BLACK VELVET ROSES

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Girlfriend.” Mrs. Jensen said before Kellie could finish. “Let’s go in, have a cup of coffee, and get to know each other.”

  Kellie swallowed, smiled, and followed Randy’s mom into his house. She was hoping Mrs. Jensen was just dropping off the groceries she was carrying and didn’t go upstairs to clean the house.

  She set the groceries on the table and started the coffee.

  “Do you need any help with the groceries?” Kellie gave Mrs. Jensen her best smile.

  “I’m fine. I know right where Randy likes his things. Whenever I go to the organic food mart I pick up the fruits and vegetables that are his favorites.”

  Kellie watched as she picked each package up and slid it into the refrigerator trying to remember what all of them were. She’d hate to invite Randy over to dinner and make the wrong thing.

  “There,” Mrs. Jensen said placing a clear plastic bag of string beans in the fridge. It was the first green vegetable Kellie saw. I wonder if he hates other green veggies or she couldn’t find any today. Her plan to learn more about Randy wasn’t working as well as she hoped. She did see he liked strawberries, cherries, blueberries, carrots, and cauliflower.

  The coffee was done and Mrs. Jensen poured each of them a cup. “I didn’t expect to find anyone here. The house is always empty when Randy’s at work.”

  “I had a small problem at my house and Randy offered to let Rufus and me stay here last night.” She smiled again not knowing what else to do.

  “I see.” Mrs. Jensen glanced at her over the rim of her cup as she took a sip of coffee.

  “Randy has a beautiful home.” Kellie smiled again shifting in her chair.

  “Yes, he’s trying to update it. I wish it could stay the way my aunt kept it. She and my mom grew up in this house, but it’s Randy’s now and he’ll take good care of it.”

  “I’m sure he will. He spoke highly of the house and his aunt. Would you like more coffee? I could get it for you.” Kellie stood to refill her cup.

  “I’m fine here.” Mrs. Jensen set her cup on the table and watched as Kellie poured more coffee.

  Kellie wished she had gone for a longer jog, but she was jogging in street clothes and it made the run a bit difficult.

  “Do you know much about Randy’s family?” She stared straight into Kellie’s eyes.

  “Nothing really. Last night was the first time I found out where he lived.” She sipped her coffee.

  “We’re a small family. My father retired early and moved to Florida with my mother. I’m an only child as is Randy. When my aunt passed she left everything to Randy. His father passed away when he was twelve and Randy would do odd jobs at the construction company. It was my husband’s. When Randy was old enough he worked full time. He owns it now. My aunt knew we had some hard times and wanted to be sure Randy always had his own home.” She was still staring into Kellie’s eyes.

  “I’m sorry to hear about Randy’s father. My parents were killed in an auto accident, but I was in my early twenties. It must be hard on a child that young.”

  “Yes, it was. I’m glad you can understand a bit.”

  “Kellie’s cell rang. “Oh excuse me, it’s Randy.” She smiled again. “Hi, yes I’m having coffee with your mom. She brought you fruits and vegetables.”

  “Oh no, she is super protective of me. Do your best to hold on. I’m coming home right away.” He hung up.

  Kellie said, “Randy has a long break and he’s coming home. He should be here soon. Would you like me to make more coffee for him?”

  “No, dear. I can do it.” Mrs. Jensen stood to make the coffee. By the time it was ready, Randy hurried in the back door.

  Rufus was barking and jumping in circles. Randy ignored him, gave his mom a kiss, ignored Kellie for the moment, and said, “Hi, Mom. It’s nice to see you. I didn’t expect you today.”

  “I can see that.”

  Kellie was ready to run. “I think they’re done at my house. I’ll be going. Thanks, Randy.” She rushed out the door with Rufus at her heels. She couldn’t get the SUV out of the drive and onto the street fast enough. She mentally thanked Randy for not parking his truck behind her.

  ########

  “Mom, what did you say to her? She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.” He stood in the middle of the kitchen and stared at his mom.

  “Nothing, I think she was uncomfortable because I arrived here just before she did. Neither of us expected to see the other.” She laughed. “Don’t be so paranoid, son.”

