Chapter26 Delores' "Suicide"

When Sheriff Faulkner enters the diner, Gus, the diner's owner, is making coffee behind the counter. The sheriff sits on the end swivel chair, while putting his Stetson on the counter. "Gus, is Delilah working this morning?" With his back to the sheriff, he sarcastically replies, "Delilah works on Thursdays; right….And today's Thursday." "So, I take it she's here?" "Yeah; she's here. But, I'll tell you who isn't here this morning…Rose." Gus turns on the coffeepots and goes over to the sheriff. "What's going on here, Lloyd?" "What do you mean, Gus?" Gus looks around; then, leans in closer to the sheriff. "That woman keeps coming here asking questions about that house. What gives, Lloyd?" "Hey, Gus; can I get a cup of coffee?" Gus laughs. "A cup of coffee? Sure, Lloyd; you can have a cup of coffee." Gus gives him a cup of coffee; and, the sheriff takes a sip and puts the cup back on the saucer. "Now, where were we…oh; right. I reckon by that woman, you mean Mrs. Lazinski?" "Yeah." "And, she's been coming in here asking questions; huh?" "She was here yesterday talking with Rose. Then, Rose runs out without saying a word; and, we haven't heard from her since?" Returning Gus's earlier sarcasm, the sheriff takes another sip of coffee and asks, "Who haven't you heard from since…Rose or Mrs. Lazinski?" Infuriated by the sheriff's seemingly nonchalant attitude, Gus raises his voice under his breath, "Rose; damn it! Look here, Sheriff; why's this Lazinski woman coming here asking my waitresses questions about that house? Why'd we even bother hiring you in the first place if you can't keep her from snooping around in the town's business?" "Well now, I thought I was hired to serve and protect?" "Don't get smart with me, Lloyd! Remember, I'm a member of the town council. We brought you up here; and, we can ship you back if you can't handle this!" The sheriff sits there for a moment drinking his coffee before replying, "I suppose yawl could send me back to Texas; but, then who'd be sheriff…Hopkins?" Sheriff Faulkner takes another sip of coffee, puts the cup down, and…using his index finger…motions Gus to move in closer. When he does, the sheriff grabs Gus' shirt collar and pulls him within an inch or two from his face; looking him dead in the eyes. "Don't go threatening me, boy…unless you're ready to back it up. You see, where I come from, we don't play that game. If you go and threaten someone, you best be able to carry through with it. Now, I ain't taking shit from the mayor…and, I ain't taking shit from a hash slinger; even if he's on the illustrious town council. Do you understand me, boy?" Gus nods. "Good. Now run along and tell Ms. Delilah I'd like a word with her." Gus retreats to the kitchen, adjusting his shirt collar, and tells Delilah the sheriff wants to speak with her. When Delilah comes out, the sheriff stands and greets her. "Ms. Delilah." "Sheriff…Gus said you wanted to talk to me?" "Yup." The sheriff looks around the diner; then, points to an empty table in the corner. "Why don't we head over to that table for a little more privacy?" Delilah nervously looks around…mostly to the floor…rapidly wiping her hands on her apron. "Sure, Sheriff." Sheriff Faulkner gestures her to walk ahead of him. When they reach the table and sit, the sheriff doesn't say anything; he just watches Delilah continuing to look around… avoiding his direction…anxiously tapping her fingers on the table. "So;" he starts, "how have you been?" Still avoiding looking at him, Delilah continues tapping her fingers on the table as she quickly answers, "Fine." "You okay, Delilah; you seem a bit anxious there." "Anxious? No; I'm fine." She finally looks at the sheriff and gives him a slight smile, "Really. So, what did you want to talk about; Sheriff?" "I heard you left town to help your sister with some domestic problems. How's she doing?" Delilah looks back down to the table. "She's doing alright." "That's good." The sheriff decides to shake things up a little. "Glad to hear Delores is okay." Delilah turns pale and starts trembling. "What did you say?" "I said that I was glad to hear that your sister…Delores; I believe…was okay. She is okay; isn't she…Ms. Delilah?" Delilah's looking down at the table; shaking. She speaks very softly, "Lloyd; can I be honest with you?" The sheriff leans back in the chair. "By all means." "Well," Delilah takes a napkin from the dispenser and wipes away tears that have started to form from her eyes. "I did go to Portland because of my sister…Delores…but, it wasn't because she was having problems with her boyfriend." "Go on." "She…she…she killed herself, Lloyd." She starts sobbing. Sheriff Faulkner gives her another napkin; and, watches her actions. "Now, I'm real sorry to hear that Ms. Delilah; my deepest sympathy and condolences for your loss. I had no idea. I certainly wasn't looking to bring up anything that would upset you. My sincerest apologies to you, Mam." Delilah stops sobbing, wipes the tears away, and blows her nose. "That's okay, Lloyd, you didn't know; no one does." "Ms. Delilah, if you don't mind me asking; why didn't you tell everyone about your sister's death instead of making up a story about her having an abusive boyfriend?" "Well, Lloyd; it's kind of embarrassing." "Embarrassing? How so?" "My sister had some emotional issues; that's why my parents left town with her. She was in therapy for years. I can't even begin to tell you the amount of medications she had prescribed to her. Anti-depressants…anti-hallucinates…if it had an ‘anti' in it, they prescribed it for her. It was real embarrassing for us; her being that way and all." "And, what way was that, Ms. Delilah?" "God forgive me for saying this; but, she was a real ‘loon'…God rest her soul." "I see; you thought folks around town wouldn't understand, so you made up an abusive boyfriend story?" She lets out a little laugh. "Gee; when you say it out loud; it seems almost as crazy as she was." "So;" the sheriff leans back in the chair again, "that's what's been eating you?" "I guess. Lloyd, you won't tell anyone about…" The sheriff leans forward and takes her hand. "Relax, Ms. Delilah; this stays between the two of us." "Thank you. Is there anything else I can do for you, Lloyd; or, can I go back to my tables?" "I do believe that's it." The sheriff stands up, goes around and pulls her chair out as she gets up. He puts on his hat; tipping it to her. "You have a good day now, Ms. Delilah." "You, too; Sheriff." She goes to check on her tables. The sheriff ‘s walking past the front counter when he notices a small medicine bottle sitting next to the case displaying pies. He picks up the bottle and reads the label. Most of the information had been scratched off; but, he could at least make out what the name of the medication. "Prozac? Hmm…I wonder." The sheriff waves for Gus to come over; who goes to him in a hesitant manner. "Yes, Lloyd?" Showing Gus the vial, "Whose is this?" "I think its Delilah's." "Really?" The sheriff turns around and looks over at Delilah; then, turns back to Gus and hands him the bottle. "Well, I don't think you want to have this stuff lying around on the counter; so, you may want to tell her to be more careful where she leaves it. See you around, Gus….And, remember what I told you before."