by Holly Hood
I was sure everyone saw the blood draining from my face. My throat constricted. I wished I knew a spell to get them all to shut up and forget all that they saw.
“No matter, the house is in one piece. Your dad can stop worrying about his memories with that shrew in Georgia and get on with his life now.” She looped her arm through Claude’s preparing to leave. “And I will see you at five.”
I stabbed a finger to my chest, and raised an eyebrow. “Me?”
“Yes, you, we are going to see Clive. He is going to have you famous in no time.” She pinched my cheek and headed for the door. “Wear something girly, I hear Clive likes the beautiful women."
I sighed. Dad grabbed the dustpan and started cleaning the ashes from the floor.
New path
I stared at my odd-shaped cookie, the ones the Shore Café was so famous for serving. Every circular table was draped with sea foam green tablecloths and seashell centerpieces. The windows were bedazzled with sand dollars around every window frame, and the floor’s tiles emblazoned with tiny shells itself.
“I don’t understand the ambience of this place. We live by the ocean. Why would someone want to come inside and stare at it some more?” I asked Nona. She pushed my cookie toward me, shooting me a bothered stare.
“People live in Cherry because they enjoy the ocean. They want the ocean up close and personal.” She smacked her hand down on the table with a loud whap. “Clive knows business. He knows what sells. And he is going to sell you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that illegal?”
“Is what illegal?” Nona looked around; the passing waitress was dressed in nothing more than short turquoise shorts, and a white t-shirt tied at the waist. Their bodies bronze like goddesses, and their hair was swept up with seashell barrettes. I was even more curious about Clive the more I saw his Café.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. Maybe a middle aged balding man with lots of chest hair and cheap gold chains around his neck, one of those smiles you just wished he would shut off.
Nona was staring at me as I came back to reality. “I asked you a question.”
“What? Oh, I was just making a joke about Clive selling me.” I shook my head at her slow humor—more like none at all.
The door chimed behind us, and the staff shouted cheers of joy, just like they did for us and the many others who entered.
“Now that’s a looker.” Nona shouted to the masses. I twisted in my seat, because Nona was not one to talk about other men. To her Claude was the hottest thing since anything pretty much.
To my shock, it was Hutch. He was taking a seat in the booth by the window with the two guys from the beach. Which I now knew were his brothers. He accepted the menu the waitress handed him and smiled at me.
“Do you know them,” Nona asked. She didn't take her eyes away from Hutch. “They’re all very attractive if I must be honest.”
“I’ve seen him around,” I said, pushing my hair behind my ear and looking away from his glorious smirk. I hoped he stayed where he was because I wasn’t in the mood for Nona’s antics. He would think she was crazy and seeing we were related it wouldn’t look good for me.
I shifted in my seat. “What does this meeting entail?”
“Clive wanted to meet you,” Nona said taking a bite of her cookie, crumbs dropped on the table, and she swatted them away.
“Nothing more?”
“Nothing less, just answer his questions, do as he asks, and you will walk out of here with a new path in life, sweet pea."” She turned her head, flying out of her seat as a tall man entered the room.
“Clive!” Nona squealed, throwing her arms out, and in no time Clive was grabbing her and pulling her into his grasp. She was making quite the show, the entire café—including Hutch, watched Nona yuk it up with Clive.
Nona guided Clive around the table to me. Now I was nervous because this man with dark hair was looking at me—all of me. And he wasn’t some cheesy salesman or fat grandpa. He was…hot, the same age or around the age of my dad, but attractive like Hollywood actors, with the hair of a Greek god, hair-like James Dean.
He extended his hand. “Clive Jennings,” he said, shaking mine with a generous amount of force.
“Hope Zigler,” I said back. Clive wasted no time in pulling up a chair. He waved to the passing waitress.
“Get Hope and Gloria anything they want. I’ll have a Carmel macchiato.” He looked at me and pointed a finger, his chin resting on his knuckles
“Iced cappuccino?” I asked. I wasn’t a big time coffee drinker, but in the presence of Clive, I knew it was good to be. It was his business after all.
“So, Hope. How long have you been singing and dancing,” Clive asked, cutting right to the chase.
I licked my lips, my fingers rounding my ear. Nona watched me. My heart sputtered in my chest. I was nervous, and I really wasn’t sure why.
“Hope has been singing her little heart out since she tore from her mother’s womb, Clive.” Nona cut in.
Clive smiled. “What’s your favorite song to sing?”
I was starting to sweat. The back of my neck warmed, and I could feel my cheeks flush. “Jolene.” Did I say something?
Nona smiled. “Hope and my son, her father, have sung that song, for as long as I can remember.”
I smiled because Nona was right. It was a song that never made much sense to me. I never understood why my Dad liked it, but as I got older, it was a little eerie because his life panned out the way the song depicted. And even though it was haunting now we both enjoyed the song and the lyrics. Jolene was my childhood theme song. And as odd as it was it was also comforting.
Clive placed his hand over mine. “That’s what you will sing.”
My jaw dropped. Clive stood, smoothing out his dress shirt and waved for me to follow him. Nona nudged me, but my legs were now shaking.
