by E. L. Todd
Alexandra said nothing.
“That’s what I thought. Don’t worry about it.” She walked out the door.
Alexandra stood in the kitchen for a moment before she followed her aunt outside. She walked onto the field and watched her aunt move toward the irrigation tanks. When Alexandra came beside her, she watched her.
Her aunt smiled. “Your compassion always gets to you, doesn’t it?”
Alexandra raised an eyebrow. “It’s not compassion. I just want to help.”
“I guess you don’t know the definition.” She turned the knobs and started irrigating the fields.
Alexandra watched her, trying to remember everything she did. She didn’t know anything about farming. She grew up in the south but spent most of her time buried in a book, not walking across the fields. It was a world she was unfamiliar with, despite her closeness to it.
It took them an hour to properly irrigate the field. The fall was approaching but the weather was still scorching with heat. The sun had barely crested the horizon but Alexandra was starting to sweat. She couldn’t believe her fifty-year-old aunt did this everyday. She was in better shape than Alexandra was.
When they went back into the house, it was almost noon.
“Wow,” Alexandra said. “That took a long time.”
“Aren’t you glad we did it in the morning? Imagine working in the scorching sun.”
Alexandra shook her head. “That wouldn’t have been pretty.”
Her aunt looked at her. “What are you going to do today?”
Alexandra was quiet for a moment. “I have a few errands to run.”
“If you go downtown, you’ll find a lot of people your age. I have a few friends with some lovely daughters.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I could always use more friends.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“Oh yeah,” Alexandra said. “I guess.” She was still used to the city, where everything was in walking distance or a cab was just a few feet away.
“Where are you headed?”
“The university.”
Martha stared at her. “And what would you be doing there?”
“Enrolling…”
“But you already have your degree.”
Alexandra was quiet for a moment. “I just need a few extra classes.”
Her aunt still seemed suspicious.
“I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
Martha grabbed the keys and they got into her pickup truck. When they drove to town, they were both silent. Country music played on the radio. Alexandra never liked the music. It seemed redundant and boring. But she knew she should get used to it since she was living in Georgia.
When they arrived downtown, it was buzzing with life. Students walked down the sidewalk, moving into the restaurants and bars. Everyone was enjoying the final days of summer. The girls wore summer dresses with cowboy boots. Guys eyed them discreetly a few feet away.
Her aunt pulled into the parking lot. “I’ll wait for you.”
Alexandra looked out the window, spotting the hospital just a few blocks away. “I’m going to be awhile. Can I just call you when I’m ready?”
“Sure.”
“Thank you, Aunt Martha.”
“I’ll see you soon, kid.”
Alexandra left the truck and walked into the building. She was wearing jean shorts and a plain top, nothing fancy. She felt a little unprofessional wearing that in a university, but it was too late now. She walked to the admissions office and waited in line.
“I can help you,” the receptionist said. She stared at Alexandra and waited for her to speak, looking flustered and annoyed.
Alexandra cleared her throat. “I’m wishing to enroll here.”
“Okay. Did you already apply?”
“Yes.” She handed over her acceptance letter.
The woman looked through it. “Okay.” She typed on her computer before she generated an ID card and paperwork. “Sign here.”
Alexandra looked at the fees, her eyes wide. “Why is it so expensive? It should be three hundred dollars a unit.”
“That’s undergraduate fees. You can’t quality if you already have a bachelor’s.”
“Oh.” Alexandra didn’t realize that.
“Will that be a problem?”
Alexandra signed the paper. “No.”
The woman took the document then handed her a sheet. “Here’s your class schedule.”
“Thank you.” Alexandra looked at the English courses she was taking that semester. She walked out then headed toward the hospital. Before she moved inside, she stared at the building, feeling the anxiety come over her. After taking a deep breath, she entered.
“Are there any positions available?” Alexandra asked the secretary.
She adjusted her glasses and looked at her. “A few. What are you qualified for?”
“Uh…well I have a bachelor’s degree.”
“In what?”
“Nursing.”
“We have three night shift positions available in the ER.”
“Uh…do you have anything else? Maybe a tech position?”
The woman eyed her before she looked at her computer. “There’s one in the emergency room.”
Alexandra thought for a moment. “There’s no vacancies in the other departments?”
The woman was growing irritated. “I just told you what we had. Are you interested in applying or not?”
“Yes,” Alexandra said quickly.
The woman took out the applications and handed them to Alexandra.
“Just the tech position,” Alexandra said, handing back the papers.
The secretary looked at her like she was crazy.
Alexandra took a seat in the lobby and filled out the application. She didn’t want to work in the hospital but she didn’t have a choice. It was the only thing she was qualified to do, and she couldn’t live with her aunt forever.
After she was finished with the application, she submitted it. When she walked out, she headed to the restaurants on the sidewalk. She didn’t bring her cell phone so she couldn’t call her aunt. There wasn’t a pay phone in sight. She walked into a bar and headed to the back.
“What can I get you?” the guy asked.
“Can I borrow your phone, please?” she asked nicely.
