by Linda Ellen
Vic had stepped out for a few minutes after they had arrived, and when he returned, his hackles immediately rose in response to the frosty treatment he received from the older couple. This caused him to immediately move to the head of the bed and with a possessive hand on Louise’s shoulder, made no bones about showing them that Louise was no longer alone to face their scorn and emotional shenanigans. Within a very few minutes, the Blankenbakers bid Louise goodbye, inclined a forced acknowledgement toward Vic, and left, much to Louise’s relief. They hadn’t returned.
Pensively moving the brush through a lock of her hair, Louise emitted a soft hum as she once again steered her mind to happier things. Like Vic, and the bright future about which she had begun allowing herself to dream.
Just then glancing back at the doorway, her eyes lit up and her mouth immediately transformed into a lovely smile as she encountered the sight she had been longing to see – Vic peeking around the doorjamb, grinning at her. When he saw she had seen him, he straightened up and came sauntering in, his right hand behind his back. Her gaze feasted on him. From the top of his head and that wavy brown hair, to his freshly shaven face, twinkling eyes and gleaming smile, to his light blue short-sleeve cotton shirt unbuttoned at the neck and showing a peek of his white undershirt beneath, he was a delectable vision. His tanned muscled arm sported a wristwatch, something that he hadn’t owned when she had known him four years before.
Glancing around momentarily at the other ladies nearby, he nodded a polite greeting.
“There he is, right on time. Hey…those for me?” Evie teased with a grin.
“Not this time, sorry,” Vic responded, sending a wink her way. He glanced toward Gladys, but was met with her usual sour expression. Angie called a greeting from within her husband’s arms, and he turned his head and nodded at them both. The other ladies nearby, who weren’t visiting with their own guests, nodded his way politely. He responded in kind before his eyes met Louise’s again.
“Hey…” he murmured, moving all the way to Louise and bending down for a sweet, slow delicious kiss. Each one gloried in the feel and taste of the other. For Louise, she basked in the heady scent of Old Spice aftershave clinging to Vic’s smooth cheeks and the pleasant taste of red soda on his lips. Vic closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet scent of his love, a pleasant combination of shampoo and body powder, also noticing the clean taste of toothpaste where she had brushed her teeth after her bath.
When he leaned back, he gazed into her eyes for a moment as if checking to see how she was feeling. Satisfied with what he saw, he smiled that dimpled grin she loved and with an exaggerated flourish, brought his right hand around and revealed his hidden gift – a lovely bouquet of red roses in a cut glass vase.
“Oh Vic! They’re beautiful!” she gasped as she took them. Bringing them delicately to her nose, she closed her eyes and inhaled their sweet fragrance. When she opened them again, he was gazing at her with that look of absolute adoration that always filled her heart with effervescent happiness. “Thank you,” she whispered lovingly.
“You’re welcome. You said red roses are your favorite, right? And this…” he added as he leaned down again to place a big, firm kiss on her cheek, “is from Tommy. He made me promise I’d give you that.”
She giggled at his playfulness, correctly imagining the precious way her little boy would have looked and sounded as he had given that request.
“How’s he doing? Is he all right? And Miss Irene… is he running her ragged? I miss him so much,” she admitted, breathing in quickly to ward off a feeling of melancholy that would overtake her regarding her son, if she allowed it.
“He’s fine, and so’s Irene. She said to tell ya – again – to not worry about anything except gettin’ well.” Remembering his conversation with their dear friend, he chuckled and added, “She said to tell you she took Tommy with her to her ladies’ meeting yesterday and he was the star of the meeting – and now he has a dozen ‘Aunts’ to add to his collection.”
Louise laughed understandably and nodded, “I bet. He already knows how to wrap you around his finger and get what he wants. I can tell already he’s going to be a lady’s man when he grows up…those big blue eyes, dimples, wavy hair…” she paused, realizing she was describing the features her son had inherited from his father.
