Aftermath Page 7

  “Dad, I need that compressor,” Zack was behind me, speaking in a slightly more polite tone to his father.

  “Well, come get it.” He tilted his head to the right of him.

  Zack drew his lips in and raised his eyebrows as he went to take an air tank. He hesitated, fiddling with the valve.

  “Don’t worry about it though, Adriana. I got your dad coming in and we got Zack here.”

  “Oh and Dad,” Zack jumped at the opportunity, “since we have an extra body, I was hoping to get Friday off.”

  “Friday off?” Christian spoke the words as if they were inconceivable.

  I slowly started to back out of the office.

  “For what?” Christian added.

  “There’s just something important I want to do. Friends, ya know?”

  “Not this week, Zack. Ana's dad isn’t coming in to replace anyone, we need him and we need you.”

  Zack exhaled, clearly unhappy about not getting Friday off but not saying so. “You don’t understand…”

  “I can work for you!” I blurted out before I could think it through.

  Christian’s head shot up. “Adriana, no.”

  “No, it’s fine really. I don’t mind.” That wasn’t entirely true, but I considered it my peace offering to Zack. I hoped he would go a little easier on me if I did this. That wasn’t the only reason, though. There was something about what he said that reminded me of myself. I didn’t work twice as often as he did and it still was enough. He was a teenager. He wanted to go out and live his life. He wanted to be normal and he was right, his dad didn’t get that. How many teenagers worked full time? How many were scuba divers with more responsibility than most adults?

  “No!” Zack’s bellow broke through my thoughts.

  “Zachary…” Christian scolded him.

  Zack ignored his father and turned towards me. “No. I don’t need you to work for me and I don’t need your help.”

  “I’m sorry, I just…” I tried justifying my offer but Zack had already left. What is with everyone today?

  “Sorry about that, Adriana. I’ll have to have a good talking to with that boy later,” his voice carried the threat.

  “No, please don’t. It’s fine. I was just trying to help.”

  “I know you were. You always are. That’s the problem, ain't it?”

  How right he was. “Yeah, well I’m going to get suited up. I take it I’ll have the honor of being Zack’s dive buddy for the inspection on that ginormous boat on our docks out there?”

  “’fraid so,” he spoke his classic saying with a little humor.

  I sighed. “Bye, Mr. Christian.”

  There was only one locker room, so I took the gear out of my dad’s locker and headed to the bathroom. I was putting on my wet suit when there was a knock, no, a pound, on the door.

  “Hurry up.”

  “Yes, Zack.” I only had so much niceness left in me. I hoped one day I wouldn’t snap, because it would not be very becoming when it finally came out.

  Zack kept the rest of our conversations clipped and professional. I was thankful for at least that. But what was he mad about? I was the one who tried to do something nice for him so he could have Friday off. He should be thanking me not blaming me. The only displeasure he verbalized was a grunt when I said I had to leave for the night. Apparently, he had to stay and do the paperwork. I didn’t allow myself to feel bad about it. I had a haunted house to check out.

  I texted Hayden that I would see him soon, and then started toward downtown. I had passed the theater countless times in my seventeen years or so of living in New Orleans but I’d never been inside. I circled the theater on St. Peter Street a few times before finding a spot in which I didn’t have to parallel park. After sliding in next to a meter, I cut the engine. Now what? I inhaled, afraid to think of the answer. I already knew what I was going to do. Based on the signage, the building was still used as a theatre and therefore open to the public. I didn’t know if I should feel relieved or chilled to discover I could go inside. Relief was what I settled on when I stepped out of the car. The aroma of food in the air was almost masking the mold and mud smell left by Katrina .

  I walked around the terra cotta colored building until I found a set of doors that wasn’t shuttered. The theatre was two stories; a balcony with identically shuttered doors was above me. I peeked into the window panel, resentful that there wasn’t more activity going on inside. Do I just go in or should I knock? It wasn’t exactly show time, but I figured if the door was unlocked, it permitted entrance. When I turned the knob, the creak of the old wood was the only barrier to it opening.

