Are You Listening to Me?

by Mary M. Cushnie-mansour

  Paige grinned widely. “Just fine, Tyler––missed you yesterday.”

  “Had to get groceries––man has to eat, you know. Have to keep this gorgeous body of mine in good shape for the girls,” Tyler flirted.

  Camden was pouring a drink for someone when he heard Paige say Tyler’s name. He breathed in deep. Good, one of them was here. He looked at the clock: four o’clock. He patted his pocket to ensure the baggie was still there. Camden smiled at the client at the drink counter. “That will be two-fifty,” he said.

  The girl put three dollars on the counter, “Keep the change,” she said as she walked away. She was one of the nice girls.

  ~

  Brianna managed to get out of the school by four o’clock. It had been a good day with the kids. On the way to the gym, she called her sister. “Hey, Caitlin, what are you up to later?” Brianna could hear the kids in the background. “Is Mitch home tonight?”

  Caitlin sounded tired. “Mitch is never home on a Friday night, Brianna. You know that.”

  “I thought maybe he would sacrifice one Friday night so your sister could take you out for a movie or something fun.”

  “Dream on, sis. You can come over here if you like. I could make us supper, and we could do a movie here after the kids go to bed. They’d love to see their Aunt Brianna, you know––it’s been a couple of weeks.” There was a slightly accusatory tone in Caitlin’s voice.

  “I know, sis. I’ve been really busy with school, and I started working out at this new gym.”

  “Finally over Greg, eh?”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You’re working out again,” Caitlin laughed.

  “I need to work out if I’m going to fit into my summer clothes. The winter has added a few pounds to my hips.”

  “You’ve nothing to worry about, skinny sister of mine.”

  “Oh, by the way,” Brianna changed the subject; “I had an email from Neil. He’s doing fine; I ran a copy for you and will drop it off after my workout.”

  “Great. Are you going to have supper with the kids and me, and stay for a bit?”

  “Sure, I can do that, I guess––unless I pick up some hot young stud at the gym!” Brianna smiled into the phone. “Well, sis, I’m pulling into the parking lot now; I’ll see you later.”

  “See you … have a good workout.”

  Brianna was humming a tune as she walked into the gym. “Hey there, Brianna,” Paige greeted her. “Nice to see you.”

  Camden’s ears perked up for the second time in a half an hour. He snuck a quick look around the corner.

  “Paige, could you watch the drink counter for a few minutes; I have to go and check the garbage cans. You know how fast they fill up with paper when we’re busy. Good, though. Some gyms I’ve worked at were not as strict about wiping down the equipment after each use.”

  “Sure, Camden.”

  Camden followed Brianna to the entrance of the women’s change room. She felt his presence and turned. “Are you following me?” Her voice sounded harsh.

  He blushed. “Oh, no … no … I … I … I was j … just on my way t … to empty the garbage p … pails.” Camden stuttered.

  Camden didn’t hear Brianna mumble sorry. Brianna was upset with herself for being rude. He was just a guy doing his job. Somehow, as she crossed the gym floor she remembered the email, and it had made her a bit jumpy, especially when Camden had been following so close. She changed into her shorts and t-shirt and then went out to find an empty treadmill. They were all being used.

  Tyler, who was just finishing up on his treadmill, saw Brianna waiting. “Here you go, beautiful lady. I’m done here.” He stepped off, sprayed the handles and face of the mill, bowed low, and waved his arm with a flourish. “All yours.”

  “Thank you,” Brianna grinned.

  “Do you have a number?” Tyler boldly asked.

  “I do.”

  “May I have it?”

  Brianna laughed. “I don’t usually give my number to strangers.”

  Tyler feigned a hurt look. “We aren’t strangers; I just gave you my treadmill.” He stuck his hand out. “Name’s Tyler.”

  “Brianna.” She shook his hand.

  “Maybe have a smoothie after our workout?” Tyler wasn’t going to give up.

  “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  “Whether we finish at the same time.”

