Help Wanted

by David Bergantino

  "He was so tied in with lines and leads, I'd think he would be strangled even if he could get up to try."

  "The nurse found an empty bed, and a tangle of wires and tubes. He left — or was taken from — the room in a hurry. No one saw him wandering the halls. No one saw him leave the building. By now," Buck said as they entered the mall and headed for the food court, "Holbert's relatives have been told. And if the hospital doesn't find him quickly, they're in for a major lawsuit — whether he was kidnapped or just wandered off. Heads will roll."

  Laura was stunned by the chain of events. First the fight at the party, then the accident. Now one of the victims had disappeared. Then she realized the beginning had really been before that, when Chester had fired her. Perhaps all the bad had started when she'd met Chester in the first place.

  "Hey, you look spooked out," Buck observed. "Didn't mean to do that to you." His bright smile returned and melted away Laura's worries. "Let's grab some food and change the subject."

  Now that seemed like a fair deal to Laura. But when they sat down to eat, conversation only came in fits and starts. They already knew the basics about each other, and beyond that, they had shared only the events of the past twenty-four hours. The effort they were making to avoid unpleasant conversation stifled natural conversation. Finally they gave up trying. When they finished lunch and found they had a few minutes left, they opted for a quiet walk around the mall. Laura found this pleasant, and Buck apparently felt the same way. Before they knew it, they were talking again, comfortably and without feeling wary of conversational land mines.

  All was going well, until they passed the entrance to Fair Warning.

  "What's wrong?" Buck asked when he noticed Laura's distress.

  "I just can't believe I ever thought I'd work here with Allison as assistant manager." She looked into the store and saw a blonde girl at the register counter. "That's Beth Reed. She's a sophomore at Springwood who basically worships Allison. Allison therefore thinks Beth is brilliant. It's a mutual leech society, as far as I'm concerned. But at least Beth has a job."

  "Well, based on what I know of Allison, you're better off not working there."

  "I know," Laura sighed. "I've told myself that so many times, but it's still disappointing."

  They began walking again, but then a voice from inside Fair Warning stopped them.

  "Laura! Stop! Hey!" Beth ran in front of a departing customer. When she reached them, she was out of breath. "Allison told me what happened last night. You okay?" Beth was actually very sweet, Laura thought, but also naive. No doubt Beth's association with Allison would ruin her.

  "I'm okay, thanks." Quickly Laura introduced Buck. Then, trying to be polite, she asked, "You running the store by yourself?"

  Beth blushed. "No, the manager is at lunch. I only started yesterday, so they wouldn't leave me here alone for long."

  "You started yesterday?" Laura was seething with jealousy but trying to hold it in. "I bet Allison gave you a good recommendation."

  "More than that," Beth replied, oblivious to the effect her words might have on Laura. "I was just in here shopping a couple days ago, wasn't even looking for a job, and Allison drags me over to her manager. She hired me on the spot, can you believe that!" Laura felt her composure slipping. Buck must have noticed.

  "Lucky you," he said with thinly veiled anger. "Too bad for all those others who applied and actually needed a job."

  Beth sensed that the mood of the conversation was changing, though she didn't know why or what to do about it. "The manager told me they were having trouble finding someone. They really appreciated Allison finding someone like me."

  Laura reacted as if punched in the stomach. "Ouch! I put in an application a week ago."

  "That can't be!" Beth said with sincerity. "I don't think they'd pass you up." Then, when she realized what she was saying, Beth added sheepishly, "But I'm new here, so I don't know how they work."

  "Uh-huh," Laura replied. The idea that she had been passed over was a tremendous blow to her ego. She was about to walk away, but Buck spoke up.

  "Well, some information has changed since you filled out that application, Laura." He took her by the hand and practically dragged her into the store. She had no idea what he was talking about. Beth followed them toward the register, also confused. "Beth, would it be hard to find Laura's application so she could update it?"

  "Not really," Beth said hesitantly. "All the applications are kept in a file in the back."

  "Can you get Laura's for her?" Buck smiled like a shark.

  "I'm not supposed to leave the sales floor unattended," she protested weakly.

