The Influencer

Liz studied her three closest friends, none of whom looked alike. Shayne was fair and blond. Angelique was a freckly redhead. Nolee was black as night. They were at Nolee’s apartment, which was their usual place to hang out since Nolee lived alone while Shayne had a roommate and the others lived with their parents. Liz popped a few French fries into her mouth that they’d gotten at a nearby fast-food place, along with burgers and shakes, just as loud music began to play from the neighboring apartment. Nolee rolled her eyes and said, “Here we go again. Typical apartment life.” “Just throw on your own music,” said Shayne. “The bass in your killer stereo will override your neighbor’s any day.” “Why don’t you just rent a house?” Angelique said as Nolee got up to take Shayne’s advice. “Because some people were just meant to live in noisy places,” Nolee replied. “Besides, houses can be pretty damn noisy too if you don’t have the luxury of living on a large piece of land like Queen Elizabeth here does.” That was when Liz’s friends noticed the look on her face. It was as if a light had come on somewhere. “What is it, Liz?” asked Nolee. “That’s it,” said Liz. “That’s it!” “What are you talking about, girlfriend?” asked Nolee, brows knotted with confusion. “Remember how I said there was something strange about Kylie’s apartment?” Shayne and Angelique nodded. “So?” prompted Nolee. “Well, there were no pictures.” “No pictures?” “None,” Liz replied with a shake of her head. She glanced at the wall behind her where Nolee had various portraits. One was of her parents by themselves. Another had been taken last Christmas with her parents. Then there was one of her and her boyfriend George, and finally one with all four friends at last year’s county fair, which Liz’s father had taken. “I guess that does seem odd,” said Angelique. “But maybe she just doesn’t get along with her family.” “That’s not what she told me,” said Liz. “According to her, her mom was killed in a bus accident and she never knew her father.” “Well, maybe that’s why,” offered Shayne before she sucked noisily on her chocolate malt. “But that makes no sense,” Nolee chimed in. “I can see not having a picture of the father, but why wouldn’t she have pictures of her mother?” “That’s a damn good question,” said Liz. “Ask her.” Liz shook her head. “I don’t want to put her on the spot like that. At least not yet.” “She probably doesn’t have pictures because it reminds her too much of the pain of losing them,” Angelique suggested. “Yeah, maybe that’s it,” Liz said, unwrapping her cheeseburger. “Your cell phone’s ringing!” Angelique shouted a few minutes later over the loud rap group that was spewing its usual hateful tirade. Nolee looked toward the kitchen and ran to grab her phone from the counter. A moment later, she reappeared and handed the phone to Liz. “It’s your mother.” Liz looked up nervously. “My mother? What would she call me here for?” “Did you hear the news?” her mother asked as soon as Liz took the phone. “What news?” “About the judge who hit Kylie.” “No, what about him?” “He choked to death last night when he was having dinner at home with his wife.”

