by S. C. Alban
Fresh, right.
What was she doing? Was this the “do over” she imagined? Carol shook her head. No reason to dwell on it now. She made her choice, time to move forward.
She heard tires crunch on the worn asphalt behind her as they approached. Turning, Carol saw Sue’s car roll up to the drive.
“Sorry, it took me so long to get here,” Sue apologized when she got out of her Lexus. Carol raised her eyebrows.
The real estate market must be booming out here.
Sue closed her car door. “I had to take a call just after you left the office.”
“It’s no problem. I was just admiring the view.” Carol smiled.
Sue raised her eyebrows. “Well, it does leave a bit to be desired, I agree, but at least the paint’s fresh.”
Carol laughed. “It’s a good thing I’m a lawyer ‘cause I don’t know if I’d be able to afford fixing this place up with any other salary.”
Associate lawyer at Oak Valley Law Firm wasn’t her dream job, but it paid well. Besides, after the divorce, Carol just couldn’t imagine staying in Seaside. A small coastal town in Northern California, Seaside was all Carol knew of life, and everything she’d ever wanted. But she had thought the same of John at one point, too.
Born and raised in the picturesque hamlet, Carol reluctantly moved away for college. The moment she passed the bar and became a practicing lawyer, she returned to her childhood home. Not long after she became the newest employee of Hamilton & Carver, LLP, she married John and bought a house.
Her entire existence centered around the quaint beach town. She lived and breathed the very essence of Seaside. As a child, Carol’s mother used to tease her, claiming that if anyone wanted to hear the ocean, they needn’t bother with a seashell. All they needed to do was place an ear over Carol’s heart.
An ache searched her chest.
And where is your heart now?
Carol cringed as she remembered the night John left. They were eating Chicken Marsala. Carol had brought home a Chardonnay, a present from the partners for her latest multimillion-dollar jury verdict.
“It’s been eight years, Carol. Eight years and I feel like I’m living alone.”
“John, you have to trust me. If I make partner this quarter, then—“
“Then what? You’ll have more time to pay attention to me? Hardly. You’ll be ready to have a baby? Go on maternity leave?”
“That’s not fair. I’ve worked hard to get where I am at the firm. You know that. You’re not the only one who’s had to make sacrifices, you know? You’re not exactly here when I’m not working.”
“Sacrifices! Please, Carol you don’t even notice when I’m around. Am I supposed to stop living my life and wait around for you to be ready for me? Is that it?”
“Well, maybe if you’d pay attention to me when I’m home, I wouldn’t be so focused on work.”
“Maybe if you’d pay attention to me at all, I wouldn’t be sleeping with Janelle!”
The words dropped like a thousand nuclear warheads. Carol’s breath caught in her throat. “Janelle? From the coffee shop?” Her voice squeaked.
John looked down at his hands. He picked up his napkin from his lap and placed it on the table.
“I… I can’t do this anymore. It’s a lie. Everything we’ve built… it’s all a sham.”
Carol felt a rope wrap around her heart and pull tight around the tiny organ. “John, wait. Don’t do… just wait, we can…”
“What, Carol? We can what? Pretend like everything’s all right? Forget I’m fucking the barista? I… this isn’t what I want anymore.”
The rope wrapped tighter around Carol’s heart. She could barely breathe. This couldn’t be happening, it just couldn’t. “Things can change, John, I promise. I… I can put in fewer hours at work; we can go on a vacation. I know how you’ve always want—“
“Janelle’s pregnant.” John closed his eyes. The words shattered Carol’s train of thought stopping her words in their tracks. “She’s due in December.”
Tears collected in Carol’s eyes as the scene played out. She had replayed it over and over and over again on a twisted, torturous loop. She quickly brushed the wetness away with the back of her hand as Sue joined her.
“It must be hard. Leaving your life like you did.”
Carol pressed her lips together and smiled. In a moment of weakness, she had confessed her reasons for such a hasty relocation. Now, she hesitated to open up, and then relaxed. Perhaps Sue was not the friend she sought, but the friend she needed.
“I suppose. But Seaside no longer means what it did.” She rolled her shoulders back. “My parents have passed on and John is… well, he’s not a factor anymore. Seaside holds nothing but a past I wish to forget. Oakcrest is my future.” Her voice stretched along her vocal chords and strained in the hot, rancid air when she spoke those last words.
Sue narrowed her eyes. “In any case, Oakcrest has gained one new resident. I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for here. I know for a fact we’ve been needing some new faces around here for a while. At least, I have.” She released a light laugh. It floated up into the sky.
“Well, Oak Valley Law Firm was at the top of my list,” Carol lied. What did it matter if she put out applications throughout the state and the tiny firm just happened to be the first to offer her a position? Did it matter she had never heard of them before her impromptu job search? She had accepted the position and she was here now. She might as well make the best of it.
