Crossroads 2

 

Shifting gears to try my hand at romance, or attempt to.

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Crossroads 2

The Sandbox.

Elaine managed to get home close to midnight. Drenched to the bone, she shucked her wet clothes off. She liked keeping her apartment dark. Despite the mess she knew where just about everything was so she didn’t turn on the light. Padding down a rough carpeted hall she flounced on her bed, twining herself in the tangle of blankets.

The events of the day left her bewildered, laying in bed staring at the key in her hand. Opportunity, he said. This was beyond strange, who just hands a key to a shop to someone they just met? Closing her hand around the key, she held it close to her chest. She had to admit the possibilities were intriguing though the feeling that she would either sink or swim lent to some intimidation about the idea. Sleep came easy as Elaine slipped right into dream.

Elaine bolted upright, whatever she had been dreaming off was stolen by the sound of her alarm. Blinding groping for her cellphone she checked the time. Catching the device she peered at the time. Plenty of time to get up and get to her new job… Wait. New job? The key! She rolled in a near panic, shifting blankets trying to find it. Damn it! Rifling through discarded clothes on the floor, a sigh of relief escaped her lips, there it is! Determined not to lose the key again, Elaine looped it through a long slender cord and placed it around her neck.

Now to get dressed…what to wear? How do shop keepers dress? Well it was her first day and Elaine felt it best to make a good first impression. Ravaging the closet she pawed through the rack, black, black, more black. When did her wardrobe get so dark? Elaine slipped on a mismatched bra and panty set, she grimaced. She’d have to scalp up some change to do laundry soon.

Settling on one black blouse with a high neck line and flowering sleeves. Good start. Picking out a black skirt she slid on the garments and smoothed them out. Black on black, not so good, she reasoned. Breaking it up with a wide black belt with a golden colored buckle, she considered herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, eyeing the brush with distaste, now taking it up Elaine set about her task. Let the war begin…

Opting to wear her hair down, she tossed the evil brush on the counter next to the sink. Shoulder length, raven black hair, and black everything else. She looked like Death from the comics, minus the pale makeup. Tossing on a crimson marching band jacket, embossed with gold designs she nodded her approval. Much better. Adding a pair of gold plated earrings, Elaine pawed through her shrinking jewelry collection. Pentacle? No. Goddess symbol? No. She finally picked out a simple purple choker with a steel ankh in the center.

Breakfast consisted of a stale vanilla donut and cold rice she salvaged from the near barren fridge. The tough rice was washed down with liberal amounts of strawberry flavored milk right from the container. Looking at the bills tacked to the fridge with magnets, Elaine felt the pressure of stress assert itself. The apartment covered water, but that was it.

The electric bill bore a final notice that power was to be terminated in ten days, that was six days ago. Well at least she still had candles. Birthday candles. Rent was coming up fast, and her car was still impounded after it broke down north of Reno halfway to Stead. Screw that hunk of junk. Turning the power bill over she re-tacked it to the fridge just not wanting to look at it.

Buckling her favorite black calf high boots on, Elaine checked the time on her cellphone. She had ten minutes to catch the bus. A scratching sound came from the door to her apartment. Curious, Elaine opened the door and a blur of calico zipped past her.

Cursing, Elaine turned to follow the intruder. Prancing through her messy abode was a calico cat with bright orange eyes. Stooping to get at the animal the cat easily evaded the attempt. “Get over here!” Elaine said with annoyance, trying to corner the wily critter. No dice, she managed to brush her fingertips over its fur, but failed to get any closer. “I don’t have time for this! Come on, you are going to make me late for work!” The cat did not seem to share her appreciation for time as it purred and ran into her bedroom slithering under the bed. Checking the time, she would have to run. Shaking her arms in frustration Elaine fumed, “I will deal with you later!” and exited the apartment.

Locking the apartment, Elaine dashed for the stairs, passing the elevator which was open. Mrs. Mapes struggled with her wheelchair, the front wheels caught in the narrow groove separating the elevator from the building. The door banged against the side rail of the chair attempting to close. Mrs. Mapes’s elderly hands tried to work the back wheels, as she swore up a storm. She belted out a stream of obscenities that would turn most career sailors into catholic priests.

