Lulu's Cafe: A Novel

by T. I. Lowe

  “I agree,” Crowley said as he stared into Leah’s glassy eyes. “What’s up with you today?”

  “Everything hurts.” Leah began to rub her neck.

  “Why are you ladies outside in this chilly air, anyway?” Ana asked.

  “We stink,” Leah said. “Collards stink.”

  “But they sure do taste good.” Crowley looked at Leah. “You have to eat collards on New Year’s if you want to prosper financially.”

  “Didn’t your preacher say last Sunday that money is the root of all evil?” Leah asked.

  “No. The love of money is the root of all evil,” Lulu said.

  “Either way. I would rather stay away from anything that might lead to evil. Been there, done that,” Leah said as she pulled her knees up and rested her forehead on them. This earned more stares from her company.

  “What’s up with you, Leah? You’re not acting like yourself.” Ana looked concerned.

  “I guess this sudden weather change has me achy all over.”

  “Speaking of weather, I’m about to freeze my little behind off.” Ana set her flute down and touched Crowley’s arm. “I’m gonna pick out a jacket and a purse to go with my outfit. It won’t take but a few minutes.”

  As Ana entered the boutique, Crowley said, “More like a half hour.” He ran his hand through his hair in an aggravated gesture and sat down.

  “Problems in paradise?” Leah said with her head still down. Did I just say that out loud?

  “What gives with her?” Crowley asked Lulu as he nodded towards Leah.

  “She was hurting so bad earlier, I told her to take one of her leftover pain pills. She didn’t want to because they knock her out, and then she would miss the fireworks later tonight,” Lulu said as she lightly rubbed Leah’s back. “The poor thing seemed to get worse as the day went on, so I finally talked her into taking a half. I didn’t realize she hadn’t eaten until it was too late.”

  Crowley looked amused. “Oh…so she’s tipsy.”

  “She’s sitting right here listening to you.” Leah raised her head long enough to glare at Crowley before resting her head back on her raised knees.

  Crowley looked at Lulu. “Why did you volunteer me for this tonight?”

  “You know you’ll feel better knowing Ana is taken care of tonight,” Lulu said.

  “Yes, but this feels like I’m leading her on.”

  Lulu gave his hand a gentle pat. “Ana knows better than that.”

  Crowley turned slightly to make sure Ana was still tucked away inside her shop. “Her kissing me every time I turn around lately leads me to believe she doesn’t.”

  “Poor, poor Crowley. Having to put up with a gorgeous woman kissing on him.” Leah raised her head to look at Crowley and poked out her bottom lip for affect.

  “This is none of your business, so stay out of it.”

  Leah raised her arms in surrender and got a whiff of her sleeve. “Ugh… I stink.”

  “Then go wash.” Crowley wasn’t sure whether to be agitated or amused with Leah.

  “It doesn’t make much sense to go wash until we air the place out,” Lulu said as she lightly patted Leah on the shoulder. “Why don’t you just come on home with me, Leah? We might get some of that ice storm tomorrow and I’d feel better if you were with me.”

  “Boy, the South likes to show off its rebellion over the seasons doesn’t it? Just yesterday Crowley was strutting around in shorts and flip-flops. Now we’re talking about an ice storm for tomorrow.” Leah shook her head.

  “I’ll be right back.” Crowley stood and gathered up the champagne flutes before jogging across the street to his townhouse.

  A few minutes later, he pulled out of his garage around back, driving a powder-blue late model truck that was decked out in chrome. He parked in front of the café and rejoined the two ladies. He pulled his phone out and hit a button. “Hurry up.” He hung up without waiting for a reply.

  “Oh. Not that, Crowley,” Lulu said as she glanced at the truck.

  Leah glanced up. “Ana will be pissed if you make her go partying in a pickup truck.”

  “Leah, your language.” Lulu patted her on the knee.

  “What?” Leah raised an eyebrow. “Is p… Is that considered a cuss word?”

  “No, but it doesn’t sound very nice,” Lulu said. “Why not say ticked off instead?”

  Leah shrugged. “Sure. I guess.”

