September Tango (2 page)

She shook her head and handed her a twenty dollar bill to cover the $17 order. “No, he couldn't. You know that. He would have made me miserable. I like my life the way it is.”

Donna handed her back the change. “True, baby. Something good is gonna happen to you, I just feel it.” Donna claimed to be partially psychic. She was uncannily good at predicting stuff and for once Zoe's ears perked up.

“
Thanks, Donna.” She smiled as she took her bag and headed out to the cracked parking lot. “God knows I need something good,” she murmured to herself.

She drove back home, the sultry air making her sweat in places that weren't the nicest places to sweat. She pulled up in the driveway and parked the car before climbing up the stairs and stopping abruptly. Another bouquet of flowers were leaned against the door with a pink envelope. She tossed the bouquet over her head like throwing flowers at a wedding and cracked the seal on the envelope. The card was sickeningly sweet and smelled like it had been stuck in a drawer with mothballs. She flipped it open and smirked as she saw it was a used card, he'd simply put white out over the words that had once been inside then scrawled, 'I'm sorry,' over the whole mess.

She tore it into a million tiny pieces and stomped on it with her foot before flinging the screen door open and turning the handle on the old green door to let herself inside. She angrily dropped the bag of groceries on the old yellow Formica counter and reached in to find her ice cream was melted. With a grumble, she threw it into the freezer and put the other basics away before cleaning up the kitchen. She slapped a ham and cheese sandwich together on the slightly stale bread from the fridge and added lots of pickles from the Vlasic jar on the shelf. She plopped it on a paper plate and snagged a strawberry daiquiri wine cooler from the back of the fridge before moving to the old couch in the living room.

Time for some good old TV
, she mused. Five hours later she woke up to drool running down her face and the eleven o'clock news on. She turned the TV off in disgust. She took her trash to the kitchen and threw it away. She moved the yellowed lace curtain from the window to see if Daddy was home yet. He wasn't, of course. She left the porch light on, just in case and walked down the wood paneled hallway to her childhood bedroom. She still had the old twin bed with a canopy she got when she was five. The canopy was worn clean through by this point. It was dusty and tattered, the pale pink long faded to white. She had no money to replace it, so it stayed. Her room was the epitome of Major, Alabama. Worn out and tired. She pulled the cream colored sheets back on her bed and grabbed some thin cotton pajamas out of her baby pink dresser. She went across the hall to the bathroom, the robin's egg blue making her smile.

They'd used the same paint on the old swing. She could still remember Mama painting, drips all over the floor. They'd just replaced the laminate on the floor to cover her mistakes. She'd been so damn happy when the place was finished. It was her sanctuary, the old claw foot tub with the new shower head, the blue and green shower curtain that went all the way around and the new lace curtains at the window.

Zoe smiled sadly as she washed her face and brushed her teeth. She drug her old bristle brush through her long raven hair before braiding it. She slipped on her thin cotton pajamas and flicked off the bathroom light before crossing the hall back to her bedroom. She turned her oscillating fan on and slipped between the cool sheets. She pulled her old quilt over her shoulders, fingers stroking the delicate needlework. Mama had made it for her when she was a baby.

She sighed as she tried to get comfortable, but she tossed and turned; eager to see Amy tomorrow. Her heart ached as she realized that she and Derek were finally over. For good. The finality of it all, another mark against her, proving yet again she was nothing but a wash up made her cry. A stifled sob escaped her mouth. As she rolled to her stomach and tears leaked between her dark lashes, she finally slept.
Chapter Two
– Calvin (Friday)

He couldn't even begin to explain how good it felt to be back on American soil. After having sat through fourteen hours of a low battery on his iPod, a window acting as an in-flight movie and a sleeping somebody who didn't know the meaning of personal space, a second or two to stretch his legs was just what the doctor ordered. As he began walking through the hallway to the terminal, he couldn't help but crack a smile at the “Welcome to Alabama” sign displayed on the wall like a bright ray of sunshine in the midst of a summer storm. With a pack on his back and dog-tags chiming with every step, he rushed to the baggage claim to wait with everyone else for his bag. He was only home for fifteen days so he packed light, but it was still enough so that it couldn't fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat. An older white gentleman was staring in his direction and he squirmed uncomfortably before glancing his way and smiling.

“
Back home, are you?” He said in a gruff, but friendly voice, his face cracking into a smile.

“
Just for a while,” the young man responded.

