Now and Forevermore

by Minx Charmer

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Edith and Charles lounged in the sun next to the pool. Summer had served a light lunch of sparkling lemonade and sliced cucumber sandwiches a few minutes before with distracted politeness, and Edith’s mind worked a mile a minute. Summer could be a pest, but she did not distract that easily. So, what could be the reason? When it came to her she jumped up. Of course! “Charles, listen up. I finally know what’s going on.”

  Charles groaned and adjusted his dark shades. “Leave me alone Edith, I am trying to get a tan here.”

  Edith scoffed at his burnt skin and repeated herself “Listen up Charles. I finally know what’s going on. I think she likes him. Oh, she’s done her best to hide it, but you have to admit, she serves us with a distracted gaze and nothing bothers her anymore. Not our taunts, or cruel words, nothing. She’s in love with the man don’t you think?”

  Charles removed his shades and rolled his eyes. Then he crossed his arms and shook his head “Who cares Edith? Summer is poor and the gardener is not a good match, thank you very much. So if she likes him, I say they both should marry and have a brood of brats. As long as she serves us, I don’t care.”

  Edith stared at her brother in horror. “What in the world is wrong with you stupid? You used to like our games to gang up on Summer, and make her life a living hell. Where is that spirit of adventure? Besides you don’t like the gardener anyway.”

  Charles did not agree “Not at all. I don’t care about him one whit. So if they want to stay together, it’s fine. As long as Summer stays here and keeps the house in tip top shape. The gardener can stay too, but he’s got to keep the brats to himself, if they have kids of course. Then again I can take care of the garden. Bet you I would do a much better job.”

  Edith didn’t buy it and she told him so “You don’t mean that. Besides, you don’t know the first thing about gardening and if you did, you should have told mother.”

  Charles shrugged and turned on his stomach “She didn’t ask me. Now leave me alone and let me soak up the sun.”

  Edith gritted her teeth and glanced at the house. She could see Summer running back and forth in the kitchen and the sound of soft singing filtered through. No way Jose! That girl floated on cloud nine. “Charles, I want to do something. Will you help me?”

  “Do what?” came the mumbled reply.

  “I’ll think about and let you know. Now sleep red lobster because that’s about as much tan as you are going to get.”

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Vivian sat quietly in the study room as she reviewed the guest list with a sense of keen anticipation. It had been a year since the last gathering at the house and she grew eager to show off the gardens to her guests. The gardener had done an exceptional job and she planned to do an outdoor party complete with tree decorations and Chinese lanterns. The guest list would be quite specific with only the crème of crème being invited and the list should be no more than fifty names. Each guest and their sparkling contribution would help to cement her status as Lady of the manor.

  “Aunt Vivian?”

  The sound of Summer’s voice brought a jarring note to Vivian’s happy reflections, and she turned with an icy glare. “How dare you interrupt me in my study room? You know that is strictly forbidden.”

  Summer’s contrite gaze did not register but her question caused a sour feeling to pool in Vivian’s stomach.

  “I’m sorry to bother you aunt, but I would like permission to attend the party you are having. Both I and Malcolm would not be of any bother to you.”

  “What? You dare to ask me such a thing. When have you ever, and I do mean ever been allowed to attend one of my gatherings?”

  Summer swallowed and bowed her head “It is just that I want to do something special for Malcolm, that’s all. I won’t mingle with your guests or anything. We’ll be off to the side in a corner and won’t cause any trouble, I swear to you.”

  Summer’s request finally sunk in, and Vivian stepped back. Malcolm and Summer? The girl liked the boy? If she liked him well enough, they could marry and then Vivian would be rid of her for good. Splendid idea. Tempering her tone somewhat she agreed with Summer’s request “I had not thought of it that way, but perhaps we could make a small, and I do mean one small exception in this case. Yes, you may attend, but under no circumstances are you to be near my guests. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes Aunt Vivian, you are quite clear. Thank you.”

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  That night of the gathering arrived and Summer could feel the flutter of anxious anticipation. She had a grand plan in mind for Malcolm and the the time approached to get it in motion. With a quick glance she reviewed her clothing and turned from side to side in the full length mirror. Hair elegantly styled curled upon her head constrained with a silver headband, and intertwined with blue flowers. The sky blue empire style dress with silver trimmings had taken a full month to sew together, and the color showed off her glowing skin. Light makeup gave her face a rosy hue and brought out the depths of gray in her eyes. The final compliment added a pearl earning and necklace set, the only gift she had of her mother. With bated breath she went in search of Malcolm hoping that on this night all of her dreams would come true.

  When she knocked on the bungalow and he opened the door, Summer grinned from cheek to cheek. He looked resplendent in white pants with a black shirt and a white tie. His muscles rippled as he moved and when he held out his hand she blushed like a school girl.

  “You look lovely Summer, but why you are dressed like that?”