  “I know how you can be with my girlfriends, Mom.” Randy poured a cup of coffee and sat down across the table from her.

  “I want the best for you. Every mother wants that. Kellie seems very nice and I don’t have to worry she’s after your money, business, or house. She has more money than she’ll ever need. I know Kellie’s a Malone and she’s very involved with local charities. I’ve only heard good things about her.” She stared at her son. “Are you hungry? I could make you a sandwich.”

  Randy took a deep cleansing breath. His mom liked Kellie. That would make everyone’s life better. “Sure Mom, a sandwich would be great.”

  Mrs. Jensen began her preparation at the counter and was humming.

  Randy wondered what was on her mind, but decided not to ask.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Kellie took a deep breath as she drove away from Randy’s house. Unable to figure out what was on Mrs. Jensen’s mind she decided to ask Randy about it later. She looked over her shoulder at Rufus and said, “What are we going to do all day? We can’t go home with the shadow there. I didn’t get a shower after my run. Maybe we should spend the day in the car. We’ll go to that burger place on the highway you like where they’ll serve you a double cheeseburger without the bun. Sound good?” Rufus barked at her and did his best to nuzzle her from the back seat. “Down boy, I’m driving.”

  They drove to the dog park and Rufus ran around with the other dogs for thirty minutes while Kellie sat on a stone bench and watched. When her cell rang and she saw it was Randy she hesitated to answer for a moment.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, you didn’t have to rush off.”

  “I thought I’d give you and your mom some space. She didn’t expect me to be at your house and we ran into each other on your back porch.”

  “She didn’t tell me that.”

  “I guess that’s better than if she was fifteen minutes later and I would’ve been in the shower.”

  Kellie could hear Randy’s laughter. “I would have paid to see the look on mom’s face. She most likely would’ve called 911 rather than investigate.”

  Kellie stood and walked around watching Rufus while she spoke to Randy, “That’s not funny. She’s very protective of you. She told me a lot about you and your life. I’m sorry you lost your dad when you were so young.”

  “Wow, mom pulled out all the guns. She never brings up my dad. I suppose she went on about my grandparents being in Florida and we’re a small family. She was playing at your heartstrings.”

  “Well, it worked. I felt as if I were intruding.” Kellie kicked at a few stones near the path.

  “I think she liked you. At least she isn’t worried you’re after my money because you have more than I do.” He began to laugh again.

  “I’m glad you think this is funny. I don’t.”

  “You’ll like her better next time. We’ll have dinner or lunch.”

  “Maybe next year. By then she’ll forget today.”

  “What are you doing today? I’ll call you when I’m through with work and meet you at your place.”

  “Are you sure your mom won’t come looking for your truck?”

  The comment brought more laughter from Randy.

  “I’ll put it in the garage.”

  Kellie said, “Rufus and I are going to the burger place on the highway. They give him burgers without buns and he loves the place. After that we’ll figure out something.”

  “Okay, call if you need me,
bye.”

  “Bye,” she slipped the phone in her pocket and called Rufus. The two headed for lunch.

  ########

  Randy had to check on his crew and since it was Saturday, Kellie knew Taylor and Hunter would be home. She could stop by her house and get a few things done. Neglecting my house while staying at Randy’s isn’t a good idea, she thought.

  Kellie was raking the small amount of leaves that had fallen from the new tree in her front yard into her flower bed to use as mulch in the spring. I wonder, she thought, what I’ll do when it’s full grown. Hiring a neighborhood kid sounds like a plan. She returned to her raking. Kellie laughed at Rufus as he barked and chased the leaves that the wind blew across the yard.

  Hunter’s car rolled out of his garage and stopped in the drive. Taylor rolled down her window. “Hi, we’re going to the new mega-mart in Oakland. I’m going to buy a month’s worth of groceries so I don’t have to go each week. Do you want to come along?”

  “Thanks,” Kellie waved. “I have some work to do and I’m not in the mood for grocery shopping.”

  “Will you be okay? You’ll be here alone.”

  “I’m not going back in the house. When I’m done raking, I’m heading out to do a few errands and then to Randy’s.”