“
Well, welcome back, and thank you for serving.” He said and approached him with his hand outstretched for a shake.

“
Thank you for your support,” he replied, shaking his hand. The older gentleman let go and returned to where he was standing. The soldier shook his head at how much he hated being told that. It was kind of like listening to the same song on repeat for days at a time while someone is smashing your head with a sledgehammer. It's not that he didn't appreciate their support, or thank yous, he just really didn't feel like he deserved it. He didn't feel like a hero.

Finally, he noticed the only olive green duffel bag on the trolley with a white tag and his name, Calvin Hall, written in black Sharpie. Calvin picked it up, turned and meandered towards the Car Rental sign at the opposite end of the airport. There was no one waiting for him at the airport, because his parents had passed a couple of years ago and his grandparents were much too old to make the drive. No one trusted his little sister to make the drive, so he was forced to purchase a rental car for a while.

When he arrived at the counter, the lady standing behind it smiled widely. She was a larger black woman with an unbelievable up do, golden chains hanging around her neck, fake fingernails so long it would make Wolverine jealous and a nameplate on her left breast that read “LaTisha”.

“
How can I help you?” She drawled as he put his bag down on the floor and lounged against the counter.

“
I need a car,” he replied quietly, rubbing his eyes.

“
Well, that's the reason you came here, ain't it?” She interrupted before he could finish.

He blinked. “Um, yes?”

“Alright, boy, I'm gonna hook you up, for sure. What kinda car you need, hon?” Her drawl was doing nothing but getting worse.

“
Um,” he paused, fighting to keep a straight face. “It's just gonna be me so I don't need anything too big. Probably just the smallest thing you have.”

“
Alright, I gotcha, I gotcha.” She replied, bending her fingers awkwardly to touch the buttons on the computer in front of her. The
click-clack
was enough to drive him mad. She glanced at him curiously then back to the computer screen, chewing the bright red lipstick off her bottom lip. “So, where you comin' from? Yo dirty ass look like you just rolled outta the sandbox.”

“
Um,” he started, shaking his head, “I'm on R&R from Afghanistan heading back to Major to visit my grandparents for a little bit.”

“
Oh, so you one a the ones fightin' for our rights and all that shit, I thought so with that uniform. LaTisha loves a man in uniform.” She paused to fan herself before continuing. “Well good for you, son. I bet you's one a them proper gentleman types and what not. Know how to treat a lady right, huh? You ever thought about takin' a sister out?”

“
Um... What?” He asked in horror. His look was not lost on LaTisha, who frowned before responding.

“
Never mind that. Anyway, son, I got you a Chevy Spark, smallest thing we got. That gonna be good for ya?”

“
Yes, that'll be fine.” The sooner he could get away from LaTisha and her advances, the better. He took another deep breath to keep from busting out into hysterics.

“
Alright, kid, that's gonna be thirty nine ninety five a day, you gonna have to pay that now. How many days you need this thing? Where you say you goin'?”

“
Heading down to Major.” He slowly drummed his long fingers on the counter. “I need it for fifteen days.”

“
Alright, alright, okay. Like I said, you pay that now. I'm gonna run back there and let Jerry know that he need to bring that car up to you. Go out that door right there,” She pointed, “And he's gonna meet you out there with them keys. Oh, yeah, and I need your license and your card, you sweet young thang.”

“
Oh, okay.” He stuck his hand in the pocket of his uniform, grabbed his wallet and pulled it out. As he opened the wallet, a picture fell out. It was a picture of the last time he was with his parents, which was five years ago. A funny look crossed his face as he stuck it back in his wallet and pulled out his license and debit card. He handed them to LaTisha. She looked at the license for about a second and handed it back. Another awkward bend of the finger to press more keys on the computer and run his car. Once she finished, she handed it back. She finally gave him an awkward glance, as if wondering why he was still standing there. Once the light upstairs turned back on, she turned, grabbed a set of keys and went to the back room.

“
Jerry!” Calvin heard her yell. He looked around to see if there was anybody who heard that, but there was no one there. It was a few minutes before she came back, faked a smile and said, “Jerry's got your car, sweet thang. Thank you for using our rental service. Have you a nice day, sugar.”

