by SJ McCoy
This morning he needed time to think. He'd had so much advice thrown at him this week, and he hadn't stopped to analyze any of it. He'd overridden it all with his need to stick to the plan. Missy had stopped him in his tracks last night. She'd given him reason to question everything. The perfect advice. His lips quirked at that – of course it was, it was his own advice she'd just given back to him. Had his seventeen-year-old self been so much wiser than he was now? As he ran through the conversations he'd had with the people closest to him, he was starting to think so. Jack had repeatedly told him to forget the plan. Albert had told him Holly was in love with him. Ben had told him to get with the program. Nate had called him a hypocrite. Last night, after dinner, Missy had left him with a parting shot - his own advice again from all those years ago. 'If sticking to your plan means making a decision you can't live with, then it's time for a new plan.' But what would his new plan look like? It would include Holly, for sure. But in what capacity? He needed to give this some thought.
“There you are! I brought you some milk.”
He looked up at his Mom. “You brought me what?”
She smiled at him and held her eyes with her own. He'd never figured out how she could pin him down like that.
“You heard me, dear. Milk. Like when you were little.” She handed him a travel mug and sat down on the ground next to him. She dug in the pocket of her floaty shirt, pulled out a baggie of cookies and handed them to him.
He grinned at her. “Thanks.”
She leaned back against the tree with a smile. “Sometimes you need your Mom, and your Mom knows what you need.”
Pete munched on the cookies and drank the milk. They'd been the comfort food she'd given him whenever he was having a hard time as a kid. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had them.
“We'd hoped to see you last night.”
“Yeah. Sorry. Missy called and we had dinner.”
“Did she manage to talk any sense into you?”
He frowned.
“It's alright dear. It's just so easy to see that you're struggling. You haven't come to your senses yet. Missy's a good girl, with a lot of sense. I'm only guessing she was trying to help you?”
Pete smiled, his Mom never missed a trick. “She tried. I came out here to try to put it all together.”
“I thought. I won't keep you. Just wanted contribute milk and cookies to the process.” They sat in silence for a while. “He was a good dog, wasn't he?”
“The best.”
“Do you remember the day you found him?”
“I'll never forget,” smiled Pete. “He followed me home, all bedraggled and thin. I begged you to let me keep him.”
His Mom laughed. “You have no idea what it took to talk your father into it.”
Pete laughed with her. “I can imagine. Dad ended up loving him as much as we did though.”
“Well, Kipper became one of the family, because you loved him so much.”
Pete smiled sadly. “He did.”
His Mom patted his arm. “All because you changed your plan so you could keep him. Do you remember?”
Pete raised his eyebrows at her. Apparently even his Mom was climbing on the bandwagon. “Why don't you go ahead and remind me and make your point?”
She smiled at him, not at all deterred by the fact that he saw through her ploy. “Peter, dear, when you found Kipper, you were doing your paper route. Earning money to fund your other little business ventures. You planned to keep doing that job until you'd saved enough to buy a lawn mower for your yard service. When Dad said you couldn't keep Kipper because of the paper route, what did you do? You gave it up. You changed your plans because you loved that dog. Love changes everything Pete. You knew that all those years ago. I needed to make sure that you haven't forgotten. Now. I need to paint. Have you finished with that mug?”
He smiled and handed it back to her.
“I'll be in the studio if you need me.” She stood and planted a kiss on the top of his head. “I love you, dear. I like to think your father and I taught you how important love is.”
Once she'd gone, Pete sat smiling to himself. How he loved his Mom! She was right, of course. He'd never known her not be. She'd laid out for him what his heart had been trying to tell him all along. He'd known it as a kid, but somewhere down the line he'd gotten so caught up in building the business, he'd forgotten. Love was more important than anything else on earth. And he loved Holly.
**********
Holly got off the bus and walked the last few blocks to the store. Ugh. Monday morning bus rides were so depressing. Much as she disliked driving, she'd take it any day over standing huddled with the sleepy, smelly bodies on the bus. Her old car may not be much, but it was her own personal space with her music and her coffee. Hopefully she'd be able to get it fixed this week. The guys at the garage had said they'd call today and let her know what the problem was. And, most importantly, how much it would cost to fix. She entered the store and relaxed a little. She was grateful this place was doing so well. Roberto and the girls had it running like a well-oiled machine. She just had to hope that those horrible loan men wouldn't really smash it up like they kept threatening. It seemed they had some cash flow problems of their own and were passing the pressure on to her. At least that was a problem she could actively deal with. She could go to the bank, withdraw more money and take it to them. If only there was some way she could actively deal with her sadness over Pete. She'd do whatever it took to lighten the heaviness in her heart, to lessen the pain. But there was nothing she could do. She just had to live with it.
“Morning, Holls. How are you?” Roberto peeked out from behind the shoe rack.
“Hey, Sweetie. I'm okay thanks. Not much has changed in the last twelve hours.” He'd kept his word, calling her every evening, trying to draw her out and entertain her with tales of his weekend with John. She didn't need to tell him that he'd been her only contact with the outside world in a weekend full of tears and sappy movies.
“There's fresh coffee in the back. You can make me one too,” he smiled.
