The Battered Heiress Blues

by Laurie Van Dermark

  “What’s wrong with your head?”

  A smooth male voice said, “He’s trying to warn you.” I couldn’t register where it was coming from.

  “Warn me about what Gabe?” I still couldn’t see how the sound came out of his mouth without his lips moving.

  “I need to be getting home,” Gabe heralded, quickly standing and gathering his meager winnings, which included a bottle of Dom Perignon- early card shark sacrifice to reel him in. He skulked out the front door, awkwardly saying hello to Henry as he left.

  “Tru,” I gleefully announced. “Where have you been hiding?” I sauntered over to him with the tie still hanging down, partially covering my eye. I threw my arms around him.

  “You’re smashed.” He released my hold and walked over to turn the music off.

  Kate started to walk up the stairs. “And don’t think you’re off the hook. I gave you one job- one job! You had to keep Julia out of trouble for three days. Three days while I tried to get some things sorted. This is how I find you? You’re both lit. Jackson called today, I’ll have you know, threatening a lawsuit about his car. The sheriff came here?”

  Kate was glad to speak in our defense. “The man in the pink apron was the sheriff.”

  “Be serious.” Henry was irate.

  “No. Really. The man in the apron…yeah, the sheriff,” I added.

  He stood shaking his head in disapproval.

  “I don’t feel so good,” Kate said, sitting down and vomiting on the steps.

  Henry looked me in the eyes and pointed to the chair. “You sit here while I take her upstairs.” He walked over and took the bottle out of my hand, throwing it out the front door. Lifting Kate over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, they disappeared.

  Considering that I was in no mood to follow his silly rules, I confiscated the six pack of beer on the table, and opened another brew. Swaying back and forth to Ray Charles singing Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye, I turned right into Henry’s waiting arms. I hadn’t won him over yet. His smile was still crooked.

  “You’re cross with me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Dance with me.”

  “You’re impossible.”

  “Dance with me, come on. You want to. I can tell.” He reluctantly moved to the music.

  “Why would I want to?”

  “Because, I’m irresistible.” I gave him my best seductive grin.

  “Well, there is that, but then again…I have a strict policy about…”

  I kissed him mid sentence. Enough chatter. Full on, hands in the hair, where have you been all my life type of kiss. My legs lifted off the ground and wrapped around his waist.

  “You taste like a distillery, Jewels. Honestly…off to bed.”

  I kissed his neck and lips as he carried me up the stairs and into my room, pulling him down on to me as he tried to lay me back on the bed.

  “You won’t sleep with your girlfriend?”

  “Girlfriend?”

  “Well, what am I?” This was unchartered territory.

  Henry sat up and started to undress me, removing the tie off my forehead and then my pants.

  “Now we’re getting somewhere.” I leaned forward and began trying to lift his shirt. He thwarted my attempt.

  “Typically, when I have sex with a beautiful woman, I require some level of active participation…that she’ll remember. No you don’t.” He quickly moved my hands off his trousers. “We’ve waited far too long for me to make love to you in this state of depravity. Sleep it off. You have a nasty mess to clean up tomorrow. -Night.”

  Henry flipped the light off and closed the door. My eyes were heavy. I could fall asleep, except for the washing machine in my stomach, turning and churning. I could feel the burn start moving up my throat. Quickly stumbling to the bathroom, I knocked over everything in my path. Throwing back the toilet seat in the knick of time, I vomited on the curls that had fallen forward. I aimlessly searched for a towel, but felt his leg instead. He stood over me, pulling my hair back while the alcohol and food had their revenge.

  “Let’s get you back to bed.” He handed me a cool washcloth.

  “No…stay here.” I wouldn’t budge. Movement of any kind made me queasy.

  Henry sat down, leaning up against the bathroom wall, opposite the toilet. He pulled me back between his legs and my head rested on his chest. I fell asleep.