  “Okay, see ya later.” Taylor rolled the window back up and Hunter drove down the street.

  Taylor was chatting about how nice it would be to get all the shopping done at one time. “I made two lists, one for you and one for me. It won’t take us as long that way.”

  Hunter dropped his shoulders and said, “I planned on hanging out in the electronics department while you’re grocery shopping.”

  “Oh no, you eat the food, too. You’re going to help shop. I’ll make you a deal. For the first thirty minutes you can go to electronics and I’ll check out clothes and make-up. Then we meet in the grocery area.”

  “Okay, you have a deal,” Hunter said as he turned onto the highway leading to Oaklin’s mega-mart.

  ########

  Kellie put the rake in the garage and Rufus followed her. When her cell rang, she saw it was Randy. “Hi, what’s up?”

  “How about dinner, I’ll cook”

  Kellie tried to stifle a laugh, “You’ll cook. What are we having? Maybe frozen dinners?”

  “Funny, my mom thought her son should know how to cook and taught me well. It’s not too cold for me to barbeque a couple of steaks outside. How about twice baked potatoes and tomato cucumber salad to go with it? Oh, I make a great chocolate mousse.”

  “You make chocolate mousse?” Kellie’s mouth watered at the thought.

  “It’s my mom’s recipe and the best you ever ate.”

  “You and chocolate mousse, how can I say no?”

  “I’ll meet you at my place before five. Should I pick you up?”

  “I can drive.”

  “I know, but I’m a gentleman. Plus if I drive I can decide when you go home.”

  “You think so, huh?” she smiled. “I’ll see you before five at your place. I’ll drive.”

  She called Taylor’s cell, but it went to voice mail. “They must be in the store,” Kellie mumbled. She left a message that she might not be home all night and they shouldn’t worry. She’d be at Randy’s. Then she hurried upstairs to take a shower.

  “C’mon Rufus, shower time.” Rufus followed her and she closed them both inside the bathroom where the shadow wouldn’t enter.

  ########

  Taylor and Hunter were talking and listening to the music on the bright sunny afternoon. “What a beautiful day,” Taylor said. She closed her eyes and sang along to the song on the radio.

  Hunter, grateful the traffic was light, enjoyed the ride and Taylor’s singing. As he watched the road in front of him, the black shadow appeared in the middle of the road. Before he had time to speak, the shadow appeared directly in front of an oncoming car blocking the driver’s vision. The driver swerved into Hunter’s lane in an attempt to avoid the black figure. Hunter swerved to the right trying to avoid the other vehicle.

  The sudden jerk of the car caused Taylor to open her eyes, but she didn’t have time to make a sound before the oncoming car hit Hunter’s car head-on. He hit the driver’s side of the car causing it to spin and Taylor’s side of the car hit an electrical pole near the rear door. The air bags deployed with the first hit, but didn’t help when the car hit the pole. It caused their bodies to move sideways forcefully. Hunter’s seatbelt held him in place, but there was enough play in Taylor’s for her arm to hit the door. Then the car stopped at the side of the road.

  Taylor’s wrist, forearm, and face hurt, but nothing that she couldn’t handle. Hunter was moaning. She knew his injuries were much worse than hers. A stranger looked into the car and yelled that he had called 911. He disappeared from Taylor’s sight as she tried to help Hunter.

  “My leg hurts,” Hunter whispered. “I can’t breathe well. My chest hurts. Can’t catch my breath.” He didn’t move when he spoke.

  Taylor said, “An ambulance is coming. Don’t move. You may have broken ribs. That is why it’s hard to breathe and hurts. Maybe you broke your leg, too.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “My wrist hurts. I think it hit the door and my face hurts. I’m not bleeding. I think the airbag hit my face. Hang on sweetie, I hear the sirens.” She reached for him with her good arm, but stopped afraid she would hurt him. “I don’t want to hurt you so I’m hugging and kissing you with my heart.” His smile lessened her worry a bit. She knew being responsive was important so she continued to talk to him.