“We have a talented girl among us today. And she is going to share this talent with all of us. Everyone please welcome Hope Zigler to the stage,” Clive announced to the café. Hutch and his brothers clapped along with everyone else.
I felt ill. I stood, smoothing out my black vest and tweed gauchos. At least, I dressed up I thought to myself making my way onto the small stage at the front of the café.
The guitarist, who Clive introduced as Moe shot me a welcoming grin as he tuned his guitar.
Clive took me by the elbow. “This is your shot at working for me. I could help you get to where you want to be.”
I nodded nervously and took the microphone from him. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to be, or if I could do what he was asking of me. I felt small and unsure of myself.
Clive squeezed my arm. “Where do you want to be, Hope?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You have to have a passion for everything you do in life. Do you have a passion?"” He released my arm. “Show me your passion.”
I watched Clive head off stage and take a seat next to Nona. Nona gave me a wink and thumbs up. She clapped her hands and cheered me on.
I caught a glimpse of Hutch who held an amused grin.
Moe plucked a chord on his guitar, and the world disappeared. I slipped into the song. A few simple chords took me away. I gripped the microphone, took a deep breath and began singing. The only thing that mattered was the music. It took me back to a time when I didn’t care about anything but music.
Music brought me and my dad together. It made me love him to the point I couldn’t see him unhappy. It made us strong, and it was along for the ride to Cherry California to start our new life.
I stepped to the edge of the stage, dropping my head to the side, swaying to the music, closing my eyes, letting myself go. This was what I wanted at one time, I knew I could want it again.
I needed something to desire because my life was a mess.
I exhaled, dropping my arm to my side and smoothed my hair. The crowd cheered. Some people rose from their seats. Clive’s eyes filled with enthusiasm. He crushed me
in a giant hug.
“You are amazing!” he told me, letting me go, and I could breathe again.
Nona wrapped an arm around me. She too was delighted and proud of me. “I told you, Clive. Hope is something special.”
I smiled, happy to hear Nona being genuine about me, for once it wasn’t hot air coming from her mouth.
“So, now that you have proven yourself to me, what do you say about singing in the café a few times a week?” Clive grinned. “I see a bright future for you.”
Nona raised an eyebrow. “Well? It’s up to you, Sweet pea. Do you want Clive to help you?”
“Please let me help you. I want to help you.” Clive begged. He was begging me.
It was all so much to take in and accept. “I’d be glad to. Thank you for giving me the opportunity,” I said politely.
Nona collected her things from the table. “I have to meet Claude for a meeting about some real estate. You did a great job, and I am very proud of you.” She kissed my cheek and excused herself from the café.
Hutch was standing by the door waiting for something. I realized me once he started walking alongside of me down the boardwalk.
“You’re a singer. I had no idea.” He smiled, hands in his pockets as we strolled down the boardwalk.
“I am, what about you?” I asked back. His hair fluttered in the breeze, the sun making it lighter than what it was.
“That I’m not.”
I nodded, a smile coming.
“Come have a bite with me. I’d like to hear more about you. You’re proving to be a very fascinating girl,” he said.
The last time I seen him came to the forefront. And suddenly I wasn’t so happy to be walking with him down the boardwalk. “I got to get home.”
“I would love for you to get to know me.” Hutch insisted. “I think you would like me and be surprised what you found out.”
I nodded. “I would love that too. However, as you know, I have a boyfriend.” There I did what was right for once.
“I know,” Hutch said. “Just a friendly meal, I swear.”
I stopped walking. “You don’t want to know me. I promise you I am not who you think I am. You’re better off making friends with somebody else.” I moved around Hutch to go home. I was doing the right thing. Getting to know a girl like me would lead him nowhere good. And I was with Slade that was another reason.
“You’re always running off. Can’t you have a little faith in me, Hope? We might have more in common than you even know.”
I turned around, walking backwards down the boardwalk. “I really doubt it. But it was nice seeing you again.” I headed home, leaving Hutch frustrated, but it was for his own good.
Gigs
I had been singing for Clive for a week now. Three times a week and I loved what I was doing. Clive paid his entertainers great money, and to some the free coffee and cookies were an added perk. I did my best to choke down strong cappuccinos whenever I was in his presence, but when he was out for the day, I preferred bottled water.
I gave Moe the sheet music to my musical selection and settled in on the stool behind the mic. At first, I was strong enough to stand on stage and belt out three songs, but sometimes people shouted encore, and my staying power flew right out the window. Clive was always willing to give the people what they wanted, even if it left me gravelly and wiped out by the end of my shift.
The door chimed just as we were gearing up and in walked Karsen. She waved at me and took a seat on the overstuffed couch in the corner. There weren’t many other choices for seating in the packed café at the moment.
I stared around the room at the awaiting customers. Some sipping coffee, others chatting and laughing with their friends, I was glad to see Karsen finally made it to one of my gigs. She and I hardly hung out since she started hanging with Erica and Audrey.
The door chimed again and in came Hutch. He shot me a quick wave and headed to the counter for coffee. He was doing a great job at pretending he wasn’t there to see me sing. He even poked at the brunette taking his order, giving her his famous grin.