The bartender looked over her body, eyeing her curves and her slim waist. “Sure, honey.”
Alexandra immediately felt annoyed.
He grabbed the phone and handed it over, smiling at her. His eyes kept lurking on her breasts.
Alexandra turned around and dialed her aunt’s number. “Hey, it’s me.”
“Why didn’t you call me from your cell phone?”
“Uh, I forgot it.”
“It’s a good thing you have your looks, dear.”
“I’m at Rob’s Bar and Grill.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
Alexandra hung up and handed the phone back.
“I’ve never seen you before,” he said. “Are you new here?”
She walked away and sat in a table in the corner. Students crowded the place, chatting and laughing together. She may have a class with some of these people. Alexandra wasn’t interested in socializing, not when she was as depressed as she was, but she knew she needed to start.
Two girls were sitting at the table next to hers, talking about the upcoming school year.
“I had to take principles of biology this semester,” the brunette said, rolling her eyes. “Who am I going to cheat off of?”
The blonde girl laughed. “The first guy you see.”
They were both wearing dresses with heels, looking glamorous. Alexandra could tell they were the pretty girls of the town, the elite.
“I don’t even want to go to school,” the girl continued. “My dad is making me.”
“That sucks,” the blonde said. “I’m going just so I can find Mr. Right.”
“Good luck with that.”
Her aunt walke
d inside and approached the table. She was wearing a loose fitting dress and her hair was done in curls. She didn’t look like the sweaty farmer she did that morning. She was refined and poised.
“Wow,” Alexandra said. “You look nice.”
Martha smiled. “Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’ve lost it.”
Alexandra laughed. “Obviously not.”
Martha turned to the girls. “What a surprise.”
They both smiled. “Hey, Mrs. Thompson.”
Martha hugged each one. “How are you, Lana?”
The brunette twirled her hair. “Just dreading school.”
“It’ll pay off,” Martha said. “Don’t worry about that.”
The blonde girl sat up straight. “I’m just hoping I find a cute guy that’s almost smart.”
“They are rare, Hannah, but they exist,” Martha said. “Keep looking.” She turned to Alexandra. “This is my niece, Alexandra.”
“Hello,” Alexandra said politely.
“She’s new here,” Martha said.
“Where are you from?” Lana asked.
“New York.”
“Wow,” Hannah said. “Have you seen Sarah Jessica Parker in real life?”
Alexandra laughed. “Actually, I have.”
“That’s so cool,” Lana said. “So what are you doing here?”
Alexandra shifted her weight in the seat. “I’m just here for school.”
“Cool,” Hannah said. “We both go to the university too.”
“How do you know my aunt?” Alexandra asked.
“All our moms are friends,” Lana explained. “They get together once a week and have wine night.”
“That sounds like fun,” Alexandra said.
“It is,” Martha said. “We usually gossip about our husbands and daughters. I guess I’ll be discussing you.” She winked.
“I hope it will be good things,” Alexandra said.
“Me too,” Martha said. She turned to the girls. “Alexandra is new here. I’d appreciate it if you spent some time with her.”
“Of course,” Lana said. “We’d be happy to.”
Alexandra was surprised how nice these two girls were. When she overheard them talking, she assumed they were rude bimbos. Now she felt bad for ever thinking it.
“Can you take her home when you’re done?” Martha asked.
“Consider it done,” Hannah said.
“I’ll see you later, Alex.”
“Bye, Aunt Martha.”
Her aunt left the grill and shut the door behind her.
Lana looked at Alexandra. “Join our table.” She pulled a chair out.
Slowly, Alexandra moved into the seat.
“So, what brings you to Savannah?” Lana asked.
Alexandra didn’t want to drop all her personal shit on these two strangers. She wanted to make friends, not scare them away. “For school. I’m majoring in English.”
“You came all the way from New York to go to school?” Hannah asked incredulously.
Alexandra shrugged. “It’s a nice place.”
“Alex, do you have a boyfriend?” Lana drank from her water.
“No,” Alexandra said immediately.
“That’s surprising,” Hannah said. “You’re so pretty.”
“Oh.” Alexandra wasn’t expecting the compliment. “Thank you…”
“You kinda look like Martha,” Lana said, staring at her face. “You have the same green eyes.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Alexandra said.
Hannah played with the braid over her shoulder. “So, why did you pick English?”
Alexandra stilled for a moment. “It’s safe.”
“Safe?” Lana asked. “Aren’t writing jobs hard to come by?”
“Uh, I guess.” Alexandra wanted to change the subject. “What are you guys going to school for?”
“I’m trying to find a boyfriend,” Hannah said.
Alexandra tried not to laugh. “But what’s your major?”
“Kinesiology.”
“Do you want to be a physical therapist?” Alexandra said.
“P.E. teacher,” Hannah said.
“Oh, cool,” Alexandra said. “What about you, Lana?”
“I’ve changed my major four times. Right now, it’s biology.” Lana twirled her hair in her fingertips. “Cole is going to get half of the biggest cotton producer in the state. Hopefully I won’t even have to finish college.”