  Loud noises crashed through my consciousness. What was that damn noise? I forced my eyelids partially open. They were immediately scalded by the sun blazing through the uncovered windows. The sound of metal clanging together was brutal and unnecessary. Kate pushed my door open bewildered.

  “Bugger. What is it with you Americans in the morning? Why don’t people use the expensive intercom system in this mansion?” There she stood in the same clothes she had worn the previous evening and her eye shades pushed up on her forehead. Her hair was sticking out in several different directions. Dried vomit had made a visible line from her mouth to the bottom of her chin.

  “Not American. It’s a Brit…your brother, I imagine. Yes, I’ll have to show him how to use the intercom system. Either that or duct tape his mouth and hands.”

  “I vote for duct tape.”

  “Let’s go you tarts. The noise ends when you‘re sitting at the kitchen table.” Henry persisted to torment us with his demands from below, banging the pots and pans until we essentially half-crawled and half-walked down the stairs, stopping for a rest mid-way.

  He sat at the head of the kitchen table, behind his Wall Street Journal feeling awfully smug. The smell of eggs made Kate and me audibly gag. He had prepared breakfast with all the trimmings. We sat at his side, across from one another. My head found its rest on the table about the same time Kate began to laugh.

  “Nice hair,” she said, pointing at me.

  I gave no reply. Instead, I slid the food off the silver tray and held it up to her like a mirror. “Who’s laughing now, rooster?”

  Henry was amused as he peeked over his newspaper. He neatly folded it and laid it down in front of him. He was all business now, sitting forward and preparing us for his plan.

  “Eat if you like, then go upstairs and put some work clothes on. No arguments.”

  Kate’s face visibly soured. “Work clothes?”

  “Julia has felt sorry for herself long enough and you’ve proven yourself to be a wretched influence. Today, we move forward.” I started to open my mouth. “No talking. Listening. While you hung-over degenerates slept the morning away, I rode to the nursery and purchased sod and flowers to repair Connor’s grave from the storm. We’re working in the cemetery today to make it a place that we can go and be with him. It is time to trim down those privacy hedges and work it out- together. So…go upstairs and get dressed. We don’t honor the dead by getting drunk and going mad. We honor Connor by living.”

  “But I have plans with Gabe today...”

  Henry shot Kate a look that clearly demanded compliance.

  “…and I’ll call him to push it back until this evening.”

  “Perfect. Daylight is burning. I have to leave this afternoon to take care of some business. Let’s get a move on.”

  “You’re leaving again.” My face instantly formed a pathetic pout.

  He leaned over, kissing me on the forehead and stroked my tangled web of hair.

  “Cheer up. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  I wasn’t cheery. I was tired of him leaving.

  He stood and walked away from the table. We grumbled, but eventually changed clothes and made our way to the cemetery. I stopped in front of the gate, frozen, unable to go in. Kate saw me hesitate and grabbed my hand in a show of support as she swung it open. I jumped as it banged closed behind us.

  Henry quickly placed a square of sod in my hand and instructed me on how to lay it out. He was cutting pieces to fit near the walkway. Kate drew a sponge from a bucket of soapy water and washed down Connor’s headstone. When we completed the clean up, we moved over to
my mom’s grave. I hadn’t visited the house since her birthday last year and the plants had become overgrown. We trimmed the trees and shrubs and fished leaves out of the fountain. Within a few hours, we had restored beauty to an ugly place.

  Henry pulled out the hose to water down the sod. We felt compelled to pour our bucket of water over his unsuspecting head. A full on water fight ensued. It felt good to be able to laugh in the cemetery, with my son. I knew that this was a place for me- for my comfort. Tommy was right when he said that Connor only knew joy and peace. Funerals and headstones are for the living.

  Henry began to eye his watch. I knew that our time together was coming to an end. I was getting used to the view of his back as he left me. He recoiled the hose and went on ahead to change, while Kate and I stayed back to gather the garden tools.

  “What are your big plans with Gabe?”

  “It’s a surprise.” She looked at her watch.

