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The strange contrasts of Ms. Dixon

by Kantuck Nadie Nata-akon

--

It was a nice fall day, kind of quiet when Mr. Hall, my employer, called me into his office.

The man was a tall older gentleman, his grayed hair combed to the side and causally dressed. Since it was such a quiet day, he was hard at work – on a particularly difficult crossword puzzle.

"Claire, what's a 15 letter German word for '"Twilight of the gods?" he asked as he looked up at me.

It took but 2.3 seconds for me to come up with the word, "Götterdämmerung" I replied, with a slight German accent.

He looked at me, his jaw dropping and bouncing off the desk. "How do you spell got dam...Damn, girl!"

"G o t t e r d a m m e r u n g" I spelled out rather proudly then looked down at the puzzle. "Ah the Times crosswords." I mentioned, "Not surprising there, Mr. Hall. They come up with some dozes."

He stared at me a bit longer, then wrote it into the boxes with a pencil. "Gosh darn, it fits and looks right." then checked it, in the back of the book. "I can't believe you knew that. How?"

I just laughed softly, "It's from Richard Wagner's opera, "deer ring dees ne ba lumb en" and I explained a little of the piece that he asked about. "It means the final deicide of the Teutonic gods of mythology."

He continued to stare at me for a moment more, "Oh that long haired stuff you like so well?"

I just smiled, "Yes sir. I just love to kill da wabbit, with my spear and magic helmet."

He just started laughing when he caught the joke, and I just grinned.

He shook his head, "Your a crazy woman, but glad your here." he laughed then stood. He then handed me a package, and his voice dropped an octave. "Can you drop this off to Blankenship Reality?" He was now serious "It has to be handed directly to Mrs. Blankenship cause it's a contract, and earnest money. So if she doesn't get it, your out $1,000."

"Oh dear, yes sir." I said in all seriousness. One thing about me, I didn't have $1,000 to reimburse to the company, or put it another way, I didn't want to reimburse the company $1,000.

***

Blankenship Realty was housed within an older building, dating back to the 1830s. A two story townhouse in a New Orleans style, with a black door recessed into a dark green porch. I was announced by a bell hanging above on a metal spring. The strong scent of cigarette smoke smacked me in the face and I nearly choked. A quick retreat to the right, into the reception room's fan cleared the air pollution. Being able to breath, I gave the room an appraising view. They had kept the ornate wall decorations, the floor looked original, with it's cherry wood not uniformly dark. Which suggested the trails of many, many feet. Four meters above held an ornate white sculptured ceiling, but an obviously cheap chandler hung from it. The various magazines was as old as a doctor's office, so I sat with my own Kindle from my hand-bag, hoping I didn't have to wait long.

A moment later, the flush of the toilet announced the return of the receptionist, or secretary. It was a challenge to keep a poker face as I looked at this young blond, with a bit too liberal makeup."Were'd they hire this harlequin?" I finally thought.

She was around 19 or so, with her blond hair puffed around her head like a cloud. Rouge, and lipstick glowing scarlet. A tight top, showing ample cleavage, and ended above her mid-rift. A mini-skirt so 'short' as to show off things she doesn't need to show, and her mouth constantly in motion chewing gum as well.

As I approached, I too got a look over, but only indifference was offered. "What can I do for ya, honey?" she asked with an indifferent snit in her voice.

"Would Mrs. Blakenship be in?" I asked, as I bought forth the envelope. "I have to deliver this to her personally."

There was a momentary pause, and I wasn't sure if she comprehend my request. But her long-drawn out sigh, said it was such an injustice to have to do something other than tapping on her smartphone. Finally she kvetched "Hang on, I'll check" in between chews of her gum.

I swear I thought "If she blows a bubble, I'll bring out my hat-pin" But then slowly she stood, and walked out the door.

She returned a moment later, "Yeah, momma's in. go though the hall, on the right." carried by the same whine I so loved to hear as she resumed her seat and went back working on her pacifier from AT&T and Apple.

"Well that explains her role in this harlequinade" and wondering "Great mystery, was I ever that low-bred?” I was partly asking myself, also directed to God since only he could know for sure. Here I was dressed professionally, University of Kentucky blue jacket, and conservative length skirt, and white top, with my long red hair tied into a loose ponytail hanging to my rump. "They get 'em young" I thought, "Probably still babysitting, with her boyfriend on a leash." then I chastised myself "Quiet Clarie, your sounding like Bears now” I quickly added a gentle request, "Please hold her in your arms, Great mystery” as I walked down the hall.

