The End of the Innocence

by Jason Zandri

  “It’s been good change,” Diane said. “It’s been positive, ‘moving forward’ change.”

  “Yes,” Mark said. “By next year, we’ll be married. Maybe after that, if things go well, kids of our own. Matthew will be gone, I’m sure. Hopefully, he’ll keep with the tradition for a while longer and come back.”

  “You know.” Diane nudged him playfully. “We never did set a wedding date.”

  “No, I know,” Mark said, settling more comfortably into the couch. “Did you have a particular date in mind?”

  “I don’t care,” she said. “When I was young, like so many girls, I wanted the fairytale white wedding, with every cliché: multi-tiered cake, hundreds of guests, white doves … the works.”

  “And now?”

  “I realize that I already have the end of the fairytale. I have my Prince Charming. He’s mine. The rest is all show for other people. A glitzy event, full of pizazz, which I won’t even be able to enjoy because of all the hustle and bustle. I realize now how much I don’t want it and don’t need it. All I need is you.”

  “You have me,” Mark said, then kissed her forehead.

  “Then I have it all,” she said with a smile. “Count your blessings. Count the important ones twice.”

  “So how about April?” Mark asked.

  “April is perfect.” She nuzzled further into his shoulder. “For tonight, this is everything I need.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Once the part-time helper had arrived, Diane left the front counter and headed into the office at the back of the store.

  Mark looked up from the desk when she entered. “Did Peter get here already?”

  “Yes, he just showed up.” Diane walked over to the couch to sit for a moment. “I thought Matthew was working three ‘til closing today.”

  “He was, but he asked for the time off; he said he had something to do.

  It’s slow today anyhow, December 26th and all. I’m likely to close the shop at seven. Besides, he’s going to work a lot next week and into New Year’s Eve, with you and me moving the few things you have out of the apartment and into the house.” Mark smiled. “You spend enough time there, and it’ll be nice to have you there full time.”

  “I spend most nights there anyway,” she said and stretched her arms up and over her head. “Seems silly to use the apartment as a storage facility. Did you and Matthew discuss the place?”

  “Yes,” Mark said, and then pushed the paperwork aside. “He wanted to help paint on New Year’s Day since we’re closing the store at five. The apartment is small enough for the two of us—”

  “The three of us.” Diane grinned.

  “Okay.” Mark chuckled and nodded, then leaned back in his chair. “It’s small enough for the three of us to do it all in one day. Matthew wanted to move a few things in there and set the place up. I told him I didn’t like the idea of him staying in there, eighteen or not, while school is in session, so we compromised on some weekends and non-school days. By graduation, he’ll stay there full time.”

  “He’s determined to cut his own course; technically speaking, that’s successful parenting, you know?” Diane stood, and then walked behind Mark.

  “I know. Still, where did the time go?”

  Diane rubbed his shoulders. “Did you tell him he could have the furniture?”

  “Yes.” Mark turned his head to look at her. “He said thank you, and that he would take it. I’m sure he’ll tell you himself when he sees you. I only mentioned it to him at breakfast, even though you told me the other day.”

  “I thought it would be easier all the way around,” Diane said. “Less for us to move over to your place, and he wouldn’t have to buy things for the

  apartment and have them delivered. We can push things into the center of the room, cover them with a drop cloth, and paint the walls. Once everything has dried, he can move them back to wherever he wants them.”

  “Yep,” Mark said. “I told him what you said about the mattress—that it was old and should be replaced. He asked me about taking the old bed in his room, which is technically my old twin bed; I told him that was too old as well. I figured I’d spring for a queen-size bed for him as a housewarming gift.”

  “Queen sized?” Diane said and raised her eyebrows.

  Mark laughed. “Look, he’s eighteen. If he hasn’t already, he’s likely going to keep company overnight. A twin bed isn’t going to cut it.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Diane said, still in her playful voice. “That could be cozy.”