“Are we ready?” Moe asked, he dropped his head strumming a fast jingle to get into character. I chose a song I hadn’t sung ever. But I was drawn to it while surfing the web trying to come up with new music to sing to the masses.
Moe leaned closer to me. He wasn’t a bad looking guy. A little skinny, laid-back style, a great head of hair like Clive, and arms covered in tattoos. He was hip and funny and kept me on the up and up when it came to singing at the Shore Café.
“So I was thinking before we start. Is there any way you could sing backup?” I stared at him hoping he wouldn’t panic.
“No problem. My sister listens to these guys all the time.” He started playing. As I peered out into the audience, I immediately noticed Slade and Kidd standing in the back of the café next to Karsen. Kidd nuzzled Karsen’s neck, and Slade smiled at me. It wasn’t a bright beaming smile. It was more a Jordan Catalano manner in my so-called life, the I’m-to-cool-to-seem-genuinely-happy kind of smile.
The first song went off without a hitch. I never understood the expression, but it was fitting for the moment. I took a swig of water, discussing the next song with Moe just as Hutch settled at the table in the front row.
Karsen hurried over. “You’re doing amazing,” she told me, squeezing my hand. “I wouldn’t expect anything other than amazing though.”
Moe smiled, not saying anything. I got the impression he wasn’t into getting to know anyone he didn’t have to. He just wanted to play music and leave at the end of the night. Slade joined Karsen and Kidd. I noticed Hutch watching. I wondered what he was thinking, or if he was trying to figure out what I saw in someone like Slade.
“Having fun?” Slade asked, he wagged his finger drawing me to him. I planted a kiss on his lips.
“It’s fun. I’m glad you came to see me sing.” I smiled, stealing a glance in Hutch’s direction. He shifted in his seat, his jaw tense.
“We all wanted to support you.” Karsen interrupted. We? I asked myself, my eyes searched the crowd and located Erica and Audrey. Audrey wiggled her hand in my direction. She climbed on the stool and took a seat.
Moe began playing my next song and Karsen, Kidd and Slade all found places to sit while I started to sing. It would have felt great to have my friends there to watch me sing, but it didn’t because once again to see them, it meant seeing Audrey.
It was unhealthy the amount of revulsion coursing through my veins for her. I didn’t understand why I was the only one who saw the wickedness in her. It clung to her, why was I the only one who saw it?
With my final song coming to an end Audrey dropped down from her stool and wove herself through the crowd until she was standing in front of me, not too far away from Hutch. I shot Slade a confused look wanting to know why she felt the need to stalk me.
Slade shook his head, staying where he was doing zero to save me from Audrey’s presence. Moe rested his guitar against his seat and let me know he was taking a restroom and cigarette break.
“Great job. I totally see the connection now,” Audrey said, resting her hands on the stage floor. She leaned close a scheming smile on her face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, ignoring her and settling on a staring contest with Hutch while patrons shifted around the room getting new cups of coffee before the encore performance.
“Slade said there was some sort of accident at your house last week; I hope everything is okay.” She laid it on thick making me want to spit nails—in her face. I wasn’t going to play nice with Audrey anymore. If she wanted to get under my skin, I was going to make it easier said than done.
“Look, I don’t like you, and you don’t like me, so why don’t you turn around and go talk to somebody who cares about what you have to say.” I snapped. I glared at Slade and the rest of them too. I was tired of having to be the only one fighting with Audrey while they played nice with her or tried to ignore her.
> “I want your help with something. And then I’ll happily play with Karsen after. She loves hanging out with me.” She glared back, her blue eyes slicing into me with impatience and rage.
“Help with what,” I asked, incensed the girl had nerve. “I don’t want to do anything for you.”
“It’s for the coven, the one you’re part of,” she said under her breath so nobody could hear. She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t want to upset them. Bad things could happen. Things you could never imagine.”
“Like the pentagram in my house right? You had something to do with it?” I demanded an answer. Just so I knew I wasn’t crazy for thinking the worst.
“Anybody could have been responsible for that. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I looked away. “What do you want me to do? I don’t know any spells.”
“I just want you to sing, of course after you take this,” she shoved a dark stone in my hand. I slipped it in my pocket pretending it never happened. “And I will do the rest.”
“What is this going to do?” I fidgeted with the microphone; Moe took his place next to me.
“Just sing.” She swiped her hands together, shooting me a sweet smile and took her seat, watching me.
My hands trembled. This was what I didn’t want. I didn’t want to be a part of anything evil. What was she going to do with these people? My eyes fell on Hutch, an innocent guy who didn’t deserve whatever Audrey was planning. He watched me sing, concern showing all over his face. He knew something was wrong. I wasn’t sure how he picked up on it, but he did.
I stopped singing, ignored the crowds over enthusiastic cheers. Audrey clapped along with them. She smiled bigger at me, heading out of the café. I shoved the microphone in Moe’s hand and left before he could say to me way to go.
Slade grabbed me by the arm before I escaped into the back room. “I need to talk to you. Are you mad at me again?”