Boxer Next Door

by Summer Cooper

  With the table cleared, they spent the early evening talking. Both of them had hopes and plans and both wanted to share. Ben hadn’t even considered a relationship again before Mary had appeared and now he so desperately wanted to show her the rest of this beautiful country, and then the rest of the world. The thought shook him, but for once, he went with it, knowing this was something he’d not quite experienced before.

  Mary had been a heartbroken and depressed jilted bride before she’d met Ben. Now she couldn’t imagine a day without him. But could it happen? Would Ben ever consider moving to a retreat in the mountains of West Virginia? Someone so well-travelled? It would drive him insane after a week or two. Instead, she told him how much she would love to see the world with him and travel. She just wanted to be with him forever.

  As Ben got himself animated about the wonderful places they would visit and Mary sat in amused wonder at his stories, they heard the sound of a car engine up the lane. Lillian and the Vogelsangs had returned.

  Ben went into the kitchen and returned with drinks, glasses and a tray of nibbles. He had no doubt that once Lillian and her friends got themselves sat down, it could be a long night and they’d enjoy the refreshments.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Ben was awake and sat in a chair in the small dining room mulling over a mug of tea and two untouched slices of marmalade on toast. He was in shock and tired. Yesterday had been almost dream-like and he had been so full of joy he was on the point of exploding with it.

  Lillian had returned home with the Vogelsangs, sporting a bullfighter’s hat at a jaunty angle. Much to the delight of the Vogelsangs, she had worn it for most of the day and all the way home. She had spent the evening sat in Ben’s courtyard, regaling the wonders of Spain and its beautiful Seville as if she were a local. Neither Mary nor Ben had had much chance to get a word in, even less so with Chuck and Edna encouraging her and laughing loudly at each new story.

  Since they’d got Lillian home, the excited chatter had never stopped until the early hours, and Ben was exhausted and frustrated. There had been a lot to think about and he would have liked to have done it in peace with Mary. Still, he smiled. Lillian had obviously had a fantastic time and loud as they may be, the Vogelsangs were great company.

  But Mary? What was he going to do about Mary? Yes, he’d fallen head over heels in love with her, no doubt about it. But was he really ready to love again? Ben mulled as he nibbled on a piece of toast.

  Mary was up early as well, sat at the garden table with a large mug of coffee and two paracetamol. She too had spent a restless night dwelling on the day before. Somehow she’d have to raise the matter with her mother but knew it wouldn’t be for an hour or two. Lillian had eventually collapsed into bed still giggling and promising she’d barely touched a drop all day, and was just a bit tired from the long drive and could Mary be so kind as to let her sleep in for a while tomorrow.

  Lillian made her entrance onto the patio just after noon, looking cheerful in the way only a lie in and painkillers can make one cheerful. She sat herself down on a chair at the garden table and grimaced as she caught a face full of direct sunshine as it sneaked under the large umbrella.

  “Ouch, I felt that,” Lillian grumbled. Mary had already gone into the barn and returned with a mug of coffee.

  “Here, I’m sure this will help, Mom,” Mary said as she also moved the umbrella to a position that shielded Lillian’s eyes from any more intruding rays of sunshine. “Won’t you get hot in that?” Mary added, pointing to the matador hat Lillian was still wearing.

  “I didn’t sleep in it, you know. I just thought it might be useful between the door and the umbrella. Rather cute isn’t it?” Lillian chuckled.

  “Yes, very cute, but I hope you’re not planning on it becoming your normal wear. I’d have to walk quite a few feet behind you if you do,” Mary said.

  “Oh, heavens no. I thought it would be a wonderful present for your Dad. Always have trouble finding something for Walter. He obviously has too much already. Not sure where he’d wear it, though,” Lillian replied, removing the hat and gazing at it admiringly. She placed it carefully down on the table and began to work on her mug of coffee.

  “So, I know how my day went yesterday, well at least the bits I remember, such a lovely couple they are, Chuck and Edna. Such fun. Been all over the world, very well-travelled, they are.” Lillian appeared to be on the verge of a long ramble so Mary sat back and waited with a patient smile.

