by Ann Roberts
Dr. Bertrand motioned for Mazie to join her in the center aisle. She held up her hands. “What do you think, Ms. Fenster?”
“It’s the most amazing place I’ve ever seen. Did you help design it?”
The edges of a smile crossed her lips. “I did, but mainly this was designed by the previous department chair, Katherine Gallagher. Do you know who she is?”
“Oh, yes. The first female department chair at Cammon, served as the Dean of Admissions for a time, elected President of the Cammon Faculty.”
“You’ve done your homework.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Dr. Bertrand frowned. “Ma’am? Who’s ma’am?”
Mazie clapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry!”
Dr. Bertrand winked. “Just messin’ with you, May. We know each other well enough now. You can call me Ivy.”
Mazie grinned broadly. “Thank you. I’m not sure I can do that, but you can call me Mazie. That’s really my name now. I don’t go by May anymore.”
Dr. Bertrand stared at her. “Why?”
“Well, I left that person behind. She wasn’t strong. She wasn’t determined. Mazie is. I’m going to get my degree, Dr. Bertrand…Ivy. Yes, I am.”
Ivy beamed. “Yes, I believe you are.” She gestured toward the stage. Take a look. Commit it to memory. I won’t ask you to get up there and sing now, especially with all these strangers around, but you need to keep working toward your goal.”
Mazie closed her eyes and absorbed her mental picture. When she looked at Ivy, she knew she had tears in her eyes. “I promise I will.”
They left the auditorium through a portal door on the opposite side and came upon a prominently displayed oil painting. “This is Dr. Katherine Gallagher,” Ivy said, “or rather, it’s her likeness. I don’t think it looks much like her, but that’s because she refused to sit for the portrait. The university board insisted the namesake of the building be honored, but Katherine wanted no part of it. She’s a very humble person. The board forced the poor painter to use an old black-and-white picture from a faculty yearbook.”
“It’s still lovely,” Mazie said. She looked into Dr. Gallagher’s eyes. There was a sparkle there. She hoped she’d find her own sparkle as well.
They parted after Ivy escorted her out the front doors. A light rain fell and Mazie smiled. She waved goodbye to Ivy, and she was heartened when she heard Addy’s bus turn the corner. She was feeling so good that she knew she could make Addy at least feel okay about their kiss. She took a deep breath and headed over to the bus shelter where she found Kit, the grandmotherly woman she’d met on the bus.
“Hi Kit. I don’t know if you remember me—”
“Mazie. How are you?”
“I’m well. I was just visiting Gallagher Hall.”
She smiled. “What did you think of it?”
“It was amazing.”
They both looked over their shoulder at the Gallagher as Addy’s bus roared toward the stop. Kit pointed and said something else, but Mazie couldn’t hear her. She nodded and smiled while Kit continued to chatter. As Mazie climbed the steps, she glanced back at Gallagher Hall. Ivy stood on the corner, looking at her with a surprised expression on her face. That’s odd, Mazie thought. She smiled at Addy and Addy smiled back, her cheeks flamed red. Everything was okay.
But as the bus pulled away, Ivy continued to stare.
Chapter Thirteen
Addy’s gaze followed Mazie to her chosen seat on the bus. Any passenger looking up to Addy’s giant mirror would notice the smile on her face. She’d had some time to process the kiss with Mazie, and more important, the revolting kaleidoscope of color that had followed. She’d realized that was the problem, not the kiss. She’d loved the kiss. Mazie’s lips were…Well, she couldn’t think of a word to describe them yet. She just knew she wanted to kiss Mazie some more, but the kaleidoscope would have to go. Hopefully a different image would come to her the next time they kissed. Maybe a new box of crayons? All those colors lined up in order. Of course, that wasn’t a romantic vision, but the kaleidoscope was a deal breaker.
Addy shuddered and glanced out her side mirrors before she swung the bus onto Hazel Street. Bianca had sent her a text saying she needed to go in on her day off and could Addy please take her to work? Of course Addy had said yes, and at two thirty, Bianca bounded up the bus steps carrying a bag of blue M&Ms, Addy’s favorite.
