IT’S OVER NOW
Chapter One
The sun was shining brightly and the
rays were casting golden highlights in the blonde hair of Alexandria Brantley.
Her husband Walt was looking at her adoringly and said, “Your life will
probably be so boring after the busy last few weeks you have had,” he commented
as he was preparing to leave for work.
“Oh no, I still have so much to do.
Our new home will be completed soon, and I still have so much shopping to do,”
Alexandria corrected him. “We do want to be moved in by Labor Day week-end.
“We
went furniture shopping Saturday. The drapes and carpeting have been picked
out, what else will we need?” he questioned.
“Dear,
you seem to be forgetting that the dishes, linens, and all the things we are
now using will stay in the apartment. Once we move this will be rented out as a
furnished apartment. We need to buy all the essentials,” she reminded him.
Walt
smiled and teasingly asked, “Between deciding on what color towels and wash cloths
you buy, if you think of it will you buy me a couple of pairs of socks. Mine
are full of holes and are rubbing blisters on my feet.”
“I
will make that my priority. You sure are hard on socks. Why don’t you cut your
toenails?” she asked.
“Lieutenant
Swartz said his wife cuts his toe nails for him,” Walt hinted “It’s is getting
late, I need to get to work.”
Alex
walked to the car with him and as she kissed him goodbye and said, “Have a good
day love, eat lunch out, and I will cook you a special dinner, and if you play
your cards right, I may just trim your toenails later.”
Walt
looked at her and said, “The day you came into my life was the best day ever,”
and walked out the door to go to the police station.
Alex
got a faraway look in her eye as she sat back down at the table for a second
cup of coffee. She was thinking to herself, “Yes,
I remember the first day I met Walt. He picked me up from the train station and gave me a ride here to meet with Aunt
Elizabeth. Mary Beth was missing. She hadn’t thought of Mary Beth in sometime.”
She finished drinking her coffee, cleared the dishes from the table and walked
over to the telephone. She picked up the receiver and said, operator please
connect me with 87651. She listened to the ringing of the telephone and finally
heard a “Hello.”
“Good
morning Marie, it is Alex. Do you have anything special planned for today?” she
asked.
“Not
really,” Marie replied, “what’s up?”
“I
have so much shopping to do and thought perhaps you would go with me. I sure
could use the company,” she answered.
“I
would enjoy that. We haven’t seen each other in such a long time. What time
will you pick me up?” Marie asked.
“In
half an hour, if that is convenient for you,” Alex replied.
“That
will be perfect. I will want you to come inside for a moment. Dad has made many
changes in the building, and my younger sister Virginia is now living with us.
Just park out front and come on in. Dad is remodeling the first room,” Marie
explained.
Alex
hurriedly washed the dishes and left them to drain. She picked up her purse and
hurried out the door. As she started the car she remembered the reason she
became friends with Marie was to satisfy Aunt Elizabeth. She had made a classy
lady out of Marie, who at one time was a prostitute. Now Marie was her best
female friend. She pulled up in front of Marie’s Place and thought to herself, No one would ever think that at one time
this building was The Green Door.
She could hear the pounding of the hammer as she walked up the steps to the
front porch. She opened the door and hollered, “Hello.”
The
room got quiet and Mr. Taylor said, “Good morning Alex. Marie said you were
coming over. How are the plans for your new home coming along?” he asked.
“Just
great,” she answered excitedly, “we will be moving in soon.”
“I
wish the two of you much happiness. After what you have done for this town, you
deserve to have a wonderful life together.”
“Thank
you sir,” Alex answered and at that time Marie and her sister entered the room.
“Hello
Alex, this is my sister Virginia. We call her Ginger,” Marie said calmly.
Alex
was spellbound as she replied, “Ginger, welcome to Baltimore. I understand you
are going to college here.”
“Thank
you. Baltimore University is noted for offering higher education to females. I
plan on studying law,” she continued.
“You have certainly set high
standards for yourself. It is my belief that a person can do anything they want
to, if they want it badly enough to work for it,” Alex remarked and said,
“Marie, intestinal fortitude must run in the family.”
Mr. Taylor laughed and said,
“Unfortunately my girls have had to work very hard for what they have and want.