  Crowley laughed. “Lee, I’d love to sit you down sometime with one of those pills in you and let’s have ourselves a conversation. This is as loose as I’ve ever heard your tongue get.”

  “Lee?” Both women commented simultaneously.

  “Yep. I think it’s gonna be her nickname,” Crowley said, proud of himself for ruffling her feathers.

  Leah shrugged again, “Okay, Crow. Two can play that game.”

  “Crow?” Crowley laughed. “I’ve never been called that. I like it, Lee,” he said, hoping it would deter her from using it.

  “I like your truck, Crow,” Leah said as she checked out the fully restored truck.

  “Thanks. It’s a 1976 Ford F100. My dad gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday. The model year is the same year I was born. He told me it was in honor of the best day of his life.”

  “Wow. Sounds like you are one blessed man. I’d like to meet him sometime,” Leah said as continued to gaze at the truck. Crowley and Lulu exchanged looks.

  Crowley redirected his attention to Lulu. “I really need to put some distance between Ana and me.”

  “Just take her out tonight. Then, yes, I think that would be wise of you.”

  As if on cue, Ana shimmied back up to them, wearing a cropped black leather jacket and carrying a matching leather clutch. She glanced around, her gaze stopping on the truck. “Nooo Crowley. No.” She stomped her foot.

  “Yesss Ana. Yes.” Crowley stood and playfully stomped his foot back at her. “It’s either the truck or I stay home.”

  Defeated, Ana climbed into the truck with Crowley’s assistance. Before he climbed in in the driver’s side, he turned and waved. “Happy New Year, ladies.”

  “Happy New Year to you too,” Lulu replied while Leah gave a small wave.

  Lulu finally talked Leah into going home with her. While Lulu closed all the windows, Leah went upstairs, dumped everything out of her duffel bag then repacked it with a few days’ worth of outfits and toiletries. By the time the ladies made it to the river house, Leah was feeling pretty sick. It would end up being a very long night.

  ****

  The next day around noon, Crowley made his way through Lulu’s door to find her working on building a fire.

  “Here, let me do that,” he said as he took the kindling wood out of her hand. “Why isn’t Leah helping you with this?” He knelt before the fireplace hearth.

  “The weather wasn’t attacking her yesterday. It was the flu.”

  “That woman’s luck seems pretty crummy.”

  Lulu nodded. “By the time we got home last night, she was burning up with a fever. Dr. Lindy came by and diagnosed it as the flu. The poor girl was so beaten by the fever she just laid there staring at him. She even missed the fireworks.”

  “Sorry to hear that,” Crowley said as he continued to build the fire, pausing long enough to shuck off his coat and scarf. “You know it’s starting to sleet?”

  “Yes. You just getting out of bed?” she asked, knowing he spent the night celebrating.

  “No ma’am. I’ve been pretty productive. I rode out to check on Jessup. I delivered him a load of firewood and a box of canned goods to get him through for a few days. I also got you another load in the truck.” He added a few good sized logs to the fire and stood up, wiping his hands off on his jeans and brushing off some wood chips from his dark-green thermal shirt.

  “How was Jessup?” Lulu asked.

  Crowley shook his head. “You don’t want to know.” Lulu stared at him, waiting for an answer. “I found him buck naked and passed out in a lawn chair.”
He raised his eyebrows as to say I told you so.

  “Good heavens. You’re absolutely right. I could have lived without knowing about that.” Lulu shook off a shiver of disgust.

  “Don’t worry. I pulled the lawn chair into his living room, and that sucker just kept snoring away. I called Preacher Davis, and he agreed to go check on Jessup later on.”

  “I hope you warned him.”

  “Nah. Now what would be the fun in that?” Crowley laughed.

  Lulu tried to be disapproving but gave up and laughed along with him. “How ‘bout some lunch, funny guy?” Lulu smiled.

  “Sure. I’m gonna unload the truck first.” He bundled back up in his coat and scarf before heading out.

  Lulu reheated two plates of collards, black-eyed peas, grilled pork chops and corn bread. She cracked the back door and turned the fans on so that the scent wouldn’t reach Leah upstairs. Leah had refused to eat. The doctor told Lulu to just worry about keeping fluids in her, so she had diligently encouraged the poor girl to drink water, hot tea, and juice. Thinking about that reminded her of a request, so she slipped her coat and shoes on to go find Crowley. He was stacking a large pile of wood onto her deck.