  Inside, the lobby was huge and opened up into a courtyard. There were two separate theatres on either side. I looked in both directions.

  “Hello?” I softly called out.

  I sucked in a breath and walked toward the courtyard. Where was everyone? The late afternoon sun shone through into the courtyard. 1960’s style tropical wicker furniture scattered the courtyard as did a mix of flora from palm trees to ferns to carnations. A squawk from a bird flying overhead broke the silence as did the sound of water trickling from the fountain. All together, I felt as if I were in utopia. I spun around, admiring this little piece of paradise in the Quarter. Seriously, where was everyone? My heart pumped at that realization. A door above slammed from behind me and I turned around with a jump. I looked up to the second floor balcony, trying to see if I could see anyone inside the French doors. I was nearly on the tips of my toes, squinting my eyes and preparing for what could possibly appear in the windows of those doors, when the sound of splashing made me turn around again. The frantic splashing came from the fountain. I swallowed, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I did not have a good feeling about discovering what was making the noise. It sounded completely unnatural. I took a few steps toward the fountain and peered over. My lips quivered open as I let out a gasp. Inside the fountain was a dozen Koi, swimming wildly about. All I saw were blurs of orange and shimmers of white as they jumped around. Swimming as if they were trying to flee. I was entirely unsettled by that thought. What explanation could cause them to behave like this? I looked around, remembering this theatre was haunted. Did animals react strangely to supernatural beings? Could the fish sense a ghost was near? I whipped around, feeling as panicked as the fish.

  “Christine?” My voice shook, just taking a chance and hoping it was her. Hoping it was just the friendly, wedding-dress wearing, murdered ghost who haunted my dream? Really, Ana?

  “Can I help you?” A male voice called out from the second floor balcony, sounding as if I wasn’t supposed to be there.

  I exhaled a breath of relief and held a hand to my startled heart. “I’m sorry, I was just looking around.” I shielded the sun from my eyes and looked up at the thin, twenty-something man with dark, parted hair and thick rimmed glasses.

  “The theatre is closed to visitors except during performances. How did you get in?” Again his voice was suspicious and scolding.

  I apologized again. “I didn’t know. The door was open so I just thought it was okay to come in.”

  His arms were holding the railing and I could see him relax a little. “Pauline must have left it unlocked again.” He shook his head and muttered admonishingly to himself. “Stay right there. I’m coming down,” he ordered.

  “Okay.” I was starting to feel like he was right; I shouldn’t be there.

  I heard him coming from behind me and I turned to face him. “I’ll just be on my way…” I pointed my thumb over my shoulder towards the exit.

  “Why did you say ‘Christine?'”

  “Did I?”

  “Yes, you did. You called out her name just before I spoke to you.” His shoulders were squared and he was not buying my feigned innocence.

  “I—“ I really didn’t know how to answer that. I thought I felt the presence of a ghost so I called out the name of the murdered actress who brought me here in my dream. Oh and I can see the future in my dream
s. Probably should come up with another explanation. “This theatre was on the ghost tour map and I was just curious about why.”

  He nodded, like he determined I was harmless. “So you’re a tourist looking to catch a glimpse of Christine, the infamous matron that haunts our theatre?”

  “That’s right,” I agreed.

  “Well then you’ll know this isn’t where you’re likely to see her.”

  I smoothed my fingers through my hair. “I’m afraid I’m not really familiar with the tale. Maybe that’s why I came?”

  “Are you a journalist? You look awfully young.”

  I let out a good-hearted laugh. “No, just curious.”

  He looked at me pointedly. “Well, I’d hate to take business away from any of those tour places but how ‘bout I tell you the story as I walk you out?”

  I nodded curtly. “All right.” I found it a little amusing he didn’t trust me to let myself out.

