Wildflower

by Prudence MacLeod

  “So what do I do now?” she wondered as though in a fog. She felt the dark edges of despair gripping her heart so she took out a small bottle from her purse and swallowed a happy pill. “No bloody way, not this time; I am going to find Hazel Fillmore if it is the last thing I do. I will find her and explain what has happened. If she still wants to avoid me after that, I will go away and never bother her again, but not until after I have set the record straight.”

  The restlessness soon took her and Abby spent the rest of the day walking the streets of St. John’s looking for a tall dark haired woman. She did not find her and eventually had to return home.

  “Sharon, thanks a million for giving me a place to hide for a few days,” sighed Hazel as she lay back on her friend’s couch.

  “No problem Hazel,” replied Sharon as she plopped down beside her. “I still can’t believe she was married. I didn’t see any rings or any mark on her hand where one would normally be.”

  “I know Sharon, I didn’t either. I heard her loud and clear though; she said she had left her Hubby alone far too long already.”

  “Aw honey, that’s too bad. The woman is drop dead gorgeous and she seemed to really be interested.”

  “I know. I knew it was all too good to be true. I finally found the perfect woman and she turns out to be married. Worse yet, she’s definitely interested, but I’m just not into the three’s a party scene, and I don’t do the side dish thing either.”

  “You really like her though don’t you?”

  “Madly passionately in love with the woman,” replied Hazel dejectedly as she sank deeper into the couch. “That’s why I need a place to hide out for a few days, just in case.”

  “Just in case?”

  “In case she tries to find me.”

  “Why not just tell her the truth? Why not just tell her you don’t do that scene.”

  “Because she’d just look at me with those crystal blue eyes and ask me anyway,” replied Hazel, tears running down her cheeks, “and I’d know I’d say yes.”

  “Hazel?”

  “I couldn’t ever deny Abby MacKai anything she would ask me for,” sighed Hazel as she wiped away the tears. Tommy’s shirt had absorbed all the tears she planned to cry over this.

  “Hazel, you don’t mean that.”

  “Yes, I do mean it,” replied Hazel in a defeated voice. “I wouldn’t be able to resist her Sharon; I know myself better than that. No matter what she asked me for I would give it to her, no matter how it made me feel about myself later.”

  “Wow, you’ve really got it bad girl.”

  “As I said before, I’m madly in love with the woman.”

  “Well then my darling, you can hide out here as long as you want. I’ll protect you.” Just then the door buzzer went off and she rose to answer it. “Well, my date’s here and he’s chomping at the bit. Make yourself at home and I’ll see you later.”

  “Thanks again Sharon. Have a good time; I won’t bother waiting up.” Sharon giggled as she left the apartment.

  For the next several days Hazel worked from opening until closing time. The other girls told her to slow down, but she would only say she was trying to get caught up. After a couple of days she was ready to move home, but Tommy called and said that Abby had come to the apartment that morning looking for her. Hazel went back underground, getting up at five to go running, and then working until nearly bedtime.

  Abby had spent days wandering around the streets of St. John’s hoping for a glimpse of Hazel, but to no avail. She was starting to get depressed again, but she popped another happy pill and kept going. Swearing to find the object of her desire, Abby dressed in something glamorously retro each morning and headed out to the city.

  At last, as she sat down to a cup of coffee and a muffin in a small café she had not been in before, Abby got her first break. She recognized two of Hazel’s friends from the dance. The women were having a late lunch and Abby marched determinedly to their table.

  “Hello ladies, it is good to see you again,” she said brightly. “You’re Sharon and you’re Tina, right?”

  “That’s right,” replied Sharon. Neither of the women would meet her eyes, nor did they invite her to sit down.

  “I’m trying to find your friend Hazel Fillmore,” said Abby softly. “Can either of you help me?”

  “I’m really sorry Mrs. MacKai, but Hazel has asked us not to help you.”

  “That’s Miss MacKai,” corrected Abby gently. “I am not now, nor have I ever been married. I am not engaged, living with, or otherwise keeping company with anyone except my dog who is outside in the car.”

  “Whatever you say,” sighed Sharon, pointedly studying her coffee. Neither of the women had looked up at her yet.