None of my girls are afraid of hard work.”
“I am sure they aren’t. You have done
a wonderful job with Marie, and I feel sure the other girls are just as
resilient. I am looking forward to meeting all of your girls,” she added.
“Let me show you how daddy has
remodeled the place,” Marie said and ushered her into the dining area. A wall
had been knocked out making one large room. The wall between the kitchen and
dining room had been cut down and made into a counter top. “We are converting
to a bed and breakfast,” Marie explained.
“An awesome idea,” Alex agreed. “Out
of curiosity, do your other sisters resemble you or Ginger?”
“I am the only one that doesn’t have
the dark hair and eyes,” Ginger answered.
“Ginger you resemble my dear departed
cousin, Mary Beth. The same size, coloring and even some of the same
mannerisms, don’t you think Marie?” Alex asked.
“You would notice it more than I.
Perhaps we should be leaving, I will need to be home to cook dinner,” Marie
answered as she picked up her purse and motioned for Alex to follow her
out. “I’ll be home soon Dad,” and the
two walked out to the car.
Once inside the car Alex started to
speak, “Marie I apologize if I offended you before. I know the subject of Mary
Beth brings back so many unhappy memories for you. I did not stop to think.”
“I am wondering what Otto will think
when he meets her. I am afraid I have fallen head over heels for that big lug.
I think he loves me too, and truthfully, I have been expecting him to propose.
When we first started dating we made a pact that we would not have sex during
our dating period. I no longer want to feel like a prostitute, and he and Mary
Beth had a satisfying sexual relationship. Please don’t think I am silly,” she
begged.
“No, Marie, you are the most honest
person I know. I know how you feel. I promised myself I would stay a virgin
until I married, and I did,” Alex answered. “I just had an idea. Let’s shop for
a couple of hours and then go to the diner for lunch. I haven’t seen Hilda in
sometime.”
“If Otto is there, perhaps you could
prepare him for meeting Ginger. I want to see his reaction,” suggested Marie.
“It will probably be better if he is
told of their resemblance ahead of time,” Alex agreed as she pulled into a
parking space in front of the dry goods store. “We have everything for the
house but the basics. Perhaps we should shop for the bedroom items, then
bathroom essentials, go to lunch and then shop for the kitchen supplies. Please
don’t let me forget to buy Walt new socks.”
“Then buy the socks first. I am not
sure I should ask, but how is the Grigsby family getting along?” Marie asked.
“You do know he resigned from the
police force. His Aunt gave him her farm, and that will keep him busy. Their
baby is due any day now. His little boy is so precious. I hope Walt and I are
blessed with many children,” Alex confessed as they walked over to the men’s
department to buy the socks for Walt.
Once the purchase was made they
walked over to the bedding department. I plan on buying a solid color and a
print sheet set and pillow cases for two bedrooms. The other two can wait for a
while. Two sets each should be fine, don’t you think?” Alex was asking Marie
for advice.
“I would think so. You will also need
pillows, a light blanket, a quilt, a bedspread with curtains to match and the
curtain rods,” Marie reminded her.
“I am glad you came with me. I did
not think of pillows, or curtain rods,” she admitted. “Let’s buy the bedding
first, take it to the car and come back for the spreads and curtains.”
“What color are your walls?” Marie
asked.
“Today I will buy for the one with
white and one with light green walls,” she responded.
Marie picked up a set of sheets that
were white with small purple flowers. “I like this set, what do you think?” she
asked.
“That’s a definite. Find the
pillowcases to match and I will find a set of a solid color I like,” she said
picking up a light purple set, with pillowcases to match.
Marie had already picked out a set of
light green plaid, and a light green with white flowers, “What do you think?”
she asked.
“Perfect, at least now we know what
color of spread and curtains to look for,” Alex agreed. “I just thought of
something. I can’t buy curtains for the kitchen until I measure the windows.
Let’s buy the curtain rods and then take a ride out to our place. Earl can put
the curtain rods up for us when he has a few minutes to spare.”
“I think that is a great idea. I have
no idea where you will be moving to,” Marie agreed.
“Now if you can hold all these sheets
and pillow cases, I will pick out the curtain rods, and we will be on our way,”
Alex suggested.
