Whispers in the Wind

by Veronica Giolli

  “It’s fine.” She smiled. “I appreciate it. Thanks again.”

  In front of Rita’s house, Victor got out and opened the door on her side of the truck. She wanted to flash a smile. But she was so tired and upset about finding her car where it shouldn’t be that she couldn’t manage it. She invited Victor in but he declined. She felt empty. There was nothing to do for it at the moment.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Her mother was wiping off the kitchen table when Rita came in. “Hi, hon, what’s going on with you?” Sunny asked. Rita told her about Victor’s coming in for a haircut and giving her a ride home when she couldn’t get a hold of Lee; taking the wrong exit; and then finding her car at a strange apartment building.

  “What do you think I should do?”

  “I’m not saying anything. You know how I feel.”

  A phone rang. Rita picked up. There was only a dial tone. “Another hang-up,” she said irritably. “This has to be deliberate, but who could it be?”

  “I got a couple today, myself,” Sunny said patting the seat next to her.

  “It’s all too much.” Rita sank onto the couch beside her mom. Floyd jumped in her lap and rubbed his head on her shoulder. Her emotions were still on fire.

  She snapped at Sunny. “Did you hear me? I said what do you think I should do about Lee? I think he might be cheating on me. I don’t want to go through any drama.”

  Sunny’s voice rose. “I’ve already told you, dump him. But … you’re not sixteen, remember?” She hated doing this dance with Rita. “You’ll have to figure it out. You’re an adult.”

  “I know. I will. It’s just not that easy.”

  “Yes it is. But I’m too tired to debate with you about Lee, so let’s just go find him. Go get a heavier coat and grab mine. It looks like it’s going to snow.”

  Gratitude washed over Rita. “Really? Oh, Mom, that’s great.”

  “We’ll find your car, if it’s still there. Then we’ll wait as long as it takes, and follow him. Lee doesn’t know what my rental car looks like. Whatever he’s doing there he’s being a jerk,” Sunny said. “Besides, I don’t like anyone using or hurting my daughter.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Rita gave her mom directions. Going back to the turnoff, Rita sat forward, looking out the window, explaining where the apartment building was where she last saw her car. Rita pointed as they drove up to the carport.

  Sunny found an empty stall where they could watch Rita’s Mazda. Sunny killed the engine and flicked off the headlights.

  “Good. We’re lucky he’s still here. Mom, do you think it’s possible that he is telling the truth?” She bowed her head and fidgeted with her hands. “Maybe he ran out of gas, or his friend is working on it.”

  “Stop making excuses for him. Wouldn’t he have called you if that were the case? And why would his friend work on your car?”

  With her bottom lip pushed out, Rita stammered, “I guess.”

  Sunny sighed. “Rita, honestly, what do you want me to say?”

  It was getting dark as they watched the choreography of snowflakes disappearing on the black, slick street. The lights in the carport gave a winter glow to the neighborhood.

  “I wish we knew what apartment he’s in,” said Sunny. “We’ve been here a half hour. It’s getting cold.”

  “Look! There he is!” Rita shouted and wiggled in her seat. Lee walked out of a ground-floor apartment. She knew it was him, even from a distance. He wore his faded brown shirt, his khaki pants, and black jacket. His hair was a mess, like a scarecrow. Next to him was a tall woman. They appeared relaxed with each other, more than friendly.

  “Who’s that with him? Dang.” Rita grabbed the door handle.

  Sunny reached over and pushed her shoulder against the seat back. “Settle down. Wait.”

  Lee and the woman clung to each other as they walked to the car. Taller than Rita, the woman wore a navy pea coat and a dark beanie. Her long blonde hair poked out from under her cap and rested on her shoulders.

  Rita’s eyes were watery. “Oh, great. A tall blonde.”

  Lee opened the car door and got in behind the wheel, leaned over, and gave the woman a lengthy kiss. She got into the passenger seat beside him.

  “That tells you all you need to know,” said Sunny.

  Rita felt her life crumble. Her eyes teared. “What a fool I’ve been. What the hell? And in my car, the bastard!” Rita let her tears go. “I’m going to kill him.”

