Before Her Eyes

Chapter 16

I popped in my headphones and made my way down my porch steps. I decided to pluck one of Joe's roses as I passed it, I couldn't help it. His roses were always bright and full of life. I was used to seeing all of the dead flowers at my house, so I always appreciated his.

A few seconds later, I heard a screech of a window, followed by "DAMMIT MAY! HOW MANY TIMES DID I TELL YOU NOT TO TOUCH MY ROSE BUSH?"

I looked up to see a scowl on Joe's face, which only deepened when I waved at him with his rose in my hand.

I didn't like to make Joe angry, but I did like it when he interacted with me, even if he was angry. He didn't talk to anyone and rarely left the house. I asked Dana why he was the way he was, and she told me his wife had a little accident a while ago.

I didn't know what exactly that entailed, but I wanted him to keep in touch with the world. I was ok if he was a cranky old man, but I don't want him to be a cranky old man who withers away inside his home.

I thought he was secretly lonely, but he would never ask for company or even attempt a conversation with anyone. In a weird way, I thought taking his flowers helped him.

I turned around and continued on my way to the Diner with a small smile on my face.

Once I was halfway to the diner, my music briefly paused, I looked down to see I had a text from an unknown number.

"Meet today at 3478 Smithfield Ln. at 8pm."

"Who is this?" I messaged. Confused as to who would be texting me.

"I'm sure you can guess."

My brain filed through all the people who could've been texting me. The only person who could possibly have my number was Valon. I remembered that I had put my number in his phone just in case he wanted me to pay for the damages on his car.

I didn't have any money when I first offered, but now that I had a job at Mary's, maybe I could pay him in installments. It might take me the rest of my life to pay it off, but at least I would feel better about running into his car.

"It's about the car, right?"

"Be there at 8 pm."

"Ok," I replied.

I couldn't help but be a little excited and a little nervous to see Valon again. But I couldn't help but to think why was he just now wanting the money? It wasn't a problem, of course, but why was he just now wanting the money....?

I pushed the thoughts away and continued on my way to the diner.

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I hummed a soft tune as I lathered the dishes with soap in the diner's kitchen.

"Darling, I can ta -" Mary said as she walked into the kitchen, but her voice dwindled into a complete silence.

I quickly rinsed the dish and placed it on the drying rack before I turned around to Mary. She was a few shades lighter than normal, and her expression was a mix of shock and fear.

"What's wrong, Mary?" I knitted my eyebrows together, hoping something wasn't happening to her that I couldn't see.

She gulped and shook her head.

"It's nothing, Darling...." Her tone clearly contradicted her words.

I arched my brow, waiting for her to tell me what was actually wrong. I had never seen Mary act like this before, so I knew it was something serious.

"It really is nothing serious. It's just that tune...." She trailed off.

"Tune?" I questioned.

"That tune you were humming. I've only ever heard one person sing it....."