Romance: “Broken Heart” A Young Adult and Adult Romance Novella

by Morris Fenris

  Before anything more was said, there was a deafening cacophony of children squealing and screaming, together with feet pounding on bare floorboards. Gillian went to the office door.

  “Now, now, children. Quiet, please.”

  Maggie took a mirror out of her purse to check her lipstick. “Really Gillian, I hope this is not what they’re going to be like all morning.”

  “Of course not. They’re just excited that’s all.” Gillian assured her Mom. “Now, if everyone is ready, let’s get in line children. I’ll be at the front and Aunt Maggie here will be at the back. Everyone must keep between us, is that understood?”

  All the children replied in unison, “Yes, Aunt Gillian.”

  “Can I hold your hand?” A mixed race boy of about seven looked up at Maggie.

  “Can’t you hold hands with one of the other children?” Maggie answered somewhat impatiently.

  “No. I don’t have a partner. Terry was coming but he got sick, so now there are seven of us.” Without waiting any longer, the little boy slipped his hand into Maggie’s.

  “Oh... Err... well, I suppose so.” Maggie stammered. Gillian couldn’t help smiling but Maggie saw her and shot her a look that said, “I’m not happy.” Gillian ignored her as she led the line of happy children out of the house for the short walk to the shopping mall.

  It wasn’t long before they arrived. The children became more excited with every step. Maggie learned that the young boy holding her hand, more tightly than she would have liked, was called Raymond. He had been at the house ever since his mom disappeared. When his dad realized that he couldn’t look after him on his own, he brought him to Father McNally who took him to Gillian. Maggie thought he was a little too knowledgeable for a seven year old and tried not to encourage him talking.

  Chapter 7

  Gillian stopped and all the children stopped behind her with Maggie and Raymond bringing up the rear. “Here we are, guys. Now we have to wait a few minutes for Santa to get himself settled and then you can all go in one by one and tell him what you’d like for Christmas.”

  Maggie felt her hand being tugged and she looked down to see Raymond looking up at her.

  “What!” she asked none too friendly.

  “Would you come in with me, please?” Raymond asked shyly.

  “Why, what do you need me for?” Maggie asked a little irritably. Gillian shot her a glance.

  “He might be scary,” answered Raymond.

  “Of course he won’t be,” assured Maggie. Gillian smiled at her mother for re-assuring Raymond like that.

  Then Maggie continued, “After all he’s only an old man dressed up.”

  Gillian gasped and so did the children.

  “Mom!” Gillian gave her a rather unfriendly look. “It’s alright guys, Aunt Maggie is only kidding.” Gillian tried to re-assure the children. They had spent most of the night wondering whether Santa would make it from the North Pole in time for their visit and now here was her mom destroying the whole story.

  “Well, he’s not really Santa Clause is he? Children these days know there’s no such person.” Maggie continued unashamedly.

  This led to another gasp from the children and Sally, a timid little four year old, burst into tears followed closely by most of the other children.

  Gillian tried to calm them by hugging them. She turned on Maggie.

  “Mom!” she hissed at her. “How could you?”

  Once again Raymond tugged on Maggie’s hand and she looked down at him.

  “You’re not very nice are you?” He said, making more of a statement than a question.

  Maggie wasn’t sure what to do, with the children crying and Gillian getting all upset. Then suddenly, out of the grotto came a rather tall man, all dressed in red. Obviously the ‘pretend’ Santa Clause, Maggie thought.

  “Now, now”, he said in a loud but friendly voice. “What’s all this? Children crying outside my grotto?”

  “Sorry Santa,” Gillian answered. “But this lady upset them.”

  “Are you really Santa?” asked little Tommy.

  “Of course I am,” answered Santa, ruffling the youngster’s hair.

  One of the older boys, nine-year-old Ben, who wasn’t sure himself whether he believed in Santa or not, asked “Is that beard real? If I pull it will it come off?”

  “Ho, ho, ho,” said Santa laughing, his belly jiggling with the motion. “Of course, it’s real. “Here,” Santa pushed out his chin towards Ben. “Give it a good tug.”

