SNOW GLOBE (23 page)

“Mom?” Aja said. She didn’t want to ask her this favor, especially seeing how fragile her mom looked now. Her phone rang. It was Lauren. “Can you do one more reading tonight? Please?”

Chapter 42

Lauren Jensen came by as Aja and her mom were downward dogging in yoga. Her mom agreed to visit with Lauren only if Aja did a full hour of yoga with her.

Her mom turned on her back, eyes closed, and sighed. “You still owe me thirty minutes.”

“Deal,” Aja said, getting off the floor. “And I’ll make dinner.”

“Fair enough.” Aja’s mom held her hand out for Aja to pull her up. “I hope I can find the energy to do her reading.”

“I appreciate it,” Aja said. “Besides, all those rallies you’ve taken me to all these years, come on, you so owe me.”

“They were character building.” Her mom stood and filled her lungs with a deep breath that went to her toes.

Aja let Lauren in. “Lauren, I want you to talk to my mom. She may be able to help with…” Aja paused. “I think she’ll help you get some closure.”

Aja’s mom welcomed her. “I do want to warn you that sometimes, if the passing is recent, the loved one may not come. Often, they’re still finding their way.”

Lauren looked skeptical. “This is why you wanted to see me? I don’t know; I really don’t believe in this.”

Aja’s mom went on. “And she doesn’t want to leave your father now.”

“Just try, Lauren,” Aja said

Lauren stiffened. “This goes against everything I believe in. I mean, really? You summon…ghosts?” She whispered the last word. “They don’t exist.” She wilted on the couch crying. “But then I do believe in God and heaven.” With tears in her eyes, she said, “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

Aja’s mom directed Lauren to her “temple” and closed the door behind them.

Aja’s phone buzzed soon after they’d gone into the room. Walker again. She ignored it and began to pull out veggies to cut for dinner. Slicing through an onion that made her tear up, Aja thought she heard a noise in the front of the house. Was it a knock at the door? She froze. No, Clay Richards wouldn’t be that stupid. The familiar fear crept through her body. Knife in hand, she went to the front door and peeked out the side window.

There was a familiar vehicle parked in front, and Aja relaxed. Walker’s sky-blue Buick was behind Lauren’s car on the street. Aja wasn’t ready to talk to him, but if he knocked again he’d no doubt bother her mom and Lauren.

She quietly opened the door and stepped onto the porch, knife in hand.

Walker looked at her then the knife. “Whoa, I knew you were upset, but not
that
mad.” He smiled.

His smile melted Aja’s resolve a little. What was it about him that could get through Aja’s protective shield? “I’m making dinner, and mom’s with someone. And yes, I am still mad at you.” Aja stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

“Didn’t you get my messages? Kendall took the jewelry.” He put his hands in his pocket and looked down. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“Yeah, I talked to Janie.” She tapped the knife against her leg. “I am so sick of being the easiest to blame when something goes wrong. I’ve always tried to do the right thing.” She thought of the forty dollars she stole. “What’s going on with Kendall? Is Mrs. Poston pressing charges against her, like she did me?”

Walker shrugged. “No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure she even knows for sure Kendall did it. No one’s seen Mrs. Poston since all this happened.”

“Hasn’t anyone checked on her?”

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it.”

Aja looked over Walker’s shoulder. “Where’s Kendall now? Hiding in the bushes, waiting to write obscenities all over my car again?”

Walker gave her a puzzled look, and Aja told him why she suspected her.

“I’m sorry, Aja.” He rolled back on his heels like a kid caught in the act. “Kendall is back in Chicago. For good.” He held a hand up. “This time it’s really over; she crossed a line that I can’t forgive. I’ve tried to break it off with her nicely, but she wouldn’t leave me alone. This time I put my foot down. We’re done.”

“I don’t know, Walker, my name is mud at the residence center. What about my reputation? She runs off to Chicago, and I have people wondering if I have the mark of guilt on me.”

He looked away. “I know you didn’t do anything.”

“Am I allowed back there? No. Do I have a job? No.” Aja waved the knife as if to make a point, realized she probably looked like she was going to stab Walker. She didn’t need the neighbors to have another tidbit of gossip on her. “Come in, but be quiet so we don’t disturb Mom.”

