He looked at the urn again during his walk-through. He walked up to the mantle and picked it up, turning his head around to look for oncoming traffic. There was none, so he felt like there would be no time like the present to lift off the top.
Once his head swiveled back to the task at hand, he lifted the top off and peered into the urn, confirming that there were indeed ashes in the urn. It appeared that what she had stated was true, but it still surprised Carter to no end that his best friend Charlie would have agreed to such an ending.
Brenda came up behind Carter as he was returning the urn to the mantle. “Are you buying it all?”
“What do you mean?” Carter whispered his reply since Brenda began with a whisper.
“Something just doesn’t smell right around here.”
“You don’t think these are really Charlie’s ashes?”
“Not so much that. It’s just… a series of things that strike me as iffy.”
“Such as… ”
“Such as… oh, I don’t know… just the circumstances surrounding Charlie’s death.”
Carter looked at Brenda intently. He knew that his friend Charlie had visited him that night in spiritual form. He was actually sitting on his bed… the spirit of Charlie, anyway, so Carter did not question the reality of his death. “He came to me in spirit, Brenda. He came to me to tell me about the circumstances of his death… in spirit. How much more do you need?”
Brenda pulled her silky black hair back so that it did not impede her vision. Carter turned to her with his back to the mantle, and he could see the reflection of the wheels spinning in her eyes like a kaleidoscope. She was trying to connect the dots, and it seemed to him that she was trying to do it on the fly. She leaned into Carter so that her voice did not carry to Cynthia’s ears. “Carter, I don’t trust her either… one bit. I also think that she had something to do with Charlie being in that urn on the mantle.”
“You think she killed him?” Carter said in disbelief. “Did you see how broken she was when we arrived?”
“I know she was upset. I didn’t say that she killed him. I’m just saying that we need to keep an eye on her for a couple of days.”
“If we are going to watch anybody, I think we should try to track down the scumbag who did this to Charlie. I really think there’s a reason why Charlie mentioned Trevor. I mean… he was trying to tell me something. Maybe we can try to hunt Trevor down. Maybe he has some information about the murder and doesn’t even know it.”
“Do you know where he lives?” Brenda asked.
“Yes. He and Charlie were friends back in high school. Charlie only thought that the guy resembled Trevor. Maybe Trevor knows something about what happened to Charlie. Maybe the killer resembled Trevor, and that’s what Charlie was doing… giving me a description of the guy. There has to be something to that. Maybe Trevor doesn’t even know that Charlie was killed. People do grow apart after high school.”
“We should maybe tell her we’ll stay the night, but we have to get going in the morning.” Brenda moved to the mantle, picked up the urn and looked inside. There was no doubt about the content inside the urn, but there was no way for them to tell whether they were indeed the ashes of Charlie. They very well could be. Carter and Brenda could be trying to create something that wasn’t there, but they wanted to have another conversation with Cynthia before moving on with their lives. Charlie deserved that much. Brenda returned the urn to the mantle, and turned around to see Cynthia standing in the doorway to the living room.
“Can I help you find something?” Cynthia asked.
Carter and Brenda froze for a couple of seconds, trying to figure out an answer to her question. Brenda was first to respond. “Hey, Cynthia… we are still in shock over Charlie’s death. We feel terrible about it, and this has to be so hard on you. We just want you to know that we are here for you. If you want to talk about anything… anything at all… please feel free to do so with us. We know that you are alone in all of this, and we just want to be here for you.”
“Yes,” said Carter, playing into the diversion. “We know that’s what Charlie would’ve wanted. We were best friends, and if there’s anything we can do to help… we would hope you would ask us.”
Cynthia stepped closer with what Carter thought were mistrusting eyes. She walked a slow circle around them and then approached the mantle, picking up the urn and clutching it in her hands. “Charlie was my everything.” She then hugged the urn and broke down in tears, but continued to tell them about how difficult it was for her. “Brenda, can you imagine losing Carter? Imagine finding out that he was gunned down… senselessly. Imagine having the police show up at your door… saying that he was shot and killed? That was horrible!” Cynthia began to tremble, so Carter helped her get the urn back onto the mantle before it fell to the hardwood floor and shattered. That would have been the last thing that anyone wanted.
“I can’t imagine getting that news,” said Brenda.
“Neither could I,” said Cynthia, “but I got it. He just ran low on gas, but he also had to go into the convenience store for something, and that’s why he’s not with us today.” Cynthia glanced up at her audience, then back down to the floor. “He’s gone… I can’t believe he left me. He was my absolute soul mate.”
Brenda took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Cynthia. She rocked her back and forth. “That must’ve been an awful moment,” she said.
“It was, and now I’m here trying to pick up the pieces… all by myself.”
Carter remained a couple of steps away in the background. He knew that would be best and that Brenda was the one for this job. He wasn’t ready to point any fingers, and Cynthia’s hurt seemed deep-routed enough already. She really was devastated over Charlie’s death, and he felt like a bit of a scab for even thinking that she had a hand in it. Brenda continued to comfort her, and Carter knew that it would be best if he watched. He also believed Brenda had changed her tune about Cynthia, based on her sympathy toward her.
