The Cornelius Saga Series Box Set 2

by Tanya R. Taylor

  She managed a smile. “You sure it’s not bad luck that you’ve seen it before the wedding?”

  “That’s superstition, I told you! I know plenty guys who saw their lady in her wedding dress before the wedding and their marriages are going strong.”

  He appeared to have lifted her spirit.

  “Okay,” she said. “You win.”

  “That’s my girl!” He kissed her cheek.

  “By the way, you looked rather handsome in your tux.”

  “Think so?” He was smiling from ear to ear.

  “Yeah.” She nodded.

  7

  _________________

  Driving a rented hatchback, Cindy pulled into the yard of Jefferson High at 8:55 a.m. She would use that car for a few days until she and John were able to lease one from a local dealership.

  Ashley grabbed her book bag from the back seat, then looked at her mother. There was something she desperately wanted to say to her from before they’d left home. “Mom…” she started, “…there’s something wrong with our house. I think we should move.”

  Cindy sighed heavily.

  “We don’t have to go back to Colonsboro—just anywhere else. We can stay right here in Mizpah, but in another house.”

  “I’m sorry, Ashley, but that’s not going to happen. Your father and I have invested a pretty penny in our new home. Our money doesn’t grow on trees, as you know, so I’m afraid we’re going to stay right where we are. I don’t know what these sudden episodes are that you’ve been having, but maybe we should take you to get some help,” Cindy replied.

  Ashley’s heart sank. “Really, Mom? I should’ve known I couldn’t talk to you. I never could, anyway!”

  She got out of the car and slammed the door.

  “Have a good day!” Cindy sang behind her. “I swear, if she breaks these people’s car glass, whatever it cost to repair it is coming directly out of her savings.”

  She drove off contentedly and switched the radio dial a few times until it stopped at a local classical music station. Classical was her absolute favorite kind of music—both to play and listen to. After she’d turned forty-seven and was rapidly approaching the “change of life”, she found that the mere act of driving had become a chore; it often made her a nervous wreck, especially if she happened to get caught in traffic. Then, there were the occasional dizzy spells which, more than once, had caused her to turn the car right around, and return home to lie down. And that damned anxiety—she felt it was the worst and was sure it was at the crux of every strange, frightening, puzzling symptom she’d had. Though her fingers weren’t short in terms of finances, she’d not been lucky enough to find who she deemed was a qualified enough physician to make all of her menopausal symptoms go away. Many times, she felt like crawling into bed or under a rock and never resurfacing to see the light of day again.

  Those days, she quietly cried in frustration, though no one ever witnessed it. Cindy was too strong of a woman to ever show her weak side even to her own family. Besides, in her mind, she always had to be the strongest one because if anyone could take care of them all, it was her. She’d been equipped for the job ever since she was thirteen when her mom walked out on her and her dad and she had to learn on her own what it took to be a woman. Especially when Dad was out at the pub most nights in hopes of drinking away his seemingly insurmountable problems. Cindy had learned to be tough, to depend on herself and to take care of her dad who obviously couldn’t take good enough care of her or himself. She studied hard to graduate Valedictorian from high school and then worked two jobs to help fund her partial university scholarship. Somehow, she made things happen, never slowing down for a second. Cindy had big dreams: She was going to show her run-away mom she could be something great in life and that she’d made a tragic mistake by walking out on her. Even though she heard she’d died twelve years later at the hands of a long-time lover who was now serving time, she was sure Tracy Gooddall could still see how she turned out whether she, by chance, was looking down from Heaven or looking up from Hell. She was showing her what it was to be a “real” woman—one who sticks with her family and keeps it together.

  She made a U-turn at the stoplight, then took a right into Ted’s Wholesale. Ted’s had a huge name even back in Colonsboro and owned a chain of franchises throughout the United States and other parts of the world. It was where Cindy shopped and stocked up on most of their grocery items and housewares.