  Lillian took another sip of her coffee, grimaced as a stray beam of light edged into her eyes, and took a deep breath.

  Mary nodded at all of the appropriate moments and let Lillian ramble.

  “So how was your day, dear? With Ben I mean, obviously. Good was it? Do anything interesting? See anything unusual or exciting?” Lillian asked, smiling and giving a wink.

  “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mom. Stop that winking! Yes, we had a wonderful day without you, thank you very much,” Mary said, trying to hide a rueful grin that Lillian still caught.

  “Ah indeed? Wonderful was it? Want to tell me about it? Well wait ‘til I reload this coffee. I can’t do early morning intrigue, even if it is the afternoon, without coffee,” Lilian replied as she stood up and headed into the kitchen of the barn.

  Mary followed her with her eyes and gazed towards the gate, wondering if Ben might make an appearance before she could say anything to her mother. Perhaps, it would be better if he was here and she could delay the conversation a while until she was ready. Or perhaps now was the best time to let her mother know everything. She sat, toying with her own coffee mug as she pondered how she wanted the discussion to go.

  Lillian returned, still sporting her matador hat and set herself down at the table, smiling expectantly at Mary.

  “Well? I have coffee and you have gossip. When you’re ready, dear, and be so kind as to move the umbrella a touch more to the left,” Lillian said, shielding her eyes.

  “Is it too soon to fall in love again, Mom?” Mary asked, returning Lillian’s expectant stare.

  “Love? Well now, that is a tricky one. Are you in love with Ben? Are you not just infatuated with a handsome, intelligent, Englishman? I’m not sure I know. I met your Dad when I was eighteen. Fell in love, got married and never looked anywhere else. Were you in love a few weeks ago when you were getting ready to walk up the aisle with that cretin? Does it feel the same?” Lillian asked, looking as serious as someone could wearing a matador hat and a nightgown.

  Mary sat staring at her mother pondering how to answer. She actually wasn’t sure how it had fallen into place as it had, but yes, she knew she was deeply in love with Ben.

  “Jason was a huge mistake, Mom. A huge mistake. I understand that now. I guess I thought that was all I was ever going to amount to, you know?” Mary replied.

  “I never thought I’d ever leave West Virginia, but here we are. We left the whole continent. Maybe everyone should have a sort of pre-wedding honeymoon or something before they make such a big decision. Yes, I love Ben. More than anything in the whole world.”

  “And does Ben love you?” Lillian asked as she removed the matador hat and stared intently back at Mary waiting for an honest answer.

  Mary shrugged and gave a grimace.

  “I don’t know Mom. He didn’t say so. But yesterday, well...” She paused.

  Lillian nodded and said, “Yesterday. Go on.”

  “Well yesterday with just the two of us, yes, he sure acted like he did. He acted like I was the only person in the world and he made me feel like I was the only person in the world. Surely he loves me right? Or will?” Mary answered looking somewhat crestfallen at her own inconclusive answer.

  “Maybe you should ask him and find out before letting it get too far if it hasn’t already,” Lillian replied, trying to read her daughter for hidden details she hadn’t spilled.

  “So what do I do, Mom? I do love him and I don’t want to mess this up. I don’t want to s
care him off now we’re here. We have another week left. I could never come out the barn if I found out I’d made a fool of myself. I’d die!” Mary whimpered.

  Lillian leaned a comforting hand to her daughter’s cheek to catch a tear drop.

  “Do you want me to go round there and sort this fella out? I will, you know. I won’t have my baby crying over no damn man again, no matter how fancy he talks, you hear me?”

  “No! No Mom, please! I’d die of shame!” Mary replied, horrified at the thought even though she caught her mother’s grin.

  “Hey girls! How’s my two favourite American ladies today? Sore heads and arguing already?” The sound of Ben’s voice, completely ignorant of the conversation taking place about him, brought a lot of shuffling of chairs, wiping of eyes and attempts at regaining composure.

  Ben strolled through the gate with a fresh mug of tea in hand. He quickly glanced at the two sombre, but quickly rearranging faces and noticed Mary looking sheepishly down at the table.