They worked together in the kitchen slicing and dicing. Aja drizzled olive oil over a bowl of sweet potatoes, white potatoes and onions, mixed it with garlic and rosemary, then poured it on a cookie sheet. She put it in the oven.

“What else are you eating?” Walker asked.

“Chicken and salad,” Aja answered, pulling a tub of organic greens from the refrigerator. “Have you eaten?”

Walker shook his head. “Is it real chicken or a tofurkey blend?”

“It’s real. Free of hormones and antibiotics.” Aja handed him the tub and grabbed tomatoes, mushrooms and carrots to slice. “You’re welcome to join us.”

“I don’t want to impose. I just wanted to check on you and apologize.”

Aja really wanted to stay mad at him, to stay focused on school and leaving Texas. But he was so damned mouth-watering. “You didn’t eat Janie’s special at the residence home tonight?”

“No.” Walker rinsed the vegetables and began slicing the tomatoes. “I just came from school and thought I’d check on you before I went to see my grandparents.”

“It’ll be past their bedtimes before too long,” Aja said. She wasn’t sure how Lauren would feel if she saw Walker here. Especially since she was already reluctant about doing the reading at all. “Let’s just stay in the kitchen, out of my mom’s way.”

Aja took a cast iron skillet and put it on a hot burner. She poured olive oil and scooped diced garlic into it. She took three chicken breasts and added them to the sizzling mix. The smell of garlic filled the small kitchen.

“There’s nothing like garlic cooking,” Walker said, inhaling. “I’d love to stay, thank you.”

They worked quietly for a few minutes slicing, dicing, and mixing the salad. Finally Aja asked, “Does Edna know that I’m innocent?”

“I don’t know.” Walker chopped the carrots harder. “Kendall was so freaked out, she begged me not to say anything.”

“What about Mrs. Poston? She knows I didn’t do it, right?” Aja held the spatula up that she was using on the chicken.

“I don’t know,” Walker sputtered. “Like I said, I haven’t seen her.”

“So you’d rather protect a thief then go to bat for me.” Aja flipped a breast too hard, spattering oil on the stove. “Didn’t your grandmother say anything to her?”

Walker set the knife on the cutting board and faced Aja. “My grandmother hates scandals, and after the scene in the dining room, she’s embarrassed. She left the jewelry in Edna’s office to give it back. I think she’d rather sweep it all away. Forget about it.”

“And just blame the hired help. Keep it simple.” Aja scooped another breast and tossed it over making a bigger mess. “You know the charges against me haven’t been officially dropped yet.” At least her curfew had been dropped thanks to Maggie.

Walker sighed. “I was planning on visiting my grandparents later. I’ll talk to them and Mrs. Poston on your behalf.”

“And Edna Jones?” Aja pointed the greasy spatula at him.

“Yes, and Edna.”

“Good.” Aja heard voices in the living room. Lauren’s reading was finished. “Can you keep an eye on the chicken? I’ll be right back.” Aja hoped Walker got the hint that she wanted him to stay in the kitchen.

Lauren was at the door, clutching the CD Aja’s mom had given her. Aja could feel Mrs. Jensen’s presence still in the room, and it stopped her in her tracks. The strength of it surprised Aja. She immediately sensed that Mrs. Jensen was conflicted, hadn’t been ready to die, and still needed her husband near her. But she didn’t want him to leave his children and grandchildren either.

“I can’t lose both of them,” Lauren cried. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea coming here.” She glanced at Aja but didn’t acknowledge her. Instead she turned and ran out the door.

Aja’s mom leaned heavily against the doorframe. “I need to lie down.”

“Are you okay?” Aja asked.

“Four readings in one day is too much,” Aja’s mom said. “Mrs. Jensen wants her husband with her.” She shook her head. “She was strong, having just passed. She’s still too connected here.” Her mom looked past Aja. “Walker, I didn’t know you were here.”

Aja could tell her mom was spent. Being a psychic, her mom usually knew when someone was here or on the way. “Dinner will be ready soon,” Aja said, going to her. “Why don’t you lie down or meditate for ten or fifteen minutes? I’ll come get you when we’re ready.”

