Wildflower

by Prudence MacLeod

  “A single pressed flower,” smiled Abby as she lightly caressed the framed blossom with her finger tips. “This is absolutely beautiful Hazel. What’s the story behind this one?”

  “That one has a very special meaning for me,” replied Hazel shyly. “When I was still in school, I used to run a lot. I was way up on a rocky bluff after a long run one day, lying in the sun and admiring this little blossom that was growing out on the rocks. My uncle found me there and tried to rape me.”

  “Oh god, Hazel,”

  “I grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in his face,” Hazel went on with a reassuring smile. “I kicked him and broke his leg then I ran all the way home. As I ran I noticed the flower still stuck in my ring. I had completely uprooted it and used it’s only scrap of soil as a weapon. That day I promised this small blossom that when I found someone just like it, that is the person I would fall in love with; someone living out among the rocks, clinging to a small bit of land, and yet continuing to blossom and make the world a more beautiful place. I swore to honor and nurture that person and to make sure no one ever uprooted her from her chosen place in the sun.”

  “And is that why Tommy called me the wildflower?” asked Abby softly as she noted the small photograph of herself and Hubby that stood by the bedside lamp.

  “Yes,” whispered a furiously blushing Hazel.

  “I am deeply honored Hazel.” Before the moment could go farther there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” bawled Tommy who was obviously stuck in the kitchen.

  “Locked,” responded a male voice from outside.

  “Shit,” exclaimed Tommy.

  “WOOF!” exclaimed Hubby who was now standing at the door.

  “Got it,” called Hazel as she was turning the knob. “Hello, you must be Charlie, please do come in. I’m Hazel Fillmore, and this is Abby MacKai.”

  “A pleasure ladies,” smiled the small man brightly as he stepped through the door. “Now who is this fine handsome fellow here?”

  “This is Hubby,” replied Abby as she tried to pull the dog off him. It was no use as he was on the floor playing with the dog, wrestling and losing as Hubby enthusiastically tried to lick his face.

  “Hubby,” mused Charlie softly, as he regained his feet. “Well sir, I’ll just bet that name has been at the root of all the distress around here of late.”

  “Very perceptive of you sir, it has indeed.”

  “How did he get a name like that anyway Abby?” asked Tommy who was busily trying to set the table.

  “There was a family leaving for Toronto,” she replied as all three of them headed for the kitchen. “They couldn’t take the dog, so I adopted him. The boy said his mother had named him. She’d said his ears bore a striking resemblance to those of her husband.”

  “Indeed,” exclaimed Hazel, “well then, he must surely have been a very handsome man.”

  “I quite agree. This fine fellow has been my crutch in time of need as well as my constant companion since we had the very great good fortune to fall into each other’s company. It pleases me that you and he have bonded so well Hazel.” Hazel blushed softly and smiled warmly at Abby as she lightly scratched the dog’s ear.

  The dinner and following evening passed pleasantly in general getting to know you conversation. Charlie was a sweet charming man and Abby found herself quite liking both he and Tommy. Tommy had been pretty tough on her, but that was only because he was trying to protect Hazel. She soon understood that he didn’t have a mean bone in his body. At length, she realized that she would have to go or these nice folks would stay up all night.

  “I am dreadfully sorry good people,” she smiled warmly, “but I must head for home. It is a long drive and my Hubby needs his rest.” They all smiled at that and Hazel rose to walk her back to her car.

  They walked down the stairs and out to Abby’s car hand in hand. Abby put Hubby into the back seat then turned and stepped into Hazel’s arms and hugged her fiercely. “I can never thank you enough for tracking me down,” whispered Hazel.

  “I just couldn’t let it go that way Hazel,” sighed Abby, her face buried against Hazel’s shoulder. “Once I understood what had happened I just had to find you again and explain. Lord, what you must have thought.”

  “That’s the whole problem Abby, I didn’t think, I just reacted. Had I any sense I would have asked you plainly right on the spot what was up with that, and we could have saved ourselves a lot of anguish.”

