Red Sun (6 page)

             
Lou has one of those faces that’s naturally stern; like he’s frowned so much that his face got stuck that way.  Although, it could’ve been the deep set wrinkles that gave him that look.  Beneath his brimmed hat, his hair was almost completely gray except for a few strands of black that intertwined their way through the two braids that rested on his shoulders.  However, from the neck down, he looked like a man half his age despite the truth that his face gave away.  I could see why Ruthann had chosen him as her delivery man; he was the fittest man I’d ever seen over the age of forty. 

             
I wasn’t sure how to address him.  It felt like I was infringing on their territory by even being here, and I wasn’t sure that they wouldn’t feel the same way.  I thought my father was crazy when he first told me that I’d be working on the Reservation.  While I considered ways to be courteous to the intimidating man, he moved toward me with a vague smile starting to shift the direction of his brown leathery skin.

             
“Solei,” Lou repeated to himself.  “A beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” he said, leaning in to kiss my hand.  I honestly blushed a little, imagining that back in the day he was probably quite the lady’s man.  Off to my right, I could see his niece roll her eyes just before freeing my hand form her flirtatious uncle.  I stared at her for a second because she had such a classic face.  The very way one would imagine a young Indian girl to look; that’s her to a tee.  Her features were very defined; almost feline in nature.  Poised in stature as she stood before me.  Her presence was regal.  I couldn’t imagine a girl like her doing a job like making deliveries.

             
“Hi, I’m Kaya.  It’s nice to meet you,” she said as she shook my hand. Her voice was far more subtle than I expected in comparison to her looks.

             
“You too,” I replied, noticing that she was red in the face with embarrassment from her uncle’s behavior.  She crossed her arms over her chest and turned away from him a little which made me smile, reminding me of my dad and I.   

             
It amazed me that I was receiving such warm welcomes from the local people.  This was totally unexpected.  I thought that Ruthann was the anomaly, but it would seem that kindness was more the norm around here.  Their reception almost made this seem like an ok place to work….
almost.

             
I watched Lou and Kaya load up the truck and then they took off to make their first stop.  Ruthann took me back to the front of the store and gave me a black apron with the name of the shop written across the front in bold yellow letters and then pinned a name tag on me.  Next I had to familiarize myself with the cash register while she sat nearby and looked over a purchasing order.  I was getting the hang of it pretty easily and was able to move on to something else. 

             
The bags of potting soil were getting low, so Ruthann showed me where to find more and how to stack them so they don’t slide off the top when you remove one.  She got a few laughs out of watching me struggle through, but when it got too hard she didn’t hesitate to help. 

             
When I got down to two bags, I stood to stretch my back and wiped the sweat from my forehead with my arm.  Manual labor and extreme heat are a bad combination, but I had to serve my sentence for at least today until I came up with some way to get out of this job.  The bell over the door sounded behind me just as I bent back over to grab another bag.  Ruthann went to the counter to help the customer while I finished up with the potting soil. 

             
“Good morning,” Ruthann called out on her way over.

             
“Yeah, something like that.”  When I heard the voice, I had no choice but to turn around and see who it came from.  It was deep and melodic like the words had been sung instead of spoken.  I sucked in a breath of air that got caught in my throat before I was able let it out.  It was him;
my Mohican,
and he was even more beautiful now that there wasn’t a river between us.  Up close, I could make out the details of his face, see his long, black hair, and gawk at his deep rich complexion.  His arms glistened with sweat from being in the sweltering heat and he was tall enough that if he jumped, he’d hit his head on the ceiling.  I was just as awestricken as I was two days ago when I’d seen him.  After the initial shock wore off, I remembered that I was also supposed to feel embarrassed because he’d caught me spying on him while he swam.  I needed to get away.

             
While Ruthann engaged him in conversation, I did my best to ease into the back room and pretend to be busy with something until he left.  I latched on to the door frame and inched toward the opening and just knew I was going to be able to disappear before having the chance to be humiliated for a second time.  But with mere centimeters separating me from the back room, Ruthann called out to me.

             
“Solei, there’s someone else I’d like you to meet.”  She didn’t know it, but I hated her for like two seconds for blowing my cover.  There was no use in trying to hide from him now.  When he first looked up and saw me, his eyes widened as if he were equally as shocked at seeing me again as I was by seeing him.  I…..wanted……to…..DIE!  There was no question that he knew who I was.  I’m pretty sure that there aren’t many girls around here who fit my description: braids, about 5’6”, oh, and let’s not forget black.

             
Ruthann waited for one of us to speak, but when we both failed, she continued.  “This is Jolon; him and his brother Elan own their own landscaping company.  Two of my best customers,” she explained.  “Comes in everyday around the same time, so you’ll be seeing a lot of him too.”  She’d just made me that much more certain that I had to get out of this job.