When I walked to the office, it too was much like the rest of the building. A slender brunette slightly older looking than I, with a warm smile and pleasant demure sat behind a beautiful cherry desk, with a little plaque that read "Jackie Blankenship" on it. I made a quick observation of her computer system. A low quality Dell system, but a couple of computer monitors on the right, a bulky printer on the far wall. A quick glance spotted Cat 5 cabling snaking from the rear, and diving into the floor. “That explains the slight hollow sound of the floor.” I remarked. “Probably a server in the basement. Wonder who takes care of their systems? Bubble-gum out there probably not, Mrs. Blakenship doesn't appear to be someone who can.” I put that away as I continued my quick look around. To front, and my right sat an amazonian build woman with blond hair, and just as conservatively looked me over then finally forced a smile.

"Mrs. Blankenship?"

"Yes?" she asked looking toward me.

"I'm Claire Dixon, from Action Realty. Did Mr. Hall, my employer, call you?"

"Yes he did, please come in dear."

My footfalls was muffled on the carpet, in contrast to the smack-clacks of the hall hardwood. I handed her the perilous package while I remarked. "A beautiful old office you have here."

"Thank you, Ms. Dixon, we like it too." she smiled proudly.

As we made small talk the other woman spoke up. "Are you the woman I've spoken to on the phone before, Ms. Dixon?"

I regarded her for a moment, my echoic memory fished out a name from my mind-pond, "Your Rebecca Craig, formerly of Craig Realty?" I asked a bit quickly, I was getting a bad whisper in the wind from her.

"That's right! It's been awhile, but I work with Jackie now"

"Maybe soon I'll be working more with you two then. I'm in the process of receiving both my sales person, and residential appraisal licenses, after my bachelor's degree.

"Well, good luck! I'm sure you'll get a lot from the gays now, now you all got some rights."

I honestly didn't know what to say, but I merely nodded, "Yes Ma'am." came my tart reply. That little snide remark confirmed the ill will I was feelings. I glanced toward Mrs. Blankenship, who was looking a bit uneasy at me, so it was time to leave. "Good day, Mrs. Blankenship, nice meeting you." then turning I walked out the door.

Be it that my hearing was far in advance of the older generation, the acoustic or what-not. I could hear that bubble-gum blowing harlequin's so called rap music. The deep base bouncing around the walls like golf balls, along with it, was the ping-pong balls of Craig's snotty voice.

"Know how she lives?" came the smart-ass reply "Rents apartments, never owned a home, never married. Just a lezzy hillbilly from Pikeville..." if she said anything else, I didn't hear it.

I stood in the hall for a moment, trying desperately to compose myself as a sympathetic deer doe, clad in white-fur debated calmly, with her snarling, black-as-coal wampus cat sister on the other shoulder

"Be at ease, Claire. " Teresa soothed, "She is an older person, and cannot help it. Remember your classes in communications, and the theological classes."

On her paws, came her sister of chaos, "Go right in there, and rip her a new one, girl! She doesn't deserve to be respected, you give too much of that anyway." Penance snarled. She was flexing her muscular legs and claws extending into my shoulder, as if she was ready to spring on Teresa.

Teresa countered, "Penance, you are far too angry, and vindictive." The doe's black eyes seemed to float from her warm, smiling face She did a little dance upon her four hooves. "Claire, remember your vow to never allow yourself to go down to the level of Mrs. Craig."

A loud, vicious shriek came from Penance as her mouth opened wide with her bright white teeth. "What'd it'd ever get ya, girl?" Referring to me. "Like you always thought, you've never felt like you've done much with yer life."

The cat did have a point there, I found. I've had to fight for everything, never advancing much. That's why I was on fire with that -- woman's -- remarks. I felt a soft furry head on my neck,

"Claire love, even if Mrs. Craig does have a point, you must remember that you are different than she, and of course far better."

Surprisingly Penance laughed, "Venison is right there. You're better 'a she."

Then a slow morose smiled crept up my face. I normally would put Penance back in her cell, but this time I needed her anger and fire for what I was to do next.

I smiled sweetly as I peeked into the office once again "Mrs. Blankenship, forgive me, but I forgot one little thing."

She smiled "Yes dear?"

