Charmed Life

by Druga, Jacqueline

  “Women’s underwear?” Freddy questioned. “If this something you’ve thought about for a while?”

  “Actually, it came to mind first “

  “Well, then a bit of a hint, start out with those boy shorts, because they are closest to men’s underwear, it will be a good transition for you.”

  “What the …” Chip shook his head. “Funny. Ok, everyone, hit the floors.”

  Freddy stood with Grace. “Princess you will do so well in that department.”

  “I know.”

  “You will help so many women realize their potential to be sexy. What a great department.” He opened the break room door for her. “You didn’t say last night. How was the zoo yesterday?”

  “Different,” Grace replied.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ok, check this out. Weird. At the wolf cage. Regan gets into a barking match with one.”

  “No.”

  “Yep.”

  “That makes sense though.”

  “Damian bonds with the animals. But looks like she is determining how to hunt them. And when Rhoda approached, they all ran away.”

  “That child is frightening.”

  “It’s hard to say,” Grace commented. “I mean, I’ve been seeing Bobby for a few weeks, but if this is going to continue, I’m never going to break through to the girls if he keeps me at arms length.”

  “I have an idea. Actually, it was Marybeth’s idea,” Freddy said.

  “What’s that?”

  “Bobby’s off today. Tell him to enjoy the day and bring the girls to our house. We’ll bond with them. A girls’ day. What do you think?”

  “I think that’s a great idea. I’ll call him at lunch,” Grace said. “I really want to get to know the girls when he’s not instructing them.”

  “”Are you wanting to get to know them because you feel the relationship is truly going to progress?”

  “Absolutely. I think Bobby is great.”

  “He is,” Freddy said. “A true gem. But you my dear, now have a problem.”

  “Which is?” Grace asked.

  “You see this relationship progressing so you want to get to know the girls. Don’t you think that maybe, you might want to see if he wants to progress after he gets to know you.”

  Grace chuckled. “Freddy, he does know me.”

  “No he doesn’t. He knows Grace Berkowitz.”

  “Shit.”

  “If you trust him, and care, truly care, then maybe …” Freddy sighed. “You might have to come clean.”

  +++

  Gregory Benson had a lovely breakfast with his wife, and then she informed him that she was going to go out shopping for the day.

  Grace’s old house needed to be redone before the houseman and his wife could move in.

  He missed his daughter and though his communication with her had dwindled, he took stock in knowing that she was fine and safe, and that Alfonzo was on a rat race chase to find her.

  It was a crystal clear day, the weather prefect and Gregory decided he’d hit the range at the club.

  After gathering his weapons, he headed to his car. Pulling down the drive was when he noticed another car, blue, compact parked by his gate.

  Leaning against it was a woman.

  He slowed down as he passed his front gate, wound down his window and spoke to the woman. “This is private property.”

  “My name is Melissa Davis from the National Enquirer.” She handed him a card. “I was wondering if you have a moment to speak.”

  Gregory chuckled. “I don’t talk to tabloids.” He began to wind up his window and caught what she said.

  “Not even when it deals with your daughter?’

  He wound the window down. “What did you say?”

  “The story isn’t about you. It’s about your daughter.”

  “My daughter is not news.”

  “Really? Do you know where I can find her?”

  “She’s on holiday.”

  Melissa smiled. “Her boyfriend thinks otherwise. Seems he thinks she’s missing and asked us to help find her.”

  “He’s wrong. She’s fine.”

  “So you can give us facts to back that up.”

  “Yeah, I’ve wired her money.”

  “According to Mr. Carlotta, you’ve wired the money to a third person. Sounds to me like you may not know where your daughter is.”

  “Sounds to me like you’re looking for a story.”

  “I have one,” she said. “I would love your help. But …” She shrugged. “If you don’t want to help, that’s fine. With or without your help, we’re doing the story.”

  Melissa turned and walked away.

  Gregory stared at the card.

  +++

  “Father, I don’t think you realize how this looks,” Rhoda stayed a safe foot distance from her father as they walked through Bargain-Mart.