Rayanne rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. She knew Cassie was home, however, for her car was in the driveway. Figuring she was out back, she threaded her way along the side of the house, careful not to get snagged by the thorns from the budding rose bushes. Why does everyone have to live huddled so close together like a set of teeth? Rayanne wondered in frustration, wishing she had more room to dodge the ever-present thorns. Yet if she did take a few steps away from them, she’d be walking alongside the house next door. No room to breathe anywhere in a Western city! Rayanne found Cassie planting some petunias along the wall of the back porch. She looked up as her friend rounded the corner of the house. “Hi there.” “Hello.” “What brings you out and about today?” “Oh, I just thought I’d enjoy the nice weather since it’s such a rare occurrence around here. I should’ve stayed in Beetleland,” Rayanne said, referring to Florida and its never-ending slew of bugs that came with the constant heat and humidity. “I see,” Cassie said as she hosed the new plants. “How goes it?” “I’m fine.” Rayanne had known Cassie long enough to tell when something was wrong. “Okay, what is it? You know you can’t hide it from me, whatever it is.” Cassie continued hosing the plants a moment longer, a solemn expression in place. Then she turned off the water, and the two women sat in the nearby lawn chairs. “So let’s hear it,” Rayanne insisted. Cassie took a deep breath, then said, “I’m thirty-three years old, yet I still can’t find a man who will have kids with me.” “Oh,” Rayanne said, perhaps a little too indifferently. It was just that she’d heard countless other women with similar complaints. “How do you know this? Has he told you he doesn’t want any?” “Not exactly. Instead, he’s been the designated birth controller.” “I don’t get what you mean,” Rayanne said with a frown. “He pulls out seconds before he gets off, and sometimes he doesn’t even get off at all.” “Well, maybe he can’t, Cass. A lot of folks have problems getting off when they get older.” “But he’s younger than me!” Cassie pointed out. “How is thirty-one getting older? Aren’t we supposed to be closer to between thirty-five and forty before we start losing our appetites?” “Guess you’ve got a point there. But why wouldn’t he just come out and speak his mind if he’s got any doubts about kids?” Cassie shrugged. “I guess he feels he’s doing us a favor this way. I don’t know, maybe he wants to spare me the side effects of birth control or something. Or maybe he feels I’ll dump him if he tells the truth.” “Whatever it is, I agree he shouldn’t have any problems at his age. And of course, they never tell you up front if they do. The question is, is it a physical problem or a psychological one? You’re just going to have to ask him this, Cass.” Cassie snorted. “Somehow I doubt he’d be very direct with me if I confronted him.” “Then maybe you ought to consider leaving him. You don’t exactly need a man to have a child with anyway, my friend. These days, you can just jump online and order up a dose of artificial insemination for just a few hundred bucks.” “Yeah, well, I just may have to at the rate I’m going.” Rolling her eyes, Rayanne said, “Oh, those men and their little sexual dysfunctions. Can’t get hard, can’t hold back, can’t get off. Too bad we’re not lesbians. Maybe sex with another woman really is better, as I recently heard some woman say. With the guys, we gotta spend forever taking care of them by hand or orally, then they only want to screw us for two seconds. I know I only get it these days on an ask-only basis, and of course, I can’t even remember the last time he came out and told me I was beautiful, or sexy, or even just pretty. You know guys. They love us when we’re young and thin, but once we start getting older and heavier, they don’t want a damn thing to do with us. Even so, I’ve been wondering if he’s gay. Really, doesn’t it bother you when it doesn’t bother a guy if he knows that he hasn’t satisfied you?” “Yeah, they’re selfish little creatures. At least with another woman, those who don’t want kids or have had all the kids they want don’t have to worry about birth control or unwanted pregnancies.” Rayanne nodded in agreement. “And women are sensitive to other women’s needs and sensitive spots, and they don’t stink or rush things. They may not always be able to get off either, but they can always perform.” “Don’t forget that having a dick in the picture with two women is optional, since they can be strapped on or removed at will, and having options in life is always more fun.” “At least those always stay hard.” The two women burst out laughing before Cassie went inside and returned a few minutes later with a pitcher of lemonade and a big bag of potato chips. “Any luck with the young woman who was hit by the late drunk of a judge?” asked Rayanne. “Nope. She’s been a dead end all the way so far. As soon as I get the time, I’m going to see if I can catch the mysterious Kaminski woman before she’s discharged and see what she has to say about the judge’s untimely death. At that time, I’ll try to probe into her background.” “Cassie, I doubt she’ll tell you what she’s really thinking about the judge’s death. Do you really think she’s going to come out and tell you that she’s glad the bastard choked to death after what he did to her and was going to get away with if he’d lived? You’d hope someone choked to death too if they rammed into you while they were drunk, leaving you paralyzed and knowing they were invincible.” “Yeah, I can’t deny that one.” “I’d just let it go if I were you.” “Let it go? How absurd! I’m a reporter. I meddle in everything, and I never let things go.” Rayanne shook her head of ebony curls. “You can be downright cruel at times, girl. You really should see her as a person who got a rough break in life, not a person who would make a good story.” “But I’m curious about her background.” Rayanne shook her head again. “Whatever turns you on.”

