I went into the kitchen to see if the dishes were included in the “furnishings” for the apartment or if I needed to pick up some paper plates. To my surprise, the cabinets were full of dishes. Not only were there dishes, pots and pans, and silverware to use, someone had even supplied salt and pepper shakers that were full! I looked in the refrigerator to see if I needed to clean it before going to the grocery store and found it fully stocked. This was really strange. How did the old lady get the groceries here so fast? And why? The cabinets and freezer were also full as well. I needed to know why the old lady did this. Did I need to pay her for the groceries?
I went down the stairs, leaving my apartment door open. The old woman had failed to give me the door key. I set a chair in front of the door so it wouldn’t close and lock me out. I wouldn’t want a ghost keeping me out…hahaha!
I knocked on the old woman’s door. I realized at that moment, I hadn’t even gotten her name. I guess I had been so excited about the apartment I just didn’t think of it. She seemed to take forever to get to the door. I was about to leave and come back later, afraid she may be napping, when the door opened a few inches.
“Yes”
“Hello again, ma’am. I realized I had forgotten a few things and was wondering if you had a minute.”
“No, ma’am, I’m still very happy with the apartment. I just wondered if you could give me the key to the door. I also wanted to know how much I need to give you for the groceries. I didn’t expect that you’d stock the kitchen for me, but I do appreciate it!”
“I have that key somewhere in here, come in and close the door behind you please. Mind you don’t slam it, they don’t like it when you slam the doors.”
She shuffled into her living room in her pink fuzzy slippers and dressing gown. I guess I disturbed her afternoon nap. I felt like a cad.
“Ma’am, if I disturbed you I can come back later. It’s not really that important right now. I don’t need to go anywhere until tomorrow, when I start looking for a job.”
“Honey, my name isn’t ma’am, it’s Mrs. Kathleen Maddox. I don’t think I got your name either, dear.”
“I’m Jessica, but my friends call me Jesse.”
“Well Jesse, I hope we can become dear friends. Let me look for that key. I know it’s around here somewhere.”
She opened the drawers of her desk, taking out the contents and searching for the door key. She pulled out old post cards, legal documents, old utility bills, and books. I was shocked to see she had some of the same books I enjoyed reading. I was a fan of true crime novels and she put a copy of “Helter Skelter” on her desk, the book about the Manson family murders.
“Mrs. Maddox, it’s fine really. I can get the key another time. How much do I owe you for the groceries?”
She reached out and laid her hand on my shoulder. I could feel her bony fingers pressing against my shoulder blade as she said, “Think of it as a housewarming gift. I think you and I will get along splendidly and I hope we can become the best of friends, honey.”
“Mrs. Maddox, really I couldn’t do that, please let me pay you for the food. I wouldn’t feel right accepting it after you have been so generous with the apartment.”
“ Honey, just think of it as payment in advance for helping an old woman with some simple chores. I may have things I need help with from time to time and it would be nice to know a sweet girl like you would be able and willing to lend a hand. Nothing to hard mind you, maybe putting salt on the steps in the winter, and helping me water the flowers on the stoop, and maybe a few other things here and there. Of course if you’re too busy to help, I understand.”
“Mrs. Maddox I’d be glad to help and I’m grateful for everything, you have been so kind already. Is there anything you need right now?”
“Well if you wouldn’t mind, I could use some help putting those things back in my desk.”
“I wouldn’t mind at all. Is there any specific way that it goes in the desk?”
“However you get it in there, is fine.”
I walked to the desk and started carefully placing things in the drawers. When I reached for a stack of old letters, I accidentally dropped her book on the floor. I reached down to pick the book up and the dust jacket fell off. I picked it up and started to put it back on the book when I noticed something shocking, the book was autographed. Not by the author, mind you, but by the subject. Charles Manson had signed this book. The inscription read:
“To my best girl All my love,
Charlie Manson”
I was shocked! She must have found this book in a yard sale or something. Or was she really one of the original Manson family? I had a feeling she was crazy, all the talk of ghosts had told me that. But could she really be one of the women that lived in that family and helped commit so many atrocious murders?
I didn’t want to outright ask her. If she was one of the Manson followers, she may be trying to forget it all and get on with her life. I would just wait and when the time was right, get her talking about her past or something. Eventually, I’d find out the truth, but for now I’d just assume that the old woman had found the book somewhere. I carefully placed the book in the desk and closed the drawer.
“All set Mrs. Maddox. Is there anything else?”
“Jesse, honey, why don’t you come down for dinner tonight? I haven’t had company to dinner in a long time and it would be nice for an old lady to have someone to break bread with. Maybe after dinner we could play some cards if you wouldn’t mind. I know I’m not your usual company but I’m old and lonely. My family is all gone and I would like to get to know the young lady living in my house.”
“I would be delighted Mrs. Maddox. What time would you like me here? I wouldn’t mind coming early and helping you fix dinner. I don’t know too many card games but if you are willing to teach me, I’m willing to learn. I don’t have any family that I’m close to either so maybe we can be surrogate family for each other.”
“I’ll have dinner on the table at seven. You can come early if you like and set the table, but I do my own cooking.”
“I’ll be down about six thirty to help. I think I’ll go upstairs and take a nice hot bath and rest for a while. I’ve been up an awfully long time and my trip wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. I’ll see you at six thirty.”
“Good bye dear, I’ll see you then”
I went upstairs to take a bath and lie down.