  She was fortunate to discover a lone spot close to the main front doors, as the parking lot was fairly crowded.

  “What’re all these people doing here so early?” she muttered after getting out of the car. She pulled her purse strap onto her shoulder, gave a gentle tug at the end of her plaid blouse and shut the door behind her.

  Cindy was dressed like a professional even though the only stop she intended to make that morning was at Ted’s. “First impressions are everything,” she often reminded herself before she left home. “They never happen twice.”

  She pulled a shopping cart from behind a partially enclosed rail at the side of the glass doors and entered the store.

  Ted’s was a one hundred and thirty thousand square foot giant stacked with any and everything a mother could possibly want for her home. Cindy absolutely loved every time she stepped in one of those stores. She felt like a princess in a castle.

  “Good morning, Ma’am and welcome to Ted’s!” A smiling female host greeted her at the door.

  Cindy nodded—felt it was the least she could do, then continued on her way. She checked her wristwatch as she’d planned to spend no more than an hour there that morning. She wanted to be back at home by 10:30, the latest, to make a few calls in reference to some real estate. It was 9:14. She figured with their house about fifteen minutes away, she had ample time to pick up the items she wanted.

  The Oriental mats near the front of the store caught her eye. She’d been meaning to get another one for the house as soon as she settled in, but obviously, now was the time. She bent over and picked through the stack for the perfect one that could sit right below her prized piano. She opted for a round one, instead of the rectangular ones she often preferred. She could see it sitting there beautifully in the living room. As she straightened up again, ready to call over a CSR to assist her, a lady bumped into her.

  “Oh, I’m sorry!” the tall, beautiful blonde said to her.

  Cindy’s eyes widened as shock filled every fiber of her being. She looked like she’d seen...

  “Are you all right?” the woman asked, feeling terrible that a simple blunder might have caused this stranger such visible distress.

  Cindy was at a loss for words. It just couldn’t be!

  “Ma’am… ma’am...”

  She didn’t even blink although thirty seconds at least had passed. Then, as if a cloud had slowly moved away from her iris, she was able to see a clearer image of the woman in front of her, and she almost collapsed with relief.

  “Ma’am, are you all right?” The woman was now holding her shoulder.

  Sighing deeply, Cindy nodded. “I’m sorry. I just took you for someone else.” She quickly collected herself. The thought of her having anything remotely similar to a panic attack made her shudder. No one had the right to see her in a vulnerable state.

  “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m really sorry about that. Wasn’t watching where I was going.” The woman soon walked off, still unsure of what to make of Cindy’s strange behavior.

  Cindy headed straight for the cashier. She felt uneasy at that moment and needed to get back home as quickly as she could. She hadn’t picked up even half of the items she’d intended to when she first arrived, but those things could wait. Her emotional health was far more important.

  The store assistant was able to fit the Oriental mat in the backseat of Cindy’s car, with a small portion of the rug hanging out the back window. Cindy turned up the classical music to high blast from the warehouse parking lot and kept it at that volume until she pulled onto he
r own driveway.

  * * *

  Knitting and humming softly in the living room with Max lying on the floor next to her chair, Sara could see Cindy Morrison across the street grabbing a shopping bag out of the car and heading inside the house; returning minutes later for the Oriental mat from the back seat. She seemed to be in a terrible hurry and was even sweating profusely.

  Odd, Sara thought. I wonder what’s the matter. Then she remembered the woman’s assertion that she was a private person. “Anyway, it’s not my business,” Sara mumbled, and she resumed her humming. That is, until she heard the piano playing from the Morrisons’ house. It was quite loud as she could hear it clearly even across the street. She had a weird feeling inside. The music, though classical, had an eerie undertone. It reminded her of one played in a vampire movie she’d watched way back in the day when she was just a teenager. She could still remember even to this day what a creepy feeling it gave her, as if something dreadful was on the horizon.