Liz headed for Kylie’s room, remembering how shocked she’d felt when her mother told her about the judge’s death the day before. Well, no one could blame Kylie for it, she thought to herself. She didn’t have anything to do with it, directly or indirectly. Kylie was reading a paperback when Liz entered the room. “Good afternoon.” Kylie looked up and smiled. “Hi there.” “How ya feelin’?” “Okay. Especially since they’re going to be turning me loose this Friday.” “Wow, that’s great! That’s just two days from now.” Kylie’s smile then fell. “What is it, babe?” “Well, they’re a little concerned about how I’m going to get around by myself initially, and so am I, but I think—” “Stop,” said Liz. “Just stop. You have nothing to worry about because you’re coming home with me.” Kylie’s eyes lit up with joyous gratitude that tugged at Liz’s heart. “Are you serious?” Liz nodded. “You really, really sure?” Again, Liz nodded. “Oh, thank you so much for caring!” Kylie cried, reaching out to Liz for a warm embrace. They held each other for a moment, then Kylie asked, “So, did you hear the news?” “Yes, I did,” said Liz, straightening up. “Guess you really did a good job wishing upon a star.” Before anything more could be said about the judge, the sound of someone clearing their throat in the doorway made them turn their heads. A blond woman with hair Kylie thought was too short for a woman stood in the doorway. “Hello,” she said. “I hope I’m not intruding or anything.” “Can we help you?” asked Liz. “Well, actually, I’d like to talk to Kylie. Would that be okay?” Liz turned back to Kylie, who was gazing past Liz at the woman, looking a bit apprehensive. “Who are you?” she asked. “My name is Cassie Larkin, and I’m doing a story on your case.” “Oh,” said Kylie in a dubious tone. “And to hell with whether or not I want you to do a story on my case, right? You’re going to stick your nose in my business anyway.” “Oh no, not at all,” said Cassie, coming further into the room. “I don’t want to print anything you don’t want me to, and that’s why I came to see you—so I could get your side of the story.” “Well, there is no story,” Kylie said matter-of-factly. “The facts are that the judge was drunk, and because of it, I’ll never walk again.” “How do you feel about that and the fact that he would have been immune to any form of punishment had he lived?” Kylie looked at the woman incredulously. “How do you think I feel?” “Really, lady, that was a dumb question,” Liz chimed in. “And I hope Kylie doesn’t mind my saying so.” “No, I don’t mind at all,” Kylie assured Liz. “Anything else, Miss Reporter?” “Would it be fair to say that you aren’t sorry the judge choked to death last night and that you don’t mind me printing that?” “That would be very fair. However, I don’t care what you print because nothing you write can change the truth.” “Okay,” Cassie said, fingering the tape recorder concealed in her pocket. “If that’s all you came for, then you can leave now. I have better things to concern myself with than some drunk who deserved to die.” Even Liz seemed a bit surprised by Kylie’s direct harshness, though she knew she’d feel the same way if she were in Kylie’s shoes. “I promise I’ll be on my way after I ask just one more question. Can I do that?” Kylie hesitated a moment, then nodded her consent. “What do you do for work?” “I work online.” “Do you have any family around here, Kylie?” Both Liz and the reporter caught the look in Kylie’s eyes. She clearly didn’t want to discuss the subject. “I don’t have any family around here, no.” “Can you tell me a bit about your immediate family and where they reside?” Kylie’s patience was wearing thin as she said, “No, I can’t. They don’t exist.” “They don’t exist?” asked a confused Cassie. “I don’t know them. Meaning some are dead, and others I don’t have a clue as to their whereabouts.” “So you’re not exactly close to your family,” Cassie said more as a statement than a question. “What does this have to do with the judge getting drunk, ramming me with his vehicle, and paralyzing me for life?” “Oh, nothing. Nothing. It’s