by A M Jenner
“Ten- and-half. I’m in the fifth grade. How old are you?”
Marilee laughed for the first time in weeks. “You’re not supposed to ask ladies their age, Derrek.” She chuckled at the look on his face, as he screwed his nose up in disgust at her answer.
“Why not? How am I supposed to find out how old you are if I can’t ask?”
“It isn’t a proper question. Why do you want to find out how old I am?” The smile was still on her face. A crafty look came into his eyes and he ducked his head a little.
“Oh, I was, um, just wondering, that’s all. It’s no big deal.”
Marilee felt there was more to his answer than she’d been given, but didn’t want to spoil the mood. They spent the time waiting for her cab having a nice chat, frequently punctuated with giggles.
When the taxi arrived, she was somewhat reluctant to leave the engaging youngster. He’d lightened her mood, and it felt good.
They stood and smiled at each other. He then disappeared into his side of the duplex, taking the phonebook and telephone with him, and Marilee dashed to hers. She grabbed her purse, locked her door, ran and climbed into the taxi. She asked for the nearby grocery shopping center Mr. Brimblecom had told her about.
A smile lit her face as the taxi turned around and drove out of the driveway. Maybe there was life after Tony, and just maybe it would be pleasant.
Chapter Nine
“Honest, Dad, you should see her! She’s beautiful! Long brown hair, blue eyes, great shape…” the plates rattled as Derrek set them on the table.
Richard Gilman chuckled. “Since when do boys your age know the definition of ‘great shape’?” He continued fixing dinner for the pair of them.
“I watch TV. I know a great shape when I see one!” His voice had a braggy sort of “I’m-older-than-I-look” sound to it that tickled Richard, but he kept the mirth out of his voice.
“Too much, apparently. Get your homework done today?”
Derrek rolled his eyes. “Yeah. There wasn’t much. It only took about half an hour. Then I saw old Bramble…”
“Mr. Brimblecom,” Richard corrected absently.
“Mr. Brimblecom,” Derrek repeated automatically and continued, “take her in there. And then she came over to use the phone. She needed to call a cab.”
“Did you let her in?” His voice was probing.
Derrek blew upward at the hair dangling on his forehead, his voice impudent. “No, but I took the phone out on the porch for her. I thought it was a good compromise between ‘don’t let strangers in the house while you’re not here’ and ‘love thy neighbor’.” His grin was saucy, his eyes playful.
“Compromise?” Richard questioned the word.
“Yeah, you know. It means each of you give and take a little and come up with a workable plan you can both handle.”
“I know what the word means. Now I know you know what the word means and you can’t duck that one any more trying to get everything your own way.”
Derrek’s grin said ‘rat’s, I’ve been caught’, and Richard smiled at him. The boy was growing up too fast. Richard realized the need to be more careful and be more specific with rules and instructions in the future.
Richard nodded his approval of his son’s decision, though, and Derrek continued. “You need to go meet her. Maybe we could invite her for dinner when she gets back from shopping. I bet she doesn’t have any food yet. ‘Member how it took us a couple of days to get settled in so we could cook? What’cha think she’s gonna eat tonight, huh?”
“I think she’ll probably eat out tonight. I also don’t think we have to worry about her. I think she’s grown up enough to take care of herself, Derrek.” Richard carried their dinner to the table. They seated themselves, and after a brief prayer, began to eat.
How Derrek managed to talk around or between his food amazed Richard.
“I still think we should’ve invited her to eat with us. Besides, Dad, she looked lonesome and like she needed to be part of a family.” His gaze was hopeful.
Richard set his fork down, gazing squarely at his son. “I hope you’re not thinking of doing any sort of match-making, Derrek. I’m not even remotely interested in looking for another wife right now.”
Derrek’s face showed his distress. “But Dad, it’s been a long time since Mom died. You couldn’t help it that she died. It’s not your fault! That shrink-doctor I talked to said so. You gotta stop feeling bad. Sometimes it seems like you died when she did!” Derrek pushed back from the table and stalked into the living room, flinging himself face-down onto the couch.
