Sue, page 22
“Well, Sue, if that’s true then I’m really sorry. I don’t remember it that way, but you could be right.” A look of melancholy crossed his face. “It’s funny how people look back on the same events and see them differently.”
“Yeah, hysterical.” She didn’t bother to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
Eugene shoved his hands into his pockets and pretended interest in a skiff with its lone fisherman anchored near a point, line hanging lazily in the water.
Sue glanced from his bulging waistline, to the open-necked shirt where sparse red curls showed near his throat, and finally at his homely face with its heavy sprinkling of freckles.
He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “Well, anyway, did you hear I got engaged? I’m set to be married next spring.”
Sue let the tension drain from her shoulders. “Congratulations. What’s her name?”
“Retha. She wanted to be here today but had to work. She’s a cashier in a restaurant and this is one of their busiest days.” He fumbled for his wallet. “Here. Let me show you her picture.”
Sue eyed the pudgy woman in the photo. From the background, it appeared to have been taken at the Jersey Shore. Retha had one hand around the neck of a stuffed animal and the other gripped a puff of cotton candy, pink and fluffy as a cloud. She wore a wide, crooked smile, and a tattoo on her thigh peeked out just below the hem of her shorts. Her expression was open, full of good cheer. Sue didn’t know what to say so she settled for a noncommittal murmur.
“This one’s a keeper for sure.” Eugene beamed as he stuffed the wallet back into his pocket. He looked at Sue for a moment as if waiting on her approval.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it, Eugene. Good for you. For both of you, I mean.”
“I guess I ought to get back to the party. Mom wants me to help take Derek’s kids over to the petting zoo.” He took a few steps and paused to face Sue once again. “And hey, I’m really sorry about all that stuff when we were kids.”
“Forget it.” Sue gave him a tight little smile. “Water under the bridge.”
He turned and waddled back to the picnic area, hiking his pants as he went. As Sue watched him go, a strange sense of relief came over her. She’d confronted Mean Eugene, all on her own, and it hadn’t killed her. In fact, it hadn’t even been that difficult.
When Melvin caught up with her, she told him about it. Brown eyes curious, he said, “Point him out to me.”
“Over there, tubby guy in the orange polo shirt.”
“Geez, Sue. I think you could take him in a fair fight,” Melvin joked.
“I probably could now,” she agreed. “But not when I was a kid.” She poured the rest of her lemonade on the rocks below and eyed her empty glass. “Awww, my drink’s all gone. Maybe I’ll have a beer.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They strolled hand-in-hand back to the group to enjoy the rest of the day. Besides having countless conversations with relatives and playing games with the kids, they also attended the festival activities. The evening ended with Sue and Melvin lying flat on their backs on a blanket, gazing up as the sky exploded in blue, red, gold, and green. Later, they fell into bed, pleasantly tired, a bit buzzed from the beer, and filled with fire for each other.
At her next appointment with Dr. Camden, Sue discussed her conversation with Eugene. “So, another dragon from my childhood slain,” she finished dryly.
“How’d that feel?”
Sue considered the question. “At the time I said those things to him, it felt pretty good. But a little later, after Eugene had walked away, I felt kind of bad about it. He acted as if he didn’t know how mean he’d been to me. And he seemed genuinely sorry. I still don’t like him, though.”
“We don’t have to like our relatives, no matter what anyone says. We don’t choose our family. We’re stuck with the luck of the draw on that one.”
“I wish I could’ve stood up to him as a kid, but I guess better late than never.”
“Sometimes that’s the best we can do.”
Chapter 40
As the weeks rolled by Sue’s life continued to stabilize. Her appointments with Dr. Camden were reduced to twice a week, then once a week, and finally once every two weeks, a sure sign that Sue’s mental state was improving.
One morning in August, Sue gave Melvin a call.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Working on files. I can take a little break, though. Roxie and Will are out on jobs. What’s up?”
“Since the last time didn’t work out the way I planned, I thought we could give it another shot.”
