I'm kind of stuck on where to go next with the story. I will write more soon; may have to switch to a new store and promise to return to Eddy and Abby when I know what happens next.
--Fiona
September 18, 2010
September 5, 2010
July 24, 2010
25. Being watched
The story continues...
On the front porch of the huge white house, Abby waited between the pillars and admired the scenery as dusk settled on the landscape. The bride, Bethany came out on the porch and smoothed down the bottom of her navy blue silk dress with her hands. She looked deep in thought and only acknowledged Abby with a nod. Instead of heading towards her car, Bethany ran back into the house after muttering something about “my memory.” It was at that instant that Abby had a strange feeling that she was being watched. She felt as if cold fingers traced down her spine and her heart immediately sped up. Although Abby no longer talked about it with even her closest friends, she had been the victim of a stalker in the past. That evening, the feeling of being watched reminded Abby of that long-forgotten fear and she began trembling. She stepped back towards the door and scanned the front yard for a person. However, with the huge trees and draping moss, and it growing darker by the minute, Abby couldn’t pick out a human form.
On the front porch of the huge white house, Abby waited between the pillars and admired the scenery as dusk settled on the landscape. The bride, Bethany came out on the porch and smoothed down the bottom of her navy blue silk dress with her hands. She looked deep in thought and only acknowledged Abby with a nod. Instead of heading towards her car, Bethany ran back into the house after muttering something about “my memory.” It was at that instant that Abby had a strange feeling that she was being watched. She felt as if cold fingers traced down her spine and her heart immediately sped up. Although Abby no longer talked about it with even her closest friends, she had been the victim of a stalker in the past. That evening, the feeling of being watched reminded Abby of that long-forgotten fear and she began trembling. She stepped back towards the door and scanned the front yard for a person. However, with the huge trees and draping moss, and it growing darker by the minute, Abby couldn’t pick out a human form.
July 23, 2010
24. Pantyhose and frizzy hair
The story continues...
Since she was going to a rehearsal dinner, Abby decided that she should wear stockings despite the humidity. She hated pantyhose but would occasionally wear thigh-high stockings with a garter belt; but after such a crazy day, she cursed when she nearly stuck her fingernail through the hose. Abby pulled on the purple slip dress and tiptoed around the bathroom in an attempt to avoid the feel of the cold white marble on her feet. She applied her berry lipstick and thought how strange it seemed to have a rehearsal dinner on Wednesday night when the wedding wasn’t until Saturday night. Abby struggled with her hair for a few minutes, unsure how to try to control the waves and frizz in the extra humidity of the South and finally, gave up with a shrug.
Since she was going to a rehearsal dinner, Abby decided that she should wear stockings despite the humidity. She hated pantyhose but would occasionally wear thigh-high stockings with a garter belt; but after such a crazy day, she cursed when she nearly stuck her fingernail through the hose. Abby pulled on the purple slip dress and tiptoed around the bathroom in an attempt to avoid the feel of the cold white marble on her feet. She applied her berry lipstick and thought how strange it seemed to have a rehearsal dinner on Wednesday night when the wedding wasn’t until Saturday night. Abby struggled with her hair for a few minutes, unsure how to try to control the waves and frizz in the extra humidity of the South and finally, gave up with a shrug.
July 10, 2010
23. Lil Monkey
The story continues...
Abby was exhausted after her day with the Spensers. She spent much of the morning consoling Cici while they waited in the emergency room. Cici’s wrist was broken, but it was the kind that should heal fine. Abby also helped Bethany pick up the embossed place cards, select the perfect color of ribbon and Jordan almonds for wedding favors, and find a new pair of shoes for Mary. On the trip back to the house, Abby sat in the front of the cab while Bethany and the bridesmaids discussed wedding plans in the back. Abby sighed and thought of Ed; she hadn’t seen Ed since that morning’s limo incident. She remembered how it felt when he held her in his arms and felt a flush come to her cheeks. She recalled how awful Ed’s mother and brother were to him and recalled how angry Ed had been that morning. She hoped he was doing okay.
In one of the many stores she visited that day, Abby had bought Ed a funny little stuffed monkey with long spindly arms and legs and a cute little face. Abby had hoped to see Ed before the evening festivities but Bethany informed her that Teddy, William and Edmund were still out running errands. Bethany begged Abby to go in her car to the dock and Abby finally agreed. She decided to leave the monkey and a note for Ed.
Abby was exhausted after her day with the Spensers. She spent much of the morning consoling Cici while they waited in the emergency room. Cici’s wrist was broken, but it was the kind that should heal fine. Abby also helped Bethany pick up the embossed place cards, select the perfect color of ribbon and Jordan almonds for wedding favors, and find a new pair of shoes for Mary. On the trip back to the house, Abby sat in the front of the cab while Bethany and the bridesmaids discussed wedding plans in the back. Abby sighed and thought of Ed; she hadn’t seen Ed since that morning’s limo incident. She remembered how it felt when he held her in his arms and felt a flush come to her cheeks. She recalled how awful Ed’s mother and brother were to him and recalled how angry Ed had been that morning. She hoped he was doing okay.
In one of the many stores she visited that day, Abby had bought Ed a funny little stuffed monkey with long spindly arms and legs and a cute little face. Abby had hoped to see Ed before the evening festivities but Bethany informed her that Teddy, William and Edmund were still out running errands. Bethany begged Abby to go in her car to the dock and Abby finally agreed. She decided to leave the monkey and a note for Ed.
June 27, 2010
22. Rescued, well sort of
The story continues...
Ed watched Abby attending to Cici who was crying and carrying on a little bit too much. He swallowed a touch of jealousy that Abby was attending to Cici instead of him. The limo driver was pacing back and forth in front of the limo hollering into his cell phone. From his yelling, it was clear he was terrified of what Mrs. Spenser would do once she learned of the incident.
William arrived sometime later, racing up in his silver Cadillac SUV. William stayed in the driver’s seat and kept the SUV running. Abby opened the door to help Cici into the passenger seat and was aware that William was staring at Abby’s chest. His glare made Abby nervous as she helped with Cici’s seatbelt; Abby was glad we she could close the door and return to the others clustered around outside of the SUV. After the group situated themselves in the SUV, William was the first to speak.
“I tried calling you, Teddy. Why is your cell phone disconnected?” barked William.
“I had to get a new number. Kept getting harassing phone calls at all hours,” Teddy said from the back of SUV where he and Ed were squatting. It was easy to see that both men were not pleased to be in the back end of the SUV. Abby was squeezed beside Bethany and the other bridesmaid, Mary in the back seat. Abby couldn’t have physically turned around to see Ed or Teddy if she had wanted to.
Mary asked, “Is that why you changed your cell phone number, Bethany?”
“Yes,” Bethany replied, frowning.
Ed watched Abby attending to Cici who was crying and carrying on a little bit too much. He swallowed a touch of jealousy that Abby was attending to Cici instead of him. The limo driver was pacing back and forth in front of the limo hollering into his cell phone. From his yelling, it was clear he was terrified of what Mrs. Spenser would do once she learned of the incident.
William arrived sometime later, racing up in his silver Cadillac SUV. William stayed in the driver’s seat and kept the SUV running. Abby opened the door to help Cici into the passenger seat and was aware that William was staring at Abby’s chest. His glare made Abby nervous as she helped with Cici’s seatbelt; Abby was glad we she could close the door and return to the others clustered around outside of the SUV. After the group situated themselves in the SUV, William was the first to speak.
“I tried calling you, Teddy. Why is your cell phone disconnected?” barked William.
“I had to get a new number. Kept getting harassing phone calls at all hours,” Teddy said from the back of SUV where he and Ed were squatting. It was easy to see that both men were not pleased to be in the back end of the SUV. Abby was squeezed beside Bethany and the other bridesmaid, Mary in the back seat. Abby couldn’t have physically turned around to see Ed or Teddy if she had wanted to.
Mary asked, “Is that why you changed your cell phone number, Bethany?”
“Yes,” Bethany replied, frowning.
June 23, 2010
21. The Smell of Coconut
The story continues...
Ed smelled a hint of coconut in Abby’s hair; he loved coconut. He petted her hair with one hand and he let out a small sigh.
"Ed," Abby cried," I'm okay. Let me go."
His closeness made her a bit nervous, but when Ed pulled away she missed the feel of his chest against her and missed Ed’s hands against her back.
Ed admired Abby's eyes, beautiful pools of hazel. He longed to touch her again.
"Geesh. I so do not enjoying riding in limos. I nearly puked in the first one and the second time…Well, someone could have been killed. No seatbelts! What were they thinking? I plan to stick with my little American-made compact car, thank you,” Abby sassed.
Ed chuckled and stepped towards Abby, but she brushed past him after Bethany shouted, “Abby! We need a doctor!"
Abby rushed to Bethany and Teddy who were crouched beside CiCi. Abby began to examine Cici’s swollen wrist and arm.
Ed smelled a hint of coconut in Abby’s hair; he loved coconut. He petted her hair with one hand and he let out a small sigh.
"Ed," Abby cried," I'm okay. Let me go."
His closeness made her a bit nervous, but when Ed pulled away she missed the feel of his chest against her and missed Ed’s hands against her back.
Ed admired Abby's eyes, beautiful pools of hazel. He longed to touch her again.
"Geesh. I so do not enjoying riding in limos. I nearly puked in the first one and the second time…Well, someone could have been killed. No seatbelts! What were they thinking? I plan to stick with my little American-made compact car, thank you,” Abby sassed.
Ed chuckled and stepped towards Abby, but she brushed past him after Bethany shouted, “Abby! We need a doctor!"
Abby rushed to Bethany and Teddy who were crouched beside CiCi. Abby began to examine Cici’s swollen wrist and arm.
June 13, 2010
20. Sister, brother, squealing tires
The story continues...
Squeezed into a limo heading toward Savannah, Abby watched Ed who was seated across from her. Teddy talked about how Bethany and Ed and he had gone to grade school together. Bethany giggled at the discussion and she poked her brother, Ed in the arm repeatedly until Ed grumbled, "Stop it."
“Don’t mind him, Teddy. He’s had a tough morning,” Bethany announced.
“Sorry to hear, Edmund,” Teddy said, “We’re here for you.”
Edmund nodded. Teddy seemed genuine and Abby liked that about him. He and Bethany appeared very much in love. It was fun to watch Ed’s sister excitedly talk about the wedding festivities. She was just describing what their wedding cake would look like when the limo swerved, breaks squealed, and the limo fishtailed for a few awful seconds on the shoulder of the road. Abby pitched forward but was able to grab the overhead bar? Ed slammed against the side panel and let out a grown. One of the bridesmaids, Cici was flung onto the floor. It happened so quickly that no one screamed. The driver opened the door and apologized over and over again with a terrified look on his face. He explained that a white SUV had forced them off the road. There were no other cars around and the SUV was of course, gone. Ed rushed towards Abby and took her into his arms in a big bear hug.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Too tight,” Abby choked. Ed loosened his hug, keeping Abby pressed against his chest. She put her head on his shoulder and the smell of his musky aftershave was intoxicating.
“I’m okay,” she said, “You?”
“Yeah,” he said, stroking Abby’s hair. He could feel her breasts pressed against him and he slowed his breathing to match hers.
Squeezed into a limo heading toward Savannah, Abby watched Ed who was seated across from her. Teddy talked about how Bethany and Ed and he had gone to grade school together. Bethany giggled at the discussion and she poked her brother, Ed in the arm repeatedly until Ed grumbled, "Stop it."
“Don’t mind him, Teddy. He’s had a tough morning,” Bethany announced.
“Sorry to hear, Edmund,” Teddy said, “We’re here for you.”
Edmund nodded. Teddy seemed genuine and Abby liked that about him. He and Bethany appeared very much in love. It was fun to watch Ed’s sister excitedly talk about the wedding festivities. She was just describing what their wedding cake would look like when the limo swerved, breaks squealed, and the limo fishtailed for a few awful seconds on the shoulder of the road. Abby pitched forward but was able to grab the overhead bar? Ed slammed against the side panel and let out a grown. One of the bridesmaids, Cici was flung onto the floor. It happened so quickly that no one screamed. The driver opened the door and apologized over and over again with a terrified look on his face. He explained that a white SUV had forced them off the road. There were no other cars around and the SUV was of course, gone. Ed rushed towards Abby and took her into his arms in a big bear hug.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Too tight,” Abby choked. Ed loosened his hug, keeping Abby pressed against his chest. She put her head on his shoulder and the smell of his musky aftershave was intoxicating.
“I’m okay,” she said, “You?”
“Yeah,” he said, stroking Abby’s hair. He could feel her breasts pressed against him and he slowed his breathing to match hers.
June 7, 2010
19. Courage and Ed, shirtless
The story continues...
Ed returned to the suite and slammed the door. Abby took a deep breath and entered the suite. Ed had his shirt off and was rummaging through his suitcase for a replacement since the first t-shirt was wet with humidity and sweat. Abby admired Ed’s chest, the smattering of dark chest hair, the color of his nipples. She had seen a lot of men’s chests as a doctor. Ed had an ordinary chest, not perfect or chiseled like a statue, but he looked perfect to her. He found a red shirt with black faded lettering, that had a design and the words “courage” and “live.” He turned and realized that Abby was studying him. He couldn’t read her expression.
“Not polite to stare,” he growled after pulling the t-shirt over her head.
Abby could hear the tension in Ed’s voice. She had to drag her eyes away from him.
“I’ll get my purse and leave you alone,” she said.
“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” he said.
Abby could see the tension in his face, his neck, his arms. She paused and tried to decide how to answer. She felt a quick barb of rejection; but mostly she realized that she loved him.
“Well, I’m here,” she said, clutching her purse under her arm. Ed’s brow was furrowed and he didn’t speak.
