The Millionaire Myth (11 page)

Chapter 19

              Five hours later I was banging loudly on Kami's door.  I had stewed over this new information for the rest of the day at work, getting angrier with each passing minute.  I had toyed with the idea of storming out of work and going right to her house, but I knew that wouldn't have worked.  Jack didn't get home until after four, and I knew Kami; she'd hide behind LBJ.  She knew I'd never get angry in front of him. 

             
However, considering it was now 5:17, I knew Jack was home from work.  He could shelter their son's ears while I ripped into Kami.  After banging on the door for a few seconds with no response, I decided to change my approach.

             
Rounding the corner of the house, I opened the backyard gate.  I smirked as I stepped through, thinking of all the times I'd lectured them about getting a lock for the gate.  Kami had always rolled her eyes, telling me it didn't matter because they locked the doors at night and they had a dog. 

             
But still, someone could just walk right in.

             
I shut the gate and heard Bruce coming around the corner.  The big German Shepard was moving fast, but I wasn't worried.  Of course, had I been an intruder, I'd have peed my pants.  Bruce was running at me at full tilt as I bent down to hug him.  Fortunately for me, I was one of Bruce's favorite people.  After a few minutes of love, I stood up and proceeded to the back door.                First line of defense down.

             
The second line of defense wasn't an issue.  Though they did keep the doors locked at night, Kami always had the back door open during the day.  She was constantly taking out the trash or doing something in the yard, and locking and unlocking the door each time was too much trouble for her.

             
I stepped into their kitchen and quietly shut the sliding door behind me.  After a minute of careful listening, I heard splashing.  After another few seconds, I head Jack's voice. 
So, daddy was giving the bath tonight, but where was mommy?

             
I glanced at the stove and saw Kami's big stew pot on the back burner, and rolls baking in the oven.  I made myself comfortable at their dining room table, knowing she hadn't gone far.

             
A minute later, Kami came out of the laundry room.  She started and almost dropped the basket heaped with clothes.  “Jesus, Estelle!  Where did you come from?”  Kami and Jack still called me Estelle.  I hardly noticed it.  They were like family, and that's how families are; the names are picked early.  To them I'd always be Estelle.

             
Right now though, Kami didn't feel like a family member, she felt like a traitor.  She had been there for me when I ended it with Charlie. She saw how miserable he'd made me, and she knew how hard it was to finally get him out of my life.  The thought that she'd purposely brought him back into it...It was like I didn't know her at all.

             
I was thinking about all of this while I calmly sat back in the chair and stroked Bruce's ears.  Kami watched me closely for a minute before she asked again, “What are you doing here?  And...how did you get in-” Her eyes moved to the back door and she groaned, “Never mind.  Estelle, you have to stop breaking in here!  I get it, buy a lock for the gate.  Geez!”

             
Okay, so maybe sneaking in the back wasn't new.  I'd done it many times, but after what I had to say, she might find herself at The Home Depot, buying the biggest lock she could find.

             
She lifted the lid off her steaming pot of stew.  “Staying for dinner?  There's plenty.”  I could tell from her casual tone, she thought I'd just stopped by to visit.

             
“No.”

             
Hearing my tone, she looked at me.  “You alright?”

             
“No.”

             
“What's going on?”

             
“Why don't you tell me, Kami?  Seems like you've been keeping some things to yourself.”

             
She turned from the stove and stared at me, an alarmed look in her eyes.  “What are you talking about?”

             
I continued as if I hadn't heard her, “You're a real mystery to me Kami.  I mean, I thought we told each other everything, but now I find you're a master at keeping secrets.”

             
She  let a small smile spread across her face. I couldn't believe that she was smiling about this. Did she really think that having Charlie back in my life was funny? I glared at her for a few moments, long enough for that smile to disappear and be replaced with a look of worry. “What's going on? I can't imagine you'd be upset about-”

             
I jumped from my chair. “You can't imagine that I'd be upset? Of course I am! How could you tell Charlie about the money thing? Now he's sniffing around me looking for a handout!”

             
Kami held up a hand and shook her head. “Wait a second, what are you talking about? Charlie knows about the money?”

             
It was my turn to shake my head. “Oh, no you don't. Don't even think about pretending to be confused. He slithered up to me at lunch today, at Lawson & Stone!”

             
“Estelle, listen to me, I swear that I didn't say anything to Charlie! I haven't even seen him since he moved the last of his stuff out of your apartment.”

             
Kami was convincing, but not enough. “You haven't seen him. Haven't talked to him? Then why don't you explain to me how he found out? It's not like it was posted on the nightly news!”

