New Quarters

by Tey Holden

  “Touché, missy, but I’d like you to know that I have a few ideas of my own, just as well.”

  Karen stretched, leaning back on the seat and smiling. “Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in mind.” Addy bit the inside of her cheek to hide her smile. She stopped at the drugstore and bought the medicines. By the time they reached home, the medication the doctor had given Karen had worn off, and she was in a lot of pain. She was a big baby when it came to pain. Addy helped her out of the car and into the house, hardly making it to the sofa. Addy propped her leg and went to the kitchen to get her some water so that she could take her pills.

  “Would you like some chocolate milk instead of water?” Addy asked.

  “Whatever.” Karen didn’t look happy. Addy couldn’t help smiling when she saw the look of despair on Karen’s face.

  “Here, take your pills. Aaaaw, baby! Does it hurt a lot?”

  “Uh huh, I think I’m going to stay here on the sofa, I don’t think I can make it upstairs tonight. Addy, I feel like shit. I’m sorry.”

  “What are you sorry about?”

  “Being like this now.” She pointed to her foot. “I may even be grouchy.”

  Addy smiled. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Here let me wrap your legs, you might get cold.” Addy wrapped her legs with the throw blanket on the sofa, then turned on the TV, and gave her the remote. “The pills will work in a few minutes, and you’ll feel better. How about if I make a nice fire, make us some dinner, and we watch a movie together?”

  “That sounds good.” Karen smiled liking all the pampering offers. “Wait a minute, when have I been grouchy before?”

  Addy didn’t reply and went about her business with little follow up from Karen, who was either in pain or dozing off. Addy lit the fireplace, went to the kitchen to start dinner, then came back set the DVD to watch a movie and sat with a very content and relaxed Karen. She made Karen move a bit, so that she could take the corner of the sofa and have Karen recline on her chest. Addy only got up to finish making dinner and later to bring the food over to eat while watching the movie.

  After she cleared the kitchen, Addy came back to the sofa to join Karen. “Feel better now?” Addy kissed her on the head. Karen, who was dozing off on the sofa, squirmed when Addy kissed her. “Uh huh, thanks. Addy, you don’t have to stay here with me. You can go upstairs to bed.”

  “Karen Larsen, we’ve never slept apart since we’ve been together. Plus, I will not leave you alone now that you are hurt. We are in this together in sickness and in health.”

  Karen closed her eyes and fell asleep with a smile on her face. The medication worked. The pills had relaxed her and made her sleepy. Addy eventually turned off the television snuggled to Karen placing little kisses on her head. She turned off the light and went to sleep.

  ***

  The first couple of days had been tough. Between the pain, adapting to the limited mobility and the crutches, Karen was a mess. The inability to move and her personal battle with the crutches was maddening. However, Addy always found a way to offer comfort and calm her. It was not until a few days later that Karen began to feel better, and was able to get upstairs. She was sitting in bed watching TV when Addy walked by to put away some laundry. Karen pulled her by the arm, and Addy fell onto the bed.

  “I see that someone is feeling much better. What do you think you are doing, Ms. Larsen?”

  “Well, here I am, unable to move, having all these thoughts about comforting activities that might keep me occupied, and you just happened to walk by, and—.”

  Addy smiled. “Ms. Larsen, I need to finish the laundry, and I think you’ve been provided enough comfort and have been kept sufficiently occupied.” As part of her soothing techniques, Addy had made sure that Karen was duly comforted in every possible way. She slapped Karen’s hands, which were already going in a certain direction, and got up. “By the way, I forgot to tell you that JP called while you were sleeping, I told him about your mishap and he said he would call you later. I think he is having trouble at work, and may be losing his job.”

  “Shit.”

  ***

  About an hour later, Karen’s phone rang and thinking that it was JP she answered without looking at the number. “Yes, my dear? Oh! Hi, Aunt Margaret, I thought you were someone else. Yes, when? This Saturday? Oh, well, I’ll see you then. Goodbye.” Karen hung up.