Abby put her hand on the doorknob then turned back to Ed. “For what’s it worth, your brother and your mother are full of it. I like who you are. I like what you are,” she told him then quickly left the room because her eyes were filling with tears.
“Abby,” he called after her. Abby’s words still buzzed in his head. Abby was already down the stairs, wiping her eyes and trying to pull herself together since there was a crowd of people in the foyer. Ed sighed and leaned on the railing.
After being introduced to the bridesmaids and the groom, the group moved toward the driveway and climbed into a limo. Ed was the last to get into the limo.
“You changed your shirt,” Bethany exclaimed.
“Uh-yeah,” Ed grunted. Abby read the lettering on his t-shirt and smiled. The groom, Teddy, was blond with green eyes and a slight gap between his front teeth. He was warm and friendly and he and Bethany seemed so in love. Ed stayed quiet on the ride into town. Abby wondered why William didn’t come along; however, after her introduction to him screaming at Ed and Bethany, she was a bit relieved he wasn’t there.
Ed returned to the suite and slammed the door. Abby took a deep breath and entered the suite. Ed had his shirt off and was rummaging through his suitcase for a replacement since the first t-shirt was wet with humidity and sweat. Abby admired Ed’s chest, the smattering of dark chest hair, the color of his nipples. She had seen a lot of men’s chests as a doctor. Ed had an ordinary chest, not perfect or chiseled like a statue, but he looked perfect to her. He found a red shirt with black faded lettering, that had a design and the words “courage” and “live.” He turned and realized that Abby was studying him. He couldn’t read her expression.
“Not polite to stare,” he growled after pulling the t-shirt over her head.
Abby could hear the tension in Ed’s voice. She had to drag her eyes away from him.
“I’ll get my purse and leave you alone,” she said.
“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” he said.
Abby could see the tension in his face, his neck, his arms. She paused and tried to decide how to answer. She felt a quick barb of rejection; but mostly she realized that she loved him.
“Well, I’m here,” she said, clutching her purse under her arm. Ed’s brow was furrowed and he didn’t speak.
Abby put her hand on the doorknob then turned back to Ed. “For what’s it worth, your brother and your mother are full of it. I like who you are. I like what you are,” she told him then quickly left the room because her eyes were filling with tears.
“Abby,” he called after her. Abby’s words still buzzed in his head. Abby was already down the stairs, wiping her eyes and trying to pull herself together since there was a crowd of people in the foyer. Ed sighed and leaned on the railing.
After being introduced to the bridesmaids and the groom, the group moved toward the driveway and climbed into a limo. Ed was the last to get into the limo.
“You changed your shirt,” Bethany exclaimed.
“Uh-yeah,” Ed grunted. Abby read the lettering on his t-shirt and smiled. The groom, Teddy, was blond with green eyes and a slight gap between his front teeth. He was warm and friendly and he and Bethany seemed so in love. Ed stayed quiet on the ride into town. Abby wondered why William didn’t come along; however, after her introduction to him screaming at Ed and Bethany, she was a bit relieved he wasn’t there.
June 2, 2010
18. Scary things: a dawn attack, angry dogs, and the brother
The story continues...
Bethany found Edmund walking back up towards the house from the woods. "Edmund, where have you been?" she exclaimed.
"Walking," he replied, frowning.
"You must be careful," Bethany said and even Ed had to admit that she had a very worried look on her face.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"It's not safe out here,"
"Its day time," he said, rolling his eyes at her.
Bethany let out a large sigh, crossed her arms against her chest and said, "I was attacked near the gazebo a few weeks back.”
"Are you all right?"
"Yes; Yes. I was jogging; it was just barely sunrise. Although I have this scar," she said, pulling back her hair and revealing a thin jagged scar across her collarbone.
"On God, Bethie. You called the police. Please tell me you reported it," Ed said, his mouth dry.
"Yes, of course. Mother had a fit. You know she doesn't want the Spenser name associated with the police. She hired a detective, too. But both he & the police found nothing. No trace of the man dressed in black with a knife."
Ed hugged Bethany and whispered, "I'm so glad you are okay, sis."
"It has been strange around here," Bethany said as they entered the house. Ed gave her a quizzical look.
"There are dogs barking; angry dogs barking,” she said.
“Did mother get new dogs?"
“No," Bethany said, “And the nearest neighbor is four miles away.”
Ed grasped her hand in support.
"I feel like I'm being followed," Bethany continued in a soft voice, just above a whisper.
Her statement was apparently not a whisper because their sibling William met them in the foyer and snapped, "Not the ‘I’m being followed thing’ again.”
Ed’s mouth gaped open. His brother younger by 3 years had always been a bit cruel, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Abby was in the upstairs hallway when she heard voice raised in anger; she stopped at the top of the stairs. She stayed on the ledge and peered over down into the foyer. She saw Ed, Bethany and a man whom they called William. She quickly figured out that William was their brother. William was shorter and had a much more stocky build compared to Ed's lean tall frame. William had dark brown hair clipped close to his scalp and five o’clock shadow on his face. He was dressed in a 3 piece suit in dark grey. Abby watched his mannerisms during the heated discussion about safety at the house. She could not help but realize that William thought he was the center of the universe. The talk of strange dog howling also made her remember the strange nightmare she had months back. In her dream she was in a strange wood; Ed told her to run from what she couldn’t be sure, but it howled and frightening red eyes. Abby shivered slightly at the recollection of the dream.
William announced," I have a job opportunity for you in my company's law department."
"I have a job," Ed said, his face growing red in anger.
"You need a job as an attorney." William snarled.
''I'm an electrician now. I have my own company," Ed pleaded.
"That's not a job. That’s a pathetic excuse to occupy your time," William said, obviously pleased with himself.
Abby watched as Ed's expression turned from anger to shame. Ed raced up the stairs past Abby. He couldn’t look at her; if Abby had disappointment on her face, Ed knew he just could not handle that. Abby reached out and grasped Ed’s hand in hers but Ed couldn't meet Abby caught his hand but Ed let it slip and returned to the suite.
Seeing Ed in such anguish brought hot tears to Abby’s eyes.
Bethany found Edmund walking back up towards the house from the woods. "Edmund, where have you been?" she exclaimed.
"Walking," he replied, frowning.
"You must be careful," Bethany said and even Ed had to admit that she had a very worried look on her face.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"It's not safe out here,"
"Its day time," he said, rolling his eyes at her.
Bethany let out a large sigh, crossed her arms against her chest and said, "I was attacked near the gazebo a few weeks back.”
"Are you all right?"
"Yes; Yes. I was jogging; it was just barely sunrise. Although I have this scar," she said, pulling back her hair and revealing a thin jagged scar across her collarbone.
"On God, Bethie. You called the police. Please tell me you reported it," Ed said, his mouth dry.
"Yes, of course. Mother had a fit. You know she doesn't want the Spenser name associated with the police. She hired a detective, too. But both he & the police found nothing. No trace of the man dressed in black with a knife."
Ed hugged Bethany and whispered, "I'm so glad you are okay, sis."
"It has been strange around here," Bethany said as they entered the house. Ed gave her a quizzical look.
"There are dogs barking; angry dogs barking,” she said.
“Did mother get new dogs?"
“No," Bethany said, “And the nearest neighbor is four miles away.”
Ed grasped her hand in support.
"I feel like I'm being followed," Bethany continued in a soft voice, just above a whisper.
Her statement was apparently not a whisper because their sibling William met them in the foyer and snapped, "Not the ‘I’m being followed thing’ again.”
Ed’s mouth gaped open. His brother younger by 3 years had always been a bit cruel, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Abby was in the upstairs hallway when she heard voice raised in anger; she stopped at the top of the stairs. She stayed on the ledge and peered over down into the foyer. She saw Ed, Bethany and a man whom they called William. She quickly figured out that William was their brother. William was shorter and had a much more stocky build compared to Ed's lean tall frame. William had dark brown hair clipped close to his scalp and five o’clock shadow on his face. He was dressed in a 3 piece suit in dark grey. Abby watched his mannerisms during the heated discussion about safety at the house. She could not help but realize that William thought he was the center of the universe. The talk of strange dog howling also made her remember the strange nightmare she had months back. In her dream she was in a strange wood; Ed told her to run from what she couldn’t be sure, but it howled and frightening red eyes. Abby shivered slightly at the recollection of the dream.
William announced," I have a job opportunity for you in my company's law department."
"I have a job," Ed said, his face growing red in anger.
"You need a job as an attorney." William snarled.
''I'm an electrician now. I have my own company," Ed pleaded.
"That's not a job. That’s a pathetic excuse to occupy your time," William said, obviously pleased with himself.
Abby watched as Ed's expression turned from anger to shame. Ed raced up the stairs past Abby. He couldn’t look at her; if Abby had disappointment on her face, Ed knew he just could not handle that. Abby reached out and grasped Ed’s hand in hers but Ed couldn't meet Abby caught his hand but Ed let it slip and returned to the suite.
Seeing Ed in such anguish brought hot tears to Abby’s eyes.
May 27, 2010
17. Breakfast doesn't settle like it should
The story continues...
Ed focused on eating his sausage and toast with his left hand, his mind buzzing with his mother’s fresh insults. He didn’t want to relinquish his right hand which was held tightly by Abby’s hand under the table. Her hand was so soft but strong. Somewhere in his brain he wondered what it would feel like to have her hands on his body. Unfortunately, his feelings of rejection, anger, and guilt pushed that far away.
“I’m so sorry, Abby. I am glad you are here. Both of you,” Bethany said, her voice shaky, her eyes moist with tears.
Ed dropped his head and didn’t look at either of the women at the table.
“Sorry,” Ed said, letting Abby’s hand slip from his and rising from the table, “Going for a walk.”
“Ed?” Abby asked, turning, “Would you like company?”
“No. No. I want to be alone,” Ed said.
After several minutes of silence, Abby excused herself. Bethany jumped up and gave her a hug again. They both seemed at lost for words after the events of breakfast. Abby was a bit relieved that she left when she did; because four people who appeared to be guests descended the staircase as she approached it. Abby really didn’t feel like meeting more new people.
She showered and unpacked her suitcase. She was startled by her cell phone ringing and finally found her phone in her purse. It was Cheryl, wanting to know juicy details about her first night with Ed. Abby explained to her about her migraine and meeting Ed’s sister and mother.
“Well maybe you can wear those red undies and make Ed feel better,” Cheryl said, giggling.
“Cheryl!” Abby cried in surprise. She heard Cheryl’s baby squeal in frustration in the background.
“Just routing for you, Abby. Besides, I have to live vicariously through you,” Cheryl said.
Abby was quiet for a few moments. “Abby?” Cheryl asked after picking up her daughter who cooed in appreciation into the phone.
“Hi Macy,” Abby said.
“You okay, Abbs?” Cheryl asked.
“I shouldn’t have come. I don’t know if I can do this,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Hey. Hey. It’s okay. You can do this, Abbs. Remember you went to support Ed; because he is important to you,” Cheryl said.
“Yeah, I’m crazy,” Abby said, trying to make herself smile.
“Because you luv him,” Cheryl chimed in a sing song voice which made Macy bust out in giggles into the receiver.
Abby talked with Cheryl for a few more minutes then let her go. She didn’t know if Cheryl was right or not.
Ed focused on eating his sausage and toast with his left hand, his mind buzzing with his mother’s fresh insults. He didn’t want to relinquish his right hand which was held tightly by Abby’s hand under the table. Her hand was so soft but strong. Somewhere in his brain he wondered what it would feel like to have her hands on his body. Unfortunately, his feelings of rejection, anger, and guilt pushed that far away.
“I’m so sorry, Abby. I am glad you are here. Both of you,” Bethany said, her voice shaky, her eyes moist with tears.
Ed dropped his head and didn’t look at either of the women at the table.
“Sorry,” Ed said, letting Abby’s hand slip from his and rising from the table, “Going for a walk.”
“Ed?” Abby asked, turning, “Would you like company?”
“No. No. I want to be alone,” Ed said.
After several minutes of silence, Abby excused herself. Bethany jumped up and gave her a hug again. They both seemed at lost for words after the events of breakfast. Abby was a bit relieved that she left when she did; because four people who appeared to be guests descended the staircase as she approached it. Abby really didn’t feel like meeting more new people.
She showered and unpacked her suitcase. She was startled by her cell phone ringing and finally found her phone in her purse. It was Cheryl, wanting to know juicy details about her first night with Ed. Abby explained to her about her migraine and meeting Ed’s sister and mother.
“Well maybe you can wear those red undies and make Ed feel better,” Cheryl said, giggling.
“Cheryl!” Abby cried in surprise. She heard Cheryl’s baby squeal in frustration in the background.
“Just routing for you, Abby. Besides, I have to live vicariously through you,” Cheryl said.
Abby was quiet for a few moments. “Abby?” Cheryl asked after picking up her daughter who cooed in appreciation into the phone.
“Hi Macy,” Abby said.
“You okay, Abbs?” Cheryl asked.
“I shouldn’t have come. I don’t know if I can do this,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Hey. Hey. It’s okay. You can do this, Abbs. Remember you went to support Ed; because he is important to you,” Cheryl said.
“Yeah, I’m crazy,” Abby said, trying to make herself smile.
“Because you luv him,” Cheryl chimed in a sing song voice which made Macy bust out in giggles into the receiver.
Abby talked with Cheryl for a few more minutes then let her go. She didn’t know if Cheryl was right or not.
May 22, 2010
16. Meeting the family; especially, the nasty mother in pink
The story continues...
The first photograph Abby picked up was of Bethany and Ed in caps and gowns; judging from how young the two of them looked, it must have been their high school graduation. Another one showed the twins with a bald man who had a huge smile of joy. Bethany leaned over to see which photograph Abby was examining and said, “That’s our father.”
Bethany paused then continued, “Edmund is so much like our father. Private, but gentle and thoughtful,”
“Your father…passed away?” Abby guessed.