             
She scoffed. “The nightly news, how old are you?”

             
I just stood there, furious and silent. I couldn't believe she was joking about this.

             
She got serious again when she saw my face. “Hey, I was just kidding. I know you're pissed, but I swear to you, I haven't seen Charlie. If he knows about the money, he didn't hear about it from me.”

             
I didn't understand what was going on here. I thought for sure that when I came over, Kami would feel horrible about what she'd done. I thought she'd apologize, beg my forgiveness, and we'd get over it, and work together to take care of Charlie. “I can't believe you're doing this, Kami. I can't believe you'd lie to my face like this.”

             
It was her turn to look angry. “I can't believe
you
, Estelle!” Her eyes narrowed and she pointed her wooden spoon at me. “I can't believe that you're standing here in my kitchen accusing me of lying to you! I thought we were better friends than that!”

             
I scoffed. “That's funny. I thought we were better friends than that too.”

             
I backed away from her and grabbed my purse before heading toward the front door.  My face was wet with tears by the time I yanked it open.  I turned back to see Jack, holding his son, staring at me with complete confusion.

             
By the time I made it back to my apartment I was exhausted.  I was so grateful to be home, knowing I had no fight left in me.  I went straight to my bathroom and started filling the tub with steaming hot water.  As it filled I grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass from the kitchen.  All I wanted to do was soak and drink.

             
I'd been in the tub just long enough to drink my first glass of wine and feel the tension begin to leave my body, when I heard someone knocking at the door.  I didn't move a muscle.  Typically, if someone knocked on my door it was to sell something.  I knew it wasn't a salesman this time.  I knew it was Charlie, I could feel it.  And the feeling wasn't good.

             
After a minute with no knocking I relaxed again.  Suddenly I heard him call out, “Estelle, I know you're in there.  You don't have to talk, your car sitting in the parking lot says it all.”

             
He was bluffing.  He didn't know for sure that I was home.  Thankfully all the lights were off.  The only indication of my presence were the two candles by the tub, and I knew for certain that he couldn't see them from the front window.

             
His voice still echoed through my door, “Fine then, since you're not home I'll just stop by and see you at work tomorrow.  Maybe meet some of your co-workers.  I'm sure they'd love to meet your boyfriend.” The way he said boyfriend almost made my wine come back up. 

             
Knowing I was doing exactly what he wanted, but having no other choice, I got out of the bath and threw on some clothes before storming over and yanking open the door.  “What do you want?” I hissed as I glared at him in the doorway.  He moved to step inside, but for once, I was grateful for my extra pounds as I blocked his path.  “You're not coming in here Charlie.  Say what you've got to say, and then get lost.”

             
His face softened.  “Come on, don't be like that.  I'm here to see how you're doing.  I heard about your grandfather.  How are you holding up?”

             
Great, another idiot pretending to care about me.  I was definitely not in the mood to play along.  “Charlie, get out of here.  Yeah, my grandpa died.  Yeah, I inherited some money.”  I narrowed my eyes and added, “But rest assured that your lousy self will
never
see a dime of it.”

             
He returned my hostile stare.  “Estelle, there's no need to be rude.  Besides, it's not the smartest move.  Don't forget, I know things about you that-”

             
I cut him off, “First, it's not Estelle anymore, it's Stella.  Second, what are you going to do?  Show up at work and try to embarrass me?  I have money now, you moron.  I don't care about that job.  And one more thing, if you come around here again, I'm going to call the police.  If you don't believe it, try me.”

             
Before he could try to threaten me anymore I slammed the door and threw the lock.

Chapter 20

             
Three weeks had passed since Charlie had oozed back into my life, and I felt like I could breathe again.  I'd been so worried he would call my bluff that I had been looking over my shoulder ever since. Every time the door opened at Lawson & Stone I panicked, expecting it to be him. Looks like I'd lucked out though, I reasoned that since he hadn't come around again, he probably never would.

             
I entered the grocery store and almost felt like I was trespassing, the place was so empty.  Typically I was there like the rest of the free world, mid-morning on Saturday.  But today was Friday, glorious early morning Friday, and the place was deserted. 

             
I perused the endless cereal aisle, trying to decide if I wanted Fruit Loops or Cinnamon Toast Crunch when I heard a basket-sounding like it only had three working wheels-headed my way.  Automatically, I stepped closer to the cereal.  I decided to just get both kinds when the basket stopped near me.

             
I heard a male voice behind me, “A girl after my own heart, those are my favorites too.”