“Thank you,” she said, offering Addy a kiss on the cheek.
Addy could feel the heat of a blush at the point where Bianca’s lips touched her skin. “You’re welcome.”
Bianca put a hand on Addy’s arm and her smile vanished. “I heard something from someone who rides the creepy guy’s bus.”
“You mean Pratul?”
“Yeah. And before I tell you, I hope you don’t get mad at me, ’cause I think it’s my fault.”
“What is it?”
Bianca’s red lips formed a pout. “Someone at the care center saw me get off your bus. That person rides the creepy bus and hates it. She asked me how I still get to ride the cool bus, and I lied and said you were just doing me a solid—one time. But she must’ve been suspicious, so she watched to see if you dropped me off again.” Bianca hung her head. “I’m sorry, Addy, but she told Pratul. He knows you’re not following your route.” She wiped away tears. “I’m sorry if you’re gonna be in trouble.”
Addy patted Bianca’s arm, a shiver running down her back. No doubt she’d be fired, but she didn’t want to upset Bianca, so she smiled. “Hey, don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Go sit down.”
Bianca asked, “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
Addy nodded, but she didn’t think Bianca believed her as she headed toward the open spot by Mazie.
Addy thought she might throw up. If Pratul reported her, Jackie would be obligated to investigate. Addy couldn’t lie to Jackie, and all Jackie had to do was trace the bus’s GPS system. While each bus had GPS, reports weren’t regularly generated to save the taxpayers’ money. Reports only happened when there was a reason, like a bus driver not following her route. Addy sighed. What could her next job be?
Mazie watched Addy’s exchange with Bianca closely. It looked like they were sharing a secret. Bianca seemed worried, and although Addy smiled, Mazie noticed the droop in her shoulders. She was upset but wasn’t letting on to Bianca. Because she’s in love with her. But she kissed me! And she liked it!
Bianca shuffled down the aisle and dropped next to her. “Hi, Mazie.”
“Hi, Bianca. If you don’t mind my asking, is something wrong?”
Bianca let out a long sigh. “I think I got Addy into trouble. One of the other drivers, Pratul, the guy whose bus I’m supposed to take, knows Addy’s been making a special stop for me.” Bianca threw her chin toward the front. “Addy’s acting like it’s no big deal, but that’s the kinda stuff that gets drivers fired.”
“Fired? Addy could lose her job?”
Bianca nodded and started to cry. “And it’s all my fault.” She wiped her eyes and Mazie handed her a tissue. “I’m so selfish. I never should’ve asked her.” She glanced at Mazie. “I think she kinda likes me, and I took advantage of that.”
Mazie bit the inside of her cheek and hesitated before she asked, “Do you like her, you know, like as a girlfriend?”
Bianca shook her head. “I’m not gay. I know Addy is and that’s cool. I’m just one of those people that everybody tends to like. Lesbians tend to fantasize about me a lot. Think they can turn me, not that Addy thinks that. Some think I’m bisexual. Whatever.” She waved her hand. “I know that sounds snotty, and I don’t mean it to be. I just like people and they tend to gravitate to me. I’ve been hit on a lot by men and women. Truth is, I have a boyfriend. I’ve been with a couple women, so I guess I’m bi. But I’m with him now, you know? I’m a faithful type of person. He’s not happy about the people who call me thinking they’re gonna get a date, but I set ’em straight. It’s friends or nothi
ng.”
“Oh, I see.”
Bianca nudged her with an elbow. “What about you? Is there someone special in your life?”
Mazie’s gaze automatically flicked toward Addy, and Bianca grinned. “What?” Mazie asked.
“I see how it is.”
“Oh…well, I—”
“Don’t worry, Mazie. Your secret is safe with me, but does Addy know?”
Mazie shivered again at the question. “Yeah, she knows.” She cleared her throat. “Is there anything we can do to help her?”
Bianca leaned back and closed her eyes. “I do my best thinking like this.”
Mazie watched the streets zoom by, doing her own thinking. If Pratul was such a tool, then he deserved to be fired more than Addy.