“Death is so final,” said Cynthia. “It sucks when it happens to someone who has lived a good chunk of life, but it’s even worse with someone so young. Charlie was so young. We had a life planned for us. We had a future. Now that future is in that urn. It’s such a terrible thing. Death sucks! I hope you never have to go through anything like that. Lord, I hope you never have to go through anything like that.”
Carter looked over at Brenda, and he could see those wheels spinning in her eyes again. “Cynthia,” she began thoughtfully, “That was a pretty horrible event that happened.”
Carter gave Brenda a look of disbelief, but the insinuation or any ill-will was lost on Cynthia.
“Horrible doesn’t even begin to describe how bad it was.”
By now they had made their way to the couches.
“I can’t believe you handled everything on your own up to this point,” said Brenda. “We had come to support you during the funeral services, come to find out that there were none. No small cremation service either? Just his family?”
Cynthia hesitated before answering. “You’ll have to excuse me. It’s hard for me to talk about this. Charlie was an only child, and his parents took it hard, especially when they found out that it was his wish to be cremated, and his wish was granted.”
“Did they attend the small ceremony for the cremation?”
“Ahh… yes, they attended the small ceremony. They took it so hard and said they would be unable to face anybody regarding their son… for several weeks.”
“Wow,” said Carter, “and to think that we were going to head to his parent’s house to express our condolences.”
“Oh, I don’t think that would be a very wise thing to do,” said Cynthia, “esp
ecially after what they said to me. A parent should never have to bury their child. It’s the wrong order of life. That’s not the order that God intended. Generations are supposed to pass in chronological order. They just need their space.”
“Maybe just a quick hello to see how they’re doing,” Brenda added.
“Did I not make myself clear?” Cynthia sounded annoyed.
“We’ll see. Maybe you’re right,” said Brenda. “We should respect their wishes.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Brenda could see Cynthia roll her eyes. “You know what, Cynthia? Maybe it would be best if we let you take care of things around the house on your own. Since you really seem to have a handle on things and all funeral activities are behind you, perhaps we are in your way and we probably should head back. At least we feel better knowing that you have everything under control.”
“Oh, but you don’t have to go? I mean, if you have to or want to, then that’s an entirely different story, but you’re welcome to stay the night.”
Carter jumped in. “I’m just happy that you seem to have it under control and we can head back knowing that you’re okay after all that you’ve been through.”
“Thank you for coming. Really, it means a lot to me and it means a lot to Charlie. He was my rock.” Cynthia continued to nod her head up and down after her latest reflection.
“Well, then, I think Carter and I should move right along. I think it would probably be best if you grieved alone for a while. After all, company should know when they are overstaying their welcome… do you know what I mean?” Brenda poked Cynthia gently with her elbow as she said this, but Brenda was the only one smiling.
“I just feel bad that you guys came so far and missed everything you came for,” Cynthia revealed.
“Yeah, there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Brenda. “If that’s what Charlie wanted then that’s what Charlie wanted. You can’t argue with what Charlie wanted. We did ask you about the services before we left, though, and you didn’t really say much about that.” Brenda looked at Cynthia closely for her reaction.
“Oh, I must’ve been out of it. I’ve been a zombie since this happened. My apologies. My concentration has been terrible lately.”
Carter felt the need to intervene. He sensed that Brenda was building an attitude toward Cynthia for her suspect answers regarding Charlie’s funeral arrangements. Carter didn’t feel animosity toward Cynthia. He wasn’t there just yet. Besides, she was just this little thing, who looked like she couldn’t hurt a flea, and Charlie was a lot bigger than Cynthia.
He put his arm around Brenda’s shoulders and said, “We’re just going to move along and give you some space. It’s a very long ride and the sooner we return back to normal… the better. Same for you. We’ll be saying some prayers for you and Charlie, and may God look down upon you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
It was early afternoon when Carter and Brenda left for Colorado, but they took a detour after deciding to drive into town. They first stopped in to see the realtor that Carter had blindly plucked from the yellow pages. Her name was Chelsea, who was a knockout and could probably have the place rented sight unseen, just with her looks. He felt that if he needed the place rented by tomorrow, then Chelsea was his girl. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and painted on jeans. Beauty and sales go together hand in hand. Maybe it’s a shallow world, but as long as you know how the game is played, you’ll get along just fine.
Brenda knew how it worked and knew the reason Carter chose such an attractive realtor. However, it didn’t stop her from sending daggers over in his direction when he and Chelsea enjoyed a laugh together. This laughter included Chelsea putting her hand on Carter’s shoulder until the laughter came to an end. Once she got the word from Carter, Chelsea promised to have the house listed and filled within two weeks. Brenda did not know how Chelsea could promise such a thing. Carter did know. She could sell a hamburger to a vegan.
