by Alice Addy
“Women,” he mumbled, softly.
* * *
They’d been on the road for three days, and were starting to make progress. After Elephant Rock, there had been no more drama, no more fits of anger, and no more bouts of crying. Both Tony and Sophie were starting to relax and enjoy the strange and beautiful scenery.
One afternoon, a thought came to Sophie. She realized she knew nothing of Tony’s last wife. He’d never even mentioned her name.
“Tony?”
“Hmmm?” Tony had been thinking about the caves and the healing waters he expected to find, once they reached New Mexico. His thoughts were miles away from the car and his passenger sitting beside him.
“How many times have you been married?”
Tony’s brow wrinkled. What on earth would cause Sophie to ask that? Her mind was a fascinating thing. “I told you, sweetheart. You’re my fifth and last wife.”
“You told me all about Penelope and Silver Leaf. You told me all about Renee, from New Orleans. I met Bea, but you never married her, or that other girl. You know, the one from Chicago? Who did you leave out?”
Tony sighed. It was probably the hardest of all to remember this marriage. His lovely Marissa haunted his dreams to this day. At times, he thought he could hear her thoughts. That was ridiculous, of course, but the sound of her gentle voice echoed in his mind. It wasn’t fair to Sophie, to keep the identity of someone, so important, from her, nor was it fair not to speak of Marissa, as if she never existed. He just wished it didn’t hurt so very much.
With his eyes never leaving the road, Tony answered. “Her name was Marissa, and she was the sweetest woman I’d ever known. She was smart and funny. Kind of like you, darling.” He glanced at Sophie and smiled. She was listening, intently, to his story.
“We met in 1948. I hadn’t been with a woman since I’d left Bea. One morning, a lovely, chubby redhead, ran into my brand new Kurtis sports car. For me, it was love at first sight. I asked her if she was hurt. You see…the woman wasn’t driving another vehicle. She was on foot, and she literally ran into the side of my car, as she was sprinting across the street. A boxer was chasing her.”
“Why would a boxer be chasing a woman? Did she bet against him or something?” Sophie was obviously confused.
“Not a boxer, Sophie. She was being chased by a dog. Marissa had been raised in foster homes. Some of the dogs were used for guarding the property. They weren’t always pets. She was afraid of them. She’d had a tough time of it, but she never complained. She never let me complain, either.
“I never told her about my problem. It just never seemed to come up, somehow. Even when James Michael was born, I never told her that I’d live to see him grow into an old man.”
“You had a son with her? That’s wonderful, Tony. Can I meet him? Gee, just think. He’s an old man, now.” Sophie’s turquoise eyes were huge. “Why haven’t you told me about James?”
Tony’s features were anything but happy and wondrous. He’d suddenly grown sullen. “Because I don’t know where he is, or even if he’s alive. They disappeared.”
No one spoke for several minutes. Tony was obviously dealing with some demons from his past. Finally, he tried to explain.
“It was my birthday, June 1st, 1950. Marissa wanted to surprise me with a puppy. I’d always wanted one, but with her fear of dogs, I’d given up on the idea. She thought it would be nice for the baby to grow up with a cute, friendly dog. She went to the store and purchased a dog bed, a collar, and some food. She picked up a cake, from the local bakery. Her girlfriend had offered to go with her and help watch James, but she said she was running late and needed to hurry.
“I waited until ten o’clock that evening. No one had heard from them. I paced the floor, until I couldn’t take it any longer. I called the police. They found her car in a ditch, more than nine miles from our house. She was gone. James was gone. But that damn puppy was nestled all snug in a box, in the back seat. Her purse hadn’t been stolen and there was no blood. My wife and son just disappeared.”
“Oh, my God, Tony. Where did they go?”
“Hell, Sophie. If I knew where they went, do you think I’d be here with you?”
As soon as the hateful words left his mouth, Tony knew he’d done great harm to Sophie. He was such a shit, sometimes. Under great stress, he could always be counted on to piss someone off, or crush them with his words.