  Sunny held Rita’s arm. “Stay put. Let’s follow him first. Find out all the details before you chop him into little pieces … or I kill him.”

  Lee backed out, then drove away from the apartment complex and tore across the street onto the freeway.

  Sunny trailed behind. “I told you he wouldn’t recognize us. Try to keep calm, okay?”

  Rita pounded the dash with her fist. “I feel sick. I’m embarrassed, and pissed. Worse, he kisses another woman … in my car, for Christ’s sake. And look how he’s treating it! I love that car. It looks like he’s headed to his apartment.” She fell back in the seat, tears streaming.

  Sunny trailed Lee, careful to stay a few cars behind. He drove off the freeway, down his road, and pulled into his carport. Sunny parked across the street. The spot gave them a good view of Lee’s place.

  “Mom, I’m going to go get my car.” She wiped her face.

  Already, Lee and the woman were entering his apartment, closing the door casually, as if this were nothing out of the ordinary.

  “Rita? Wait!” But it was too late.

  Rita opened the car door and bolted. “Don’t worry, I won’t start anything. After the way he’s treated me, I just want to scare the crap out of him. He’s nothing but a dog. I can’t wait to see how surprised he’s going to be.” She slammed the door and ran across the street.

  Rita bent her head, charging into the swirling snowflakes as she walked up and banged on the door of number 104. When she heard footsteps she moved out of the way of the peephole. When Lee opened the door and saw her standing there, his mouth dropped open.

  Rita smiled and walked in, not waiting to be asked. “Hi,” she said. She moved over to shake the hand of the pretty blonde, who had kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable. Whore. “I’m Rita, and you are?”

  Lee jumped in. “This is … um … my real estate agent, Cathy. Remember, I told you I was buying a condo? Wha … what are you doing here? I was going to bring your car back … uh.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Uh, I guess I’m a little late. We were finishing up with the paperwork.”

  Rita looked around and saw no documents. “What paperwork? I guess you haven’t had time to get to it. And you were going to bring my car back when … ? When you were flippin’ good and ready.” She smirked, delighted that she’d caught them outright. She could see how nervous she was making both of them. “What a pitiful liar you are,” she told Lee.

  Then she turned to the woman, who stared at her, mouth half-open. “You must have something he wants. Be careful, sweetie, he’ll use you too. It’s what he does best, next to lying.”

  Lee walked to her. “Wait, Rita, listen.” He stretched his arm out as if to touch her.

  She held her palm out to block him as she backed up a step. “No butthole, you listen. Give me my keys. I want out of this hellhole, and away from you and your lying-ass, user bullshit.”

  He reached in his pocket, pulled out her keys and handed them to her. She walked out and slammed the door.

  Rita tromped in long, angry strides to the car and motioned for her mother to roll down the window. “What happened in there?” Sunny asked. “I was getting worried.”

  “I’m fine, called him a few names. Met her. Cathy. His ‘real estate agent.’ Wonder what else she’s selling him?” Rita wiped at her eyes and looked at her mother.

  “Or giving him …”

  They smiled.

  “I’ll get my car and meet you at home.”

  Sunny nodd
ed. “Be careful.” She waited until Rita was in her car before she drove off.

  Rita was so mad she couldn’t think straight. She had to escape. Lee had messed with her car, pushed the driver’s seat so far back she couldn’t reach the gas pedal. She had to readjust everything: the car seat, the rearview mirror, the side mirror. What a mess. And really, all she wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

  The lingering scent of another woman’s perfume made her sick. Then she realized she had smelled it before, in the car when Lee picked her up. She felt like crying, but wouldn’t. Not for him. She started the engine to drive straight home.

  As she shifted to reverse and backed out, she almost ran into Lee and his “realtor.” Slamming hard on the brake, she rolled down the window, ready to bite their heads off.

  Lee begged, “Can you give us a ride back to her house? It’s starting to snow, and Cathy needs to get home.”