  She eased out onto the deck and was surprised that a small layer of ice had already formed on the surface. The sleet, coming down in a steady stream, made a hushed pinging sound. “Wow. This is happening fast. I hate to ask you, but I have a favor.”

  Crowley looked up as he unloaded his arms. Without hesitation, he asked, “What’s that?”

  “Could you go get some of your bottles of Gatorade?” Lulu asked as she pulled her coat up over her head to shield from the sleet. “Leah kept saying she thought she could manage drinking some. Said I left her some in her fridge while she was healing from her accident. It wasn’t me, so my guess is it was you.”

  “Anything else? Cause this will probably be your last chance for the next day or two.”

  “That should do it. Just grab a bunch.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Crowley jumped down the steps.

  Lulu was glad to see he was wearing work boots. That boy despised all forms of footwear except for flip-flops, but he had good enough sense to wear appropriate attire when it was called for.

  She made her way inside to watch the weather updates while she waited for Crowley to return. The reports weren’t very favorable. Broadcasters warned that the inevitable power outages were already being reported. Lulu was glad she heated with gas, and had a gas-powered water heater and stove. Ice storms weren’t as common as hurricanes in her neck of the woods, but she was glad to be prepared.

  Crowley returned within twenty minutes with a case of Gatorade and another box that he stashed into the hall closet for later. The two ate lunch, exchanging their Happy New Year wishes, and then hunkered down for the storm.

  Lulu coerced Leah into drinking some of the sports drink while Crowley made a large stack of wood by the fireplace to keep it dry. He then brought in his overnight bag and briefcase.

  Later in the evening, the power went out as expected. Lulu carried a battery-operated lantern as she went to Leah’s room upstairs, along with another Gatorade and a dose of Nyquil. As she reached the door, she heard muffled sobs. She quietly stepped into the room and saw Leah lying on her side, curled up in a ball.

  “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Are you hurting?” Lulu asked as she placed the lantern on the night stand. From the lantern’s soft glow, Lulu saw that Leah had been up a while, crying.

  “I just can’t win,” Leah whispered as the tears spilled in a steady stream.

  Lulu helped her sit up before handing Leah the medicine. She uncapped the Gatorade and handed it to Leah after she had downed the medicine. As Leah lay back down, Lulu climbed onto the wooden four-poster bed and ran her hand over Leah’s back to offer the poor girl some comfort.

  “Just cry it on out. It’ll make you feel better,” Lulu said.

  “No, it doesn’t. The more I cry, the more it hurts. I never get any relief.”

  “You know some seasons really stink,” Lulu stated.

  “The ice is getting worse?” Leah asked between sobs.

  “I mean the seasons of our life, dear,” Lulu said as she continued to rub Leah’s back. “You know our lives and the weather do have a lot in common. Change is constant. Just like spring, we are continuously renewed in some form or the other. Summer can be an exciting season, full of fun and adventure. Fall can be a slow time for us to just reflect and take life in. Winter sometimes can bring things into very crisp focus.” Neither spoke while Leah continued to sob.

  “Take this ice storm.” Lulu motioned to the window where icicles were forming. “It’s not a welcomed event. Storms come in and make a mess, and when you are in the midst of one, you can see no end in sight.”

  They listened to the pelting of the sleet for a few moments before Lulu continued. “I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but this season of your life, just as all other seasons, will pass in due time.”

  “It’s been twenty-nine years of a very long season,” Leah said, her tears finally slowing.

  “Here.” Lulu handed Leah the bottle of orange sports drink. “Sit up and drink some more of this before you go back to sleep and listen up for a few minutes.”

  Leah propped up her achy body and took small sips as Lulu continued.

  “We can look at the wrongs all day long, but we should be thanking God for all the rights—”

  “There are no rights in mine.” Leah’s words began to slur from the effects of the cold medicine.

