There was the sound of breaking glass. A scream erupted and then silence. My heart pounded against my chest. I used my shoulder to smash against the door, but it didn't budge. I continued to pound against the door, screaming, "Let me in! Let me in!"
I heard footsteps behind me. Red appeared next to me, a credit card in her hand. "Move back, Mercy," she said, sliding the card along the door. She wiggled the card, turning the doorknob as she worked. The door fell open, and we stumbled into the room.
Penelope stood at her bed, her clothing disheveled and her breathing erratic. She pulled at her face; her skin looked blanched and sickly. My gaze darted around the room, seeking Arthur.
Red noticed him first, dropping to her knees. "Oh my God!" she called out. He sat against the wall, only his legs visible, and the rest of his body shielded by the large dresser.
As Red scrambled over him, I walked to Penelope and placed my hands on her arms. "Are you okay, Penelope?" I asked softly. Her eyes were unfocused as she gazed down at Arthur. Fearing he was dead, I turned around and looked at him.
He was sitting against the wall, quite alive, a look of horror on his face. "She punched me," he said in a shocked tone.
Red rocked back, staring at Penelope and then back down at Arthur. "I reckon you deserved it," she said, kicking his leg as she stood. She stepped over his legs and walked out of the room. She passed Melia and Albertine as they stood in the doorway. "No cops," Red said.
Arthur leaned into the wall and pushed himself to a standing position, one hand cradling his face. "I can't believe you hit me, Penny."
I looked back at Penelope. Her color was returning as a slow smile of satisfaction spread across her face. Her eyes gleamed when she looked at him. "Too bad it was just my fist and not a lamp!"
"Penny!"
"Oh shut up, Arthur! Carol's right, you deserved it, storming into our house, frightening my friends. You have no say in what I do with my life. You have no power to control the decisions I make." In a blur of movement, she swept past me, striking his chest. "How dare you ask me to sleep with you! How dare you treat me like some low-class whore!"
"But that's exactly what you've become, Penny!" He was apparently feeling emboldened now that he was back on his feet.
Penelope struck him, her fist connecting with his chest. He crouched down, protecting his head with his arms.
"Do not ever speak to me like that!" Penelope said. "I was your wife, your faithful wife, for almost forty years. You're the dirty whore in this farce." She pushed on his chest, forcing him towards the door. "Get out of here. You are not welcome, so don't you bother coming back. You didn't want me when I was your wife, and you sure aren't going to wave a few dollars at me and think that I'll fall back into bed with you. Get out or I'll call your wife!"
Arthur reeled back, more from Penelope's words than her blows. He shook his head, glaring down at his ex-wife. "Penny, you aren't exactly in the best position to make threats. You tell Natalie and I'll make sure this little operation is exposed. Mention the right name to the right person," he said. He stood over her, trying to intimidate her with his height.
"You're a damn fool, Arthur, if you think you could get away with that. Your wife will take your baby, the rest of your money, and expose you for the scumbag that you are. Get out," she said, not backing down. She looked ready to launch into him again. If she did, I wouldn't do anything to stop her. He deserved a sound ass-kicking for the things he had done to her and for his threats.
I stood beside Penelope. I looked him up and down, dismissing him with a glance. "I think that's all, Senator Harrison."
He stood motionless. For a moment, I feared that he'd suffered an apoplectic fit. The over-bearing politician retreated, a look of devastation on his face. "It's over. It's really over," he muttered.
Penelope's nose wrinkled as if she smelled something distasteful. Her face relaxed as she looked at Arthur with pity. "It was over the moment you betrayed our vows. I was willing to forgive you, but that wasn't good enough for you."
He began blinking rapidly. There was deep sorrow in his voice when he said, "We were together so long that I thought we had forgotten how to love each other. You had the children. I had the work. I thought that we would spend the rest of our lives together.... Then one day, I wanted more. I wanted passion, love, and I didn't think I could find that with you."
