Page 47 of Monsters

Chapter 18

NOW

Lazing on the porch’s white sun chair, I soaked up the last rays of the summer sun before returning home the next day. The smell of fresh cut grass accented with the sweet fragrance of blooming wisteria drifted by. Beside me on the cane coffee table, my cell buzzed. It was Charlie.

Expecting his call, I answered, “Good morning, Charlie.”

“Is there three of you there to make my Charlie’s Angel’s posse?”

“You couldn’t handle three.”

“You’re absolutely right. And that’s precisely why I’m calling, I can’t handle women! Bernise Thornton is…” Voices on the other end of the line came into earshot, and Charlie hesitated.

“Lovely?”

“Is…”

“Not lovely?”

“Well…”

“Bernise Thornton is an asshole?”

“Bingo!”

“Is she there?”

“Yes.”

“Is she standing in the same room as you?”

“Oh, yes…” He laughed casually so as to not draw attention to his negative spin.

“Damn, she sounded so pleasant and organized on the phone.”

“Well, that is definitely not the case. Anywho, the canvases are too heavy for the wall hangers. We’re both a little concerned for the safety of the artwork and anyone who happens to be standing in front of them when they fall.”

“Call Brian from Form Fitters. He will install the reinforcements. And then pass the invoice for Carleen to pay. He likes all monies to be transferred by the end of the day. Otherwise, he won’t come back.”

“Speaking of not coming back?”

“I am coming back. Just waiting for a few things to blow over first.”

“Well…” there was pause while Charlie left the room, “… David has been like an angry bear in heat who hasn’t been able to get laid, ever since you left. He couldn’t make his feelings any more obvious.”

“Yeah, mmm…” Feeling indifferent. “I don’t want to add his issues to my list. The man is married and needs to back off. Anyway, give me a call if you need anything else.”

“Sure will.” I was about to end the call when I heard his urgent voice. “Oh, wa-wa-wait!”

“Yep.”

“A package came for you yesterday afternoon.”

This piqued a nervous interest. I never received packages. “Who’s it from?”

“Doesn’t say. It’s gift-wrapped with no name. No return to sender tag.”

Sitting straight, I wrapped a loose thread tightly around my middle finger until the top turned purple. “Right, well, I’ll see to it when I get back. Can you just ensure Bernise has everything she needs?”

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