Page 65 of Sweet Little Thing

I wanted to weep with relief. “Thank you.”

“When you’re ready to talk to him, let me know.”

I wasn’t sure when that day would be. Especially after what had just happened. “Okay.”

“Come on, Claudia, dear, we’ve got to get to town,” Geraldine said as she spun in circles, looking for something. “Where is the coat rack? I had one just there by the door. We can’t go out in that weather without our coats, scarves, and hats.” She was getting distressed again.

“Gerry, it’s the end of July and ninety degrees out there. You don’t need a coat, nor do you need to go to town for cider.”

She looked confused. “Oh. I guess I should tell Claudia,” She muttered and turned to walk away. When she went into the library, Stone shifted his gaze to me. “Claudia passed away of cancer in nineteen-eighty-three. She was her younger sister.”

I glanced back at the door she’d disappeared into. “Will she remember that?” I asked him.

“Not until she comes back around. I never remind her that Claudia and Victor are gone when she’s in that state. There’s no point. She remembers a happier time, one she misses.”

Chapter

Forty-One

Beulah

Stone’s vehicle was parked outside, but Presley’s was gone. I’d be lying if I wasn’t relieved that she was gone. But it also reminded me about my eavesdropping this morning. After the day I’d had that lapse in moral conduct had been forgotten. I would need to apologize for it.

Taking my time I headed inside and up the stairs. When I reached the second floor, the door to the apartment opened, and a tall, willowy brunette stepped out. Exotic, with flawless features was the only way to describe her face. She yawned as if she was just waking up at seven in the evening. The hot pink spandex shorts and matching crop top she wore showcased her equally perfect body. Her long thick hair was pulled up high in a ponytail. The unique color of her hazel eyes locked on me and she paused,

“Guess you’re the one I should be thanking,” she said, propping her incredibly long leg up on the wall and stretching.

“Excuse me?” I replied not sure I heard her correctly.

She glanced at me and then touched her nose to her knee. “You’re Beulah, correct?”

I paused. Then nodded before realizing she wasn’t looking at me to see my response. “Yes,” I verbalized.

She switched legs and continued the stretching. “You got the crazy bitch out of here. We all owe you a big fucking thank you.”

I didn’t know if this was Chantel or Fiona, but I knew they were the two that leased this apartment from Stone. I was good at remembering names. I’d just never met either of them. I’d also assumed they were friends with Presley based on the way she talked about them the first day I arrived. Since Presley was the one that was gone, I was confused,

“I didn’t do anything, it was Stone. They argued,” I explained, deciding it was rude to ask who she was since she obviously knew who I was.

The girl dropped her leg and began bending her waist with her hands over her head, this time looking directly at me. “They had arguments, fights, she stormed out sobbing most nights he actually came home. But this is the first time she packed her shit and left. You’re here. That makes this your doing. Claim it as a victory. We all credit you.”

I didn’t know who “all” referred to. I also didn’t have a thing to do with Presley’s leaving. Unless you take into account that she thought I was sleeping with Stone. But lots of women had slept with Stone. I shouldn’t have been the one that sent her packing. Especially since I had not, in fact, slept with Stone.

The door behind her swung open, and a familiar face that took me a moment to recognize appeared. “Do you have tampons?” she asked, her gaze swinging from the girl to me. She straightened and stepped out the door as recognition slowly came on her face. She pointed. “Jasper’s maid,” she said, her eyes wide.

“Jesus, Shay. Fucking rude,” the girl muttered. “This is the one who got rid of Presley.”

Shay’s eyes began to smile as her mouth joined in. “No shit! That was you! I knew I liked you. Not that we talked very much. I had no pants on, it was early, and I was hungover and late for work. Great party, though.”

“Ignore my little sister. She’s not the best with words,” the girl tossed her ponytail back over her shoulder and gave me a bored look that I imagined made her money. “I’m Fiona. This is Shay, my sister, and a regular house crasher.”

Shay rolled her eyes. “Not that I like crashing here. The two of you don’t eat actual food. I’d starve if it weren’t for Marty and Mack.”

“Whatever. I need to run,” Fiona’s tone was slightly annoyed.

“Why? Did you eat too many carrots today? God knows you need to run that shit off.”

“Stop being a dick. Wouldn’t hurt you to get in a run. The cookies and chips you’ve been eating aren’t doing you any favors,” Fiona called out as she ran down the stairs.

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