by Marie, Lisa
Maybe I’ll go see my parents for a week. I haven’t seen them since they left my place a few months ago. I miss Mom’s cooking. I miss Dad’s sports talk. I wonder how they like their new place in the city. If they found friends, or if the neighbors just kind of invited themselves into the postage stamp sized yard for a cookout one day and my parents just kind of took them in as their friends. Mom probably drives everyone nuts with her bragging about the son who survived death.
My thoughts suddenly change to Mel, and it pisses me off.
I storm the rest of the way home, knowing that I messed up tonight and amazed at how I can regret the past forty-eight hours, when I have never had a moment of regret in my life before this.
Finally reaching my house half an hour later, I head straight to the kitchen for a big glass of water. Guzzling one down as quickly as I can, my next stop is the shower to get this smell of strawberries off of me.
To wash away a mistake.
A stupid drunken mistake.
I turn off the water, grab a towel and tie it around my waist. I walk into the bedroom and drop to the bed. Not toweling off. Nothing. Pulling the blankets up over me, I close my eyes and sleep a dreamless night.
BANGBANGBANG
The sound wakes me, and I don’t quite know where it’s coming from. I sit up and cradle my head in my hands, rubbing my temples, trying to massage away the icepick that’s stabbing my brain.
BANGBANGBANG
Someone is pounding on the front door, and each bang makes the icepick dig deeper into my gray matter.
Standing, I slowly wrap the towel around my waist and plod through my home to the door. Pulling it open, Riley is standing on the doorstep.
“Decided I didn’t have enough yesterday? Thought maybe you would come to my house and continue on your little pity me rant?” She purses her lips and taps her fingers on the manila envelope in her hand.
“I came to give you this. Your check, your bonuses. Thanks for everything, I’ll make sure to put a good review up on Yelp for you.” She pushes the envelope into my hands and turns on a dime. She’s great at leaving, and she’s proving that right now.
“Don’t bother. I don’t need you to put that up. People in town talk. We communicate to get things done. We don’t need the internet or fancy reviews.” I slam the door and toss the envelope on the sofa before returning to my room to go back to sleep.
Too frustrated to get comfortable, I angrily put on some clothes and storm into my kitchen to turn on a pot of coffee. Picking up my cell phone, I find my parent’s phone number and turn to watch the pot percolate.
“Good morning, Sunshine.” My mother’s cheery voice answers the phone. I can picture her wearing her apron, removing fresh cinnamon buns out of the oven and taking them to the table for her and Dad. He’s reading the paper and drinking his black coffee.
“Morning, Mom. How are you?”
“Tyson! Oh what a pleasant call!” She is genuinely surprised to hear my voice. I think my parents are the only people in the whole world that don’t have caller ID. She’s also the only person in the world that still calls me Tyson. I wince every time.
“How are you and Dad?” I take a coffee cup from the cupboard and lean back on the sink waiting for the pot to finish brewing.
“We’re fantastic, honey. Your father has taken up making models. He is really enjoying the old cars. His excitement is contagious.” I can hear dishes bouncing off each other in the background. “I have a couple of ladies whom I have afternoon tea with every Tuesday and Friday. This week it’s my turn to take a treat. I’m going to make crispy rice marshmallow bars, but I’m going to be sneaky and add some butterscotch.” She sounds proud of herself, and it makes me sad that I’m not there to witness her excitement.
“That’s fantastic, Mom. I was wondering if I could come see you for a bit. A few days or so?” I push my fingers through my hair and wait for her response. Of course she’s going to jump on it. Any chance where she can dote on me for any length of time is welcomed.
“Of course, son. When are you coming? I can cook a pot roast with those crispy potatoes you love, brown gravy and some vegetables. Of course they are frozen, the vegetables aren’t the same when you live in the city. I much rather prefer the frozen to the old stock in the grocers. It’s all wilty and well, just no flavor.”
