by Robin Janney
He was going to have to change tactics.
“W
ell,” said Lucy Bagley to her friend one late October afternoon as they did some yard work. Winter was just around the corner and she wanted these bulbs in. “It’s been just over two months since Angela started at the store. You owe me dinner.”
Flo made some hemming and hawing sounds. “You said three months. She has another month to go.”
She sniffed disdainfully. “Oh please. Flo, you know as well as I do by now she’s not going anywhere. The man has given her a key to his house!”
The widow laughed dismissively as she helped her friend dig in the flower garden. “I asked Maude about it and the only reason Craig gave her the key is because he’s made that mangy mutt his legal dog and the key is so Angela can visit the dog when he’s not around.”
Lucy straightened and looked at her friend kneeling next to her. The look she fixed her friend with was one of long-suffering. “Dear, it doesn’t take a genius to see the changes in Craig since she’s started. He’s completely taken with Angela!”
Flo laughed, even more amused than she had been before. “Gay men have female friends all the time.”
“Oh Flo, are you really going to beat that old drum again? If it were true, don’t you think Craig would have had a female ‘friend’ before now?”
“No, because all those other girls weren’t interested in settling for friendship. They’ve always wanted something more. I’ve talked with Maude, Angela is too fixated on saving their farm and school to want anything more.”
“I don’t buy that. Has Maude ever seen them together? Angela’s as taken as he is! Mark my words, Flo. Those two are going to be married before the end of next year.”
“Really Lucy? I’m over there all the time and I don’t see what you’re talking about. Would you care to bet on it?”
“Once you take me to the Overlook to settle our last bet!” Lucy sniffed and rose to her feet. She was getting too old for this. She held a hand out to help her friend to her feet.
“Oh, all right. Sunday after church.”
Lucy nodded in satisfaction.
“Do my ears deceive me?” A masculine voice from behind surprised them. The women turned to see their pastor standing on the narrow sidewalk. “Do I hear two of my parishioners making bets?”
The two women were at a loss for words.
Pastor Mark just laughed as he resumed his walk. “See you in church ladies!”
“How long do you suppose he was standing there?” asked Flo, guiltily.
“Too long.” Something in Lucy’s heart softened and for the first time in years she didn’t share her thoughts with her best friend. The man walking away from them was going to cause trouble somehow.
T hankfully, both Craig and Angela remained unaware of the town gossip. Had they known, it would have caused the two to withdraw from their friendship completely. It was certainly a misstep on Beast’s part, but none of his minions were brave enough to mention it to him. As it was, the two humans remained blissfully unaware that others were noticing their blossoming romance. So, when Jared spent Halloween weekend with his sister, Craig re-invited the two to come over Sunday afternoon and Angela fearlessly accepted, and Jared didn’t have to beg.
That Friday after the bus had dropped him off at the end of the lane, Jared sat at Ellen Dodge’s kitchen table eating chocolate cake while he waited for Angela to arrive from her last class. He didn’t mind waiting with Mrs. Dodge, who insisted on being called Grandma Dodge.
“Hi Grandma Dodge!” Angela called when she opened the door. She grinned at her brother sitting across from the older lady. “So much for dinner, huh?”
He looked at his cake and ice cream without shame. “Promise not to tell Mom?”
But Grandma Dodge was pulling his sister deeper into the room, chuckling pleasantly. “Come in, dear, come in! There’s plenty for you too. You’re much too thin.”
He laughed at the look on Angela’s face as she was sat next to him with a dish of her own. She looked at it a moment, then at him saying, “Promise not to tell Mom?”
The two giggled together and had their dessert first. The kindly landlady even sent containers with more cake home with them when they left for Angela’s apartment.
They made a valiant attempt at their homework, so they could enjoy the rest of their weekend worry free, but one’s mind was already somewhere else.
Even as he blew through algebraic equations far above his grade level, Jared couldn’t help but notice his sister had been on the same page the entire time and hadn’t written a single note. “Everything okay, Ange?”
“Hmm? Yeah.”
“So, Craig give you the whole weekend off?”
“I wouldn’t have you over otherwise.” She quirked an eyebrow at him, but still seemed far away.
“You wouldn’t be upset about that would you? I know I must be pretty poor company compared to Craig.”
“Ha!” She sounded upset, but her face turned pink. “You don’t leave me wondering what I’m doing wrong.”
“And yet, you didn’t answer my question.” She was so fun to tease, but he toned it down to ask in genuine concern, “Are the two of you fighting?”
“Only about scheduling.” She gazed at him coolly. “I swear you’ve grown an inch since Sunday. Have you been spending time with Cassandra? Her tongue has been quite acidic recently.”
“Easy Ange, I’m just teasing a little. Don’t take it for meanness.” He sighed as he recalled the incident between the sisters past Sunday. Cassie had called their older sister an uppity bitch just because Ange had tried inviting Cassie for the weekend. It hadn’t been pretty. “I was there, remember? She’s been moody ever since our favorite John Welles dumped her.”
His sister snorted, and Jared thought it was the Carman gene coming out in her since their dad snorted just like that. She had to be a Carman despite those blue eyes.
