Words of Wisdom Page 4

“Okay, if you are so all-knowing Madame Moon,” the Councilwoman said scornfully. “You should have no trouble...revealing the arsonist behind these fires.” She crossed her arms in triumph, sure that she had me.

  “Don’t hold your expectations too high.” All heads turned to the head of the table. “The culprit will be found by the dedicated police force of Zinnia Springs,” proclaimed the mayor, “not a jumped-up con artist.”

  “Tad!” Veronica scolded, but my serene smile didn’t waver.

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Breyfogle, I’m quite used to skepticism.” I shrugged lazily. “It’s true I can’t tell you who the arsonist is, but that’s because I’ve never met him or her. I have what is called clairvoyance. I read the people I come in contact with. I talk to them, feel them and...” I locked eyes with Tad Breyfogle, “I see behind the mask they show to the world. I know the true measure of a man...and they most often are found wanting.” Tad flushed a bright red.

  “Fascinating,” Gwen whispered from deep within my personal space. Her breath ghosting along my cheek.

  “But if I do run into someone with an unhealthy obsession with burning things, Mayor, I’ll be sure to let you and the fine people of the ZSPD know.” I stood. “Dinner was incredible, but I must get going. Thank you for having me.”

  Veronica stood up as well and said, “Let me walk you out.”

  We left the dining room.

  “Are you sure he’s not going to kill me?” Veronica asked softly when we were alone in the hallway.

  I shook my head. “I didn’t say that. His heart is filled with guilt, disgust, and yes―anger. That doesn’t necessarily add up to murder.” I stopped and grabbed her arm. She turned to face me. I looked into her eyes as I said, “It also doesn’t add up to a happily married man. You may want to get away for a while. Take an impromptu vacation.”

  “I can’t just leave my children,” she protested. “And for how long would I have to be away? Are you sure you can’t tell me how or when?”

  “I can’t. I’m sorry,” I said sincerely. “If I spend more time with him I could discover why, but I can’t tell the future. If you’re really going to stay then maybe look into hiring security and definitely get out immediately if he does anything suspicious.”

  She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders back and said, “I know what I need to do. I have to confront him.”

  “What?”

  “I thought I was crazy. Just being stupid and reading too much into things, but if you can see it too then it’s true.” She nodded firmly. “I’m going to confront him. Tonight.”

  “I don’t think that’s a―”

  “Ronnie?”

  Footsteps sounded down the hallway.

  “Where did you run off to?” Tad questioned.

  “Goodbye, Madame Moon,” she said. “Thank you.”

  She hurried off to her husband.

  I would regret not stopping her.

  IT WAS ALMOST 10 P.m. when I trudged into my apartment.

  Paxon was in the process of making up the pull-out couch.

  “Spending the night?” I questioned. “I thought we were just a pit stop?”

  He smiled, dropping a side of the sheet and replied, “You could never be a pit stop.” He threw the sheet onto the bed and bent down. “I have something for you.” I came around the pull-out bed to see him rifling through his backpack. He finally found what he was looking for and handed it to me.

  I gave him a suspicious look as I opened the envelope, but he was all innocence.

  Inside was a card covered with hearts and the words “For My Love” written with swirls and flourishes. As I opened the card, for the second time tonight I was thankful that brown skin didn’t take to blushing.

  I cleared my throat.

  “I didn’t know you had such a way with words: ‘The Moon cannot shine without Knight and I cannot live without you.’ Nice touch with the last names.”

  He laughed. “I’m glad you like it. I figured it was time to revamp my seduction techniques.”

  Inside my heart soared, but all the same I gave him a sad smile as he stood to face me.

  “Paxon, this is very sweet,” I began, “but we talked about this.”

  His smile didn’t go anywhere. “I know. I know. You’re not ready yet and I’m not trying to pressure you. I just want you to know how I feel.”

  “I know how you feel,” I said softly. “Empath, remember.”

