by M. Mabie
“Well, you’re helping me help my husband, so that means a lot.”
“Oh, does he have a favorite old chair that needs some work or something? It’s a big investment just for that.”
I smiled, feeling extra proud of him. “No, he builds furniture, and he’s opening his first store just down the block in the old electric building. I was hoping I might be able to work with him on some new styles—if I can figure it out. But I don’t know. You’re probably right, that is a lot of money.”
What would I do with the machine if my prototypes were a bust, and they didn’t work? Or if I was just terrible at it? The money I had in my account was more than enough to cover it without making too big of a dent in my savings, but I also wasn’t keen on being wasteful.
“It could be risky buying it,” I added, conflicted about what to do.
“Risks are the only way to grow. Life would be boring without them.” Tightening the Velcro on one of the fingerless gloves she wore, Elizabeth whimsically wrinkled her nose. “Sometimes taking the risk and failing is still worth it because it’s just fun to see what might happen. And like I told you, no pressure. I’m just glad to hear another local business is joining the downtown. A custom furniture store will fit right in. And, hey, if it does work out, I’d be happy to set you up an account and get you special pricing on bulk fabric orders.”
It amazed me how quick to help people could be. Elizabeth was eager to please and obviously willing to do whatever she could. I respected that quality in people and hoped I was like that too.
We chatted for a few more minutes and I strolled around a little longer, but soon my stomach was growling, and I told her I’d see her in the morning.
What harm could come from just looking at it? Elizabeth and her rep had gone through all that trouble for me, so I knew I’d be there the next day.
Walking back to the car, I made an impulsive decision to dine out for an early dinner. It wouldn’t be as fun without Abe, but I was hungry even if it was only three p.m. and I didn’t feel like cooking.
I wanted to do more research online about the machine. Hopefully I could find a video or two about it. Opposed to reading, seeing the way things were done was much easier for me to understand.
I walked into the Greek restaurant on the corner, shocked to see Ms. Perry behind the counter.
I considered leaving.
It wasn’t so much that I didn’t like her, it was the way she didn’t like me. Or at least the way she acted like she didn’t—and for no good reason at all.
But instead of running away, I pulled my shoulders back and marched forward. It smelled way too good in there to be a coward.
“Hello,” I said as I approached the counter where she and a young man stood in their blue work t-shirts and jeans. I wasn’t familiar with Greek food, but I wasn’t that picky of an eater and thankfully their menu board had pictures. So I didn’t have to stand there long, quickly I selected a chicken pita meal that included fries and a drink.
“What can I get you,” the young man behind the register asked.
“I’ll have the number two with an unsweetened tea, please.”
My classmate didn’t speak while she re-stocked cups and napkins a few feet away, which was fine.
After taking my money, the guy said he’d bring my order out and handed me my drink. I chose a booth by the front window, partly because it was nice out and I liked to watch people, and partly because it was the farthest from where Ms. Perry worked.
I could have easily taken the order to go, but I didn’t feel like going home yet because Dori was wrong, and the cabin was sometimes too quiet.
As I ate, I looked at Pinterest and got lost in upholstery boards and fabric styles.
“I meant what I said to you the other day, I didn’t mean to make it sound like I thought you were dumb.” Cassie’s voice from behind startled me because I hadn’t heard her wiping the tables near mine. Looking over my shoulder, I found her leaned over straightening salt and pepper shakers with the rag over her forearm.
Strangely, her young face was humble, and her closed-mouth smile seemed sincere. It was a relief she wasn’t being rude, which was quite a change.
However, I wasn’t perfect either and could afford to forgive. We were both human.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, it was wrong. I shouldn’t have judged you. I know all too well what that’s like, and it was wrong of me to act like that. I should know better.”
That was unexpected.
I scooted closer to the window and turned in the bench more so I could face her. “Well, I’m not the smartest, but I am working on it.”
“I know. Seriously, we’re both taking the GED prep classes. I get it.”
“Why are you taking them? I mean, if Mr. Paxton would recommend you as a tutor, why don’t you just take the test and be done?”
She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. “Long story. Can’t afford it. Had to drop out of high school this year to work.”
I wasn’t sure how teenagers outside of Lancaster lived or what was expected of them, but it seemed off that she’d have to leave high school to get a job.
Typically, I wasn’t nosy, but I couldn’t resist asking since she was being so candid. “Why do you have to work so much?”
She huffed. “I like food. Having a place to live. You know the basics.”
“You have to pay to live at home?”
Ms. Perry snickered and stood up from where she was cleaning, going to the next table not too far away. “Yeah, my home. If you mean, do I live with my parents? The answer is hell no. They kicked my queer ass out.”
It hadn’t been so long ago that I saw her with a girl at the store. I didn’t know anything about her life, but lately my mindset had been: if what you’re doing doesn’t hurt someone else, then do what you want.
Still, for whatever reason, I couldn’t imagine how painful it must have been to be rejected by her parents.
“I’m sorry they did that to you.”
