Parlor Tricks

Chapter 19

Clara proved she was still masterful at spinning up a false glow on a moment's notice as Josie joined her and Hank in the sitting room. "Oh, Josie, you are so kind," her coo was back as she clutched her newly delivered tea.

Josie was more like Hank, providing a stiff smile in response.

"I should finish up the car so you can get to the market," Hank met her eyes and give as sincere a smile as he could. It felt painful, as though it were cracking his face. He ducked away before Josie could see the flush on his cheeks.

He escaped to the garage, knowing the car was complete. Still, he grabbed a duster and began long glides along the cold metal body. The past and the present tore apart his mind. His nature was to dive into his father and Peter's puzzle, but there was a tug to Josie, to a life. What kind of life could he offer?

His mind slipped to his childhood. He had found a vibrant crimson leaf clinging to one of the front bushes. It was his favorite color of red. He plucked it up and hid it in his pocket so Evie wouldn't scold him. Hank kept the leaf in his closet for days, hidden away, stealing glances at it as he dressed. As the days passed, the lively color faded to a dusty brown until one day, the leaf crumbled in his hands.

"Hank?" Josie splashed through his memory.

"Hey, Josie, the car is all set." There was an unnatural bounce to his voice that made his stomach churn.

"Oh," she seemed surprised to see the car in front of her. "Right, shall we go to the market?" Her bravado slipped back into her voice.

"You want me to come with you?" Hank regretted his instinct; of course, he would go.

"Well, in case this thing blows," she tapped the hood with a playful grin.

"Glad to hear you have such confidence in my work." He felt a tingle in his arms that urged motion, so he tossed the dusting cloth in the trash. "Let me grab my hat," he gave a subtle nod before he strode away with a bit more clip than he intended. He feared she would think he was running away instead of to. He rushed to the hat hook to deter any ill perception.

Josie's warm smile welcomed him back and soothed his concerns. The sparkle in her eyes hypnotized Hank, causing him almost to miss the keys she tossed in his direction with a "you drive."

The neighborhood market was simple, matching the mundane task of shopping. Hank had been coming to this market his entire life, and it held no excitement. Today was different. He shifted in the seat as they drove, trying to relieve the tension accumulated in his body. He attempted to suppress a smile at how silly he felt; a boy with a crush was the best description.

"What are you smiling at?" Josie had her own grin on her face.

Hank shook off his childishness. It was foolish to focus on this fondness when there were real matters at hand; his father, Josie's mother, Josie leaving.

"Nothing," he somberly murmured as he focused back on reality.

"You have a handsome smile; you should use it more," she added with a shade of mourning from its departure.

Hank couldn't help but let out a single laugh. "No one has ever said that before. I've been told I look like a rotting jack-o'-lantern when I smile."

It was Josie's turn to laugh. "I love jack-o'-lanterns, but they don't have two dimples like you."

The flair of a flush crossed Hank's face, even so, a smile tipped his lips with no effort to stifle it.

Time and comfort had frozen the market in the 1950s; Hank liked it. Soft lighting flowed indirectly from a drop ceiling to soft pastel blue counters that lulled the eyes into a restful placidity. The cases full of meats and cheese remained trimmed in tan that he was sure had once been leather, but were now some synthetic facsimile. The entire town was a bit of a facsimile of its former self, wishing it were still the hard-wearing, gleaming Formica world it had been. But erosion had not been kind, and the town was now more akin to a seedy mafia city where you either feared or were feared.

"I was thinking of good old steak and potatoes." Josie gave him a poke, pulling him back to the present. "You seem like a steak and potatoes fella."

Hank gazed down at her. They were close; only the slightest shift would pull her to him or, better, a slight dip would bring his lips to hers.

"I do like steak, but you and Clara may prefer something lighter," his words came in a whisper.

"Oh, hush." She let a hand slide down his chest as she spoke, sending shivers coursing through him. "I want to make something for you. Be selfish for once."

He smiled at the request, fighting the urge to be truly selfish and lean in for a kiss. "Steak it is."

Josie glided up and down the aisles, with Hank following loyally behind her. It didn't feel like a duty; he enjoyed watching her eyes gleam as a new idea struck her.

"Do you like corn? I love corn, except that it sticks in your teeth. It is a bit late in the season too. Maybe parsnips..." She held up a large white root with a mischievous smile. "Fun to say and fun to eat."

Hank just nodded with a playful smile as she continued. He found himself with a foot on the cart, letting it pull him after her, something he had not done since he was a child.

"Careful, someone may accuse you of having fun," she teased.

"We wouldn't want that. Sounds like a dangerous path to rumors."

"Oh, we should get flowers!" Excitement radiated from Josie in a jostling manner that made Hank let out another undeterred laugh.

"Get roses, yellow. They're Clara's favorite," he called after her as he got into the checkout line.

He was still smiling to himself when he heard his name from behind him.

"Hank, that is you," Evie's warmth greeted him.

"Evie," his smile carried over to her as she came into him for a hug.

"You look well." She looked him up and down in loving scrutiny.

"As do you."

"Oh well, I don't know about that." She picked at her graying hair. "How is your mother?"

"Well, she has had a bit more life in her recently."

"They didn't have yellow, but the peach reminded me of..." Josie cut off when her eyes fell on Evie. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were..."

"No, no. I'd like you to meet Evie. She raised me." Absently, he pulled Josie closer with a gentle hand on the small of her back.

"Hello," a broad smile spread across Evie's face, making Hank flush again.

"Josie has been staying with my mother and me while I work on her car," Hank clarified.

"Well, it must be something special if Hank is working on it." Hank let his hand fall from Josie as Evie looked on.

"Well, it sure is special to me, not sure if it would be to anyone else." Josie extended a hand to Evie. "It is nice to meet you. If you had a hand in Hank, I should thank you; he is quite the gentleman."

"Oh, he was born that way." Evie gave Hank a wink.

"I'm making dinner tonight to thank Hank and Clara for their hospitality; would you like to join us?" Hank marveled at how easily Josie flowed with events. He always felt out of place, but Josie just made her own place.

"Oh, that is so kind, but I can't tonight." Evie and Hank shared a smile. As much as he enjoyed time with Evie, he was grateful she could not come. "It was wonderful to see you, Hank, and meet you, Josie."

Hank leaned in, giving Evie a tender kiss on the cheek. "Give Callum my best," he murmured as he pulled away.

"Of course, same to Clara." Evie left as quickly as she appeared.

Hank and Josie stood muted for a moment as the line drew them closer to the checkout.

"The peach roses are perfect." He spoke low, so he had an excuse to dip closer to her.

The ride home was quiet, but not uncomfortable. The peach roses sat on Josie's lap, filling the car with a fruity perfume. Various thoughts ran through Hank's head; conversation starters. But nothing seemed better than the comforting blanket of the quiet. It was just a short drive, but long enough for Josie to lean silently onto Hank's shoulder. He felt himself stiffen but willed his body to relax. He allowed himself a moment of enjoyment.