“Derrek…” Richard sighed and followed his son to the other room, seating himself on the floor next to where Derrek sprawled on the couch.
“Son,” he said, gently rubbing Derrek’s back. “I wish I could help you understand. I loved your mother very much. In a way, part of me did die with her.” Richard’s voice shook just the tiniest bit. He cleared his throat while he continued to rub his son’s back.
“I’m glad you realize it wasn’t your fault or mine that Mom died. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, but I’m not ready to jump into another relationship, either. Another thing you need to understand, Derrek, is…well….” Richard took a deep breath, let out a sigh and resumed.
“You’re very important to me, Son, but I’m not getting married again just to give you a mother. I won’t marry again unless the lady and I are in love enough to make a good family for all of us. Besides…” Richard paused, and Derek rolled over to look up at him, “you’ve heard all the stories about wicked stepmothers?”
Derrek nodded, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Richard went on, a grin lighting his own face, “Ever heard any stories about a good stepmother?” He reached over and tickled Derrek, and both of them dissolved into laughter during the ensuing tickle-fest. The food was cold, but the companionship was warm enough to make their dinner edible as they returned to the kitchen.
Chapter Ten
Replete, Marilee left the restaurant in the small shopping center and entered the grocery store. An hour later, she called a taxi for the return trip home.
Christmas lights were lit in the storefronts at the shopping center, and decorated the homes surrounding the center. She felt transported into fairyland or simply back into childhood memories. The taxi came and she watched the myriad of colored lights en route to her apartment. Back home, she paid the driver and took her purchases into her new home. She put everything away, and crawled into bed with a good book she’d purchased during her shopping. It had been a long and productive day, and she felt content with her accomplishments.
* * * * *
The darkness in the room dissolved as the sun crept above the eastern mountains. The west-facing bedroom window didn’t lighten quickly. Marilee was an early riser, but grateful she’d never be awakened by sunbeams stabbing her in the eyes.
A nice hot shower really helped make her feel like herself again; helped secure a little peace and order in her world. She put on the least soiled clothing she owned, donned her black leather jacket and left the house, heading down the hillside stairs and out into the city.
Marilee easily walked the several blocks to the busy downtown area.
It didn’t take long to find the two businesses she needed, thanks to the directions Mr. Brimblecom had given her. She made arrangements for the utilities to be changed to her name, and for the phone to be turned on.
It amazed her that most of the work could be accomplished by the next day. In Chicago it sometimes took weeks to get a phone, though the utility company was usually faster than that.
Those chores completed, she asked for directions and took a city bus to the nearest shopping mall. Several hours later, she was homeward bound.
Time spent in a beauty shop had seen her hair evened out. Freed of the sheer weight of the length it was now missing, her hair covered her head with tiny curls that bounced as she moved. Her dyed eyebrows now matched her shiny au
burn hair. The color looked good, which came as a surprise. She felt it would be too strong for her natural blondeness, but it wasn’t.
Marilee bought some clothes in shades which would complement her new coloring. She purchased a new winter coat, gloves, boots and a long warm scarf to wrap around her neck and over her head to cover her ears.
Toiletries and other necessities for her new home joined the packages she now toted in her brand-new, “little old lady” wheeled cart, and a copy of the bus system’s route and schedule book was tucked into her cart as well. She’d be relying on the bus and her own two feet for a good while. Even the considerable sum of money she’d taken from their bank account wouldn’t last forever. Taking a taxi everywhere and eating out would take too big of a chunk of her funds, although with the load she’d just purchased, she’d be taking a taxi home today.
The cabby had helped Marilee bring her packages to the porch, and she gave him a bit larger tip but his help had been worth it.
Putting her packages inside her home, she grabbed her new wheeled cart and started for the grocery center, seven blocks away. This time, she walked.