  "That's okay…" Laura began, but Buck cut her off.

  "Don't worry, we'll watch the floor for you." He leaned in, all teeth. "I promise we won't steal anything."

  Beth backed up two steps, then looked anxiously at Laura. Buck's behavior was beginning to bother Laura. Frowning at Buck, she turned back to Beth and assured her that the store would be safe in their hands for the minute she was gone. Only then did Beth back into the doorway that led to the stockroom and manager's office. As soon as she was gone, Laura turned to Buck.

  "I thought you had to get back to work."

  "Just hang loose," he replied smoothly, looking past her. He gazed at the doorway to the stockroom, as if he could see what Beth was doing. Laura simply crossed her arms and waited. When two minutes passed and Beth had not returned, Laura started to wonder. Buck simply stood there, looking quite satisfied with himself. After another thirty seconds, Beth finally emerged from the doorway.

  Empty-handed.

  "Sorry, guys, I can't find it," Beth said, cringing as if they would strike her for being incompetent.

  "It's not in the file?" Buck asked. Beth shook her head. "Did you check on the manager's desk?" Beth nodded.

  "If Laura was up for the job, it might have been there. But it isn't. Some others are, not hers."

  Laura's jaw dropped. "It got lost?" she cried. "Then I never had a chance to be considered."

  Bern's sympathy was immediate and sincere. "I'm so sorry. I guess you could fill out another one," she offered weakly.

  "It's too late for that, isn't it?" Buck barked, his anger now fully revealed.

  "I'm sure it's just a mistake," Beth said in a tiny voice.

  "Well, I'm not so sure," he growled. "When's your friend Allison working next?"

  "Urn, tomorrow night, I think," Beth squeaked.

  "Well, you tell Allison that Laura and I will be back tomorrow night to discuss with her — and the manager — the matter of Laura's missing application."

  "Uh, okay, sure." Beth was wide-eyed with fear. Just then, some customers entered, giving Beth a reprieve. "Look, I gotta take care of some customers." With that, Beth turned and left them.

  Buck and Laura walked quickly to the parking lot. Halfway there, Buck burst out laughing.

  "What's this all about?" Laura demanded. "How could you bully that girl over something that clearly wasn't her fault?"

  "I know it wasn't her fault," he responded, his laughter dying down. "But it wasn't a mistake either." And like that, his mood whiplashed back to dead seriousness.

  "What are you talking about?" Laura demanded as they climbed into the car and got under way.

  "Your application wasn't lost. Allison removed it from the file purposely," he stated bluntly.

  Laura thought it over. All things considered, she wouldn't put such a thing past Allison. "You have no proof of that," she said. "And even if that were so, why take it out on Beth?"

  "Right, I have no proof, but I'll bet you a million bucks that that is what happened. As for Beth, well, I'm sorry, but obviously she doesn't realize what a bitch her so-called friend Allison is. Think of it as a little negative reinforcement — if this is the kind of thing she can expect to happen being hooked up with Allison, maybe she'll get wise."

  "You have no right to interfere like that!"

  Buck just shrugged. "Allison obviou
sly didn't hesitate to interfere in your attempt to get a job." Buck just looked at her as if she should know better.

  "Okay, but there's nothing we can do about it."

  "But we already did. We gave Beth a little insight into her idol's real personality. And Allison's gonna sweat, thinking we're gonna make trouble for her."

  "We are not going to make trouble for Allison." Laura felt stunned by the direction of their conversation.

  Again Buck shrugged as if it was no big deal. "I guess you're right. We can't prove anything. But she'll sweat it out until after tomorrow. And maybe next time, she'll think twice before screwing someone over like that."

  Laura couldn't even reply. Buck was taking pleasure in intimidation, manipulation, and revenge. She found it disgusting. She stared out the window.

  "You're angry, aren't you?" Buck's voice softened suddenly. Laura continued to stare out the window. "Look, maybe you're used to taking garbage from people, but I'm not. I learned karate when I was little because big kids used to beat me up almost daily. I've learned that you have to defend yourself. You're not defending yourself, so I'm trying to help. Can you accept that?"

  "I never asked you to defend me," she murmured.

