Touch the Mimosa Sky (eBook)

1

Freedom

Nothing could bring her down. She was flying for the first time in a long time, maybe forever. Eighteen wasn’t old, but the things she’d been exposed to had made her feel ancient. Coriander Mary Bishop had just served her sentence. She’d been gone for 16 months.

Lenny was a bad seed. She remembered the first time she saw him…he was leering at her with obvious pleasure as she exited the stage. He licked his lips in a lascivious way as if to flirt with her and his eyes followed her until she disappeared behind the dressing room door. Her first impression was not good. He had beady eyes. Momma always told her to stay away from men with eyes like his.

A year wasn’t long enough to gain worldly knowledge, but Cori had learned plenty in Honey’s. Mostly, she learned how to avoid Lenny, and she was successful for the first couple of months.

The stalking started one night as she passed him while coming in. He’d grabbed her arm and startled her. He wanted to take her on a date, he said. His voice was soft and quiet as he spoke to her. She told him no, and suddenly he was aggressive, accusing her of teasing him. After that he acted different, like a wounded soul. It was ridiculous, but then she would feel a familiar prickling up her spine, as she realized he was skulking in a corner watching her. If she sat in a chair, he would slither into a seat nearby and she was his focus. She should have known he was dangerous…she should’ve listened to her gut.

The sleep deprivation had aged her. She worried about Momma and the kids constantly. Momma passed away after her long battle with lung cancer. A short furlough was approved to attend the funeral. Each moment was precious as she hugged the kids, knowing she had to go back soon. It was just enough time to soak in the sight and smell of her family. It was just enough time to break her heart.

The sentence was unusually light, but every single day she wasn’t there for the kids after her mother died felt like an eternity. She would never forget their haggard broken faces as the female officer tapped her on the shoulder and led her away from the grave site. She blew them kisses and wiped her nose on the sleeve of the worn wool sweater. She never wore it again. It was too hard to look at it, so she folded it up and placed it in the darkest corner of the box in her locker. The memories of that day were not good ones, as the faces of her family, wet with tears, haunted her. She would make it up to them now.

She rolled down the window, needing the air to wash away the sadness of the past two years. The salty smell of the ocean filled her nose, tickling it with scents of her childhood yearnings and her ultimate dream to live on the beach. She was headed home, to Summerville where everyone was waiting for her, except him. Bobby was in the Merchant Marines and he was out on a ship for a few more days. Uncle Hank talked about a party, but Cori needed something quiet, something private…she needed time within the four walls surrounded by her family to be able to feel again.

They were having a nice quiet dinner together on her first night home. She requested her favorite, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Her stomach growled as she thought about the chicken, she could almost smell it frying.

God, why had everything turned to shit? Bobby had helped her get the job and it was going so well. All she wanted was to have some money in the bank. She’d lied to everyone about everything, and it had backfired. Lenny ruined it all with his obsessive behavior.

She regretted what happened that day and if she could go back, she would have done it differently. Now, her life was permanently changed. Sometimes she felt like with what he did to her and tried to do to Angel, he’d brought it on himself. She had plenty of time to figure it out while she served her sentence, but it still seemed like a bad dream...or more like a nightmare.

She slowed as the road curved dangerously, snapping her out of her reverie. As soon as she hit straight pavement, she sped up to 60 again, eating up the miles. The rental was responding to her, as if it had been waiting for her out on the lot this morning.

The cab had taken her to Main Street, where she asked the driver to wait while she spent 20 minutes inside. ‘Pajamas, bra’s, underwear. Oh, that is so cute.’ She was talking to herself, a habit she’d picked up as a child. ‘Hurry, the cab is waiting.’ As she stood at the check-out lane, her eyes scanned the variety of sundries lined up on hooks. She reached out to grab red licorice and some fruity lip gloss.

She purchased a few outfits, sandals, a purse and assorted items she would need. She was arranging it all neatly in the new bag as the cab approached Airport Road. He came to a stop directly in front of the EZ rental car office and helped get her box out. After thanking him and giving him a tip, she brushed the sweat from her brow, and went in. It was a sweltering South Carolina day and she prayed for air conditioning.

The large brass bell above the door gave a heavy jangle as she entered and set her bag and the box down in front of the counter. The dusty office was cool, and she immediately felt better.

The man behind the desk had been intent in his search for something in a drawer when he realized she stood staring at him. He stopped, adjusted his glasses and sidled up and into a tall swivel chair, before speaking to her.

“Mornin’, what can I do ya for?” He pushed around the clutter and grabbed a pen.

“I need to rent a car for 5 days.” Her voice came out in a whoosh and she felt nervous. Hank offered to come get her, but she wanted to make the drive. It was hard to explain to him, but she needed to drive herself home.

“Ma’am, would you like an economy car, sedan or an SUV? Any preference?” The man asked what seemed like a million questions with his friendly southern drawl while she scanned the cars out the window.

“Red and fast. As a matter of fact, that one looks perfect.” She stepped to the window and pointed to the Camaro sitting in the spot directly ahead.

“Okay Little Lady, we just got her in, ruby red, and it’s definitely fast.” He was chuckling at her and she grinned.

“Where y’all headed?”

“Summerville.” She turned back and gave him a smile. “I’m going home.” Her response was soft, but her accent seemed to be pronounced as she told him the name of her hometown. He nodded, while filling out paperwork with the driver’s license she provided.

“You should make it there in under two hours. Let’s see, you said, 5 days?” Cori nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

“That’ll be $257.00.” He watched her pull a wad of money from her purse, and his eyebrows shot up when she handed him the cash. After giving her the agreement packet and keys, he led her out to the car.

“Do you need me to show you how to adjust the steering wheel and all?” She smiled, shaking her head. He opened the trunk and placed her bag and the box inside.

“Okay, she’s all yours. Have a safe trip. Do ya know how to get to the highway?”

“Yes. I came from that direction a minute ago and I can find my way back. Thank you so much, have a great day.” He waved and headed back in where it was cool.

The car was staring at her. She reached out a hand to caress its hood as she went to the door. It was immaculate and it glimmered like hot molten lava in the sunshine. ‘God, it’s beautiful,’ she was talking to herself again. She slid in, shut the door and adjusted the seat, then the mirrors.

Her heart was beating fast in her chest as she felt the weight of the keys in her hand. She’d been dreaming about this moment for a long time...getting into a fast car and flying down the highway. She breathed in the smell of leather and something tropical, coconut with a touch of vanilla, which unconsciously transported her to somewhere warm and sunny. She was smelling so many wonderful things these days, but the most potent was the smell of freedom, and she just wanted to savor that for a second. The interior of the sleek car enveloped her in comfort. She was finally in control. She was going home.

She opened her eyes and turned the key, while noting the man watching her through the window. She grinned as she adjusted the air flow, feeling the motor purr like a caressed kitten. She gathered herself and reached into the brand-new red purse for her sunglasses. Looking at the man once more, she gave him a salute and put the car in drive. 98 miles to the south lay her destination.

The car was black inside, hot, and she alternated between the air conditioner and rolling the windows down. Everything was at her fingertips, and as she made her way to the interstate, she felt like she was riding in a sleek red Cadillac. She lay her head back on the cushy headrest and smiled. It was a perfect day, with great big, bluebird skies. That’s what her dad used to say before he headed out for work. He’d kiss them all good-bye and light up a cigarette as he perused the sky. “Going to have bluebird skies, Mary,” he’d...