  Addy was in the small alcove doing the laundry and overheard the conversation. “What was that about? What’s going on?”

  Karen pursed her lips. “Trouble, I sense trouble coming.”

  “What?”

  “I shouldn’t have picked up the stupid phone. I thought it was JP. It was my Aunt Margaret.” Karen started to mimic her. “She’s coming Saturday afternoon to pay me a visit. Fuck!”

  Addy smiled, as usual, liking the Scottish pronunciation of the word. Sometimes she would make Karen say it when they were making love, just for the fun of it. Karen shook her head when she saw Addy smiling. “I can’t believe what turns you on! You are crazy! Quit smiling, this is not a fun, this is trouble. She’s looking for something. She’s coming to check us out, to scout, to see what she can find out and to see what kind of damage she can do.”

  “Do you think someone’s told her about us?”

  “Most likely. Altee is a small town. You have to be prepared for a full hands-on assault.”

  “Maybe I should go. If she doesn’t see me, she might not bring the subject up.”

  Karen looked at her very seriously as she crawled out of bed to put on her sweats pants. “Nope, you are not doing any of that. You are not going anywhere. This is your home and you are staying put. Besides, I don’t want to be alone with her. I need support.”

  Addy smiled. “Chickening out?”

  “Addy, this is no small matter. I’m telling you that her visit only means that trouble is coming. You don’t know these people. They are vicious.”

  “I think that you don’t like them because you have past issues with them. Now they’ll see you for the very mature, smart woman that you are, and they will treat you differently. You’ll see.”

  “Addy look at me.” Karen was about two inches from Addy’s face. “You are a good soul and cannot conceive even the thought of evil, but evil exists, and these people, my family, are evil. Trust me on this one, baby. Remember our conversation in D.C. when you agreed to listen to me if and when I put up a fight for something?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is one of those times when I am asking you to trust me blindly. I’m not making this up. What I say is true. These people would sell their mother for money, position and a title.”

  Addy was worried now. She realized that Karen was serious. “Okay, I believe you. So what are we doing on Saturday?”

  “We’ll receive her, offer her some tea and listen to what she has to say. We are not volunteering any information, especially about the inn, or us. Think of it as a baseball game. We are at bat. Only batting the balls thrown to us, we are not throwing any pitches.”

  “What about us? What if she asks about us?”

  “You are my partner and that is what I will tell her, if she asks. I’m going to say something to you now, and I don’t care what you say about it. This is where I’m going to draw the line for my dear family, if she so much dares to say the most minimal negative thing about you or about us, I’m throwing her out.”

  Addy was silent. Realizing the magnitude of what Karen had just said, she got up and hugged her. “I love you, baby.” Karen hugged her and closed her eyes, taking in Addy’s words to the depth of her heart.

  ***

  At exactly one o’clock on Saturday, Aunt Margaret showed up in her beat up 1980’s Bentley. She rang the bell and Karen opened the door. After a somewhat cordial, but non-affectionate greeting, Karen asked her to come in and sit down.

  “Aunt Margaret, I don’t know if you remember my partner, Addy.” Addy smiled and glanced at Karen.

  There it was! Karen couldn�
��t wait to rub it in. If trouble was coming, Karen was launching head on into it. Whatever happened with “we are only batting the balls thrown to us, not throwing any pitches?” This was more like pitching a bowling ball at the aunt’s face. “Hello, Margaret.” Addy feigned a smile. Aunt Margaret looked her up and down, barely acknowledging her presence.

  Karen stiffened, and was immediately on guard. She didn’t like the way Aunt Margaret regarded Addy. Addy, who was standing between the kitchen and living room, offered to make tea. In the absence of a reply from Aunt Margaret, and thinking that Addy wanted to be out of the line of fire, Karen responded. “Yes, love. Thank you.”

  Addy immediately slid away to the kitchen to prepare the tea. In the living room, Karen thought to get to the point and started the conversation. “So, Aunt Margaret, what brings you around these parts? I thought you didn’t like it up here because it was too cold. And yet here you are in the middle of winter.” More rubbing in. Addy remembered thinking that she would never want Karen as an opponent. When Karen had her war paint on, she was a fearsome enemy.

