What Remains

by Sarah Brocious

  Terry shook his head. “Guilt? You have no idea. You ran with that creep and…”

  “Logan told me everything, Terry. Everything! Max hurt me and Logan rescued me from it.”

  Terry’s dark eyes went even darker. “Seriously?” he growled. “You know, Max was heart broken when you left. Yeah, he moved in with Beth. Part of it was he thought by doing so he could move on from you. There were reasons other than that, but Max was doing what was right. You never gave anyone the chance to tell you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “She was pregnant, Terry. I already know that part. More proof of guilt.”

  His dark eyes glinted anger. “Well, I guess you know it all then…don’t you?” He shook his head.

  “I don’t want to fight over this. Lets just leave it, okay?” By the look on his face, I knew he wasn’t going to let it be.

  “You know, Ley…you have spent all these years believing a lie. Told to you by the real cheater. Why are you defending him? Ley, he cheated you for years!”

  I bit back a retort when the truth in his words hit me like a sledgehammer. I know why Terry defended Max so vehemently. They were thick as thieves. So why was I technically defending Logan?

  “I made a wrong turn with him. I will admit to that,” I said softly. “Logan was not my best choice.” I saw Terry relax as I at least gave him that. “But what Max did…” I shook my head. “It hurt.”

  Terry sighed. “Yeah, it looked really bad, but it wasn’t what you thought.” He reached for a tool and ducked back under the hood. “If it had been the truth, do you think I would still be friends with him? Honestly, Ley,” he looked up at me. “What kind of brother do you think I am?”

  I felt the impact of his words. He was one of the best people I knew. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I just got back. I’m adjusting to the newness that is my life right now. I got back here hours ago and suddenly memories are overwhelming me. It almost feels like all of that was yesterday. Let me adjust, okay? And then we can talk it out. “ I grinned. “I’m not feeling very forgiving of men right now, brother.” I raised my eyebrow at him. “Do you blame me?”

  He shook his head and returned to his work. “Not at all, sis, but I do think you should one day sit down with Max. I can’t be the one to tell you. It should be from him.”

  I pulled in a breath to calm my thoughts. I wasn’t ready for that. Not yet.

  “Now, keep talking. I brought you here for company,” Terry teased.

  “Fine,” I sighed. I felt better having gotten over that point. I began assisting him, as he called out for this or that tool…just like old times. I watched as he expertly maneuvered over the engine. I even felt proud.

  “So what do you have going on in your life, brother?”

  Terry shrugged. “Eh, nothing really. I’m the same boring guy.”

  I laughed at this. Terry hadn’t been the boring guy in school. Though, he was not a jock, genius, or class president, he’d been popular. He was funny and kind and if I was allowed to say so, my brother was and is handsome. He looks so much like my dad.

  “I don’t believe that.” I shook my head. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “I was dating Deb. Remember her?”

  I nodded.

  “She moved a few months back. This slow paced life did not suit her I guess.” He shrugged once more.

  I studied him and then folded my arms. “There’s more to this story…isn’t there?”

  He gave me a look. “How?”

  “How what?”

  He straightened. “How’d you now there’s more?”

  I smiled. “Cause not even eight years away can dampen a sisters ability to read her brother. So what happened with Deb?”

  He rolled his eyes in exasperation.

  I remained silent.

  “Ley,” he sighed in frustration, reaching for a rag to wipe the excess grease from his hands. “Its true. This life didn’t suit her.” He looked down at the work he was doing of cleaning up his hands. “She wanted more for herself…more for us.” He tossed the rag. “I didn’t want to go so she went without me.”

  I felt for him for that split second that I saw hurt flash across his face. But like a typical Wright male, he hid it quickly. I still reached out to touch his arm in comfort. “I’m sorry.”

  He gave a shake of his head. “It’s fine.”

  “I don’t think it is,“ I said softly.

