Folded Corners Read online

Beau chuckled, “Well, I bet it’s fun to hear their stories anyway, huh?”

  “You know,” Sofey leaned against the counter while they watched Linda dance her way to the sink with her empty gravy bowl, “I really do like hearing them talk about their lives. I just wish I could spend a little more time listening. But I can’t be late to the next house or all I’ll get is an ear full about how inconsiderate I am.” She grabbed a stack of trays to take to her car. “And, then I don’t get any stories at all.”

  “Well, just blame it on me. Tell ‘em the chef is an ass and he doesn’t cook fast enough.” Beau grabbed a stack of trays and followed Sofey to her car.

  “HEY! DON’T FORGET YOUR MAGNET!” Linda came bounding out the door waving the Cordon Bleu car magnet.

  Sofey smiled and took it as she mouthed ‘thank you’.

  Beau rolled his eyes and lifted the headphones from Linda’s ears. “Take these damn things off when you’re talking, you big ninny.”

  Linda took off the headphones and smiled at Beau. “Ninny? You sound like you’re the one visiting with the seniors all day and not Sofe.” She hit his arm and leaned against him, while straightening her thick glasses. “We’re going out tonight Sofe, wanna come?”

  Beau and Linda looked at Sofey with interest even though they both knew she would say no.

  “Mmmm, I can’t tonight. I promised June I’d have dinner at her place and watch reruns of Jury of Love with her.” Sofey chuckled as Beau and Linda rolled their eyes, “She missed the whole season except the finale, which we enjoyed just the other day, OK? Anyway, they have already started the reruns of the season because it was such a hit.” Sofey shrugged, “So, she wants to start from the beginning and see what she missed. And I said I’d watch with her.”

  “Jury of Love? You’re actually watching reruns of Jury of Love?” Beau sneered. “Isn’t that the show about a bunch of unnaturally good-looking people that the producers set up as couples?”

  “That’s the one!” Sofey grinned.

  “Stupid. June didn’t miss a thing, I’m sure of it.”

  “Hey, I heard there was a local guy on that show.” Linda stood up and smoothed her short brown bobbed hair. “And aren’t the reruns on like three days a week - Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or something? That’s quite a commitment for you, Sofe. I mean how are your books going to feel? Do you think they’ll be able to bear being abandoned?”

  “Or, maybe it’s more like she’s a homewrecking spouse, cheating on her one true love with cheesy reality TV.” Beau and Linda laughed until they cried.

  Sofey glared at her friends and slid into the driver’s seat of her car. Starting her engine, she looked in her rearview mirror and smiled when she saw them coughing on the exhaust from the barely reliable Gremlin.

  Sofey didn’t have to look at her list to find out whose house she had to go to first. She had been working for Cordon Bleu, delivering home cooked meals to the elderly, for almost three years now, and her list hadn’t changed much in that time.

  Cordon Bleu had the best reviews by far of all the food delivery services in the area. Not only because their food was the best, prepared by actual trained chefs, but also because the delivery team (deemed Delivery Specialists), were required to have actual conversations with their customers. It always seemed odd to Sofey that they actually had to require the drivers to talk to the people they were taking food to, mostly because she usually found it hard to stop talking to them. That is, unless they were mad and yelling at her (or their dogs were attacking), then she was ready to leave.

  It was a quarter after four in the evening when Sofey climbed back in her car and rolled down her window to breath in the earthy, damp scent of the fall leaves. It was a relatively warm day, but still crisp enough to need jeans and a sweatshirt. Luckily, Cordon Bleu didn’t require uniforms, preferring their clients feel like friends were delivering their meals and not a faceless company. This suited Sofey just fine, as she lived in her jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.

  Edith was last on her list, and Sofey hoped the old lady was in a good mood. It was a rare day indeed that Edith would smile, but with each delivery Sofey wished for it. Parking in the driveway, Sofey got out and pulled the prepared meals from her backseat.

  Edith was waiting at the screen door. Her dark grey hair was in tight curls and she had bright red lipstick on. “Well, it’s about time, Sofey Merchant.” She unlocked the screen door and turned to walk away without opening it for Sofey. “Did you almost forget about me? I’ve been waiting all day. Well, except for when I was at the beauty shop getting my perm.” She sat in her upright power chair and lowered herself to a normal sitting position, fluffing her hair with her hand. “Come on, Skipper.” The dog jumped on her lap and stood with both paws on the arm of the chair, growling quietly at Sofey.