Vic didn’t seem to mind, merely nodded agreement and settled down to make himself comfortable on the side of the bed. For a few seconds he fought to mask the sting her last comment caused, but he was determined to not upset her further by showing the depth of his jealousy. Instead, he reached to take the roses from her and placed the vase on her bedside table.
Turning back, he perused her face again, satisfying himself that she was, indeed, improved. Her cheeks seemed to grow pinker each day as her strength returned, of which he was very thankful. The first few days she had seemed so fragile and in so much pain, it tore at his guts to see her like that. Allowing his eyes to roam over her shining hair and twinkling eyes, he reached for one of her hands and murmured, “You feel better today, don’t ya.”
She nodded, loving the feel of his warm, strong hand holding hers. She reached for his other hand and gently rubbed with her thumb the finger that was missing its tip. He had told her all of the details of the accident, and how it had happened because he had been so broken up over losing her and wasn’t paying close enough attention – and she was so grateful that he hadn’t been hurt worse, or killed. She hoped one day she could meet his friend Floyd, about whom he had told her story after story, and thank him for saving the life of the man she loved.
She met his eyes and answered, “Yes, I do. I’m feeling stronger every day. They told me they’d let me start walking around in a few days, by Wednesday anyway. That would be a week.” She paused at that, as once again the confused mix of relief and sadness washed over her at the thought of the precious life she had been carrying that was now no more.
Vic moved his head affirmatively, and as her eyes continued to drink in his appearance and his presence, she realized that he seemed as if he had something on his mind. Her brow furrowed as she watched him first bring her hand up to his lips and kiss it, and then clear his throat and glance around as if he were uncomfortable. A shiver of dread coursed through her body.
“What is it Vic…is something wrong?”
He met her eyes again and smiled softly, and what seemed to her as almost…regrettably. She swallowed nervously as an unreasonable fear began to rise. Her heart sped up and she whispered, “Vic…tell me…”
He realized she was misinterpreting and reading signals he wasn’t meaning to send. Quickly, he shook his head. “It’s nothin’. I just…well, it’s Sunday and I’ll have to leave earlier tonight so I can make it back to Evansville before it gets too late…” he paused, alarmed, as he watched the color drain from her face and her eyes begin to fill.
“Y…you’re leaving? But…but you said…you said you wouldn’t leave me!” she squeaked before bursting into tears. The ladies nearby stopped their conversations and turned their heads toward them in concern.
Unnerved at her reaction, he immediately scooted forward and took her in his arms, pressing her head against his neck as he crooned, “Hey! Hey now, sshhhh, don’t cry babe… you shouldn’t get so upset, it ain’t good for ya…”
She moved her head, burrowing her face into the hollow between his shoulder and neck, holding on to him tightly – not caring what the other women would think. She was still quite affected by the trauma of the whole affair and wasn’t as over it as either of them had thought. “You promised!” she sobbed, “You promised you’d never leave me again!”
“Ssshhh, Mary Lou, now you listen to me,” he ordered in a serious tone. “I’m comin’ back. You hear me?” he paused and drew back, making her look into his eyes. His heart contracted to see the absolute misery in hers. How could she believe I’d leave her, after all the things we’ve said to each other? he wondered, guessing she must be more traumatized by the th
ings that husband of hers had done than he had suspected. Vic would have relished his nemesis walking in the door right then so that he could drag him out back and beat the living daylights out of him. Setting that thought aside, however, he refocused, knowing he had to calm her down.
“Honey…listen – I’m only goin’ so I can get my things, say goodbye to Al and Goldie, and tell my boss face to face that I’m quittin’. He don’t deserve me just not comin’ back and him not knowin’ whether to hire a replacement or not. I gave him my word I’d be back.”
Sniffling, Louise reached for a tissue to wipe her eyes, drawing in a slightly calmer, shuddering breath as her heart rate began to slow down. Vic’s words of assurance were working their magic to sooth her frazzled emotions. “Your truck driving job…you liked it so much…” she whispered, suddenly feeling shards of guilt that he was about to sacrifice the best job he’d ever had just to come back and be with her. She certainly didn’t feel worthy of such a sacrifice being made on her account.
