From Riches to Rags (11 page)

“Where’d you go?’

Chris was looking at me curiously and I realized she had stopped talking. “What?”

“You vegged out for a minute. You haven’t been drinking have you?”

I smiled at her, exhaled into the palm of my hand and held it close to her nose. She laughed and said she believe me.

“No, I think I have an idea of how to help you with your project, if you’re interested?”

“Oh, um, I don’t know…”

I would have been surprised if she had said yes right away. “Now hear me out first, and then you can say no, okay?”

She nodded her head and I poured my idea out like it was a fine glass of wine. I explained that I had a private detective on retainer, although I left the part out about how she probably hates me, thanks to her wife, and that I could ask her to look for Mrs. Shelby’s grandkids. Then before Chris could catch her breath at my brilliant idea, I promised her I would want nothing in return, other than to do a good deed for an old woman. I assured her that she could tell me to drop dead and never see her again right now, and I would still be happy to help out Mrs. Shelby. It was a little over dramatic, but truthful.

“Why?” Chris said.

“Why?”

“Why would you want to do that for her, Melinda?”

I pulled the car over in front of her apartment and turned the engine off. Then I half turned in my seat and looked at her.

“Because she’s your friend, Chris, and because Christmas is coming and I fear she’s had to many lonely holiday’s as it is.”

Chris got this really faraway look on her face and I thought for a second that she might cry. But she tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at me with the softest smile on her lips.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll let me help.”

“All right, I’ll let you help. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, we might not be able to find her family before Christmas.”

“I have faith, if it’s meant to be, it will be.”

I couldn’t resist teasing her, “Hey, isn’t that a song?”

She yawned and replied, “I don’t know, but I reckon if it ain’t, it sure ought to be.”

“Did you know your southern twang really comes out when you’re tired?”

She blushed, and put her hands to her cheeks, “Oh no, really?”

“Yes, and I like it. Uh, not that you’re tired. I like the way you draw your words out, like you’re enjoying a plank of cheese and then washing it down with a vintage wine.”

“You know, you have a bit of the poet in you, Melinda.”

“My first compliment from you. We’re making headway.”

Chris laughed and said, “You’re also very humble.”

“Ha! I don’t think I’ve ever been told that one before, even as a joke.”

“Well, maybe next time it won’t be a joke.”

She yawned again, and I was afraid she was ready to go in, but to my surprise, she had one more question for me.

“Melinda, don’t you get tired of it?”

“Of what, Chris?”

“Of the carousing, drinking, and partying? I read the magazines; I know what kind of life you live. Hell, I’ve lived it myself, and even as I took another drink, I would think, there’s got to be something more to life than this.”

I was both humbled and dismayed. Humbled that Chris was opening up to me, revealing more of herself as she questioned the meaning of life, just as I was doing. It was like we were simpatico in so many ways and yet, I was disturbed that she couldn’t get past that image of me as a rich society drunkard. I haven’t had a drink since… oh, uh, a few days ago, but at least I didn’t get drunk this time. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?

“Have you found what that something more is, Chris?”

“Not yet, but I’m closer to it than I’ve ever been before.”

“That’s exactly why I’m trying so hard to be friends with you. I can feel that inside of you, and I want to experience it too.”

“That probably should feel creepy to me, but for some reason, I believe you, Melinda.”

We talked for hours about what
it
was and how to obtain it, and before we knew it, the sun was rising above the horizon, and we still didn’t have our answers. But that was okay, we didn’t need to find them today. It was enough that we talked, that she wanted to stay in my company for longer than five minutes. That I could offer my opinions and have accept them, was a major step forward for me, for us.

“Melinda, I’m having lunch with Mrs. Shelby today, and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you’d like to join us?”

“Yeah, thanks, that would be great. I’d love to see that movie poster; it might help in the search for her grandkids.”

“Oh yes, that’s a good idea. But don’t let on what we’re doing, I don’t want to get her hopes up unnecessarily.”

“You’re right of course.”