  The police and fire department arrived and were unable to open Hunter’s door. It had been crumpled in the accident. Taylor’s door opened after a few pulls and the paramedics helped her out over her protests to stay with Hunter.

  “Ma’am, we need you out of the way so we can extract your husband and treat him.” She agreed and was able to stand when she left the car, but they insisted she lie on the stretcher immediately.

  “I love you, Hunter,” she called out as she was taken to the paramedic van. The paramedics checked her out. She could hear the fire department using their equipment to extract Hunter and the man in the other vehicle.

  “He’s out, Taylor,” the paramedic said as he slid a temporary cast over her wrist and forearm. Taylor finally let the tears she had been holding in fall.

  “Is he okay?” She could barely speak, her voice trembling.

  “He’s in good hands and you’ll see him at the hospital. I saw him speaking to the other paramedic. That’s a good sign.” Taylor heard the doors close, the van jerk a bit as it began to move, and the siren above her head. “We’re right behind Hunter’s van and we’ll be at the hospital in a few minutes. Take a deep breath, Taylor. You were lucky.”

  “Lucky, Hunter’s leg and ribs are hurt. How can we be lucky?” She stared at the paramedic.

  He looked at her while taking her blood pressure again, “You’re alive.”

  Taylor was afraid to ask what he meant by that. She had seen the car that ran into them while the paramedics moved her to the van. It was smaller than their big sedan and appeared to be damaged much worse. She offered up a silent prayer for Hunter and the person in the other vehicle.

  ########

  Kellie was doing a bit of research on her computer when her phone rang. The Caller ID let her know it was Mrs. Stewart. “Why would Taylor’s mom be calling me?”

  “Hello.” Kellie listened, the smile on her face turned to fear. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  She rushed to grab her purse and realized she might be gone for hours. “Come here Rufus. You’re going to be alone for a while. I know you don’t understand, but I have to leave and you can’t stay in the house. You have to stay in the yard. I’m going to call Cole and see if he’ll pick you up and take you to his house before he comes to the hospital.”

  While Rufus was outside, Kellie called Randy to break their date. “I’ll be there in five minutes
to drive you,” Randy said.

  “I know how to drive,” Kellie paced.

  “I know you do, but you’re stressed. Let me help. I’m already out my door and in my truck. Please wait, I’m on the way.”

  “Okay, I’ll wait. I have to take care of Rufus.” She filled his food and water bowl, placed them on the deck, let Rufus out into the backyard, ruffled his head and said, “Be good.” She grabbed her purse again and went out the front door as Randy’s truck pulled into the drive.

  “Told you I’d be here quick,” he smiled at her.

  She tried to return his smile, but once seated in the truck her tears began and she couldn’t stop them. Taylor had been her best friend since they were three. She couldn’t bear that Taylor was hurt and she loved Hunter like a brother. Worry consumed her.

  Randy tried to cheer her up, but she didn’t hear what he was saying. In her mind, she was playing in her backyard with Taylor. It was hot and they were running through the sprinkler. Giggling and playing without a care. Her mom was still alive and brought them fruit punch and cookies. Life was wonderful and Kellie thought it would always be the same. Randy’s voice brought her back to reality, “Kellie, are you listening?”

  “No, sorry. I was remembering what life was like when Taylor and I were three. Life was blissful and no worries. I can’t believe all we’ve been through,” she said wiping her tears. “I had to leave Rufus. I need to call Cole and see if he’ll pick him up before he comes to see Hunter. I hope Rufus can stay with them.” Her mind raced with broken thoughts jumbled together.

  “We’re here. I’ll drop you at the door and you go inside. I’ll park and find you, but first I’m going to go get Rufus and take him to my house. He’ll be safest there and I’m not family so I won’t be able to see Hunter for a while, if at all.”

  She leaned over and kissed him, “Thanks, you’re wonderful.” She jumped out of the truck leaving a smiling Randy pulling out to head back to her house.

  ########

  Kellie ran toward the E.R. door and hurried through them catching her breath. She saw Mrs. Stewart sitting in a chair, her hands folded in prayer. Mr. Stewart was pacing up and down in the waiting room near his wife’s chair.