Wildflower
A story of one woman’s love for another.
by
Prudence MacLeod
Smashwords edition
Copyright, Prudence MacLeod, August 7 / 2002
This is a work of fiction.
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Bad Day in Bay City
Abigail MacKai climbed slowly, painfully out of the cab and started toward her apartment block. “Hey lady,” shouted the cabbie, “what about the fare?”
“Sorry,” mumbled Abby as she turned back and passed him a twenty.
“Thanks,” he shouted as he sped away.
“My change,” called Abby, but he was already around the corner. “Bastard,” she spat vehemently, “you’re all alike, and you’re all a bunch of right bastards.” She sighed again and carefully climbed the stairs then entered the building. “Goddam cheapjack son of a bitch didn’t even pay for the cab.”
Still in shock at how her world had suddenly come apart, Abby entered her small apartment and dropped her coat and purse on the floor. Gingerly she made her way to the living room where she sat in her chair and started blankly at the TV screen without even turning it on. Six weeks ago she had been on top of the world and now....? Abby sighed as she felt another bout of depression taking over; she just sat in her chair and let it happen. With a tear slowly forming at the corner of her eye, Abby ran over in her mind just how she had come to be in this far away city in such a sorry state.
At five foot eight, one hundred twenty pounds with long naturally blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, Abby was a striking beauty. A smile from Abigail MacKai could melt polar ice and she usually shared that smile with everyone she met. That is, until recently.
Abby had finished high school and was too impatient to see the world, she opted to take a few computer courses and start work immediately rather than go on to university. She began applying for jobs on the internet and was actually hired on by a small firm in the United States. They helped arrange for her green card and with her travel expenses as well as to get set up in her own apartment. The boss was a wonderful man who immediately adopted Abby as his pet. He sent her to night school to take upgrade courses in business management as well as advanced computer courses and he paid for the works. How many times had she blessed Harry James’ generous nature?
Abby had been both intrigued by the world of business and by the excitement of earning her own way. She applied herself diligently, and, within a few years, she was heading up a new office on the west coast. For the first number of months Abby had worked non stop until all was running smoothly then she decided it was time to resume her social life.
Since moving to the United States to work, Abby had gone through a number of boyfriends, but nothing too serious. That became her pattern once again in San Francisco until she met Randy Zane. Randy was a law student with big dreams and ambitions to match. He was also completely charming and Abby was smitten. Blinded by the stars in her eyes, she missed all the little warning signs that should have caught her attention.
Completely convinced that he was planning to marry her, Abby began to make long term plans. Somehow, in her blissful state, Abby had missed taking her birth control pill for a couple of days. The sudden realization of what that might mean brought her crashing back to earth. Two weeks later she missed her period and began to seriously worry.
Abby had gotten a bit paranoid then and the warning flags were suddenly right in her face. Randy had been stalling about introducing her to his parents and she noticed that every time she mentioned marriage he changed the subject. Filled with foreboding, Abby waited for her next cycle to complete. She missed again. A trip to the doctor soon confirmed her worst fears; Abigail MacKai was pregnant.
Abby had gone into shock at Randy’s reaction to the news. “No fucking way,” he’d snarled as he backed out her door and fled down the stairs. She hadn’t seen him for nearly two weeks even though she had tried to call him several times each day.
On this morning Abby had awakened with violent cramps in her abdomen. Gasping for breath she managed to make it to the bathroom where her body painfully aborted the unwanted pregnancy. As soon as she could, Abby cleaned herself up and made her way to her doctor’s office. It was much later when she arrived home to find Randy waiting for her by the door. “Dad wants to see you,” was all he’d said as he ushered her from her cab into his car and drove to a sidewalk café several blocks away.
The small man did not rise as he was introduced, nor did he acknowledge her outstretched hand. “Young woman, I’ll get right to the point,” he stated harshly. “If you think this little pregnancy of yours will tie you into the family fortunes, I can assure you it will not. You are not the first silly little blonde to try to capture my son this way, and I doubt you will be the last.
“Having said that however, I will not see you completely in distress; I have prepared these forms for you to sign. This one states that you are unsure of the father of your child as there were several lovers. This one releases Randy and his entire family of any and all responsibility for your pregnancy and the resulting child. This one is a cheque to compensate you for your trouble. I suggest you accept it for there will be no more, and if you refuse, I will bring all my power and influence to bear against you.”
