Miller's Secret

by Tess Thompson

  “No, thank you. Had my cup of tea already this morning,” said Mrs. Thomas. “Would you like to see tiny kittens, Teddy?”

  He nodded, reaching for Phil’s hand. “Mama come?”

  “She’s welcome to, but I think she might like to have a little time to herself.”

  Teddy wrinkled his brow, looking up at Phil as if in disbelief that anyone would want to be away from him, especially his mama.

  “Can you be a brave boy and go without me?” asked Phil.

  He nodded, with great solemnity. “I can.”

  “Go get your shoes, please.”

  He scampered away, singing, “Kitty, kitty, kitty.”

  “It’s kind of you to think of him. It would be nice to have a moment to myself. I’ve had a bit of a shock, actually.”

  Mrs. Thomas’s expression immediately changed to one of concern. “What’s happened?”

  “A letter from home. My parents have died,” said Phil. “And my little sister is only ten. She’ll have to come here.”

  “You poor thing.” Mrs. Thomas patted her arm.

  “I haven’t seen her in over three years.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “She’ll have to share a room with Teddy, I suppose.”

  “You’ll have a full house, Phil. But I’m just a moment away. I’ll help you however I can.”

  “There’s school to think of,” said Phil.

  “We have a good one in town, although small with twelve grades in one building. Probably fifty kids all told. But we have all summer before we need to worry about that.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes, then she was off, taking an excited Teddy with her. As she scooted Teddy into her truck, Mrs. Thomas said, “Now, you won’t be able to touch the kitties because they’re too little.”

  Still holding the letter, Phil wandered into the backyard and sat in the chair that faced the sea, unsure what to do. There was no wind, yet it was cooler than yesterday. She sat there for a few minutes, and then Henry appeared, whistling under his breath, carrying his bucket and brush. He stopped when he saw her. The sun was high in the sky, bright; she shielded her eyes with her hand. He set his paintbrush in the bucket by his feet. “Good morning, Mrs. Rains.”

  Mrs. Rains? Hadn’t they agreed on first names?

  She stood. “Teddy’s gone with Mrs. Thomas. Something about kittens.”

  “I saw.”

  She smoothed her hair and bit the lipstick off her bottom lip. It would be gone soon, succumbing to her anxious biting. She’d have to reapply it before Miller returned.

  “Is your uncle staying all weekend?” asked Henry.

  “Until Sunday morning.”

  “I see.” He took off his hat, letting it dangle in his hand. Soft curls, the color of butter and damp with perspiration, fell over his forehead.

  He understood. There would be no keeping the truth from him. She clutched the letter tighter between her fingers. Overhead a seagull let out a long, terrible screech.

  Settling his hat back on his head, he gestured toward the fence. “I should put on another coat. A lot to do this afternoon.”

  “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

  “It’s none of my business. I’m simply your landlord.” He smiled at her, kindly, but with none of the intimacy of their budding friendship from last night.

  “I’m to be invisible except to him. He’s possessive. Jealous.”

  He took off his hat once more, gazing down into her eyes. “Phil, I understand how these things work.”

  “Men always do.” A slight breeze rose from the sea, carrying the smell of saltwater. A ship, miles from shore made its way across the ocean at a speed imperceptible to the human eye. It appeared to be unmoving, anchored to the bottom of the sea. She crossed her arms over her stomach, still clutching the letter in one hand, imagining what it would be like to be free enough to be on that ship. Where would she go if she could? She looked back at Henry. He was staring at her arm, his eyes narrowed.

  “Phil, what happened here?” He brushed her forearm with the brim of his hat, a look of concern in his eyes. “You’re bruised.”

  A series of bruises. Deep purple. Fingerprints in her white skin. She uncurled her arms, covering the bruises with her hand. “Nothing.”

  “You didn’t have them last night.”

  “Please, Henry, don’t make trouble.”

  “Is he dangerous, Phil?”

