Page 76 of Living Hell

She could say it was all for Iona, but the truth was, it was for her.

“Most people in this world are too blind to their own happiness, Dr. Ferguson. It’s usually right in front of them and they can’t see it. That’s where I come in. I make sure the movies you watch, the shows you binge on, come together in a way that gives people a chance to escape their unhappiness if only for a few hours. I don’t just represent actors and actresses; I whisper in director’s ears and meet with writers to polish their scripts. Life is hard for everyone, big or small, wealthy or poor. But there is one thing we all enjoy—entertainment. It’s the one thing that can make us smile on our worst days. I have a hand in that. And, if I have to twist things a bit to bring happiness into their lives, then so be it. But I am not a crook.”

Her little speech was emotional and smart. Like the industry she worked for, it kept me entertained. But I wasn’t as innocent as she thought I was. Speeches like that were a dime a dozen with my father. He actually believed the crap that came out of his mouth and I was sure Babette believed it, too.

“You knew I was buying that house, didn’t you? Before you or Iona ever came to town a month and a half ago. Was Iona in on it the whole time?”

Now came the anger. I knew the steps of a liar. The first step was defense and the next anger.

But Babette surprised me. There wasn’t an ounce of bitterness in her gaze. She deflated and leaned back. “No, she wasn’t. She has no idea. Well, I think she’s starting to figure it out. Anyway, I know a lot of things. Things I sometimes wish I didn’t know. But you have to understand, I only did this to help Iona.”

She called her by her real name. Was she for real or was this another deception to distract me from the truth?

“The only thing that can help Iona or anyone is the truth. I learned that long ago with my family. They spun so many lies that they buried themselves in deception. It ate away at them, caused them to do terrible things to my brother and me and to themselves. Don’t live like them, Ms. Gotti.” I reached my hand across the table and she took it. “You deserve better.”

If Iona trusted her, then I wanted to make sure Babette did right by her. I could never get through to my mom or dad, but maybe I could get through to her.

She nodded and we sat in silence. Debbie interrupted our moment with Babette’s order.

“You okay, honey?” She placed her hand on Babette’s shoulder and gazed at her with the loving concern she showed all her customers.

“No, I’m really not.” Babette let out a hard laugh, almost like a cough. “It’s Magic Mike.”

“What?” I asked in confusion.

“Nothing.” She shook her head. “I thought I had the power to control it all, and I’m starting to realize that I don’t.”

“No one does. Look at dogs. They live in the moment. Everything is a surprise to them. That’s how life should be. Enjoy each moment as it comes knowing that if the moment is bad, there will be a good moment soon enough.” Debbie dished out her sage wisdom that could only come from running a diner for a few decades.

“You’re right. It’s time to come clean.” Babette took a deep breath before she said, “I never bought the house. That was a lie.”

My eyes widened. I had hoped she never bought it, but I never believed it was true.

“So, the realtor and the previous owner, they didn’t swindle me?”

“Now, I didn’t say that. I saw how much you paid for that house. I could have gotten it for at least twenty thousand less. But, no, they didn’t cheat you and run off with your money.”

“Have you told the sheriff? Because I think he’s got a case open.” He never told me straight out, but he had mentioned his hunch and asked Austen about my property, so he must have put something together.

She bit her lip and if I wasn’t mistaken, a hint of pink covered her cheeks. “It’s not what you think. That your furniture disappeared, or the realtor and previous owner disappeared, I had nothing to do with that. I will always own up to my mistakes and as much as I’ve pushed this, I would never go that far. I still believe what I did was for the best.”

Some people would never learn. At least she told me the truth. I wish she’d realize that lying was never good for anyone.

“But why did you do that? Make Iona come back here and live in a home that she had no right to? Lie to her and say you owned it, when you didn’t.”

Babette smiled and glanced up at Debbie. “He doesn’t understand . . .”

“The one thing I’ve learned in my years, that most men are blind to what’s truly important in life. Tyler, I love you like you were my own son, but you’re a fool.”

My eyes widened. “I’m the fool? But she’s the one who lied.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said I did it for Iona. I love that girl as if she was my daughter, much like Debbie loves you like a son.”

I waved my hands in the air as I gave up trying to understand their logic. “Still not answering my question.”

“Hello Kitty,” Babette said, and Debbie hummed, nodding her head in understanding.

Were they communicating telepathically? What was going on?

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