by Rich Garon
Christie felt Audrey’s hand move toward her shoulder. There was power in that hand that was meant to humble and intimidate. Audrey Plennington didn’t have to say anything further.
During the remainder of her shift and then on the ride home, Christie tried to control her thoughts which were now bobbing frenetically within her head. Christie had no other income, she had student loans, she had rent. Her car was paid off, but she had insurance premiums to pay. The job at the spa allowed her to get to her classes on time. Whenever something went wrong, and things now had gone very wrong, she felt the paralyzing helplessness that brutally seized her when she lost Sam. That feeling, like a dormant virus just waiting for its cue, gave her chills and a blinding headache tearing at the back of her eyes. When she got home, she undressed, went to bed, and prayed for sleep.
The alarm shook her as morning trickled through the curtain on the small basement window. She got through all her classes and sessions of personalized instructions at the spa. She didn’t tell anyone about her leaving and it appeared Audrey hadn’t shared that news with anyone either. At the end of the day, she went home, changed into over-sized sweats and ate a spinach and tomato salad in front of the small TV. She played again the phone message Lee had left: “Did she want to go for a walk? She did not have to if she did not want to. But it sure looked like a very beautiful night for a walk.” She felt stronger, but Lee would have to wait until tomorrow.
Lee Fitts watched the phone, the clock, and the moon. Until one of them said differently, it was still a beautiful night for a walk. Of the three, the clock was the meanest; stealing seconds, then minutes, then hours from a night he had wished to spend with Christie.
As it got later, not only did Lee not expect to walk with Christie that evening, but the clock, gobbling more and more time with its greedy sweeping hands, told Lee not to expect a call. Lee hoped she still planned to have dinner with him. He had bought her a Lalique crystal dove. He had seen that dove in the jewelry store window everyday he walked to work at the Dan Calvert for Council office. It was the first time he took more than fifty dollars from the envelope containing the money his mother sent him. With two hundred dollars less, the envelope was noticeably thinner. He wondered how big Christie’s smile would be. He knew he would have a big smile if she ever gave him something as beautiful as the Lalique dove that was now in a box under fancy gold wrapping paper and a tan lace bow. He thought about his envelope and the one just like it that he had seen at Reid’s new luxury apartment. He wondered why he didn’t ask Reid about it that night he and Christie visited the apartment. He was glad now that he hadn’t because Reid must have taken it by mistake and would have been embarrassed if Lee brought it up while Christie was there.
After Lee and his dad moved to their tiny house, Reid had helped paint Lee’s bedroom so that awful greenish wallpaper with the tiny winding rows of never-ending roses was covered up once and for all. The two boys had to move and cover the bed and small dresser and Reid had spilled the box into which Lee had put a lot of odds and ends including the oversized envelope with the money his mother had sent him. Reid had asked if he could have several of the old sports magazines Lee had in the box. It seemed very simple: Reid must have gotten the envelope mixed up with the magazines. “Oh, yeah, I found it,” Lee thought Reid would have said, “It was right in there with those magazines. What’s so important about that envelope anyway?”
Yet, when Lee asked Reid about the envelope, Reid said he hadn’t seen it, but would look around and let Lee know if the envelope were mixed in with the magazines. It was the worst that Lee felt since his mother left home. From some town probably very far away, she had mailed out four ten-dollar bills every month. His mother had made sure she had done that for her son every week, beginning a couple of years after she left. Lee was so upset those first two weeks after he couldn’t find the envelope that he lost ten pounds. All the kindness contained in those envelopes he received every month was gone. How could he do that to someone who had faithfully showed how much she cared for him. But now he had found the envelope. He knew how careless and sloppy Reid could be. Lee tried to imagine how big a smile Reid would have when told that the missing envelope wasn’t missing anymore. Tomorrow would be a great day. First, he’d go to Reid’s luxury garden apartment and then later he would go to Christie’s for dinner and give her the dove. Lee stood in front of the bathroom mirror. The first big wide smile was Reid’s when Lee told him the envelope wasn’t lost any more.