Several minutes passed. Mazie had thought of—and discarded—several ideas such as running over Pratul, pushing him out in front of a bus, having him stoned to death, and worse, dropping him in a vat of hot glue. Nothing seemed feasible.
Bianca sat up straight. “I’ve got an idea, but I’ll need your help.”
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s make a video.”
Chapter Fourteen
By the time Addy had dropped off a glum Bianca, who continued to apologize as she left the bus, Addy had brainstormed three other careers for which she was relatively qualified—baker, census taker, and concessions worker. When she pulled up to the Bijou and Mazie prepared to depart, Addy asked, “Do you think I could ever get a job at the Bijou?”
Mazie looked sympathetic. “Bianca told me about Pratul. Addy, I’m so sorry.” She squeezed her shoulder and whispered in her ear. “Don’t give up hope yet. You’re still my favorite bus driver, and if I have anything to say about it, you’ll be a bus driver for a long time.”
Addy summoned a little smile and nodded. Mazie was so nice.
As she headed down the steps, Mazie said, “And for the record, I’d hire you in a second at the Bijou if you ever needed a job. Almondine would love it. But you have a job, Addy,” she said firmly. “Now, don’t forget I’m coming over tonight, right?”
Addy’s eyes grew wide. She had forgotten Mazie had made special arrangements with Tango and Almondine to manage the theater for the night so she could go to Addy’s and watch old lesbian movies.
Mazie smiled. “You forgot, didn’t you?”
Addy nodded.
“Do you still want me to come? I don’t have to.”
“No, I do,” she said sincerely.
“Okay, I’ll bring the popcorn, the drinks—and the licorice.” Mazie gave a little wink and disembarked.
Addy watched her shapely bottom head inside the Bijou before she closed the doors. She was looking forward to seeing Mazie, and she’d actually spent part of the week readying the tiny house for its first-ever visitor. She’d dusted surfaces that had never felt a rag, reorganized the little cabinet in her bathroom—just in case Mazie was a snooper—and she’d cleaned the baseboards, something she’d never done. The house was spotless. Yet now, all of her excitement about Mazie’s visit had been eclipsed by Bianca’s news. She might be going home to her clean house unemployed.
For the rest of her shift, she tried to focus on her passengers and Mazie’s visit that evening. Every time she heard Jackie’s voice on the radio, she gritted her teeth, worried that Jackie was summoning her for a meeting, but the only person who radioed her was Luanne.
“Hey, Addy? Over.”
“Addy. Over.”
“Um, I have a little problem. It seems I missed a turn, and so I took the very next right, thinking I could backtrack. Unfortunately, it was a one-way side road. Passengers were talking to me, and I got rattled. Everyone was being a backseat driver, and this one guy told me to take an immediate left, which I did. Over.”
“And where are you now? Over.”
“I’m in a Taco Time drive-thru. Over.”
Addy smacked her hand against her head. “You’ve got the bus in a drive-thru? Does it fit? Over.”
“Um, so far. Here’s my question. Since we’re already here, is it okay if we order some stuff? I’m kinda hungry, and the passengers are asking. Nobody’s mad. In fact, a bunch of them are taking pictures with their phone. Over.”
Addy couldn’t help the laugh that burst forth, one she desperately needed. “Bus Four, I don’t think there’s a policy about drive-thru etiquette. If you’re already in line, why not? Over.”
“Okay, thanks, Addy.”
Addy heard a chorus behind Luanne shout, “Thanks, Addy!”
“Over and out,” she said.
Ten minutes later the radio call she dreaded, came. “Addy, please see me at end of shift,” Jackie said.
“Copy.”
Addy slumped in her seat. She was about to lose her job.
Jackie faced her, resting her chin in her upturned palm. “What am I going to do with you?”
Addy shrugged. Jackie hadn’t bothered to explain the situation and what Pratul had done. It was one thing to bend the rules, but it was another thing when you got caught. Of course, if any of Jackie’s supervisors asked Addy if Jackie knew about the unauthorized stops, Addy would say, “Absolutely not!”
“Now that my behavior has officially been brought to your attention, you have to follow policy,” Addy answered. “I know that.”
