Page 20 of Beautiful Deceit
“No, you’re definitely not overreacting. You need to call and report that.”
I look him over, “They probably won’t even come out, I’ll just go make a report, after I close-—”.
He shakes his head, before I even finish. “No, you need to call the cops, Samantha. They need to know what just happened.”
“Why are you still here?” His head knocks back from my harsh tone. “They are gone. You can go.”
“What?”
“I said, why are you still here? The grocery store, my store’s facebook page, bookclub, now here.” I huff, “You’re everywhere recently, why? Did he send you here to find me? Is that why you're hanging around? You wear that hat all the time. To hide your face? You don't want to get recognized.” My conclusions come in a flurry of words, “I don't care what he's told you. I won't go back willingly." I'm freaking out, trapped in my store with a suspicious stranger and two would be burglars still hanging outside.
Beau shakes his head back and forth incredulous.
"No. No one sent me here.” He looks pretty freaked out too.
Eventually I calmdown and call the police. I'm told a car should be by within the hour. I sigh and hang up.
The lights are still dim so when I turn around it takes me a second to find Beau, "They said it could take an hour before a car would make it here. You really don't have to stick around."
My voice is much softer now.
"That's fine, Sam. I don't mind," the low lights make it easier for me to apologize. Now that the threat has passed, I can tell I was just scared.
"Listen, I'm sorry I accused you of basically stalking me. I try not to make a spectacle of myself, but it seems every time you're around I end up looking like an ass. I was scared, but that's no reason to attack you. So, again, I'm sorry."
He's leaning against the end of a bookshelf about twenty feet across the room. He shows no sign of acknowledging my half-ass confession, but sincere apology.
Fuck this making friends thing. I think I'll go back to sitting at home alone.
I move to the coffee machines and finish cleaning them. It takes me further from him; I appreciate the distance.
Once I finish, I continue to stall. I wipe down all the tables and grab the stick vacuum. I stay well away from Beau, giving him space.
I acted like a lunatic.
I pass him when I need to get to the cash register to actually close the till. I could leave everything until the morning, but I'd rather not. I skirt the edge of the room and move behind him. I remember the way he acted when Anna invaded his space. I keep as much distance as I can. Mostly I’m feeling embarrassed about my actions and sorry for myself.
I count the drawer down and leave two hundred dollars in small bills under the change tray. Most people pay with credit cards nowadays, so balancing the cash goes quick. Once the remainder of the bills are in a bank bag I toss it into the underground safe, close the small, heavy door, and roll the rug back over it. I sigh, thinking maybe I should start making bank drops more often, especially with what nearly happened tonight.
I stand and brush my hands down my jeans. The silence is starting to get to me. It was easy to ignore his presence when I was busy, but now I just feel weird standing in the dark not speaking. I remember I left most of my dinner uneaten up stairs. That'll give me a few more minutes to be busy.
This time, I walk straight past him as I head up the stairs. I can feel his eyes on me with every step.
The pillow I sat on is still on the floor, but both of my food containers are closed. The disposable fork I used is wrapped in a napkin sitting on top of the box. Beau's three boxes remain open and almost empty. His fork is sticking out of a pile of rice, like he was in the middle of taking a bite and got interrupted.
I close each box making sure not to disturb anything and stack them on top of each other. I grab the bag his food came in and place everything neatly back inside, making sure not to smash his fortune cookies. My stuff gets tossed into the other bag, and I take it all back down.
Placing his on the table nearest him I say quietly, "I wasn't sure if there was anything left you wanted, so I just closed everything up." I take my bag to toss it into the lounge trash. Normally, I wouldn't let it stink up the place overnight, but I can't bring myself to take it out to the alley.
I take a few deep breaths knowing I can't hide in the back room forever, so I turn the light out causing the front area to darken more. I should probably turn a few more lights on up front so the police will know I'm still here.
I peer out the window before turning on a large chandelier that hangs over one of the sitting areas. It brightens the room just enough. Finally, I plop down in my favorite chair and let my shoes fall off, so I can curl my legs beneath me.
Beau moves closer, sitting in the chair right next to me. The clock chimes nine times letting me know it's been almost an hour since I called the police. They should be here anytime.
"I wear the hat so people won't recognize me, but not for the reason you think."
I turn my head to look at his uncovered face, "Who are you hiding from?"
