Black Water Creek

by Robert Brumm

  Kelly put down her mug. “Hold on there, mister. You’re a big sticky mess. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  “I’ve got it, you sit and enjoy your coffee.” Sue grabbed Keegan around the waist and picked him up. She carried him to the bathroom, making goofy noises the whole way and tickling him.

  Ed smiled. “Does her a world of good, having that boy around. Just yesterday she was complaining about her back, but she just picked him up like he was light as a pillow. Probably didn’t even think about it.”

  “She sure is great with him.”

  “I know she misses working with kids. And it’s got to be at least five years since we last took in a foster.” Ed folded the newspaper and pushed it off to the side. “Sue told me about your aunt. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I barely knew the woman.” She risked a glance from her coffee and looked Ed in the eye. “I don’t know if Sue told you I was having problems at home, but that’s why I was going to Aunt Sarah’s house. I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

  “I suspected as much. Problems with your man?”

  She nodded and took another sip of coffee, trying to wash away the lump forming in her throat.

  Ed sat quietly for a moment, lost in thought and softly drumming his fingers on the table. Sue sang to Keegan in the bathroom down the hall. Some impromptu tune about hand washing.

  Kelly grew uncomfortable, racking her brain for some solution to tell Ed of how she and Keegan would be on their way that morning and out of the Sheridan’s hair. They were good people and she didn’t want to be their problem.

  Ed pushed away from the table and checked his watch. “I don’t have to be at the shop for another half hour or so. Why don’t you get dressed and meet me out back? There’s something I want to show you.”

  *****

  Ten minutes later Kelly stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind her. Maybe it was the record setting warm temperatures of the previous month or her stubbornness to not accept the fact that winter was coming, but the cold morning air took her by surprise. Ed leaned up against a post at the edge of the porch, puffing on a pipe and staring off into the yard.

  “Brr! I’m not ready for this.” She tucked her hands under her armpits and shivered, partly because of the cold but mostly because she was nervous. While she was getting dressed she pictured Ed bringing her outside so he could tell her bad news. Maybe how her place was with Keegan’s father and how he was going to drive them home that morning.

  “Yep, it’s a nippy one all right.” He stepped off the porch. “Let’s go for a little walk, that’ll warm you up some.”

  She followed Ed through the perfectly manicured lawn and past a large vegetable garden. A few brown corn stalks were all that remained after that seasons harvest. An opening in the picket fence led to the back half of the property, unmowed and natural. They walked down a dirt path through waist-high prairie grass and small shrubs among magnificent oak trees. The leaves were starting to turn to bright shades of red and orange. Despite her nagging anxiety, Kelly couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of the property.

  “Our house is one of the oldest in town,” Ed said. “I never found a solid clue on the exact year it was built but I’m pretty sure it was around 1900 or so.” Ed drew from his pipe and exhaled. Kelly passed though the small cloud of sweet smoke and the scent took her back to memories of her father.

  The river came into view as they rounded a bend in the path. A small cottage sat by the water’s edge. “This here,” Ed pointed at the building with his pipe, “was built as an in-law suite of sorts, I’m guessing. At first I thought the cottage came before the main house. After I poked around a bit, I realized it was built at least fifteen or twenty years later. Subtle changes in construction materials that I noticed.”

  Ed continued. “For years after we bought the place I just let it sit, not ever really knowing what to use it for. Plus, it needed a lot of work and money was tight in those days. After I got my job at the county and before I opened the auto shop I started fixing it up.” He opened the door and they stepped inside. “I figured it would make a nice little guest house one day.”

  Kelly wasn’t sure what Ed considered fixing up but it wasn’t obvious from where she was standing. The kitchen was a mess. Broken cabinets, cracked linoleum floor, peeling wallpaper. The living room didn’t fare much better. The carpeting looked like it was home to a murder scene it was stained so much and the dark wood paneling on the wall made it feel like she was in a basement.