An idea hits me like a ton of bricks. “I can be there tonight and I will bring some fresh vegetables from Widow Crawley’s garden. You know she passed on right, Mom?” No one lives there, and I’m sure as hell not going to let the garden rot in the soil. They’d never be able to plant again.
“I heard. She was such a nice lady. Do you remember when she used to give you apples and carrots on your way home from school when you were a boy?” Her twisted memory makes me smile. We both know that’s not how it happened, but all these years later, she is still holding on to the story we made up for Dad so I wouldn’t get into trouble.
“I do.” I confirm. “I’ll get on the road around two or three. I can be there by six, is that alright?”
“That’s perfectly fine. Take your time and be safe on that interstate.” I can hear the worry in her voice, and I can’t say I blame her. It’s still very fresh for all of us. “I’ll tell your father to expect you for supper. I can’t wait to see you, Tyson. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, Mom. I’ll see you at supper.” We disconnect the call, and my coffee finishes brewing. I place the phone on the counter and slowly push off the sink with my empty mug, walking the short distance to the pot.
I look up at the clock and see that it’s 11:30. I’ll have time to get my truck and pick some veggies before I have to leave. But first … I need this coffee.
Chapter 7
“Did you hear me cheering as you stumbled out of the bar grabbing her behind? I was howling. WHOOOOO HOOOOOOO!” He licks the corner of his thumb and steers with one hand. “‘Bout TIME you got back into the driver’s seat partner.” Tim’s calloused hand drops down on my shoulder. “At least Sasha’s not going to fall in love and want you to call her every waking moment. She’ll probably leave you alone now.” He continues laughing while I sit back and take it. He’s just giving me what I gave him all those months ago. My arm rests along the window, and my fingers tap out in tune to the song on the radio.
“Well, I don’t remember any of it so it’s not a huge deal.”
“Not a huge deal?! Are you kidding me? You are moving forward my friend, and it’s about goddamn time!” His hand comes down hard on the steering wheel as we continue across town. I can’t be mad at him, not even a little.
“I don’t think I’m moving on. I think I was drunk. Worse than drunk almost comatose. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time.” I look out the window as I trace the frame of the glass with my fingertips. “I was really messed up.” I don’t know who I’m trying to convince, Tim or myself. But it most definitely sounds like a pile of crap.
“What happened with Riley?” he asks as we pass Sue’s. There are a few cars parked outside much different from this morning when I walked past the vacant parking lot.
“Nothing. I told her about Mel and well, I don’t think I was able to express anything right.”
“Really? Because you have such a way with words.” He teases. “I hear you’re a cunning-linguist.” He starts laughing at his little joke, and I am getting further and further from impressed. “Look I’m sorry it didn’t go the way you were hoping, but I sure as hell am glad Ty is coming back. I missed him.”
I get it. Of course I get it, but that doesn’t mean it pisses me off any less.
We pass the tree that still bears the scars of the accident even all these years later. In my sober state of mind, I think back to that night and remember I was supposed to leave with him. It could have been me. Scrubbing my face with my hand, I turn my attention back to the road and see my truck up ahead.
“I’m going to see Mom and Dad later. Probably be gone a week. Can you keep a
n eye on the place? You know. Water my plants?” I chuckle under my breath.
Tim parks his car, and I undo my seatbelt. No response is needed. He nods and I climb out, taking my keys from my pocket. I walk to my truck and climb in the driver’s seat. Shaking my head as I back away from Sasha’s place, I throw her into gear and head to Widow Crawley’s house.
***
Slowing as I near, Riley’s car is nowhere to be seen so I am free to park anywhere I want. I take the tote bag from under the seat and climb out looking around one last time before I walk up to the little white fence to claim some items from the garden. Widow Crawley would pull my ear and give me a tongue lashing, but she honestly would give away everything in her garden to the families around town.
Opening the gate, I step on the dry soil and start pulling carrots and picking peas, but before I can start digging for potatoes, I hear a tiny throat clear. I know I’m caught before I even turn around. Continuing to pull.