             
With my back turned, I rolled my eyes.  How was it possible that in a nearly deserted store, I still ended up in an aisle with the chatty shopper?  Without responding to him I set both cereal boxes in my cart and started to make my escape.  I had only taken a few steps when the sound of my own name stopped me.

             
“Stella?  You're not even going to say hi?”

             
I turned back and there was Drew.  I hadn't seen him since the day of unsuccessful house hunting.  “Drew, hi.  Sorry, I didn't realize that was you.”  I immediately felt self-conscious, wishing I had more vegetables in my cart and less rocky road.

             
He shrugged while smiling.  “No biggie.  I thought that was you, I had no idea we were grocery store soul mates.”  He joked, but at the same time he sounded flirty. 

             
Was he flirting? 

             
Impossible. I'd seen his girlfriend.

             
Shaking my mind clear of the flirtation thoughts, I mused, “Funny, isn't it?  Now that we've met we're suddenly bumping into each other again?”

             
“Well, I don't usually shop on the weekdays, that's probably why we've never met in the cereal aisle before.”             

             
“That's funny, neither do I. I took the day off to catch up on some stuff, shopping being one of them.”

             
He nodded. “I know what you mean, I'm usually working too, but I had to take a break.” He tilted his head and looked at me closely. “Speaking or work, I'm sure you've been getting an earful lately.”

             
“Pardon?” I asked with confusion.

             
“From Mick.  The guy tries to keep his cool but,” he chuckled before finishing, “I know I'm really pissing him off.”

             
I smirked.  “Well, I'll admit that you do piss him off, but I haven't been hearing about you much lately.”

             
He looked surprised.  “Oh?  I thought...well, aren't you and he...together?”

             
I felt my cheeks start to burn.  “We were dating.  I mean, well kind of.  Whatever we were, we aren't any more.”

             
“Gotcha,” he said as he nodded with understanding.  He looked at me closely, obviously trying to decide if he should continue.

             
After a minute I grew impatient.  “What?”

             
“I know this is none of my business,” he started, making it apparent that he was making it his business.  “But I think you made the right move, ending things with him.  I just-” he lowered his gaze to the floor.  “I didn't like the way he treated you, like you were his assistant.”

             
“Well, I am his assistant.” I defended.

             
“But you were his girlfriend too, and that should trump assistant.  If he wasn't able to put you first then he shouldn't have gotten involved with you in the first place.”

             
“Hang on,” I shook my head to get my thoughts straight.  “How do you know so much about Mick and I?  You only saw us together once.  I'm sorry, but it's rude of you to make these judgments-”

             
He cut in, “You're right. No question, you're right. I apologize.”

             
“Thank you.  Let's just talk about something else.”

             
“Well, I do know something we should discuss.” He smiled at me. “Do you know that your ice cream is melting?”

             
Damn it all, he mentioned the ice cream.  Now he's probably picturing my ass getting even bigger.  Perfect.

             
I turned further toward him so that my butt was safely hidden.  “You're right, I didn't plan on being here this long.”  After an awkward pause I added, “I guess I should get going anyway.”

             
He seemed to snap to attention.  “Oh me too.  I only came in for a few things.”  He motioned to his basket, and I was relieved to see the box of Twinkies.  Not a green veggie in sight.  “Shall we?”

             
We wove our way to the front of the store and checked out in tandem.  I was very insistent that he go in front of me.  No need for him to get any more looks at the continental divide.

             
Once we got out to the parking lot I pointed to the right.  “I'm that way.  You?”

             
“Me too.  I parked in row eight.  That's how old I'm getting, I now have to make a mental note of my row number, otherwise I'd be endlessly looping this place.”

             
I shrugged and started to the right.  “Could be worse, you could have to write the row number down.  Either that or get one of those hand held recording devices.”  I pantomimed a recorder near my mouth.  “You are parked in row eight.  Keep your eyes peeled for a gigantic, white Ford truck.  That's you.”

             
He laughed.  “Hey, I'm impressed, she remembers my truck.” 

             
I nodded.  “You bet I do, I was so surprised to see you drive up in it.  The way Mick described you, I had you pegged for one of those little sporty numbers.”

             
He made a horrified face.  “Good God, how did he describe me?”

             
Purposely evading that land mine, I said, “Wow, we're parked right next to each other.  What are the odds of that?”

             
“I'd say pretty good since you've memorized my truck.”

             
“Shut up.  I am not stalking you.  If I had been you wouldn't have been able to sneak up on me in the store.”

             
He narrowed his eyes.  “Ah, but that could have been your plan all along.” There was that flirty tone again.

