The Ex Killer Series

by Bridget Bundy

  I answered, “My mother was sick with cancer for a long time. She died during my sophomore year in high school. I left school after that, and I never went back.”

  “Why not?”

  I searched for a valid reason, any reason, nothing. I finally answered, “I don’t know, Ms. Emma.”

  “If you don’t care about yourself, no one else will. Your mind must be exercised as much as your spirit and your body. You understand what I’m telling you, Angela?”

  “Yes, I do, Ms. Emma.” I valued Ms. Emma’s advice, but what could I do about my education now? I didn’t even know how long I planned on staying in Wisp. If I knew, I’d be actively working on getting my GED.

  “I’m not judging you. I haven’t lived your life. You’re clearly a very intelligent young lady, Angela. Just make sure you get some type of degree.”

  “I will eventually, Ms. Emma. I was hoping you’d keep this between me and you.”

  “Our conversations are always private. You never have to worry about me telling your business to anyone.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Emma.”

  “You’re welcome, dear,” Ms. Emma returned her attention to the book, and her smile spread across her face like a spotlight. “I have to think of the perfect spot for this one. Angela, do you know that this is my 1,104th book. All of them are Elizabeth Harrow.”

  I looked down at the chair beside me where two books were placed. I took the one I put in the seat and read the cover. The letters were inscribed in gold on the front. Sure enough, it was Elizabeth Harrow. I asked her, “Are all of the books in this house the same?”

  “Oh yes,” Ms. Emma answered with excitement. She stood with the brand new book and went to the other side of the table. She pulled the chair from underneath the table, removed another book, replaced the new book in the seat, and Ms. Emma went into the living room. She breezed back into the kitchen to sit with me again. I wonder what she did with the other book. I imagine it must be on one of the stacks somewhere in the house.

  I started laughing as I put the book back in the chair. I asked, “How long have you been collecting these books?”

  “I was ten years old when my mother gave me the first one. She thought it was utmost important that I read about this woman. My mother thought she was ahead of her time, even though she was simply a fictional character. My mother told me that I should be just as brave, just as smart, and just as devoted to God as Elizabeth Harrow. She is the epitome of what a lady should act like.”

  “I guess I have to read the book to see what you’re talking about.”

  Ms. Emma squeaked and said, “OH! Let me get you a book right now, Angela!” She ran out and came back holding an old book. She presented the book like I had just won a prize. I took it graciously.

  “Once you finish reading it, we must have a book club meeting.” Ms. Emma’s raised her eye brows like it was the most perfect idea ever.

  I stared at her with a smile. I hope she wasn’t serious about the book club meeting. I could picture us sitting at the kitchen table. We’d be the only ones, and Ms. Emma would be the center of attention and talking about all aspects of the book. I decided to put off reading the book for a while, for a long while.

  “Well, Ms. Emma, I better get going. I have a busy day in front of me.”

  “Do you know if Beth is bringing over my dinner?”

  “She will soon. She cooked most of it last night, and I think she’s making fresh salad as we speak.”

  “Maybe, later after I eat, I’ll do another concert. What do you think?”

  “I would love to hear you sing again.”

  “Angela, you are such a dear. I have to plan my music first. Maybe, tomorrow evening and I’ll let you know. I love singing for my fans.” Ms. Emma lifted out of her seat like she was a starlet floating on a cloud. I enjoyed it when she was a little bit off her rocker. She was entertaining and funny, and the humor was needed considering the seriousness that boiled under my skin.

  It was time for me to make the most of my day off. I told Ms. Emma someone was waiting for me, and I couldn’t wait to see him. Ms. Emma knew who I was talking about. She told me to have a great time.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Shannon’s house was a welcome sight after I had walked in the unrelenting June sun. I dabbed my wet skin with a napkin that was no longer doing the job of soaking up my sweat. I knocked at the door hoping someone would open the door quickly.

