by S S Bazinet
“Look at Carol and Kevin’s little boy. I think he’ll grow up just fine.”
“And he’ll automatically be happy?” Elise asked. “If my parents had been sweet, I’d be sweet too?”
Carey frowned back, but didn’t comment.
Elise rubbed her forehead. “Anyway, there has to be conflict for a story to be interesting to the readers. And I’m good at that, but I wanted this story to be special. So I’m making the characters more complex. What I need from you two is some answers. If Mason has a villain for a father, how do I fix his situation? He needs to be free. That way he can be the noble prince charming and save Linda from herself.”
Carey and Michael exchanged glances and remained silent.
Elise sighed. “So you don’t have a clue either. I was afraid of that.” She pushed herself out of her chair. “Okay, you can go home. Sorry that I bothered you.”
Carey held up a hand. “I have a thought, but you probably won’t like it.”
“I’m listening,” Elise said.
“Mason decides that he’s had enough. He tells his father that he’s going to do what he wants to do.”
Elise remembered wanting to voice her feelings with her father, but he’d always been too domineering. However, Mason was a man. He’d probably have the guts to stick up for himself. “Yes, that’s a possibility. Mason could tell his father to go to hell, right?”
Carey grinned. “Maybe, but if he wanted to maintain the relationship, he might go easy on the hell part.”
Elise waved him off. “Whatever, let’s move on to Linda. How does Mason break through her harsh personality?” She glanced at Michael. “And please, no more pets. I don’t want Linda to end up with her own zoo.”
“He could back off and stop pursuing her,” Carey offered.
Carey’s suggestion took Elise by surprise. “Right, like Arel wanted to do with me!” The words spewed out in spite of her attempt to remain passive. “I bet you two agreed with him.”
“Is that what you think?” Carey asked.
When Elise saw Carey’s boyish expression fade, she sat back in her chair. “Sorry, don’t mind my paranoia. I got off the topic.”
Carey’s eyes brightened. “What I meant is that Linda might feel overwhelmed by someone pursuing her directly. If Mason gives her some space, she might be more secure when they meet again.”
“Why does she need to feel secure? She’s hard as nails.”
“How did she get like that?” Michael asked.
Elise laughed. “As a young woman, she was knocked around. She learned to be hard or suffer the consequences.”
“Does she believe that there’s such a thing as a good man?”
“How can she? They’ve all been brutes.”
Michael sat back. “That’s a difficult situation.”
“Yes, it is,” Elise said in a firm tone. “In Linda’s mind, it’s more than difficult. It feels hopeless.”
“Hopeless? How?” Carey asked.
Elise sighed. “I think it started in Linda’s childhood. Like Mason, Linda had an overbearing father.”
As Elise explained her character’s back story, her own story resurrected itself. Michael mentioned good men, but all she could think about were people like Jack. Day in and day out, she’d listened to men telling her how life was supposed to be. They were the important people in the world, and she, a lowly woman, had only one function, to serve them. She gradually got to a point where she stopped trying to please. She walked out of her last relationship with a suitcase in her hand and a few dollars in a secret, bank account. Living on her own was scary at first, but it was better than being with a guy. Unfortunately, she’d lost her zest for life along the way.
Just thinking about her depressing state made her head pound. She hoped it didn’t turn into a migraine. She glanced at Carey and Michael. “Thanks, you’ve given me lots of ideas to work on. Maybe I can get some chapters written. We can start fresh tomorrow.”
“Any time,” Michael said as he stood up.
Carey stood up too and turned to follow Michael out of the office. As Elise watched them leave, her loneliness came back more powerfully than ever. She was stuck like her character, Linda. Neither of them could move on. In Elise’s case, she’d become one of those old, cranky spinsters who lived alone forever.
