What Remains

by Sandra Miller

  Finally, with Tessa wringing her hands and certain she was going to explode from the anxiety of not knowing what was going on, he stepped toward her and grinned as he touched her shoulder lightly, letting her know that everything was fine.

  “I’m glad everything worked out. I’ll call you next week when I get back to the office so we can talk in private without your mother eavesdropping…No, problem…I’m glad I could help.” After handing the phone back to Tessa, he continued to smile as he left the kitchen.

  “Shane, what’s going on? Why did you need to speak with Mr. Richards?”

  “Didn’t he tell you?”

  “No,” she sighed. “I have no idea what you two are up to.”

  “Right after you started working there I called and Seth answered the phone and told me you were running an errand for him. We started talking and when he found out I had applied to couple of law schools but hadn’t heard anything yet, he told me he would make a few calls and see what he could do to get me an interview. The next day a recruiter from Ole Miss called.”

  Tessa was flabbergasted. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “He asked me not to.”

  At a loss for words, she let the matter drop and finished the conversation with her son; getting enjoyment from just listening to the excitement in his voice. As he talked questions about the cost of such a prestigious school kept running through her mind, though she was hesitant about voicing any concerns at this point. That time would come soon enough, and she prayed that he would be able to handle the disappointment with maturity. There were other law schools he could apply to that would be a fraction of the cost, she was sure. But for now, she would remain silent and allow him to enjoy it.

  A few hours later, as she stood on the porch and looked out over the ocean, Mr. Richards came to stand beside her.

  “You’re quiet this afternoon. Is everything alright?”

  “I’m just worried about my son.”

  “Why? You should be happy for him. If he really wants to get into politics, Ole Miss is one of the best schools to help him lay the foundation.”

  “Mr. Richards…,” she began in earnest, turning to face him squarely. “Shane told me what you did for him, and I appreciate it. In fact, you’ll never know how grateful I am. But there’s no way he can afford it, and I’m in no position to help. His heart is going to be broken.”

  “Don’t worry about the tuition, Tessa. Just relax for a change, and be proud of him.”

  “I am proud of him. But I continually fail him and all my children,” she told him, fighting back the sob that threatened to escape her throat.

  “How have you possibly failed him? You’re so hard on yourself.”

  “Because I’ve never been able to provide for them in the way they deserve. All their lives they’ve had to stand back and watch their friends have things they knew they would never have. I was lucky just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. They’ve never known what it was like to have things simply handed to them.”

  “You gave them something much more valuable, Tess, a sense of independence and one hell of a work ethic. No matter what, they are always going to be able to take care of themselves and figure out a way to make things happen.”

  Covering her face with her hands, Tessa turned away, unable to keep her tears at bay, embarrassed by her lack of control of late. “Just once, I want to know what it feels like to do for my children like other parents; provide them with things they don’t have to work for. I’m so ashamed about what I’ve put them through.”

  Mr. Richards gently forced Tessa around and wrapped his arms about her shoulders and cradled her head against his chest with his hand.

  “Shane is attending Ole Miss on a full scholarship from my firm, Tess, because of who you are.”

  Upon hearing that, she wept openly with mixed emotions. As overwhelming as his generosity was, Tessa knew she didn’t deserve it, and would never be able to repay the debt.

  “Now why are you crying,” he chuckled with his chin resting atop her head.

  “Because, I don’t know what to do. I’ve never accepted hand outs, but I would do anything for my son. Even grovel if I had to. He’s so excited.”

  “You don’t have to do anything. We offer scholarships every year to less deserving applicants than Shane, so don’t think you owe me any favors, or your gratitude. It’s a tax write off, plain and simple. If I don’t offer it to him, I’ll be giving it to the IRS. Does that make you feel better?”

  Tessa nodded her head which caused him to laugh aloud.

  “I have to go see my grandmother this afternoon or she’s going to kill me. I’d ask you to come, but I have a suspicion you’d say yes just because you feel like you owe me something, so I’m not going to ask.”

  “No I wouldn’t, so don’t flatter yourself,” Tessa sniffled.

  “That’s my girl,” he replied, laughing.

  After pulling away, she wiped her eyes and then tried to smooth out the wrinkles she had caused on the front of his freshly pressed shirt. When Tess realized she was standing there totally feeling up her boss, she dropped her hands quickly and stuffed them in the pockets of her cut offs.

  “You better change, I’ve ruined it. You’re grandmother will wonder why you hired such a lousy housekeeper.”

  “I wonder that myself, sometimes,” he teased.

  “Well, I’m glad you did.”

  “So am I.”

