Poison Hearts

by Brenda Thomas; Shirley Dicks

  The ringing of the alarm clock woke Lauren from a deep and much needed sleep. Rubbing her eyes she threw back the covers and stumbled toward the bathroom hoping a nice warm shower would refresh her. She could smell the freshly brewed coffee and decided to get a cup before taking her shower.

  She sat down at the kitchen table where she could watch the golden sun beginning to rise. It was her favorite time of day. Everything was peaceful. Soon she heard her mother stirring quietly in her room. Lauren fixed her a cup of tea and took it to her.

  "Morning mother," she said softly as she set the cup of tea on the nightstand by her bed. "How are you feeling this morning?"

  "I'm fine. Really Lauren, you worry too much about me," she replied as her shaking hands picked up the cup of tea

  Lauren smiled as she went down the hall and took a nice hot shower.

  "Morning Lauren," exclaimed Lisa as she moseyed on into the den to set her bag down. "How'd your mother sleep last night?"

  "Not too well. I had to give her a sleeping pill again."

  "You look tired yourself Lauren. You really need to get more rest you know."

  Lauren smiled. She thought the world of Lisa and knew her mother was in good hands when she was there.

  "I better be getting to work or I'll be late." She went in and kissed her mother goodbye then headed out the door.

  The streets were busy and she hoped she wouldn't get behind a school bus or she'd be late for sure. Not that Christina would mind but she could sure hear Maureen pitching a fit if she were one second late.

  Sometimes she wondered if Maureen and Christina were really sisters, they were as different from each other as night and day.

  As she pulled into the driveway she gave a sigh of relief as she looked at her watch. A minute to spare she smiled to herself.

  She let herself in and put on the coffee. Then she started on a nice breakfast for Christina, although she doubted that she would eat very much. Losing Tyler had devastated her. Lauren had gone to the funeral to show her respect. She went because of Christina. She liked the woman in spite of herself and wished things could have been different. They might have been real friends in another lifetime. Lauren didn't care for the hand she'd been dealt but she had to see it through.

  Maureen smelled the freshly brewed coffee and hollered to Lauren to bring her a cup.

  I'll bring you a cup, she thought to herself, how about a pinch of cyanide in it. That would serve her right. Lauren hated Maureen but it was her job to be polite and courteous and that was one thing she took pride in was her job. However, the cyanide was tempting.

  Maureen could be so demanding, everything had to be just so and then it still wasn't suitable for her. No wonder she couldn't keep a husband. She was such a bitch.

  Lauren fixed the coffee and put it down on the marble table next to the sofa.

  "What took you so long, did you have to go all the way to Columbia for the coffee beans?" Maureen snarled arrogantly.

  "I'll never understand why Tyler and Christina kept you so long. Guess Christina has a soft heart for those less fortunate than herself. In half an hour I want two soft-boiled eggs with toast and grape jelly, fried potatoes and bacon. And make sure the eggs are soft boiled not hard as a rock."

  "Will that be all?" Lauren asked, glaring at Maureen.

  "For now," she replied. "But I noticed you hadn't dusted very well, there is dust all over the figurines that Christina collects. Perhaps today you should get the dust off of them. However, make sure you're careful when you pick them up, after all some of those figurines are worth thousands of dollars. Don't put them in your pocket either. I know how many are there."

  "Unlike other people, I don't steal Maureen. I only take what is mine."

  "Are you insinuating that I steal," Maureen waited, watching Lauren.

  "I'm waiting for an answer. Are you accusing me of stealing? Stealing from my own sister?” She smiled as she saw Lauren’s face blush a deep red. She knew she had gone too far and would have to back down.

  "No Maureen. I would never suggest that you would take anything from your sister.” Lauren hated to be nice to Maureen, but her time would come. Then Maureen wouldn’t be so high and mighty, she thought. She’d just bide her time until the right moment.

