A Life Plan Without You.

by Christine Wood

  “Sam love, I fell down the stairs and well the postman found me, I could have been there all day.” I smiled.

  “Dad’s been busy again Mum? This has to stop please!” She gave me the look, as if to say I’m telling the truth. I get my books out and go over the assignments for next week, as she sits patiently, and after about an hour, the doctor looks at her ankle, and her x-rays.

  “Nothing is broken Mrs Todd, but you will have to keep your leg raised and try to keep off it for a few days.” I smiled as they wrapped her knee down to her ankle, I phoned for a taxi, I could have phoned Aunty, but mum wouldn’t let me. We get in a taxi and headed home. Waiting for Jimmy to come home I get annoyed when he isn’t home by eight, the little shit didn’t come home at all, he’d told mum he was going to Aunt Allison’s for the night, and she’d forgotten…

  Andy is a no show as is dad. So it meant I couldn’t see Michelle, I need to get her Aunty Liz’s phone number. Shit, she’s going to be mad as hell with me, but I can’t leave mum. I do my course work and decide we really need to get a telephone put in our bedroom, blast dad and him not wanting one. It’s too handy for emergency services and he thinks I don’t know the real reason for our lack of outside communication, when I get a house there will be a phone in every sodding room, even the damn toilet. Neither dad nor Andy turned up all night. I’m hoping Aunty Allison will have taken Jimmy to college, because he has an exam this morning. She never comes in the house, because of her hatred of dad. I make mum breakfast and sit with her until Andy gets in. Having a right go at him when he finally bothers to come home.

  “Cheers Andy, I only needed half an hour to tell her I had a problem, it wouldn’t have killed you to come back would it?” He apologised. I phoned in work explained about mum and told them I would be in, all day Friday and make up the hours, they told me to take as long as I needed, they knew mum was ill a lot and were used to me taking time off. I went back with the groceries from the shop we needed. Jimmy could stop home tomorrow, no exams. Andy can take a day off too, so that covers the time needed for her to get better, this could all be sorted, if she would bloody well leave him, she doesn’t need this and I’m getting fed up of it now. Andy feels the same too. I need someone to talk this through with, but I can talk until I’m blue in the face with mum, and she won’t budge, and I don’t know why?

  The rest of the yard had seen him kiss me, as had Becky, Jimmy however looked mad as Sam slapped him on the back as he passed him. I laughed as Karen didn’t look any too pleased either, glaring in my direction. Perhaps Sam had given me confidence enough to not be the one being bullied and taken the micky out off, because I did feel more confident in myself, more than I had ever done before. Was the reason for that, walking his hunky arse across the college grounds to uni, my fella, Sam?

  “That girls, was Sam Todd, Jimmy’s older brother, and my gorgeous boyfriend.” I giggled at the things running through my mind the things we had done, wow. Tasha hummed, as did Sasha. The wasp sniggered.

  “What does he see in you?” I smiled.

  “Apparently, lots he’s been watching me for months, plucking up the courage to ask me, and wow isn’t he wonderful? Well he’s all mine and yes he’s perfect thank you Kelly.” The morning dragged maths and English followed by a practice session in goals at dinner and I have to say, I half hoped he was watching. I had a great practice session and even threatened, Jimmy with the promised kick to his balls, in games.

  The rest of the day flew by with bakery classes. Soon Sam would be around and make my day. I called in to collect my card from old Alice next door and I was right she hadn’t opened it, it was with a load of others, all addressed to me. I had a cup of tea with her and made her a sandwich. She was so alone bless her deaf little soul, I came after classes a lot, to look after her and tidy up, she had a home help, but liked them to sit and talk to her.

  Mum did her shopping, and Aunty Liz took her to hospital and doctor appointments, she was such a dear old woman, deaf as a post and a tad scatty, but so full of tales from her days as a land girl in the war, bloody hell she made my toes curl, with some of the tales, I think she forgot I was still only a young girl myself. She was married to a sailor at seventeen, one who never came back from the war, at my age she was a widow, that broke my heart, she was so alone, and I’m a tad soppy concerning oldies. After saying goodbye I went to read his declaration of love and smiled, read and smiled and cried. The others were valentines cards, I smiled at the cards they all had a different poem or a message in them.