  “Stop. It’s fine.”

  “No, I was perfectly fine with this when we thought she was a floor worker. But when Fred told us where she was. Father.” Rhoda stopped walking. “I can’t go in the woman’s underwear section with you.”

  “Why?”

  “People will think you’re buying me underwear.”

  “So.” Bobby shrugged. “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Fathers don’t do that. It’s embarrassing to be seen with your father in the women’s underwear section.”

  Bobby laughed. “It’s fine. No one is going to think I’m buying you underwear. Look there’s Grace.”

  Grace was stocking packs of Haynes briefs on the rack.

  “Hey,” Bobby whispered.

  Grace jumped, turned around in shock. “Hey,” he said brightly and kissed him. “Hi Rhoda.”

  “Afternoon, Ms. Berkowitz.” Rhoda tipped out the ends of her skirt and curtsied.

  Bobby rolled his eyes.

  Grace smiled. “Rhoda, you look very pretty in that dress. Are you guys going somewhere?”

  Bobby shook his head. “No, she just always gets dressed up when we go out in public.”

  “A lady should present herself well,” Rhoda said. “Ask Fred. He told me so.”

  Another shake of Bobby’s head. “Actually, we’re just here in Bargain-Mart.”

  “Oh, are you here to get her underwear?” Grace asked.

  “Uh!” Rhoda shrieked. “I knew it. I told you.”

  Grace slowed down her words, eyes on Rhoda, “Because we have them on sale. What ... what’s wrong with buying underwear?”

  “Nothing is wrong with buying underwear as long as you don’t buy it with your father.”

  Bobby explained. “She thinks it’s embarrassing buying underwear with your father.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Grace said. “Try having your father buy your first bra.”

  Rhoda looked horrified.

  Grace winked. “Oh, yeah, I got a ton of those Father embarrassing daughter stories.”

  Bobby chuckled. “You’ll have to share them with her.”

  “Oh.” Grace snapped her finger. “I was going to call you at lunch. Can Freddy and I have the girls this afternoon after work?”

  Rhoda asked. “Why?”

  “We want to do a girls’ day,” Grace explained. “Bobby, can I? I mean, I really want to get to know the girls and I can’t do it fully if you’re always around being scared of what they are gonna do.”

  “Grace, hon,” Bobby smirked. “They’re scary kids.”

  “They’re kids. Can I?”

  “Fine with me. Rhoda?” Bobby asked. “Do you want to go over?”

  Rhoda shrugged. “That's fine. Not like my social calendar is filled.”

  Grace laughed. “Great. I’ll get you after work. Speaking of work… I better get back.”

  “Wait,” Bobby said. “I came to Bargain-Mart for a reason.”

  “Yes, that’s right,” Grace nodded. “Girls underwear is over there. They have the cute ones on sale.”

  Rhoda winced.

  “No,�
� Bobby shook his head. “I came to see you to tell you I just finished reading the chapters you gave me last night.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah, I waited long enough for you to print up the book.”

  “And?”

  “Grace, it’s great.”

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely. I had to tell you. I was really impressed.”

  “Oh my God, that’s so great.” She laid her hand on her chest. “Thank you. Now, that I finally let you read my work, Can you show me some more of your work.”

  “Grace …”

  “Please?”

  “Ok. Ok. I will.”

  “Thank you. I don’t know why you are so protective over it. I saw the dog painting.” She kissed him on the cheek.

  A clearing of a throat rang out.

  They both looked.

  Louise walked to them, arms folded “It’s against the rules to fraternize with the customers, toots.”

  Bobby turned with an ornery smile. “Hello, Louise.”

  “Oh, Bobby Dawson, doesn’t it just figure you wreak havoc in men’s underwear now you gotta wreak in women’s?”

  Bobby chuckled.

  “Go on, laugh,” Louise said. “You won’t be laughing when I turn her in to Chip.”

