Murder in the Alley

Chapter Four-the Lodger

The three women met up after Nikki’s ultrasound that morning for Starbucks, in Linden at Aviation Plaza.  Nikki ordered a venti Vanilla Crème hot.  Leisia ordered a venti Café Americano hot.  And Marisol ordered venti Vanilla Chai tea.  The babies were with the babysitter.  After paying for their order, they decided to sit at an inside table until their orders were filled; then go outside to sit at their favorite spot.  They had to drive to it but today the girls changed their mind and went to sit on the car top.  Leisia spoke up saying, “A couple of months back in the end of November, the lodger, as Mr. Sessions was called, had a package delivered right before he left. When asked if he wanted it stored, Mr. Sessions said no. But a strange thing happened before it was delivered.  I told him, ‘A call came through to verify his location. The man on the phone said needed to verify the room number but he wouldn’t give the company information.’ So, I said I couldn’t confirm that you were here. The lodger shook his head and said, ‘Not to worry.  He called my cell right after. ‘Well, then he showed up with your package 10 minutes later. And you have another delivery. That day was the last anyone saw of him.”  Mulling over the information while sipping their drinks all the women retreated into their own thoughts.

The tinkle of the door drew their attention to the entrance of Starbucks and who should they see-Reyna, Leisa's daughter, and Steve her dad walking into the store.  She quickly excused herself to go see what they were doing there.  Running she shouted back, “I’ll be back.  Just going to say hi.”  Laughing back at her friend Nikki said, “You don’t have to tell us.  We had a bet all three of us how long it would take that to happen.”   Not offended but putting on a show of offense Leisia just walked woundedly towards the door.

Waving her off the other two women started talking again about Mr. Sessions, the lodger. Nikki finished her Vanilla Crème off and then said, “Nothing makes sense about this crime though.  I mean, how is it that the alley you saw him come out of has no other witnesses?  The bartender I met the other day works at the bar right next to the alley.  He says that it’s a haven for homeless men mostly.  It used to be a safe zone for homeless veterans who suffered from PTSD.  A few of the veterans would work around here at the local bars as bouncers.  In exchange for their work, they could live in their tent with full use of the facilities at the local YMCA.  The hospital would come around twice a month to check up on them physically and mentally. “ 

Interrupting her Marisol asked, “How do you know all of this Nikki? I mean where we were because we took walks.” Exasperated Nikki replies, “No one knows how you missed it.  Even I couldn’t miss the excitement in their eyes when they told them where the new site was.” Looking at her quizzically Marisol’s questioning language finally caught her attention.  Nikki then replied with even more exasperation, “The veterans Marisol.  The homeless and working ones.  Where they were moving to not only gave them housing but transportation to and from work, medical, and recreation. Plus, it accepted all veteran benefits and did not exceed what they were allowed.  Someone was bankrolling the whole establishment.  What a deal for them.  After that many people stopped going there. Even the non-veterans. “Shaking her head. “That man, Sessions was the first to be seen there in years.  The homeless man too.  That is why they think he has something to do with it the murder.”  Shoulder’s slumping, Marisol looked down at her empty coffee cup even more depressed than before.  Here she was thinking the women had gotten good information. But it was only as good as.  All of a sudden the door to Starbucks opened and out walked Steve carrying Reyna and Leisia holding a tray with two drinks in it.  The trio walked towards the women and when they got there all three stopped.  Reyna on seeing her playmate’s mother lurched out of her father’s arms and at Marisol.  Marisol had no choice but to accept the lurching baby. Laughing she said to her, “Hi Reynie.  No Mayra today.  Yes no May today.  She is still with the babysitter…?” looking questioningly at Steve.  He shook his head and said,

“Both Abdul and I went over there and picked up our children.  I think he took her to his mother’s gravesite. He said he needed to talk to his mother today.  Mayra started to babble and out came” in unison “Gammy!”  Shaking her head never fails to amaze her mother.  Right before his mother had passed away, Mayra learned “Gammy” instead of Grandma.  That was what she was to her.  Every time she heard it in the hospital, her face just broke into a big smile. It gave her such pleasure to see her grandchild.  It hurt Mayra when she passed because we couldn’t explain to her satisfaction where “Gammy” went. Then one day Mema, Marisol’s mother as Mayra called her explained it to Mayra like this “Gammy had to go away.  But she didn’t want to.  For she knew that it would take her away for all time.  Do you know what that is Mayra?  And of course, Mayra had no idea, so she shook her head no and then yes.   Mema went on well what it means is that she will not be there.  All you will have is Mommy, Daddy and I. Do you mind that?  She shook her head yes and then no. Mema said then “I’m glad that you don’t mind May girl.  Mema loves you just like Gammy.  Every year on her birthday we will light a candle to celebrate her life.  It’s coming up this year.  So, when it comes up just call up Mema and I will pop right over to do it with you.  Funnily enough, Mayra understood that because that morning, she went to the telephone and started to cry.  She was pointing at Mema.  So, Abdul called her up and when she got the call, she was teary-eyed.  When asked by Abdul why she was crying she explained.  Before she was done both were teary-eyed.  He said for her to come over and they would do it.  Then his daughter and he would stop being teary-eyed and so would she.  Then he whispered I won’t tell Marisol until later. She should be here by the time you get here.  Then they both hung up the phone.

Steve then changed the subject and asked what they were talking about.  So, Marisol let Nikki and Leisia tell him. Quietly he mulled over what they each had said. Turning to look at Marisol, he asked her- “what do you think?”  Shaking her head Marisol answered, “I don’t know what to think Steve.  I thought it would be good information to share with you.  It has to mean something about his business being active.”

Standing and sitting in companionable silence the group watched as Reyna drank her tall Vanilla Crème with whip cream.  It never amazed her parents that she didn’t get sick from it. She was breastfed and couldn’t drink regular milk, but this drink never got her sick.  Today she asked the barista if there was something in it- and was told no it's just milk. It could be that she can have it but very little.  Her mother decided to ask the doctor about it.  Her milk was drying up and she needed milk and calcium for the baby.  She thought of buying the breast milk and having it delivered from this company that promises they test everything.  Her doctor, she loved her, would tell her which was good. Her doctor had to do the same thing when she weaned her daughter off the breast.  “Oh, I just remembered we have a meeting of the mystery book club tonight girls.  So don’t be late.  It’s the first one of the years remember.  We are picking books so bring your list and if possible, the book if you have already read it. And don’t be late!” Shaking their heads, the girls said they wouldn’t be late, and Marisol couldn’t because it was at her house.  They used each other’s houses for the meetings and have since the library they had used for the meetings closed and never re-opened. 

Saying bye to Steve who kept Reyna despite her teary-eyed claw-grasp on her mother’s body, the three women got into the car and drove off towards the book store and the stationery store.  Three colors and three notebooks to buy to give the rest what colors and options they would have.