Marie just smiled, remembering what a
true friend Alex had ben to her, as she followed her to the cashier counter.
There was no one waiting in line, so Alex was checked out quickly.
“Now, I can carry a few of those
packages,” Alex commented as they went outside to the car. Alex slid in under
the steering wheel, waiting for Marie to go around to the other side of the
car.
Once inside she commented, “Alex we
are certainly lucky weather wise. It is an absolute gorgeous day.
“Yes, I agree. The sky is so blue and
those fluffy white clouds floating by makes me feel so relaxed and that all is
right in the world,” Alex commented.
“I have never been on this road
before,” Marie commented. “The farm buildings are so beautiful.”
“The next place we pass will be where
the Grigsby’s live. I am proud that you have no ill feelings toward Grigsby.
That alone shows what a compassionate person you are,” Alex commented.
“How could I?” she asked, “He was
forced into doing what he did. It is water over the bridge, so please for my
sake, put it out of your mind, I have.”
Alex drove a little slower as she
passed by the house. Danny was in the front yard playing with Sparkey, and Patricia
was sitting in a lounge chair shelling peas. She did not look up as the car
passed by. Alex drove a little faster and smiled as she looked at Marie. She
was as excited as a child seeing farm animals for the first time.
Alex pulled into the drive way and spotted
Uncle Earl. He was transplanting flowers near her house. She honked the horn as
they got out of the car.
Uncle Earl stood up, and started
walking toward the girls. He had a broad smile on his work worn face. “Alex, I
am so glad to see you, and you are certainly traveling in beautiful company.
Hello Marie, and welcome to our part of the world.”
“Thank you Earl. I can’t believe how
peaceful it is here,” she answered modestly.
“Alex, I have so much to tell you. The
carpeting has been laid, and I have the drapery rods up, but the drapes were so
wrinkled I took them to the tailor shop to get pressed. I took the liberty of
installing the hardware on the outside doors. I didn’t like the idea of having
a stranger know what key you used to get into your house. Let me show you how
nice everything looks.”
“That sounds like a great idea, but
shouldn’t we carry some of our packages in with us?” she asked.
“Later. I have a big box we can store
everything in. Let’s check out the house and then I will set the box up for
you,” he was eager for her to see how beautiful her new home was. He led the
way up to the front door, took out a ring of keys, selected one and opened the
door. He stepped aside and let them enter first.
Alex and Marie stood inside the door and
looked around. Alex walked over and stood in front of the fire place. The fire
place was large and made from stone. The mantle had a glossy finish. The hearth
had been made from matching stone. Alex immediately visualized Walt and her
cuddling in front of the fireplace.
Marie had wandered into the dining
room. “Alex, come quickly,” she called.
Alex walked over and joined her. She
was standing in front of a huge window overlooking the side yard. A mother deer
and her fawn were standing at the edge of the pond, drinking.
Earl joined them saying, “I thought
perhaps you would place the dining room table here. A vast flower garden will
be planted outside this window.”
Alex looked at Marie and explained, “My
Father and Uncle Randolph drew up the plans for the house and yard. They have a
detailed description of how and where to plant the flowers, shrubs and trees. I
actually feel it is too extravagant, but the house is a wedding present for us,
so I will consider us fortunate to have it. Actually, I consider myself so
lucky to have Uncle Earl to help make all my dreams come true.”
“Aw shucks, you know how I feel about
the two of you. I consider the two of you my kids I never was lucky enough to
have,” Earl said, shuffling his feet.
“I think it is a win win situation
all around. Alex, I am happy for you, and so proud you consider me a friend,”
Marie commented.
“Come on in and let me show you the
kitchen,” Earl said leading the way in.
“That reminds me, we need to measure
the windows for curtains,” Alex said as she walked into the kitchen.
“I will get my yardstick,” Earl said
leaving the room.
Alex walked over and started opening
the cupboard doors. The shelves had been neatly lined with a white oil cloth.
Opening a drawer, she noticed they had also been lined.
Earl walked in just as Alex was
closing a drawer. “I hope you don’t mind that I lined the shelves and drawers.
I just want to make moving in as easy as I can for you.”