I stepped in fully, and stood in front of Rebeca, took a breath, and locked eyes on her. "Mrs. Craig, one thing us hillbillies is taught from birth; never trust the rich, powerful, and to respect our elders. Since you believe me to be a hillbilly, then I'll explain it to you."

I have a well practiced ability to switch easily between 'business' speech, a very formal, very polite dialect for Covington, and back to the voice of my people. To be honest, I'm really bilingual, since I can read and write in Tsalagi; the language of my grandmother. But mountain talk was what I needed now, and I didn't hold back.

"I may be poor-hoggin, but I ain't kilfliggin. My kinfolk was 'ard working people, who turned the soil, and kilted the chickens. I spent my early days milkin' cows, and walkin' to school, to get schoolin' so I could be better than my pappy. " I lifted my nose in the air, giving a haughty look, as I said "Yeah, I may be poor-hoggin, but honey. I'm not cankered like you are, Ms. nose-in-the-air"

She looked at me ambivalently, not knowing what to say.

I heard something from Mrs. Thomas but I didn't really pick up on it, "I was the bottom of our peckin' order, and this here gal-person had ta fight and be learned to get to the top.'

"Clare, uh..." she started looking quickly at Jackie.

I kept on, "Craig, I don't go outside to make a branch, I use the commode, I don't go 'bout marrying close to home, and I certainly don't go 'bout marryin' my brothers. I'll marry up whos I want, so kill yer own snakes, and keep yer nose outta other folks business, cause it's none of yours. I keep close to the willows in business, and you should as well. Cause honey, I respect my elders, but only if they gain ma respect and you ain't gain' no respect cause another thing we hillbillies learn while we is crawlin' 'round on our mammy's floor is to keep yer kin close. Mibee ifin' you'd done the same you'd still be business, 'stead of visiting that lawyer man to protect you from bankruptcy."

I immediately switched back to my business dialect, and smiled "Good day again, Mrs. Blankenship" then again walked out of the hall. This time I didn't care what came from the office for I put the purring Penance back in her cell.

As I walked past the young girl, who's mouth was now hanging open, instead of chewing her cud, I just smiled to her "Good day, Honey."

***

A few days later, in the local Wal-mart, my partner and I was picking up a few things. I had switched to a more conservative set of shorts, and a t-shirt with a cartoon penguin which read # rm -rf / "Don't drink and root" She in turn was dressed in a leather jacket, with a white shirt, and jeans. Her short brunette hair loose upon her shoulders. She was looking over the clothing, when Jackie and her husband walked up to us, a bit of a sheepish look on her face.

I spotted her and smiled "Oh good day, Mrs. Blankenship!" I turned and open-handed an introduction, "Dani, This is Jackie Blankenship, from Blankenship Realty. Mrs. Blankenship, this is Dani, my partner."

Dani just smiled, shaking her hand. "I think we met once in the hospital a few months ago. Did you have a short stay in the hospital?" she asked being careful not to disclose anything past that.

"Yes! I had a hernia operation." she then looked at me.

"She is a registered nurse at Covington General.”I explained “But she doesn't share patient information with me, it's our house rule." I finished to put her at ease.

"Oh Ok. I see, well, thank you Dani"

Dani nodded, "Not suppose to anyway, but Claire insists" she then grinned at me.

"And you are?" I asked the stocky older man standing with Jackie.

"Oh this is my husband, Steven." she said a bit flatly.

I held out my hand, and smiled "A pleasure, sir. Your wife is competition, but I rather work with her than be a rival." Awkwardly, my hand wasn't filled with his as he kept his distance. "Yes well." I turned back to Jackie. "What can I do for you, Mrs. Blankenship?"

Jackie just asked, "Dani, can I talk to Claire privately?"

That surprised us both. Suddenly, I was mentally going though my self-defense checklist and actually felt a bit of a chill coming on. Looking quickly over at Steven, his sour expression didn't help me at all.

Dani took it better than I "Oh sure! I'm done anyway, meet me up front?"

"Fifteen minutes or the like?" I confirmed.

She nodded, "Cya! Nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs Blankenship." then strolled down one of the arteries of the store.

"Yes Mrs. Blankenship?"

Jackie was watching Dani walk away then she looked back at me. "Uh...I wanted to apologize for Becca's rudeness the other day."

I raised an eyebrow at Jackie's protracted look, but quickly smiled then waved my hand dismissively, "It's ok, I get a lot of that, being what I am.”

