DeniseZen Read online

  “It’s a pretty big car. I’m not so sure we could outrun them,” Denise said, turning to see Layla smiling at her.

  “I don’t know. This Mustang might give them a good run for their money if needs be.”

  “You’re right. It’s a Mustang.”

  They drove slowly to the fort. It was built a short distance from the original that at one time was within gunshot of the Mississippi River. A wide-open area surrounded the fort with a tree line towards the west and farmland everywhere else. There were only two cars parked in the lot, one silver Toyota and a black two door 1968 Oldsmobile 98. It looked brand new.

  “What a coincidence,” Denise said as Layla parked the car.

  “We could come back another time. What a car. Maybe they are a band.”

  “No, this place looks amazing. Don’t forget your cameras.”

  They strolled along the long narrow paved walkway that led from the parking lot to the front gate of the fort.

  “Do you feel any eyes on you?” Layla laughed, snapping a picture of Denise marching behind her.

  “Oh yeah. Look at this area, so open. We should come back here some day at sunset and star gaze.”

  “It would be amazing on a clear night,” Layla said.

  “It’s a date then.”

  Upon entering the fort Denise felt like she almost had to duck to get in through the entrance. There was a young family walking towards the exit. Great. Now if they are some sort of sick sacrificial cult we are in here, alone, with them, she giggled to her self.

  “So, what do you think about our fort?” Layla asked.

  “I’m blown away. It’s pretty amazing. I marvel at what they were able to do back then. This has outlasted anything made in the 20th century.”

  They covered most of what there was to see, Denise posing on a canon like she was riding it so Layla could take pictures of her.

  “I am going to treat you to dinner,” Layla smiled.

  “Yum. Want to get rolling?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Tired of driving yet?” Denise asked. The Oldsmobile was gone.

  “Not at all. I have an idea. It is going to be a clear night, what say we go to dinner around here and come back to star gaze for a bit?”

  “That might seem like a better idea with some good food in me.”

  “I know of a place that has home cooked meals not far from here,” Layla said.

  “Make it so.”

  Layla drove to a family restaurant called Pioneers Cabin in Percy.

  They sat down to a meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, fresh veggies and flowerpot bread.

  “This food is great.”

  “Yeah, I knew you would not be disappointed.”

  After dinner they made their way back to the fort. The sky was ablaze with glorious shades of yellow, orange and ochre, the horizon already black as they headed west.

  The parking lot was empty when they arrived, the stars beginning to fill the night sky.

  “It smells so sweet,” Denise said.

  “Yes. It’s a gorgeous night.”

  Denise took out a blanket she had in her trunk. They walked halfway to the fort and spread the blanket on the grass.

  “Wow. What a perfect night,” Layla said, the sound of all the night life seemed to be serenading them.

  “I’ve never had many opportunities to stargaze growing up in a big city,” Denise said.

  “Growing up in a smaller town I did. Can you see the Big Dipper?”

  “Oh yes,” Denise laughed. “That one’s easy.”

  “Can you make out the Little Dipper from there?”

  “Hmm, kind of summersaulting back towards the Big Dipper?”

  “Very good,” Layla smiled. “Your hair glows even in the dark,” she said reaching out to touch her hair. “The starlight loves you.”

  Denise smiled back at her nervously. “So what else is up there?”

  “Well, I’m up there. Follow the line the stars are making on the outer portion of the Big Dipper cup downward until you get to those three forming a triangle.”

  “I see them.”

  “That and the six stars above it are the constellation Leo.”

  “Of course, you are a Leo. I noticed that on your drivers license.”

  “Yes. You’re up there too.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. The tip of the triangle in Leo is pointing to you.” Layla stood up to strike a pose. “See the group of stars it is pointing to that look like this?” She stretched out her arms and legs mimicking what she wanted Denise to find.

  “Got them. Perfect pose by the way.”

  “That is Virgo, that is you,” she said returning to the blanket next to her.