  Rita laughed. “Call a taxi. This one’s out of service.” She rolled up the window, smiled sweetly, waved, and drove off. Her entire body shook. How could he be so cold-blooded?

  As soon as she got home she told her mother what happened.

  Sunny’s eyes were on fire. Her face turned red.

  “Is he nuts?” exclaimed Rita. “What a coldhearted asshole! That takes nerve! Well, he’s out of my life. I don’t feel as bad as I thought I would.” Rita rubbed at her eyes again. “So why do I keep crying?”

  Sunny sat with her head bent. “It’ll pass. I know you’re upset, but he wasn’t the one for you. If someone loves you he’d never do that to you. Now, only your pride is hurt.”

  Rita sat across from her mother at the kitchen table. She looked into Sunny’s face and could tell something had happened, something else, more than with Lee and his blonde. “What’s wrong?” Rita put her hand on Sunny’s arm. She knew Sunny had her own relationship problems.

  “I walked past the mirror and saw the dark circles under my eyes. I’m tired of crying too. I love Barry, but I can’t put up with the drinking. I don’t know what to do about Gina and her ‘suicide.’ My face is a mess. I can’t sleep. And crying does no good.” She reached for a tissue on the coffee table.

  “I’m sorry, Mom.” Rita sniffled and gave her a hug. “Guess we’re both crybabies.”

  Sunny stood and threw the tissue in the fireplace. She rubbed hard at her face. “God, I’m so sick of all of this. I need a break. You need a break. Why don’t we forget about our problems for a while? Let’s go to the Cal Neva and gamble a little. My treat.”

  Rita grinned. “Sounds good to me, especially the treat part.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Sunny swatted her on the butt. “No more tissues for us. Let’s take your car. You just drove. The engine should still be warm.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  An hour later twilight fell in a purple haze as they walked into the casino. Both glanced at the outrageous carpet. Red-and-black swirls designed to be disorienting. The place was busy, thanks in part to tour buses from Canada and Washington. The odors of cigarettes and booze mixed with multiethnic restaurant smells.

  Sunny glanced over at the slot machines. Bells and carnival music went off on the slots where tourists tried their luck. They passed by the tavern known to locals as The Long Bar.

  “Rita, you know, this bar is the size of three bars strung together.” Sunny was mesmerized by it.

  Rita elbowed her mom and jerked her chin toward a man sitting there. “Look, there’s Jesse.”

  A drink sat in front of him and there was a napkin on top of the beer glass at the next stool. “Someone’s sitting beside him. Must’ve gone to the restroom.”

  He looked up and motioned to them. They strolled over to greet him. He stood and hugged them. Sunny felt her skin grow hot. She was uncomfortable with Jesse, and not for the first time. Sunny pointed to the slots against the wall. “I’m going to try the machines over there.” She felt suffocated. She had to get away.

  Rita smelled a familiar cheap fragrance and turned around. Eva, who was coming up behind them, pushed herself between Rita and Jesse. “What the hell is this? Why is she here?” asked the evil woman.

  “What the hell does it look like?” Jesse hollered. “You don’t get to say who I can talk to.”

  Eva grabbed her drink, spilling some of it on the long bar. She turned her nose up. “My friend’s upstairs in the restaurant. I’ll be in there.” She stormed off.

  “Man, she’s something else.” Rita pulled up a stool next to Jesse. She watched her mom out of the corner of her eye. Sunny was scanning all the machines, looking for that lucky one. Rita chuckled. Sunny picked the last one in the corner and climbed on the chair, eager as a little kid.

  Jesse playfully punched Rita’s arm. “Hey, where’s the boyfriend?”

  She felt her stomach tighten. “We’re done. Through. Over and out.”

  “Great. He was a phony, anyway. You’re too good for him.”

  Rita frowned and changed the subject. “Enough about him. How are you doing? How’re the kids?”

  “I’m doing okay. The boys are still with my mom. She has a lot of land for them to run around on, and the boys love all the horses, dogs, and cats. They still have nightmares about their mom. It’s horrible for them. I go over every evening.” He played with his napkin.

  “I’m sorry, Jesse, for all of us.” Rita wanted to focus on something else. “Why is Evil Eva always around?”