  “There has been a bad misunderstanding,” continued Abby, fighting to keep her tone civil.

  “Of course,” muttered Sharon.

  “The dog’s name is Hubby,” Abby said flatly.

  “Right, whatever.” Abby did not speak again, nor did she move a muscle. Finally Sharon looked up at her. “What did you say?”

  “My dog’s name is Hubby,” replied Abby softly. “In all the noise and confusion, Hazel must have misinterpreted my words and drawn a natural conclusion. The misunderstanding is all my fault, and I just want to straighten it out. If she still wants to avoid my company after that, I will comply with her wishes. Please can’t you help me find her?”

  “We promised Hazel on pain of death we would never tell. I’m sorry. I’ll tell her about it, maybe she’ll call you.”

  “Thank you so much,” smiled Abby weakly. This was a long way from what she’d hoped for, but it was a lot better than nothing. “Hazel is very lucky indeed to have such loyal and devoted friends.” With slumping shoulders, Abby turned to go, but Tina spoke for the first time.

  “Miss MacKai,” called Tina as Abby turned away.

  “Yes?” replied Abby as she turned back again.

  “You look hungry. You might try the Foggy Morning Café. The food is good and the service should be just what you’re looking for. If you don’t like the service just ask for the manager.”

  Abby gazed into the girl’s eyes for a long moment, but she sensed no deception there. “Thank you Tina, I will never forget this kindness.”

  “Just don’t rat on me,” grinned Tina.

  “Mum’s the word,” smiled Abby. “Good day to you ladies, enjoy your lunch.”

  “Tina, what the hell are you doing?” hissed Sharon as Abby left the restaurant.

  “Look at her Sharon; she’s in worse shape than Hazel. She was telling the truth, I just know it, and the two of them belong together. You saw them at the dance.”

  “Yes I did, and you are right,” sighed Sharon, slowly shaking her head. “I just hope Hazel isn’t mad. If she is I’ll rat on you myself.”

  Abby knew right where the café was as she had driven past it a number of times in the last few days. She pulled into the parking lot and parked where the car would not be seen through the window. She didn’t want to give Hazel a chance to run away again. Stepping quietly into the restaurant Abby slipped into a booth. She had barely a moment to wait as the place was almost empty, the lunch crowd having just left. “Yes ma’am, how can I serve you today,” asked that rich contralto that sent her heart soaring.

  “Soup, a sandwich, and a moment of your time,” replied Abby as she looked up. Hazel had her back partially to Abby at first, but she was facing her now as she spoke.

  “Oh my god,” gasped Hazel as she put her fingers to her mouth and started to back away.

  Abby leaped to her feet and reached to lightly grip Hazel’s arm. “Hazel, please listen to me, there’s been...”

  “No, please don’t,” Hazel begged fearfully. “Please don’t ask this of me Abby. I will not be able to refuse you, and I will not be able to live with myself afterwards.” She was crying softly now as she spoke.

  “Hazel…”

  “No, please Abby,”

 
“Hazel, listen to me, please,” Abby continued insistently as she stepped closer and held Hazel transfixed with those crystal blue eyes. Hazel stopped trying to back away; she just stood still, tears silently running down her cheeks. “Hazel, the dog’s name is Hubby.”

  Shocked at not hearing what she’d expected to hear, Hazel just stared at Abby for a moment. “What???” she asked at last.

  “The dog’s name is Hubby,” repeated Abby softly, still holding Hazel with those dazzling eyes.

  Slowly understanding began to pierce Hazel’s distress fogged mind. She reached for Abby and squeezed her hands. “Abby?”

  “I am not now, nor have I ever been married,” whispered Abby softly. “The dog’s name is Hubby. He is the only Hubby that I’ve got, or ever will have.”

  “Oh Abby, I’ve been such a fool,” sniffed Hazel softly, tears filling her eyes once again. “I don’t know what to say to you. I...”

  “Just tell me we’re Ok,” said Abby gently, gazing intently into Hazel’s eyes. “Tell me we’re Ok and that we can try again.”

