The Mystery of Maple Creek

Chapter 3. The Opening Day

Chapter 3

The Opening Day

(Perspective: Hellen Mayweather)

The third day I stayed in Maple Creek—it was just fine. I didn’t hate this place nor I enjoyed it much. I still had not felt familiar with the environment.

This small town felt more like the countryside. There was also a maple farm near the cemetery. I had not traveled around, besides I only followed wherever my dad went.

Today my dad came back to his fish market. I helped him move in some iceboxes of fish from the garage.

Larry, our next-door merchant also came to help on our first day opening a*****e. He promoted our fish market to the people around us.

Then I came up with the idea. I told my dad to discount some products to attract more buyers. And he agreed. The last thing I had to do was displaying a banner in the shop window.

Afterward, my dad thought, I should actively persuade people who walked in front of our shop as well. He wanted me to organize a display table for outdoor.

While I was preparing to display the fish on the table, Noah greeted me and waved his hand. He was still wearing the same red hoodie as last night.

“Oh, hey, how are you this morning?” I greeted him back with a sweet smile.

“Good. I was just thinking about visiting your dad’s fish market,” he said, while his hands hiding inside of his pocket jeans.

I slightly observed his gawky attitude. He tried so hard to look confident in front of me. And thus, I chuckled, finding it funny somehow.

He rubbed his hair shyly and chuckled back. And he said, “I mean, I also want to see you this morning.”

“Oh, you do?” I asked, reluctantly at first. And then I added, “I’m glad that we have this encounter. Do you want to buy our fish product?”

“Yeah, sure. I’d love the big one, please,” he said, walking closer to see the fish on the table.

“Coming right up, Sir,” I said, happily.

As I was just wrapping his order into a box, a girl came with a wondering look.

“I thought this fish store wouldn’t open no more,” she said, sounded a little bit cynical. “But look at this now. My grandma probably will like it when I buy fish for her, right, Noah?”

I smiled widely. I should be good toward a new customer, even I felt annoyed. Meanwhile, Noah slightly glanced annoyed at her. It was like he didn’t want her presence here.

“Want me to wrap one for you?” I asked while looking at her girly fashion. She dressed up like a runway model. That hot red mini dress probably could cost some dollars.

It wasn’t only her extravagant dress, but her makeup looked a bit unnatural. She had red lips and pinkly blush on her pretty face. She looked almost like a live-action doll. Her shoulder-length curly blonde hair was half pinned up.

“Sure! Please, pick only the best for me,” she said, conceitedly. “I don’t want to get sick from eating bad fish, and neither my grandma. Sorry, but I have high maintenance to keep up—”

And when Noah stared back in disbelief at her, she finally paused from talking much.

“What? It’s true!” she snapped agitatedly. Noah didn’t even say a word to her.

“Whatever, Melissa. Do what you want,” Noah murmured lowly. “It’s not my business.”

She rolled her eyes peevishly. And she stared again at me, still looking annoyed.

“If you know Noah, he may seem cold, but he really does care about everything,” she told me.

I chuckled and said, “Oh, I see. I think Noah is a nice boy.”

Melissa immediately burst to laugh. I didn’t know what funny at first, until she told me, “Absolutely, you’ve got the wrong idea. He is a 28-year-old lonely man, FYI.”

I gawked. I was surprised again. I didn’t think Noah would be that old. He was even one year older than me.

“No way—” I shouted and glanced at him. “I thought I was older than you. I’m 27.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Noah said, rubbing his hair gawkily again. “I’m just that old.”

“Great! I am the youngest here. I’m 26, by the way. My name’s Melissa Wilder. Nice to meet you, newcomer,” she introduced herself.

As I welcomed her handshake, I asked wonderingly, “Are you related to Larry Wilder?”

“He is my uncle. The only countryman in our family. The others are all cold politicians,” Melissa explained.

“The mayor is Melissa’s dad. The Wilder is the most powerful ruler today,” Noah added. “Just like I told you before; you should come to the Dine Club more often to see the natives here.”

“So, what? How long have you been here anyway?” Melissa asked curiously. But I wasn’t comfortable with the way she stared cynically at me. As if she wanted to beat me in a beauty pageant.

“Well, it’s my third day. Still trying to get used to this place,” I said.

“I’m sure you will,” Noah said, giving me a handsome smile.

I suddenly felt an electric jolt hit all over my skin. I quickly put away a hair strand to the back of my ear. I didn’t know what kind of sensation was that, but surely it felt strange.

“Alright, so, I have to go to work. My parents are waiting in a maple farm,” said Noah in a hurry. I quickly gave him the fish box. And he paid me in cash.

After he went away, there was only Melissa stood right in front of me. Her hands crossed on her chest now.

“You haven’t told me your name,” she said.

“Oh, right—” I gawked a little. “I’m Hellen Mayweather.”

“Alright, Hellen, just let me tell you something about Noah,” her tone suddenly sounded so businesslike, making me more agitated at her attitude. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I’m just saying—”

“Pardon, but I don’t understand what you mean,” I said, as I stared back cluelessly at her.

