by Tracey Smith
“They don’t want me there, Maggie.” His tone was quiet and his smile gone. The sad man was back.
“I want you there.” She’d never felt so vulnerable. Once again she was putting her feelings on the line. Would he reject her again?
“You shouldn’t,” he remarked sadly.
“Why?” her tone was pleading. She just wanted to understand.
He pulled the truck to a stop just outside the town square. Maggie could see the crowd in the distance. She made no move to exit the truck. She turned to face Aaron he continued to stare out the windshield.
“I like you, Maggie.” Her heart thrilled at the confirmation “I like you enough to tell you that you’re better off without me. You should just go and enjoy the barbeque.”
“I don’t want to. I’d much rather sit here with you,” she answered honestly. At the moment there was nowhere else she’d rather be. But would he push her away again? She could feel her heart racing with anxiety. She waited patiently as she saw him struggling with his own emotions.
“You don’t make it easy to stay away from you,” he said quietly as he shook his head.
“Then stop trying,” she suggested softly. He fell silent for a few minutes. She had the feeling that this moment would be the turning point for them, he would either push her away for the final time or he’d finally let her in.
“What about your potato salad?” he finally said, and she could hear a note of playfulness in his voice. He turned toward her for the first time and she saw the smile in his eyes. She took the first deep breath she’d been able to take since this conversation had started.
“It will take us quite a while to eat it all, but I think if we really put our minds to it we can manage it,” she said with mock seriousness. He cracked a small smile and she answered it with a huge smile of her own. He shook his head, laughing softly.
“You don’t give up easily, do you?” he asked. Maggie turned away from him, hiding the guilt that was suddenly weighing down on her. His words reminded her of just how easily she actually had given up.
“Come on. Let’s get this spectacle over with,” he said, stepping out of the truck. She smiled as he came around and opened her door for her. But something was still a little off about her smile, something haunted her, and this was the first time since arriving in Georgia that she’d acknowledged it. She knew she couldn’t hide from her past forever.
As they approached the park where the crowd was gathered Maggie felt her spirits lifting. She could see rows of tables set up under some large oak trees and headed in that direction with her offerings. As they placed the bowls of potato salad on the table Maggie saw an adorable little blonde girl darting between the tables giggling. She ran out in front of Maggie and Aaron, nearly colliding with them in her excitement. Close on her heels was Lacey, carrying a toddler on her hip.
“Courtney Marie, I said stop right there, don’t you take another step, young lady!” Lacey called out to the little girl before glancing up to see Maggie and Aaron standing nearby.
Maggie smiled at her, but Lacey’s reaction was closer to fear. Her eyes opened wide as she came to a sudden halt. Her gaze rested on Aaron for a brief moment, before her little girl came skipping up to her side. Lacey protectively pulled her daughter against her and immediately turned from them hurrying away without a word. Maggie was dumbfounded by her reaction. She glanced over to Aaron and saw the sadness in his downcast eyes. The reality of the situation hit her and angered her all at once. Whatever Aaron’s past might hold she just couldn’t believe he deserved that kind of treatment. She reached over and took his hand.
His gaze flitted to hers and she smiled at him encouragingly. He returned her smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. They walked from the tables hand in hand, and she was aware of the stares and whispers from the crowd around them. She held her head high and gripped his hand tighter. The sight of Andi approaching was like a ray of sunshine in the middle of a storm. Maggie smiled happily and released Aaron’s hand to hug her friend.
“I’m so glad you made it!” Andi exclaimed. “Both of you,” she added, smiling kindly at Aaron. Maggie wanted to hug her again. “I’m Andi,” she introduced herself, extending her hand to him. “I don’t think we’ve officially met.”
“Aaron,” He smiled shyly as he shook her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Aaron,” Andi said cheerfully. “Hey, I could really use some help hanging this banner. Would ya’ll mind?”
“Of course not!” Maggie agreed, smiling first at Aaron and then back at Andi. She wanted so badly for Aaron to feel the warm acceptance that she’d felt on her last trip to Sweetwater, and even more so she wanted to show the people of this town that they’d judged him too harshly.
Andi led them to a make-shift stage set up in the middle of the park and showed them the large banner that she’d been attempting to hang above the stage. Without hesitation Aaron scaled the ladder and busied himself with the task. Maggie and Andi hovered below handing him tools as needed and chatting happily about the fireworks show that was to be put on later that evening.
“Is there anything else I can help with?” Aaron offered once the chore was done.
“I think that’s it for me,” Andi replied. “My job is done. The stage is decorated and now I can turn it over to the band.”
As if on cue a teenage boy popped up and asked Andi if they could begin setting up their equipment on the stage.
“It’s all yours,” Andi replied.
“Do you need any help?” Aaron offered.
“Sure! We’ve got a whole truckload of equipment to set up,” the boy replied gratefully. Aaron seemed relieved that he could continue to keep himself busy. He glanced to Maggie and she smiled back at him.
“Don’t worry about me,” she assured him. “I’m sure I’ve got a ton of gossip to catch up on.” She nudged Andi and both women giggled. Aaron smiled and happily followed the boy to his truck.