just that people like to know a little about the person featured in particular stories.” “Well, I’m not in the mood to be very sociable at the moment, so if you’d please leave, I’d appreciate it. Besides, you said just one more question, not ten, and I never said I wanted to be featured in any story.” Liz stepped between Kylie and Cassie, facing Cassie with her arms folded in front of her. This was her way of signaling that it really was time for the reporter to leave. “Okay, Kylie. I’ll be going now.” Cassie then turned to Liz. “Nice meeting you—uh—what did you say your name was?” “I didn’t.” “Oh, right. That’s right. You didn’t,” Cassie said with a phony smile. She knew she had certainly worn out her welcome. Whoever this friend of Kylie’s was, she was obviously the no-nonsense type and not someone to cross, even though Cassie was a few inches taller. Liz waited a few seconds, then peeked both ways up and down the corridor to be sure the reporter was gone. Then they began to make plans for after Kylie was discharged. “My parents suggested you file a disability claim with the state and federal government once you’re out of here. From what they said, you’re eligible for benefits,” Liz told her. “I know. The doctor was telling me about it. Said I wouldn’t get much, but something’s better than nothing—especially since it’s going to take time to get my contest wins going again.” Liz chuckled as if Kylie had said something funny, but before Kylie could question it, she changed the subject. “Kylie,” Liz began slowly, choosing her words carefully, “speaking of your family, do you mind if I ask you a question of my own?” “No,” said Kylie, though Liz sensed that she did mind. “When I was in your apartment getting your mail and watering your plants, I noticed there were no pictures of your family anywhere. Why don’t you have any pictures of your mother?” “I have some. They’ve just been packed away.” Kylie appeared to think a moment, then added, “It’s just that having her pictures on display only reminds me of losing her, and it really hurts.” “I guess I can understand that,” Liz said, satisfied with Kylie’s answer, although she suspected Kylie was holding something back and that there was more to it than that. “I’m all alone in this world, you could say, and that’s why it means so much to me that you’ve offered to take me in.” Liz bent down and kissed Kylie on the lips. “With me, you’ll never be alone.”

Cassie left the hospital certain that Kylie had something to hide, particularly where her family was concerned. Determined to find out what it was, she headed home and fired up her computer. She knew something had to be out there if she just kept digging. Her cell phone rang as she waited for it to boot up. “Hello?” “Hey, babe, it’s me,” Seth said. “Oh, hey. What’s up?” “Not much. I should be home in an hour or so. I was just wondering if you wanted me to pick up some Chinese on the way home.” “That would be nice.” “Did you see the Kaminski woman?” “Yes, I did,” said Cassie, filling him in on the details. “Doesn’t sound like you’d have gotten any more information from her even if she’d been alone.” “Well, I just got in, and I’m going online right now to dig deeper and see what I can find out about her. I figure she has no traceable work history because she’s been working under the table. She said something about working online. It’s her background I’m suspicious of. Every time I tried to bring up her family, she got really upset. I’d really like to know what she’s hiding. Meanwhile, the mystery woman is to be discharged in a couple of days.” “Did she say where she was going?” Seth asked. “No, but I was listening just outside the door of her room as she spoke with her friend for a few minutes before I went in, and it sounds like she’s going to live with this person.” “But you don’t know the friend’s name?” “No, I don’t, so let’s hope she leaves a forwarding address.” After she hung up with Seth, she went to work at the computer. After what seemed like an eternity, her efforts were rewarded. What she learned was startling.