Abby looked at the cheque he had passed to her. Fifty thousand dollars, the cheap bastard, he could easily have afforded ten times that much. Still in shock, Abby accepted the cheque and signed the required papers. Randy took her by the arm and escorted her from the café and put her in a cab. Abby still had not spoken a single word; she had not told them she had lost the baby.
With a deep sigh of resignation Abby tried to shake off some of the dark mood that was taking over her. “Grandma always said things happen in threes,” she muttered to herself. “Numbers one and two have been brutal; I wonder what number three will be, a piano falling on my head?” She was closer than she would liked to have been. A knock came on the door and painfully she rose to answer it.
“Yes?” Abby asked the dour looking man in the plain suit who had knocked.
“Abigail Aislin MacKai?”
“Yes,” she replied, a feeling of foreboding falling over her heart “What can I do for you?”
“I represent the department of immigration,” he replied formally as he presented his ID. “May I see your green card please?”
“Of course,” she replied. “Come in.” She stepped back to find her card in her purse and he took one step across her threshold leaving the door open behind him. “Here it is.”
“Thank you,” he said as he put her card in his briefcase. “I am here to inform you that your card has been revoked and you are to cease all employment activities in this country immediately. Your employer has been informed and a replacement is on the way to take over your job. Your right to travel freely in this country has also been revoked and a plane ticket for your safe return to your own country of origin has been provided. Your flight leaves in three days. I highly suggest that you be on it or a warrant will be issued for your arrest and all your assets will be seized.
“These are your official orders to leave the country Miss MacKai,” he said as he presented her with an official looking document. “Please sign here to acknowledge that you have been duly served. I will return in three days time to see you safely to the airport. Good day to you Miss.” With that he stepped back through the door and vanished.
“Well, there goes number three,” she whispered softly, tears streaming down her face as she gently closed the door behind the departing official. The phone began to ring insistently and with a sigh of resignation she turned to answer it. “Abigail MacKai.”
“Abby, thank god I’ve managed to reach you.” It was Harry James, her boss from the east coast. “Abby, what is going on out there? I have had the most distressing visit from the immigration people and they said they have revoked your green card and are deporting you.”
“That seems to jive with what has just happened here,” sighed Abby as she leaned against the wall for support. “I guess Uncle Sam no longer loves me Harry.”
“Abby, what happened?” he asked gently. Suddenly Abby broke down and tearfully told him the whole story.
“That goddamned son-of-a-bitch,” exclaimed Harry. “I’m getting you a lawyer Abby. We’ll fight the bastard on this. Whatever you do, don’t cash that cheque; we’ll need it for evidence. We’ll...”
“Harry, Harry, please listen to me,” interjected Abby as she pushed herself away from the wall. “This man is too big, too powerful, and he obviously has friends in high places. You can’t take him on Harry; he’ll break you.”
“I don’t care,” responded Harry hotly, “I’m not letting him get away with...”
“Harry, listen to me now,” said Abby gently as she tried to break into his rant. “I love you like a father, and I will not let this happen to you. I’m not the first young blonde that California has chewed up and spit out. I’m going to take the bastard’s money and start over at home somewhere. After all, Canada isn’t a third world country or anything. Can you give me a good reference?”
“I’ll give you a reference to die for Abby, you know that,” sighed Harry as he too accepted the inevitable. “Are you sure about this?”
“It’s like you always say Harry, you can’t beat the system. No, I need to go home and lick my wounds. I’ll be alright and I promise I will stay in touch. Can I use you as a forwarding address for now until I land somewhere?”
“Of course you can honey.”
“Thanks Harry, you’re a love. I’ll let you know as soon as I get settled in somewhere, Ok?”
“Hold your head up high Abby and always remember, we believe in you and know you are going to rise above this. You’re bigger than these folk Abby.”
“Got it boss,” she replied warmly. “Never let the enemy see you sweat. Take care and hug Alice for me.” She gently hung up the phone and returned to her chair and her depression.
It was some time later that Abby arose from the chair, made her way to her small bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet. She took two bottles from the shelf and held one in each hand. Two very different kinds of medication and Abby truly hated taking either of them. Right now she had to decide which one to use. Give in to the suicidal depression that was gripping her heart and take the bottle of sleeping pills in her left hand, or use the antidepressants in her right, the happy pills as she called them. With a tear at the corner of her eye, Abby set down the happy pills and opened the bottle of sleeping medication.
