Rainbow In The Dark

Read this one first then dive into mine: http://thinspiralnotebook.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/just-the-facts/

Vivian hummed a rock song while boxing up a scarf and blouse for a waiting customer. Pauley and Danela looked at her with incredulousness. She smirked and pointed to a green ribbon next to Danela’s right hand.

“What’s the matter with you two? We’re figuring this out. Sweet Danela, hand me that faixa and smile.”

She turned away like a pageant contestant, then announced.

“There’s two Sampas across the street. After I finish with Mrs. Correira, we’ll come up with a way to disguise Danela then hide her at my place. There’s some young mens attire on that rack next to refridgerator.”

Vivian sang “when I see lightning” as she walked back to her customer.

Pauley put away her phone and walked to the six-foot wire assembly and pulled off a pile of clothes and a baseball cap.

“Danela, is this what she’s like, normally, you know, when there’s no Sampas around and it’s just you two selling dresses?”

For the first time since Pauley had met her, Danela smiled. It was slight, almost impossible to catch. She pulled her dark hair from her smooth, tan face and answered.

“Si, it’s bizarre isn’t it? But I like her when she’s like this.”

Pauley shook her head and walked to the front of the shop while Danela changed. Vivian exchanged pleasantries with the sixty-year-old woman, Mrs. Correia, and said goodbye to her. She left through the front door, held open by a younger man. Tall, thin, brown-haired, about twenty-five-years-old; he approached the counter and fidgeted while answering Vivian’s portugese ”como pode eu ajudá-lo”.

“Ele é o meu aniversário de casamento e quero a mas minha esposa um equipamento bonito. Como aquele ela está durando.”

He pointed to Pauley. Vivian smiled.

“He said he likes your clothes, Paulette and wants to buy them off your rockin’ body.”

Pauley scowled at both of them and walked into the storeroom whil Vivian laughed and showed the man a mannequin near the front store window.

Danela had changed into the cargo pants, futbol jersey and cap. Pauley crossed her arms and shook her head in approval.

“Yeah, I don’t like Viv like this. It’s annoying. I called for a rental car. It should be here soon. We’ll smuggle you out the back alley.”

Two minutes later, Vivian appeared in the storeroom.

“He’s coming back tomorrow to pick up the whole ensemble. I have to hem two pieces. Thanks for the sale, Pauley. Apparently his wife looks a lot like you. You just made a couple very happy for their anniversary.”

Pauley and Danela moved closer to the back door.

“Where are you two headed, without me?”

Pauley could hear the automobile’s engine as she opened the door. They turned back to Vivian.

“The rental is here. I’m going to sneak Danela back to your place, talk with Lenore, and formulate more of a plan once Stan gets to the Sao Paulo airport in about six hours.”

Vivian’s demeanor changed from ebullient to sullen. She was fearful of the Sampas watching the store but presented herself as angry so Pauley wouldn’t know.

“The hell you are, Paulette! Danela’s my responsibility, and so is Lenore. I’ll drive you two so you can shoot anyone that tries to follow. I’ve done enough business over the last 4 hours to close for the day. I’ll lock up and get my bag.”

Pauley looked at Danela and shrugged her shoulders. The alley was clear and she could see the front of the four-door sedan she ordered, waiting for them.

Vivian joined them and they met the driver, tipped him, and had Danela duck down in the floorboard of the back seat while they Vivian and Pauley sat in the front. Vivian shouted.

“Yes! It has a radio. This day just got a lot better.”

Pauley ignored her and scouted the streets as they pulled away.

“Stay down, Danela. I don’t see anyone but you never know if these other store owners are lookouts for the Sampas. Drive the regular speed, Viv. The last thing we need is a bought local cop screwing this whole thing up.”

Vivian touched the radio buttons until she found a classic rock station. She started singing, again.

“You’re a rainbow in the dark, just a rainbow in the dark”.

Pauley patted the gun on her hip and mumbled under her breath.

“I swear to God, I’ll shoot myself and her before this is all over.”

****blogger’s note****

These are two new chapters of the sequel to Dead Money, the sumemr blog series hit from Tara aka @Tara_R and I. Please visit her and get caught up on the story. This is some of the most fun I’ve had writing. http://thinspiralnotebook.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/just-the-facts/

Today’s song is something I heard yesterday at the gym while getting inspired to write this. It fits the story and adds some levity to story about drugs and murder. Here’s the late great Ronnie James Dio, RIP sir, with Rainbow in the Dark.