Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise (22 page)

He grabbed my elbow and led me away between two trailers where no one could see. My heart pounded like a trip hammer. "What are you doing? Take your hands off me."

I shook my way free. But he grabbed onto me again. "You listen to me," he said. "You say one word to Hazel or anyone, and I'll kill Suzy, I swear I will. Do you understand? I'll kill her sure as I'm standing here."

He let me go. I stepped back and wanted to run. But where? To who? Instead I rushed to Suzy. "You all right?"

"Do as he says, Charlotte, please?"

"Suzy, you got to do something. Go to the police."

Fergus grabbed my elbow. His eyes grew wild. "Just keep your mouth shut. You got no right telling my wife what to do."

Then he draped his arm around Suzy's shoulders. "Do we have an understanding?"

"Please," Suzy whispered.

My knees shook like two twigs in a Nor'easter. "Okay. Okay. I won't say a word."

"Just see to it that you don't," Fergus said. "And don't ever talk to my wife again." He spoke through clenched teeth.

"I won't say a word." I mustered up my courage and moved closer to Suzy. He pulled a long knife from his boot. Showed it to me and then stuffed it back inside.

I took a breath and stuck my finger in his face. "But you promise. You promise right now you will never lay another hand on Suzy."

He didn't say anything. He just glared at me.

"He . . . he already promised, Charlotte," Suzy said. "Just this morning. Said he'd never hit me again."

F
ergus took Suzy's hand, and I watched them walk off toward the party. I had to stay right there for a minute and catch my breath. But then I headed home. I dashed into the trailer. Lucky bounded over to me. He jumped up and licked my face. It was like he knew how rattled I felt. "It's okay, boy. It's okay. I think."

I flopped onto the couch. Lucky climbed up near me. I patted his side and head. His wiry whiskers tickled my arm and let me know I was still alive. "Oh, Lucky, you won't believe what just happened. That nasty Fergus threatened me. Well, he threatened Suzy, boy. Said he'd kill her if I told Hazel. If I didn't leave Suzy alone."

Lucky whimpered. He raised his bushy eyebrows and looked at me.

"He told me to never talk to Suzy again," I said.

I pushed Lucky's paws off my lap. "I better change my clothes. I peed a little during the whole experience."

After I changed into blue jeans and a sweatshirt, I headed back to the party, even though I didn't really want to. Lucky stayed right by my side as we made our way back. The air had turned a little cooler now that the sun was nearly down. Suzy and Fergus sat next to Hazel on bright yellow lawn chairs with clamshell backs. Hazel was in her perpetual state of hunch from the hump she had covered up with a green and blue shawl. She wore an orange knit hat with a plastic daisy sticking out of the top. Fergus and Suzy laughed like there was absolutely nothing wrong. And I knew Hazel felt good because she slapped her knee two times. Fergus told Hazel how Suzy had tripped over a pair of his clodhoppers, as he called them, and went sailing down the trailer steps.

"Of course I rushed her straight to the hospital," Fergus lied. "They x-rayed it. Just a tiny fracture, but she still needs that cast."

"Hazel," I said without looking at her or Fergus or Suzy."I'm so glad you came. Is anyone getting you some food?"

"Sit down, child. Rose already went to get me a plate."

I sat near her. "Having a good time, Suzy?" I asked.

Suzy nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. I am." She put up a good front.

Fergus held Suzy's hand like they were the happiest married couple in Paradise. It made my skin crawl to see her smile and gush over Fergus like he was Prince Charming. Fergus stood up and Suzy followed. He smiled at me, and I knew immediately what that smile meant.

"Come on, Suzy honey," Fergus said. "Let's you and me mingle a bit. I want some of that hog I been hearing so much about."

He never let go of her hand as they walked off toward the end of the road. But I could see he tightened his grip a little.

Rose brought Hazel a plate piled high with food.

"Great jumpin' lizards, girl," Hazel said. "You don't expect me to eat all that?"

"Just eat what you can, Hazel."

Paradise folks kept wandering by for the next few minutes, talking to Hazel, introducing themselves and saying how glad they were to finally meet her. But it was clear that none of them knew any more about her than that she was an old woman who didn't come out much and wore silly hats. Just Rose and Fergus and I knew that she owned the land they stood on, that she paid their salaries that bought their groceries that fed their babies. I wanted to scream it from the top of my lungs. And I wanted to scream the truth about Fergus.