Penelope adjusted her clothing, the sympathy gone from her face. "Is there a point to this? You've told me this plenty of times before," she said, her voice breaking. She turned away, wiping at her eyes. "Get out, Arthur."
"Penny," he sighed. "I was wrong, so very wrong. I've never stopped loving you. I just... I just needed to be reminded how much I did."
She said nothing. Her hands were folded in front of her, her head held high. I watched the regret flicker across his face. He stepped towards Penelope, his hand raised as if he wanted to set it on her shoulder, offering her comfort. He stopped and stared at his hand. His eyes focused on the wedding band, and his hand fell away.
"I won't bother you again, Penny. I won't mention this place or your friends. And I promise to make things right with the kids, let them know to back off."
He nodded in my direction. Then he backed out of the room and made his way out of the house. Hadn't he already made this sad, pathetic departure? I didn't think it would be long before he came storming back into our lives, demanding Penelope's return to his life. I didn't think he would ever be able to let her go. He had tucked her away in his back pocket as something to hold on to, but something he could ignore.
I peered at her, expecting to see pain and sadness in her demeanor. Instead, I saw determination and contentment. "I think that'll be the last of him," she said.
"You think? He walked out of here the last time, looking just as dejected."
"This time he made a promise, and in general, Arthur keeps his promises."
"But not his vows," I retorted.
"In general," she repeated. She clapped her hands and walked towards me. "Where have you been?"
"Out," I said, shifting in my clothes. I had meant to take a bath when I returned home, but I had been surprised by Arthur's sudden appearance.
"Out with a man? Don't bother answering. I can smell his cologne," she grinned. "Was it a...um...paid thing?"
"Nope," I said, grinning in return.
Penelope's gaze darted to the door before she said, "Don't tell Carol that. You look tired, Mercy. Didn't get much sleep last night?" She patted my shoulder, maneuvered around me, and walked out of the room. "I'll keep the girls occupied." Her voice floated into the room.
I followed her out of the room. She made her way downstairs, joining the others in the foyer. I crept along the walkway, making my way towards my room.
Upstairs, I was finally able to sink into a nice, hot bath and scrub away Jack's scent. I left the bathroom, tossed on a tee shirt and lounge pants, and fell into a deep sleep.
The sound of a shrill screech scared me awake. I pulled my pillow over my face, hoping to ignore the newest drama. Arthur must have returned to plague poor Penelope. I didn't care how childish it was; I punched my mattress, expressing my frustration.
Reluctantly, I left my room, joining the others as they huddled outside of Red's room. "What's wrong now?" I asked, the impatience clear in my voice.
"Nothing," Melia said.
"What was the screaming about?" I asked.
"Oh, that was Albertine," Penelope said simply.
The four of them shared some wicked amusement. I looked at Albertine, expecting an explanation. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed my speculative glance. She darted into Red's room, leaving me at the door with Penelope and Melia.
"What are you up to?" I asked them.
"Should we tell her?" Melia asked the others.
"Might as well. She is the landlord," Red said. She lifted a lighter, flickering it on.
"Okay...are you intending to burn down my house?" I joked.
M
elia lifted her hand. She held a small bag of green leaves.
"Please tell me that isn't what I think it is."
"You game, Mercy?" Red asked, stepping out of her room.
"No, and I can't believe any of you are. Albertine!" I said, turning on the wren. The little wren's eyes widened as she gaped at me. I pointed at Albertine as I addressed the others, "Don't you dare corrupt her, and don't dare smoke that in my house!"
"It was Albertine's idea," Penelope clarified.
I turned back to Albertine, the surprise clear on my face. She shrugged, a not-so-innocent smile on her face. As a group, they made their way down the stairs. I heard them chattering as they walked through the kitchen and into the backyard. I hung back, dealing with my shock.
The sun was setting as the day moved into evening. They walked out to the table, cleaned the chairs off, and sat down. I stood in the doorway, watching as Melia expertly rolled a joint. She handed it to Red, who lit it up, the light casting an orange glow across her face. She took a couple of puffs, smiled, and then passed it to Penelope.
