On the Corner of Hope and Main

by Beverly Jenkins

  In the silence left behind, Bernadine crossed over to the box and picked it up. After unwrapping it, she opened the white box inside. Seeing what it held, a fond smile curved her lips as she lifted the contents free. It was a kite, and even though it was folded inside clear packaging, she saw that it was a beautifully detailed dragon. Just like his. She’d asked him for a similar one when their relationship first began, but he’d encouraged her to wait because she didn’t have the necessary skills. Since those days they’d flown kites together many times, and with each outing she grew better and better. And now . . . It was teal colored with burgundy-accented wings. The fierce face was also burgundy, and the teal underbelly was accented with a line of gold triangles. It was gorgeous and she wanted to rush right out and watch it fly. The sun was already setting though, so she’d have to wait, but even that disappointment couldn’t stop her from feeling like a kid at Christmas. You get big points for this, Malachi July. Big points. She marveled at his gift for a few minutes more before setting it aside to fish her phone out of her tote. He deserved a thank-you, but should she call him or play her cards close to the vest and just text? A voice in her head said, Call the man! So, she did.

  “Hey,” she said when he picked up. There was all kinds of noise in the background. It sounded like drums, voices, and laughter.

  “Hey.”

  Wherever he was it was loud. “Just called to say thanks for the kite.”

  “Hold on. I can barely hear you. Let me go outside.”

  Curious about his location, she waited.

  “Okay. Sorry. I’m at Tamar’s helping Thad with his signs. Half the family is here.”

  “Ah. I called to say thanks for the kite. It’s beautiful.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.”

  Nervous as a girl talking to a boy for the first time, she wasn’t sure what to say next. Forcing her voice to stay calm, she said, “I’ll let you get back to the signs. Thanks again.”

  “You’re welcome, again.”

  “Bye.”

  The call ended and she wondered why she was so nervous. They’d talked on the phone a thousand times, but it was the first time in a while that she hadn’t wanted Mal’s head on a platter while doing so and that had to mean something. She just wasn’t sure what. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten, so giving the kite one last admiring look, she took to the stairs to change clothes and start dinner.

  Chapter

  12

  The salon was closed on Mondays and Tuesday, so when Riley reported to work Wednesday morning, he was still high on his debate performance. He planned to ask his customers how they thought he did and couldn’t wait to hear their praises. He nodded a greeting to Kelly seated at her desk on the far side of the room and hung up his jacket.

  “So you attacked my husband’s character at the debate Monday night?”

  He froze, turned, and looked into Kelly’s wintry eyes. He hadn’t heard her walk up. Unprepared for the confrontation, he swallowed and quickly tried to think of a reply, but she wasn’t done. “My Bobby is the sweetest man you’d ever want to meet. He’s a great dad and has dreams of giving his family a beautiful future.” She had a black comb in her hand and pointed it at him. “Keep his name out of your mouth. You hear me?”

  “He’s a former gang member.”

  “And you’re a former thief. The pot doesn’t get to call the kettle black.”

  Riley flinched.

  She walked back to her side of the shop. Shaken, he released the breath he’d been holding just as Leo Brown came in the door.

  “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

  “Nothing. What can I do for you?”

  Kelly yelled, “Tell your candidate if he drags my husband again, I’ll be dragging his fake, rose-wearing behind to Topeka and back!”

  Brown stiffened.

  “Don’t pay her any attention,” Riley said quietly, hoping she couldn’t hear him.

  Brown studied Riley for a moment, but instead of asking more questions, he said, “I have your signs in my trunk. Wanted to make sure you were here before I brought them in.”

  Riley’s mood instantly brightened and he followed Brown out to his newly leased black import. In the trunk were six campaign signs. Riley was confused. “Where are the rest?”

  “That’s it. It’s not like you’ve got a big city to cover.”

  “But I need more than six.”

  “I got you the billboard. Our money went toward that.”

