I stood in front of the place I called home. All covered in police tap. The door wide open. Where would I live? I took a step forward, knowing I couldn’t go in. The front door of the next house burst open and I almost stormed into the street.
‘Angry— Ms. Betty?’
The woman walked out to the porch with her favorite baseball bat over her shoulder. She wore an oversized purple gown, her grey curly hair knotted on top of her head.
‘Come inside if you don’t want rocks landing on your head.’
I tapped my head and scurried to her house. The other neighbors popped out of their homes. I signed, then disappeared into Betty’s dark house. She never opened her windows which made the room stuffy.
She tossed the bat on the wooden coffee table. She motioned for me to sit on the comfy floral sofas. I held onto my bag and pressed my knees together. Angry Betty came back with a tall glass of water and set it on the table in front of me.
‘Couldn’t be sorrier able what happened to Connor.’ She didn’t offer a smile at least she didn’t growl. She sat on the sofa to my right.
‘Thank you… Still doesn’t feel real.’ I said.
With everything else going on I didn’t have the strength to fall apart the way I needed to.
‘I know what the police are saying and I don’t believe them.’
My shoulders slumped. She was the last person I expected to be by my side.
‘Some of the neighbors said they saw me go in and out of the house. I only came in then the police arrived.’
She puffed, ‘They didn’t see nothing. They saw what they were made to see. We all heard the gunshot. Then a skinny little thing marched out the front door. No car, goodness knows you’ve got a little more meat on your bones. I told the police.’
My hand flew to my chest. Maybe this wasn’t downhill. I had a chance.
‘Which detective did you tell?’ I asked.
‘What’s his face, the tall one Swine or something like that.’
My hand fell from my chest, ‘Oh no.’
‘What’s wrong with him?’
Everything. Pounding came from the door. Betty and I shot up at the same time. She grabbed her bat and zipped to the window. She shook her head.
‘You better hide.’ She said.
My heart slumped forward, ‘Why? Is it the police?’ I knew those nosy neighbors wouldn’t let me have my peace.
‘Yeah, maybe a little worse. Go to the toilet in the hall. The door’s busted so he won’t ask questions if it doesn’t open.’
I didn’t want to hide. I wanted to hear why they were there and what they’d ask Betty. If she told them about the woman walking out of my house having a significant weight difference to me and still arrested me later! I wanted to know. I looked for the recording app on my phone.
Betty opened the door and heavy footsteps sounded.
‘Of course it’s Axel.’ I muttered.
‘Where is she?’ He asked.
‘Well, this is a surprise.’ Betty said in her best attempt at a friendly tone. I had to stop myself from laughing.
‘Now isn’t the time Beatrice, where’s Adele?’ He demanded.
Betty swatted him with her bat. ‘Since when did I became your friend? My first name’s off limits to you.’
The bat smacked the back of his head. Axel rushed to the other side of the room, rubbing his head. I backed into the hall so he wouldn’t see me.
‘Fine, sorry Aunt Beatrice.’
‘That’s more like it now that girl of yours isn’t here. Why would she be anyway?’
‘The neighbors said they saw her go into your house.’
‘Hm, busy bodies got nothing to do. No one comes into my house maybe expect you. They didn’t see right either Adele only arrived after the shot was fired.’
Axel folded his arms, ‘You’re not just saying that because you had a thing for Connor, are you?’
I blushed, well they did seem close at times.
‘You want another bat to the head? Are you saying I’m not a credible witness?’
Axel had to hide his smile, he wouldn’t be giving any of those anytime soon. ‘I’m not saying that Aunt Beatrice, but—’
‘But nothing! The girl they saw was too skinny to be Adele. You’d know.’
‘I don’t want to talk about that.’
‘I don’t think you cared about her the way you said you did. If you did you wouldn’t be hunting her like a dog.’
‘It’s because I cared for her so much I’m broke inside. You should have seen her and she left with her ex fiancé. She won’t cooperate with the police either.’
‘Heavens know I’d run too. The child’s scared.’
‘Or guilty.’ Axel muttered.
‘That’s about enough of you. The girl’s not here.’
‘I haven’t searched the house yet.’
I swallowed and turned off the recording app. Where was that bathroom?
‘You might be my favorite and the only family I like, but you’re not searching my house without a warrant maybe even then I won’t let you in.’
I slipped inside and lost touch of the rest of the conversation. I placed my hand above my heart. Axel… Axel was related to Angry Betty. I told him about my crazy neighbor and he never said a word! He said I broke him. If only he believed I was innocent. What lies did the evidence tell? That it corrupted the mind of a man I saw a future with. In the far future, but a future I thought to live.
Tapping at the door made me jolt.
‘He’s gone you can come out now.’ Betty said.
I cracked the door open and slipped out.
‘I didn’t know Axel was your nephew,’ I said when sat back down in the living room.
‘Great nephew, his mother was my niece. She was the only one I liked too other than Axel. Can’t stand the rest especially the in laws.’ She rubbed her forehead.
I didn’t want to tell her Axel never spoke about her. He told her about me which indicated they were close.
I smoothed the edge of my dress. I’d barely managed to escape Matthias just to see my house again. It didn’t feel like home anymore. It wouldn’t be if Comrade wasn’t there anymore. Betty walked me to the front door.
‘I know I’m not the more social person, but Connor was a good friend of mine, good person. You need anything let me know. I’ll watch the fort for you while you’re gone. You need me to straighten that boy of mine I will.’
I nodded, ‘I appreciate it, Betty.’
I thought about going to Rebel Ways. I felt like I was wondering through space. Matthias was trying to fix my mess. There was nothing more I wanted than to leave Chester Springs. I rubbed my bear shoulders and looked behind me. A man in dark jeans and a blue hoodie skipped across the street.