I was too far away to hear their words, but I could see Penelope's hesitation. She smiled shyly, taking the joint from Red's hand. She lifted it to her mouth. Her mouth made fish-like gulps, causing Red and Melia to burst out in laughter. Penelope swiftly handed it over to Melia, who took a few long drags. Melia's head fell back against the chair and she shouted up into the tree. I heard more laughter as it finally became Albertine's turn.
I had no intention of missing this. I left the kitchen and made a beeline across the grass. I stood across from Albertine, wanting to get a good look at the wren when she inhaled for the first time. All of the ladies watched, waiting to see her reaction. Albertine calmly took the joint from Melia and lifted it to her lips; she puffed a few times, coughed delicately and handed it to Red.
Red's eyes were wide and unblinking when she accepted the joint from Albertine. We all waited as Albertine inhaled the smoke, letting it flow through her body. She blinked a few times, sneezed, and then smiled at us. Penelope was giggling hysterically, snorting from her efforts. Melia looked disappointed as if expecting a much grander reaction than a sneeze. Red looked dubiously at Albertine.
"This isn't your first time, is it?" she asked Albertine.
The little wren blinked, her large dark eyes rounder than usual behind her spectacles. She tittered. "I haven't always been a nun."
Melia gagged, the guffaws tearing from her throat. Albertine smacked her soundly on the back, causing Melia to gulp for air. I felt disappointed, as if I had been cheated from tonight's prime time entertainment.
"You're a virgin, right, Albertine?" Red asked.
"Yes, yes I am," Albertine answered.
"But you smoke weed," Red returned.
"When I was a teenager, I tried being friends with the popular girls. They invited me along to a few parties, sharing their marijuana with me. I smoked for a few years, but I stopped when I became a sister," Albertine answered.
"But you're a virgin," Red reiterated.
"Yes, a virgin," Albertine responded. Red clearly struggled with this, not reconciling how someone could freely use an illegal drug but not engage in sexual activities.
Melia lifted the joint to me. The girls turned, waiting to see if I would join them. I shook my head. "You lot better pray the cops don't show up over this."
"What? Like a copper would bother," Red said.
"I'd be more worried about your whorin' ways, Mercy," Melia said, puffing smoke towards me. I stepped away from the encroaching cloud.
"I'm so not a fan, ladies," I muttered.
"But I am," Penelope said, relaxing in her chair. A satisfied smile curved her lips. Her eyelids drooped and the tension was gone from her body. "I certainly am."
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
It was the day when Jack and I were leaving for our extended weekend getaway. He had called ten minutes before to inform me he was on his way over. I sat on the porch, my overnight bag packed.
The girls were inside, laughing and cooking their lunches. They knew I was slipping away for the weekend, but I didn't tell them I was slipping away with Jack. I didn't want to explain my fling with Jack. I didn't understand it myself.
If I was smart, I would be busting my ass, building a client list. I had envisioned paying my debt off within two years, but that would require me to go on three or four dates a week. Instead, I had taken a brief hiatus from my new job so I could spend time with a soon to be deployed soldier.
A black sedan pulled up in front of the house, and my heart caught as I remembered the black sedan from my childhood. I pushed away those memories as Jack stepped out of the car and jogged up the path.
I looked back at the house, a little afraid that someone would see him standing outside. I had told them I was visiting a friend. I brought my finger up to my mouth and then signaled back to the house. He grinned and nodded, acknowledging the message. He grabbed my bag, then my hand, and pulled me off the porch. We walked swiftly to his car.
I climbed into my seat. As I pulled my safety belt, I glanced back at the house, expecting to see someone standing there. There was no one. No movement at the door or at the windows. Strange. I felt a bit disappointed. I didn't know why, but it would have added to the sense of adventure.
"You ready?" Jack asked, settling into his seat. He had placed my bag in the backseat, alongside his own luggage.