  “I have nowhere else to go. He takes care of us. And something’s happened that’s made it even more important that I have that.” Her voice wavered. She swallowed the painful lump at the back of her throat.

  His voice, gentler than the moment before, “What is it?”

  She waved the letter at him. “My parents were killed in a car accident. I haven’t spoken to them since I left Iowa. When they found out I was pregnant, they made me leave, which is how I ended up out here. I’m sending for Mary. She’s only ten. I’ll have another child to take care of.”

  “I don’t understand. Why did your parents force you to leave home?”

  “I wasn’t married to Eddie, Henry.”

  “Oh, I see.” His face deflated as the truth of her sins washed over him. It was best he knew. She couldn’t pretend to be a normal girl, available for dinner dates and car rides.

  “I have to go. He’ll be home soon. I’m sorry, Henry.” She turned and ran across the lawn to her cottage.

  **

  When Miller arrived, carrying packages from the market and the butcher, she was in the kitchen, staring into her coffee cup, the open letter on the table. He set the packages on the counter, then tipped her face up, running a finger along her jaw line.

  “You look pretty.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Where’s Teddy?”

  “Mrs. Thomas took him over to her farm to see baby kittens.”

  “Baby kittens is redundant. Kitten means baby cat.” He smiled at her like one might do to a child. “Who’s Mrs. Thomas?” A brittle edge now in his voice. That’s how suddenly he could change. You must remember this. Do not make him angry.

  “She lives up the road. I met her yesterday. She’s lovely. Sadly, she lost her boy in the war.” She reached for the letter, holding it in her lap. “I’ve had a letter from home.”

  “Home?”

  “Iowa. From my friend, Susan. My parents died in an accident last week.”

  “I’m sorry, darling.” He sat next to her at the table and took her hand. “What does it matter, after how they treated you? You and me, both orphans.”

  “My little sister, Mary. She’s nowhere to go. She’s only ten.”

  His eyes glittered, almost black. “Excellent. She’ll come here. We’ll send her to boarding school.”

  “Boarding school? Why can’t she stay with me?”

  “Darling, she should have every opportunity. Here in Stowaway is not the place for a proper young lady to receive her schooling.”

  “But I’ll have only just gotten her back. I’ll want her here, at least for a while.”

  “You’ll have the rest of the summer with her. Then we’ll decide what to do next,” said Miller. “You’ll want her to have the best schools.”

  The summer would not be long enough, but she knew enough not to argue. It was only important that she get her here. She needed Miller’s help to make sure that happened.

  “Will you wire the money to Susan for the fare? And send the telegram?” she asked.

  “I’ll have my secretary do it the moment I’m back in the city.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll do anything for you, Phil. You know that.”

  A knock on the kitchen door interrupted any further discussion. It was Mrs. Thomas back with Teddy. Phil rose to open the door. Teddy, pulling on his ear in the way he did when he was tired, threw himself into her arms. “Mama, me not touch the kitties. I got eggs.” He rested his head on her shoulder and sighed, then stuck his thumb in his mouth.

  “T
ired, little man?” she asked.

  He nodded against her neck, his soft eyelashes fluttering against her skin. His hair smelled of sunshine and strawberry jam. Mrs. Thomas stood in the doorway, the screen door in one hand, smiling at the back of Teddy’s head. “We had a perfect time. Thank you for letting me take him.” Then, she seemed to notice Miller for the first time. “Ah, who do we have here?” She held out her hand. “I’m Mrs. Thomas.”

  “Miller Dreeser. Phil’s uncle,” he said.

  “Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Well, I should be pushing off. Poor Mr. Thomas needs his supper.”

  Phil escorted her out, thanking her for taking Teddy. “Do you need anything before you go?” asked Phil.

  “You’re a dear, but no. I have to pop in and ask Henry a quick question and then I’m off. You enjoy your family time, dear.”

  Teddy was heavy, his limp legs dangled down her sides as she walked back into the house. “Time for a little nap, ducky.”

  He didn’t answer, asleep already. “I’ll put him down,” she said to Miller as she passed through the kitchen.

