Chapter 2: I’Mmaterial

Midnight Isabella Amador sat on a bus that was supplied and operated by the Santee tribe of Caretaker, South Carolina. One that carried those financially less fortunate back and forth between work and the reservation. Midnight’s home right on the border between the Rez and the White man’s world to counter the fact her Mother Irene was full blooded Santee, her father Esteban, a Spaniard who chose to keep his wife as near to her heritage as much as possible. While her ride was not in going home but into the town of Caretaker itself population 4,500, she had places to be. Strangely drawn to the Man in Black sitting at the diner she worked at, her mind was caught between two worlds, much like her family. Where this other world resided, she was still trying to process.

Even with her stop nearing, Midnight reopened the note the man had left her and read it for the fifth time in ten minutes. Seeing the tiny drawing he did of a woman with her resemblance on her knees bowing she realized something new for the first time. The caricature was nude. Eyes flared, nostrils joining in, she smiled. Even now she wasn’t fully grasping what it meant. All she knew was that she found the drawing appealing. With her bus slowing to a stop uptown Midnight got up and passed the driver. In leaving she shyly whispered, “Thank you Ernest.” The driver a native Santee smiled back and shared, “See you on your way home Midnight.” Stepping off Ernest admired her from behind without too much lust. He had known this girl her entire life, while she was beautiful, she seemed far too much like family. Door closed he proceeded on through town.

Midnight however perused shop windows. With not many actual clothing stores around town her choices were limited. In Caretaker there were no big business outlets, all mom-and-pop shops trying to make a living. It was better this way, keeping it all in the family. Family was important. Too bad her kin were so distant, her father away from home for long periods either working or drinking heavily at the local pubs. Close enough to alcoholic, his paychecks dwindled before the bills could be paid. Like many along the coastline he worked for a seafood delivery warehouse. Fresh catch, fresh on the table, in most cases.

Having exhausted the few shops along the strip mall circuit and coming up with no results she was losing hope. Her low self-esteem questioned why she was even thinking she could be what the Man in Black wanted. She had no idea what a relationship was outside of what she experienced at home, or in talking with her friends Veronica Redmane and her boyfriend Will Gullavant aka Gull as in seagull. They were inseparable and living together off the Rez here in Caretaker. Veronica studying theater wanted to be on Broadway, likely a pipe dream. Will a tradesman working only on commission with his father to build docks and decks for homes, other minor structural commitments if asked. A simple trade he learned from his grandfather, now retired.

Walking aimlessly wearing her waitress uniform, not wishing to go all the way home to change when she felt compelled to do her best in seeking the sundress the Man in Black requested her wear upon meeting tomorrow evening at sunset. Failure nipping at her heels she found herself sitting on a bench along the street. Seated there feeling sorry for herself she noted a very tiny fabric store called Willamina’s. “I could make a dress. I must!” Jumping to her feet Midnight walks the next block over until entering the storefront. A pinging bell alerted the owner who was in the back room, followed by a portly elder possibly Willamina herself stepping out to greet her.

“Help you, Miss?”

“I am looking for fabric to make a sundress. It must be ... sheer.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have anything that see through.” She pondered looking about at her walls of fabric bolts. Walking in a waddle due to arthritis Willamina examined her inventory. “No one has ever asked for such so I never order anything sheer.”

“It’s alright! Thank you.” Midnight was ready to call it a day. Turning to leave Willamina sensed the girl’s emotions.

“Wait! I have an idea, but it is a long shot.” Palm in the air she stepped into her back room and took a while in returning. Midnight hearing Willamina cursing and the sound of metal falling concerned her.

“Are you alright?”

“Rod fell down.” Willamina called out just as she carried a curtain rod out with a sheer white set of curtains with embroidered white flowers sewn in. “Best I can offer Dear. They might need washed. Is this enough material for you?”

“I ... believe so. Are you certain you want to give up your curtains?”

“You look sad ... so let’s brighten up your day. Yes ... you can have the curtains free of charge.”

“No! I will buy them.” Something for free just did not feel right. All things come with a cost.

“Go across the street and buy me a milkshake, the curtains are yours.” Willamina smiled pointing at an ice cream shop, “Buy yourself one too.”

“Alright! What flavor?”

“Whatever you’re having. I like surprises.”

“Be right back.” Midnight shyly grinned.

“Whip crème and a cherry on top.” Willamina added as Midnight opened the door. Nodding Midnight left, crossing the street and entering the shop. Partial to vanilla she ordered two shakes, both with whip crème and a cherry. Paying quickly, she hurried back to Willamina’s and shared the wealth. “Mmmm! Delicious! I’ve found that ice cream helps me when I’m troubled. Breakup?” She grew nosey.

“Breakup? No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“But you want one.” Willamina winked sipping through her straw.

