Cindee Tate poked at her teased hair with the skinny end of her styling comb and applied more hairspray. She put black mascara on her lower eyelashes and Polynesian Pink lipstick on her lips. She stepped away from the small bathroom mirror and admired her reflection as she smoothed the white nylon waitress uniform over her full figure. Ready for work, ready to knock the socks off the old geezers at the Collinsport Hotel Coffee Shop!
She could almost feel Granny eye her up and down. Granny had died almost a year ago but Cindee could still hear her high pitched voice as she watched her dress to go out. "What will the nice young men think of you, all dressed up like a tart? You'll end up like Ruby if you don't watch your step, my girl!" Ruby was a remote ancestor who was rumored to have been a lady of the evening and who had died at the hands of the Collinsport Strangler back in Colonial times. The old lady had probably known Ruby, she was old enough! Cindee missed her grandmother and knew that she meant well, but it sure was nice to get ready for work or a date without being called a tramp.
Cindee wasn't a bad girl, she just liked to have fun. She stayed out late and went with some wild guys but she was always home and in her bed when Ma came home. Ma worked night shift at the cannery and didn't care what Cindee did, as long as she didn't get into trouble and helped out with the rent and the groceries. Working at the coffee shop wasn't bad, a lot better than that stinky cannery! The tips were good, she sometimes met cute fellows and being on the dinner shift meant that she could sleep in and watch her soaps in the afternoon. And she usually got out before ten o'clock, so that she could run home, change clothes, and meet her friends at the Blue Whale for a few beers.
Jauntily swinging her purse as she walked to work, Cindee wondered if she'd meet anyone cute tonight. Some of the businessmen who passed through town liked to cut loose and show a girl a good time. If not, Butch would be at the Whale, he usually was.
When she got to work, she pinned the little paper hat to the top of her hairdo and wiped the countertops off. A customer came in and sat at the table by the window. Not the kind that usually came to Collinsport, let alone the hotel coffee shop. He had a small mustache. and wore a grey suit with matching gloves and a derby hat.. As she approached his table she noticed his exotic cologne, a scent she didn't recognize. Definitely not Old Spice!
The stranger flirted with her -- what a devilish grin he had! -- and ordered a pot of tea. When she brought it to his table, he was reading from a small black book that almost looked like a bible, but he sure didn't look like a preacher. He thanked her and continued to read.
The coffee shop began to fill with people who were waiting for the next train and Cindee was too busy to notice the mysterious stranger. When the crowd thinned out, she noticed that he was still there and offered to get him more tea. He graciously told her no thank you, he still had half of a pot.
The coffee shop was empty now, except for Cindee and the stranger. Then she heard footsteps she thought she recognized, and in walked Maggie Evans. Cindee had not seen her since she had gone to the funeral home with the other waitresses to offer condolence on the death of Maggie's father. Cindee thought that she looked quite well,, considering what she had gone through.
"Maggie, how are ya!!" said Cindee and they embraced across the countertop. "How about some coffee -- just made it."
"Sure, thanks!" said Maggie. "Nothing like a cup of delicious coffee shop coffee!" The girls laughed. The coffee served at the shop was almost drinkable. "Has it been busy?" asked Maggie as she sipped the hot brown drink.
"Off and on," replied Cindee. "Busy enough that the evening goes pretty quickly." Maggie glanced over her shoulder and did a double-take as she noticed the stranger in grey. "Do you know him?" asked Cindee.
"Yes, I do," replied Maggie. "I've met him at Collinwood a few times, he's Roger Collins' brother-in-law. I've heard that he's renting a house in Collinsport, now that his sister is gone."
"Wasn't that something!" whispered Cindee, referring to the gossip surrounding the marriage of the head of the Collins family to a young woman who was supposed to have been fooling around behind his back, if you believed the rumors, and had just left him.
Maggie nodded in agreement. "I know that this sounds mean, but I'm relieved that she's gone. She didn't seem to get along with Mrs. Stoddard and Carolyn and my friend Vicki really felt uncomfortable around her."
A woman came in and sat at the counter and Cindee went over to wait on her. Then she came back to talk to Maggie. "So, what brings you back to the coffee shop tonight? Can't be the coffee!"
"Cindee, do you know if the can use an extra waitress to work the lunch shift here?" asked Maggie.
"You know, they might -- I heard that Cheryl hurt her hand and won't be able to work for a couple of weeks." Cindee's face showed concern. "Gee, Maggie, are things that bad?"
