Barking Maddy's Puppy Love

by S M Mala

  It was better than nothing.

  After roughly drying her hair, she went back downstairs and saw Phyllis sitting on Stan’s lap. He did a double take when he looked at her.

  ‘I need to take this suits to the dry cleaners,’ she said watching him watch her.

  ‘Where are the spots?’

  ‘Erm.’ Maddy stopped. ‘Let me make you a list, and you can get the food.’

  ‘Maddy?’

  ‘Not now. I’ll tell you later.’ Then she took a deep breath and walked up to him. ‘You were so right, all those months ago, about what you said.’

  ‘What did I say?’ he replied, squirming. ‘I said a lot in between the moments you allowed me to speak.’

  ‘About me not being able to cope when things go wrong. My sunny disposition would get a knocking.’

  ‘I also said, if I remember correctly, that it worried me.’ Stan gently put Phyllis on the sofa. The sleeping dog was oblivious to what happened as she curled up. He then got to his feet and grabbed her hands. ‘Couldn’t you see she was dying? Didn’t you realise? I realised, and Linda told me when we went to her house. I was upset, not only for her knowing she was going to lose a child but for you. You didn’t want to face up to what was going on.’ He slowly shook his head and looked down. ‘And when I saw you at the funeral that broke me in two. You looked lost and hurt. I wanted to help you, and when we spoke, I could see you were in so much pain. I gave you space and wished I hadn’t. Maddy, you’ve lost so much weight and your spirit? It’s crushed.’

  ‘I’m broken,’ she said, knowing his words were hurting. ‘I can’t be fixed because…’ The tears dripped down her face. ‘I love and miss her. I know she was only thirteen years old, but she was my friend. Someone I cared about, and I let her down. Really let her down.’

  ‘You shouldn’t think that.’ Stan grabbed her in his arms, kissing her head. ‘You helped her. You gave her a happy life when sometimes she was going through a terrible time. You made her laugh and took away her discomfort. You were with her when she died, holding onto her hand, and she will always be with you, in your heart and soul. Never forget that. Never.’

  Maddy sobbed for a moment then stopped, stepping back to peer into his teary eyes.

  ‘You’re good with words,’ she whispered. ‘So, can you now explain why you called me Lippy in your column and what’s so irritating about me?’

  ‘I thought you didn’t want to talk about it. You just said-.’

  ‘I say a lot of things,’ she huffed.

  ‘I like it.’

  ‘You said I talked too much, and when I didn’t, you wanted me to speak. I think that shows you’re a little confused about many things.’ Maddy put her hands on her hips and frowned. ‘I am not irritating. I don’t care what you think. You can be as nasty as you like but…’ And she took a very deep breath. ‘I felt like you were mocking me, very much like Tara did to me at school. Pretended to be my friend. I feel like you have bullied me.’

  ‘That’s harsh!’ he gasped stepping back. ‘Don’t lump me in with her!’

  ‘Bullying is bullying, and you bullied me behind my back.’

  ‘That doesn’t make sense.’ He grinned then shook his head. ‘I know what Giselle was trying to do and you should know better than that. The fact you listened and believed, well that hurt me, you know.’

  ‘I read them all!’ she replied, trying not to shout. ‘Every single piece you wrote about me. I haven’t even read what you’ve written in the last two months. I’m saving that until I feel a bit emotionally stronger.’

  ‘What did you think of what you read?’

  ‘I don’t think you’re funny if that’s what you’re getting at.’ Stan burst out laughing as she growled. ‘You gave me a lot of column inches considering.’

  ‘I can give you another six right now in bed if you’d like.’

  ‘Huh!’ was all she could reply. ‘Five.’

  ‘I was modest. Seven.’

  ‘You must have a wonky ruler!’

  ‘Come here!’

  Stan grabbed Maddy and gave her a massive kiss on the lips as she tried not to smile. It was when he slipped his hand under her dress and stroked her arse she figured out what he was up to.

  ‘We’ve only had sex once, so we need to have make up sex,’ he whispered, kissing her face.

  ‘We weren’t officially together, so there’s nothing to make up.’ Maddy noticed he shot her a glance. ‘What are we now?’

