by Harper Lin
John had made it clear he wasn’t happy about her business. An ex-wife who drove a food truck was not as respectable, she supposed, as the waitressing career his mistress, Jennifer, had. However, Jennifer’s restaurant or bar or whatever it was didn’t make it on the news because a dead body hadn’t been found near it, as had happened with the Pink Cupcake, but that was another story altogether.
The thought made her click her tongue and chuckle as she went upstairs to her room. Peeling off her clothes and slipping into some comfy pajamas, Amelia looked at her reflection in the dresser mirror. Suddenly a thought so devious, so indulgent, and so wild entered into her head that it made her gasp.
“I’m going to cut my hair.”
Chapter Three
“I think it looks amazing!” Lila gushed, smoothing the short pixie cut Amelia had gotten the night before.
“You don’t think it’s too short? I don’t look like a boy?” Amelia fretted as she patted the back of her neck.
“With your figure?” Lila rolled her eyes. “Even a blind man would know you were all woman.”
Smiling, Amelia nudged Lila with her elbow as they prepared the cupcakes outside the Twisted Spoke. It was a beautiful gray day, typical for Gary, Oregon.
The hot-pink truck looked like an exotic blossom positioned in the parking lot next to the rustic building. With their window open, Amelia and Lila faced the restaurant so the bridal shower guests could easily walk up to help themselves to the biker-themed delectables.
Despite the fact that Amelia would never want a biker-themed anything, the open area of the Twisted Spoke looked great. There were two picnic tables for the bride, the mothers, and the bridesmaids. The rest of the guests were at tables for four with stickers and paper fans and trinkets scattered across the tops, to be used for what would obviously be bridal shower games. There was nothing too frilly, but there were small, elegant flower arrangements of black and silver in the middle of each table. Amelia thought the decorations and restaurant looked oddly complementary.
As the ovens were starting to give off the sweet aroma of yellow cake with vanilla and peanut butter, a high-strung Mrs. Tabitha Miller, mother of the bride, came bustling up to the window. Her beautifully French-manicured nails clicked on the counter.
“Hello!” she squealed. “Everything going all right?”
Amelia came to the open window and leaned out to talk.
“Hello, Tabitha. Everything is just fine. How are you holding up?” She could smell a bit of alcohol on the woman already and was sure the party had started before they arrived at the biker restaurant.
“Well, one little snag,” she said, frowning like she was posing for one of those awful clown paintings. “It seems that my husband’s cousin and her three grown daughters are coming after all. Our neighbors have also had a change in plans and decided they will more than likely stop by. Do you think we’ll have enough to accommodate them?” She swayed just a little as she waited for Amelia to reply, her eyes slightly bloodshot.
“I’ll make the adjustment, Tabitha. We’re prepared to handle things like this,” Amelia said sweetly while clenching her fists at her sides.
“That’s great! Can I get you a Bloody Mary? They are absolutely delicious.”
“No, thank you,” Amelia replied, feeling the contagious giggles spreading from Lila, who was out of view behind her by the open back door.
“Okay then!” She clapped her hands together. “Can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when they taste your cupcakes! Peanut butter and jelly! Yum!”
As Tabitha wobbled away, Amelia turned and looked at Lila, who was silently laughing until the woman was out of hearing range and safely planted back at the bar.
“This is the third time she has changed the number of guests coming. I’ve kept meticulous records of everything. People who have money are very reluctant to pay for changes and inconveniences they caused.” Amelia shook her head. “Thank goodness I have you as a witness.”
“This is going to be the best party ever! I should have brought my camera.” Lila bounced on her toes.
“Please don’t tell me you are in the blackmail business, because that is the only reason I could think of for taking any pictures of this.”
“Not anymore,” Lila quipped without skipping a beat. “But you should have some pictures for your website and stuff.”
Amelia thought a moment and then nodded her head.
