Spirited Away Read online

  They sat at the end of a long table in the back of the cafeteria. The orange plastic chairs looked new and out of place in the otherwise old lunchroom. Brick walls, which undoubtedly held secrets of sinners past, took up an entire side of the room, while across from it was another entire wall of windows with a view of the side of the church. Teresa wasn’t sure if this was a good sign or not, but wouldn’t worry about it just now. Sophia motioned for her to eat, and her stomach gave up a low growl as she picked up her fork.

  “Eat,” Sophia told her. “You sound hungry.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, I didn’t have much for breakfast.” For some reason she didn’t have a problem admitting this to her new friend.

  Lunch consisted of meat loaf, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and mixed peas and carrots. Warm yeast rolls with a pat of butter on a little piece of white cardboard. Then, of course, there was the red Jell-O. Teresa thought the meat loaf much tastier than her mother’s, but didn’t say this out loud. She didn’t want to seem weird or stupid. Her dad always told her it was best to keep one’s mouth shut when you didn’t really have anything to say, and that’s what she was doing.

  For the next five minutes, both girls ate heartily, drank their white milk, and kept their thoughts to themselves. When they finished they took their trays to the kitchen window, where they dumped what little was left on their plates into an industrial-sized gray garbage can, then placed their flatware in a large tub of soapy water. Then Sophia motioned for Teresa to follow her outside.

  Not sure this was a good idea, Teresa spoke up. “Aren’t you supposed to go see the Sister after lunch?”

  Sophia stared at her as though she had two heads. “Are you kiddin’ me? Tell me you ain’t serious? Hell no, I am not going to see Miss Virgin Mary Rose!” She pulled a pack of Camel unfiltered cigarettes from the inside of her blouse, then removed a pack of matches from the inside of her shoe. Without looking to see if they were being watched, Sophia lit up and inhaled like this was something she did all the time. It had to be, Teresa thought, because she blew the smoke out of her nostrils just like some women did on television, only Sophia lacked the swanky, long cigarette holder many of those women used.

  Sophia held the pack out to her. “You want one?”

  “Uh, no . . . not here. I will later.” Hopefully, later would never come.

  “Really? I don’t see how you can be a smoker and not want to smoke after you eat. It’s the best time for me. I don’t give a shit where I’m at. When I wanna smoke, I’m gonna.” She continued to hold the pack out to her.

  What the hell, Teresa thought, she drank coffee like an adult, and she was in the seventh grade. She might as well take up smoking, too. “I hear ya,” she said, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. She’d never put a cigarette in her hand, let alone in her mouth. If her mother found out she’d tried smoking, she would have a heart attack. “I think I’ll have that cigarette now.”

  Sophia lightly shook the pack and took a cigarette between her full lips, and used the end of her own cigarette to light Teresa’s. She took a drag, then passed it to her. Knowing that Sophia was watching her, Teresa held the cigarette between her middle and index fingers, brought it to her lips as she’d seen in the movies, then took a big puff. Before she knew what had hit her, she began to cough, her eyes watered like a garden hose, and the taste was about as bad as anything she could remember. Through all the hacking and coughing, she managed to keep her hold on the cigarette. Sophia grinned, but kept quiet. No way was she going to pass herself off as a serious smoker if she kept this up. Drawing in a shaky breath, she took another puff, though this time, she just held the smoke in her mouth rather than inhale. A couple seconds later, she blew the nasty smoke from her mouth in the shape of a nice, neat grayish white cyclone.

  “Well done,” Sophia said.

  Teresa gave up a slight cough before nodding, then said in a gravelly voice, “Uh, thanks.” She really didn’t know why she was thanking her since this new habit was beyond disgusting. But no way was she going to voice her thoughts. She’d get used to the taste. Just like the coffee she consumed at Woolworth’s. It was too bad she couldn’t lace the cigarette with cream and sugar.

  Leaning against the brick wall on the side of the building, Sophia motioned for her to look at a pair of girls lingering near the steps that led to a door that would take you to the main office. “Think those two are in deep shit or what?”