  Terry gave me that half grin of his. “How about we make a deal? You stop questioning me about Deb and I won’t bring up Max again tonight?”

  I felt that was fair, so I gave a nod and allowed him to resume his work.

  He finished up an hour or so later and suggested we get a coffee at the café rather then waiting for breakfast in the morning.

  “Mom will be mad for keeping you away, but you will be here for awhile, huh?” he teased, as we walked toward the café; Mrs. Winston’s Café.

  I shot him a look. “I don’t know how long,” I admitted with a growl.

  He held up his hands in defense and then rushed to grab the door for me. I applauded him on his gentlemanly skills.

  We grabbed a booth in the corner. It was semi busy tonight. The dinner crowd was long gone and according to the sign at the door, about to close in forty-five minutes.

  It looked great in here! The booths were new and the counters as well. The old sign that had hung along the back and the old overhead lighting was all the same. How many times had I been in here to get grilled cheese and tomato soup growing up? (my favorite)

  When I saw Mrs. Winston rounding the counter and heading our way, I couldn’t help my happy smile.

  “Hadley! I didn’t know you were arriving today. Look at you.” She reached in for a hug. She had greyed and there were wrinkles abounding, but her sweet nature hadn’t changed a bit.

  “Ana, Look who’s here,” she cried out.

  Terry laughed at my surprise. “Oh, didn’t I tell you Ana works here now?”

  I shot him a look and was halfway out of my seat when an exuberant red head crashed into me. For the half dozenth time today, my ribs ached, as I was hugged breathless.

  “Hadley, I didn’t know you were coming home,” Ana chastised. She stepped back to look me over. “You never answered my last message. That was weeks ago! I was worried.” She tucked the hair spilling from her ponytail behind her shoulder. Her blue eyes were serious.

  “I’ve been…preoccupied,” I answered meekly.

  Her glare softened with understanding. “You’re right. I’m sorry to sound snarky,” she whispered now, and pulled me back into a hug. “I just missed you is all and I’m so happy you are home.” She pulled back and offered a smile. “I have to get back to cleaning up, but you and I are going to carve out some time together, yes?”

  I smiled back and nodded.

  “Oh, and there’s the town picnic! Terry…you have to make sure she gets there.”

  I inwardly flinched. I gave Terry a look and he just grinned. I was not ready for the little town events I had grown up with…not yet.

  We exchanged numbers quickly and she bounced away, humming a tune. Ana was a firecracker with her bubbly personality and flame red hair. She was one of those people who didn’t easily dull in the face of difficulties. Why hadn’t I drawn on that during my trials? Oh yeah…my pride. Pride hadn’t done much for me.

  Mrs. Winston brought us our coffee and I wrapped my hands around the warmth of the cup.

  “Any pie or maybe some cookies to go with your coffee?” she chirped. “On the house.”

  I smiled up at her and shook my head. She gave me a wink. “Nice to have you back, kid. You come by again soon. You can even bring this guy with ya.” She patted Terry’s shoulder. “Not that he isn’t here every day mind you.”

  Terry grinned.

  I took a sip of my coffee. Even this close to closing and it was fresh. Mrs. Winston had always prided herself on excellence in her little place.

  My br
other poured sugar into his and absolutely ruining it in my opinion. I was a coffee purist. I winced as he added almost as much cream as he did sugar.

  He shrugged when he saw my face. “You do your way…I do mine,” he grumbled, taking an exaggerated sip from his cup.

  I made a face at him but couldn’t prevent my laugh.

  I had missed him.

  “I know you are just back,” he started out, “but do you have any plans?” He reached for a napkin, when he sloshed some of his coffee.

  “I was hoping to get nice and plump on some of Mom’s cooking,” I teased. “Beyond that? I’m really struggling with that,” I admitted. “Logan never really wanted me doing things outside of the home. I was the good wife. I have no work skills.” I shrugged. I’m really good at scrubbing a toilet, fixing a meal, picking up the dry cleaning.”

