The Beckoning of Beautiful Things (The Beckoning Series) (31 page)

The small box rested on the seat beside her. She pried open the box with one hand and removed one of the earrings. She extended her index finger and touched the tiny, faceted gem.
Daniel…

Marissa…

We’re going to put things right.
No response came.
I just made a decision.

I’m listening.

I’m going to put things right – with you, with my mom and dad, with my sisters, and aunt, all of it.

How will you do this?

You said you’re a dangerous man.

Yes.

You need to be with a dangerous woman. I need to own what and who I am. I’m ready to stop playing games with my life.
No response.
Are you listening?

Still here.

We’ll find El Demonio and put things right.

We’ve already found him. He’s found you, rather.

So you say.
Her stubbornness locked into position in her gut. She was unwilling to give him the win on this one. Silence.
I’m still not convinced.
More silence.
Daniel?

Still here.

Are you mad at me?

No.

What then?

You have to find your own way here. I know what I know
, but you think I’m trying to manipulate you. I’m not sure if explaining anything will even help.

I want to hear what you have to say.

You will. I’m just not sure it will do any good.

This time the silence hung between them, dark and heavy like a suffocating cloud of smoke.
Daniel?

What?

I love you.

Uh huh.

No, I really do.

If you say so.

Ouch. This conversation was not going the way she’d planned.
I do. I’m just still mad at you. Still pissed. Still confused.

I can tell. Why don’t you get some rest? You’re tired, I’m tired. We’ll look at things with fresh eyes tomorrow. Deal?

That’s probably for the best.
She smiled.
Guys like you make good sense sometimes.

Guys like me make big huge messes of the best thing that ever happened to them.

Marissa winced.
Guys like you can learn from your mistakes and put things right.

We’ll see.

He seemed so dejected Marissa wanted to cry.
Like you said, Daniel, a couple like us needs time to explore. We obviously affect one another in ways we never dreamed another would affect us.

True.

I’m willing to give us a chance if you’re willing.
Silence.
Daniel?

I’m here.

Are you willing to try?

I don’t know. I just seem to make things all wrong when it comes to love. I destroy love. I fail in this area of my life. It’s the only area in life I’ve ever failed in.

Are you saying you’re not even going to try?
Her eyes welled up with tears.

That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just going to be much more cautious moving forward. You deserve considered action, not bold, selfish gestures. I’m used to getting my own way.

We can do this, Daniel. We can be two dangerous people with an amazing relationship.

I don’t ever want to be a danger to you, dulzura.

And I don’t want to be a danger to you. I only want to use my Light Rebel self to restore what is right and what is true.

Then you have to give me a chance to explain.

I already told you that I would.

You did, but not with the level of openness I sense in you now. Deal?

She pursed her lips and thought a moment.
Deal.
She envisioned him sighing.

Thank you. Now I believe you.

Believe me what?

That you love me. I’m going to hang onto that feeling until you arrive tomorrow.

Me, too.
She hesitated.
I’m not ready to put the earrings back in. I still need to feel like I have some autonomy here.

So be it.

Soon.

I’ll be waiting. Until tomorrow, cariño.

Goodnight, Daniel.

At a quarter to
12 the next day, Marissa hustled from her cubicle and burst into the front foyer.

Crazy Betty looked up from her Tarot spread, her eyes darkly lined with sorrowful fatigue. “Look at what your day holds, dear.” She poked one of the cards. “You’ve got the Star on your side today.”

“That’s cool, Betty, but what I need is wings. I’m late for a lunch date.” She pushed opened the swinging door in the countertop and knocked a pile of papers and colorful, hard, shiny candies off the counter. The candies clattered in every direction. “Dang it.”

“I’m invoicing, dear. You’re going to have to put those back in order by the date they’re due. The ones with the Skittles on top means they’re finished. That pile over there has no Skittles, see?”

“Uh huh.” She stooped to gather up the invoices.

“Not done. That pile is not done. Help yourself to a candy while you’re down there.”

“No, thanks.” Marissa flipped through the papers, organizing them by date. She tapped them on the counter and plunked them back where they were.

“
You have a strong desire now to find or rediscover a sense of meaning, inspiration, or purpose in your life.”

“Okay. That’s true.”

“Make sure and put the candies on top, or I won’t know what I’m doing.”

Marissa ran her hand along the white
-specked linoleum and scooped a pile of Skittles into her palm. She kicked the rest under the lip of the counter wall. She deposited the candy on the invoices and wiped her dusty hand off on her skirt.

Crazy Betty nodded. “You’re making some significant changes in your life, transforming yourself from the old you to the new you
.
 
You’re finally honoring the person who you truly are or want to be, rather than simply following a routine that has little meaning to you. The Star brings renewed self-esteem and increased trust in yourself.”

“If you say so.”

“Let the light guide you, dear.”

Marissa hesitated.
Does she know something?
“Thanks, Betty, I’ll do that.”

