Pizza Kills 6:
I woke up and the sun was shining outside my window. I saw my clothes were dry and went in and showered and then dressed. I made sure everything was there. I didn't think anyone would come in and steal but you never know. I went down to the lobby to turn in my key. She acted like she didn't want to take the key. I thought it was because of how I dressed…it wasn't. She made that clear.
"I don't want your kind in here," she said.
"What kind would that be?" I said keeping my temper in check.
"You…you Africans," she said as if tasting something rotten.
I didn't know what to say. In my life, as short as it may seem, this was my first face to face with outright hate. I'd had it hinted to but not outright said. On some level I respected her. She told me and in spite of it had given me a room. I smiled which shocked her.
"I can't pretend to understand you but I do. Everyone hates someone. Even I did. I hope like me…one day you'll grow up. If you don't…you might miss a good friend." I said and with a touch to the brim of my hat I left her there open mouthed.
I walked along the street as the children passed. I found out it was Monday. Guess they were all off to school. I was hungry in spite of my mouth filling fuzzy. As my teeth had been cleaned the day before it wasn't as bad as usual. I went inside a shop hoping I wouldn't get the same treatment. I didn't, the man was very warm and inviting.
I sat in a booth and looked at the menu. I was so hungry I could've eaten zucchini. Okay not really. I didn't know what to get. When the waitress came over I smiled at her and then hid behind the menu.
"Why don't you get the England special? It's for you Americans anyway." She said laughing good-naturedly.
"What's in it?" I asked peeking over the menu.
"It has bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast." She said. "Drinks are coffee or tea, milk, and orange juice."
I smiled, "Could I get an extra helping of mushrooms?" I asked.
"Sure," she said writing it down.
"I'd like…coffee." I said.
"Good choice," she said. "I'll be back soon."
I watched her walk away calling out my order. I checked again to make sure I had my money and things, I did. In spite of being a woman I took off my hat and set it on the seat next to me. I sighed and noticed I must be the only one who ate there. I was to hungry to think badly about what their food might taste like.
She soon came back with my meal. It smelled and looked great. I thanked her and tucked into my meal. I tried to eat slowly. I was on my second cup of coffee when I looked up. It was Charlie Bucket. I paid my bill and grabbing my hat thanked them. I ran to catch up to him.
"Charlie…Charlie Bucket?" I said after him.
He stopped and turned back, "Yes. Do I know you?" he looked at me puzzled.
"I'm…I'm Cheryl…my…friend is Candy." I said putting on my hat.
"Oh, we've been wondering where you were." He said. "My dad was hoping you'd still be around. I could take you back."
"No," I said. "You get to school."
"Okay, just go to the gate and buzz. I'll see you after school," he said and with a wave he was off to school.
I watched him go. I saw people watching me as I made my way to the factory. For some I was sure it was my color and for others my style of dress. Either way it was unnerving. I made it to the gate finally. I pressed the buzzer and waited.
"May I help you," said the deep voice.
"I'm Cheryl Calais," I said pressing the button. "Um…I think I'm expected?"
People stood by but not to close watching me. Some laughed. I heard someone say there was no way Wonka would let me in. I had this feeling of dread that he wouldn't. Sure I had money but what about Mr. Calais business. I heard a chipper voice that made me want to celebrate.
"Cheryl…is that you?" said Willy.
"Yes Mr. Wonka," I said smiling at his enthusiasm.
"We've been looking all over for you young lady. You get in here before Mrs. Bucket puts you over her knee." He said.
"Yes sir," I said laughing.
The gates opened and I stepped inside. I turned to watch them close and to look at the shocked faces. I tipped the brim of my hat to them leaving them to wonder who I was. I just wanted to get inside and see Candy. She was the only family I had left…in this place anyway.
The door was unlocked so I walked in. I looked around feeling better at not being alone. I took off my coat and looked down at myself. I should've bought clothes while I was out. I was like the mad hatter meats Marsha Brady. I made sure to take the things out of my pockets. I cursed myself for not having a purse to put them. Then I smiled. I took off my hat and put the checkbook that housed the credit cards and my money in it. I put the hat back on.
"I guess I'm not to dumb a bunny," I said to myself.