  “Oh god Abby, do you really mean that? Do you still want to try again after what I’ve just done?”

  “Yes I do,” replied Abby earnestly, “and the fault is mine. I should have introduced you properly to Hubby when we met on the road that day. Come on, we’ll do it right now.”

  She dragged a willing Hazel out to the parking lot, and told her to stand by the door. Letting the big dog out of the car Abby crooned to him for a moment then asked Hazel to call him. At the sound of his name he bounded over to Hazel. She crouched down and hugged him fiercely, crying into his neck as she did. He squirmed and tried to lick her face to comfort her. Finally she let him go and Abby called him back and put him in the car.

  “Oh my god Abby,” Hazel sniffed again, “I’ve been such a fool. How can I ever make it up to you?”

  “The misunderstanding was my fault Hazel. Please say we can go back to before this madness and pick it up from there.”

  “Abby, we can go back to wherever you want,” replied Hazel as she gazed lovingly into Abby’s eyes.

  “Thank you Hazel,” smiled Abby as she dropped her gaze and blushed softly. “I want to go back to where we were during that last dance. As I recall you were romancing me pretty intently.”

  “And you were enjoying it,” laughed Hazel.

  “Oh my god, I love the sound of your laughter,” beamed Abby. “Yes I was enjoying it, and I want more.”

  “And gladly will I give you more, at the first opportunity.”

  “How about tonight? Are you free?”

  “I’m free and I would love to spend the evening with you. What would you like to do?”

  “First I’d like to help you move back into your own home, and then I’d like to take you to dinner.”

  “How about we grab my stuff from Sharon’s and go to my place where I’ll cook your supper for you,” enthused Hazel. “I’d love to cook for you Abby.”

  “Alright, that sounds like fun. I’d like to see your home; I only got a glimpse through the door the last time I was there.”

  “Oh god, you’re not going to beat up Tommy are you?”

  “Actually I intend to kiss him,” laughed Abby. “I’ll admit he was pretty tough on me, but he was protecting you, and I want your protectors to be tough.”

  “Ok, then we can make him take Hubby for a big walk while I am cooking dinner,” grinned Hazel. “That way we get to talk and Hubby gets a nice walk.”

  “I like it Hazel,” laughed Abby. “I also want to get your new phone number while I’m there.”

  “Oops, sorry about that,” whispered Hazel as she dropped her gaze.

  “Actually, in the long run, I am glad things happened the way they did,” said Abby softly as she took Hazel’s hands in her own. “It seems to me that our personal codes are quite compatible. It will make things a lot easier for us in the future.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I think it is unlikely that we will have such trouble again,” Abby smiled up into Hazel’s eyes. “From now on we will always make sure we completely understand what the other has said or intended, right?”

  “Absolutely. Abby what are you trying to say here?”

  “I’m saying I want to build a relationship with you Hazel,” replied Abby softly. “As I said at the dance, this is all new for me but I do want to try if you do.”

  “That is all I have ever wanted since I first set eyes on you over a year ago,” breathed Hazel.

  “Then go say goodbye and grab your coat,” smiled Abby.

  New Beginning

  “Hi honey, I’m home,” called Hazel as she entered the apartment.

  “I’m in the kitchen sweetie. Are you moving back now?”

  “Yes dear, I’m moving home now,” she grinned as she winked at Abby. Smiling, Abby tugged Hubby fully into the apartment and gently closed the door.

  “Are you sure it’s safe? I saw the blonde bomber in town again today. I think she’s still looking for you.”

  “Ah, Tommy ...

  “I’m sorry Hazel; I know you’re madly in love with the woman, but...”

  “Tommy,” exclaimed Hazel, blushing to her roots, “shut up, for crying out loud.”

  “Oh relax Hazel, you know darn well it’s true that you love the blue eyed wildflower,” he retorted as he entered the living room. Suddenly his jaw dropped open as he saw Abby smiling at him with a naughty glint in her eye.

  “Well now, Mr. Reid,” she purred as she swayed toward him, “that is good news indeed.”

  Hazel blushed even deeper and punched Tommy on the arm. “Jerk,” she laughed. “Now you’re going to get it.”