  Teresa followed Sophia’s gaze to the two. “They look like they’re lost. I don’t know about the deep . . . shit part,” she said.

  “Let’s go rescue ’em,” Sophia instructed, not giving Teresa a chance to reply.

  Teresa eyed the two girls as they walked across a small patch of grass, then a few feet down the sidewalk. One girl was short and a bit pudgy. Her hair was cut so short that if she hadn’t been wearing the required skirt, Teresa would have thought her a boy. The other girl looked like a goddess. Her platinum blond hair was as straight as a ruler, her blue eyes the color of the sky. She was neither too tall nor too short, neither too heavy nor too thin.

  They approached the girls, and Teresa could see that they were completely scared out of their minds.

  Chapter Three

  “You let me tell her. I don’t want you involved in my lies any more than necessary,” Sophie told Goebel on the last leg of the drive to Abby’s house.

  He shook his head as he turned into the driveway. “I won’t. This is your gig, sweet cheeks.”

  “Sweet cheeks? Where in the hell did that come from?” Sophie asked, as they got out of the car.

  “I was remembering something, that’s all,” Goebel said. “I don’t think now is the time to get into all the details.”

  “Sure, you say that now, but just so you know, I won’t forget,” Sophie added, as they walked up the steps leading to the front door.

  “I’m sure you won’t,” he said just before the door opened. Apparently, Abby had seen them pulling into the long driveway.

  “Sophie, Goebel,” Abby said as she stood aside to let them enter. “What brings you two over?”

  Like her mother, Abby had made Chris’s father’s plantation into a true home despite its size and the fact that they were running Dogs Displaced by Disaster, a major veterinary clinic, on the grounds now. Seen from the outside, one would not know that the insides of the former slave quarters were equipped with the latest medical devices, used by top-notch vets from across the country and a team of volunteers that would make the Peace Corps envious. Abby walked with Sophie and Goebel past the chairs and side tables, which were strategically placed in what they used for the main living area that led to the kitchen, which, again, as in her mother’s house, was the heart of the Clay household. Toys were scattered about the floor, but this only increased the feeling of hominess.

  “I just put the twins down for a nap,” Abby said as she indicated their two high chairs, covered with the remnants of an early lunch.

  Goebel spoke first. “Yep, I think we both would like to see those rascals, but we understand. Right, Soph?”

  “Uh, sure. Little ones need all the rest they can get,” Sophie commented.

  Abby took a wet cloth from the sink and began wiping down the high chairs. “Sorry, if I don’t get this stuff off here now, it sticks, and it’s a real pain to clean up once it does that. If you all want some sweet tea, I just put a fresh pitcher in the refrigerator.”

  “No, I’m fine,” Sophie said, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible. “Your mother came by this morning.”

  Abby stopped what she was doing, tossing the damp rag across the back of the high chair she’d been cleaning. She focused all her attention on Sophie. “And?”

  Sophie cleared her throat and glanced at Goebel, who gave her an encouraging nod. “The other day when you came by the house”—she saw that she had her goddaughter’s undivided attention—“I was rude, and I apologize for that. And I am so very, very sorry the twins were frightened; y
our mother told me they were terrified of something. I just wanted to tell you the day you stopped over I’d just learned the house was full of carbon monoxide. I wanted to get you and the little ones out of the house as quickly as possible.”

  Abby sat down on a chair opposite Sophie. “Then why didn’t you just tell me that? I thought something weird was going on in the house.”

  Sophie took another breath. Keep it simple, remember. Keep it simple.

  “I’d just found out and was . . . embarrassed that neither Goebel nor I had thought to have the place checked before we moved in.”

  Abby looked at Goebel for confirmation. “Yes, we really didn’t even give it a thought,” he added, further adding to the believability of Sophie’s lie.

  “We think it’s coming from one of the fireplaces, but we can’t be one hundred percent sure until we have the place thoroughly checked out. It could take a couple of weeks to do this, and then, of course, depending on what they find, it could be much longer with repairs and all. I just wanted to tell you this so you and the kids would be safe.”

  Abby smiled. “Why do I feel like you’re not telling me everything?”

  Because I’m not a very good liar, Sophie thought.

