” Audrey said, blowing Yvette as kiss as she left.
Rachel followed close, but Garett stayed behind. He ran his hand through his hair. “I didn’t bring them here to sing up for your little classes. I know you’ve got them. I’ll be back.”
Yvette stepped inside, closing the door between them. Garett shot her a dirty look, then joined the women.
When he caught up with Audrey, his hand fell to her lower back, but only for a moment.
Ten
(Baylee)
I took a seat at a small round table in the center of The Little Tea Pot. The only light in the charming tea house came from the sleek, pink tapered candles gracing every table, and a smattering of thicker red and white candles placed strategically around the perimeter. There were rose petals sprinkled across the floor, which I almost slipped on three times while finding my chair. I was thirty minutes early to the speed dating event, and there was no one here but Kela and a pair of servers. Punctuality is a virtue, I reminded myself. I clicked my red faux-alligator pumps together while waiting for the event to begin.
I surveyed my surroundings, glad I was centrally located. From here, I could see everything at once, hopefully avoiding any surprises.
A young waiter passed, offering a consolatory smile and a glass of soda water. I realized I looked desperate, rather than punctual. I was relieved to get a text from Alex – at least it made me look busy.
Saw mayor’s wife today. She didn’t look too upset about her dead husband.
My eye twitched. I wasn’t sure how to respond. He could get worked up over the most trivial things. Still, I didn’t have anything else to do for… twenty-two more minutes.
What do you mean she didn’t look too upset?
She was at the yoga studio with Dave’s girlfriend and the guy who runs the Senior Center. She was dressed in pink. And smiling!
Alex, that doesn’t mean anything. I never wore black to mourn either.
You’re not hearing what I’m saying.
What are you saying?
I’m saying that Audrey almost looked glad to be rid of him.
Audrey? Audrey Moone? That’s the mayor’s wife?
Was the mayor’s wife. He’s dead now. I don’t like any of this.
Will talk later. Love you. Gotta go.
Audrey Moone had been married to Elmer?
Audrey Moone Beane?
I didn’t have time to speculate on any of this, as the café speakers came on, and Jefferson Airplane began asking Don’t You Want Somebody to Love. The double doors leading to the kitchen swung open, and there stood Kela. She made her entrance as if the room were full instead of empty, jutting out her chest and sucking in her dimples. She looked like a mischievous archangel, wearing a black satin top and black leather boots bedazzled with buckles. She paused a moment, allowing her adoring admirers to drink her in, before marching confidently over to my table.
“I lost the index cards with all my notes,” she said, crouching down. “I could swear I left them at the podium earlier, and no one has any idea where they went. Guess I’ll have to wing it. It’s a good thing I’m gifted with so much charisma.”
“How do I look?” I asked. I was wearing a fitted navy blazer and a flared beige skirt, with a red silk camisole to match my shoes.
“You don’t need to whisper, honey. You’re the only one here.” Kela stood up and scrunched her lips while she inspected me. “Honestly, you look perfect.”
“I do?”
“Yes. If we were casting for A Facts of Life reboot – The Spinster Years.”
“You don’t have to be insulting,” I said. “If you don’t like my outfit, just say so. I don’t know what the kids are wearing these days.”
My cousin ran her hand through her wavy bob, separating the curls. “Baylee, you’re not thirty yet. Don’t let your pumpkin shrivel before midnight.” Her long lashes swept the tops of her cheeks as she assessed my situation. She circled the table, like a wrestler seeking advantage over a weaker opponent. “The good news is that I think we can save you.”
She reached out and mussed my hair, fluffing it around my face.
“You’re messing it up,” I protested, catching my reflection in the dark window. I looked like a nerve-addled porcupine. I tried to smooth it back into place, even as Kela kept ruffling it.
“Stop that. It’s sexy,” Kela said. “Men don’t want perfect – it looks like too much work for them. They want playful. Now bend forward and flip your hair back, then shake your head quickly.”
She demonstrated. The effect of her dark strands falling around her crystalline eyes was mesmerizing. I followed her example, only to choke on a chunk of my own hair in the process.
“Soften your shoulders,” she instructed. “Suck in your gut. Push out your chest. Gah! This isn’t working… Take off your jacket.”
“My jacket? I’ll get cold.”
“Better cold than alone for the rest of your life.”
“Is it?”
I had promised Kela my compliance, so with a sigh, I dutifully removed the blazer. I felt so exposed in nothing but my red camisole.
“Much better!” Kela stepped back to check her work. “But you should lose the wedding ring around your neck. Looks like you’re holding on to the past.”
I touched my ring. It was so much a part of me that I often forgot it was there.
“Put it in your purse. You can put it back on when you’re home in bed, watching reruns of Leave it to Beaver.”
I clutched the ring protectively, my feelings of betrayal returning. But Kela was right – I was carrying too much baggage. I carefully unhooked the chain and placed it in a purse side pocket, zipping it shut. I felt suddenly lighter, as if I had lost a good deal of weight. But I also felt more alone.
“So much better,” my compassionate cousin chirped. “You’re almost datable now.
The waiter passed again and noticed my quick makeover. He gave a thumbs-up.
“Man-approved,” Kela said. Her eyes gleamed as she rubbed her hands together. “My magic knows no bounds.”
“This seems like a lot of work to get a date,” I said, wishing the night was already over, instead of ahead of me.
“Knock ‘em dead. And remember, men like to talk about themselves, so just smile and nod a lot. That way, you won’t say anything weird, either.” She returned to the kitchen, swaying her hips as she went.
It was all so easy for Kela. She belonged to this world; I, meanwhile, felt as if I had accidentally landed in the wrong time period. I didn’t know the first thing about flirting or sex appeal in the modern age. I only knew what I’d seen in movies or read
in books. My parents were no great models of romance for me, either. But it seemed I was about to get a crash course.
There was still ten minutes. I could slip out, and no one but Kela would know. She wouldn’t be happy about it, but I wasn’t happy about it, either. I stood and grabbed my handbag, ready to make my run for freedom.
The chime above the glass door sounded and Nick appeared. Tonight, he wore a deep tan sports jacket, casual jeans, and dock shoes. Being Ella’s stepson, it made sense he would be here. Perhaps he was helping supervise the event, since Kela had a reputation for forgetfulness. I gulped, looking in all directions. There was nowhere for me to hide. I was standing all alone in a sea of empty tables, each with a placard that read I’m Available.
He bobbed his head and grinned, heading straight for me. “Nice to see you here.” He extended his hand, his white teeth gleaming in the flickering candlelight. His hair, tucked behind his ears, was still wet from a shower, though the dirt beneath his nails said he liked really short showers or was in a hurry. Before his hand touched mine, I realized I hadn’t yet put on my gloves. I had brought the black ones Kela recommended, but I hadn’t been brave enough to put them on.
I squinted and braced for impact. It was a nanosecond before I realized that nothing happened when our hands met. Absolutely nothing. I squeezed his hand harder, just to make sure. His mind was a blank canvas to me. No memories. No random thoughts. Nothing to make me like or dislike him before I even got to know him. It was unexpected, and wonderful.
Nick’s eyebrows shot up and I quickly pulled away. The marks around his fingers suggested I had been squeezing harder than I realized. “My apologies,” I said. “I was feeling dizzy.”
“Started drinking wine already?” he asked.
“Not yet. But I do hope they bring some soon.”
Nick reached into his sports jacket and removed a small silver flask. He quickly unscrewed the top and took a long swill, then passed it to me. “Brandy,” he said. “It will take the edge off.”
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