Chapter 5
5
“ T abitha! Get down here. There’s a snake in the kitchen, and there was a cockroach in my bathroom,” Deb called upstairs. If it were Mel, she would have taken care of the bug and put the snake outside.
She was reminded how different her friends were and wouldn’t have it any other way. Tabitha’s life would be boring if they were the same. Tabitha grabbed her house Bible given to her by Marcus and headed downstairs.
“You’ve lived in Florida for most of your adult life. Snakes are not uncommon, and the roach you saw was probably just an innocent palmetto bug.” Tabitha smiled and shook her head. “Is the snake still in the kitchen? I guarantee he’s more fearful of you than you are of him.”
"Yes. I trapped the roach under a glass in the bathroom and did the same with a bowl in the kitchen. I live in a condo sprayed for insects monthly,” Deb said. “As far as snakes go, I’ve never seen one in my place.”
Tabitha walked into the kitchen, and sure enough, a snake was trapped under the glass. It looked like a specimen in a laboratory. Tabitha had seen rat snakes more times than she could count. They were harmless because they didn’t contain an ounce of venom. They were nocturnal and were probably in Deb’s condo, but she didn’t know it. Tabitha removed the bowl, and the snake didn’t move. It was probably in shock. She used a pair of kitchen tongs to remove the snake. She dropped it over the deck into the sea oats below.
“Shouldn’t you have killed it?” Deb asked. “It could come back and slither into my bed.”
“That won’t happen, but if it does, you’ll be asleep and won’t even know it,” Tabitha said with a chuckle but Deb didn’t even smile. “Show me where the palmetto bug is located.”
“It’s a roach. Don’t try to sugarcoat it by calling it anything different.”
“It is indeed different. They aren’t in a home because it’s dirty. They come because they lose their way. The bugs would be happier living in the trees they’re named for. Poor things think they can fly but aren’t very good at it. I’ll call Marcus to ensure he’s had the service in.”
“Thanks, and sorry if I woke you up,” Deb said. She sounded slightly embarrassed for making such a big deal out of the critters.
“No problem. We all have our fears, and while I might think yours are silly, you likely feel the same way about mine,” Tabitha said. Heights were her big one, but she was enjoying her room on the top floor with no problem. “Where’s Mel?”
“She went for a walk down the beach. Her commitment to exercise is admirable, but there isn’t much that would get me out of bed before nine. It’s overcast, so it isn’t a beach day. I was thinking of checking out the town of Melbourne Beach. I’ve heard that it has gone through a renaissance in recent years. Interested in joining me?” Deb asked.
“I’d love to, but first, I should get ready. I’m obsessed with my bathroom, so it might take a minute. I’m going to soak in my bath and enjoy the view because I’ve never had anything close to this kind of luxury.”
“You deserve it, so enjoy. While you’re soaking, you might think of calling Marcus to see about the pest control company. I’ll sleep better knowing it’s been handled,” Deb said.
Tabitha smiled. She didn’t mind that she was the person who had to contact Marcus when something went wrong. Normally, it was a property management company that handled those things, but she wasn’t given such a number. Tabitha drew a bath with essential oils and lit a few candles even though it was daytime.
“Marcus, it’s Tabitha. You answered on the first ring when I was expecting to get a secretary.”
“I gave you my cell, allowing you to cut through the red tape whenever you need something. You’re welcome,” Marcus said.
“Thank you. I have a problem on day one, and I hope this isn’t a predictor of things to come.” Tabitha filled Marcus in on the pest dilemma, and she heard him fight back laughter as she described Deb’s reaction. “One other thing, tell Deb you remember her from the children’s charity event. She likes to think of herself as memorable, and it bothered her that you didn’t stand out to her.”
“Oh, now that you jogged my memory, I remember her. She’s a hair stylist,” Marcus said.
Tabitha guessed that he saw her name and occupation on the lease agreement. That didn’t matter since she thought it was a nice save.
“That’s it. Deb and I are walking into town today. Maybe we’ll run into you. Any recommendations?” she asked.
"If it's ice cream you want, I can recommend a good old-fashioned shop. It’s off the main drag and called Scoops. I love the fish and chips at Flanders, and the only thing that beats that is dipping your pole in the water and making it yourself. I prefer places in the arts district, which is the neighborhood surrounding the Eau Gallie. It’s a big indoor-outdoor space with galleries, shops, and restaurants. The area is funky, and you see things that you won’t see elsewhere. It’s not pretentious like some Florida Beach towns.”
“I’m sold. Where do you recommend we eat lunch while we’re there?”
“Do you like barbecue?” Marcus asked.
“I love it, and so will Deb. I doubt she’s ever eaten anything you don’t eat with a fork and knife. She isn’t snobbish but doesn’t like messy food. April, who has yet to arrive, is the only vegetarian.”
“I feel sorry for her because Zabu’s ribs are the best in the state. Google it, and you’ll see five-star reviews and nothing else. I skipped breakfast, so maybe we can meet there. Call me when you’re close. I’ll probably have my nephew with me because my sister lives nearby, and he pops in every day after work. He waits tables at a breakfast joint nearby.”
“That sounds like a plan. Don’t forget to call the pest control people and make sure they’re scheduled soon,” Tabitha said.
“I’ll do that. I hope it’s okay that I hijacked your afternoon with Deb. I thought maybe you’d enjoy checking out this neighborhood.”
Tabitha hung up and reflected on the fact that she had a new friend on day one of her summer adventure. It was exactly as she envisioned: new people and new adventures. She drained the water in her tub that was worthy of architectural digest. Her favorite thing about not working was the ease she got ready. Tabitha grabbed a blue sundress from the closet and slipped it over her head. It would be paired with a pair of espadrilles. Her makeup routine had been reduced to a swipe of lipstick and a brush of mascara.