Maggie smiled. "Not really, Cindee. Pop had a little bit of insurance and I'm living on that. And I heard from someone who might buy his paintings. And you heard that Joe and I are getting married soon. That's the reason I'd like to try to make a little money -- the wedding. It's going to be a very small one but I still want a long white dress and maybe some pretty things to take onour honeymoon." Maggie blushed as she said this. "I know that lunchtime is pretty busy and the tips are good. Joe will never know that I'm working since he'll be at work too. You know how men are! So if I can put in a few hours here I'll be able to buy some new clothes."
Cindee began to write on the back of a cash register receipt. "I'll tape this to the cash register where the boss will see it tomorrow morning. What's your phone number?" Maggie gave it to her and Cindee taped the note to the register.
Maggie glanced at her watch. "I have to run along now -- it sure was good to see you again, Cindee. And thanks for relaying the message!"
"Glad to, Maggie. And put that money away!" she exclaimed as Maggie reached for her wallet to pay for the coffee. The girls waved at one another and Maggie left the coffee shop.
Cindee put the cups into the dishwasher and glanced at the clock. Almost time for her to leave too, and that strange man was still here. Time to drop him a hint. She rang up 'no sale' on the cash register and began to count the money. The stranger put his book away and brought his cup and saucer to the counter.
"I lost track of the time -- the book I brought was most engrossing," he apologized. "I am sorry if you stayed late on my account."
Cindee felt embarrassed that she'd been that obvious. "I'll be here for another half-hour, at least," she replied.
"Does the shop stay open that late?" he said and his handsome face registered surprise. "I hope that you have brought your car or have someone to take you home."
"I don't live that far away," said Cindee, surprised at his concern. "It's a nice walk, I can use the exercise."
"But at this hour of the night -- a young woman, alone! Please, may I drop you off at your home?"
Cindee looked him up and down and decided to accept his offer. "If you don't mind waiting fifteen minutes -- okay!"
"Good, he said. "I'll meet you outside on the steps." He turned and left the shop. Cindee caught her reflection in the mirror over the counter and grinned. She finished counting the receipts and put the money away. Then she took the little hat off her hair and fluffed her bangs again with the comb. She touched up her lipstick and sprayed cologne behind her ears. As a final touch she unbuttoned a few buttons at the neckline of her uniform. She had a feeling that she wouldn't be going straight home tonight.
The man was waiting for her outside and he escorted her to a new car parked across the street. He opened the door for her and Cindee sank gratefully into the plush-covered seats. She could get used to getting a ride home in a car like this instead of Butch's pickup truck! The man got behind the wheel and steered the car onto the main road. Instead of asking Cindee where she lived, he said, "Are you in the mood for something stronger than coffee? I'm staying not far from here and I'd like you to join me for a nightcap. I'll make sure that you get home before midnight, don't worry."
"Sure!" replied Cindee, as she relaxed in the car's luxurious interior. She vaguely recognized the route that they were taking, towards the ocean and the Collins estate. She wasn't expecting a date with such a classy gentleman tonight and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.
The car pulled up in front of a two-story house with a large porch. Cindee could hear the waves crash on the nearby shore. The man escorted her into the house, and turned on the lamp in the sitting room. Granny would love this place, thought Cindee. The furniture here is as old as she is.
"How ignorant of me," exclaimed the stranger. "I have escorted you to my home to spend some time with me and we have not exchanged names. My name is Nicholas. And you are ..."
"Cindee. Cindee Tate," she replied. "Nice place you have here!"
"It's not mine. I'm only renting it at this time but I would like to eventually purchase it. I wish that it was more modern but it's quite comfortable." He went to a cupboard against the wall and took out a bottle and two glasses. "I am partial to amaretto. Will you share a glass with me?"
Cindee had never heard of an amaretto. She assumed that it was an imported wine and said "Sure!" Nicholas poured her a glass and she sipped it. It tasted like almond candy. It sure was good!! She took a large swallow and did not notice the strange light in Nicholas' eyes as he watched her drink. She took another swallow and put the glass down on an end table. It sure was getting warm in here! Nicholas sat down beside her and she gave him a seductive smile.
"So, you like amaretto, then. Good!" He took a sip from his glass and set it down on the table. "Tell me about yourself, Cindee. What's a nice girl like you doing on the evening shift at the hotel coffee shop?"
"Keeping out of trouble!" Cindee laughed and hiccupped. "It's easy work and I get to go out and party late and sleep in late, too."
"Who do you 'party' with?" asked Nicholas.
"Butch," she replied. "I usually meet him after work at the Blue Whale. If he's there, that is. He' was supposed to meet me there tonight but he probably won't be there, his buddies came in last night. You know -- men!" She shook her head and looked at Nicholas. "I didn't mean you, you're a man, too. Sorry!"