  Ben grabbed the beard and tugged. Much to Maggie and Gillian’s surprise it did not move; in fact, the pull brought tears to Santa’s eyes.

  “Satisfied?” asked Santa wiping away the tears with a large white handkerchief he’d taken from his pocket.

  “Wow,” said Ben, his eyes as wide as saucers. “You really are Santa Clause.”

  “Come along, children. Why don’t you all come into my grotto and tell me what you want for Christmas.”

  He went into the grotto and the children looked expectantly at Gillian who signaled them to follow Santa. Once they were out of earshot, Gillian turned to Maggie.

  “What were you thinking?” she spat out at her.

  “Don’t you speak to your mother like that, young lady,” was all Maggie could think to say. After all, the best form of defense is attack and all that.

  “Sometimes Mom, I wonder how I ever grew up normal with you.”

  “But Gillian, I.....”

  Before Maggie could finish, Gillian headed off into the grotto. She didn’t realize that Raymond was still holding her hand. She looked down at the big brown eyes that were staring at her.

  “I suppose you’re going to cry as well now,” Maggie snapped at him.

  “No,” he said quite simply. “But you’re really not very nice.” And with that he let go of her hand and trotted off into the grotto.

  Chapter 8

  Maggie sat herself down outside the grotto. She had half a mind to go back home but realized that Gillian wouldn’t be able to get all the children back to the house on her own, so she waited…and waited. Finally, after what seemed an age, they all emerged from the grotto with Gillian and Santa coming out after them.

  “Thank you Santa,” Gillian said to the old gentleman. “It was really good of you to see the children.”

  “My pleasure my dear. Ho, ho ho,” he laughed and again the belly jiggled.

  “Come on, guys. Let’s head back home.” Gillian gathered the children in two’s. Maggie silently took her place at the rear and much to her surprise, so did Raymond, once again holding her hand.

  Weird child, thought Maggie but she couldn’t help a little smile coming to her lips.

  They all filed back to the orphanage, the children merrily chatting to each other about Santa Clause and what presents they’d asked for. Gillian remained ominously quiet until they reached the house and the children were ensconced with the on-duty housemother, she then turned on Maggie like a rampant banshee in ecstasy.

  “Why?” she screamed at Maggie. “Why can’t you just be normal?” She threw her hands into the air in exasperation and then threw herself into the chair behind the desk. “Is it too much to ask, that you just go with the flow?”

  “Well, how was I to know the children believed in Santa?” Maggie protested. “After all, I’m sure you didn’t believe in him at their age.”

  “And how would you know?” Gillian said accusingly. “You were always so busy with Dad and some election or other to even notice.”

  Maggie could not believe what she was hearing. “Gillian, I will not have you saying such things. I never left you out, never.”

  “Oh what the hell,” Gillian stormed to the office door, noticing Raymond standing there listening. “Heck! I said what the heck,” she said for Raymond’s information before storming across the hall.

  “Looks like you’re still in trouble,” Raymond said knowingly as he came into the office and climbed onto the chair Gillian had vacated.
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br />   “Story of my life,” said Maggie as she sat down on the other chair in the small office.

  “You should write a list to Santa,” suggested Raymond. Maggie eyed him skeptically. “That way you can put down all the things you would like and then, if you’re really good, your wishes might come true.” Raymond held out a piece of paper he had found lying on the desk.

  “Do you believe in Santa, Raymond?” Maggie asked cautiously. After all, she didn’t want any more tears.

  “Nah. I don’t think I do anyway.” Raymond said, a little unsure.

  “Well, don’t you know?” Maggie probed, taking the paper he was still holding out to her.

  “I did and every year I made my list, always asking Santa to bring my mom and dad back so we could be a proper family, but it never happened. So now I’m not sure there is such a person. Aunt Gillian says that good children always get what they want for Christmas, so maybe he is real but I’m just not good enough. Sometimes I think that’s why my mom left. Maybe I was a bad little boy.”

