2 Yule Be the Death of Me (6 page)

Vivienne
cringed. “I can top that. I once brought a ‘devil dog’ to school for show and
tell.”

“Those little
chocolate cakes?” Todd raised an eyebrow.

“No.” Vivienne
laughed. “A skull from a devil dog.”

Todd’s eyebrow
went up higher. “Say what?”

“So, my Uncle Joe
was a big deer hunter when I was growing up and he spent lots of time scouting
out places for tree stands in the woods around here.”

“Okay.” Todd
nodded back. “And you’re saying he found a devil dog skull?”

“It was the
skull from a small deer, with just little nubs for antlers.” Vivienne recalled.
“It really looked like a dog with devil horns and he brought it over one day
and told me it was a ‘devil dog.’ Naturally, I believed him.”

Todd burst out
with a hearty laugh. “Of course.”

Vivienne
continued. “So, unbeknownst to my parents, I snuck it into my backpack and
brought it to school the next day for show and tell. They got a call from the
teacher that afternoon.”

Todd wiped
some tears that formed in the corners of his eyes from laughing so hard. “Oh my
God, that is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time.”

“These days if
a kid did that, they’d have her shipped off into therapy for mental
instability.” Vivienne laughed. “But back then, the teacher had a good laugh
and my parents had a chance to be mortified at how gullible their daughter
was.”

Todd looked at
his watch and shook his head. “Let me pay up for the cupcake and get back to
work.”

Vivienne waved
him off. “It’s on the house.”

Todd opened
his wallet and slipped two dollars onto the bakery case. “I insist.”

Vivienne took
his two dollars and dropped it into a collection box for the local food pantry
that was sitting next to the register. “I’m so terribly clumsy these days.”

He winked at
her and pointed to the check. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help with getting
the money to Natalie.”

Vivienne took
the check and tucked it into her register drawer. “That’s okay. I found out
where she lives so we can just drop it off in person.”

Todd snapped
his fingers. “I’m going to be filling out one of those order sheets for a party
I’m having at the gallery the week before Christmas. When do you need them in
by?”

“The sooner
the better.” Vivienne answered.

“It’s an Ugly
Christmas Sweater party and you and Joshua are going to be invited.”

Vivienne
groaned. “I don’t own one and trying to get Joshua into one is going to take
nothing short of a Christmas miracle.”

Todd made a
little pouty face. “You have to come.”

Vivienne took
a deep breath and sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Todd’s face
brightened. “So I can count you in?”

“I’ll see what
I can do.” Vivienne repeated.

Todd nodded
and waved as he sailed out the front door. “I’m glad you both can make it.”

“I may need
that spell book after all.” Vivienne spoke softly to herself and returned to
the workspace to finish her butter cookies.

*         
*          *

When she
arrived home just after sunset, the house was dark. She parked her Toyota in
the driveway and carefully navigated across the blacktop in case the ice melt missed
a few spots. She stopped at the mailbox and pulled out a wad of junk mail along
with a few red and green envelopes that heralded the start of the great
neighborhood Christmas card exchange.

Once inside
the front door, Tommy meowed loudly to let her know he wanted dinner served as
soon as possible. He darted between her legs, curling his tail around her knees
with a loud purring sound that one could almost mistake as a snow blower
engine.

As she
unbundled her winter coat and hung it on the wall hook, she noticed the red
light flashing on her answering machine.

She dropped
the mail onto the small end table and pressed the message play button. It was
Joshua’s voice. “I won’t be making it over for dinner tonight. Eddie Robertson
is in critical condition over at the hospital and we’re hoping to get some
answers about what happened.”

Vivienne could
tell from the sound of his voice that he was still quite unhappy with her. She
reached down to her knees and ran her hands along Tommy’s back as he arched it
upwards with another meow.

Joshua’s
message continued. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”  There was a rather long pause
before he cleared his throat. “Love you. Bye.”

Vivienne hated
that pause. It felt like someone had stabbed her in the heart. He had said the
words, but they sounded almost forced. She took a deep breath and tried to
convince herself that she was genuinely trying to do a good thing. True, she
could see where it might seem she was getting a little too nosy.

Tommy Cat had
grown tired of her standing still and gently batted at her legs with his front
paws to herd her toward the kitchen.

“Yes,
yes.”  She replied. “I’m running late with your dinner.”

He meowed back
at her with excitement as she opened a pouch of chicken and gravy cat food and
shook it into his food dish. With a gentle nudge he pushed her hand out of the
way and eagerly gobbled down his supper.

She pulled out
one of her kitchen chairs and plopped down. She had hoped that Joshua would
have been up for bringing home some takeout from Shanghai Sunset on his way
over from work, but she was on her own for dinner.