  He shrugged and replied, “Yeah, sure, but you’re not a very good one, so I have to make sure everything’s getting across.”

  I flicked his nose and he cried out.

  “Jerk,” I mumbled. He rubbed his nose and chuckled. “Look, I just don’t want you waiting around for me. It’s not fair to you.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” he said casually. “I’m happy to give you all the time you need. Besides, it’s not like I’ve taken a vow of celibacy or anything.”

  It happened too fast. One second, I was standing there in front of him, the next I was replaced with a green-eyed, jealous beast. The thought of Paxon with other people sent a wave of anger through me...and therefore through Paxon as well.

  He stared at me in surprise, while I prayed the floor would open up beneath my feet.

  “Amari Moon,” he began.

  “Don’t,” I hissed.

  “...are you―”

  “Don’t!”

  He smirked. “―jealous?”

  I groaned and spun on my heels, stalking to my room.

  “You’re jealous!”

  “Get out,” I called over my shoulder.

  He laughed. He was quite used to me kicking him out.

  “I love you too!” he sang out.

  “Ugh!” I cried and punctuated it with a slammed door.

  PAXON WAS GONE WHEN I woke up the next morning. Off to do whatever work he did for my father.

  Kali was in the living room eating a bowl of cereal and watching reruns. I got my own bowl and joined her.

  “What are your plans for today, little sister?”

  She dropped her spoon in the bowl and said, “Some friends and I are going downtown to grab some lunch and do a little shopping.” She eyed me over the bowl. “Wanna join us?” she asked hopefully.

  “I can’t. And don’t give me that look,” I said in response to her heavy sigh. “It’s not because I’m playing hermit. Cora and Daniel are coming over for lunch and she’ll no doubt bring an army’s worth of food that will feed us for the next few weeks. Canceling would mean starvation.”

  Kali laughed then countered, “We can feed ourselves, sis, but to be fair, we can’t do it as well as Cora can, so I’ll give you a pass this time. Next week, you have to promise to come out with us.”

  “I promise,” I said easily.

  “Good.”

  We went back to eating our cereal.

  “So...” Kali began. I looked over at her. “Did Paxon give you the card?”

  I threw my head back against the couch.

  “Must you two tell each other everything?”

  “Paxon’s my best friend,” she protested.

  “Everyone’s your best friend,” I retorted.

  “Paxon’s different,” she said firmly. “He loves you and you love―”

  “Time for a subject change, I think.” I lifted my head in time to see Kali’s eye roll. “I saw Makayla last night. She was at the party.”

  Kali stopped frowning at me. She rested her bowl on the living room table.

  “What did she say?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing. She didn’t speak to me and she wasn’t there for long. She left before dinner.”

  “Amari,” she said slowly, “her being back isn’t a good thing.”

  “I know,” I grumbled.

  “You should think again about seeing someone. It might help.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not that simple.”

  “It is that simple,” she said firmly. “I know dozens of great therapists. W
hen you’re ready, we’ll set up an appointment.”

  A stray tear ran down my cheek and I roughly wiped it away.

  “I’m the big sister. I’m supposed to be looking after you.”

  Kali grabbed my hand. “We’re family. We look after each other.”

  I WAS IN THE PROCESS of emptying the contents of the dustpan into the trash, when I heard a knock. I hurriedly put the broom and pan away before I opened the front door.

  A short, plump blond woman stood on my welcome mat with a huge smile. She was carrying two reusable bags that were no doubt filled with food.

  “Hi, Cora,” I said happily. “How’s my favorite landlady?”

  She chuckled and replied, “Getting too old to do all this heavy lifting. Take this.” She handed over one of the bags.

  “You didn’t have to cook all this,” I reminded her. “Where’s Daniel?” I poked my head out the door.

  “He’s coming,” she said.

  She went into the living room and began taking out the containers of food.

  “He’s bringing the rest.”

  “The rest?” I cried.

  “I gotta make sure you girls are eating properly,” she said unrepentantly.