  “Thanks for the tutorial,” Denise said.

  “I am really happy you can finally see all that you were missing living in the big city.”

  “Me too.”

  Layla laid down on the blanket. “Come on,” she said gently pulling Denise down next to her. “It’s easier to point things out if you’re lying down.”

  “I have to confess. I don’t see a virgin in Virgo.”

  “You have to use a little imagination just like you do with all the others.”

  Layla pointed out the Libra constellation and turned to notice that Denise was looking at her rather than the sky.

  “My mom’s a Cancer. Is Cancer up there somewhere?”

  “The head of Leo is looking at it,” Layla said, turning to find Denise’s lips meeting hers. They kissed for what seemed like too short a time to Denise. “I think we should go.”

  “Sorry,” Denise said, sitting up.

  “Sorry? Don’t be. Perhaps you misunderstood. This isn’t private enough,” Layla said, sitting up to take her head in her hands and kiss her again.

  “Of course,” Denise smiled.

  They stood up and folded the blanket before walking back to the car.

  “What’s that one?” Denise asked, pointing to an area under Leo.”

  “That one is moving,” Layla said.

  “You’re right, it is moving.”

  What appeared to be a star was heading towards the Virgo constellation. It stopped in the center of the constellation where it flashed brightly, changed color to a bright shade of blue and took off in the direction of where they started their day at incredible speed until it simply vanished.

  “Come on. It’s been a marvelous day of wonderful and weird, so that was a perfect way to end our star gazing session,” Layla laughed.

  “They come in peace.”

  “I’m sure they do.”

  “We won’t see quite as many stars from my yard, but it’s much more private, and there is plenty of room to spread a blanket over the soft grass,” Denise said.

  She got back in the drivers seat for the trip back to Carbondale.

  “It has been a marvelous day,” Denise said.

  “Good night Fort Starlight,” Layla said as they drove away.

  Denise brought the car to a stop, put her arm around Layla and kissed her deeply. “One for the road.”

  Layla smiled and turned on the stereo.

  “Fort Starlight. I like it.”

  Laurie Anderson came on, Let X=X. “It’s a sky blue sky. Satellites are out tonight. Let X=X.”

  What they could not see was that the light that had vanished in the night sky was now back to resembling a star moving slowly directly over them as they headed south down Highway 3.

  Chapter 4

  Who Are You?

  Morris Library had become one of Denise’s favorite places on campus since her professor had ended class early one day sending everyone there to find books on at least two artists that appealed to them. They were to do a study of a drawing from each and bring it to class with them on Monday. That day she found a three volume rare collection of all the works of Edgar Degas. She fell in love with Degas and drawing after finding them. They could only be checked out one at a time because of their value. She found it
hard to believe that each time she went to the library the two remaining books were always there.

  Her iPhone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and spoke in a whisper. “Hello, Morris Library, can I help you?”

  “Well you’ve already answered my first question. How’s your day going,” Layla asked.

  “I’m in library heaven. You know me and libraries.”

  “Oh yeah, and if I did not need to be at work I’d be searching for you shortly.”

  “Work sucks but it pays the bills.”

  “Yeah. I’m making some pineapple vanilla ice cream.”

  “Mmm.”

  “Should I stop by with some later?”

  “Yeah. I should be home at the usual time. You don’t have to wait, you can just let yourself in.”

  “See you later,” Layla said and hung up.

  Denise wanted her to move in so they could save money, share one rent, but was afraid to ask. She had yet to find out or dare to ask why she lived alone, convinced it was because of a past lover.

  She sat at an empty table, her backpack and other things on the table around her along with nearly twelve books she had been looking through. Still having nearly a full charge, she plugged her headphones into the iPhone and started up the Fever Ray album. She was looking through a book of drawings by Cezanne when the song Seven came on. Midway through the song her head slowly moved upwards from what she was reading after smelling once again the scent of the Chicago Subway from her childhood. Hmmmm, she thought, breathing in a slow deep breath. The scent seemed stronger when she did.

