Wrong Way Renee

by Wynter Daniels

  “Oh God, Renee. That boy is going to make some poor sister miserable when he grows up. Remember the last time you watched Gary Junior?”

  “All too well. So does Apple. I reminded Char of that. But Cleave wants to help. So I guess I'll do it. I can't leave him alone with those monsters with only his poor defenseless huge German Shepherd to protect him.” She smiled a wry smile.

  “He has a Shepherd, huh?”

  “Yeah. And this dog will take no prisoners, let me tell you.”

  “Maybe this will be a good thing.” Toy smiled.

  She snipped off a hangnail. “Cleave asked me to marry him.”

  “What?” Toy's eyes grew big as saucers. “How could you hold out on me. I thought we were friends. What did you say?”

  “I told him I had to think about it. I left his house and then I had the accident.”

  “Were you drinking?”

  “Not really. I had a glass and a half of sangria hours before I left. I called Joe when I found out Cleave was going to ask me.

  “Oh, girl, you didn’t.”

  “I guess I wanted to give him one last chance.”

  “What did he say?”

  “I left a message but he never called me back. I guess I made a fool of myself saying I love you and stuff like that.”

  “Oh, honey.” Toy put her free hand over Renee's. “I'm sorry.”

  “Have you heard from Wesley?”

  “Wesley who? I have a date tonight with someone new.”

  “Where'd you meet this one?”

  “Actually, he's Wesley's lawyer. We met on Wes' boat when he came to have some papers signed or something. Then we ran into each other yesterday at the supermarket. I thought it would be a little fuck you to Wes.”

  “I've always heard the supermarket was a great way to meet men. I guess it's true.” She paused. “What am I saying? You'd meet a guy at the dump if you went there. I think they follow you around.”

  Toy shook her head. “I don't think so.”

  After she finished up for the day, Renee went to her first physical therapy appointment and felt a little better after. Then she headed to Cleave's house to see if he wanted to go with her to look at cars.

  He was getting out of his car when she arrived. His face lit up with a smile. “There’s my girl. How are you?”

  “Much better. Want to check out some cars with me?”

  He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Only if I can take you to dinner first. I'm famished.”

  After a seafood feast, they went to a dealership. Every car was way out of her price range. Next they tried a lot that had a big sign for used cars.

  “Even the used ones are too expensive,” she said.

  “Why don't you let me cosign and put down the deposit?” Cleave got out of the BMW.

  “I can't let you do that.”

  “I'm hoping that soon, my money will be our money. Have you made any decisions yet about my proposal?”

  She swallowed hard. “With all that's happened, you know, the accident, I haven't really had time to think about it.”

  “I would like an answer soon.”

  “I know. Give me time to let the dust settle, okay?”

  He sighed. “I'll try to be patient.”

  She took his hand. “You're very patient with me, Cleave. You're a wonderful man. Char told me you volunteered to keep my niece and nephew Saturday night. Actually I don't know if that was nice or foolish of you.”

  “They're not that bad… Are they?” His eyes grew wide with fear.

  “Do you have good insurance?”

  He laughed but she could see the fear in his eyes. “It'll be fun. And good practice.”

  She had her doubts. They walked the lot until they saw a white Jeep similar to her old one, but a newer model.

  “I loved my car. I think I might get something like it. What do you think?” She ran her hand along the glossy finish on the hood.

  Cleave read the sticker on the window. “It's only two years old and it has power everything. And the price isn’t bad. Do you want to test drive it?”

  “Yeah. Do you see a salesman?”

  She had no sooner said that when one appeared.

  After her test drive she was sold. But she couldn't afford big payments.

  Cleave seemed to sense the problem. “I'll tell you what. Let's see how low we can get them to go. I'm sure we can get at least a thousand knocked off. I'll pay the balance. When you get your insurance check, sign it over to me.”

  “But my check is only going to be around four thousand. I'll still owe you a bunch more. I can't do that.” She ran her hand over the soft leather of the seat.