So what if most of the office’s cases dealt with aspects of an agricultural nature, an area she was unfamiliar with. She’d learn soon enough. She had yet set foot in their headquarters and they hadn’t even sent her a welcome docket yet. For all she knew, the firm took up operations in a barn. But, abjection is a nagging bitch, and it only took one phone call and a teleconference interview for Carol to decide she’d go there if there were an offer. What was the lead partner’s name—Corrigan or something? She should’ve remembered considering he would be her new boss. Sure, red flags had flown. But, they weren’t as red as the ones flying over her house in Seaside.
Though maintaining personal intimate relationships were proving not her strong suit, litigation was, and the partners at Oak Valley sensed her hunger for the good fight… or maybe she just sounded desperate. They didn’t hesitate to offer the position. Their one condition—she must relocate by the end of the quarter, they gave Carol three months. With no arguments from her end, Carol packed up her belongings and headed east into the belly of the state.
Sue’s disclosure about the house made little difference to Carol. She was neither easily intimidated nor superstitious. Now, she stood with Sue in front of the modest two-story house.
Sue dug in her purse and pulled out a key ring with two keys dangling from it.
“I bet you’ve been waiting for these,” she said holding the keys out to Carol.
Carol reached out and grasped the keys in her right hand. Taking a deep breath, she examined the house once more and then turned her attention back to Sue.
“Well, no time like the present,” she said. “Let’s go check out my new house.”
“Hold on a sec.” Sue ran to her car and rummaged around the back seat. She righted herself and Carol smiled at the bottle of sparkling wine and crystal flutes the realtor held in her hands. “What? This is a celebration, is it not? It’s not every day you move into your new home.”
A familiar cell tone broke the celebratory mood. Dark clouds descended on her shoulders and Carol sifted around in her purse until she produced her phone. She groaned. John. What did he want?
“Excuse me,” she said to Sue as she turned away and took a few steps down the drive. She took a deep breath before picking up the call.
“What do you want?” Her voice was short.
“Carol, we were supposed to meet this morning to finalize the last of the paperwork. Where are you?”
“I don’t think you’re in the position to dem
and my whereabouts any longer.”
She could hear John breathing heavily on the other end of the line.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.”
“You’ve made your decision, John. There’s nothing more to discuss. If you wanted any rights to me, then you should’ve kept your dick in your pants.” Carol blanched at the harshness of her own words. They held an extra bit of venom she wasn’t expecting.
“So, what? You’re just going to shut me out entirely?”
“Pretty much. Look, you should be happy. Now you, Janelle and your little family can live happily ever after and not worry about me. I’m moving on, John. And if I never see you again, it’ll be too soon.”
Carol clenched her teeth. She knew her words were spat out of anger, but she couldn’t stop them. She wanted him to hurt as much as he hurt her. John’s silence told her she had. When he did speak, his voice trembled.
“Fine. If that’s your choice, there’s nothing I can do. But, we have paperwork to finalize, and—”
“Don’t worry about the paperwork. I signed my part and the secretary at H & C will send it to you by courier. The divorce will be final and you can get on with your life.”
More silence.
“Look, Car…”
“I gotta go, John. I have friends waiting for me. You know how to contact me through the office. Please don’t call me again.”
Carol hung up and took a deep breath. Her stomach twisted in knots. Her nearly decade-long marriage had fallen apart right beneath her nose. She closed her eyes and sniffed pushing the tears back.
“Tissue?” Sue extended a small package towards Carol. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, hon, you were just in range.”
“I’m sorry,” Carol replied, taking the tissue and dabbing her eyes. “I’m not typically so… emotional. It’s just been hard.”
“I completely understand.” Sue paused. “How about a rain check on the booze then? Maybe when things have settled down for you and you’re moved in we can meet up for drinks downtown.”
Carol nodded. Sue wrapped her arm around Carol’s shoulders and turned her toward the house. “Look at that. That, right there, is your next life. Make the most of it, sweetie. Not many woman can be as self-sufficient as you.”
“You know what? You’re right. Enough of all this nonsense, I’m ready. This is my home now.” She clutched the keys in her hand. “Let’s go.”
A bird cawed in the distance and Sue glanced at her watch. “I’d love to, but I should be heading back to the office. I have a meeting in thirty minutes and I just realized I have to grab some paperwork from my house. Can I check in with you tomorrow?”
“Of course, Sue.” Carol leaned in and gave the realtor a quick hug. “You know, you not only sold me this house, but you’ve become my friend.”
Guilt flashed across Sue’s face for a moment, but was gone the second it registered with Carol.
“I’ll see you later then, Carol. Here, keep these. We’ll make use of them later.”
Sue thrust the wine and glasses into Carol’s arms. Carol held them awkwardly and watched as Sue got in her car and drove away. The gravel in the road kicked up while the Lexus gained speed, the tires squealing when she turned onto the blacktop.
A cloud of dust was left hanging in the air after Sue’s car became nothing more than a speck in the distance. Carol smiled to herself. “Such a nice woman. Odd, but nice.”
She turned toward her new home. Something in the second story window caught her attention. Carol shifted her housewarming gifts awkwardly in her arms and lifted her hand to block out the sun. She focused on the glass where she thought was movement. Her gazed narrowed in, a quick shadow flitted just out of sight and her heart quickened while the dingy curtain swayed gently behind the dusty pane.
