Those Who Returned

Those Who Returned - Chapter One

Silvia Deveaux started the day bright and early, a stack of high-gloss printed flyers in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. She was determined to finish up the last few details on her planner for the gallery opening.

The fresh mountain air teased her senses, she could appreciate the mix of fruit and flowers wafting up and the down the main street in Truckee. Vendors lined the Avenue, it was early but the town seemed to already be in the midst of it’s morning hustle. This is what she loved and subsequently why she came back. She’d travelled the country but never found anywhere quite as homely and charming as Truckee.

She eyed the glass storefronts as she walked by, trying to figure out which ones would give her flyers the best visibility. The Art Gallery was supposed to open at the end of the week. Despite having put most of her money into advertising, she knew nothing would beat showing her face, introducing herself and the venue.

Russo’s. Large scrolling letters in a bold red, bordered with white. This one caught her attention immediately and she disappeared into the entrance. The smell of garlic and cheese tickled her nostrils, despite being a picky eater she found herself scanning over the prepared food case.

A burly man from behind the counter noticed her and approached. “What can I get for you Doll?” He pulled a pen from behind his ear and placed a green and white receipt book on the counter to take her order.

Silvia smiled and shook her head. “I’m not here to eat. I wanted to know if I could put a flyer in your front window. I’m opening the Art Gallery two blocks down and I wanna make sure everyone in town knows we’re there.”

Giuseppe shrugged. “Sure why not? We try to support local businesses. But I ask one thing in return.”

Ms. Deveaux knew there would be a catch so she slit her eyes when he mentioned a favor. “Depends on what it is.”

“Let us cater your event.” The man reached for a menu behind the counter and passed it to her.

Silvia nodded. “It’s the least I can do. I heard you have the best food in town.”

Giuseppe smirked and put the pen on the paper, he looked back at the woman. “What can I get for you?.”

“Are you the famous Russo?” She asked as she looked over the menu. Silvia didn’t know many people but Russo’s was one of those small town places everyone knew about.

He laughed, a deep, hearty rumble erupted from his gut, enough to make her smile. “No, I’m his younger brother Giuseppe. He’ll be back to work in a month or so. He’s uh… He’s on Vacation.”

Silvia nodded, not wanting to pry further, she could tell he wasn’t being completely truthful but it was none of her concern. She picked a few appetizers and finger foods she knew wouldn’t make a mess and also wouldn’t cost her her entire savings. The Gallery was already burning a deeper hole in her pocket than she anticipated.

Silvia walked out satisfied that they truly were a family owned company. Giuseppe had wound up discounting her large order so it was more than reasonable. She was feeling good about the opening.

Her attention journeyed up and down the street and she remembered she needed to buy the cake, she’d heard about a quaint little bakery just up a few blocks. These were obviously things she should’ve done in advanced but she had little notice of her move.

Silvia walked a few blocks, her eyes scanning the storefronts as she passed. She soon found what she was looking for, a small, rustic looking building. It was sided with beach wood faccure, gold scrolling letters adorned the sign. “Dough Nuts.” How original Silvia snickered, Maybe they’d let her put up a flyer too.

The sweet smell in the air hit her as soon as she stepped into the small shop, she could see racks behind the counter filled with assorted pastries. The cases were filled with items for any occasion though that wasn’t what pulled her closer. For some reason along the side wall were abstract photos on display.

A young man approached her, he had an apron on but he seemed too clean to be doing the baking.

He smiled and approached the counter. “How can I help you?”

Silvia gestured to the framed pictures situated on easels. “Who’s work is this?” She said turning to them her eyes dazzling at the detail the photographer took care in including when they highlighted certain colors in each piece.

The man smiled “My little Sister’s best friend. She’s talented isn’t she?”

Silvia reached into her purse and pulled out a business card with the gallery information. “Please have your sister’s friend call me, I’d love to feature her work.” She smiled.

He nodded as he stuffed the business card into the front pocket of his apron.

Her gaze journeyed around studying the cookies and pies but she didn’t see any cakes. Silvia squinted as she looked back at the young man. “I need a cake designed for the Art Gallery opening.” She hoped dearly they made special order cakes.

The man’s face was replaced with confusion and anxiety. “I’m sorry, I can’t help with the cake design. But I can take your information and pass it on to my sister Blanca, she does all that stuff. I just help if she has errands to run.” The man seemed relieved to get that out.

“Do you have examples of your cakes?”

The man turned his back and pulled a binder from the shelf behind him. He placed it in front of her.

“These are all the cakes my sister has baked and designed since she opened.”

Silvia opened the binder and began to flip through the laminated pages. “When would she be able to design the cake, can she have it ready by Friday?”

The man looked as if his eyes would bulge from his head. “My sister won’t be back til Wednesday, the design process usually takes 48 hours than 24 for baking.” He stood there looking into space as if pondering the other steps he’d been told it entailed.

Silvia settled on a page with a white cake with gold vining up four tiers, delicate little sugar flowers cascaded down the branches. She passed the binder across the table back to the man, she planted her pointer finger on it. “This is what I want. No need for design, I’ll pay for it now. I would like it by Friday.”

He looked down at the picture, examining it for a moment before writing down the info in the side margin. “I think we can make this happen.” He said as he continued to jot information from the book on the side of the order paper. “Name, Address, phone number?” He asked as he glanced up at her.