  “Sure you can. If you decide not to accept my proposal, which I sincerely hope you do, then you can make me payments if and when you can. No interest. How's that for a deal?”

  “That's unbelievably generous of you.” She hugged him.

  “You remember that when you're making your pros and cons about Cleave list, okay?”

  She kissed his cheek. “Okay.”

  Cleave was able to negotiate the price down just as he’d promised. She drove off the lot with her new car, thanks to him. But the indebtedness she felt toward him made her queasy. She knew this might not end as Cleave hoped. What would she do then?

  Chapter Twelve

  “So what's new, kiddo?” Becky brought two two steaming mugs to the couch in the waiting area Saturday morning and handed one to Renee.

  “How did you know you should say yes when Charles asked you to marry him?” Renee sipped her coffee and let it warmed her from the inside out.

  “You know, when we first started dating, I really wasn't sure if I was attracted to him or not. There weren't any fireworks or anything. But the more I got to know him, the more I really liked the person he is. He's a real stand-up guy. I guess the attraction developed over time. Now, I can't imagine being with anyone else. It was the natural progression that we should get married. We fit. I'm so sure of it, I'd stake my life on it.”

  “Wow. I wish I could say the same about Cleave. I mean he's such a sweet guy. He helped me buy a car yesterday. Loaned me almost ten thousand bucks. I've never had anyone do anything like that for me.”

  “His house is beautiful. And he was such a gracious host. Charles and I both like him. So that white Jeep out back is yours, huh? Nice.”

  “I love it. He asked me to marry him the other night after everyone had left. I told him I'd have to think about it.” She studied Becky's reaction. Maybe she could tell her what to do. Her friend’s expression gave away nothing.

  “Oh. Are you that unsure?”

  “Yes.”

  She frowned. “Still carrying a torch for Joe?”

  “Yeah,” she said after a long pause. “I think about him all the time. I know if he wasn't on my mind so much, I'd probably have an easier time letting myself feel more for Cleave. I keep comparing, you know?”

  Becky nodded. “That's a problem.”

  “It is. I keep trying to put Cleave off, but he won't let me do that forever.”

  “You have to resolve your feelings for Joe, honey. You'll never be able to fall in love with any other man until you do.”

  The backdoor flew open. Antoine blew in and headed to the front of the shop. “Good morning, bitches. Is this a private coffee cloche or can anyone join in?” He parked himself on the arm of the sofa.

  “We're talking about men. Do you have anything to contribute?” Becky teased.

  “We are all dogs, honey. That's all I got to say.” With that, he started over to his station.

  “When was the last time you called Joe?” Becky asked.

  She held her hand to her cheek. “I'm embarrassed to tell you this. I hid in the upstairs guest bathroom at Cleave's on Valentines Day and called Joe’s phone. I left a message, but of course, he never called me back.”

  “That was the night you had the accident, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Hmm. Did your state
of confusion have anything to do with that?”

  “I don't know. Probably. My dumb ass sister told me Cleave bought a ring. So I called Joe and then Cleave popped the question. Yeah, you could say it was an emotional night. It might have played a role. Speaking of my sister, guess what we get to do tonight?”

  “What?”

  “Baby-sit for Char's kids. Cleave pretty much volunteered the two of us.”

  “They're not that bad, are they?”

  Renee hung her head. “Remember Apple being bald for a month?”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Don't leave either of them alone for a moment.” She furrowed her brow.

  The front door opened and two clients came in, then another.

  “Time to get to work.” Renee gave her partner a hug. What would she ever do without Becky? She couldn't imagine not coming here every day. That would mean she wouldn't get to see Becky or Antoine. She'd even miss Zoey. Probably not Chantelle and definitely not Susan. Renee showed her client to her table and got to work.

  The day flew by. Before Renee knew it, the clock read five o’clock. She stopped by her apartment to feed Apple and take a shower before she headed to Cleave's house for an evening of torture by babysitting.

