CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Ruby
The trail of pecan praline coffee perks me up before I open the door to the marina store. There’s a pot of Community Coffee brewing at all times. Gus has started using specialty blends since I began working here. So far, King Cake is my favorite.
“Hey, boss man.”
Gus smiles like he’s been waiting on me and flashes his gums. “Morning to ya, Cher.” He pours me a cup of coffee in the mug he’s designated as mine. It’s extra-large and thick ceramic. I love the grayed out skull wearing a goth style witch hat.
“How about that picnic, little lady?”
Blood floods my veins and I blush from the inside out as I recall the intimate time on the boat. “I heard you had a hand in the surprises. I can’t thank you enough. It was perfect, and carnations are my absolute favorite. How’d you know?”
He drops his gaze. His chin falls, and a distant expression blankets his face. “I took a guess. They were Mary’s favorite. You remind me a lot of her. Spreadin’ sunshine everywhere ya go.”
“I don’t know about all that.”
He pulls his head up and straightens his sharp shoulders. Gus locks his stare on mine. “Don’t do that. It’s true. That boy’s face is nothing but a bright ray of sunshine, only brighter than any sun when he says your name. That boy loves you something serious. You just gotta let him do it.”
“Anyone ever told you that you’re a wise old man?”
There’s that grin. He winks and says, “Oh, Cher, it’s all in the training. Mary trained me real good!”
“You’ll have to be sure to give me some tips.”
“I think you got it covered. Now, let’s see what mess we can get into today.”
We busy ourselves checking items off the to do list. Gus taught me how to record consignments from local growers. It was great. Only one woman stared at me like I done wiped my shit covered shoes on her best towel. And yes, I bet she has a favorite towel. Everyone else was kind and warm. I could have talked all day long. If this is what it feels like to go to work, I’ll take it.
“I’m gonna make a dumpster run if you think you’ll be alright here by yourself. It’s just four miles up the road. Shouldn’t be long.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Need help loading it up?”
He shakes his balding head. “I ain’t dead yet, girl.”
A chuckle gets caught in my throat. The man certainly has a sense of pride. And it’s something to be revered and admired. I go back to dusting the canned goods and get lost in my thoughts. My mind is rooted on him. Kingston.
I see colors that remind me of his eyes everywhere I turn. The gold specks remind me of Gus’s words. They’re like actual rays of sun penetrating way down in my soul. He smells like the crisp, fresh air of early morning. His lips are the best. When his prickly hair tickles my sensitive skin, I just want to give him all of me. I remember the way he makes me quiver just by using his mouth.
“Owww!”
A muffled cry reels me back in. It’s Gus and it’s coming from outside. I race out the door and find my friend face down in the dirt.
“Gus!” I rush and drop to his side. “Are you ok? What happened? Gus, talk to me.”
He pushes his palms into the gravel and pries himself up off the ground, rocking back on his bony bottom.
“Shit, you’re bleeding.” I pluck the cloth I have tucked into my belt loop and dab at the gash on his chin. “It’s busted. Who the fuck would do this?” I jerk my head around and scan the area. There’s no one in sight.
“You said it, a fucker.” He tries to laugh but ends up spitting blood into the dirt. He begins to cough. It’s just a little at first, but then it grows into something bigger and harder, coming deep from his lungs.
“Damn, I think I should call an ambulance.”
“Hell, nah. Those things cost an arm ‘n a leg. I’ll be alright.”
I shake off his nonchalant tone. “It’s bad, Gus. I can drive. I have my car today. You won’t have to pay anything. I can lock up and check on the store tomorrow.”
“No, ma’am.” He allows me to place an arm around his back to help brace his crippled weight. “Just take me inside. A little rest and I’ll be good as new. Now com’on, child. Get my old ass outta this heat before I wrinkle.”
