Fallen Too Far

by Mia Moore

  “Portate bien en Senor Tom, senorita, que necesita una mujer horable a su lado.”

  Wow. Don't mince words, eh Maria? Yes, he does need an honorable woman by his side. Well, then, “Entiendo Senora. Se muy bien lo que un hombre necesita una muher de honor.” Annik paused, “Eso lo aprendi de ver a mi madre y padre. No es eso lo que deberia ser?” Annik explained that, yes a woman learns her best lessons of honor from her parents. Time for a truce.

  Maria smiled. Okay, first engagement was over; a war had been averted.

  “I so enjoy speaking Spanish, Miss Annik. You're accent is very good!” Maria said.

  “Thank you.” She didn’t blame Maria for being suspicious. After all, she had showed up out of nowhere and was standing in her kitchen. “It's been some time for me, Maria. Perhaps I could practice with you more in the future?”

  “Anytime, Miss Annik. I would enjoy getting to know you better.” The better to protect Mister Tom hung in the air between them.

  “As I you, Maria.”

  “Hey, you gals are leaving me out of the loop here. What are you talking about in Spanish anyway?” Tom had quietly entered the room.

  The two women glanced at each other and said in unison, “Girl talk,” and smiled.

  “Annik, I didn't know you spoke Spanish…”

  “Just a little, Tom. And some French too. Just conversational.”

  “You’re full of surprises.”

  They chatted with Maria and explained what they were thinking of for dinner, what they had purchased the evening before. Tom and Annik tried to help Maria prepare dinner but Maria’s patience grew thin. Her hands gestured a sweeping motion and she ordered them from her kitchen.

  ****

  It was a little after six pm and all of their guests had arrived, except Tom’s sister and her husband. The group was settled in the living room having drinks, enjoying pleasant conversation. The doorbell rang and Tom disappeared to greet his sister. A few minutes later, Annik looked up to see a blond, younger version of Tom, same blue eyes, and quirky smile. She appeared to be in her forties. Beside her stood a man, a few inches taller, with salt and pepper gray hair, smiling.

  Tom introduced Bonnie and Anthony to everyone in turn, pausing when he came to Annik.

  “Bonnie, I’d like you to meet the woman I have loved from afar for many years. Annik, this is my sister Bonnie and her husband Anthony.” Tom’s arms were outstretched between the two women; a smile on his face.

  Bonnie’s face wore the same dubiousness as Marie had earlier. Chatting in Spanish wasn’t going to fix this one though. She glanced up and down Annik and over to her brother. Yes Bonnie, I’m decades younger.

  Taking a breath, Annik shook Bonnie’s hand, then Anthony’s. At some point that evening, Bonnie would corner her to get more information. Okay that was fair. Bonnie loved her brother and knew his history. She only hoped that she would be able to convince her that she too, loved Tom.

  Tom continued with the introductions moving along to Jessica and Craig. Annik resumed her conversation with Diana and Danny and stole covert glances at Bonnie who was now chatting with Jessica.

  She tried to focus on Diana who was finishing her story. It had been one of Danny and her first times together, when Danny’s wife and child showed up. Annik’s eyes flew wide open and she quickly glanced at Danny. What the heck? A wife and child? Diana laughed at how angry she had been with Danny. It had been a wonder that she hadn’t punched holes in the walls of Danny’s apartment.

  “I almost put him back in the hospital!” she said. Diana was an imposing figure—tall, with the fitness of a woman who works out to control her weight. And she was very pretty. She had been a member of Pandora’s for many years, a much sought after, but aloof Domme. Actually, she had mentored Annik, teaching her all about whips and flogging techniques.

  Annik smiled thinking of the old Diana. She liked the new lovesick version better. This Diana was warmer, more open about sharing her life. She listened to the end of Diana’s story and laughed learning that Danny hadn’t been married and didn’t have a child. It had been a horrible mistake that had almost cost Danny his relationship with Diana.