Jackie took a deep breath and glanced at her closed office door. “Yeah,” she whispered. “But you and I both know Pratul is a complete asshole and a womanizer.”
“And he’s the reason I did it for Bianca. You know I wouldn’t do something like that for myself, right?”
“I know.” Jackie pulled out the thick policy binder and flipped through several sections. “Which is why this is going to be painful.” She read to herself, her finger trailing across a page.
Addy grew bored and her mind forwarded to the upcoming date with Mazie. She’d show up with a cup carrier, holding the drinks and two boxes of licorice. If Addy were bringing the snacks, she’d pack the popcorn in a plastic bag for the ride over and then transfer it to the bucket before they watched the movie.
She hoped Mazie would wear the beautiful, flowing blue dress Addy liked so much, not only because it was one color, but when Mazie wore it she looked ethereal. The sleeves billowed and the skirt seemed to float when she walked. Addy found the effect mesmerizing. She’d never touched the fabric, although she wanted to. Maybe when they were sitting on the couch watching a movie, Addy would put her arm around Mazie. But the touch might distract Mazie from the movie…Is that a bad thing? Maybe they would kiss again. She imagined pressing against Mazie, touching the curve of her breast…
“I’m so glad your impending discipline makes you so happy,” Jackie said dryly.
Addy dismissed the image of Mazie. “Sorry.”
Jackie opened her mouth, closed it and shook her head.
“What?” Addy asked.
“No, I don’t want to know.” She paused and splayed her fingers across the binder, studying her cuticles. “Actually, I have to ask.” When she looked up, she looked almost embarrassed. “Addy, setting aside whatever we may have personally, or whatever I wish we had…Are you and Bianca involved?”
“No.” When Jackie looked at her skeptically, she sighed. “There was a time when I wished we were, but the truth is, Bianca has a boyfriend. She and I are just friends and I was trying to help her.”
Jackie stared at her a beat longer and nodded. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m suspending you for the rest of the week without pay. I will conduct a short investigation and make a recommendation to Human Resources, which they may—or may not—take. Do you have any questions?”
“Do I need to clean out my locker?”
“No, this is just a leave. You still have your job, you’re still covered under the company health insurance, and,” she said pointing a finger, “you’re still covered under all policies and procedures adopted by the Transportation Authority. This means if anyone harasses you in any way,
you have the right to file a grievance. Understood?”
“Yeah, thanks, Jackie.” She stood and pushed the creaky chair away.
“Do you want to have dinner on the barbeque tonight?” Jackie asked. “I don’t want you to mope around.”
Addy bit her lip and struggled to maintain eye contact. She’d hoped Mazie could slip in and slip out without Jackie knowing. “I’m having someone over to watch a movie.”
Jackie’s surprise was obvious and Addy could almost see the wheels turning. She swallowed and said, “Well, that explains it.”
“Explains what?”
“That stupid expression on your face.” She waved her hand. “Go on. Get out of here.”
“Are you mad?”
Jackie’s face softened. “No, I’m not mad. Now go. Get ready for your date.”
“It’s not really a date. We’re just watching a movie.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But we might kiss.”
“Yup. Got it.”
“Does that make it a date?”
“It does.”
Jackie returned to her reading and Addy headed to the Bull Pen. It was after six so no one was around. She clocked out, but when she turned around, the driver known as Bump was behind her. She jumped and immediately stepped away. Bump, which wasn’t his real name, hung with Pratul. He was highest in seniority and union president. He looked like most of the bus drivers—white, male, overweight, balding, and hairy. Nearly all of the male bus drivers sported facial hair in the winter to ward off the cold, but many of them shaved in the summer. Not Bump.
“Hey, Addy. Sorry if I scared you.”
“No problem. Have a good night,” she said and charged past him.
“Can I talk to you real quick?”
She looked back, noting how soft his voice had become. He looked nervous and his gaze darted around the room. She was equally nervous, having never exchanged more than a hello with him. She took comfort knowing that Jackie was just down the hall. If he tried anything, Addy could scream and Jackie would come running.
