Absolution (Mr. Black Series) by Penelope Marshall Read Free Book Online Page B

was surprised it didn’t fly away.
    “Anyways, if this dress don’t knock ’em dead, then these Christian Louboutins are gonna knock ’em into next Thursday! I’m here to tell ya.” she boasted, pursing her lips.
    She pulled a shoebox out from behind the counter. The box was dusty and smashed on all corners, looking like it had been to hell and back. Pulling the top off, she carefully shifted the white tissue paper that served as an extra measure of dust protection, revealing a sliver of red. I looked intently at Stella’s hands as she unwrapped the shoes from the paper. The sliver eventually turned into a pair of bright red stiletto pumps. Gently pulling each shoe from its resting place, she stood them up on the counter. My eyes shot wide open, and my jaw dropped as I gazed upon the most beautiful pair of Christian Louboutins I had ever seen in my life.
    Then again, I had never seen a pair of Louboutins in person, only in the magazines that were accidentally delivered to my mailbox from time to time. I felt a lump form in my throat as I eyeballed the shoes set before me on the counter. To me, wearing Louboutins was tantamount to finding a unicorn in one’s bedroom holding a winning lottery ticket in its mouth.
    Stella gently handed me the stilettos like she was passing on a sacred family heirloom, and I held out my hands to receive the magical bounty. One could almost see the aura surrounding the elusive shoes, and as I walked backwards, I tripped, but luckily fell right into an oversized velvet chair, almost dropping the shoes. Stella’s jaw dropped, but I caught them just in time. Slowly, I slipped them on like Cinderella trying on her glass slippers.
    I screeched in victory, “They fit! Hallelujah, they fit!”
    “Now, you know these are just a loan, boo. Don’t have me come up to yo’ job lookin’ for my shoes. I don’t wanna have to cut you! ’Cause you know, I’ll cut a bitch,” she said, winking at me.
    “Of course not, friend! I’ll return them as soon as midnight strikes and the car turns into a pumpkin,” I said jokingly.
    “Uh, that heifer lost her shoe…don’t be that heifer,” she replied, laughing as she punched a few buttons on her turn of the century antique cash register. “All right sister, it’s about to get real up in here.” She pressed the last button, totaling up the whole sale. “All in all, including your military discount, you owe me zero dollars even.”
    I smiled, grateful for her generosity. “Are you sure?”
    She tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Do unicorns like barbeque on a Sunday afternoon?”
    I raised my eyebrow and paused to ponder her question. “Yes?”
    “You’re damn right they do!” she said, chuckling to herself.
    I gathered up my bag and purse, and followed her outside, where she threw her arms around my neck. “Have fun…don’t mess up my Louboutins, and I’ll see you the day after to get the 411. Do me proud in those shoes.”
    I gave her an extra little squeeze and whispered, “Thanks, friend. Love you.”
    “Love you too, baby girl.”
    “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow, okay?” I said, pulling away from her to look into her eyes.
    “Yup, have fun for the both of us,” she said as she walked back into the store to lock up.
    I started down the street toward my car, and about a block down, I felt someone come up behind me and covered my eyes with their hands. An uncontrollable fear overwhelmed me, followed by a wave of heat that blanketed my entire body.
    I was startled. “Help! Help!” I screamed, fiercely clawing at the hands that bound my eyes shut.
    My assailant’s hands quickly withdrew from my eyes, and I heard a woman’s voice say, “Adeline, it’s me! It’s me, stop yelling!”
    I paused, wondering where I had heard that familiar voice before. I spun around and saw it was Catherine. An instant fear overwhelmed me.
    “Catherine, what are you doing here?” I asked, looking around to see if there was anyone I