She shrugged. “So I work two jobs to pay my bills, but without a high school diploma they don’t pay well. Therefore, it’s harder to make ends meet. I go to those prep-classes when I’m not working just to stay sharp. Because when I do have enough saved up for the test, I can’t afford to fail it.”
It always blew my mind how different people’s lives could be. Ms. Perry and I were probably polar opposites, but we both had the same goal.
More customers came in, and she left me to take care of them.
We had things in common and, from then on, I wasn’t going to be as judgmental with her either. We both had lessons to learn.
22
Abe
“You good to hold it down for a few days?” Ted asked from his truck window just as the sun went down and the parking lot lights flickered to life.
Ted had been running a smaller crew, working ahead of us on more of the pesky spots, which had proved to be helpful in us falling so many trees that week. He was working in the morning, but since we were at two different spots, I probably wouldn’t see him before he headed back to Fairview. Chris had already left.
“Yeah, I think we’ll be able to chip away some acres this weekend.” The guys had their heads down into the job. The overtime would be excellent, but for the most part we all wanted to get this one done as quickly and safely as possible. “We’ll probably get caught up to where you all have been clearing.”
“That’s what I figure. We’ll get some of the ugly spots out of the way and you can sweep through without trouble. Anyway, I’m gonna go find me some dinner. Wanna go?”
I slapped the hood of his pickup. “Nah, I’ve got half a pizza leftover from last night in the mini-fridge calling my name. Thanks though. Drive safe tomorrow. Say hi to Dori.” He was taking a load back with him, so it wasn’t like he would do much relaxing. He and Chris would be there unloading with only the few guys who’d stayed behind.
“Suit yourself. I’l
l see you in a few days. Call if you need anything.”
With a wave, I headed inside the hotel for the night.
Stepping onto the elevator, my cell phone began ringing, but it wasn’t Myra like I’d hoped. Robbie Carter was calling.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hey there, Abe. Hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time, being a Friday night and all.”
“Don’t worry about it. I just got done for the day. How are you?”
“Oh, not so good.” Although his typical upbeat tone was still there, he sounded kind of different. “Eva isn’t doing very well, and Jenny and I have talked about it more. Jenny’s sister is going to keep the older girls for a few nights, and we’re making a trip up to Fairview to visit the hospital you’ve got up there.”
Being away from home myself, I wasn’t sure what—if anything—I could do to help. “The board finally wise up and give you a green light?”
“No. They haven’t changed their minds, but we have. Something just isn’t right, and she’s not getting any better like we’d hoped and prayed she would. Jenny is beside herself with worry. Frankly, I am too.”
Stepping off the elevator onto my floor, I paused in the hallway. The Carter family had always been a pillar in the community, and by directly disobeying the Legacies, Robbie was taking a big risk. One I couldn’t blame him for because, judging by the way his baby looked at Myra’s father’s funeral, not doing something was even riskier.
“What can we do to help?” I didn’t want to tell him I was out of town. There was no way of knowing who that information would get to, but Myra being alone at the cabin wasn’t something I was comfortable divulging to practically anyone.
“At this point, I’m about to ruffle some feathers, so I suppose I just wanted to let you know that aside from a few family members and you, we’re not telling anyone. I’m not sure how often you talk to your father, but we don’t want it getting back to him. At least, not yet. There’s a lot going on here in Lancaster, behind the scenes, and that’s another reason I wanted to touch base with you. Maybe we could meet up with you and Myra while we’re in your area—depending on how things go with Eva and if you’ve got the time.”
Finally reaching my door, I unlocked it and my jaw dropped. Myra sat on my unmade, no-housekeeping-for-the-past-three-days bed.
“Sure, if I’m not working, we’d be happy to. Just call or shoot me a text when you know more.” I mouthed to the woman lounging at the end of my mattress, “How did you get in?”
Robbie replied, “I’ll do that. Thanks a lot.”
“And please let me know how it goes at the hospital too. I’ll be praying for you.” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d said those words out loud. Although foreign, they felt right, and I would be sure to ask God to help them.
Myra’s smile slipped a bit, overhearing my side of the conversation.
“Thank you, Abe. I’ll talk to you later. Have a good night.”
“I will.” Especially since she was there. “Bye.”
He ended the call, and I tossed my phone onto the giant television stand. “This is a nice surprise.”
“I got help getting a key. Dori called the front desk and told them I was coming.”
“You are sneaky, but I don’t mind.” I bent to give her a quick kiss, and I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit to feeling infinitely better already. Who cared if the week had been long and tomorrow would be another fourteen-hour day?
She was with me.
“I missed you, and the drive wasn’t that bad. I know you have to work in the morning, but that’s perfect because I have to get back to town early anyway.”
I sat down beside her and she turned toward me, flopping her legs across my lap.
“You have big plans in Fairview tomorrow, huh?” I didn’t want to talk about her leaving yet. Okay, I didn’t want to think about it. Period.