“That’s a really good idea. John is picking up the kids today. He can swing by on his way home and let Adam take a few snaps, then be on his way.” Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she dialed her ex-husband’s number, but as soon as he answered, Amelia felt the need to inch her way closer to the front of the truck and away from Lila, the window, and everyone.
“John, it’s on the way. I’m not asking you to stay. I’m not even asking you to turn the engine off. I’m asking for a quick favor that will only take five minutes.”
“Well, Amelia, it’s a real inconvenience, but if you’re going to make an issue…”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. The guests will already be here when you arrive. Just pull up in front and you’ll see the truck. Adam can…”
“Yeah, you can’t miss that truck.”
Amelia bit her tongue. This was a good day for her, a special day. Why John couldn’t be happy for her, she didn’t know and didn’t have time to worry about. “Thanks, John,” she snapped. “Adam will know what to do.” With that she hit the End Call button and took a deep breath.
“Everything okay?” Lila asked.
“Yes.” Amelia spat out the word as if it tasted bad in her mouth.
“It’s going to take him a while to get used to it,” Lila said while pulling down the tubes of silver candies and sprinkles Amelia had bought for the Miller bridal shower cupcakes.
“Get used to what?”
“You getting along without him. Maybe even flourishing.” Lila waved her hands in a swooping motion over her head.
“He doesn’t love me anymore. Hasn’t for a while. I’m okay with that. Isn’t that what he wants?” Amelia peeked in the oven windows and checked her watch.
“I think you might be confusing what he wants with what you want.” Lila laughed as she spoke. “Has he seen your hair?”
Amelia squared her shoulders, and a sly smirk crept over her lips.
“Nope.” She grinned openly. “He hasn’t ever seen me with hair above my shoulders.”
“Well, he’s in for a shock.” Lila popped one of the silver candies in her mouth before both of them began to work on the frosting and designs.
Slowly the guests started to arrive, and Amelia was surprised that she knew a couple of them. There was Mrs. Glenda Toedale—whom Amelia’s kids called Toenail—who worked at the library. Sadie Lucas was on the Gary Community Council that John had been a member of. Sadie had elaborate Christmas parties and had offered Amelia some very kind words after the divorce was made public.
“You’re better off” was all she said, with a hug and a knowing look. Someday, Amelia thought she might ask her about that, but today was not that day.
The most interesting guest was Mrs. O’Toole. She was an eccentric old woman who was rumored to have buried gold bars in the walls of her house. She was wearing her raincoat as a dress. She had been married to the same man for over forty years, but he was rarely seen anymore. The plight of the elderly.
Deep in conversation and up to their elbows in decorating, both Amelia and Lila jumped when a gruff voice coughed and sputtered at the back door of the truck.
“Excuse me, Amelia.”
Amelia looked up and saw the manager of the Twisted Spoke smiling at them. It was obvious that a lifetime of riding on the open road had permanently weathered his face. His wild red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and his beard was trimmed close to his wide jowl. His T-shirt had an American flag, a bike, and some message about freedom. He smelled like a country barbeque. No resemblance to Marlon Brando
at all.
“Hey, Rusty.” Amelia waved and quickly scooted around Lila to go shake his hand. “Thanks for the accommodations here. This is a perfect spot.”
“Well, I’m happy to work with you. I just wanted to let you ladies know that lunch is on me. I’ll have a couple of burgers delivered around as soon as my guy is done preparing them. I thought it might be better if you eat now. I saw the mother in there.” Rusty jerked his head toward Tabitha. “This is going to be one of those real barn burners.”
Amelia laughed and nodded her head in agreement.
“Rusty, this is my friend Lila Bergman.” She stepped back to allow Lila to shake Rusty’s hand. From the look on his face, it was obvious he hadn’t expected the view to be so nice. Amelia couldn’t picture Lila on the back of a Harley, but a year ago, she wouldn’t have pictured herself running her own business, so what did she know?
“Can I get you ladies anything to drink? Coke? Beer? Tequila?” He looked at Lila, who smiled and planted her hands on her hips, shaking her head no.