  Rhoda huffed. “Not like she can’t get another job somewhere else. It’s Bargain-Mart.”

  Slowly Louise faced Rhoda. “Well if it isn’t Rhoda the Bad Seed.”

  “If it isn’t Louise the Bargain-Mart Lesbian.”

  Bobby stepped forward to his daughter. If there was on thing he couldn’t stomach was when a child was disrespectful to an adult. And really, he never worried much about Rhoda being disrespectful. But right then and there, he did. The short elderly woman, not much taller than his daughter who was almost nine stood toe to toe, eyes locked in nasty gaze to nasty gaze. They faced off. Bobby swore they were ready to encircle each other.

  Instead of his typical worry about what his daughter would project, he feared what she would say. He had to interject.

  Grace stopped him and whispered. “Please don’t stop Rhoda.”

  Reluctantly, Bobby backed off. There was something in her face that conveyed, Louise was ready for her ‘due’ and Rhoda could be the one to deliver it.

  Louise swished her mouth around. “No one asked you to comment.”

  “Yes. I know. But I was defending my father’s honor.”

  “Children should be seen ad not heard.”

  “They say the same about the elderly. Why are you so mean?”

  Louise laughed once. “Look who’s calling the kettle black. Take a good look at me, little girl. At your current rate. I’m your future.”

  Rhoda scoffed. “I highly doubt that one day I will be a mean, bitter, ex con in a Bargain-Mart uniform. The lesbian part alone throws your theory through the window.”

  “I ought to throw you out of the store myself.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Rhoda put her hands on her hips. “Touch me and I’ll have your job.”

  “Ok!” Bobby leapt forward taking hold of Rhoda. “All right. We’re out of here, Grace …. I’ll see you later.”

  Grace smiled and waved to Bobby, then winked at Rhoda. Bobby just looked so perplexed as he led his daughter from the store, a daughter who continuously, as she walked, glanced over her shoulder and gave evil looks to Louise.

  With a smug look, Grace returned grabbing packs of underwear.

  “Yeah, laugh,” Louise said. “It’s all funny now. But it won’t be so funny when the evil child kills you in your sleep. Evil little brat.”

  Grace hesitated before stocking another bag of underwear. Louise turned and started to walk away. Underwear pack in hand, Grace flashed back to the story that Bobby told her about his first encounter with Louise. And with that and the remark about Rhoda on her mind, Grace revved back and sailed the bag at Louise.

  It didn’t hit her hard but it hit her nonetheless. When Louise spun around with a possessed look, and eyes that she swore turned demon red, Grace realized her one option.

  Run.

  +++

  Suspension wasn’t too bad. Grace would handle that. Being written up for physical violence against a coworker—Louise—was worth it.

  At least she didn’t lose her job.

  She was finished for the day before lunch, and called Bobby to pick her up. She told him that once Freddy got home from work, they’d head on over and get the girls.

  Bobby laughed about her being suspended and the reasons for it. Bobby laughed about everything.

  He was special and Grace knew it.

  She also knew Freddy had a point about telling him the truth.

  She did trust him, she just needed to find the right time.

  Bobby dropped her off at the house and told her he’d be back, and wished he could stay but he had things to do.

  Grace was pleasantly surprised when Rhoda showed up on her doorstep.

  “I know I’m early, but I didn’t think you would mind,” Rhoda said.

  “Not at all, come in.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Berkowitz.”

  “You know … you can call me Grace.”

  “Yes, I know. But I prefer to be proper.” She handed Grace a bag.

  “What’s this?” Grace asked.

  “My grandmother was fearful that you would be able to prepare a meal for us, so she sent food over.”

  “I have food.”

  “Do you have easy food?” Rhoda asked.

  “I don’t know.” Grace shrugged. “I don’t cook.”

  “There you have it.”

  Grace opened the bag. “Hot dogs.”

  Rhoda nodded.

  Grace proceeded to turn the package about, looking.

  “May I ask what you’re looking for?”