  “I’ll open some wine for us,” he said.

  As she walked through the kitchen and down the hallway to the bedroom, she fought a growing sense of despair. Being here made her feel more isolated and hopeless than she had at the apartment Miller had rented for her in the city. Perhaps Mrs. Thomas and Henry pursuing a friendship with her had reminded her that she was not free.

  Mary would be here in a month. That was all that counted. She must focus on Mary and keeping Miller happy.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Henry

  MONDAY MORNING, at his studio in town, the scent of the stain made his eyes itch. He yawned, then his stomach rumbled. He’d come in early, unable to sleep after a dream of his mother had woken him from a restless sleep. After he was done with this coat, he would walk over to the bakery and buy a loaf of bread and some cheese for his lunch. Maybe he’d take it down to the beach and watch the surfers. The bell over the door tinkled. He looked up to see Mrs. Thomas. He set aside his brush. “Mrs. Thomas, what’re you doing here?”

  She set a bag on his desk. “I had to come to town for a few items. I brought some vegetables from the garden for Phil and Teddy. Would you mind taking them over to her this evening?” Dressed in a light brown suit, Mrs. Thomas looked unusually dignified. Since he’d been home, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her in town. Usually she sent Mr. Thomas. It was the stares of sympathy, she had told him once, that she couldn’t tolerate.

  “For Phil? What about me?” asked Henry, teasing. “Have I been replaced in your affections?”

  “Perhaps.” She grinned as she unpinned her hat and set it next to the bag of vegetables.

  “You look very nice. New suit?” he asked.

  “Phil designed and made it for me. She said I’m too petite to wear the ready-made clothes from Sears and insisted on making something for me.”

  He smiled. “The suit suits you.”

  She rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Never mind that. I came by to discuss something with you.”

  He put his hand up, shaking his head. “I already know what you’re going to say, and we should keep out of it.”

  She cocked her head to the side and widened her eyes, as if she were the epitome of innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You’re here about Phil and Teddy and their situation. And, again, it’s none of our business,” he said.

  “I don’t know how you can say it’s none of our business. The poor thing’s no more than twenty and that married man is forty if he’s a day. It’s not right. Keeping her stashed away out here. Like a dirty secret.”

  “No offense, but she is rather a dirty secret.”

  “Henry! She’s a fine young lady with a terrible circumstance. She has no one. Her husband taken by the war,” said Mrs. Thomas.

  “He wasn’t her husband,” said Henry. “Her parents made her leave home when she told them she was having a child out of wedlock.”

  “I’m surprised at your old-fashioned ways, Henry Miles Sayer. They’re certainly not the only ones to have ever jumped the gun before marriage.”

  “I’ll have you know, using my middle name no longer intimidates me.” He shook his head, smirking, amused and irritated at the same time. “And, you’re the one shocking me. What’s gotten in to you? If it had been Rose and William, you would have not been happy.”

  “First of all, it’s not for us to judge, Henry. That’s Jesus’s job. Your mother taught you this. I don’t want to hear one word to the contrary. And, second of all, I’d give anything to have a grandchild, no matter whether he or she had come a little earlier than expected.” Mrs. Thomas’s eyes snapped. Two pink blotches had appeared on each cheek. He fully expected smoke to start coming out of her ears. She looked good, even in her agitated state. Better rested? He looked at her more closely. That was it. The chapped area around her eyes had disappeared. She wasn’t crying as much. “Are you listening, young man?”

  “What? Yes. Yes, I’m listening. I noticed the skin around your eyes looks better.”

  “I’m better,” she said. “These last two weeks have been good for me.”

  “Because of Phil and Teddy?”

  “Yes, genius. Because of them. Teddy brings life back to our house. You should see poor Mr. Thomas. He’s a changed man. We need to figure out a way to help her.”

  “Mrs. Thomas, you know my affection for you and Mr. Thomas has no limits, right?”

  “Yes, dear.”

