Bury! The Lead

by Shelley Dawn Siddall

“No you don’t; nothing a little make-up can’t fix.”

  Crystal looked up and saw a young woman, a few years older than Crystal, dressed in a navy power suit. Crystal started laughing.

  “I’m sorry,” Crystal said between her chuckles, “I’m not laughing at you; it’s just that you are so put together; the exact opposite of me right now; or ever, for that matter.” Crystal waved in the direction of the other people on the sidewalk. “I wonder what the crowd must think of us. Beauty and the beast!”

  The woman crossed her arms and looked at Crystal severely. “You need to be glammed up; follow me.”

  Crystal considered her day so far. She had put in her requisite hours at the paper, had been humiliated several times, gone to the library and then the Doctor’s. In one day she had done more than the previous six years. Was she up for another adventure?

  She shrugged. “Why not?” Crystal turned her bike around and followed the young woman to an office building a couple of blocks away. Crystal locked her bike to the bike rack outside and leaned back to read the sign at the top of the building. “Zimmerman and Bicks; Attorneys at Law,” she read. “Whew, bet you’re glad you don’t have the last name of a pen. Or a pickle,” Crystal said to the young woman.

  The young woman stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Ashley Bicks. Neither a pen nor a pickle, but the daughter of the aforementioned attorney.”

  “I really hope you have a great rest of your afternoon; you know, one without a random woman making jokes about your surname. I need to go buy a camera. So long!”

  Ashley put her hand on Crystal’s shoulder. “Look, I can see you’re having a rough day. Come up to my office and I’ll get you a cup of coffee and a bit of make-up magic and you’ll feel better in no time!”

  As they rode up in the elevator, Crystal began talking rapidly in order to calm her nerves.

  “This is a bigger elevator than I’ve been in before; but not so big. The walls are pretty close to us, aren’t they? I’m Crystal Schmidt; I have a little job at the Harrogate News. Well, for a month. It might be for longer if I get any mail; but I doubt it. Oh wow, is this your office?”

  “I share it with my Dad; you’ll notice his desk and mine are face to face. With all the books and papers, it looks like one massive desk; but rest assured, there are two desks under that detritus. Let me just go get my makeup kit from the bathroom.”

  Crystal walked around the large sunny room. She called out to Ashley, “So you’re a lawyer too? A lawyer who specializes in makeup?”

  Ashley returned and pulled a pair of tweezers out of the huge makeup bag. She waved it around as she explained, “Actually I specialize in helping vulnerable people obtain whatever they need to ensure a good quality of life. Now sit here; I need to attack your eyebrows first. You don’t mind if I use my makeup on you? No? Good.”

  Crystal winced as the plucking began but said nothing. She knew it was more than necessary; she had let her appearance slide for the last, oh, twenty-four years.

  Ashley applied a cream to Crystal’s eyebrows which reduced the pain immediately. Ashley continued with her story, “Helping people really is my passion and I’m good at it. You would be surprised how many seniors need help applying for pensions or medical benefits; to say nothing of those who have been disenfranchised in some way. What do you do at the paper?”

  “Not much. I’m taking over writing an advice column for a month. It’s fun; but not as important as what you’re doing. I am seriously impressed. Did you always want to be a lawyer?”

  “No. I really wanted to be a rock star. Don’t laugh! My hair has been every color under the sun and ever hairstyle. I play lead guitar and drums and thought that was all I needed, so I joined up with some kids that were a couple of grades ahead of me in school and we started a band.”

  “Wow! What was the name of your band?”

  “The Stormy Troopers. Yeah; big sci-fi opera fans all of us. We weren’t half bad; a little punk; a little rock; a little ska.”

  “But how did you get from rock band to lawyer?”

  “Basically, because we were young, we were taken advantage of by those who hired us.”

  “You were shafted?”