  “Sorry, Edith.” Sofey glared at Skipper. “Um, where’s your walker?” Sofey looked around the room.

  Edith flapped her hands in the air. “Oh, never mind about that dadgum walker.”

  Sofey rolled her eyes. I knew it! She’s been faking with the walker this whole time! “Okay. Well then, how was your day?” Before Edith could answer, Sofey added, “And your hair looks very pretty.”

  Edith huffed and turned up her nose, petting Skipper. “I thought you would never ask about my day. You’re too worried about that rotten walker. My day was alright. Except I’ve been hungry all day.” Edith smoothed down her floral cotton muumuu.

  “I’m glad you had an alright day.” Sofey walked to the fridge and opened it to put in the new meals. “Edith, you have two meals left in here. How can you say you were hungry all day?”

  Edith grunted, then turned to holler at Sofey over her shoulder, “Well, maybe I was hungry because I had company for a few hours today after I got home.”

  Sofey finished putting the food away, walked back into the living room, and sat on the edge of the brown sofa that was covered in dog hair. “You did? And who did you have here visiting? Wait, was it Charlotte?”

  Edith snorted and waved her hand in the air. “No, it wasn’t that damn busy daughter of mine.” She grinned as her cheeks turned a pale pink and her voice raised an octave, “I had a man call on me today.”

  Sofey’s eyes widened. Edith had never talked about having a boyfriend. And she never talked about men, besides the lack of one in Sofey’s life, which seemed to be everyone’s concern except her own. “Really? And who is this lucky guy?”

  Edith sat up straight, “Joe.”

  Joe, Joe, Do I know a ‘Joe’? “I only know one Joe. Joe Cornworth?”

  “Yes. Joe Cornworth. We talked about you a little at bingo on Tuesday. Mostly about how you’re always late.” Edith looked at Skipper. “Well, late for me anyway. Joe says you’re always on time for him.”

  Sofey smiled at the thought of Joe and Edith talking about her and how that conversation went. Joe was always very nice to Sofey, and Edith was always pretty grouchy.

  “Well,” Sofey stood up, “that’s really nice, Edith. I’m glad you and Joe are getting along and becoming friends.” Sofey started for the kitchen to collect the bag she had brought the food in with.

  “Yes, it’s been real nice. And Joe’s never been married you know.”

  “No, I didn’t know that.” Sofey tried to move a little faster, knowing where this conversation was heading.

  “He says things got pretty lonely for him at times.”

  “Yep, I bet they did.” Sofey headed for the door.

  “He says he’ll talk to you about how lonely things can get.” Edith smiled and purred, “He used to be a rodeo cowboy, you know.” Clearing her throat, she continued, “I told him you are still single at 29 years old. He couldn’t believe it! He said he was sure someone had to have snapped up a pretty girl like you. But I told him you was always too dadgum busy with your books, and whatever else you youngins do, for your own good.”

  Sofey clutched the door handle so hard it made her palm ache. “Wonderful. I’ll see yo
u Monday, Edith.”

  “Try not to be late!”

  Sofey could hear Skipper’s barks, followed by a low growl as she shut the door behind her.

  Chapter 2

  Riggin leaned back in his worn leather recliner, stretching out his long muscular legs. He ran his hands through his messy brown hair, grabbed the remote from the table next to him and folded one arm behind his head, “What do you want to watch, Pappy?”

  “Oh, it don’t make me no nevermind, son.” Pappy’s voice sounded feeble and was hard to hear over his portable oxygen machine that had just started acting up, making loud grinding noises.

  “Don’t forget about your sweet tea. I put it out to brew today so it’s fresh.”

  “I won’t forget son, thank ya.” Pappy dry coughed between his words.

  “Well, there’s football,” Riggin said clicking the remote buttons.

  “Hey, what about that show of yours?” Pappy said as he petted his giant orange cat, Chester.

  Riggin winced and bit his lip. “I don’t think it’s on Pappy.”

  “I might be sick, but I’m not stupid, mister. Vera at the seniors center said last week that it started on the television today.” Pappy looked over at Riggin and gave him a stern look, “I’d like to see what my grandson, who I raised since he was seven, has been up to.”