Maggie and Andi took a walk around the park arm in arm. The evening air was humid. Maggie took in the scene before her and absorbed the utter peacefulness of it. Children were running and playing while their parents stood clustered in groups that were constantly expanding as new families arrived. People were greeting each other with hugs and cheerful exclamations. As the women walked Andi pointed out various people, telling Maggie their names and random bits of information about them. Maggie listened to her friend’s chatter but continually looked back towards Aaron, never quite losing sight of him. She saw him laughing and smiling with the group of boys as he helped them unload and set up their equipment. Everything was exactly how she hoped it would be.
“He really does seem like a nice guy.” Andi’s comment drew Maggie’s attention from Aaron and she realized she’d been staring.
“Yes he is,” she agreed, looking back at her friend. The women had circled the park and were coming back toward the stage.
“And what a hottie!” Andi exclaimed. At that moment Aaron was lifting some large speakers onto the stage, his biceps flexed against his t-shirt.
“Yes he is,” Maggie agreed emphatically.
“A man like that could even make old Mrs. Bouchard blush.” Both women laughed at the ridiculous statement.
“Speak of the devil,” Maggie said as she spotted Mrs. Bouchard crossing the lawn. “Looks like we’re about to find out.” She picked up her pace to reach Aaron’s side about the same time as the old woman.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing here, criminal?” the old woman bit out at Aaron. He seemed startled by the harsh demand and simply stared at her, unsure of how to respond. Maggie stepped up to his side.
“He’s here with me,” she declared, staring the old woman down.
“That doesn’t surprise me one little bit. Filth gathers.” Mrs. Bouchard made no attempt to sugar coat her opinion. “Well, just because Agnes Devereaux has decided to bring a whore and a convict to our town does not mean I’m just going to sit by and let them influence my poor, innocent g
randson.”
“Grandmother, please.” One of the boys from the band looked completely embarrassed by the scene that she was causing. Several people nearby had stopped to stare. Maggie and Aaron were still speechless, not sure how to handle the old woman.
“It’s lovely to see you too, Mrs. Bouchard!” Andi practically shouted at the woman as she stepped between her and Maggie. “Wonderful night for a barbeque isn’t it?” She spoke to her as if she was very hard of hearing, and Maggie suspected that the woman’s hearing was just fine. She’d seen Andi use this tactic before to thwart the old woman’s venomous ranting. It seemed to work, if only for a minute. Mrs. Bouchard sputtered as Andi led her away from the group, continuing to talk very loudly about the food and fireworks and acting as if the woman hadn’t said anything unpleasant.
“I should go,” Aaron said quietly.
“Please stay,” Maggie said. “I was hoping we could watch the fireworks together.”
Aaron met Maggie’s gaze. She could see the longing in his eyes and the sadness. “I was too,” he practically whispered. Then he turned and walked away.
~9~
“I’m sorry about tonight,” Andi said as they pulled into the driveway. “Mrs. Bouchard is just a crazy old witch. You can’t pay her any mind.”
“It wasn’t just her,” Maggie admitted. “I saw the way people looked at him. It’s not fair, they don’t even know him.”
“It’s a small town,” Andi replied as if that was explanation enough. Maggie was beginning to think that this “small town” wasn’t for her after all, but that thought just led to the question that had been hanging over her head since she started this journey. What next? She was too overwhelmed to tackle that question right now, so she once again just pushed it to the side.
“I wish you would’ve stayed for the fireworks,” Andi added after a few minutes of silence.
“I just wasn’t in the mood anymore,” Maggie replied. Andi nodded her understanding. They pulled up to the house and saw Aaron’s truck parked in the driveway. Maggie’s spirits immediately lifted.
“Is that his truck?” Andi asked.
“Yes.” Maggie was smiling as she reached for the car door handle.
“Do you want me to stay?” Andi asked, sounding concerned.
“No, thanks for the ride.” Maggie said as she jumped out of the car and closed the door before her friend could respond. She walked up to the porch with a racing heart.
As Andi pulled away the headlights flashed across the front of the house and for a brief moment Maggie could see Aaron’s silhouette sitting in a rocking chair, but then the lights were gone and he was once again shrouded in darkness. Maggie climbed the steps slowly. Her heart was racing and she wanted to run to him in her nervous excitement but she wasn’t sure which Aaron she would find, the playful flirt, or the sad man who had come to once again warn her away. She stopped when she reached the top of the steps and waited.
“I just wanted to make sure you made it home safe.” His tone was somber. Her heart fell a little. She heard the porch creak as he took a few steps in her direction. The night was dark; there was no moon. She felt him approach and saw when he was close. She reached out and grasped his wrist.
“Please stay.” The whispered plea was the same one she’d made at the barbeque, but the implication this time was so much more. She heard his rapid intake of breath. She held her own waiting for his response.
“The fireworks will be starting soon,” she added. “We should be able to see them from my balcony.” She let her hand slip from his wrist to his palm and wove her fingers through his. “Stay,” she whispered again, stepping closer so that her chest pressed against his.
“For the fireworks?” his voice was strained.
“For me.” She could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He leaned his forehead down against hers.
“I should go,” he said reluctantly.