  Tommy wasn’t smiling though, he looked angry. “This is not wise Hazel,” he said firmly. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Mrs. MacKai, and I think you should leave right now.” He took a step toward Abby, but a deep threatening growl from her side stopped him cold. For the first time he noticed the huge dog.

  “Mr. Reid, you are one hard headed man,” Abby sighed as she silenced Hubby with a swift hand signal. “First you refuse to listen to what I have to say, then you are rude to me, and then you slam the door in my face.” Tommy had remained stock still, not daring to make a move. He started to speak, but Abby cut him off.

  “Before you continue to express your opinions, Mr. Reid, there is someone I would like you to meet. Mr. Thomas Reid, may I present my dear and only companion, Hubby.” So saying Abby made a sweeping gesture toward the big dog with the one floppy ear. “He was given to me by a small boy whose mother had saddled him with that name. Tommy, I am not married, nor have I ever been.”

  Tommy’s mouth moved several times, but no words came out. Slowly the light of full understanding spread over his face. “Oh shit,” he managed at last.

  “Exactly,” sighed Hazel as she put her arm around his shoulders. “Brother Tommy, we have some serious sucking up to do here.”

  “And then some,” he agreed softly. “Miss MacKai, I know apologies are not going to be nearly enough; is there any way I can make this up to you?”

  Abby stepped into his arms and hugged him tightly. “You were only trying to protect Hazel,” she said softly. “That is not a crime in my book. Would you like to start over?”

  “Yes ma’am, I would indeed,” he said as he gently returned her hug.

  Smiling brightly, Abby stepped back and offered her hand. “Hi, you must be Tommy. We met last Christmas, remember? I’m Abigail MacKai, but all my friends call me Abby.”

  “Thomas Reid ma’am, but my friends call me Tommy,” he replied softly as he shook her hand warmly. “I’d really like to count you among that number.”

  “A pleasure Tommy, I’m Abby to you, and this handsome fellow is Hubby.”

  “Hello Hubby, you’re not going to chew off my leg are you?” grinned Tommy. The dog wagged his tail and went to him, eager to make a new friend. “My, that’s a real change of attitude. I guess you’re not so mean after al
l; you were just protecting your mom like I was trying to protect mine.” He dropped to one knee and began to wrestle playfully with Hubby who tried to lick his face and knock him over at the same time.

  “Boys, that’s enough rough housing in the apartment,” admonished Hazel. “Stop it at once.”

  They ignored her completely so Abby barked at them. “Sit!” Side by side they sat and looked at each other sheepishly.

  “I guess we’re in the soup now, big fella.”

  “Speaking of soup, what’s burning in the kitchen?”

  “Oh shit,” gasped Tommy as he leaped to his feet and sped into the kitchen, Hubby hard on his heels. “That wasn’t funny Hazel Fillmore. God will get you for that, and so will I.”

  “That looks like a vat of chili, and I smell the makings of garlic bread,” teased Hazel as she and Abby followed him into the kitchen. “So who’s coming to dinner?”

  “Charlie, and he will be here any minute.”

  “Perhaps I should buy you dinner after all Hazel, Tommy obviously has a romantic evening planned and ....”

  “And you are going to stay to dinner, Miss Abigail MacKai,” replied Tommy. “I owe you a dinner at least, and I’ve been wanting to introduce Hazel to Charlie. I would be delighted if you two would join us for the evening. I know Charlie would love to meet you both.”

  “Tommy, you don’t ...”

  “I insist,” he interrupted.

  “Very well then, I would be delighted to join you for dinner,” smiled Abby, “if it works for Hazel.”

  “A get to know the family evening eh? Why not?”

  “Hazel honey, why don’t you show Abby around a bit while I get things on the go here,” suggested Tommy.

  “Great idea, right this way my dear.” She led Abby through the small apartment, stopping at each point of interest to tell a small story of how each piece had come to be there. She and Tommy had taken to combing the yard sales every Saturday morning, looking for ways and things to use in decorating the place. Abby was completely enchanted with their efforts. She could easily see by the way Hazel had decorated her own room why Abby’s retro outfits had been such a hit with Hazel.