  ‘You know what we are. Phyl is tired and needs to rest. And I need you to be forgiving and nice to me.’ Then Stan stopped, and his expression became serious. ‘Don’t rush around and do things. You’ve been out of sorts, and now you need to get better. I’ve got my work cut out looking after both of you.’

  ‘I can look after myself,’ she replied, wanting to kiss him some more. ‘Let’s go upstairs quickly and see how sorry you really are.’

  ‘I’m going to come.’

  Maddy groaned as he buried his mouth firmly between her legs. Stan still hadn’t removed his hat though he didn’t have a stitch of clothing on. ‘This is too fast.’

  He wasn’t listening.

  She looked down, and his eyes were closed.

  That was too much of a turn on, and her hole tightened intensely as she felt her body vibrate and grabbed onto the sheet. She was on the verge of passing out as he didn’t stop his tongue and mouth flickering on her nub and hole.

  ‘Oh my God!’ she screamed out when he pulled at her nub with his lips, sucking it until he moved away, wiped his mouth on the sheet and threw his hat across the room. ‘Stanley.’

  ‘Madeleine,’ he replied and grabbed the base of his cock, pushing in.

  Her back arched and her hips moved forward to take him all in. He held onto the outside of her thighs and slowly went in and out.

  Maddy gulped, looking at him examine her body.

  It wasn’t how she remembered when they made love months ago.

  This thing, which was her body had become, seemed to have bones sticking out of her skin.

  ‘Oh no!’ Maddy said, on the verge of tears as Stan stopped.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Look at me,’ she said, closing her eyes and trying to catch her breath to speak. ‘I look terrible!’

  ‘Don’t get upset,’ he said, pulling out and lying on top of her. ‘You’ve lost weight, that’s all.’

  ‘I look like a bag of bones. Even my boobs disappear when I lie back.’

  ‘I’ll have to feed you up.’ He gently caressed her breast and then her side. ‘Didn’t you realise?’

  ‘I haven’t looked in the mirror for ages,’ she honestly replied as his eyes widened. ‘Other than to brush my teeth.’

  ‘You are beautiful, okay. Whatever size or shape, you’re Maddy, and I love you.’ Stan half smiled. ‘Did you hear me?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And this is when you say you love me too.’

  Maddy frowned and kissed him, this time turning him on his back as she went on top, making sure she slid up and down his shaft.

  Stan’s expression of shock then happiness was a picture as she humped the man who said he loved her.

  The man she loved with all her heart.

  Even though she was scared to tell him her true feelings.

  The last thing she wanted was for her poor little soul to be crushed all over again.

  ‘Are you here to force feed me?’

  Maddy was standing at the top of her stairs when Stan let in Ted. ‘I’m never letting you buy me a burger again.’

  ‘Hello!’ Ted replied, starting to smile. ‘You look better. Where’s Phyllis? I bought her a present.’

  Phyllis ran towards Ted, limping all the way.

  A week after the accident, Maddy realised her little puppy was good at getting sympathy.

  ‘Oh, you poor baby!’ exclaimed Ted. ‘Those big brown eyes make your heart break.’

  ‘Yes, they certainly do.’ Stan smiled in respo
nse as he glanced at Maddy.

  Ted looked at Stan then at Maddy then scowled.

  ‘Are you two friends now? Has Stan explained what he wrote and why?’ he asked, walking up to her. ‘Are you eating?’

  ‘Maddy knows I wasn't cruel. It was my thoughts, and they were done with a slight edge.’

  ‘Cynical,’ she said and looked straight at Ted. ‘Don’t you think I should forgive him? You said you thought it was funny and laughed behind my back too.’

  ‘That’s not fair!’

  ‘Ted, it’s the truth. When is the truth fair?’ Maddy said with a smirk, and he grinned. ‘Why are you smiling?’

  ‘It’s been months since I saw you smile.’

  ‘I’ve got nothing to smile about, but I’m going to try. I have to make sure that Phyllis is better. That’s my priority.’ Then she cleared her throat. ‘That bullying slut pissed me off, so I pushed her over into a muddy puddle. Sometimes she doesn’t think before she opens her mouth.’

  ‘You pushed Tara over?’ asked Ted, shaking his head from side to side. ‘What did she say?’