“Yes. Cancer. About 12 years ago,”
“I’m sorry,”
“Me too. Hopefully he’ll be watching over me on Saturday from Heaven,”
“I’m sure he will,” Abby said as the butler returned with her breakfast. She immediately tasted the eggs.
Ed came bounding around the corner. Abby looked up at him while biting into a biscuit. Ed looked relieved and slowed his pace. He pulled out the chair next to Abby and watched her silently for a few moments while she ate.
“Good morning,” Abby said, “Sorry to be such a bother last night.”
Ed leaned over and whispered in Abby’s ear, “You had me really scared.”
“I’m fine now,” Abby said, feeling Ed’s breath on her face.
“I’m glad,” he whispered after planting a small kiss on her cheek. He leaned back in his chair and saw the pictures beside Abby’s plate.
“Geez Bethie, you showed her what a dork I was in high school?” Ed asked.
“Ah come on, Edmund. You’re supposed to have childhood pictures at a rehearsal dinner,”
“Ugh,” he replied.
Ed ordered eggs, sausage, and toast. He chuckled briefly seeing how fast Abby had cleared her plate.
“Don’t worry. I won’t allow them include any pictures of us together in the bath as babies,”
Abby let out a little giggle before Ed could respond to Bethany. Ed thought it was cute. He hoped he would survive the upcoming festivities.
Tux fitting today, Edmund,” Bethany announced, succeeding in changing the topic like a professional.
“Okay,” he said.
“You should come, too, Abby. You can shop around if you like,” Bethany said.
“Sure,” Abby replied.
Ed began to eat his breakfast but suddenly he dropped his fork which clattered on the china and Abby jumped. Ed’s mother entered the dining room, a petite woman with blond perfectly styled hair wearing a bright pink suit which accented her frame. Her real gold jewelry and earrings sparkled in the morning light; she had definitely had a face lift thought Abby. Ed’s mother put both hands on her hips; what seemed a very offensive stance to Abby.
“Mother,” Ed said his voice tense. He stood up but didn’t move towards her.
“Edmund Rufus Spenser, the underachiever has come home at last,” she announced in a shrill voice and a hint of a southern accent. All in all, she made Abby want to hide under the table. She could only imagine what Ed was feeling.
“Momma,” Bethany called, standing up.
“Hush, child,” she scolded Bethany and turned her attention back to Ed. “Just look at you. You still have that awful hairdo.”
“Yes, Mother. I like it,” Ed said, running his fingers through his hair which was spiked up on top not yet dry from his shower that morning.
“Obviously,” she snapped. “So are you still wasting your law degree?” she asked him but didn’t give Ed a chance to answer. I could see Ed’s fists clench and the muscles in his arms tighten. Ed did not say a thing.
“Momma, this is Abby. Edmund’s girlfriend from Colorado,” Bethany added.
Abby rose from her chair and extended her hand to Ed’s mother but she did not take it.
“This is who you bring home?” she asked sharply.
Abby let out a tiny gasp of shock and sat back down.
“Just you wait Edmund. William will talk sense into you about your pathetic life,” she announced and spun on her very expensive heels and left the room.
Abby asked herself how any mother could be so awful. Ed lowered his tall frame back into the chair. The look on his face was a shocked as Abby felt. He sat tense and straight backed, staring at the painting of two horses across the room. Abby watched him clench his jaw and she kept waiting for Ed to say something. Finally, she reached for his hand under the white lace tablecloth. She gently stroked the back of his clenched fist until Ed eventually relaxed his fist. Abby interlaced her fingers with his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Ed let out a small sigh, but still didn’t say anything. Ed looked so miserable; Abby wanted to say something to him but didn’t know what to say. When she stopped looking at Ed and glanced over to Bethany, Bethany had a look of shock on her face as well.
The first photograph Abby picked up was of Bethany and Ed in caps and gowns; judging from how young the two of them looked, it must have been their high school graduation. Another one showed the twins with a bald man who had a huge smile of joy. Bethany leaned over to see which photograph Abby was examining and said, “That’s our father.”
Bethany paused then continued, “Edmund is so much like our father. Private, but gentle and thoughtful,”
“Your father…passed away?” Abby guessed.
“Yes. Cancer. About 12 years ago,”
“I’m sorry,”
“Me too. Hopefully he’ll be watching over me on Saturday from Heaven,”
“I’m sure he will,” Abby said as the butler returned with her breakfast. She immediately tasted the eggs.
Ed came bounding around the corner. Abby looked up at him while biting into a biscuit. Ed looked relieved and slowed his pace. He pulled out the chair next to Abby and watched her silently for a few moments while she ate.
“Good morning,” Abby said, “Sorry to be such a bother last night.”
Ed leaned over and whispered in Abby’s ear, “You had me really scared.”
“I’m fine now,” Abby said, feeling Ed’s breath on her face.
“I’m glad,” he whispered after planting a small kiss on her cheek. He leaned back in his chair and saw the pictures beside Abby’s plate.
“Geez Bethie, you showed her what a dork I was in high school?” Ed asked.
“Ah come on, Edmund. You’re supposed to have childhood pictures at a rehearsal dinner,”
“Ugh,” he replied.
Ed ordered eggs, sausage, and toast. He chuckled briefly seeing how fast Abby had cleared her plate.
“Don’t worry. I won’t allow them include any pictures of us together in the bath as babies,”
Abby let out a little giggle before Ed could respond to Bethany. Ed thought it was cute. He hoped he would survive the upcoming festivities.
Tux fitting today, Edmund,” Bethany announced, succeeding in changing the topic like a professional.
“Okay,” he said.
“You should come, too, Abby. You can shop around if you like,” Bethany said.
“Sure,” Abby replied.
Ed began to eat his breakfast but suddenly he dropped his fork which clattered on the china and Abby jumped. Ed’s mother entered the dining room, a petite woman with blond perfectly styled hair wearing a bright pink suit which accented her frame. Her real gold jewelry and earrings sparkled in the morning light; she had definitely had a face lift thought Abby. Ed’s mother put both hands on her hips; what seemed a very offensive stance to Abby.
“Mother,” Ed said his voice tense. He stood up but didn’t move towards her.
“Edmund Rufus Spenser, the underachiever has come home at last,” she announced in a shrill voice and a hint of a southern accent. All in all, she made Abby want to hide under the table. She could only imagine what Ed was feeling.
“Momma,” Bethany called, standing up.
“Hush, child,” she scolded Bethany and turned her attention back to Ed. “Just look at you. You still have that awful hairdo.”
“Yes, Mother. I like it,” Ed said, running his fingers through his hair which was spiked up on top not yet dry from his shower that morning.
“Obviously,” she snapped. “So are you still wasting your law degree?” she asked him but didn’t give Ed a chance to answer. I could see Ed’s fists clench and the muscles in his arms tighten. Ed did not say a thing.
“Momma, this is Abby. Edmund’s girlfriend from Colorado,” Bethany added.
Abby rose from her chair and extended her hand to Ed’s mother but she did not take it.
“This is who you bring home?” she asked sharply.
Abby let out a tiny gasp of shock and sat back down.
“Just you wait Edmund. William will talk sense into you about your pathetic life,” she announced and spun on her very expensive heels and left the room.
Abby asked herself how any mother could be so awful. Ed lowered his tall frame back into the chair. The look on his face was a shocked as Abby felt. He sat tense and straight backed, staring at the painting of two horses across the room. Abby watched him clench his jaw and she kept waiting for Ed to say something. Finally, she reached for his hand under the white lace tablecloth. She gently stroked the back of his clenched fist until Ed eventually relaxed his fist. Abby interlaced her fingers with his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Ed let out a small sigh, but still didn’t say anything. Ed looked so miserable; Abby wanted to say something to him but didn’t know what to say. When she stopped looking at Ed and glanced over to Bethany, Bethany had a look of shock on her face as well.
May 16, 2010
15. Biscuits no gravy and the girlfriend word
The story continues...
I'm way out of my league thought Abby as the Spenser family butler headed towards her.
"Miss, How may I assist you?" the butler asked.
"I'd like to get some breakfast, "Abby replied.
"This way please," the man said, motioning her down the hallway.
All the elegance surrounding her made Abby feel very underdressed and plain. She made her way to the dining room filled with a gigantic mahogany table that was large enough to seat 20 people. She saw a woman seated at the far end of the table. She looked up and met Abby with warm eyes; upon recognizing Abby, the woman smiled immediately.
''You must be Abby," she said, jumping up and coming around the table, “Hello. I’m Bethany!”
Bethany was almost as tall as Ed and she crushed Abby in a quick hug; she smelled of jasmine perfume. She was dressed completely in beige.
"I hope you are feeling better," Bethany said.
"Oh yes. But I am starving," said Abby sheepishly.
"Of course. What would you like?"
"I don't want to be trouble. Whatever is available is fine,"
Bethany laughed and said," Why eggs, sausage, biscuits, hash, anything you desire."
After a few awkward moments Abby realized she was supposed to give her order to the butler. He gave her a funny look when she requested scrambled eggs and biscuits with no gravy.
"Here. Sit by me," Bethany exclaimed," You are certain you are feeling better?''
"Yes, thank you," Abby said while placing the pink cloth napkin in her lap.
“I'm sorry about the room arrangements. We have too many guests and not enough rooms. Edmund said you two are taking things slow,"
"Uh yeah," Abby said, feeling her mouth go dry. Tell her you’re just friends said a little voice in Abby’s mind. No, tell her you lust after him said another voice in her mind. Abby shook her head remarking to herself that the shot of medication from last night might be making her a bit crazy.
“I've never met one of his girlfriends before. Edmund is very private," Bethany said.
Abby responded by giving Bethany a look of disbelief. Surely attractive Edmund Spenser had many girlfriends, she thought. Finally she managed to add," You must be joking. Surely he brought one home in high school or college?"
“I don't think Edmund had a girlfriend in high school," Bethany said and then added, "speaking of high school, I'll ask you to help me pick out photos for the rehearsal dinner."
Bethany rearranged the 3 ring binders near her plate and pulled out a packet of photographs; she shuffled through them and placed six of them in front of Abby.
I'm way out of my league thought Abby as the Spenser family butler headed towards her.
"Miss, How may I assist you?" the butler asked.
"I'd like to get some breakfast, "Abby replied.
"This way please," the man said, motioning her down the hallway.
All the elegance surrounding her made Abby feel very underdressed and plain. She made her way to the dining room filled with a gigantic mahogany table that was large enough to seat 20 people. She saw a woman seated at the far end of the table. She looked up and met Abby with warm eyes; upon recognizing Abby, the woman smiled immediately.
''You must be Abby," she said, jumping up and coming around the table, “Hello. I’m Bethany!”
Bethany was almost as tall as Ed and she crushed Abby in a quick hug; she smelled of jasmine perfume. She was dressed completely in beige.
"I hope you are feeling better," Bethany said.
"Oh yes. But I am starving," said Abby sheepishly.
"Of course. What would you like?"
"I don't want to be trouble. Whatever is available is fine,"
Bethany laughed and said," Why eggs, sausage, biscuits, hash, anything you desire."
After a few awkward moments Abby realized she was supposed to give her order to the butler. He gave her a funny look when she requested scrambled eggs and biscuits with no gravy.
"Here. Sit by me," Bethany exclaimed," You are certain you are feeling better?''
"Yes, thank you," Abby said while placing the pink cloth napkin in her lap.
“I'm sorry about the room arrangements. We have too many guests and not enough rooms. Edmund said you two are taking things slow,"
"Uh yeah," Abby said, feeling her mouth go dry. Tell her you’re just friends said a little voice in Abby’s mind. No, tell her you lust after him said another voice in her mind. Abby shook her head remarking to herself that the shot of medication from last night might be making her a bit crazy.
“I've never met one of his girlfriends before. Edmund is very private," Bethany said.
Abby responded by giving Bethany a look of disbelief. Surely attractive Edmund Spenser had many girlfriends, she thought. Finally she managed to add," You must be joking. Surely he brought one home in high school or college?"
“I don't think Edmund had a girlfriend in high school," Bethany said and then added, "speaking of high school, I'll ask you to help me pick out photos for the rehearsal dinner."
Bethany rearranged the 3 ring binders near her plate and pulled out a packet of photographs; she shuffled through them and placed six of them in front of Abby.
May 11, 2010
14. Waking up in his arms
The story continues...
The doctor arrived and Ed accompanied him up to the suite where Abby was resting. The doctor wanted to give Abby a shot of medication in her hip. Abby grunted a response like, “Go for it,” still cradling her head. Ed sat beside Abby on the bed and held her hand. Abby had to pull down her pants and underwear just enough for the injection. The fact that Ed would see didn’t faze her. Ed had to look away as the doctor gave Abby the injection; but he did notice that at that instant Abby squeezed his hand a bit harder. Ed saw the doctor to the door and turned off the light in the room. “Your wife will be fine by morning. Call if anything changes. I’ll send you the bill,” the doctor told Ed. Ed nodded to him. He should have corrected him and told the doctor that Abby was not his wife; but he didn’t know exactly what Abby was to him. He sighed and went to tell Bethany good night. He wanted to get back to Abby to be sure she didn’t need anything. On top of that, he didn’t want to linger in the house and risk running into his mother that evening.
Abby stayed on her side, her hip still throbbing from the shot. Her stomach felt a little calmer and the pain in her head seemed more distant. Abby was asleep when Ed returned to the room. He had to turn on a desk lamp to find his luggage and was fearful that Abby would awaken, but she did not. He changed into sweat pants and a t-shirt. Ed crawled into the bed and lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He rolled over and watched Abby sleeping with her back to him and he watched her breathing. In his mind he kept recalling her being sick and miserable and it hurt him deep down; it hurt him to see her in pain. He scooted over to her and snuggled close to her, putting his left arm around her. She let out a soft sigh but remained in deep sleep. Ed murmured her name and closed his eyes.