Both of Liz’s parents accompanied her to the hospital the day Kylie was discharged. They found Kylie in a chipper mood, eager to escape the confines of the hospital, yet understandably apprehensive as well. A nurse wheeled her out in a wheelchair. Liz and her mother stayed with her while Liz’s father went to fetch the SUV. Kylie felt just as comfortable with Liz’s father as she did with her mother. He was a jolly man with a good sense of humor, yet quiet at the same time, letting the ladies run the show. He seemed a decade or so older than his wife and was maybe in his late fifties. When the shiny gold vehicle was present, the nurse helped Kylie out of her chair and into the back seat. Liz’s mother then packed the chair and the crutches in the back as Liz got in and sat next to Kylie. First she helped Kylie adjust her seatbelt, then she did her own. With her mother now in the front passenger seat, they headed for their farm. Just five minutes later, they entered a narrow two-lane highway, and the houses became more sparse. “Where does this road lead to?” Kylie asked. “It leads to Bly Mountain and other towns like Dairy, Olene, and Bonanza, but those are quite a way down the road, and Bonanza’s on the other side of the mountain.” Kylie was impressed when the farm came into view ten minutes later. “Wow, you’ve got major privacy out here! Your nearest neighbor is way down the road,” she said, glancing toward the closest house, which had to be at least five hundred feet away, maybe more. “That we do,” Liz’s mother agreed. “It’s beautiful!” Kylie exclaimed, much to Liz’s delight, as she eyed the sprawling farmland enclosed by a barbed-wire fence. She could see four cows off in the distance grazing. The house wasn’t what she had pictured. She’d imagined an older two-story house built on-site. Instead, there was a one-story manufactured home that seemed fairly new. The double-wide house was long and perhaps sixteen hundred square feet in all. “What a beautiful house.” “It is,” said Delvina, “and there’s also a small guesthouse in the back that you can’t see from here. We opted to have that hauled in as well, so we’d have extra space if needed, but if not, we wouldn’t be stuck with an overly huge house to care for.” “How long have you lived here?” asked Kylie. “About ten years now,” answered Delvina. “Randy’s parents lived here for over thirty years before they passed away, and we had the main house and guesthouse pulled in. They lived in a very tiny old shack. It’s the building off toward the back right side of the house.” Kylie’s eyes sought out the old structure. It stood in stark contrast to the newly painted house with its peeling paint and sagging frame, but it seemed appropriate for a farm just the same. “We now use it for storing equipment, along with the Quonset off in the distance.” “What’s that?” asked Kylie as Randy pulled the SUV onto a long gravel driveway. “That’s the semi-circular building we keep our tractors in.” “Are those long steel bars on wheels some form of a watering system?” Kylie asked. “Sure are,” said Delvina. “They’re wonderful. They’re on a timer and are set to wheel back and forth the length of the land twice a day. Before, we had to hook them to a tractor and drive them across ourselves.” Liz’s familiar red car sat next to a blue mid-sized car, where Randy parked. Liz lifted Kylie out of the vehicle and set her on the ground. “I’ve got her,” Delvina said, hurrying to take hold of Kylie while Liz got the crutches. “I’ll run and open the door,” said Randy. Slowly and awkwardly, Kylie made her way to the front door of the house with Liz and Delvina on either side of her. They could sense her discomfort and knew she had a way to go before she got used to using the crutches as a means of getting around. For Kylie, it was hard to believe that just days ago, she could’ve simply walked right into the house in a few seconds. “Climbing the stairs might be a little tricky at first,” Liz’s mom said with a cheery smile, trying to lighten the mood. “But don’t worry. We’ll be right behind you to catch you if you fall.” “Just be glad there are only a few steps and not a whole flight like at your apartment,” Liz said. Wordlessly, Kylie made her way up into the house, clumsy but determined. Once inside, she eyed the spacious living room, admiring the pink carpet and the bright, multicolored pastels of the couch, plush chairs, and drapes. The room stretched out before her, with the couch to the left and the chairs to the right. Against the back wall was a large TV. “It’s not an overly large house, so we can make a quick tour before we get