Chapter 9
Sindy
When he let go of me, I stumbled into the rush of women about me. Like bees fleeing from a hive under attack, we all gravitated toward the deep windows. Thankfully, they opened. While others fluttered and cried about me, I slid off my shoes, jumped out, and rolled onto the ground. I searched the curb for my limo, but since it was barely after eleven, he was nowhere to be seen among the fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
I headed away from the party in the direction of the salon. It wasn’t a long walk, and I needed the clear air to think. I didn’t think he’d recognized me, but I had certainly recognized him. How could I not have?
All the things I’d read in romance books came back to me then. I understood what it meant when your heart pounded harder and you felt as though you could barely breathe. I had felt his muscled chest against my breasts, and I was fairly sure that wasn’t a pocket knife I’d felt pressing into my belly. His arms were strong and had guided me around the floor effortlessly. Even though the scent of smoke was strong on my dress, I could still smell his aftershave. I had inhaled it deeply as my nose rose to nuzzle the soft skin beneath his ear. We hadn’t spoken; there really was no reason for it. I knew I had made a good impression on him. He hadn’t danced with anyone else but me.
I hoped no one had been hurt in the fire, not even my stepsisters. I turned down Washington, a couple of blocks from the salon. As I came nearer, I saw that the lights were on inside. Alarmed, I tried to remember whether I had turned them off, and I knew distinctly that I had. What had happened while I was gone?
The answer came very soon thereafter. I fished my keys out of my small handbag and unlocked the front door. There stood my stepmother, her hair standing out wildly and her face flushed with anger.
“Where have you been? What the hell is that you’re wearing? I’ve been calling for hours and you haven’t answered. Now I find out that there was a fire at the birthday party and your sisters are at home. Would you like to give me some explanation, young lady?”
“Not really.”
She cocked her head as if she hadn’t heard me correctly. She wasn’t accustomed to my standing up to her. “What’s that?”
“I said I really don’t want to tell you where I’ve been.”
She stomped her foot. “Taking one look at you, I’ve got a pretty idea of where you tried to go. Since you didn’t have an invitation, I know they didn’t let you in. What did you do? Run off with the nearest guy who would have you? You filthy slut! I knew such behavior was inside you. It had to be. Your mother was a slut, too!
I slapped her. Not once, but three times before she was able to catch my hand. I growled at her, “You will never mention my mother to anyone again. She was a hundred times the woman you could ever hope to be. You are a vicious bitch, and I’ve had all I’m going to take of you.”
“Is that so? When did you get that little potty mouth?”
“I picked up a few words around the house, you might say. I’m done being your slave, Clarabella. I don’t know what my poor, late father saw in you, but my guess is you waved your fat purse beneath his nose, as well as the lease to this building, and he had little choice in order to protect me.”
“The kitten has claws, does she?” By this time her face was a purplish red and spittle flecked her chin.
There was no reason for me to stick around, or even try to go back to the house. I knew they would kick me out, so I would save them the trouble. I pushed Clarabella to one side, heading for the apartment at the back where I had left my day clothes. I carefully hung up the gown, put the aquamarine and shoes into the suitcase, and glared at her as I left via the front door. I’d never sneak out the back door from her again.
I stood on the sidewalk in the night air and fought to regain my normally calm disposition. I’d never spoken to anyone like that before, but then no one had ever given me reason to. Looking down the street, I spotted the blinking neon sign outside the One More Cup all-night coffee shop and headed in that direction. It felt more familiar than anything I could think of.
I pushed open the door and the bell overhead was triggered and tinkled. I took my favorite booth and sat down to think. The owner, a nice old man I called Uncle Tommy, brought a cup of coffee and sat down opposite me. The shop was otherwise deserted.
“Ya look a lil’ done in. Did ya hear about the big tadoo over at the Royal birthday party?”
I nodded. “Sure did, Uncle Tommy. I was in the middle of it.”
“No kiddin’?”
“No kiddin’. Believe it or not, the guest of honor danced with me all night. It was magical, Uncle Tommy. But… then… that sort of thing wasn’t in the cards for me. The fire started and it was over.”
“I’m sorry, darlin’,” he muttered, reaching over to pat the back of my hand. I realized how odd I must look with my updo and makeup.
“Mind if I use your washroom?”
“Sure thing. You go on ahead.”
“Watch my stuff, will ya?” I asked, and he nodded.
I locked myself into his tiny bathroom and had a good cry. The little makeup I was wearing streamed down my face. Eventually, my shoulders stopped shaking. I washed my face, dried it with paper towels, and then pulled out the pins that held my hair. It was a little stiff on the top where I’d sprayed it, so I ran my fingers through it. I’d put the tiara in the suitcase. I would have to figure out a way to return it to Mrs. Brand. First, I needed to find somewhere to sleep that night.
I pushed on the lock and opened the door, heading down the aisle to my booth, but someone was blocking it. I looked up, my mouth open to ask him to let me get by, but then I saw who it was.
It was Lance Royal, and he was staring right at me.
“Sindy?” he said, more than asked, but the tone was perfect regardless.
I had to play it stupid. I couldn’t let him know. “Oh, yeah, you’re the guy I gave directions to the other day, aren’t you?”
He nodded. He gestured to the booth where I’d been sitting. “May I join you?”
I looked around for Uncle Tommy, but he was busily wiping the counter and trying to look like he was minding his own business.
I nodded. “Sure.”
While I sat, Lance asked Uncle Tommy for a cup of brew and came to sit opposite me. He stirred one packet of sugar into his cup, and I found myself memorizing the back of his hand. I knew what it felt like at the small of my back, but this was the first time I’d really seen it.
“We’ve met before,” he said simply, studying my face.
I looked down into my lap, but then the tears started and I was lost. I nodded and then opened my purse and pulled out the blue mask, sliding it across the table in his direction.
“I knew it!” he exclaimed. I nodded again and pulled a tissue out of my purse. Lance reached over the table and grabbed my hand. “You’re coming with me!”
Startled, I looked up at Uncle Tommy, who simply nodded with a smile and waved goodbye.