“
Thank you.” He said gruffly, picking up his bag and walking towards the door. As he headed outside, he couldn't help but notice a girl walk in. She was looking around the terminal for someone.
Lucky bastard,
he thought. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place where he knew her from. She was gorgeous, with raven, flowing hair, creamy skin and almost pitch black eyes. She was definitely someone he shouldn't have ever forgotten. She was wearing a lacy white dress that seemed to float behind her. He couldn't stop his head from shifting with her as she walked past, only stopping when he could no longer comfortably twist his neck. “Damn, I missed this country. God Bless the USA and sexy little country girls,” he murmured as he stepped outside to a blue Chevy Spark casually parked by the curb. A man he assumed was Jerry opened the trunk for him as he approached the car. He stowed the bag carefully, and Jerry, according to his name tag, shook his hand. Jerry looked like he had just bathed in hair gel, dipped his head in oil, and lost in an 80s interpretive dance competition. All he needed was a wind suit from the 80s and he'd be set. It was only when Jerry held out a clipboard and opened his mouth did Calvin nearly die laughing again.

“
Alright, here's what I need you to do, blood.” He said to Calvin, who couldn't stop a face palm moment.  “I'm gonna need you to sign right here, then here, then here and initials in this here box.”

“
Alright, no problem, sir.” He replied taking the clipboard from him and scribbling C Hall in every spot.

Jerry looked over the paper when Calvin handed it back to him. “Alright, blood, we all good here. Enjoy yo' ride and yo' time back here.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He replied with a grin as he walked to the driver's side door. He shrugged his backpack off, tossed it into the passenger side seat. He climbed in, buckled his seat belt and opened his bag, pulling out his iPod, the car charger and AUX cable. He plugged it in, switched on some music and began the two hour journey back to Major.

Chapter Three
– Zoe (Friday)

Friday morning she woke to scorching temperatures. It was barely eight AM and it was already 95 degrees outside. There would be no keeping the windows down on the Jeep today; she'd need every bit of AC she could get. She let her dark hair loose from its braid, waves of ebony cascading down her back and pulled a white eyelet dress over her head, the simple design fluttering over her curves perfectly. She slid a headband in her hair to keep it out of her face, put a little mascara on her dark lashes- waterproof, of course- and some cherry Chapstick on her lips. She applied a little more deodorant than usual, because she'd need it in this heat.

Finally put together, she slipped sandals on, snagged $40 out of the jar by the stove for gas and breakfast and glanced in her Daddy's room. By the looks of the bed, he'd never come home last night.
I wish he'd just own up to being with Minnie instead of hiding it.
She shook her head in irritation and walked back through the house to the front door, letting herself out and closing it behind her. She winced at the bright sunlight reflecting off her windshield and the damp heat that swirled around her. Another bouquet of pathetic looking flowers were sitting on her dash.

Her heart drummed in irritation. He wasn't getting the hint. She threw the door of her Jeep open and flung the flowers into the yard, grunting in fury. “Damn you! I'm done!” She yelled in anger to no one in particular. She had to admit she was a little freaked out at the thought of Derek being outside her house in the middle of the night.
Maybe I'll start locking the door.
She sighed in frustration and climbed in the Jeep, slamming the door behind her. The Jeep roared smoothly to life and she turned the AC on high, pulling out of the driveway and heading toward Mobile to pick up Amy.

The road was pretty damn desolate until you got closer to Mobile. Mobile definitely had all their tourists these days. Major just couldn't compete with a big city like that. She knew the way to the airport by heart at this point. Amy had been coming down a couple times a year since she left after high school and she'd been picking her up every time. Amy had a life, a fantastic one outside Major. She sighed.
Yet here I am a wash up at twenty-two.
A big part of her knew one day she'd need to leave Major and find work elsewhere, but she couldn't bear to do so yet. Daddy needed her still.
Who are you kidding, Zoe? He hasn't needed you for months now. You're just sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.
She rubbed her forehead and put her blinker on to make the turn into the Mobile airport. It was a long building, all silver metal with large windows in the front. She was running a few minutes late, so Amy had probably already landed. She pulled into a parking spot and grabbed her purse, hustling up to the sliding glass doors, her sandals flopping against the hot tar of the parking lot.

As she came up to the door, a soldier was walking out. He was gorgeous, she noted, and his warm brown eyes were watching her with a soft smile on his face. He looked very familiar, but her flustered brain couldn't put all the pieces together. She felt her cheeks going pink and she smiled softly as they passed each other. She felt his eyes on her as she passed him and she blushed harder.
I really have a thing for guys in uniform
, she thought to herself, her mind going wicked places. She bit her lip as her flush went deeper. She fanned her face as she looked for Amy in the crowded airport.
No point in a red face, Amy will never get off of it until I tell her why.
She caught herself turning and looking for the gorgeous soldier, a sad feeling settling in the pit of her stomach as she realized he was gone.
I should have talked to him, maybe thanked him for his service. Gah... I'll never see him again.
She nervously nibbled at her thumbnail and walked forward, looking for Amy in the throng.

