Chapter 12 - June
June
I look up from the bridal catalogue on my monitor when a woman in a blue halter dress and bronze sandals enters the store. As she approaches the desk, I straighten in my seat. Those freshly done twists with the golden brown highlights in her hair look so pretty.
She takes off her sunglasses and smiles at me.
“Hi, I’m here for a try-on.”
I return her smile and open the store’s calendar app. “Great! What’s your name and appointment time?”
She cringes and lets out a nervous laugh.
“I didn’t make one. I just got engaged yesterday.
” Her smile brightens as she lifts her left hand and points at the gleaming diamond ring on her brown finger.
“I was walking by when I saw the store. I got excited and thought I would come in and see what I like. Maybe try something on. Is that OK?”
People seriously don’t read signs. There’s a large one I taped to the door that says TRY-ONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY in the thickest and tallest font I could use, and yet there’s always someone who ignores it.
It’s the middle of wedding season, we’re booked well into September, and someone cancelled today so there’s an open slot. However, walk-ins have felt like risky business ever since last year when a customer spray-painted on one of the pricier dresses.
According to her confession to the police, Spray Paint Lady did it because of a nervous breakdown. She was under constant pressure from her mother and partner to get married, even though she secretly wanted to end the relationship.
No more walk-ins unless they look like they can afford an Ines, Katelyn instructed after that.
It’s snobby and not fool-proof. Anyone can look like a million bucks while being in serious debt. Since I’m the one who mistakenly ignored the unsettling glint in Spray Paint Lady’s eyes and let her near our dresses, I’ve followed Katelyn’s rule without question.
I sweep my gaze over the woman, noting her designer sunglasses and handbag, and the impressive size of her engagement ring. I have more experience under my belt now. I don’t detect any shady intentions. All I see is the familiar warm glow of a genuine bride.
I smile. “That’s OK.”
After I take her contact information, I lead her to the new arrivals section in the showroom first.
I never had concrete career goals during school.
When it was time for college, my decision-making process was to flip through the course booklet and slap my finger down on a random spot, then search within myself whether I’d like that class.
Three finger-slaps later, I settled on a jewellery design diploma, only to graduate and struggle to put the thing to use.
I walked into this bridal store on a whim, and also out of desperation. My six-month grace period before I had to start repaying my student loan was almost up, and I didn’t want to run crying to my parents to help me pay it off.
Even though I didn’t have any sales experience, Katelyn took a chance on me. Mostly because, in her words, “You’re young and pretty, and that’s half the battle won in any sales job.”
I used to think this would be a starter job that every young person got before they chased their dream career. I also thought I would be bored, surrounded by one dominant colour when I love variety. But I actually like this job.
Most of the dresses are varying shades of white, but they’re all beautiful. I love being a part of someone’s happiest moment too. The best part of my day is the awe in a bride’s eyes as she looks at herself in the mirror, and how an ordinary woman can look extraordinary in the perfect gown for her.
My risk pays off and the walk-in becomes a paying customer. She leaves the store after putting a down payment on a dress that’s twice the amount I make in a month.
Lunchtime arrives. I head to the park nearby with the ham sandwich Malcolm made for me. I claim a bench under a shade tree and take out my phone while I eat.
The police had asked me to call Penny to get Kevin’s contact information. The call had gone straight to voicemail, so I left a quick message asking her to call me back.
I saw her text this morning while I rushed to get ready for work, and I decided to wait until a better time to return it. I should’ve done it sooner.
Three new texts from her flood my screen, each sounding more concerned than the last. She answers my call on the second ring.
“June! Are you OK?”
“Yeah. Sorry I didn’t get back to you this morning. I was running late.”
“I was so worried.” Her voice softens with relief. “You sounded scared on the voicemail you left last night. What was wrong?”
“I was nervous because the cops were there,” I say, then relate last night’s events.
“That’s so scary!” Penny gasps when I’m done. “If your dad’s friend hadn’t been there…” She pauses and lets out a harsh breath. “I don’t even want to think about it. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
I make a face. “I don’t think I’ll feel totally safe until the creep is arrested.”
“True. I’m worried for you being there by yourself. You need protection. Get a baseball bat and put a sock on the end of it. If he tries to grab it, he won’t get a good hold, and then you can wail on him.”
Talking about the intruder and the police had stirred up fresh anxiety, but Penny’s response makes me laugh. It’s funny that a compassionate person like her could suggest such violence.
“I won’t be by myself. Malcolm is moving into your room… the one that used to be yours.”