“I think we’re good, Rusty. Thank you.”
“Well, I’ll be back around to check on you. Let me know if you need anything.” He gave a quick salute as he stepped off the back step but not before his eyes took inventory of Lila’s backside.
“Oh, now, that is smitten!” Amelia shook her head and clicked her tongue as if it were such a shame. “He’s going to invite you for a ride on his Harley. You know he is.” Thoughts about John, his attitude, and his arrival were already forgotten.
“You say that as if I’ve never been on one,” Lila said, barely looking up from her decorating task.
Gasping and covering her mouth, Amelia started to laugh. Then Lila did, too. It was like two high school girls gossiping about a senior football player at the pep rally.
Before they knew it, all the guests were seated in plain view of the truck. Some of the women pointed, some laughed, and some gasped, but half a dozen of them said they had seen the Pink Cupcake parked at Food Truck Alley, and a few more had said they had eaten from there.
Words like delicious, amazing and sooo good were used when describing their experiences, but Amelia pretended she didn’t hear. She stayed focused and soon had a beautiful arrangement of over seventy-five giant peanut-butter-and-jelly cupcakes with a hint of vanilla, white cream cheese frosting, silver confetti sprinkles, black and silver edible flowers, and tiny silver beads that sparkled like gems in the center. Everything perched daintily in the hot-pink boats the cupcakes could be carried in.
Rusty brought Amelia and Lila two of the biggest burgers they had ever seen with french fries, onion rings, and dill pickles.
Unaware of how hungry they were, they devoured the meals just as the guests of the bridal shower were beginning to play their first game. They broke up into groups, and each was given several rolls of toilet paper to construct a wedding dress. They’d be scored on originality, neatness, and overall appearance. The wild laughter was contagious.
“Sounds like they’re having a blast.” Amelia laughed as she wiped her hands on her apron.
But as quickly as the laughter escalated, it died down only to be replaced by a familiar sound that made Amelia stop and hold her breath.
Chapter Four
“Yikes!” Lila folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t believe it.”
“I know that sound. Where have I…?” Leaning out of the back door of the truck, Amelia saw a familiar sight. A red Corvette pumping out the worst, most chest-pounding, headache-inducing music was parking right in front of the Pink Cupcake.
“Dana Foster.” Now it was Lila who was shaking her head. She wasn’t the only one.
The gaggle of women had almost completely stopped what they were doing as they watched the blonde pour herself out of her car and saunter toward the restaurant, wearing short shorts and a white T-shirt so tight there was nothing left to the imagination.
Oblivious to everyone, and apparently having let it slip her mind that she had harassed a woman who drove a truck identical to the one parked next to the Twisted Spoke, Dana strolled past, into the bar area, and disappeared behind the Employees Only sign.
“She works here?” Lila squawked. “Good thing we already ate. I wouldn’t trust that piece of work around my food.”
Judging by the reaction of the crowd, there were some ladies who weren’t exactly thrilled to see the twenty-something, either.
“I wonder what the hubbub is all about?” Amelia scratched her chin.
“I’ll go find out.” Lila slipped down the steps and strolled into the party to seek out Darcy. It was her conversation with the officer manning the Gary Police Department front desk that had gotten this whole catering ball rolling.
Darcy stood up and hugged Lila. They talked, and it was obvious that Darcy was introducing her to the ladies, waving her hands and pointing and showing off her ring again. They both turned toward the truck, and Amelia gave a friendly wave and smiled.
Looking around as Lila and Darcy spoke, Amelia noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. Leaning slightly toward the window, she saw three of the guests standing away from the main party. One of the girls was crying while the other two tried to talk to her.
“Don’t pay any attention to her. She’s just trying to upset you,” the shortest girl in the group said while patting the crier on the back.
“Yeah. Besides, she wants you to say something to her. She thrives on drama. That’s all she has.” The third girl was lighting a cigarette and blew the smoke high up over her friends’ heads.