Maybe in the crowd he couldn't do anything. Maybe I could snatch Suzy away from him. Maybe the other men would do to him what he had been doing to her. But I couldn't. Fergus acted so kind and considerate. Suzy appeared so happy and normal; I was afraid they'd all take
me
for the nutcase.

Hazel grabbed hold of my sleeve and pulled me toward her."Aren't they just the sweetest couple, Charlotte?" She nodded toward the Wrinkels. "One of the happiest couples I have ever seen. They remind me of Birdy and me years ago, always holding hands, smooching in public."

I adjusted my feet as I fought the urge to blather out the truth.

She pulled a piece of something from her mouth and tossed it on the ground. "You know something, Charlotte. I'm glad I came out today."

I nodded and my heart broke into a million pieces. I had to fight back tears.

I turned my attention to Rose, "Can I speak with you, Rose?"

She nodded but looked confused. "Sure, I'm right here."

"No, let's go get some of that pork. I'm a bit hungry."

"Go on, you two," Hazel said. "I'll just sit here a while until I'm ready to go home."

Lucky trotted off down the road to join two other dogs chasing squirrels.

Once we were out of sight of Hazel, I pulled Rose behind the large oak. "I got to tell you something."

"What? You look like you just witnessed a murder."

"Almost." And then I told her.

She leaned against the tree. "Are you okay?"

"I think my knees will wobble for days, and I might have added a million gray hairs to my head. He showed me a big knife."

Rose raised her arms. "Oh, dear Lord. What do we do now?"

"What about Asa? Should we tell him?"

Rose shook her head. "I'm afraid of what he would do. What if he went off half-cocked and did something stupid? Took the law into his own hands—or hand, so to speak. You know how he feels about her."

I only had time to shake my head before Ginger came by. She had hold of Lucky's collar. He was pretty much dragging her along. "Charlotte," she said, "you better speak with your pooch. He's been stealing burgers and buns right off the tables. Even got his snout in a bowl of that roast pork."

"Lucky," I said, "have you been stealing food?"

He sat back on his haunches and looked about as guilty as any criminal caught red-handed—or I should say red-snouted. He had barbecue sauce all over his face.

"I think I'll just take him on home."

"You don't have to do that," Ginger said. "Nobody's mad at him. We just don't want him eating all the food."

"Okay." I couldn't help but keep looking around, afraid that Fergus might appear out of nowhere.

"Are you all right, Charlotte?" Ginger asked. "You look about as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

"No, no, I'm fine. I just have a splitting headache all of a sudden. Maybe I need to lie down."

"Want me to walk you home?" Rose asked.

"No, you stay here and keep an eye on the Angels. Don't let them eat too much. We have a game in a couple of days. And would you bring my pie tins back later?"

"Sure, Charlotte," Rose said. "Maybe take an aspirin or two, or better yet, find Marlabeth and ask her for a remedy for a case of nerves. I'm sure she has something."

"I will."

But I knew no amount of aspirin or tea in the world was going to get rid of this headache. As I made my way home, I thought of Herman again. "What would you tell me?"

"A man's home is his castle and his own business," that's what he would say. "You should have left well enough alone. Don't meddle in other people's business."

That thought gave me the stomps, and I stomped all the way home.

"It's not right, Lucky," I said as I pushed the door open."How come a man can get away with this? Man's home is his castle. Pish. Then a woman's home is her castle."

Lucky went inside first, as always, to check things out. This time I was glad. Who knew what Fergus was capable of?

I sat at my kitchen table for the better part of an hour. Generally speaking, when I felt upset I would bake pies, but I had used all the ingredients and that night I felt a little too shaken up to even peel an apple.

The aroma of the roast pig and grilled burgers still drifted through my open windows. It was such a pretty night. I could see about a gazillion stars through the tree tops. I'll say this for Paradise, when it's dark, it's dark. And since most of the trailerites were still at Asa's, the usual trailer lights were still dim. I couldn't help but think again about what Rose said. "God calls each star by name, Charlotte. He puts them in their places."

That notion stuck in my throat that night. I just couldn't understand why and how a God so powerful that he commands the stars in the heavens could let a young woman suffer like that. Why in heaven's name didn't he stop Fergus?