  His car was in the open garage when she arrived, but he was nowhere in sight. She cracked the door to the kitchen and stuck her head in. “Cleave? Hello?”

  Duke came running toward her, teeth bared. She slammed the door shut. The dog stood inside, barking incessantly.

  “You stupid dog, I've been here like a million times.” He continued growling. “I hate you, Duke.”

  She dialed Cleave's number.

  He picked up on the third ring and grunted. “Yeah?”

  “Cleave? Are you okay? You don't sound good. Is anything wrong?”

  “I'm sick. I've been throwing up for the last hour. I think I have some kind of virus. Where are you?”

  “In your garage. Duke won't let me come in.”

  “Oh. I can't come downstairs right now to let you in. I don't dare get that far from the bathroom.”

  “Do you need anything?”

  “No. I don't want you to catch the creeping crud I've got. I'm sorry about the babysitting. I guess you're on your own.”

  She gasped. “What? No. Oh, no.” She nearly cried. “Oh, God. I hope you feel better soon. But I hope your dog gets whatever you've got.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Go to bed. Bye.” Poor Cleave. He sounded miserable. But what the hell had he gotten her into?

  She clamored into her car. Now what? She dialed Char's number.

  Dead woman walking.

  Char's answering machine picked up. “We can't take your call. We might be at the mall. Or with the kids playing ball.” Beep.

  “That is the most idiotic message I've ever heard, Char. Anyway, Cleave is sick as a dog. He can't watch the kids tonight. I know I'm going to kill myself later for saying this, but bring them to my apartment. I'll hide my cat.”

  She headed to the grocery store on her way home to pick up potato chips, cookies, ice cream, cat treats and a big bottle of white wine. That should cover all the bases. She stopped at the mailbox bank inside the complex and found late notices from her dentist and American Express. Those would go on the pro side of the 'Marry Cleave List.'

  Her cell rang as she was pulling into her parking space. It was Char. “Hello, sister dear,”

  “Hey. Sorry to hear about Cleave. I'll be over in a little while with the kids. Do you think they could spend the night since it'll be late and…”

  “No.”

  “But if—”

  “Let me be clearer. Fuck, no.”

  “Okay. We really appreciate this.”

  “You better tell the kids that if either one of them touches my cat, I'll do to them whatever they do to her.”

  “Renee, they're just children.”

  “Hey, fair is fair. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

  Char huffed. “See you soon.”

  Forty-five minutes later, Char and Gary arrived with their children.

  “Any last requests?” Renee asked her sister.

  “What the heck does that mean?” Char shrilled.

  “Instructions, you know.”

  Char narrowed her eyes at her. “Gary Junior must not have too many sweets, or he'll upchuck during the night. Remember Alyssa is allergic to milk. She knows not to drink it, though. We'll try not to be too late, but the senator tends to go on and on.” She handed Renee a plastic grocery store bag. “Here are some healthy snacks and their pajamas.”

  “Renee, this dinner is real important to me, to my career. I sure appreciate your help.” Gary kissed her cheek. “It's also nice to know our kids are in good hands.”

  Leave it to Gary to make her feel like crap. “Yeah, well, you'd better go.” She walked them to the door. “No worries.”

  Gary and Char headed down the stairs as Renee closed the door. She turned around to see where the kids were, but they were nowhere in sight. Neither was Apple. Oh, no.

  She set the bag of snacks on the counter. “Here, kitty, kitty. Come here, Apple.”

  Nothing.

  She offered up a little prayer for her cat. “Here, kitty, kitty.” Finally Apple bounded out of the bedroom. The children must not be far behind. They couldn't possibly have gotten into anything so quickly. They hadn't even been there five minutes.

  But the apartment was too quiet.

  “Where the hell are you, you little shits?” she muttered under her breath as she tiptoed around the corner into her bedroom. No sign of them. She threw open the closet door.

  Empty.

  Next she made her way toward her bathroom. The light was on. She poked her head in and looked left, then right. Still no sign of them.