  “Yes. And there was nothing we could do about it. The bar we played gigs at, said that we signed the contract underage, so it wasn’t valid. Then we had the oldest member of our band sign the contract; but again, they skirted around that saying …well it doesn’t matter. We didn’t stay together but it did light a fire under me to help those who didn’t know the law. Like seniors who are victims of illegal rent increases; or who sign contracts for golf lessons when they’re housebound.”

  “Awesome. What did your Dad say when you were going through your rock and roll phase?”

  “He so wonderful. He just patiently waited. Dad and Mom were in a band when they were younger; they knew that unless lightening hit with a number one song, they had to get serious and make a living at some point.”

  “You must have had the coolest parents in school.”

  “Yes; but I didn’t know it then.” Ashley gave a mirror to Crystal. “There. What do you think?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  It was not her face staring back at her. This was the face of a confident woman with two, count them, two eyebrows! The bright red lipstick was shocking at first, but the longer she looked at herself in the mirror, the more she liked it.

  “How did you learn how to do this? This is fantastic!”

  Ashley crossed over to her desk and pulled out an old photograph. A teenage Ashley smiled back; she was sporting pink dreadlocks and neon green eye shadow. “Make-up is make-up,” she chuckled. “I’ve toned down my look a bit since these days.”

  “Well I appreciate this makeover! Forget the camera, I’m going to go get myself some red lipstick!” Instead of leaving though, Crystal remained sitting in the chair. “Ashley, how do you find people that need your help? Do you go searching or do you wait for them to come to you?”

  “A combination of both. I go out and talk to street people; visit soup kitchens, go to Senior’s Residences. As well, I read the paper, keep my ears open; and listen to concerned relatives and friends when they visit the office.”

  Crystal was quiet for awhile, then she said softly, “It really is everybody’s job to care for those who are vulnerable, isn’t it? You really are somebody!”

  “What do you mean Crystal?”

  “Nothing; I was just thinking about a poem my mom quoted to me recently. Do you have a card I could give to a friend? I think she needs some legal advice.”

  “Oh?”

  “She described her situation at home to me; it sounds like her parents are purposely making her sick. I read about this in a murder mystery; I think it’s called Munchausen syndrome by proxy.”

  “I’ve heard of it. Give me her name and address and I’ll discreetly contact her.”

  Crystal shook her head. “I can’t. She isn’t at home right now; she’s in a treatment center. She doesn’t even know I’m asking for legal help for her. And all I have is her first name; Claire.”

  Ashley wrote some notes on a yellow legal notepad that miraculously appeared from the pile of paper on her desk and then looked up at Crystal. “Can I have your full name and address as well? If something tragic should happen to this Claire, at least I’ll have one witness to her suspicions.”

  “Do you think her parents would kill her?” Crystal gasped.

  “Hard to say; but usually the child or children involved are much younger and the end is usually, as I mentioned, tragic. The proof is usually provided by an autopsy.”

  “Okay.” Crystal stood up. “I’m going to drop your card off tomorrow. Right now, I’ve got to get home or my mom will think I’ve been kidnapped, or even worse, run off and joined the circus. Mind you, she’d probably ask for tickets.”

  The friendly lawyer gave Crystal her card. “Before you drop this off, I think I might approach the Arbutus Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center and of
fer to present a seminar; with fifteen minutes of free legal advice for each client.” She walked over to her phone and began searching through the phone book.

  For a second Crystal wondered how Ashley knew where Claire was, then the tumblers clicked into place. “I guess there is only the one treatment center in town; that would be awesome if they let you do this.”

  Ashley smirked. “If? Crystal; free legal advice? They’ll jump at the opportunity for their clients. I wouldn’t be surprise if they ‘squeeze me in’ right away and some of the counsellors ask for their fifteen minutes as well.”

  Someone on the other end of the line answered so Crystal waved goodbye. She went down the stairs instead of using the elevator and walked outside feeling lighter than she had for days.

  ***

  Mrs. Prescott was waving frantically when Crystal rode by.

  “Crystal! Where have you been? We usually see you drive by our place around nine in the morning; we haven’t seen you for months and months! Are you okay dear?”

