“Oh, wow. Maybe she was serious about leaving him for this guy at work. None of us thought she’d do it.”
“That’s not all. Here’s the ass-kicker. Before he left, Jesse said something to her. Gerald told me he couldn’t hear it, but he saw Jesse’s hands draw into fists.”
“He hit her?”
Barry shook his head. “No. Gerald said she hollered, ‘Take your lying, cheating-ass temper and get out of here.’ Then Jesse shouted back, ‘I don’t need you, bitch. You need me, and don’t forget it.’
“At least, that’s what your ex told me.”
Sunny looked up from her food. “This is so weird. Jesse said he didn’t talk to Gina because she was drunk. Why does he act like nothing happened between them?”
Barry gathered their Chinese restaurant food containers and stacked them on the nightstand. “Obviously, something did. Your ex went on to say Jesse slammed the door and left. Gina screamed, ‘It’s my turn now,’ and threw an ashtray across the living room. It hit the television.”
“That explains the hole in the screen. By the way, my ex has a name. Gerald. It was a long, long time ago, so get over it. Anything else?”
He looked at her. “No, I don’t think so.” He broke open his fortune cookie and crunched bits of it in his mouth.
She took a strand of her hair and swiped it across her mouth. “They sound like us.”
Barry stood and slowly exhaled. “Yeah, I know, except you don’t break things.” He winked at her and dumped their takeout boxes in the trash. “I’m going to take a shower.”
She got out her notebook to record and analyze everything she’d seen and heard. She wondered why Jesse lied, and if it was he who was the cause of Gina’s suicide. Or if it could have been her conversation with Gina. Or if it might be something else entirely.
Why did Jesse say he didn’t talk to Gina before he left the house?
A few minutes later she slipped into her nightgown and got under the covers. The motel room was small, with spare furnishings, but clean and comfortable. Barry came out of the shower, a towel around his waist, and stood at the sink outside the bathroom. He brushed his teeth as she watched appreciatively.
His firm biceps were proof he pumped iron on a regular basis. With such a strict regimen, she couldn’t understand why he drank like he did. “If only he’d quit drinking,” she whispered. “Our life would be great.”
He caught her gaze in the mirror and turned to smile at her, his teeth so white and shiny it looked like he’d applied Vaseline. Her cheeks felt hot and tingly. The feeling made her think of the color of rosé wine and even though she’d stopped drinking she hadn’t stopped wanting a drink to calm her nerves. But then again, she’d been a disaster at trying to stop smoking. She felt divided, wanting her addictions, wanting to be free of them. Wanting her husband, wanting to be free of him.
Barry dropped his towel and crawled into bed next to her. She gave in, loving the masculine blend of Zest and Old Spice. He pulled her to him for a deep kiss. She felt the hardness of his body and tasted the freshness of toothpaste.
With one hand he lifted her nightgown over her head and in one movement had slipped off her panties. He withdrew his lips from hers and slowly moved his mouth from her neck down to nibble her breast. She ran one hand though his hair and wrapped the other around his manness. He spooned up behind her, one hand cupping her breast.
The shrill ring of the phone made them jump.
“Damn,” they said in unison.
Out of breath, Barry picked up. “Okay, hold on a minute.” Obviously irritated, he handed it over to her, mumbling into the receiver. “Here’s your mom.”
Sunny talked to her daughter for a few minutes and then hung up. “Rita wants to meet us at the coffee shop across from the mortuary so we can go in to the viewing together.”
The mood broken, they shared a few moments of talking before he turned over and went to sleep. Sunny lay awake considering her feelings for Barry. She couldn’t handle his drinking anymore. They were talking divorce, yet her body wanted him. Her heart wanted him. Well, it has to go on the back burner for now. But she knew she couldn’t ignore her feelings forever, good or bad, right or wrong. It was hard when the love was still there.
CHAPTER TEN
TUESDAY MORNING
Up and out early, they met Rita at Vara’s Coffee Shop on Becker and Ninth, and maneuvered their way through a collection of booths and tables. Smells of bacon and coffee lingered in the air.
