Free The Organization by Lucy di Legge Page A

last bought flowers for Maggie several years ago.  She tried to remember if it had been for Maggie’s birthday or their anniversary, but she couldn’t place the memory.  She silently asked for Maggie’s blessing or forgiveness, whichever she was willing to offer from wherever she might be, as she picked out a white orchid.  At the register, the clerk debited far more credits than she had earned that morning.
    Charlotte had misjudged how long it would take to run her errands.  She looked up at the sky with some concern as the sun’s intensity seemed to grow.  By the time she reached Harriet’s door, it was nearly noon, and sweat ran down her back and darkened her shirt in multiple places.  She rang the doorbell a second time, wondering if Harriet wasn’t at home, when the door swung open.
    “Charlie, what are you—” Harriet began to say but stopped short upon seeing the orchid.  “Is that for me?” she asked.  She looked dressed in her usual attire, her clothes perfectly neat and pressed, her hair combed with every strand in place, but her face registered a hint of anxiety.
    “Yes,” Charlotte said.  She handed the potted flower to Harriet, who accepted the gift but didn’t move aside to let her into the house.  The feeling of not being welcome was not lost on Charlotte.  “I’m sorry, I just –” she started to say.
    Harriet’s eyes had darted over Charlotte’s shoulder before she cut her off mid-sentence.  “Thank you.”  She added quickly and quietly, “Listen, you have to go.  I’ll come by your place later.”  With that, she closed the door.
    Charlotte turned to go, befuddled and feeling hurt.  She looked across the street to where Harriet had looked and saw a man, presumably a neighbor, setting out his garbage bin for collection.  He openly stared at her, sending a chill down her spine.  After a moment, she broke eye contact first and walked swiftly away.
    Charlotte took the long way home, needing the time to clear her mind and talk herself down from being angry with Harriet.  By the time she returned to her apartment, it was halfway through the time when she’d normally be sleeping.  She stripped down to her white underwear and faded black tank top, and climbed into bed. 
    A knock on the door woke her from her dreamless sleep.
    “Just a moment,” she called to the door, pulling on the pair of dirty cargo pants she’d taken off earlier.
    Opening the door, her first thought was that she was happy to see Harriet.  A second thought quickly followed, one of Why doesn’t Harriet look apologetic?
    “May I come in?” Harriet asked.
    “Yes, of course,” Charlotte said, moving aside and then closing the door behind her guest.
    Harriet crossed her arms and asked, “Can you just tell me what you were thinking – coming to my house this morning?”  Her face looked calm but her voice betrayed her and hinted that she was trying to maintain control of her emotions.
    “What?” Charlotte felt her hurt feelings begin to arise again.  “Was Thomas home?  I thought he was gone still for a few more days.”
    Harriet closed her eyes for a long moment before saying, “It’s not about Thomas.  It’s about you being seen in my neighborhood.”  She sighed and unfolded her arms.  “Listen, it’s not—”
    “It’s not what?  Are you embarrassed by me?  Don’t want your neighbors to know you’re screwing someone else?”  Charlotte could feel her pulse beginning to race.
    “You have no idea what you’re talking about.  Shit,” Harriet said, sighing and running her hands through her straight dark hair.  Charlotte was unaccustomed to seeing a crack in Harriet’s façade.  “I can’t attract attention, Charlie.  My neighbors see you and they know that you, well, you don’t live there.  They don’t recognize you.  And frankly, you don’t look like you belong in the neighborhood – you know that.  I can’t have any suspicions being raised… I can’t have