by BJ Hyman
“Hmm…” She went back to eating her salad but her earlier high spirits had slipped away.
◆◆◆
When they returned to Vintage Rebel, Eli gave her a perfunctory kiss before leaving abruptly. Charlie stood in the doorway and watched his hasty departure. When she went into the store, Craig was leaning on the counter with his arms crossed over his chest. “What’s up with Prince Charming? He looked pissed.”
Charlie slipped out of her jacket. “Dean. He was watching us. I don’t know if he was following or just walked up on us, but he was there. Eli went ape shit and it just went downhill from there.”
“Fun.”
“Tell me about it.”
She went to hang up her jacket and put a smock on over her clothes so that she could paint. When she came back, Craig was waiting. He handed a piece of paper to her. “You had a call.”
She looked down at the unfamiliar number with a frown. “Did they leave a message?”
“Nope. They just wanted you to call back.”
“Man or woman?”
“That was one of the funny things. I couldn’t tell. It was either a slightly effeminate man or a slightly masculine woman. The voice was nondescript. I tried to get a name, but they wouldn’t give me one. It was kind of mysterious.” He waggled his fingers making Charlie smile.
“Okay. I’ll have to call now just to unravel the male/female conundrum.”
Craig put a hand to his chest. “Look at you, using your college education.” He handed her the phone.
Charlie dialed the number while he stood nearby. She got a recording saying that the number she dialed is no longer in service. “That’s strange. It doesn’t seem to be a working number. Maybe I dialed it wrong.” She looked at the slip of paper and tried again. She got the same recording. With a shake of her head, she handed the paper back. “Doesn’t work.”
“Maybe I wrote it down wrong. I’ll check caller id.” He held the paper while beeping through the most recent calls received on the phone. “I didn’t. It’s right here.” He pointed at the screen and held the paper alongside. Charlie squinted at them both.
“That’s very strange. Well, maybe they’ll call back.”
Craig shrugged as the bell dinged over the door. He left her to greet the couple that had just entered the store.
Charlie started uncapping her paints to begin on the next chair on her custom order. Still, an unsettled feeling overtook her that she couldn’t quite shake.
◆◆◆
Charlie put the finishing touches on the wreath she was working on. Halloween was just around the corner and she wanted to have a few options for the upcoming parties. She had chosen purple, orange, and black as her color scheme. There were touches of emerald green as an accent throughout. This one was more sophisticated than cute, and Charlie was absolutely in love with the design. The small raven she placed on the left side looked out at you with just that little touch of whimsy that made it something that would stand out.
She glued a small spider into the folds of a bow in a deep burnt orange that reminded her of pumpkins. Just then, a loud clatter came from her back room. It made her jump so hard that she dropped her glue gun onto the precious silk ribbon that snaked around the wreath form, burning it in such a way that she would have to camouflage the damage.
She grabbed the gun with a hiss of air through her teeth. She put the glue gun in a safe place and looked back at the storage room.
Craig had gone on a delivery and Charlie was alone in the store. With everything that had been going on lately, the sound had made her justifiably nervous. Her head wheeled around looking for something that could make a good weapon. The antique hand mirror that she had used just days before caught her eye and she snatched it up before tiptoeing toward the back.
The lights were off, and it made the windowless room pitch black. The darkness was full of nefarious possibilities. She slid her hand just inside the door and tried to locate the switch. Why is it that any time you’re afraid, you can’t find the simplest things such as light switches? She wondered to herself. The sound of something heavy collapsing on the floor within the dark made her jump again and back away from the doorway.
She peered into the supply work room trying to force her eyes to adjust to the blackness, but she just couldn’t see anything. Her cell was left on her work table but she was too afraid to turn her back on the door to return to get it to use her phone flashlight. Who knows what would appear to grab her and drag her into the shadows?
Reaching back inside the door, her fingers danced along the wall until she came upon the switch. She flipped it up and quickly readied herself by grabbing the heavy antique mirror like a ball player about to hit a homerun. The darkness prevailed.
What now? She reached back in and flipped the switch multiple times. Nothing.
She backed away from the door keeping her eyes on the never-ending darkness but making her way back to her table. When she ran into a small chair, she nearly shrieked but clamped a hand over her mouth to cover the frightened sound that escaped. Her hand fluttered down to her chest as she took quick glances behind her to help navigate back to the work table and the salvation of her phone.
Her fingers clamped around the device and she quickly found the light. She flipped it on and started the walk back to the storage room. A new series of clangs made her heart stop in her chest and she wondered if she should just flee the store and call the police. Isn’t this what gets people killed in scary movies? Of course, she knew that horror films weren’t real…even though they felt pretty real right in this moment.
At the door, she shined the light in. With the small light limitations, it only illuminated the first three feet or so. The rest was as black as ever. She would have to go in further to investigate. Steeling herself for what she was about to encounter, she took three deep breaths before gently placing one foot in front of the other and entering her store room.