  “She sticks to me like flypaper. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

  Rita smiled. “Eva’s always been in love with you. Now she’s obsessed.”

  “Believe me, the feeling’s not mutual. It was over the minute I met Gina. Not that it was all that much in the first place. I have to give Eva hell all the time. She thinks she’s in charge, and that’s not going to fly. I don’t know why she’s at my house all the time. She’s wearing me out talking to herself all the time and singing. She drives me nuts.”

  “She has a big problem with both my mom and me.” Rita ordered a merlot. “I don’t know why. We never did anything to her, but she’s never liked us. Who can figure her out?”

  “Eva’s jealous. She knows Gina told you and Sunny everything, but never confided in her,” he said. “She’s one weird chick.”

  Bells went off across the crowded room. She touched his arm. “Look, my mom is jumping up and down and waving. It’s her machine. Let’s go see what she won.”

  “You go on. It’s late. I’m heading out. Catch ya later.” He gave her a hug. She watched him walk up the few steps and through the large glass double doors.

  Rita felt bad for him and his boys, but she and her mom had loved Gina too. It was all too much to think about. She picked up her wine and hurried over to her mom.

  The bells and music from the slot machine were loud enough to get the attention of all in the vicinity. Rita arrived just as the attendant paid her mother one thousand dollars in hundred-dollar bills. Sunny was so excited she hugged everyone around her.

  Eva appeared from around the slot machine. Sneaky, like a snake.

  “Where’s Jesse?” Eva hissed. Eva and her friend were glaring at them. A cigarette dangled from the corner of the friend’s mouth. She looked older than Eva, skinny, dark, a wrinkled face, short salt-and-pepper hair.

  They reminded Sunny of high school bullies. Eva’s large round glasses gave the impression of a cartoon turtle.

  Rita pointed toward the front entrance as they made their exit, then turned her back on them. “Good riddance,” she mumbled. Music and bells went off on other machines announcing other winners.

  After Sunny tipped the change person, she put her winnings in the inside pocket of her jacket and zipped it up. She grabbed a seat at the small table. “I’d like a soda. Winning makes me thirsty. I want to arrange the money in my purse.”

  “I’ll get you one.” Rita set her glass on the table and moved over to the snack bar.

  When Rita returned, Sunny was waving toward the gambling tables.
“Who are you waving at?”

  “My friend, Karen. She’s the pit boss over the Twenty-One tables.” The woman behind the tables was a tall, dark woman with a close-cut Afro. Karen had aged some but was still beautiful, her complexion flawless, big brown eyes, full lips.

  “Karen and I used to work together, before your time. Back in the early sixties black people weren’t allowed in the casinos. And neither were Indians.”

  “What! That’s crazy.”

  “I know, but true. This town was something else. Back then, when the casinos were for whites only, a Chinese man bought a casino and brought busloads of minorities in from San Francisco and Oakland. The club had a big entertainment room for the celebrities he brought in.”

  “Glad it’s not like that now.”

  “I’d go say hello, but bosses don’t appreciate that.”

  She and Karen waved at each other. “I guess she’s just a casino junkie.” She laughed. “But … good for her. You ready to go?”

  Mother and daughter went out the door arm in arm, their matching smiles announcing they were big winners.

  “Can you believe it! A thousand dollars!” Rita squealed.

  “I sure can!” Sunny shouted.

  Rita laughed, glad to see her mom happy.

  “Eva and her friend looked like they wanted to kick our asses,” said Rita.

  Sunny jutted her jaw out as they raced down the steps of the casino. “You mean try to kick our asses.”

  They giggled so hard they couldn’t stop. Finally, nearly sick from laughing, they entered the parking garage.

  The smiles on their faces disappeared when they saw a uniformed policeman and another man standing by Rita’s car. “What’s going on?” Rita asked. She immediately thought, Lee? Did he mess with my car?

  The cop introduced himself as Officer Boyle, and the man next to him as Mr. Adams. The man tried to say something but was cut off by the cop.

  “This your car?” the officer asked.