“I’m sure the entire town heard her cuss me out,” Angela muttered. “I thought Mom was going to kill us both. I’m sorry Jared, but you’re teasing me on the wrong day. It’s been way too long.”
“You think mine’s been any easier? Especially since they’ve started talking about accelerated courses for me? I could graduate a whole year early! No pressure there!” He shook his math book at her but gave up when she didn’t laugh. He sighed. “Seriously Ange, I’ll try to ease up.”
“Thank you!”
Peace lasted maybe five minutes.
Angela slammed her book shut. “This just won’t do. I can’t concentrate. I’ll be right back, I’m calling Mom.” He looked at her in panic, and she was quick to reassure him. “Relax, Jared. I’m not sending you home.”
He watched as she disappeared into her bedroom. A good boy like him wouldn’t think of eavesdropping on his older sister. No, not him. Maybe he wasn’t so good. He booked it as quietly as possible to her bedroom door and pressed his ear against the thin door.
G athering her courage, Angela punched in the number for the farm and waited as it rang.
“Why, hello sweetheart!” her mother said in surprise when she answered. “Is everything alright? Jared’s not…”
“No, Mom, everything’s fine.”
“It doesn’t sound it. You sound frazzled.”
“I just have something I wanted to talk about with you.” She sat on the edge of her bed. “Something I wanted to ask actually.”
“Ask away, sweetheart.”
She took another deep breath. “I know it’s been awhile since I invited a friend over for Thanksgiving dinner, but would it be okay this year? If I invited someone, that is.”
“I don’t see why not. We’ve never had a problem with the friends you’ve brought to our table. Who would you like to invite?”
“I’d like to ask Craig.” Angela didn’t bother to remind her mother of the times there had been objections to some of the friends she’d brought home, especially the male ones. Spider almost hadn’t made i
t in the door. No point in digging up ancient history. Besides, she didn’t want to insinuate that Craig was anything other than just a friend. That’s all he was right now anyway.
“He doesn’t have plans already? I thought he usually went away for the holidays.”
“I don’t know for certain,” she admitted. “I haven’t said anything to him yet. I wanted to wait until I’d talked with you. I mean, it is your home.”
Maude chuckled. “It won’t be a problem. Just let me know whether he’s coming or not.”
“I will. Thanks Mom.”
“While we’re talking about it, do you know what you’re planning on bringing this year? Aunt Sylvia is bringing her famous sweet potatoes.”
“Famous or not, I still don’t like them. I was thinking of making blueberry pies. Jared and I picked a lot of blueberries this past season and I found a few new recipes I wanted to try on the family.”
Her mother’s laughter pleased her. “You make it sound like we’re one of your science experiments!”
“Well, you’ve all survived so far.” Angela quipped. She wasn’t ready for her mother’s next question.
“I’ve been wondering something, sweetheart. Are you and Pastor Mark arguing?”
“What? Pastor Mark?” What had that man said now? “Not that I know of. Why?”
“He was talking to your father and me this past Sunday, expressing his concerns. I figured the reason he was asking us was because the two of you had already talked about it and fought.”
Angela hated the probing quality of her mother’s voice. She wanted to know why her mother thought there was something romantic between herself and the pastor, especially since she did everything she could to discourage him. “No, he hasn’t spoken to me about anything recently. The usual dinner invites, but I’m just not interested in him, Mom. What was he asking?”
“Oh, he just wanted to know if we thought Craig was working you too hard at the store.”
If possible, Angela frowned harder. She had to restrain herself from saying a few choice words. “Might I ask what you told him?”
“The truth: that you’re overworking yourself. Craig might be enabling you, but only because he doesn’t realize why you’re doing what you’re doing.”
“Oh my God, Mom! I bet Pastor Mark just loved the sound of that.” Angela flopped back onto her bed with a groan. This was beginning to sound messy.
“You’re right, he didn’t. He’s just concerned about your health and wellbeing. He’s a good man, Angela, you might want to look a little closer at him some time.”
There was something more. She could almost hear it. “And?”
“And he seems to think Craig occupies too much of your time,” Maude admitted. She chuckled. “He actually wanted your father and me to tell you to cut back on how much time you spend with him! And before you get bent out of shape, I told him you’re a grown woman and how you spend your time, and with whom, was up to you. I lost any say when you turned eighteen. He didn’t like that either.”
“I’d like to know what business it is of his anyway! Pastor Mark isn’t my boyfriend!”
“Sweetheart,” her mother said, her tone admonishing. “Mark is your pastor. It’s his business, his calling, to be concerned with his flock. His concern for you, while not entirely pastoral, is still valid.”
“Then he should talk to me about it and not go behind my back to my parents!”
“You’re right, and that’s exactly what your father told him.”
Angela rolled her eyes, cursing in her head. “Wonderful,” she said aloud. “That means he will talk to me about it. Probably this Sunday too. Mom, Craig’s my boss. He has every right to set my hours and so far, he’s been very willing to work around my schedule. We’re actually arguing about scheduling right now, but don’t worry about it, he’s eliminating my Sunday hours entirely. Besides that, he’s my friend and I enjoy spending time with him. I haven’t had a good friend since Michelle left for college.”