Nothing seemed too out of place. A bucket that was usually on a foot stool in the corner lay on the ground on its side. To her right, several packs of long florescent bulbs were scattered on the floor. As she got deeper into the storage work room, she got more nervous. What was she going to walk up on? Why weren’t the lights working? She hoped Craig would get there soon. She should really be having him do this. He could actually fight, if it was needed.
The fuse box was around a blind corner near the back of the room and she could hear something or someone moving in the darkness.
She hid the light against her chest as she got closer. Whatever or whoever it was, she wanted to have the element of surprise. She grasped the handle of the mirror tighter in her damp hand. She slid her feet to make her movements quieter as she inched toward the corner. Just before the turn, she took a deep breath…
…and quickly flashed around the wall while raising the mirror above her head, ready to strike.
“Shit! What are you doing?!” Craig cowered away from her while shielding his eyes against the light.
Charlie dropped the mirror on the floor while grabbing her chest and taking deep breaths. The old, heavy glass didn’t shatter, but a crack slithered across the face. “‘What are you doing,’ is the better question, Craig! You scared the crap outta me!”
“I came in from the deliveries and the lights back here weren’t working. I was trying to figure out how to get them on. It’s hard to get around in the dark, ya know.” He gave her a smirk.
“Why didn’t you use your phone as a light?” She shook her cell for emphasis which caused a very concert like laser effect in the darkness.
He looked over at the fuse box with a slump of his shoulders. “Because I’m an idiot, okay? I didn’t think of it. I just wanted to try to get these stupid lights back on.”
With that, he slid his phone from his back pocket and found his own light. “Stay with me a minute so we can get this fixed.”
“Sure.”
She watched him as he flipped breakers. They could hear things click
ing on and off up at the front of the store. Charlie wondered at what anyone looking at the store would see from outside. It made her giggle. Craig glanced over. “What’s funny?”
“Oh, nothing.” His brows nearly met in the middle when he looked over at her again. She shrugged. “Halloween…ghosts flipping lights on and off in our store…getting scared in the dark. That’s all.”
He nodded. “Perfect timing for a spook, right?” It was then that he located the correct breaker and the room was flooded with light. The cheer they both gave out sounded unnaturally loud in the space and spooked them further. They gave each other slightly unnerved smiles before fiddling with their phones to turn off their flashlights.
Charlie moved to begin straightening the things that Craig had knocked over in the dark while he stood looking into the fuse box. “Charlie?”
She glanced back at him as she gathered the long bulbs from the floor and began to lean them up against the cabinet again. “Yeah?”
“Why would that breaker have been off? When I was flipping the others, they were already in the on position… That one wasn’t.”
She pushed a hair back behind an ear before bending to pick up the bucket to put it back on its stool. “Maybe it was tripped.”
He shook his head. “No. If it’s tripped, it’s at like this halfway position…it’s not on but it’s not off.” He gestured with his fingers to try to give her a visual. “This one was completely off.”
“Huh.” She stood there with her hands on her hips. She felt the hairs rise on the backs of her arms as a cold chill ran over her. Someone had been in there. Someone had turned it off. On purpose.
A lone florescent bulb slipped and crashed to the floor in front of her. Her scream was not held in this time and it made Craig cry out too. He started to jump and dance in a circle slapping the air around him. “Woman! You scared the shit out of me! Stop screaming!”
“I can’t help it! You just told me someone did this on purpose!”
He stopped jumping and stared at her. “Yeah.” They both breathed a moment trying to slow their heart rates. “You think the person getting into your apartment found their way in here?”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
He walked over to her, grabbed her arm, and basically dragged her with him toward the main store. “Come on. I think we both need a hot chocolate.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Girls' Night Out
After work, Charlie, Kellie, Sabrina, and Megan met at Fat Jams. It was a bar that they never went to with the guys. The men hated the music they played in the place, but the girls loved it. It was this eclectic mix of dance, hip hop, techno, 80’s, 90’s, pop crap that was as wonderful as it was awful. The music was full of those guilty pleasure songs that everyone cringes about for even sort of liking. Every time they had a girls’ night out, they met at Fat Jams.
The women tended to get rowdy on these nights. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to almost get into an argument with some sort of rival girls’ night out at another table. It was fun and messy. There was drinking, eating, dancing, talking, yelling, whooping, and hoopla. The nights were only about 4 times a year event and that was probably for the best.
The evening had already been well underway when Kellie almost knocked over her wine. “Aw, hell no!” She started to push her way out of the booth, climbing on Charlie and shoving her to the side.
“What are you doing?” Charlie shifted to let her make her way over. “You need the bathroom?”
Kellie stopped her motion right on top of her sister to point an angry finger at the bar. “Dean. He’s here!”
