Page 23 of Secrets on Sapphire

Naughty Nick:

Waiting for you. Are you home?

Parker:

Nope. I can be.

Naughty Nick:

Do you have a spare key hiding somewhere? I’d love to be waiting for you inside. Naked.

Parker:

Under the flower pot. It’s hidden behind the bush. I’ll be right over.

Naughty Nick:

I can’t wait.

“Welp! That’s it for me ladies.” Parker quickly stood up from the floor.

“Whaat? Already?” Taylor said with her mouth full of pizza rolls.

“The movie isn’t even over yet!” Harley rolled on the floor.

“I’ve seen it. I’m really tired guys. That special tea gets me every time. Do you think I could swing by tomorrow to get all of my stuff? I don’t think I’d be able to get it all right now.” Parker asked Edie.

“Sure. That’s fine! I’ll be here. Just give me a buzz.”

“Perfect! I think I’ll take a half a glass of special tea for my walk over though.” Parker skipped toward the kitchen. The women all shook their heads and turned back toward the television.

“Alright ladies! It was fun! See y’all later! Too-da-loo!” Parker waved her fingers and shut the door behind her.

An hour later, the movie ended. “What did you all think?” Taylor asked.

“I thought it was okay. Not too bad, but nothing will ever be better than the books,” Sammy said as she closed her eyes and stretched.

“Typical. The books are always better.” Harley sucked the last bit of her drink through the straw. “You know, I didn’t even realize this until now. Where did you get this furniture?” Harley turned her attention to Edie.

“Oh. I forget you ladies have been over here before. It belongs to the owners. I’m renting. They left it furnished. At least that’s what I was told. Is something wrong?” Edie was quick on her feet, thankful for her years as a cop and current career in private investigation.

“No, nothing’s wrong. I was just wondering. That makes perfect sense.” Harley hadn’t thought much of Calista, pushing reality as far back into her mind as possible. She felt a tear beginning to emerge and she quickly swiped the salty water away before it could fall down her cheek. Calista, where are you?

“You okay?” Edie asked noticing the tears building in Harley’s eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” She waved in front of her face.

Edie smiled. “Okay. I’ll clean this mess up tomorrow. Y’all go ahead and go on home.”

“No way! We’re helping.” Sammy walked into the kitchen and began picking up trash.

“If you insist! I’ve got to use the little girls’ room. I’ll be right back!” Edie quickly walked up the stairs. “Don’t clean up everything while I’m gone!” She yelled behind her as she made it to the top of the landing.

The women all started picking things up and putting them in their rightful place. Taylor put a few plates in the trashcan. “The trash is full. I wonder where she keeps her extra trash bags.”

“Maybe in the pantry?” Sammy opened the pantry door near the fridge. “Yups. Here they are.” She bent down to pick up a new bag and noticed a piece of trash peeking out from under the fridge. “How did this trash end up all the way over here?”

She picked up the trash to throw away and realized it wasn’t trash at all. She dropped the bag to the floor simultaneously with her jaw. She quickly brought her hand up to her mouth.

“Are you gonna bring me that trash bag or what?” Taylor asked as she turned around to see her friend’s shocked expression. “What is it Sammy?”

Harley turned around at the question and noticed Sammy’s face as well. She stood in place and watched as Taylor joined Sammy, whose eyes grew large as she looked up at Harley.

“Oh what is it? You ladies can be so dramatic sometimes.” She snatched the paper out of Sammy’s hands and quickly realized it was a photo. She stared at the photo and looked into the green eyes of her friend. Calista. She was in a hospital gown, lying in a hospital bed, and holding a beautiful newborn baby boy. She had that ever present smile on her face. She was gorgeous, even covered in sweat and tears rolling down her red cheeks. Next to her was Tim. He was holding another tiny baby boy. He too was smiling and crying. The picture was beautiful and wouldn’t have been that odd to find in this home; it had been Tim and Calista’s after all. Finding it where they had, it was obvious the photo had been forgotten about. However, the photo was odd. It was odd because there was someone else in the picture. Standing next to Tim was a woman. She was gleaming as she stared at the little boy in Tim’s arms. The woman was Edie.

“You girls done already? I told you not to finish without me.” Edie stepped off the final step and noticed the women were all frozen in place. She saw something in Harley’s hands. Her smile faded. “What is it?”

“Who are you?”

---