“What are you talking about?”
She leaned back in her office chair and stared out the window at the bright summer day. “Dinner. My place. Six o’clock tonight. Be there or be square.”
Melvin laughed. “Shall I bring wine again?”
“Absolutely.”
“Anything else?”
Sue let her voice go tender. “Just your sweet wonderful self.”
“I’ll be there,” Melvin said softly. “Hey, how’s Gray Baby doing?”
“She’s good. Didn’t much care for her trip to the vet, though.”
“So she is a girl?”
“Yep. You can anticipate a bill for spaying down the road.”
“Wow. That’s something to look forward to. For her, and me. How exciting.”
“Well, I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
They said goodbye and disconnected.
At the end of the day, Sue hurried home and fed Gray Baby. Then she took a quick shower and dressed in shorts and a tank top. Before Melvin arrived, she lit scented candles and checked the roast she had started in the crock-pot that morning. Everything looked delicious and she gave silent thanks to her mom for walking her through the steps.
When Melvin knocked on the door, she nearly fell into his arms. He balanced a bottle of wine in each hand while she hugged him. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly.
“Mmmm. Raspberry?”
“Close. Strawberry-vanilla lip gloss.” She took the wine from him and walked toward the kitchen.
He whistled in appreciation as he followed her. “Those shorts look good on you.”
“Thanks.” Sue put a little sway in her step to entice him. She felt better than she had in a long time and it showed in the way she moved, the carefree tone of her voice, the glow on her face. She threw him a sultry look over her shoulder.
In the kitchen, he poured a glass of wine for each of them and then settled at the small table to watch her work. Gray Baby wandered in and mewed at Melvin’s leg. He picked her up, nuzzled her, and put her against his shoulder where she clung with miniscule claws to his shirt. He tried to pull her away, causing his shirt to come with her. “She doesn’t want to let go,” he remarked.
Sue swept over and kissed the top of his head. “I know the feeling.”
Melvin smiled, delicately extricated his shirt from the kitten’s barbs, and placed her in the crook of his arm. He grimaced as she kneaded his skin a few times. Then she settled herself and fell promptly asleep.
As Sue busied herself at the stove, Melvin sipped his wine. “My folks are moving back to Cyrus.”
“Really?” Sue turned, a large spoon in one hand. “When?”
“As soon as they get my grandparents into assisted living.”
“Here?”
“No, Grandma and Grandpa want to stay in Kansas. It’s been hard enough to talk them into giving up their home. There’s no way they’d move clear up here. My uncle got them on a waiting list for a really nice place in Topeka and they were recently accepted. It’ll be a couple of months before my folks move home, though.” He got up and topped off their glasses, stood behind Sue, and kissed her neck. “I’m thinking about getting a place of my own once they move back. Maybe I could find something close by and we could be neighbors.”
“That would be good, but I may have a better idea.” Sue didn’t turn around, but a smile spread across her face.
“What’s that?”
“I’ll tell you later. Why don’t you put Gray Baby in her bed and we’ll eat?” she suggested as she thickened the gravy.
When dinner was over, they made love with even more intensity than usual. Afterward, they cuddled and Melvin stroked Sue’s hair. “What was your idea?”
“Hmm? Oh, well, I’m really quite terribly fond of you.” Sue affected an English accent. “I thought perhaps we might consider sharing a place.”
Melvin chuckled. “Jolly good idea, old chap!”
Sue rose on one arm and looked down at him, a sneer on her face. “Old chap? Do I look like a guy to you?”
“Sorry.” Melvin blushed. “It was the best I could do on the spot; I’m not very good with impressions.” His expression grew serious. “Did you mean that, Sue? Do you really want to move in together?” He caressed her cheek with his fingertips.
She placed a kiss on his forehead. “I think we should discuss it. How do you feel?”
“You know how I feel, Sue. I’d love to wake up next to you every morning, go to bed with you each night. But, I keep some strange hours sometimes. Would that bother you?”
