SNOW GLOBE

by Jeanne Skartsiaris

  The front door opened, and Clara Wells came in with her usual flourish. “Aja! I heard you busted some balls last night—or twisted a schnozola. I talked to the doc who worked on him.” Clara worked at the hospital. She went into the kitchen with her foil-wrapped cake. “I made this special for you.”

  “I can’t wait, thank you,” Aja said. As weird as Aja considered her mom’s friends, she was learning to appreciate their individuality. Clara, who wore a tiara and feather boa for her driver’s license photo, now sported pink leg warmers over her black tights. Even if her mom’s friends had streaks of strange, they were always there for them.

  “Why don’t we get your statement first,” Officer Smith said.

  “Oh, heck no. The last time Mrs. Wells made this, I only got one dinky piece that I had to share. I’m not talking until I stuff myself.” Aja jumped up and got some plates while Mrs. Wells sliced the cake.

  “I get the biggest piece,” Aja said. “By the way, how is Clay Richards’s nose?”

  “Permanently twisted,” Clara said. “He’ll never smell the same again.”

  “He didn’t smell that great to begin with,” Aja joked.

  “Ha! Good one.” Clara handed Aja a plate with a huge piece of cake, so heavy with butter, cinnamon and sugar Aja could barely hoist it to her mouth as she bit into it straight off the plate.

  “Get a fork,” Aja’s mom admonished, as she took plates to their guests.

  Aja sat with the others on the couch and dug into her cake.

  “Mrs. Wells, did you happen to hear how Mrs. Poston is doing?”

  Clara laughed sharply. “The nurses are threatening to overmedicate her, she’s such a pain-in-the-ass patient.”

  “So she’s going to be okay?”

  “Twisted her leg, but I was asking my friend about Clay Richards so I didn’t find out much about Bea Poston.” Clara winked. “She wasn’t supposed to tell me anything, you know all those patient confidentiality laws.”

  “So, Aja, how did you beat up Clay Richards,” Officer Smith asked, wiping crumbs from her face. “He’s been trained for combat and is a real sharp-shooter. Oh man, this cake is good.”

  Aja’s mom squirmed nervously. “I hate to think of what could have happened.” She squeezed Aja’s knee. “It scares me more than you know,” she whispered.

  “I had some help,” Aja said to her mom. “A kind of,” she smiled, “force field.”

  Officer Smith talked around a big bite. “In my self-defense class, I’m going to recommend that all girls carry around needle-nose pliers. Who would’ve thought?”

  Chapter 47

  Finals were a breeze. Aja aced all her classes and had one of the highest GPAs in her school but the worst attendance record. On the last day of school, she sat in Mrs. Burnett’s office, glad the school year was over with no summer school tour of duty.

  “Well done, Aja,” Mrs. Burnett said, sitting at her desk, now cleared of all the files that usually cluttered her office. “What do you think of the scholarships you were offered?”

  “I don’t know; they’re all from Texas schools. I was hoping to get to California.” Aja had gotten a few hundred dollars from some scholarships she’d applied for.

  Mrs. Burnett shrugged. “I understand, but I’d hate to see you give up some good opportunities here. You could go to community college there, establish residency then transfer into another school.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  “You should be proud of your grades, and don’t wait too long to decide,” Mrs. Burnett said. “Most kids are already committed to a school. I’ll be around most of the summer. Don’t hesitate to call.”

  “Thanks again for everything,” Aja said. “Who knows where I’d be if you hadn’t helped me.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t believe all you said.”

  “It’s cool, I get it. There was a lot of sh…stuff.” Aja bit back a bad word.

  “Check in with me tomorrow. You will be at graduation Friday night?”

  “I don’t know.” Aja smiled. “I might have to work.”

  Mrs. Burnett raised an eyebrow.

  “I got my job back at the residence home. Fridays are dinner and bingo. Big night at Golden Leaves.”

  “Lauren said her dad is doing much better.”

  “Yeah, he’s been eating and is even walking a little.” Aja didn’t tell her that Mrs. Jensen let him know that she’d wait for him. He was still needed here. “He may go home soon.”