Ms. Deveaux taped the flyer to the front window of the bakery as she left, the man obliged the advertisement since she was ordering her event cake from them; it would only benefit them both.

Silvia had put the flyer up in six of the busiest shops in town, she finally felt confident she did everything she could to make this event a success. Her attention fell on “The Bean” The little coffee shop everyone in town went to. She squinted her eyes, Did she need a coffee so late in the day?

Before she could make a decision her feet were carrying her in the direction of the shop, she disappeared into the entrance. An espresso couldn’t hurt.

She walked back to her little yellow Miata, espresso in hand as she opened the driver’s side and stepped in. Silvia drove toward her studio. She felt lucky to find a building with an upstairs apartment, work and life all in one.

Silvia pulled in front of her building and pushed the break into park. She walked the five feet from the curb to the door and let herself in.

The afternoon sun was beginning to loom closer to the horizon and she knew it was time for her to retire for the day and do her planning from home. She walked into the studio and flipped the lights on. Silvia poured herself a glass of wine and began to walk through the pieces she’d showcase, all local artists. When she reached the last set up, Silvia stood there questioning if she should keep it in the show.

A crescent moon with four crystals dangling in the core stood on a brass stand, the orb in the middle lit up as she got close to it. She reached out, allowing her fingers to hover inches from the crystal, the light emblazoned as her fingertips got closer and her heart hammered in her chest. Silvia couldn’t look away as the crystal throbbed and soon lit up with her own heartbeats. The Rhythmic beat of the bass seemed to fill the room. Touch it.. Just touch it… She thought as she fought the urge to press her flesh against the cut stone.

Her breath caught in her throat as she backed away from it and dropped her digits back to her side. Silvia steadied her breathing and stood in front of the piece gaping, she couldn’t allow that to happen again.

Silvia took a step back and looked over the crescent moon and crystals, she bit down on her lip and finally grabbed the base of the stand and moved it toward the end of the show. She grabbed two stanchions and hooked the rope to each one, this would keep people a safe distance from the piece.

She stood there staring at the crystals that hung weightlessly in the void of the crescent. Silvia had had these prisms since she originally come to Truckee, they were gems that were priceless to her.

By moving the piece she had also made space to display the lovely pieces she’d found at the bakery. Silvia glanced at the clock feeling impatient, only five days left until she could share her little gallery with all of Truckee, she smiled at the thought.

She stood and made her way to the backroom toward the stairs, she climbed them two at a time, eager to get comfortable. She flicked on the lights to her tiny apartment, she walked over to the stove situated in the corner and turned on the burner; Tea is what she needed.

Silvia pulled her phone from her pocket and glanced down at the digital screen, no missed calls.

She pulled the business card for the bakery from her pocket and tapped her thumb against the screen as she maneuvered screens to make a call. A part of her was nervous she wouldn’t get the photos for the show so she needed to be on top of it.

The phone rang three times before someone answered.

“Hello?” A young, light hearted voice breathed into the receiver.

“Hello, this is Silvia Deveaux from the Art Gallery.” She replied.

“Oh! Silvia! Yes, my brother gave me your order, the cake will definitely be done for your grand opening.” The woman sounded like she was in high spirits and it made her smile.

“Great, but I am actually calling about those lovely photos you have on display in the bakery. I am opening the gallery this Friday and I would absolutely love to have them featured.” She softly chewed on the inside of her cheek as she waited for an answer.

“Yes, those are my friend Selene’s. She’d be happy to let you use them in your opening.” Silvia could hear another voice in the background and granted the quick answer she could only assume it was the photographer.

“Excellent! Can your friend come down to the gallery tomorrow to set up? I know it’s short notice but I am opening in a few days and I would like everything perfect before people arrive.” Silvia was a perfectionist.

There were some whispers in the background before Blanca spoke again.

“Sure that won’t be a problem. What time?” Blanca asked.

“Evening, around 6-7?” She asked.

More whispering.

“Would it be possible to meet after nine? Selene has work tomorrow.”

Silvia wasn’t bothered and it wasn’t as if she went to bed early.

“Nine sounds great I’ll be here waiting for her.”

“Awesome, she’ll be there. Anything else I can do for you Ms. Deveaux?” Blanca seemed to really care about her report with her customers.

“Nope I think that should do it, thank you so much for your time.” She smiled into the phone.

“Okay we’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“Thank you, you as well.” Silvia replied before clicking the red button to end the call.

Just as the phone call ended the tea pot began to whistle. Perfect timing she thought to herself as she grabbed a cup and a tea bag. She poured the water over the envelope of herbs, the scent of jasmin wafted around her.

Silvia walked the steaming cup into her bedroom where she placed the mug on her nightstand. She shrugged out of her clothes and pulled her pajamas over her head. She settled in her usual spot and pulled open the drawer to the table. She pulled out a small, velveteen jewelry cloth. Silvia smoothed the fabric out over her comforter, she stared down at the finger sized prism that laid upon it; Her breath catching in her throat as she watched it intently.

Silvia was careful not to allow the stone to make contact with her flesh, she yearned to reach out and grab it but she knew it was for the best. She sighed as she wrapped the stone back up and replaced it in the drawer, there would come a time where she would be reunited with her trinket.