Closing her eyes, Elaine knew she couldn’t leave Mrs. Mapes like that. “Need some help, Mrs. Mapes?” Resigning herself to the fact she was going to be late on her first day, so much for a good impression.

Mrs. Mapes frowned folding her arms, “Damn elevator. Yes I could use a hand, and a loaded gun to take care of that idiot of a landlord. I told him I needed an apartment on the ground. Why are you dressed like a streetwalker?” She grumped angrily.

Putting on a fake smile Elaine felt her cheeks flush at the insult. “It is my outfit for work. I got a new job. Let’s see here…” Gripping the front foot rest, Elaine felt her back twinge as she lifted the wheels out of its entrapment. “There we go.” Mrs. Mapes rolled the chair forward into the elevator.

Like a switch, Mrs. Mapes’s mood changed to that of a gentle grandmother. “Thank you dear. You better hurry if you are going to catch the bus.” Elaine’s shoulders sagged, “I won’t make it in time anyways. I guess I will be late for my first day.”

Mrs. Mapes snorts, “Not on my watch. I’ll give you a ride.”

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Elaine sat in the passenger seat of the van, as Mrs. Mapes adjusted the rear view mirror, and then the side mirror, and back to the rear view mirror. Inside Elaine groaned, this was going to take forever. “You buckled in, sweetie?” Mrs. Mapes inquired with a smile. Elaine glumly tugged at the seatbelt, showing Mrs. Mapes that she was indeed buckled in. The van pulled out of the parking lot slowly, and into the turn lane. A black Trans-am swerved cutting the van off at the light. Plying the brakes Mrs. Mapes gaped. “That was rude.”

Beeping the horn to show her annoyance the driver rolled down the window and angled an obscene gesture at Mrs. Mapes. Elaine rubbed her temples, and Mrs. Mapes’s eyes closed to slits. “Is that so?” her voice as cold as ice. The light turned green and the car sped away.

Slamming the accelerator Mrs. Mapes took off in pursuit. Elaine gripped the panic handle as the van fishtailed keeping up with the car ahead of them. Mrs. Mapes wore an expression of stone cold determination tailgating the car. The car changed lanes, trying to pick up speed, which only made Mrs. Mapes smile. “Oh no you don’t! You got more power under the hood and you can’t even apply it right!”

Elaine felt the color drain from her face as Mrs. Mapes dogged the car, “You are going to get us killed!”

Taking a hand off the wheel, Mrs. Mapes patted Elaine’s arm, appearing oblivious to the speed they were going and the surrounding traffic. That grandmotherly condescending tone took over, “There, there, dear. My husband taught me how to drive and he was a get away driver for bank jobs back in the seventies. Now hold on, this one is going to eat some gravel.”

Clinging for dear life Elaine gasped in horror at Mrs. Mapes neatly clipped the car at the rear of the trunk, and casually applied the breaks as the car in front spun out screeching into the loose dirt on the side of the road. The driver of the car was frozen in motion gripping the wheel, pale as a ghost and shaking like a leaf. With a sniff Mrs. Mapes rolled the window down and raised her middle finger majestically to the traumatized driver with a soft smile as the van crept by the scene.

“We just hit that guy!” Elaine exclaimed.

Harrumphing, Mrs. Mapes, shook her head, driving off. “That was a love tap. You kids these days, scrape your knee and you have to go to the E.R. Long gone are the days of backbone, I guess. Now I have seen some REAL wrecks….like this one time back in eighty two…” Elaine fell into a numb shock as Mrs. Mapes drove on, attempting to regale her with stories of wild car chases and stunts.

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Pulling up to the shop, Mrs. Mapes finished her seventh story, growing a little confused. “I am not sure I actually did that one or saw it on TV, but I will never forget it. No sir ree, bob. Oh. Here we are. Have a great first day, dear!”

