Backstabber, part one

This is tale of mystery, and madness.

        Corrine moved into a new neighborhood, hoping to make a fresh start. She was tired of people treating her cruelly.

She soon moved into a brownstone apartment, and got a job as a florist.

        One day, when she was returning  from work, Corrine saw Elisa, her elderly landlord, sitting on the porch swing.

"Sit with me for a moment, dearie," she said, patting the space next to her. "I can tell you're new in town. I just want to

assure you that this is a nice, quiet neighborhood, with friendly neighbors. Why don't you check out the potluck dinner

at the church, next weekend. It's only down the street. That way you can meet some of the people around town."

        Corrine prepared a fruit salad to bring to the church potluck. She carved a watermelon into the shape of a basket,

and cut up cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, pineapple, and grapes, to put into it. She even wore her favorite sun

dress, and straw hat.

        Corrine was greeted by a fat woman wearing pearls, who was stuffed into a black velvet dress. "Wonderful to meet

you. I am Noreen. Welcome to our church. You must sit at my table."

        The platter was absolutely delicious. There was a pot roast, ham, turkey, boiled, and fried chicken, pork chops,

mashed potatoes, yams, and all kinds of vegetables.

        As Corrine went up to the buffet table, to get her third helping, she was greeted by a chubby man in a starched

suit. His nose seemed out of proportion to his face, and he had a strange little mustache. "Why, tremendous, we have a

new member of our congregation. I am Pastor Belvedere." He offered Corrine his hand. His palm felt a little too moist,

for her liking,

        Corrine was pleased with the way the evening had gone. On her way out the door, she noticed a sign on the

bulletin board for a new rec center that had just opened up. '"I should sign up," Corrine thought to herself, "I wouldn't

mind swimming some laps after work."

        The next day, Corrine's boss let her leave early, because business was so slow. She decided to go take a look at the

rec center. It had a small room with weight-lifting equipment, a decent sized cardio room, a walking track, a decent

sized gymnasium, and an Olympic sized swimming pool. There was a small snack bar near the entrance, which sold an

assortment of sandwiches, and smoothies.

         One day, while Corrine was doing laps across the pool, she accidently bumped into somebody. "How rude," she

thought, "Stay in your own lane!"

         Corrine blushed as she got a look at this person. He was a very attractive man, with a military haircut, freckles, and brown eyes. He had a lean, yet muscular build, and he spoke in a strange accent. "So sorry. I am Rowan."

         Corrine could not bring herself to speak.

         "Perhaps we could spend the afternoon together, " he said, "I don't expect to be deployed for another couple of

months."

         They spent the afternoon swimming, shooting hoops, and dining at the snack bar.

         One evening, while Corrine was lying on the couch, watching a move, she got a knock at the door. "Why don't

you come to game night," her neighbor winked at her, "It starts at 8:00 p.m. By the way, I'm Lou."

         "What the hell," Corrine thought to herself, and threw on a pair of sweats.

         Corrine arrived at the basement of the building, and was greeted by a thin, homily woman, with bucked teeth,

and thick glasses. "You must sit at our table. We're having an UNO tournament tonight! By the way, I'm Cecil."

         Corrine sat down at the table, and noticed that her neighbor was sitting besides Cecil.

         "Who are those guys in the back?" Corrine inquired.

         "Those are just the maintenance guys helping to set up," Cecil grinned, "You're a little early, but that's O.K."

         Corrine got a good look at these men. One seemed to be staring at her, suspiciously, and the other one she had

the hots for.

         Ever since they talked at the tournament, Cecil seemed to confide in Corrine. He told her that he suffers from

panic attacks, and sometimes he has trouble being alone. Corrine helped him with repairs, when the

maintenance men were unavailable.  Sometimes, she would spend hours over Lou's apartment, consoling him with

funny stories, and poetry.

         Corrine hid every time the delivery man came around. "What are you doing, silly?" Cecil asked.

         "Well, the delivery man told me that he is clairvoyant, and I'm afraid that he can read my mind," Corrine gasped.

         "I'm sure he's just kidding, honey," Cecil chuckled.

         A couple weeks later, Corrine got promoted to assistant manager. She hired a new employee named, Lenny.