  “What time are you meeting him?”

  “Thirty minutes. I better run ahead and get a shower. Will you be okay? You can always come over.”

  “I’m a big girl. I do alone very well. I’ve had lots of practice.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  “I’m sure. No butter knives or razors. Don’t worry. Go on. I’ll get this stuff put up. I plan on taking a very long nap. I need one after last night’s festivities. Give Gabe a kiss for me.”

  “Can’t. I don’t share well with others. Call if you need me.”

  “Go.”

  I sat down enjoying the peace and rest. I was feeling old- tired and worn out. I looked through the bag of food that Henry assembled to snack on during our work. I inhaled a ham sandwich and a bag of chips, sharing them with that same red cardinal.

  Henry came out to say goodbye. The shower had done wonders. He looked amazing even though he was in jeans and a blue button down shirt. The color brought out his eyes. He sat down on the bench next to me.

  “You smell good,” I commented, sniffing his skin.

  “You don’t.”

  I gave him a well deserved smack.

  “Are you gone yet?”

  “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “I miss you already.”

  7

  A quick kiss, but an even faster departure; Henry seemed in a hurry. I took my time walking back, stopping to cut some flowers with the shears I’d kept. The house was silent and I was exhausted. I found a vase for the blooms and then proceeded upstairs to take a long, hot shower.

  I spent time shaving and pampering myself with the abundance of products left by Henry. Being a guy and not knowing what to buy me, he managed to get one of just about everything in the way of toiletries. With nothing better to do, I used the loofah, did a ten minute hair mask, and then exfoliated my face before the water ran cold.

  Since I’d be sleeping alone, I decided to forego the seductive lingerie that was just begging to be worn. Instead, I chose a long white gown, with an empire waist. The lace dropped from under my breast, flowing down to the floor. I dried my hair and even put a coat of paint on my nails. A final dab of lip moisturizer and I was done. I admired my handiwork, even though there was no one around to appreciate it. I didn’t care. I felt pretty. All of the primping had left me tired. Retreating to my bed, I rested my eyes.

  Sounds of Henry talking to me seemed distant. He was in New York. I knew I must be dreaming and I didn’t want to wake up. I missed him. I rolled over to look at the clock- nine. I’d slept for several hours. An odd light was coming from the wall. As I sat up and focused my eyes, I heard Henry’s voice again. I finally realized that the light was coming from the intercom system. I pushed the talk button, curious.

  “Hello.”

  I waited for a reply.

  “You’re awake.”

  “Tru?”

  “Come and find me.”

  “I thought…you’re not coming back till tomorrow.”

  “A necessary lie.”

  “For what?”

  “For your surprise. Come find me.”

  “How am I supposed to do that?”

  “Walk out onto the veranda. I’ll see you soon.”

  The light went off and I practically flew out of bed. I pulled the drapes back and opened the doors. My yard was transformed into a fantasy. Walking out, I could see glass hurricanes with candles inside lighting the path for as far as the eye could see. Their light danced off the trees and made the moon feel jealous. I ran back in to brush my teeth and wash my face. A little perfume wouldn’t hurt. I refreshed my curls with some water and took a calming deep breath. I was too excited to change into the racy lingerie hiding in my dresser. I had to find him

  The walk was pure magic. Along the center of the path, Henry had left two wrapped boxes with attached instructions. The first was a silver antique box. A black ribbon, tied in a magnificent bow, kept it closed. I knelt down to discover its contents. Inside was an old Walker family bible. Names of his ancestors graced the first few pages and it made me feel anxious about touching the aged paper. Walking on, I came upon another silver wrapped present that contained a blue negligee. I considered changing into the lingerie, but felt too modest to change in the open; especially with the path so beautifully lit. Carrying them both with me, I wondered what was in store for this night.