  “I’m fine Mrs. Prescott; and I saw you Sunday, remember? But I really can’t stop and talk. I’ve got to get home.”

  “Good to hear dear. But you’ll probably want to wash your face before you get home or your mother will find out you’re wearing cosmetics. Do you want me to get you a face cloth?”

  Crystal’s confidence started to ebb. “Do I really look that bad?”

  “No Crystal; you look lovely, but you’re not old enough to be wearing make-up. Doesn’t your school have a strict policy about girls not wearing make-up?” Mrs. Prescott looked Crystal up and down. “And pants? Girls really shouldn’t wear pants you know.”

  “Mrs. Prescott, I don’t go to school anymore.”

  “Oh no! Don’t turn into one of those bad girls that hang around pool halls and paint their nails! Your poor mother and father!”

  Crystal stuttered. “My da…dad isn’t with us anymore.”

  The elderly lady began patting Crystal’s hands. “You poor dear! Your Dad’s run away with one of those floozies from the pool hall? I just knew that Theresa was up to no good. But never mind; you stay in school young lady! You apply yourself to your studies and learn how to sew and clean and maybe one day, you’ll have a gentleman caller and he won’t care that you came from a broken home! You just learn how to cook and I’m sure you’ll land a husband when you’re old enough.” Mrs. Prescott snapped her fingers as she thought of something. “Your poor mother. I should bake her a pie. You tell her I’ll bring it by later.”

  Crystal hugged Mrs. Prescott. “She’ll really like that. It will make her feel so much better; she probably won’t even think of that floozy Theresa.”

  “Hush child; do not say that name. You know it’s been banned from our home. Now finish your paper route and hurry home for dinner. And for heaven’s sake, wash your face.”

  ***

  “And then she told me again to wash my face.”

  “Poor Mrs. Prescott,” Joanne said as she and her daughter visited after supper, “I think she’s losing it. Do you know what I found in the last pie she gave me? A little toy dinosaur slightly melted. I threw the whole pie out because I didn’t know what melted dinosaur chemicals might do to us.”

  Crystal laughed. “And here I thought you and Matt had eaten the whole thing! But Mom, to be serious for a minute, you know Mrs. Prescott is still driving?”

  “Yes I do and it’s been quite the topic of conversation amongst those in the congregation. Her husband knows he should do something; but he can’t drive either with his cataracts. They say he’s too old for the surgery.”

  The women were sitting in Joanne’s kitchen, elbows on the table that still had the supper dishes piled up.

  “Oh that stinks. Say, what do you think of my new face? You haven’t commented on it all evening.”

  “I was afraid you would get offended if I said what I really think.”

  “Mother, please. You’ve known me for over twenty-four years. When do I ever get offended? If I don’t like what you have to say, I’ll just run away and go screaming into the night.”

  “You look beautiful CeeCee; you should do your make-up like this every day!”

  “Thanks Mom.”

  “So, are you ready to tell me what you did today after your morning at the paper? Obviously it was something new and exciting. I mean, look at you!”

  Crystal twisted her mouth up to one side. “Did you read today’s paper, Mom?”

  “No, I wanted to do that with you. You know, share the moment as you read your words in print! Yes, I know I’m cheesy.”

  “So Matt didn’t phone you?”

  “No; he’s busy checking over his bicycle and confirming the participants for our first training session Saturday.”

  Crystal smiled. “You know what Mom? I’ve been so busy; I haven’t even looked at my column. You had a great idea; let’s do that together.” She went to her knapsack, grabbed her copy of the paper, then carefully folded back the front page.

  Mother and Daughter gasped.

  To say that Marjorie had taken liberties with announcing the new advice columnist, would be an understatement. A full page, in the lifestyle section of the Harrogate News had been devoted to saying goodbye to Betty and hello to CeeCee.

  The two women sat and read in silence until Joanne poked her daughter, “I liked that sassy comment to ‘Now a Man of Means’; it looks so good in print, doesn’t it? I wonder what he’s going to think when he reads it?

