I picked out a pink scarf the sun didn’t feel like playing today either. I drove to one of the few restaurants that sold chicken noodle soup in Stable. Stable was a small town, but it was growing everyday it seemed. A new Starbucks opened on the other side of town and there was a new cinema coming in too. At least there was more to do around here.
I didn’t grow up here. I lived in Brooklyn with my Mom. I only moved here after University to start my business with Ben’s help. I bought my house after the third year of business. It was a great achievement that I couldn’t share with many people especially my Mom who I wanted to be with more than anyone. I wanted to build a home have six little children running around the house, kicking balls, painting on walls and dress up. It drove a lot of people crazy but that’s what I craved. I wanted a husband to sit and curl up with, laugh and cry with.
I wanted to see the world too, but if I could give it up in exchange for a family of my own. I’d do it in the blink of an eye.
I knocked on Donna’s door with two take away boxes of chicken noodle soup under my arm. She opened the door after a few minutes.
‘Is that what I think it is?’ Donna chuckled.
I nodded and smiled. She was paler than yesterday it made her nose stand out like a stop sign. She had a red blanket wrapped around her.
‘You sure you don’t need a doctor Donna?’ I asked. I sat down on a brown leather couch. Two cups of honey and ginger sat on the coffee table.
‘Oh, you sound just like Russell. I don’t need medicine or a doctor. It’s the damned weather that’s all.’ She pulled the blanket tighter around her chest.
‘Donna, look at you!’
‘I’m still gorgeous.’
I burst into laughter. Donna didn’t look a day over fifty seven. On a bright day she wore blue lipstick and a black Brazilian wig to cover up her blonde hair.
‘I don’t see why you’re laughing I’m a hot model.’
‘Of course you are Donna. A stubborn hot model.’
‘Well, no one ever got anywhere by being easy.’
I nodded, Donna was the closest thing to family I had and she treated me like her own even though we haven’t known each other very long.
‘I’ve got to head to work you sure you don’t need anything?’
She waved me away, ‘Oh I’m fine. Russell’s here to take care of me. He’s a worrywart just like his Daddy was.’
‘Who’s Russell?’ I asked.
‘My son. He came early for the holidays when I let it slip I wasn’t feeling well. Hell, now they’ll all come down sooner if this cold isn’t gone soon.’
I chuckled, ‘At least you’ll have a full house to keep you entertained.’
She rested her head on the frame of the chair. ‘Drive me crazy you mean.’
I let Donna rest I didn’t care how stubborn she was. If she wasn’t feeling better soon we were going to the hospital. I dialed my sister’s number when I got into the car.
‘Hey Hayley.’ I said.
‘Jenna, hey. Heading to work I’m guessing.’ Hayley sounded groggy.
‘Yeah, I’ve got new ceramics to inspect.’
‘Must be great not to go to bed at six and wake up at noon to head back to work.’
‘Ouch. I can’t wait for you to come down. It’s going to be amazing.’
‘A little vacation will be nice.’
‘Exactly! There’s so much I want to show you. I even have a surprise.’ I giggled.
‘A surprise?’ She sounded unsure.
‘Yes, trust me you’ll love it.’ I pulled into the parking lot. Ricky and his boys were busy unloading the ceramics. They came in from the factory for Ben and I to inspect.
‘If you say so Jenna.’
‘Of course, I’ve got to go. Talk to you later sis.’
‘Bye Jenna.’
I hang up and rushed to catch the elevator before it closed. Candice, she was part of marketing, was inside Her fingers tapped rapidly on the phone in her hands.
‘Morning Candice.’
‘Jenna,’ she mumbled.
I shift and pressed my lips together. Candice and I barely got along actually we didn’t have a relationship other than boss and employee, but Candice sometimes forgot I paid her checks.
I hurried to the board room half expecting to find Benjamin on his phone Marsha was the only one there setting up the place.
‘Where’s Ben?’ I asked.
She shrugged, ‘He said he had an important meeting.’
I nodded. I wondered what he was up to. I also wondered if his meeting had something to do with the lady on the fourth floor from Mumbai, India.
‘New York wants at least a thousand more of the Coconut skin care range. And they want to try the new olive care line! Ah they called this morning!’
I shut my eyes and thanked the big guy in the sky. We hadn’t heard from them for a while. Waiting can be intense.
‘Have you told Ben to get in touch?’ I asked.
Marsha tilted her head to the side. ‘No… I told them you’d be in touch today.’
‘Marsha! I have a meeting with the Miami representative today.’
‘Oh don’t worry you got this. It’s just price negotiations, shouldn’t take long.’
I sighed, I guess she was right.
‘Oh, remember Ben’s party’s this evening.’
‘Tonight?’ I bit my thumb. ‘I thought that was next week.’
Marsha chuckled. ‘Don’t forget to bring a bottle of wine.’

***

I picked out a black dress with light sparkles and black strapless heels. I eyed the beautiful emerald necklace on my bedside.
‘It feels like such a waste letting it sit there.’
I picked it up and pressed it against my chest. It really did make my eyes stand out and against my skin it shimmered. Maybe if I wore it at the party the person would get into contact with me. Without a doubt this person knew who I was. Why didn’t he just come out and ask me on a date. I wasn’t that scary was I? I slipped the unique piece around my neck goosebumps automatically scattered throughout my body.
‘It’s so beautiful.’ I whispered.
I turned out the lights in the living room, the dim glow of warm Christmas lights filled the room instead. With my wine bottle in hand I stepped out into the chilly night. The snow would start soon. I heard shuffling and banging.
It came from Donna’s house. I left the wine and my bag on the drivers seat and walked up to the half fence that separated our homes. The shuffling got louder. In my heart I hoped it wasn’t a wild animal.
Instead I saw a man in a long plaid shirt that covered half of his grey pants and a black beanie.
‘Excuse me, Sir.’ I felt like a mouse. This man had at least three feet over me.
He let go of the garbage bag he was trying to haul out of the bin and faced me. His blue eyes narrowed on me. He had full yet wild facial hair. His expression made me swallow my next words. We’d never had homeless people come round here before.
‘Who the hell are you?’ He snapped.
I straightened my back and cleared my throat. Donna was sick she didn’t have to deal with wondering homeless people.
‘I’m sorry Sir, but you can’t be going through my neighbors trash. There’s a shelter not far from here that hand out food. I think it’s only thirty minutes away.’
He arched his brow, ‘Excuse me?’
‘I mean— you’ll get better food there than in a trash can. Please just leave, I shouldn’t have to call the police.’
‘The police?’ He crossed his arms and took a small step, yet I felt threatened.
I swallowed, maybe I shouldn’t have confronted him.