  “Oh.” But he realized Brown was right. It wasn’t as if Henry Adams rivaled Los Angeles in size, and as far as he knew, none of the other candidates had a big fancy billboard overlooking the highway. “I want you to arrange a meeting with the Election Commission so we can file a complaint about Payne stealing my metal detector idea.”

  “Not necessary. He withdrew his candidacy.”

  “Scared of being fined, I’ll bet.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. I need to get going. Put the signs wherever you think they’ll do the most good and I’ll be in touch.”

  As Brown drove off, a buoyant Riley gently placed the signs in the backseat of his car.

  For the rest of the workday, Riley floated on a cloud. Even though his five customers offered him no more than a shrug when asked how he’d done at the debate, he had campaign signs. They sported the slogan “Be Secure with Curry,” and his face was set in the serious pose he’d requested. Kelly hadn’t directed another word his way for the rest of the day, but it didn’t matter. Once he won the election, he’d be quitting, and wished her luck finding someone as equally skilled with a pair of clippers.

  As he drove home to change clothes, Riley made a mental list of the places he planned to put his signs. He ate a quick dinner of tuna and crackers, donned jeans and a sweatshirt with a picture of Babe the pig on the front, and drove back to Main Street. He stopped at the Power Plant first. Mrs. Payne and July already had their signs by the curb. It was the best spot, so Riley stuck his sign in the ground right in front of July’s since no one was going to vote for a dumb Okie anyway. He used the same tactic in front of the rec, the Lofts housing the salon and coffee shop, and the Dog. Because his signs hid July’s so well, it made it appear as if Riley and Mrs. Payne were the only candidates running.

  There were no other campaign signs on the lawn in front of the church. Pleased at the idea of getting there first, he stuck his in the grass and was admiring it when the lady reverend came outside.

  “You’ll have to remove the sign, Mr. Curry.”

  “Because?”

  “Separation of church and state. God doesn’t vote or endorse candidates.”

  “I think it will be okay.”

  “I don’t. Pull it out, please, or I will.”

  She was speaking to him in a nice enough tone but there was a determination in her eyes that he decided not to mess with. He pulled up the sign.

  “Thank you, Mr. Curry.”

  He grumbled, “You’re welcome.” And got back in his car and headed to the highway to check out his billboard.

  He pulled off onto the shoulder and got out. The billboard loomed high above the cars and big rigs whizzing by. Seeing his face and campaign slogan way up there made him so proud, tears stung his eyes. Never in his life had he imagined being such a celebrity. He thought about all the people driving past who’d remark not only on his slogan but on his striking, statesmanlike appearance, too. Brown had done a heck of a job. Wiping his eyes, mayoral candidate Riley Curry got back into his car and drove home.

  An hour later, his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number but knew the area code covered the Los Angeles area, so he picked up. It was a man named Chauncey Mayo and he’d gotten Riley’s number from Cletus’s trainer, Ben Scarsdale.

  When the call ended twenty minutes later, Riley was breathless with excitement. Cletus’s film company wanted to honor the hog’s Animal Oscar nomination with a ticker-tape parade down He
nry Adams’s Main Street. There’d be bands, the other animal nominees, and various top celebrities. Since Riley was the soon-to-be-elected new mayor, he’d given Mayo and his people the green light. Mayo would be flying in the next day to nail down the details. Riley toyed with the idea of letting Bernadine Brown know about Mayo’s arrival but decided surprising her would be better.

  ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, Lily came into Bernadine’s office and said, “Riley Curry is here with a man named Chauncey Mayo. They’d like to speak with you.”

  Bernadine wondered what craziness to expect now. Barrett called earlier on behalf of the Election Commission. Thad had filed a complaint about the placement of Riley’s campaign signs. Not wanting to know what that meant, she’d politely cut him off in the middle of the explanation and told him to handle it in whatever way he and commission members saw fit. She was trying to make the day a short one so she could fly her kite. She was certain whatever Riley wanted would derail those plans. “Did he say what about?”

  Lily shook her head.

  She sighed. “Okay. Send them in.”