“But do you want to?” she challenged.
“No,” he conceded. “I keep telling myself I need to stay away from you. But it doesn’t seem I can.”
She smiled and turned from him, pulling him by the hand into the house.
They crossed through the first floor without turning on a single light. She led him up the stairs to her room. Neither of them said a word. She passed the bed without looking at it, but was overwhelmingly aware of its presence. They stepped out onto the balcony as the first firework exploded in the distance.
“Perfect timing.” She smiled up at him to see that he was staring at her intently.
“Is it?” he asked, and she had a feeling he was not referring to the fireworks. Nonetheless she stepped up to the banister to watch the show, unwilling to lose this moment with him.
He stood close behind her; she could feel his proximity. She leaned her back against his chest as she watched the fireworks on the horizon. Tentatively he brought his hands to her waist. She could feel his breath on her nape so she cocked her head slightly to the side to expose the length of her neck to him. He skimmed the tip of his nose along the curve of her neck. His hands gripped her hips firmly. She held onto the banister as she pressed back against him.
The fireworks in the distance began to increase in tempo and frequency as the grand finale signaled the end of the show. Maggie’s heart raced with anticipation as she thought about what would come next. She could feel Aaron’s breath coming faster, his heart pounding in rhythm with hers. As the last firework erupted on the skyline he gripped her arms and spun her around to face him, claiming her mouth in one fierce move. She surrendered to him completely, molding her body to his as she went limp in his arms. He held her to him as his tongue explored her mouth, the fireworks continued to erupt inside her.
Abruptly he broke the kiss, simultaneously holding her up yet pushing her away.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” he said with his head bowed away from her, his hands still gripped her arms to hold her up.
“Yes you should have,” she disagreed, finding her voice.
“There are things you need to know about me,” he said, looking back to her and meeting her eyes.
“Then tell me,” she said as the strength came back into her legs and she tried to take a step closer. He released his hold on her arms and stepped away. She wasn’t deterred. She walked back into the bedroom, knowing he would follow. She took a seat on the settee by the French doors and waited for him to join her. He sat beside her on the small couch, but didn’t meet her eyes.
“I don’t know where to start,” he said with his head bowed. The room was still dark, but they were close enough that she could see his face. She reached over and placed her hand on his leg.
“Start at the beginning,” she suggested softly.
“I was twelve when my father died,” Aaron began, his voice monotone. “My sister Katelyn was eight. People always said how much I looked like him. I guess that’s why my mother couldn’t stand to look at me anymore after he was gone. She began drinking all the time to deal with the depression. I’m not sure if she had a problem before that, if she did I never knew about it. But after Dad was gone she was lost in a bottle.
“I stayed away as much as I could. I thought it was better for everyone if I just wasn’t around. My mother sure didn’t seem to mind. But I never even considered what I’d left Katelyn to deal with.” His voice cracked and Maggie wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to relive these painful memories. Not for her. But she realized that maybe he needed to do it for himself. She sat quietly by his side as he sorted through his emotions.
“She remarried when I was fourteen, and for just a minute I’d hoped Bill would be good for her.” He laughed without humor. “He wasn’t.”
His eyes clouded over with painful memories. Maggie could see it on his face and wanted to stop him, wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to go on.
“I never should have left Katelyn alone in that house,” he continued angrily.
“You were just a boy yourself.” Maggie spok
e softly trying to console him. He shook his head vehemently.
“I was the only one left to protect her and I just left her there!” he argued as he jumped up from the couch and began pacing in front of her. His sadness had turned to rage, she could feel it radiating off of him.
“She was only ten years old,” he said as he held his head in his hands. His anger slowly shifted to back sorrow. He walked over to the window and stared into the dark night.
“I hadn’t been home for about a week. It was the longest I’d stayed away.” His voice was quiet as he continued. “Katelyn came to me the first night I’d returned home and asked if she could sleep in my room. I could tell something was wrong. She wouldn’t tell me what it was but I saw that she was scared.
“I came home every day after that, straight from school. I’d always find her in the front yard waiting for me. She pretended she was just playing outside, but I could see the relief on her face every time I came home. She was like my shadow, sticking by my side everywhere I went, sleeping in my room every night.
“As the week wore on I saw her become a bit more relaxed, a little less jumpy than she had been before. But Bill was becoming increasingly agitated. He didn’t like me being around.” Aaron grew silent for a few minutes and Maggie wasn’t sure if he was going to continue. She stood from the couch and stepped up beside him at the window. She placed her hand tenderly on his arm.
“Bill picked a fight with me,” Aaron continued in the same monotone that he’d started with. “He accused me of doing disgusting things with my little sister. Asked me why she was sleeping in my room every night. He kept pushing and pushing until I lost my temper. I hit him. I realize now that’s what he wanted. He used that as an excuse to kick me out of the house. I saw the terror in Katelyn’s eyes the moment he told me to go, and my suspicions were confirmed.
“My mother took his side, believed the lies he told. She told me to leave and never come back. Katelyn was crying, begging me not to go. But what choice did I have?” He looked at Maggie desperately as if she might hold the answer to that question, one that had obviously been haunting him for years. She had none, so she remained silent.