“I ain’t about to disobey my elders. Let’s go then.” It takes a solid minute to hobble inside. I help my friend prop himself up on a stool. I pivot the decrepit, old fan that’s clipped to the register around to face Gus. I listen to him hacking up a lung and it leaves me heavy. I can’t stomach much more when I notice the way his body shakes with each cough. I race to get him a cup of cold water and force him to sip on it while I search for a first aid kit. Or Band-Aids, paper towels. Damn, anything that’ll work as a bandage. I stumble across a stack of dusty, old marina t-shirts and manage to rip off a few strands.
“This is all I can find. Got any alcohol or peroxide around here?”
“Cher, this is the only alcohol I keep on hand.” He reaches into the center pocket of his overalls and produces a dull, silver flask. He takes a good pull and holds it out, arching his thin brow.
“No, thanks. Besides, you might need an extra shot when that pounding headache hits ya. Dammit, you sure I can’t talk you into going to the hospital?”
“Nah, doctors are all fulla shit nowadays. I’ll stay right here in my own little oasis. Really, Cher. Don’t you worry about me. Listen, we’re good here. You can head on out.”
“And leave you alone? Hell no!”
“I ain’t gotta drive nowhere. I’ll lock up and walk the fifteen steps to my place out back. I’ll even promise not to go to sleep right away. I’m good, girl. Trust me.”
It’s surreal to have people in my life. To have people I care about and who care about me. I want to make sure Gus is safe, but he also needs me to respect his decision. His pride and privacy.
“Well, alright then. As long as you’re sure. You have my cell number. I wrote it on the chalkboard in the office. You call me if anything changes and you get to feeling worse. Got it?”
He holds up three fingers. “Swamp’s honor.”
I give him a quick peck on his gaunt cheek and he snickers with surprise and delight. I walk away realizing just how crushed I would be if something happened to my sweet friend. I try to shove the thoughts to the back of my mind and fill my head with new thoughts. Happy thoughts. Thoughts of going home, even if it’s temporary, and sit down to supper with my family before heading off to bed with him.
Him.
He loves me. I see it. I never imagined I would hear those words. Not said to me. I never thought I was worthy, not after one shit show after another. But with Kingston, it’s different. Everything is different… with him.
Headlights flood my mirrors as a car speeds up behind me, making me grip the wheel tighter. I slow down enough to allow the vehicle to go around me, only it doesn’t. It closes in and the driver flashes his bright lights. It blinds me for a second and I fight to stay in my lane. My turn is coming up and I hope to lose the asshole.
I skirt the slight yield that curves off to the right and my heart sinks into my stomach when the car does the same, following quick on my tail. I fumble for my cell, but it goes hurling to the floor and under the seat when the jackass smacks my bumper. It’s then when I realize the threat is deliberate and I suddenly cringe from the thumping in my temples mimicking my rapid heartbeat.
It’s the pack coming to finish me off.
I use my left foot to drive as I try to use the other to dig out my phone. No luck. I make the rash decision to speed up and hammer down on the gas pedal. I spot the twisted, double Cypress coming up, signaling my next turn. I’m almost there.
Almost home.
The car butts Ellie Mae a second time and my head jerks forward, sending my forehead hurling into the steering wheel. I try to shake it off, but my vision blurs and I struggle to regain focus. I search for the tree, but everything blends together. The lines are fuzzy. I estimate the upcoming turn and veer off to the left.
“Shit!”
I miss the path by at least five feet. My car speeds down and then back up the small gully before barreling up the hill and careening into the trunk of a massive tree. My head takes another hit, bouncing off the car door and whipping forward, taking another thwack on the steering wheel. The phone buzzes from underneath the seat and I strain to reach it, but a pain pierces my side from pinballing between the metal and gear shift. Kingston’s face is all I see as my heavy eyelids flutter.
I can’t tell if the other car stopped or not, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t move from this spot. Maybe they’ll come back. Maybe Kingston or one of the boys will come looking for me. I’m so close to the main house, maybe it scared off the pack. Maybe I’m not about to die.
So many maybes.