She closed her
eyes and decided she really wasn’t all that hungry after hearing the message on
the machine. She’d resort to her usual ‘standby’ recipe for nights like this.
Cereal and milk followed by some trashy reality show television in her comfy
sweats.

The wind
picked up outside with a roar and the house creaked in response as a strong
gust battered the little
cape cod
. From the kitchen
window, she watched the branches of the small sugar maple in her back yard sway
back and forth as wisps of snow sparkled in the darkness outside.

The wind
almost sounded like a moan. A very long, drawn out cry that was almost human.
It made her feel chilly and she brought her arms up across her chest wishing
that Joshua were with her on such a cold and dark night.

As she got up
from the kitchen chair to make sure the back door was locked up tight, she
paused. The moaning now sounded like crying and she could almost make out a
name being carried on the wind.

Tommy Cat
suddenly backed away from his food dish and gave a little growl in the
direction of the kitchen door.

“Eddie.” A
mournful voice carried along in the cold night air. “Eddie Robertson.”

Vivienne
crossed over to the kitchen window and peered out from the café curtains. In
the night sky, the moon was only a slender crescent, yet it seemed brighter
than usual. A stray cloud moved in front of the moon, creating the appearance
of an enormous illuminated skull.

The wind
picked up and battered the thin glass against the window panes as the moaning
grew louder. “Eddie Robertson.” The spectral voice called louder.

For a moment,
she could have sworn she saw a shadowy figure flailing up in the sky, moving
toward the skull moon. Arms and legs kicked as it fell into the mouth and then
disappeared altogether as two large black clouds closed around like two stage
curtains, plunging the sky into complete darkness. The wind died off, leaving
only the quiet stillness of a snowy winter evening.

Wednesday, December 4th

The next
morning, Vivienne had left for work extra early in order to meet Kathy at
Clara’s. She had texted her last night with the details of what had happened
with Joshua. Kathy, in turn, demanded a before work breakfast meeting to talk
things out as texting just wasn’t up to this type of task.

“I would have
done the same thing.” Kathy confided as she gave her Greek yogurt a stir to mix
up the strawberries from the bottom. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

Vivienne
munched on a buttered cinnamon toast point and swallowed before answering. “I
don’t know. I sort of feel a bit guilty for sticking my nose in.”

“We’re doing a
good thing here.” Kathy reminded her as the new waitress, a young college
student named Alexis, poured a refill of coffee as she sauntered by the booth.
Unlike former waitress, Stephanie Bridgeman, Alexis had the grace of a runway
model and the looks to go along with it. Kathy smiled at the pretty girl.
“Thank you so much. Would you be a love and get our checks ready?”

Alexis nodded,
as she brushed her expertly trimmed blond bangs to the side of her face. “Sure
thing.” She swayed her hips back and forth as she walked to the cash register
where Clara was busy signing paperwork for the truck driver who had dropped off
her weekly food delivery.

“I’m almost
done, Frank.” Clara flipped to the last page of the manifest. “I know you’re
always in a hurry.”

“Take your
time, Miss Clara.” Frank smiled as Alexis moved past, causing him to suck in
his stomach which spilled over his belt. “I’m not complaining.”

Clara cast a
wary eye at him. “There’s a first time for everything I suppose.”

“Ah, to be
that young again.” Kathy pointed with her index finger at the scene taking
place near the cash register. “Like he’d even have a chance with her.” 

“I just hate
it when someone is mad at me.” Vivienne replied as she took a sip of coffee.
“It just throws my whole day off.”

“You’re not
even listening to what I say, are you?” Kathy said with a hint of annoyance in
her tone.

“I’m sorry.” Vivienne
took a deep breath and shook her head.

“He’ll get
over it soon enough when he realizes that he’s wrong.” Kathy smiled back. “So,
I haven’t heard anything about Eddie Robertson’s condition. Bryce Starr
mentioned that he was in critical condition at Cayuga Memorial Hospital on his
radio show this morning.”

“I heard it
too. They’re describing it as an ‘incident’.” Vivienne used her fingers to make
air quotes.

“Do you think
Natalie shot him?” Kathy whispered.

Vivienne
shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t get to see the actual crime scene.”

Kathy finished
off the last of her yogurt and dapped a napkin across her lips. “Well, I don’t
think there will be many people shedding a tear if he doesn’t make it.”

“Don’t say
that.” Vivienne interrupted. “I don’t ever want to get involved with a murder
again. I’ve barely recovered from the last time.”

Kathy shook
her head. “Look on the bright side. At least he didn’t end up in the dumpster
behind your bakery.”