  Riggin rolled his dark green eyes and flipped quickly through channels with the remote. “Not seeing it.” Riggin squirmed in his chair, “And, anyway, Vera was misinformed. It’s been on for a long time, Pappy. I think they’re airing the last episode tonight. It wouldn’t make sense to start watching now.” Riggin looked over at his granddad. “Sorry.”

  “Put it on,” Pappy demanded, coughing into his hand.

  Riggin sank in his chair with a frown and turned to the station where Jury of Love was being broadcast. “Pappy, it really isn’t that great of a show.”

  “Why’d ya go on it then? You wanted to find love didn’t ya? I mean after that, that…” Pappy coughed and hacked and tried to catch his breath.

  “Don’t get yourself worked up about it, Pappy. She isn’t even worth talking about.” Riggin chugged his tea. “Neither is this show.”

  Pappy wiped his forehead where sweat had formed. “Well, you at least met someone on here you like, didn’t ya?” Pappy looked sideways at Riggin, who wouldn’t meet his eyes.

  Riggin shrugged and finished his drink. “Well, my tea is gone. I’m gonna get some more. You want some, ole man?”

  Pappy chuckled. “No, I’m fine son, just hurry up. I want to watch this show with you.”

  Riggin was afraid of that. Why did Pappy have to watch the stupid show? His pocket started buzzing. Rita. Great. Riggin knew she would be calling as soon as the finale show aired and he didn’t want to answer her.

  Riggin leaned against the counter. A small picture on the fridge held on with a plain black magnet caught his eye. It had been there for years but he ignored it all that time. But now, with Rita on his mind, it held his gaze. ‘Grandma’, or Betty, as he now referred to her, was stuck there, smiling that sickly sweet, fake smile of hers.

  Riggin would never understand why, a year after he’d been living with his grandparents, Betty left them. Pappy would never understand it either, and that’s why he would be so disappointed when he found out that Riggin can’t put a finger on why, exactly, he married a woman he doesn’t love, for money. And to disappoint Pappy would kill Riggin. He just couldn’t muster the courage to tell Pappy what he had done.

  Rita and Riggin. Riggin and Rita. Everyone loved their names together, is that why they paired them? Riggin poured his tea and went back to sit with Pappy, deciding the TV would have a “breakdown” right before the decision to marry was revealed.

  “Want me to tell you what happens?” Riggin flopped down on his chair and reclined.

  “Nope,” Pappy smiled at Riggin.

  “I can tell you the ending. Then we don’t have to watch it, and you won’t have to be disappointed in the show.”

  “Nope,” Pappy shook his head.

  “Pappy, you don’t like reality TV, remember? You think it’s stupid and ‘asinine’, I’m pretty sure that was your exact word.”

  Pappy rolled his eyes. “Quiet. It’s starting.” Music droned from the TV speakers and Pappy started drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair, “Heyyyy, pretty catchy theme song.”

  Riggin sank lower in his chair, adjusting his ball cap so he couldn’t see Pappy and could barely see the TV. He’d been told that TV made it look like you were 10 pounds heavier. He looked at his belly, patting the firm abs under his shirt, and shrugged, 10 pounds wouldn’t break him. He’d also been told that on reality TV they twist things so they make their own reality. Riggin did not know if he wanted to see what the producers had twisted into his reality.

  Once they started showing the flashbacks of the previous episodes, and all the rottenness that went on there, Riggin began to sweat. He glanced at Pappy, who was frowning at the TV. Riggin slowly reached for his phone, taking it out of his pocket, he slid it on his lap. He unlocked the home screen, found the TV remote app, and pushed the power button. Riggin quickly put his phone back in his pocket then took the batteries from the remote and slipped those in his other pocket, placing the empty remote back on the side table.

  “What kind of shenanigans are going on here,” Pappy hollered as he sat up in his chair. Chester, hissing and jumping to the floor from Pappy’s lap, immediately looked around wide-eyed for whatever caused this ruckus.

  “Oh, no!” Riggin grabbed for the remote and began frantically pushing the power button. “Shoot, Pappy, I don’t know what’s going on.” Riggin jumped from his recliner to inspect the condition of the TV. “Hmmm,” he grabbed his phone, swiping his finger over the screen. With sad eyes and a frown, Riggin looked over at Pappy, “Looks like the internet is out.” Riggin was glad that Pappy didn’t understand the show was airing on a channel they got on regular TV.