As she poured a number of the pills into her hand she heard Harry’s voice in the back of her mind, “Take those and Randy’s old man wins Abby. He won’t even lose a moment’s sleep over it and he will even keep his fifty grand. Spit in his eye girl, you’re bigger than either of those two slime balls.” Setting her jaw grimly, Abby poured the sleeping pills down the sink and tossed the bottle in the garbage. With a deep sigh she opened the other bottle and dropped two happy pills in her hand.
“Well Sherlock MacKai, what are we going to do now?” she asked her image in the mirror softly.
“Unknown Miss Abigail,” replied her reflection, “but this is definitely a two happy pill problem.” She tossed them down with a swallow of water then returned to the chair to wait for the inevitable restlessness to set in. Her doctor had told her to get two full weeks of complete rest. That was not going to happen for Abigail MacKai, she could only hope her strength would hold up.
It wasn’t very long before she felt the restlessness start to come, and with it, a smile of anticipation. Abby shuddered at how close she had been to taking the other medication. Gods, there was so much that she had to do and only two days to get it all done. Even worse, her body desperately needed to rest, but now her mind was on overdrive. “All right Miss Abigail,” she thought as she began to fidget in her chair, “you need to make a plan and you need to do it quick. First you eat so your poor brain has something to work with, and then you lay your plans for revenge.”
Rising carefully from the chair Abby realized just how depleted her body really was at this point. It was nearly three p.m. and she had been on the go since dawn with nothing to eat. To top it all off, she had lost a lot of blood that morning as well. “Ok Abby,” she sighed, “we have to get our blood sugar back up and we have to get something nourishing into you. What was it that study said about keeping blood sugar levels steady over the long haul? Pizza, that was it. Ok, we have some frozen pizza and we have a juicer.”
She juiced several vegetables and microwaved one of those special pizzas then took it and her pen and paper back to the chair. Abby flicked on the TV and forced herself to watch a comedy rerun while she ate. Once the food was gone she swallowed a handful of vitamin and mineral supplements. Abby needed her body to repair itself as quickly as possible.
Abby spent the rest of the day in front of the television resting and making her plans for revenge. “Well Grandma, it’s like you always told me, the best revenge is living well,” she sighed as she made her list. She would start packing first thing in the morning.
Anything that would fit in a box would be mailed home to mother and anything that would not would be sold to a second hand dealer. Thankfully she had not bought a car, saving her money for that new convertible was turning out to be a blessing. Added to Randy’s Father’s cheque, her savings would make a tidy nest egg. It would be more than enough to get her started again somewhere else. The new life would feature a smarter, stronger Abigail MacKai.
The phone, electricity, and cable would have to be cut and the next month’s rent would have to be paid. Oh hell, let them take her damned security deposit and shove it somewhere painful. Abby had been kicked around enough for one week.
At seven p.m. Abby forced herself to go to bed and rest there. Sleep was a very long time coming, but she lay still, thinking, planning out her future course of action, and eventually sleep did come to Abigail MacKai.
Six a.m. found her already sorting out things to be packed and things to be sold. Being very careful not to lift anything heavy, Abby worked methodically through her whole apartment. By the time the banks were open she was at the door. She cashed the cheque as well as withdrew all her savings. She had taken out several thousand in traveler’s cheques, several hundred more in cash, paid out her small credit card balance, and the rest as a bank draft.
Harry had been quite generous over the years with a substantial bonus each time she secured him a new contract and she had saved most of it. She had just over eighty thousand in all. Abby sighed as she left the bank. It wasn’t much considering where her career could have taken her, but it certainly was enough to get her a fresh start.
From the bank she went to a courier’s office, bought some boxes and arranged for pick up the next morning. She even paid a young fellow from off the street to carry the boxes and tape back to her apartment for her. The rest of the day was spent in packing and just before four; the man came from the second hand store. All her furniture plus her TV and stereo went for three hundred dollars. “Looks like I’ve been screwed again,” she thought bitterly as they carried her prized possessions through the door. Once they were gone she took her over night bag, and locking her two larger bags in the now nearly empty apartment, caught a cab to a nearby hotel for the night.
It was early the next morning when the courier arrived to pick up her boxes. He was barely out the door when there was a firm knock. Abby opened the door to see the man from the immigration standing there. “You again,” she said coldly. “Afraid I might slip through the fingers of the law and jeopardize the security of the nation?”
“I’m sorry Miss,” he said evenly, not a flicker of emotion on his face, “I’m just doing my job.”
“Fine, then you can carry these heavy bags for me,” she said as she took up her over night bag and stepped through the door. He dutifully seized the other two and followed her out. Abby left the door open and threw her keys through onto the floor.
