Rabbits in the Garden

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5

It had been a wonderful day thus far, and Vi was determined to keep it that way. The dreadful lull between late morning, which was when he typically finished tending the garden, and five o' clock, which was when the garden received the most visitors, had been partially and unexpectedly enlivened by a certain tall, dark, stranger. Vi smiled to himself as he continued plucking dead blooms off a rose bush.

Well, he thought, Marc's not quite a stranger anymore.

He hoped sheepishly that he hadn't offended Marc with his talk of gossip and frogs. Marc had left so abruptly, it was as if he had seen a ghost. Considering the observatory was built before Vi's great-grandma was born, he wouldn't be too surprised if he had. However, Marc didn't look like the type to believe in ghosts. Plus he had seemed uncomfortable from the beginning, so something must have just been the final straw.

Dang it, he chastised, it probably was the frog thing.

Sullenly, he looked over the rose bush for more dead areas. There was nothing he could do about it now. He wanted to excuse his own behavior, given he was quite nervous and unprepared, but that didn't negate the fact that he was still disappointed. He never expected his seemingly reclusive neighbor to just show up on his doorstep, and he knew for sure he had fumbled his opportunity to make a good impression.

"Viiii!" cried a high-pitched voice behind him. He turned to greet whoever had shouted after him, and was met with the open arms of an enthusiastic regular.

"Cassandra!" He replied and wrapped her in a big hug.

Cassandra was a member of the local school board, and the mother of four children. Two of whom were accompanying her, the youngest clutching to the leg of her slacks, and her seven-year-old running excitedly around the center fountain. She grinned at Vi. It was a sly, knowing grin that never failed to send a shiver up Vi's spine.

"So?" she asked, without preface or follow-up. When Vi responded with an innocent smile, she continued. "Did you hear about Bethany?" She looked like she could hardly contain her excitement. Vi raised his eyebrows and shook his head. Cassandra gave a contented hum.

"I think she's about to get fired." This news was delivered in a bit more sing-songy of a tone than Vi would have used. "She's been so obsessed with her little side project with the fire department, she doesn't even know people found out about her cheating on her husband."

Vi's jaw dropped. No wonder she seemed excited. "Isn't her husband..."

"The superintendent? Yes."

"But they can't really fire her for something like that, can they?"

Cassandra waved him off. "They can't technically fire her anyway, but they can make it in her best interest to step down. Besides, I run the books." She leaned in close to Vi with a particularly devilish look. "She's been skimming cash off the top for years. Has to be over five grand worth now." She chuckled. "So I don't think she'll make much of a fuss."

Vi shook his head, in equal parts amazement and terror. "You get up to a lot."

Cassandra gave no reply beyond a small, proud smirk. "So what's new with you?"

Vi knew exactly what that question meant. At least, when it came from her. He put on an innocent smile.

"No news this time."

She frowned at him. He swore he could even hear her tut. "Aw come on, this place is like a hub, you gotta have something. Any news on the weird neighbor?"

Shit. There it was.

Vi took a deep breath and steeled himself.

"I um... I actually met him today."