  I waited for him, but the night came and he didn’t, I was a little confused and a whole lot angry. I did my homework and got my bag ready, sorted the rabbits out and went to bed. I must admit, I didn’t get a good night’s sleep at all. College was a bust too, I half expected him to walk behind me, but no he didn’t turn up. He didn’t turn up at the end of day either. If he didn’t show up tonight I would seriously have to go to his and check what was happening. I was in major panic mode, had he had all he wanted from me?

  I did my homework, and then I decided to feed my rabbits and whilst in there, there was a knock at the garage door.

  “Hold on I’ve got Blue out and Baby isn’t behaving, I will be two minutes, or we’ll have another load of babies I won’t want to give up, sorry won’t be a minute. Right, done and dusted what’s the rush?” Nobody replied, so I tried to get the door open but it was sticking again, so I gave it a kick, and nearly took Sam’s flaming head of his shoulders, nearly killing him in the process.

  “Oh shit, are you ok Sam?” He had a massive bunch of flowers and was on his arse in the back yard, looking damn hot and a look on his face was priceless, I helped him to his feet apologising as I did and then I wasn’t sure what was coming next.

  “I’m fine Michelle, these are for not coming, yesterday, sorry but I hadn’t any way of letting you know Mum had a fall and wasn’t well enough to be left on her own.” I smiled looking at the lovely flowers, my favourites and so pretty.

  “Is she ok, and who’s sat with her now, she isn’t alone is she?” I kissed him before he could answer.

  “That’s the other thing I need to be getting back, I left Jimmy in charge and I have to get back.” He didn’t look too happy.

  “Tell you what please give me two minutes to finish feeding Baby and then I’m coming to yours, here hold these.” I gave them back to him and fed and watered her. Sam came in to look at my babies all fourteen of them.

  “Michelle what are all those ribbons for?” I smiled because he’d noticed my prize ribbons for the bunny brigade.

  “They Sam are from when I enter my babies into shows and they win or place, all ten of my show rabbits have won prizes, these two are champions. I‘m just a little bit proud of those two, but they excuse the pun are at it like rabbits when they get out, I might change his name to Sam, waddaya think? Right I’ve finished, come on what you waiting for? Oh I need to change.” He was laughing at me again. I grabbed his hand taking the flowers from him. “Do you mind if we give these to your mum? Mines not having them, Dad will only ask who’s been sending them to her again. Sam you don’t have to buy me stuff, just explain?” I looked down I only had scruffs on, whilst I changed, the rabbits. “Shit, I must look a right mess.” He smiled. I hadn’t let him get a word in edgeways, something he’s going to have to get used to, I babble, when I’m nervous, and I wasn’t sure what Sam was hiding something, about not coming yesterday? Did he have someone else too? No, put those thoughts away, now.

  “You will be fine, are your rabbits not going to miss you, his names fine, Blue right? Just like the colour of my arse, it may very well be blue too. I may have to get you to check it later. Umm yep one day we will be at it like rabbits, that fact I find really interesting, do I get a ribbon if I place or show?” I gave him a playful push.

  “I can always stay and spend my time with them if you want Sam? I haven’t spent much time with them over the weekend! Umm sorry about your bum, yep I can check it for you late
r, looking forward to it. You’d absolutely win best in show angel…” I grabbed his hand and walked him through the kitchen and started to tell mum I was going to Sam’s. I do a quick change, and braided my hair, grabbed a quick wash, and spray of my perfume.

  “Mum, I’m off to Sam’s for a bit be back before ten.” Fingers crossed she doesn’t argue.

  “Right ok, are you walking her back Sam, I expect so. He’s promised to have you back safely Saturday too, you’re lucky Dad has said your safe with Sam, so just as long as you come back in one piece, he will be fine, we are going to have to get used to the late nights! I did tell him as requested that you’re not ten anymore, he wasn’t happy but he seems to like you Sam, he’s asked about and you’re alright he will be having words in private though.”