Sophie felt as if she’d been struck. Never had Tony said anything so cruel. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he never found his wife and son, he wouldn’t have married her. How could she have been so blind? He was still mourning his last wife. She was just a substitute. Tony didn’t love her the way she loved him. How could he? His last wife was smart. He’d said so. Sophie was so hurt, she couldn’t even respond.
“Sweetheart?” Tony pleaded. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. You know I’m an ass. I told you that from the very beginning. It just slipped out. Never finding out what happened to them has stopped me from dealing with my loss. You can understand that, can’t you?” He waited for the answer that never came.
Tony looked for the nearest exit off the highway. He needed to pull off and stop the car, so he could hold his wife in his arms. She was hurting and it was all his fault.
“Sophie, darling. Let me hold you,” Tony begged. He reached across the seat, and Sophie came to him, willingly. She was never one to hold a grudge. The sweetness and purity of her soul, broke his heart.
“Sophie, you are the reason I have the strength to go on. My love for you is boundless. I’ve loved all my wives, but you take a special place in my heart. There is only one Sophie, and I’m proud to claim you as my own. Please forgive my stupidity, sweetheart.” Tears ran down Tony’s face, mixing with those of Sophie’s. He had never felt like such a heel. All the things he professed were true. He had loved no other, the way he loved Sophie.
With a finger, he tilted her beautiful face up to meet his. Smiling, Tony touched her lips with his own, covering them with tender kisses. He hungered for her love.
She moaned.
“Oh, my darling. Open for me,” he whispered. Tony slipped his tongue into her warm, sweet mouth. It was heaven. She was an angel and she had gifted him with her love. “Sophie,” he sighed, as he continued kissing her mouth, drowning in her luscious splendor.
“Tony,” she spoke, softly. “If you say you love me, I’ll believe you. I have no choice but to believe you are telling me the truth. Without you, in my life, I would be lost. You’re a very special man and I can’t help but love you.” She hiccupped a few times and wiped her nose on a napkin she’d found in the glove box. “I’m all right, now,” she sniffed. “I wish you were okay. I am truly sorry about Marissa and James.”
It was just like Sophie to put aside her own grief and concentrate on the pain of others. She was priceless.
“I love you, Sophie Barton. I always will.”
“Can you tell me more about Marissa?” She wanted to understand. “I think you will feel better if you talk about her. Did the police find anything?”
“No, sweetness. I never heard anything more. I never got over it. It just got easier, day-by-day. I’ve learned to live with it. It wasn’t until I met you, that I wanted to live again. You are a complete joy.”
“Thank you, Tony. Do you have a picture of your family?” It had been 1950, after all. Surely, he had a photo.
“We had photos, but I packed them away. They’re in boxes in the attic of the brownstone. It’s funny. Marissa was normally, very private, but she insisted on publishing our wedding photo in the New York Times. We made the society pages. I remember she was very proud of that. She said everyone would see us.” He thought back, picturing the photo in his mind’s eye. She was so very lovely with her red hair and bright eyes.
Clearing his throat, he sat up straight, and reconnected his seatbelt. “Okay, sugar. Time is wasting. If we don’t put some miles behind us, we’ll never get to the giant ice cream con
e. You still want to see it, right?”
“Oh, yes, Tony. It’s the world’s biggest,” chirped a very happy Sophie. She had bounced back and was, once again, the happy, cheerful, precious woman he’d fallen head over heels in love with.
“Hold on to your hat. We’re off,” he said, excitedly.
“But, Tony. I’m not wearing a hat.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The American southwest is unlike any place on earth, and its magic beckoned Tony. He could feel it draw him in, like a moth to a flame. The colors were intense, as was the harsh native plants and the animals sturdy enough to survive its extreme conditions.
“Why has it taken me so long to make it here?” Tony asked himself. Speaking aloud, he wondered, “I’ve been so close, but I never took the time. This is it. I can feel it in my body.”
“I can feel it in my body, too. I think I have to pee. Find a gas station, Tony.” Sophie had been very thirsty since breakfast, resulting in the urgent need to relieve herself.
