Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault

by Candace Robinson

  As we inch closer to the arched doorway, there are several things that pop into my line of sight. On the door in black cursive handwriting, it says: Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault.

  Maisie tilts her head to the side. “Not sure what a glass vault is.”

  I point at a sign to the right of the large wooden door. “It says it’s a glass museum and not for the faint of heart.” That sounds pretty cliché to me, but okay.

  Maisie pushes me over to the side, so she can get a better look. She lifts her eye patch to examine more thoroughly. “I like the sound of that.”

  She would.

  August reaches for the doorknob and turns it to the right and then to the left. “It seems to be locked.”

  “Oh, look,” Maisie chimes in. “It also says opening soon and that they are hiring. I can email this Quinsey Wolfe guy at this email address.” She taps the sign.

  She unzips her purse and pulls out a small notepad and pencil. Yes, she always carries around a pencil and small notepad. Maisie says a pencil works better than a pen because it has an eraser, and you need a notepad because it has multiple pages.

  “You aren’t really going to apply at this place Maisie, are you?” August inquires.

  Maisie pulls her eye patch back over her eye from where it rests on her forehead. “Heck yes, I am. I have been looking for a job that I would like, but nothing holds my interest. This place sounds awesome.”

  I just stare at her. “Right. So, I don’t know about that. This place just grows from the ground overnight? I say we get out of here.”

  August moves in front of us. “Now that I’m looking around, there are a lot of trees that seem to have been cut down. Maybe it has just been hidden all this time?”

  We turn to where he is looking. It’s true that it’s obvious that trees have been cleared out that were there before. I still find it odd that we wouldn’t have noticed some old, historical looking mansion when we have gone down this street before.

  “So, I’m going to email this Quinsey Wolfe as soon as I get home,” Maisie says excitedly.

  “You do that,” I say while shaking my head.

  I should be getting a job myself this summer, but this place does not look like my cup of tea. It does look like Maisie’s, though.

  We turn around and start walking back to the car. I glance back one more time observing the stone covering and find it strange that there are no windows at all.

  The ride to August’s house is silent. When we pull up in front of his house, he gives me a quick hug. “I hope the rest of your birthday is spectacular.”

  I watch him get out and walk to his door. The odd museum vanishes from my mind, and I lift my hand to touch the gift that August gave me today.

  Chapter 4

  After we leave August’s place and roll onto our street, Maisie asks, “Are you ready for your birthday dinner?”

  “My stomach is,” I reply.

  Every year my aunt makes my birthday dinner, and this is no small feast. There are always so many leftovers, and we are left with food for an entire week.

  “You better get to that red velvet cake before I do because I’m going to scarf that entire thing down,” Maisie chuckles. I know she will try, too.

  When we get to Maisie’s house, I grab my school stuff from the car, run next door, and drop them on the plaid couch in our living room. I hurry back out, lock the door, and make my way through the freshly cut grass.

  Maisie is already inside her house. Most likely she is eyeballing that cake.

  I practically leap over the steps and turn the unlocked doorknob.

  Dad is standing by the table with a soda in his hand. Every year he takes off a little early from work, so he can make it for this occasion. It brings a tear to my eye that he puts in this effort for me along with my aunt and uncle.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Dad says while walking over to give my shoulders a squeeze and kisses me on the head. “Happy Birthday. How does it feel to officially be an adult?”

  I pull back from the hug and laugh. “Well, I feel the same as yesterday.”

  “Don’t worry, you have the rest of your life to feel like an adult and trust me, the younger people have it made.”

  “I’m ready to be an adult.” All the adults laugh at that.

  Aunt Krista shakes her head and waves her hand in the air. “No, you don’t. Not once you get all the bills every month.” I have wished so hard since my Mom left that I could have a mom like Krista. She treats me like her daughter, but it isn’t the same, even though I cherish what she does.

  We talk a little while longer—or more like Maisie and I stand around listening to the adults talk about how life used to be much easier.

  “You guys ready to cut the cake?” Aunt Krista asks.

  “Finally!” Maisie gives a dramatic sigh.

  Aunt Krista turns and gives a glare her way. “Maisie!”

  “Yes, Mom?” Maisie asks sweetly.

  “Manners. Please.”

  Uncle Jaron interrupts the conversation. “Oh, just give the girl some cake.”

  My aunt lights the candles on the cake, and everyone joins in to sing Happy Birthday. I feel a little awkward at this moment, but as soon as it ends, I get to the food.

  Aunt Krista outdid herself with the birthday party this year. There’s every dip imaginable, and I could drink the cheese dip and eat the guacamole all by themselves. Every counter and table showcases sandwiches, cupcakes, cookies, cake and more. You would seriously think we were having fifty people here instead of the five of us.

  We talk a lot about nothing, but then the conversation leads into the recent missing person. Dad is the most worried about the situation, but everyone is concerned.

  Aunt Krista puts a hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, James. They will find the person soon enough.” I hope they do.

  My Uncle Jaron nods his head in agreement. Aunt Krista is the logical one in the family, and Jaron is always in agreement with her. She knows just what to say at the right moment to comfort anyone.