  Crystal simply raised her eyebrows and kept reading. It was true what her mom said, her words, in print, had affected her deeply. She felt like a real person.

  “I feel like I have a whole new identity.”

  “Are they going to keep the whole page for you in future issues?”

  “No; I think Marjorie said she was going to add more space until I’ve got up with the backlog of letters to Betty.

  Joanne hugged her daughter. “I know a celebrity! I can hardly wait to tell…”

  “No Mom; don’t tell anyone. I want the anonymity; it’s just you and Matt that know me as CeeCee; I don’t want to have someone come and knock on my door, asking for advice or telling me my advice stinks.”

  “Okay; but I’m just so proud of you! I think I can tell Mrs. Prescott; she’d be so happy for you. She always asks about you.”

  “I think my secret would be safe with Mrs. Prescott.”

  Crystal did a drumroll with her hands on the kitchen table. “And now we come to the front page portion of the paper.” She frowned at her mom. “I wish you were wearing a hat, because then I could tell you to hold onto it.” She flipped the page over.

  As Joanne read, she kept saying softly, “What? Really? How can this be?”

  Crystal shook her head slowly. “Mom, there is so much more to this story; but I really don’t want to go over it with you right now. Just know that I think that my investigation into the hit and run is done. “

  “So no more almost getting run down by a car?”

  “That’s right. The only danger in my life will come from unknown toys melted in pies.”

  “Well CeeCee, with the little you’ve told me; I know this article can’t be the truth. But if you’re not ready to talk about it; that’s fine. We can talk about Cycling for Kids if you like!”

  “Yes Mom, that is uppermost on my mind; your charity event.” Crystal said sarcastically but immediately felt remorseful. She clapped her hands together loudly. “You know what Mom? I’ve got to start taking my own advice.” Crystal flipped back to the lifestyle section of the paper. “Now look what I wrote to ‘Stuck in the Middle’. You can make a change anytime in your life.” Crystal banged out another drumroll. “Mom; I’m joining the bike ride to raise money for kids in need!”

  “I can’t believe it! This is marvellous. So down to business. How do you intend to raise the entry fee?”

  “What was it again? Five dollars?”

  “Right. Try five hundred.”

  “Mom,
I don’t know how I’m going to do it; but I am. I have two days before the training starts, so no problem.”

  “Actually my darling daughter, you can join us on our training runs even if you haven’t raised the entry fee yet.”

  Crystal started to clear the supper dishes. “And when does this event take place?”

  “First Saturday in August!”

  “That only gives me two months!”

  “Two months is plenty of time to train. You normally ride everyday; I don’t think you’ll have a problem.”

  Crystal smiled. “I mean two months to dither about it. Although…” she stopped mid-stride while she thought. Her mom gently removed the dishes from her daughter’s hands.

  “You know a funny thing has happened the last few days. I found a passion I hadn’t known before; it woke me up if you will. And even though things didn’t turn out the way I hoped; I not demolished by it. Do you know what I mean? I’ve just been so busy that I’ve spent less time thinking about myself and I’ve been able to do a lot more.”

  “Makes sense. I’ve noticed some huge changes in you. I hope they’re going to last.”

  Crystal took a step back and looked at her mom. “Well there’s a vote of confidence if I ever heard one.”

  “Yeah; maybe I didn’t phrase that very well. I guess what I’m saying, my dear, is that it’s only been since Sunday that you started making changes…and they’ve been big changes; I hope you don’t get overwhelmed by everything and some of the changes stick.”

  “Only slightly better Mom.” Crystal relented. “I think I agree with you. I read a quote I like…say I should put it up on the wall beside my cat!”

  “You have a cat on your wall? Explain please.”

  “Believe it or not, but I talk to myself a lot. In order to legitimize this slightly odd behaviour, I decided that if I was talking to a cat, it might be understandable. So I drew a cat and stuck it to the wall.”

  “Sure. Talking to a drawing of a cat is so much more normal than talking to yourself. But what is the quote you were going to mention?”

  “Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally; but from what you do consistently.”