  “You may never know just how much. You are never allowed to run away from me again. Agreed?”

  “I promise, my little wildflower,” replied Hazel as she lightly kissed the top of Abby’s head. “I promise.”

  “That’s so sweet,” sighed Abby. “I like that. I’d love to stay like this all night, but we are entertaining the neighbors and they didn’t even pay us a quarter. Promise you will come visit me next days off?”

  “I promise Abby,” whispered Hazel as she reluctantly released her golden one from her embrace. She so desperately wanted to kiss the goddess, but was afraid to push so hard so soon after the reunion.

  “Say it like you mean it,” laughed Abby, her smiling face lighting up Hazel’s world.

  “I promise,” laughed Hazel. “Now that I have your phone number I’ll call you too.”

  “Every night?”

  “Yes, every night if you want.”

  “I do want, Hazel my sweet,” smiled Abby as she got into her car. “I do want that very much. I have far too much work that has been neglected lately, so I am not likely to be back in town for a few days. You will have to call each night or I’ll get lonely.”

  “I will call Abby, I promise,” whispered Hazel as she closed Abby’s door. “Take good care of her Hubby.” She stood waving until the car was out of sight, then she turned back toward the apartment building.

  “Abby on her way?” asked Tommy as she returned. He and Charlie were sitting together on the couch inspecting Hazel’s book.

  “On her way. Tommy, I’m going to have you killed.”

  “What did I do now?”

  “Oh hell Hazel, I know you’re madly in love with the woman, but..,” Hazel said in a mocking voice, “and the girl is standing right there.”

  “Blew your cover, did I?”

  “Abby is a very perceptive woman,” smiled Charlie. “I’m quite sure she was already aware of your feelings Hazel.”

  “That easy to read am I?” she sighed as she flopped on the chair facing them.

  “Afraid so, one glance and anyone who was interested could tell how you two feel about each other.”

  “So you’re saying I have a chance here?” asked Hazel, a smile at the corners of her mouth.

  “That movie star woman went to a lot of trouble to find you Hazel Fillmore,” grinned Tommy. “I doubt she would have bothered if she didn’t care.”

  “I agree,” smiled Charlie. “If there is one thing I am good at it is reading people. Abby MacKai shares your feelings Hazel. This is all new to her, and she has been hurt badly in the past I can tell, but she is definitely interested. She will need you to be patient.”

  “How do you know she’s been hurt?” asked Hazel softly, very intent now.

  “There’s a defensive wall around her. It is her nature to be open and loving, but there is a wounded part of her that holds back a bit, fearing to trust.”

  “I have sensed that too,” sighed Hazel as she shifted in her chair. “She seems to be the more assertive of the two of us, but I think that’s because she needs to feel like she is the one controlling the speed of unfolding events.”

  “Exactly.”

  “So what should I do?”

  “Exactly what you promised to do when you found your wildflower,” Tommy put in softly.

  “Yes, and you blabbed about that too didn’t you,” she said as she threw a cushion at him.

  “Oops!”

  “You’re darn right Oops,” she growled with mock anger. Suddenly tears filled her e
yes for a moment. “Tommy, she came back to me. She actually hunted me down and made me listen. God, I felt like such a fool. She was staring into my eyes, saying something she needed me to hear, but all I could do was cry. Finally it began to seep into my brain what she was saying.

  “Why the hell should I care what your dog’s name is?’ I thought, and then I began to realize what she meant. She just held me with those eyes until I understood what had happened. Dear gods, what I almost threw away.”

  “You’re a very lucky woman Hazel Fillmore,” smiled Charlie. “The girl is all grace and good manners and she will never let a misunderstanding come between you again.”

  “She also has a very forgiving nature,” grinned Tommy ruefully. “I thought for sure she was going to set the dog on me.”

  “Yes I am a lucky woman, far luckier than I ever let myself believe. You two need a bit of privacy, I’m going to go for a run now.”

  “That’s neither safe nor sensible Hazel,” stated Charlie as he rose to his feet. “This is your home and you need your sleep. I will spirit Tommy away to my house for a while, you get your rest.”

