by Bria Marche
He sat at the table on the deck, tired of the daily exercises. Max carried Vic’s cordless house phone in his pocket and called his buddy and scout counselor, Gary Miller. They spoke right after Max got out of the hospital. Gary told Max to call back as soon as he could walk without assistance. He suggested that Max ought to consider working as a lecturer at different Boy Scout camps for the time being. Max had a long recovery ahead of him before he would be capable of going out on wilderness hikes. Any opportunity to get back outdoors with the scouts was something Max needed to do. He was chomping at the bit. Sitting around most of the time in a wheelchair drove him crazy. Tomorrow, he would walk without assistance. Max needed to get back to what he loved, being in nature.
Vic pulled into the driveway at five-fifteen. Max sat on the front porch, waiting with two cold beers. He smiled at the sight of her. He was a man in love, but he was also a realist. If Vic didn’t want to pursue a relationship with him, it would be time to cut ties. Max would go back to Peekskill, back to his solitary life, and spend his days with the Boy Scouts and nature. He lived that life before Vic, and enjoyed it. It would be heartbreaking, but he’d do it again, if she gave him no other choice.
“Hi, gorgeous,” he said, with that dimpled grin, reaching out to hand her a glass of beer. “How was your day?”
“Okay, the same old thing, but that’s business. Tomorrow will be exciting, right?” She reached for the beer and took a sip.
“You mean because of the braces?” Max punched through the foam and took a gulp of the Java Head Stout.
“Yeah… you’re happy, aren’t you?”
“Sure I am, but we need to talk about that. Do you want to stay out here, or go inside?”
She gave Max a look. It was a look that meant “I don’t want to hear what you’re going to say.” It was a look of dread and anguish, because it was time to have that talk.
“I guess we can stay outside. It’s a beautiful day.” Vic stared down at the steps. She didn’t make eye contact with Max. He would see the tears pooling in her bottom lids if she did. She took another sip of beer and looked west, toward the end of the street, facing away from him.
“Vic, I’m going home tomorrow after I get the braces fitted on my legs. I’ve got to deal with the insurance company about my Harley, and make sure my health insurance is taking care of the hospital bills. My mail has been held for three weeks, and I’m sure there’s bills piling up.” Max laughed nervously. “Anyway, there’s no reason to stay here and have you wait on me hand and foot. It isn’t fair to you, and I’ll be fine on my own. I talked to Gary Miller earlier. He’s the scout counselor I’ve known for years. He’s pretty sure I can work part time lecturing kids about safety in the woods and teamwork on overnight hikes. It will do me good to get back to work. I’ve missed it.”
“I’ll miss you, Max.” Vic felt tormented by the fact she never told Max what she knew about him and Mia. She never admitted what she witnessed at the party either. There was nobody Vic wanted to be with more than Max, but bringing up the subject of his intimacy with Mia was impossible. Sure, Mia knew him first. What they did together had nothing to do with Vic. Nobody betrayed her. But the embarrassment Max might feel if Vic admitted she knew, might be enough to send him packing for good. It would ruin the trust he thought she had in him.
“Okay, I’m glad you understand. I guess you can drop me off at my house after the doctor’s visit. It’s probably the easiest way to do this. I still have my truck, thankfully. I need to practice driving to see if my legs work right. If not, Gary can pick me up for work until I’m completely healed. He only lives five miles from me.”
Vic was silent. Max reached for her hand, but she abruptly pulled it away and went into the house. He sat on the step, alone with his beer and thoughts. Max loved Vic, but he didn’t know how to break through the wall she put up. It was a wall he didn’t understand, and she wouldn’t explain it.
Chapter Twenty Six
Max’s doctor’s appointment was at eleven o’clock. He woke to the sound of coffee beans grinding in the kitchen. By the delicious scent wafting through the air and down the hallway, it was likely bacon would be served with breakfast. He rolled over carefully and checked the time: 7:13 a.m.