Abby awoke as soft sunlight filtered through the window. She felt achey all over and realized that she was starving. She tried to recall the last time she ate something when she became aware that Ed’s arm was draped across her. She carefully slipped out of the bed trying not to bother Ed. The cold marble floor of the bathroom felt good on her feet; as if it was nice to feel something other than headache pain. She returned to the bedroom and Ed was still sleeping. He looked very attractive; his lips slightly parted, his hair tousled. Abby took a deep breath and forced her body to move towards her suitcase. She dressed and decided to put on makeup after seeing how pale and tired she looked in the mirror. Her stomach growled as she slowly shut the door behind her. The house was alit with radiant sunlight coming through a huge window over the atrium. Abby gasped, looking around at the mansion. She descended the white marble staircase. Huge green plants and magnificent watercolor paintings in gold leaf frames were everywhere. A butler headed her way and Abby felt herself grow nervous.
The doctor arrived and Ed accompanied him up to the suite where Abby was resting. The doctor wanted to give Abby a shot of medication in her hip. Abby grunted a response like, “Go for it,” still cradling her head. Ed sat beside Abby on the bed and held her hand. Abby had to pull down her pants and underwear just enough for the injection. The fact that Ed would see didn’t faze her. Ed had to look away as the doctor gave Abby the injection; but he did notice that at that instant Abby squeezed his hand a bit harder. Ed saw the doctor to the door and turned off the light in the room. “Your wife will be fine by morning. Call if anything changes. I’ll send you the bill,” the doctor told Ed. Ed nodded to him. He should have corrected him and told the doctor that Abby was not his wife; but he didn’t know exactly what Abby was to him. He sighed and went to tell Bethany good night. He wanted to get back to Abby to be sure she didn’t need anything. On top of that, he didn’t want to linger in the house and risk running into his mother that evening.
Abby stayed on her side, her hip still throbbing from the shot. Her stomach felt a little calmer and the pain in her head seemed more distant. Abby was asleep when Ed returned to the room. He had to turn on a desk lamp to find his luggage and was fearful that Abby would awaken, but she did not. He changed into sweat pants and a t-shirt. Ed crawled into the bed and lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He rolled over and watched Abby sleeping with her back to him and he watched her breathing. In his mind he kept recalling her being sick and miserable and it hurt him deep down; it hurt him to see her in pain. He scooted over to her and snuggled close to her, putting his left arm around her. She let out a soft sigh but remained in deep sleep. Ed murmured her name and closed his eyes.
Abby awoke as soft sunlight filtered through the window. She felt achey all over and realized that she was starving. She tried to recall the last time she ate something when she became aware that Ed’s arm was draped across her. She carefully slipped out of the bed trying not to bother Ed. The cold marble floor of the bathroom felt good on her feet; as if it was nice to feel something other than headache pain. She returned to the bedroom and Ed was still sleeping. He looked very attractive; his lips slightly parted, his hair tousled. Abby took a deep breath and forced her body to move towards her suitcase. She dressed and decided to put on makeup after seeing how pale and tired she looked in the mirror. Her stomach growled as she slowly shut the door behind her. The house was alit with radiant sunlight coming through a huge window over the atrium. Abby gasped, looking around at the mansion. She descended the white marble staircase. Huge green plants and magnificent watercolor paintings in gold leaf frames were everywhere. A butler headed her way and Abby felt herself grow nervous.
May 6, 2010
13. Marble floors, satin, and nausea
The story continues...
Ed went downstairs to see where the limo driver had left their luggage. Ed’s sister Bethany was nearly as tall as him. She had long brown hair parted down the middle, showing off her oval face and blue gray eyes; even in the gray sweat pants she was wearing she looked elegant. Bethany hugged him, but noticed the tension in Ed and asked, “Is she okay?”
“Migraine. Dizzy. Got sick in the car,” he said, worried.
“Oh poor thing,” Bethany said.
“I should have taken her to the hospital,” Ed sighed.
“Let me call a doctor,” Bethany offered
“You can do that here?” Ed asked with a look of astonishment. Bethany nodded at him, leading Ed down the stairs into the library where her purse and cell phone was.
After Bethany called for a doctor and gave him directions to the house, she patted Ed on the shoulder and announced. “He’s on his way.”
“So which room am I staying in?” Ed asked her, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“The same suite as Abby,” Bethany replied.
“I told you I needed two rooms. I promised her,” Ed said.
“All the rooms are full, the rest of the guests arrive in a couple of hours,”
“Oh,” Ed said, disappointed.
“I’m sorry, Ed,” Bethany said, grabbing his hand, “I had no choice.”
“Well, she’ll think I planned this,” Ed said.
“So you haven’t had sex yet?” Bethany asked.
“We’re taking things…slow,” he said.
“I’ll explain to her tomorrow. Be respectful. Women like that,”
“Thanks, Sis. I’m going to go make sure Abby’s okay,”
Ed opened the door to the suite and heard the sound from the bathroom. Abby was clutching the toilet, crumpled on the cool marble floor. The size of the bathroom was enormous, like a two car garage; even being sick couldn’t make Abby miss the magnitude of the bathroom. Ed rushed into the bathroom and sat down beside Abby on the floor and rubbed her back with his hand. Abby wiped her mouth and turned to look at him. He looked so worried. “I’m okay,” she said, reaching to flush the toilet.
“There’s a doctor on the way,” Ed told her.
She put her head on her knees. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” Ed asked. She shrugged.
Ed helped Abby back to bed. “Abby, I’m sorry. I swear I told Bethany we needed separate rooms, but it’s a full house. We have to share a room,” he told her leaning over her.
“Okay,” she said, closing her eyes.
Ed went downstairs to see where the limo driver had left their luggage. Ed’s sister Bethany was nearly as tall as him. She had long brown hair parted down the middle, showing off her oval face and blue gray eyes; even in the gray sweat pants she was wearing she looked elegant. Bethany hugged him, but noticed the tension in Ed and asked, “Is she okay?”
“Migraine. Dizzy. Got sick in the car,” he said, worried.
“Oh poor thing,” Bethany said.
“I should have taken her to the hospital,” Ed sighed.
“Let me call a doctor,” Bethany offered
“You can do that here?” Ed asked with a look of astonishment. Bethany nodded at him, leading Ed down the stairs into the library where her purse and cell phone was.
After Bethany called for a doctor and gave him directions to the house, she patted Ed on the shoulder and announced. “He’s on his way.”
“So which room am I staying in?” Ed asked her, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“The same suite as Abby,” Bethany replied.
“I told you I needed two rooms. I promised her,” Ed said.
“All the rooms are full, the rest of the guests arrive in a couple of hours,”
“Oh,” Ed said, disappointed.
“I’m sorry, Ed,” Bethany said, grabbing his hand, “I had no choice.”
“Well, she’ll think I planned this,” Ed said.
“So you haven’t had sex yet?” Bethany asked.
“We’re taking things…slow,” he said.
“I’ll explain to her tomorrow. Be respectful. Women like that,”
“Thanks, Sis. I’m going to go make sure Abby’s okay,”
Ed opened the door to the suite and heard the sound from the bathroom. Abby was clutching the toilet, crumpled on the cool marble floor. The size of the bathroom was enormous, like a two car garage; even being sick couldn’t make Abby miss the magnitude of the bathroom. Ed rushed into the bathroom and sat down beside Abby on the floor and rubbed her back with his hand. Abby wiped her mouth and turned to look at him. He looked so worried. “I’m okay,” she said, reaching to flush the toilet.
“There’s a doctor on the way,” Ed told her.
She put her head on her knees. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” Ed asked. She shrugged.
Ed helped Abby back to bed. “Abby, I’m sorry. I swear I told Bethany we needed separate rooms, but it’s a full house. We have to share a room,” he told her leaning over her.
“Okay,” she said, closing her eyes.
April 29, 2010
12. Bumpy ride to the Spenser family home
The story continues...
Abby leaned her head back against the leather. She was exhausted and she felt the migraine headache creep up above her eyes to the top of her head. She often got them after plane trips and the stress of the past few days probably spurred it on too. Abby decided to check out the mini bar and was relieved when it contained a can of coca-cola. She popped the can open and dug into her purse to find her migraine medication.
“You okay?” Ed asked.
“Headache,” Abby said softly, “I get migraines.”
The road began to wind and Abby found herself getting dizzy and her stomach turn nauseous.
“I feel sick,” was all she could get out. Abby undid the seat belt and laid her head on his lap; she tried to only borrow one of Ed’s leg for her head. She should have been excited about being so close to him, but she was overcome with dizziness and nausea.
“Dizzy,” she mumbled, focusing all her energy on not throwing up in the limo.
“Should we stop?” Ed asked.
“No,” Abby said, clutching onto Ed’s jeans clad leg.
“Hang in there, Abby. We should be there soon,” he said.
About five minutes later Abby could not fight it anymore.
“Stop the car!” she cried, “Stop the car!”
Thankfully, Ed directed the driver to stop on the shoulder of the road. Abby opened the door and threw up repeatedly onto the muddy shoulder. The cool moist autumn wind hit her face but it was somewhat a relief. Ed helped pull Abby back into the limo from her hunched position teetering over the mud. Abby laid her head on his lap again and moaned.
“Should we go to the ER?” Ed asked, stroking her hair.
“No, it’s okay. I get them this bad sometimes,” Abby said in a hoarse voice.
Abby closed her eyes and the limo began pulling away. She heard the driver arguing with Ed. Something about how he would have to clean up and was not happy about it.
“She didn’t throw up in the limo. Not a speck,” Ed said, raising her voice.
Abby fell asleep for a few minutes. Ed shook my shoulder gently, “We’re here, honey.”
Abby was still so dizzy I didn’t even remember what the house looked like. Ed put one arm around her to help her up the carpeted marble stairs to the assigned bedroom. Abby recognized that she must have looked really pale because Ed watched her with a very concerned look.
“I should have taken you to the ER,” he said.
“No. I’ll be okay. Just need to sleep. I’ll be fine tomorrow,”
Ed pulled back the gold and yellow satin comforter. Abby struggled to untie her shoes and Ed swept her legs up onto the bed and undid her shoes. She wasn’t going to try to get her clothes off and she didn’t care. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Abby leaned her head back against the leather. She was exhausted and she felt the migraine headache creep up above her eyes to the top of her head. She often got them after plane trips and the stress of the past few days probably spurred it on too. Abby decided to check out the mini bar and was relieved when it contained a can of coca-cola. She popped the can open and dug into her purse to find her migraine medication.
“You okay?” Ed asked.
“Headache,” Abby said softly, “I get migraines.”
The road began to wind and Abby found herself getting dizzy and her stomach turn nauseous.
“I feel sick,” was all she could get out. Abby undid the seat belt and laid her head on his lap; she tried to only borrow one of Ed’s leg for her head. She should have been excited about being so close to him, but she was overcome with dizziness and nausea.
“Dizzy,” she mumbled, focusing all her energy on not throwing up in the limo.
“Should we stop?” Ed asked.
“No,” Abby said, clutching onto Ed’s jeans clad leg.
“Hang in there, Abby. We should be there soon,” he said.
About five minutes later Abby could not fight it anymore.
“Stop the car!” she cried, “Stop the car!”
Thankfully, Ed directed the driver to stop on the shoulder of the road. Abby opened the door and threw up repeatedly onto the muddy shoulder. The cool moist autumn wind hit her face but it was somewhat a relief. Ed helped pull Abby back into the limo from her hunched position teetering over the mud. Abby laid her head on his lap again and moaned.
“Should we go to the ER?” Ed asked, stroking her hair.
“No, it’s okay. I get them this bad sometimes,” Abby said in a hoarse voice.
Abby closed her eyes and the limo began pulling away. She heard the driver arguing with Ed. Something about how he would have to clean up and was not happy about it.
“She didn’t throw up in the limo. Not a speck,” Ed said, raising her voice.
Abby fell asleep for a few minutes. Ed shook my shoulder gently, “We’re here, honey.”
Abby was still so dizzy I didn’t even remember what the house looked like. Ed put one arm around her to help her up the carpeted marble stairs to the assigned bedroom. Abby recognized that she must have looked really pale because Ed watched her with a very concerned look.
“I should have taken you to the ER,” he said.
“No. I’ll be okay. Just need to sleep. I’ll be fine tomorrow,”
Ed pulled back the gold and yellow satin comforter. Abby struggled to untie her shoes and Ed swept her legs up onto the bed and undid her shoes. She wasn’t going to try to get her clothes off and she didn’t care. “Thank you,” she whispered.
April 28, 2010
11. Amazing Ipod playlist and the stretch limo
The story continues...
The next two days flew by as Abby tried to get ahead of her workload. She was exhausted by the time they were at the airport, awaiting their flight to Savannah. Abby opened a romance novel she had brought with her and propped her feet up on the top of her carry on bag. Ed studied her for a few minutes. He was in a sort of denial; he had convinced himself he wasn’t really going home. It had helped steady his nerves. Out of curiosity, he craned his neck and tried to read the title of Abby’s book. He wasn’t sure, but it sounded like a romance title. This sort of intrigued him. “Do you have any other books?” he asked Abby, peering over to try to read some of the passage that she had been focused.
Abby turned and Ed was so close to her, she jumped a bit in her seat and responded, “No, just the one. You still have time to grab a magazine,”
“Nah. I wished I had remembered my Ipod,” Ed said, leaning back in his seat.
Abby bit her tongue before she made a comment about how men always need help packing so they don’t forget things, at least the men in her family did.
“You could borrow mine,” Abby offered, reaching into her bag to locate it.
“Thanks, Abby,” he said, scrolling through her playlists as soon as she handed it to him. He put in the earpieces and began listening.
“I love this song,” he gasped, tapping his foot.