  Tom joined the conversation, sliding his arm around Annik’s waist. She smiled up at him and as she glanced back at Diana, caught Bonnie staring at her. Bonnie and Anthony were speaking with Jessica and Craig, but it looked like Craig was doing much of the talking and that was to Anthony. Annik excused herself to go to the kitchen to get hors’ d’oeuvre to pass around.

  Maria was busy doing the last minute tasks, preparing the meal. She smiled at Annik before getting a tray of hot hors’ d’ouvres from the oven, placing them on another tray for Annik to carry.

  As she was walking back into the living room she heard the soft notes of the piano as it played Pachabal’s Canon in D. The notes of that loved and familiar song comforted her as she circulated with the tray offering the pastries and napkins. She came to Bonnie at the piano.

  “So how long have you known Tom? He made it sound like it was a long time.” Bonnie asked before taking a nibble of the pastry.

  Okay. Here we go. “Oh, we’ve been friends for about three years. It’s funny. We loved each other, but didn’t realize how the other felt until this past week.” Annik replied, smiling.

  “Isn’t that strange and romantic. How did you meet?” Bonnie was eyeing her intently, only a ghost of a smile showing on her face.

  Oh boy. I hate lying but I can’t tell her the truth. Well, he was my John at first. Then my friend buying me Winnie the Pooh stuffies, trading brownie recipes. Now he’s my lover. Oh, and my future business partner in a sex club no less. Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon.

  “He was referred to me by a client. I met him and that’s how it started.” Annik continued smiling, trying to conceal the nerves in her stomach.

  “Referred? What is it you do?” Bonnie asked.

  “Well I’m an independent business owner. It’s called OOPS. Short for Owner Operated Personal Service.” And please don’t ask me more about that. But she knew that would be too much to hope for.

  “What personal services do you provide? I’ve never heard of a business like that.” Bonnie looked at Annik, puzzlement contorting her delicate, fair features.

  “Well it varies, depending upon the customer’s needs. Sometimes it’s organizing meetings for out of town businesspeople. And even to companionship. There are a lot of wealthy people who are quite lonely. I have an aunt in a nursing home. She was in a companionship role when she was younger. She referred me to many people who needed that service.” Annik really hoped she had confused Bonnie to the point where she would stop asking questions.

  “Oh. Like a visiting health care aide? I don’t see how Tom would need such services.”

  “No, not like that; let me explain.” She felt the ice under her feet get thin. “Let’s say for example, you have some of your roommates from college coming into town for a visit, but you can’t get away from the office during the day. You want them to have a good time, see the best of the city. More like that sort of thing.” It wasn’t a total lie. She had done just that for some of her clients.

  “Oh. Well, I can see Tommy needing that sort of thing. He’s got his fingers in a lot of different pies.”

  At that moment Jessica appeared next to them. Annik could see Tom having an intent conversation with Diana in one side of the room. Danny, Craig and Anthony were discussing something or other.

  Jessica complimented Bonnie on her skill at playing the piano and the conversation turned to safer topics.

  Thankfully.

  Marie appeared at the entrance and announced that dinner was served.

  ****

  Later that night as they were going to bed, both feeling a little toasty, Annik told Tom about her conversation with Bonnie.

  “You’ve got to tell her about me—about us. I hated to duck and dodge her questions. I think I could like your sister but we’ve got to be honest. And
that’s your job I think.” Annik snuggled into the crook of her Tom’s arm.

  “Sorry, you’re right of course. I will. We may have to be patient. She’s a lawyer and suspicious by nature. But she’ll come around.”

  His voice sounded distracted. Maybe a little sleepy she thought. It had been quite a night. Lots of laughs with good people, aside from her discomfort with his sister.

  But Tom was not sleepy. His brain was alive and excited. The seed, an idea his doctor friend Diana had planted in him, was germinating.

  ****

  The next day Annik suggested that they go for a walk for some fresh air and exercise. The sun was out and the leaves were ablaze in their entire autumn splendor. It had been years since she’d strolled in this neighborhood. And she had something to show him.

  “What, another Pandora’s Project? Now waitaminnit Annik-” He slipped his arms into his suede jacket and helped her into hers.

  “No, nothing like that. I'll just show you, okay?”

