Page 21 of Of Poison & Pumpkins
Behind them Tinsley and Zanther scurry in, the latter taking up the width of the entire aisle. That man could be his own island.
“Oh, Rynn! Thank Goddess!” Tinsley suffocates me in a rare hug. “I called the school first to make sure Maya was okay, then called you a million times. Have you checked your phone?” Her eyes drop to my hand. “You’re holding it! Why didn’t you answer?”
As if the universe has plotted a personal plan of torture, my sister’s face lights up the screen. Brooke’s name flashes, but I ignore the call, as usual, then tuck it back in my pocket.
“They’re all going to blame me and Palooza.”
“What? No way!” Tinsley shakes her head and guides me away from Elias, but I can feel him tread behind us. “We don’t sell those popsicles. You can take a needed vacation if you want, but I’m still opening the doors, with or without you.”
I’m too afraid to ask if it’s because of her loyalty or because of the money I donate to help raise Maya. Something brushes against my leg, startling me. Goosie.
“Hello to my new favorite handsome guy.” Tinsley reaches down to pet Goosie, but Elias jumps between them.
“Awe, you’re too sweet. Elias Thoren, at your service. I assume you’re a good friend, so listen up. My pronouns are he/him. Class of 2015. Go Wildcats! No criminal record, or crazy ex stalkers. I have one fetish which is negotiable.” He pauses, grins my way, and I can barely contain my blush. “Uh, let’s see … I’m afraid of anything sticky. Don’t have allergies, but potatoes are a deal breaker.”
“Well, are there applications available to experience this fetish of yours, because Miss Rynn here might be?—”
“Tinsley! That’s enough from you.” I narrow my gaze at her. “Wait, if you’re here, who’s watching the store?”
“Oh, right!” She rushes out on tiptoes as more people walk inside.
A section I hadn’t noticed in the back corner grabs my attention. Gorgeous knitted pumpkin creations with stitches from basketweave to herringbone to reverse stockinette are all displayed in the shadows.
“These should be up front! They’re beautiful!” I’m ready to take a stance against whatever argument Elias is about to raise, but he nods.
“First thing tomorrow, I’ll switch it up. Any other suggestions?”
As unique and trendy as this shop is, I haven’t seen his eyes light up with passion when talking about his business. Was the theme his uncle’s idea and he went along with it? Did he sacrifice his real dreams to make his family happy? A conversation we had long ago resurfaces, the need to win his father’s approval. I wonder if it’s still true.
“No other suggestions. You’ll make headlines before Halloween.”
He runs a hand through his hair and suddenly finds something on the ground extremely interesting. “Nah, we’re small and simple. This is a test run for the real thing.”
“And what’s that?” I lean closer.
“Eli!” Zanther lunges out of the back hallway. “Come to the back! Now!”
I race after him, careful not to run into the mannequin with a pumpkin head, then turn the corner into the back hallway past the ‘Employees Only’ sign. We step down three stairs into a long corridor similar to mine.
“What is it, Zee?” Elias asks.
“We have a fuckin’ problem, man.”
The obvious drip drip drip drop couldn’t be clearer. Everything within four inches of the floor is soaked and ruined. I glance around noticing a cot and a hamper of clothes. One poor lamp and a mini fridge that might electrocute us all if we don’t unplug it asap take up the remaining space.
“Turd nuggets!” Elias yells, then yanks off his suspenders until they hang loose. Before I can turn away, Elias whips off his shirt. I should be thinking: ‘what good will that do?’ but instead an overwhelming freak-out consumes me. I freeze. He stands half-naked in front of me, and I can’t think straight. Inappropriate images come to mind. One in which I’d tie his hands with those suspenders and ride him until he screams a real curse word.
I’m momentarily stunned by the intensity of my imagination, plus the sight of his bare upper body is basically poetic. I long to know what the tattooed symbols on his chest mean. When did he get the body art? Does he plan to get more?
On his hands and knees, he tries to plug the hole.
“Hurry, save my …”
“Your suspenders!” I jump towards the hook on the wall where at least ten pairs hang—dry and safe, thankfully. Rolling them in close to my chest, I take in the scene once more. “Have you been living here?”
“Never did like those five-star hotels.” Elias chuckles, then leans back so his butt rests on his heels allowing his glorious, unearthly, immortal chest attempt to seduce me again.
I swallow down a wad of saliva that has accumulated out of nowhere and stare at a spiderweb in the upper corner of the room. “Come on, collect what’s still dry. I’ll help you carry it out.”