  Immediately insecure feelings crept over her and she looked at him in dismay “You don’t like it?”

  His eyes twinkled and her fears eased “Not at all. I love it as it reminds me of home. But I am curious as to why you wear something like that?”

  “Well, I thought that tonight I would give you taste of what you miss. So I shall serve you like an authentic lady, and I have it all arranged. While the party is going on, there is a section of the gardens that I have reserved just for us. Actually it is where the gazebo is on the north end of the garden next to the pond, and I have a lovely dinner set up, and special music too. Will you join me Sir Malcolm?”

  His genuine smile warmed her heart all the way to her toes “Of course I shall join you and I hope that this night is special for you as you have made it special for me.”

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Edith watched Summer and Malcolm from the distance as they made their way across the gardens behind the crowd. She laughed with a jarring note and pinched Charles on the arm “Come on you goof. They’re off to the gazebo right now. Do you have everything in place?”

  Charles sighed in lazy abandon and nodded. “Yes, I have it all there as I have told you for the hundredth time. Now when do you intend to get this thing going? I am tired of your pestering ways.”

  Edith ignored his nasty mood and smiled with venomous eyes “The moment they are comfortable my dear brother. That will be the best time to act. Now mingle with the crowds a bit more and then we will sneak away.”

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Summer’s table spread an array of delectable delights. She baked turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, steamed vegetables and ripe plantains. For desert she prepared a double layer chocolate cake and a sparkling fruit punch. She discovered a silver piece with tiered dishes and she used that in the center of the table. It revolved so it could be turned to serve without having to reach over and pick up each dish. The crystal wine glasses added a delicate touch and the desert dishes were porcelain.

  As they talked about mundane matters of no consequence, Summer’s heart filled with joy. She did not know she could feel such happiness, and she touched Malcolm on the hand to tell him exactly what it felt like. “I just want you to know again how happy I am that you showed up in Mr. Neely’s library. If it wasn’t for that I would never have met you.”

  Malcolm chuckled and shook his head “I don’t think so. You would have found way to call me I suspect, but I d
o have an inquiry about the whole ordeal.”

  Nonplussed, she asked “Call you? I didn’t call you. Why do you say that?”

  Malcolm grinned. “Of course you did, and there is something I would like to know.”

  “Later, leave the inquiry for later; let’s just enjoy our meal right now and then we will have a wonderful desert. And did I tell you that I have something for you, a present actually?”

  “No you did not. Please tell me what it is.”

  Before she could tell him, a rustled sound echoed on the roof and she looked up in surprise. A large bucket of cold water rained down drenching them both and ruining the food in an instant. The water carried the suspicious stench of rotten fish and the entire area became swamped with the scent. The sound of giggles followed a running Edith with a laughing Charles in tow.

  Vivian appeared on the scene a moment later searching for her children. When she saw them laughing at a distance and Summer’ s tears along with Malcolm’s thunderous frown, she waved her hand in dismissal. “Carry on with your pathetic dinner Summer. I would think a bath would make a pleasant release from your sappy conversation and for heaven’s sake hurry up. There are dishes to clean.” With those words Vivian followed her children urging them to meet the other guests before they left.

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Summer could not hold the tears at bay and she cried her heart out as Malcolm tried his best to console her. But no matter what he said she would not be comforted. That her family treated her with contempt she could deal with, that they hated her she could accept. But to make fun of the one good thing that happened in her life, could not be forgiven. She just couldn’t find a way to get over such a mean spirited act. Malcolm crooned and tried to speak of positive things, but his words had no effect. She had to be alone. With a heart wrenching sob she pulled away and ran as quickly as she could to her cave. Since the moon shone brightly, the illuminated path led the way. Once she got there she hobbled into a corner and curled up like a ball as her body racked with tears.

  Mommy where are you? I need you so much.

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~~

  Malcolm watched Summer cry in despair. He sensed her keen disappointment and knew something needed to change. She could no longer stay in such a place with people that did not care whether she lived or died. If only he could help her, but how would he do that? He didn’t know how to live in her world, much less how to provide for her. The coin he received for his work at the manor provided adequately, but only enough for him. It would never provide for them both. He had two minds about the subject when his vision swam in a kaleidoscope of colors, and he doubled over short of breath.

  Something squeezed the air out of his chest and he labored to breathe as drops of sweat peppered his brow. His nose felt aflame and his body began to burn. Struggling to stay alert, he became aware of Summer’s frantic cries as she tugged on his shoulder. He tried to respond, but the words could not get past his trembling lips. When the edges of his sight started to go dark he tried to hold her in his arms, but he did not have the strength to do so. When the blanket of oblivion descended he gave himself to its call, falling over in a dead faint.