At nine o'clock I started to feel a skosh better. My stomach rumbled, and I realized I had not had any of the hog."Darn you, Fergus," I said out loud. "You ruined the barbecue for me."

Lucky scrambled from the kitchen floor. "I know, boy, you didn't either. Well, I'm sure there will be leftovers and maybe Rose will bring us some."

I put the tea kettle on. "Man's home is his castle, huh, well maybe if he's fit to be king."

I grabbed a cup and a tea bag and sat at the table and fiddled with my wedding ring. It had become extra noticeable lately. In all the years we were married I barely paid it any attention. But since Herman died, it became apparent, like the hole a missing tooth leaves.

"So, God," I said, looking at the night sky. "You really up there? You paying attention at all? If you are, tell me what to do."

The kettle whistled. I poured water into my cup and let the tea steep a couple of minutes. I didn't like strong tea. Dropped the bag in the trash and poured a small amount of half-andhalf into the tea. But before I sat down, I slipped the gold band off my finger. It came off with a little bit of a tug at the knuckle. I put it in my palm and rolled it around. Then I slipped it back on.

"Not yet, God. Not yet."

Rose came by a little before ten.

"The party is breaking up," she said. "I brought you your tins. Not a lick of pie was left. But I managed to grab you a plate of pork and beans and potato salad."

I took the tins and set them in the sink. "Thank you. Did you see Suzy after I left?"

Rose shook her head and sat at the kitchen table. "Now, don't get yourself all worked up when I say this, but, yes, I saw her. She and Fergus looked to be having a great time."

"But you know, Rose; you know the truth?" I leaned against the kitchen counter.

"I do. I do know, Charlotte. I just wanted you to know that for the time being anyway, they seemed fine."

"It was just a show for Hazel. I have half a mind to tell her anyway."

"But can you take that chance?"

I rolled the ring around my finger again. "I guess not. She's not ready yet."

Rose didn't speak immediately. "No, she's not. But she will be. Something will happen to make her ready."

"Like what?" I sipped my tea. And then I broke off a chunk of pork. It melted in my mouth it was so tender and tasty. I slipped a chunk to Lucky. He swallowed it whole then rolled onto his back making yummy noises, begging for more.

"Don't know. But there will come a day when Suzy has had enough."

"So we wait," I said. "We just sit idly by and wait."

"Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing to do but also the best thing to do. Wait and trust, Charlotte. God has Suzy in his palm too, you know."

T
he next day was, of course, Sunday, and that meant church. Rose came by early enough to ask if I was going and, I suspected, to check on me.

"No," I said. "I think I'll stay home today."

"You sure, Charlotte?" Rose helped herself to coffee. "You had quite a scare yesterday. Church might be the best thing."

"I'm sure, Rose. You go on."

Rose sipped her coffee. "I understand, Charlotte."

"Maybe while you're there you can ask God why he's letting this happen."

"That's not the right question. I'll just ask him what we should do now."

"Yeah, Fergus has the whole ball of wax in his court. What
are
we supposed to do now?"

Rose snagged my ball and glove from the kitchen counter. She tossed the ball in the air and caught it. "Softball, Charlotte. Right now we're supposed to play softball."

Lucky, who had been resting at my feet, jumped up like he had been stung and lapped water from his bowl with loud, obnoxious laps.

"That dog thinks he's so smart. He drinks a gallon of water, then he has to run outside to pee. It's just an excuse to chase squirrels. He thinks I'm not on to his tricks."

"So are we having a practice later? We should get everyone together before the big game on Tuesday. I know I can use the practice."

"Sure, sure. I'll call a practice for tomorrow. We'll drill through the fundamentals again. That's the only way we'll win that game—back to basics. Nothing fancy."

Rose tossed me the ball and said, "Now you sound like Coach Charlotte. I'll see you later."

I dusted and then scrubbed out the tub and washed the kitchen floor just to make time fly, but I admit I felt rattled and kept Lucky nearby except when he used his doggie door to do his business. Asa had put it in for me when he patched a hole in my roof. "It'll just make it easier for Lucky and you," he said."Won't have to get out of bed too early in the morning if you don't want to. Especially when it gets cold."

After I scrubbed the bathroom and vacuumed, I felt a trifle better and sat down with a bowl of potato chips to watch the Phillies game when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Charlotte, dear, this is your mother."