His eyes twinkled and he raised his hand to softly cup her cheek. “Yeah, I liked it…but I love you. I’d give up anything to be with you.”
Again, her eyes filled with tears, only this time of overflowing joy and relief. “Oh Vic…I love you so much…”
Vic grinned and nodded in satisfaction, glad that he had managed to smooth the waters. “That’s good to know…I’d hate to be the only one,” he teased.
Drying her eyes, now a bit embarrassed that she had made such a fuss – and right there in a ward filled with at least thirty people, Louise murmured, “How…how long will you be gone?”
He drew her again into his arms and reassuringly began to rub her back, lovingly smoothing strands of her hair. “Just a few days. Just long enough to tie up loose ends,” he reassured. “Then I’m comin’ back and you’ll never get rid of me – you’ll have to kick me out the door.”
She laughed softly and pulled back enough to see his face.
“Oh you – you won’t ever have to worry about that. You’re stuck with me.”
With a grin and a wink, he whispered, “Just what I wanted to hear.”
‡
CHAPTER 2
Vic’s Decision
Fatigued and stiff from the long drive from Louisville to Evansville, Vic pulled his dark blue ’31 Buick Coupe to a stop in front of Graham’s Rooms for Let, his home for the past two years.
Turning off the motor, he sat back in the seat, closed his eyes, and stretched his arms above his head to work the kinks out of his shoulders and back. Giving his head a quick shake, he glanced around at the vehicles parked in their usual spots at the curb – Mr. McGuffin’s old green Ford with the dented fender… Billy Simmon’s beat up old GMC pickup… and old maid schoolteacher Gertrude Buchman’s ’39 Crosley convertible that she kept spotless and screeched at anyone who, heaven forbid, splashed a little mud on its pristine white paint. He smirked softly, remembering a day about a year previous when he had done just that. Shaking his head, he silently acknowledged that he had given her car a wide berth after that.
Turning his head, he stared up at the old building with its three stories, barn roof, and large farmhouse design. His time there had not been particularly unhappy or boring… it had held many colorful characters over the years, of which he had met several. In a tiny way he would miss the relaxed atmosphere, good food, and that feeling of legitimacy he had experienced there. He’d paid his way and never felt ‘unwanted’ or in the way.
However, none of that mattered now. He knew that even if he had found himself living in a mansion and working a job with the ‘fat cats’ making the big bucks, he still would give it all up to go back to Louisville and his Mary Louise. As he sat there contemplating the future, he had no idea where he would live at first or where he would get a job – but those things took a back seat to that special person whom he knew would fulfill his life in more ways than he could count.
Smiling as he thought of her again, he raised his arm and perused his watch in the glow of a nearby streetlight…2:30 AM. He had gotten a much later start on his trip than he’d planned, because he had stopped by to see Alec and Fleet and lingered hours longer than intended – after staying with Louise in the ward until the night duty nurse had shooed him out when visiting hours were over.
Louise had made him promise multiple times that he was truly coming back. The memory of those moments pained him, that she was still having trouble trusting him to keep his word. Well, I’ll take care ’a that once we get together. She’ll never have need to wonder if I’m lyin’ or keepin’ something from her.
Now, however, he knew he needed to let himself quietly into the house and get some much needed sleep – for the last time in his room. He had a big day tomorrow.
*
The next morning, Vic arrived at his place of work thirty minutes before his scheduled time. Entering the plant, he glanced around for his soon-to-be former boss, Ralph Harford, shop manager for Diamond Dry Cleaners. Walking silently up to the man, who had his back to the door perusing the clipboard in his hands, Vic stopped directly behind and stared for a moment at the back of his salt and pepper hair before he cleared his throat.
Harford turned around, ever-present unlit cigar in his mouth, and scrutinized his best delivery driver.
“Oh good, Matthews. Glad you’re here early. Got a big order that needs to be picked up. New customer…” he paused, his gray eyes narrowing as he noticed his employee fidgeting with his cap – and only then realizing Vic wasn’t wearing his uniform. Aggravation began to rise as he realized what that more than likely meant.