  Chapter 7

  The Island hospital resembled a sprawling plantation like house, flanked by large white columns and staffed by local interns and mainland Doctors on different shifts. It laid behind massive iron gates covered in bougainvilleas and the stone driveway bloomed with white lilies. The serene look could be deceptive and the area might be viewed as a place for rest and relaxation instead of disease and distress.

  Summer sat next to Malcolm’s bed with her heart somewhere in the region of her mouth, the nightmare of the past few hours still fresh in her mind. She couldn’t believe that he labored on the brink of death and she refused to accept it. But his frail body and skin burned to the touch. His eyes had dark shadows and his breathing remained light. Her fear increased with each shallow breath and she felt as though she too stared death in the face.

  It had taken a full week for his condition to get from bad to worse. What first had seemed like a seasonal cold, quickly progressed to something of a more sinister nature. When she convinced him to go to the hospital, the results of various tests remained inconclusive, and the doctors could not explain why a healthy man plunged near death’s door.

  Summer did not care about the analysis of the ins and outs of medical mysteries; she only wanted Malcolm to get well again. But as each day passed and he grew to a weaker state, her heart lost its optimism and she could only see a dark road ahead. Aunt Vivian’s displeasure with the whole situation prompted her vocal condemnation of the entire affair. She constantly belittled Summer’s devotion to Malcolm, but her words fell on deaf ears.

  The sound of approaching feet signaled the nurse and Summer turned with expectation “Ms. Mansfield, you should go home ma’am. You can’t do nothing for him now. It is in the Lord’s—“

  “Don’t say that!” Summer’s vehement spilled out of trembling lips. “I am not going to lose him do you hear? He is going to be fine and if you don’t feel that way, come back into this room when you do.”

  The nurse’s eyes reflected understanding, which only made Summer ashamed of her conduct. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. It’s just that I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do and I feel so helpless.”

  “Is there no one you can talk to Miss? Your family maybe? Your dad?”

  Summer shook her head in sorrow “He wouldn’t care.”

  The nurse did not agree “If he sees your pain, he will care. I know he will now. You should run home and talk to him. Now is a good time and you will see that I am right. No one should have to bear their sorrows alone.”

  Summer inhaled deeply and nodded. The nurse did have a point, and if her father saw her distress he might know what to do. Thanking the woman quickly and promising to return as soon as possible, she left the hospital after placing a quick kiss on Malcolm’s forehead.

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Summer found her father relatively sober, seated on the balcony of his room as he overlooked the gardens of the manor. With a cry of relief, she ran up to him and fell at his feet with her heart on her sleeve “Father, please listen to me. The man I love is dying and I need your help. I don’t know what to do and I am grasping at straws to figure out how to deal with it all.”

  The recoil of his gaze along with callous words pierced her heart and she stepped back in horror “Don’t ask me for help. You have been disrespectful to your Aunt Vivian after all that she has done for us. You should be ashamed to be a Mansfield and live in this beautiful home.”

  “Please Father, surely you loved my mother? I am her daughter and all of these years I have not bothered you or asked you for anything, but I am asking you now. Please help me to do something. I don’t want my love to die.”

  When he jumped up, her heart welled with hope. Perhaps this time he would help. She watched him pace back and forth, as though fighting an inner war and then he stopped and looked into her eyes. His internal struggle reflected in his gaze until Vivian appeared. Her normal elegant look appeared off kilter, as she pointed to Summer “Good girl. At last you are here. I have searched for you since this morning. You have to get the ironing done. Charles is leaving in two days and his clothing needs to impeccable. He’s got an important meeting as soon as he gets back and I want him to look his best. Get a move on girl. What is wrong with you?”

  “Malcolm is dying Aunt Vivian and I need my father to help me.”

  “Matthew help you? Ridiculous nonsense. He can barely help himself. Don’t you know he’s sick and he needs to be under my protection, but you my girl? You are another matter. I have dealt with this situation now for too long. Leave the man to die and get City hall to bury him. After you make the arrangements you can return here to get that ironing done. Charles needs it as soon as possible.”

  Summer’s face relaxed into somber repose and she gazed at both her father and aunt before she murmured “Do none of you
care for me, not even a little?”

  Vivian cackled like a hen giving eggs and Matthew gazed off into the valley as though searching for the meaning of life. When none responded Summer nodded. So be it. Without a backward look she left the balcony and walked away.

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  On the drive back to the hospital she thought of a million things to do and none of them made any sense. What to do? What to do? When the answer came to her, she sobbed in relief. Mr. Neely. Mr. Neely would know what to do or maybe the books in the library would have a clue. Anything had to be better than nothing. With a jarring screech as she slammed on the brakes, swung around and made her way to the library.

  ~~~~~~0~~~~~~

  Mr. Neely sat at his desk perusing a large bound volume, when Summer crashed into the door. His weathered face looked up with an engaging smile, until he saw her expression. “What is it my child, what is wrong?”