“Angela, you don’t need to tell me this. I already know it. I’m just happy you’ve found a friend you consider as good as Michelle. I was afraid no one could measure up to her, and you’d never find another friend.”
“Oh.” That threw Angela. More than a little. But still, her mother didn’t catch on to anything else? Angela felt no need to enlighten her mother that she felt anything but friendship for her boss. “Well, good.”
Maude chuckled again. “You’d better hang up and get back to Jared. He’s probably wondering if we’re talking about if sending him back home.”
“Probably. Night Mom.” Sitting up, Angela hung the phone up and sat there wondering so many things about her mother. It didn’t sound like her mother suspected Angela had feelings for Craig. If her mother suspected anything romantic, she’d have been grilled already. She wished relationships weren’t so complicated.
The prospect of inviting Craig to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner was enough to distract her from concerns over her pastor. It was all Angela could do to not call Craig immediately and extend the invite right now. But she didn’t want to do it over the phone. Especially if he said no, because then Sunday afternoon would be miserable, and she didn’t want to do that to Jared. Or herself.
As she stood, she noticed her bedroom curtains were open. Goosebumps popped up on her skin. Walking to the window, she looked out it. Nothing but woods out there. Still, she never left the filmy curtains open. Checking the window locks, she was relieved to find them still in the locked position. Hastily, Angela drew the curtains closed.
How was she supposed to sleep tonight?
J ared stifled a yawn as he sat out of the way in the dojo where Angela’s karate class had been held. It had been the one thing his sister hadn’t been able to reschedule this weekend. He didn’t mind much. Even though he had no interest in karate, he enjoyed talking with Mrs. O’Malley. She sat on the mat next to him now, the two talking quietly as they watched Angela and Craig practice after her class had ended.
“See, she broke concentration again!” said Jared as his sister tumbled onto the mat. Her laughter was audible even from here.
“She did. But if they go on long enough, you’ll see Craig do the same thing,” replied Maeve.
He liked the older lady. She never talked down to him like some did. Another moment of watching the sparring duo showed the truth of her words as Craig hit the mat. He didn’t laugh like Angela had, but he was grinning from ear to ear and allowed Angela to help him back to his feet.
“Are they doing it on purpose?” Jared asked Maeve.
“It’s possible. Stranger things have happened.”
He shook his head and decided to confide in the older woman. “Do you think they know they’re in love yet?”
Maeve didn’t look surprised at his question. “I don’t think they’re clueless. I do think they’re both scared. Your sister has had a hard time opening her heart ever since she lost your brother. I don’t know what Craig’s issue is, but he’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him since he moved to the area.”
Jared sighed. “Angela’s been pretty happy recently too.” Her laughter rang out again across the room. “Maeve?”
“Yes, Jared?”
“Do you pray for them?”
“I do,” she admitted. “More so recently. Why do you ask?”
He hesitated. Angela’s and Craig were winding down, but he had time. “You can’t tell anyone this cuz if Ange finds out, I don’t think she’d forgive me.”
“Sounds serious. What’s up?”
“The last time I stayed at Ange’s, Craig called in the middle of the night. I think a demon has been bothering him in his dreams.”
“What makes you think that?” She also cast a glance across the room.
“Angela thinks so. It’s not the first time they’d talked about it, I could tell. He’s not ready to become a believer yet, so all we could do is pray for him. Angela doesn’t want to tell anyone because she thinks Craig wouldn’t wa
nt anyone to know.”
Maeve was silent as they watched Angela and Craig give each other little bows and walked away from the mat together, separating only when it was time to go into the different locker rooms. They both knew they only had a few minutes more while Angela changed her clothes.
“She’s probably right, Jared. He wouldn’t want anyone to know. She should trust a few of us enough to ask for prayer for him though.” Maeve tsked. “Silly girl. She doesn’t want any of us to think she likes him any more than a friend.”
Jared nodded his head in agreement. “I’m going to call my Gran tonight, after Angela’s asleep. Let her know what’s going on. And maybe her friend Michelle.”
“Good plan. Don’t get caught,” the older woman advised, rising to her feet.
Jared hopped to his feet. “I don’t plan on it.”
“No one ever does. I know two or three others I can trust to add to our little prayer circle.”
“Okay, thanks Maeve.” He grinned as the older woman winked at him and glided away. He saw Angela emerging from the ladies’ locker room and waved. The movies were next, and he was ready for a little diversion.
17
J ared’s feet were dragging Sunday morning and Angela was concerned. But when she asked about it, he just shrugged and said he hadn’t slept well. She hoped it was the numerous tacos he’d eaten before bed and not something else. Her apartment had been feeling weird recently, like someone had been in it, but nothing she could prove. The curtains were just the most recent occurrence.
They both sat attentively in church, pretending to listen to the pastor’s sermon. They paid just enough attention to answer any questions their parents might ask them, knowing Jared’s future stays could be revoked for lack of attention. It was a sermon they’d already heard a version of, this one about avoiding the appearance of evil.