Having signed the proper documents for the deliverance of such a promise, Carter and Brenda moved on into town. Carter actually wanted to do a drive-by at Charlie’s parent’s house, but he didn’t feel it appropriate to walk up to their door and ask about Charlie. That would be far too awkward, especially if what Cynthia had said about his parents wanting privacy was true.
The area was busy and had numerous restaurants tempting their pallets. They decided to go with Chinese food as they both had a taste for Sesame Chicken. Carter was familiar with Hunan Garden, so within minutes they were inside the restaurant sipping black tea and glancing at the menu, even though they both only liked Sesame Chicken and knew they would order only that. It was out of habit that they perused the menu, and there wasn’t a chance in hell that they would alter this selection. They just liked to follow habit and see what else was out there.
The slim Chinese waiter approached the table. “Ah yah rettie tah audah.”
“Yes,” said Carter. “This is easy… we’ll both have the Sesame Chicken.”
“Whah rah or Por frah?”
“Pork Fried for both.”
When the waiter took their order to the kitchen, Brenda grabbed Carter’s hands that were fidgeting on the table and held them steady. “What are we gonna do?” Brenda asked as if opening up the floor for discussion.
Carter gently exhaled and looked around at the other diners in the restaurant. It was a small joint, but half of the 10 tables were occupied. One of the tables was actually a lunch party of eight with a few of the square tables pushed together. It was good food, good company, and a restaurant conducive to quiet talks.
“We need to slow down and at least think about this a little bit. I’m not sure we’re on the same page entirely,” said Carter.
“How so?”
“It seems you’re ready to throw Cynthia into the fire when she could just be… a grieving fiancée. I mean… there are a couple red flags… yes… but she’s also been through a trauma that you cannot begin to understand, because you’ve never experienced the loss of a loved one like that.”
Brenda eyeballed Carter. He knew that she might go down the path once travelled and was surprised when she did not. The name ‘Martin’ never even came up. The bottom line was that he felt Cynthia was certainly deserving of a free pass for odd behavior.
“I don’t know,” said Brenda. “I’m not ready to give up on her just yet. I don’t think the trail is cold.”
“Ok,” said Carter. “I’ll give you that.”
“And what do you think Mr. Jenkins meant when he said that Charlie’s replacement will approve of me?”
“He said that? Are you sure that’s what he said?”
“Yes, I’m sure. When people talk about me, I kind of hone in on it. Sure he may not have all of his wits about him, but I like to keep tabs on my approval rating.”
“That’s one point for you, Brenda. I missed that one completely. Charlie’s replacement? I think that was when the dementia was kicking in hard. Wasn’t he losing it at that point?”
“Yes, he was,” Brenda replied, “but even so, that’s not just something you say. I mean... there has to be something to it. Unfortunately, Mr. Jenkins said nothing more about it… nothing more about what he meant… the context.”
“So that’s a dead end,” said Carter. “Probably just dementia mixing up his messages. I mean, that was just about the time his brain lost power.”
“Carter!”
“What?”
“That’s not nice.”
“It’s what happens. What can I say? It’s equivalent to losing power, or having a dead battery.”
The waiter put the conversation on pause while he delivered hot black tea and those crispy chips that are shaped like fortu
ne cookie paper and taste like fortune cookie paper. They even taste worse when dunked in the mustard sauce. He placed the items on the table in silence and did not reply when Carter thanked him. Then he was gone.
“I wonder how Angie is doing,” Carter said.
“She’ll probably be in the same condition when we return.”
“You’re probably right. It didn’t look like she was making any sort of progress, and these things can linger on for years. It seems like everything we need to know is in that world… the one we can’t seem to get answers to. All we ever get is part of the story. Might as well get nothing.”
“Just like Mr. Jenkins’ comment about Charlie’s replacement. You’re right. We only get enough to wet the whistle. Nothing is ever concrete. If only we could last in that world long enough to get complete answers.”
“Yeah,” Brenda agreed, “without becoming part of that world. I guess they have their world and we have ours.”
“Sounds like you’re losing hope.”
“Not hope… I’m just discouraged.” Brenda leaned back in her seat as the waiter placed two orders of Sesame Chicken in front of them.
“No share,” said the waiter, who got a nice chuckle out of himself as he retreated to the kitchen.
“It’s been so long since I had their Sesame Chicken,” Carter exclaimed while placing his white cloth napkin on his lap, after unravelling the trapped silver. “We used to eat here every week.”
“Smells good,” said Brenda. “What do you think about finding that guy? What’s his name?”
“Trevor.”
“Yeah, Trevor. Do you remember where he lives?”
“I remember where he used to live, but I’m not sure he still lives there.”
“But that’s a start,” said Brenda. “We can go there and either hit the jackpot or cross it off our list and move to plan B.”
Desert Son Trilogy: Desert Son, Wayward Soul, Spiritual Intervention (Books 1-3) Page 30