“Give me one of those,” the crier said. “I just can’t believe she’s here. How can she even show her face?”
“She probably didn’t know you were going to be here,” Shorty soothed.
“She’d have to know. The party was under Miller Bridal Shower. How many Millers are in this town getting married? Everyone knows we are friends with Darcy,” the smoker added while lighting the crier’s cigarette.
“Look, everyone knows she’s a slut and a liar. And it isn’t just us. She’s been around with so many guys that…” Shorty started but was, well, cut short.
“But I don’t care about other guys. I cared about Cole.” The crier took a deep drag and cried out the smoke in spasms. “She ruined it. I hate her! I wish she was dead!”
The smoker dropped her cigarette and embraced the crier, who sobbed almost hysterically on her shoulder. Shorty ran inside and grabbed a beer. Tapping the crier on the shoulder, she handed her the bottle and watched as her friend tilted her head back and chugged the entire brewski.
“That ought to help,” Amelia muttered, pretending to be busy while continuing to listen.
“Look, girls like Dana Foster always get what’s coming to them. Maybe not today but eventually,” Shorty stated with her hands on her hips.
“That’s right,” the smoker concurred.
“I hate her so much.” The crier wiped her eyes, careful to keep as much mascara and liner as possible unsmudged. “If I thought I could get away with it, I’d kill her myself.”
“And we’d be right there to help you,” Shorty added.
“That’s right,” the smoker concurred again.
Amelia shook her head sadly. She would have liked to tell the crier that it hurt for a little while, maybe a long while, but you got over it. Life got better. Men were like buses. If you missed one, another one came along sooner or later. Plenty of fish in the sea. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” or whatever other words of wisdom could be used to soothe a wounded heart.
“Hey, Mom.” Adam’s voice broke her train of thought. She whirled around and saw her son in the back door, holding his camera.
“Hi. Boy, thanks for coming by. I didn’t even think about taking pictures for the website until Lila mentioned it.” She gave him a quick squeeze. “You better just snap a few quick ones. We don’t want to keep your father waiting.”
“I don’t think Dad would mind. It’s Jennifer who’
s got ants in her pants.” Adam rolled his eyes.
More than that, Amelia mused, but she didn’t utter a word.
“Well, either way. Here.” She pulled the tray of cupcakes in front of him. “What do you think?” It irked her that that woman-slash-girl was in the car with her children, but she was not going to make a scene. There was already enough female drama going on. Adding to it would be scandalous.
“These are so cool! Can I have this for my party?”
“Sure. Party? What party?”
“Dad said I could have a party when I turned seventeen,” he said, snapping away a few pictures. “Should I get the crowd, too? If I include the logo of the restaurant, maybe the owner will put you on his website? Easy enough to ask.”
“What kind of party?”
“At the Windham, downtown,” Adam said innocently.
“Take a few snaps of whatever you think is best. As for this party, we’ll talk. Seventeen-year-olds don’t get parties at hotels. I don’t even get to have a party at a hotel, and I deserve one.”
“Mom,” Adam groaned. “It’s no big deal.”
“I’m not signing off on anything. We’ll talk. Your birthday is still a few months away.”
“It won’t cost you anything. Dad said…”
“Dad didn’t say a word to me,” Amelia replied firmly. “What did I say? Just because we don’t live together doesn’t mean we don’t work together when it comes to you kids. Now I don’t want to throw the hammer down, but I will if you keep pushing.”
“Okay.” Adam sighed. “I’ll get a few pictures inside and around, and then I better go.”
Amelia nodded, folding her arms over her chest and pursing her lips together. Following her son out, she looked toward the street and saw John’s Suburban with its hazard lights blinking. Jennifer was looking down, but Amelia could see a clear image of her ex-husband, who was anxiously sitting in the driver’s seat. She pointed at him then made her hand into a phone, mouthing the words “call me.” The look on her face must have conveyed her current mood because all John did was nod his head. Or maybe it was shock over her haircut. Either way, she had words for John, and he knew it.
