Little Red House

Chapter 7 - Suddenly Found

Chapter Seven

That evening I spent time watching TV. Michael was sober because he had slept the whole day. He slumped on the coach but twenty minutes into the movie he dozed off. 

I gave so much effort into forgetting Colin's offer to glance at the camera reviews. I was afraid of what I would see, discover. I pictured Ricky glancing around  nervously and then taking a package from the mystery girl. It wasn't something Ricky would do. Most importantly, he had no motive. Not that I knew of anyway. The grocery bag, the receipt, the gloves, the package, Vanessa; all pointed to the events that occurred in only a couple days. The images swirled into one big blob giving me a huge headache. I couldn't just sit there at the apartment, breaking my mind over useless theories and explanations. I quickly stood up and reached for my keys,

"That's it! I'm going to Walmart," I declared to no one in particular.

When I had arrived, I headed directly to the Paper & Cleaning aisle and threw in paper towels. Then to the refrigerators and placed frozen pizza into the cart. I slowly pushed the cart along the rows of cashiers, looking for a particular blonde. I had spotted her at the third register. I got in line with my items and n a few minutes the girl was ringing up my purchase. Her clip plate name read Vanessa. 

"Hello, how have you been?" She asked without glancing at me.

"Good," I cleared my throat. Vanessa looked up and gasped,

"Oh! I remember you. Emma, right?" her face alighted with a bright smile.

"Yeah, it's me," I laughed.

"You work at the Chevron mini mart."

"And you work at Walmart, huh?"

"Sweet and simple," she replied.

"Do you remember the boy at the Mini mart where I work?"

"Ah, the cutie?" Vanessa's eyes twinkled in amusement as she placed my purchases in grocery bags, "Is he seeing anyone?"

"Uh, no. His name is Ricky. Did you two go to the same high school?"

"No, I don't think so. Why do you ask?"

"I just thought maybe you knew each other," I eyed her carefully. There was no sign of weather Vanessa was lying or not.

"That will be thirteen eighty-six," Vanessa typed a few keys, "And no, I don't know your friend. But I'm glad to hear he's single." She winked and took my twenty dollar bill. I stared at Vanessa but she didn't flinch. Either she was a good liar or she really didn't know Ricky more than just a cutie from Chevron. I bit my lip and decided for one more shot, directly to the point,

"What was in the package you gave him?" Something flickered in the blonde's eyes. Surprise? Recognition? Fear? Whatever it was she quickly masked it with puzzlement.

"Package? I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," she looked at me with confusion as she handed over the change.

I waved my hand in frustration,

"Oh, sorry. I must of mixed you up with someone else. Can't keep up with all the girls Ricky mentions," I joked.

"Oh," she laughed," Well here's your purchase. Thank you for shopping at Walmart." Vanessa stretched her lips in a forced smile. I thanked her and hurried to my truck. Vanessa definitely knew Ricky. Maybe not as a high school classmate but as someone else. I wondered what Ricky's reaction would be if I asked him about Vanessa. Would he lie also? 

The next few days were a blur. Everyday was the same cycle of work, spending time at the theater with Ricky, paying bills, and making sure Michael doesn't get in trouble. I decided not to pry Ricky with any more questions. Life went back to its usual daily flow. I haven't even seen or heard from Colin. I wondered if his 'goodbye' was forever. But I missed the air of intensity and the sharp smell of mystery. I thought over and over about Vanessa and her connection to Ricky. My imagination pooled over the possibilities of what the package contained. It could be anything really; from drugs to shoplifting. This town was the original where most people knew each other. Colin was so out of place. He carried an odor of spice and darkness. It attracted me and brought out the best out of my curiosity. I was happy for something new and fruitful in my dull life cycle but I dreaded the possibility that it involved something dark. Darkness that had Ricky at its command. Maybe I was over thinking this situation. These few days helped me relax and it felt almost as if everything was back to normal.