  "Well see that you never do. Christina wouldn't take kindly if you talked bad about me you know. You just might find yourself out of a job.” Maureen laughed as Lauren headed for the kitchen. She knew Lauren had seen her take the statue but also knew she wouldn't dare tell on her.

  Lauren silently cursed Maureen all the way to the kitchen. "That bitch is going to get what’s coming to her one day and if she doesn't watch it I'll be the one that sees that she does.” Lauren spoke quietly so that Maureen couldn't hear.

  Lauren turned on the radio hoping to calm down before she said something she'd regret. She wondered how long Maureen planned on staying. With her luck she'd probably stay forever, mooching off her sister until there was nothing left of Tyler's fortune. Just then the phone rang interrupting Lauren's thoughts.

  "Willowbee's residents," she answered crisply.

  "Is Christina there?" a young male voice asked cheerfully.

  Just then Christina poked her head in the doorway.

  "One moment please," Lauren replied. "It's for you Christina."

  "I'll take it in the den," she replied as she turned and headed for the den.

  Lauren fixed Christina's coffee and took it into the den. She set it down on the glass table then quickly left the room. From the hallway she could hear Christina laughing softly. Almost the way she did when Tyler was there.

  Moments later Christina walked into the kitchen and told Lauren she could go home early that day.

  "What about dinner?" she asked.

  "I'm going out to dinner tonight so you won't need to fix anything," Christina replied. "Besides you've worked long hours the last few days and I'm sure you could use a little time to yourself. Now, go on home."

  Maureen overheard Christina and asked," well what about my dinner?"

  "Now you’re a big girl. I'm sure you can find something in the refrigerator and fix it yourself. "

  Maureen shot Lauren a hateful glance. "So who are you going to dinner with?" she asked Christina. "It wouldn't be that guy with the smooth sexy voice who called yesterday, would it?"

  Christina's face turned crimson as she fumbled with the buttons on her blouse. "Not that it's any of your business but yes I'm having dinner with Andrew. He and Tyler were very close friends," she replied haughtily.

  "Would you mind if I tagged along? You know how I hate eating alone," Maureen asked. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior. Besides he really sounded sexy, my kind of man. Unless you’re keeping him for yourself," she replied.

  Christina hesitated for a moment. She was looking forward to a nice quiet evening with Andrew but she knew if she didn't let Maureen come along by morning it would be all over town that she was seen out with Andrew while her husband was barely in his grave. "Ok you can come along."

  Christina picked up the phone and called Andrew back. "I hope you don't mind but my sister is staying with me and wants to join us tonight. Would that be ok?" she asked. There was a pause on the other end.

  "That will be fine. I'll pick you both up at seven."

  "Thanks," she replied as she hung up the phone.

  "Well what's he like? Is he married? Is he rich?" Maureen blurted out all in one breath.

  "He's not your type Maureen. He's very quiet, almost shy, and no he's not rich."

  Maureen just smiled. "Then why was he friends with Tyler if he isn't rich. All of Tyler's friends are rich."

  Christina just shook her head. She knew all Maureen was interested in was landing a wealthy husband. She didn't care about anyone's feelings as long as there was money and prestige involved. She could understand why Maureen wanted those things, but it had changed her completely. In addition, of course the drugs didn’t help her any. Christina knew about Mau
reen’s drug habit, had even tried to help her at one time, but she had denied using drugs to her.

  Maureen had been so different before her husband got her started on the drugs. She had been funny, and loving, but the drugs had made a drastic change in her sister and Christina had prayed for years that Maureen would let her help her get off them. She had offered to pay for the drug rehabilitation, but Maureen had told her that she didn’t have a drug habit so Christina had never mentioned it again.

  "I think I'll lay down for a while," Christina replied heading for the stairs. She wanted to be alone. Although she loved her sister dearly there were times where she really annoyed her and this was one of them.

  "Can I borrow the car? I need to get my hair fixed and maybe get a new dress," Maureen shouted excitedly.

  "The keys in my purse. If you’re not ready at seven we're leaving without you."