“That’s the
bright side? Really?” Vivienne scoffed.

Alexis returned
with two checks and placed them face down on the table. “Have a good morning,
ladies.”

“Thanks hon.”
Kathy grabbed Vivienne’s check.

“I can afford
to pay for toast and coffee.” Vivienne protested.

“It was my
idea to come here.” Kathy opened one of her many designer Coach
purses
and pulled out a ten and a five. “That Alexis sure
was a good waitress.”

Vivienne
nodded. “She’s very quick and polite.”

Kathy slipped
the five under the sugar container. “She has a figure most women would die
for.”

“Where is this
going?” Vivienne asked.

“Whatever do
you mean?”

Vivienne
pointed to the five. “Our breakfast couldn’t have been more than seven dollars.
Why the huge tip?”

Kathy sighed.
“Okay, you’ve got me. There’s a spring fashion show coming up in Syracuse and I
want her to model for my store.”

“So why don’t
you just ask her? “

Kathy pursed
her lips together. “Because I don’t want her to have the power in this deal. I
know kids these days and they all have such an air of entitlement about them. I
ask her to do this and the next thing you know she has a contract drawn up with
some crazy modeling fee.”

Vivienne
exhaled at her friend’s response. “Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse
a bit?”

Kathy
shrugged. “Could be. But I’m just a few big tips away from becoming her
favorite customer. Then, when she’s fawning over me I casually mention I have
this big fashion show spot coming up and how much press the young models are
going to get by participating.”

Vivienne
nodded back in response. “So, she then asks for a favor to put her in the
show?”

“Now you’re
getting it.” Kathy stepped out of the booth and straightened her outfit.

“Care to fix
my mess with Joshua?” Vivienne eased out of the booth and gave a few stray
crumbs a quick brush off her pants.

“I’ve got my
hands full at the moment.” Kathy smiled. “If you’re so unsure, why don’t you
try that New Age store on the corner of
Weyer
Place?”

They stepped
out the front door into the cold morning air. “I didn’t think they were open
yet.” Vivienne buttoned her coat up.

“Not until
after the first, but the owner stopped in my store the other day and introduced
herself.” Kathy hurried to her car. “She gives psychic readings too.”

“Maybe I’ll
stop by for a friendly visit.” Vivienne waved goodbye as she climbed into her
car and slammed the door. Their breakfast meeting had taken much less time than
she thought, so she still had over an hour before she was due to open. She
turned the engine on and cranked up the heat. As she pulled out of the parking
lot, she headed for
Weyer
Place which was just a few
blocks down the road from her current location on Spruce Street.

Traffic was
light and parking places plentiful along the less busy section of motley
businesses which lined
Weyer
Place. Unlike Main
Street with its uniform look, this area had buildings which were well overdue
for facelifts and overhauls. The sidewalks were broken and narrow, the tree
branches overgrown and snarled in the remains of shredded awnings.
Less-than-savory landlords rented the buildings out to whoever could come up
with the rent fast enough. Of course, they evicted them even faster when the
rent check bounced which created a revolving door of failed small business
attempts.

Vivienne had a
hard time making out the names of most of the businesses as makeshift signs
were crammed into small display windows, most with ‘Store closing, everything
must go!’ signs nearby. A few very lucky businesses had a stroke of luck and
were able to relocate to Main Street after a few months, but most just locked
the doors one night and never came back.

As she reached
the corner of
Weyer
Place and McCann’s Avenue, she
was surprised to see a warm light emanating from a red brick building that was
in better shape than most. She pulled into the nearest parking spot, her daytime
running lights reflecting off the display window which was partially filled
with geodes, crystals, tarot cards, spirit boards, and other curious items
associated with modern Paganism and metaphysical practitioners. Further in, she
could make out a few rows of shelving where it looked like herbs, bulk food
barrels, and other grocery-type items would be displayed.

There was a
small sign above the door which identified the business as Mother Earth
Mercantile. The words were framed on each side by the triple moon characters
which Vivienne recognized as a symbol Wiccans used to represent the Goddess.
Below that, was a handwritten note that the grand opening was to be January
2nd.

Vivienne
stepped out of her vehicle and admired the items in the display window. The
owner had done a good job with the shelving which had been left behind from a
former pawn shop that had closed almost five years ago. Richly colored swaths
of cloth had been laid out to give some visual pop from behind the old window
glass that was discolored from age and pollution.

She nearly
jumped out of her skin when a slender hand rapped on the window glass from
inside the store. “Oh!” She gasped in surprise as the hand pulled back to
reveal a woman in a purple blouse and faded denim pants who smiled and motioned
for her to come inside.