"Yes, well...uh, still. I wanted to apologize, she's older, and I think that's another reason why her business collapsed. She has a big mouth and doesn't know how to keep it closed." she mentioned with a look of sadness.

Steve must have swallowed his tongue judging by his cough. I kept my look neutral with him as I apologized. "I'm sorry too if I came on a bit sullen. At least I learned to use words, instead of my fists."

"Yes well, thank you for not punching her out." she laughed a bit nervously, "She - uh, started crying after you left."

Well that's something I didn't expect, and I regretted what I said then. "I" I sighed putting a hand to my face, "I'll should apologize to her tomorrow it seems."

Steven's expression was one of utter shock. I think he wasn't expecting that a bit, and I used it as a guide. "What time would she be in tomorrow?"

"Oh she comes in about 10 or so."

"Well I'll come in at 11:30. Would you like lunch? Or to go out?"

"uh..." she looked up at Steven, who shook his head quickly.

I gave him a slow stare, "What ever you think of me, Mr. Blankenship, judge me by my actions, not by whom I love." I would have ripped into him too as I did Craig, but it wasn't needed.

"Ha-rump" he then wandered off, much to my relief.

"It looks like I got to apologize for him now." she said a bit angry, then she painted on a weak smile "Yeah if you'd like I know of a nice little Italian place" she then confirmed, "Do you like Italian?"

I would have flooded the Wal-mart with my drool thinking of a big steaming bowl of lasagna, "If it has vegetarian dishes I would be delighted. Tell you what, it will be on me, so feel free to order anything."

She looked at me strangely, "Vegetarian?"

"I converted to vegetarianism before I came to Covington. But chances are they have salads, of course pasta, and bread. I won't go hungry."

"Your quite a unique woman, Claire. " she complimented in her growing ease. "You don't mind I call you Claire?"

"I would prefer it, over Ms. Dixon. It makes me sound like an old maid" I then giggled softly.

She laughed as well, "Please call me Jackie, especially since it looks like we're going to be working together soon. Listen I'm really sorry that it happened like that, your doing what you can to get along, and I'm glad to hear your going to school."

"Yes, I've had to fight, and work hard all my life. Seems that it's been a bit of me, and a bit of life keeping me back. But I am a fighter, Bears would have been proud of me."

"Bears?" she asked,

"My grandmother" I then backed up a bit, "My spiritual grandmother, not blood since she was a traditional Cherokee who's tribe name was "Fights with Bears" She taught me several things; education is important, writing and reading, and how to fight if necessary. "

"And here I thought it was your fiery red hair" she laughed.

I was infected with the laugh, "Well that's probably true. I've been temperamental all my life."

She laughed once again, "If you wasn't part of Action Realty, I'd hire you to be our receptionist and office worker."

"You mean letting that lovely, intelligent, and professional girl go?" I snorted and grinned, "That would be unheard of!"

She smirked at me, "Yeah, she."

I giggled "A pity. I hope I wasn't like her when I was her age."

She shook her head, "I seriously doubt that, Claire. But your also the computer expert at Action?"

I nodded, "My title is sysadmin or systems administrator, and I installed and built the systems myself, and trained everyone to use them."

She was surprised, "Are you allowed to work on others' systems?" she asked hopefully.

"Well, I do work on residential systems, family, friends and such. Do you need some help?"

She looked a bit relieved, "We do, our systems aren't working right and we need some help."

I gave her a business card, "Call me anytime after 5p and I'll check them out."

"Oh will you? Thank you. The last person charged us a fortune and didn't do a thing but clean out some stuff."

I growled softly, "Oh if I was there, I'd give him a talking too."

She laughed, "That I can believe! I got to get going, but thank you!"

I waved, "Nice meeting you" I quickly looked at my watch, "Yep, Dani's going to be waiting for me. Good day, Jackie!

"I'll see you tomorrow then" she smiled and went off to look for her husband.

Up front, I found Dani. She was standing in line. I walked up put my arm within hers and smiled "Looks like I have a date tomorrow."

She grinned at me, "Got a rival?" as she snuggled close.

"Naw, nothing could replace you, babe." then I laughed. "I do wish that you could get off tomorrow, I was told of a delightful Italian restaurant."

"Oh really?" she asked, surprised. "I'll talk to my boss, might be able to be with you then. After all I got to keep my girl from rivals."

I blushed, "Oh hush!" then we laughed as we moved up.

• Fin