‘It can’t be!’ I gasped.
This man was taller than the last guy I caught watching me. He saw me watching him and instantly pulled the hoodie over his head even slipped on a pair of shades.
I dialed Matthias' number. I tapped my foot as the phone continued to ring.
‘You never answer you texts Adele—’
‘Did you happen to send a man to tail me or something.’ I wanted him to say yes so I’d stop stressing.
‘I should… I haven’t. Where are you?’
I bit my lower lip. ‘I’m a block away from Rebel Ways.’
‘Like I said you’re always all over the place. Get to the park there’s always a lot of people. I’ll get you from there.’
I cut the call. I couldn’t go on like this. Mama was coming in today she couldn’t get a bus in the morning, so she’d arrive in the evening. I didn’t have a house to put my Mama in, couldn’t let her know Matthias and I were back to sharing a bed. I really couldn’t tell her that.
I popped my head into the bakery and the back of the counter was bare. My heart speed up, I was about to storm in when Rodger walked through his office door. I scrawled and turned. I dialed my friend’s number
Rebel's house was a good bus ride away and Matthias expected to find me at the park.
‘Rebel? Everything okay?’ I said as soon as she answered.
‘Oh Addie. I’m not bad.’ Her voice broke.
I crossed the street and walked up to the bus stop. I’d deal with Matthias later.
‘Rebel, why aren’t you at work?’
She sniffled, ‘I couldn’t… Can you come over?’
‘Here comes the bus.’
***
Rebel’s house reminded me of a cute little cottage. Flowers were always in bloom. The person inside didn’t match her home’s vibrant exterior. She let me in and locked the door behind me.
Her red hair looked like a bird’s nest. Her face was pink and puffy. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her.
‘Did he...’
‘No, he came by though.’
I pulled back. ‘What did he want?’
She led me to her tiny but unique kitchen. This was where she experimented. It was a red and silver kitchen. Equipped with everything stainless steel and the very best technology. She turned the coffee machine one. How I longed to have this independence, a place that was truly mine, a place I built.
I rubbed my shoulder, but I was stuck between murder investigations and treasure hunters.
‘Why’d he come? He didn’t hurt you did he?’
‘I don’t know what to do anymore. He’s jealous that’s all it is. He came threatening then I locked him out. He told me I couldn’t see Holden anymore as if his word is law or something.’
‘Wait, are you and Holden together? Back together?’
She shook her head, ‘No… we’ve been talking, hanging out but that’s all it is. Rodger told me he loved me and wanted me by his side.’
‘Gross!’
‘I know. He stood outside my house for a good hour. I hate him I can never love him. I can’t forgive him for what he did.’
‘You have to report him. He’s going to stop you from being happy. You know you deserve someone to love you right?’
The coffee machine turned off and she glided through the kitchen, collecting cups and spoons.
‘Maybe I’m better off alone.’
‘You’re not alone. There’s a very nasty man hovering over your shoulder who won’t leave you alone. If you don’t get rid of him you won’t know freedom.’ All the wisdom from the books Mama made me read came flooding back to me.
Rebel poured the coffee, I saw her lip tremble and realized how hard it was for her. She needed to be strong so she could heal. My phone lit up and buzzed at the same time. I checked it and set it down again.
Just Matthias.
‘I don’t have a shred of evidence Addie. Like I told you it’s my word against his. I wish I could forget it. Put it to bed.’ She handed me a massive coffee mug.
‘You can Rebel and you will. As much as I don’t want to be here right now. I won’t let you go through this alone. Just promise me you’ll find your courage.’
She sighed, there was an internal battle that much I knew. My phone buzzed with a dozen incoming texts.
‘Geez, who’s that?’ Rebel asked.
I set the mug down and grumbled.
Rebel laughed at least she found some amusement.
‘Answer the poor man.’ She said.
‘Matthias always overreacts.’
I sent him a thumbs up emoji and set the phone down.
‘He cares about you. I was a little shocked to see you too back together this morning more so when he called me—’
‘No, Rebel. Matthias and I aren’t back together.’
She rolled her eyes, ‘As I was saying. It was only about time that you would. I wish I went to work today just to hear about Amber’s reaction.’
‘I don’t think Matthew broke up with Amber.’ I scratched the back of my head. My phone buzzed again.
That isn’t helping. Where are you?
I shook my head. And shot him a quick response.
At Rebel’s place.
‘Well what’s he waiting for? He knows he loves you and you love him!’
‘Rebel, I was with Axel a day ago. Now he thinks… I could never have done that.’
She set her coffee down and placed her hand on my back.
‘The bastards who did will pay heavily for it. And deep down you’re still in love with him. You never forget your first.’ She winked.
My face burned bright red. I wasn’t prone to blushing, but I knew my skin was flaming. I never forgot him, I don’t know if I forgave him. We wouldn’t be the same. My greatest fear was we would fail if we tried again. The distance and the time changed us, what if we grew into different people? People that couldn’t cope together.
‘You know you too made people believe in love again.’
I groaned, ‘Rebel!’.
‘It’s so true. Everyone wanted what you had.’ She laughed.
‘All I ever wanted was what my parents had.’
After a couple hours of calm conversation we heard a car pull into the driveway. Rebel’s eyes shot up to her eyebrows.
She went to the kitchen and peeped through the curtain. Her hand went to her chest.
‘It’s only your prince charming.’ She smiled.
‘How does he even know where you live?’
She shrugged. He was FBI, he had his ways.
Rebel skipped to the door and let him in.
He thanked Rebel and stepped inside. Our gazes met. My frustration and his fear.
‘Would it kill you to answer the phone?’ His brows burrowed.
Rebel frowned and turned to me.
‘Adele Winchester!’ She said hand on hips.
I gasped. Mama's here.