“Sophie, you’ll have to hold it for a little while. There’s nothing but mesquite and cactus…and a few rattlers and scorpions.” He snickered, thinking he was very funny.
“Oh, honey,” she began to cry, “I have to go. Stop the car.”
Tony pulled over to the shoulder and looked back down the road. “I don’t see anyone coming. Climb out and stay close to the car.”
“Hide me, Tony. Don’t let anyone see.” Sophie had never relieved herself in the wide-open spaces before, and she wasn’t too certain as to how to go about it.
Tony laughed, and turned his back, protecting her privacy with the car door and his body. “Isn’t it beautiful out here?” he asked, while listening to the sound of Sophie’s tinkle. “I’m going to show you things you never knew existed. Aren’t you finished, yet?” How long did it take a pregnant woman to pee, he wondered?
Sophie stood up and adjusted her clothing. “Do I look okay, Tony?” she asked, while fluffing her hair.
“Darling, you take my breath away, as always. Get in and buckle up. I want to be in Chaco Canyon by nightfall.”
Sophie was getting bored with the desert. It all looked pretty much the same, to her. “Tell me a story, Tony. Why are we coming here and what makes this place so special?”
Tony sighed. He loved his wife more than life itself, but sometimes she sorely tested him. “I told you several times, dear, we are coming here to visit some caves that are reported to have mystical properties. I hope, that by being surrounded by their energy, and taking in their healing waters, I might be relieved from the curse.” Not only was Tony tired of explaining this mission to Sophie, he was actually physically exhausted. He almost never tired, but he felt different, on this road trip. It was probably mental stress. It was so very important to him, to finally become mortal.
“It’s just up ahead. We’ll get a room, and in the morning we’ll start out for the caves.” Tony was excited and could feel his blood start to pump. “The energy is amazing, Sophie. They say the electro-magnetic fields are skewed and twisted, resulting in changes in the physical and mental properties.”
“Oh, look, Tony. The sign says they have a hot tub!” Sophie squealed with delight.
The next morning, Tony was all smiles. He, too, had enjoyed the hot tub. The hot, steamy water was almost as hot and steamy as his wife. Sophie had cast away any lingering inhibitions she may have felt, and let her freak flag fly. Up to this point, Tony hadn’t been aware of her impressive athletic abilities.
He chuckled, as he massaged his aching shoulders.
Today, they would head on out to the caves. He knew they were located somewhere in Chaco Canyon, but without more information, or a great deal of luck, it would be like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
“Come on, sleepy head,” he teased. “It’s not my fault you spent half the night taking advantage of my body.” He swatted her cute little butt, still hidden under the sheet. “The sun’s climbing high into the sky, and we need to be on our way.”
Sophie mumbled something unintelligible and rolled over, pulling her pillow over her head.
Tony sighed. He grabbed a corner of the sheet and gave it good, strong yank.
Sophie squealed, as she felt the cool air caress her skin. “Tony!” she squealed. “I’m tired, and it was, too, your fault that I stayed up all night. How did I know you got horny in hot, bubbly water? My gosh, Tony. We had sex three times before you started to shrink.” She smiled a very naughty smile. “I had no idea. You are some man, husband.” She ran her tongue seductively over her upper lip. “Can we do it all again, tonight?”
Tony gently pulled Sophie to her feet and stood back gazing at her extraordinary body. Nude, she was perfection and she wasn’t the least bit shy about showing off for him. His voice grew deeper and huskier as he expressed his desire for his wife. “Sophie, you enchant me. I’m your slave. Anything you want, darling, I promise to do my best to see you have it. Tonight, I’m going to ravish you with my kisses. Not one part of your luscious body will escape my attention. Now, sugar…get dressed. Time marches on.”
* * *
It was really hot, but Sophie didn’t mind. She didn’t complain, because she knew how very important this journey was for her husband. He felt it was his last chance to be like everyone else. She thought being normal was a little overrated, but nonetheless, that was his heart’s desire. The scenery was unusual and magnificent. Never before had she seen such natural splendor. “Didn’t you say Indians lived here, Tony?