  “You are just like your mother, you know that?”

  “And you’re stalling, you know that?”

  “No I am not! I just wanted to stress the importance of you all staying away from our house until we get the clearance from the . . . company.”

  “Where will you two be staying while the repairs are made?” Abby asked.

  Shit! She hadn’t even thought of that. Of course, if there’d truly been a carbon monoxide leak, they, too, would have to leave the house.

  “We’re staying at a new bed-and-breakfast in Charleston,” Goebel interjected. “We thought it would be a good idea. The B and B is right around the corner from our office.”

  “Yes, and we are about to go there now,” Sophie informed her. “So kiss and hug the kids for us, and I’ll keep you posted.” Sophie stood up and walked to the front door, Goebel and Abby trailing behind.

  “Sure,” Abby said to their backs as they practically ran out the front door. “Call me when the coast is clear,” she shouted.

  Goebel turned to give her a final wave while Sophie raced to the car.

  Once they were safely ensconced inside the car, Sophie started talking a mile a minute. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. What the hell are we going to do now? I don’t know of any new bed-and-breakfast by the office. I’m sure that Abby will check, too. She knew I wasn’t telling the truth. The girl has a lie radar just like her mother and me. I need to call Toots so she can cover our asses should Abby call.” Sophie took her cell phone from her pocket and punched in Toots’s home phone number. Toots answered on the first ring.

  Toots spoke without bothering with a greeting. “Abby just called and said she was coming over as soon as the twins wake up from their nap.”

  “Damn! I knew she would call you the second we left. I can see I was right. Listen, we told her we had that carbon monoxide leak, and now we’ve added to the lie.”

  “Oh shit, what is it this time?” Toots asked.

  “Damn, you sound like I go around telling frigging lies all the time! Don’t make me remind you that you’re the liar in our group,” Sophie hissed.

  “You know what I mean,” Toots said. “Now tell me what I need to know so I can keep Abby and my grandchildren safe. Listen, if we think of it this way, lying doesn’t really seem all that bad. Plus, we really don’t want to put them in harm’s way no matter what the source of the harm is, right? Doesn’t have to be carbon monoxide. It can just as easily be something . . . unknown.”

  “Damn, Toots, you have this all figured out, don’t you. Now listen and don’t interrupt me. Goebel and I are in the car now. We just left Abby’s. She thinks we have to stay out of the house until this so-called leak is found and repaired. Goebel”—Sophie gave him her best evil eye—“told Abby we were staying at some new bed-and-breakfast that just opened up around the corner from our office. When she comes over, you have to cover our asses. Tell her you just called and insisted we stay with you. This way, we can still remain close by in case we are needed. Does that even sound half-assed plausible to you?” She spoke so fast she was out of breath. Sophie paused, waiting for Toots to come up with a better plan.

  “I think it will work, but what if she drives by your place and sees that no one is there? No repair vehicles in the drive?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. I should have just told her the truth . . . no, forget I said that.”

  “No, I won’t. You haven’t told me the truth, Sophia; I can’t imagine why you would even consider telling Abby, given what you say is at stake.”

  Goebel turned into the gates that led to Toots’s mansion. “We’re at your house. I’ll finish this conversation inside.” She hit the END button on her cell phone.

  Sophie focused her gaze on her husband. “Toots mentioned something about repairmen, said Abby might drive by the house, and what will I tell her if she asks why there are no vehicles in the drive?”

  Goebel parked directly in front of Toots’s house. “The woman thinks of everything.”

  “Yes, she does, and for once, I am glad. Now let’s go inside and figure out our next move.”

  Chapter Four

  “This is the expensive coffee you two hate, the two-hundred-dollar-per-pound stuff I get from the Philippines. Want me to scrounge through the pantry and see if I can find some of that cheap stuff you drink?” Toots asked while she waited for the coffee, her special coffee, to finish brewing.

  “No, we can lower our standards, but just this once,” Sophie said as she grabbed Toots’s pack of Marlboros from the counter. “I’m going to smoke first. Want to join me?”

  “Sure,” Toots said, then followed Sophie out the back door, and, as was becoming the norm, Frankie, Toots’s dachshund, followed her outside.