  Maggie might be known for not liking some children but this little boy was breaking her heart. She tentatively put out her arm to pull him closer. “You mustn’t think like that, Raymond.” She insisted. “Aunt Gillian can be so silly at times. Telling you tales like that. I’m sure you were the best little boy ever. Maybe your mommy was ill. Sometimes when mommies are feeling ill, they can’t cope with little children. I’ll bet that’s what it was. You’ll see, one of these days when she’s better, she’ll come for you.”

  Raymond’s little eyes lit up as he pushed himself closer to Maggie. Now she was probably worse than Gillian. For all she knew, his mother could be the biggest whoring druggie this side of the Atlantic.

  Chapter 9

  “I hope you’re just hugging the child and not trying to eat him.”

  The deep voice belonged to a rather tall man who stood in the office doorway. Quite an attractive man, actually. Not too young though, Maggie noticed. Had to be sixty if he was a day. Still, he had kept himself well.

  “Mr. Lawson,” Raymond let go of Maggie and rushed over to give ‘Mr. Lawson’ a friendly hug. Raymond suddenly let go and then looked up at the man rather suspiciously. “Do you know, you look like that Santa Clause we saw today? Except without a beard.”

  “I can assure you Raymond, I am no Santa Clause.”

  Raymond looked at Geoffrey Lawson with suspicion.

  “Hmm” said Raymond, still not sure. But before he could say any more, Gillian shouted across the hallway.

  “Raymond, would you come and help Ben, please.”

  “Coming, Aunt Gillian,” Raymond called back. As he went to the door he turned to Maggie. “See you later Aunt Maggie,” and then he gave Geoffrey a ‘high five’ as he went out the door.

  As Raymond left the office, Geoffrey closed the door behind him. Maggie watched, not really sure why he had done that. Was there something he wanted?

  Geoffrey looked at Maggie, although not too friendly now.

  “Well, at least that’s one child whose day you don’t seem to have ruined,” he said to Maggie accusingly.

  “I beg your pardon?” Maggie knew full well what he meant but she needed time to think. And how did he know?

  “I think you know exactly what I mean,” Geoffrey had a rather sarcastic smile as he looked at Maggie.

  “So that was you.” Maggie realized Raymond was right, this ‘Mr. Lawson’ was Santa. “How did you manage the trick with the beard? It looked pretty realistic to me.”

  This took Geoffrey by surprise “Oh, well, I couldn’t find the special glue that came with it so I used some I had in a drawer. Turned out to be rather stronger than I thought.”

  “So how did you get it off?”

  “I had to soak my chin in white spirit,” Geoffrey confessed a little embarrassed.

  Maggie tried to stifle a laugh. “Well, no wonder it’s so red.”

  “It isn’t funny,” Geoffrey reprimanded. Himself now unable to stifle the laugh. “Anyway, don’t change the subject. We were discussing your rather bad behavior.”

  Maggie stood and turned to pick up her bag. “I really don’t think my behavior is something you and I need to discuss, Mr. Lawson.”

  “Geoffrey,” he said suddenly “Geoffrey Lawson,” he repeated and held out his right hand.

  Maggie looked at the outstretched hand, then at his face. “Pleased to meet you, I think.” She said shaking his hand.

  “Well, I suppose you’re not really used to being around children,” Geoffrey said as he let go of Maggie’s hand.

  “What makes you think that?” asked Maggie a little indignantly.

  “Anyone who wears a white Ralph Lauren jacket when taking children out on a trip, tells me they don’t do it that often.”

  “How on earth do you know this is a Ralph Lauren?” Maggie was more intrigued by this than she was annoyed by the comment.

  “My ex-wife bought enough Ralph Lauren to bankrupt me, I’d know his clothes anywhere.”

  Maggie was even more confused by this stranger. “Oh, right,” was all she could think to say. “Well, I must be going, things to do you know.” She moved to open the door when Geoffrey beat her to it. He opened the door for her in such a way that she had to walk under his arm to get out. He was so tall, she didn’t even have to duck. As she passed under his arm he mumbled something to her.

  “Sorry, did you say something?” Maggie turned to ask him.

  “I, erm, I just wondered if you might be free for dinner one evening.” He stammered.