“No. I mean, it might, but I’d get used to it. By the time your parents move back, I think we’ll know if it’s something we ought to do or not.” She lay back down beside him. “You told me once that you aren’t comfortable with me, but you wouldn’t tell me why. Will you tell me now?”
“That’s simple. The reason was that I was attracted to you and I knew you didn’t feel the same way.”
“Well, that’s not a worry anymore.” She laid her arm across his waist.
He put his arm behind his head and stared at the ceiling. “I haven’t told you this, but my dad is kind of pressuring me to change my major.”
“To what?”
“He thinks I should study law. He wants me to be an attorney. Says the pay is better, more job security.”
“What do you want?”
“I want to own a business like Will’s someday. I don’t know if this town can support another one, so that could mean moving. Maybe even out of state. Then again, I guess I could go into law enforcement. I wouldn’t mind that too much.”
“Be a cop?” Sue shook her head. “Too dangerous.” She had a thought. “What about your boxing? Do you know I haven’t ever seen you fight? I mean, not inside a ring.”
“I haven’t kept up on it. In fact, it’s been more than a year since I competed. Too busy with work and school. It’s just something I had to do at one time, but now it’s run its course. Know what I mean?”
“I think so.” She snuggled in beside him. She knew exactly what he meant. Rolling onto her side, Sue propped her head in her hand and looked down at Melvin. His hair was tousled, his expression tender. She said, “I love you, Melvin.”
His eyes widened. He reached up and gently cupped her cheek. “I love you, too. I have for a long, long time. You have no idea how long.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“I was worried I’d scare you away.”
She looked thoughtful. “Maybe at one time. But I’m not afraid anymore.”
He pulled her in for a long kiss.
Chapter 41
“Dr. Camden recommended I read Reversing the Damage by Nella Cain. It’s an older book but I called Re-Books and they have a copy.” Sue gently rubbed her temple with one finger.
Melvin studied her a moment. He was sprawled on her sofa. They’d just returned from dinner at Applebee’s. “Did you check the library?”
“Of course. They have it, too.”
“So what’s the problem? Just get it from the library.” His eyes followed her as she walked to the window to close the blinds. “Is this why you’ve been so quiet this evening?”
“Yes.”
“I thought maybe you were mad at me or something.” He stood and walked to her, turned her to face him.
“Mad at you? No! Not at all.” She caressed his cheek before stepping away. “It shouldn’t be a big deal, but the idea of going into Re-Books again makes me nervous.” She paced a few times.
“So, don’t go.” He looked puzzled.
“That’s the thing. I need to.” She fidgeted with her fingers and looked away from him at a point over his shoulder. “I used to love that store. Have you ever been in there?”
“Yeah, but not often. I heard it’s under new management. I haven’t been in there since it changed hands.”
“I didn’t know that. But it’s still called Re-Books?”
“Far as I know.”
“Well, nevertheless, there was a time when I enjoyed hanging out there. Poking around the shelves. Relaxing in the reading area. The smell of all those books. Just the whole dusty old atmosphere of it. But since Zeke, I haven’t been there. I figured it would be too upsetting, full of too many memories.”
Melvin’s expression froze.
Sue noticed the look on his face and rushed to reassure him. “Oh, no. Not happy memories, Melvin. It’s not like that. It’s nothing to be jealous or hurt over.”
“Well, what then?”
“I hate it that Zeke stole that pleasure from me. It’s true the store reminds me of him. But it seems to me, the best way to deal with that is to start going there again. You know how it is. The more you’re exposed to something, the more desensitized you get. I need to do that with Re-Books. I need to create new memories in the place. It’s just that I dread the first time.”
“Want me to go with you?” He looked vulnerable, as if expecting her to decline his offer.
“Yes. I think it would help a great deal to have you there.”
He started toward the door. “Well, let’s go right now.”
“Now?” Sue backed up a step.
“No time like the present. When do they close?” There was a firm set to his mouth. He waited, hand on the doorknob.