Elaine did not recall getting out the van, though she watched Mrs. Mapes drive off at the pace of a prowling ice-cream truck on the hunt for customers. Elaine patted herself along the arm, a Chinese method of grounding, assuring she was indeed alive and in her body. Checking the time Elaine managed a smile, she was only a minute late.

Fitting the key in the lock, Elaine entered the unlit shop. The smell of incense greeted her, sandalwood one of her favorites. Turning on the lights, she flicked the switch for the sign. The neon buzzed flaring to life. Something crunched under her foot; cringing Elaine prayed it wasn’t anything expensive.

Looking down Elaine frowned in puzzlement. Scattered all over the floor were pellets of what she assumed was dog food? Waving like a merry flag was a now empty plastic bag caught between the bars of the vent set near the ceiling. Jumping up, Elaine snatched the bag down, turning it over in her hands. Murmuring, she read the title of the bag, “Dragon treats, Barbeque Burned Barn flavor. For adolescent indoor dragons.” Her ears strained as she heard the sound of something scraping on metal from the vent. Rats! The store had rats!

Elaine plundered a phone book from behind the counter, tearing through it to the pest control section. She hated rats, and with trembling fingers she rapidly dialed the first number. Relaying her problem to the man on the other end of the phone, he sounded sympathetic. “Of course, what is the address?”

Elaine gave the address and the man’s mood instantly changed to reflect fear, “You ain’t got rats lady. Bye!” Click!

Stubbornly Elaine dialed another number, the same occurrence. Elaine called through a dozen names in the phonebook before giving up. It is not rats. No, I am not going in there. Get an exorcist. Click! Click! Slam! Seeing she would get no help anytime soon, she warily got a broom and swept up the pellets. Disposing of the ‘dragon treats,’ Elaine settled in behind the counter, eyeing the vent with suspicion.

Time dragged on, Elaine began to drum her fingers over the countertop. No one was here but her…and the rats. She convinced herself she might as well see the rest of the shop. Armed with the broom, Elaine poked around. The back office was overflowing with boxes and scattered paperwork. It would take months to go through it all. Before Elaine could explore the rest of the shop the bell at the front door jingled.

Another woman leaned in the doorframe, dirty blonde hair braided down her back. Imitation leather jacket slung over her shoulder. Tight blue jeans with black lace high top sneakers covered her lower half. Her appearance was average at best, taking off her sunglasses to chew on the tip. Her blue eyes considered Elaine, unimpressed. “You must be the new girl.” The statement came off as nearly dismissive and slathered with ‘Valley Girl’ overtones.

Bolstering herself, Elaine flashed a smile trying to be friendly, “Yes I am. My name is Elaine, Grey gave me the job, and I…umm I work here now.”

The woman clucked her tongue once, “Right. Look go get me some coffee or something.” Obviously not in the mood to be friendly.

Arching a brow Elaine peered at the woman, “Excuse me, miss…?” she asked tentatively.

A resounding snort came with a reply. “You are new, so let me fill you in. I’m Ruby Danes. You know, THE Ruby Danes, best reader in the city. I got the largest clientele any where. When I want coffee you get me coffee. I don’t get in until noon, no matter what the others tell you. The shop opens at ten. You are the only one here so you can’t do readings without someone else present to mind the store. I get the first three readings of the day, I take lunch at two to three and I am out at five. Shop closes at six. You with me so far?”

Elaine chewed her lip, tucking her annoyance back. “Yes, I am hearing you just fine. I was told I get to do readings here. If I don’t get to then what do I do?”

Brushing past Elaine, Ruby rolled her eyes, “Stock shelves. Dust. I don’t care. Oh and you have to do all the heavy lifting when the shipments come in. My doctor who is also my beautician says if I lift too much I could get stress winkles around my eyes. Now go get the coffee, and hurry. If customers show up I don’t know how to operate the register.”

Beside herself now Elaine felt her eyes fall to the floor, “But…I don’t have any money.”

A deep, painful, exasperated sigh came from Ruby. “Fine. Here.” Shoving a pair of singles at Elaine, “I take two sugars, and a half dab of crème. Do I have to show you where the store is too?”

