Have We Met Before?

Malia to a peak at the woman in the corner as she stocked a book on the shelf in front of her. The woman approached her and said, “Hi. Excuse me. Do you work here?”

“Yes ma’am, I do. How can I help you?”

“I’ve just been sitting over there devouring this book.”

“I saw you. You’re a quick reader. That’s a skill.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve been reading like that since childhood.”

“My father loved reading. You remind me of him.”

“No way. Mine loved to read as well. He got me into the classics. But, I came over to ask if you’d happen to have the next book in the series?”

“We don’t have it just yet but if you’d give us just three days, I could order it for you.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll probably be back in here tomorrow anyway.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Probably shouldn’t be telling you this but I just got laid off and my husband just wants me to get some air, take a break, and just get out of the house every chance I get. I have so much time after dropping my kid off to school.” She moved a piece of hair out of Malia’s face and noticed a mark on her temple. “I don’t mean to be rude but, what happened there?”

“Oh, nothing,” Malia chuckled. “It’s just a birthmark.”

“It looks so cool. It’s almost shaped just like—”

“Africa.”

“Yeah … that’s what I was going to say.” The woman paused as she stared at Malia, her eyes darting from every corner of her face. “Do you enjoy reading? I’d assume anyone who works in a bookstore likes books herself.”

“I actually do. Thank you. I especially love reading to the kids. There’s a little girl who comes in here often. She’s the cutest little thing. I probably like her so much because she reminds me of when I would read to my little sister as a child. So vibrant that little one, and full of life. She’s a little ball of energy but the only way to settle her down is to whip out a book. And she’s so smart too.”

“Tell me about it. She sounds just like mine.” She leaned on the shelf beside her. “Sweetest little thing but she never sits down. I’ve got to bring her in here one day.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it … if she’s a book reader just as much as her mother.”

“Oh, she is. She’s always been at the top of her class. Not to brag but brilliance runs in my family.”

“I see.”

A young man came from behind Malia and pulled her away from the conversation. “Excuse me just a minute,” she said. She came back but she no longer had on her work apron.

“Is it about that time for you?”

“Yes, I’d say so.” Malia stuck out her hand, dark marks there as well. The woman shook her hand, slowly as she stared at Malia almost trying to read her poker face. “It was nice meeting you. Do you plan on coming back to see us?”

“I’m gonna try. I love it here and you guys are always so nice but, my hubby misses me at times.”

“I understand and it’s absolutely no problem.” Malia started to walk off but stopped shortly and turned back around. “Actually, do you think we could, uh …?”

“Of course.” She wrote her number down on a piece of paper and handed it to Malia.

“Thank you. I’ll give you a call and it was really nice meeting you.” Malia pulled her necklace from out of her shirt and the woman’s smile dropped into a frown. “Is everything okay?”

“Where did you get that necklace?”

“It belonged to my brother in law. I lost him to a fire and my niece as well.”

“There’s no way.” She pointed and said, “You stole that necklace.”

“No, I didn’t. Really, it’s mine.”

“No, it’s mine!” She plunged forward reaching for the necklace and Malia held her back.

“Stop, it’s not yours.”

“This woman stole from me! That’s my necklace. Your employee stole it!”

“Please, calm down.”

“Unhand me. Take it off right now.”

Malia unlatched the necklace and dropped it into the woman’s hand. She stormed out of the door and Malia was after her.

“Kali, wait.”

The woman stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. With tears in her eyes, she said, “What did you just call me?”

“Kali.”

“How do you know my name?”

“Kali,” Malia said. With tears in her own eyes now, she walked toward her and grabbed her hand. Malia opened the necklace in Kali’s hand and pointed to the other necklace hanging out of Kali’s pocket.

Her breathing heavy, Kali said, “What’s going on?”

“This is my necklace, Kali.”

“I don’t understand. I don’t like this. This is too weird and you’re too weird. Tell me what’s going on.”

Malia opened her car door and said, “Get in.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you. I have to go. My husband must be worried sick.” She looked down at her wrist as if she were wearing a watch. “And I have to pick up my daughter.”

“No, you don’t.”

“How are you going to tell me? You don’t know me.” Malia stared at Kali, emotionless and silent. “Do you?”

“Yes.”

“Have we met before?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’ll explain on the way home but I need you to get in the car, Kali.”

“But, my daughter.”

“Kali, baby sis … please listen to me. I don’t want to do this right now, not here.”

“I’ve gotta go.” She scrambled.

Malia yelled, “You have nowhere to go, Kali. Your house, your family.” Malia swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’m sorry, baby—”

“No.”

“I’m all you have left.”

“No.”

“I know you black some things out but, remember the fire?”

“Fire?” Kali turned back to her sister. “Did I k—?”

“No, no. Little Gracie just wanted to do something special for you before you got home. Dan was asleep. I tried to save her, I did.”

“No.”

“He tried to save her but the—”

“Stop! Stop.”

“I’m sorry, Kali. I always hate when I have to remind you.”

“Remind me?”

“Yes. You’ve been sitting with me at work everyday for four years since it happened. And you just forget sometimes … and it hurts but that’s okay. Because I’m willing to remind ten million times if I have to. So, could you please get in the car? I have to take you home now.”

Kali collapsed onto the hood of the car, her face fiery and wet as Malia rushed over and caught her in her arms.