  Terry frowned at me. “You are so much more than just the dutiful little house wife, Ley. I could understand if there had been children involved. Then there would have been some reason to stay at home. What Logan did was demeaning.”

  “He provided for me,” I argued.

  “He made it impossible for you to be independent,” he cut in. “He wanted the control and he got it. That’s why he thought it was okay to cheat because then where would you go? He thought surely that you would not leave him. But you did because you are a strong woman. It took time, but you finally realized your worth.” He reached over and grabbed my hand. “You are so much better off. I know it’s hard, but you are going to get through this. You have me, Mom and Dad and we will be here with you through it all. Okay?”

  I nodded, feeling some of the defeat lift off of my shoulders.

  “I don’t know if you want to stay in this old town, or leave us again when you are healed, but either way, we’ll make it work. We will start with a job. Hell, you can come work with me. I could use some help sweeping,” he teased.

  “Work with Max?” I shook my head. “No thank you.”

  “Work for me.”

  Terry and I both jerked to attention when Mrs. Winston spoke up. The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes rose up when she smiled. “Yes, I’m being nosey, but, Hadley, if you need a job, I would be more than happy to oblige. We can always use an extra set of hands here…even if its just washing dishes. Huh, Ana?”

  A very cheery “Yes!” came from the back.

  I couldn’t believe her kindness. “Really?”

  “Anytime, kid. You take a week or so to settle in and I will gladly welcome you as an employee. If you can stand my nosiness?” She gave me a wink.

  I nodded, not trusting my voice. Quickly I got up and embraced her.

  First day back and things were already looking up.

  Chapter 3 The Old Porch

  The familiar creak of the porch swing’s chains was soothing. Countless days I had spent out on the porch, watching the same little town life going on. It was comforting now and it was relatively quiet this morning. Everything seemed to be in perfect peace.

  I set my coffee on the nearby table and pushed the old floorboards with my foot so that I could swing a tad higher. Once I was going at a good pace, I folded my legs up on the bench, adjusted my untidy ponytail, and closed my eyes. Yes, perfect peace.

  And then the peace was broken.

  The sound of a hood being propped open and a wrench going to work stole the solitude. And the happy laughter of child at play tickled my ears. A mower was kicked on just a few houses away and someone turned up their music to better hear their favorite song. The perfect peace was broken, but it was not displeasing to my ears. These were the sounds you should hear in the summer.

  So much going on around me, but I was in my own little world on this old porch.

  I opened my eyes when the wind chimes started adding to the summer symphony. The chimes were etched with the shapes of dragonflies, flowers, and butterflies. I’d helped my mom pick it out a long while ago. I turned my wrist over and smiled at my very own butterfly imbedded artfully and permanently into my skin. It was simple…just a black outline...a cookie cutter tattoo. At least that was what Max had called it.

  Gently I traced the outline and remembered the day I got it. I was just eighteen, and scared to death, but I wanted it so badly. To make me feel better, Max decided to get one as well. It would be his sixth tattoo…not his first time under the ink gun. He was a pro in my eyes and so having him there helped. He teased me about my choice saying I was too girly, but when the work was done, he had looked at me with admiration.

  “It suits you,” he had whispered. “It’s pretty and uncomplicated…just like you.” He’d leaned in and kissed me gently. I can still feel the scrape of his stubble and the warmth of his lips. The hazel eyes were earnest, as he pulled away.

  “What did you get?” I had asked, still overwhelmed by him. That crooked grin set the butterflies to flight in my stomach.

  He’d chuckled and went for the hem of his shirt, lifting it up on the left side. I’d seen the beautiful angel he had gone back time and time again to be finished. It was a twist of wings and shadows and it raveled down the entire rib cage ending just at his hip. It was a masterpiece. I had admired it for an instant before I noticed the change. I had covered my mouth and gasped in surprise. Woven into one of the angel’s wings was my name.