“Oh lord, it’s straight downhill from here,” she mumbled to herself. Her wave of self-pity cut so deep that her eyes welled up. As she swiped at her wet cheeks, Carey looked back from the doorway.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Carey’s face was a mixture of concern and youthful promise. Why hadn’t she met a man like him instead of Jack? So many years of her life had been wasted on cheats and liars. She grabbed a tissue and tried to speak, but she knew she’d sound pathetic. Instead, she shrugged.
Michael returned a moment later. He looked over Carey’s shoulder with bright, sky-blue eyes. “Would you like us to stay for a little while?”
Elise sat down on the couch. “I don’t know. I’m having a ridiculous, pity party. It sometimes happens when I get writer’s block.”
Michael moved Carey aside and walked over. “I just had a thought about your heroine.”
Elise wiped her nose again. “Go on.”
Michael sat down next to her. “You said you didn’t want a two dimensional character, but I think that’s how you’ve portrayed Linda. We know she’s had a tough background, but you’ve kept her stuck there. What about this? People can change. They can mature into well-rounded persons.”
Carey sat down on Elise’s other side. “Michael’s right. You should have seen me when I first met Arel. He said I was hot-headed and impulsive. He claimed I had a chip on my shoulder.”
Elise sat up and stared at him. “Really? You seem so even tempered and happy.”
“I guess I am. The more I was around Arel and Michael, the more they insisted that I was okay. Before that, I guess I did act like a person who had a lot of hang-ups.”
Michael laughed. “Remember that dinner party when you started to storm out of Arel’s house?”
Carey nodded. “When a person feels worthless, they do a lot of crazy things.”
Elise blinked back the last of her tears as she thought about her character, Linda, and writing again. Michael’s ideas and Carey’s contribution were possibilities that might turn the story around. “Okay, let’s bounce around a couple of ideas.”
Carey’s hand shot up. “I’ve got it! What if Linda has had time to get some perspective on her past? She’s learned enough to trust her judgment about men. She knew she wouldn’t let herself be fooled anymore.”
Elise rubbed her brow. “I guess that could happen.”
Michael nodded his agreement. “And when it came time to choose a partner, she’d be careful and pick a man who had integrity.”
Elise surprised herself and smiled. “She’d pick a man like—” She stopped herself when she almost said the name, Arel. “She’d pick a man like Mason.”
“And Mason can be a person who’s grown too,” Carey said.
Elise felt a small glint of hope trickle in. Even if her own life was hopeless, at least her characters could have a chance at something better. “How would Mason change?”
Carey grinned back. “If he stood up to his father, I think he’d have the confidence to approach Linda, don’t you?”
As Elise saw her book coming into focus, she was about to get up to jot down some notes. Instead, she felt Freddie trying to get her attention by scratching her foot.
Carey bent down, retrieved the small puppy and handed him to Elise. “I think Freddie wants his mom.”
Elise held Freddie close. “Mom? I never thought of myself that way.”
Carey laughed. “I think Freddie does.”
Elise held Freddie up and looked at his black, shiny eyes and his tiny, pink tongue. He was giving the air puppy licks. “Thank goodness I only have a dog to worry about. The little guy is enough of a burden. I’m sure
I’d be terrible with a kid.”
Carey gave her a troubled look. “Please, don’t say that. You’ve been very kind to me, Elise.”
Elise laughed at how serious Carey suddenly sounded. “Fine, I’ll try to be more positive if it will make you happy.”
Carey sat back contentedly. “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”
Thirteen
WHILE TIM WAS getting ready for work, Peggy stared out the front window with her morning coffee in hand. Two doors down, Elise was out in her yard with her new puppy. It was bouncing around in the grass like a tiny, white bunny. Peggy smiled. Animals were her weak spot. As a child, she was always excited when a stray dog or cat wandered by.
Carol had already met Elise’s puppy. She’d gone by Elise’s house while taking little Ariel out in the stroller. Elise had been very friendly. She even brought the puppy over so that little Ariel could pet him. It seemed out of character for Elise.
Peggy turned to Tim when he joined her at the window. “Do you think I’ve been too harsh? I’ve said some very unkind things about our neighbor.”