  “Alyssa? Gary? Where are you? I have candy.” Still not a peep. “I have weapons.”

  Something in the mirror over the sink caught her attention. Had something moved behind the door?

  She grinned and shut off the light, pretending to leave the room. Then she suddenly flipped on the switch, bathing the room in light.

  Before she could stop them, both children jumped out from behind the robe that hung on the back of the bathroom door. Gary Junior flung an entire tub of scented body powder up in the air as Alyssa ran at Renee with the puff. She grabbed the girl’s arm, spinning her around so the puff didn't cover her in Pink Pleasures scented white stuff. “Give me that”

  But Alyssa had a death grip on the puff. Suddenly her bathroom was engulfed in a fine white cloud.

  “It's snowing in Florida. It's snowing in Florida,” Gary Junior sang.

  Renee could only watch and wait as the sweet-smelling dust descended on absolutely everything in the room, including her. The mirrors, the toilet, the shower, every bottle, hairbrush, toothbrush, everything was covered. It looked like pictures she'd seen near Mount St. Helen after an eruption.

  She sank to the floor, buried her head in her hands and started to cry, no easy feat while wearing a cervical collar.

  Gary tried to run from the room, but slipped on the powder. Alyssa laughed at him, then tried to make herself slide. They laughed at each other—two black children covered in white powder. Everyone was having fun but Renee.

  Gary patted her arm. “Don't cry, Aunt Renee. We're not staying long.”

  She tried to compose herself. If she was to survive this night, she had to wrest control from her niece and nephew right this very second.

  “I'm hungry,” Alyssa complained. “I want to eat.”

  “Me too,” Gary chimed in.

  Renee tried to channel the instructor at a yoga studio where she’d taken a couple classes.

  Calm.

  Screw calm. I want revenge.

  No. She drew a steadying breath.

  “You want to eat? Then you clean this mess up. Stay here.” She left the room, closing the door behind her. She propped her vanity chair against it so they couldn't escape.


  “What would Dr. Spock say about me now?” She chuckled wickedly as she ran to the kitchen to get a broom and dustpan. She set them next to the bathroom door. Then she got her vacuum, pulled it into the bedroom and removed the chair.

  “Okay kids. Here's a vacuum. You're going to learn how to use this thing right now. What you can't get with it, you'll sweep up with this.” She held up the broom. When you're all done, then you may eat. And keep my vacuum cleaner away from water or you'll die a slow, painful death.” She pushed the machine into the room and plugged it in. Then she placed the chair in the middle of the doorway and sat. “No one leaves until this room shines.” She folded her arms.

  Alyssa started to cry. Renee stuck her fingers in her ears and started humming. After a minute, the stunned girl stopped. Gary picked up the vacuum's hose while Renee depressed the on button.

  He cleaned the floor and the shower. Then Renee attached the brush on the end of the hose and handed it back to him. He sucked all the powder from the counter, the toilet tank and the mirrors. It would take hours to completely clean the room, but this would at least make a dent in the sheer volume of white covering everything. She planned to make Char come over tomorrow to take care of what the kids were unable to clean tonight.

  Alyssa pushed the broom across the floor, making little piles of dust for her brother to vacuum up. When that phase was done, Renee again locked the children in the room as she went to get a bucket and rags. She felt a little guilty for locking them in and not letting them eat, but if she let them out, they'd destroy something else. Hunger was good motivation.

  She returned to the scene of the crime a few minutes later with a bucket of soapy water and two rags.

  “Okay. Strip to your underwear.” She held out a plastic bag for their clothes.

  Both children stared at her, wide eyed.

  “Do it now.” Lord, she sounded like a possessed woman. And she kind of liked it.

  They did as they were told, giving her their outfits. She handed them the bucket and rags. “Now, wash everything. When the water gets too dirty, call me.”

  She closed the door and propped the chair. Then she stripped her own clothes off as she headed to the kitchen to throw them into the washing machine. A few minutes later she returned to the bathroom wearing a robe.