  “I would do anything for you, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for either of us to get involved with Phil. My instincts tell me Miller Dreeser’s a mean man, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “This is my point exactly. How can you sit by and allow a sweet girl like Phil and that adorable little boy to be caught in that man’s web?”

  He sighed, then ran his fingers through his hair. “What did you have in mind?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, with a satisfied smile. “I call it Operation Henry.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this.”

  “You and Phil obviously have a connection.”

  “We do?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me. The day after she moved in, there was a distinct skip in your step. I haven’t forgotten the look on your face when I brought over the chicken that night. You liked her.”

  “Maybe. But all that changed when I realized she belongs to someone else.”

  “She does not belong to that horrible man. She belongs to herself—and to Teddy. She’s in survival mode, Henry. Surely you know what that feels like?”

  He perched on the side of his desk. The aroma of fresh basil wafted from the bag. “Yes, I do. But I still don’t see what this has to do with me.”

  “It’s everything to do with you. Poor Mr. Thomas didn’t seem able to grasp this, either. Men are sadly simple sometimes. You and Phil are meant to be together.”

  He stared at her. “Mrs. Thomas, you’ve lost your mind.” Now he was alarmed. He’d never heard her talk foolishly. She was practical and tough. She shot birds out of midair without so much as a second thought.

  “I have not lost my mind, contrary to popular belief. I’m a religious woman, Henry. I have no doubt that someday we’ll all be reunited in Heaven with William and your parents. For now, however, we’re here on earth, and God has spoken. You are to pursue Phil with all you have until you win her heart.”

  “God spoke to you?”

  “Well, actually it was your mother in my dream last week, but she was sending His message.”

  Henry couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. “Mother was in your dream?”

  “Yes. She looked beautiful. Apparently, we all get to look twenty-five in Heaven, which is wonderful news for me, because I’m quite sick of wearing a sunhat.”

  He had no idea how that correlated, but he decided it was best not to ask.

&nb
sp; She continued. “What you’re going to do is insist that you spend time with them, regardless of that man’s wishes. You’re going to take them on picnics and have them for dinner. You’ll take her on romantic drives up the coast and to nice dinners.”

  He opened his mouth to say something, but she stopped him with a stern look. “You can afford it, so don’t start in on that. I’ll take care of Teddy.”

  “She told me to stay away. That he’s dangerous. Did you see her bruises?” he asked. “I don’t want her to get hurt.”

  Mrs. Thomas snapped her fingers and glared at him with a dogmatic expression. “There it is. There’s the look in your eyes that gave you away in the first place. You know, you can fall in love with someone at first sight. Mr. Thomas did. It took me a while longer. He grew on me. Which is what you need to do to Phil.”

  She had lost her mind. It was the grief. Her mind had finally snapped. Dreaming of messages from God via a dream with his mother? Advocating getting involved with a situation clearly complicated and fraught with danger? Grief was the only explanation.

  “Henry Sayer, did you survive in the cold waters of the Atlantic for two hours with a gunshot wound through your arm?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Then you can do this. You’ll go home tonight and ask her for dinner. There’s a lovely fish place up the highway.” She grabbed her hat, fixing it on her head, then sticking the needles through, rather viciously. “Have I ever asked you for anything?”

  “All the time.”

  She smiled. “Good then. You’re used to it.”

  **

  That evening, bag of vegetables in hand, he crossed the yard to Phil’s cottage and knocked on the back door. Miller’s car was nowhere to be seen.

  She answered the door barefoot, wearing pants and an untucked blouse. She’d piled her hair on top of her head. Tendrils of hair framed her face, and several straight pins dangled between her teeth. Behind her, dozens of dress and swimsuit designs were scattered across the kitchen table. A dummy wore a soft yellow dress, the hem pinned.

  “Hi, Henry.” She seemed surprised to see him. She would be. They exchanged no more than friendly waves after their last exchange. A pang of guilt stabbed him in the gut. She’s not your responsibility. Despite Mrs. Thomas and her crazy ideas.