  Shannon swung the door open with a mixed drink in her hand and fifties music blaring from the inside. She welcomed me in with her free hand and made Cecil shut the door as she led me to the kitchen. She must have seen I was parched from the heat.

  “You don’t want to dehydrate yourself, Angela. Why didn’t you call me? I would have picked you up?” Shannon handed me a glass of water.

  “I didn’t even think about it, Shannon. I’m so used to walking everywhere now.” I sipped on the salvation like I hadn’t drunk in days. “Is Walter ready to go?”

  “Almost, I have to get some things together for the carry sack. Drink that up, and I’ll be right back.” Shannon patted my hand and rushed to the back.

  I went over to Cecil before he could sit down and asked, “I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you, Mr. Cecil.”

  Cecil turned down the volume to the music, gave me his undivided attention and said, “You may ask any favor you wish, my dear.”

  “I haven’t gotten paid from working at the bookstore yet, and I wanted to get Walter a few things...”

  Cecil didn’t even let me finish. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He gave me a hundred bucks like it was nothing.

  “No, sir, this is too much.”

  “No, it’s not. Go ahead and take it, and don’t even worry about paying me back. You show Walter a nice time. You’re the reason he’s behaving much better now and days?”

  “I barely see him, Mr. Cecil.”

  “But the times you do see him and spend time with him, lasts with him. You’re making a difference in that child. Go ahead and you two enjoy yourselves, alright?”

  “Thank you, Mr. Cecil,” I remarked and continued in a whisper, “I was wondering if you could keep this between me and you. I’d feel kind of awkward if Shannon knew, and I don’t know how she’d react to me asking you for money.”

  “Angela, there is no worry.” He patted my arm very lightly and took his seat back on the sofa.

  Shannon and Walter appeared from the back, and he ran to me. I kneeled down to give him a hug. He yelled, “Where have you been! I haven’t seen you in fifteen days!”

  I laughed and answered, “It’s only been a couple of days, Walter. I’ve been working.”

  He glared at me and asked, “Did you go to the beach?”

  “No, I did not.”

  “You promise?”

  “I never even faced that direction.”

  “I believe you, Angela.” Walter hugged me as hard as he could, nearly choking me to death.

  “Okay, kiddo, you’re killing me!”

  “I’m strong like that!” Walter professed proudly.

  “Yes, you are. You’re the strongest person I know.” And I meant what I said.

  Shannon remarked as she handed me his beach bag, “He has cuts on his arms. Now, that I think about it, the sand can get into his cuts. Maybe, he shouldn’t go today. Maybe next week.”

  Walter barreled at the top of his lungs, “I’M GOING TO THE BEACH TODAY, MOM!”

  Shannon continued like he never said a word, “But if he must go, than that’s fine. He can’t go into the ocean because it’ll burn his cuts.”

  “No problem, Shannon.”

  “He already has sunscreen on, but there’s more in the bag for you and him. Don’t be shy, Angela, because that sun will cook you more than medium well done.”

  “I already feel well done.”

  Shannon laughed and said, “Here are my car keys because neither one of you need to be walking.” Shannon plac
ed the key ring in my hands. “Here is my phone number. I’ll be here with Cecil all day long. We’re not going anywhere, and you can stay out for as long as you want.” She turned her attention down towards Walter and said, “Baby, you listen to Miss Angela. I don’t want to hear you giving her a hard time.”

  “Angela is my best friend, Mom!”

  Shannon patted his head with a smile and then as an afterthought bent over to kiss him on the cheeks. Walter grimaced and wiped his face.

  He demanded, “Can we go now!”

  “Oh, one more thing,” Shannon went to the kitchen and grab a blue cooler off the counter. She remarked as she handed it to me, “I put together a cooler for you and Walter. I put water in there and a couple of sandwiches. There are chips and cookies.”

  “Mom, did you put soda in there?” Walter looked at the cooler curiously.

  “No, soda, Walter,” She remarked to him. “Water is the best thing in this heat. There are beach towels and a big umbrella in the trunk of my car already. You are more than welcome to use all that stuff, alright, Angela?”