Although her apartment was on a bit of a hill, the food center was located three streets higher up the mountainside. She noticed the steeper the streets became, the larger and more expensive the homes looked.
Though it was quite a hike up the hill to the center, she knew it was downhill on the way home and she enjoyed her walk there. Today, she was armed with the list she’d made out after her shopping trip of yesterday. All of it should fit into her white wire wheeled cart. Though there was snow on the ground in all the yards, the streets and sidewalks were clear and dry. Her new winter coat was warm, and the sun was bright. There was a stiff breeze, but it was nothing compared to what she’d been used to in Chicago.
Shopping completed and home again, Marilee put away all of her purchases. She fixed herself a light supper, and, poring over the want ads, began a list of jobs. She needed to find work, preferably close to a bus route. A fleeting thought of Tony made her shiver. More determined than ever, she turned back to the want ads and her future.
Chapter Eleven
Marilee opened her eyes to very dim lighting. It must be fairly early in the morning. She rolled over and looked at the clock. It was ten after nine! Even with a western view, she should have better light by now. She crawled out of bed and padded over to the window.
One look outside explained the muted lighting. Snow gently descended from a leaden sky, the huge flakes obscuring everything farther than four feet.
Watching the giant flakes fall from the sky, Marilee was aware of a deep quietness. In Chicago, the wind blew most of the time. Here, there was no sound to detract from the beauty and nature around her. A measure of peace was there in the hush of this beautiful winter’s day.
The snow deadened even the street noises. The telephone man came; she watched as he completed his work and gave her the new number. As he left, Marilee realized his entry footprints had almost been obliterated in the few minutes he’d been in her home. This was some storm.
By lunchtime, Marilee had four interviews set for tomorrow and one for later this afternoon. Two hours later, she left for her interview. Behind the snowing clouds, the sun was sending out a fragile glow. The muted gleam gave the day an ethereal impression and she breathed deeply of the serenity of this valley.
* * * * *
Her shadow showed her that disappointment was evident even in her posture as Marilee plodded along the snowy sidewalk on her way home. The job hadn’t been what she’d expected; the interviewer had been short on temper and manners. She knew she couldn’t work under the conditions presented during what she felt was a confrontation rather than an interview. She hoped tomorrow’s appointments would prove more palatable than today’s fiasco.
At 5 o’clock, the feeble light of the sun was nearly gone. She wouldn’t reach home before the light disappeared completely, but at the moment she didn’t care. Snow continued to fall, as it had all day. She debated which was worse; the insidious gentle snowfall that never stopped piling up great mounds, or a howling, wind-driven blizzard which stung your face as it clobbered you but blew itself out in an hour or two and which she was more used to.
The snow fell faster after the sun had set. Marilee could hardly see where she was going. Thoughts of a thoroughly warmed cup of cocoa cheered her on.
“I’m going to ask Mr. B if I can borrow a snow shovel,” she muttered, while wondering if shoveling snow was onerous. On the upside, at least her walkway was short. Having been a protected female from childhood with her dad, and then the pampered, decorative wife of a successful lawyer, she’d never done it before. If it continued to snow like this, she’d be using the shovel daily.
Snow was falling so thickly now; Marilee had to watch exactly where to place her feet to keep from slipping, especially on the steep stairs she climbed up to her street. Wearily, she turned into the small yard of the duplex. Between her fatigue and the heavy snowfall, she didn’t see her neighbor until it was too late.
Chapter Twelve
Richard was busy shoveling snow. He’d started at his new neighbor’s end of the walk and was now halfway to the gate. Already dressed for the outdoor labor, it was easy to shovel her part of the walk along with his. Besides, it was a neighborly thing to do. The snow was falling thickly now. He turned to see where he’d shoveled, to judge how soon he’d have to start over with the snow’s continued fall.