  As was customary, they sat on the steps, and Sophie lit two cigarettes and offered one to Toots, just as she had since they were girls.

  “So, is there something you want to tell me that you don’t want Goebel to hear?” Toots asked after she’d taken a long draw from her smoke.

  Sophie thought for a few seconds before answering. “Not really. Why would you think such a thing? Goebel and I don’t have secrets, at least none that I know of.”

  “I just thought you might have something to tell me, you know, something about the house that you didn’t want him to hear. Let’s just say I was hoping,” Toots added.

  “I don’t, that’s just it. I have a very strong suspicion about what’s going on.” Sophie crushed her cigarette out in the sand-filled coffee can that was in its usual place beside the steps. “The thing is, if I voice what I suspect, it will only make it worse.”

  “Good grief, Sophie, do you realize what you just said makes absolutely no sense whatsoever?”

  “Yes, and that’s what I’m trying to say without saying just what the problem is. This kind of. . . wickedness shouldn’t be spoken of, because it only makes what I suspect even stronger. I really wish I could tell you more, but trust me on this, I am keeping quiet for your own good, and, of course, for Abby and the twins. Hell, it’s for everyone’s own good.”

  “Even Ida’s?” Toots asked, her voice tinged with humor.

  “Even that old biddy,” Sophie replied. “Seriously, this is bad, probably the worst . . . phenomenon I’ve been up against since all this ghostly stuff started. I just wish I knew what to do.” Sophie’s last words communicated her insecurities, her lack of experience in handling this new situation.

  Toots turned to stare at her, lit another cigarette, handed it to Sophie, then lit another for herself. She took three long puffs, blew the smoke in Sophie’s face, then spoke. “Okay, I think I may know what you’re referring to.”

  Sophie shook her head, “Somehow, I doubt it, Toots. This isn’t ghostly stuff.” />
  “Let me just say this, and you don’t have to say a word because I will know by your expression whether I’m hitting the nail on the head or not.” She took another puff, then tossed the butt in the can. She didn’t bother to crush the cigarette out because there wasn’t much left to burn. She knew she was stalling, but she wanted to get this out of her head, needed to get it out of her head. “This issue, that’s what I’m going to call it for lack of knowledge, okay? Now, this issue you think you may have at your house, would it require the services of a . . . clergyman?”

  Sophie stood up, surprised and more uncertain than Toots ever remembered seeing her. She appeared to wrestle with some inner demon. “Let’s go have that coffee. It smells good even if it is that expensive shit you pay a small fortune for.”

  Toots reached for her arm and pulled her away from the door. “I’m right, aren’t I?” she inquired, and she knew it. Instantly, she felt Sophie’s fear.

  “Please, Toots, let’s not speak of this again. Not until . . . I’m sure. Can you swear to me right now that you will not mention the word clergyman, reverend, preacher, priest, or anything remotely close to a religious scholar to anyone? Not even your friend Phil, Bernice, or God help us, Ida. Mavis, too. This would only frighten her.” That was putting it mildly, Sophie thought, but for now, it is what it is, and she didn’t have time to pussyfoot around.

  “I promise.” Toots placed her hand over her heart, something they used to do back in high school when they knew that they were being entrusted with something of such great importance that there had to be a physical show of their comprehension. The hand-over-the-heart gesture had been the choice then, and Toots could only hope that Sophie remembered what it meant.

  “I’m glad you understand. Now, let’s go inside and have that coffee. Do you have any pralines from the bakery?” Sophie asked as she stepped back inside the kitchen.

  Ever since Toots had purchased the Sweetest Things, a down-on-its-luck bakery owned by Jamie, a young woman without a family whom they’d all taken under their wings a few years ago, they all expected Toots to have a variety of sweets when they came for coffee. Pralines were their specialty. The bakery, rather Jamie, had won numerous awards for her pralines, and it was all they could do to keep up with the supply and demand. The bakery’s success far surpassed any of their expectations. The Food Network had called last month, inviting Jamie to bake on one of their shows. Another thriving business, thanks to Toots.