  “Thank you, Shannon.”

  “Oh, no, thank you very much.” Shannon smiled. “Maybe, next time you and Beth and all of us can go to the beach.”

  I nodded. I didn’t see that happening. I turned to Walter and said, “Are you ready?”

  “I’ve been ready! I’ve been ready since a hundred years.” Walter led the way out the door, and once he was on the porch, he released my wrist and ran to his mom’s car.

  I piled everything in the back seat. Walter was sitting in the passenger side window, pumping his fists in the air and screaming. I got comfortable in the driver’s seat and waited for Walter to settle down. I wasn’t moving the car until he was inside and buckled. For nearly a minute, he remained in the window, and he finished with a werewolf howl. I looked at the little boy, trying my best not to laugh.

  He slipped back into the car and asked, “Why aren’t we moving yet?”

  “Well, you were in the window howling like a crazed werewolf.”

  “That’s because I am a crazed werewolf.” Walter added with a serious look on his face.

  “You’re not buckled in yet.”

  “I have to wear a seatbelt?” Walter scrunched his face.

  “Yes, you do.”

  Walter sat square in his seat, and I reached over him, grabbed the belt, and fastened him in. “Okay, we’re ready to go now.”

  “I hate seatbelts.”

  “It won’t last forever.” I stated as I backed into the road.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I had my hands on my hips trying to think of a way to get everything to the beach in one trip. I was dealing with the cooler, the large umbrella, towels, and Walter’s bag. I looked down at him, and he looked up at me. I decided to give Walter the towels and his bag since they were the lightest things to carry, and I would carry everything else. The beach was right in sight. So, it wouldn’t be a long tiresome walk to get everything to the beach.

  The place was crowded, but I didn’t mind. Walter was happy and that’s all that mattered. He walked ahead of me leading the way down the wooden walkway to the boardwalk and down to the sand. I laid out both towels, set up the umbrella, and I set down the cooler. Walter and I sat on the towel. He was uncommonly calm as he watched the water beat up the sand and rush back out to sea. I touched his back to get his attention. He looked over at me, smiled, and he returned his attention to the water.

  I looked around and saw kids playing with plastic shovels and buckets, and they were digging holes and making sand molds that quickly collapsed the moment they lifted the buckets. That’s what was missing, I thought. He doesn’t have anything to play with, and he doesn’t have any friends. I remembered there was a stand for beach toys, and I turned and saw it right on the boardwalk. I took Walter’s hand, and I led him back up to the boardwalk and to the little store hut with all the beach toys and supplies.

  I bought a whole netted bag of plastic toys that Walter can play with in the sand. It had two shovels, two bulldozers and dump truck, buckets that look like tops of castles if turned upside down, two hand racks, and two perfectly shaped round bowls. I also bought two pair of shades. Walter was so excited when he saw what I was getting. He could not wait to start playing with them. When we got back to our spot on the beach, I tore open the net and all of the toys tumbled out.

  Walter screamed, “THIS IS SO AWESOME!”

  I giggled and said as I grabbed the pink bucket, “I’ll go get water, and we can start building a fortress.” I figured a fortress sounded better than a castle, especially to Walter.

  “YEA!” Walter took the bright yellow dump truck and the lime green shovel and immediately starting throwing sand all over.

  I returned with water from the ocean. Walter and I started making molds. Walter thought that was the coolest thing ever. I told him that we should make a huge square, and Walter was all for it. I worked on one side, and Walter worked on another. Eventually, a pretty little blonde haired girl about the same age as Walter noticed what we were doing, and she ran right over to him and asked if she could help. Walter looked at me, and of course, I nodded. He needed a little kid his own age to play with.