Something hit him from behind, knocking the shovel to one side as he slipped, trying unsuccessfully to catch himself. He landed partially on the sidewalk, partially on the newly shoveled snow. The something that had knocked into him landed on top of him. He eased the weight aside and stood, offering his hand to what was obviously a person. Marilee accepted his offer of aid, taking his hand to pull herself up.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” Her embarrassment reddened her cheeks, already rosy from the cold. He smiled as he tried to put her at ease.
“That’s okay. This snow would block anyone’s view. Besides, my son told me it was time I fell for a pretty girl.” His manner was charming, the comment one of humor. He continued, “You must be our new neighbor. I’m Richard Gilman; you’ve already met Derrek. Welcome to the neighborhood.” He shook the hand he was still holding, not wanting to give it up.
She produced an answering smile, and he felt warm. That was an odd observation, he thought. Looking down, he saw long eyelashes fringing eyes so deep a blue they were nearly violet; the prominent feature in her winter-pale face. A man could drown in those eyes, and Richard wondered why he was suddenly thinking more like a poet than he ever had in his life. He mentally dragged himself back to reality in an attempt to converse with at least a particle of intelligence.
“I’m Marilee Curtice, and you’re right, I just moved in. Thanks for the welcome. It seems to be a really nice neighborhood.”
“Well, we like it here. It’s pretty quiet, since we’re off the main street, and at a dead-end.” He hoped his smile was warm, welcoming. Looking at her, he found it difficult to say much more than inanities. She must think he was an idiot.
“Thanks for shoveling my walk. I appreciate it. I thought about asking the landlord to borrow a snow shovel, but I haven’t seen him today. Does it snow this hard all the time?” She smiled up at him and he was hard put to string two words together.
All he could think of was ‘wow’ and even that was inadequate. His son hadn’t been stretching the truth when he’d described their neighbor. He took in a deep breath and hoped he said something relevant.
“No, just some days. Don’t worry about the snow shovel. Derrek and I can easily keep this short walkway clear.” His gaze lingered on her face; it was beautiful.
She seemed to realize he was still holding her hand and she let go and took a step back and away from him. He suddenly felt colder; another odd thought. The one good thing was she was still smiling at him.
“Well, I re
ally do appreciate it. I’ll keep you supplied with warm cookies and hot cocoa for your efforts.”
Richard’s smiled widened and he hoped he didn’t look like the idiot he felt at the moment. “If it wouldn’t put you out, a hot cup of cocoa now would be perfect.”
“No trouble at all,” she said and quickly stepped past him. Over her shoulder, she said, “I’d already planned to make some, so I’ll just double the amount. It won’t take very long.”
Opening her door, she turned back. “In the meantime, don’t freeze out here!”
“No problem,” he said as she closed the door. He shook his head. The whole interchange with her had been something unreal. Derrek would’ve been able to have a more intelligent conversation with her. He shook his head again and picked up the shovel to finish the walk, his thoughts more on the girl next door than the snow on the sidewalk in front of him.
Having seen her now, he’d have to agree with his son’s appraisal of her, but he wouldn’t let Derrek know it. She was going to make him some hot chocolate.
He started to whistle as he finished his shoveling. He polished off the second fall of snow from her half of the walk just for good measure without waiting for it to become so deep as to actually need the second shoveling.
Richard realized he’d need to guard himself against her; he didn’t even know her and yet he wanted to wrap her in his arms and take her home with him.
Chapter Thirteen
Stripping off her damp scarf and coat, Marilee hung them over the chairs in the kitchen to dry. Stepping to the antique stove, she lit the oven. At the cupboard, she quickly assembled the necessary ingredients for the promised cookies, and all the while she was trying to get her breathing to come back within normal limits.
She wondered if her conversation had shown even a drop of intelligence. With his first smile, she’d been captivated by emerald green eyes, a masculine smile, and a man big enough to pick her up and carry her off to his cave. If he continued to smile at her, she’d willingly go to the cave, grinning like a baboon all the way.