How did everything get so screwed up? I was sure Vic wanted me to stay. I thought we were on the right track. Now it’s like we’ve lost everything we had. We’re like strangers again. Why can’t we eat breakfast, drink coffee and laugh together? I want to kiss her good morning, and make love to her later. What went wrong?
Max got up, showered and dressed. He felt awkward and wanted to get the day over with. The few items of clothing he had with him were packed in five minutes. He set the army green duffel bag near the front door and walked into the kitchen.
Vic popped four slices of wheat bread into the toaster. Two plates sat on the counter, ready for heaping spoonsful of scrambled eggs to fill the empty surfaces. She turned and said good morning to Max. “There’s a pot of fresh coffee on the table, help yourself.”
“Thanks, it sure smells good in here. Vic?”
“Sit down and eat your food so it doesn’t get cold.” She plopped eggs, bacon and toast on each plate and carried them to the table where Max sat for the last three weeks. She seated herself on the chair to his right and began eating without another word.
Max’s doctor’s appointment was at the Peekskill Medical Clinic next door to the hospital. The orthopedic doctor he was scheduled to see was Doctor Farrow. He would be Max’s primary doctor for the braces and anything related to his legs. The appointment lasted two hours between the x-rays, fitting the braces and questions Max had. In between each procedure Max sat in the waiting room with Vic. They were both uncomfortable. They were in love, but stuck, and didn’t know how to move forward. The medical clinic wasn’t the right place to talk anyway. From Vic’s reaction last night, Max felt certain she didn’t want to talk at all.
Vic helped him carry the crutches and duffel bag to his front door. Max walked stiffly with the new braces on his legs. It would take time getting used to them.
“Well, I guess this is it,” Max said, as he pulled out his house keys and fumbled with the deadbolt. “Vic… can I at least hug you? You’ve done so much for me these last few weeks. I really appreciate you. Please take care of yourself. Tell everyone thanks for helping out. I plan to get a new phone this week. I’d like to keep in touch.” Max put his arms around Vic and embraced her. She didn’t resist, but she didn’t respond either.
“Goodbye, Max, take care. I hope you recover quickly so you can get back to what you love the most… the kids.”
Her words stung his heart and soul. She was what he loved the most. They both knew it, but for whatever reason, she gave up on them. Vic even surprised herself at the harsh words she spoke. She grimaced as she turned and walked back to her car. She drove away without waving or looking back. A block down the street, Vic pulled over and killed the engine. She sobbed into her hands as her body wretched with anguish. Her heart ached more than it ever had before.
Max walked into his house. The quiet and darkness tore at his heart. He longed for the sound of Vic’s laugh. He would miss her quick wit and the fluent sarcasm she spoke in that cocky Puerto Rican dialect. Most of all, he would miss her beauty. Her inner and outer beauty took his breath away every time he looked at her. He sat alone, pounding the kitchen table with his fist and cried.
***
Classic rock blasted from the radio in Mia’s car Wednesday morning as she honked the horn in front of Tina’s house. Sasha bounded out wearing a tiny, tight, tank top and cut off shorts. Those red rhinestone sandals from days gone by adorned her beautifully pedicured feet. The nail polish in a bright, firehouse red, glistened on each toenail. Her hair, piled on top of her head in a sexy, jumbled up mess, looked stunning. Sasha was a hottie, even when she didn’t try to be. The look she wore probably took five minutes to put together.
Damn it girl! You’re gorgeous no matter w
hat you do, Mia thought, as she shook her head and laughed. “Are you ready to rock and roll, babe?” she asked, as Sasha jumped into the passenger seat. Mia was prepared for what came next.
“Ouch… son of a bitch! These black seats will be the death of me.”
“It’s the short shorts that will be the death of you, or maybe the death of any breathing male in Tarrytown. Reach in the back seat. I brought a towel for you to sit on. I’ll keep it in the car from now on, or at least until winter when you might start wearing pants.”
Sasha giggled. “Thanks, Mia, I’m so excited for today. I’m going to get a truck. Yippee!”
“You’re friggin insane. Why do you want a used truck anyway? You can afford something brand new.”