“I’ve got something else to give you.”

Marissa glowered at the clock over Crazy Betty’s head. “Can it wait until I get back? I’m super late. I have to be at Sweet Things at noon, and it will take me 20 minutes at best to get there.”

“This will only take a second. Hand me my purse, will you
, child? It’s over there.” She pointed to the large, flowered purse resting on the floor.

“Betty, I’ve got to go.”

“Right there. It’s right there.” Crazy Betty jabbed the air with her parchment skinned fingertip.

Exasperated, Marissa seized the canvas handbag, covered with huge pink
, yellow-centered, daisies, and plopped it in front of Crazy Betty. “What have you got in here, Betty? This thing weighs a ton.”

“Just all the things a girl needs to conduct her business. This will only take a second
, and you’ll be on your way.” She rooted around in the purse. “Oh, look – there’s my old pipe!” She pulled a rustic looking carved pipe from her purse. “See that? It’s called a Sea Dog pipe. I sure wish I could smoke again, but the doctor gave his orders. Don’t want to go against his will.” She stirred her hand through the roomy bag. “I know it’s in here somewhere. Hand me my reading glasses, dear.”

Marissa stared at the clock, willing time to slow. She grabbed the old woman’s glasses and shoved them in her hand.

Crazy Betty slowly unfolded the pink and yellow frames, which matched her purse, and perched them on her nose. She peered into the looming maw of her purse. “There it is. I see it.” Her wrinkled fingers procured a small, folded piece of paper. “Here,” she said, shoving it in Marissa’s direction.

“Thanks, can I look at it later?” Marissa inched toward the front door.

“Open it. It’s a present from Buddy.” Crazy Betty beamed.

That damn dog.
Marissa unfolded the paper, her bejeweled foot tapping with the need for speed.
A tiny paw print in black ink?
“Uh, thank you.” She envisioned Crazy Betty rolling ink over the dead dog’s stiff paw and pressing it to the paper and shuddered.

“He wanted you to have it. It was the last thing he said to me on the day of his funeral.” She reached for a Kleenex. “Oh, my, it was such a beautiful funeral. Buddy, he was smiling at us all. Me and the gals did right by him. It only took one of us to be his pall bearer, to carry his tiny coffin, so we all took turns. We passed him person to person to the front of the church. We were like his angels.”

“Betty,” Marissa interrupted. “I’ve really got to go.”

“We told stories of his life after that and ate. Oh, how we ate! We had marshmallow pie, sugar yams with titty sauce, fried chicken, coleslaw, hot dogs, okra, broccoli and bacon salad…”

“Betty, please!” Marissa interrupted.

“And the stories that poured out of the community! What a fine little champion he was. He affected us all. We laughed, we cried, we held hands. We really came together as a community.”

“Betty!”

“He told me, clear as a bell from his tiny box, that you were to have his protection. He said, ‘give her my paw print. It will serve as a protection paw.’ Oh, my, lord, that little champion thinks of us all even from the other side.” She blew her nose noisily. “Hand me the wastebasket, will you dear?”

“Betty, thank you…thank Buddy…but I’ve really
got
to go.” She slid the metal can across the floor with her foot.

“Do you know where he’s buried?”

“Uh, no.”

“His tiny frame lies in St. Joseph’s Evergreen Everlasting over on 25
th
. His huge soul looks out over us all. Oh, my little champion!” She gave Marissa a chilling look over the top of her glasses.

Marissa stepped back. She’d never seen Crazy Betty look like that.

“You’d do well to keep that small token close to you, child. Help can come from every direction when you need it.”

Marissa stilled. She gave the old woman her full regard. “Thank you, Betty. I mean it.” She held the folded paper up and shook it. “This will go in the secret pocket in my jacket.” She unzipped a small hidden pocket and tucked the paper within. “Will that suffice?” She patted her coat.

The elderly woman’s face softened into its usual cheer. “Buddy’s glad he can be of assistance to you. You’re a special girl. Now get on to your lunch date. Have fun.” She shooed Marissa out the door. “Don’t let me keep you.”

Marissa rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Betty. See you later,” she called as she zipped through the front door.

She sprinted up the street and arrived at Sweet Things at 12:15. Alexander opened the front door to the café without noticing her. “Alexander!” she called.

He turned and lifted a hand in greeting.

When she reached his side she said, “Sorry I’m late.”

“No, no,” he answered, with a kind smile. “I’m moving fairly slowly myself today.”

“You look tired. Rough night?”

“Yes. It comes with age, I’m afraid. I often toss and turn. They don’t give you manuals for this part of life, that’s for sure.” He held the door open for her to enter. “What a charming little café,” he declared as he stepped behind her.

“Yes, it’s one of my favorites.”

“Thank you for taking me to a favorite café. I feel honored.” He inclined his body in a short bow.

“Hey, girl,” the host called to Marissa. He wore a white t-shirt, black pants, and moved like a caffeinated dingo. “You’re looking good today.” He smiled appreciatively. “Want your usual spot?”