  “Directions to make them. Oh,” Grace waved out her hand. “I’ll go on the net.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “About?”

  “You don’t know how to make hot dogs?”

  Grace shook her head.

  “I can help you with that one. Put them in a pan of water and boil them.”

  “That easy?”

  “It’s that easy,” Rhoda said.

  “I can’t wait to try them.”

  “Wait. You haven’t had hot dogs either?”

  Grace shook her head.

  “Oh, we so have to make a list of things you never had before. Maybe we can do that today.”

  “I was thinking of you and I making a collage,” Grace said. “When I was your age. I used to make them all the time. I’d pick a theme and go for it.”

  “Why don’t we make the theme foods you never tried?”

  “Oh, that’s a good idea.”

  And Grace was genuine about thinking it was a good idea. But they needed more magazines if they were going to do one on food, Grace wasn’t sure what she had tried or hadn’t. Under the suggestion of Rhoda, they went to Polly’s to get the Sunday coupons, then to the Rite Aid for more magazines.

  Polly was slightly apprehensive about dropping off Regan and Damian. Not so much for the children, but rather Grace, Freddy and Marybeth.

  But it was only a couple hours, how much damage could be done?

  Regan barked, but not much after Polly left. She devoured the bone shaped cookies that Marybeth inventively created for the girls’ day.

  Regan sat in a chair, secured by a belt, as Grace, Freddy, Marybeth and Rhoda sat around the able, working on pictures.

  Damian didn’t seem interested.

  Freddy took notice.

  She wandered around as if she were looking for something specific.

  “Maybe, I should take charge of her,” Freddy suggested. Just as he was going to call out, he noticed, the pockets of the child seemed to bulge. “Little girl,” he called her. “What do you have in your pockets?”

  “Stuff,” Damian answered.

  “Like?” Freddy asked.

  “Just stuff and my sli
ngshot.”

  “You don’t plan on shooting anybody with that.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Just small animals and targets.”

  “Oh, good. Don’t you want to do the collage with us?” Freddy asked.

  “No, I want to play.” Damian said, her folded behind her back. “Do you want to go outside and play a game with me?”

  “What kind of game?” Freddy asked.

  “One I made up.”

  “Oh, I love made up games. You’ll share the rules, right?”

  “Yes,” Damian nodded.

  “Ok, great.” Freddy put down the scissors. “Let’s go play. Grace, we’ll be outside.”

  “All right. Have fun.” Grace worked with her scissors, then noticed Rhoda shaking her head. “What’s wrong?”

  “He’s in trouble. I know her games.”

  Marybeth giggled and waved out her hand. “Freddy’s a big boy. He can handle himself.”

  “I’m sure.” Rhoda comment. “Ms. Berkowitz, what about Tequitta have you had those?”

  “What’s a taquitta?”

  “I’ll take that as a no.” Rhoda began to cut the picture.

  Marybeth perked up. “Got one. Pop tarts.”

  Grace shook her head. “Never had one.”

  Marybeth gasped out. “I can not believe you’ve never had a pop tart.”

  “Maybe we should ask what she has eaten,” Rhoda suggested. “What kind of food did you eat?”

  “Food with names most people can’t pronounce,” Grace chuckled. “Oh, this looks good.” She showed the picture.

  Marybeth giggled. “Spaghetti in a can. Grace, honey, we have to look at this collage when we’re done and get you to try every item on here. No wonder you can’t cook if you never had these foods. These are easy.”

  A knock came at the door.

  Regan barked.

  Marybeth stood. “You think Freddy locked himself out?”

  Grace reached to lift Regan from the chair. “Can you get it?”

  “On my way.” Marybeth walked to the door. She opened it and stepped back. “Can I help you?”

  Angry, Tina, Louise’s girlfriend, shouted. “Where is Grace?”

  Sweet as pie, Marybeth glanced to the table “Grace, honey, it’s for you.”

  Holding Regan, Grace walked to the door.

  Rhoda peeked and shook her head, commenting softly. “She’s in trouble.”