  When silence fell between them, they both looked away and fidgeted with their clothing. Fully aware and uncomfortable about the fact they had shared a rather intimate moment, they laughed freely and tried to play it down.

  “That was a little weird,” Tessa commented, brave enough to be the first one to broach the subject. “You smell really good by the way.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, which displayed his own embarrassment, Mr. Richards grinned. “It’s soap. I tend to shower every day.”

  “No way.”

  “Growing up in West Virginia, you’re probably not use to having such high personal hygiene standards.”

  “Indeed,” she giggled.

  Good one.

  “You smell pretty good, yourself. What’s that dough you’re wearing today—banana nut bread or cinnamon rolls?”

  Bringing the hem of her tee shirt up to her nose, she breathed in deeply.

  “Uhmmm, banana nut bread I think.”

  “Well, it works for you, whatever it is.”

  Blushing, Tessa swung her shoulders toward the door. “I’m going inside now to take my bi-monthly shower, so if you’ll excuse me.”

  From her bedroom room window upstairs, she watched Mr. Richards get into his SUV and pull away. Smiling to herself, she shook her head in disbelief. Before that morning, she would have never guessed in a million years that Seth Richards would turn out to be such a genuinely nice guy. Just goes to show you can never judge a book by its cover, or a man by his tailor-made Italian suit. So he could tease her all he wanted about her Appalachian upbringing and PHD in English Lit. He had made her son’s dream a reality, in Tessa’s eyes, he would always be worthy of her respect and gratitude.

  Chapter Ten

  The next few days Tessa spent reveling in the fact that she got to have the house and the beach virtually to herself. The early mornings were shared with Mr. Richards, of course, preparing his breakfast and cleaning up after him, but his family commitments kept him away throughout the rest of the day, until late at night after she had already retired to her bedroom to read or watch old black and white movies until drifting off.

  The daily routine surprisingly turned into a run along the shoreline for several miles with the dogs, which she found hard to believe she was even capable of considering she hadn’t run since her track days in junior high school. Afterwards, a quick shower and a power nap on the veranda in a hammock where the warmth of the sun, the constant breezes, and sound of the surf made it nearly impossible not to nod off. From that point it was a qui
ck lunch, and long, leisurely conversations with family and of course, Gregory. So all in all, the paid vacation she had been coerced into had far exceeded her expectations.

  Tonight was the big family soiree, so chances were it would be an even later night for her employer. But hopefully it also meant he would be able to finally enjoy the last few days of his own vacation. It was evident by his mood that the family stressed him out. The carefree man whom she had caught a glimpse of when they arrived had disappeared the day he went to see his grandmother, and the transformation was regrettable. She had thought he was morose back at the estate, but here with his relatives, he was ten times worse. At least at home he would make some attempt to have a conversation with her. But the past few mornings, she was fortunate to get a cordial ‘good morning’.

  The peaceful routine was about to be shattered, however. Tessa realized it when Mr. Richards’ SUV came to a sliding halt on the pebble covered drive in front of the house. No sooner had she opened her eyes from the nap he had interrupted, when he was standing over her with an expression that could have only been construed as desperation. Instantly her thoughts went to his grandmother.

  “Seth,” she gasped, pulling herself up to a sitting position, which was a little difficult in a hammock when she was still half asleep. “What’s wrong?”

  Kneeling before the hammock, he took her hands in his and held them gently. “Tess, I know I have no right to ask you this, but it’s Mems.”

  “Oh my God, is she okay?”

  “Yes…No…well, I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know? Is she breathing?”

  “It seems that…well…she’s soiled herself.”

  Tessa looked at him expressionless for several moments. The woman was ninety-three years old, these things happened. Why was he treating it like a state of emergency?

  “And?”

  After releasing a sigh of frustration, he shook his head. “The nurse that usually stays with her was given the weekend off and the replacement never showed up this morning. The home health agency is having a hard time finding someone willing to come to the island.”

  Still confused, Tessa giggled. “That’s hardly something to get worked up about.”

  “I know it must seem trivial to you, but trust me, it’s a big deal. None of the women in my family are willing to help; they’re already dressed with their makeup and jewelry on, entertaining guests. And Mems won’t even let me in the room, or I’d take care of it myself.”

  “So are you asking me?”

  “I’m sorry, but I am,” he admitted, contrition clearly written across his face.

  “That’s all you had to say, silly,” Tessa smiled, swinging herself up with Mr. Richards’ assistance.

  “Thank you, Tess.”

  “Let me slip on my flops and I’ll meet you in the car.”