Rita stood and gave each a hug. Sunny hung her coat on the back of her chair and they ordered from the menu. After the waitress brought their breakfast, Sunny spoke. “Rita, when’s the last time you talked to Gina?”
Rita cut into her eggs. “Quite a while ago. She told me she wanted to take the kids and move in with a guy she worked with. She talked a lot about him, said he was so nice. I thought it was just a crush. She was always threatening to leave Jesse, so I didn’t believe her.”
“Well, I felt the same way. Gina’d get mad at Jesse and say she was moving out. I didn’t think she meant it either.”
Barry’s gaze bounced back and forth from Sunny to her daughter as he reached for the little container of grape jelly.
“A couple of weeks before Gina died, she started acting different towards me.” Rita mashed her eggs and potatoes. “She didn’t call me. And when I called her, she made excuses to hang up.”
Barry finished his breakfast and washed it down with coffee.
Sunny studied her daughter’s face and thought for a long moment. She didn’t know if now was the right time, but before she could stop herself she blurted it out. “Maybe it had to do with our argument.”
Rita’s forehead wrinkled in a puzzled expression.
Sunny went on. “Eva told Gina a terrible thing.”
Rita’s lips parted and her eyebrows inched upward. “What are you talking about?”
“She told Gina that you and Jesse were sleeping together.”
Barry smacked his mug down, causing coffee to slosh out on the table. “What?”
“That’s crazy.” Rita picked up her muffin and waved it in the air. “Jesse and I are old friends, nothing else. Gina had met Lee and knew I cared about him.” Her voice rose.
Her mother put her finger to her lips. “Shhh.” She looked around. “The last time I talked to Gina was our big argument. Gina told me, ‘I can’t believe you and Rita could stab me in the back.’ She said I knew all about it and didn’t do anything to stop you. I told her it wasn’t true. I reminded her that you could never do anything to ruin your friendship, and she knew it. If she believed her crazy sister over you or me, then I didn’t want her for a friend. When I said that, it really upset her.”
Rita sipped her coffee. “We’ve always been there for her.”
“I told her that. It was terrible. I should have called her back and made her listen.”
“How come I never knew about your fight with Gina?” asked Barry.
“You didn’t tell me what bar you’d be at.”
He exhaled, his chest deflating. “Cheap shot.”
Rita’s face crumbled like the muffin on her plate. “How could Gina think that about me?” She stood abruptly and made a beeline to the ladies’ room.
“Aren’t you going after her?” he asked.
“No, she needs time alone.” She couldn’t eat any more.
Barry had no problem eating off of Sunny’s plate. After he finished he paid the check. In the lobby they waited for Rita, then walked out into the cold air and crossed the street to the funeral home.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sunny felt sick. She hoped to have another vision but had no idea what she’d do with it. Nothing was making sense. Nothing at all.
The bone-chilling wind picked up, whipping at their hair and coats. Sunny pulled the scarf tighter around her neck. Silently, they walked up the steps. Barry pushed open the tall heavy Spanish-style wooden door. Carnations, gladiolas, and other floral fragranc
es hit Sunny’s nostrils. The silence was intimidating. They passed small rooms to the left, larger ones to the right. They tiptoed to the bookstand in the corridor, which indicated Gina’s viewing was in the second vestibule on the right.
“Is it okay if I go in alone first?” Rita asked.
“Go ahead, we’ll wait here.” They watched her walk along the hallway and hesitate at the door. She took out a handkerchief and went in.
Sunny eased herself into a fabric-covered chair and waited. Her eyes focused on the plants and flowers in the foyer. The interior reminded her of an old Victorian home. The walls were cream colored with a chair rail of dark wood molding. Mahogany framed the doors. Wainscot, the color of bittersweet chocolate, finished the room. The inside looked surprisingly different from what the plain gray stucco exterior suggested.
Sunny had always thought of Gina as her older daughter and best friend rolled into one. Her mouth felt dry. She dug in her purse for a stick of gum. Her hands shook as she took her time unwrapping the paper and foil. While she waited she watched people come out from other rooms dabbing their eyes and hanging onto each other.