“Not going to lock it?”
“Why the hell should I?” she asked as she got into his car. “Apparently I’m not coming back.” She didn’t speak another word all the way to the airport.
“Yes ma’am,” said the pleasant young woman as she checked in Abby’s baggage, “visiting Halifax?”
“Being sent home to mommy,” replied Abby shortly. She was definitely feeling the pain in her body now. Her escort waited until she was on the plane and in the air before checking in with his boss that she was airborne. Completely emotionless, he went on to his next assignment.
It had been a long and grueling day for Abby, but she was home in Canada and safely in a hotel room in Halifax. Bone weary, she dressed for bed and took another handful of vitamins. She had not even called her mother and was determined not to just yet. That would keep until she was feeling better. She stayed in the hotel and rested for three days before taking a cab back to the airport. “Give me a one way ticket on the first available flight out of here,” she said as she reached the Air Canada check in counter.
“Yes ma’am,” smiled the tiny brunette in the snappy blue uniform. “Do you have your passport with you?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t, I guess we’d better make that the first domestic flight.”
“Yes ma’am, a one way ticket to St. John’s coming right up.”
“Newfoundland?”
“Yes ma’am, you did say the first flight.”
“Yes I did, and that will be just fine.” It was time to start trusting her luck a bit and to throw caution to the winds.
Hazel
The tall slim teenager ran easily along the woods road and then up the winding trail toward the cliffs. At nearly five foot eleven, Hazel Fillmore was the tallest person, male or female in the whole school.
“Why won’t you ever go to the dances?” pestered her girlfriends at school.
“Because I don’t want to,” replied Hazel each and every time.
“Why won’t you play on the school basketball team?” she was badgered constantly by her classmates.
“Because I don’t want to,” Hazel would always reply. “I just like to run for the fun of it.
She was running today and enjoying it to the limit. Kilometer after kilometer had disappeared beneath her feet and still she was not struggling. Up, up the trail she ran until she came to a secluded spot near the cliffs. Hazel smiled broadly as she coasted to a stop and sank to her knees on a grassy mound. Gently, carefully, she cupped her hands around a small delicate wildflower.
“Ah my little beauty,” smiled Hazel warmly as she stretched out on her belly in the sun to admire the small yet hardy flower, “when I find someone like you, someone as delicate and beautiful, yet hardy and strong, growing and flourishing in some long forgotten wind blown place, then I will take her dancing for I will have found the one I want to love.”
“Will I do in the meantime?” asked a deep male voice.
Startled, Hazel rolled quickly onto her back and tried to crawl away. It was her uncle Avery again. Ever since he’d walked in on her in the bath tub the year she’d turned twelve he’d been trying to put his hands on her. “Stay away from me,” warned Hazel.
“Oh no my girl,” he grinned toothlessly as he advanced on her, “not this time. This time you have no where to go and no where to hide. I’ll enjoy the sweetness of you this time, now get those short off.” He started to unbuckle his belt as he continued to advance toward her.
With tears in her eyes, Hazel had dug her fingers into the soil as he spoke, gathering as much dirt into her hand as she could. “Get ‘em off I said,” he snarled as he reached for her.
Screaming her defiance, Hazel ripped the dirt from the rock and hurled it toward his eyes. He managed to block the dirt, but her long leg lashed out and her foot struck him on the knee. He screamed in pain as his knee snapped and she rolled away out of his reach. Without a single backward glance Hazel Fillmore fled back down the trail toward the village far below.
As she ran, she tried to brush the remaining dirt from her fingers. In doing so she noticed the small delicate flower still caught in her school ring. Tears filled her eyes again as she reached home and pressed it carefully between the pages of her diary.
It was nearly ten o’clock that night when the phone rang and her father answered. He spoke for a moment then called Hazel down from her room. “Hazel, you were running up by the cliffs again today weren’t you?”
“Yes,” she replied warily as she descended the stairs. “Why?”
“They found Avery up near the top of Fox Point,” he said looking directly into her eyes. “His leg was broken; would you know anything about that?”
“Why should I?” she asked warily.
“Walton, what are you on about?” asked Hazel’s mother Lilly as she entered the room from the kitchen.
“Speak the truth Hazel,” her father said gently. “I promise I won’t punish you if you tell me the truth.” Walton Fillmore was a hard man, but his one pride was the power of his word. Hazel knew she was safe in the truth.