             
When he didn’t say anything,
I
had to.  “Hey,” I breathed timidly. 

             
He continued to stare for a few seconds before responding with, “Hey.”  Both his jaw and eyes were tense while his tone remained flat and unchanging.  The only thing he’d moved since seeing me was his mouth, the rest of him was as still as a statue.

             
“Well, I’ll leave you to help him while I go and water the plants,” Ruthann stated.  “And make sure you give him ten percent off whatever he buys,” she yelled from the back.

             
I was trembling from the inside out.  All I could see was him in the nude and that didn’t help me relax much.  But I thought about it; the sooner I get him out of here, the better.  “Can I help you?”  I blurted.

             
He bit down on his lower lip and squinted his eyes when he spoke.  “Six bags of shredded mulch and 3 bags of one and a half inch diameter river rock.” 

             
There hadn’t been much time to figure out where everything was, so I was about to have to wing it.  I looked around trying to figure out where to begin my search for his items.  I started off in the wrong direction and he cleared his throat, pointing the opposite way toward the green house.  I smiled shyly and turned around to walk to where he’d instructed.  There, beneath the wooden shelves lining the walls, were the bags of mulch.  Some were in purple bags, some in a green, and to add even more confusion, there was a brand in a red bag too.  I could hear him moving around up front as he paced the floors.  Not wanting to say anything more to him than necessary, I just grabbed the wagon by the door and loaded up six bags and took them back up to the counter.

             
“Here you go.  You did say six right?”  I was sweating bullets by this point.

             
He pulled one bag closer and examined it.  “I asked for shredded mulch.  And this isn’t shredded,” he said in his same flat tone.  I stared back at him and found that he made me more uncomfortable than I cared to admit.  Was it his hotness that intimidated me or was it that I was beginning to get the feeling that he didn’t like me very much?  Could I blame him after catching me spying?

             
“Ooooookayyyyyy,” I replied, and then wheeled the wagon behind me as I journeyed back to the greenhouse to try again.  I read the label on the other brands, discovering that the red bag was the only one that specified “shredded” so I unpacked the original load and picked up the right ones.  Rather than having to come back for the river rock, I went ahead and grabbed those too.  When I made it back to the front, my Mohican was still pacing and staring at the clock. 

             
“I think I got it right this time,” I said nervously.

             
He sighed.  “Let’s hope.”

             
Before ringing him up, I glared across the counter at his now seemingly stoic expression as he pulled out his wallet.  Sure, I messed up big the other day and got caught in the act, but the fact that he got to watch me fall and get jumped by a few trees should’ve made us even in my book.

             
I rolled my eyes and then quickly scanned the bags.  “$237.67 is your total.”

             
He stared at the numbers on the register and then cocked his head to the side.  “That’s not right.  Did you take the ten percent off?”  He asked.

             
“Shoot!  I wasn’t thinking.”  I scrambled over the keys, looking for a way to fix my mistake before he had a chance to get even more annoyed by me.

             
He sighed again and then passed me the cash.  “Just forget it, and keep the change; I’m running late already.”  Before I could apologize for the mediocre service or anything else, he grabbed the handle of the wagon and hurried back to his truck.  I watched him toss the heavy bags like they were filled with nothing more than feathers and then kick up dust when he sped out of the parking lot. 

             
“Hm...,” I said aloud.  So much for the cute little nickname I’d given the beautiful red guy who’d peaked my interest my first day in town.  He was all the things I hated in a man; rude, short-tempered, and haughty.  After meeting him in person, he’d helped me get over my crush real quick.  It was short lived and he didn’t deserve my attention as far as I’m concerned.  After that, he was no longer my Mohican, he was Jolon.  Just Jolon…..

Chapter
Two

             
Saturday was another scorcher and I did my best to stay posted in front of the fan.  Ruthann wasn’t all that concerned with me keeping busy while I was on the clock as long as everything was straight and I was available to help customers when they came in.  So, I took advantage and tried to cool off.  Seeing as how I still hadn’t thought of a way to gracefully bow out of this job, I was beginning to accept the reality that I might have to stick it out.  Things won’t be so bad though.  Ruthann taught me a lot in that first week.  For instance, I knew most of the plant names, the difference between perennial and annual flowers, and had even placed an inventory order on my third day with very little help from Ruthann.  I was learning the ropes much more quickly than either of us expected and as much as I hate to admit it, I kind of fit in here.  Ruthann even went as far as to call me a natural.

             
My eyes drifted up to the clock on the wall while my elbows rested on the counter and I felt myself getting a little nauseous, realizing that it was almost time for Jolon to make his daily stop here at Ruthann’s.  Since that first day I started, he’s come in with the same miserable attitude and I continue to speak to him as little as possible.  I don’t say much more than ‘Hi’ actually.  He tells me what he’s in for and I get it so he can get out.  I made sure I had Ruthann show me again how to give him his discount to avoid another problem because I’d already had about all I could take.

