‘Find anything in the papers, kid?’ Comrade asked at breakfast.
‘Yeah, Mrs. Turner needs a cleaner at the bakery.’ I said.
He set his coffee mug down, ‘Over my dead body will you mop floors.’
‘Comrade I need a job! I can’t be picky.’
He picked up his black mug and dragged his feet to the living room. ‘I wish I had a fortune to give. You wouldn’t have to work.’
He did have a fortune if his tales were true. One that wasn’t his to give, but a fortune hidden nonetheless. I finished my resume and was going to hand it in at the newspaper. I dusted my pink dress and wiped my black wedges. I braided my hair into a single line that touched my hips.
‘I’ll be fine Comrade.’ I smiled.
‘I know. There’s a men’s society meeting tonight and they’re all coming over.’
Oh, goodness.
‘Y’all going to sit around and watch baseball?’
‘Walter’s bringing the beer.’
‘You can’t have beer Comrade!’
‘Just don’t be home early.’
I groaned, nothing I could do would control him. I waved goodbye and stepped into the day.
I stood before the building that belonged to the local newspaper for over fifty years.
‘Here goes nothing,’ I exhaled.
The receptionist barely glanced my way. She told me to leave my application and they’d call me back. It was better than I hoped, no one laughed at me, but it wasn’t very promising.
My stomach growled which meant it was time to head to Rebel Ways. I adjusted my bag strap as I walked down the sidewalk. I tripped and bumped into a boy in a black hoodie, my bag landed on the floor.
‘Oh I’m sorry.’ I said.
He flicked his head over his shoulder, but didn’t respond. I tightened the bag around my shoulder and scurried to the bakery.
Rebel was behind the counter cleaning the counter. She welcomed me with a smile. She pulled out a chocolate mint muffin.
‘You’re a lifesaver,’ I whimpered.
‘How did it go?’
‘Wasn’t the worst thing ever. I’m getting a check from Kenny this afternoon.’
She raised her brow, ‘Kenny?’
I received a foam coffee cup. ‘I forgot to mention I worked on Holden’s car yesterday.’
‘Holden? Holden’s back?’ Her nose burned bright red the color stretched across her cheeks.
I grinned, ‘Uhh, Holden huh?’
‘What?’ She raised her chin.
‘You tell me!’
‘Nothing happened,’ she tucked a red lock behind her ear.
‘You little liar,’ I teased.
‘Oh hush.’
‘I’ll get it out of you.’
She covered her blushed face.
‘Hey, I’ve got an idea!’ Rebel squealed.
‘What?’ I said, mouth half full.
‘Why don’t you work for me, it won’t be that glamorous, but I need someone to help me advertise.’
‘Are you kidding me?’
‘Of course not. You can write on my social media pages and help me come up with cool advertising schemes.’
I swallowed and squeezed her. I fought off the tears, I’d cry at home in my room. It was a job, one that I wouldn’t hate.
‘The pay won’t be great, but we can work on it.’ She beamed.
‘It doesn’t matter I’ll take it. At least it isn’t cleaning the floor at Mrs. Turner’s bakery.’
‘You weren’t really going to do that were you?’ She frowned.
I shuddered, Mrs. Turner wasn’t the sweetest lady.
The staff door opened and Rodger popped out. He strolled to a table occupied by elderly women. Rebel straightened her shirt and fiddled with the coffee machine behind her.
When he was done he walked to the counter. He pushed his glasses up his nose and smiled at me. I watched as Rebel walked to the cake stand at the far end of the counter.
‘Well, hello Miss Winchester. I’ve seen you in a couple times, but never formally introduced myself. I’m Rodger Graham.’
I shook his out stretched hand.
‘Sounds like you ladies are having a grand old time.’ He added.
‘Little celebrations is all,’ I chuckled.
Rodgers smelt like pork and beans. The scent was overpowering.
‘Everyone loves a good celebration,’ he hooted.
‘Of course, I just hired Addie to help me in advertising.’ Rebel whirled, hand on hip.
Rodger's lips twitched, he pushed his glasses up. ‘We haven’t spoken about that, darling.’
‘We don’t have to Rodger. I own the place remember?’
Rodger chuckled and my mouth slightly dropped. ‘You wouldn’t own anything without me Rebel. I don’t think it’s a good idea to hire Miss Winchester anyway.’
I gasped, Rebel's mouth popped open, her eyes widened.
‘Why not? She’s perfectly capable.’
‘Come on darling, you’ve heard the rumors. What image would it give the place to have a murder suspect working here?’ He clapped his hands in front of himself.
‘I didn’t do anything,’ I said through clenched teeth.
‘I know all’s innocent until proven guilty. Still you have a colorful reputation with the law Miss Winchester. It really would be bad for business if you worked with us.’