  “I know it doesn’t look like much but it’s got good bones,” Ed said. “A little cleaning and some paint would really spruced the place up.”

  Kelly stuck her head into both of the small bedrooms before checking the bathroom. It wasn’t too bad in there but outdated and dirty like the rest of the house.

  “Not to mention, you can’t beat that view.” Ed stood in front of the living room picture window overlooking the river.

  Kelly rubbed her hands together and blew on them. “It’s an…interesting little place, Ed.”

  “I’m glad you think so. I thought it might be a nice place to stay for you and your boy.”

  “Stay here?” She looked around the living room again.

  “You’re welcome to stay in the guest room in the house until it’s ready, but why not? I’d say it’s perfect. Unless you’ve got somewhere else to go, of course.”

  Suddenly the cottage took on a new feel as Kelly looked past the dirt and stains. She pictured comfortable furniture in the living room, a simmering pot on the stove. Keegan lying on his tummy in front of the fireplace, looking at a book.

  “I don’t know. You and Sue have been so nice already. I mean, I couldn’t just take it.”

  Ed held his hands up. “Now hold on there. If you’re anything like me you’re not much for accepting charity. I’d charge you a fair rent. Just a little something so you can hold your head up. Nothing worse than feeling like a freeloader. Some people don’t mind it a bit and that’s what wrong with this country these days.”

  “Absolutely. I would insist on paying rent.”

  “In the meantime, I’ll charge you elbow grease until you can find a job in town. Help me fix this place up and it’s all yours.” He checked his watch. “You think about it, I gotta get to the shop. If I’m not around breathing down everybody’s neck, nothing gets done around there.”

  Kelly groaned. “I somehow forgot all about my car. I need to afford to get that fixed before I can even think about getting a job.”

  Ed closed the door behind them. “Hopefully it won’t be as bad as we thought. Try not to worry about it so much.” They walked up the driveway that bordered the yard and led to the road. Ed paused by his car. “Go on inside and get warmed up. We’ll talk about it some more tonight.”

  “I will. Thanks, Ed. For everything.” Kelly surprised herself by wrapping her arms around him and giving him a hug. She was relieved when he hugged her back and gently patted the back of her head.

  Chapter 7

  Keegan sat crossed legged on the living room floor, one eye on cartoons and the other on the pile of blocks spread out in front of him. Sue had a few toys left over from their younger foster kids. The wooden blocks were old and faded, complete opposite of the bright color plastic toys littering his bedroom back home. They didn’t light up or make noise but he seemed to enjoy them just the same.

  “You’re sure there isn’t anything I can do? I feel like a leech just sitting here,” Kelly said as Sue entered the room and sat in the easy chair next to her.

  “Sometimes I have a hard time coming up with things to do myself,” Sue said. “Retirement isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Eddie’s always telling me I need to learn how to relax and be happy doing nothing. Just not my nature, I suppose.”

  Kelly smiled and turned back at the TV. Even though she didn’t need to review the letters of the alphabet, she couldn’t take her eyes away from th
e cute cartoon duckling on the screen singing about them.

  The doorbell rang and Sue feigned frustration as she got up. “Never a moment’s rest around here.”

  Earlier that morning Ed called and delivered the bad news. It would cost at least two thousand to get her car fixed. Kelly was surprised to find it didn’t even bother her that much. With a dead car and Ed’s offer of the cottage, she practically had no choice but to stay in Black Water Creek. At least for a while. It was sort of liberating not having to make a decision of what to do next. Even better, it was exhilarating to know she didn’t have to go back to Don. Deep down she knew all she’d have to do is call him as a last resort. He’d always take her back, but for all the wrong reasons.

  Ed told Kelly he could get her a few hundred dollars by junking her car for parts and she agreed. Just to make things official she accepted the offer of the cottage over the phone.

  Sue opened the front door to a smiling man on the other side of the screen. “Paul, what a surprise!”

  “Mom asked me to bring this over.”

