Out of Circulation (26 page)

What about Miss An’gel and Miss Dickce? Should I tell them of the journal’s existence? If I showed it to them, I might be able to discover whether they already knew about it.

Then again, if they didn’t know about it, I didn’t think it was my place to give them the means to discover their true parentage. This bore further thought, but like Scarlett O’Hara, I decided to think about it tomorrow.

By the time Diesel and I reached home, shortly after three that afternoon, I had a pounding headache—from tension. The last thing I felt like doing at the moment was talking to Azalea and trying to convince her to confide in me, but I really shouldn’t put it off any longer.

My decision was moot, as it turned out. Diesel and I found Lily in the kitchen, and she explained that Azalea had gone home early. She was still feeling “a mite poorly,” as Lily expressed it.

“I’m sorry she’s not feeling well,” I told Lily. “I hope she’s feeling more herself soon.”

In a way I was relieved, but I was also frustrated. Yet another delay. Unless I went to Azalea’s home—which I didn’t think she would appreciate at all—I would have to wait until she came back on Monday. I decided that was too long and resolved to call her in the morning and insist on talking to her.

Lily thanked me and then assured me that I wouldn’t have to worry about dinner. She knew what Azalea was planning to cook and she would prepare it for the family.

“I appreciate that, Lily. I’d rather not have to eat my own cooking.” I smiled and felt a little of the tension melt away.

“I’m mighty glad to help out,” Lily said. “Better to keep busy. Idle hands can get you in trouble.” She gazed down at Diesel, who in turn regarded her with interest. “Azalea told me about your cat. He sure is the biggest cat I ever did see.”

“He’s a Maine Coon,” I explained. “They can get to be pretty big, but Diesel is bigger than usual.”

“He sure is pretty, too.” She stretched out a tentative hand and stroked his head. Diesel pushed against her hand and purred, and Lily smiled. “He’s sweet. Can’t think why ’Zalea fusses about him.”

“I don’t think she likes cats all that much,” I said.

“Reckon not,” Lily said. “This one here is something special, though.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Miss Sissy and Mr. Hank had them a little dog, but he got sick and died about two years ago. He was a mess, but I sure did miss him.” Lily sighed. “Can’t believe I got attached to him the way I did. Like to broke Miss Sissy’s heart. Mr. Hank, too.” Suddenly she turned away, and I heard a barely suppressed sob.

I felt awkward. Lily obviously needed comfort, but I barely knew her. “I’m so sorry, Lily. I know what it’s like to lose a pet.”

“Not that, really,” Lily said, her voice muffled by the handkerchief at her mouth. “I done about raised Miss Sissy and Mr. Hank. I been with them since they was real little, and now I ain’t got no job no more.” Diesel meowed and rubbed against her leg, worried because she was upset. He obviously liked Lily or he wouldn’t have stayed near her.

All I could do was repeat how sorry I was. I wished I could offer her some other comfort, but I didn’t know what else to say.

“Don’t pay no mind to me, Mr. Charlie. You go on now, and
I’ll be fixing your dinner.” She put away her handkerchief and straightened her back. “You a sweet cat,” she told Diesel as she patted his head.

“Okay, Lily, but if you need anything, let me know. I’ll be upstairs.” As I walked out of the room I glanced over my shoulder to see whether Diesel would follow.

He didn’t. He stayed near Lily, and I saw her smile down at him. I knew he would help her feel better, more so than I could, so I left them together.

I decided a hot shower and some aspirin might take care of the tension headache, and they did. I felt much better a half hour later, and I headed back downstairs to see what was cooking and to get some iced tea. As far as I knew, Diesel was still in the kitchen with Lily. He hadn’t put in an appearance in the bedroom.

As I approached the kitchen I heard Stewart’s voice.

“So good to see you, Lily. It’s been way too long.”

“Mr. Stewart, I sure do miss you coming over to see Mr. Hank. Just ain’t been the same, you not visiting like you did.” Lily sounded truly regretful.

I paused in the hall, not wanting to interrupt, yet curious to hear more. I should have been ashamed of eavesdropping, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Well, Lily, things just didn’t work out. Hank and I saw things differently, I guess.” He sounded regretful, too. “Tell me, is he doing okay? Is he still gambling?”

“He swears he ain’t going to no more, but he said that before. I’m afraid they go’n’ lose everything, Mr. Stewart. They had to let me go, and they been selling the furniture. They ain’t hardly nothing left.”