  I joined her at the dining table and repeated my previous sentiment, “You don’t have to do all this, Cora.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “I want to do all this. Now you just say thank you and get the plates.”

  I sighed, “Thank you, Cora,” and went to root around the kitchen for plates.

  “You’re welcome,” she called back. “Now where is that son of mine?”

  “Right here, Mom,” said Daniel as he came through the open door.

  “Good. You can put that in the fridge, Daniel.” She then turned and said to me, “That’s for your dinner.”

  “Hey, Aunt Mari,” greeted Daniel. He put the bag on the kitchen counter and opened the fridge. Daniel was ten years old. He was tall for his age and pretty much a pile of skin and bones with a pair of glasses on top, but he had his mother’s smile and her kindness to go with it.

  “Hi, Daniel.” I grabbed a handful of silverware and put them on my stack of plates. “How was the science fair?”

  He beamed with his reply. “First place!”

  “Congrats,” I said happily. “We were up half the night building that earthquake machine. I’m glad those teachers down at Zinnia Springs Elementary recognize true genius.”

  He puffed out his chest at the praise.

  “Thank you for helping him, dear,” Cora whispered to me as I set the table. “You’re a godsend.”

  I waved away her thanks.

  “Cora, you’ve done so much for me, I’m more than happy to help you guys however I can. You rented this place to me, invested in my business, not to mention all you did for me when I lived at Hera’s House.”

  Hera’s House was the name of my former sorority. Cora was a saint by nature, but chef by occupation. She used to be employed as the Hera’s House personal chef and was always ready with our favorite meals that came with a dollop of some motherly advice.

  Cora smiled as she got lost in memories replying somewhat dreamingly, “Oh, I miss that place and all my girls.” She sighed, “They closed it down you know.”

  I blinked. “What?”

  She nodded. “No one wanted to pledge after what happened.”

  “I guess I can’t blame them.”

  Cora studied me.

  “How are you doing?” she probed. “All of Greek Row was reeling, but you were hit hardest of all. You and Makayla were thick as thieves.”

  “Yeah, we were. I’m going to get cups,” I said abruptly and went back into the kitchen to avoid any further discussion. When I came back out Cora had all the Tupperware lids off and was dishing rice onto our plates.

  I sat down and placed a cup of juice next to Daniel’s and Cora’s plates, then put one next to mine. Daniel snatched his up and then stood.

  “Aunt Mari, can I eat in front of the TV?”

  “Daniel,” Cora said warningly, but I laughed.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  He took his lunch and went into the living room. We heard the TV click on.

  Cora shook her head at me then chastised, “You spoil him. That’s why he loves coming over here. I can’t get him excited about spending the day with his best friend, Harold, but tell him we’re going to Aunt Mari’s house, and he’ll knock me down in his rush to get in the car.”

  I laughed and said, “Well to be fair, Harry’s got a new baby sister that cries all the time and he likes to borrow Daniel’s toys and forget to give them back.”

  She blinked at me and asked, “How do you know that?”

  I shrugged. “We talk.”

  She threw up her hands and I giggled. Our laughter was cut off when the volume of the TV suddenly went way up.

  “Daniel!” Cora yelled. “Too loud!”

  “Mom! Aunt Mari! Come look!”

  We hurried into the living room.

  “Channel 6 Breaking News: Firefighters are fighting to put out a blazing building in downtown Zinnia Springs. The charity headquarters for Best Foot Forward was set ablaze this morning. A few employees and customers managed to get out unharmed, but they have told us that there are still people trapped inside.”

  “Oh no.” I clapped my hands to my mouth.

  Best Foot Forward.

  That’s where Veronica Breyfogle worked.

  I TACKLED KALI WHEN she came through the door. Cora and Daniel had left an hour earlier. I had spent the time frantically calling my sister and devouring the news. She staggered and took my weight with an oomph.

  “Sis?” she forced out. I was squeezing her pretty tightly. “What’s wrong?”

  I pulled back.