  “Oh right, the pies for the church bake sale. I forgot all about it.” She unlatched the screen door and took the box from his hands. “Come on in, sweetheart.”

  Sue turned to Kelly. “This is my nephew, Paul. Paul, this is Kelly and her son Keegan. They’re going to be staying with us for a while.”

  Paul dusted off his hands and said hello.

  “I’ll go put these in the fridge,” Sue said. “Paul, can I get you some coffee? Did you have lunch yet?”

  “No thanks. I’m good, Aunt Sue.”

  “I’ll be right back then, you two get to know each other.”

  Sue whisked out of the room and Kelly immediately felt uncomfortable. She’d been at ease from the start around Sue and Ed but for some reason, being in the same room as a guy around her own age felt awkward. She suddenly felt the need to explain her existence in the house.

  “My car broke down yesterday. They were nice enough to let me stay the night.”

  Paul nodded. “Really? That sucks.”

  Keegan got up from the floor and crawled into Kelly’s lap.

  “Hey, little guy,” Paul smiled at him. “How old are you?”

  Keegan buried his face in her chest and she answered for him. It was a common occurrence, Keegan ignoring strangers and Kelly speaking for him, explaining he was shy. It was another habit Don criticized her about all the time.

  To Kelly’s relief, Sue came back into the room and saved them both from more awkward small talk. “Thank your mom for me, dear. You sure I can’t get you anything?”

  “No thanks, I need to open the store.”

  “So late? It’s past noon.”

  Paul shoved his hands in his pockets. “I had an appointment this morning I couldn’t miss and Dave quit last week, so there wasn’t much I could do.”

  “Hey!” Sue’s eyes opened wide and she spun around to face Kelly. “I’ve got a great idea. Kelly is looking for a job and you just had an opening come up. It’s perfect!”

  “Ah, well.” Paul fidgeting and glanced at the door. “I’m not sure…”

  “Paul owns a little computer store downtown,” Sue explained. “Video games and whatnot.”

  “I don’t know too much about computers,” Kelly said.

  “Nonsense,” Sue waved her hand. “Paul would be happy to show you the ropes, isn’t that right, dear?”

  “I don’t really have the time to teach…”

  “It’s not that far from here either. You could walk to work. It’s right next door to that new coffee shop. What’s it called again, Paul?”

  “The Cuppa Joe.”

  “Oh that’s right. I’ve only been there a couple of times. They have really good muffins although I wish they wouldn’t make them so big. You could share one of them between two people and still not finish.”

  “Aunt Sue, I’d love to be able to help her out but I really do need somebody with experience. No offense, Kelly.” Paul took a step towards the door. Kelly fully expected him to sprint down the street any second.

  “None taken,” she said.

  Sue crossed her arms. “I happen to know for a fact you hired Jimmy Phillips just this past summer and according to his mother he barely knows how to run their microwave.”

  “Right, that’s one of the reasons he’s not working for me anymore.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Sue said. “At least give her a chance, that’s all I ask.”

  “It’s okay, really,” Kelly said. “I’m sure I can find a waitressing or cashier job or something.”

  Before Sue could protest again, Paul spoke up. “No, it’s fine. You could start tomorrow, if you want. If you want the job, I mean. I really just need somebody to mind the counter while I’m working in the back on repairs.”

  Sue beamed at her and raised her eyebrows in anticipation.

  “Well,” Kelly looked down at the top Keegan’s head. “I’m not sure what sort of hours I could work without arranging for somebody to watch him first.”

  “Say no more,” Sue said. “You have a built in sitter, right here. I’d be glad to look after the little guy anytime you need and it won’t cost you a nickel.”

  “Um, if you wouldn’t mind…”

  “Then it’s settled,” Sue said again. She gave Paul a big hug and patted his back. “I’ll drop her off tomorrow when the stores opens. Tell your mom I said hello, okay dear?”

  “Yeah, okay. See you tomorrow, Kelly.”