  The intercom buzzed from the front counter. Mark looked over at the closed-circuit monitor, and then tapped the console. “Yes, Peter?”

  “Hi, Mr. Sanford; sorry, but a Donna Epps is here asking for you or Diane?”

  “I’ll go see her,” Diane said, walking away.

  “Diane is coming out, Peter,” Mark said.

  Diane stepped out of the office and through the short hallway to the store.

  “Hi, Donna.” Diane approached. “How are you?”

  “Oh, I’m fine.” Donna smiled and held up a small brown bag. “I thought that since I had the day off, I’d come by and see Matthew for a few minutes, but I guess he’s not here?”

  Diane looked back at Mark, who had also stepped into the store area.

  “Hi, Donna,” Mark said, walking over. “Matthew asked for the shift off.

  He only worked three or four hours today. To be honest, I thought he was doing something with you.” Mark stepped over to the front windows and looked down the storefront. “Looks like Tim’s helping his father in the garage; I’ll walk over and ask him.”

  “I didn’t mean to be a pest,” Donna said. “I wanted to surprise him by coming by.”

  “It’s not a problem,” Diane said while she looked out the window and toward Ward Street. “If Tim doesn’t know, maybe Melissa does.” She motioned over to her sister, who walked toward the store.

  Mark came back in first and held the door for Melissa. “Nope,” he said, letting Melissa enter. “He hasn’t heard from him.”

  “Who hasn’t?” Melissa asked.

  “Mark went over to ask Tim if he knew where Matthew went,” Diane said.

  “Wasn’t he supposed to work today?” Melissa asked, looking over at Donna.

  “He was.” She nodded. “He asked to take the shift off, and he’s MIA right now.”

  “Do you want me to give Michael a call?” Melissa asked, turning away from Donna. “Mark, can I use the store phone, quick?”

  Donna raised her hand. “It’s fine,” she said. “Mr. Sanford, could you please give these to him?” Donna handed the bag to him.

  “Sure,” he said.

  “They’re Christmas cookies,” Donna said, looking down and shuffling her feet. “I made them with my mother … well, learning to make them, and I wanted to give him some from that second batch.”

  “That was nice of you,” Mark said in a comforting tone. “Did you and the family eat the entire first batch?”

  “Well …” She looked up and smiled. “Like I said, ‘learning to make.’

  There’s a little bit of a curve.”

  Diane turned to hide the smile that crept over her lips.

  “I’ll make sure he gets them. Are you going to be home tonight?” Mark asked.

  “I was going to get changed and go out with Marie,” Donna said, fumbling in her purse for her keys.

  “Okay. Well, I’ll have Matthew call you when he gets in, or home, or whatever.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Sanford,” Donna said. “Goodbye, everyone.” Donna walked out of the store and headed to her car.

  Mark tipped his head so Diane would walk away from Peter and the front counter. Diane led Melissa in front of her, and the three of them went down the hall to the office.

  “So, Tim didn’t know where Matthew went either?” Diane asked.

  “No,” Mark said. He looked at the phone on his desk and moved toward it.

  “I could still try g
iving Michael a call,” Melissa said, closing the door behind her.

  Mark waved his hand. “No, he’s eighteen; he should be able to do what he

  wants, within reason, without my checking in with him. He asked for the time off and left to do whatever he felt like.”

  “Okay,” Diane said. “But you’re struggling with your sentiment.”

  “I know.” Mark leaned on the desk. “It’s just so out of character for him to not say why he wanted the time off. ‘Hey, Dad, the guys want to go to the game on Friday; could I swap my shift with Peter?’ This is the first time he’s ever said, ‘Can I give Peter a call to see if he can come in and cover my shift so I can have the time off.’ I don’t know; maybe I’m reading too much into it.

  All this talk lately of Matthew moving out …”

  “He’s moving out?” Melissa said. “Where’s he going?”

  Diane turned to her, “Mark and I decided to move my things into his place since we’re getting married.”

