Free Embrace Me by Lisa Samson

preaching up a storm at church and on the television. That man!”
    Earlier in the day I’d scraped back Lella’s hair into her signature ponytail, and she asked me to make her up in a more Audrey Hepburn fashion, with slightly Egyptian eyes and red lips. She is easily the prettiest person in the room.
    Charmaine takes to Lella right away, answering all of her questions about The Port of Peace Hour and her gospel concerts. So Poppy asks me about the road, what it’s like to be in a sideshow these days.
    â€œWell, folks still enjoy it. We’re pretty politically incorrect now as you could probably guess. But who can resist a human blockhead or a fire eater?”
    â€œDo you mind telling me how you came to be Lizard Woman?”
    â€œPhysically?”
    She nods.
    â€œI was in India and somebody mistook me for a relative that had brought dishonor to the family and threw acid on me.”
    Augustine jerks his head up. “But didn’t you say—”
    â€œYeah, it was horrible. We all couldn’t believe it. And so I ended up here.”
    He pushes his glasses up further on his nose.
    Poppy asks, “What about your parents? Didn’t your mother want to take care of you? Why did you end up on the road?”
    â€œMy mother couldn’t stand to look at me anymore. And that was fine with me. We never got along anyway. My father isn’t the strongest guy in the world, and I didn’t want to burden him. I was just as glad to find Roland’s sideshow, believe it or not.”
    Charmaine hoots a “Well, praise the Lord!” at something Lella says. “I swear I haven’t felt this good about life in several years.” She lays a hand on Lella’s shoulder. “I’m always battling the dark monster of depression.”
    â€œOh, no!” Lella. “I’m so sorry for you!”
    I say, “I know a thing or two about that.”
    Poppy shuffles in her seat. “Charmaine takes care of her paranoid schizophrenic mother who deserted her when she was eleven years old.”
    â€œOh. Right.”
    â€œPoppy!” Charmaine hits her upper arm. “Valentine’s got enough on her already.”
    I tap the table. “So honestly, Poppy. You need help with the food? I can make something here at Blaze’s, I suppose. Like I said, I can cook for a crowd. What’s a little more?”
    â€œValentine makes the best mashed potato casserole you’ve ever tasted!” Lella licks her lips. “She whips potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream, and softened butter, then places it in a casse-role and pours melted butter over it.”
    I don’t notice Rick standing at the door until he says, “And then she bakes it in the oven and it gets all brown around the edges. Mmm!” He rubs a stomach flatter than a first-round contestant on American Idol , a show Blaze never misses, darn her.
    â€œIt’s one of the few things I can eat myself.”
    Augustine smiles. “Yeah, then. Potato casserole it is. For about hundred people?”
    â€œYou got it.” I look at Lella. “Will you keep me company while I peel the potatoes?”
    â€œI’d be honored.” She turns to Augustine. “That counts as helping, doesn’t it?”
    â€œOf course!” Charmaine cries. “Oh, Lella! Being company is the best thing anybody can ever do.”
    â€œValentine’s my company, Mrs. Hopewell. Valentine’s the best friend I’ve ever had.”
    Rick clears his throat. “I’ll help peel, Val. If that’s all right and you don’t mind.”
    â€œFor a hundred people? I’d be glad if you would.”
    He whips around and hurries up to his room.

    â€œI’m telling you, Rick is crazy to be fond of a woman like me,” I say to Lella later that afternoon.
    â€œOh, surely not! You’re undoubtedly a prize, Valentine.”
    I can’t help myself. I laugh and