She had their coffee's fixed by the time he came in the back.
“Darling, what's with riding the bus? Where's the beater?”
“Still in the garage. It's going to get fixed.” She avoided his eyes, but couldn't ignore the pointed silence. “It is! They're going to call me today and let me know what's wrong with it.”
“And you have the money to get it done?” Berto knew the deal with the loan sharks. She'd had to tell him months ago when one of their lackeys had been hanging around the store.
“I should be fine.”
“Should be? Want to tell me what's going on? You can't fool your Uncle Berto, you know. I've noticed the goons are back.”
Holly sighed. There was no point trying to hide it and she didn't have any fight left in her. “Sorry. I didn't want to worry you. They keep wanting more and more money. I'm okay though. I just keep giving it to them. The car may have to wait a while, but it's no biggie. I've ridden the bus most of my life, it's not like I'm above it.” She pursed her lips – so what that a couple of weeks ago she'd been flying around in a private jet?! Now she was back in her own world, which meant riding the bus when she had to.
“I don't like it Holls.”
“Oh, it's not so bad when you get used to it,” she smiled.
Berto swatted the air in front of him in annoyance. “I don't mean the buses and you know it. I mean this whole debt thing. Those people are dangerous. There has to be a way out of it.”
“I wish there was, Sweetie. I tried for a bank loan, but they turned me down. This is just how it is, I'm handling it. It's not like I have a rich aunt or loaded friends I can borrow from.”
Berto gave her a pointed look. “You do have one friend who would help you out in a heartbeat if he knew what you're going through.”
Tears pricked her eyes at the mention of Pete. “No I don't. He's just a guy I used to know and I don't want to talk about him.
I'm doing well holding it together, don't push me over the edge Sweetie, please?”
Roberto nodded. “Okay, okay. I'll leave it alone. For now.” He took his coffee and went back out into the store.
By mid morning Holly had had enough of computer work and went out into the store. A huge bouquet of lilies was walking through the store behind a beaming Roberto. When they stopped in front of her she could see there was a tiny guy carrying them. He handed them to her and left.
“What's he got to say then?” grinned Berto. He plucked out the card and gave it to her. Holly looked over his shoulder at a man lurking by the lingerie. Oh no. It was the same one who'd been coming the last few weeks. She gave the card back to Berto. “Be a Sweetie and put them in the back for me would you?”
“But Holls! You...” He followed her eyes. “Oh. I see.”
As Holly walked toward the man, Berto handed the flowers to Erin to take in the back. He moved close enough to hear Holly's conversation with the man.
“I don't have it yet. I said I'd bring it tonight. I have to get it from the bank.”
The man smiled at her running his gaze over her body. Ugh! Even his eyes felt slimy.
“That's alright. I came to let you know that when you do go to the bank you need to double the withdrawal.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Two grand tonight. Not one.”
“But that's crazy! I can't!”
“Sure you can.”
“No, really. I can't!”
The man smiled a lazy smile and stepped closer. He smelled of cigarettes and garlic. “Maybe you and me can reach an agreement then. I'll make sure they go easy on you.” He reached out and touched her cheek, “If you're easy for me.” He took another step closer. Holly stepped back, repulsed.
Roberto dashed to her side. “Can you come quick, please Holly? We need you at the register.” He smiled at the man and dragged her away. Once they were at the back of the store Roberto looked over his shoulder. “Phew! He's gone.”
Holly pushed into the office and sat down. Roberto followed her and sat down himself. “Oh my God, Holly Hocks! What are we going to do?”
Despite her panic, she had to smile at him. He was fanning himself agitatedly with a brochure. “WE aren't going to do anything, Sweetie. YOU are going to forget everything you just saw and heard. I am going to get myself to the bank and hit what's left of my savings. I can cover it.”
“But Holls, you're not going to be able to keep covering it are you? And that man!” He shuddered and made such a disgusted face that she laughed. Perhaps it was hysteria at the rising panic?
She took a deep breath. “I can cover it for now Berto. Let's get through today and its problems before we go looking for more. Will you hold the fort while I run to the bank?”
“Of course, but at least take my car. It'll be so much quicker than the bus.”
“Thanks, Sweetie.”
As he handed her the keys, Roberto's eyes landed on the lilies Erin had placed on the desk. “He'd help you, you know.”
Holly shook her head. She couldn't afford to think about Pete. Her every instinct was crying out for him. It wasn't that she wanted his money to dig her out. Oh no. When that man had leered at her, touched her face, all she'd wanted was Pete to protect her. To make her feel safe in his warmth. To be there for her, with her. “Leave it, Berto. I'll be okay.”
**********
Pete had to park a couple of blocks away from the store. She should have the flowers by now. His heart was racing. He couldn't wait to see her. He'd missed her so much. He was nervous though. She hadn't replied to any of his texts or voice-mails, but that was understandable. She'd made her decision and he admired her strength. But she'd made that decision based on the old plan. Everything had changed, and she needed to know. He loved her, he needed to tell her. Did she really love him? He was about to find out.