  "I know. But I don't mind defending you. I like you."

  At that, Laura turned. His aggressive behavior was gone. He was speaking like an earnest child who just wanted to do good and be liked. Laura sighed.

  "I like you, too, Buck. But Chester was a bully. I'm not going to replace one bully with another." Already she had forgiven him. He had just gotten carried away.

  "All right, I won't do it again. I promise." Then very quietly, and sweetly, he added, "Because I want you to like me." It was this little-boy quality that Laura found attractive in Buck. Using a little positive-reinforcement tactic of her own, she gave Buck a peck on the cheek, showing that she approved of this side of him. Perhaps it would be enough to help hold his temper at bay, she hoped.

  Buck blushed at the kiss, but didn't say anything. When they arrived at the hospital, it was almost two o'clock, and Buck was late. Shelby was due to be released in a few minutes. Buck hurried to his desk, telling Laura that he would call her later.

  Mrs. Walcutt was signing the release papers when Laura arrived at Shelby's room. Shelby had been given a clean bill of health. Laura found her sister as eager to get out of the hospital as she herself would have been.

  "Okay, okay. This isn't quite as exciting as I first thought," Shelby admitted as they exited the room. "Hospitals are boring and stinky."

  Laura snickered. It had not taken very long for reality to catch up with her sister. But her amusement was short-lived as a voice called out from behind the divider curtain.

  "Thanks, I was worried about you, too."

  Laura stopped. Focused on her sister's release, she had forgotten about Chester. It had been a blissful feeling, she realized, but now she had been reminded of his presence. Laura told Shelby and her mother to go on without her. Shelby gave her a stern look, but Laura waved her away.

  After they left, Laura walked to the other side of the curtain to Chester, who sat up with his arms crossed sullenly.

  "How were your tests?" she asked halfheartedly.

  "To tell you the truth, they found some weird spots," he grumbled, not looking at her. "They're trying to figure out whether or not I have a blood clot or something."

  The helplessness in Chester's voice pierced Laura's defenses. She'd never heard him sound this way. Forgetting herself, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. One of his large hands clamped down on hers, pinning it in place.

  "Don't worry about me," Chester snarled, the sweet act over. "You're gonna need to worry about your new boyfriend once I get out of here."

  Laura pulled her hand free and stood back against the wall. She was out of his reach now. To come at her, he would risk dislodging the tubes embedded in his arm.

  "You're crazy," she gasped.

  "That's right, Laura. Crazy about you." He was clearly mocking her. "I won't hurt you, but you should tell Buck that just because he's new in town doesn't mean he can make moves on the first girl he sees."

  Giving Chester's bed a wide berth, Laura began to edge out of the room.

  "And while you're at it," Chester continued, "tell him I don't appreciate being made a fool of in front of my friends. Allison dumped me because of him. She says I embarrassed her."

  "For once, I'd have to agree with her," Laura called from the doorway. "You were out of control last night. You still are. Leave me alone, and leave Buck alone. Just get over yourself," she hissed, and turned to go.

  "You know, your sister sure is cute," he said almost inaudibly. But Laura heard him quite clearly. Abruptly she spun around, eyes blazing.

  "You stay away from Shelby," she growled, tapping into a previously unknown store of anger. If looks could kill, Chester would have been vaporized at that moment. His smug grin faltered briefly, then returned.

  "You're not your sister's keeper, y'know," he whispered in that infuriatingly soft voice.

  Laura spun on her heels and ran from the room. She ran not in fear of Chester, but of herself. What terrified her was the feeling that, had she remained in the room a moment longer, she would have killed him. And even worse, she would have enjoyed it.

  Chapter 6

  As Laura drove home, all the fear, frustration, and anger of the past few weeks poured out. Her face felt so hot, she imagined her tears boiling the moment they touched her cheeks. Down the street from her house, she saw her mother's car in the driveway. Not wanting anyone to see her this way, Laura drove around the block to give herself time to compose herself.

  When she had circled the block and returned home, she found the driveway empty. Laura entered the silent house and didn't even bother to call out. She went to the kitchen table, where her mother usually left messages for her. But this time the table was clear of everything except place mats. They had gone out and she did not know where. Laura felt dramatically alone.