  “That’s nonsense.” Lulu took the bottle out of a groggy Leah’s hand, worried it was going to be spilled. “Maybe before I met you, but since you’ve been here, I’ve witnessed plenty of good happening in your life.” She patted Leah on her left arm. “I witnessed your broken body heal completely. I’ve seen many good people befriend you. And your greatest blessing, of course, is meeting me.” Lulu laughed lightly, trying to lighten Leah’s mood. She could see she was failing.

  Leah scooted back down on the bed, resting on her side to face Lulu. Lulu tucked the quilt around her fevered body and brushed a few curls off Leah’s forehead.

  “You know I prayed for you before I knew you. I asked God to send you to me and He did. I know this was meant to be. Just look at how well Rivertown suits you.” Lulu smiled. “Will you do me a favor, Leah?”

  “I’ll try,” Leah said between sniffles.

  “I know the bad can’t be ignored. Please observe it, learn from it, but never overlook the good. Bad is everywhere, and I have no doubt that you have survived something horribly bad that I can’t even imagine. Please remember good is like treasure. You have to seek it out. And remember how rewarding it is when you find it.”

  “Lulu, I love you,” Leah said as she closed her eyes.

  “I love you too, dear,” Lulu said through a tightened throat full of emotion and made her way to the door. She spotted Crowley holding a blanket and pillow he had obviously swiped from the linen closet.

  “You’re my treasure,” Leah mumbled. She began snoring lightly through her congested nose.

  Lulu smiled at the eavesdropping man who was shaking his head at her.

  “What?” she whispered as they eased downstairs.

  “She’s here to stay, isn’t she?” Crowley asked.

  “Yes, and it’s time you accept this.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said as he made his bed on the long couch. He had bought Lulu the couch for Christmas several years back. He said he was too tall for one of those small girly couches and she had agreed. This one was sage green, ultra-soft suede that he didn’t mind sleeping on. He had always preferred it instead of the guest room, saying that room felt like it belonged to someone else.

  Lulu now thought that person had finally made her way home.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Leah woke up, unsure of how long she’d been sleeping. She peeked out the window and saw that it was dark. Fighting grogginess, she m
ustered enough energy to take an overdue shower. As she finished her shower, a wave of dizziness struck her with such force that sat on the tub’s edge. She looked down at her withered body. She guessed she had lost around forty or fifty pounds in the past few months, but she really didn’t care.

  After she gathered a little strength, Leah climbed from the tub and scrubbed her fuzzy teeth, twice. She wrapped a towel tightly around her body and crossed the hall back into her room. Exhausted from the energy used for the shower, Leah sat on the bed, waiting for her strength to return.

  Leah woke up freezing. She had no idea how long she’d been napping, she’d only meant to rest for a few moments. She dragged her weary body back out of the bed and dressed in a pair of jogging pants and an oversized hoodie. She ran some curl serum through her still-damp hair and headed downstairs.

  Leah reached the bottom of the stairs, which led to the living room, and found Crowley sitting on the couch. His head was bent down as he studied a case folder. She turned around to head back upstairs.

  “Where you going?”

  Leah took two steps up. “Just going to go back to my room. I don’t want to disturb you.”

  “I could use some company. Lulu goes to bed way too early. You’ve got to be feeling claustrophobic in that room by now,” Crowley said as he turned his head to see her. He held her gaze until she looked away.

  Leah wished Crowley wouldn’t look at her that way. She felt like he was studying her, trying to discover her secrets. Leah hesitantly crossed over to the fireplace and stood with her back to it for a while to warm up. She watched as Crowley made some notations on a yellow legal pad. Just as Leah turned around to warm her hands near the fire, her belly growled loudly in the hushed room. She realized she had not eaten in three days, but didn’t have the strength to make something to eat.

  Crowley glanced up from his folder and gave her a thorough looking over, causing her to squirm. “You look a little puny, Lee,” he said. “And you’re too pale.”

  “I feel a lot puny, Crow.” Leah slowly made her way over to the couch and sat at the opposite end from Crowley, where his two bed pillows were piled. She propped her exhausted head on them and watched Crowley make notes on the yellow legal pad for a while. “Working on anything interesting?” she asked.