“I broke it,” she replied softly as she dropped her gaze. “I was up near the top of the Point, resting in the sun, when he came up behind me. He tried to rape me again.”
“Liar,” spat her mother, “I’ll get the truth from you.” She tried to slap Hazel across the mouth, but Walton caught his wife’s hand and restrained her.
“I gave Hazel my word, Lilly,” he said coldly; the woman dropped her eyes and turned away.
“He’s been trying to put his hands on me ever since I was twelve years old and today he caught me alone,” Hazel went on meeting her father’s eyes squarely. “He told me to get my shorts off and he came at me. I threw some dirt at his face and when he tried to protect his eyes I kicked him. I was trying to hit his balls, but I missed and broke his leg. I’ve told you over and over what he was trying to do; why won’t you ever believe me?”
Walton looked deeply into his daughter’s eyes for a long moment before speaking. “Go to bed now, Hazel,” he said softly. “I’ll call you at first light. I want you to show me where this happened.”
Hazel gulped and retreated swiftly to her bedroom where she wrote down everything that had happened that day in her diary. “Dad’s the best hunter and tracker in Cumberland County,” she wrote. “By tomorrow he will know the truth and I will be safe from Uncle Avery.”
Five a.m. found Hazel already awake and dressed. At her father’s soft whistle she hurried silently down the stairs and followed him out the door to the car. He drove to the spot where the trail left the road then followed Hazel up into the woods. Neither spoke a singe word until they arrived at the place where she’d had the close call. “Right over there,” she said pointing at the grassy spot at the edge of the cliff. “I was lying there admiring a small wildflower when he sneaked up behind me.”
“Stay right there,” said her father as he dropped to a crouch and began to inspect the ground closely. Several minutes of inspection later he rose and faced Hazel again. “I’m deeply sorry, daughter. You’ve been looking to me for help and protection for a long time and I have ignored you because I didn’t want to believe what you were saying. The marks on the ground speak the same words you have spoken; I cannot deny the truth of your complaint any longer. Forgive me, Hazel, I’ve been a fool.”
“I’ve never done anything to make him do this,” she whispered softly meeting his eyes.
“I know child,” he sighed deeply as he huge shoulders sagged. “I know you prefer girls.”
“What????”
“You’re not as smart as you think you are, Hazel. I’ve seen your head turn a hundred times when a likely lass walks by, but never for a man. No girl, this was Avery’s doing. Relax, Hazel, I have not spoken a word to anyone, nor will I. All I ask is that you wait until you are away from home before you give in to your desires.”
“I can do it,” replied Hazel fiercely as she met his eyes squarely. “I have one more year of school to go then I’m gone. Can you keep Uncle Avery off me ‘til then?”
“Avery Spicer will not lay a hand on you in this lifetime,” replied Walton Fillmore heavily. “Just guard your true feelings well.”
“Dad, why??”
“Why have I not spoken to you before? Why am I not punishing you now for this? Because it is your nature, Hazel. Should I punish the horse for being a horse? Should I beat the cow for being a cow? No girl, this is your nature, as it was my own when I was young. I will not speak of this again, nor will you.”
“You Dad? Why tell me?”
“One dread secret for another, Hazel,” he sighed deeply. “I’ll keep yours and you will keep mine. Fear not for Avery Spicer, your mother’s brother will trouble you no more. Hurry home now girl, you have to get to school. I’ll walk back; I need time to think.” With a nod, she turned and fled toward the car and home.
Avery Spicer sat glaring at the television and nursing another beer when there was a loud knock on his door. The huge cast on his leg and the crutches he had to use prevented him from getting up. “Come on in,” he bawled, “I can’t open it for you.”
“There’s no need Avery,” said a cold steely voice behind him, “I am quite capable of opening a door myself.” Walton Fillmore was a huge man possessing terrifying strength and a temper to match. The one thing every man in the county tried to avoid was incurring his wrath. Avery knew by the tone of that voice that he was doomed.
“Walt,” he whined as he struggled to his feet, “I don’t know what the child told you, but...”
“She told me the truth, Avery, as she has been doing for years. This morning she took me up to the point where I read the truth of it for myself. The tracks on the ground never lie, Avery, only men do.”
“Walt, please...”
“I imagine she asked the same thing of you, Avery,” replied Walton as he advanced on his quarry. “I expect you didn’t listen either. Now then, I am about to give you a sample of what you can expect, if I ever hear of you being within a mile of my daughter again.” Avery Spicer tried to scream, but he had no chance.