  The drive over took less than five minutes, and thoughtfully, he took Tessa up the back stairs to avoid the prying eyes of his family and the several hundred guests milling about the grounds. Even in their hurry, she could not help but to admire the scene. The entire property was decorated with countless large bouquets of white roses and thousands of lights strung throughout the tree tops and over head. It would surely be a spectacular sight to see come night fall.

  Holding her hand the entire way, Seth led her toward the only room on the second floor with the door shut. After rapping on it lightly, they waited for permission to enter.

  “Get out of here!” a shrill, but weakened voice called out.

  “Mems, it’s me, Seth. I have someone here who can help you.”

  “I don’t want anyone’s help. I’ll sit here in my own mess until every one of those leeches leave my house, including your mother and those worthless daughters of hers.”

  At that point, Tessa didn’t know whether to smile at the elderly woman’s contempt, or feel bad for Mr. Richards who was being forced into such a no-win predicament.

  “I can’t let you do that, Mems. Now unlock the door, I mean it.”

  “What did you have to do, hire a stranger off the street to come and wipe my behind?”

  “No, I have Tessa with me. She’s the new housekeeper I was telling you about.”

  “Who, that hillbilly from West Virginia?”

  When he turned to apologize, Tessa smiled sweetly and shook her head to let him know none was necessary.

  “Let me try,” she whispered, then called out sternly. “Mrs. Collins, if you don’t let me get you cleaned up, your skin is going to start breaking down, and then you’ll be a world of trouble.”

  When the sound of a walker scraping across the wood floors could be heard, Mr. Richards stared down at Tessa with cautious hope. She could hear him sigh with relief when the door unlocked and opened just enough for the old woman to peer through.

  “Let me see you…”

  Stepping forward, Tessa presented herself and offered a warm smile.

  “Why, there’s nothing to you, how are you going to help me?”

  “I’m a lot stronger than you think,” she reassured her.

  “Most of you inbred mountain people are, I suppose.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Mrs. Collins disappeared behind the door briefly before it was finally swung open to allow her to enter.

  “I didn’t say you could come in, Seth— only the girl.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well stop complaining.”

  Upon entering the room, the smell was so overwhelming that Tessa strode over to the window and opened it wide to let in the fresh air. When she turned around to face Mems and saw the state she was in, she swallowed hard and forced herself to smile to hide the pity she felt.

  “I’ve ruined my dress, my stockings, everything…I don’t know what happened.”

  “We’ll get you cleaned up in no time,” she promised, and then directed her attention to Mr. Richards who remained standing at the doorway. “Which way is the nearest shower?”

  “Right through that door.”

  Nodding in appreciation, Tessa took a step toward the old woman and placed a supportive arm around her waist.

  “Come on, let’s get started so you can go down there and celebrate your birthday.”

  “Not much to celebrate when you’re so old you go all over yourself.”

  “I’ll be right here if you need me,” Mr. Richards told them both as Tessa closed the bathroom door behind her, offering him a quick reassuring wink.

  Carefully removing the expensive sequenced gown that would now have to be thrown away, Tessa tried her best to keep chatting as she worked, hoping to keep Mrs. Collins from focusing on the humiliation she was surely experiencing at having a complete stranger see her in this condition.

  The elderly woman didn’t speak a word until Tessa had her fully undressed and ready to step into the shower.

  “It’s a damn shame when your own daughter and granddaughters won’t lift a finger to help you. I’m glad my Edward didn’t make it to see this day. It would’ve broken his heart.”

  “Don’t you worry about anything, ma’am, Seth and I are here to help you. Now put your walker in first, and then step inside the stall facing the back.”

  “My grandson is the only good one out of the bunch. Money ruined all the rest of them,” she grumbled, slowly following instructions.

  Carefully assisting her to make sure she didn’t fall, Tessa kept the conversation going, though refusing to comment on any negative statements that were made. “Mr. Richards is fine man. You raised him well.”

  “You’re damn right I did, with no help from his mother. My Elaine was a good girl until she married that low life from Chelsea. We tried to tell her he was only marrying her for the money, because she certainly wasn’t much to look at before she got her nose done. But Edward fixed him good when he left everything to Seth. Their expressions when the will was read were priceless. If I hadn’t been grieving the loss of my husband, I would’ve laughed in both of their fa
ces.”

  When Tessa didn’t respond, Mrs. Collin’s peered down at Tessa suspiciously as she leaned forward to scrub her backside and legs. “How much is Seth paying to pay you to do this?

  “Nothing. I’m doing it because I want to.”

  “Humph…that’s hard to believe.”

  “Well, it’s true.”