Free Something Bad by RICHARD SATTERLIE Page A

past the wall with the spatula blade. “Even John Johnson and his buddies come now. Probably pisses off his missus to no end. Best I can tell, they all come to see if Thibideaux will show up, and how he’ll leave. I’m glad he comes only every few days. The mystery is probably what brings them.”
    “But why is he so chatty today?”
    “Don’t know and don’t care.”
    “As long as he packs them in, right?”
    Teddy put the spatula down. “Yeah, well I noticed that he leaves plenty for your tip jar every time he’s in.” He smiled. “Maybe he’s got something for you.”
    Deena Lee faked a shiver. She leaned a little to her right so she could see Thibideaux through the doorway. He had a newspaper spread on the counter.
    She turned and pulled a plate from the overhead shelf and dished Teddy’s special on the plate. Her mind wandered as she spooned a little extra of everything.
    What was he up to? Was he coming on to her like Teddy said? Was he interested in courting her for the purpose of marriage? She heard about how some girls married men more than twice their age or so homely they stopped traffic, only because they had money and privilege. But she could honestly say that no money in the world could get her into Mr. Thibideaux’s bed. Her romance novel background convinced her that an ounce of lusty passion was worth more than a hefty bank account, even if it meant a continual paycheck-to-paycheck existence. Still, she dreamed of what it would be like to go into one of those stores that sold only clothes and try on outfit after outfit, and then leave with so many boxes it would take three people to carry them.
    She balanced the overloaded plate on her hand but stopped in the doorway and turned toward Teddy. “You mind if I take a break after I serve this up? My knees are sore and my ankles are swelling something awful.”
    Teddy chuckled. “And that’s all?”
    She shook her head and leaned his way, her voice a whisper. “No. He’s creeping me out today.”
    “Fifteen minutes enough?”

     
    Deena Lee walked around to the west side of the building so the afternoon sun would bake into her legs. A four-foot section of log rested against the wall. She had stopped smoking when she became pregnant—now she used her breaks to daydream about what it would be like to be a mother. She sat on the log, swiveled her legs up, and tilted her head back against the wall.
    Her mind drifted, but a strange sensation of being watched pulled her back. A slight movement flashed in her peripheral vision. She jerked her head up and gasped.
    “I’m sorry to startle you, Ms. Murtry. I hope you don’t mind if I take a minute or two of your break.”
    Thibideaux’s shadowy eyes looked even darker in direct sunlight.
    He extended his arm toward her. “I was able to obtain a full bottle of vitamins from a doctor friend who owed me a favor, and I immediately thought of you. I would be grateful if you would accept them as a gift.”
    Deena Lee clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. “Don’t you ever do that again. And why are you being so nice to me? I already got a man.”
    He inched closer and held out the bottle of 100 prenatal vitamins. “I just believe that all children deserve the best possible start in life. I assure you I’m not interested in a romantic relationship with you, or anyone else for that matter. But I do have some information about your Horace. I ran into him the other day when I returned to New Orleans to take care of some business. That’s where I got the vitamins.”
    “Screw the vitamins.” She jumped up and grabbed the upper part of his left arm. “What about Horace?”
    “I’m not happy to tell you this, but I think you deserve to know.”
    “Is he coming back? Do you know if he’s coming back? Have you talked to him?” Her eyes were wide. Her fingers dug deep into his arm.
    His expression didn’t change. “Calm yourself, Ms. Murtry. Getting all worked up isn’t good for the