Walton Fillmore carried his unconscious brother-in-law into the infirmary as easily as a woman carries a child. “Avery didn’t make it all the way up the stairs,” he said softly as he laid the man’s battered body on the stretcher. “I will leave him here with you, as I have work to attend to.”
Hazel returned home from school to learn that her uncle had slipped with his crutches and fallen down the stairs. He now had several bad bruises and cracked ribs to go along with his broken leg. Hazel noted the bruising on her father’s knuckles, but she said nothing.
In the weeks to follow, Hazel started to go to the school dances; she even joined the basketball team. It was driving her crazy, but she was determined to stay hidden until she could get out into the world. One night she took a wild chance and allowed Tommy Reid to walk her home from the dance. All the way along the road he behaved himself perfectly and he didn’t even try to kiss her goodnight. When he asked her out the next day, she agreed to go.
Hazel had truly enjoyed the movie and Tommy had behaved himself completely the whole time. She got a bit nervous when he turned off the main road on the way home and parked where there was a great view of the Bay of Fundy. She sat very still as he put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her awkwardly. When he tried again, she pushed him away. “Tommy, don’t...”
“So it’s true then,” sighed the slim red haired boy as he turned back to the view, and withdrawing his arm, relaxed back into his seat.
“What’s true?” she asked as she squirmed over tight to her door and gripped the handle fiercely.
“You’re a lezzie,”
“Screw you, Tommy Reid, you bastard,” she spat as she struck at his face again and again. Tommy did nothing to stop her; he just protected his face so she was punching his open palms. Hazel continued to flail and swear at him with tears flowing down her cheeks. Finally she ran out of gas and just lay against the seat of the old car crying softly.
“It’s Ok, Hazel,” he said softly as he gently patted her hand, “I was really hoping you were.”
“What??? Tommy Reid, are you completely nuts?”
“Completely gay,”
“Excuse me? Did I get that right?”
“You heard it right, Hazel.”
“So why the hell did you ask me out then?”
“Because I need you, Hazel, and you need me.”
“Oh yeah? What do I need you for?”
“Listen Hazel,” he said gently as he turned back to face her again, “I know what things are like for me, and I suspect they are much the same for you. You know how folks are around here. If you haven’t gotten at least one girl pregnant by grade nine, you’re suspect, and the whole gang is on your case to perform.”
“Keep going,” she said softly, relaxing a bit at last, “I’m listening.”
“Well, I thought if I had a girlfriend and you had a boyfriend, they would get off our backs. We only have this last year to go then we can get the hell out of here and lead a real life somewhere. I just though this would make it easier for the both of us.”
“You’d better not be playing with me, Tommy,” she said severely. “If you’re messing with me I’ll tell my dad you raped me.”
Tommy blanched at that. “Jesus Hazel, don’t ever kid about a thing like that,” he exclaimed hastily, shrinking back a bit from her. Walton Fillmore’s reputation was formidable indeed.
“I’m not kidding,” she replied as she gazed deeply into his eyes. “Mess with me on this and I promise, that’s the price you pay.”
“I’m not messing with you, Hazel. I need you to help me here.”
“Ok, then I guess you’re my boyfriend for the rest of the year. Just tell me one thing, why did you kiss me?”
“I wanted to see if it would really taste as bad as I imagined,” he grinned.
“Screw you, Tommy Reid,” she exclaimed as she punched him hard on the arm. He winced as she hit him again, but she was giggling this time. “Brat,” she growled as she slid over and nestled against his shoulder. “Do you really think this will work, Tommy?”
“It will if we try,” he replied as he put his arm around her shoulders and lightly kissed the top of her head. “It’s just got to work, Hazel; I don’t think I can make it if it doesn’t.”
“You’ve got to make it, Tommy, you’re the only friend I’ve got and I want you to last. You’d better give me your school ring too.”
“My ring?”
“All the girls wear their guy’s ring. No one will believe a word of it unless I have the evidence.”
“Yes dear,” he grinned as he removed the ring from his hand and gave it to her.
“I’ll give it back after grad,” she whispered softly.
“Thanks honey.”
“Tommy, I know that kissing me is pretty tough on you,” giggled Hazel as they pulled into her driveway, “but we’ll have to do it once in a while just for show.”
“Tell the truth,” he grinned, “you liked it.”
“Jerk,” she muttered as she punched his shoulder again. “Night sweetheart.”
“Night lover,” he laughed gently. “See you at school tomorrow?”
“Come for me, we’ll walk together.”