  Lily returned with Riley and a tall, blond man with a beard who appeared to be in his early thirties. He was decked out in skinny hipster jeans and a gray sleeveless bubble vest over a checked shirt. As soon as he entered, he walked over and shook her hand. “Chauncey Mayo. Call me Chaunce,” he invited with a white-toothed smile. “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Burns.”

  First misstep. “Brown,” she said correcting him. “Bernadine Brown.”

  “Oops. Sorry. My bad.”

  She eyed Riley, who looked everywhere but at her. “Have a seat,” she offered. “And tell me why you’re here.”

  “Thanks. I’m from Watershed Productions in Hollywood. You heard of us, right?”

  “I have.”

  “We’re the company behind the movie Cletus Goes to Hollywood.”

  She felt a headache rising. “And?”

  “Mr. Curry wasn’t sure if we needed a permit for the parade. He said you run the administrative offices and you’d know, so, do we?”

  “Do we what?”

  “Need a permit for the parade?”

  “What parade?”

  “Cletus’s Homecoming Parade.”

  Bernadine sat back in her chair and drew in a deep breath. When she was certain she could speak calmly, she said, “Cletus’s Homecoming Parade.” Her eyes pinned Riley to his chair and he squirmed. “I’m afraid Mr. Curry hasn’t shared any information about a parade.”

  Chaunce wasn’t fazed. He launched into a spirited tale of bands and floats and confetti that left Bernadine so outdone, she had to take in another deep breath. She met the eyes of the smiling Chaunce. “There isn’t going to be a parade, Mr. Mayo.”

  He paused and stared at her for a moment. “What do you mean? Mr. Curry has already given us the go-ahead. We just need to make sure we don’t need a sign-off from the county or whatever entity that handles these things.”

  “I’m the entity.”

  “But he’s the mayor. You work for him, correct? He says jump. You ask how high.”

  Riley cleared his throat loudly and rolled his shoulders in a way that let Bernadine know he knew he was in trouble up to his dyed black hair. “Mr. Curry is not the mayor, Mr. Mayo.”

  Riley spoke up. “But I will be after the election.”

  Her glare made him jump, then go silent as a piece of firewood. “Riley, how about you let Chaunce and I speak privately. Have a seat in the conference room. We won’t be long.”

  He opened his mouth to protest but he appeared to see the fire in her eyes and the steam rolling from her ears, so he nodded and exited.

  Chaunce had confusion all over his face.

  “Now. Mr. Mayo. Riley Curry is running for mayor. The election will be soon, and he has as much of a chance of winning as you do.”

  He cocked his head.

  “Even if I did give you clearance to have this parade, your company would have to spend a fortune flying in extras for the crowd scenes, because I guarantee no one within fifteen miles will attend.”

  His jaw dropped. “Why not?”

  “To put it politely, Cletus is not well liked here. For many reasons.”

  “But—”

  “He’s such a pariah, there’s a court order restricting his movements within the town limits. He killed a man—it was in self-defense, but the man is still dead. He wrecked Riley’s house to the point it’s been condemned, and the contractors that razed it were forced to wear haz-mat suits to do the job. Do you need to hear more?”

  Chaunce’s eyes were as wide as the Mississippi and he coughed a few times as if choking on his reaction. Finally finding his tongue, he asked, “So what is your role here?”

  “I own Henry Adams. As in my name is on the bill of sale. Riley Curry is known for fudging the truth, so I’m sorry you flew all this way for nothing. There will be no parade.”

  “My boss is not going to be happy.”

  “I can’t help that.”

  “Suppose we offer a donation to your favorite charity?”

  She was done discussing the subject, and so had no response.

  “You can’t stop a Hollywood studio.”

  “I can buy your studio tomorrow and have you and your boss out of a job by Friday. Just because I’m female and in a small town doesn’t mean I’m impressed by Hollywood.”

  “We’ll sue,” he threatened.

  “Fine, and when my lawyers are done, I will own the studio. Have a nice flight home, Mr. Mayo.”

  He sat there a moment sizing her up.