"Perhaps it was wrong of me to offer you a drink if you haven't eaten yet," said Nicholas.
"Nah -- I'm fine!" said Cindee and to prove it she took another swallow of the liqueur.
"Do you have anyone at home who will worry if you come
home intoxicated? I'm
beginning to feel guilty about bringing you here."
"Ma works night shift at the cannery. She usually just comes home and falls into bed and by the time she gets up I'm at work. Sometimes I think that she knows I'm around just by the dirty laundry I leave for her in the hamper."
"I see," said Nicholas, leaning back in his seat and stroking his chin thoughtfully. He stared at Cindee's body and she started to feel uncomfortable. Then she thought, why should I, I've got a great body! She leaned back further on the couch and let her skirt creep further up her legs. Nicholas moved closer until he had his arm along the back of the couch almost touching her shoulders. "It's a shame," he mused. "A lovely lady like yourself, ignored by her boyfriend, neglected by her mother, no one around to appreciate your charms ..." he put his hands on her shoulders and drew her closer to himself. "You know, I have a friend I'd like you to meet. Not tonight, don't worry. But my friend is lonely and would like to have a girl like you around."
Cindee began to squirm. "I'm not that kind of girl!" she protested.
Nicholas tightened his grip on her and continued. "My
friend lacks social graces but he's strong and quite intelligent.
He would appreciate you. A real woman he could call his own."
He shifted his weight and pressed Cindee against the back of
the couch. "I don't think I like this friend of yours,"
she whispered and tried to squirm out of his grasp.
"You are just what my friend Adam and I have been looking for in a mate. But I'm afraid that I will have to end this life before a new one can begin." Nicholas wrapped his hands around Cindee's throat and began to strangle her.
Black dots swam before her eyes. Granny was right, she thought, and though she struggled, Nicholas was the stronger. But as she thrashed about, her hands felt the leather of her purse, which she had put beside her on the couch. Her comb -- was it in the outside pocket? Please let it be there! It was hard to concentrate but her fingers felt the smooth plastic of the comb. Fighting for her life, she pulled it out and pushed the pointed end into Nicholas' body, hoping that it would hurt.
It did. He released her and grabbed the inside of his upper
thigh with both hands. "Why you little ..." he groaned
but Cindee did not stay to hear what he had to say. She grabbed
her purse and ran out the door, down the steps, and across the
grass in the direction of the lights of Collinsport. Her throat
ached terribly and she could barely think of where she was going
but when she saw the headlights of the cars on the road to town,
she ran towards them.
She wasn't aware that she had lost her shoes until her stockinged
feet began to ache as she ran onto the gravel roadbed. A steady
stream of cars passed her going in both directions. Would one
stop for her -- please! she prayed as she waved her hands about
wildly. And then one did. A pickup truck began to slow down as
it passed her, the driver put on his turn signal and pulled off
the road about thirty feet ahead of her and stopped.
Cindee gratefully ran towards it, ignoring her aching feet. Then as she got a closer look at the truck her stomach dropped. It was a red Dodge pickup, just like Butch's. Oh please! How was she going to explain her appearance, let alone what she was doing way out here? But then, she told herself, are you going to stay out here and wait for that nice Mr. Nicholas to drive by and offer you a ride back to his place for some amaretto wine? She ran up to the cab as the driver opened the door.
Of all people -- Joe Haskell! His face also registered astonishment. "Cindee!" he exclaimed, "what happened to you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Joe," she replied. "Stupid, but fine. My Granny always warned me about accepting lifts from strangers, but I had to find out the hard way why I shouldn't. Present company excepted," she added, patting his arm.
"Are you sure that you're okay?" he continued, his voice filled with concern. "Would you like to stop at the Whale for something to calm your nerves?"
"What, and run into Butch? Bad enough Granny is giving me heck from the great beyond, I don't need Butch putting in his two cents, too. Nah, a soak in the tub and some warm milk and I'll be fine." Eager to change the subject , she asked Joe where he had gotten the truck and he explained that one of the men at the cannery had loaned it to him so that he could pick up supplies for his boat. Soon they arrived at Cindee's home and Joe again expressed concern that she was okay. She insisted that she was, and giving him a hug, she was soon safely inside her house.
Cindee ran hot water in the tub, but it wasn't warm milk that filled her glass. Afterwards, she put on one of the frumpy flannel nightgowns that Granny had given her for Christmas. It always made her feel snuggly and secure, and after finding an old move on the Late Show, she curled up on the sofa with another glass of something warm. Ma would find her here when she came home from work and it would be a good way to tell her that she was giving up the night shift at the coffee shop. Too tiring! Too many creeps out there, too wanting to do who-knows-what to your body ...