  ‘Not nice things,’ said Stan, grimacing and then flashed Maddy an accusing glance. ‘She’s not a very nice lady. Good looking, sure, but not pleasant.’

  ‘If she says different, I have a witness.’ Maddy pursed her lips. ‘Don’t go siding with her behind my back.’

  Ted rolled his eyes and hugged her fiercely.

  ‘And she spouted all sorts of rubbish.’ Maddy pushed him away. ‘Some of it was insulting.’

  ‘And she’s speaking,’ sighed Ted watching Stan. ‘Still stuff and nonsense?’

  ‘Nothing has changed,’ replied Stan. ‘Ted, Maddy and I, well we’re-.’

  ‘Working a few things out,’ she added. ‘And they are staying here so Phyllis can get better.’

  ‘Seriously?’ Ted eyed her with disbelief. ‘I think that’s a stupid idea. You were heartbroken when his girlfriend told you that he was using you for his column.’

  ‘Giselle is not my girlfriend,’ replied Stan getting pissed off. ‘And I have explained it to Maddy.’

  ‘Stan, you know and I know you weren’t a fan, then suddenly you like her when let’s be honest, you didn’t at first.’

  Maddy looked at the ground knowing Ted had a point.

  ‘You think I'm stupid by letting him back in. I'm weak and desperate when I know he doesn’t care. The man is going to break my heart and leave me in shreds.’ She stood holding the hem of her dress. ‘Look at me, Ted. How much worse could it get? I can’t explain the deep, empty hole that I have in my chest. There’s not much more anyone can do to crush me, so it doesn’t matter if he’s using me for column fodder. Right now, nothing matters.’

  Then she turned and walked up the stairs, feeling deflated and knowing that Ted was only thinking about her.

  There were raised voices, and she didn’t want to listen to what Stan said in response, so she sat on her bed and looked at her empty wardrobe.

  Footsteps came bounding up the stairs, and it was Ted.

  ‘Rude,’ Maddy mumbled. ‘Are you trying to hurt him or me? I’m not sure.’

  ‘I’m worried about your judgement. You were beside yourself a few months ago, and now he’s here.’ Ted glanced around her room. ‘Is he sleeping in your bed?’

  ‘Ted!’ she snapped, getting to her feet. ‘I need someone to love me even if they are pretending!’

  He shook his head and grimaced.

  ‘Let him lie to me. The truth is only going to hurt, and you know me, I don’t get it until after the event. You don’t like Stan now, I take it?’

  ‘I do like him, but I have to look after you properly.’

  ‘I am thirty years old. You don’t have to look after me at all.’ She sat back down on the bed and tapped the mattress, so he could join her.

  ‘Where are your clothes?’ he asked.

  ‘I realised before my birthday I would have to cut down on the spots and then when Dora died.’ Maddy composed herself. ‘They were for her and me only. Now she’s not here I don’t want to wear them again. The local charity shops now look like they’ve had an epidemic of measles.’

  He put an arm around her and held her close. Maddy rested her head against his chest.

  ‘It will be okay. I know I shouldn’t tell you this, but it will.’

  ‘Tara said that I was in love with you at school and that’s why I acted the way that I did. Because you wouldn’t give me a second look, I became protective of who you went out with. Do you think I felt that subconsciously?’ She tilted her head up and noticed he seemed puzzled. ‘I mean, it really would have to be subconscious because I had no idea. You’re far too pristine for me.’ Maddy then smiled. ‘Unless you were in love with me and knew you didn’t stand a chance?’

  ‘Are you being serious?’ he replied deadpan. ‘You?’

  ‘Deny it as much as you like, I know the truth.’ She let out a tired sigh. ‘I like Stan. He might not be genuine but then what can I do? If he wants to hurt me, then I can’t stop it. He will do it regardless.’

  ‘Stasia, well, she’s a bit ruthless when it comes to relationships. She broke up with the guy after me and now wants us to give it a try. I’m not doing it.’ Ted rested his head against her head. ‘I don’t like seeing anyone taken advantage of especially you and not now.’ Then he groaned. ‘You need some clothes.’

  ‘I’ll buy some, but there are no plans to go out anywhere. I like him, you see. I like him a lot and I know I’m taking a risk.’

  ‘Are you sure he likes you?’

  ‘I hope he does.’