“They used to stay open until nine.” Her pulse sped up.
He cocked his head, eyebrows raised.
“Alright. I’ll get my purse.”
They said little on the drive to Re-Books. Once there, they sat in the car, staring at the storefront for a few minutes.
“They changed the sign,” Sue remarked. “I liked the old one better.” Her palms were moist and her heart thudded against her chest. She noted these symptoms with annoyance. This is ridiculous. It’s just a building.
“Let’s get this over with,” Melvin snapped as he reached for the door handle.
Sue was stung. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I can go in by myself.”
Melvin’s features softened. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Of course, I’ll go in with you. But I’ll sure be glad when I don’t feel like I’m competing with a ghost anymore.”
“You’re not.” Sue took his hand. “You’ve been patient with me and I appreciate it. Just be patient a little longer. Please?”
He squeezed her fingers lightly and got out of the car. Sue followed.
When they pushed through the door of Re-Books, her anxiety melted away. The place was hardly recognizable. The reading area was gone. The aisles were now brightly lit, tightly organized, and had lost the old feel. It had been rearranged, too. The counter was in a different place, the shelves ran lengthwise instead of crosswise, and the books were organized by subject, not haphazardly placed on the shelves like before. Everything looked hard, glossy, and new.
“Wow.” Sue let her eyes travel over the interior. She was strangely disappointed. And more than a little relieved.
“You okay?” Melvin touched her arm.
“I’m fine.” She gave him a small smile. “Well, let’s find the book I need.” She walked to the counter, Melvin right behind her.
The clerk on duty was a young girl, probably a college student. She looked up Sue’s request on her computer and told her the aisle where she would find the book. Used books had been relegated to a section toward the rear of the store.
“Thanks.” Sue started to turn away, then asked, “Hey, what happened to the reading area?”
The girl flipped her hair over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. Lowering her voice, she leaned forward slightly. “New manager got rid of it. He said too many people were loitering around, just reading the books and not buying any. Plus, he wanted the room for new displays.”
“I see. Kind of a shame.”
The girl shrugged. “That’s the way it goes. Nothing good ever lasts.”
Sue and Melvin didn’t stay long. They found the book she needed, paid for it, and stepped out into the warm evening.
Melvin stopped her on the sidewalk, put both hands on her shoulders, and looked down into her eyes. “Well?”
“Zilch.” Sue stood on tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. “No painful memories, no reminders. I avoided the place for nothing. Now I can come back if I ever want to, although, the place has lost nearly all its charm.”
“True that.” Melvin guided her to the car. “New owner pretty much ruined it.”
As they drove back to Sue’s apartment, she congratulated herself. Sue Cox, dragon slayer.
Chapter 42
“Melvin, come in here.” Will called down the hallway before going back to his desk.
Moments later, Melvin appeared in the doorway. “What’s up?”
“Come on in and sit down.”
Taking a seat in front of Will’s desk, Melvin leaned back and watched as Will flipped through a yellow legal pad.
“I just got a disturbing phone call from a contact of mine in the department. He said a missing person report came to his attention. Let’s see...” Will perused his notes. “Dixon Barrett, thirty-one years old, seasonal construction worker, residence Nickel, New York.”
“Are we taking the case?” Melvin grabbed a tissue from a box on Will’s desk and began cleaning his glasses.
“No. This has to do with Sue.”
Melvin sat up straight. “Sue? How’s that?”
“Let me lay it out for you. Mr. Barrett was only recently reported missing, but he could have been gone for as long as three months. His sister said they didn’t keep in close contact, sometimes they didn’t speak but a couple times a year. Anyway, she got worried when she’d tried calling him several times and couldn’t reach him. So she took her key to his house and went over there. There were signs that he hadn’t been home in a while. Food in the fridge was moldy, mail piled up, neighbors hadn’t seen him around, that kind of thing. She contacted the police there in Nickel and, long story short, they’ve identified Dixon Barrett as the corpse found in the burned out school in Assaria. Dental records match.”