Her thoughts went to her daughter. “Barry, will you check on Rita, please? Then we’ll go in.”
A few minutes later, he came out with his arm around Rita’s waist. She went to Sunny, wrapped her arms around her neck and sobbed.
“Oh my God, Mom, this isn’t real. It can’t be. Why? Why did she do it?”
“I don’t know, I just don’t know.” There was nothing Sunny could do but hold her daughter close, their feelings blending in mutual sorrow.
Rita composed herself and Sunny helped her to a chair. She and Barry went in.
In the hallway, she began to tremble. Barry grabbed her and held her close. Their footsteps on the hardwood floor made a sorrowful sound. They stopped outside the door and signed the guest book. Their names were not the first. Victor John, the man Gina was supposedly leaving Jesse for, had left his signature.
Sunny opened the door and approached the walnut casket, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the many bouquets surrounding it. She placed her hands over her mouth. She moaned as she looked in. A few pieces of black wig were woven in to cover the part of her head that was blown away. Gina’s lashes lay on her cheeks like butterfly wings.
“They did a great job. She looks beautiful,” remarked Barry.
Taking a second look at the way Gina was dressed, Sunny was paralyzed by anger. “What the hell?! They’ve got her in a motel maid’s uniform.”
The smock was covered with blue and white flowers. It had short sleeves, and a zipper up the front, with a pocket on each side. It wasn’t right for a funeral. And it definitely wasn’t right for Gina. Sunny’s eyes were drawn to her left wrist.
“What’s this?” Sunny’s stomach reacted. The top layer of skin was rubbed off. Sunny pointed to it. “It looks like someone gave her a horrible Indian burn. See there?”
The mortician had tried to hide it with cosmetics, as he had the spot beneath her chin. Sunny’s neck prickled and her stomach knotted up. She was unable to breathe.
Barry also took notice and scoffed. “Ask Jesse.”
“You better believe it. I want to know how that happened to her arm. And I want to know why the maid’s outfit.”
Her husband stepped out and called Rita in. Mother and daughter stood side by side to take a last look at their friend. They said silent prayers of goodbye, each in her own way. They held each other, sharing their pain and sadness. Sunny needed to leave the funeral home and get some air.
On the way out they ran into Eva. Rita tightened her jaw and looked at Eva like she was something to scrape off the bottom of her shoe.
Sunny put her hand out and abruptly stopped Eva. “Why is Gina dressed in a maid’s uniform?” she demanded.
“That’s what Jesse wanted.”
“She’d hate it. I’ll buy her something pretty.”
“No, you won’t. That’s what she’s going to be buried in,” Eva declared. “Now get out of my way.”
Rita stepped closer, a cat with its back up. “I see you’ve turned your dial to hate.”
Barry pulled Rita back and placed his hand on Sunny’s arm to calm both of them. They stared at Eva like she might be crazy, which Sunny believed to be true.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Rita’s driveway was unoccupied. Rita explained that her boyfriend was using her car again. Sunny could tell she was upset but said nothing. Rita brewed a fresh pot of coffee and served it with a plate of oatmeal raisin cookies. Sitting at the kitchen table, they talked about the events at the mortuary.
Barry added cream to his coffee until it was caramel colored. “Gina did look beautiful.”
Both women agreed. “Yes, she did.”
“It was awful to see her in that horrible getup, and the skin rubbed off her wrist,” said Sunny. “To top it off, we had to run into Evil Eva.”
“She makes my blood boil. Needs to get her ass kicked.” Rita took a bite of cookie.
Barry reached for another cookie. “Wouldn’t solve anything. It’d just make things worse.”
Sunny added sugar to her cup, licked the spoon, and set it on the table. She wondered about Gina’s wrist and why she’d had those feelings. She’d hoped for another vision; it was so confusing. She scooted her chair back. “I’m going to call Jesse. I can’t stand to wait any longer. I want to know about Gina’s wrist, and that stupid uniform they put on her.”
She dialed his number. After several minutes he answered, out of breath.
“Jesse, it’s me. Sunny.”