“What neighbor?” Tim asked.
“Elise, of course. Carol seems to think she’s not as bad as I first thought.”
“She did seem grateful that night we helped her out.”
Peggy handed Tim her mug. “Yes, and she’s tried to be nice ever since, but I thought it might be an act.”
Tim took a sip of Peggy’s coffee and smiled. “You’ve got great instincts. You have to trust them.”
“I do, but I’m starting to feel better about Elise. Maybe Carey and Michael are having an influence on her.”
“What do they have to do with Elise?”
Peggy frowned. “I don’t know. But I’ve seen them going over to her house on a couple of occasions.”
“Sounds like you’ve been a one-woman neighborhood watch.”
“I’m curious.”
Tim’s smile broadened. “I better get going. I’ve got an early morning meeting to attend.”
Peggy started for the kitchen and went directly to the refrigerator. “Don’t forget your lunch. I knew you were going to have a busy day, so I packed you a tuna fish sandwich, fruit, and some oatmeal cookies.”
Tim had followed her into the kitchen and took the lunch bag. “Thank you. It’ll make things easier if I don’t have to go out for lunch.”
“Don’t get too stressed, Tim.”
Tim kissed her cheek. “I’ll be fine, but I do have a suggestion for you.”
“What’s that?”
Tim gave her a teasing glance. “Invite Elise over and tell her to bring her puppy.”
Peggy blushed. “I would love to see the little guy close up. Carol said his name is Freddie.”
“So tell Elise to bring Freddie when she visits.”
Peggy followed Tim into the hall. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll get to meet the puppy and also see if Elise’s attitude is improving. I might even find out how Michael and Carey are involved.”
* * * * *
Elise stood at Peggy’s front door with Freddie in one hand and a box of pastries in the other. She’d already rung the bell and was waiting for Peggy to answer the door. She kept repeating a mantra to herself. “I’m not going to get nervous this time.”
When the door opened, and she saw Peggy, the words stuck in her throat. All that she could manage to do was hold out the pastry box to Peggy. “Uh, hope you like filled doughnuts.”
Before Peggy could reply, Freddie started to squirm. He’d spied a potential pack member and was eager to introduce himself. He was struggling so hard, Elise panicked. She was afraid she was going to drop him.
Peggy came to the rescue. With a big smile, she took the puppy from Elise and held him close. “My goodness, aren’t you the cutest and friendliest little guy.”
Elise felt her nerves relax a little. “He loves people, but sometimes he gets so excited.”
Peggy waved her inside. “That’s normal for a puppy. He’ll probably calm down as he gets older.”
Elise followed Peggy into the kitchen. “Having Freddie is so new for me. I hope I’m doing the right things.”
Peggy put Freddie down on the tile floor and laughed again. “He looks very happy.”
“Oh, maybe he’s too happy,” Elise said as Freddie took off running. His feet lost traction for only a moment, slipping on the smooth floor. Once he got his footing, he took off. He ran out of the kitchen with Elise trailing after him. “Freddie, come back here!”
Peggy followed too. “It’s okay. He just wants to explore. He’ll come back once he gets the lay of the land.”
Elise stood in the living room, watching Freddie run from one corner of the room to the other, sniffing as he went. She glanced back at Peggy. “He just pottied outside so I think he’s safe.”
“I think you’re a worrier, Elise.”
Elise blushed. “I am now. I hardly get any work done with Freddie around. He’s my first puppy, and I wouldn’t have him except for your neighbor, Michael.”
“What’s Michael got to do with it?”
“Michael and Carey are advising me on my novel. Michael thought Freddie would help me identify with my heroine.”
“That’s interesting.”
“It didn’t help me to solve her problems, but now I’m stuck with Freddie.”
Peggy frowned. “Don’t you want to keep him?”
“Of course, I do,” Elise said. She stooped down as Freddie ran back to her. She scooped him up, smiling. “I love the little scamp. It’s just that I didn’t expect him to make such an impact on my life.”