  “Bye.”

  Sue closed the door behind him. “Well, this calls for a celebration. Who wants ice cream?”

  “Me!” Keegan tumbled off Kelly’s lap and followed Sue into the kitchen.

  Kelly stared at the TV in a daze. “What in the hell just happened?” The cartoon duckling didn’t have an answer.

  Chapter 8

  Kelly strapped Keegan’s car seat into Sue’s Ford and helped him climb into the back seat.

  “Where are we going?” he asked.

  “I already told you, honey. I’m going to work and you’re just coming along for the ride. You’re going to stay with Sue today, remember? I’ll be back real soon.”

  “When are we going home?”

  She latched the belt shut and sighed, wishing she could make him understand, but she was barely comprehending it herself. Their entire world had flipped upside down in just a matter of days. “This is our home now. Remember that cute little house down by the river I showed you yesterday? That’s where we live now.”

  He didn’t ask any more questions as she finished strapping him in until she was about to close the back door.

  “Where’s Daddy?”

  That was the big one. Sue glanced at Kelly before busying herself with her purse as she waited in the driver seat.

  “Daddy is at our old house. We’re not going to see him for a while, remember? I told you all of this last night.”

  Before he could reload with another round of “why’s” she closed the door and climbed in front next to Sue. She was already a bundle of nerves and Keegan’s questions weren’t helping.

  “Okay, let’s go,” Sue announced in a sing-song voice and pulled out of the driveway. Kelly checked her hair in the mirror for the hundredth time that morning and took a deep breath. New situations whether they were first days of work or school or whatever, always made her nervous. She could only imagine what a wreck she would be when Keegan started school and prayed her neurosis wouldn’t rub off on him.

  She rubbed her sweaty palms on her thighs, trying to flatten out a rogue wrinkle on her new pair of pants. Ed came home from work the previous night and gave her the money from junking her car, five hundred dollars. She didn’t believe for a second her car was worth that much and unsuccessfully tried to give him some of it back. His stubborn generosity prevailed and she wondered yet again how she would ever be able to repay him and Sue back.

  Sue had lots of toddler clothes stashed away from her foster kid days for Keegan, but Kell
y had still been wearing the same clothes she came to town in. She borrowed Sue’s car and bought a few outfits and toiletries from Walmart to get started. The blouse and pants she wore to her first day of work were off the discount rack but at least she wouldn’t show up in the same dirty outfit Paul had seen her in yesterday.

  “Here we are,” Sue said and pulled to the curb.

  “Already?” Kelly looked out the window at the front of the store. “It really is close enough to walk.” Bright red letters on the window displayed the store’s name, THE ELECTRIC CONNECTION.

  “Have fun, dear. Tell Paulie to give me a call when you’re done and we can pick you up.”

  “That’s fine, Sue. I can walk home.” She leaned over the back seat and kissed Keegan on the forehead, quickly scrambling out of the car before she lost her nerve. She stood on the sidewalk and watched the car pull away before turning back to the store front.

  A desktop computer sat in the window, its monitor displaying 3D animation in a loop. Above that was a sign telling customers all the goods and services available behind the pane of glass: buying and selling used games and hardware, new and used desktop and laptop computers, computer repair. Kelly was completely out of her element and hadn’t even stepped inside yet.

  She yanked the door handle before she chickened out and walked in. The store was dominated by two massive shelving units on opposite sides of the store. On her left were hundreds of video game boxes, discs, and cartridges of all shapes and sizes. A scrawny kid with baggy pants and a peach fuzz mustache glanced at her before looking back down at the box he was holding.

  Used computer equipment filled the shelves on the right side of the store. A few racks in the middle of the room held more used electronics, from VCR and DVD players to old game consoles. Paul was hunched over the counter at the back of the store, writing on a piece of paper.

  Kelly marched up to the counter and put on her best first day of work smile. “Good morning!”

  Paul glanced up and went back to his order form. “Oh, hey.”