  Tears began to well up once more. It was unlike Shelby and her mother to exclude Laura like this. She felt a dark cloud hovering over her shoulder. Laura lifted the telephone receiver to call Buck. Suddenly a near stranger seemed like her only friend. But did he really understand her well enough to comfort her right now? Or was it too soon for her to be crying on his shoulder? She paused, holding the phone out in front of her. No. It was too soon to be dumping on Buck. He would consider her high maintenance. She had to call Doug.

  Pressing the receiver to her ear, Laura began to dial. Instead of ringing, she heard a voice.

  "H-hello?"

  "Doug?"

  "Yeah," he said. He sounded dazed. "What's up?"

  "Did the phone ring on your end?" Laura was a little off balance herself.

  "Uh, yeah." But Doug seemed unsure.

  "Wow. It didn't ring at all on this end. You must have answered it quick."

  "It was right next to me, I guess."

  Doug's answer disappointed her. She had hoped he'd coincidentally picked up the phone to call her at the same moment.

  "I didn't wake you up, did I?" It was late afternoon, but Doug sounded so bleary.

  "No, not at all," he replied more energetically. If he had been asleep, he was awake now. "Uh, how did it go at the hospital?"

  "Good and bad," she said in a wary voice. "Good in that Shelby was released and she seems fine. Bad in that I saw Chester."

  "What happened?"

  "He's out of control, Doug," Laura said. "He tricked me into coming close so he could grab hold of me."

  "Did he hurt you?" Doug asked quickly, anger flaring in his voice.

  "No," Laura reassured him just as quickly. "It hurt, but he didn't hurt me, if you know what I mean. But he threatened Buck, and blamed him for what happened at the party last night. I guess Allison broke up with him, so that's apparently Buck's fault as well."

  "Oh, he's just got his hackles up." Doug's voice sounded calmer, but Laura
couldn't tell if the anger had gone away or he was disguising it.

  "Maybe. But, Doug, he sounded so serious. This may sound silly, but he seems to be obsessed with me. I mean, he held me tight enough to cause bruises, threatened to beat up someone he thinks I'm dating, which I'm not, and all the while he says he's crazy about me. I'm beginning to think he's just crazy." Laura could feel her self-control slipping. Her voice trembled. "I'm scared. He even mentioned Shelby, and that's what scares me the most."

  "What did he say about Shelby?"

  "He said he likes her. I think he expects me to be jealous, but I'm angry, and afraid. Shelby's younger. She doesn't have a lot of experience with guys. Someone like Chester could really hurt her. He could make her feel special, then get her caught up in his ego problems."

  "Like anyone else I know?" Doug asked.

  "That's the point. I've dated before, and I was still taken in. I mean, the guy's gorgeous — that's the first thing you notice about him. It can blind you to everything else wrong with him. Which is, in fact, everything else."

  Doug was silent for a moment. Then he told her, with a bit of forced cheer, "So you'll have a talk with Shelby, right? Give her the score on Chester. Then it's no problem."

  "Yeah," Laura sighed. But she wasn't sure. The issue of Shelby dating was uncharted territory.

  "I'm sure you'll bring her around," Doug told her.

  Strange. It sounded like Doug was taking Shelby's involvement with Chester for granted. Laura had only been considering it as an unlikely possibility. Usually Doug attempted to be more positive.

  "Well, Chester and Allison weren't the only ones who broke up last night," Doug said, and took a deep breath before continuing. "I finally got the guts to tell Rayne it wasn't working out."

  "That's great!" Laura exclaimed enthusiastically before she could catch herself. Instantly she felt embarrassed about her expression of obvious joy. "I'm sorry, Doug."

  "No, I'm glad. Rayne didn't take it well, though." By the sound of his voice, she had taken it very badly indeed. "But I never really liked her that way in the first place. I was just, I don't know." He fumbled with his words. "Well, you know. Rayne was high maintenance, but at first, it was better to have her than to have no one. Last night I just changed my mind. The whole relationship wasn't really fair to either of us."