  “Eventually,” Melissa said with a grin.

  “In the spring,” Diane said, and then play-punched her sister on the arm.

  “Anyway, Matthew wanted to rent my old place, so we’re going to take my clothes and personal items to Mark’s. We’ll all paint the place, and I’ll give Matthew any of the furniture he thinks he can use.”

  “When are you painting?” Melissa asked.

  “Well,” Mark said. “I think we’re looking at New Year’s Day. There isn’t much stuff to move, and I have the paint and brushes already, so there’s nothing to buy.”

  Melissa paused for a moment, and then looked from Diane to Mark.

  “Could I help paint?”

  Mark looked at Diane. “I’m good with it; do you know how to paint?”

  Melissa stared.

  “Sorry,” Mark said, putting his hand on his forehead. “I wasn’t trying to be funny; I wanted to ask you if you knew how to tape everything off and paint around the edges, otherwise I would just do that and have you help with the main areas.”

  “Oh. Well, I guess I could learn the taping and around the edges if you could show me,” Melissa said.

  “Sure.” Mark looked at Diane, who shrugged. “Works for me.”

  Melissa smiled and turned to leave the office.

  “Missy,” Diane called out. “Was there a reason you came by?”

  Melissa’s face turned red, and she opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t.

  “Did Mom need milk?” Diane said, trying to rescue her.

  Mark looked at Diane and snapped his fingers. “Forgot something,” he said and bolted out of the office.

  Melissa gathered herself. “What the hell is wrong with me?”

  Diane went over and hugged her sister. “You’re in love,” she whispered.

  ***

  The end of the day came, and Tim and his father were busy closing up the garage when Matthew rolled his van into the parking lot.

  “Hey,” Tim called. “Are we going to get something to eat?”

  Matthew nodded, looking through the partially open driver’s door window.

  “Okay,” Tim said. “Dad, can I go?”

  John Cafferty looked at his son and smiled. “Yeah, it’s six, and we’re done; I’ll lock up.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Tim looked at Matthew. “I just want to wash up.” He pointed over his shoulder.

  Matthew nodded and shut the van off.

  Mark looked out of the storefront windows, and then exited the building.

  Matthew saw him making his way over and got out of the vehicle.

  “Hey, sport,” Mark called out. “Heading out with Tim?” he asked, turning to look back at John closing down the garage.

  “Yeah, I figured we’d go get a burger.”

  “Did you have a good day off? Get everything done?” Mark asked.

  “Yeah, thanks for giving me some flexibility today; I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to get done.” Matthew scratched his face.

  “Still not used to shaving daily, I see,” Mark said, looking at the small cut on his face.

  “No,” Matthew said with a smile. “So, are we all set on the apartment?

  We’re going to paint on New Year’s Day?”

  “Yep,” Mark said. “I thought we might get there early, maybe around eight. It’ll only take us an hour to tape everything off, and Melissa offered to help as well, so we could get the first coat all done by noon. I’ll bring the industrial Ready Heater from the garage; with that pumping hot air into the unit, the paint will dry by five. We could go back and do a second coat before the end of the day.”

  “Cool. And I assume you’re okay with me spending overnights on weekends there.” Matthew tipped his head in question.

  “Some weekends,” Mark said. “Mid-terms and finals, I’d rather you be

  home. Maybe a few other weekends too. Let’s ease into this while you’re still in high school. Maybe one weekend on, one weekend off.”

  Matthew nodded. “I hope once I show you I can do both school and the rent, and you’re comfortable I’m not throwing parties, that you’ll trust me.”

  “I do trust you,” he said, putting his arm around his son’s shoulder. “As tempting as certain things might be, I know you’ll make good choices. Karen is right next door, too, so I do have a narc there,” he said with a smile.

  Matthew laughed.

  “By the way,” Mark said. “Donna stopped by here to see you today; I take it you never told her you needed the afternoon off.”