  When the path luminaries stopped and the boardwalk began, I could see the torches that lit the long peer, ending at the boat house. I couldn’t see him yet. I was a little nervous. The light from the torches skipped across the water playfully. I felt Henry pulling me to him. Our connection seemed stronger than ever. Stepping onto the pier, I made my way slowly, trying to savor each step closer to my destiny. Life had dealt us some unfair blows, but we’d survived them together. After all these years, we would make love and celebrate the future.

  The boathouse was closed on three sides, but open in the back, giving a view of the water. It used to hold John’s racing boat, but now we just used it for fishing or swimming. We didn’t even keep chairs down there, due to our infrequent visits.

  I walked all the way to the end and stopped to cherish what was about to take place. When I turned back toward the boathouse, I saw him standing amidst a hundred lit candles. Large floor pillows were piled in the back as a make-shift bed. Music was softly serenading us and a single tear of joy fell from my eye. Every cell of my being was truly happy. My white gown flowed back and forth as the breeze touched my body. He held out his hand and I walked to him. Taking the boxes from me, he placed them on a candlelit table.

  “You found me.”

  “When did you do all this?”

  “Why do you think I worked you so hard today? I needed you to sleep.”

  “This is amazing.”

  He took me into the boathouse and kissed me gently on the lips.

  “Dance with me,” he said sweetly.

  He pulled me close, placing my hands on his chest. We barely made it to the chorus before he unbuttoned my gown and watched it slide down my body to the floor. I stood there, almost naked, unbuttoning his shirt- my eyes never leaving his. As I pulled it down off his arms, he kissed me passionately, stopping once to memorize my curves. His hands traced my outline as I unbuttoned his pants and watched them fall. I kissed him like it was the first time, my legs cradled upward as he lifted me off the ground, carrying me over to the mountain of pillows he’d assembled. He paused to run his fingers across the scar that graced my lower abdomen. I felt a little self-conscious, but he ran his lips over the raised red line, showing me that he loved all of me- even the wounded parts.

  “If I hurt you, you have to tell me. We need to be careful.”

  “We will be.”

  Our bodies moved in unison as we pleasured each other for hours, rediscovering territory from years spent apart. Exhausted, I relaxed back into his arms, sipping the last of the champagne we had uncorked during an earlier break from lovemaking. He walked out of the covers to the table, retrieving the two boxes I had opened.

  �
��The bible is too much.”

  “It’s a loaner.”

  “Oh,” I replied with great curiosity.

  “You have two more gifts to open.”

  He reached into the pocket of his jacket which hung off a hook above our heads, and pulled out two black velvet boxes.

  “Open the larger one first.”

  When I unbuttoned the closure and looked inside, I saw a silver pendant with the monogram JWG. As the W initial started to sink in, Henry opened the last velvet box and placed it in my hands. A stunning diamond ring was sparkling- the light bouncing off the meticulously cut facets.

  “Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue…”

  I panicked, putting my finger to his mouth.

  “We love each other. Isn’t that enough?”

  “Not anymore. Not for me.”

  “Be serious.”

  “I am serious Jewels. I want you to be my wife.”

  “What does that mean to you? How does marrying me change our relationship?”

  “We would live together.”

  “-Doesn’t require marriage.”

  “Financially, we’d be on more equal footing.”

  “Never gonna happen. I’ll always have more money than you. You know it means nothing to me. Money doesn’t matter.”

  “That is exactly the rubbish spouted by those who have it.”

  “Even still…”

  “I want to start a family. We can adopt.”

  “That requires a good marriage.”

  “You didn’t have one before,” he argued.

  “Not funny.”

  “It’s important to me. I’m a traditional guy.”

  “Tell me why now?”

  “-Because life is too short. We’ve lost so much time trying to make it without each other. We’ve never been very good at it. We leave mayhem and destruction in our path.”

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not exactly commitment material, Tru.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You can’t balance work and a personal life. I know that. I don’t have the expectation that you can so the hurt is manageable when you leave. If I’m your wife, the expectations are different. If we have a family, the expectations are a whole lot different. A child deserves an involved father. I want the total package- marriage and family.”