Abby looked up from her book and giggled at him. Ed looked blissful, his blue eyes shining. She hoped it lasted since she knew how worried he was about the trip. She was a bit worried, too.
They boarded the plane and settled into seats that were as always, too narrow. Ed listened to Abby’s Ipod for hours. Abby’s Ipod was an up close and personal look into the woman sitting next to him. It wasn’t what he had expected, a mix of raw, loud, angry music, dance music, and beautiful poignant songs intermixed. It was amazing. Just like Abby was amazing. Ed had liked her since the day at the furniture store; there was a reason she was the first person he reached out to during his bout of depression. She was more like him than he realized; she knew pain too.
Abby was engrossed in her book. Ed leaned his head on her shoulder and waited to see if she’d push it off, but she didn’t. Within minutes, he was fast asleep; comforted by being close to her.
Abby was so glad to stretch her legs and get off the plane. The line in the ladies room took forever since apparently all the women on the plane were there. Abby expected to see Ed upset as so many men would be, but he was sitting in a chair, listening to her Ipod again, his eyes closed. Abby tapped his shoulder and he jumped up with a smile.
“Sorry for…”Abby began.
“No worries. You okay?” Ed asked, brushing hair out of Abby’s left eye. His fingers trailed over her cheek which made Abby’s body hum with tingles.
“I’m fine,” she fibbed.
“Should we head to baggage?” Ed asked, studying Abby’s face which seemed flushed.
“Sure,”
As Abby was bending forward trying to organize her bags, she realized that Ed was staring at her. He was staring at her cleavage. Surprised, Abby glanced down at her v-neck t-shirt and put a hand over her chest. When Ed caught her gaze, he gave her a big smile. Abby broke Ed’s gaze feeling her heart pound in her chest. A few minutes later, Abby nearly tripped over her bag but Ed caught her arm and steadied her.
“Careful,” he said.
Abby then noticed a thin man holding the sign which read Edmund Spenser. He looked bored with faded acne scars on his skinny cheeks. He was dressed in a suit with shiny black shoes. Ed steered Abby and their luggage towards the man with sign and said something quietly to the man out of Abby’s earshot. The chauffeur rushed forward to grab Abby’s bags from her. Ed waved her on, noticing the startled look on my face upon seeing the black stretch limo. Abby climbed into the back of the limo in awe. She had never been in a real limousine before. The inside was beige leather, soft to the touch. The windows were tinted and Abby could barely see out of them. Ed scooted across the bench seat beside Abby.
“Never been in a stretch limo,” Abby whispered.
“Bethany said a car. She’s showing off,” Ed said, frowning, his forehead creased.
“How far do we go?” Abby asked.
“About an hour,” he said.
The next two days flew by as Abby tried to get ahead of her workload. She was exhausted by the time they were at the airport, awaiting their flight to Savannah. Abby opened a romance novel she had brought with her and propped her feet up on the top of her carry on bag. Ed studied her for a few minutes. He was in a sort of denial; he had convinced himself he wasn’t really going home. It had helped steady his nerves. Out of curiosity, he craned his neck and tried to read the title of Abby’s book. He wasn’t sure, but it sounded like a romance title. This sort of intrigued him. “Do you have any other books?” he asked Abby, peering over to try to read some of the passage that she had been focused.
Abby turned and Ed was so close to her, she jumped a bit in her seat and responded, “No, just the one. You still have time to grab a magazine,”
“Nah. I wished I had remembered my Ipod,” Ed said, leaning back in his seat.
Abby bit her tongue before she made a comment about how men always need help packing so they don’t forget things, at least the men in her family did.
“You could borrow mine,” Abby offered, reaching into her bag to locate it.
“Thanks, Abby,” he said, scrolling through her playlists as soon as she handed it to him. He put in the earpieces and began listening.
“I love this song,” he gasped, tapping his foot.
Abby looked up from her book and giggled at him. Ed looked blissful, his blue eyes shining. She hoped it lasted since she knew how worried he was about the trip. She was a bit worried, too.
They boarded the plane and settled into seats that were as always, too narrow. Ed listened to Abby’s Ipod for hours. Abby’s Ipod was an up close and personal look into the woman sitting next to him. It wasn’t what he had expected, a mix of raw, loud, angry music, dance music, and beautiful poignant songs intermixed. It was amazing. Just like Abby was amazing. Ed had liked her since the day at the furniture store; there was a reason she was the first person he reached out to during his bout of depression. She was more like him than he realized; she knew pain too.
Abby was engrossed in her book. Ed leaned his head on her shoulder and waited to see if she’d push it off, but she didn’t. Within minutes, he was fast asleep; comforted by being close to her.
Abby was so glad to stretch her legs and get off the plane. The line in the ladies room took forever since apparently all the women on the plane were there. Abby expected to see Ed upset as so many men would be, but he was sitting in a chair, listening to her Ipod again, his eyes closed. Abby tapped his shoulder and he jumped up with a smile.
“Sorry for…”Abby began.
“No worries. You okay?” Ed asked, brushing hair out of Abby’s left eye. His fingers trailed over her cheek which made Abby’s body hum with tingles.
“I’m fine,” she fibbed.
“Should we head to baggage?” Ed asked, studying Abby’s face which seemed flushed.
“Sure,”
As Abby was bending forward trying to organize her bags, she realized that Ed was staring at her. He was staring at her cleavage. Surprised, Abby glanced down at her v-neck t-shirt and put a hand over her chest. When Ed caught her gaze, he gave her a big smile. Abby broke Ed’s gaze feeling her heart pound in her chest. A few minutes later, Abby nearly tripped over her bag but Ed caught her arm and steadied her.
“Careful,” he said.
Abby then noticed a thin man holding the sign which read Edmund Spenser. He looked bored with faded acne scars on his skinny cheeks. He was dressed in a suit with shiny black shoes. Ed steered Abby and their luggage towards the man with sign and said something quietly to the man out of Abby’s earshot. The chauffeur rushed forward to grab Abby’s bags from her. Ed waved her on, noticing the startled look on my face upon seeing the black stretch limo. Abby climbed into the back of the limo in awe. She had never been in a real limousine before. The inside was beige leather, soft to the touch. The windows were tinted and Abby could barely see out of them. Ed scooted across the bench seat beside Abby.
“Never been in a stretch limo,” Abby whispered.
“Bethany said a car. She’s showing off,” Ed said, frowning, his forehead creased.
“How far do we go?” Abby asked.
“About an hour,” he said.
April 27, 2010
10. After meeting Doris
The story continues...
Ed’s receptionist, Doris waved goodbye and murmured nice to meet you sentiments and left the office very quickly. It seemed to Abby that Doris acted like she had expected Ed and Abby wanting to be alone. She suddenly felt a bit nervous in the pit of her stomach.
“She’s a character,” Abby said, trying to regain her composure.
“Yeah, she’s great. Puts up with me,” Ed began, “Like you I guess.”
“Really not much to put up dearest Ed,” Abby said without realizing the endearment she had added.
“Oh just wait for Savannah,” he said, his smile fading.
Abby stood up and walked towards him, “I like your office.” She saw the worry spread over his face and it pained her; she was going to try to distract him.
“It’s small,” he said.
“It’s the perfect size for your business, Ed. You have a lot to be proud of,” Abby told him.
Ed stayed silent looked deep in thought.
“Don’t worry,” Abby told him.
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry,” she repeated.
“Not sleeping well again,” he said.
Abby recalled the nightmare she had had with Ed some weeks past and almost asked him if he had had anything similar, but it was absurd and she decided not to mention it.
“Anything you want to talk about?” Abby offered.
“Not looking forward to my mother,” he said, his gaze on the floor. He did not want to talk to Abby about things.
“Hey, Monkey, it’s going to be okay. You’ll survive it,” Abby said.
“Who’s a monkey,” he chuckled.
“I’m the rabbit, you’re the monkey,” Abby told him, “But I won’t call you Monkey in front of your family.”
“You’re crazy,” he sighed.
“I know,” she said.
Ed smiled at her and asked, “So you are sure you can pick out candlesticks?”
“Of course, they teach that in medical school don’t you know,” she joked.
“Show off,” he joked in response.
Ed’s receptionist, Doris waved goodbye and murmured nice to meet you sentiments and left the office very quickly. It seemed to Abby that Doris acted like she had expected Ed and Abby wanting to be alone. She suddenly felt a bit nervous in the pit of her stomach.
“She’s a character,” Abby said, trying to regain her composure.
“Yeah, she’s great. Puts up with me,” Ed began, “Like you I guess.”
“Really not much to put up dearest Ed,” Abby said without realizing the endearment she had added.
“Oh just wait for Savannah,” he said, his smile fading.
Abby stood up and walked towards him, “I like your office.” She saw the worry spread over his face and it pained her; she was going to try to distract him.
“It’s small,” he said.
“It’s the perfect size for your business, Ed. You have a lot to be proud of,” Abby told him.
Ed stayed silent looked deep in thought.
“Don’t worry,” Abby told him.
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry,” she repeated.
“Not sleeping well again,” he said.
Abby recalled the nightmare she had had with Ed some weeks past and almost asked him if he had had anything similar, but it was absurd and she decided not to mention it.
“Anything you want to talk about?” Abby offered.
“Not looking forward to my mother,” he said, his gaze on the floor. He did not want to talk to Abby about things.
“Hey, Monkey, it’s going to be okay. You’ll survive it,” Abby said.
“Who’s a monkey,” he chuckled.
“I’m the rabbit, you’re the monkey,” Abby told him, “But I won’t call you Monkey in front of your family.”
“You’re crazy,” he sighed.
“I know,” she said.
Ed smiled at her and asked, “So you are sure you can pick out candlesticks?”
“Of course, they teach that in medical school don’t you know,” she joked.
“Show off,” he joked in response.
April 16, 2010
9. Preparing for the Wedding in Savannah
The story continues...
Two days before the flight to Savannah, Georgia for the wedding, Abby headed to Ed’s business office to meet him and run some last minute errands. She was getting a bit nervous about going to his family function with him. She hoped that she hadn’t sounded like too much of an idiot when she told Ed on the phone the evening prior that he had to be sure they had separate rooms. He had kind of chuckled at her. Abby sighed upon remembering the sound of Ed’s laugh. Her friend, Cheryl had convinced her to buy some sexy underwear for the wedding events. Abby hadn’t removed any of the price tags yet; although, she knew full well she couldn’t return those kind of things, anyway. That day at the shopping mall, Cheryl had forced the bag into her hands and announced to her, “Five years is a long time, Abby. Even though I am exhausted all the time with two kids and all, I couldn’t go five years without sex.” She shook her head in spite of herself as she pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall. Abby had made up her mind, though; she and Ed and were friends and that was it. At least for now, she thought, slamming the car door.
The entrance to Ed’s electronic business was non obtrusive; Abby had driven past it before but never been inside the office before. Ed was always telling her how he just needed storage for his tools and essentials and Doris to help make appointments and get the mail. He was proud of his business, even if it was small, Abby thought to herself fondly. Doris was his receptionist and Abby had spoken to her on the phone several times, but didn’t know what to expect in person. Abby pulled the door open and saw a petite woman with straight dishwater blond hair to her shoulders and a thin face with happy crinkles near her eyes.
“May I help?” Doris began.
Abby opened to mouth to introduce herself but didn’t have a chance to do so before Doris exclaimed, “It’s Abby, right.”
Abby nodded and the slender little woman crushed her with a warm hug.
Doris finally stepped back and said, “So nice to meet you finally. I’m Doris.”
“Hello, Doris,” Abby said, still a bit surprised by the hug from a stranger.
“Ed talks about you non-stop,” she said, smiling, her cheeks rosy, her laugh lines giving her face a look of warm wisdom.
“Oh,” was all Abby could get out. She tried to steady her nerves and she looked around the office, one central room, what looked like a storage closet and a little bathroom. The central room had been broken up with two desks and there was even a makeshift waiting area with three folding chairs. A heavy duty plastic shelving unit next to one of the desk was littered with wire, lighting fixtures and light switches. A Moab, Utah poster was above what Abby presumed was Ed’s desk and it made her smile. She too, loved the red rocks there.
“He should be back any minute,” Doris said, “Would you like a drink?”
“Only if its not trouble,” Abby said, sitting down at the desk chair facing the Moab poster.
Doris went and retrieved a coke from the mini refrigerator in the corner and handed it to her with another big smile.
Abby took a drink of the coke and read Ed’s post-it note messages. His printing was so perfectly straight, never cursive. Just then, Ed walked through the door. His grin turned into a big smile when you saw her sitting at his desk.
“Hope you didn’t wait long, Abby,” Ed said, setting his toolboxes onto the floor.
She shook her head.
“Ah, Doris. You found her weakness. Coca-Cola,” Ed said, chuckling.
“Her only one it would seem,” Doris said, smiling at Ed.
Abby squeezed her coke can tighter and thought about it. What did Doris mean? How much did Ed talk about her with Doris?
Abby had a puzzled look on her face so Ed gave Abby a lopsided grin and winked at her. He had been overwhelmed with stress that day and seeing Abby was like a breath of fresh air. More and more he had realized how much he looked forward to spending time with her.
Two days before the flight to Savannah, Georgia for the wedding, Abby headed to Ed’s business office to meet him and run some last minute errands. She was getting a bit nervous about going to his family function with him. She hoped that she hadn’t sounded like too much of an idiot when she told Ed on the phone the evening prior that he had to be sure they had separate rooms. He had kind of chuckled at her. Abby sighed upon remembering the sound of Ed’s laugh. Her friend, Cheryl had convinced her to buy some sexy underwear for the wedding events. Abby hadn’t removed any of the price tags yet; although, she knew full well she couldn’t return those kind of things, anyway. That day at the shopping mall, Cheryl had forced the bag into her hands and announced to her, “Five years is a long time, Abby. Even though I am exhausted all the time with two kids and all, I couldn’t go five years without sex.” She shook her head in spite of herself as she pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall. Abby had made up her mind, though; she and Ed and were friends and that was it. At least for now, she thought, slamming the car door.