“See if you can find a place over there to sit. Move some of those boxes, I think there’s a folding chair in there somewhere,” Reid said as he closed the door.
“Reid, your apartment is getting very crowded, it looks like you got a lot of new things for your TV,” Lee said as his friend got back to studying some instruction manual.
“Lee, this isn’t a TV, this is a premier home theater, you wouldn’t believe all the features on this baby – it’s not just cable TV anymore. And I can’t help it, every time I go into that store the salesman has something new he’s waiting to tell me about. Says my system won’t be anything without it. The next thing I know, I’m in the checkout line then I’m home with another empty box and another instruction manual to figure out. But look at those babies, look at all those flashing colored lights and digital displays.”
“Reid, you may be running out of room for your premier home theater.”
“I know, that’s why I had to ask Luis to move out, I may need his room for some of the new components. You think I may have to move out? Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind, that’s why I’m keeping all the boxes.”
“I have one question for you, isn’t this rent very expensive and Luis is not here now to help with the rent? I know you won the lottery and all, but still.”
“Don’t think I’m not troubled every day by how expensive it is to live here. And I just ordered a new premium monthly package from the cable company. Damn, it’s not easy having a premier home theater. People just don’t know.”
“Reid, I have very good news for you. Do you remember when I lost that envelope with all the money from my mother in it? I think I have found it. I was not sure the other day, but I know that has got to be my missing envelope.”
Reid’s head shot up as Lee walked over to the box that the other day contained Lee’s envelope. There under some Styrofoam and other packing materials was the envelope.
“Here it is. Just as I thought, when you took those sports magazines, the envelope must have gotten mixed up with them.”
The pages of the instruction manual fluttered as it fell from Reid’s hands. “Wait Lee, I can explain.”
Lee tugged at the corner of the envelope. It was clear that the envelope was considerably thinner than when Lee had last seen it.
“Lee, I can explain.”
“What happened to all the money in my envelope?”
Reid stumbled on one of the boxes as he walked toward Lee. “You got to let me explain. The morning after I brought those magazines home, I picked one up and out fell the envelope. I didn’t know what it was, but it wasn’t sealed and when I opened it, well, I can’t remember ever holding that much cash. Please believe me, my first thought was that I had to call you and tell you that I had your money. Then I got involved doing something else and a few days passed and I was at the store with those big-screen TVs staring at me and I thought I could just borrow some, pay it back, then call you and tell you I found your envelope. But then the cable TV, it, it got worse and I couldn’t handle it anymore. It was always something else, always something else that guy at the store showed me. I, I couldn’t control myself. I needed room, more room. You see the problem I’m facing now, you said it yourself, I may have to move to someplace bigger. That costs money you know.”
Lee opened the envelope. There were three ten-dollar bills remaining. “Reid my money is almost all gone. You won the lottery, why did you have to take my money?”
“I didn’t win no lottery. That was a
story. What did you expect the first thing people would ask? Reid, where did you get the money to pay for all this? I have dreams though, Lee, I know I’m going to win the lottery someday. But, it’s over, it’s over big time. I can’t meet next month’s rent, not by a long shot. Lee boy, my head’s swirlin. I’m going to have to sell all this stuff. I’ll give you all the money I get from it. And I’ll pay you back every last cent of all the money that was in the envelope. I’m sorry Lee, I thought I was going to give you the envelope back. It just seemed like you weren’t using it. But I’m sorry. What kind of guy am I who would steal his best friend’s money?”
“It is okay, Reid. You have always been my best friend. I can see what the cable TV did to you. I think you are finally over it. I have to get ready to go to Christie’s.”
“This is very good sauce on the chicken, Christie,” Lee said as he brought the last forkful to his mouth.
“It’s my mother’s recipe. It’s on a little wrinkled piece of paper in my cook book. It’s really easy to make, but it looks kind of special.”
“It is special. It is a special sauce.”
“I’m glad you like it Lee.”