  “Yea, sure you can help!” Walter remarked. He looked at the little girl like he couldn’t believe she was talking to him. The little girl had her bucket, and she immediately sat beside him. They made more sand molds, and their side was going crooked. Eventually, the crazy looking sand mold square was completed, and both kids got within the boundaries, and the bulldozers and dump truck were put to use. I went back to the towel, and I watched Walter play with his new friend. The little girl’s parents weren’t too far away, and they knew exactly where she was. They’d smile over at the kids. I was glad to see Walter making a new friend. This was very important.

  After nearly three hours at the beach and the destruction of the sand mold fortress by Walter and two other kids that joined him later, it was time to leave. We gathered our things, and we trudged off the beach. Walter was wearing his shades, and he was acting like he was the coolest person in the world. I packed everything in the car, and I drove to the ice cream shop on Main Street not too far from Burkett Books. Walter was all for ice cream, and he was out the car and inside before I could close the car door. He wanted ten scoops of different flavors, but I only bought him three. I bought myself an ice cream cone with one flavor, and we sat down at the window.

  Walter was digging in like he never had ice cream before, and his mouth and shirt was a mess.

  I asked him, “Did you have fun at the beach today, Walter?”

  “It was the best time I ever had.” He answered. Little droplets of ice cream flew out of his mouth when he spoke.

  I laughed.

  “My new friend is coming over to my house tomorrow.”

  “That’s really cool, Walter.”

  “I told her we can look for four leaf clovers. I told her I found one.”

  “What was her name?”

  “Cammie,” Walter answered. “She told me she like frogs and crickets, and she says she has a pet turtle at home. She said she’ll bring him over.”

  “Where does she live?”

  “She stays three doors down from where I live. I didn’t know she lived there.”

  “I think it’s awesome you met Cammie.”

  “Angela, you can come over if you want. I don’t want to leave you out.”

  “Walter, you won’t be leaving me out. I have to work tomorrow anyway. You make sure you have fun, and don’t be mean to her.”

  “I won’t be.”

  “You stay on your best behavior, and she’ll be your friend for a long time. The one thing you don’t want to do is push your friends away. Sometimes, they don’t come back.”

  “Cammie is cool. I don’t want to push her away.”

  When I walked out of the ice cream parlor, I noticed a toy store across the street. I took Walter by the hand, and we crossed the stree
t. Walter and I looked through the window at all the toys that were neatly on display. I saw a microphone and small speakers. It looked real. I went inside and purchased it. I also bought Walter little racecars. I asked the lady for a gift bag, and the woman obliged happily.

  Walter asked, “Is that for Ms. Emma?”

  “It sure is.” I answered.

  After the toy store, we went to the Wisp Whiskey Diner. The waitress recognized Walter immediately, and she laughed when she saw him wearing shades. He sat in the booth holding his head up, trying to look serious. The lady asked Walter what he wanted to eat, and he immediately asked for cake. I told the waitress to get him a grill cheese sandwich, a fruit cup, and I asked for a cheeseburger with fries. Walter reanimated cake once again right before the lady walked away. I could only shake my head at him. He was actually very comical to me as he sat very still in the booth with his shades on.

  Of course, the moment the waitress told Beth we were there, she appeared at our table. She was surprised to see us. She looked at her brother, still with his shades on. He didn’t acknowledge Beth, and he didn’t turn to look at her.

  Beth asked, “What are you guys doing here?”

  “We’re here to get a bite to eat. We just come from the beach.”

  “My mom asked you to take him to the beach?” Beth looked at Walter again. His head was slowly falling forward.

  “Walter asked me a couple of days ago. I told him I would.”

  “That’s very nice of you, Angela.” Beth scratched her forehead a little and said, “If he was bad, Angela, you let me know.”

  “He was a great kid, Beth. I keep telling you, he’s fine. He had fun. He even made a few friends.”

  Beth looked down at Walter again. She was amazed by what I said. Now, Walter was snoring a little. His little mouth was slightly open. She asked, “Is he asleep?”

  “I would have to say he is.” I answered. “He’s had a very long day.”

  “Beth! Tony needs help in the kitchen!” A waitress shouted across the restaurant as she carried a tray to a table full of people.