Page 62 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

Instead, I saw someone looking for answers she couldn’t find. She seemed to wonder who disliked her enough to send a message without saying anything at all.

Simone called her name from across the yard.

"Camille! The landscaper's on his way."

She looked over her shoulder.

"I'll be right there."

Before walking away, she looked at me one last time.

"If you remember hearing anything."

"I'll let you know."

She nodded slowly.

"I appreciate that."

I watched her return to the group. The women gathered around her, offering comfort. No one noticed how often Camille looked toward the street or my house.

I put my hands in my pockets and walked home quietly. Even though fear lingered, life went on as usual.

I went to the living room window. Across the street, Camille stood in the middle of her yard. The landscaper had arrived, the deputy was leaving, and the other women gently picked up what was left of the flowers.

But Camille wasn’t watching them. She kept glancing over her shoulder, then at the street, then back at the empty flowerbeds, as if expecting whoever did this to return.

I stood there a moment longer before slowly closing the curtains. Fear has a way of taking root. Once it does, it spreads by itself.

Chapter Eight

Maci

The photograph was still in my pocket, exactly where I left it. I hadn’t looked at it again. It’s not that I didn’t want to, but I just wasn’t ready. Some memories need to be faced slowly. Others can pull you under before you even notice.

I kept myself busy wiping the kitchen counters, even though they were already clean. Every now and then, I looked over at Camille’s house. Everything looked normal. Fresh mulch covered the flowerbeds. New hydrangeas stood under the front windows. Bright yellow flowers lined the walkway.

If you hadn’t seen the mess yesterday, you’d never guess that every flower had been torn out just a day ago. Money can make ugly things disappear, at least on the surface. My phone buzzed and pulled me away from the window.

Camille

For a moment, I just stared at her name. Then I picked up.

"Hello?"

"Good morning."

Her voice sounded brighter than it did yesterday.

"Morning."

"I hope I'm not bothering you."

"Not at all."

"I've been thinking."

I smiled to myself. That might be risky.