He opened the door and entered the store. One of the girls smiled and waved at him. Where was Holly? He couldn't see her. He spotted Roberto though and started towards him. Roberto straightened up from the mannequin he'd been dressing and saw Pete. His face broke into a huge grin. Pete was relieved, he hadn't been sure what kind of reception he'd get from Holly's overly protective friend.
“Pete, darling! You have no idea how pleased I am to see you!” Roberto actually hugged him. Pete hugged back, filled with gratitude that this, at least, was better than he'd hoped for.
“Hey, Roberto. It's good to see you too, man. Did the flowers arrive?”
Roberto's face fell. Hmm, maybe this wasn't so good?
“Yes they arrived, but not at the best moment.”
Pete frowned, what did that mean? He looked at Roberto who, for the first time in Pete's experience, looked uncomfortable.
“Umm, she had another visitor and she had to go.”
“Another visitor?” Nate's words rang in his head, 'A woman like Holly won't be short on offers.' But so soon? She wouldn't? She couldn't be?
“No!” Roberto could see what he was thinking. “Not that kind of visitor, just some business she had to take care of right away.”
“I see.” Pete really didn't. He knew how hard it was to get her to leave the store. “Where did she go?”
“To the bank.”
That was strange. She did her banking on Fridays. Something didn't feel right and Roberto was looking more uncomfortable by the minute.
“What's going on?”
“Um, I don't think it's my place to say.”
“Can you at least give me a clue? Should I just give up and leave?” If she'd already found someone else, then perhaps that's what she'd want him to do? Roberto had said not, but he was giving off a weird vibe like he was hiding something.
“Oh no, Pete! Don't do that! PLEASE, don't do that. It's not a man thing, it's a money thing. I think she's in a bit of trouble and I know she wouldn't want me to tell you about it.”
“What kind of trouble?” he asked, but he suspected he already knew.
“I don't think I should say.”
“It's alright, I know about the debt. I wanted to help her, but she wouldn't let me.”
Roberto's face flooded with relief. “You know? Oh, Pete, it's been horrible! The man that came this morning was sleazing all over her! He scared me!”
“What did he say?” Pete's fist clenched at his side as a wave of anger coursed through him. Some guy was sleazing all over her? They were coming into her store? And she'd gone running straight to the bank? He had to make it stop. “Do you know who they are?” Roberto nodded. “Do you know how much she owes them?” He hesitated, but then nodded again. “Okay. You are going to help me to help her. I came here today to ask if she'll have me back, but more important than that, I'm going to pay off that debt. If she hates me for doing it, then so be it. At least she'll be safe. I shouldn't have let her talk me out of it before. I'm going to take care of it. Are you with me?” Roberto nodded once more. “Is she going straight to pay them once she's been to the bank?”
“No. She has to go see them tonight. She should be back soon, she took my car.”
“Where's hers?”
“In the garage, she can't even pay to get it fixed.”
Damn! She was in a mess. Why hadn't he pushed her to let him help? “Can you take a lunch break when she gets back?”
“Yes.”
“Call me then and we'll go take care of this.”
**********
Holly paced the store. It was quiet this afternoon. Of course, it was always quiet when she wanted it to be busy. She wanted to be distracted, to make the time go faster. She wanted to go make the payment and go home. For all her bravado in front of Berto, that man this morning had scared her. It seemed he'd scared Berto too. He'd left for lunch as soon as she'd come back from the bank. He'd hardly said a word to her before he left and was gone for ages. Since he finally came back, she'd swear he was avoiding her. She felt bad. He'd been so supportive, but even Berto had his limits.
She had no idea how she would be able to keep up with the payments if they were going to pull stunts like today. Double the money, just like that? The store was doing well, but it wasn't a limitless source of money. She still had a few thousand left in her savings, but at this rate that would all be gone soon. She didn't dare think what might happen then. The guy from the garage had called a little while ago, but she'd let it go to voice-mail. The car would have to wait. She needed every penny to keep the loan men off her back. She shuddered at the memory of the guy this morning – she needed to keep him off her! She'd leave in half an hour and go give them the money. Then she could go home and figure out how she would cope next week. And the week after.
She looked up and saw the guy from this morning enter the store. Oh, no. What now?
The man walked through the store, heading for Holly. Her heart raced, wondering what crazy demands he was going to make this time. She went to meet him. She may be afraid, but he didn't have to know that. “What do you want now?”
“To give you this.” He held out a manila envelope.
Holly looked at it, not sure that she wanted to take it. The man shifted from one foot to the other and thrust it toward her. Whereas this morning he'd been cocky and threatening, now he looked ill at ease and eager to be gone. She took the envelope and opened it.
“The boss sends his regards, and his assurance you won't be hearing from us again.”
Holly stared at the sheet of paper in her hand. A receipt. 'PAID IN FULL.'
She looked at the man, “What the...?”
“Look, lady. It's paid. We're done. You tell your friend we don't want no trouble. We leave you alone, he leaves us alone.” He turned and scurried out of the store, leaving Holly still staring at the receipt in her hand.
She looked for Roberto, but he was talking on his cell phone. She went into the office and plonked herself down, she was stunned. Pete! It could only be Pete. Roberto peeked his head around the door.