CHAPTER TWENTY
BRENDA

“Stacey? Oh my God, Stacey, can you come over? Please?” I managed to ask through my tears, sobs, and hiccups. I wasn’t sure I was ever going to catch my breath again.

“I’ll be right there, sweetie. Give me five minutes.” Stacey answered and hung up. I knew she’d be there in minutes, but still, I couldn’t make myself stop crying.

Stacey had her own key, something we’d done last year after a spate of bad weather. We’d exchanged keys for emergencies just like this, so it was no surprise when she let herself in. I was on the floor, a pile of used tissues in a mound beside me.

“Oh, Bren, what’s happened?” Stacey gushed as she knelt down on the floor with me, still in her midnight blue satin pajamas.

“Cash and I danced at the fair tonight and it was so sweet, but then he kissed me and that scared me like crazy, so when a man took our picture I ran and then Cash showed up at my house banging on the door demanding to know about some news article I had nothing to do with and he obviously thinks it’s real,” I said all in one breath, nearly wailing the last word. Stacey took me into her arms, rocking me back and forth, comforting me, but it also brought the sobs back on.

“Cash did what now?” Stacey asked once my new sobs died down. I heard the warning tone in her voice and knew Cash was in trouble. A whole lot of trouble.

“He came over here and nearly banged my door down, screaming at me about the article. I don’t know who they talked to but it said that the only reason I was ‘making eyes at him’ was because I have huge debt and needed him to pay off those debts. That I was a gold digger and had told the ‘informant’ exactly that.” I made air quotes while rolling my eyes, the sobs threatening to come back.

“I’m going to kill him,” Stacey said and moved to leave but I stopped her.

“Please don’t leave me alone. I just need some company right now, I don’t need Cash to die or anything.”

Stacey nodded and made the call. “Honey? Yes, it’s pretty bad. What? Oh, Cash’s usual BS, only this time he took it out on Brenda. I’m going to stay with her tonight, alright? Okay, I love you too, babe. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Stacey hung up and went to my small kitchen. When she came back she had a tub of ice cream, cookies, chips, and a bottle of water with two glasses. How she managed to hold it all I didn’t know, but she put it all down on my coffee table gently.

“Come on. Up here. Out of the floor, my lovely. Find a movie. We’re starting a marathon.”

“I’m not sure I’m up for a marathon.” I pouted but pulled the tub of ice cream to me along with a spoon. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I can’t believe he believes that stupid article,” Stacey said and looked ready to kill a whole herd of older brothers, not just the one.

“Well, the part about my hospital debt is true. I owe so much money to the hospitals and doctors that I don’t know how I’m ever going to pay any of it off.”

“That might be so, but you wouldn’t dream of using Cash for that,” Stacey came to my defense right away and I loved her even more for that. She knew about my cancer, about how I’d struggled, and overcome my illness. She was a real friend and I couldn’t ask for a better one. “I just can’t believe he thinks it’s true. Does he not know you at all?”

“I guess not,” I said, stuffing more chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream into my mouth. I let the ice cream melt on my tongue, thinking as I did so. “I guess he’s kind of used to people trying to take advantage of him.”

“No, don’t you do that. Do not let him off the hook for this. He’s been a jerk but this takes the cake.”

“Oh my God, the cake!” I ran back to my room and picked up the box I’d dropped when I came home and got in my PJs. I ran back into the living room and set it on the table.

“What’s this?” Stacey asked, opening the box. “You bought the death by chocolate cake?”

“Noooooo,” I drawled the word. “Cash did and used it to tempt me into five minutes of his time.”

“Oh my. Do we bother with a knife or go straight in?” Stacey pulled the cake out and set it down on the table. I saw chocolate malted milk balls, peanut butter cups, chocolate covered pretzels, chunks of chocolate and so much more. It was the cake I wanted, though.

“I think we just dive in, honey,” I mumbled as I stuck my spoon into the cake. I slid the morsel into my mouth and nearly embarrassed myself by moaning louder than I ever had in my life. Stacey laughed, then dove in. She did the same thing.

“That is so good,” I said and reached for the water. The fudgey frosting was amazing but I needed a drink. “My mom would kill me if she knew I was eating this.”

“I promise I won’t tell.”

We ate a quarter of the cake before we went to bed. I woke up the next morning feeling a little bloated from the sugar overload. I put the coffee pot on and looked for Stacey. I found a note on the kitchen table. She had to go home so her husband could go to work but she’d call me later.

I understood that.

Later, after a shower, I went into town to get some tea. My stash of tea selections was getting slim and the perfect place to buy more was on Main Street.

I walked into Sage’s Tea Shop, and got a huge hug from Gladys, the owner. “Brenda, how are you dear? I’ve got something special for you.”

I could hear the other patrons in the store whispering loudly about me already, and Gladys herself was a huge gossip. I couldn’t be gossiped about, it could put my job in jeopardy. And, plus, there was the embarrassment of it all.

“I’m really sorry to hear about the trouble in the papers, by the way. Come over here, let me show you what I have. I’ve got one with a special calming blend, just for you.” Gladys starts the tea, then puts a special ‘tonic’ in it. “That’s for money and success.”

I felt my cheeks flame with shame. Maybe being at home was a better idea than being in town. “Thanks, Gladys. I’ll take the tea and some of my usual blends for at home.”

I quickly paid for my purchases and left the store, tired of hearing snickers behind my back and people sputtering in laughter. Did everyone in town read that stupid article and believe it? I felt the crush of shame so heavy that it nearly bowled me over. I wish I’d never met Cash Saunders.