Vivienne
walked over to the door and gave it several good yanks, but it failed to open.

The owner
helped push from the other side and soon the door swung outward with a
rusty-gate type sound that was as grating as nails on a chalkboard. “I’m sorry
if I scared you. Please come in.” The woman had light cocoa skin that was well
moisturized and glistened with a bit of sparkle from blush on her cheekbones.

Vivienne
stepped into the shop, noticing immediately the spicy scent of incense burning
in the air.  It was one of the more spicy scents, something like cinnamon
mixed with patchouli.  “I didn’t think you were open for business yet.”

“I’m not
officially, but sometimes the Goddess sends people to me regardless.” Her voice
was soft and melodic, with the hint of an accent from one of the Caribbean
islands.

Vivienne
smiled. “Thank you for allowing me in to see your new business.”

The woman
yanked the door closed and rubbed her hands together from the cold. “I’ve
talked to the owner three times now about getting this door fixed, but he’s
always busy. But then again, aren’t men always saying the same thing to women
when there is real work to be done?”

Vivienne
nodded. “These buildings are very old.”

“We never had cold
like this in Barbados.” She winked playfully and extended her right hand. “I’m
Miss Octavia.”  Her slender fingers were bejeweled with various rings of
all kinds of metal and sparkling gemstones. Along her wrist, a small crescent
moon tattoo was visible. 

“Vivienne
Finch, owner of Sweet Dreams Bakery over on Main Street.” Vivienne shook her
hand. “You’re doing a wonderful job with this place.”

Octavia
whistled back in response. “So you’re the one everyone’s talking about.”

Vivienne
cocked her head slightly to the side. “All good I hope.”

“The winner of
the gingerbread house competition.” Octavia clarified as she fiddled with a
floral-print scarf wrapped around her short afro-styled hair that had come
loose.

“Did you have
an entry?” Vivienne asked, recognizing the scarf as one that was currently
available for sale at Kathy’s store.

“Oh Goddess
no, I have zero talent when it comes to baking.” She laughed. “So what brings
you down here today?”

Vivienne
picked up a small wooden rod that was wrapped with copper wire and topped with
an amethyst crystal from a nearby shelf. “I was curious to meet the owner of
the newest business coming into town.”

Octavia’s
brown, almond-shaped eyes narrowed. “Well, here I am.” She walked over to a
small round table that was set up in the center of the room. It was covered
with a silver cloth upon which rested a large crystal ball on a brass pedestal
shaped like two dragons “But I think you’d rather talk about your troubles.”

Vivienne set
the wand down and followed her to the table. “My troubles?”

“With your
man.” Octavia pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “Isn’t that why
you’re really here?”

“I’m not
having trouble with my man.” Vivienne protested.

Octavia
shrugged. “It wasn’t all directed at you. There are other circumstances in play
that are making him edgier than usual.”

“Did Kathy
tell you about what happened?” Vivienne put her hands on her hips. “She
probably posted a status about it on Social Butterfly too.”

“I did meet
Miss Saunders the other day, but she did not betray your trust.” Octavia
clarified. “I picked that up all on my own.”

“So you’re a
psychic?” Vivienne asked, her posture refusing to relax from its defensive
stance.

“I get visions
from time to time, but they’re just fragments really. You need to put them
together to make them meaningful and change your fate.”

Without
thinking, Vivienne found herself compelled to sit down at the table. “You had a
vision about Joshua?”

Octavia
nodded. “He’s a fine looking man, but he’s hiding something from everyone. There’s
a darkness very close to him.”

Vivienne
nodded. “We all have our secrets in a small town.”

“True, but
this is something like I’ve never felt before.” Octavia shuddered. “It’s
something that doesn’t want to be discovered.”

Vivienne felt
her heart flutter a bit. “You can’t tell what it is?”

“Not yet, but
it’s getting closer to being revealed.” Octavia warned.

Vivienne knew
that it was still some time before the full moon when Joshua would take up his
wolf form for the night. That had to be what Miss Octavia was seeing in her
vision. Would she keep quiet about it if she discovered the truth? Would she
expose him to the townsfolk and the world for fame and fortune?

“Are you okay
sweetie?” Octavia asked with concern in her voice.

 Vivienne
glanced at her watch. “I really need to get going and open up shop for the
day.”

“I didn’t mean
to scare you off.” Octavia responded. “I can sense you know your way around
magic pretty well.”

Vivienne
forced a polite smile. “Well, I’m not an expert by any means.” She pushed back
the chair and stood up. “But I’m aware of certain things.”

Octavia nodded
back. “If you want to know more about the situation, I’ll be happy to do a card
reading for you. Or perhaps you’d like me to read your aura?”