"Bunny's aren't dumb. If they were they'd stand there and get eaten." Said Willy coming up to me.
"Mr. Wonka…I…thank you." I said.
"Pish posh silly bunny. You won the contest and you're going to be my partner. You'll be in charge of the cakes, cookies, and bread division." He said.
"I…" I started.
"There will be plenty of time for business talk but later. Mrs. Bucket insisted I bring you to her the minute you were found." He looked around and then whispered. "She's scary when she gets mad." He looked me over. "You're African aren't you?"
"I…yes." I said thinking he would put me out.
He smiled, "I haven't seen one since my trip overseas. You're pretty."
I blushed although I'm sure he couldn't tell. "I'm African-American. OR black as we say in America."
"Oh, I want to be politically correct then," he said and looked me over. As he was taller that was a look down. He smiled. "I like your hat."
"Thank you," I said.
"I didn't know they came in blue," he said.
"I'm sure they do," I said.
We stood there stunned. We had just rhymed. We both laughed and then stopped. He took my coat and threw it to the floor. We walked over to the shrinking door and were soon in the chocolate room. I wondered if I would use his chocolate to make cakes. He suddenly turned to me.
"Your braces are gone." He gave a chuckle like it was news.
"Yeah, when I left I went to get them removed." I said waving the tooth bag at him suddenly feeling stupid for not remembering it earlier.
He took it and laughed.
"My dad took out your braces," he giggled.
How he managed to giggle and still look hot was beyond me. He was a tall glass of water. And he had big feet. Wow! I blinked getting my mind out of the gutter and pushing aside what I could do with some of his chocolate. He went up to the door and knocked.
"Come in," said Mrs. Bucket.
"Guess who I found," he said walking through the door.
"A brain?" said grandpa George.
"I said who not what Mr. Funny no pants." He said laughing.
She turned to see me, "Cheryl dear we were so worried about you."
"I'm fine. I got a room." I said not saying anything about the lady.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"Oh no, I had something earlier." I said.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked seeing the look I thought she missed.
"I…nothing," I said.
"Come now," she said. "Tell us."
"I…I was hoping to…get some new clothes." I said and then saw Willy's face. "I have my own money."
"We can go out if you'd like," said Mrs. Bucket.
"No way José," said Willy. "I can have the oompa loompas make you some things." He smiled.
"Well, there are certain things that a woman can't have made." I said.
He looked puzzled, "Like what?"
Screaming was soon heard coming from the house. Well he asked. Mrs. Bucket and I got a cab and went into London. We bought the essential female things. I got a few gadgets and such. I had the money but I was careful not to go to crazy. I got a laptop (blue) fully loaded, some games, Music, and movies. I bought an outfit and changed. I also got something I'd wanted…a sidekick II. The guy running the shop personalized it for me. It was now blue with a White C on it. I got a blackberry 7290 as well. It was blue and he personalized it to with the C.
When we got back Willy wouldn't look at me. He was…red in the face. I shrugged it off. He helped me with the bags. We took the glass elevator to my new room. There I found Candy who was adding the finishing touches. The room was all in blue, white, and black. The bed was huge. She took my things and set them up around the room. She made us sit by the fireplace while she and another few female oompa loompas worked. We had both removed our hats but Candy took mine and put away my money and things. Anything I needed now could be bought online.
I noticed Willy was looking anywhere but at me. I couldn't blame him. Not many men want to talk about feminine products. I was sure he was more than not willing to. Sure he had the Buckets but I'm sure she kept that to herself. There was a tea set in front of us and I assumed it was teatime. I poured us both a cup and topped mine off with sugar. He almost dropped his.
"I won't talk about that again," I said.
"Thank you," he said and laughed a little.
We sipped our tea and I noticed teacakes and sandwiches.
"Are we allowed to talk business now?" I asked.
"Sure," he said. "But…"
"Yes," I said.
"You're not going to walk around half naked like those African ladies are you?" he asked and laughed nervously.
"We wear clothes now so…no," I said.
"Goody, good, good," he said.
"Although on new years I can't make any promises," I said.
He choked on his tea and the oompa loompas laughed. It was funny. I stopped laughing and put down my cup eating a little sandwich. No wonder those ladies were always so grouchy, no real food.