  Shit Sam is going under inspection again, what has he heard and why would it warrant more words? Gramps perhaps? Nope he’s asked around the pubs. I’m sure he will be fine, he’s told me he had a past and from what I gleam he’s had sex with a fair few other girls, perhaps he has a reputation? He was good at charming folks, this man of mine, so no worries as long as he doesn’t lie to dad he will be fine. I grabbed his hand and walked through the hall to the door another bunch of flowers were on the hall table.

  “Did you buy all the bloody flower shop? No wonder she’s giving in, you’re a charmer, Samuel Todd. Did you even have enough left for your Mum?” He shrugged his shoulders, he hadn’t thought about it.

  “Yes Missy, I just thought I’d get them for my girlfriend to say sorry, for messing her night up. Then buttering up her Mum, for the weekend. Which seems to have worked, what do you think your Dad wants to have words for?” I’m not sure if I have hurt his feelings now?

  “I love the flowers so much, but I bet your Mum would love them more? Besides, the kiss was a damn good apology. Dad says if I go out or not and you have his seal of approval already, so not to worry you, but it seems we were watched on Sunday, he has bloody eyes everywhere. I need to explain the no drinking and going out thing to you, then if you still want this to continue, it’s up to you?”

  “We were watched? Shit good job we didn’t do anything major. I promised him to keep you safe I hope he trusts me with you?” I hold on to his arm tightly.

  “I went out just the once when I was seventeen, I was drinking coke, as I don’t drink a lot, just with meals and the occasional glass with my Aunt Liz and the late Aunt Lillian, whilst eating in those posh restaurants I told you about. Well, I’m getting off the point here angel, I was sticking to coke and a man came chatting to me in the Night Owl? I don’t remember getting home, only waking in the morning with a headache from hell, it turns out my drink had been spiked and luckily for me those watchers of my Dad’s spotted me getting into trouble and my Cousin Shane swept to my rescue and took me home. I had to promise not to go outside of Stockton, and if I did go in local pubs, not to drink alcohol and to keep hold of my drink, but I never went out after that because after the pill incident, it worried Dad too much when I even went out of the door, well that was until you asked to take me out.

  If he’s asked around about you, and he will have done, sorry you need a security pass to date me an as I’ve never dated before this is, oh hell sorry this is all new to him and me! He’s like me though, don’t lie and tell him what you told me and you’ll be fine, make the assurances he needs and tell him the truth, chances are he already has the info he needs, he just will want your take on things, don’t worry he would have been here if he didn’t trust you. You said all the right things to him in your first interview, sorry you are wondering what the hell you’ve got involved in aren’t you?

  He loved you for actually asking, his permission to date me, fancy telling my dad I would want for nothing? Angel, he likes you, because your allowed to take the Princess out, and that wasn’t easy thing for him to agree to. Here give me the flowers, your brothers laughing at you holding them, I hope Emma likes them?”

  “Of course I will talk to him, I don’t want to lose you and he needs to know you’re safe with me and you are. I don’t want anyone hurting you, so that’s why you don’t drink? Was it bad for you, I bet it put the fear of Christ in you didn’t it? You Mi cielo, can have anything you want baby, I’m not going to take my eyes off you, such a task.” He laughed as he swept me into a kiss.

  “I was just hung over for days and moody as hell and I’d been good and only drank coke and yes he did check up on who’d served me, they confirmed I asked for and received just coke. I think the pubs have a picture on their walls, do not serve with anything other than coke. I am dead careful now and now I know the full reasons why Dad panics I’m not as bolshie with him as I was. I hope Emma likes these they are beautiful thank you for my flowers, that I’m willingly re gifting to your mum.”

  We would soon find out, we were at his door. His mum was on the couch with her foot up. His dad, had obviously, from the smell emanating from the chair where he was slumped, been drinking. He was rough and unpleasant even as he slept, Andy was in the kitchen, Sam looked embarrassed, I smiled and gave him the look, you can’t choose your folks baby, don’t worry…

  “Oh. Michelle those are lovely are they for me?” She has a lovely smile.

  “Yes Sam, got them to cheer you up, aren’t they pretty? How’s the leg? Are you in pain? Do you need anything?” Emma holds her arms out for them and I handed my flowers over, and quite gladly too, I slipped a couple of cushions under her foot and sighed.

  “It needs elevating Emma, so do you need pain killers or anything?”