  “I’ll wait for you at the drink counter—how does that sound? We can talk and get to know one another, and then you can give me your number.” Tyler was persistent, and he had no idea why other than the fact that Brianna was kind of cute, and the echo of his mother’s voice telling him she wanted grandchildren was still ringing in his head. Plus, he felt great: life was beginning to look up for him.

  “We’ll see … maybe.” Brianna pouted saucily, put her earphones on, and turned the treadmill on slow speed to start.

  Camden was emptying the garbage can closest to the treadmills. He lingered long enough to hear the conversation. Good, he thought; I can kill two birds with one stone. As he passed by Brianna’s treadmill, he nodded and smiled. She didn’t acknowledge him. What a creep that guy is, Camden continued thinking. Hitting on her … and her … she looked like she was enjoying every minute of it. The world will be better off without them! Camden headed for the back door to take the garbage out to the bin, and then returned to the drink counter. There was no way he was going to miss this opportunity.

  At five-thirty, Tyler sidled up to the drink counter. Camden noticed Brianna heading over. She stopped and put her hand on Tyler’s arm. “I just have to get changed. Do you mind ordering my smoothie … strawberry … medium? I won’t be but a few minutes.”

  Tyler smiled. “I’ll even pay for it.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Brianna hurried off to the change room.

  Tyler turned to Camden. “Could I have two smoothies: one medium strawberry and one large banana.”

  Camden nodded. “Creep,” he thought; “didn’t even say please. No manners.” His blood began to race as he mixed the drinks. He leant over and pulled the two cups from under the counter. It took him a few extra seconds to drop the poison powder in each one.

  “What are you doin’ down there?” Tyler was looking over the edge.

  Camden stood up quickly. “Sorry, I just dropped something.”

  “Not in my cup, I hope.” Tyler laughed.

  “Oh no.” Camden smiled and opened the fridge to get out a pre-packed package of strawberries. He dumped them into Brianna’s cup and then poured the liquid in and set it on the mixer. While it was mixing, he peeled a banana and repeated the process for Tyler’s drink. When the orders were finished, he put the lids on and handed them to Tyler. “That will be five-fifty, please.”

  Tyler pulled out his wallet and threw six dollars on the counter. “Keep the change,” he said and then turned to watch for Brianna. As soon as he noticed her, he picked up the drinks and walked toward her, pointing to the couches in the front lounge. “Want to sit over there while we drink our smoothies?” he asked.

  “Good idea,” she replied.

  Camden glanced over at them every once in a while to make sure they were still drinking. They were laughing. Tyler was touching her thigh, and she was touching his arm. Sickening––intimate so soon, and they hardly know each other.

  Finally, Tyler and Brianna stood. Tyler picked up the empty cups and threw them in the garbage. They shook hands, and both headed out the door. Camden didn’t see whether they had exchanged numbers or not. It was almost six o’clock; time for him to leave.

  “I’m just going to empty the lobby garbage before I go; looks like it’s getting full,” he informed Paige.

  “No problem, Camden. See you on Monday.”

  “Yep.” Camden took the garbage out to the back bin. He made sure it was well-covered with other papers. No sense taking any chances. He replaced the garbage ca
n in the lobby, fetched his things, and headed home to get Emma. They would be just in time to be at Jack’s for six-thirty.

  ~

  Toby looked up lazily from his perch on the back of the couch when the doorbell rang. Jack came out of the kitchen, apron on, ladle in hand. The house smelled delicious; Toby hoped Jack would fix him a dish of whatever he was cooking, as well. Jack opened the door.

  “Welcome guys, come on in and make yourselves at home. I’ll just be a few more minutes.” Jack turned to Emma. “You must be Emma. Camden has told me a lot about you.”

  Emma blushed. “All tall tales, I’m sure,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Cam has a habit of exaggerating where I am concerned.”

  “I’ll bet he exaggerates a lot where everything is concerned.” Toby stood and stretched. He didn’t want to be in the same space as Camden, so he’d wait to see where Emma sat before he settled again.

  “Hello, Toby,” Emma knelt and scratched Toby behind the ears before he had a chance to escape. She sat down on the couch and patted beside her for Toby to jump up.