Forcing her smile to remain intact, Elaine said. “I know where it is, be right back.”

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So the day went, Ruby took in a pair of readings, and gossiped on the plethora of social media sites she belonged to. Elaine rearranged the books, dusting off decks of tarot cards still in their packaging. She busied herself with watering the plants and humming one of her favorite tunes to keep her spirits up. People came and went, mostly to browse. Ruby left without saying a word at four thirty, leaving Elaine alone in the shop again.

Sullenly Elaine huffed deciding to dry mop the shop early. With Ruby blocking her on reading times how was she supposed to make any money? Elaine understood pecking orders and she had been shunted right to the bottom of one. Lifting the mat at the front door, a piece of paper fell free. Taking up the slip Elaine found herself chewing her lip furiously, it was a fifty dollar bill. Did someone drop it? Or had it always been there?

Elaine knew she could use the money, and warred with what to do with it. Reluctantly she headed to the counter, pressing the key to open the drawer. Nothing. Frowning Elaine peeked over the counter, and pressed the key again. The total counter sprang to life, ringing up seven oh seven. From her angle it looked more like ‘L.O.L. Great, the machine is busted, she thought. Fishing out the key she attempted to open the drawer with it. The key turned but it failed to open. Looking at the bill once again, she placed it under the strap of her bra. “If this belongs to anyone I swear they will get it back.” Elaine said.

The chimes in the store clinked softly as the air kicked on. The sound mixed beautifully as if orchestrated, carrying a familiar pacing. The tune she was humming earlier? Shaking her head, the place had to be playing tricks on her. Going over the chores that remained, Grey had mentioned feeding the dragons. Yeah, dragons right. Dragons in this store, where would they fit? She mused.

Elaine’s cellphone rang causing her to look upon it. She didn’t have any minutes left on it and hadn’t for two weeks. Still she could receive calls, at least. Eyeing the number she didn’t recognize it. Perhaps it was good news? Though, Elaine highly doubted it.

Putting the phone to her ear, “This is Elaine.” The line clicked as an automated message took over. ‘Hello this is Nevada State Power Company. Our records show…’ Elaine felt her heart sink. This was it, they were going to terminate my service, she thought.

The message continued, ‘That there has been an error on our records. We apologize for the double billing for the month of November. You account is credited with your last payment of two hundred dollars to this months bill of one hundred eighty dollars and fifty six cents. No payment is due at this time. Press one if you believe this message is in error, or two to repeat the message. Thank you, and have a nice day.’

Elaine covered her mouth, pressing two, listening to the message again. Pressing the number once more, now in awe of every repeated word, Elaine smiled. Closing the phone she giggled and spun around, arms wide looking towards the ceiling. One problem down, and if no one claimed it, there was actual money in her bra.

What the heck feed the dragons, she thought. This place was weird, but it might actually work out. Rummaging in the over crowded back room; she found a box containing the ‘Dragon treats’. “Hmm what flavor?” Elaine said aloud, playing along still not convinced there were dragons. “Let’s see what we got. Maiden Chew. Knight Surprise. Unicorn Flank. Villager Tears. Who comes up with these titles?” She made a face and took up a packet of ‘Unicorn Flank’.

Elaine winced as she heard scuttling in the vents, “Please don’t be rats. I wish you were actually dragons. Just not rats.” Taking the package she cast around looking for a container. Finding none, she scooped a brass cauldron off the shelf. Placing the decorative pot on the floor, she opened the ‘food’ bag open and poured the contents within. “Come and get it, I guess.” Elaine said with uncertainty. Not knowing what to expect, she stepped away from the improvised dish.

Watching the vent, Elaine waited. Minutes passed by, before she laughed at herself. “Dragons are not real, just spirit stuff. They are just in the spirit world.” Shutting off the lights, she shook her head making her way out of the shop for the night, flipping the sign to read closed. She patted the railing of the store, “I’ll be back tomorrow.” She had no idea why she said those words, but felt it was right.