             
Like clockwork, he strutted in at a quarter after nine, impossibly arrogant and self-absorbed.  How dare he be so hot and so aggravating all at the same time.  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to push the thought out of my head.  Nothing, not even his looks could overshadow his personality – which sucked by the way.

             
This time, I skipped the formalities.  Instead of my usual short greeting, I just stared, waiting for him to tell me what he needed.

             
“Just a new shovel today,” he mumbled, already reaching for his wallet so that his time in my presence wouldn’t be prolonged.

             
I turned around and walked over toward the wall where they hung and rolled my eyes.  Unfortunately for me, there were a few to choose from. 

             
“Which one?”  I sighed.

             
“Uh, let me get the garden spade,” he replied.  “Do you know which one that is?”

             
I gritted my teeth.  “Probably the one right here that says garden spade,” I hissed. 

             
When I faced him again, he’d stopped digging in his wallet and stood there watching me.  Apparently, he didn’t appreciate me throwing a little of his attitude back at him, but I felt pretty good about it.

             
I scanned the spade and shoved it across the counter at him, turning the register screen his way so I wouldn’t have to speak his total aloud to him.  He chuckled a little to himself while he tossed the cash onto the counter and walked out, shoulders squared and head held high. 
Jerk.

             
Ruthann walked back in.  “Did you have an ok time with the discount?”

             
I took a breath.  “Yeah, I got it.”  I looked up at the window as Jolon tossed the shovel into the bed of his truck and then climbed in the driver’s seat.  “What’s his problem?”  I blurted, brimming over with frustration.  “Every time he comes in here, he has this huge chip on his shoulder.”

             
Ruthann was thoughtful for a moment as we both watched Jolon pull off.  “He’s a sweet boy, really.  He’s just got a few more walls up than most.”  She turned to look at me.  “But I’m sure he’ll ease up on you after while.”  Her outlook was hopeful, but I wasn’t. 

             
While I continued to stare out at the trees beyond the shop on the other side of the road, I heard the roar of Lou’s old truck for a few seconds before he cut the engine off.  He and Kaya were at the shop at least two times a day and she was starting to grow on me. 

             
Lou winked at me as he passed and I smiled back.  He’s proven to be harmless. Besides, after dealing with Jolon I needed a little reassurance that all men weren’t completely devoid of chivalry.  I’m not sure why he gets under my skin the way he does.  It could be that I’m not used to men giving me the cold shoulder, but that would just be me being vain.  When I first saw him at the river that day, I’d made up this story in my mind about what he would be like and I was more than disappointed to find that the
real
him was far less charming.  I’d imagined that everything about him was almost as appealing as his physical appearance, but that’s what I get for judging a book by its cover. 

             
I hated thinking about him even if I was only thinking about how much I hated him.  He occupied more of my time than I liked and it had to stop.  My mother used to tell me that everybody isn’t going to like you and this was just one of those cases.  To get my mind off of him, I helped Kaya find the Morning Glories so she could take them to the truck.  When I got over to her, she smiled.

             
“We should hang out today, Solei.  I like you.”

             
“Sounds cool to me.”  I thought about the miles and miles of forest that separated us from civilization and wondered what she had in mind.  “Where’re we gonna go.”

             
She shrugged.  “Maybe when you take a break we can go down the road.  There’s a custard shop that I think you’ll like.  What time do you usually get lunch?”  She asked.

             
I was excited to finally be able to visit some place other than the house and Ruthann’s shop.  A change of scenery would be great.  “Mmm…..like twelve thirty usually.  Are you gonna be back by then?”  I asked, trying to conceal how much I was looking forward to hanging out and feeling normal again.

             
“Should be.  I’ll just drop Uncle Lou off at home and come by here and pick you up.  We don’t have another delivery until like two, so that’ll work out perfectly.” 

             
I smiled again and finished helping her with the flowers.  My dad would be glad to hear that I was actually giving someone other than Tarik a chance for once.  It’d been quite a while since I had a friend that was a girl, so I was honestly looking forward to getting to know Kaya better.

             
At 12:27, I was itching to go.  Ruthann smiled when Kaya pulled up and I perked up like a dog whose owners had just come home. 

             
“Go.  Have fun,” she insisted.

             
“Thanks.  I’ll be back by one.”  I grabbed my purse from beneath the counter and ran for the door.

             
“One fifteen is fine, just enjoy yourself.”