  Ever since the night with Mrs. Poston and Clay Richards, Aja had been hailed a hero and victim and she’d spent time at the residence home. Dr. Landers was her biggest supporter and had convinced Edna Jones to rehire her. Aja had spent her afternoons studying in Mr. Jensen’s room. He’d helped her with all her classes, but especially physics.

  “They’re lucky to have you. But I wish you’d consider going to graduation. You’ve worked hard for it.”

  “Thanks,” Aja said. “I’ll think about it and I’ll have a decision made about college before you go on your Alaskan cruise.”

  Mrs. Burnett looked puzzled. “How did you know I was taking a cruise?”

  Aja smiled. “Lucky guess.” She’d decided to learn to be more open to her intuitive side.

  She left Mrs. Burnett and saw Mr. Carlisle at his computer. He glanced at her, frowned, and looked back at his screen.

  “Don’t play that poker hand; you’ll lose it all,” Aja said.

  Mr. Carlisle looked like he’d been caught with his pants down. “What are you talking about?” He stood up and closed the door.

  As she walked out, she heard him say, “Damn, no!”

  Walking out of the school, Aja felt so light she thought she could fly. School was finished. She’d done it. Clay Richards was in jail, and she’d been vindicated for all she’d been blamed for. Life was good again. Or would be, when her physical scars healed.

  She scanned the drive-up lot for her mom. Aja’s car had been totaled in the accident. It was practically totaled before the accident, but at least it got her where she needed to go. Aja wasn’t sure where she was going to get enough money to buy a car and move to California. She regretted spending any money on those cool clothes from Abercrombie. Her mom told her to send positive thoughts out to the universe and good things will happen. Aja tried to send a thought out to her mom for making her wait for her in the boiling heat—it wasn’t positive.

  A familiar sky-blue Buick turned into the school lot. Walker. Aja’s heart clutched a bit. She hadn’t talked to him since the night they’d found Mrs. Poston and she’d ignored the incessant phone calls from him ever since. It still bothered her that he would think that she could have hurt the woman.

  He pulled in front of her and rolled the window down. “Need a lift? We can start over, like the day I gave you a ride to work.”

  “I’m waiting for my mom,” Aja said, crossing her arms.

  “I called her, and she said she’d be happy for me to pick you up.” He smiled, heating up the hot air more.

  “You two sure talk a lot.”

  “I told her I wanted to apologize to you for ever doubting you.” He leaned over the passenger seat to better see her. “I’m sorry, Aja. Can we start over?”

  “Walker, you’ve doubted me since you found out I’d been in jail. You actually thought I took the jewelry, and you keep waffling between me and Kendall. I don’t know what to think.” She remembered the feeling of goodness he’d projected when she first met him and still admired his ability to see the good in people.

  “I’ve spent my life following the leader, doing what’s expected, trying to make everybody happy. You’re teaching me to be stronger. I’m sorry Aja. Really sorry.”

  “You need to teach yourself to be stronger. Quit relying on others.”

  “You’re right.” He looked away thoughtful. “I’m learning to think for myself more.” He looked at Aja with hope in his eyes. “I admire you for your ability to realize who you are. You don’t bac
k down. I need to figure out how to do that.” He smiled.

  Did you really think I’d hurt an old woman?”

  “No, although I wouldn’t blame you for thinking of it the way she treated you.”

  Aja crossed her arms deciding whether or not to get in the car. The sun made her stitches practically sizzle.

  He looked at her slyly and grinned, “And besides, your mom invited me to have some of the coffee cake Mrs. Wells brought over.”

  Aja sighed; she couldn’t resist him. “Okay, but you only get a small piece.”

  “You drive a hard bargain.”

  “Can you take me to work later?” Aja asked. “Are you seeing your grandparents tonight?”

  “Yes and yes. And I know they’ll be happy to see you, too.”

  Aja got in and let the air conditioner blast her face. Her stitches itched from the heat and sweat. “What about Kendall?” she asked irritably. “Does everybody know she stole the jewelry?