I smiled, pinched his cheek and said, "I'm ready, kiddo." I knew he hated that endearment, but I would never escape the ornery traits that I'd spent a lifetime developing. "So where are we going exactly?"
"We're going to be staying at a little B&B in McDaniel, Maryland," he answered. He picked up a brochure on the dashboard and handed it to me. "It comes highly recommended."
"Sounds ideal. Maybe we'll luck out and it won't be too busy this weekend."
***
At the inn, I stood in the lobby, looking over travel brochures. Jack was at the desk, checking us in for the weekend.
"What a beautiful day! Simply beautiful," said the young man stepping out of the office. "My name is Paul, and I welcome you to Harper's Inn."
"Hi, Paul. We're checking in," Jack said, leaning on the counter.
"Would you happen to be Ransom, party of two?" asked Paul as he looked at a computer screen.
"That's us," said Jack, tapping his knuckles against the counter.
Paul smiled and looked back at the computer screen. He clicked through a couple of screens before saying, "Your deposit has gone towards your first night. When you check out, you can pay for the remainder of your stay. Breakfast is served in the dining room from six to ten. With advance notice, we can prepare a picnic lunch. Do you and your mother have a preference for a particular view?" Paul asked as he printed out a receipt.
Jack looked back at me. He grinned and said nothing to correct Paul's assumption of our relationship. Jack said, "We'd prefer something on the second floor, facing the water. Do you have anything with a private deck?"
"We do, but it only has a queen bed," said Paul.
"Sounds perfect," Jack said.
Paul's eyes flashed upward. He looked me over and then at Jack. Paul's eyes widened before he looked back at the computer screen. He took a sharp breath, his shoulders rising from the effort. "Can do," he said.
Jack signed the receipt, snatching the room key from the counter. "Thanks, Paul," he said, walking away from the desk. I stood at the doorway, waiting for Jack. I watched Paul as he stared pensively after Jack.
"Here's the room key," Jack said. "You go on up and get settled. I'll grab the bags." He walked out onto the wraparound porch.
I took the key and glanced down at the number.
"It's in the West House, next door," said Paul from the desk. I glanced up, smiled and walked out the door, towards the second house.
The West House had two levels. I climbed the stairs, making my way towards our bedroom located at the end of the hall. I opened the door and st
epped inside the room, kicking the door closed behind me.
The room was spacious with a large, four-poster queen bed and a small table with two chairs. On the back wall, another door led out to the private deck. To my right was a small bathroom with a walk-in shower.
I walked over to the bed and leapt onto it. It was like sinking into a cloud. I placed my hands over my stomach and let my eyes close until Jack's arrival.
He walked into the room, placing our luggage down with a loud thud. "Don't tell me you're sleeping already."
"Come here, get on the bed. This is so heavenly, it's sinful," I said, patting the space beside me.
Jack tossed his car keys onto the dresser. After removing his shoes, he climbed onto the bed and lay next to me. He snored loudly, laughing as I nudged him with my elbow. "You're right, this is nice." He turned onto his side and placed his hand over mine. "What shall we do?"
There was a wicked glint in his eye. I knew exactly what he had in mind.
"I think we should drive into town and see what type of stores are there."
"Shopping. How grand."
I turned on my side, and he shifted his hand to rest on my waist. "We can't spend the entire time in this room, doing appalling things, Jack."
"Why not?"
"You young people and your boundless energy. When you get to be my age, you aren't wired to get it on all the time."
"That's why God made lube, Mercy," he explained, exaggerating each word.
I laughed, kissing his nose. "You'll learn one day."
"Hopefully that's a long time off," he answered.
"Thanks," I grinned.
He inched closer, placing his face in the curve of my neck. "Are you sure you want to go out?" he asked, sighing against my skin.
"I do."
"But the bed. It's so soft."
"It'll be here when we get back," I said, starting to sit up. He pulled away before our heads collided. It was a struggle, crawling off the pillowy bed. I adjusted my clothing and looked back at Jack's sprawled form.
Have Mercy Page 27