  As he walked me out, he painted a much grimmer picture than Christine had. Christine had landed the lead role in the play that year, but never made it to perform. Right before opening night, she was found dead in the courtyard from having fallen to her death. An understudy reported that he and Christine were drinking and doing—ahem— other things, when she lost her footing and tumbled from the third story balcony. She was still dressed in her costume from that day’s rehearsal, which explained the wedding dress she wore in my dream. Okay, so she wasn’t a jilted bride.

  “So, it was an accident?” I asked as another thought occurred to me, when Christine had said she was murdered.

  “Of course. Like I said, drinking was involved and she never could have survived the impact on the flagstone courtyard. Why do you ask?” He was back to his previous suspicious self as he opened the front door to let me out.

  “No, reason.” I stepped out into the sunlight. “Thanks for the information.”

  He gave me a pensive smile. “Sure.” The door shut and I heard the click of the lock as soon as I turned toward my car.

  Chapter Nine

  “Stephanie, what are you doing here?” I was shocked and a little disgusted to come home and see Stephanie sitting on our leather couch. She looked more dressed up than what I was used to and her silky hair was perfectly straight.

  “Oh, hello Ana.” She smiled almost sincerely. Ha, I knew better than that. I thought over all the possibilities as to what could have brought her to our house.

  “Are you selling cookies?” I added with some sarcasm. It was better than asking her what the heck she was doing in my house.

  “Ana? What are you doing here?” Luke entered the living room from the kitchen, two glasses full of sweet tea in his hands.

  “Um, I live here?”

  “I know but I wasn’t expecting you back so soon.”

  “What is going on?” I looked between the two of them as he sat down on the couch next to Stephanie, handing her a glass of sweet tea in my favorite Turvis tumbler. They started talking, laughing even, and appearing as if they were picking up conversation on which they'd previously left off. “Hello?”

  “Oh, I am sorry, Ana,” he stood up as if to make introductions. “You remember Stephanie? She is in my grade?”

  “Of course.” I gave her a short smile. “Um, Luke? Can I talk to you for a second?”

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “In the kitchen please?”

  He set his tea on the coffee table. “Be right back.” He smiled sweetly at Stephanie.

  He followed my lead to the kitchen and when I thought we were out of earshot of Stephanie, I turned around to face him. “What is she doing here?”

  “Why do you care?”

  I opened my mouth to speak but realized I couldn’t answer that. Why did I care? Maybe because it was Stephanie, the very epitome of a snob.

  “I am free to do whatever I want, Ana. I live here, too. I don’t mind when you bring your hyper friend what’s-her-name and the other quiet one that always stops breathing when I am around.”

  “That’s different…”

  “How is that different? Because Stephanie is interested in me? It’s not like you’re my girlfriend. You chose Hayden, remember? I will be around for eternity, might as well have fun with the girls who are available.”

  “Is that why you brought her here? To make me jealous? C’mon Luke, what are we in, 2nd grade?”

  “Why, are you jealous Ana?” He had a devilish smile.

  “That’s ridiculous!” I felt my cheeks starting to get hot and knew I had to change the subject. “And what’s with the ‘I didn’t expect you back so soon?’ I get home at the same time every day after diving, don’t play dumb.”

  He struggled to find his words, “I guess I was just having such a good time with Stephanie that I lost track of time.”

  I shook my head in disbelief. We stared at each other for another minute or so.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my date.”

  “Date?” I asked to his back.

  “Why do you care, Ana?” he reminded me as he exited the room.

  “Rrg.” I grunted at his impossibility when I heard Luke and Stephanie pick up their conversation again. But he was right. Why did I care? In one way or another I had chosen Hayden. I loved Hayden. He was more than I could ever dream up. But why was I so bothered with Luke going out with Stephanie? I thought back to all that I knew about Stephanie, from the years of high school we had together. And then every memory of her cruel acts surfaced: her spreading rumors about girls I knew and liked, the name-calling, the fights, the boyfriend-stealing and so much more. Yes, Stephanie was not right for him at all. Anybody else would have been fine, but her? Why her?