  Max perked his ears at the sound of the cryptic music and Sara soon noticed he seemed to be getting a bit agitated.

  She reached down to pat his head and he growled at her, taking her by surprise. Quickly, she recoiled, convinced it was that woman’s dreadful piano playing that was causing Max’s strange behavior.

  “It’s okay, Max. It’s me...Nana. Remember?”

  Max was now standing at attention. Sara was sure as he gave her eye contact that he was looking straight through her. Seconds later, she noticed he was staring in the direction of the swinging door which led into the kitchen.

  “Max...”

  Just then, he took off through the swinging door, into the kitchen and pushed open the unlocked screen door adjacent to the carport. By the time Sara got to the carport, she saw Max running across the street towards the neighbors’ house. Having long dropped her crochet, she hurried behind him and out of breath, found him scratching frantically at the Morrisons’ front door.

  “Max! What on earth are you doing?” she cried, completely shocked by his behavior. “You get down from there now!” She went to grab his collar.

  Suddenly, the music stopped and the front door swung open.

  “What is it?” Cindy asked. Her anger and annoyance were plainly visible.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Morrison, but our dog got away and was already here by the time I was able to catch up to him,” Sara replied. She noticed a wild, almost crazed look in Cindy’s eyes and wanted more than anything to get Max away from her. She also realized that Max had appeared to almost magically settle down once the music had stopped.

  “You must keep a better handle on your dog, Mrs. Cullen. There are laws in every city concerning the confinement of pets.”

  “I’m familiar with the laws. I’ve been living in Mizpah all of my life and as you can see, I’m no spring chicken.” Sara flashed a smile.

  Cindy sighed, glancing at the dog who seemed as mild as any could be. “Well, if you don’t mind...” She started closing the door.

  “Uh, excuse me!” Sara leaned in before the door hit her nose.

  “Yes?”

  “If you don’t mind, could you please not play your piano so loudly? It seemed to have disturbed our Max, for some reason.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Cindy arched her brows, then said, “I’ll do my best to keep that in mind.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate…” The door slammed in Sara’s face before she finished her thought.

  “Wow,” she muttered softly. “Let’s go, Max. We need not ever come here again.”

  She and Max returned home and this time, Sara made sure to slide the latch across the screen door to prevent Max from making the same mistake twice.

  8

  _________________

  Mira could tell that Sara wasn’t at home when they arrived because the old Park Avenue was not in the driveway. Glancing across the street from their house, she also noticed the For Sale sign was no longer in their former neighbor’s yard and the split-level house now looked occupied. She could tell by the red curtains seen in the front windows.

  “Your mom’s not home,” Bobby commented as he pulled his truck in front of the yard.

  “She probably made a stop somewhere after picking up Rosie from school. It’s only 4:15 now.” She checked her watch. “Hey, I have an idea! How about you park a little ways down like you’re heading towards Cornelius’ house so they won’t know we’ve arrived? Mom hardly ever looks that way whenever she’s coming or going, so she won’t spot your truck. After all, they’re not expecting us ‘til seven.”

  “Great idea!” Bobby laughed. “I can’t wait to get Rosie spooked. She’s gonna jump right outta her skin.”

  “Just don’t overdo it, okay? Won’t want Mom to have a heart attack.”

  “Gotcha! Let me get your bags then I’ll park the truck.”

  He got out and grabbed the bags while Mira searched for the house key on her ring of about a dozen keys. She still had an old dormitory key on the bunch from when she attended college, as well as a couple of apartment keys from where she lived in L.A. after Rosie was born. The dormitory key was what they used before they changed the locks to a swipe system.

  “Aren’t you ever gonna part with some of those keys on there?” Bobby asked as she sorted through them.

  “Just never had the time,” she replied. “Ah! Here it is.”

  Heeding her instruction, Bobby quickly took the bags to Mira’s bedroom and hid them in the closet, then he dashed outside to move the truck. They were both like two excited, thrill-seeking kids looking to give their besties a good scare.

