“Bea, get your ass out there,” Lydia (formerly Linda before she changed her name) Wilkerson barked at me, poking her head in the tiny dressing room. “You know your shift started at eight.” She’s a friend of sorts who has higher aspirations. I didn’t feel very friendly towards her when she pulled her mother superior… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter fifteen
“Tell us everything,” Lyle says eagerly as he leans forward to catch every detail. It is three days after my ordeal, and Jimmy is in jail pending his bail hearing. My mother, Lyle, and I are perched in Paris’s new hospital room as he’s been moved from the ICU to a regular room. He is… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter fourteen, part three
“I’m glad the bitch is dead,” Mr. Jenson shouts, spraying spit on Lyle’s face. “You’re an evil man,” Lyle shouts back, his biceps bulging. “She’s his mother, for god’s sake!” “I’m his mother!” Mrs. Jenson mewls, tears running down her face. “I’m the one who raised him.” “That’s right, Catherine,” my mother says soothingly. “You’re… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter fourteen, part two
“We should go to the hospital,” I say urgently. We gather our stuff, forgetting about our brainstorming session. It’s more important we reach the Jensons and Paris before anyone else does. As we’re rushing down the front steps, Inspector Robinson is walking up them. She is wearing a taupe pantsuit that flatters her figure nicely.… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter fourteen, part one
I wake the next morning, Friday, feeling particularly refreshed. I did not wake up screaming from a nightmare, nor did Lyle have to wake me up. I am downright cheerful on my walk to work. I have put on a green blouse and white slacks because I feel so good. I even whistle a bit… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter thirteen, part two
Lyle starts to say something, then stops. I look at him inquiringly. He reminds me that he talked to Ursula and Lois Wednesday morning. That leaves them out of the running as Paris’s twin was attacked on Wednesday. His news dismays me for a minute until I ask what time he saw them Wednesday morning. … Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter thirteen, part one
“What a day,” Lyle mutters, the first to break the silence. “I say we don’t talk about it for the next hour at least,” my mother says firmly. “Let’s talk about the inspector manufacturing excuses to see Rainbow, instead.” “What?” I exclaim indignantly, my cheeks flushing red. “She came because Paris woke up. She needs… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter twelve, part four
“All right, that’s enough!” My mother says loudly. Everyone but me is so shocked, they immediately stop what they are doing and practically snap to attention. “You are all acting like children. Is this the image you want to present to Paris?” The nurses continue on their way; the cop sits back down; Lyle slowly… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter twelve, part three
He wasn’t able to find Billy Matthews, either, as the latter wasn’t at the gym today. Lyle tried to get an address or a number, but couldn’t charm it out of anyone. It’s a good thing, really, as it’s for the client’s protection; it just makes our task of hunting down Matthews a bit more… Continue Reading
Plaster of Paris; chapter twelve, part two
I dress with extra care the next morning and even apply a little makeup since my face looks wan from lack of sleep. I don’t wear any of the five outfits I had in mind last night. Instead, I pull on a silvery-gray skirt, black tights, a black blouse and whatever accoutrements I think will… Continue Reading