“Keep your distance from him,” she warned, with such a sinister look now. “Just in case, since you’re new in town, I’m telling you—Noah doesn’t seem like what he seems to be. You may want to thank me later.”

I chuckled in disbelief at her warning. It sounded more cliché in my ear. If this was about a girl competition, then I should bail.

“I don’t understand what your problem is, but we both are mature enough to choose who we want to befriend. I don’t think you should tell me that, Miss Wilder,” I admonished her. “And I think, Noah is a good person.”

Melissa instantly raised her eyebrows altogether. She looked annoyed.

“If there was anything happened between you and Noah in the past, it’s not my concern,” I told her again as I gave her the fish box. “And I don’t want to be your enemy.”

“Good that you’re aware. Noah was my ex. But we’re good friends now,” she informed me. “I’m just telling you, so you’re not next.”

The way she said the last word, kind of haunting me. Her tone sounded thrilling, as if her words meant more than she said. But I couldn’t figure it out.

But before I could ask her further, she was quickly paid me and left without saying anything.

***

After the lunch break, I came to the bridge. The place was connected to a small port, which located near the fish garage.

I usually took time to be alone, just to recharge my energy. I found this place rarely had a visitor. So, I took advantage of it. Besides I liked the river view, I could breathe the fresh air here.

Suddenly, I heard my dad calling out my name. He stood at the edge of the bridge.

“Hellen! It’s time to close our fish market!” My dad shouted at me.

I glanced at him and waved my hand. “Yeah, Dad. I’ll be there in a second!”

Once I walked toward him. My dad said again, “Larry and I will be coming to the Dine Club. Do you want to tag along?”

The image of Noah instantly hovered inside my head. I felt that same strange sensation jolted under my skin. Just hearing his name could ring an invisible bell for me. That was weird.

My dad waited patiently. It took me time to answer him.

“Are you tired, darling? Do you want me to escort you home now?” My dad asked concerningly for me.

But I immediately shook my head disagreed. “No, Dad. What about your shop? I haven’t cleaned the outdoor table.”

My dad kept staring with the same pity look at me. It was just annoying when he did that.

“Dad, please, I’m fine. I can walk. I’m not tired, I swear!” I shouted at his face. And right that second, he laughed.

“I like your good spirit. Let’s go—” He said excitedly. And we walked back to the old building.

While storing the fish back into the icebox, I haven’t made up my mind. I was thinking to get back home and had a good sleep.

But then I remembered, Noah said I should visit the restaurant more often. He probably meant to say that, so I could mingle with the locals. Maybe he thought I was too pathetic to be alone.

When I was about to move the table inside, I saw Melissa walking toward the shop. There were two other girls, which I haven’t met before.

“Here you go, girls!” Melissa shouted. Her curvy hand pointed out at me. “Let me introduce you to a newcomer to our homeland. Her name is Hellen Mayweather. Please, say hello to her.”

Those girls who shared similar dolly look, waving their hands at me and said, “Hello, Hellen!”

I paused for a moment to stare at them. After I rubbed my hands altogether to get the dirt off, I approached them carefully.

“Oh, hey, nice to meet you. I’m new in town,” I said, forcing myself to engage with them.

“This is Bree Shelby—” Melissa pointed out at the petite girl, and then to the taller girl, “and this is Bridgit Shelby. They are both siblings and also my best friends.”

The two sisters had similar long light-brown hair. Their fashion taste also looked like Melissa. It seemed the three of them may be the famous clique girls in town. It was like in a chick-lit movie.

“Hi, Bree and Bridgit,” I greeted them, with my teeth half grinned.

“Urgh! We’re so excited that Melissa told us about you,” Bree said.

Bridgit shouted as well, “Yeah, we’re going to have a welcome party!”

I quickly narrowed my eyebrows. I was confused.

“It’s just going to be like a little ritual in town,” Melissa explained as rolling her eyes superiorly. “We’d like to celebrate your arrival in Maple Creek.”

“Oh, really? Do you girls really have done this little celebration before?” I asked, doubting it. “I don’t think it’s necessary. You guys don’t have to do it for me.”

“Please, don’t be shy,” Melissa encouraged me. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s just between us. That’s why we call it the girls’ night out.”

I just didn’t like the sound of it at first. But when I thought about it, they could be the only girls in town that wanted to hang out with me. I had not seen many young people in this town, especially women.

“So, this party will be held at night?” I asked, reluctantly.

“Yeah, are you free tonight?” Melissa asked, impatiently.

“I hope you are!” Bridgit exclaimed so excitedly.

Bree also motivated me, “Come on, Hellen, it’s going to be a great night!”

I took a long breath before I could decide. And I finally nodded agree. “Okay—”

“Yes, awesome!” Melissa shouted out as her hand raised excitedly in the air. “Then, we will pick you up tonight. Where’s your address? Is it that old house by the riverside?”

I was a bit surprised that Melissa could guess it right. And soon, I said, “Yes, that one.”