  Bobby was back before Mira could finish freshening up. She felt a bit exhausted from the trip, more mentally than she was physically. The entire time she never stopped thinking about her dad and missed him terribly. It reminded her a little of how it was right after he’d passed away. He’d consumed every moment of her waking thoughts with wonderful memories and she’d missed him so much her heart literally ached. She realized it was the anticipation of this big step she was about to make that awakened everything that had lain dormant for so long. Then, there were times while in New York and also on the plane that she thought of Karlen Key and how instrumental she’d been even in Rosie’s life—helping to save her life once: the day Mira’s beloved father risked everything to make sure his granddaughter didn’t meet a grisly end. How she cherished those memories! Yet, the weight they seemed to now carry.

  She yearned for a strong cup of coffee, but knew if she drank it, she’d probably have more trouble than she needed getting to sleep that night. It was rest and relaxation that her mind and body screamed for more than anything.

  Stretched out on the couch, she weakly smiled at Bobby who was peeking out the front window occasionally. “You’re just like a li’l kid! We’ll hear Mom’s car when it pulls up, so you might as well just relax.”

  He sat on the sofa across from her and elevated his feet on the center table ahead.

  “Get your feet down!” Mira barked. “If Mom dreams someone’s feet are parked up there, there’d be Hell to pay.”

  Bobby promptly placed his feet on the ground. “You’re right. I forgot how picky she is with the furniture.”

  “She’s always been that way ever since Wade and I were kids. This house was always spotless and the furniture was to be handled with care.” Her eyes scanned the room. “Believe it or not, not much has changed in all these years. Even Max knows what to do around here from what’s completely forbidden. Mom trained him well.”

  Bobby grinned.

  “By the way...” Mira sat up, “…where’s Max? He would’ve been at the door the moment we walked in.”

  “Yeah, that’s true.” Bobby got up and started looking around.

  They called out to the dog, but got no response. And after checking all the rooms, they figured he must be outside.

  “We can’t go outside to check on him,” Bobby remembered. “Your Mom and Ros
ie can pull up at any minute and there’d go our plans.”

  “You’re right.” Mira sat down again.

  Bobby switched on the television, but kept the volume at a low. Twenty minutes later, they heard a car pull up on the carport.

  Bobby got up and peeked out of the window. “It’s them! Come on!”

  They quietly hid behind the kitchen door. Max entered first, wagging his tail. And to Mira and Bobby’s dismay, he made an immediate U-turn toward the back of the door. They knew he’d blow everything, so after a quick glance at each other for confirmation, Mira and Bobby popped out from behind the door and cried: “Surprise!”

  “Mom! Bobby! You’re home!” Rosie happily ran toward them and hugged them tightly, as Sara stood there with her jaw dropped, and hand to her chest.

  “My goodness!” Sara exclaimed. “You two almost gave me a heart attack!”

  “Sorry, Mom!” Bobby hugged Sara and planted a kiss firmly on her cheek.

  “It’s okay. I’ll live.” Sara grinned. “What on earth are you two doing here already? Wasn’t your flight for seven?”

  “Yes, Mom.” Mira put her arm around her mother’s neck and kissed her. “We finished shopping and decided we might as well come back early if we were able to catch an earlier flight. Besides, I missed home and so did Bobby.”

  “It was me you missed. Wasn’t it, Mom?” Rosie chimed in.

  “Oh, yes! You and Mom, and Max...”

  “And work?” Sara said, resting the grocery bag on the counter.

  Mira gave her a reprimanding look. “Not at all, Mom. I was glad to get away for a few days, believe it or not.”

  Sara smiled.

  Mira and Sara walked over to the couch while Rosie and Bobby went and got comfortable at the kitchen counter. Rosie took the opportunity to get updated on their every move while they were in New York City.

  “So, how did everything go while we were away?” Mira asked her mother.