  “What’s wrong?” I cried. “You weren’t answering your phone is what’s wrong! There was a fire downtown is what’s wrong!”

  She goggled at me.

  “A fire?” she repeated. “The arsonist?”

  I shook my head. “The target was Best Foot Forward.”

  “That charity that gives shoes to the homeless?” she questioned.

  “That charity where Veronica Breyfogle works,” I replied gravely.

  “You mean―” Kali covered her mouth. “The mayor?” she whispered. “You think he did this?”

  I just hugged her again. After a while, we moved to the couch.

  “Was...was she inside?”

  “I don’t know,” I said and pointed at the TV. “They just got the fire out and haven’t gone in yet to look for survivors...but they said there were people trapped inside.”

  “Oh no,” she said. “Mari, what are you going to do?”

  I sighed then stated, “If Veronica really is gone, I have to go to the police with what I know.” I balled my fists. “I should have prevented this. I should have done something!”

  Kali placed her hand on mine. “Amari, you did everything you could.”

  “No, I didn’t,” I replied. “I should have gone to the cops myself and―”

  “And what?” she broke in. “Just walk in and say ‘Hey, I have a supernatural ability that makes me sense the emotions of others and I’m getting some serious empathic vibes that the mayor of Zinnia Springs wants to kill his wife. Oh, who’s that you’re calling? The loony bin? Well, make sure they bring an extra-small straightjacket. That’s my size.’”

  I shook away her hand and said, “Okay, I get your point. But I still should have done something. She was counting on me to help her, and I...” Tears dripped on to my lap. “Again I―”

  Kali cupped my chin and made me look at her.

  “This isn’t like last time, Mari. But one thing is certain about then and now. There was nothing you could’ve done. You have to stop blaming yourself.”

  I gave her a smile and stood up. “You’re right. I’m being silly,” I said. “I’m just glad you’re safe. I’m going to take a shower.”

  She frowned. “Amari, I know
you’re still upset. Let’s talk about―”

  “Later, Kali,” I said as I strode away. “Dinner’s in the fridge,” I called back, before closing the bathroom door. I stripped then turned on the shower. When the water was warm I stepped inside, I sat down, curled up into a ball, and cried.

  THE NEXT DAY, I ENTERED the police station with a heavy heart, but I tried to keep that off my face.

  “Hey, Denise,” I said to the woman sitting on the other side of the grate. “Can you buzz me in, please?”

  “Amari, how you doing, girl?” she exclaimed. “Oh wait, it’s Madame Moon now isn’t it.” She raised her hands over her head and waved them around. “Oooooooo!”

  I laughed. “Are you going for ghost? Because I’m not a medium.”

  She flapped her hand at me. “Oh well. Anyway, dead or alive, I know you’re not here to talk to me.” She buzzed me in, but not before favoring me with a saucy wink.

  Goodness, I thought. What does she think I’m here to do? Shove him onto his desk and have my way with him.

  I stepped into the bullpen and his eyes found me almost immediately. A big, genuine smile spread across his face and he walked away from his colleague in the middle of her sentence.

  I couldn’t help but smile back. Arnold Davis was just one good-looking man, there was no way around it. He was also the reason I couldn’t commit to Paxon.

  Arnie and I have been on again, off again since my freshman year of college. Although from freshman year to my senior year, we were very much on. Like, move-in-together, engagement-on-the-horizon on. But then everything went wrong and I fell apart. I couldn’t handle a relationship, so we took a break and then for the following three years we have been trying to figure out how we fit now.

  I took Arnie in as he approached me. He was taller than me by a few inches, but where Paxon was lean, Arnie was thick. He was a frequent visitor of the gym and the bulging muscles his suit struggled to contain were evidence that his time there was paying off. Paxon was all angles and sharp edges, but Arnie was softer. Soft brown eyes, smooth cheeks, easy smile. I’ve always thought of him as the human version of a teddy bear. He was Brown, loveable, and made me feel safe whenever I held him.