“Oh, hi. I was getting in the car when I heard the phone ring. We’re headed out to the rez to prepare the grave.”
“When’s the funeral?” she asked.
“Day after tomorrow. Louis, my cousin, and a couple of other family members are helping. So we should be ready by then. It’s at the church on Green Valley Reservation. Thursday morning at ten.”
“Good. We’ll be there. Um, by the way, I don’t remember Gina ever working as a motel maid.”
“What?”
“You heard me, a motel maid.”
“She didn’t.”
“Then why is she being buried in a maid’s smock? It’s terrible. I’ll buy her something else.”
“No, it’s okay. Eva told me Gina liked it.”
“Like hell. She told me it’s what you wanted.” Sunny snorted. “Eva must have bought it. Gina’d never wear something so ugly. She had better fashion sense.”
“What difference does it make now?” said Jesse. “She’s going to be in the ground. Who cares?”
“’Scuse me? Did I just hear what I think I heard? Who cares? Is that what you said? Who cares?”
“Huh?”
“Well, I care! That’s who cares. And you should too. She was your wife! You should friggin’ care! But since you don’t, I’ll take care of it. I’ll get her something that won’t embarrass her spirit if she’s looking on at her own funeral.”
“Nah, leave it alone, Sunny. Eva’s in charge.”
No, Eva’s not in charge. I’m taking over!
Sunny was getting nowhere with Jesse. “Did you see her left wrist? It was an Indian burn, like someone twisted her arm.”
“I never noticed. I haven’t been to the mortuary yet. Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll catch you later. Talk to Eva if there’s anything you want to know.”
“T’ hell with Eva.”
“Sunny, I have to go.”
Sunny slammed down the receiver. “Asshole! This is a frigging nightmare. The more I talk to him, the worse it gets. He hasn’t even gone to the mortuary. His whole attitude seems to be ‘Who cares?’”
“Try to calm down, babe. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
“The hell there isn’t. Just watch me.”
She repeated her conversation with Jesse, then said, “I’m so mad I could spit nails. Rita, let’s you and me go to Park Lane Mall first thing tomorrow and buy something nice
for Gina. She is not going to her grave in something she wouldn’t be caught dead in!”
“My mother the comedian,” said Rita with a chuckle and a roll of the eyes.
Sunny grinned wryly and turned to her husband. “Barry, you’ve never lived on the reservation but, you know, when someone from the rez dies it’s the family members who dig the grave.”
“Sure, my grandparents and my father are buried in the Maidu cemetery, over by Quincy. It’s up to my family to maintain it. Right?” He grabbed a beer from the refrigerator, sat back, and lit a cigarette.
Sunny shot him a pissed-off look but continued. “Yeah, Gina’s family’s reservation is about twenty miles from Reno.”
Rita put another cookie on her plate. “Mom, I think Eva is up to something. She’s always flirting with Jesse and trying to hang out with him. She even bought a silver Mustang to match his. I don’t know if he feels the same, but with him, you never know. She was sneaking around and watching Gina and me all the time. I don’t trust her.”
“Me neither. She can be vicious.” Sunny changed the subject. “At the funeral home, I saw in the guest book the first person to visit was Victor John. Isn’t he the guy Gina was leaving Jesse for? Odd that he went to the mortuary, but Jesse didn’t. Strange. I hope I get a chance to talk to him.”
Rita finished her cookie and brushed a crumb off her mouth. “Good idea. He wasn’t at the party, but maybe he knows something that might help us understand why this happened. Gina was always scared to leave Jesse. Maybe this guy was the reason she got so brave.”
Sunny moved to the wall and turned up the heater. “I thought of something. It was when I finished college. Gina called and wanted to stay with us. Remember? She said Jesse was drunk and locked them out of the house. When she tried to get in, he hit her. She and her oldest boy, Tommy, ended up sleeping in an old junk car on their property.”
Rita looked at Barry’s long ash and pushed the ashtray in front of him. “I didn’t pay much attention when it happened. I was young.”
He put his cigarette out. “What I want to know is, if Jesse was abusing her, why didn’t she call the police?”
Whispers in the Wind Page 5