“Yep, I have an appointment at a shop for something I might buy.” Her blue eyes lit up. Whatever it was, she was proud of it, but I wasn’t going to dig for information. If she wanted me to know what she was doing with her money, she’d tell me. But my actions had to speak louder than my words, and this was just another chance to prove it.
“Sounds exciting. I hope that goes well for you.”
Of course, I was curious as all hell, but my interest couldn’t be overshadowed by how much I loved that I’ve-got-a-secret look on her face.
She owned me.
“Who are you praying for?” she asked.
I ran my hands over her jeans and pulled her a few inches closer. It was so damn good to have her within reach. “Robbie’s family. They’ve decided to come to Fairview to the hospital. He wanted to know if I could keep it between us if I talked to my father and if we’d be willing to meet up with them while they were nearby.”
Her eyes went wide. “Wow.” Myra zoned out, looking over my shoulder. She understood how big of a decision the young Carter family was making too. “I can’t believe it. But you know what? Good for them. Baby Eva has been on my mind since we saw her. That poor thing needs real help. If my parents would have gotten my sister and my mom more help, then maybe they’d still be here.”
It made total sense she’d be on their side like I was.
“You just hopped in the Festiva and drove up here on a whim?” I couldn’t help the grin spreading on my face.
“Well, I was uptown and hungry. So I had an early dinner. Then the thought of spending the night without you didn’t sound all that good. Dori said you’d still be out until around dark, so I had plenty of time to make the trip. Driving is a great time to think.”
“It is. You didn’t have any trouble?”
“Nope. I put the address in the map app and away I went. It was easy.” She could do anything. The fact that she wanted something, decided to get it, and then made it happen made me respect her so much.
Not to mention, that what she wanted was me.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
My girl wrapped her arms around my neck and looked into my eyes. “Me too.” A smile spread across her pretty face. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I returned and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “I know it’s for work and good for the mill, but I don’t sleep well without you. I don’t do well without you anymore period, and I don’t like it.”
She playfully pouted and whispered, “I don’t like it either.”
“Are you hungry?” Because I was. And filthy. I shouldn’t have even been sitting on the bed.
“Maybe a little, but I’m not starving.”
“All right. Here’s the plan. I’ll go wash off. You find something in that delivery menu and order me a big dinner. You know what I like. Then I’m going to eat, climb in this bed, and I’m not going to let go of you until tomorrow.”
“So bossy,” she teased. It was a fun look on her. “You’re lucky that sounds good.”
“You have no idea.”
WHAT STARTED OUT INTENSE, like we’d been separated for months, eventually turned into a slow and satisfying night. Ever willing to dip her toes in unfamiliar waters, she laid on her side in front of me as I moved inside her from behind. It had only been a few days since we’d been together, and yet it had been way too long.
In her ear, I quietly told her things I’d never said out loud before.
“You’re made for me.”
“Nothing will ever feel as good to me as you.”
“You feel like home.”
“I will love you. Always.”
With every confession I made, she’d moan. Words didn’t find her, and that was okay. She’d driven all the way there to be with me, and that said more than I’d ever need to hear.
Silently, she told me everything.
As her breathing calmed and slowed, I held her naked body in my arms.
I’d be damned if anything ever came between me and keeping her healthy, happy, and safe. So if Robbie needed me in any way to help him do the same for his family, I’d
be there all the way.
The alarm on my phone came way too early, and I would have done anything to lay there in the warm sheets with her longer. But that would only be a temporary solution. I wanted to be home permanently, and that meant getting up, doing the work, and finishing what I’d come there to do.
As I tugged on my boots at the foot of the bed, I noticed a box on the chair where Myra’s jacket was. When my laces were tied and tucked inside my shoe, I took a few steps and picked it up.
Myra was awake, but quiet, which wasn’t anything new for her in the morning. Her mornings were productive, but it often took her a while to say much after waking up.
“Is this that gift?” I shook it and the contents rattled but didn’t sound fragile.
She cleared her throat and sat up with the sheet and blanket tucked under her arms. Her hair fell gloriously all over the place, and she had lines on her cheek from the pillow. She was a mess and so beautiful. “Yeah, I thought we could open it together, but I forgot about it last night.”
I snuck my hand into the front pocket of my overalls, pulled out my utility tool, and sliced along the tape at the top. Then I passed the box to her.
She smiled brightly and readjusted so she could open it on the blanket between us.
From above I could see inside when she pulled back the flaps, and it appeared to be a stack of folded papers. Her thin fingers lifted the bundle, and then dipped back inside for a smaller, loose sheet of notebook paper.
Then she read it out loud.
“Abraham and Myra, I wasn’t sure what I should do with these and considered burning them more times than I care to admit. To keep them this long was dangerous, but I’m not too concerned about that anymore. I’ve decided to leave Lancaster and everyone there behind and move on somewhere else. I’m starting a new life where I can be myself.”
She scanned the sheet and then looked up at me, confused. “It’s from Andrew Yakle.”
“Keep reading.” I was pleased to hear about someone else from Lancaster taking their life into their own hands, but I didn’t understand what it had to do with us.