  Without removing her headphones, she lowered the volume, slid the iPhone into her pocket and, after seeing nothing near her that could be creating the scent, stood up and took in another deep breath. This way I think. She had a theory.

  She slowly walked back toward the section housing Art Books, pausing as she came to first aisle to find it empty but for shelving and books. She quietly walked down that aisle to the next cross aisle and turned left. When she did, she saw the same three people from her outing a week earlier looking at a book that the woman with red hair was holding. She smiled at Denise before the three walked away. The scent of the subway was stronger here.

  I’m nervous.

  So am I.

  What if she asks the wrong questions?

  Distance for now.

  Be vague.

  I’ll try.

  It’s important that we act soon.

  Absolutely.

  Denise stopped to look at the shelf they had taken the book from to find it was a section on the British painter Francis Bacon. She reached out and picked up the book simply titled Bacon. It was the same one the red head was holding, she could tell from the cover.

  Bacon. Oh my, this stuff is incredible. You’ve got good taste my mysterious redheaded darling.

  She reached into her pocket for her iPhone, slid the Bacon book under her arm, and sent Layla a text message, TEXT ME WHEN YOU CAN, DON’T CALL.

  She rounded the corner to make her way back to the table she still had all her things at. When she passed one last shelving unit bringing the table into view, the redhead, blonde and brunette male were sitting at the far end of the same table she was at.

  She sat down where she was earlier, took the headphones out of her ears and placed her iPhone on the table in front of her. She glanced over to see the redhead looking at the book Denise had just put on the table, the same one she had unopened in front of her.

  Her iPhone vibrated on the table. She picked it up and leaned back in her chair in a position to read the incoming text that had the phone pointed at the three sitting at the other end of the table. It was from Layla. WHAT’S UP?

  Denise tried to make it look like she was reading a longer message when she turned her camera on and snapped an image of the three, choosing to send it as a text. THEY’RE HERE.

  OH MY, DO YOU WANT ME TO SEND THE CAVALRY?

  NOT YET, TEE HEE.

  THEY’VE GOT GOOD TASTE IN PAINTERS. YOUR IPHONE TAKES SUCH FAB IMAGES I MUST LOOK INTO GETTING ONE.

  INDEED. WISH ME LUCK.

  GOOD LUCK. BTW, YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS ICE CREAM.

  SEE YOU LATER.

  SMOOCH.

  Denise was about to put her headphones on, glancing over at the three when the redhead spoke. “Hello.”

  She sounds human, Denise giggled in thought. “Hi.”

  “I couldn’t help noticing that you have the same book that I do on your stack.”

  “Yes. His work looks amazing.”

  “I’m sorry, how rude of me. I am Nola, this is Pyta,” she said reaching over to touch the blonde woman’s hand. “And this is Cyfer,” she smiled touching the arm of the brunette male.

  “Denise,” she said, laying her right hand on her left. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “Finally?” Cyfer asked.

  “Yes. I remember seeing you a week ago west of town.”

  “It was such a beautiful day for a drive in the country,” Pyta said.

  Yes, except your tinted windows were rolled up with the air-conditioning on more than likely. “Yes, yes it really was,” Denise said. She smelled the subway again when Pyta spoke.

  “I like your car,” Cyfer said.

  Again, the scent of subway. She composed a text.

  WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THESE NAMES. NOLA. PYTA. CYFER.

  “I really like your car too,” Denise said.

  “Thank you. It serves its purpose,” Nola said.

  “Excuse me,” Denise said receiving a text message.

  NOLA MEANS WHITE SHOULDER. PYTA MEANS STONE. CYFER MEANS A CODED MESSAGE. SHOULD I SET THREE MORE PLACES FOR ICE CREAM?

  Nola giggled after Denise read the message.