  “Did I come at a bad time? Sorry, but I couldn’t wait another minute to be with your beautiful daughter, Lillian, if that’s okay with you?” He gave her a smile that he hoped combined hopefulness and an apology.

  Lillian beamed at him. “Sit yourself right down. I’m going inside for a shower and another coffee. I shall leave you two lovebirds alone if you don’t mind.”

  “Did you mean that?” Mary asked as Ben sat himself down beside Mary and Lillian sauntered back into the barn, her matador hat waving merrily on her head.

  “Mean what?” Ben replied giving a puzzled smile.

  “About being with me and missing me?” Mary asked.

  “Well, to be fair, I never said missing you, did I?” Ben teased. “But yes, of course I’ve missed you. I would have been round earlier but thought you might have been needing some space after a long night of the Vogelsangs and a lot of wine. Yes, I missed you every minute you were gone, Mary.”

  Mary leaned forward and kissed him. Ben kissed her back, his hand going to her face as she leaned into his arms. They sat quietly together, their lips brushing together softly as they shared a moment at the table.

  Lillian saw it all through a chink in the curtains, and smiled before heading for her shower. Time to allow them some privacy, she thought, as she headed for the bathroom.

  She made plans as she showered and dressed; plans that would give the couple more privacy. Walking out to the pair on the patio, their embrace quickly becoming detached as they heard the curtain being pushed aside on the door, Lillian tried to hide a pleased smile that just wouldn’t be stopped. Hoping she didn’t sound too pleased with herself, or the situation, she announced she was going out for a while and wouldn’t be back for quite some time.

  “Where? On your own, Mom?” Mary asked.

  “I just had a message from Edna. They’re on their way over to pick me up for lunch. You two are invited of course. I said I would let you know. I wasn’t sure either way, but I’m certainly going. That Chuck is a scream,” Lilian replied.

  “Shall we go with Mom and the Vogelsangs? Or would you prefer to stay home?” Mary asked Ben as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and smiled at her mother.

  “Lunch with the Vogelsangs? Hmmm. Not sure I could handle a whole day surrounded by Americans that don’t speak a word of English,” Ben replied looking stern faced.

  Mary punched his arm as Lillian scowled at him before he broke a smile and laughed. “I’d love a day out with them. You’re right, Chuck is great company, it’ll be fun.”

  The Vogelsangs arrived with a honking horn at the front gate and the three of them went out to meet them. They climbed into the back of the car with a flurry of handshakes and air kisses and set off to Faro to a favourite restaurant of the Vogelsangs’s.

  Chuck expertly swung the car into a parking bay outside a large Mexican restaurant. Lillian and Mary gave a whoop of pleasure when they saw the sign and Chuck leaned back at them smiling broadly.

  “Yup, I had a feeling you ladies might appreciate some home cooking.” Chuck turned to Ben. “I know we ain’t Mexicans, Ben, but we sure do love us some real Mexican food.”

  Ben smiled back at Chuck and nodded. “Yes, of course. I’m sure it will be wonderful.”

  Mary noted the side glance he gave afterwards and cornered him as they got out of the car.

  “Something wrong? I thought you liked spicy food. Or is Mexican too spicy for you?” Mary asked.

  Ben laughed. “I love spicy food. Just think you lot might be a bit disappointed is all. Portuguese don’t like spicy food, and this will be a shadow of the Mexican you get back home. It’ll be fun though, come on, let’s catch them up.” He took Mary’s arm and guided her behind the others who were already at the door of the restaurant.

  Inside, they were seated by a young waitress dressed in something that looked a vaguely Mexican getup and began reading the menu.

  Chuck let out a yelp of delight. “T-bone steak! They got T-bone steak!”

  “Chuck, dear, it’s a Mexican restaurant. You can have a T-bone anywhere. Choose something a little bit more exciting, honey. Look they got fajitas. You know you like those,” Edna said.

  “You get what you like, Edna baby, but for me it’s gonna be a T-bone all the way,” Chuck replied, scowling at his wife. Edna shrugged and looked around the table in surrender.