             
Drew walked past my car and started loading his bags into the back of his truck.  I opened my trunk and did the same, all the while feeling strange.  He wasn't watching me, but I could feel him glance over occasionally, as though he wanted to say something but kept rethinking it.  I was aware, however, that I could have been imagining it all, so I pretended not to notice his behavior.

             
Closing my trunk, I looked over to see him leaning casually against his door.  “What?” I asked.

             
“Nothing.  I was just thinking about today.  Usually I hate shopping, but you made it enjoyable.  Maybe we should meet here on a weekly basis.”

             
“Well that might be tough, I do have several other men I'm tracking at the moment.  A set appointment might be tricky,” I teased.

             
“I guess you do have a point there.”  He sighed wistfully and said, “I guess we'll have to leave it up to fate.”

             
“Guess so.”  I paused.  I wasn't sure what to say.  It felt strange to just say goodbye to him and drive away.  Even though I hardly knew him, the situation felt intimate.

             
Thankfully he spoke, saving me from having to come up with something clever to say.  “I guess I should get home, don't want my Twinkies to go bad,” he joked.  “I guess I'll see you around?”

             
“Sounds good.  See you around.”

             
I got into my car and drove away first, relieved to be done with the awkward goodbye.  I watched in my rear view mirror as his truck started moving behind me.  As I drove home I couldn't help keeping track of him in my mirrors.  He wasn't right behind me the whole time, but I kept seeing him move through traffic.  I kept expecting to lose him as I turned, but every turn I made, I saw that big truck appear behind me again.

             
After about ten minutes I knew what he was up to.  The stalker becomes the stalkee.  I stopped at the last stop sign before I made a right into my apartment complex.  I watched as he came to a stop in the lane to my left.  I rolled down my window and was about to say I got the joke, when I saw his suspicious stare.

             
He rolled down his window and inquired, “Excuse me, Miss?  Are you really stalking me?  How do you know where I live?”

             
Shocked and embarrassed that he thought I was really out to get him I said, “How do you know where I live?”  I tilted my head suspiciously.  “This is a joke right?  You're just messing around?”

             
“No.  I swear.  I live over there.” He pointed to the apartment complex to the left.

             
I stared as my mouth dropped open.  “You live
across the street
from me?  How is that possible?”

             
He chuckled, mystified.  “I have no idea.  Do you really live over here?”

             
I nodded.  “Yeah, right there, 106.  This is crazy.”

             
He agreed, “No question.” 

             
I saw a car pull up behind me so I said, “Well, that's my cue.  I'll see you around, neighbor.”

              Two hours later I decided to take a stroll.  I'd never before had the urge; when the only scenery around you is dumpsters, sidewalks and parked cars, it's not exactly invigorating.

             
For some unknown reason, however, I was full of pep.  Unknown-hah!  Who was I kidding?  There was a very known reason for the pep in my step.  I tried to appear casual as I crossed the street that divided our two complexes.  In my head I felt like at any moment I would get busted.  That someone would be able to tell I didn't live in the complex, that I was there for sneaky, spying reasons.

             
Following the curve of the sidewalk, I came around the side of a building and immediately saw Drew's truck.  It was hard to miss, sitting at least two feet taller than any other vehicle around it.

             
I paused for a moment, not sure what to do next.  Realizing at that moment, unfortunately, that I had no specific plans.  I wasn't about to knock on his door.  I turned back in the direction of my apartment, feeling like a thirteen year old with a silly crush.  I shook my head, embarrassed.  What a waste of time, what had I been thinking?  That I'd just casually bump into him?  It's not like the man had a front yard.  I know from experience; people who lived in apartments stayed in them. 

             
I started walking back to my side of the street, silently thanking fate, or luck, or whoever makes these decisions.  What if he had been outside?  What would I have said?  That I often wander through strange complexes, where I don't live and also don't have any friends?  Stupid.

             
“Stella?”

             
I froze on the sidewalk.  What are the odds that there was another Stella around? 
Stupid, stupid, stupid!

             
I heard it again, from closer this time, “Stella?  Hey, what's up?”

             
I turned around and plastered a smile on my face.  “Drew, hi...”  I said with brilliance.

             
By some miracle, he didn't ask what I was doing there, but nodded his head toward his truck.  “Come on over, this thing is heavy.”  I saw the cooler he was carrying before he turned around and lugged it back to his truck.  I followed him over and tried to think of something to say, something to explain my presence.

             
Before I could say anything, I was greeted warmly by the most adorable black lab ever.  He bounded out from around the truck and jumped up on me, his giant paws landing on my stomach.