  NOPE. I WANT TO EAT YOU, I MEAN EAT MINE ALONE, WITH YOU.

  After sending that text all three giggled quietly.

  “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’ve got to get going to my job,” Denise said, packing up all of her stuff, including the Francis Bacon book she planned on checking out.

  “It was an entertaining pleasure finally meeting you,” Nola smiled.

  “Thanks for turning me on to Francis Bacon.”

  “You’re welcome Denise. Enjoy your ice cream.”

  Denise smiled and walked towards the elevator. How the hell did she know that, was I reading the text out loud?

  “Well I’m out, on my way to work,” Denise said talking on her iPhone.

  “You sound a little stressed,” Layla said.

  “Yeah, well there is definitely something off with our friends clad in black.”

  “How so? Did she try and hit on you?”

  “Not really. The last thing the redhead said to me as I was walking away was enjoy your ice cream.”

  “Interesting. Is it still a date tonight?”

  “Oh yeah. I may leave early if we are not too busy,” Denise said before hanging up her phone and strolling over to the Neckers Building she worked at to find it had been evacuated because of a chemical fire in one of the labs.

  “No work tonight Denise,” Ed said. Ed was her supervisor.

  “Tomorrow?” she asked.

  “I’ll call you and let you know honey. Last time this happened we were closed a few days. I’ll call early if that’s the case so at least you can have a longer 4th of July weekend.”

  “Thanks Ed. Talk to you tomorrow.”

  She made her way back to her car and cruised home slowly. How did she know about the ice cream? Were they listening to my conversation with Layla somehow? The next time I run into any of them I am going to get some answers.

  Chapter 5

  More Than Four

  Ed had called Denise early Friday morning to inform her that the labs would be closed until Tuesday the 5th of July.

  “Long weekend,” she said to herself.

  She had no classes scheduled but Layla had to work so, what to do with the day?

  I will cook a good meal for the two of
us.

  I’M COOKING DINNER SINCE THE LABS ARE CLOSED TIL TUESDAY, she texted to Layla. Texting was good, a nice way to communicate with someone at work without them being called to a phone all day, which usually put one’s position in jeopardy.

  I TAKE IT IT’S A SURPRISE?

  YEP.

  After a small bowl of bite size shredded wheat and a second cup of coffee, Denise got dressed and headed over to the Kroger grocery store on Giant City Road. Since the weather was only in the 80’s with a nice breeze, she decided to cook a pan of lasagna. One of her Italian neighbors back in Chicago gave her the recipe that she claimed had been in her family since the Renaissance. Did they even have pasta yet during the Renaissance?

  Yes.

  Denise dropped the can of crushed tomatoes she was reaching to place in her cart when she clearly heard the word yes in her brain. She looked around and didn’t see anyone dressed in black in her aisle or the next. No scent of Chicago subway, at least not yet, she thought.

  She turned into another aisle and added a container of Italian lemonade from the freezer to her cart. I know they did not have Italian lemonade during the Renaissance.

  Correct.

  “How can you be so sure?” she whispered very quietly to herself. She heard no answer in her head, and proceeded to the bakery for some bread. “Layla has never had Panaderia bakery bread so this will do,” she whispered again.

  She’ll love it.

  “Did you ever think you were going out of your mind?” she asked a guy walking in her direction with a cart full of cartons of pop.

  “It’s a little too early in the semester to feel that,” he laughed. “Remember to breathe.”

  “Yes, must remember to breathe.”

  Breathe.

  She went to the checkout and realized she did not have her checkbook, which meant she would need to pay with her ATM card. My pin!

  She tried to enter her pin when she paid by thinking of how hot it was in the bleachers when she was last at a Cub game in Chicago.

  “Do you need help out to your car miss?” the young man packing her bags asked.

  “Oh I think I need help alright, but I should be able to manage getting this in the car myself,” she laughed.

  “Thank you for shopping at Kroger,” he smiled.