Chapter Ten

Lunch with New Friends ‒ Christine Livingston, Melinda Blackstone
and
Norma Shelby

I had watched her from my apartment window and when Melinda ascended the stairs, I greeted her in the hallway with an accusing question.

“What’s that in your hand?”

Melinda was holding a brown paper bag, and I already knew what it was, or so I thought.

“It’s a bottle of wine. Isn’t that what you bring to a luncheon when you’re the guest?”

“Yes, of course, I um, I just‒”

“Chris, it’s all right. Now, let’s not keep Mrs. Shelby waiting.”

I tapped on my neighbor’s door and we waited a moment, while she looked through the peep hole at us. She opened the door and greeted me with her calico kitten in her hands.

“Norma, you remember Melinda Blackstone? She wanted to meet a movie star, so I asked her to join us. I hope you don’t mind.”

Norma’s eyes twinkled as if we were fans waiting for an autograph.

“Perfectly all right, my dear. Melinda did me a kindness that I am grateful for. She is always welcome here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Shelby. This is for you.”

Melinda smiled at her and then handed her the bottle of wine.

“Thank you, dear. And remember, I asked you to call me Norma.”

We followed Norma into her apartment and Melinda looked around and exclaimed, “Oh wow!”

“I know, right? It’s wonderful.” I grabbed her elbow and pointed towards the movie poster. “This is what I was telling you about.”

“Oh yeah, how cool is that.”

“What’s that, dear?” Norma returned from the kitchen carrying a tray of finger sandwiches and cookies that I took from her and set on the coffee table.

“We were just admiring your legs, Norma.” I said in jest, and she laughed, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink.

“Well, I never liked the look of my legs, I always thought they were too boney. Melinda, dear, would you mind opening that wonderful bottle of wine you brought? There’s a corkscrew in the kitchen.”

“Not at all, Norma. That is if I can tear my eyes away from those gorgeous gams of yours, and I’m not talking about that movie poster either.”

“Oh, go on with you.”

“I swear, I think I’m in love, Norma.”

After another moment, I heard giggling coming from the kitchen. I knew it was to high pitch to be Melinda’s, and when they returned to the living room I saw the sweetest smile on Norma’s face. Melinda winked at me as she sat beside me on the settee, and Norma sat in the arm chair. We had a very nice lunch and wonderful conversation. I marveled at how Melinda had so easily captivated Norma. At one point, on a dare from Melinda, Norma got up and sang for us. Her voice was operatic, clear and precise, and beautiful to the ear. It was so good to see the once timid old woman, who was afraid of her own shadow, blossom into the leading lady that she must have been in her youth.
What a gift Melinda has given her today.

Melinda pulled out her cellphone, “Norma, I wonder if you’d mind if I take a picture of that movie poster?”

“I’m flattered, Melinda.”

I poured Norma another glass of wine, and noticed that Melinda had not touched hers. Maybe it was because I hadn’t drank any of mine either. I was afraid to. But then I thought I’d prove to myself that one sip of wine, does not a drunkard make. Besides, I wanted to see if Melinda was refraining only because I had been. I took a big gulp and found it invitingly smooth, tastefully light, where the vapor lingered on my tongue. It was too good and I set the glass back down for fear of gulping the entire thing.

I walked over to Melinda and pointed out the date on the movie poster. It might be helpful and Melinda took a picture of it.

“Chris, let’s get in the picture with Norma, all right?”

We turned around and Norma had left. “Norma?”

“Right here, dear.” She came from the kitchen, carrying her wine glass, which was empty.

With Norma in the middle, we smiled as Melinda took a selfie of us. Just before we left, I looked at Melinda’s glass and smiled. She hadn’t touched a drop.

We walked down the hall to my apartment, where I hesitated, more from embarrassment than from not wanting her to come in. I argued with myself that I shouldn’t be embarrassed. That I had worked damn hard for what little I had. But in the end, I guess I just wasn’t ready to take that next step.

“I’d invite you in, but my place is a mess.”

“Oh, that’s all right. I want to get the picture of the movie poster over to my detective and see if she can use it to find Norma’s family.”

“That really was a brilliant idea on your part, Melinda, and um, if you think it’d be okay, I’d love to go with you to talk to her.”

