Excerpt: The Center

Judy shrugged off the moment, brandished her keys like a prize. “Well? Are you ready to see your place now?”

Sara glanced at the keys, then at the expectant face above them.

“I guess so," she said hesitantly.

Judy snatched up her bag and got out of the car. Sara moved more slowly. She pulled open the latch and pushed open the car door. By the time Sara had placed both feet on the curb, Judy was already half way up the walk. Her heels clicked on the brick path like a chief’s knife on a chopping block. Sara nudged the door shut, stepped onto the curb and crossed a small patch of brown grass. Her gaze followed Judith as the woman climbed the concrete stairs and moved into the shadows under the porch.

“Now, the electricity has been turned on. And the phone line is already in. All you have to do is call and tell them your name, new address, and the phone company will issue you a number." Judith fumbled with the key, turning it one way, then the other. "Damn. Why hasn’t this lock been fixed? I hope this is the right key.”

Pausing at the bottom of the concrete steps, Sara listened as Judy struggled to fit the key into the lock. A movement nearby caught her eye, and as she turned to look, Sara found herself face to face with a large brute of a man who carried a wicked toothed tool in one hand and a burlap sack in the other. He was dressed in overalls and a t-shirt and wore a pair of workman's boots with thick tread that left an imprint on the ground. She could see the prints that led from where he stood, out of sight around the corner of the house.

Taking a step back, Sarah tried to say something. The man wasn't doing anything except stare. He had grass on the knees of his pants and sweat stains in the armpit s of his shirt.

The muscles of her throat worked convulsively but nothing came out. Sara placed a hand over her heart and breathed.

The man's features softened. He immediately lowered the rake and put out a hand as if to stop her from falling. The intense, suspicious look that had originally been on his face disappeared. A look of genuine concern touched his gray eyes.

“It’s okay, miss. I'm allowed to be here.” He spread his hands when she flinched and looked in the direction of the porch where Judith stood. “I heard all the commotion. Thought I’d take a look. Can’t be too careful now can we?”

The muscles in Sarah's throat loosened and she was able to draw a couple of deep breaths. “Oh, you took me by surprise.”

“I guess I did.” the man said. He balanced the rake in the crook of his elbow, clapped the dust from his hands, then offered his meaty paw. With some hesitation, Sara accepted the gesture. She slid her hand into his. To her astonishment, he dipped his head and deposited a kiss upon the knuckles of her hand. A reluctant smile curved her lips.

Smiling back, he cast a jauntly look over Sara’s head. “I told you I’d charm her out of her boots.” He said to Judith.

“You nearly scared her to death, sneaking up like that.” Judy admonished him but with a smile that revealed she was fond of his ways. “I expect you to remember yourself from now on.”

“Of course,” The man said. He released Sara’s hand and threw the woman on the porch a sharp salute. “You’re worse than my old chief and that ain’t saying a little, neither.”

Sara looked inquisitively at the man. He offered a clumsy bow. To Sara , he looked all the world like a big English bull dog. A smile stole across her mouth.

“So, You can smile. Good. Since Judy is being rude, I’ll introduce myself.” Drawing himself up to his full 6’5” height, the man took a solder like position holding his rake like a bayonet. “I’m Sarge Billard. My friends call me Swat.”

Sara wondered whether she was supposed to call him that. She offered him a tentative smile.

“I’m Sara Little. Are you my neighbor?”