“Um…Mr. Harford…I…” Vic began, but Harford cut him off.
“You what Matthews? You gonna tell me you’re quitting? With no notice or anything? Just gonna leave me high and dry with all these big orders on my hands and nobody to drive the dang route?”
Vic cringed and lowered his head. This was exactly what he didn’t want to do, but now it seemed unavoidable. “I’m sorry, sir. It’s just…my plans have changed and…”
Harford wrangled the cigar to the other side of his mouth, his conscience pinching just a little. “Your plans? And what might they be?”
Vic raised his head again and chanced a look at him, sensing from the tone of voice and the look in the man’s eyes that he was already resigned to the idea of having to find a replacement driver. “There’s…there’s this girl, back in Louisville. I love her and she loves me and…and we’re gonna get married…” he paused, grappling for the words to convey just how urgent was his need for him to move back to Louisville.
The shop manager narrowed one eye, clearly able to see the depth of emotion in the young man. A young man he had always thought of as just a bit detached, a tad standoffish…someone who seemed to just be cruising through life with no deep feelings about anyone or anything. Now he saw. This girl back in Louisville, she was who and what for which young Vic Matthews had deep feelings. Harford realized he had never seen Matthews’ eyes so alive with emotion before. He knew then that he had lost the best deliveryman he’d ever had. There would be no keeping him.
“Special girl, huh?” he asked then, one side of his lips rising in a rueful smile.
Vic unconsciously smiled at just the thought of Louise. “Yes sir. Very special. I…I lost her from my life four years ago, but she’s back in my life again, and I aim to see that she stays in it,” Vic admitted a bit sheepishly. It was a tad hard to admit to another man, except maybe Alec or Floyd, the depth of his feelings for Louise. It almost felt ‘un-masculine’ to admit that a female tied him up in knots the way she did.
Harford nodded resignedly and reached up to scratch his scalp. “You gotta give me two week’s notice, though, Matthews. I need ya – at least ’till I can find a replacement and get him trained.”
Vic’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t planned on that. He’d told Louise that he would be back in a day or two… “Um…I don’t know, sir…”
Seeing him waver, Harford pushed
the point home. “You know, back in Louisville you’re gonna need a good reference to get another job. There’s lots of young bucks out there that you’ll have to compete with. You leave me high and dry, well…I won’t be able to tell another employer that you’re reliable…”
Vic wavered, his heart truly torn. What will Louise do if I send a message that I’m staying here two weeks… Weighing his options – he knew Harford was right and he would need a good reference to get a foot in the door of a good job back in Louisville – he finally sighed with resignation and nodded. “Okay Mr. Harford. I’ll give ya two weeks.”
The man nodded in satisfaction and reached to slap Vic on the back. “Good. Good. Now, tell you what. You drive the company truck to your place and get into your uniform before you head on over to the new customer. Come on in the office and I’ll give you the paperwork. Day’s a wastin’.”
With a nod, Vic followed the man through the racks of freshly cleaned and pressed linens and clothing, striving to tamp down his impatience at the change in his plans. I’ll have to figure out how to word a telegram to Louise so she won’t fret…
*
“We’re going to miss you, Vic,” his sister-in-law, Goldie, murmured as she swept back one side of her long thick blonde hair and reached out to give him a hug that night. Her blue eyes had a misty haze when she pulled back. Vic had dropped by his brother’s apartment to inform them of his decision and, in a way, get their blessing on his plans.
“You sure you know what you’re doing?” Vic’s brother Al, who resembled an older version of Vic, only with much less hair, asked as he reached to shake Vic’s hand and gesture for the three of them to take seats in the living room of the neatly kept apartment.
“Yep. Louise needs me. She loves me and I love her…so much it kills me to be away from her,” he added truthfully. He noticed they glanced at one another and correctly figured they had discussed the matter privately before. He braced himself for an argument, or at least, some well-meaning advice.