  Chapter Ten

  I left the house and called Hayden to tell him we would be going out that night. The reason: there were pests in the house. He took me seriously for a moment, vowing to call an exterminator. I laughed at the thought.

  I didn't know what time Stephanie had left my house that night, I was just relieved they were both gone by the time we returned.

  When we got to school the next morning, I had hoped that Luke, maybe even Stephanie, if that’s who he was with, wouldn’t show up to class again. Hayden left me at my locker, saying he had to go take care of something and I knew that ‘something’ was talking to Luke. I shut my locker, turning the dial to reset it and walked up to Nikki and Marie talking in the hall.

  “This is going to be so fun, I’m glad they decided to still do it this year.”

  “What’s going to be fun?” I asked, dreading what kind of event they’d drag me to next.

  “The Mardi Gras Parade and Masquerade Ball,” Marie replied as Nikki dragged me a few lockers down to look at the poster on the wall.

  “Like you don’t know.” Nikki could always fake looking offended.

  I glanced over the poster that was bright with the purple, green and gold Mardi Gras colors. Every spring, Ecole had their version of a spring homecoming, complete with royalty that got to ride on the float during the Mardi Gras parade and a masquerade ball the following night.

  “So, what are you so excited about? We didn’t do the ball last year. What, are you running for Queen?” I joked with her.

  “I know, but it’s different this year,” Nikki was totally serious. “And as a matter of fact we were just talking about who should be Queen.”

  “Who is going to be queen or who should be queen? Because Stephanie and anyone else are two different things.”

  Marie laughed but Nikki wasn’t giving in. “No, but really, we think you should run.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Uh, no we're not. You should definitely do it.”

  I turned away from the poster and shook my head. “You know I’m not into those sorts of things…”

  “Why not? This is Mardi Gras were talkin’ here. Put your animosity for organized school events aside and think about the true meaning of this. You stayed positive even when I wasn’t. Look at
all the things you’ve done, like your volunteering and helping clean up. You never lost hope in New Orleans.”

  “You really are the heart of New Orleans,” Marie nodded. I looked at her in surprise and thanks.

  “See? If Marie says it, then it’s true. You have to run for Queen.”

  “Who’s running for Queen?” Stephanie and her entourage stopped in front of us.

  “None of your business,” Nikki belted.

  “Oh ‘hi’ to you, too, Nikki.” Stephanie batted her eyelashes. “Ana…” she looked at me, gloating in the fact that she had been with Luke. In my house.

  “Hi, Marie. Well, look at you. Did you lose weight?”

  “No...?”

  “I know,“ she frowned fakely. “I can tell.”

  “Okay, that’s it—” Nikki raised her fist and I held her back.

  “Come on Nikki, let’s just go.” If anyone was going to hit Stephanie, it was going to be me. But words can sometimes wound better than violence.

  “Oh, and Stephanie?” I turned back as Marie and I were pulling Nikki away, “Me.”

  “You? What are you talking about?” Stephanie’s lips curled in disgust.

  “I am running for Queen.”

  The three of us walked away, laughing while we heard gasps from Stephanie and her friends who always stood by idly. Priceless was seeing the look on Stephanie’s face.

  Shortly after, Stephanie had recovered. In English, she had no reservations about hiding her dislike of me. In fact, she took it out on all those around her. She really did look like a girl possessed. She was announcing to everyone her running for Queen and confirming that they, of course, would all be voting for her. I tried to lose myself in Hayden, but Stephanie’s gaze kept flicking towards us.

  “What’s going on?” Hayden asked quietly. I was glad that Hayden could sense Stephanie’s hostility. At least he had sense, not like Luke.

  “It seems I am running for Queen.”

  Mr. Atkins interrupted our conversation with the announcement of a pop quiz. Everyone but Stephanie stopped talking.

  “I’ll pass out the test once I see everything is off your desk and you’ve stopped talking,” Mr. Atkins announced the last part loudly, looking at Stephanie. “You have fifteen minutes to take the quiz. Good luck.”