The entrance to Ed’s electronic business was non obtrusive; Abby had driven past it before but never been inside the office before. Ed was always telling her how he just needed storage for his tools and essentials and Doris to help make appointments and get the mail. He was proud of his business, even if it was small, Abby thought to herself fondly. Doris was his receptionist and Abby had spoken to her on the phone several times, but didn’t know what to expect in person. Abby pulled the door open and saw a petite woman with straight dishwater blond hair to her shoulders and a thin face with happy crinkles near her eyes.
“May I help?” Doris began.
Abby opened to mouth to introduce herself but didn’t have a chance to do so before Doris exclaimed, “It’s Abby, right.”
Abby nodded and the slender little woman crushed her with a warm hug.
Doris finally stepped back and said, “So nice to meet you finally. I’m Doris.”
“Hello, Doris,” Abby said, still a bit surprised by the hug from a stranger.
“Ed talks about you non-stop,” she said, smiling, her cheeks rosy, her laugh lines giving her face a look of warm wisdom.
“Oh,” was all Abby could get out. She tried to steady her nerves and she looked around the office, one central room, what looked like a storage closet and a little bathroom. The central room had been broken up with two desks and there was even a makeshift waiting area with three folding chairs. A heavy duty plastic shelving unit next to one of the desk was littered with wire, lighting fixtures and light switches. A Moab, Utah poster was above what Abby presumed was Ed’s desk and it made her smile. She too, loved the red rocks there.
“He should be back any minute,” Doris said, “Would you like a drink?”
“Only if its not trouble,” Abby said, sitting down at the desk chair facing the Moab poster.
Doris went and retrieved a coke from the mini refrigerator in the corner and handed it to her with another big smile.
Abby took a drink of the coke and read Ed’s post-it note messages. His printing was so perfectly straight, never cursive. Just then, Ed walked through the door. His grin turned into a big smile when you saw her sitting at his desk.
“Hope you didn’t wait long, Abby,” Ed said, setting his toolboxes onto the floor.
She shook her head.
“Ah, Doris. You found her weakness. Coca-Cola,” Ed said, chuckling.
“Her only one it would seem,” Doris said, smiling at Ed.
Abby squeezed her coke can tighter and thought about it. What did Doris mean? How much did Ed talk about her with Doris?
Abby had a puzzled look on her face so Ed gave Abby a lopsided grin and winked at her. He had been overwhelmed with stress that day and seeing Abby was like a breath of fresh air. More and more he had realized how much he looked forward to spending time with her.
March 31, 2010
8. Invitation to Savannah
The next day, Abby and Ed went to a movie and then to the closest large bookstore to hang out. Abby was a bit off her game that day after the strange nightmare the previous night. She considered telling Ed about the dream, but in the end, decided against it. Ed was in line to order for them and he was dressed in a black short sleeve button down shirt with jeans; Abby couldn't help but study him, especially the curve of his bottom in his jeans. Ed turned back towards her, flashing her a grin. She returned the smile which come out a bit devious since she couldn't stop herself from imagining putting her hands all over him.
Abby fought to wrap up her daydream as Ed approached carrying two iced chai lattes. His hands looked strong and Abby felt a blush come to her cheeks.
"What's up?" he asked, setting down her drink.
"Huh?" she replied, lost in his gaze at that moment.
"You all right?" he asked after he sat down.
"Sure. Didn't sleep well last night," Abby said quickly, almost so quickly that the words nearly jumbled together.
"How come you never talk about past boyfriends?" he asked, after crumpling up the paper wrapper for his straw.
Abby's mouth gaped a bit in surprise until she made herself close it. The question seemed to come out of left field, but maybe Ed had an idea of what she was....no, that's just silly she told herself.
"Didn't end well, made myself too vulnerable, ancient history," she said without taking a breath in between.
Ed leaned back in his chair and chuckled because Abby really did seem a little weird that day. He figured that now was his chance. He'd been putting off asking her something for a few weeks and time was running out.
"I need to ask you a favor," he began, "I've been afraid to ask."
"Ask what?"
"I need you to go to my sister's wedding with me,"
"Her wedding?" Abby asked, who was kind of rerunning Ed's line "I need you" over and over in her head in those few seconds since it was nice to hear. Pathetic Abby, Pathetic. her internal voice echoed.
"Bethany is getting married. I know it is a huge favor to ask. I don't want to go alone," Ed said.
"Did they expect you to come with Tricia?" Abby asked and felt awful when she saw the immediate mention of his ex-girlfriend's name caused him great pain.
"No. I told Bethany about...her," he said, his voice now full of tension.
"When is it?" Abby asked.
"Six weeks away in Savannah,"
"Savannah?" Abby choked.
"Yeah. Bethany is paying for the tickets. She wants me there for a Tuesday to Sunday thing. Could you get off work?"
Abby didn't know what to say so just watched him silently; overwhelmed with the information. Ed was growing nervous and fidgeting in the wooden chair.
"I'd have to check on work. But I might be able to do some on the road on computer," she said, thinking of how a couple years ago when she was seeing patients every day she had her work schedule arranged six to eight months in advance. She could make it work now, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to go.
"Sure," Ed said.
"Maybe we should get separate rooms since we...aren't together," Abby announced with maybe a little nervous emphasis on the word together.
"We can do that," Ed said slowly.
"Do you go home much?" Abby asked him.
"Been six years I think,"
"Let me check on the dates," Abby said.
"Thanks for considering," Ed said, his palm sweaty, his stomach nervous. He hadn't considered what he would do if Abby said no. He felt like he was sinking; deep down he thought she would say yes.
"A wedding is a big deal for a couple to attend," Abby said.
"Yeah? Why is that?" he asked with a confused expression.
"Well. Stereotypical women assume if they are going with a date to a wedding that they have a chance of getting proposed to at some point. And, guests at a wedding seem to ask, 'When are you getting married?'"
"Huh?"
"Stupid, isn't it," Abby opined.
"So they won't believe that we are just friends?"
"It is a possibility,"
"Is that a bad thing?" Ed asked her, his palms extremely sweaty.
"What? No," Abby responded, blushing then added, "As long as you don't mind the implication."
Ed scooted his chair closer to the table and whispered, "No, I don't mind." He continued, "Bethany asked me to be a groomsman. I have to go. I promised. I just don't want to go. Especially alone."
His eyes were pleading with her and he was a bit shocked at how vulnerable he had made himself.
"Okay, I'll go with you. I know it's not going to be easy," Abby announced, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Easy to pretend you like me?" he asked, a crooked smile arising on his face.
"You owe me," she said, refusing to answer his last question.
Abby fought to wrap up her daydream as Ed approached carrying two iced chai lattes. His hands looked strong and Abby felt a blush come to her cheeks.
"What's up?" he asked, setting down her drink.
"Huh?" she replied, lost in his gaze at that moment.
"You all right?" he asked after he sat down.
"Sure. Didn't sleep well last night," Abby said quickly, almost so quickly that the words nearly jumbled together.
"How come you never talk about past boyfriends?" he asked, after crumpling up the paper wrapper for his straw.
Abby's mouth gaped a bit in surprise until she made herself close it. The question seemed to come out of left field, but maybe Ed had an idea of what she was....no, that's just silly she told herself.
"Didn't end well, made myself too vulnerable, ancient history," she said without taking a breath in between.
Ed leaned back in his chair and chuckled because Abby really did seem a little weird that day. He figured that now was his chance. He'd been putting off asking her something for a few weeks and time was running out.
"I need to ask you a favor," he began, "I've been afraid to ask."
"Ask what?"
"I need you to go to my sister's wedding with me,"
"Her wedding?" Abby asked, who was kind of rerunning Ed's line "I need you" over and over in her head in those few seconds since it was nice to hear. Pathetic Abby, Pathetic. her internal voice echoed.
"Bethany is getting married. I know it is a huge favor to ask. I don't want to go alone," Ed said.
"Did they expect you to come with Tricia?" Abby asked and felt awful when she saw the immediate mention of his ex-girlfriend's name caused him great pain.
"No. I told Bethany about...her," he said, his voice now full of tension.
"When is it?" Abby asked.
"Six weeks away in Savannah,"
"Savannah?" Abby choked.
"Yeah. Bethany is paying for the tickets. She wants me there for a Tuesday to Sunday thing. Could you get off work?"
Abby didn't know what to say so just watched him silently; overwhelmed with the information. Ed was growing nervous and fidgeting in the wooden chair.
"I'd have to check on work. But I might be able to do some on the road on computer," she said, thinking of how a couple years ago when she was seeing patients every day she had her work schedule arranged six to eight months in advance. She could make it work now, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to go.
"Sure," Ed said.
"Maybe we should get separate rooms since we...aren't together," Abby announced with maybe a little nervous emphasis on the word together.
"We can do that," Ed said slowly.
"Do you go home much?" Abby asked him.
"Been six years I think,"
"Let me check on the dates," Abby said.
"Thanks for considering," Ed said, his palm sweaty, his stomach nervous. He hadn't considered what he would do if Abby said no. He felt like he was sinking; deep down he thought she would say yes.
"A wedding is a big deal for a couple to attend," Abby said.
"Yeah? Why is that?" he asked with a confused expression.
"Well. Stereotypical women assume if they are going with a date to a wedding that they have a chance of getting proposed to at some point. And, guests at a wedding seem to ask, 'When are you getting married?'"
"Huh?"
"Stupid, isn't it," Abby opined.
"So they won't believe that we are just friends?"
"It is a possibility,"
"Is that a bad thing?" Ed asked her, his palms extremely sweaty.
"What? No," Abby responded, blushing then added, "As long as you don't mind the implication."
Ed scooted his chair closer to the table and whispered, "No, I don't mind." He continued, "Bethany asked me to be a groomsman. I have to go. I promised. I just don't want to go. Especially alone."
His eyes were pleading with her and he was a bit shocked at how vulnerable he had made himself.
"Okay, I'll go with you. I know it's not going to be easy," Abby announced, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Easy to pretend you like me?" he asked, a crooked smile arising on his face.
"You owe me," she said, refusing to answer his last question.
March 30, 2010
7. Finally had a dream about Ed
Abby and Ed began hanging out all the time, seeing movies, hanging out at bookstores, talking on the phone. More and more, Ed looked healthier and happier. Abby realized that she had a significant crush on Ed, but he didn’t seem to be interested in her more than a friend. She figured that was okay since they both didn’t have a great track record with relationships. Then one night she had the strangest nightmare and Ed was in it.
Abby had her back against a large tree, the air thick with moisture and humidity unlike anything she experienced living in Colorado. She was dressed in a white t-shirt and cotton pajama bottoms and sneakers. It was dimly lit but she could see the moss and lushness of all the plants around her. She shifted her footing and was aware of the mud beneath her. She looked up searching for stars or the moon, but the forest was too dense. Then she saw Ed walk towards her. His hair was mussed, his face pale, his blue eyes almost glowing. She called to him.
“I told you to run,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
“What is going on?” she asked him.
“It’s not safe,” Ed said as he came up close to her. He swept hair from out of her eyes and then ran a finger under her chin, sending an ache of longing through her body. Ed pressed up against her, pushing her against the damp tree trunk. She could feel his chest, his hips pressing against her, which was unexpected, but exciting. Ed seemed to be enjoying the closeness since Abby could feel all of his length against her, too. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you,” he said, “Now Run!”
They both turned as they heard a terrible howl of a beast in the distance. “RUN!” Ed yelled and then vanished. Abby heard the howl again and it was much closer. She began to run, not very successfully as she slipped on the wet ground and avoided fallen branches. The next sound was like a scream, but it was a shrill hungry scream that did not sound human. She turned back quickly and saw piercing red eyes in the distance and fought to muffle her own scream. She kept running and tripped over a large downed log and….
Abby woke up soaked in sweat in her bed at home. She blinked and looked around, terrified of what she might find. But there was no mud, no moss, no red-eyed monster, no Ed. The bedside clock read 4:12 am. She got up, trembling and telling herself over and over that it wasn’t real and it was just a dream. She put on a fleece jacket and decided to do some work on her computer. There was no way she was going to back to sleep now.
Abby had her back against a large tree, the air thick with moisture and humidity unlike anything she experienced living in Colorado. She was dressed in a white t-shirt and cotton pajama bottoms and sneakers. It was dimly lit but she could see the moss and lushness of all the plants around her. She shifted her footing and was aware of the mud beneath her. She looked up searching for stars or the moon, but the forest was too dense. Then she saw Ed walk towards her. His hair was mussed, his face pale, his blue eyes almost glowing. She called to him.
“I told you to run,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
“What is going on?” she asked him.
“It’s not safe,” Ed said as he came up close to her. He swept hair from out of her eyes and then ran a finger under her chin, sending an ache of longing through her body. Ed pressed up against her, pushing her against the damp tree trunk. She could feel his chest, his hips pressing against her, which was unexpected, but exciting. Ed seemed to be enjoying the closeness since Abby could feel all of his length against her, too. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you,” he said, “Now Run!”
They both turned as they heard a terrible howl of a beast in the distance. “RUN!” Ed yelled and then vanished. Abby heard the howl again and it was much closer. She began to run, not very successfully as she slipped on the wet ground and avoided fallen branches. The next sound was like a scream, but it was a shrill hungry scream that did not sound human. She turned back quickly and saw piercing red eyes in the distance and fought to muffle her own scream. She kept running and tripped over a large downed log and….
Abby woke up soaked in sweat in her bed at home. She blinked and looked around, terrified of what she might find. But there was no mud, no moss, no red-eyed monster, no Ed. The bedside clock read 4:12 am. She got up, trembling and telling herself over and over that it wasn’t real and it was just a dream. She put on a fleece jacket and decided to do some work on her computer. There was no way she was going to back to sleep now.