“I didn’t know it had gotten that bad. If I could help, I would, but I’m the last person Hank would accept any help from.”

“And you the best friend he ever had. I can’t think what’s wrong with that boy. Now he done took up with, well, he done took up with somebody else, and I don’t think it’s right.”

“I didn’t know that. Who is this new ‘friend’ of his?” Stewart sounded both annoyed and curious.

“I don’t rightly know. You have to ask Mr. Hank that yourself,” Lily said, and she sounded evasive to me.

“Are you sure you can’t tell me, Lily?” Stewart would have his most winsome, wheedling expression on full force now, I was sure.

“No, I can’t, Mr. Stewart. Like I said, I don’t rightly know. You have to ask Mr. Hank.” Lily was stubborn in her refusal. I was sure she did know the identity of Hank’s new boyfriend, but for whatever reason she wasn’t going to tell Stewart.

Not that it was any of my business, or Stewart’s, for that matter. I had eavesdropped long enough. I backed up a few steps, called out, “Diesel, where are you?” then strolled into the kitchen.

“Hi, Stewart,” I said brightly. “Lily, is Diesel still here with you?” Diesel answered that question himself by warbling loudly as he walked around the table to greet me.

“Evening, Charlie,” Stewart said with an odd expression. Was he wondering whether I had overheard his conversation with Lily? “How are you?”

“Fine,” I said. “Are you going to be in for dinner?”

“Now that I know Lily cooked the dinner, I am,” Stewart said. “Lily is a fabulous cook, even better than Azalea. But don’t either of you dare tell Azalea that or she’ll never let me touch her food again.” He wagged a finger at Lily and me in turn.

Lily laughed. “No way I’m go’n’ tell ’Zalea that, Mr.Stewart. She like to think she the best at everything, and I ain’t about to argue with her.”

“Good,” Stewart said. “Now, if y’all will excuse me, I’m going to run upstairs and get Dante and take him for his walk.”

As he left the kitchen I turned to Lily and said, “I hope Diesel hasn’t pestered you. He always acts like he’s on the point of starvation and likes to beg food.”

“No, he been real good,” Lily said, her attention once again focused on the stove. “Friendly, but he ain’t been begging.”

“That’s good,” I said, “because there are some things that are bad for cats.”

“I know they ain’t supposed to have chocolate, but what else can’t they have?”

I gave her the quick list: raisins, grapes, onions, cheese, milk, green tomatoes, and raw potatoes.

“I be sure and remember all that,” Lily said. “Don’t want to go making no cat sick.”

“Thank you,” I said, “and Diesel thanks you, too.” Diesel meowed right on cue, and Lily laughed.

My cell phone rang, and I excused myself and walked into the hall to answer it. Kanesha was calling, strain evident in her voice when she spoke.

“I’m at the hospital with Mama, and she’s asking for you. Can you come?”

“What happened?” I asked, so startled I almost dropped the phone.

“They think she had a mild heart attack,” Kanesha said. “She’s going to be okay, but she wants to talk to you.”

“Of course. I’m on my way.” I ended the call, then speed-dialed Stewart. He answered right away. I asked him to come downstairs immediately.

I turned to Lily to tell her about her sister. “Would you like to come to the hospital with me?”

She nodded, her lips already working on a silent prayer, and went to fetch her coat.

When Stewart ran into the kitchen I told him quickly what had happened. He said he would keep an eye on the stove and on Diesel.

Lily and I made it to the hospital in about ten minutes. I’m sure Lily prayed the entire way, and I silently added my
prayers to hers. Kanesha said it was a mild heart attack, but that didn’t make it less worrisome.

Dr. Sharp stood waiting at the emergency room reception desk when we arrived, and he escorted us to the small room where Azalea lay in bed. She had various monitors hooked up to her, and Kanesha sat in a chair near the bed, her whole body taut with tension. Azalea appeared to be asleep, but her eyes popped open as we approached her.

I hung back to let Lily talk to her sister first. Kanesha joined me and Dr. Sharp in a corner of the small room.

“How is she?” I asked. Azalea looked exhausted, and her skin had a gray tinge to it that alarmed me.

“Doing better than she looks,” Dr. Sharp said. “It was a minor cardiac incident, and fortunately Kanesha was with her when it occurred. She’s going to be fine, but she’s going to have to cut back on the salt and fried foods.”