  Pappy shook his head, “Well, that figures. They can’t make a dadgum thing work these days,” he grabbed his cane. “Guess, we’ll have to watch highlights on the computer tomorrow, huh?”

  “Can’t wait.” Riggin settled into his chair.

  “Good night, kid. Don’t stay up too late, huh?” Pappy coughed into his hand, wincing. He grabbed his chest and looked at Riggin, “I see that look. Don’t worry about me, boy. You know the doctor said if it’s my time to go, it’s my time.” Pappy winked at Riggin, “Besides, I’m going to bed now and they say, the lucky go in their sleep.” Pappy slapped the side of his leg and said, “Come on, Chester, you big ole baby, let’s go to bed, cat.”

  “Night, Pappy. I won’t be late. I have to be at work early in the morning, we’re heading to North Idaho to help some crews over there get their customers’ power back on. A pretty big storm went through with destruction.”

  “I see.” Pappy coughed again, turning away from Riggin so he couldn’t see the old man gripping his chest and struggling for a breath. “Good boy.” Pappy took in a deep, jagged breath, “Sleep tight.” Pappy and Chester walked toward the bedroom. When he got to the hallway, he turned around, “Hey, boy. I’m proud of you for going through line school and working hard these past few years to get your journeyman’s lineman license. Just wanted you to know, son.” Under his breath he said, “Who woulda guessed Hank Broomfield’s grandson would be so important in the electricity world? Well, I woulda guessed it, Chester.” With that Pappy and the cat disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.

  Five Years Earlier

  Riggin cleared his throat, “Hi, Ember, I’m home…” He smacked himself on the head, “No kidding, I’m home, I’m standing in front of her door!” He cleared his throat again, “Hi, Em. I’ve been thinking about you for the past four and a half weeks I’ve been gone. I hope you’ve thought of me too…” Riggin shook his head, “don’t say that part. She missed me, of course she missed me, she said she loves me!” Riggin smiled and blushed
in the night.

  He stood staring at the white house that looked like a dismal grey in the dark. The front room was lit up, as was her bedroom upstairs. He had only seen her bedroom in his imagination. She had said she wanted to be a virgin when they married and that she wanted to do things like her mama did and give him everything on their wedding night. It was hard for him to wait, but he did because he loved her and wanted to give her everything she desired, plus the moon. Although, he had tried to talk her into giving in just once. But she wouldn’t do it. He thought about it now. He could imagine her white bed linens on an iron bed frame, her white night gown flowing down her thin body to the floor. He watched her bare feet emerge, then disappear, under her gown, and watched her lean body sway as she gingerly walked to him, the corners of her mouth slightly turned up, her cheeks flushed a pale pink color that made him love her even more.

  Riggin turned his face upward to enjoy the rain that had begun while he thought of his love. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to ask her to be his wife- now. He wanted her forever.

  He paused when he got to the door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly. She didn’t answer. Thinking she must be in her room he knocked a little harder. Still no answer. He decided to walk around to the backdoor, she always left it unlocked. The leaves crunched under his feet. It hadn't rained here in weeks until tonight. It was perfect, Riggin thought as he crunched to the backdoor, not a rainy day in weeks and it fell on the day he was going to be engaged. He smiled at the thought, starting up the wooden stairs. His foot slipped on the second stair, but he caught himself with the railing and checked his coat pocket for the half carat diamond ring he couldn’t afford. It was there, safe and sound. The backdoor was unlocked, just as he’d thought. Riggin walked in and took off his wet jacket, hanging it on the coat rack, he felt one more time in the jacket pocket for the ring, it was still there. He smiled and walked toward the stairs to her bedroom. He couldn’t wait to bring her down and surprise her. As he climbed the stairs, sounds emanated from the closed door at the top. His pace slowed as he listened. Something hit the wall, followed by a man’s muffled voice. Riggin took the rest of the stairs two at a time. Throwing open the door, he instinctively put his fists up. A woman’s scream filled his ears and two half-naked bodies filled his sight. There was Ember against the wall with her arms wrapped around a scrawny, thin man with a beard that hung down his chest. Riggin couldn’t move. He couldn’t think. He was frozen.