Somehow they made it work. Everybody accepted the charade at face value, everybody except Walton Fillmore and he kept his peace on the subject. Tommy came often for dinner and to study, and Hazel was often in the Reid home as well. They exchanged gifts at Christmas and even took dancing lessons together as well. The local folk often spoke of what a handsome couple they made and wanted to know when they would marry.
It was the most peaceful year of school Hazel had ever had. She and Tommy were like brother and sister and her uncle had taken work in Alberta as soon as he was out of hospital. It was with great hope for the future that Hazel Fillmore packed her bags to take the train to Toronto. She had been accepted into U of T and she had her student loan money in hand. She and Tommy had said their goodbyes as he headed out for Vancouver and now it was Hazel’s turn.
“You’ve got a chance now, girl;” said Walton Fillmore gently as he stood on the platform waiting to put his only daughter on the train, “don’t waste it. Make sure it is right for you.”
“I will, Daddy,” she smiled softly, “I promise.”
“Send me a picture when you find what you’re looking for.”
“I will,” she promised. Suddenly she hurled herself into his arms and hugged him fiercely. “Thank you for understanding.” With that she stepped away from him and boarded the train. Two days later Hazel Fillmore arrived in an alien world.
On The Rock
It was a clear day and Abby was actually enjoying the view of the city as the plane circled St. John’s, waiting for its turn to land. The three of days rest in the hotel had done her a world of good and had given her time to think. Abby’s entire life plan, complete with career ambitions as well as the good marriage had just been blown apart. “Sometimes life wants you to go in another direction Abby,” her grandmother had said many times. “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” Abby couldn’t argue with that so she was now planning to cruise a bit and wait for life to point her in the right direction.
Abby smiled in spite of herself as the plane descended through a clear blue sky and came to a smooth gentle stop. She made her way through the airport, found a cart for her baggage, and retrieved it from the carousel. Pushing the cart through the doors, she hailed a cab and the driver quickly installed the baggage in the trunk and Abby in the back seat. “Where to Miss?” he asked, obviously awed by the rather dazzling blonde.
Abby sighed and thought for a moment. “I need a descent hotel near shopping, banks, and car dealers,” she replied in those sweet rich tones. “Where do you recommend?”
“Well ma’am, that’s a tall order,” he replied respectfully, “but there is one place we could try. It’s not a hotel, but it is a B&B and it does have all the other requirements.”
“And it’s run by your mother?”
“My nan actually,” he blushed. “How did you know?”
“I’ve lived in San Francisco for a time,” she grinned. “Every cabbie there has a brother or uncle who has exactly what you need.”
“I wasn’t ragging you Miss,” he said sheepishly. “Nan’s is a nice place; it’s just not in a good tourist location. It is close to the university, the mall, and a couple of banks as well as a few car lots. It’s an easy walk to everything for you and she’s quite reasonable.”
“All right I’ll check it out,” laughed Abby, “but if you’re lying to me I’ll put the hex on you.”
“No ma’am, not a word of a lie, I swear it. I’ll just call her to let her know we’re coming.” He whipped out his cell phone and dialed quickly. “Hi Nan, it’s Billy. I’ve got a customer for you. We’re on our way over right now.” He popped the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot, chatting easily about the weather as he headed across town to his grandmother’s B&B.
Abby absentmindedly listened to his chatter and gazed out the window as the city passed by her view. True to his word, Abby could see the mall, with bank and car lot right nearby. The cab pulled up to a well kept older home with a grey haired woman waiting at the door. “This is my Nan Parsons,” said the cabbie by way of introduction as he held the car door open for Abby.
“Hello Mrs. Parsons,” Abby smiled warmly as she extended her hand, “I’m Abigail MacKai. Please leave my bags there a moment, Billy, I want to see the room first.”
“Right this way, Miss MacKai,” said the older woman as she led the way back into the house. She seemed to be a bit awed by Abby as well, and that was just the way Abby wanted it. From now on she would command respect and she would get it. Abby would use all her charm, looks, and whatever else she could, but she would demand respect. Abby had been used disrespectfully for the last time; she was never going to go through another experience like that again.
The room was clean and nicely appointed even if the furnishing were quite old. The woman made a point of the fact that she used the same mattresses as that famous hotel chain. The rest of the house was spotless and the woman was nicely dressed. “This would be wonderful,” smiled Abby. “I should like to stay for a few days until I can arrange for an apartment.”
“I could give you a weekly rate Miss MacKai, if that would make things a bit easier for you.”