  “Why?” she asked putting her bag over her arm and straightening her skirt. “Do you want to ‘discuss’ my behavior some more?”

  Geoffrey took his hand off the door and it sprung closed behind him. They were both now standing in the large hallway.

  “No,” he smiled. “Of course not. I just thought that as we are both single.”

  Maggie cut him short “How did you know I’m single? Just because I’m divorced doesn’t mean there isn’t someone new in my life.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry,” he said, somewhat contrite. “I didn’t realize, Gillian said you were divorced so I just assumed... I’m really sorry.”

  “Yes, well,” she sounded rather haughty. “One shouldn’t assume, Mr. Lawson.”

  Geoffrey remembered why he was so annoyed with this woman. Who did she think she was?

  “Well, pardon me,” He bowed theatrically. “I didn’t realize a mere comment would get through that thick skin of yours.”

  Maggie was about to open the front door when she turned around to face him.

  “You really are quite a shit aren’t you?”

  Geoffrey stood open mouthed but Gillian hadn’t missed the comment.

  “Mother!” Gillian scolded and again Raymond was standing within earshot. “Would you please leave such language at home? The children are very impressionable.”

  Maggie had really had enough of all this. She came to do a favor and what did she get? Certainly not any thanks.

  “Then why don’t you make sure your precious children are locked in their rooms, then they wouldn’t have to hear such language.” Maggie stormed out of the house, slamming the large oak door behind her.

  Geoffrey stood smiling after her. Gillian gave him a quizzical look.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “What a woman!” Geoffrey answered, turning to Gillian.

  Gillian couldn’t quite believe what she’d heard. She stared hard at Geoffrey, sure he must have banged his head or something.

  “Did you really say that, Geoffrey?”

  “Of course. Oh I know she can be a bit of a pain in the ass but she has something, a... sort of. What’s the word?” He stammered.

  “Bad manners?” Gillian suggested.

  “No! Anyway that’s two words,” Geoffrey corrected her. “It’s like there’s a spark inside her just waiting to turn into a full blown fire.”

  “Well, I would just make sure you’re not ar
ound when she erupts,” cautioned Gillian.

  Geoffrey lifted his coat from the hall stand and put it on. As he headed towards the door he turned once more to Gillian. “I think you should invite her again, Gillian.”

  “What? And inflict that on the children again?” Gillian answered quickly. “Why don’t you invite her out, to dinner maybe?” She added with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Maybe I will,” said Geoffrey. “Maybe I will.” And with that he left the house.

  What have I done? Thought Gillian as she went back to the kitchen and to the sound of children chattering, well arguing really. They didn’t even stop for breath as Gillian entered the room.

  Chapter 10

  When Maggie arrived at her apartment she felt agitated. After all, she was the one who had done the favor and yet she was made to feel like the bad guy. Why did Gillian even ask her to look after the children, she knew Maggie wasn’t good with them. Maggie’s thoughts suddenly went to Raymond. He was a cute little chap that’s for sure. Poor little mite thinking he was to blame for his mother leaving home. How any woman could leave her child was beyond all reason to Maggie. Gillian was everything to her, no matter what Gillian said about her being too involved in her father’s work, Gillian always came first as far as Maggie was concerned. Maggie chuckled to herself as she remembered the time she was supposed to host a small intimate dinner party for some important people who Leonard was hoping to convince to financially support his campaign. It was around Christmas and she had taken Gillian shopping for a new dress to wear to the annual party they hosted for Leonard’s staff members’ children. When Maggie couldn’t find anything suitable in her usual stores, she decided at the last minute to take her to a new designer in Manhattan that she had heard of. Maggie became so enthralled by all the beautiful designs, she completely lost track of time. Thank goodness Sally, Leonard’s ever faithful right hand woman, came to his rescue and had food brought in without the guests even knowing what had happened. It seemed he told his guests that his wife was indisposed with a winter chill, until Maggie came rushing in the front door with a sleeping Gillian in her arms. As she entered the living room and saw the guests, all she could say was “What!” Leonard did not let her forget that little faux pas for a long time.