Lee put his fork down, picked up the napkin from his lap and tapped at his mouth. He looked down at the plastic grocery bag that contained the most expensive thing he ever bought. Christie had asked about the bag and Lee simply said it was a surprise for later. He had thought it out as carefully as he could. He did not want to give Christie her gift when he first came in. He didn’t know what he would do if he sensed she didn’t like it. He was afraid he might start shaking and have to go home. There was nothing more important in the world to him at this point than to have Christie like the crystal bird in that box in that plastic grocery bag. He didn’t know if this was the right time, but with all the talk about special, he thought this was the time.
“I have a gift for you Christie.”
“Oh Lee, that wasn’t necessary.”
He pulled the box out of the bag. His hands brushed against hers as she took the package.
“This is some gift wrapping, exquisite! I hate to ruin it.” She carefully pulled the paper back and stared at the writing on the dark gray box. “Lalique!” She pulled the snug top off and her mouth opened wide as she looked at the crystal bird nestled in gray foam rubber. From where he sat, Lee tried to see if the bird was as beautiful as he remembered. Christie had it out of the box by then and the dove, reflecting the flames from the candles, was more beautiful than ever.
“I hope you like the . . .” Lee started to say.
“Lee, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I love it. But this is probably so expensive. I don’t know if I can accept this. I don’t want you to spend that much money. I don’t think I can keep this. You should save your money.”
“But I did save my money. I have saved my money for a long time. I wanted to save it for something special. And you are very special to me and now that you like the crystal dove, I know that I was very wise to save my money.”
“Lee, you are very special to me. You’re very kind and very caring.” She held the solid glass bird in her hands, then placed it on the table. “It’s beautiful. It may be the nicest gift I’ve ever gotten.”
“I know it is the nicest gift I have ever given.”
As she came around the table to get his plate, she kissed him on top of the head.
“Thank you.” Lee wiped his sweaty hands on the sides of his pants. “Now, for dessert. I baked some snickerdoodle cookies to go with some nice vanilla fudge ice cream.”
“I have had vanilla fudge ice cream but I have never had a snickerdoddle cookie.”
“Snickerdoodle. Just wait, I think you’ll really like them.”
By the end of dessert, Lee had eaten five cookies. He thought about what a good cook Christie was. Christie was good at anything she wanted to do. “I think I took too many snickerdoodle cookies. I did not realize how many I have eaten.”
“I have plenty. I have to confess,” she smiled. “I didn’t bake them just for you. My church is hosting the homeless shelter this week and I signed up to bring in dessert for tomorrow.”
“I did not know that churches had homeless shelters. My church does not have a homeless shelter.”
“Well, I didn’t explain it very well. Our church doesn’t have an actual shelter. There are about ten churches involved and each one hosts the shelter for a week. At the end of the week, usually Sunday night, we move all the cots and supplies to the next church. The shelter opens at six o’clock for dinner and closes at seven the next morning. Before the people leave they get breakfast and we make them a bag lunch so they are getting three meals a day. People in each of the churches sign up for what types of food they’ll bring and then we have another sign-up sheet for people to volunteer to be night-time supervisors who spend the night at the church. I feel very good about what we’re doing. There was a mother and father and their three-year old daughter who had been sleeping in their car. They are very polite and so appreciative of the help we’re giving them. The father had a tumor in his stomach that burst and he was laid up for six months; lost his job and they couldn’t make the rent payments. The mother had a part-time job, but it didn’t bring in enough money. Know where they lived? The luxury garden apartments; they lived in the building across from Reid. Now? The father goes down to the diner parking lot every morning. Sometimes there are twenty, thirty men waiting down there hoping that some contractor has some work for them like landscaping or some other odd job that pays about five dollars an hour off the books.” She paused as she eased the pile of dishes into the sink. “Some people at the shelter look at me as if I should have an answer for their problem. Some look at me with like a snapshot smile; like they have to give me at least some type of smile if they’re going to use the shelter, but seems they’ve stopped looking for answers long ago.”