  “Well, several things. First I wanted to see how you are doing, and I see that you are not doing well. Are you injured?” Karen had never liked her pompous speech tone.

  “It’s not a big deal. I slipped on some ice and hurt my ankle. It’s almost healed already.”

  “Well, winters up here are rather crude, so it’s understandable when such things happen. I see that you have done wonders with the cottage. I’m afraid that after Charlotte passed it was a bit abandoned. Of course, even when she was alive, she had allowed some deterioration. She was doing a lot of traveling and was sort of remiss about her obligations here.”

  “Well, my understanding was that cancer was eating her up. So, I can understand wanting to live a little before checking out, and for that matter not caring so much for material things.” Oh, boy! Addy lifted her eyes from the kettle to look at Karen. She knew that Karen was fully focused on her opponent, like an animal stalking its prey and getting ready for the kill the moment she could. Addy thought this was not going to end well, and was already wondering if she would have to tear Karen away from her aunt, and if that was the real reason Karen wanted her to stay.

  In her mind, Addy was already contemplating all the possible scenarios. A word war, insults and the like, or what if it became an actual physical altercation with Karen’s aunt, either grabbing Karen or slapping her? Oh God, I hope it doesn’t come to that! Addy didn’t think Karen would hit her aunt back, but she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t be the one grabbing Aunt Margaret and leading her to the door! This does not look good at all.

  But no, nothing like that happened. Civility prevailed. At least, Karen had been able to hold her ground. Unless Aunt Margaret was the one launching herself to Karen’s throat, it appeared that, at least, the possibility of a fistfight would be averted. Phew!

  “Yes, but she should have allowed others to take on her obligations. Never mind about that anymore. I also hear that you are refurbishing the manor house, and that you intend to open an inn? Is this true?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Karen, I don’t know that I need to remind you of the history of the manor, or its significance.”

  “Aunt Margaret, I am aware of all that. What is the point of this conversation, or your visit? What do you want?” By now Karen sounded upset. There she goes again! Blunt, knife to the heart, way to go Ker! Addy was in the kitchen rolling her eyes. She thought this would be a good moment to interrupt the tension and bring the tea over. Once done, she sat on the sofa next to Karen. Aunt Margaret stopped talking and looked at Addy.

  “Karen if you don’t mind, I would like to continue our conversation in private.” Addy froze, waiting for Karen’s onslaught. Oh my God! I see dead people!

  “Aunt Margaret whatever we need to talk about, or needs to be said here can be said in present company. As I mentioned earlier, Addy is my life partner. She is my family, and if you cannot speak in her presence, I will consider that our conversation has ended, and that we have nothing more to say.” Addy was surprised with the calmness that had prevailed in Karen’s response despite the fact that she knew Karen was ready to eat her aunt up in any minute.

  At that very moment, Aunt Margaret got up, turned around, put on her coat on and walked towards the door. She didn’t even wave goodbye. Karen didn’t say a word to her either. She just stood up, and after looking at the door for a while turned to look at Addy. “I’m sorry, babe. I have no excuses for my relatives.” Addy came over and held her. Karen’s body felt like a running engine.

  “Calm down. She’s gone. Let’s just forget the whole thing. Let’s go get in the hot tub. We need to relax. I’ll make some herbal tea, and we can drink it there. Go, check the water and make sure everything is fine.”

  Knowing that Addy had a point, Karen went about her assigned duties. When they were in the hot tub, Karen told her a bunch of stories about her family, as Addy massaged Karen’s tensed muscles and placed comforting kisses here and there. As the stories unfolded, Addy began to understand Karen’s reasons for disliking them. They had truly not been nice to her through the years.

  Part 7

  On a very cold day in February, a car pulled up to the inn’s circular driveway. A tall slim man got out of the car.

  “I’m looking for a Ms. Karen Larsen or a Ms. Adriana Marcos?”

  “I’m Karen Larsen. How may I help you?”