  “I think I’ll follow Chuck’s lead and go with the T-bone too,” Ben said, smiling.

  The food and drinks eventually arrived and they all tucked in. It didn’t take long before the whispering began.

  Ben caught Mary at it first as she hissed to her mother.

  “Do you think these people have ever been to an actual Mexican restaurant, Mom?” Ben overheard Mary say.

  “Well if they did, they forgot to bring the spice rack with them, that’s a fact. I didn’t know you could have a Mexican with no spices,” Lillian said, snickering.

  “You’re both right, but we’re out and I’m just happy to be in wonderful company with you guys,” Edna added, working her way through a large burrito.

  “Yeah, we’ve been here a few times, me and Edna. We know it ain’t like home but it’s better than a burger and fries to get rid of that homesick feeling right?” Chuck agreed, finishing off his T-bone.

  “One thing I know they can do well here,” Ben added, “Is margaritas. Now I know we’d all like to try one of those.” He beckoned the waitress over and in flawless Portuguese ordered a round of margaritas for the table.

  Ben was absolutely right and they all enjoyed the well prepared and perfect drinks. So much so they had another and Chuck was put on cola as they ordered more.

  Everyone was having a laugh and taking turns going over to the water closet when Ben wandered over to one of the paintings on the wall and straightened it with a piece of silly putty he had in his pocket. Mary watched him, and burst out laughing as she pointed it out to the rest of the table, teasing him about his obsession lightly. Ben shrugged and walked back to the table with a self-deprecating smile.

  “Nothing worse than a wonky picture I think, don’t you?” he said, sitting down. “Lillian, I do have something to ask you. I’m sure you do this in America too.”

  “Ask me what?” Lillian replied, puzzled.

  “Would you mind if I dated your daughter? I thought it only decent to ask you first. We seem to be getting on. I’m rambling but I just thought I should let you know is all,” Ben finished, sitting down abruptly and putting an arm round Mary.

  “Oh how gallant!” Edna cried. “How very gentlemanly of you Ben.”

  “Well, I’m guessing that decision was made yesterday, but I’m flattered you cared to let me know, thank you. Yes, of course you may date my daughter. Assuming, of course, she wants you too.”

  Edna and Chuck gave a spontaneous round of applause and the table erupted into fast chattering and laughter.

  After a long day, they drifted back home and with Lillian’s approval, Mary and Ben made their way
up to his bedroom.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Mary sat with her mother on the patio drinking coffee, the next morning. The Vogelsangs were picking her up at ten o’clock to go sightseeing again. Lillian was excited and totally in love with Portugal.

  “I love your Pa, Mary. I love him dearly, I do. But dang I don’t want to ever leave this place. I know the food can be weird and the folk talk funny, but tell me this isn’t the most wonderful place on earth,” Lillian announced as she finished the last of her coffee.

  Mary had just got herself a mug after coming round from Ben’s apartment and was nodding.

  “But we have to go home, Mom. Not like we have a choice is it?” Mary replied, shaking her head as she sat down.

  “Anything wrong honey? With you and Ben I mean?” Lillian took her daughter’s hand and gave her a probing look.

  “Oh good grief no, not between us anyway. Just the big stinking reality that we only have one week left and then we fly home. Like you Mom, I really don’t want to go. I love Ben and I know he loves me. There must be some way I can stay. Somehow?” Mary replied, almost sobbing.

  “I don’t think the authorities would take too kindly to that Mary. Last thing they want is illegal American immigrants cluttering up the place, I’m sure,” Lillian said, not sure of how to solve the problem.

  “I’m going to talk to Ben while you’re out today with the Vogelsangs. Maybe he knows a lawyer.” Mary chewed at her bottom lip as her mother stood.

  “Well, my dear, we shall all find a way to make this work, I’m sure. I only want your happiness and there’s something about you since you met Ben. Maybe it’s just the vacation, maybe it’s being in somewhere new, but something in you has changed and I like it.” She leaned over to give her daughter’s cheek a peck before walking back to the patio door. She paused and turned back to Mary. “I bet he’ll make beautiful babies as well.”