  “Bless you both,” Hazel murmured through a yawn. “Keep him Tommy, the man’s pure gold.”

  “Actually, I’m planning to do just that. You pack it in sweetie; I’ll be back before midnight.”

  “See that you are or I’ll turn you both into toads,” she grinned as she headed toward her bedroom.

  “Good night Abby my love,” she whispered to the photo beside her bed as she turned out the light, “sweet dreams.”

  More Bumps in the Road

  Abby awakened with the sun streaming through her window to find a squirming dog beside the bed. “Slept in did I?” she asked as she quickly grabbed her sweats and ran to the bathroom. There was no time for a long gentle awakening today, Hubby had to go. Swift as she could, Abby did her thing then pulled on her sweats. She threw open the kitchen door so he could take care of his business while she tied up her sneakers and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “Let’s go big man,” she laughed as she ran down the grassy slope to the beach. Hubby raced past her and bore down on a small group of gulls at top speed. With wild cries that sounded like laughter they swept into the air and soared high above his head while he ran about the beach, barking at them and wagging his tail.

  Abby hiked swiftly along the shoreline until she came to her favorite boulder. With a sigh of pure delight she sat and drained her bottle of water before she pulled the cell phone from her bag. Smiling wickedly Abby dialed Hazel’s new number. “Greetings weary traveler, you have reached the telephone of Hazel Fillmore and Tommy Reid. Please leave your message at the sound of the beep....beep...”

  “Good morning sweetheart,” laughed Abby. “The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, Abby is feeling wonderful and just wanted to share that with you. Oh yes, you’re not fooling me with that phony message voice thing.”

  Hazel’s rich laughter made Abby’s heart soar with joy. “So what gave me away?”

  “Your beep needs work. Did I wake you?”

  “Not a chance, I just got back from my run. It sounds like you are on the beach?”

  “That’s right, Hubby and I walk the beach every morning the weather is fit,” replied Abby. “Today it is such a glorious morning out here that I just wanted to share it with you.”

  “You are so sweet, Abby MacKai,” sighed Hazel, throwing herself on the couch. “I’m going to go book off three days this weekend so I can come to your house and play on the beach with you.”

  “Be still my heart. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Beep. Crap, my battery is dying Hazel, have a wonderful day and think of me.”

  “I will sweetie,” replied Hazel, but she realized that she was speaking to empty air; Abby’s phone had gone dead. “I will think of you every minute of this day Abigail MacKai.” Hazel gently hung up the phone and headed for the shower. She noticed that Tommy had not come home last night and she smiled warmly.

  “Charlie will make you a far better partner than Jack ever could, Tommy my dear.”

  For the next number of days Abby was like a machine. She cleaned her entire house and did every scrap of laundry she could find. She weeded her garden and her flower beds as well, wanting everything to be absolutely perfect when Hazel arrived. She also devoted several hours each day to working on Harry’s proposal.

  Each evening about nine thirty Hazel phoned. They told each other about their respective days, its adventures and misadventures as well as its brighter spots. Abby laughed and said that they were worse than two school girls, hanging on the phone so much. Hazel had to agree, but said she was on the long distance cheap package, so she could talk as long as she liked.

  Abby also took time to have Wanda and Keith over for dinner. They laughed with delight as she waxed poetic about the wonderful Miss Hazel Fillmore. Wanda beamed with motherly pride at the look of delight on Keith’s face when he tasted Abby’s cooking. “Abby, I could close my eyes and swear Bride Murphy had prepared this meal,” he smiled. “This is absolutely devine.” Abby beamed with pleasure.

  “It is so good to see her like this,” sighed Wanda as they walked slowly back to their house.

  “Yes it is, my love. Do you suppose she will bring the divine Miss Fillmore here to live or will she return to the city permanently?”

  “I think we will have a new neighbor before Christmas,” laughed Wanda.

  “Oh really? So what do you know that I don’t?”