“On the contrary Uncle Earl. I think
you are next to the most wonderful and considerate man I know,” Alex gushed.
“Since you put it like that I will
show you what else I took the liberty of doing.” He walked over and opened the
door to the pantry, showing shelves lined with white oil cloth. “Now take a
gander at this,” he said opening the door next to the pantry door. Inside was a
wringer washing machine, set up with tubs for rinsing. He opened an outside
door and said, “All you have to do is step outside and hang the clothes on the
line.” He had the line connected to a clothes pole with a pulley by the top of
the door. A bag filled with clothes pins hung within arm’s reach.
Alex was overwhelmed. “Uncle Earl, I
don’t know how I will ever repay you.”
“I am not looking for pay. Alex you
and that man of yours is the nearest I’ve got to kin. Just say it is okay for
me to continue doing what I’m doing, and I will be a happy man,” he answered.
“Now let’s measure for those curtains.”
Alex pullet a tablet and pen from her
purse and said, “I am ready anytime you are.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but while
you have the tablet out add an iron and ironing board to your list,” Marie said
smiling.
“Little lady, you have such a sweet
smile, if I wasn’t so old, I would come a courting,” Earl surprised her by
saying.
“What a nice thing to say. May I call
you Uncle Earl also?” Marie asked.
“Of course. Now I forgot what I
measured, I will have to measure again,” he remarked.
Alex and Marie exchanged glances
smiling, then Alex started to write down the numbers Earl called out to her.
“Thanks Earl. We will need to leave now.
I have so much shopping to do. We will be stopping in again in a couple of
days,” Alex said as she kissed him on the cheek.
“I’ll walk out with you and bring the
bundles in the house for safe keeping,” Uncle Earl said. “Young lady I do hope
you come out for another visit. It gets kind of lonely out here,” Earl said to
Marie.
“Thank you Earl, I hope to,” she
replied.
“In a few days you will never feel
lonesome again, I promise,” Alex said as they walked to the car. Once inside
the car, Alex started the engine and was driving down the road.
“I am getting hungry. Perhaps we
could get a bite to eat before we finish shopping,” Marie suggested.
“Marie, did you hear my stomach
growl?” Alex asked. “Let’s go to the diner. Perhaps Otto will be there.”
“Earl is such a nice man,” Marie
commented.
“He is one in a million. I feel so
blessed that we will have him living on the property with us. I know once we
have a baby he will spoil him rotten,” Alex confided.
“I wonder if you realize how
fortunate you are.” Marie asked.
“Yes, I do. The first thing I do
every morning when I wake up is to thank god for his blessings,” Alex answered
as she pulled into the parking lot of The
Home Plate. The two got out of the car and walked inside. Otto wasn’t there
so they sat at a table near the front.
Letitia walked over and said, “Well
hello, I haven’t seen the two of you lately. May I take your order, or do you
want a menu?”
“I will have a hot ham on rye, no
cheese and a little mustard, French fries and an iced tea,” Alex spoke up.
“I will have the same, but with
cheese and no mustard,” Marie said.
“Coming right up,” Letitia smiled and
walked into the kitchen.
Soon Hilda came out beaming. “It is
so good to see you girls. How is life treating you?” she asked.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Alex
replied.
“I know Marie is making a great life
for herself. Her Daddy stops in occasionally and is always bragging on her,”
Hilda confided. “I need to get back to the kitchen, enjoy your meal.”
“Daddy plans on getting the food for
our bed and breakfast here. Hilda has a marvelous catering service,” Marie
said.
“Yes, I remember,” Alex was thinking
back to Mary Beth’s memorial service and the meal after that Hilda had catered.
Letitia came out with their plates of
food, and started placing the plates on the table.
“Has Otto been in?” Alex asked.
“He and Stubby were in earlier. They
were expecting a tanker to come in around noon,” she explained as she placed
the bill on the table. “If you want anything else, please let me know,” and she
walked back into the kitchen.
Marie and Alex were quietly eating
their sandwich when the sound of breaking dishes got their attention. They
looked up to se LHung standing in the doorway of the kitchen, broken dishes on
the floor staring at the door.
Alex followed his gaze in time to see
a very large man open the door and walk out. He had a peg Leg.