             
I smiled at Ruthann one last time and then jogged to Lou’s truck to meet Kaya.  The radio was blaring when I climbed in and she didn’t bother turning it down, instead she just waved and kept singing along with the radio.  My window was down and I felt free for the first time in a long time.  The wind was blowing in my face and if I closed my eyes, I could imagine that I was anywhere I wanted to be.  On this day, I was back at home in Chicago breezing down the paved streets past the tall buildings.  When the car came to a stop, I opened my eyes and saw that there was still nothing surrounding me but trees and dirt roads.

             
“I come here like every day,” she said as soon as the car was off.  “You’re gonna love it.”  She unlocked the door and waited for me at the entrance.  Because I hadn’t been there before, I let her order for me and went to the table nearest the window.  Kaya came back carrying two huge bowls of custard and two spoons.  She set one in front of me and didn’t waste any time before digging in. 

             
“You getting used to living around here yet?”  She asked, wiping the side of her mouth with a napkin.

             
There were so many unfamiliar things surrounding me that I could have very well been on another planet.  After all, the people were different, the houses were different, and even the trees were different; much taller than the ones near my house.  I thought about the question.  “Mmmm…..I’m getting used to it, but still feeling a little out of place, you know?” 

             
She nodded.  “I get it.  It’d probably feel weird to me at first too if I had to move away.”

             
Out the window, I stared at nothing in particular, because there was nothing in particular to stare at.  I think that’s what bothered me most.  “
You
like living out here?  I mean, do you ever wish you lived someplace else?  Like in a city or something?”

             
Kaya didn’t even have to think about my question.  “Nope.  Nowhere.”  She pulled her spoon from her mouth and stared at it while she spoke.  “I love it here.  I know where everything is; almost my whole family’s here, all my friends.”  She laughed a little at her own statement.  “Not that I have a whole lot of those or anything.”

             
That was something we definitely had in common.  “Yeah, me either.”

             
My response made her curious.  “So, what’s your story?  Who burned
you
?”

             
I smiled to myself while I looked down at the table.  It was rare for me to talk about things like this.  For one Tarik knew it all already and it’s also not something I care to think about.  But something about Kaya, actually something about everyone here with the exception of Jolon, made me feel like I could say whatever was on my mind and no one would even think about judging me.  So, I looked up to find her already watching me and decided to open up.

             
“The last girl I befriended let me take the fall when she got caught shoplifting,” I shared.  “That was the first incident that made my dad stop trusting me.”  I zoned out and gazed across the road.  “I tried to tell him I hadn’t done anything, but he wouldn’t believe me.  So, from then on, I found it a little less difficult to mess up because I felt like he already had a jacked up perception of me.  I just…..started doing whatever I wanted.”

             
Kaya squinted her eyes.  “So, you and your dad don’t get along?”

             
I shrugged and looked out the window again.  “I guess we get along, but things aren’t like I want them to be.”

             
“Like what?  What do you want to be different?”  Her lighthearted tone made me smile despite the fact that I didn’t really feel like it.

             
“I don’t know.  I guess I wish we were closer.  We’d have conversations about something other than me needing a job or me being a slacker.”

             
Kaya laughed.  “Well, now you have a job, so his list of complaints must be getting shorter, right?”

             
“Right,” I replied.  “But knowing him, he still won’t be happy.”

             
She looked at me strangely, but didn’t say anything about my statement.  “So, seriously?  You have zero friends?”  She asked, stirring her spoon in her bowl.

             
I smiled.  “I didn’t say that exactly.  I said that I don’t have any
girl
friends.  Back home, the only person I really trust is my best friend Tarik.”

             
“So, you don’t have any sisters or brothers or anything?”  Kaya had no idea what a sensitive subject that was.  I looked down at my bowl and responded, “Nope, it’s just me and my dad.  Well, I mean except for my step-mom and step-sister, but they don’t really count.”

             
She found that funny too.  “What do you mean they don’t count?  They’re family too, right?”

             
I shrugged and ate some more.  “If you wanna call them that.  But they don’t really treat me like family, so I don’t treat them like it either.”

             
Kaya sat back and pushed her hair behind her ears.  Her expression was inquisitive as she sat adjacent from me, trying to unlock the code that my conversation was being spoken in.  It was obvious that she knew that there was a lot more that I wasn’t disclosing.  “So what about a boyfriend.  Got one of those?”  She raised her eyebrows when she asked.

             
I laughed aloud.  “Not anymore.  That ended back around Christmas.”

             
“What was he like?  A jerk like the rest of em’?

             
“Oh, so I see you two have already met,” I joked.  Once we finished laughing, I decided to give her yet another piece of my puzzle.  “His name was Vince and he wasn’t always a jerk; just at the end.”

             
She rolled her eyes.  “We’ve all had one of those.”

             
I nodded.  “Yeah, we were each other’s first,” I paused and smiled.  “But I wasn’t his last.  He played me for this girl in his English class.”