Kanesha muttered something that sounded like “Ain’t gonna happen.” Sharp slipped an arm around her, and she leaned against him for a moment.

“I’m glad she’s in such good hands,” I said, greatly relieved by the cardiologist’s confidence.

Lily called to me. “Mr. Charlie, ’Zalea wants to see you.”

I moved toward the bed, and Lily stepped out of the way. I squeezed one of Azalea’s hands gently. “How are you feeling?”

A ghost of a smile flitted across her face and then disappeared. “Tolerable, Mr. Charlie. Tolerable.” Her stock answer when I inquired about her health. I had a sudden lump in my throat and couldn’t speak for a moment.

“Looks like they’re taking good care of you,” I finally said. “If there’s anything I can do for you, you let me know.”

Azalea nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Charlie. They say I
got to take it easy for a while. Can’t do no lifting much and things like that. Be okay with you if Lily come help me awhile?”

“For as long as you need her,” I said firmly. “The important thing is for you to get to feeling better. Nothing else matters.” I would make sure she didn’t have to worry about the hospital bill, either. Unbeknownst to Azalea, Aunt Dottie had left money for just such a contingency, with firm instructions to me to take care of Azalea and not to let her talk me out of doing it. This was one battle with Azalea I would win, I promised Aunt Dottie silently.

“Can you pull up a chair and sit close?” Azalea said. “Need to tell you something.”

I glanced at Dr. Sharp, and he nodded as he approached the bed. “It’s okay as long as you don’t talk too long. You need to rest.” He smiled down at her. “I don’t want Kanesha carrying me off to jail if something happens to you. All right?”

Azalea nodded, and Sharp withdrew, taking Lily and Kanesha with him.

“What did you want to tell me?” I asked as I scooted the chair close to the bed.

Azalea’s eyes were closed, and one hand plucked at the blanket covering her. She sighed heavily. “I sure am sorry, Mr. Charlie. Should’ve told you this earlier, but I was feeling like a foolish old woman.” Her eyes opened, and she blinked at me.

“Don’t worry about that,” I said and risked patting her restless hand. Her fingers curled around my hand for a moment and squeezed briefly. “Is this about what happened in that stairwell the other night?”

She nodded. “I did see something I didn’t tell you about. It like to scare me to death, though. Ain’t never seen
nothing like it. I thought it must be the old devil himself coming after that woman.”

I felt a chill along my spine. I could hear the terror in her voice, and I squeezed her hand again.

“What did it look like?” I asked.

She shuddered. “Horrible. I looked up those stairs when I heard that woman up there, and this shadow come up behind her. I saw it move and strike her, and I turned away and tried to hide myself so it wouldn’t come after me.”

How bizarre. “What did the shadow look like? I know it’s scary for you to think about, but if you can describe it for me, maybe I can figure out what it was.”

“All right.” She paused. “Reckon it was like a great big ole hand, ’cepting it had horns on it.”

What on earth could it be? I wondered. “How big was the hand?”

“Really big.” Azalea sketched out a shape in the air with one hand.

Even allowing for the distortion caused by light and shadow, it sounded like whatever Azalea had seen was larger than I would have expected a normal hand and arm to look like as they cast a shadow.

“That does sound really strange,” I said, “but I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for it. Don’t worry about it anymore. I promise you I’ll figure it out, but you will need to tell the sheriff about it later, when you’re feeling up to it.”

That seemed to reassure her. “Okay, Mr. Charlie. Thank you. I be all right now.”

“Good. You get some rest, and we’ll come see you tomorrow.”

I didn’t wait for any acknowledgment. I pushed the
chair back as quietly as I could and slipped from the room. Kanesha and Lily waited right outside the door.

“Can I go in now?” Lily asked her niece.

“Go ahead. I’ll be with you in a minute.” Kanesha glanced at me.

Kanesha and I moved away from the door to talk. I shared with her what Azalea had told me, and Kanesha frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “Maybe she was so frightened of the dark she imagined it. It’s so bizarre.”

“Yes, it is,” I said. “But she seemed convinced of what she saw. It wasn’t the devil, obviously, but it was something with a distorted shadow. We just have to figure out what it was.”

Lily came out of the room and interrupted further conversation. “’Zalea says I should go back with you and finish up dinner.” She smiled, though her eyes were wet with tears. “She go’n’ be okay, she ordering me around like that.”