  "Sis I need your charge card too if you don’t mind." and with that she hurried to the living room and got both the keys and card from Christina's purse.

  The doorbell rang at precisely seven. "Christina love I was so sorry to hear about Tyler. It was such a shock. How are you doing?" Andrew asked as he walked into the living room.

  "I'm doing ok. I hope you don't mind Maureen coming along tonight. She's been staying with me since Tyler died and she doesn't like to be alone."

  "That's fine Christina. Can I fix you a drink?" he asked. "Our reservations are for 8:30 so we have plenty of time."

  "No thanks, but fix yourself one if you like."

  "Don't mind if I do. I was shocked to hear about Tyler. What happened? I thought he just had a complete physical?"

  "He did,Andrew and got a clean bill of health. I don't know...it was so sudden."

  Andrew came over and put his arm around Christina as she cried on his shoulder. "It's been terrible Andrew...I don't know what I'm going to do now. You know Tyler did everything for me...and I don't know anything about the business."

  "I'd like to help you Christina. I can go to the office and get things straightened around. I can even teach you about the business, or help you find an honest attorney to help you with it. Whatever you want to do."

  "That's so kind of you Andrew. I don't know what I'd do without you. Thanks."

  Just then Maureen made her entrance. "You must be Andrew," she replied extending her freshly manicured nails, her voice soft and husky. She had on a bright red form fitting dress that left little to the imagination and Andrew looked pleased. He had heard about Maureen but had never had the pleasure of meeting her. He knew her passion of finding a rich man. Tyler had laughed about it many times in the past.

  Tyler disliked her but since she was Christina’s sister he put up with her ways over the years. He had tried to get along with Maureen, but they just didn't hit it off very well. Of course he had known that Maureen had set her sights on him before he had even met Christina and at times felt sorry for her.

  Several times Tyler joked that he should introduce Maureen to one of his enemies. That would serve them both right.

  She sat on the sofa next to Andrew and crossed her long spectacular legs. Tonight she was showing all her assets. "Now what is it exactly that you do for a living?" she asked boldly leaning closer to him smiling. Christina cleared her throat and glared daggers at Maureen.

  "I service the spas in this region as well as install them," he replied confidently.

  Maureen's mouth opened wide with surprise. "Surely you’re joking," she continued rudely.

  "Maureen would you be a love and get my beige sweater in the closet," Christina asked, trying to change the subject quickly.

  As Maureen left the room, Christina apologized for her sister's obnoxious behavior. "Maybe we could sneak off while she's upstairs," Christina laughed.

  "Too late," replied Andrew jokingly as Maureen waltzed into the room.

  "I'm starved," announced Maureen as she handed the sweater to Christina.

  Christina just shook her head as they headed for the car. Maureen chattered incessantly as they drove to the restaurant. Her moods changed from minute to minute. She could be so nice one minute, then completely horrible the next. Like Dr. Heckle and Mr. Hyde.

  Once Andrew parked the car, he got out and opened the door for Maureen and Christina. "I love this place Andrew. James used to bring me here often when we'd come and visit with Christina. They have the best prime rib I've ever tasted.”

  The waiter seated them promptly at 8:30.

  "Would anyone care for a drink before dinner?" the young waiter asked.

  "Yes, I believe we would," Andrew answered for both Christina and Maureen.

  "Do you still drink frozen strawberry daiquiris?" he asked Christina.

  "Yes, that sounds fine for me." Christina leaned back in her chair, glad that someone was taking over. Even the simple things seemed to be too much for her to cope with.

  "That sounds good to me too," Maureen said as she lit a cigarette. The waiter turned to get their drinks and Andrew continued.

  "I guess we never know how long we have in this world.” He reached over and took Christina’s hand in his. “So how are you really doing?" he asked tenderly. She looked uncomfortable at this show of affection in front of Maureen, and looked at her sister. It hadn't gone by unnoticed and she knew Maureen was thinking the worst of course.

  "I'm fine, really I am," she stammered as she took her hand from under his and put them in her lap. "How long will you be in town Andrew?"