  After the party, Dad and I walk back to the house and hang out and watch TV for a little while. After about an hour, I give Dad a kiss on the cheek and head down the hall to start on my homework.

  I don’t have much today, since I finished my math homework in class. After typing up my paper for English, I print it out. While it’s printing, I check my email.

  Mostly junk mail pops up in my inbox. I have subscribed to so many websites to get discounts when I order something online the first time, but then all those places send pointless emails every single day. I’m eventually going to have to unsubscribe from most of them.

  As I get to the end of my emails, I see one from Neven. I debate whether I should read it or delete it, but curiosity always wins with me. Even though I know I’m not going to reply to him, I want to know what it says.

  Hey Perrie,

  I just wanted to tell you that today on your birthday, it made me realize just how much I miss you. Your last three birthdays we were always together. Can we at least start with talking?

  Love Always, Nev

  What a douche. Okay maybe he isn’t acting like a douche in the email, but he still is one. I start to delete the email, but then change my mind and give him a quick reply.

  Neven,

  I will think about it.

  Perrie

  Short and simple. I sign out of my email and walk to my dresser. I reach for the clasp of the necklace from August, take it off, and set it on top of the dresser.

  I was about two months into my senior year, and I didn’t want to go to school the next day, but I forced myself to go. All day, my goal was to keep avoiding Neven like the black plague had just taken over my limbs, and they were going to fall off.

  My last class period came, and for the most part, I had been fine the whole day. Well, not fine, I just pretended to be. I was like a stone statue, and that was all that I wanted to be.

  I decided to stay late at school after Orches
tra and practice. I walked to the instrument closet to grab a music stand. My head was a jumbled mess. I couldn’t find the stand I wanted—yes, I use a particular one—and I was frustrated. It all seemed like too much.

  And that was the first time I cried about Neven.

  My legs collapsed, I fell back against the wall and pulled my knees to my chest. I cried like I never had before. I didn’t even cry this hard when my mother left us, but that-day-that-time-that place just took over my entire emotional being.

  There was a noise, and I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone. I thought everyone had already left, but August hadn’t.

  He was standing there, staring at me with a sympathetic expression that made my tears flow even more. I turned away from him. He didn’t leave, though. Instead, he came in that closet and sat down beside me on the carpeted floor and pulled me onto his lap. I turned and cried into his chest, for I don’t even know how long.

  August and I hadn’t spoken to each other besides casual talk or about music. He would talk to Neven after class when he would meet me there. They were sort of friends, or maybe more like acquaintances.

  The questions I knew he wanted to ask, he didn’t ask me. When I finally stopped crying, I was holding onto him like I had known him my entire life. He was the first person that I told everything—before I told Maisie.

  It’s so strange how a friendship can begin so fast with one single instant, but it can, and it did.

  After that day, August and I grew extremely close, and I didn’t feel anything except friendship. Now, I just don’t know.

  I decide to change into my pajamas which consist of an old tattered t-shirt and my baggy polka dot pants. I wander back into the living room to watch some TV.

  Dad is already getting up and heading to bed. “Goodnight, sweetheart. I hope you had a great day. Happy Birthday.”

  I wave goodnight. “I did. I love you, Dad.”

  “I love you, too.”

  I grab the purple and blue flower quilt that is always folded up and laying on the edge of the couch. I pull it up to my chin and start watching an old vampire horror film. The black and white ones are always the best.

  About five minutes later the doorbell rings. It can only be one person at this late hour that I know. I throw off the blanket, walk to the door, and look through the peephole.

  Yep, I was right. It’s Maisie standing there in her pajamas. I throw open the door and pull her inside. “What are you doing coming over so late? Is everything all right?”

  “I have the most exciting news.” She’s standing there practically beaming in her bright yellow pajama pants and her long sleeve shirt with a banana on it. I can’t leave out that she’s wearing an eye patch that is shaped like a banana.

  “First off, do you sleep in the eye patches, too? Second, couldn’t you have just called me? Third, let’s sit down.”

  “My answers are. No, they would get in the way of my sleep time. I could have, but I preferred to come bug you. Last, yes, let’s sit down because I see you are watching one of my favorite movies ever.”

  Maisie walks over to the couch, plops down, snatches the blanket and immediately covers her legs. I shut the front door and sit beside her. I grab the blanket from her and pull it up, so it covers both of us. “Okay, what is the big news?”

  She looks at my face and frowns. “Hey, where is the patch? Remember, you promised to wear it.”

  I get out of my comfortable spot and locate the eye patch that she made me for my birthday, and slide it over my eye. “There. Happy?”

  “Yes! Now, remember how we saw that Glass Vault place today after school on the way home?”

  I run my hand through my hair. “Of course, I remember the old, stone house that appeared out of nowhere!”

  She ignores the look I shoot her. “Anyway, as soon as we finished up dinner, I emailed that Quinsey Wolfe guy and sent him my resume. He emailed me back and said I have the job. I will start this Thursday at nine o’clock.