  I remember my heart stumbling and thinking that I would never find anyone quite like Max Brandon even if I searched a hundred years. If I could have made that moment last I would have because just two months later, this pretty and uncomplicated girl was in a whole mess of complications. Life was turned on its head and every plan I thought I had was changed.

  All the warm and fuzzy feelings about Max now dissipated. I stared down at that butterfly. It was a reminder of a time of innocence.

  Speaking of innocence, the happy chatter of the child next door had me smiling, despite my sudden mood. I got up and walked to the side of the porch to search out the joyful child. Before I could even find the source of youth, my eyes beheld Max Brandon. I was frozen in an instant. I couldn’t fully see his face, but I knew it was he.

  He was leaning into the engine of a real peace of work. It had rust spots and a few dings, but it had the capacity to be a real beauty. Max had always liked the classics.

  I studied the profile and the powerful motion of skilled arms and shoulders as he worked. He had never been the bulky muscled type just lean and strong. I could see that had held true for him as he moved with precision and purpose. The years had been good to him.

  His dark hair was worn longer now and his jaw was covered with thick stubble. I smiled as I saw his lips moving. He was talking to himself. Max always did that when he was focused. He would talk himself through it. He was good with words. My eyes lingered only momentarily there on his mouth, as I remembered that he was good, not just with words, but with so many other things; things I shouldn’t be thinking about. I shook my head and inwardly chastised myself. But I couldn’t pull away from the view just yet.

  Max was never what you would call a pretty boy. No, that would be how I would describe Logan. Max had an honest face, a fine jaw, and beautiful hazels. He had a voice deep enough to shake the walls when he was angry or make your heart beat a fine rhythm when he whispered low his affections.

  It was like a shock to the system just watching him now.

  He straightened and I nearly hit the deck so he wouldn’t find me staring. He never looked away from his work, so I was safe, but I went back to my seat on the swing anyway just to be further from sight.

  With a trembling hand, I reached for my coffee. Ghosts from the past will attack a person’s nervous system and mine was all jacked up. I had always imagined that when I saw him again I would be as cool as a cucumber. I would tell him what I thought of him and turn on my heel before he even had a second to respond. I hadn’t imagined that my heart would want to tumble from my chest or that my body would betray me.

  I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. It was nothing. I had just
once been attracted to him and attraction sometimes had nothing to do with the way someone affected you. Sometimes it was just a physical thing and that was what I was experiencing…a physical thing. It would pass. I leaned my head back to rest against the swing and tried to focus on anything else.

  “You’re pretty.”

  My heart slammed against my ribs and I nearly lost grip on my cup. I saved it just in time, but still splashed coffee on my arm. I shook it off quickly and turned to the fright giver.

  She had to be no more than four. I bet it was her laughter I had heard earlier. She stood there with her hands folded before her like a proper little doll. Her brown eyes were fixed on me and her sunny smile was contagious. I smiled back.

  “Hello there,” I said softly. “Where did you come from?”

  She tilted her head and her fine brown hair fell into her eyes. She pushed it back and giggled, “My house.”

  I couldn’t help my chuckle.

  “Can I swing on the swing? Please?”

  Her little voice was so sweet and I figured getting her to stay in one spot would help if her parents were looking for her. “For a minute, but I think your mommy or daddy should know you are here swinging.”

  She skipped over and climbed in. “I swinged on this a’fore,” she assured me.

  I pushed off with my foot to set it in motion.

  “What is your name?”

  “Madeline Christine,” she said as proper as could be.

  “Beautiful name, Madeline Christine.” I smiled at her as she swung her legs.

  “But people say Mady all the time. You can call me Mady,” she offered. Her eyes lifted to mine. She grinned. “What’s your name?”

  I leaned back and continued the motion of the swing. “Hadley Diane.”

  “I never saw you a’fore. All the times I swinged.”

  I set my cup aside. “Well, this is actually my house. I grew up here, but I have been gone a long time. I just got back.”