Mattie's Call (15 page)

An odd feeling had overtaken her again; she missed Alice and Joshua. She stopped short of trying to bribe Joshua into letting her stay in the family house. It was time to blaze her own trail. She'd missed so many opportunities in life, and she didn't want to spend another day imposing on others. Not her siblings, not anyone else's spouse. Joshua had fronted her money to buy a few items and offered his place until she got on her feet. She'd spent the last week tossing items men she dated had given her. Each trinket was a reminder that she could be bought, and she didn't want to take the remnants to her new life.

She entered the store, grabbed a cart, and greeted the employees who welcomed her. She'd made a list of items that would look good in her new apartment after spending time on Target's website. She was overwhelmed by the home, furniture, and patio selections, so she decided to start with bedding. She spotted the section, turned down the aisle, and froze at the argument taking place.

A middle-aged woman with a radio attached to her hip struggled to keep her hands to her side. She clenched and unclenched her fists as she raised her voice at a younger woman with green hair shaved on one side and a hanging ponytail on the other.

“Katisha, let me make this clear. Your job is customer service. If we don't have the item in stock, you can look in the system to see if it's available at another store!”

“Ms. Bertha, the customer ain't always right. The item she had on that iPad didn't come from our store. It came from Anthropologie. I saw it on a décor blog.”

Katisha smacked her lips, flicked her blue fingernails, and turned her face away from Bertha, revealing an intricate lotus flower tattoo on the right side of her face.

“Katisha, the item isn't the issue. You don't speak to customers in that tone.”

“She raised her voice at me!”

“Katisha, in my office. Now!”

They trekked off toward the back of the store, Bertha leading the way. Their red shirts and khaki pants finally disappeared in a sea of athletic gear.

“Hey, I'm sorry about that,” said a gentle voice. “May I help you find something?”

Gabrielle, lulled back to the aisle, looked at the woman. “I need a nice bedding set and some curtains.”

“Do you have a picture of what you need?”

“Yes.”

She gave the woman a printout of the set. “Threshold. I love the pinched duvet. This looks good in any room.”

She followed the woman to the next aisle over, not wanting to be rude but yielding to curiosity. “How tall are you?”

“Six three.”

“Whoa! Basketball player in high school?”

“College too. Wanted to play in the WNBA, but I busted my knee.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't sweat it. It actually led to my true calling. My fiancé and I are opening a bicycle store. This is my part-time gig until we can get things off the ground.”

Gabrielle read her name tag. “Good luck with your new venture, Nanette.”

“Thanks. What's your name, Miss?”

“Gabrielle. My family calls me Gigi, though.”

“I apologize for the argument you walked up on. Most of us in our department are embarrassed about Katisha's actions. I'm amazed she still has a job. She's very good at what she does, but her attitude sucks. She could be a store manager if she gets her 'tude in check.”

“She's young. She'll probably grow out of it.”

“I'd lose my job in a heartbeat if I spoke to my superiors that way. I bet she paid someone to take that assessment for her.”

“Assessment?”

“Yea. Most of jobs online these days require you to answer all these questions. Employers want to see where your head is. What would you do if? How do you feel about? We were joking in the break room the other day about Katisha's reactions to the questions. I'm sure she sucked her teeth like she always does and said something like, ‘Hell naw.' ‘How the hell would I know?' ‘What you think I am?' ” Nanette laughed at the memory of the coworkers' conversation.

“Oh. I've been out of work so long I probably wouldn't pass, either, so I'm not going to slam Katisha.” The thought of working frightened her, but she asked anyway. “Are you all hiring right now?”

“Yes. You can go over to one of the computers and do an application.”

“Not after you scared me about the process.”

“Consistency. Be consistent.”

Gabrielle waited for clarification.

“The moment you start the questionnaire, be consistent with your responses. Be confident as well. No one wants a wishy-washy employee.”

“Let me finish my shopping.”

Nanette placed the duvet in her cart. “We have some gorgeous curtains that would look great with it. Do you like solids or are you into patterned designs?”

“Patterns.”

Nanette led her to the curtains. They chatted like old friends and she appreciated her eye for design and knowledge of the store's stock. Eyeing the full cart, she whipped out her calculator to tally everything. She didn't want to be embarrassed at the checkout.

“Thanks, Nanette. Is there a way I can let someone know about
your
good customer service skills?”

They laughed again.

“Gigi, when you get your receipt, complete the survey. You'll have a chance to mention my name.”

She pushed her cart toward aisle three. A surge of self-assurance coursed through her veins. Nanette helped her find clearance merchandise that suited her tastes, so she'd have extra money for lunch. Nanette had also solved the mystery of why she'd been doing a lousy job on her online assessments: inconsistency.

Familiar laughter a few aisles over caught her attention. She followed the belly laugh to check out aisle six and saw Colton kneading Roselle's shoulders. He laughed again and leaned in to her. He'd whispered sweet nothings in her ear the same way when they were alone. Roselle closed her eyes and swatted his hand away, joining in the laughter. Her eyes watered at the sight of them.

“Miss, did you bring your own bags?” the cashier asked.

She shook her head. “I'll take plastic.”

“Did you find everything you needed?”

“Yes.”

The cashier rang up everything, smiled, and marked a circle at the bottom of her receipt. “Have a great day and don't forget to complete the survey.”