  "Well, I can stay longer if you need me, but I had planned on leaving this weekend. I have a lot of business to take care of back home.” Andrew lived in Maine about a six-hour drive from there to Concord where Christina lived.

  "No I wouldn't want you to do that. I'm fine and besides, Maureen is staying with me for a while. Don't worry about me."

  "That's right Andrew," Maureen said as she glanced sexily at him. She figured he had money and they weren't telling her about it. Well, she would fix them, she thought. She'd go along with their game, that he was poor. They weren't fooling her one bit. "I'm staying at the house and I'll take real good care of Christina, don't you worry none about that."

  Just then the drinks were delivered and the waiter took their food order.

  "Are you married?" Maureen asked Andrew.

  "No, never have been. Came close one time, but something happened." Andrew smiled at Maureen, amused at her questioning. He knew she was flirting, and he felt her leg brushing against his under the table. He gently moved his legs saying nothing. Maureen looked a little surprised but smiled. She supposed he was going to play hard to get but that was fine with her. She loved a good game of cat and mouse.

  "How strange. You look about 33 I'd guess." Maureen smiled at him.

  "Maureen, that's terribly rude asking someone their age." Christina said scowling at Maureen.

  "It's all right," Andrew said as he took a drink of the strawberry daiquiri. "I'm used to people asking my age. It's a curse this looking so young. I'm forty this year. Even in school I had trouble with people believing how old I was. Seems I was cursed with this baby face of mine, but when I get older, it may be kind of fun to look younger."

  "I think our food is coming," Christina said to stop the way the conversation was going. She had known better than to let Maureen come along, but Andrew hadn't seemed to mind. In fact by the look on his face, he was amused at Maureen. Oh well, at least while she was eating, perhaps she'd not ask any more embarrassing questions such as what his intentions were toward Christina.

  "Ok Christina. I won't ask any more questions so just relax, all right." With that Maureen started in on her prime rib. She felt giddy, and smiled as Christina let out a sigh of relief. This was fun, and she was enjoying herself.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” Andrew asked Maureen.

  “No. Not at the present time. I’m waiting for someone special to come along. Maybe someone like you,” she laughed as she saw Andrew blush. She loved to make men uncomfortable and did it on purp
ose.

  “Well, there are a lot of men around who would love to go out with you I’m sure.” Andrew smiled at Maureen. She was definitely not his type, and anyway, Christina had stolen his heart.

  The evening flew by and soon it was time to head home. He dropped both ladies off and told Christina to call him if she needed anything at all and that he’d check with her next time he was in town.

  Christina sat staring out at the billowy snowflakes that fell gently outside the picture window. She heard the sound of carolers as they went up and down the streets, wondering how they could be so cheerful when she felt so alone.

  Six months had passed, yet it was as if time had stood still. Where had the days gone, she wondered as she stared into the warmth of the glowing fire. Christmas would be hard this year as she remembered Christmas's past and how Tyler was like a little child, decorating every inch of the mansion with lights. He loved to Christmas shop and she remembered how they walked hand in hand down the snow-covered streets, from store to store until she thought she would drop from exhaustion. Then they would go home and curl up in front of the fireplace and make love. Her body still ached for him and she wondered if the pain would ever go away.

  The phone rang breaking into her thoughts.

  "Hello Christina. Just called to let you know that I'll be there in a few hours. The meeting lasted longer than I anticipated," replied Andrew tenderly. They had talked every week for hours in the past six months and Christina felt so close to him.

  Closer than she cared to admit even to herself. He had helped ease the pain of losing Tyler, had even had her laughing many times since then at which she felt guilty. How could she be happy and laughing while Tyler was dead and no longer able to laugh. She felt as if she should not be having fun with Tyler in the ground and her guilt was almost more than she could bear. However, life does go on, and she felt herself forgetting for hours at a time. Her body ached to be held and caressed again, but her mind told her no.

  Her heart pounded at the sound of Andrew's voice as he continued.