  “Yes.” Walker slumped in his seat and looked out the hot windshield. “She sent a letter to Mrs. Poston, my grandparents, and Edna Jones apologizing for taking the jewelry. She wasn’t happy about it, but her parents threatened to cut her off if she didn’t do the right thing. I told her and her family that if she didn’t I would let everybody know, both here and Chicago.” He sighed. “And we are officially over. This time nobody will try to convince me to stay with her. I’ve made it clear to my family and hers that we’re done.”

  Before Walker put the car in drive, he turned to Aja and took her hand. His eyes followed the line of stitches in her forehead. “Oh man, that looks like it hurts.”

  “Throbs mostly, but I’m okay.” Aja’s side hurt more from the seat belt cutting into her, but it wasn’t too bad. She decided to drop the Kendall issue. Only time would tell if they were really through.

  “Will you be okay to work?” Walker asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve been going there to visit Mr. Jensen, and I told Edna that I’d be ready to start as soon as school was out.”

  “I’m glad she rehired you. The whole place was rooting for you after they found out the truth.” Walker stroked a small strand of hair off Aja’s face. “Especially Dr. Landers and Janie.”

  “Yeah, they’ve been great.” Aja sat back in her seat as Walker began driving. “I’m going to have to work as much as I can this summer, since I have to buy a car and pay for tuition.”

  “Are you going to start community college here? I can carry your books for you.”

  “I don’t know, Walker. I really want to move to California.”

  “The gang at Golden Leaves will really miss you. I understand there’s a real art to getting the food to the right mush consistency.”

  Aja laughed and looked out the window. What was she going to do? She glanced at Walker, wishing she could get an intuitive read off him. Maybe she wasn’t practiced like her mom, but for some reason the auras of people she was closest to were like static on a TV. Like she wasn’t supposed to know about them, and she’d have to find out for herself. The only read she could get off him was a beam of goodness. Like a magnet, it’s what had drawn her to him again and again.

  Chapter 48

  Friday night at Golden Leaves was meat loaf or tilapia. Not the best menu to start work again, Aja thought, almost gagging on the smell of over-cooked fish. After Walker dropped her off by the kitchen, she went in to check on Janie and Gabe, hoping to take a few minutes to visit with Mr. Jensen before work.

  After a bear hug from Janie and a welcome nod from Gabe, Janie said, “Mr. Jensen got out of the hospital wing this morning. He’s back and hopefully can come down for dinner tonight.”

  “That’s great. How’s he doing?” Aja asked, tying an apron over her wrinkled, but clean, white shirt. “I’d hoped to see him before you guys put me to work.”

  “I think he’s okay. You can check on him later. Mrs. Poston is back, too, but probably won’t be down. She has a full-time helper until she’s back in the saddle. I told her we’d bring dinner to her tonight.” Janie stacked salad plates on trays. “I’m so glad you’re back. How’s your head?”

  “The stitches will heal. The brain damage won’t.”

  “But that was there before,” Janie joked.

  “How is Mrs. Poston?” Aja asked, filling the water pitchers with ice.

  “Mean as ever.”

  “Good.” Aja laughed. “The world feels right again.” She started out toward the dining hall with the water.

  “No, wait.” Janie called her back. “Let me do that. You start making the coffee and get the soup bowls ready.”

  “Wow, first day back and I already got a promotion,” Aja said.

  “Don’t let it go to your stitched head yet.” Janie took the pitchers from Aja. “Just hang out in here until everybody gets seated.”

  “And stay out of trouble?” Aja asked wryly.

  Aja heard the dining hall fill with guests. She started out the door with the juice service, but Gabe yelled for her to help him with the mush-loaf plates.

  “Yuck,” Aja said, slipping plates of the brown glop into a warming oven. “This looks disgusting.”

  “Tastes good,” Gabe said gruffly.

  Janie came in. “Aja, would you come here?”

  “Should I bring the salad plates?” Aja asked.

  “Not yet, just bring yourself.”

  Aja wiped her hands on a towel and followed Janie out to the dining room.

  “Surprise!” All the residents stood next to a big chocolate cake that said: Congratulations, Aja! Welcome Back in wispy cursive of yellow frosting. Bunches of balloons floated from each table.

