Chapter Nine
Maci
Saturday evenings in Lemon Grove Estates always felt quieter than the rest of the week. The landscapers had finished their work, and delivery trucks were nowhere to be seen.
Even the neighborhood kids seemed to know that Saturday nights were for the adults.
Soft golden light filled the cul-de-sac as the sun set behind the trees. From my bedroom window, I watched neighbors stroll along the sidewalks with glasses of wine, their laughter carrying through the warm evening air.
"You about ready?"
Zaire asked as he entered the bedroom.
"I think so."
He looked at me, taking in my sleeveless dress, pearl earrings, and simple gold bracelet.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you."
"You nervous?"
I thought about it for a moment, then shook my head.
"No, I’m used to these women by now." I laughed.
"True."
He came into the room and stood next to me while I put on my nude sandals.
"So what's tonight?"
"Wine and cheese."
He smiled.
"They really don't miss an opportunity to get together."
"I've noticed."
"You planning on staying long?"
"Probably not."
He placed a kiss on my lips before heading toward the hallway.
"Have fun."
"I'll try."
A few minutes later, I carried a wooden charcuterie board across the street. On it were artisan crackers, grapes, smoked gouda, and candied pecans.
The door opened before I could knock.
"You made it." She stepped aside. "Come in."
Warm light and dozens of flickering candles filled the house.
Danielle stood by the kitchen, arranging fruit. I hadn’t expected to see her. Simone opened another bottle of wine, and Nia laughed loudly at a story only half the room seemed to know.
Miss Evelyn sat near the fireplace in a big chair, quietly watching the room.
She smiled when our eyes met. I smiled back.
"Maci," Danielle called.
"I was wondering if you were coming."
"I wouldn't miss free food."
Simone laughed.
"Now that's the right attitude."
Camille accepted the charcuterie board from my hands.
"This looks amazing."
"I figured everyone brought something."
"They did."
She placed it on the kitchen island beside two other elaborate boards.
"I swear this neighborhood could cater a wedding."
"We practically do," Simone joked.
Wine poured, plates piled up, and everyone talked at once. For nearly an hour, everything unfolded just as it should.
Camille never let her glass stay empty. Whenever I glanced her way, she was already topping it off.
"So," she announced, lifting her wine with a grin, "before this night gets away from us, I have to tell y'all something."
Simone laughed.
"Here we go."
Camille pointed directly at me.
"If any of you ever want lemons from Maci's tree..." She paused dramatically. "You'd better ask for permission first."
The room burst into laughter. I couldn't help smiling.
"I asked you to knock and ask."
"You practically chewed my head off."
"I most certainly did not."
Before either of us could continue, Nia waved her hand.
"Oh, please."
"What?" Camille asked.
"Don't sit there acting as if you've always been easygoing."
Danielle laughed.
"Exactly."
"When you first moved into Lemon Grove, you were worse than Maci."
Simone nodded.
"You fussed because somebody picked roses out of your flowerbed."
"They were expensive roses."
"You used to count your lemons too."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"You even made Mr. Harris bring his grandkids over to apologize for picking fruit."
The women erupted again. Even Camille laughed.
Her smile slipped for a moment, then she reached for the wine bottle and refilled her glass.
Miss Evelyn noticed too. She watched Camille quietly over her glass but stayed silent.
I was finally starting to relax when the front door opened.
A man's voice drifted through the foyer.
"I made it."
I heard the sound before I understood the words. My whole body tensed up. I couldn’t breathe. No. Not now. Not here.
The women’s faces brightened immediately.
"There you are!"
"We were wondering if you were coming."
Someone laughed. Another voice called from the foyer, but I couldn’t hear what they said. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears. I stared at my full wineglass. Don’t look up. Don’t move.
A warm hand rested on my forearm. It was Miss Evelyn. She didn’t look at the foyer or at me, but she seemed to understand.
"Maci," she said softly.
"Would you mind helping me outside for a moment?"
I forced a smile.
"Of course."
We didn’t rush. We walked quietly through the kitchen and out to the back patio while everyone else stayed busy.
The cool night air met us. Crickets chirped somewhere beyond the trees.
Miss Evelyn kept walking toward the edge of the property without saying anything.
Behind a row of hedges, a narrow dirt path appeared. She stepped onto it immediately.
I followed her. After a few quiet moments, she stopped and turned a little to look at me. Her eyes held no surprise, only certainty. A faint smile crossed her lips.
"I'm sure you know the way very well."
A chill went through me.
I looked at her face. She met my eyes for a moment, then her smile grew softer.
"Good night, Maci."
She turned and walked back to the house, fading into the trees.
I stood there for a moment longer, listening to the crickets and the muffled laughter drifting from Camille’s backyard.
Then I turned toward home. It’s strange how the safest way home was always the one nobody ever thought to look for.