I turn off the engine and sit in my truck that I’ve parked at the bottom of the driveway. From the house, no one can see me here as I’m at another level. The slope of land on my property hides me from view.
Sliding my phone from my pocket, I tap the screen and open the app to see what my Val has been up to today. I glance at the house while waiting for the page to load. It’s taking a bit longer than usual.
From the corner of my eye, I see movement. Something has passed by. Craning my neck out the window, I look among the underbrush and see an agouti staring at me. Sitting on its haunches, it munches whatever it’s holding in its paws. The cute little critter must’ve stolen a piece of fruit off the deck.
I love the wildlife here. So many amazing creatures roam the jungle and share my slice of paradise. Too bad Val doesn't feel the same way. I know she's not happy here; her emotions are written all over her face. She doesn’t participate in any of my activities; she doesn’t seem to enjoy them. She just keeps to herself holed up in the house all day.
The only company of hers is that mutt I found wandering the streets. Sadly, he’s all roly-poly now. She feeds him too much food, always tossing him treats and scraps. Poor boy, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him.
I glance back at my phone. Apparently the camera app does not want to cooperate with me today. Such a shame, I would love to have seen what her day entailed. But at least I know the half of it.
On the drive to the airport, Cindy yapped the entire way. Her mouth was nonstop. She told me all about the hotel and that she needed to get back to work and make more money. Then about all the men who are after her, obviously trying to make me jealous. She went on and on and on. I swear that woman spoke nothing but run-on sentences.
It wasn’t until we reached the hairpin turn that I was able to change the subject. After she panicked and dug her nails into my leg while screaming something about driving over the edge.
When I asked about Val, Cindy proceeded to tell me her thoughts. I didn't realize how miserable Val was until Cindy spilled the beans, all the beans. Not a very loyal friend that Cindy, Miss aka CutieC, as she so annoyingly reminded me.
Something tells me that woman is up to no good. I sensed it the first time I met her. I tried my best to be polite, fending off her advances, but she's a bold one that one there. The type who would do anything and everything to get what she wanted, and I mean anything.
I remove the gift bag from the passenger seat and exit the truck. As I make my way up the walkway, Max starts barking. He can’t quite see me yet, but at least he's doing his job.
When I enter the house, I see Val in the kitchen by the sink. She turns, seemingly startled at the sound of the door.
“Hey, where have you been?” she asks, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Where’s Cindy?” She gazes past my shoulder.
“I imagine in the air at the moment.”
Tilting her head, she gives me a quizzical look.
“I took her to the airport. She’s on her way home,” I say, speaking more of Val’s language. She’s always saying to me… Can you not be so vague? I need clear and concise communication. Yes, teacher, I’d like to reply but instead, I just bite my tongue.
“That’s weird,” she glances around the house as if she doesn’t believe me. “She didn’t say anything about leaving. As far as I know, she was here for a few more days.” Her gaze settles on the bag I’m holding.
Setting the gift bag on the counter, I point to it. “I bought you a little something. I hope you like it.”
“Oh, what is it?” She inches near.
“Open it,” I order. How’s that for clear and concise, I’m tempted to say as I watch her cautiously remove the gift from the bag.
Her hands jerk away and she takes a step back, practically leaping in the air. She looks petrified as if I’ve given her a dead bird or some other deceased animal.
“What's wrong?” I ask. “Don’t you like it?”
She lets out a breath and leans over the counter clutching her throat.
I pick up the gift, a small wooden box, my fingers brushing over the hand carving on top. “Look, it even has your initial on it.” I smile. “V for Val or if you’d prefer, V for valuables.”
I glance at her, and I see that she’s shaking like a leaf.
“It’s a jewelry box,” I say, lifting the lid to reveal the tiny key hiding inside. “You can lock it to keep your things safe,” I wink.
I patiently wait for her to say something, anything. Maybe a ‘that’s nice,’ or a ‘how thoughtful,’ or even a simple ‘thank you’ would do.
But nope, she doesn’t say a word, zip, zilch, nada.
She just stands there, pressing her lips together as though she’s never seen anything like it before.
37
Valerie
I was shaken to the core. I didn't know what to say when David presented me with the jewelry box because it looked exactly like the other two boxes buried in the garden.
Was it some sort of sick joke he was playing? Was he about to do away with me? Turn me into some memory by filling the box with photos of me and locks of my hair.
It was that moment I knew I had to leave while I was still in one piece.
Cindy wasn't returning any of my texts or emails, so I figured she