‘She won’t be waiting tables or working the counter. How will people know she works here?’
Rodger’s bright round face darkened.
‘That’s enough now Rebel. You know when I say no I mean it. I don’t want to hear another word from you. Get back to work before a line forms.’
My mouth hung open. Words to describe him eluded me. He marched back into his office. Rebel wiped the tears from her eyes.
‘I didn’t mean to cause you trouble with your partner.’ I said.
She rubbed her eyes, her cheeks flaming pink. ‘He’s suck a pig,’ she sniffled.
‘He talks to you that way?’
She shook her head, ‘Forget it Addie. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a job. Apparently I don’t have any say in my own business.’
I picked my bag off the next stool. I’d done enough damage for the day. I hated to leave her upset.
‘Don’t worry about. Something will turn up. I should go get that check.’
She nodded and offered me a watery smile. ‘Call me later yeah?’
I nodded. I was a couple hours’ early half way to the house I remembered Ada lived there.
‘Shoot, I should have asked Kenny to mail the check to me.’
Still I continued on to the golden gate. Like yesterday I didn’t have an appointment. Thankfully Lucy answered the door, not that Ada herself would.
‘You shouldn’t be here the Madam is home.’ She whispered.
‘All I need is the check,’ I whispered back.
She told me to go to the garage Holden would find me there. The white door rolled up and Holden leaned against the red truck.
‘Wanna tell me why my mother can’t stand you?’ He chuckled.
I bit the inside of my cheek. Holden wasn’t around the time of my little scandal.
‘Long story Holden.’
He pulled a white envelope from his back pocket.
‘Thank you so much,’ I reached for it but Holden snapped it back.
‘There’s more where this came from.’
I frowned, taking a step back.
‘What?’
‘Help me restore the truck. I’ll pay whatever you ask.’
I groaned, ‘You still want to drive this thing Holden? It’s dangerous.’
‘What do you care Addie? Will you do it or not?’
I rubbed my forehead. I could see the disaster laughing at me. Still I knew the truck meant a lot to him there was a backstory I didn’t know.
‘If something happens I’ll be idiot that fixed the car for you. My life’s hell enough thank you.’
I snatched the check from his fist and turned. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
‘Fine fine, just… help me restore it. I won’t drive it. I want it the way it was before the accident…’
I exhaled. Here was that private mechanic gig I wanted. I nodded, but I warned him it wouldn’t he cheap. Holden pulled me in for a hug, I awkwardly patted his back.
My phone buzzed in my bag, we broke apart for me to answer it. Or at least attempt when I saw who it was I killed it.
‘Can’t I catch a break?’ I didn’t have anything to say to Matthias.
Holden arched his brow. I offered him a sheepish grin.
‘Listen, there’s a lot I need… I’m not dressed to start today either.’
He grinned, ‘That’s for sure.’
I subconsciously straightened my dress it wouldn’t drop over my knees no matter how much I pulled.
Holden and I agreed to meet first thing tomorrow morning. My fingers itched to call Mom and text Rebel.
I strolled the street along city hall leading to the park. I spotted a man leaning against a wall gazing out in my direction. I dumped into him earlier. I paused. Same back hoodie, covering his head and most of his face. He was slender and kept his hands in his sweatpants. He turned the other way and scurried down the road.
‘Man suspiciously dressed?’ I murmured.
I walked down the block, I saw him ahead of me just before the park. He glanced back and caught me. He picked up the pace and darted across the road.
‘Hey!’ A car horn rattled me. I scurried back to the sidewalk.
‘Watch where you’re going!’ A man yelled before zooming ahead.
I placed my hand on my heart. I lost the man anyway. I rounded the corner, maybe it was nothing. I likely scared him. A squad car drove to a halt. Swine popped out of the vehicle, his black jacket making him look like he had muscles. I rolled my eyes.
‘Addie, Addie, Addie.’ He chuckled.
I kept walking.
‘You going to walk away while an enforcer of the law’s talking to you?’
‘It’s not a crime, is it?’
‘It’s evading arrest.’
‘Arrest?’
The grin on his face plastered to screw with me told me he was kidding. Why’d they need to arrest me?!
‘Mrs. Hampton said you’re causing trouble at her house. Get in the back you know the drill.’
The old bag called the police?! ‘I had a job to do.’ I stomped my foot.
Swine slide out of the car and grabbed my hands. Handcuffs? I brushed him away and darted to the car. He laughed. I kept my head down as I slid into the vehicle. I should never have come back. This town wasn’t home anymore.
‘Addie, Addie, Addie. You little trouble maker, you.’ He laughed. He started the car and the journey to the station started.