We’ll Meet Again Someday

Ten minutes after speaking with her husband, Audra came through the guesthouse door without even knocking. Riana quickly brushed aside her tears. She’d be damned if she’d let the bitch know that fifteen years later, she’d managed to reduce her to tears yet again. Audra eyed her with the usual stern expression. “Okay, Riana, are we calm now?” “I don’t know. Are we?” Her voice cracked. “James and I have decided that, due to the grief you’ve been through, and since our troubles happened so long ago, to go ahead and give it a go and see what happens from here on out. As you said, the past is the past, and I think we’ve both smartened up a bit, right?” Riana nodded slowly, stunned. She hadn’t believed for a second that Audra would have a change of heart. “But if there are any phone calls or other pranks…” “I hate phones,” Riana assured her. “Ever since I quit smoking a decade ago, I’ve hated phones. I only use them when I have to.” “You quit smoking?” She nodded. A moment of silence went by, then Audra said, “Okay, this is how it’s going to be. We’re both in and out all day during the week at various times, but we’re usually home most of the time on weekends. Therefore, we decided to have you do the cleaning on Saturdays. Would that be okay?” “Yes.” “Even though you hate phones, you need to call first rather than knock on the door. And please don’t call unless it’s absolutely necessary to do so, and definitely don’t knock unless it’s an emergency. Other than you living here and cleaning for us, you’re not a part of our lives, and we’re not a part of yours. Got that?” Riana nodded. “You also need to tell any company you may have to come around back and directly here. I don’t want anyone coming to our door.” “What about my mail? Should I stop by for it, or will you bring it to me?” Audra took a moment to think about it, then said, “Why don’t you knock on the door around five during the week and someone will give it to you?” “Okay. And no packages in other names, even though it’s perfectly legal,” Riana said, remembering when Audra would refuse to accept packages at the apartment complex’s office that weren’t in her name, as part of the spite game Riana still wasn’t sure she understood. Audra flashed another one of her sarcastic smiles, though this one held a slight hint of humor. “Do you get a lot of packages?” she asked. Riana nodded, still sitting on the bed. “Because of the sweepstakes. Most wins are small, but something comes every few days nonetheless. Plus, I order necessities from Amazon.” “That’s certainly quite often.” “The affidavits aren’t always worth getting excited over, but the phone calls and overnight letters usually mean a big one.” “You sell the things you don’t want on eBay?” Riana nodded again. “Then I just package it up, strap it to the back of my bike, and take it to the post office.” “James says you don’t always make much at it.” “Sometimes I don’t.” “You don’t think it would be better to find work somewhere to supplement things?” Riana gave a quick laugh. “This is work. It takes hours of work to make the hundreds of entries I do each day.” “No insurance, though. If you have an emergency, you’re out of luck.” “That’s my problem. Besides, the state pays for emergencies, don’t they?” “What’s the biggest prize you’ve won so far?” “Nine grand in cash, a trip to Italy, a Caribbean cruise, electric guitars, shopping sprees at designer boutiques—things like that.” “Hmmm,” Audra said with surprise. “You’re welcome to open anything that seems interesting that may arrive before five.” “Okay, then,” Audra said, producing the sheet of paper she’d been holding. She stepped toward the bed. “This here is a written agreement of our terms and conditions. If you’ll please read it and sign it, I can let you get back to unpacking.” Riana rose from the bed, read the paper, then signed it on a bare corner of the table. She handed it back, and Audra, in turn, pulled a single key from her pocket and held it out. Riana extended an open palm, and Audra dropped the key into it. They held each other’s gaze for a moment—Riana’s appreciative, though still hesitant; Audra’s hard to read. Was it hope in those clear, bright eyes? Regret? Pity? Something else? Audra left before Riana could figure it out, and Riana continued unpacking what little she had. A few minutes later, the door opened again and Audra stepped in. “Yes, come on in. Don’t bother to knock first.” “You need to lock the door if you don’t want anyone coming in here. Meanwhile, you just gave us permission to open your mail if we feel the need to, so I’d like you to put that in writing as well.” “If you feel the need to?” When Audra remained silent, Riana took the blank sheet of paper and pen and said, “Okay. What should I write?” “Just what you told me.” Riana scrawled out a few sentences, aware of Audra’s gaze upon her as she did so, then handed the paper back. Audra turned to leave, and Riana stepped outside with her. That was when she saw James and Emma in the yard between the house and the guesthouse. James smiled at her, and she smiled back, glad to see he wasn’t upset with her. Audra began reading aloud. “‘I, Riana Brennan, give Audra, the big bad boss, permission to open my mail, but she better not steal anything good.’” She groaned, shook her head, and stomped toward the house. James smiled again, and Emma giggled. Audra disappeared inside with her husband and daughter, and Riana stepped back into the guesthouse. She closed and locked the door, just twenty feet away from the house. She closed the blinds and cranked up the wall-mounted air conditioner. It was early May and already scorching hot. She let Blondie out of his cage and sat on the bed, patting him as she wondered if Audra letting her stay really was a good thing after all. Having the mean tyrant manage the apartment complex she’d lived at when she was twenty-six had been one thing. But now she was living on Audra’s property, right under her nose, giving her all the leverage in the world. And Audra liked power and control.