  “Alright. I love surprises,” his voice became petulant, “but I hate the suspense.”

  As they strolled, hand-in-hand through along the streets, he commented, “You know Annik, I think this is the first time I've ever walked through my neighborhood in all the years I've lived here.”

  “You don't like to walk or is it that you're afraid of getting mugged?”

  “Okay smartass, no, I just never think of it. I guess I'm usually too busy.”

  They were about three or four streets away from Tom's home when Annik suggested “Let's go up here, I'd like to show you your surprise.”

  “Oh Yeah. Almost forgot about that. I was surprised already. You chatting in Spanish with Maria. Where’re we going?”

  “Just come along, Tom, it's just down this street.” She quickened the pace. She hadn't been back since they moved…

  They stopped in front of a large home, an estate actually. A wrought iron fence surrounded the property with two stone pillars at the driveway entrance. The gates were open, and they looked up a driveway that was almost a football field in length, terminating in a circle before a manor sized home. She walked up the driveway, Tom in tow.

  “You know the Grant family, Annik?” he asked. “What's going on?”

  “Not very well. Just slightly.” She was staring at the home as they paced up the driveway. She stopped before it and slipped her arm around Tom's waist, pulling him close.

  “See the window on the second floor? At the corner?”

  “Sure. What about it?”

  She turned her head to look into his eyes. “I used to sit on the window seat in that room and watch the stars and dream of my future.”

  “What do you mean, honey?”

  “This was the home I lived in when I came to Canada, Tom. We lived here for eight years.” She turned back to look at the house. “It got very big after Poppa died—there weren't any more parties. And man, were there parties! And then we had to sell…” A tear slid down her cheek remembering the good times.

  “Wait a sec—you lived here? That's unbelievable.”

  She shot Tom a look. “Unbelievable, huh? No, it's the truth. I lived here from when I was fourteen until I was twenty-two…” Her chin dropped to her chest. “Yes, unbelievable. But true…” She grabbed his hand and started to march around the side of the home.

  Pulling Tom along she said, “There's a maple tree in the back of this house. It’s pretty big. When Poppa died I carved all of our names on it and the year.” They came around the side of the house, and in the backyard was a well tended, large maple tree, its leaves burning red.

  She dropped his hand and ran to the tree. “See. Unbelievable?”

  He walked up to the tree and peered at the bark. The carving was faded, but he could easily see “Poppa, Mamma + Annik 4 Ever” and a year more than ten years ago carved into the bark.

  He turned and took her into his arms. “You never told me this,” he whispered. “You never told me how much you lost.” She began to sob in his arms. They stood there under the fiery red tree silently until her tears passed.

  Holding his arms, she pulled back a bit and looked up at him. “I think it was how Maria and your sister looked at me, I guess. Like they thought I was some gold digger. I don't blame them—the age difference would make anyone wonder… I just felt like it was important for you to see.”

  “I do, Annik, I really do.”

  “Hello!” a voice called out from the back door of the home, “Can I help you with something?” Bill Grant was striding from the back door of his home, a look of annoyance on his face.

  “Hi Bill,” called Tom. “Sorry for intruding, buddy.”

  “Oh! Tom… Eldon, right? Hey, how ya doing? What's going on?”

  “Oh…” Tom looked at Annik, “uh…”

  Annik stepped forward, wiping her eyes. “Just a walk down memory lane Mr. Grant.” She took Tom's hand, and with her free one gestured to the maple tree. I-”

  Bill Grant was no fool. He saw the names this young woman gestured to. “Excuse me,” he said, “is that you?” pointing to the names.

  Nodding, “I'm Annik.”

  “It's a wonderful home—it welcomed us, Annik, we've made many happy memoires here,” Bill said quietly.

  Her eyes filled with tears again. “I'm glad, Mr. Grant. It’s a loving home. I was loved when I lived here.”

  Bill nodded. “You must come in for tea then. I haven't had guests since my wife passed on a year ago. It was a great place for our kids to finish growing up, y'know. I really felt like I made it on the day we moved in… now… it's just me… and I'm gonna be selling it soon… without Lucy here, it's just not the same…” He hung his head.