“I ... don’t know what I want.”

“You do. It just takes time to learn what comes natural.”

“There is ... someone.”

“See? The dress is for him, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Making a nightie?” The pudgy woman winked.

“A sundress.”

“Same thing. Can you sew?”

“I can. My mother taught me. I might need thread too.” Having been pointed out.

“Now that will cost you.”

“I do have money.” Midnight giggles softly almost embarrassed by her own laugh.

“Your money is no good here Sweetie Pie. One of those big pretzels with that gooey cheese sauce.” Another point to the shop across the street next to the ice cream parlor led Midnight to consider what this woman was trying to do. It had to be more than cheering her up.

“Okay!” Shying away Midnight went to order a pretzel. One did sound yummy. She bought two just like she had the same flavored shakes. Returning with their pretzels and a tub of cheese she passed Willamina hers.

“What have you learned?” She winked.

“That my feet hurt.”

“You just need someone to sweep you off of them. See this salty pretzel?”

“Yes.”

“How it curves around and connects, almost in the shape of a heart? Like two arms holding one another. See it?”

Studying it Midnight sees beyond Willamina’s interpretation. The heart part looked like a butt. The limbs tangling in the center of the pretzel a triangle shape, like inner thighs. She wanted to giggle but resisted. It also reminded her of Veronica when she pulled her legs behind her head and appeared as if a turtle stuck on its back. Veronica was always very limber. “Yes! I see it.”

“My point is ... the heart will always find its way home. Just follow the path.”

“Cheese?” Midnight needed to change the subject.

“Yesss!” They dined in giggling. With a hesitant hug to a woman, she barely knew Midnight Amador walked out with folded curtains and spools of thread, a needle packet just to let Willamina feel she made her point. Willamina was a very wise woman.

“Can I speak with Matilda Cooper?”

Nick Sanchez lay sprawled out on a deck chair facing the Atlantic wearing black shorts, going shirtless to capture the rays. A man on the other end turned the phone over to a woman’s voice.

“This is Tilly Cooper.”

“Afternoon Mrs. Cooper. My name’s Nick Sanchez, your number was forwarded to me by a woman at the diner Coastal Waiter’s. Midnight was her name.”

“My niece. How may I be of help Mister Sanchez?”

“Home search. I’m looking to relocate down here.”

“I see. From where may I ask?”

“Everywhere. Mostly New York, born and raised, but I’ve moved around quite a bit. I’m ready to settle down though. Camping out at a buddies beach house until I find what I’m searching for.”

“I nice place to call home?”

“Something like that. Among other things.”

“I see. Our workday is almost over. Might we meet tomorrow?”

“Coastal Waiter’s? Say 10:00?”

“Perfect! I’ll put together some home profiles and we can go over them together.”

“Sounds good Matilda.”

“Please call me Tilly.”

“Done! See you in the morning. I’ll be in a white 4Runner.”

“I’ll find you. Thank you again.” Tilly hangs up, Nick lowering his cell and pondering what kind of homes he would find down here off the beaten shoreline. Watching gulls fly by diving into the waves for fish he found himself mesmerized and lost in thought. When deciding to come down here to South Carolina at the encouragement of his military buddy Marcus Jericho he found the sunshine and surf irresistible. The people in the area seemed respectful and welcoming overall. Some less cordial like the fishermen earlier at the diner but in a sense, they worked to Nick’s advantage in seeing what their waitress Midnight Amador was like. If she had put up resistance, then he would have overlooked her entirely. A man of careful scrutiny Nick Sanchez found something in the girl that went beyond a stunning shape and beautiful eyes. Her shy poise, her inability to react with fear, her curiosity as to what men find in her. Even with her self-esteem low she seemed almost confident but in a hidden conflict between two forces. He could work with that.

With the warm breeze cascading his flesh Nick’s thoughts leaned toward arousal. Tempted to strip off and go for a swim he stood up and dropped his trunks, a shockingly large penis toppled out with a rising arch, the crown massive and dominant on its scepter. Kicking the trunks aside he stretched, popping his back while deciding if a swim was in the cards. With bait dangling like his it might catch a big fish he thought laughing to himself. Lingering there stroking his cock and enjoying the freedom he found unexpected intruders on his section of beach. Being a private beach house, he was in the right to call the cops but refrained seeing it to be what appeared to be a very affectionate couple. No threat he concluded he just stood his ground and continued pumping his fist.

With only sixty yards between he and the couple he realized they were no older than Midnight. The girl a stunning brunette much the same size and build as Midnight herself, same long hair, obviously Native American as well. The boy with hippy blond hair and a decent muscle tone but pale, sunburns noticeable but uncaring. The clingy nature of the couple made Nick grumble. “Fuck love. Take it!”