“I did,” he answered. “An ancient civilization of Anasazi once occupied these lands.”
“I’ve never heard of them. Did they move away or did they die?” That would be sad, she thought.
“No one really knows. They were once vast in number, and then, suddenly, they just disappeared. Many brilliant civilizations disappeared about the same time. The Anasazi were Star People. It is said they knew astronomy.”
Sophie wiggled with excitement. “Ooh, that’s so cool. I know it, too.”
Tony’s eyes widened with surprise. “You... you do?” he stammered. He didn’t mean to sound as if he didn’t believe she could know astronomy, but he seriously doubted it. “Enlighten me,” he coaxed.
“Okay. I was born August 25th. That makes me a Virgo, on the cusp of Leo. I think.” Sophie’s brow wrinkled. “You are Cancer? Or Taurus? I don’t know, but I read my horoscope everyday.”
Tony tried his best not to laugh. He glanced over at the delicious woman sitting next to him. She was so cute in her confidence of knowledge. There is no way he’d shake that confidence. “That’s right, darling. I’m one of those. These people even knew more than that. They studied the moon and stars. Their religion was based on the heavens. They were brilliant in their knowledge.”
“Ohhh,“ she cooed, obviously impressed.
Tony grinned from ear to ear, as he pulled the Porsche over to the side of the road.
“Look, Sophie. Those are the ruins of their city.”
“Those rocks?” she asked, incredulously. “They look like children’s building blocks.”
“Those blocks,” Tony explained, “once made up a city built on astronomical observations. It was built over a thousand years ago.” Tony squinted at the markings. They were hard to see clearly.
“Maybe you need glasses, Tony,” Sophie giggled.
“Maybe I don’t. That comes with old age,” he said, sarcastically.
“You know, Tony. Now, that you mention it, you’ve not been acting yourself. I’d swear you were getting sick, with all the sneezing you’ve been doing, lately. I guess it could be allergies to all this dust.”
“I don’t get sick, and I never have allergies. Maybe I’m suffering sympathy pains from being around you, sweetheart. I hate it when you get ill and toss your cookies.”
Tony got back in the car and waited for Sophie to buckle up. “We’re heading for that ridge. I can feel I’m on the right path, sweetheart. I just know it.” Tony
felt his heart skip a beat. It was almost too much to hope for.
Several hours later, the black Porsche pulled up at the base of a steep path, leading high up the side of a stone bluff. Tony gripped the steering wheel tightly. It was now or never.
“This is it, darling. Let’s take our provisions from the trunk, and head out. I plan to spend the night, if you’re game.”
Sophie was silent. She felt very uneasy about all of this, but for Tony’s sake, she would not complain.
“If you get tired and need to rest, let me know. We need to take care of you and the baby. The two of you are much more important to me than finding a cure. You’re my whole life, Sophie. I hope you realize that.” Tony’s eyes filled with emotion.
“I do, darling. And we’re both just fine. Lead the way.”
Sophie got a close up look at more than a few snakes and lizards. Only one rattled. There were gopher holes and spider mounds, and poisonous thorns. “I think I know why they left,” she grumbled.
“They were seers, Sophie. They had gifts of prophecy.”
Sophie was interested in that. “They were like the old shaman and Marie Laveau?”
Tony nodded. “Just as they predicted good things for me, if I remained steadfast, they could see events for their peoples. They could see energy portals.”
“Energy what?” Sophie had never heard of energy portholes.
“Portals, honey. You know, doorways and passages through time and other dimensions.”
Sophie thought for a moment. She had no idea what her husband was trying to explain to her, but she didn’t want to appear to be ignorant, so she nodded her head, causing her blonde curls to bounce. There was much that her husband knew and she did not. But she figured she knew a few things he didn’t, so it would all balance out, eventually.
After resting, and eating a snack to keep their energy up, they reached a strange and lovely carved out section of the rock bluff. They both stood and took in the good feeling.