“I’m being smart and frugal. Think about it. The money I save on a vehicle can go toward home repairs. How responsible is that?” she asked.
“Good job, hon, I’m impressed. Let’s see what Tim has on the used car lot. By the way you’re dressed today, he’ll try to sell you everything under the sun, including sand in the desert, just to keep you there.”
“I don’t get it,” Sasha said, totally confused.
“Never mind, you goof. It was a compliment. So if we find what you’re looking for, Aaron agreed to teach you how to drive as long as I videotape it,” Mia said, laughing.
“You guys are going to have fun at my expense, aren’t you?” Sasha asked.
“Damn straight, I wouldn’t miss that for anything.”
They arrived at Murray’s Auto Mall at ten a.m. Mia called yesterday to let Tim know they were coming. She wanted to get the best deal for Sasha, and that would come from the owner himself. Mia knew Tim most of her life. She also did all the photography for his ad campaigns in the newspaper. He owed her a favor. Being around Sasha wasn’t a favor in men’s eyes though. It was a godsend. The dealership, on the edge of town, was at the corner of two busy intersections. Tim did well, and his was one of the most successful car lots in the area. He told Mia there were four used trucks on the lot. He would meet them on the used car side when they arrived. Mia pulled around to the south side of the dealership where the used cars were. A small building with the words “Used Cars” in green neon lights, sat in the lot next to the various cars and trucks.
“There’s the trucks!” Sasha yelled out enthusiastically, when Mia found a place to park.
Tim Murray walked out of the building and stared at Sasha like a hungry dog ready to pounce on a T-bone steak. “Hello, Mia, and who do we have here?” He smiled like a Cheshire cat at the sight of the dark haired goddess, wearing short shorts, walking toward him.
“Hi, I’m Sasha Renaud, and I want to buy a truck, please,” she said, with more than enough enthusiasm for the three of them.
“Nice to meet you, Sasha,” Tim said, giving Mia an approving eyebrow raise. “Is there anything special you’re looking for in a truck?”
“Yes, I want a radio. What color trucks do you have?”
“Okay then,” he responded, a little dumbfounded.
Mia giggled under her breath when she noticed the expression Tim made.
“Well… we have silver, black, green and red. They all have different features though.”
“I want the red one,” Sasha said, with as much excitement as if she were shopping on Madison Avenue.
“Okay, just follow me. Here it is.” Tim read the window information sticker for Sasha. “Let’s see… it’s a 2007 Toyota Tundra. There’s a radio, CD player, air conditioning, automatic transmission, four wheel drive, cloth bucket seats and 57,000 miles on it. It’s gone through our safety inspection, so it has a clean bill of health,” Tim said, laughing at his own cleverness.
“How much is it?” Sasha asked, not having the slightest idea what trucks cost.
Mia gave Tim a stern look as a reminder of their long term friendship.
“Well, the sticker price is $23,500 because of the low miles, but we can do a little better than that for you. A friend of Mia’s, is a friend of ours. Let’s go inside and talk this over. Can I get you two something to drink?”
“Thank you, I’ll have a Perrier,” Sasha said. Mia elbowed her in the side. “I mean, a Diet Coke is fine.”
“I’ll have the same, Tim, thanks.”
He disappeared around the corner. The girls heard him rifling through the mini fridge on the other side of the wall.
“What do you think of the truck, Mia? It’s pretty, isn’t it?” Sasha asked.
“Yes, it’s pretty. Let’s see if he gives you a pretty price. Let me do the talking, okay?”
“Got it, thanks.”
Tim returned with three icy cans of Diet Coke. “Well, I checked with our used car manager and he thinks we have a little room to play. I can sell you that truck today for $21,750. How does that sound?” he asked, with a wide, toothy grin.
“That sounds like shit,” Mia responded.
“Mia!” Sasha said, startled. “I like the truck.”
“We want to take the truck home for the night. I’ll have Aaron check it out and I’ll get back to you tomorrow. My car will stay here so you don’t have to worry about anything. Bottom line,” Mia said, as she stood up, “not a penny over $19,500. Now, we’ve got things to do, so cough up the keys.”