What the hell?
Chapter Three
The Madness of Gina Graham
Gina Graham drifted off to sleep shortly after her mother turned out the light. Even though she was sixteen-years-old, she didn’t mind the nightly ritual. Her mother would come in, check the windows, close the blinds, and tuck her in.
The moon shone through the window and dimly lit the area. Her heavy eyelids drooped as she stared at the empty walls of her new room. Tomorrow she would unpack her posters. It’d already been nearly a week and she refused to sleep another night without her Duran Duran posters on the wall.
Maybe Mom will help me.
The last bit of their conversation flitted through her mind as sleep crept upon her.
“You don’t have to do this every night, Mom.”
Her mother smiled as she dug through the moving box packed with Gina’s old stuffed animals and dolls. She triumphantly stood, finding what she was looking for, and threw the Cabbage Patch doll on Gina’s bed. “I know. But I only have two more years before you’re off to college. Then, the only person I’ll be able to tuck in is your father. And we both know he isn’t as sweet as you. Besides, it’s hard enough for me to let go of the fact you may not even want these dolls anymore. Please don’t take away my goodnight kiss, too.”
Gina had faked offense. “Mom! I’ll never be too old for Amanda Jane.” She grabbed the doll her mother had tossed on the bed and held it tight to her chest. The two had broken out in giggles.
Now, her muscles were relaxed and her thoughts became fuzzy. Gina shifted in her bed and pulled the afghan Gran crocheted for her just before she passed away over her head. She was close to losing herself to dreamland when a small scratching sound brought her back to consciousness.
Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.
Gina lay in bed and covered her head falling deeper into the warm cocoon. The sound continued.
Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.
Gina roused from her semi-conscious state and threw the blanket back. She sat up and cocked her head to the side. She listened for the sound.
Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.
Gina looked around the dark room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but she couldn’t quite shake the unease crawling up her spine.
A shadow moved outside her bedroom window. Gina swallowed hard and watched as the small outline hopped from one corner of her window to the other. She thought briefly about calling her mom from her bed, but knew if she did, she would scare the intruder away.
Gina flipped the sheets back and with silent feet, stole out of bed. She tiptoed to her window where the shadow now hunkered down.
It must be on the roof.
She approached the pane with caution, her right hand reaching out to snag the corner of the thin curtain. Sweat gathered in her palms as she held the hem of the window dressing in between her fingers.
Okay, Gigi. On the count of three, just pull it open. One… two… three!
She yanked the curtain to the right and braced herself for whatever was on the other side.
The large black raven stared at her through the glass. It cocked its head to the side and examined Gina’s face. Gina released the huge breath she had been holding and laughed at herself.
“Shoo,” she said waving her hand towards the window. The bird hopped forward and pecked on the glass with its sharp, dirty beak.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
“Go away!” she whispered hotly. She rapped the pane with her knuckle a few times.
The bird hopped up on the sill of the window, cawed loudly into the night, and flew into the darkened sky.
“Stupid bird,” she said to herself letting the curtain fall back over the glass.
She crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. The room remained in dead silence. She strained to hear something, but there was not a sound. Things were definitely different here than back home in San Lorenzo.
In San Lorenzo, there was always some sort of noise to keep the background occupied. Here, there was nothing. Sure, the house was about five times the size of her old house, but Gina never minded living in close quarters. It always meant there was someone near when you needed them. Gina frowned at
how this house seemed to keep them apart. From her new bedroom, she never could tell which part of the house her mother occupied.
It had been a week since her parents uprooted them to the Central Valley and still, between the obscene silence and the endless personal space, Gina couldn’t quite feel comfortable in the new surroundings.
Everything was just so different. The weather was sweltering and dry, all the kids at school seemed to know each other since kindergarten, and the birds back home never tried to force entry through her window. But, Mom and Dad wanted a different life for them… for her. They found a town with less neighborhood crime, a place where she could walk home from school, where they didn’t have security guards and bars on the windows, a place where she could be an actual kid.
Gina turned on her side and reminded herself her parents were doing what they thought was best for their family. She closed her eyes and tried to let go of her past life. She didn’t want to hurt her parents’ feelings, especially since they were doing this for her.
***
The hand rubbing her back brought her around from her deep slumber.
Do not be startled, my sweet pet.
The voice was low and deep… almost gravely. Gina didn’t recognize it. She fought with sleep to identify who the speaker was.
Don’t be scared, child. I’m here for you.
Gina tossed and turned in her bed. She rolled over and opened her heavy eyes. As they focused, the dark shadow outline of a person came into view. Gina jolted upright in her bed and opened her mouth to scream.
Silence.
Gina couldn’t hear the scream she let fly. She opened her mouth wide, her chest broad with breath, and yet, no sound rang in the room.
You cannot be helped, child. Do not fight me.
A cold ribbon of fear wound its way around her heart. What was happening? Was this a dream? It had to be. Reading her thoughts, the voice answered.
This is no dream.
Gina’s heart began to race, her chest rising and falling double time as fear gripped her.
