Chapter 2: Unwelcomed
The autumn sky was bright and clear as Jackie walked out of the house with her purse to her forest green Nissan Altima. After getting into her vehicle, Jackie turned on the radio and started up the engine to head out to church.
Feeling the morning breeze whip through her tresses, Jackie smiled as she sang several songs on the radio.
She was looking forward to meeting up with Gwen for the yard sale. Jackie felt good knowing she would be able to spend some time with her best gal pal and do something good for the community at the same time. It was a much needed distraction from the train wreck of her love life.
Turning into the front of the church building, she continued to the back parking lot. There was a long line of vehicles parked across from the back of the church.
Blue canopy tarps were placed in front of the cars, trucks, and vans with tables. People were busy setting up their items to sell. Off to one of the sides of the building, there were even more canopies where larger items were being sold.
Jackie saw Gwen waving her hands, motioning her to park next to her. She turned around, backed her way into the parking space next to Gwen’s van, and stopped.
As Jackie stepped out of the car, Gwen smiled, saying, “Hey Jackie, how are ya’ doing this morning?”
“I’m good,” Jackie replied, straightening out her grey lounge pants. “How are you? I see I haven’t missed out on too much action. Any good stuff so far?”
“Yes, there are a few things that I’ve seen already that I’m pretty interested in,” Gwen replied. She handed her a cup of steaming hot coffee in a Styrofoam cup from inside her van’s cup holder. “I thought after your wild night with lover boy, you could use a cup of Joe,” she joked.
Jackie rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Yeah right,” she remarked in a sarcastic tone. Jackie took the cup and opened the lid, blowing onto the steaming hot beverage. “He was so memorable; I can barely remember why I sent him packing. Thanks for the coffee by the way. I appreciate it,” she said, thanking Gwen.
Taking a few sips, Jackie took the cup with her to the front of her car. Opening the driver side door, she placed the cup in a holder located in the middle console. Jackie left the door ajar, circling around back to the trunk where Gwen stood.
“So are you ready to do this?” Gwen asked.
“Sure am,” Jackie confirmed, as she proceeded to open up the trunk of her vehicle.
Gwen helped Jackie pull out several boxes, putting them on the ground. After emptying her vehicle, the two of them removed a few milk crates along with a couple of lawn chairs from the back of Gwen’s minivan. They placed those items next to Jackie’s boxes.
“I better find Pastor George and see if we can get some help setting up our booth,” Gwen said. “Want to come with me?”
“Nah,” Jackie responded. “I am going to work on my coffee.”
“Alright then,” Gwen stated. She began to walk off towards the church building, leaving Jackie alone with the boxes.
Jackie unfolded one of the chairs and went to retrieve her coffee and purse. It had cooled down just enough for Jackie to start drinking down bigger sips. Taking a few swallows, she relaxed as waited for her friend to return.
As she finished, she saw Gwen heading towards her with Pastor George. They were pushing a long cart with a couple of tables, a blue tarp, and poles along with a few other items.
Pastor George was a slender man with jovial kind brown eyes and whitish- silver colored hair. George had a firm, fatherly presence about him. It neither intrusive nor forceful; but it commanded respect.
When the two of them stopped in front of Jackie, she put her cup in its holder and greeted the pastor with a warm smile.
“Hello pastor,” Jackie said. “How are you doing this morning?”
“Oh, I am just fine. Thanks for asking,” George replied, adjusting his vintage eyeglasses. “How are you doing my dear?”
“I’m good pastor. I hope we raise lots of money today,” Jackie responded. “It looks like quite a turn out so far.”
“It sure does. I am hopeful this yard sale will be a success,” George concurred. “Just go ahead and set up the table with your items. I will have someone come over and setup the tarp. Just look for a young bald man wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. His name is Michael. He’s a nice fella’.”
“Alright thanks,” Gwen acknowledged, checking the zipper on her black fanny pack around her waist.
“No problem,” George replied. “I’ll see you girls around later.” He turned and began to walk away, leaving Gwen and Jackie to set up their booth.”
“I got all we need here,” Gwen stated. “I have the price tag stickers and some markers here in my pack.”
“Sounds good. Let’s get this thing set up,” Jackie replied, moving her lawn chair between their vehicles.
Gwen and Jackie proceeded to arrange their booths.
After setting up the tables, they pulled out and organized the boxed items, pricing each of the items. Once they were done, Jackie and Gwen took a moment to marvel at their work.
“I think we did well. What do you think?” Gwen inquired.
“I agree. I think it looks good.”
“When do you think that guy is going to come by?”
“Good question. I guess we’d better….” Jackie’s voice began to trail off. She saw a man fitting Michael’s description heading in their direction.
As he came closer, Jackie and Gwen could see the sweat that was starting to soak through his white t-shirt.
“Wow. I sure hope that’s Michael,” Gwen commented with a smile on her face.
“Oh my goodness,” Jackie observed, half disgusted. “I can’t believe the pastor even knows someone like that. He looks like a bouncer at a strip club or something. Just look at all of those horrible tattoos.”
Jackie’s face scrunched up as though she had eaten a lemon.
“Whoever he is, he’s got an awesome physique. I haven’t seen him around before. I wonder if he’s new in town.”
“Whatever I guess. I don’t know why we got stuck with him.”
“Oh be nice,” Gwen chided as Michael came closer. “It’s not like he’s going to steal your purse or something.”
Jackie shook her head “That’s not even funny,” she frowned.