“Wait until you have kids,” Peggy laughed. “Now, come back to the kitchen. I want to try some of those doughnuts.”
Once they were settled at the table and the refreshments were served, Elise watched Freddie doze in Peggy’s lap. “You really have a way with animals.”
“Someday, when Sara is older, I want to get a family pet.”
Elise looked around. “Where is Sara? Is she napping?”
“No, she’s at Carol’s house. We take turns watching each other’s kids a couple of times a week. The children get time together, and we can go to the hair salon or whatever.”
Elise ran a hand through her short hair. “Speaking of hair, the woman who cut mine did a butcher job. I’d ask for a recommendation for someone I could trust, but I’m moving soon.”
Peggy had been examining Freddie’s soft ears and looked up. “Have you already set a date to move?”
“I was going to leave at the end of the month, but with a deadline pending for my novel and the house still unrented, I’m staying longer than I expected.”
“Do you like writing books?”
“Sometimes, I do, but this one has been a challenge. That’s why I got Michael and Carey involved. I thought they could bring a male perspective into the mix. But sometimes—”
Peggy stared back. “But sometimes what?”
“I don’t know. Those two are so different than any men I’ve known. But I guess that’s just me.”
“Different how?”
“Take Michael, he’s so together all the time. He never looks ruffled or upset. As for Carey, he’s just a sweetheart. He claims that he was once a difficult type, but that’s hard to believe.”
“I understand, especially when it comes to Michael. After observing him for some time, he reminds me of one of those guru types. He’s always kind and understanding. Carey’s nice but he has a bottomless pit for a stomach.”
“You’re right there. He loves sweets. The bakery where I got these donuts is going to miss me when I move.”
Peggy got up and handed Freddie to Elise. “I’ll get us some more coffee,” she said as she went to the coffee maker and grabbed the carafe. She returned to the table and began to refill Elise’s cup.
Elise hesitated. She was having such an easy time talking to Peggy, yet she felt there was unfinished business in their past. “Can I ask you something?”
&nbs
p; Peggy backed up a little. “Sure, what is it?”
“Can we start over? I know I was very difficult when I was dating Arel. Now, when I think of moving away, I hope you can remember me as someone who’s not so terrible. I don’t expect you to think of me as a friend, but maybe you could forgive me for whatever I said or did.”
Peggy put the carafe back and sat down. “I guess I still don’t know why you behaved that way. Arel is wonderful—”
“I know that now, but when we were dating, I didn’t trust him.”
“If you felt that way, why did you go out with him?”
“Peggy, please, he’s adorable! Some part of me couldn’t resist him. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s the truth. If I had it to do over, I’d have simply said no the first time he asked me out. I wasn’t ready to date anyone.”
“I hear you, but let’s face it, you did say yes and after that, you were pretty mean at times.”
Elise felt her face flush. “I know, and I’m sorry you and your friends got in the middle of it all.” She stood up. “Anyway, I’ve embarrassed myself again. I better go.”
Peggy stood up too. “No, it was very brave of you to come clean like you did.”
Elise held Freddie under her chin, and sniffled. “Thank you. It’s nice to hear you say that.” She paused. “Can I ask one more question before I go? Do you believe that people can change? Michael and Carey insist that they can. Of course, they were making suggestions for a character in my book. Now, I want your opinion because I respect you, Peggy.”
Peggy laughed. “Of course, people can change. I’ve changed, so has my brother and Carol. Tim, my sweet husband, has always been a saint, but Arel has changed big time.”
“How has Arel changed?”
“He was very reclusive when we met. It took a long time for him to come out of his shell. Now, look at him. He’s engaged to a lovely woman and is happy as a clam.”
“I guess he’ll be coming home soon.”
“He’s already home, but I think he’s been busy catching up on things.”
Elise started out of the kitchen. “I hope I don’t run into him. I might have enough courage to come clean with you, but I’d be mortified to see Arel again.”