Aja’s mom nodded and allowed Aja to lead her into her room. “Aja, Mrs. Jensen wants you to talk to her husband. Tell him she misses him, but she’ll wait. She kept saying ‘As you wish.’ I couldn’t figure that out.”

Aja smiled, remembering Mr. Jensen doting on his princess bride and the famous line from the movie:
As you wish
.

Chapter 43

Aja and Walker washed the dishes when they finished dinner. Aja’s mom was quiet and subdued during the meal. She didn’t even push Aja for the extra yoga time owed to her, just excused herself and went to bed.

“I guess I should be going,” Walker said, drying his hands. “I promised my grandmother I’d stop by tonight.”

“Maybe I’ll go with you and talk to Mrs. Poston.”

Walker hesitated. “Let me talk to everybody first.”

Righteous anger flared in Aja. “Since I’m innocent, I don’t see why I can’t.” She felt a tickle of apprehension in her gut when she said that, but the fight to prove herself won out. “I want to make sure you really talk to your grandparents.” Aja considered stopping by Mr. Jensen’s room to talk to him, too. “Give me a sec to tell mom I’m going out.”

Walker was waiting by the door when Aja came from her mom’s room. “I’ll take my car so you don’t have to drop me off later.”

“I don’t mind.”

“No, just in case I want to drop by and visit Mr. Jensen.”

“Visiting hours will be over,” Walker said.

Aja knew he was reluctant to have her there. “I’ll take my chances.”

She followed Walker in his car and watched him park in front of the residence home. She kept driving and parked closer to the hospital. It was almost seven. She could meet with Walker’s grandparents, Mrs. Poston, and hopefully stop by to see Mr. Jensen before eight. She still had a pile of homework to do tonight, and Mrs. Burnett expected perfect work and attendance for these last few days. No excuses.

Walker waited for Aja under the entrance at the home. “Aja, I’ve been thinking…I don’t want to upset my grandmother. Can we do this another time?”

“I’m already here. It won’t take long.” Aja stepped ahead of him. “If I get tossed out of here, then we’ll do it later.” She turned and gave him a hard stare. “You know Walker, I hate scandals, too.”

He sighed and dutifully followed her inside.

There was no one at the front desk to stop Aja, so she followed Walker down the hall to his grandparents’ apartment. She kept expecting to hear Mrs. Poston screech at her, but all was quiet.

Walker’s grandparents lived past Mrs. Poston’s apartment. As they passed, Aja tensed, more reflexively than out of fear, but Mrs. Poston’s door was closed. Unusual for her, the old bat always had her door opened to see what everybody else was doing. Walker was quiet and seemed pensive during the walk.

“Walker, why don’t you go visit your grandparents first. I’ll talk to Mrs. Poston. I want to make sure she knows I’m innocent.”

He seemed almost relieved but said, “Aja, this place is still reeling from the cafeteria scene. I don’t want to rock any more boats.”

“I won’t tell her it was Kendall. I’ll let you do that.” Aja had stopped walking. “I’m not into revenge or looking to rub someone’s nose in it, but I want to be able to walk the halls here without feeling shame. That’s important to me.”

“Okay, I understand. Come by my grandparents’ apartment when you’re done.” His eyes softened. “Tell Mrs. Poston I’ll vouch for you.”

“Thanks,” Aja said, heading toward Mrs. Poston’s door. The hallway was quiet except for loud TVs inside most apartments. Aja figured everybody was in for the night, ready to watch
Dancing With the Stars
or some other show.

Aja knocked on Mrs. Poston’s door and waited. Nothing. Aja knocked again, put her ear to the door, and said, “Mrs. Poston, it’s Aja, can you talk?”

Still nothing.

Aja knocked louder, which brought Mrs. Poston’s neighbor, Dr. Landers, out. He was still crisply dressed from dinner, but his shirt was untucked.

“Why, Aja, what a surprise.” He gave her a questioning look.

“Hi, Dr. Landers. I wanted to talk to Mrs. Poston. Do you know if she’s out?”

“Actually, no one’s seen her for the last few days. We talked about it over dinner tonight.”