  Toby looked at Camden, who was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. He was glaring at Toby, and if Toby guessed correctly, the glare was one filled with hate. “I haven’t done anything to you yet, bub.” Toby glared back and then jumped up beside Emma. He stretched his body out so there wouldn’t be enough room for Camden on the couch.

  Jack laughed. “Toby, you couch hog … or is it Emma you are trying to hog?” He pointed to an easy-chair. “You may as well sit there, Camden. We wouldn’t want to disturb the king of the household.” Jack didn’t notice Camden’s pursed lips as he sat down. Toby did, though.

  Before long Jack was calling everyone into the kitchen. “Supper is served.” He showed Camden and Emma where to sit and then took a seat. Toby was a bit put out because there was no dish of food waiting for him yet. “I’ll get you yours, old boy, after the guests are served.”

  Jack had outdone himself. He had cooked a leg of lamb seasoned with rosemary and mint, garlic and pepper. A dish of mushrooms and onions, one with Parisian potatoes sprinkled with mozzarella cheese and chives; and a plate of glazed baby carrots was passed around. Toby had no interest in the vegetables but couldn’t wait to dig into the lamb. The final dish was a garden salad. Toby would pass on that, as well.

  “Do either one of you say grace?” Jack asked.

  “I do,” Emma said in a hushed voice.

  Toby noticed the shocked look on Camden’s face. “He doesn’t know his own sister says grace. Is she afraid to tell him?” Toby walked over and sat down beside Emma. He looked up at her adoringly.

  “I think you have a friend there, Emma,” Jack mentioned, pointing to Toby. “Would you do us the honours of saying the blessing then?” he added.

  Emma bowed her head. “Thank you, Lord, for the food we are about to receive and thank you for the fellowship we are about to have with Jack and Toby. Amen.”

  Once the plates were filled, and Jack had cut up some lamb and put it in a dish for Toby, Jack ventured a conversation. “So, Emma, Camden says you move around quite a bit due to your health.”

  Toby noticed the shocked look flit across Emma’s face.

  “Have you had the appointment yet with the specialist here?” Jack continued.

  Emma looked helplessly at Camden.

  “No, Emma hasn’t seen him yet,” Camden intervened. “I think the appointment is in a couple of weeks, isn’t it, Em?” Toby noticed how Camden was looking at his sister––also, how he emphasised the words ‘isn’t it, Em?’

  Toby glanced at Jack. He was oblivious to what was really going on here. “So what’s wrong with you?” Jack continued innocently. “Camden never really told me.”

  Emma looked at her brother. “Why don’t you tell him, Camden; you know how I hate to talk about it.”

  “Oh, no … no … please, I didn’t mean to pry,” Jack was quick to say. “Some things are best kept private.” He paused and then changed the subject. “So how was your first week at the gym, Camden?”

  “Not that great at the beginning, but as the week went on things improved.”

  “Probably just had to get into the swing of things, eh?”

  “Yeah, that’s probably it. Takes a while to adjust to a new place. Hopefully this will be the last one for a while. I think Emma really likes it here; so do I. It would be nice to put down roots.”

  After supper, Emma and Camden offered to help Jack clean the dishes. “Oh no,” he waved them off. “Let’s just go in and sit down. I’m retired and have lots of time to clean up. Maybe Toby will help me tomorrow––how about it, old man?” Jack chuckled.

  Toby headed to the living room and jumped up on the couch where he and Emma had been sitting before supper. When she came into the room, he looked at her and meowed.

  “Okay,” she said and came and sat beside him. Toby cuddled up as close to her as possible without infringing directly on her lap. “I guess you will have to sit in the chair again, Cam,” Emma giggled.

  The rest of the evening went by slowly for Toby––and Camden. Everyone listened as Jack told stories about his days on the force. The only time Toby perked up was when Jack began the story about how Toby had solved the mystery earlier that year. About nine o’clock, Camden stood and said he thought they had better get home. Emma jumped up immediately; Toby felt a cold spot on his back.