“I believe you’re trespassing, Mr. Lorey.”
“I don’t think any of the townsfolk would see it as that,” I respond and pick up my full bag. “I’m just taking what’s not going to be used, taking them to my parents for supper.”
Her manicured hands rest on her hips, tapping just her pointer finger as she eyes me disapprovingly. Her eyes are shielded by her large sunglasses. I can imagine her eyebrow raised as she watches me.
Slowly, I approach her, with my bag over my shoulder. My eyes travel the length of her body. Her chestnut hair in a knot on the back of her head. A blue cotton blouse and a long gray skirt. She’s in business mode again, which probably means she will be meeting with either a realtor or people interested in buying the house.
“I hope they like the house,” I state as my shoulder brushes hers when I pass her on the way to my truck. Throwing the bag inside, I turn to say goodbye and she’s facing me, her sunglasses on the top of her head and her eyes full of remorse? Or is that regret?
“Look, Ty. It was nice knowing you. You’re a hard worker, and I will be sure to tell the new tenants about your services. But you really shouldn’t have come.” I slam my truck door and walk towards her with determination.
“Stop, Ty,” she demands as she holds up a finger. “Stop right there.”
“Why? Why? So you can continue controlling this without even hearing me out? So you can wash your hands free of me and never look back? Why, Riley? Why?”
Confusion washes over her face, and her head sways side to side before she tips it down. “Just go, Ty. I’ll be out of here in a few days, and we never have to see each other again.”
“You know that’s not going to work.” I storm up to her tucking my hand behind her head, tipping it up and looking into her eyes. “You won’t get out of my head. You are what makes me want to move on, move forward. Until you … Nothing.”
She rolls her eyes and tries to take her head out of my hands. “That’s not fair, Ty. To tell me what you want and take it away from me before even seeing what I want? This isn’t the Ty Lorey show, not all the time. It’s not just about you.” Her hand comes up and brushes mine from the back of her head as she turns and walks away from me. I let my hands fall to the sides, and I watch her as she climbs onto the porch and into the house. Away from me.
No.
This is not okay. She isn’t going to walk away from me. I follow her into the house. Running the whole time. Up the three steps and pushing open the front door, causing her to startle and turn around grabbing her chest.
“Why are you walking away from me, Riley? Why? I’ve laid every single thing out for you on a fricking platter. And you are the one running.” I stare at her from the welcome mat that I stand on. Breathing heavy, my chest rises and falls while my heart throbs in my chest.
She doesn’t answer me. She covers her face and sniffles into her palms. “Please go, Ty. Just go.”
“Ri-”
“JUST GO! TY LOREY! LEAVE!” she yells and charges at me. Her tiny fists pounding my chest. I grab her small wrists and gently restrain her, stopping her unwarranted assault on me. She struggles for a moment, and finally stops and slowly lowers herself to the floor at my feet. “Please, Ty.” She looks up at me begging me to leave, and now seeing her tears, there is no way I’m leaving her.
Lowering myself to her level, I reach out and rub her arms gently. “What’s going on, Riley? You aren’t going to make me run.”
“I’m am very attracted to you, Ty. I love working with you. We have so much fun together. I was starting to have feelings for you. But those were mine. Something just for me. I was never going to act on them. I knew you carried baggage.”
Her hand comes up and brushes my knuckles.
“And then you told me that story the other night, and I realized that I was jealous of Mel.” She laughs. “I’m jealous of your dead girlfriend because she will always carry your heart, and I didn’t realize until just then, that I wanted your heart to myself.” She wipes her nose with the heel of her hand.
I wasn’t expecting the confession and she takes me by surprise. I stand and turn away from her. I don’t want to see her like this. I hate knowing that I caused this, yet another regret to add to my forty-eight hour regret marathon.