  “I have this document for you. Would you, please sign for it?”

  Karen looked at the document. She had seen one too many and knew exactly what it was, but not here and why? She signed acknowledging receipt, and the man left. Karen opened the envelope and read. “Shit.”

  It was a Cease and Desist Order from the local court ordering them to cease on their intention to open an inn in the town of Altee. The order was issued by the court at the request of Mrs. Sarah Foster, the proprietor of the Carriage House Inn, the small town inn. Apparently, the local Mrs. Foster was feeling the pressure of possible competition and was preempting any of it.

  Karen felt as if she had been kicked in the gut. How would she break this news to Addy who was so excited with opening the inn? Her own disappointment was nothing compared to how she felt having to deliver the bad news. She tried to calm down, resolved to be strong and provide comfort because she knew Addy would be heartbroken.

  Her resolve went out the window when she arrived at the cottage and didn’t see Addy immediately. All was quiet. Addy was nowhere to be found. Suddenly Karen felt anxious and yelled at the top of her lungs. “ADDY!”

  Addy ran when she heard the scream. She was upstairs reading. “What is it, babe? You scared me! What is it?”

  When Karen heard Addy’s voice from upstairs, she calmed down some and came to meet her in front of the staircase. Karen was apprehensive, unsure of what to say or do now that she knew Addy was home. Not seeing Addy immediately when she walked inside the cottage rattled her. Also the bad news she had to deliver was heart wrenching.

  On the way home, she thought about not telling Addy the bad news just yet. She thought about calling their law firm office in London first to have them deal with the matter and to do whatever needed to be done, at whatever cost to end the matter and allow them to open the inn. She couldn’t allow Addy’s project and their new life to be taken down without a fight. Above all, she couldn’t allow anyone to make Addy unhappy.

  It was too late now, Addy would no doubt see her anguished face, and the fact she had arrived home screaming didn’t help either. Addy already knew that something was wrong. Karen could never hide anything from her, except of course, the matter of the history of the manor. But that was a matter that was attached to memories that Karen had buried in the depth of her mind, and that although she knew one day she would share with Addy, that day had not yet come. But as far as their relationship went, Karen never kept anything from her. Even before they lived together, Addy had a sixth sense and could always see right t
hrough her. So, a long time ago, Karen had already concluded that it was just better to come clean than to have Addy poking until the inevitable happened. She knew she would eventually just end up blurting it all out anyway. At least, this way, she could make some sense of it all.

  Karen was normally very calm and to see her so agitated was unnerving. Addy came close and immediately held Karen’s arms. “What’s wrong? Why are you so upset?”

  “Addy, we have problems.” Karen could hardly speak. She handed the papers over for her to read, and turned away to hide her feelings, a combination of sadness, and anger. This was a very low blow. After they had invested so much time and money in the project, now they couldn’t finish it. Karen had even wondered if her family had anything to do with what was going on. She would never put anything past them.

  Addy took the papers and scrutinized them, but before she even looked at them, she noticed that Karen had turned away, and she knew exactly why. She knew Karen too well. She read the papers and was thoughtful for a minute. In that short minute, she realized that more important than the inn was whatever Karen was going through.

  Addy was devastated with the news, but somehow looking at Karen nothing else seemed to matter. Just the sight of Karen gave her the strength to overcome anything on earth. She walked closer and stood behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist, and resting her face on her shoulder blade. She spoke in a very calm tone, and almost in whisper. “So, what are we going to do about this bitch?”

  Karen turned around surprised and invigorated by Addy’s words. Karen looked at her, and they held each other’s gaze. The energy between them was intense. Addy could almost feel the change in Karen’s demeanor immediately. Karen was glowing again. Her eyes were like ping pong balls moving back and forth searching Addy’s face looking for any sign of weakness or heartbreak. She found none. Addy smiled satisfied of her small achievement. She added a punch line. “I say we fight them to the death.” Karen’s grin was breathtaking. It was as if the clouds had disappeared and the sun shone again. She hardly knew where to begin to speak.