Charlie tried to hold on to Kellie’s leg, but she shook free. “No. Just leave him alone. It’s coincidence.” Her voice raised with each sentence as she was pleading with her.
“Like hell, it is!” Kellie staggered a bit before storming toward the bar at an unsuspecting Dean who was leaning over a beer. As she came closer, the bartender sat a plate of fried food in front of him and he dug in. She shoved him from behind and he choked on his bite. When he turned to look, his eyes went from startled to resigned. He finished his bite and put down his fork. “Yes, Kellie? What can I do for you?”
“You can quit following my sister around.”
Dean craned his neck around until he found where Charlie sat. She gave him a small wave of apology. “I thought your group didn’t come to this bar anymore. I’m sorry we seem to have crossed paths, but, I assure you, it’s purely unintentional. The only thing I’m here for is their fried fish platter.” He indicated his plate with a flourish. “If you haven’t had it, I can’t say enough to recommend it. I plan on eating this and then going home to binge a bit of Netflix. That okay with you?” He picked up a French fry and popped it into his mouth before she answered.
Kellie stood for a moment with her hand on her hip staring at him, not knowing what to do next. “Well. As long as you know, I’ve got my eye on you. I guess, that’s fine. Yeah.” She started walking backwards a couple of steps. “Just so you know.” She awkwardly twisted an ankle as she stepped but caught herself before she fell. He hid a smile as she regained her dignity.
“I’ve been warned. So glad we had this talk, Kellie. Hope you girls have a good rest of the night.” He focused on his food as she stood a moment more. Vaguely satisfied, she turned on her heel and walked back to the booth.
After standing to let Kellie back in, Charlie pinched her hard. “Ow! What’s that for? I’m just looking out for you!”
“I don’t need you to with Dean. He’s fine.”
“You needed me the other day.”
“That was different.” Charlie slid back into the booth and let her eyes wander over to look at Dean’s strong shoulders and back. A small lump filled her throat. She swallowed before turning to Kellie. “He doesn’t deserve to have everyone on his case.” Her voice nearly disappeared when she said, “He’s suffered enough.”
"I'll make him suffer, if he tries to hurt you." She shifted in her seat and straightened her skirt forcefully. Kellie scowled back at the bar. While she tried to force him to eat quickly by sheer will, another man at the bar drew her eyes. “Charlie, is that the guy who installed your security system up there?”
Charlie had her eyes still on Dean but reluctantly scanned the nearby faces until she found another familiar one. Sure enough, there sat Kyle with some sort of hard liquor before him. He chatted comfortably with the guy next to him. He was even more attractive sitting so at ease and unaware of the watchful eyes. Megan sat up and was trying to get a good look which caused Sabrina to look as well.
Megan leaned forward almost dipping her scarf into her drink. “Which one is it? Kellie told me he was cute.”
Sabrina gave her a nudge. “You can’t do anything about it anyway. You and Craig are dating. But, I, on the other hand, am completely and unquestioningly single. Which one is he? I’ve got to see if he’s worth the fuss.”
“How many times do I have to tell you guys that Craig and I are just friends? Just when I think you are all progressive, you prove that you don’t think a man and woman can be friends and only friends.”
Charlie laughed. “Watch When Harry Met Sally and then see if you still have that same argument. Kyle is the third guy down from Dean. The one with the Pink Floyd t-shirt.
Both Megan and Sabrina made noises of appreciation in their throats. Just then, he looked up and saw the table of women looking him over. A slow smile started before it changed to one of surprised recognition. He said something to the guy he was sitting with before making his way over to their booth. Sabrina leaned over to Megan and whispered, “He’s mine.” Megan elbowed Sabrina in the ribs.
"Isn't this a surprise?" Kyle smiled charmingly. "Do you ladies come here often?"
Sabrina leaned forward allowing her shirt to gap open a bit before saying, "Did you really just use that line?"
Kyle laughed as his eyes drifted from her face to her obvious display and back. "I guess I just d
id, didn't I? I didn't really mean it to be a line. I just installed Miss Ray’s security system. My surprise will be my excuse against the cliché pickup line." He looked at Charlie and nodded at her. "It's good to see you. How's the system working out?"
Charlie smiled and tapped the table with her hands before saying, "Actually, really great. The safest I felt in a while. Thank you. It must be terrific to have a job where you give so many people peace of mind."
“I like to leave people happy.” He glanced back at Sabrina who was giving him the full treatment. One could practically smell the pheromones coming off her in waves. “So, Miss Ray, would you introduce me to your friends?”
“Sure. You know my sister, Kellie. The blond is Megan and the brunette at the end…is Sabrina.” Charlie barely stopped herself from saying something snarky about Sabrina and how she was so obviously vamping up for him. Poor guy. He had no chance. Her claws were out, and she’d already hooked him from the hungry look he gave her in return.