  She waited.

  He finally got to his feet and said icily, “A pleasure meeting you. Not. Tell Mr. Curry I’ll be in touch.”

  “I’m not his secretary.”

  Full-on angry, he stormed out.

  Bernadine opened the intercom to Lily’s office. “Lil, Riley should be in the conference room; can you send him back in here, please.”

  A moment later he walked in. Sheepishly. “Yes?”

  “There will be no parade. Goodbye.”

  “But—”

  “Good. Bye.”

  Riley hung his head and departed.

  Lily came in and took one look at Bernadine’s face and asked, “What did Riley do this time?”

  When Bernadine told her, Lily’s jaw dropped. Bernadine then said, “So, between I’m the mayor Riley Curry, and Mr. Chauncey, call me Chaunce, Mayonnaise, I’ve had it. I’m going home and fly my kite.”

  “Your kite?”

  She closed her laptop and picked up her purse. “Yes, my kite.”

  “Like the ones you used to fly with Mal?”

  She put on her jacket. “Yes. I need the stress relief.”

  “When did you buy a kite?”

  “I didn’t. It was a gift.”

  “From Mal?”

  Bernadine took her keys out of her purse.

  Smiling, Lily crossed her arms and eyed her speculatively. “Did I miss something?”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “So you aren’t going to tell me.”

  “Bye, Lily.”

  As she headed down the hall to the exit, a laughing Lily called out behind her. “I’m going to find out. You know there are no secrets in Henry Adams.”

  Bernadine kept walking.

  She drove to Tamar’s because that’s where she’d always flown kites in the past. There was such peace and serenity down by the banks of the creek. When she reached the gate and saw all the vehicles and tents in the yard, she remembered the Oklahoma clan was in town to help with Thad’s campaign. Their presence meant there’d be no peace or serenity, and Mal was probably somewhere around, too. Disappointed, she drove on, wondering where to go next. She ruled out the subdivision. Bernadine loved her neighbor friends, but she and the kite would draw curiosity, maybe unwanted company, and definitely unwanted questions, so she kept driving and thinking. The sight of tiny raindrops slowly dotting her windshield made her groan aloud. As it
increased to full, flat-out rain, she turned on the wipers and blew out a breath. No kite flying for me. Doubly disappointed, she drove home.

  AT THE END of the school day, Robyn grabbed her backpack, said goodbye to everyone, and ran the short distance through the rain to the church. Paula’s door was closed, which meant she had a session going on inside. Uncertain how long Paula might be, Robyn fished her e-reader out of her backpack and, after taking off her damp hoodie, settled in. She was reading A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney. It was about a girl like herself who was using her awesome powers to battle evil and save her friends and the world. Before moving to Henry Adams and becoming friends with Leah, Robyn didn’t know books like Blade even existed, but now that she did, she was devouring titles of what were called Young Adult Fantasy, as if she needed them to breathe.

  Robyn was so engrossed in the story, she had no idea how much time had passed when Paula’s door opened. Out stepped her cousin and Brain’s dad, Colonel Payne. Seeing her he looked uncomfortable, so she gave him a simple nod and went back to her story. Although his appearance was a surprise, she hid it so he wouldn’t think she was judging him for being there. Paula walked him upstairs to the door and returned a short moment later.

  “How was your day?” she asked.

  “Pretty good. I have a lot of homework, but what else is new.” She closed her e-book and followed Paula inside.

  As Paula gathered her belongings so she could drive them home, she said, “I got a text from Calvin. He found a nice family to rent Tyree’s house—a couple with three little kids.”

  Robyn hoped they’d have a better time living there than she’d had.

  “Also, Della’s house burned down.”

  “What happened?”

  “Young people were using it as a secret late-night party spot and apparently had candles to provide light. Fire department thinks either one was left burning or got knocked over but the place burned to the ground.”

  Robyn was outdone. “I guess you and Cal won’t have to worry about what to do with it anymore.”

  “No, but someone needing a home could’ve used it. Now, it’s going to be torn down.”