  Releasing Tom's hand, Annik took Bill in her arms, “I understand.” He bent his head down onto her shoulder. His breath hitched twice.

  “Hey! Lookit me.” He said, pulling away, “getting all maudlin. So come on in.”

  “Sorry, buddy, we're under a schedule. Can we take a rain check?” Tom said.

  “Yeah, I guess… and maybe I'm not too good for company right now anyway… sure, anytime, Tom. You guys can see yourselves out? I think I gotta…” and he walked back to the house leaving them under the tree.

  “He still misses her,” Annik said, watching the man walk away.

  “Yeah. Hang on a sec, okay?” Tom trotted after Bill, and tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Hey, Bill… can I stop buy on Monday night? I'll bring the beer? Maybe watch some baseball?”

  Bill brightened. “Sure! That'd be great. I hate the Yankees. Always in the playoffs…”

  “Great! Lemme ask you—you really thinking of selling?”

  “Yeah. I haven't listed it yet, I'm doing that on Monday morning. A real estate guy's coming by at eleven.”

  “Hey, do me a favor. Get an appraisal, but don't list yet, okay? It might mean something for you.”

  “Sure…” Bill looked past Tom at Annik standing at the tree, her hand stroking the names she’d carved. “You that sweet on her?”

  “You have no idea, man.”

  He shot Tom a look. “Yeah, Tom, I do. And my idea's name was Lucy. I'll see ya Monday, buddy. Bring Coor's.” With a wistful smile, Bill went back into to his empty house, but not as sad as he was a moment ago.

  Tom returned to Annik. She took his arm and they headed back to his home, each lost in their own thoughts.

  When they returned, they ate a light lunch. She had convinced him to go with her on her weekly visit to the Nursing Home. Auntie May would be so happy for her.

  ****

  “So you’re Tom? I finally get to meet you.” May peered up at Tom from her wheelchair. She turned her head and said to Annik, “You’re lucky I’m not fifty years younger, I’d give you a run for your money with him. Maybe I still could.” She turned back to look at Tom again, smiled and winked.

  “Auntie May, behave yourself. I don’t want you to steal my Tom. Look, you’re making him blush.” Annik patted the old wo
man’s shoulder.

  “May, as pretty as you are, I have my hands full with Annik. She’s got me out walking for blocks and blocks, entertaining friends until the wee hours of the night. I can hardly keep up with her.” He eased into a chair near May’s bed.

  Annik stood next to May, resting her hand on her shoulder. Finally May had met Tom, after all May’s advice to let him know how she felt. And May was almost like family.

  The morning sun had given way to thunderstorms, preventing a visit to the garden outside. Instead they wheeled May to a large common room for residents and their families. They sat with her for a couple of hours. May told them stories from her youth, making them chuckle. She wouldn’t stop flirting with Tom.

  When they were driving back to Tom’s place she realized she wasn’t feeling the blues she always felt after visits with Auntie May.

  Chapter 17

  She bounced out of bed the next morning. She was excited. Not afraid though, considering how much was riding on this day. This Day of Days… if the morning meeting went well, she could hang up her… her what? Well, whatever it was, she'd hang it up, the way a retired gunslinger from the Old West would hang up his firearms and turn to a new life.

  And if it didn't? What then? She would figure it out. As she always had. Except that this time, Tom was at her side helping.

  She slipped out of the bed and headed to the bathroom, taking care not to disturb him. Once in there, she sank to her knees. The toilet served as her prie dieu. Nevertheless, she clasped her hands in supplication.

  “Oh Poppa, Mamma, watch over me,” Annik Dandridge breathed. “Oh God, if you're there, watch over me… I truly don't know what I'll do if this doesn't happen. I'm trying to catch up, but …” She had nothing left.

  “Ahhh… child! What would love do?” Poppa's voice in her head. Poppa's lessons.

  “I don't know.” she breathed. Her knees rested on the carpet of the toilet liner. “I don't know.”

  “Annik… you always knew when you had to.” Mamma's voice? “You always chose well, Annik. We're so proud of you. We always were, and always will be…”