  Dr. Landers strode away from the group and took Aja’s hands. “We’re all glad to have you back.”

  Aja was speechless, could barely mutter, “Thank you,” as she scanned the faces in the crowd. Mrs. Burnett was there, beaming. Aja’s mom and Walker stood next to Lauren Jensen, and with them, in a wheelchair, was Mr. Jensen. An IV with milky fluid hung from a pole on the chair and snaked under his buttoned shirt.

  “Princess Bride,” Mr. Jensen said, smiling.

  Dr. Landers let go of Aja’s hands, and she went to greet everybody. “This is such a surprise. Thank you.”

  Mrs. Burnett clapped her hands for attention and said to the crowd, “Aja has one of the highest GPAs in the school. She’s worked hard these past few months. Cheers!” No one had a glass but everybody applauded. Mrs. Burnett looked at Aja with affection. “I can’t stay too long I’ve got to run to graduation.”

  Janie told the crowd, “Let’s eat so we can dig into the cake. You can take a piece with you Mrs. Burnett.”

  Everybody took a seat, Aja and Janie started serving, although Aja spent a lot of time visiting with and thanking everybody.

  Aja spent a few minutes at the Jensen’s table. Her mom and Mrs. Burnett sat with them. “How are you feeling?” Aja asked Mr. Jensen.

  “As good as an old man can.” Mr. Jensen winked. “Glad to be here.”

  Lauren touched his arm. “If you get too tired, I’ll take you home. Don’t overdo it, Dad, you just got out today.”

  “I’m fine, sweetie,” he said, then he motioned for Aja to come close so he could whisper to her, “Buttercup told me what happened. I’m glad she was there for you.”

  “Me, too, Mr. Jensen. And I’m glad you’re doing better.”

  “You’re a good girl,” he said quietly.

  After dinner was finished, Aja and Janie served coffee. Aja was still sore, and her stitched head was aching. Gabe carried the big cake to the kitchen so he could cut it. Dr. Landers stood and called for everyone’s attention.

  “Aja, for your graduation and for what you’ve done for Bea Poston and Steve Jensen, everyone here wanted to give you a graduation gift.” He produced an envelope from under his napkin. “Congratulations.”

  “You all didn’t need to get me anything,” Aja said.

  Dr. Landers handed her the card. She opened it a
nd was shocked to see a bunch of money. Everything from one-dollar bills to twenties. “Wow, thank you all so much!” Tears filled her eyes.

  “We know you’ve been saving for school,” Dr. Landers said. “And I understand you’ll need a car, too. I hope that helps.”

  “It will, sir. Thank you.” Aja felt overwhelmed.

  Mrs. Burnett walked up and handed Aja a card. “This is from me.”

  “Thank you.” Aja opened the card, which had shooting starts on it and said, Follow your dreams.

  “I will, Mrs. Burnett,” Aja said as two twenty-dollar bills floated to the ground from the card. “Oh, wow.”

  “You were the best forty dollar investment I’ve ever made.” Mrs. Burnett winked.

  A weak, raspy, but unmistakable voice screeched over the others. “So, China girl, you finally got out of school. Wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Poston.”

  “Oh, I knew she’d graduate. She think she’s the smartest bitch ever.”

  “Tish?” Aja was shocked to see her juvie cellmate in light purple scrubs pushing Mrs. Poston’s wheelchair. She wore a long-sleeved T-shirt under the top, no doubt to cover her scarred arms.

  “Yeah, I got me a new job thanks to Mrs. Burnett.”

  “One where you’ll get your mouth washed out with soap if you don’t stop using vulgar language,” Mrs. Poston admonished.

  “Well, if you weren’t such a bossy-pants all the time,” Tish gave it back to her.

  “Someone has to teach you young women manners. Push me to that table,” Mrs. Poston ordered, pointing to the Jensens.

  “Push me to that table, please,” Tish mocked. “It’s a two-way street, being polite and all.”

  “Don’t quibble with me,” Mrs. Poston said, waving her hand. “Janie, I’d like some soup, please.” With the emphasis on ‘please.’