March 23, 2010
6. Getting the painful stuff out there OR A rabbits and a monkey go to the zoo
Abby watched Ed as he finished the last bite of his sundae.
"It's been tough," Ed said softly, aware that she was studying him. Abby tilted her head and stayed silent, waiting to see if he would say more. It was something she had learned as a doctor, though, she hoped it was in a friend capacity at that moment.
Ed stayed silent so Abby said, "It will get better. It takes time."
"My antidepressant is finally kicking in," Ed said very softly, almost a whisper.
"They can definitely help," she added.
"Yeah," he said, but avoided eye contact with Abby.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of,"
"It's kind of scary," Ed admitted.
"How so?" she asked.
"To admit that I was that..." he began, "That depressed. Everyone assumes you can pull yourself out."
"Usually you need help," Abby said.
"Yeah, I guess when your girlfriend cheats on you, gives you the clap, and steals $5000 from you, it's okay to need antidepressants, right?"
Abby was startled by Ed's admission and nodded in response rather than stumble over somehting to say.
"Did I shock you?" he asked, rubbing his hands over his face.
"No," she lied.
"It should shock you," he said.
Abby couldn't tell if his expression was tinged with anger or confusion.
"It takes courage to say something so personal. I admire your courage," Abby told him.
"I'm an idiot," he sighed.
"No you are not. No judgments here,"
"Judgment. Hmm. You have to pick a side," Ed said with a glimpse of deviousness in his blue eyes.
"Well I would have to have all the facts in order to make an educated jugment and I don't think you are ready to give facts, are you?" Abby said as she felt tension develop in between her shoulder blades.
"It would shock you," he said.
"Is that what you want? To shock me?" she asked.
"It's okay. I'm sorry I pushed. Want to see more animals?" Abby offered.
"What if I want you on my side?" Ed asked, keeping his eyes on the dish that now only contained a pool of melted icecream.
"Have your friends helped you in the past few months?" she asked.
"Don't have that many," Ed said.
"I don't either, but I try to maintain the friendships I have," Abby replied.
"I'm glad you called back then," he said.
They wandered around the zoo for a couple hours, ducking into the shade whenever possible as the Colorado sunshine grew hot. Both of them seemed to relax. They leaned on the rail studying the tiger hidden in the shade of a tree.
"If you could be any animal, what kind of animal would you want to be?" Ed asked.
"Well...Tough decision," Abby began, "I've always been a fan of frogs and rabbits. Not sure which I would pick."
"Interesting," Ed said. It was obvious that he was deep in thought about the discussion but seemed more playful than earlier in the day.
"And you?" Abby asked.
He smiled at her but said nothing.
"What are you reading into this?" Abby asked.
"It does tell a lot about somebody's personality," he said.
"Well, sure," she said,"A tiger is more menacing."
"Yeah, but you already said rabbit," Ed said, chuckling.
"I'm not cute and cuddly," Abby said, straightening her posture and crossing her arms across her chest.
"You're not?" Ed replied, teasingly.
She stuck her tongue out at him. Ed chuckled again, a real smile on his face. It made Abby catch her breath.
"So what you're saying is that your rabbit is like the ones from Monty Python?" Ed asked her still grinning.
"Well, I am taking kickboxing," she announced.
"Impressive," Ed said.
"So what is your animal?" Abby asked him.
"Nah. You'll laugh at me," he said in reply and began moving toward the lion area.
"Oh, I see how it is," Abby said.
After a few minutes of Abby staring at him, Ed said, "All right. A monkey. There, I said it."
She smiled at him, her hair ruffled and just a smudge of white sunscreen on her cheek and shirt collar; it made Ed feel good being just around her.
"You could have lied and said a wolf or a lion," Abby said.
"Yeah," Ed began, "But it's hard to lie to you."
"It's been tough," Ed said softly, aware that she was studying him. Abby tilted her head and stayed silent, waiting to see if he would say more. It was something she had learned as a doctor, though, she hoped it was in a friend capacity at that moment.
Ed stayed silent so Abby said, "It will get better. It takes time."
"My antidepressant is finally kicking in," Ed said very softly, almost a whisper.
"They can definitely help," she added.
"Yeah," he said, but avoided eye contact with Abby.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of,"
"It's kind of scary," Ed admitted.
"How so?" she asked.
"To admit that I was that..." he began, "That depressed. Everyone assumes you can pull yourself out."
"Usually you need help," Abby said.
"Yeah, I guess when your girlfriend cheats on you, gives you the clap, and steals $5000 from you, it's okay to need antidepressants, right?"
Abby was startled by Ed's admission and nodded in response rather than stumble over somehting to say.
"Did I shock you?" he asked, rubbing his hands over his face.
"No," she lied.
"It should shock you," he said.
Abby couldn't tell if his expression was tinged with anger or confusion.
"It takes courage to say something so personal. I admire your courage," Abby told him.
"I'm an idiot," he sighed.
"No you are not. No judgments here,"
"Judgment. Hmm. You have to pick a side," Ed said with a glimpse of deviousness in his blue eyes.
"Well I would have to have all the facts in order to make an educated jugment and I don't think you are ready to give facts, are you?" Abby said as she felt tension develop in between her shoulder blades.
"It would shock you," he said.
"Is that what you want? To shock me?" she asked.
"It's okay. I'm sorry I pushed. Want to see more animals?" Abby offered.
"What if I want you on my side?" Ed asked, keeping his eyes on the dish that now only contained a pool of melted icecream.
"Have your friends helped you in the past few months?" she asked.
"Don't have that many," Ed said.
"I don't either, but I try to maintain the friendships I have," Abby replied.
"I'm glad you called back then," he said.
They wandered around the zoo for a couple hours, ducking into the shade whenever possible as the Colorado sunshine grew hot. Both of them seemed to relax. They leaned on the rail studying the tiger hidden in the shade of a tree.
"If you could be any animal, what kind of animal would you want to be?" Ed asked.
"Well...Tough decision," Abby began, "I've always been a fan of frogs and rabbits. Not sure which I would pick."
"Interesting," Ed said. It was obvious that he was deep in thought about the discussion but seemed more playful than earlier in the day.
"And you?" Abby asked.
He smiled at her but said nothing.
"What are you reading into this?" Abby asked.
"It does tell a lot about somebody's personality," he said.
"Well, sure," she said,"A tiger is more menacing."
"Yeah, but you already said rabbit," Ed said, chuckling.
"I'm not cute and cuddly," Abby said, straightening her posture and crossing her arms across her chest.
"You're not?" Ed replied, teasingly.
She stuck her tongue out at him. Ed chuckled again, a real smile on his face. It made Abby catch her breath.
"So what you're saying is that your rabbit is like the ones from Monty Python?" Ed asked her still grinning.
"Well, I am taking kickboxing," she announced.
"Impressive," Ed said.
"So what is your animal?" Abby asked him.
"Nah. You'll laugh at me," he said in reply and began moving toward the lion area.
"Oh, I see how it is," Abby said.
After a few minutes of Abby staring at him, Ed said, "All right. A monkey. There, I said it."
She smiled at him, her hair ruffled and just a smudge of white sunscreen on her cheek and shirt collar; it made Ed feel good being just around her.
"You could have lied and said a wolf or a lion," Abby said.
"Yeah," Ed began, "But it's hard to lie to you."
March 15, 2010
5. Monkeys and icecream
Once they made it through the entrance of the zoo, Abby asked Ed, “So lions, tigers, bears, or elephants first?”
“Hmm. How about monkeys?” Ed asked.
“Monkeys it is,” Abby said, putting on her sunglasses.
Colorado definitely did have 300 days of sunshine a year. It had been a milder summer than usual and Abby was grateful it was wasn’t yet in the 90’s. She pulled out sunscreen from her backpack and began to smear it on her arms and neck.
Ed watched her apply the thick white lotion and chuckled. “You are prepared,” he said, reminding himself that getting out of bed each morning was all he could manage lately. He had been battling a deep depression after the mess with his ex and he wished that there was a lotion to protect from depression. He was still afraid of the depression overtaking him, but the fear seemed a little less being with Abby that day.
“Fair skinned,” Abby replied matter of factly and finished her sunscreen application.
They walked to the outdoor monkey enclosure and watched intently some of the monkeys who were enjoying themselves.
“Pretty silly, huh?” asked Abby.
“That one looks pretty pathetic,” Ed said, pointing.
“Nah, he’s just got a grooming problem,” she laughed.
“Kind of looks like me,” Ed said.
“I don’t think so,” Abby responded, stifling a giggle.
Ed sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t even remember getting dressed that morning. He looked down at himself. At least, he had managed to find a t-shirt and shorts that were clean.
Abby saw Ed looking at himself and shaking his head. She grabbed him by the arm and looped her arm in his. “Let’s go get some junk food,” she said.
Ed stared at her with a confused look on his face.
“You know. Junk food. Cotton candy, ice cream, candy bar?” she said, pulling Ed along the path with her.
“I don’t know,” he grumbled.
“I’m not a fan, but maybe some chili cheese fries?” she offered.
“I don’t have much of an appetite these days,” Ed said.
“Are you watching your figure?” she asked, giggling.
“No,” he said with a little chuckle.
They sat at a small table under umbrellas. Abby had an ice cream cone and Ed decided on a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and all. Since Abby had less to eat, she finished first and watched Ed. Maybe it was her imagination, but he looked somewhat less sad.
“Hmm. How about monkeys?” Ed asked.
“Monkeys it is,” Abby said, putting on her sunglasses.
Colorado definitely did have 300 days of sunshine a year. It had been a milder summer than usual and Abby was grateful it was wasn’t yet in the 90’s. She pulled out sunscreen from her backpack and began to smear it on her arms and neck.
Ed watched her apply the thick white lotion and chuckled. “You are prepared,” he said, reminding himself that getting out of bed each morning was all he could manage lately. He had been battling a deep depression after the mess with his ex and he wished that there was a lotion to protect from depression. He was still afraid of the depression overtaking him, but the fear seemed a little less being with Abby that day.
“Fair skinned,” Abby replied matter of factly and finished her sunscreen application.
They walked to the outdoor monkey enclosure and watched intently some of the monkeys who were enjoying themselves.
“Pretty silly, huh?” asked Abby.
“That one looks pretty pathetic,” Ed said, pointing.
“Nah, he’s just got a grooming problem,” she laughed.
“Kind of looks like me,” Ed said.
“I don’t think so,” Abby responded, stifling a giggle.
Ed sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t even remember getting dressed that morning. He looked down at himself. At least, he had managed to find a t-shirt and shorts that were clean.
Abby saw Ed looking at himself and shaking his head. She grabbed him by the arm and looped her arm in his. “Let’s go get some junk food,” she said.
Ed stared at her with a confused look on his face.
“You know. Junk food. Cotton candy, ice cream, candy bar?” she said, pulling Ed along the path with her.
“I don’t know,” he grumbled.
“I’m not a fan, but maybe some chili cheese fries?” she offered.
“I don’t have much of an appetite these days,” Ed said.
“Are you watching your figure?” she asked, giggling.
“No,” he said with a little chuckle.
They sat at a small table under umbrellas. Abby had an ice cream cone and Ed decided on a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and all. Since Abby had less to eat, she finished first and watched Ed. Maybe it was her imagination, but he looked somewhat less sad.
March 9, 2010
4. A little bit of sunshine
“How are you?” he asked, adding non-dairy creamer to his tea.
“Fine. Fine. How are you? You look kind of pale, Ed. Are you okay?” she asked.
He just watched her silently for awhile. Abby got flustered. Maybe she had been too personal.
He shifted in the chair and softly said, “Not really,” in response.
Abby took a sip of her tea and tried not to stare at him but she did let her gaze stop on his hands that seemed strong, a little chapped, with a standard Band-Aid on the pointer finger.
“I’m glad you called,” she said finally.
He tried to force a little smile for her.
“So how did you get my number?” she began, “I didn’t give it to you at the furniture store.”
“Didn’t you?” he asked, slyly raising his eyebrows at her.
“No,” she said, “I have a very good memory.”
“I’m sure you do,” he said.
She took a drink of her tea. “Well, Ed. What do you want to talk about?”
“I called Peter. He gave me Cheryl’s number. Cheryl gave me yours,” he said.
“Oh,” she said, realizing that it sounded like he went out of his way to get her number which made her grow nervous.
After a couple minutes of silence that had made Abby’s heart pound, she finally said, “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s okay. This is the first time I’ve done anything social in …in a long time,”
“So….your relationship?”
“Over,”
“I’m sorry,”
“I confronted her the day I saw you,” he said bluntly.
“Oh. Good for you. You deserve better,”
“You don’t know me,”
“No, I don’t. But everyone deserves loyalty,” she said.
He watched her, his blue eyes moist with emotion and said, “Too bad it’s so hard to find.”
Abby smiled at him.
“I’m kind of messed up,” he said.
“Isn’t everybody?” Abby asked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“You look like you could use some sunshine,” Abby announced.
“Is that a song?” Ed asked.
“No, it’s two for one at the zoo today. Let’s go,” Abby said, grabbing their empty ceramic cups and setting them near the trash bin.
Ed had a strange expression on his face and Abby couldn’t tell what it meant.
“Unless you have other plans?” she added.
“No. No plans,” he said.
“Fine. Fine. How are you? You look kind of pale, Ed. Are you okay?” she asked.
He just watched her silently for awhile. Abby got flustered. Maybe she had been too personal.
He shifted in the chair and softly said, “Not really,” in response.
Abby took a sip of her tea and tried not to stare at him but she did let her gaze stop on his hands that seemed strong, a little chapped, with a standard Band-Aid on the pointer finger.
“I’m glad you called,” she said finally.
He tried to force a little smile for her.