Lee waited for more of the story but saw that Christie was staring at the stove. “That is a very nice thing that you and the churches are doing Christie. I have seen those men at the diner. I did not know they were looking for work.” Christie had come through for him again. If he had to, he could wait at the diner in the morning and even if he didn’t work every day, it would be enough, at least for now. “Christie, can I help out at your church? I would like to help, maybe there is something you could find for me to do.”
Christie turned from the sink and wiped her hands on her short blue and white terrycloth apron. She smiled. “Meet me here tomorrow night at 5:30 and you can go with me up to the church. There’s always something to do.”
“I will be here at 5:30.” He looked down at the crystal bird invested with a life of colors woven from the candle’s flame.
“I think my beautiful dove will stay right where it is, Lee. It brings such a regal presence to the room. It could be a centerpiece in even the most ornate palaces.”
Lee watched as Christie placed the glass bird in the center of the table. He imagined her in the most beautiful palace, but couldn’t imagine her being more beautiful than she was as she stood before him. He told her that she looked tired and that he should leave so she could sleep and not be tired for work the next day. Christie sat down and told him about how she didn’t fit into Audrey Plennnington’s future business plans. Lee looked back at the bird not knowing what to say. Christie told Lee not worry, she’d find a job. She knew she’d find a job. At least that is what she told Lee because she saw the frightened look in his eyes as he tried to hide inside a Lalique crystal dove.
“I have more money, Christie, if you need it.”
“I’ll be fine Lee. I promise, I’ll be fine.”
Lee knew that Christie, even though she didn’t have a job, was the type of person who was much happier receiving the crystal dove than an envelope filled with all the dollars that his gift had cost.
“Thank you for my very special gift, it will always remind me of you,” she said as she reached up as Lee was trying to put on his coat
and kissed him on the lips. His arms were frozen at his side in his half-on, half-off coat. He wasn’t sure, even if he had been able, if he would have put his arms around Christie. He continued to think about that as he walked home.
Reid Fletcher knew he was early and stood behind a tree across the block from the Fitts’ house. The door opened and Jim Fitts, lunch box in hand, began walking down the street towards the bus stop. Reid started to move from behind the tree then quickly retreated as he saw Jim Fitts stop and look over his shoulder. Lee’s father shook his head and continued down the street. Reid was now going to have to wait until the bus came, which he did.
Lee recognized Reid’s knock, with the quick follow-up, and sometimes a further rap-tap. “Reid, I cannot walk any faster to open the door. I need more time to get to the door.”
“Sorry, I’m sorry. I just wanted to get in as soon as possible so your dad didn’t see me. Hey, got news for you. I sold all that TV crap. I mean I didn’t realize how much it controlled me. It was like it hypnotized me and I just did whatever it told me to do. I sold it all; one big package, it was the best offer I could get, to the manager of the apartment. He’s got his own apartment on the complex; actually, it’s bigger than mine. He knew he had me over a barrel though and I didn’t get near what I spent, so here’s one-thousand and I’ll have to work out something to get the rest back to you.”
“Lee looked at all the money Reid had just placed in his hand. His mother had worked hard for the money that was missing. Yet, he had learned to live without any part of it. There were two other crystal doves in the jeweler’s window. He could buy them and give them to Christie and have enough left to take her out to dinner at a very fancy restaurant. He could tell her he won the lottery. He could give the money to his father and tell his father that it was from the lottery. His father was changing, ever since that day at the rally for Dan Calvert. Lee’s father didn’t shout at Lee anymore; he didn’t make fun of him. He even had smiled at Lee on two occasions and he left extra money for Lee to buy groceries. But Jim Fitts seemed to stay away from home more. There were more and more nights that Jim Fitts stayed out and stumbled around after he had come into the house. Lee told his sister Ellie about their dad’s behavior. She said she would talk to their father, but she hadn’t yet. It seemed to Lee as if she were afraid to confront him, especially if he had stopped being as mean as he had been to Lee.
