Chapter Twenty-seven
Honey drove to her mother’s house and let herself in with a hidden key. She tiptoed into the spare room, glad that her mom was either still in bed or she’d gone out. She neither knew nor cared. All she wanted was a peaceful place to hide from the building pain she’d held off with anger.
All the way home, she’d continually rewound the evening back to the dark yard with the police lights strobing, people everywhere, and a dead body at her feet. The instant she’d stared at a stranger with fear and need only to see that same person turn and stroll into the darkness returned over and over.
How could he walk away? Just leave her there… suffering.
She remembered those seconds her heart had spiked with gladness when she’d thought she’d recognized him. The sudden overwhelming relief to think he’d help her. And the desolation when she’d realized she’d been wrong.
Reliving those earlier moments at his place, when she’d been the one to leave him, justification built and gave her strength. Rage followed, and her mind began constructing a wall filled with purpose to get over him… forget the prick.
He’s not the man she thought he was. Her idol would never have strolled off. Not like Luke… a liar and - and a-a coward. Hardening herself against coming up with excuses, she killed the dreams she’d begun weaving.
Recalling earlier how she’d skipped around the fancy kitchen to make her sweetheart some coffee only made her angrier.
Instead, she’d concentrate on how it had felt when she’d found his hoodie rolled in a ball and tossed carelessly into a corner. The hoodie of the man who’d rejected her in a moment when she’d needed him so much.
Reliving her reaction… how her stomach had hurt so bad, she’d doubled over with the truth screaming in her head, pounding at her awareness.
Honey, you’ve been played for a fool. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about you.
And so she’d left with a tiny shred of her dignity intact.
Christ, was there ever a more gullible fucking idiot than a woman who thought she’d found true love?
***
“I don’t understand.” Mel stared at Honey as if she’d lost her mind. “Why are you here, in your mom’s house? I recall a dear friend once saying it would be her last option before homelessness.”
“Granted, but I couldn’t stay where I was. I don’t want anything to do with that man ever again.”
Mel’s glistening blue eyes widened, giving her overly long eyelashes a slightly comic appearance. “What happened? Seriously, girl. I mean it. That man! What has he done to you? Do I need to buy a gun?”
Unintentionally, Honey chuckled. Mel could always sweeten her mood. “No. I don’t want either of us to get that close. He’s out of my life and good riddance.”
“Hold on there, cowboy. You can’t shut that door without telling me why I need to hate him too.”
In a few words, Honey explained how she’d seen a man who she thought was Luke the night before at the crime scene. And how he’d lied when she’d brought it up. “Mel, I believed him… took it for granted I’d been mistaken because that person had just walked away. Then, this morning, I’d decided to make Luke coffee and a snack and found the actual hoodie in Luke’s kitchen. The one I recognized the man wearing. It had been him.”
“What did he say when you accused him?”
“He didn’t deny it. How could he?”
“Okay, that’s nasty.”
Honey scoffed and added, “He’s nasty. I don’t ever want to see him again.”
“Easy, sugar, maybe you just need some time.”
“Don’t you sugar me. And I won’t change my mind. He’s my past and from now on I don’t want to hear his name.”
Mel put a few steps between them and used her hands as if to ward off an assailant. “Got it. No more about that Lucifer sneak. He’s the devil’s bastard. Let’s make a stuffed effigy, stick pins in it, and throw it in the river.”
Shaking her head at Mel’s silliness, she flopped onto a kitchen stool. “Don’t joke. What am I going to do with the rest of my summer?”
“I know you won’t go back to work at the restaurant with me but they’d sure be willing to have you occasionally for the catering gigs. We get a lot of those big weddings and house parties during the summer months.”
“You figure my old boss would have me back?”
“You know he would.”
“Okay, I’ll call him.”
“Good. But… first things first, we need to find you a place of your own.”
“Hell no. I’m not leaving my mom here alone after last night.”
Mel’s thoughtful expression showed her agreement. “I’d say it sucks to be you, having to live with mommy again, but I’d do the same thing. Until they have Tansy under lock and key, why take chances. Speaking of your mom, where is she?”
“I haven’t seen her since I got here earlier. She seems to have gone out. Not worried yet but if she doesn’t answer my calls soon, or my texts, I’ll be anxious.”
“Why not check with what’s-his-name before getting too upset?”
“Bernie? Good idea. He just lives a couple doors down.”
Before she could follow through on the suggestion, they both heard the kitchen door open. Her mother came in humming, her hair rumpled, and her blouse’s top buttons undone. She came to a dead halt when she saw the girls. Then rushed to her daughter. “Honey, are you okay? I didn’t see your car.”
“I parked it on the road because of the crime scene tape still up. And I’m fine.”
Anita came closer and looked deep into Honey’s deceptive innocent expression. Then as if she made up her mind not to pry, she began gathering her loose hair back in a tail. Flustered, she rushed to the fridge. “I’ll make you girls some breakfast.”
“Mom. Stop. Where have you been all morning?”
With her back to Honey and Mel, and her voice weak, she admitted, “I stayed with Bernie.” As if she needed to explain, she turned to face them with a carton of eggs dangerously hanging from her hand. “He made me. Said it wasn’t safe here for me alone, and I should go home with him. The policewoman, you remember, the nice one who was so sweet to me, agreed with him. So I did.” Her head nodded as if to urge them to agree also. When they said nothing, she added, “We were both so tired, we fell asleep and woke up not that long ago.”
Honey went to save the eggs and also hug her mother. “It was a good idea, Mom. I’m glad you weren’t here alone. But, from now on I’ll be staying with you until they catch that other girl, Tansy.”
Flushing, Anita pushed the eggs over on the counter and then hugged Honey. “I’m glad, baby. We’ll be much safer together.”
***
Mel, sitting back, saw the older woman’s face and had the distinct impression that those words had been said more for Honey’s comfort than for hers. Hmm! Mel felt positive that more went on earlier than Anita had shared.
It made her smile to think that the woman she’d known as only Honey’s mom might have found a new life of her own with a new man.
Scoffing inside, Mel realized she wanted the whole world to be in love because of her own shiny new relationship. Knowing she had plans to spend most of the day with Jess made her tingle with anticipation.
Suddenly, it hit her. How the hell were they going to be able to continue, her and Jess, when her bestie refused to see or even talk about Luke?
Christ on a stick. Life sucked sometimes.