“Who’s Cole?” Alexandra asked.
“My boyfriend,” Lana said with a smile. “And he’s really fine.”
Alexandra didn’t know what to say to that. She would never consider the idea of a man taking care of her. There was no guarantee that he’d always be there. If things went wrong, she’d be left with nothing. She was too independent to ever let that happen. Perhaps that was why Paul was always so irritated with her.
Hannah turned to Alexandra. “Are you excited to start school?”
“A little,” she said. “But I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t worry,” Lana said. “You have two friends with you. If you get lost, we’ll help you out.”
“Thanks,” Alexandra said.
“And we’re going to the cornfield party this weekend,” Hannah said. “You should come.”
Alexandra didn’t care for parties. It was never her scene. But she was desperate for company. “Sure. Thanks for the invite.”
Lana clapped. “We have a new girl in our circle.”
“I hope I’m worthy of that circle,” Alexandra said.
“Of course you are, Alex,” Lana said. “If you’re related to Martha, you’re automatically in. She’s so cool.”
Alexandra smiled. “She is pretty awesome.”
“After everything she’s been through, she’s so strong,” Hannah said. “It was devastating when she lost Mike. She was torn apart but she still took care of her fields and kept going, moving on.”
Alexandra remembered when her uncle died. He’d been hit by a drunk driver. Two of his passengers died in the crash as well. Aunt Martha wasn’t there because she was too sick to go out. It could have claimed her life as well.
“Well, we should get going,” Lana said. “I can take you home.”
“Thanks,” Alexandra said.
They said goodbye to Hannah before they climbed into her pickup. It was red with dirt smudged over the doors. Alexandra sat beside her and felt the truck shake slightly as they drove down the road.
“You don’t have a car yet?” Lana asked.
“I need to save up some cash.”
“Make sure you get a truck. Otherwise, you won’t survive.”
“I barely know how to drive a car,” Alexandra said with a laugh. “And I haven’t driven a car in almost five years.”
“That’s right,” Lana said. “New Yorkers walk everywhere. That’s probably why you’re in such good shape.”
Alexandra felt her cheeks redden from the compliment. She didn’t respond.
When they pulled up to the yard, the dogs came running out. They weren’t barking, just moving toward the door.
“Hey, Tommy,” Lana said as she rolled down the window.
The dog licked her hand.
“They aren’t very good protectors,” Alexandra said with a smile.
“Protectors?” she asked. “They know me. They would never hurt me. Plus, I usually bring them treats.”
“That’s a good way to win favor with them.”
“I guess I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks for the ride,” Alexandra said.
“Anytime.”
She walked into the house and saw the note on the refrigerator. Her dinner was inside. Alexandra took it out and reheated it before she went outside and ate on the porch. Her aunt had already gone to bed even though it wasn’t even midnight. But since she got up so early, Alexandra understood why she was so tired.
The dogs sat beside her, eyeing the plate in her hands. They didn’t reach
for it. Alexandra stared into the darkness, thinking about her new life in the south. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. Nothing here reminded her of New York. Paul was in her mind but she pushed him away.
At least she made two friends today, enrolled in school, and applied for her first job. She desperately needed something. It was rude of her to drop in on her aunt without giving her any notice. And she felt guilty for eating her food, especially when her aunt said she barely got by on her profits.
Alexandra sighed as she thought about the weight on her shoulders. She was twenty-two and needed to get her life together. She had already messed up irrevocably and she mourned for a long time, but feeling guilty wouldn’t change anything. She had to move on.
4
Blaise walked into the living room and sighed. The ice cream carton sitting on the table had melted. Now the liquid was seeping over the sides, spilling across the wood. An open bag of popcorn and a coke bottle were sitting beside it. Danielle was watching TV, oblivious to all of this.
“Could you please not make a mess?” He kept his voice down, but the annoyance escaped his lips.
“What?” she asked, not looking at him. Her favorite reality TV show was on. And that meant he didn’t exist.
He grabbed the carton. “It’s getting everywhere, Danielle.”
“Oh,” she said, glancing at it. “Sorry.”
“Pick it up. I’m not your mom.”
“I’ll do it later.”
That just pissed him off even more. “No, you’ll do it now.”
“Just go away,” she snapped. “You’re being so annoying right now. It’s just a small mess.”
He clenched his fists in frustration. “This is my house.”
“I live here too!”
“I want you out.”
She rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Blaise.”
That just pissed him off even more. “I mean it. Get the fuck out of my house. I’m done with you.”
She sighed then picked up her mess. “Okay. I’m sorry.” She carried it into the kitchen and threw it away.
“Now get your shit.”
“What?” She stared at him like he was crazy.
“This doesn’t change anything. I can’t do this anymore, Danielle. We’re over.”
The fear came into her face, stretching her eyes. “What…?”
He looked away, unable to see the hurt on her face. “This relationship is over. It’s been over for a long time. There’s no point in dragging it out any longer.”
