Ophelia had texted Avery a couple days after Delphine’s death and dropped off some essential groceries at his house, but Avery wasn’t in a state to check in and chat. He was constantly surrounded by family at his home with cousins, aunts, uncles offering comfort. He had shut down Prytania Botanica for the week, even though Ophelia and his other employees offered to keep it open. Avery would have been unable to stay away.
Avery’s face lightened slightly when he saw the crowd moving to the music, celebrating Delphine’s life through music and dance. As the song shifted to a new one with a faster tempo— “As I Lay My Burden Down”—the mourners started bouncing and nodding, and Ophelia worked herself into the beat. She fellin line with a group of her neighbors as the other hundred mourners moved through the street, dancing. She scanned their faces—smiles, laughter, trembling mouths trying to hold it together. As they rounded the corner of the block, a pair of familiar brown eyes met hers.
Etienne. Ophelia’s eyes widened in shock. Etienne cracked a half smile in recognition and moved through the crowd to her.
“Hey, O!” he yelled over the horns. Etienne was dressed in dark gray slacks and a black polo that stretched around his chest and biceps. His normally tousled brown curls had been combed back into submission, and his beard was neatly groomed.
“I was wondering if I’d see you here,” Etienne said as he approached.
“Hi!” Ophelia said in a higher-than-normal pitch, and she cringed inside. Correcting her tone, she continued, “I didn’t realize you knew Delphine.” Ophelia and Etienne slowed to walk with one another as the second line progressed down the street.
“I don’t actually, but my grandfather was very close to her, which was news to me. When he found out from the news, he called and asked that I attend the funeral for him. He’s getting old. Lives outside of Lafayette.”
“No way. My grandmother knew her, too. Delphine was quite the woman.”
“How are you holding up?”
She sighed. “It’s been a weird week. I stayed at Jade and Luke’s for a couple of nights, which helped. But I’ve just been working a lot to take my mind off of it all.”
“Yeah, I get that. Well, I’ll let you rejoin your friends,” he said, nodding to her neighbors who were almost out of sight. “I’ll see ya later.”
Ophelia watched him walk away, feeling like a dismissed child.
CHAPTER SIX
The media frenzy around the serial killer seemed to die down quickly. With no new crimes committed and no new information about Delphine’s murder, reporters lost interest and moved to the next hot story, and Ophelia went back to her regular routine on Panola Street. She was still a bit nervous to sleep by herself at home, but with time and lack of information from the police or news, she had convinced herself she was safe.
It was an early Friday morning in August, and her sunrise jog was lengthier than usual as the heat and humidity slowed her stride. She strategically sought shade throughout her jog, crossing the street toward a stretch of trees and back to the other side, where buildings blocked the early sun. If anyone were watching, it would appear as if she were playing a weird game of zigzag.
Runs were always good for her. A way to clear her mind of all the noise and anxiety. She had a full Friday ahead of her—working till noon, then pivoting to Prytania Botanica to help Avery for a bit, then Jack was picking her up from her house around five to make a late drive to Mawmaw’s. Thankfully, her workday passed smoothly, and as she walked into the Prytania Botanica, the first thing she saw was Avery, her gentle giant,standing tall behind the counter. She hadn’t seen him since the funeral last weekend, and his spark was still absent. He was grieving, not to mention that he was probably nervous about a serial killer coming back to his home. But here he was, trying to resume his regular life. Her heart ached for him.
“Hey, love,” she said gently as she walked behind the counter to put away her purse. “I’ve missed you.” She leaned into his large frame for a friendly hug.
Avery sighed deeply. “Hey, girl. I’ve missed you, too.”
“Wanna take a break? I can take over while you get off your feet.”
“Nah. Staying busy is good for me. I’m actually going to kick Mister Spills-A-Lot out from the juice bar and take over so he can take a break.”
Ophelia chuckled, watching Avery’s latest hire place oranges on top of each other in a basket. Just as he had them all arranged, one would tumble down. “Lord, he’s green.”
“Don’t I know it,” said Avery, shaking his head.
Several hours and many love attraction candles sold later, Mrs. Beulah walked in the store, startling Ophelia.
Ophelia immediately noticed that Mrs. Beulah’s normal nosey and excitable disposition was gone, replaced with fidgety hands and shifty eyes. “Mrs. Beulah, hi!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, dear,” she said. “I need to speak to Avery right now.”
“Oh, okay, everything all right?”
“Yes, yes. Where’s Avery, dear?”
“He’s around. Let me grab him for you.” Ophelia went to find him, and Avery emerged moments later to a still-frazzled Mrs. Beulah. Avery took one look at Mrs. Beulah, and it was like he knew what she wanted to discuss. He quickly ushered her into his office and closed the door. Ophelia was left behind the counter, utterly befuddled.
She knew it was none of her business, but her gut told her they were discussing the murder, and she was desperate for information on it to restore her sense of safety and sanity. Thirtyminutes or so passed before the two emerged, and Mrs. Beulah cordially left without an explanation or talking Ophelia’s ear off. Once Avery and Ophelia were alone, Ophelia’s curiosity got the best of her.
“Sooooo…” she drawled out. “What was that about with Mrs. Beulah?”