  “Abby told me that Hazel would never dream of trying to uproot her from this place. She says Hazel calls her the little wildflower.”

  “Young love,” he grinned, “isn’t it grand?”

  “Ye it is my dear,” smiled Wanda as she took his hand, “and the well seasoned variety isn’t so bad either.”

  Saturday morning finally arrived and Abby was busy getting the place ready for Hazel. She was planning to drive to town and pick her up after work. They would have three whole days together and Abby could hardly wait. By two in the afternoon she was as ready as she could be and once again dressed in one of her glamorous retro outfits. She reached for her car keys just as the phone rang. With a strong sense of impending doom Abby reached for the receiver.

  “MacKai Enterprises International, Abigail speaking,” she said formally.

  “Abby, it’s Tommy,” he blurted in a distraught voice.

  “What has happened Tommy? Is Hazel alright?”

  “It’s not Hazel, Abby. Abby, she is in no shape to visit you this weekend.”

  “Tommy Reid you have the most annoying habit of muddying the waters and avoiding the point. Tell me clearly what has happened.”

  “Hazel’s grandmother has just died, Abby,” he said softly. “The funeral is scheduled for Monday afternoon.”

  “Oh dear god, Tommy,” whispered Abby, her voice filled with compassion. “What time is Hazel flying out? I’ll go see her off at the airport.”

  “She’s not going home for the funeral Abby.”

  “Tommy Reid, getting a full story out of you is like pulling chicken’s teeth, please let me talk to Hazel if she’s there.”

  “Abby, Hazel’s not in...”

  “Tommy, stop this and put Hazel on the phone,” commanded Abby.

  “Hi,” came Hazel’s soft sniffle a moment later.

  “Hazel, I am so sorry,” said Abby softly. “Are you at home now?”

  “Uh huh,”

  “Honey, is there some special reason you aren’t going to go home for the funeral?”

  “I don’t have enough money,” sobbed Hazel as she burst into tears.

  “Shall I buy a ticket for you?”

  “Abby I can’t let you...”

  “Hazel, do you want to go?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I will buy you a ticket,” stated Abby firmly. “Shall I get one for Tommy too?”

  “Tommy can’t get the time off work,” sniffed H
azel.

  “Would you like me to go with you honey?”

  “Oh gods, Abby, could you, would you?”

  “What’s the nearest airport where we can land sweetie?”

  “Moncton. Abby, I’ll pay you back for this, I promise.”

  “Hazel honey, we can discuss that when we get back. Right now we have to make arrangements. I’ll call as soon as I have everything all set up. You snuggle up to Tommy and stay cozy until I call back, Ok?”

  “Ok,” sniffed Hazel. “Abby I...”

  “I know sweetie, I’ll call as soon as I have it all arranged. Bye now.” She hung up the phone and tossed aside her purse and keys. “Hubby, I have to go away for a few days,” she sighed as she scratched the big fellow’s ear. “Will you be alright with a babysitter?”

  It took Abby nearly an hour, but she finally got it all under control. Actually, the babysitter for Hubby proved to be the toughest as Keith was taking Wanda to Montreal for a few days of shopping. She finally tracked down Billy Parsons and he readily agreed to keep the dog for her. With cup of tea in hand she sat and called Hazel.

  “Hello?” said a brokenhearted voice.

  “Hi sweetheart, it’s Abby,” she said warmly. “I’ve got it all set. We fly out bright and early tomorrow morning, pick up a rental car and away we go. We come back on Tuesday afternoon. Does this work for you?”

  “Oh Abby, I don’t know how to thank you for this,” sighed Hazel. “When I realized I couldn’t go I just came completely apart. What are you going to do with poor Hubby?”

  “The man is going to stay with Aunt Edna and Uncle Billy while mom is out of town. He’ll be spoiled rotten by the time we get back, but he will be fine while we are gone.”

  “Abby...”

  “None of that now Hazel, I know full well you would do the same for me and more. Please Hazel, you have to let me do this for you, besides, it will give me a chance to meet your family and see the place where you grew up.”