  “No.” Matthew glanced away. “It was all last minute and all.” Matthew looked uneasy. “I checked in with Peter, and he said he could take the shift last minute, so I asked you then. I didn’t have the chance to discuss it with her.”

  “Ah,” Mark said. “Well, she left you some homemade Christmas cookies.

  I guess now that it’s passed, they’re holiday cookies. They’re good; I had one.” Mark grinned and patted Matthew’s shoulder. “I’ll bring them home for you and leave them in the cabinet.”

  “Okay, thanks, Dad.”

  “Take a bit of advice, son. When it comes to girls, try to let them know what you’re doing. Doesn’t have to be the specifics; generalize if you want, but include them in the decisions you’re making and the things you’re doing.

  It goes a long way to keep and grow the relationship.”

  Matthew looked at his father and nodded.

  “And when they make you cookies, always say thank you, otherwise the cookies stop,” Mark said with a smile.

  Tim made his way out of the garage. “Hi, Mr. S.”

  “Hi, Tim; your Dad locking up the garage tonight?”

  “Yeah. We just finished the last car, and I was sweeping up when Matthew pulled in. My dad said it was fine to go.”

  “I won’t keep you boys then,” Mark said and stepped away from Matthew.

  “Bye, Dad, and thanks again,” Matthew said.

  Mark nodded and waved while walking over to the garage.

  Tim made his way around to the passenger side of the van. “So, what’s shaking, San-man? Between the holiday, school, and work, we’ve both been MIA; I’ve barely hung with you since Homecoming.”

  “I know,” Matthew said while he climbed into the van. “We need to fix that.”

  “Speaking of Homecoming,” Tim said, climbing into the passenger seat.

  “Did you ever have a second opportunity with Donna?”

  “No,” Matthew said and started the van. “We’ve had some nice make-out sessions up at the apple orchard …”

  “In the Sanford-mobile?” Tim smacked his hand on the dashboard.

  “Yeah, just the one time since Homecoming. I think it was that time of the month for her. As much as I want to do it, I don’t think I want to do it the first time in the van.”

  “You might not have that concern much longer; you’re still getting Diane’s place, right?” Tim asked with a grin.

  Matthew pulled out onto Route 5 and h
eaded north. “Yeah, that’s still a go. We’re going to paint next week, and my dad’s been agreeable to letting me stay over there at the weekends.”

  “You’re eighteen; you could do what you want and stay the whole time.”

  Tim leaned back in the seat.

  “I could, but I’m smart enough to know that he doesn’t have to rent the place to me. I also checked around a little; he’s keeping the rent lower than market rate, so I’m getting a break that way too.” Matthew glanced over at Tim, who nodded. “As far off as it seems with the cold and snow, summer will be here before you know it, and I’ll likely be in the place full time then.”

  “Are you going to get cable?” Tim asked, pointing over to the burger place.

  “Honestly, what I figured I’d do at first, since I’ll only be there weekends and such, is just to use the VCR and rent movies. Since there are some nights I’ll be at my dad’s, I can watch the TV there, and if there are shows, I can always tape them and watch them at the apartment. Saves me twenty bucks a month.” Matthew flipped the signal to turn left. “The cost of the phone is a wash; I already pay for it in my room at my dad’s. Same thing for the van; fuel and insurance and all. I sat down with Michael and went over all my finances; he’s a brainiac with that. He said that at my current earnings, I’m at about forty percent; that’s on the high side, but as long as I can keep earning what I’m earning, I can sustain moving out.” Matthew parked the van and shut off the engine. “This spring, are you still planning to give me a hand with lawns? I can take more work on if you’re going to work.”

  “You bet, man,” Tim said and climbed down from the cab. “It’s good

  cash, and it leads to affording summer fun.”

  “There’s work over the summer with the lawns, too, you know,” Matthew said while he closed the door of the van.

  “I’m more focused on the fun,” Tim said while the two crossed the parking lot. “I work when there’s work, but when it’s time to have fun, I make no apologies.”