Chapter 6: Caramel Corn

“You know, Mark, Lou has been through an awful lot. I know the asshole is dead, but I can’t help thinking my good friend would get some comfort from having a man around the house. A smart, tall, and athletic man. Holy cow, someone like you!”

“Jean, you’re about as subtle as a diesel locomotive. But maybe I can come over and watch a movie with her. A comedy, for sure. I could bring popcorn.”

“You know what she likes? Caramel corn: the stickier the better. I’ve seen her sneaking those Cracker Jack boxes into her office. You know, the ones with the tiny toy inside the box?

“Listen, get yourself organized, and I’ll tell her you’re coming over late Friday afternoon with a bucket of fried chicken (she likes that, too) with sides and caramel corn. All she has to do is pick which movie to stream and look pretty. You think Lou is pretty, don’t you?”

“What a dumb question, Jean. She’s almost the prettiest and sexiest librarian I’ve ever met.”

“Mark...”

“I’ll show you a picture of my aunt in her prime. In a bikini. Va-va-voom!”

“Mark...”

“I hope your husband appreciates you, Jean. You have the cutest expression when you’re being teased.”

“Don’t you worry about him, you punk. Now get lost before I punch you.”

“Ack!”

Mark fled, grinning.

“Lou, I need to speak to you. Let’s go into your office for a second.

“On Friday, Mark’s coming to your house. He’s bringing fried chicken, sides, and caramel corn. You’re going to pick a movie to stream: a comedy, of course. And you’re going to enjoy having a man around the house, even if it’s just for an evening.

“No, close your mouth; it’s all arranged.

“For once, you need to wear something pretty. He’s only seen you wearing your drab library shit. And if he leaves your house without a wet, sloppy kiss, I’m going to show him my pussy and tell him yours is better. Better tasting, too.”

“Janet Coulson, get the fuck out of my office before I fire you.”

“You can’t fire me, bitch; Mark is the employee, not me. And, by the way, you forgot. You can’t fire him, either. My salary, which is now his salary, got shifted to the school district instead of your penny-ante library outfit. He’s not your subordinate. The district pays him, so there’s no reason stopping you. You don’t need to avoid seeing him, kissing him, or even fucking him. So give me a kiss, thank me for setting you up, and get ready for Friday.”

Lou got up and came around her desk, leaning in to kiss her friend. Janet groped her ass, while Lou fondled Jean’s big tits.

Lou had a brief meeting with Mark.

“I’m sorry, Mark. I’m sure you understand what the red dot means that’s marked on my calendar for this Friday. Along with the usual mess, I’m often dealing with some related digestive issues. Let’s push to a week later. OK?”

“I definitely understand, and I’m looking forward to next Friday instead of this Friday. Let me know if you need anything over the weekend that I can help you with or bring to you.”

“Mark, you’re sweet. I appreciate the offer, and I’ll see you at six o’clock on Friday next week. Oh, here is my address.”

Jean and Mark decided to take advantage of the extra week. They already asked Celia to refuse Dennis, expecting him to remind her by sending the “decorated” photo to her. This would be the key: transmitting child porn through the internet.

It was a failed strategy. Instead of emailing, Dennis cornered her after school and beat her. Celia walked into the library with her arm already turning purple and a bloodied lip. Jean escorted her back to the small room from before, asking her to wait.

“Sweetie, tonight you aren’t going home. You’re staying with us instead of with your stinking mother.”

“I doubt she will notice my absence. She brought home two bottles of Evan Williams last night.”

“Whiskey? Yeah. Rest in here while I talk with Mark.”

They moved into the main reading room and found a quiet corner.

“Without evidence, we don’t have any legal options to arrest him,” advised Jean. Mark was incandescent with rage. His intensity frightened Jean.

“That boy needs to have an accident. A fatal accident. Let’s talk to Lou.”

“Of course she can stay with me, Mark. My house is a fortress, and I’ve got room for her. Do you have a plan? Wait, I have an idea. Both of you bring Celia to my house and we will figure this out.”

The four of them gathered around Lou’s new kitchen table. Celia was in a fluffy bathrobe as her shabby clothing whirled in circles inside Lou’s new clothes washer. Her arms poked through the sleeves like pale sticks, shockingly thin. One arm showed intense bruising.

In front of them were the scattered remains of three large pizzas. Celia had gobbled down a startling number of slices and chased them with half of a 2-liter bottle of Sprite. She followed this up with a spectacular burp.

“Excuse me. Thank you. I was kind of hungry.”

“Yeah, like Lake Michigan is kind of damp. Celia, you can stay in my house as long as you need. Oh, don’t sniffle. I’m happy to help you deal with this asshole. It’s a public service like our library, and I’m adding vengeance to my list of hobbies. Would you like to hear my plan? Well, my part of it.”