  ‘You’ve been quiet.’

  Maddy had taken Phyllis for a walk later on that day, and Stan had quietly strolled beside her. The dog seemed to like being wheeled around and sat happily with the breeze blowing into her face. ‘Are you upset with Ted? He makes me feel like that from time to time.’

  ‘No,’ came the surly reply as he pulled his hat over his eyes.

  ‘Phyllis seems happy. That’s the most important thing.’ Then she spotted the pond he pushed her in when they did the fun run. ‘Ah, memories of me exercising!’

  He stared at her before sitting down on the bench nearby and stretching out his legs as he crossed his arms.

  Something was up.

  Taking Phyllis out of the buggy, she cradled the dog in her arms who just flung her head back to look lovingly at Stan. She stood rocking her and smiling, seeing the part of her paw which wasn’t cover in a plaster cast, was wiggling in delight.

  ‘Are you going to Rome to find your one true love?’ he asked her, making her do a double take.

  ‘Why would you ask that?’

  ‘It was your wish for your thirtieth, and I wondered when you were going, so I know to take Phyllis back home.’

  ‘Stanley?’

  ‘I mean, Tara said you were probably in love with Ted, and that’s what you were talking about in the bedroom. And the fact he doesn’t think I’m good enough.’

  ‘He never said that.’

  ‘He implied I would let you down.’

  ‘That’s rich because he was sticking up for you not so long ago.’

  ‘Are you in love with him? Is that the thing I’m not getting? I asked you about him ages ago, and you said no.’

  ‘And you didn’t believe me?’ Maddy walked closer and sat down. ‘You think I’d get close to you just to get a reaction from Ted? As you can see, he might as well be dead because there’s no response.’

  ‘And Italy?’ Stan turned to look at her. ‘You have enough coins.’

  Maddy smiled at the angry face and stroked his stubble, pushing back his hat so she could see his pretty eyes.

  ‘You think it’s a bad idea?’

  ‘Frankly Maddy, you’re better off throwing the whole bag in that pond for all the effect it will have!’ he snapped. ‘Because if you can’t see what’s under your nose, then that’s just sad!’

  ‘I can only see my top lip,’ she replied, tryin
g not to smile.

  ‘You know what I mean!’

  ‘Stop shouting. Stanley Franks, you are in a mood, aren’t you?’ Maddy handed over Phyllis who cuddled up in his arms. ‘She loves you.’

  ‘But do you?’

  ‘Why does it matter?’

  ‘I want to know if we’re together.’ Stan stood up and paced in front of her, Phyllis in his arms. ‘I don’t want your friends to think I only took an interest in you because of my column. That’s not true. I took an interest in you because you made me laugh in a good way.’

  ‘I don’t want to talk about it anymore. It’s done.’ Maddy sank back into her seat. ‘Four weeks to Christmas, my, oh, my.’

  ‘Will you be able to eat? What are you doing? What do you want for Christmas?’ he asked. Maddy could tell he was anxious. ‘I don’t know how to make you happy.’

  ‘I will be able to eat. I’d like to spend it with you if you don’t mind, and you know what I want.’ She looked lovingly at Phyllis. ‘But you won’t let me have her. When all three of us are together, I am very happy. It’s just I have something resting heavy on my heart, and I’ve spent every Christmas for a long time with Dora.’ Maddy looked at her feet. ‘And this year I won’t.’ She stood up. ‘I know I haven’t been easy for these past months, but since the day I turned thirty, it has been a bit of an upheaval.’

  She took Phyllis out of his arms and placed her in the buggy, feeling the chill of the wind on her cheeks. Maddy stood in front of him and held his hands.

  ‘I will do something good. The Saturday before Christmas I will do the fun run in memory of my friend. I probably will fall into the pond when it is covered in ice, but she did so much more than me. I owe her that much.’

  ‘But Maddy,’ he said, placing his lips on her cheek. ‘Do you love me?’

  ‘You shouldn’t have to ask.’

  ‘Because I don’t know what’s going on in your head, I have no choice.’

  ‘Three weeks she has had it on.’

  Maddy cuddled Phyllis on the sofa in the pub. The Christmas decorations were up, and it was three weeks to Christmas and two weeks before the fun run she was dreading.