“Oh yeah, that would be great! Oh, but don’t you have to work today?”

“No, actually, I have the night off.”

“Well then, what are we waiting for, let’s go.”

It’s in the Past ‒ Melinda Blackstone, Christine Livingston, Frankie Bonner
and
Meg Bumgartner

“Ms. Blackstone, so good to see you again.”

Frankie was being kind, I’m sure, since I barged in without even calling first, this time. Ever the genteel southerner, she offered us a libation, as she called it, and showed us to the fake leopard skin chairs. I remained standing because I think quicker on my feet.

“I’m sorry to take advantage of you like this, but I have another case I want you to pursue.” I gave her a look that pleaded with her to hear me out in spite of how I left things with her and her wife.

She looked at Chris and smiled, and I realized I had forgotten to introduce her.

“I’m sorry, where are my manners. This is‒”

But just as I was about to introduce her, Meg comes in mumbling something about she had lost her. The startled look on her face told me who she had been referring to. A shimmer of sweat broke out across her forehead, and it was then that I realized I had made a huge blunder in bringing Chris here.
Oh shit! I think I’ve really fucked it up this time.

“Honey, you remember Blackie Blackstone?”

“Yes, of course.” Meg replied.

I looked at the two women, so stern and rigid, and then Meg’s accusing eyes told me that I should play along. I wasn’t sure why, but it seemed the best thing to do at the moment, considering I was hoping she would do the same for me.

“And this is Chris Livingston.”

Chris held out her hand and Meg took it into both of hers, looking at her as if she were looking at Saint Mary herself.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Livingston.” She said with actual affection in her voice.

“Please, call me Chris.”

“Chris is the reason I’m here today. She would like your help, Ms. Bonner, in finding this woman’s family.” I scrolled through my cellphone, to the picture of the movie poster. While she looked closely at it, Chris began telling her everything she knew about Norma, which admittedly, wasn’t much.

I noticed that Chris kept glancing over at Meg, who had positioned herself behind Frankie’s desk. Suddenly, Chris stopped talking and turned to her.

“Do I know you, Ms. Bumgartner? You look so familiar to me”

“I have that type of face.” Meg replied with a smile.

Chris repeated Meg’s last name, “Bumgartner, Bumgartner. I knew a Bumgartner once in middle school. She was my best friend and we used to sleep over at each other’s houses.”

Chris stood up and began talking about her best friend, her hands accentuating her words. “Her name was Bonnie, and her big sister use to tease me all the time, and… and oh my God,” Chris grabbed my arm to steady herself and I could feel her trembling when she said, “you’re her, aren’t you? You’re Bonnie’s sister.”

You could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet in that office. Perhaps because three of us had our mouths hanging open and our eyes wide with surprise. Only Meg had a panicked look on her face, as if she had been caught in the headlights of a speeding car. After a brief pause, she nodded her head.

“Oh my gosh, Meg, how is Bonnie? I’ve love to see her again, maybe catch up on old times.”

Chris’s eyes had already transposed her into a kid again, with the anticipated excitement of seeing her old friend once more. But I watched as Meg’s eyes turned from panic to sorrow in a heartbeat. She crossed her arms as if to shield herself and walked over beside her wife.

“Bonnie was killed by a drunk driver when she was sixteen.”

The way she bluntly stated it, and the way she looked at me with such contempt, I thought I was going to throw up. I knew I hadn’t cause the tragic death of her sister, I had never hurt anyone when I was drunk, except maybe emotionally. But it was as plain as the nose on her face that she was as much as blaming me for it. That explained why she was so dead set against me, and why she was so over protective of Chris.

“Oh no… oh my God, I’m so sorry, Meg.” Chris jumped up and hugged Meg, who opened her arms to her.

It was obvious that no one knew what to say next. I’m not sure why, but I took it upon myself to step out on that cliff, and jump off.

“Did they catch the bastard?”

Meg looked at me queerly, as if I had struck a nerve that didn’t need to be pinched. And Chris turned her head away, putting her hand to her stark white cheek.