“
ZOE!” She heard her name being called and she turned, seeing the beautiful and lithe Amy weaving through people, her long dark arm waving high above the crowd. A smile broke out, her mouth tipping up and dimples warming her cheeks. She darted forward and they met each other with arms open, hugging each other tightly.

“
Amy!” She squeaked, hugging her tight. Amy's arms folded around her and they simply stood that way for a moment, relishing being together again. Zoe pulled back and grinned again. “I'm missed you, Amy! God, you look fantastic.” She pouted, looking at her incredible dancer's body.

Amy posed casually and giggled. “I've missed you too, Zoe! And girl, that dress is adorable on you! You look happy being without Derek. I'm glad you finally got the balls to dump that bastard.” She threw an arm over her shoulders and they walked toward the door. The glass doors slid open and a blast of hot air greeted them. “Ugh,” Amy groaned, pulling her hot pink satin top away from her cocoa skin, “I forget how damn hot it is here. New York is hot, but nothing like this.”

She grumbled the whole way to the Jeep. Zoe shot her a dirty look. “Would you shut up, whiny ass?”

Amy pulled a face and pouted. “Can't help it.” They climbed in the SUV and Zoe started the car and turned on the AC. Amy groaned like she'd just had an incredible orgasm. “GOD! That feels good as hell!”

Zoe laughed and pulled out on to the interstate. Her stomach rumbled. “Um, Amy, I'm starving. We need to stop somewhere.”

“
Ooh,” Amy waved her arms excitedly, “let's go to Quickie Burger!”

Zoe frowned and squirmed in the seat. “They closed.”

“What? So you don't have a job? Dude, why didn't you tell me? I'm so paying for gas.” Amy crossed her arms. “I feel awful now.”

Zoe shrugged. “It's okay, Daddy has been leaving me plenty of money. Did I tell you he's boinking Minnie now? He rarely comes home anymore. I've put some applications out, something will come up. Don't worry about it, I am always glad to come get you. But seriously, I need food.”

Amy's mouth fell open and she put her hand up like a stop sign. “I know you are not talking about Skinny Minnie, with her bony ass elbows and knees. Jesus. Nothing like screwing a skeleton.”

Zoe giggled. “Um, not like you have room to talk... you're just as skinny!”

Amy pursed her lips. “I'm muscular, darlin'. Ooh, look a Sonic!”

They pulled into the drive thru and placed their order; two burgers with chili cheese fries and Route 44 Cokes with vanilla. They'd always had the same taste in food. After inhaling the food rapidly in the AC of the Jeep, they tossed the trash and headed back out for the interstate, bad 80s music blaring through the speakers.

The station started fading out about an hour outside of Mobile and Amy sighed. “Back to the middle of nowhere. No more good jams.”

Zoe grinned. “We can get a country station.”

“Don't make me bitch slap you. I love you, but country music will divide us.” Amy then started giggling; she never could keep a straight face. “I can't wait for this party tonight. I really hope someone brings a keg.”

“
Gag,” Zoe curled up her lip and wrinkled her nose. “Beer tastes like puke.”

Amy shrugged, “True, it does, but I mean at least it tastes the same going down as it does coming up! I want to have fun! I'm only here for a couple of days, then I gotta head back. I need to let my hair down.”

Zoe looked at her best friend's buzzed head. “What hair? Looks to me like you already let it all down.”

Amy shot her a dirty look and ran a hand over her bald head. “True, but not everyone can be Rapunzel like you. Plus you need to loosen up. Eat some seafood and relax.”

Zoe grinned. “I can always eat some seafood.” The green sign saying Major was five miles away was just ahead. “Look, Amy the wonder dancer, we are almost home.”

She missed the tears in her best friend's eyes as she looked out the window and murmured, “Yep.” They rolled into town and navigated quickly to Zoe's house. Amy grinned as they pulled into the drive. “Ain't a damn thing changed, has it?”

“No,” Zoe smiled in reply. “Nothing ever does here. Come on, we need to get ready for that party!”