  “I’ve been asked to work for a bit tomorrow. Boss has hired another guy to help out up front since they are expanding the gym hours,” Camden explained. “I have to go in at noon and show him the ropes.”

  “Well, that will take some pressure off you, won’t it?” Jack said as he stood. “It has been a pleasant evening; I hope you folks enjoyed yourselves.” He began to walk them to the door. “It was a real pleasure meeting you, Emma.” Jack extended his hand to her.

  “Likewise,” she answered. “And I loved your stories. You’ve had a very exciting life. Bye, Toby. Come on over to the house anytime. I missed you today.”

  “Wish I could tell you about your brother and what he tried to do to me … wish I could warn you that I think he’s up to something.” Toby jumped down from the couch and went over to the door. He rubbed between Emma’s legs and meowed.

  Camden curled his arm into Emma’s. “Let’s go, sis. I’m sure Jack wants to go to bed, and even surer the old cat’s had enough for one day.” He laughed. Jack and Emma looked at him, puzzled. Emma shrugged her shoulders and walked out with her brother. Jack just shook his head and closed the door.

  “Strange young man, sometimes,” was all he said before locking the door and shutting off the lights. “I’m bushed, old man. We’ll clean up in the morning. My bed’s calling me.”

  “You’ll clean up in the morning!” Toby returned to his perch by the window and watched Camden and Emma as they walked home. It was too bad Toby couldn’t hear what they were talking about because it looked like it was a pretty intense conversation.

  Emma was visibly upset and Camden figured he knew why. It was confirmed with her first question. “Why did you tell Jack we moved here because I was ill and needed to see a doctor?”

  “It was easier that way.”

  “I don’t understand; how was it easier, Cam? Our moves are never because of me; it is always you who wants to relocate. So I’m asking you again, why would you tell it otherwise?”

  Camden’s face turned hard. He didn’t like to be challenged about his decisions. Whatever he did was to protect Emma, but now she was questioning his motives. He took his hand from her arm and started to walk away. “I just did. It’s no big deal, Emma, and it doesn’t matter to anyone else why we moved here. It seemed like the easiest explanation at the time. Now, leave it there!”

  Emma stopped and looked at her brother. She was beginning to wonder how much she really knew about her twin.

  Toby closed his eyes after Emma and Camden disappeared into their house. He was not
happy about the scene he had just witnessed, and he was even more worried for Emma now.

  ~

  Brianna drove straight from the gym to her sister’s house. Caitlin had already fed the kids, but she had waited to eat.

  “The kids are watching television,” she said as Brianna came through the door. Maybe we can have supper undisturbed for a change, although, I’d guess you don’t have much to disturb your meals. Oh, God, I better shut my mouth before the other foot goes in it.” She paused. “You look smug about something, sister of mine. What’s up?”

  “I’ll tell you while we eat. What’s for supper?” Brianna asked even though she knew it would probably be something to do with pasta. Caitlin was so stressed with the three little ones––all a year apart––all boys. Brianna studied her sister for a minute, her eyes travelling to her belly. She hoped that little bump was just still left over from the last baby.

  “Macaroni casserole,” Caitlin replied.

  “Sounds good.”

  The sisters sat down and served themselves. After a few minutes of silence, Caitlin asked, “So … what’s up?”

  “Not much.” Brianna smirked. Then, “I met a guy at the gym this afternoon. He seems nice. Bit cocky, though. We had a smoothie together after our workouts.”

  “Did you give him your number?

  “No!” Brianna was shocked by her sister’s question. “I’ll be having a few more talks with him before handing out my number!”

  “You are getting old, Brianna,” Caitlin laughed. “You don’t want to be old enough to be a grandmother before you have your own kids!” She paused. “So, what does he do?”

  “He works in his uncle’s machine shop. Told me his uncle offered him an apprenticeship.”

  “So what’s he do there now?”

  “He cleans up at night and runs machines.”

  “How old?”

  “Didn’t ask, but he looks around my age.” Brianna put down her fork after popping the final pieces of pasta into her mouth. “Why don’t we spend some time with the kids before they go to bed? I can help you clean up later.”