"I know, Mom. How are you?"

"To tell the truth, not so great. My arthritis is kicking up— you know, in my hip, and I've had just a splitting headache for days now. Doctor said it was nothing to worry about, so I got to thinking that a change of scenery might be the ticket. I've decided to come stay with you in Paradise, dear. For the summer."

I dropped the telephone into the bowl on my lap, and potato chips flew all over the place.

"Charlotte? Charlotte?" I could hear her without even putting the phone to my ear. "Did you hear me, dear? You still there? Or is it that lousy mountain phone connection again?"

I picked up the phone. "Here? With me? But why, Mother? You love it at Cocoa Reef."

"Of course, I do, but I need to get away from all of these old people down here. I am not as old as them."

"Yes, you are, Mother."

She snorted air into the phone. "Well, according to my driver's license I might be, but not in spirit, Charlotte. Bunch of old fogies around here. A woman can only take so much. Why, just the other day I got another flyer about a Summer Under the Stars Dance. Goodness gracious, I am not the sock hop type, Charlotte. It's embarrassing to see all the old curmudgeons shaking their booty, as the kids say these days. I hate the disco music."

"You should go. You might make a friend."

"And then on the flyer which looked like it was drawn in crayon, it said if your last name begins with A-M to bring a salad. The N-Z's get to bring dessert. Why do the A-Ms always get salad, Charlotte?"

"Salad comes before dessert, I guess."

"Precisely, dear. No one down here wants to take the chance on change. Charlotte, I'm telling you I need to get away. I need dessert before salad."

"But why here? Go to Bermuda or the South of France or Italy. You always wanted to go to Italy."

"Only if you come with me. Charlotte, come to Italy with me."

I felt my blood pressure rise. I loved my mother dearly, but the idea of traveling clear across the globe with her gave me the willies. She'd probably think it would be fun to go by ship, a nice, slow ship.

"I can't, Mother. I have the Angels."

"The what?"

"Angels. Softball."

I heard her mutter something to my father's picture. "That stupid softball thing again. Aren't you too old for softball? Come to Italy. I'll pay for everything."

"The team is important to me." I wandered around the trailer with the phone in my hand. Fortunately, Asa had put an extra long cord on it for me. I could even go out back if I wanted."Lucky," I called. I just that minute realized I hadn't seen him and he always came running when Grandmom called.

"Who?" Lillian asked.

"I'm looking for my dog."

"Now, look, Charlotte, it's all arranged. I arrive tomorrow afternoon. I'll taxi out."

"I could come get you."

"No, no. I still can't get used to you driving that big old Herman car. I'd rather take my chances on a cab."

"Fine. I have to go find Lucky."

I hung up the phone. "Lucky, Lucky," I called. He didn't come and my heart pounded. My thoughts turned to Fergus."No," I said. "He wouldn't."

I pulled open the front door and called. Three times, four, then tore into the yard looking for my dog. Hazel was in her front yard. "Did you see Lucky?" I hollered across the street.

She shrugged, at least I thought it was a shrug. Hard to tell with Hazel and that hump. "No, Charlotte."

I sat on my wooden walkway as tears streamed down my cheeks. "Lucky," I cried. "Where are you?"

A few moments later I heard rustling behind the trailer and went to investigate, thinking it was just some raccoons or Old Man Hawkins flushing out Nazis or Red Coats or whoever the enemy du jour was.

"Here's your dog back." Fergus held Lucky by the neck. He had him muzzled.

"You creep," I said. "How dare you?"

Fergus ripped off the muzzle, and Lucky barked to high heaven and ran to me. He snarled and growled and bared his teeth at Fergus.

"Just remember, Charlotte. This is our little secret. You tell no one about Suzy. Let this be a lesson. I mean what I say."Then he walked off like a pompous pigeon, like he hadn't a care in the world.

I took Lucky into the house, where I checked him all over for cuts or scrapes or bruises. "Lucky, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?" He licked my face as his stubby little tail wiped the linoleum. "Did that mean old Fergus hurt you?"

After another minute or so Lucky found his water bowl. I gave him two large Milk-Bones and then I called Mother.

"Hello?" she said.

"Mother, it's me, Charlotte." My heart raced.

"I know that. What is it? If you're calling to try and—"

"No, Mother. I just called to say, I'm glad you're coming."