She stuffed the survey in her purse and parked her cart near the closest computer. She knew she couldn't spend the rest of her life taking handouts from men. She set up a profile, filled out the questionnaire, and exited the store. Gabrielle reflected on the years she'd wasted, the promises that left her dangling in anticipation of having a good relationship like her parents. She placed her bags in the trunk, sat in the car, and released a long overdue cry.

 23

S
ynaria dialed Joshua's phone for the third time. “Has she returned any of your calls, Joshua?”

“Not yet.”

“I can't shake the feeling that something bad has happened to Alice. She didn't come to work today, and she hasn't been back to my house in two days. I told the branch manager she was sick.”

“Don't worry. We'll find her. I'll be there in fifteen minutes to pick you up.”

Joshua dialed Alice's number again. Voicemail. He dialed Beryl's home number with no luck. He felt uncomfortable leaving her alone at his place to go to Atlanta. She'd made so much progress moving in with Synaria, reenrolling in school, and getting her life in order. Always closer to Alice than Gabrielle, he knew no harm had come to her. He could feel it. When he saw his Mustang in the garage, he knew she'd left the house with someone she knew. He'd promised himself he'd keep his composure. He couldn't afford to be arrested and lose his job, but he didn't know how he'd handle things if she'd gone back home.

He reflected on his meeting with Deborah. Twenty years had passed and she still had a place in his heart. He'd left Atlanta without seeing Langston, but he'd come up with a plan to see his son soon. Alice was the order of business right now. He rang Synaria's phone.

“I'm close to your house.”

“Ring the doorbell. I'm changing my clothes now.”

He made it to Synaria's subdivision in record time. When he parked, Mattie and Daniel came to mind. If he could see them, talk to them again, he'd want to know how to handle everything going on. As the only son, he'd downplayed his father's mandate that he be the man of the house should something happen to him. He now felt the weight of his father's words, felt responsible for his sisters. Gabrielle had been job hunting and preparing to move out. He couldn't get a handle on Alice's emotions. Maybe Beryl's abuse had taken such a hold on her that she couldn't break free.

Synaria didn't wait for him to ring the doorbell. She opened the door and ushered him in. She gave him a quick hug and asked him to be seated.

She slid her feet into decorative sandals that matched her red jeans and blue chiffon blouse. “I didn't mean to blow up your phone. I won't be able to sleep tonight until I know she's safe.”

He eyed Synaria. “I'm just as concerned as you are. I have a feeling she's back home.”

“I know. I called you because I didn't want to go there alone.”

“It will be fine. She probably won't answer the door.”

“Promise you'll keep your cool when we get there?”

“I can't promise, but I'll do my best.”

Synaria went to the kitchen. “I need a drink. I made my famous lemonade. I have to swig something.”

She prepared two glasses and set them on the coffee table.

“One for me, one for you.”

He extended a tight smile and sat back on the sofa. Their family had been down this road with Alice for years. Rescue attempts proved futile. Now another person would witness his sister's vulnerability.

“Have you ever fought Beryl?”

“Once.” He paused before sharing the event. “Daddy was still alive. Alice called me in the middle of the night crying and screaming. She'd locked herself in the bathroom with a cordless phone and said he wouldn't let her go to bed unless she recited some scriptures.”

Synaria shook her head.

“I called Daddy and we drove over there. I practically beat the door down until Beryl answered. He snatched the door open, said he was the boss of his wife and his house, and told us to get the hell off his property.” Joshua's jaw tightened. “I punched him and knocked him down. Daddy didn't stop me, and I would have continued if Alice hadn't interfered. Can you believe she jumped on
my
back and yelled at me to get off him?”

She listened intently.

“I didn't speak to her for two months. He didn't press charges, but I was so mad at her for being foolish. At the time I felt like she was dumber than a box of rocks.”

Synaria held his hand. “We had a representative come into the library from one of the shelters a few months ago. It's not uncommon for a victim to go back to an abuser numerous times.”

“I learned firsthand.”

“Once she makes up her mind, she'll leave for good.”

“It's been years.”

“It can always happen. Don't stop believing.”

He sipped the lemonade and relaxed. Synaria's presence eased the tension. He reached in his jacket pocket and removed a small box.

“I brought you something from Atlanta.”

Her face flushed. “What on earth? You didn't have to bring me anything.”

“A little bird told me you loved
The Wizard of Oz
and collected figurines. This is my way of saying thanks for all your help with Alice.”

She removed the wrapping paper from the box. She squealed after seeing the musical figurine. “You have ESP. This was next on my list to purchase.”

The musical figurine featured ToTo and the words
“There's no place like home”
painted on the side. She turned the crank and “We're Off to See the Wizard” played.

“This one goes on the shelf, Joshua. I love it.”

He watched her walk to a shelf filled with ornaments. If his personal life wasn't so tangled, he'd ask her out. She was pleasant and down-to-earth, the kind of woman he desired. His mind quickly turned to his past failed relationships, causing him to grab his keys.

“Let's get going. I want to get this over with.”

They drove to Alice's in silence. They pulled into the driveway and approached the door with caution. Joshua rang the doorbell five times. They turned to leave and were stopped by the sound of the door cracking.

“Yes.”

Joshua eyed his sister. The light that glowed in her eyes at the prospect of being free again had dimmed. She looked at him and Synaria as if they were strangers.

“Who's at the door, Baby?” Beryl asked.

“Josh and Synaria. I'll be back in the house in a few minutes.”