“I have to go.” It’s my turn to run, just like it was hers before. She whimpers in agreement. “But before I do, I need you to know that if I can ever give my whole heart to someone again, I wanted her to be you.”
Opening the door, I step outside and walk to my truck. Climbing in the driver’s seat I look up and see her watching me sadly from the front door as I pull into traffic and away from the one that made me feel again.
This is probably the one thing I never thought I would have to do. Choose Mel over living.
Chapter 8
It’s been three months since I saw Riley. Since I last stepped foot in Widow Crawley’s house. I have no need to be there anymore, the new owners paved over the garden just like I thought they would. Pavement. There’s no need for a paved yard out here, you need a place to be a family and the pavement doesn’t let you get close to nature.
I’ve been doing my monthly maintenance checks on the local businesses. They pay me to come and change lightbulbs, fix the tile, plumbing … anything that’s needed. It was nice to get back to what I was doing before she turned my life upside down with that flip property.
Tonight Tim and I are hanging out at The Shake. The Band is doing much better now than it was and people are actually driving here from the city to see them. We’re expecting a big crowd tonight, so I’m going to help Princess at the door with security. I get to give them a stamp to enter. It’s their only way in and out.
The line is long, and I love watching Princess interact with the crowd. He’s a completely different person with them than with me. All the girls are ‘sugar’ or ‘sweetie.’ All the guys are ‘man’ or ‘bro’ to him. It’s rather amusing.
“So you never told me what went on between you and that Riley chick?” he asks as I place my stamp on the next patron. Looking up I shake my head, I knew he was going to ask at some point today.
I nod at the next guy coming through and place the stamp on his hand. “Ah man, nothing. She was my boss and we worked together well. Job ended and we were done.”
“That’s bullshit!” Princess swears catching me off guard and startling the next girl in line behind the velvet ropes. I apologize to the tiny little woman standing there. Leaning forward I see the line is going all the way down the side of the building, possibly even around the corner down at the end by the gas station.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, Hoss, but there was nothing there.”
“Damn. Because I could have sworn that day with the tub there was something. For the most part, it just felt like I was the third wheel on a date.”
I break out in a chorus of laughter.
“Why are you just asking me this now? I mean, you’ve had months. Every Wednesday for the past two months I’ve been here, an
d you’re just asking me now.” I shake my head.
Princess shrugs his ginormous shoulders. They look like ham bones, big and meaty. “Gotta talk about something to pass the time.”
I guess he’s right. He continues to ask for ID, and I continue stamping the hands of the young and immortal. The line begins to dwindle as most of the people are allowed in. Capacity is seven hundred fifty three and for the first time ever, The Shake is filled to the brim.
“You okay turning the rest away on your own? I want to go watch the set, or what’s left of it.” I ask Princess as I open the door and hear The Band hammering out one of their best covers. Tim is really on tonight. He’s cut back on the drinking, and his talent is showing it.
I shoulder my way through the sea of people watching The Band from where ever they may be in the bar. Dancing against their partners, swaying side to side. Singing along when they know the words. Sasha is in hog heaven right now, all these new boys in her scope. She’s on the prowl, but at least she’s started leaving me alone.
Finally making my way to the bar, I have an ice cold beer put down in front of me by the new bartender they recently hired. She winks at me and I smile back at her, tipping my hat as I do. I watch her as she walks away in those tiny shorts and tinier tank top. She has a slim waist, fantastic legs, and perfectly perfect pert breasts. Not much bigger than what would fit in my hand, but anything more than that is a waste now isn’t it?
She looks back over her shoulder and smiles bashfully at me. Her blonde braid shifting over her shoulder and her teeth biting gently into her lip. Turning back to the customer she is serving, I turn around and Tim is standing behind me smiling widely.
“What?” I ask bringing the bottle to my lips and tipping it back while scanning the crowd.
“I saw you.” His expression not changing in the slightest. Stepping forward he leans over the bar and shakes his head. “Mmm, that is nice.” He groans and pulls away from the bar.