“That would be perfect Mrs. Parsons. I’ve been a bit unwell recently and am under doctor’s orders not to do anything strenuous. Do you think Billy will carry my bags upstairs for me?”
“Oh my dear, by the look on his face, I’d say that boy would do anything you ask him to do.”
“Well then, let’s test that theory shall we?” laughed Abby. She gave Billy a generous tip after he had her bags installed in the room.
Abby settled herself in a bit then headed out to explore the area. “Supper’s at six,” said Mrs. Parsons as Abby came down the stairs and headed for the door.
“Excuse me? I thought you only served breakfast.”
“Ah well, you’re on the weekly rate and I hate to eat alone. Supper at six?”
“Thank you Mrs. Parsons,” smiled Abby. “I’ll be sure to be back at six.”
“Edna, call me Edna.”
“Thank you Edna. My friends call me Abby. I’ll be certain to return in plenty of time.”
“Here, take this with you,” said Edna as she passed a card with Billy’s cell phone number on it to Abby, “just in case you get lost.”
“Thanks Edna,” laughed Abby, “that’s a good idea, I’ll keep it handy.” She smiled as she walked toward the mall. Abigail MacKai had never gotten lost in a city in her life and she would not start now. Carefully noting every landmark that she passed, Abby made her way swiftly to the mall.
“How convenient,” thought Abby as she walked into the bank inside the mall. She nearly went into shock as she exchanged her American money for Canadian. All along Abby had been looking at things and prices still thinking in American dollars. Once the exchange was made she had nearly doubled the numbers and the reality of the exchange hit her. She now had over one hundred and forty thousand dollars. She took her new bankbook to the food court and bought herself a tall coffee and muffin. It was time to reflect a bit.
As she sat down Abby noticed an abandoned newspaper at the next table. She pulled it to her and flipped through it, looking for the prices of apartments. The real estate ads fell open and she glanced at them as well. After all, her grandmother had always said property was a good investment. Abby was surprised to see that she could actually afford to pay cash for a house. Suddenly one small ad caught her eye.
“Older home, private setting, less than one hour from city, town water supply. House in good state of repair. Estate sale, comes fully furnished, try an offer.” The asking price was less than forty thousand dollars. It was an older looking place, and, for some reason, it called to Abby. She finished her snack and tucked the paper under her arm as she walked away. A few moments later she bought a cell phone and activated it with a prepaid program. Abby found a quiet bench and used her new phone to call the agent about the house.
“Well ma’am, I’ll be honest with you,” he sighed over the phone. “It’s way out in Jamaica Point. It belonged to my wife’s grandmother and she has recently passed away in the old folk’s home. The place has been pretty much abandoned for a few years now and the family in Alberta wants it sold. I’ve been looking after the maintenance, but it is a real pain in the butt, especially in the winter time.”
“The winter?”
“Ma’am, you could get stranded out there for days in the winter,” he replied. “It would make you a nice summer home though. It’s got a wonderful view.”
“I’d love to see it. Is that possible?”
“Of course. I can give you directions and meet you there.”
“I don’t have a car.”
“Well ma’am, if you’re considering buying a house out of the city, you’d better get one. If you’re serious about Jamaica Point, I would recommend a four wheel drive.”
“That’s sound advice,” agreed Abby, “and I’ll certainly give it full consideration. I’d still like to see the house though.”
“Alright,” he sighed. “Are you free tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’m free tomorrow.”
“Shall I call for you at ten? Tomorrow is my morning to go out there and check the place over. I’ll drive you out and show you around. It would be worth it to sell the darn thing as it is driving me nuts and eating savagely into my personal time.”
“Wonderful,” laughed Abby. “Call for me at Edna Parson’s B&B. I have the address here somewhere.”
“I know the place. I’ll see you at ten then Miss MacKai.”
Smiling to herself, Abby wandered slowly through the mall, browsing a bit as she went. At a newsstand, a magazine about money management caught her attention. There was a woman on the cover who claimed to have retired in her thirties even though she had never had a big salary in her life. Abby bought the magazine and read the article. The key seemed to be a natural frugality and a lack of an elaborate lifestyle. The woman lived alone and seemed to like it that way. She wasn’t completely retired; she still did some part time work.
Mulling the possibilities over in her mind occupied Abby for a while. She could afford to buy that little house and a car and still have a fine nest egg left over. As for part time work? Well, in reality she could still work for Harry, writing up proposals and such just as she had done before. All she would need would be an internet connection and a good computer set up.