you settled if you’d like,” said Delvina. “Okay, ma’am,” said Kylie. “Oh, hush with the formal ma’ams,” Delvina insisted, playfully patting Kylie’s head as Liz laughed. “If I’m not Mom, like most people call me, then just Delvina will do.” “Okay,” said Kylie, smiling. She followed Delvina with Liz trailing behind. Off the back right side of the living room was a hallway. The kitchen, utility room, and master bath ran the back length of the house, although you had to go through the master bedroom to get to the master bath. The master bedroom was straight at the end of the hallway. It took up the entire right side of the house and was done in darker shades of green and blue, which Kylie didn’t care for as much. The king-size bed had an oak headboard that matched the tall, long dressers as well as the nightstands flanking the bed. This and the master bath were the only rooms from which you could see most of the farm, given the direction the house faced. Opposite the kitchen doorway, in the front of the house, another bathroom stood sandwiched between the master bedroom and Liz’s bedroom. This room had a double bed with a floral comforter that matched the curtains. Liz had a tall whitewashed dresser and a bookcase by the bed. Kylie noted enough empty wall space along the wall dividing this room and the living room where she could set up her computer. As if reading her mind, Liz said, “I thought we could set up your computer over there.” Kylie nodded just as Liz’s mother entered the room with the few belongings they’d gotten from her apartment along the way to the farmhouse. Nolee and Liz were planning to move her out completely over the weekend using Nolee’s pickup truck. Delvina placed the duffel bag and purse on the dresser, then said, “Come to the kitchen when you girls get a chance. I’ve got some goodies waiting that I’m sure Kylie will enjoy after all that yucky hospital food.” The foursome settled at the kitchen table a few minutes later, and then Kylie spotted the pool from where she sat. “Oh, a pool!” “Yup, that’s what it is,” Liz said with a smile, enjoying Kylie’s delight. “You can take her swimming tomorrow,” Delvina told her daughter. They enjoyed a mixture of treats that Delvina had baked—cookies, cakes, and pies that Kylie found delicious. “Sure beats hospital food, huh?” Randy said jovially. “It sure does,” Kylie agreed, gazing at Randy. He was tall and slender like his wife. His steel-gray hair gave him a mature look, while his light eyes gave him an air of friendliness. Kylie felt so comfortable with Liz and her family that she knew it wouldn’t be long before she felt like part of the family. She hoped she would, anyway. “Have you called your friend down in Arizona yet?” Liz asked. “Vanita? No, but I plan to call her soon.” After eating and chatting mostly about life on the farm, Kylie hobbled along on her crutches to the room she would share with Liz. “Thank you for all you’ve done,” Kylie told Liz’s parents on her way out of the kitchen. “Oh, it’s nothing,” Delvina said with a wave of her hand. Kylie settled on the side of the bed a few minutes later and dug her cell phone out of her duffel bag. “Want some privacy?” Liz asked. Kylie shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Watch, though—she’ll think I’m joking at first.” Kylie called her friend, and they spoke for about fifteen minutes. She explained the accident, told her about Liz, her family, and where she was now living. Liz put away the clean laundry she had washed earlier in the day as she listened. “He was killed… Yes, he choked… I don’t know, I guess he was home having dinner when it happened… Well, obviously, I don’t feel too sorry for him… Tell me about it!… I’m going to be applying for disability benefits. That way, I’ll have a little income coming in to supplement my wins, as well as insurance… I’ll have to go in every week for physical therapy for a while, though I’m not sure what more they think they can do for me. I guess they want to run me through some exercises to keep the muscles from further atrophy, though I don’t see why I couldn’t do them at home… Yeah, that could be it. They probably just want to make sure I do them right… No, no one knows… Well, I just got here, so I should go get settled in. Let’s keep in touch by email… Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay…” Kylie hung up a minute later and announced that she had to use the bathroom. “It’s just right next door,” Liz said with a smile. She watched Kylie hobble out of the room on her crutches, then replayed the phone conversation in her mind. No one knows what?she wondered.