“Hey, Karl. Thank you. Sure
, that would be fine. This is Alexander. He’s a coffee grower from Brazil.”

“Brazil, huh? Nice to meet you. Coffee. Even better. My favorite beverage. That and Red Bull.” He gestured to follow him and swiftly walked through the crowded café to a small table in the back.

Marissa liked to sit in the back and watch humanity surge in and out of the café. She always sat with her back to the wall, facing the front of the restaurant.

“Here’re your menus.” He handed a menu to the each of them. “I’ll take your order. It’s slammed in here. Anything to drink? Your usual coffee? Ice
d tea? Lemonade?”

“I’ll have ice
d tea. You, Alexander?”

Alexander mouth turned down in a frown. “I’ll have the usual.” He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed at his forehead. “It’s awfully hot in here.”

“Sir?” Karl asked.

“The usual!” Alexander waved his hand impatiently at the waiter.

“Uh, I’m sorry, refresh my memory.” He glanced at Marissa for support.

“No idea,” she mouthed.

“I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, that’s right. I don’t mind at all. I’ll be right back.”

“Why didn’t he pull your chair out?” Alexander demanded. “I have to keep telling him and telling him that you deserve better care.”

“I thought you’d never been here,” Marissa said, puzzled.

“We come here all the time,” the old man said angrily. “And every time, I have to keep telling him to treat you like a lady.”

“Uh, okay. He’ll get it sooner or later.” Marissa stared at her companion and bit her lip.

Alexander blinked rapidly several times. “Do you come here often? It’s lovely.”

“Yes, I come here a lot. It’s my favorite lunch place. I already told you that.”

He reached across the table and patted her hand. “I’m so glad you brought us here. I’m so glad to have met you.”

“Thanks. You, too.” Baffled, alarm bells clanged in her head.

Karl returned promptly with their drinks, a pen tucked behind his ear and a pad of paper. He set the drinks on the table, smiling. “What’ll it be? We just got some spot prawns in. And some fresh crab. We’ve got a killer salad with those babies all over it.”

“Mmm, that sounds great. I’ll take that. Alexander?”

“He knows what I want. He’s just being coy again.” He pursed his lips and looked down at the table, his hands resting on either side of his plate.

Marissa noticed the elaborate gold ring on his right hand.
Had he been wearing that last night?
Something about the ring disturbed her.
Where have I seen that ring before?
She scanned her memory banks.

He reached for his glass and took a small sip. “This is swill. Didn’t you get the case of wine I had delivered?”

Think, Engles, think.
Marissa’s brain whirred.

Alexander sighed and sat his glass down with a thunk, splashing liquid over the edges. “Take this away and bring me something decent. You people! You probably drank it all yourselves.”

Karl’s face darkened. He scowled at Marissa.

She shrugged, raised her eyebrows
, and dabbed at the table with her napkin. People were starting to stare. She knew Karl had lots of orders to take. Only one table remained. “Just bring him the sole,” she whispered. “We’re going to fix you a special meal, Alexander. You like fish, don’t you?”
Come on, come on, come on. Where have I seen that ring?

“If it’s prepared properly, yes.”

Marissa’s hair stood on end.
I saw that ring in the ether meeting with Tom! I cut off his hands!

“Excellent!” said Karl, sticking the pen behind his ear. “We’ll have your order in a jiffy.” He raced away.

Dread snaked through Marissa’s bloodstream. It pooled in her feet, making her feel like she was affixed to the floor with lead and sturdy bolts. She clenched and unclenched her hands, rubbed them together and then wiped them on her skirt.
Oh, God, Daniel was right. Why did I have to be so stubborn? Why, oh, why, didn’t I put those earrings in?
“So tell me more about the coffee plantation,” she prompted. She reached for her purse and sat it in her lap.

Blink, blink, blink. Alexander looked puzzled as if he wasn’t quite sure where he was. “Where’s our waiter? I’m famished.”

“Um, he already took our order. Food will be out soon. This place is fast.”

The old man nodded. His face washed with delight like the sun had just come out. “I’ve brought you something.”

“You shouldn’t have.”

“I wanted to.” He slid his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a tiny vial. He handed it to her with a smile. “I just wanted to thank you for the time you’ve spent with me while I’m here. You’ve brought joy into an old man’s heart.”

“Thank you.” She took the small, heart-shaped vial, tied with a black velvet ribbon, uncapped it, and sniffed. Immediately, an exotic and disturbing fragrance assaulted her nose. Miniscule fingers of scent wound their way up her nostrils, teasing open her olfactory senses. They pushed into her brain like evil fairy fingers and gently pried open her third eye. “Whoa,” she said, shoving the vial away from her.

“Do you like it?” Alexander pressed his fingers in a steeple in front of his face. His eyes sparkled with elation. “I had it made for you. Just for you.”