“I don’t think you’ve even told me your name. Who are you?”
She chewed her lip, avoiding eye contact.
“I’m…Theresa.”
I frowned.
“Just Theresa?”
Her gaze locked directly onto me.
“Yes. Just Theresa.”
It was odd, but I let it go as I had more pressing things on my mind.
“How did you know my mother was kind?”
Theresa let out a long sigh.
“It’s part of a very complicated story, and I’m not sure if I should be the one to tell it.”
I shrugged.
“I don’t really know anyone in town very well. It would help to have any more information about anything, really.”
An odd flash of some unidentifiable emotion suddenly passed over Theresa’s features, but she covered it up quickly. I regarded her curiously. It was the second time now that she’d quickly covered an involuntary facial expression. What secrets was she hiding?
“Tell you what, why don’t we meet up for lunch tomorrow? There’s a great diner in town called Deena’s. Will you meet me there at noon? We can talk more then.”
I shrugged, not really knowing what to think. Just minutes ago, I’d thought this woman was crazy and on drugs. But that sympathy in her eyes, putting aside her needs when she saw how upset I was at the mention of my mom…it had all brought my guard down a few notches. With a sigh, I shrugged.
“Sure.”
Theresa smiled, a real one this time, one that lit up her eyes and made them sparkle.
“You’ll like Deena’s. If you like fries, they make really good ones. Ooh, and good shakes, too.”
I nodded mutely, still not trusting myself to speak. It would be good to get to know Theresa better. She at least knew something about my family, and that was far better than nothing.
“Do you need me to close up the Apothecary?” she offered, gesturing to the hidden room.
“Yeah, thanks. I certainly don’t know how to do it. Do you want your chameleon stuff before I close it up?”
Her face brightened.
“If you really don’t mind. I’ll pay you extra for it, like I said.”
Theresa took a quick rummage around the shelves before she declared, “Aha!”
The bottle she pulled from the shelf was made of clear glass containing a powder made up of several different colors all mixed together. It was capped with a plain cork.
“You’re sure that’s it?”
“Yep. Is seventy fair?”
My eyes nearly popped from my head.
“Seventy dollars for that?”
She nodded.
“Looks like it was Celeste’s last bottle. I realize that you don’t know the worth of these ingredients, so I’m trying not to fleece you. I’d wager it’s around thirty-five dollars a bottle normally, so I’ll pay you twice what it’s worth.”
My estimation of Theresa rose a few notches. I really could use the money. Grandma had left me some in the will, but most of it would have to go into the running of the business or needed repairs on the house.
“Look, I’ll knock ten bucks off for helping me find this place and for opening it for me.”
She smiled. “Deal.”
Theresa gave me a wad of cash, consisting mostly of fives, counting it into my hand to make sure she got the right amount.
“Thanks,” I said, pocketing the bills. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
Theresa grabbed the wall and closed it like a normal door but reached into the empty spot to turn some invisible lock I couldn’t see.
“Remind me to show you how to do that at some point.”
“Um…sure.”
