Chirp(17)

“I’ve got to scoot, too.” Tiffany pulled photos from her purse and handed them to Blaze. “I took some shots of my latest creations to help you get an idea of the products I have planned. No hurry. I’m in the beginning stages. See you later.”

After Tiffany left, Blaze gave Hanna the grocery list and money. “I hate to ask you to shop again this soon, but if I cook every day, I need more things.”

“I don’t mind a bit,” Hanna said. “I’ll get them for you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome.”

Once Blaze was alone, she worked on new drawings for her friend’s latest brainstorm. Hanna wanted to play up the bluebird aspect of the business, so she decided it would be the logo shown on the back of each wrapper.

For Stud Suds, Blaze came up empty. No clue how to make a goat studly, so she moved on to Sensual Scents, designing an alluring female with long lashes and pink lips.

She spread Tiffany’s pictures on the table. Besides the beer cap jewelry, she’d added shell casings, with colored crystals in the center of each one. Bracelets, necklaces, rings made from different calibers. Blaze couldn’t believe it. They were pretty.

It was ten o’clock by the time she got home. Rance’s truck sat in the drive with the same car from the night before parked behind it. Blaze’s stomach somersaulted. Why didn’t that egg take him to her roost instead of coming here?

Blaze spun around and went back to Hanna’s barn. She raked fresh hay into a pile then curled into it. Good thing she wasn’t allergic. As she got settled, she thought about Rance and what she should do. As much as she hated her situation, there wasn’t an alternative—unless —they traded bedrooms. That way, he and his chicks would have access to the bathroom. With that final thought, she drifted to sleep.

The next morning, she woke early and hoped the visitor had left. If not, Blaze would come back here, shower, and borrow something to wear.

Strolling through the woods, she found herself wishing the tree house had a view of Dessie’s. That way she wouldn’t have to go all the way home to find out if the coast was clear. Just as she feared, the woman’s car was still in the drive. As Blaze turned to leave, the stranger came out. The overnight guest was nothing like Blaze had thought she’d be. Short. Not fat, but plump. Dark hair. Big boobs. Rance must like her because this was two nights in a row.

The Booby Babe drove away, and Blaze thanked her stars she hadn’t had to listen to the wails and moans of the couple. She eased the door open and tiptoed inside. No need to wake the sleeping giant.

After a quick bath, she dressed for the day, took care of the pets, and wrote a note. She got the peanut butter from the pantry and jelly from the fridge. Lost in thought, she didn’t hear her roommate until he spoke.

“What the hell are you doing?”

She jerked upright. “Making a sandwich.”

“Are you sure? Because you’re bobbing like a pigeon.”

“I’m checking to make sure the layers are even and all the way to the crust.” This was her opportunity to use her word of the day. “Peanut butter is so unctuous. That means oily.”

He walked to stand next to her and said, “No shit. Well, it looks okay to me.”

She slid the knife over the bread. “No. See this white strip?” She glided the blade across the filling and pushed it to the outer border. “Now I’m ready for the jelly.” She spooned out a glob and swirled it. After a full minute of smearing grape from one side to the other, she backed away, leaned forward until she had it at eye level, and focused like she was surveying a piece of land. Satisfied with the results, she pressed the pieces together, cut them in half, and put them in a sandwich bag.

Rance stepped away. “Where were you last night?”

“Hanna’s. Is that woman your girlfriend?”

He chuckled. “Not hardly.”

“Well, if you keep bringing women here, we should trade rooms.”

“An even better idea is you getting your own place.”

She ignored his remark. “Furniture, too. Maybe some of the construction workers will help with the switch.”

“I bet they’d be happy to pack your stuff,” Rance said.

“Why would they do that? I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, about that. I was at the bank yesterday and see you’ve continued to pay rent each month, but you know what happens when you get a new landlord.”

Blaze turned to face him. “What?”

“Rent goes up. Starting next month. It doubles.”

She swallowed hard. He knew about the money.





8


Blaze


After work on Sunday, Blaze parked but didn’t go inside. Rance’s truck wasn’t there, so he’d probably gone into town to hunt another Easter egg. Instead she gathered her drawing supplies and hurried to the tree house.

Doubling her rent was his way of telling her he’d found the cash. Or it might be the other way. He didn’t know about the stash and, by increasing her expense, hoped she’d look for something cheaper. If Dad were here, he’d say not to read so much into things. He’d flash the smile he reserved just for her and use all those clichés he loved to spout. It is what it is. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. She’d always hated when he did that but now longed to hear the comfort of those corny platitudes. A tear trickled down her cheek. She wiped at it, inhaled deeply, then released a slow, steady breath. Crying won’t change anything.