“Okay, Mia, man, you’re a tough one. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Enjoy the truck, Sasha.”
“Oh I will. Thank you.”
Mia and Sasha hopped in the truck and drove off. Sasha bounced up and down with glee.
“I’m not even burning my legs on the seats because they’re cloth. I’m so happy. Do you think I’ll get the truck?”
“Of course you will, honey. Let’s go to Home Depot and get some stuff on the ‘to do’ list. We have an entire truck bed to fill up.”
The girls bought dozens of outlet and light switch covers. They picked out a beautiful dining room ceiling fixture. It was elegant, fitting in with the era of the Victorian. Three more ceiling fixtures for the bedrooms were purchased with fans attached. A garbage disposal, brooms, mops, buckets, garbage cans and cleaning products filled the back of the truck.
“I guess you were right, Sasha.”
“About what?”
“A truck is a handy vehicle to have. Good job, girl. Let’s drop this stuff off at the house and grab some lunch. Let’s see if Tina and Vic want to join us.”
“That sounds like fun. Can we go to Morey’s?”
“Sure, no prob. After lunch, we’ll make some calls. You already started a list of repairs that are needed right?”
“Yep, starting with the roof and outside painting. Let’s talk about colors during lunch. Vic and Tina can give me ideas too.”
Chapter Twenty Seven
The girls walked from Hair Brained to Morey’s at noon. The sky was the bluest blue, not a cloud to interrupt the flawless palette of brilliance.
Sasha stared up at the sky as they walked. “What about shades of blue for the Victorian?”
“Tina hates blue, so don’t ask her,” Vic growled.
“Who says I hate blue?”
“I don’t know, I’m in a bitchy mood so you’re the designated patsy for the day.”
“Well, that’s a bunch of shit. Anyway, Sasha, let’s check out some painted ladies on Google images when we get to Morey’s. There are so many gorgeous colors that would fit in with your new neighborhood. You know, more natural colors like pale greens, corals and mustards.”
“Blue isn’t natural? The sky and the ocean are blue,” Sasha asked, confused again.
Mia interjected. “Let’s decide over a beer, okay?”
“Sure, Mia. Anyway, how do you like my new truck? Pretty sweet ride, huh?”
“I like it,” Tina agreed.
“Vic, what do you think?”
“Who cares? It’s a friggin truck.”
Sasha began crying and marched ahead to Morey’s alone.
“Do you have PMS or something today? Damn it, Vic, give the girl a break. She’s really excite
d about life,” Mia said, trying to keep order.
“No shit, Vic, take it down a notch. What’s up your ass anyway?” Tina snarled.
“I’m pissed okay? Max moved back home, but you’re well aware of that. I just let the best man I’ve ever known leave me, and I didn’t do a damn thing to stop him.” Now Vic was crying.
“Oh my friggin God. Now we have two crybabies,” Mia said, as they entered the front door of Morey’s. Sasha was sitting alone in a booth looking like a sad little puppy. Vic looked like she wanted to kill anyone that talked to her. “Tina, you sit next to Sasha. I’ll sit next to Vic. If anyone starts something we’ll give them a swift punch to the arm.”
“Great advice, Mia. Don’t you think Vic will just hit back twice as hard?” Tina asked, apprehensively.
“Whatever… Let’s order our drinks. Morey we need two pitchers of beer to start.”
“Coming right up, Mia. Just give me a minute,” he shouted back.
“Okay, hon, here’s kind of what I mean,” Tina showed Sasha the Ferndale, California website on Google images. “I love this town. It has the best Victorians I’ve ever seen. Look at the Gingerbread Inn. These are the colors I was trying to describe to you. Don’t you think they’re beautiful? See how nicely they blend in with nature. They’re soft and subtle. The colors aren’t a stark contrast to earth tones, like blue would be. I don’t have anything against blue, I’m just saying… that’s all.”
Sasha gasped. “Do you think the Victorian could be this beautiful, Tina?”