Black Temptation

Chapter 44

Eyes still puffy, I thank and tip Palé for the cab drive. I learned his name by small talk about puppies, Italians, and how bacon keeps me young. Also, he was caring so as to ask what happened to me, keeping my response brief and vague. I walk to that burnt yellow cottage house that hasn't been occupied for months. Ms. Tote owned it so she can just leave and go whenever she pleased. I miss her. She hasn't written lately. Probably to wound up in the affairs of her estranged children or....no.

Key in hand, I walk in, smelling the spearmint and eucalyptus that seem to cake off the wallpaper. I try to turn the light on but, as expected, they are off. The moon's gleam over the earth and my phone are the only things I can use so I can find some candles. Lit and bestowed onto me, I push my bag near the floral print, plastic wrapped conch.

Lying sideways, my head resting on a hand, I tap the plastic cover and think to myself, for hours and hours. What is my next move? Will Harry let them know the chaos Peters has put us through? Will he tell them what actually happened?

Oh love, at night my thoughts wander and find you. This is the first time we've slept separate in months. I need a bigger flame to warm this cold shoulder.

Tomorrow is my usual day at my low wage job, online classes and life goes back to normal.

My shift starts at 5:30. That hasn't been the case in months since Caesar "knows" Harry and let's me come in 8-9 at Harry's request. Since we are not on real speaking terms (unlike the bull Harry tried to feed me to shut me up) I make it my job to come on time today.

As expected, there's not a lot of people here, and the sight of me so early into the day starts conversation. I ignore them, letting myself enjoy a cup of coffee before I get a tap on the shoulder.

Obviously it would be her.

"Well this is a change. What happened?" Adele asks as I look at her from the sides of the cup.

"Why did something have to happen?" I inquire.

"You never come early anymore." She adds.

"Well there's a time for everything and today just happened to be at 5:30." I throw my empty cup into the recycling bin, wiping a little excess from my lips.

"You just don't create another routine for the hell of it, McKenzie. Something happened."

"Can't I just do something and it not have to be because someone forced me into it and/or I was desperate? I came in early because that was supposed to be what I did for the past several months. Sometimes I didn't come in at all. I was not showing good responsibility skills and care for my work. That's all, Adele."

She squints at me and I roll my eyes, she knows I'm lying.

"Ok, if you won't tell me that, tell me why you needed that gun."

I cock my head.

"What gun?"

"McKenzie..."

I pause. "What. Gun?"

She gets my drift. We walk to the hallway and I allow her anything else she wants to throw in my face before I defend my choices once again.

"It's none of your concern, sorry."

"Well Harry certainly thought it was his."

"Well that is between me and him. You don't need to involve yourself in my personal affairs. It wouldn't be pretty. I'm serious Adele, don't ask me anymore questions."

She lowers her eyes, giving up her pursuit. I suck in my lips, feeling a bit guilty at my tone, but I just walk away. She'll get over it. She'll have to.

People start to come in. Show time.

It's been a week. Same old shit just a different day. It's almost like I never left. Everything's natural and set in it's place. My hair is starting to get a little puffy from the smoke when it's my turn to take the waitress shift. I wash my hands, grab my notebook and pad over to the unassisted table.

"Harr-"

Sent from my iPhone