"So…" I said.
He looked up, "As I said you will be in charge of my cakes, cookies, and breads department. I've set aside an office and working space for your…workers."
"Thank you," I said.
"You will be making them under the Wonka label as was arranged by your father," he said.
"When do I get to work?" I asked.
"Tomorrow of course silly bunny. I want to make sure you're quite rested. Wendell has filled in Candy and I'm sure tomorrow you'll get to work." He said.
We then sat in silence and then he stood suddenly causing me to do the same. I looked at him and he looked over my head.
"Well…abc seeing yah," he said and he walked out.
Candy and I both watched him go. We looked at each other and rolled our eyes. I spent the rest of the day setting up my computer while Candy did my hair. She's quite good with the weave. She picked out a short blue skirt with a black wide belt, a black long sleeve silky shirt, and black Mary Janes. They made me taller and I liked the strap on them. I felt like a big girl with boobs. My hair was a chestnut blonde. More reddish and it was shiny. I felt like Farrah Fawcett. I even did my Charlie's angels pose. Then there was a knock. It was Willy.
"Come in," I said as Candy winked at me.
He took one step in and looked at me and smiled.
"You look groovy," he said.
"Thanks," I said.
"Your hair is new," he said.
"Yeah," I said.
Candy got annoyed with us and she ushered us out. We took the glass elevator and were soon at the Bucket home. I knocked and he stood trying not to look down my blouse. I felt like Pamela Anderson but mine grew with me. Yay puberty. I caught him looking and he coughed. We went inside and he took of his hat and put his cane to the side.
"Good evening Buckets," said Willy.
"Evening," I said and nodded to them each.
"Hot damn," said grandpa George. "Who let the dogs out?"
"She does not look like a dog," said Mrs. Bucket.
"You apologize you old coot," said Willy with a serious look on his face. I could swear his violet eyes got darker.
Charlie laughed and every one looked at him.
"He means her…boobies," he said blushing.
I buttoned another button and we all sat down to eat. We ate in silence. It was a great meal and I said so. There was talk only when dessert was served. It was a nice chocolate marble cheesecake. It was one the oompa loompa made that worked for Mr. Calais. I waved off the coffee but had milk, as did Charlie and Willy.
"You look nice tonight," said Charlie.
"Thank you," I said.
"So, how do you like your room?" asked Mrs. Bucket.
"I love it," I said. "Being here is…amazing."
"Yes you are," said Willy. He then blinked and looked scared. "Uh…yeah."
"What a wimp," said grandpa George.
"I think it's cute," said grandma Josephine.
"It's nice to get another adult in here," said Mr. Bucket.
Willy looked shocked.
"Not that you're not an adult too Willy," said Mr. Bucket.
"Who acts like he's five," said grandpa George.
"Be nice you old coot. Can't you see he's trying to impress the lady?" Said grandpa Joe.
"He's doing a suck job then," said grandpa George.
Dessert was soon over and everyone shuffled off to bed after saying goodnight. Willy and I went into the glass elevator. Soon we were at my door saying goodnight. He kept looking around.
"Mr. Wonka?" I said.
"Call me Willy," he said laughing.
I sighed, "Whatever you're thinking isn't going to happen."
"Why?" he asked looking like a kicked puppy. "I've read books about it."
"You don't know me and I know you don't want to base anything on looks. Do you?" I asked.
"No," he said.
"We can be friends. Besides you might meet a tall blonde and fall in love." I said.
We laughed.
"Goodnight…Willy," I said.
"Goodnight…Cheryl," he said and walked into his room…across the hall.
I smiled and walked into my room. There was Candy…giving me the look.
"Don't go there," I said undressing.
"I didn't say anything," she said but not changing the look.
I was soon ready for bed. I pulled my eye mask on and thought about the past two days. I went from something to more than something. Here I was with Willy Wonka. It all seemed so…weird. I wondered if somewhere my real family sat waiting for me. I wished Candy a goodnight. I missed the look of concern on her face. The lights were off now except for the fires light. I sighed and pulled down my night mask. I sank under the black and blue sheets and hoped. Hoped that tomorrow all this wouldn't be a dream.
9