“That’s nice. He’s a good guy for looking out for you like that.” She pauses. “But won’t that be weird?”
“Weird how?”
“Well, for one, you can’t walk around with no pants on like you love to do.”
“Says the pot to the kettle.”
We share a laugh, then she continues.
“What about when you bring a date home for… you know… fun activities… and he’s there? Or if he does, and you’re there?”
I hadn’t thought of the possibility that Malcolm might bring a date to the apartment. That would bother me, even if I’m not home.
Movement out of the corner of my eye draws my attention. I glance at a guy who’s leaning his bike against a bench several feet away, then return to staring at some cute yellow goslings following their mama across the park.
“It’ll be a while before I have any fun activities. I’m not dating anyone. He just got out of the army, so I don’t think he’s dating either.”
Although, I don’t know that for sure, and that bothers me too.
“He’s ex-military and he’s single? How old is he?”
Tension tightens my brow at the change in her voice. It sounds like she bumped up from idle curiosity to interested.
“Uh… I think he’s almost forty.”
“Ooh. He’s younger than I thought.”
“Still an older guy, though.” It’s a struggle to keep the edge out of my tone. “He’s nearly twice our age.”
“I like older guys. Maturity is sexy.”
I scuff my right foot over the grass, scowling at the idyllic scenery straight ahead.
This feels like that time Grandma Sadie gifted me a chocolate assortment for my birthday. Daphne begged me to share some with her when I wanted all sixteen pieces to myself.
Penny already likes what she heard about Malcolm. He’s even more of a tantalizing treat with his handsome face and fit body. The moment she lays eyes on him, she’ll definitely want a piece. And maybe Malcolm won’t mind either because Penny is a beautiful person inside and out too.
None of this should bother me. Both of them are good people who I care about. I should be happy if they were to meet and share a connection. Yet that thought makes the ham sandwich weigh heavier in my stomach.
“Anyway, the reason I called last night is because the police wants Kevin’s contact info,” I say, eager to change the topic. “Expect a call from them.”
“Why Kevin?”
Her defensive tone makes me hesitate before I answer.
“When the police asked me if anyone had a key to my apartment, I told them about the time you lent Kevin your copy, and that he never returned it to me like we agreed.”
“He gave it back to me. I was supposed to drop by and return it myself but I’ve been so busy. He couldn’t have been the intruder.”
“I’m not saying he is, but it would be good if the police can rule him out.”
She’s silent for a moment and I’m worried she’s upset with me.
“He did something kind of creepy when we were younger, though. We were on a family vacation at a lakehouse, and while I was in the shower, I caught him spying on me through a crack in the door. His face got so red when I yelled at him. He looked like he was going to cry. He said he didn’t know I was in there.
I knew he was lying and just wanted to see. ”
“See what?”
“Boobs.” She laughs. “He’s always been shy around girls, and he was worse when he was younger. I think he spied on me because he’d never had a girlfriend, and he was curious to see what a girl looked like naked.”
I make a face. “But you’re his cousin.”
She laughs again. “Obviously, he was desperate. I felt sorry for him after I got over being mad. Nothing like that ever happened again. He’s been a perfect gentleman around me.” She sighs. “He’s awkward but he’s not malicious.”
Of course she would defend her cousin. If she were accusing one of my family members of a crime, I’d defend them too.
Even though she tried to convince me that her cousin is harmless, her story did the complete opposite. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, so I keep my suspicions about Kevin to myself and ask about her mom’s health. Our call eventually ends on a promise to hang out some time soon.
Malcolm’s words last night drift through my mind.
Everybody wears a mask.
Kevin might be a gentleman around Penny because she caught him in the act, but what if he’s a creep to other women, spying on them during private moments like he did to her?
It’s also possible he got fed up of being a peeping tom and stepped up his game, intent on doing more than looking.
He could’ve cut a copy of her key before returning the original.
A predator’s family are often the last to know their true, wicked nature. And even when there’s undeniable proof that they’re evil, their family will defend them or minimize their actions out of familial love and loyalty.
With only five minutes left on my lunch break, I stand and slip my handbag onto my shoulder. Someone cruises by on a bike.
“Hey, June.”
“Hey…?”
I frown at their back as they pedal away. My confusion fades when I recognize the grey polo shirt with black pants. That’s the work uniform for the drug mart where Kevin works.
And that was Kevin’s voice.
I’m frozen, an unpleasant tightness in my stomach.
It was him.
He’s the guy I saw earlier leaning his bike against the bench. This whole time, he’s been right there while I talked about him with Penny.
Unsettled by the coincidence, I hurry back to work.