  I squint and nod my head in confusion. “Wait a second, so you are starting work at nine in the morning at this museum? We have school in the morning.”

  Maisie shakes her hand wildly in front of my face. “No. No, he wants me to start at nine at night.”

  I’m shocked because that seems like odd hours for a museum. They also haven’t officially opened yet. Maybe they are getting everything in order for whenever they plan to open.

  “I don’t know. That seems pretty late for a school night—or any night—to go into work. Did he say what time you would be getting off?”

  She shrugs her shoulders. “I told him I could work till midnight until summer starts, which is almost here anyway.”

  Maisie has been looking for a job for a while. She doesn’t have any real work experience besides selling her eye patches, and she refuses to do anything involving food. Because of her pickiness, it has been hard to find a job to live up to her standards.

  “What did your parents say? I bet they aren’t thrilled about the hours.”

  Maisie looks off to the side guiltily.

  “You didn’t tell them, did you?” I’m not surprised.

  Maisie pulls her hand to her mouth and begins chewing on her thumbnail before she speaks. “You can’t either. This is like my dream job.”

  A huge laugh escapes me. “Dream job? We don’t even know what a glass vault is! This Quinsey guy also just gave you a job, and he didn’t even interview you or anything? The whole thing seems sketchy.”

  Maisie doesn’t seem phased by my questioning. “Well, he did sound desperate in the email, and he said not a lot of people applied for the position. It does make sense since we didn’t even know this place was there, so a lot of people must not have known either”

  I nod my head because that does make sense. We had no idea the Glass Vault existed. “When it opens, you have to get August and me in for free, so we can see what this place looks like.”

  She draws a cross over her heart with her finger. “Deal.”

  We stay up a little longer and finish the rest of the movie. I walk her to the door when we see how late it has gotten.

  I watch her ensuring she gets home safely as she sneaks back into her house through her window, shuts it, and waves goodnight.

  I remove the lion eye patch from my face and think about the Glass Vault, as I close and lock the door behind me. I wonder what kind of things are going to be in the museum? I assume glass figures, but I will find out soon enough.

  Chapter 5

  The next day at school, not much happens. Maisie has a group project she has to work on with a few people in her class, so I catch a ride home with August. He was able to fix his tire after we dropped him off yesterday.

  When we pull into my driveway, I turn to August. “Do you want to come inside and hang out for a while?”

  His blond hair is still a mess and all over the place from when we walked out of school, and he manages to pull the look off. “Yeah, sure, I don’t have to be at work until later.” August is a janitor at his dad’s law firm and cleans the building a few times during the week.

  Dad is working overtime tonight, so he won’t be home until later this evening. Not that I plan on doing anything besides us hanging out.

  “Do you want something to drink?” I ask.

  He looks at me and nods his head. “I’ll take some water.”

  I walk over to the pantry and grab us both a room-temperature bottled water. Cold water just rubs me the wrong way. I screw the cap off my water when August starts to speak. “So Perrie, I’ve wanted to ask you something.”

  My eyes instantly go to his. “Oh, yeah? What’s up?”

  His eyes focus on mine, and they look intense. “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime?”

  I start to frown since I’m not sure what is going on. “Sure, but we hang out all the time. We’re hanging out now.”

  August runs his hand through his hair and stands in front of me looking awkward. “I mean like go
out-out.”

  I’m shocked like a deer caught in headlights. “Do you mean like an actual date?” I hope I didn’t just embarrass myself by asking that.

  He looks at the ground like he’s searching for something before his eyes meet mine again. “Yes, Perrie, like you and me. I’ve liked you for a while, and I’m not sure if it’s too soon. If you don’t want to, I understand. I don’t want anything to get weird, but I had to ask.”

  Damn. I told myself I wouldn’t get in this position again for a long time, but the truth is I know I like him. I decide I’m going to tell him that I will give it a shot, but then the doorbell rings.

  “Hold on. Let me get back to you on that.” I rush to the door to tell whoever it is to get lost. Before I remember to check the peephole, I unlock and pull the door open. Neven is standing there in the doorway looking like he just ran a race.

  I hesitate before I speak. “What are you doing here, Neven?”

  “Look, Perrie. I need to talk to you, okay?”

  “Sorry, I have company.” I start to shut the door, and he sticks his foot in to stop it from closing.

  This makes me a little angry, and I’m about two seconds from pulling the door back open to slam it on his foot. “It’s important, okay. Please?”

  Maybe the sight of him isn’t bothering me as much anymore. I decide to let him come in. “Fifteen minutes.”

  He follows me in and stops immediately when he spots August. “Alone?”

  I slowly turn toward him and give him a confused look. “Anything you have to say you can say in front of August.”

  August walks toward us. “It’s fine, Perrie. You can call me later.”

  I pull August back by his arm. “August, you don’t have to leave.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You can call me later, okay?”

  I don’t want him to leave, and this whole thing is just awkward, but I walk him to the door. “I’ll call you later tonight.”

  Closing the door behind me, I walk back to Neven. “This better be good.”