  “I’m fine Michelle, stop worrying these really are so nice Sam. Are you staying for a bit Michelle?”

  “Yes if that’s all right? Shall I put them in water for you?” Sam took them from his mum, who gave him a hug, kissing his face. “Here give them me, have you a vase?” His face was a picture, with that, oh-all-right-you-were-right-look!

  “Under the sink please. Michelle, thank you.” I got a smile from Andy and Sam as their mother patted my hand, Andy went to make everyone a brew. Five minutes of fifing about and they were perfect.

  “Here by the telly?” I actually would have said on the window, but given the possibility that Sam’s dad would probably knock them off when he returned, to the land of the living, here was the safer option.

  “Yes dear they are fine just there. Thank you, Michelle, thank you Sam they really are beautiful.” I smiled, as he blushed, so sweet.

  “Yes they are, really lovely Sam.” He smiled at me, and then I saw a look of horror on his face. His dad seemed to be getting his second wind and had actually realised I was in the house.

  “Who’s this then Emma?” She looked at me, she panicked and I saw that she flinched. What were they frightened of him for?

  “I’m Michelle, Michelle Welles pleased to meet you, and I’m Sam’s girlfriend.” Andy brought through the drinks.

  “I drink in a pub with a chap called Mick Welles?” I nodded at him

  “That would be my Father.” Andy passed his dad his tea.

  “Thanks Son, better be careful with this one Sammy.” I looked at him shocked. “Her Dad’s got a wicked right hook and the lefts not too bad. Be on your best behaviour with his daughter. What’s it they call you Princess?” Sam looked at his dad in disbelief.

  “They do and it’s quite a funny nick name and not a term of endearment Mr Todd, you do know how I got that name right?” He grinned and looked at me with that evil look in his eye!

  “My ‘Princess’ nick name is actually, ‘Fighting Princess,’ and yes it’s on my boxing shorts! It was my Dad’s little idea of a joke! It has though become my boxing name Mr Todd. It’s silly thing really how I got it and quite the laugh around my Dad’s friends!

  I got it because the last guy who didn’t think I could hack it in a real, just for men’s boxing ring, so he challenged me to a friendly sparing session, well he took the micky of me trying to box, tried a dirty below the belt move and when he couldn’t catch me, because of
my lightness of foot, I can move well in the ring and he was way too slow and out of condition, he fell forward. I landed a really good punch on the bridge of the arrogant idiot’s nose and broke it, that done he sat and he cried and he cried because it hurt so much, that and his pride was dented, he landed on his stupid backside because of a fifteen year old girl, and when I asked him did the Princess need a tissue for his poorly nose? He got up at me and yes another punch meant I then crushed his nose again, really badly that time too?

  As for Sam? He has nothing to worry about, he’s already met him, and they get on really well. Sam has given my Father nothing to worry about, quite the contrary they love having him in our home.” I winked at Sam, both him and Andy were gobsmacked, oh right he didn’t know I boxed!

  “Here, Michelle, sit here by me.” Emma was worried and I saw the fear as I sat at her feet.

  “Oh so you’re the one who put that fighter in a nose splint for a few weeks? I didn’t believe the rumours it was a girl who whipped his arse. That’s handy Sam your girlfriend can watch your back, he needs it, he’s a bit of a wimp that one!”

  “It’s better to walk away from a fight, it’s not big and it’s not clever to do it on an unsuspecting person Mr Todd! I do boxing because I wanted to get fit for the heavy physical training test I need to pass to get in the Navy, I need to be fit and this kills two birds with one right hook, that’s the only reason I have lessons, not because I wanted to beat someone to a pulp, I have them just to keep fit.

  It worked and now I can box too and I am fit and I can stick up for myself, and if you don’t believe me ask ‘Crying Billy Mare,’ he will tell you that I have a great right hook inherited from my Daddy and yes the left ones just as good too. As to Sam needing me to stick up for him, where did you get that idea from? He is stronger than me, and beats me every time we spar; he even put my Dad on his backside the other day, so he doesn’t need me to fight his battles, as he can do that all by himself!” Wow I lied, I actually lied, sorry oh hell forgive me father for I have sinned… I looked at Sam and smiled.