“So how did you get my number?” she began, “I didn’t give it to you at the furniture store.”
“Didn’t you?” he asked, slyly raising his eyebrows at her.
“No,” she said, “I have a very good memory.”
“I’m sure you do,” he said.
She took a drink of her tea. “Well, Ed. What do you want to talk about?”
“I called Peter. He gave me Cheryl’s number. Cheryl gave me yours,” he said.
“Oh,” she said, realizing that it sounded like he went out of his way to get her number which made her grow nervous.
After a couple minutes of silence that had made Abby’s heart pound, she finally said, “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s okay. This is the first time I’ve done anything social in …in a long time,”
“So….your relationship?”
“Over,”
“I’m sorry,”
“I confronted her the day I saw you,” he said bluntly.
“Oh. Good for you. You deserve better,”
“You don’t know me,”
“No, I don’t. But everyone deserves loyalty,” she said.
He watched her, his blue eyes moist with emotion and said, “Too bad it’s so hard to find.”
Abby smiled at him.
“I’m kind of messed up,” he said.
“Isn’t everybody?” Abby asked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“You look like you could use some sunshine,” Abby announced.
“Is that a song?” Ed asked.
“No, it’s two for one at the zoo today. Let’s go,” Abby said, grabbing their empty ceramic cups and setting them near the trash bin.
Ed had a strange expression on his face and Abby couldn’t tell what it meant.
“Unless you have other plans?” she added.
“No. No plans,” he said.
March 8, 2010
3. Two tea drinkers in the coffee store
Abby watched Ed leave the furniture store and headed to the restroom. She fluffed up her brown hair, which in the dry climate of Colorado tended to do whatever it wanted. Under the fluorescent light, the red tones she painstakingly added herself every month didn't even show up. She squinted at herself and rubbed her button nose. Her eyes were hazel and lately always seemed to look tired. She didn't mind the smattering of freckles across her cheeks; she never could get out of bed early enough in the morning to wear much makeup. But, she sighed out loud to herself about the recent encounter. She thought of how handsome Ed had looked, even with the phone call. He was out of her league anyway she told herself as she left the restroom. Cheryl was waiting for her, asking her to plan to help assist putting the bed together that evening.
"No, I can't, Cheryl. Really. I've promised myself I would make it to my kickboxing class," Abby announced, straightening up her posture a bit.
"I thought you said they laughed at you," Cheryl said.
"Well, they do sometimes. I'm not terribly coordinated, but I am getting better,"
"Okay then. Don't break anything," Cheryl said.
"Ha. Ha," Abby grunted.
Four months later Abby received an unexpected voicemail message, "Hey Abby. Was wondering if you might want to have coffee or something. It's Ed Spenser. Give me a call."
Abby's heart skipped a beat when she listened to it again to write down his phone number.
They met at Starbucks at 11 am on a Sunday. Abby hardly recognized Ed. He was pale with dark circles under his eyes. His hair was a bit longer and flat, without his characteristic spikes that she recalled he always wore in college and had at the furniture store four months ago. Abby waved him over to her table. He took a seat and Abby could tell he appeared to be trying too hard to not slump in the seat. The expression on his face was sad. Broken.
Abby asked him what he wanted to drink and jumped up to get in line at the counter and order for them both. They both decided on hot tea and upon ordering the girl working the counter rolled her eyes at Abby. Abby caught herself wishing she could make a pithy comeback about the girl's lip piercing or the hygiene of her nose piercing, but decided against it.
"No, I can't, Cheryl. Really. I've promised myself I would make it to my kickboxing class," Abby announced, straightening up her posture a bit.
"I thought you said they laughed at you," Cheryl said.
"Well, they do sometimes. I'm not terribly coordinated, but I am getting better,"
"Okay then. Don't break anything," Cheryl said.
"Ha. Ha," Abby grunted.
Four months later Abby received an unexpected voicemail message, "Hey Abby. Was wondering if you might want to have coffee or something. It's Ed Spenser. Give me a call."
Abby's heart skipped a beat when she listened to it again to write down his phone number.
They met at Starbucks at 11 am on a Sunday. Abby hardly recognized Ed. He was pale with dark circles under his eyes. His hair was a bit longer and flat, without his characteristic spikes that she recalled he always wore in college and had at the furniture store four months ago. Abby waved him over to her table. He took a seat and Abby could tell he appeared to be trying too hard to not slump in the seat. The expression on his face was sad. Broken.
Abby asked him what he wanted to drink and jumped up to get in line at the counter and order for them both. They both decided on hot tea and upon ordering the girl working the counter rolled her eyes at Abby. Abby caught herself wishing she could make a pithy comeback about the girl's lip piercing or the hygiene of her nose piercing, but decided against it.
March 3, 2010
2. Purple couch and the hard truth
Cheryl, Abby, and Ed small talked for a few minutes. Cheryl went to locate a salesman and purchase the bed set she had picked out for her son. Ed and Abby wandered around the sofa section of the furniture store and shared a bit about their lives since college. Abby noted that Ed didn't give many details about what he did for a living.
Mid-conversation, Ed's cell phone began to ring and he answered the call and moved 15 feet away from Abby to continue the call. His face grew pained and he started pacing as the call continued. Abby sat down on a purple love seat; she could not hear what Ed was talking about but she could tell that he was being reprimanded by someone who wouldn't give him a chance to explain. Ed finished the phone call and came back to sit on the purple faux suede sofa and slumped forward.
"You okay?" Abby asked him, not sure whether she should ask or not.
"No," he said softly, running his hands through his hair. "She keeps doing this to me...making me feel guilty. I mean I should be mad at her, not the other way around. We were supposed to look at furniture for us to move in together and she stood me up and then accuses me of cheating," he said in exasperation.
Abby watched him across the fake living room; the garish purple of the furnishings seemed too upbeat for the conversation. Abby made herself stay silent as she studied the look of anguish on Ed's face, a look that told her that Ed was in love with this woman and was unlikely to have cheated on her.
"I'm sorry, Ed," she finally said.
"Maybe I am a cheater and a horrible boyfriend," he grunted.
"I hardly know you, Ed, but something makes me think that's unlikely," Abby said to him quite sincerely.
He straightened and looked at Abby with surprise and then after a few seconds asked Abby, "Are you married like Cheryl?"
"Nope," she said, "I'm kind of a bum magnet."
"What's a bum magnet?" he asked with just a hint of a chuckle.
"Well...a friend of mine called me that because I seem to attract the wrong guys, freeloaders and the like."
Cheryl strode up to their fake living room and interrupted the conversation with, "It's because you are too nice."
"I can be mean," Abby said pouting a bit because she hated being told she was too nice.
"Ha ha," Cheryl said in reply, rummaging through her purse.
Abby shook her head in embarrassment.
"Have you ever been unfaithful?" Ed asked Abby in a soft voice.
"No," she answered quickly.
"Then you are not mean," he said.
Abby smiled softly at him in attempt to convey understanding.
"Wait, who's cheating on who?" Cheryl asked suddenly done with her purse and reconnecting with their conversation.
Ed shot Abby a scared look so Abby announced, "I cheat on my income taxes."
"You do not," Cheryl snapped, "You had a crying episode when you accidentally submitted it one year with a mistake."
"Lots of people cry over income taxes," Abby responded, try to make herself look tougher.
It was hard since Cheryl was her only friend who knew her before and after her self-assertiveness training and sometimes Cheryl forgot how hard Abby had worked. Ed smiled at Abby and whether it was the wonderful smile with a little dimple on the left or the fact that he seemed genuinely interested in talking to her, Abby began to blush at that moment.
"How long has it been since you worked with Peter? So where do you work now?" Cheryl asked Ed.
"Um, let me see," he began.
"Eddie and Peter went to law school together," Cheryl interrupted.
"Oh. Wow," Abby said, trying not to sound too surprised; as a doctor she wasn't too fond of lawyers.
"Abby's a doctor you know. You two professionals should go out," Cheryl said.
"Cheryl, Ed has a girlfriend. Show some respect," Abby said, "Besides doctors and lawyers don't really get along."
"I'm not a lawyer anymore," Ed said with a shaky voice.
"What? Why not?" cried Cheryl.
"I have my own business. I make my own hours and help people," he said, "I'm an electrician."
Cheryl was stunned silent which for her was saying a lot.
"Good for you. Sounds like you enjoy it," Abby said.
Ed was very taken with her nonjudgmental reaction and with the sincere look on her face. He found her more and more interesting.
The salesman returned to talk to Cheryl so Ed was saved from more awkward talk.
"Listen, I gotta go. It was nice to see you Abby. It made my day," Ed told her when he and Abby were both standing.
"Goodbye, Ed," she said, "Good luck."
Mid-conversation, Ed's cell phone began to ring and he answered the call and moved 15 feet away from Abby to continue the call. His face grew pained and he started pacing as the call continued. Abby sat down on a purple love seat; she could not hear what Ed was talking about but she could tell that he was being reprimanded by someone who wouldn't give him a chance to explain. Ed finished the phone call and came back to sit on the purple faux suede sofa and slumped forward.
"You okay?" Abby asked him, not sure whether she should ask or not.
"No," he said softly, running his hands through his hair. "She keeps doing this to me...making me feel guilty. I mean I should be mad at her, not the other way around. We were supposed to look at furniture for us to move in together and she stood me up and then accuses me of cheating," he said in exasperation.
Abby watched him across the fake living room; the garish purple of the furnishings seemed too upbeat for the conversation. Abby made herself stay silent as she studied the look of anguish on Ed's face, a look that told her that Ed was in love with this woman and was unlikely to have cheated on her.
"I'm sorry, Ed," she finally said.
"Maybe I am a cheater and a horrible boyfriend," he grunted.
"I hardly know you, Ed, but something makes me think that's unlikely," Abby said to him quite sincerely.
He straightened and looked at Abby with surprise and then after a few seconds asked Abby, "Are you married like Cheryl?"
"Nope," she said, "I'm kind of a bum magnet."
"What's a bum magnet?" he asked with just a hint of a chuckle.
"Well...a friend of mine called me that because I seem to attract the wrong guys, freeloaders and the like."
Cheryl strode up to their fake living room and interrupted the conversation with, "It's because you are too nice."
"I can be mean," Abby said pouting a bit because she hated being told she was too nice.
"Ha ha," Cheryl said in reply, rummaging through her purse.
Abby shook her head in embarrassment.
"Have you ever been unfaithful?" Ed asked Abby in a soft voice.
"No," she answered quickly.
"Then you are not mean," he said.
Abby smiled softly at him in attempt to convey understanding.
"Wait, who's cheating on who?" Cheryl asked suddenly done with her purse and reconnecting with their conversation.
Ed shot Abby a scared look so Abby announced, "I cheat on my income taxes."
"You do not," Cheryl snapped, "You had a crying episode when you accidentally submitted it one year with a mistake."
"Lots of people cry over income taxes," Abby responded, try to make herself look tougher.
It was hard since Cheryl was her only friend who knew her before and after her self-assertiveness training and sometimes Cheryl forgot how hard Abby had worked. Ed smiled at Abby and whether it was the wonderful smile with a little dimple on the left or the fact that he seemed genuinely interested in talking to her, Abby began to blush at that moment.
"How long has it been since you worked with Peter? So where do you work now?" Cheryl asked Ed.
"Um, let me see," he began.
"Eddie and Peter went to law school together," Cheryl interrupted.
"Oh. Wow," Abby said, trying not to sound too surprised; as a doctor she wasn't too fond of lawyers.
"Abby's a doctor you know. You two professionals should go out," Cheryl said.
"Cheryl, Ed has a girlfriend. Show some respect," Abby said, "Besides doctors and lawyers don't really get along."
"I'm not a lawyer anymore," Ed said with a shaky voice.
"What? Why not?" cried Cheryl.
"I have my own business. I make my own hours and help people," he said, "I'm an electrician."
Cheryl was stunned silent which for her was saying a lot.
"Good for you. Sounds like you enjoy it," Abby said.
Ed was very taken with her nonjudgmental reaction and with the sincere look on her face. He found her more and more interesting.
The salesman returned to talk to Cheryl so Ed was saved from more awkward talk.
"Listen, I gotta go. It was nice to see you Abby. It made my day," Ed told her when he and Abby were both standing.
"Goodbye, Ed," she said, "Good luck."
February 19, 2010
1. It started in all places, a furniture store
Abby took a deep breath and turned the corner to find her friend, Cheryl on the bench. She wasn't entirely sure that she was the best one to help Cheryl look for a bedroom furniture for Cheryl's three year old son, but Abby enjoyed the big furniture warehouse south of town. Abby had fond memories of spending time in the furniture store as a kid, sharing hotdogs with her family, trying to soak up air conditioning on a hot summer day. Abby didn't change her furniture frequently, but she always liked to see the new styles and see what other people liked when it came to furnishings. Cheryl and Abby had been friends since grade school, although Abby had no children of her own she did babysit sometimes for her long-time friend. Cheryl looked deep in thought as she led the two of them across the store.
"I guess you wanted me along for safety advice?" Abby asked, chuckling. She was a physician and knew somethings about children, but certainly not everything.
"At least I talked Pete into watching the kids or we'd have chaos," she said, recognizing Abby's attempt to say she wasn't qualified to be a part of the shopping trip.
"Why didn't you want Conner to pick out his own big boy bed?" Abby asked using the phrase Cheryl had used when she begged her to join her on this outing.
Cheryl laughed a deep hearty laugh similar to those from high school or college. "Abby, you are hopeless," she snickered, nearly out of breath from laughter,"You don't let a three year old pick out furniture."
"My bad," Abby said.
They had almost made their way to the children's furniture section when a man ran right into Cheryl. Thankfully both of them saw the crash coming so no one ended up on the floor.
"Cheryl," cried the man who looked from Cheryl and Abby and exclaimed again, "Abby."
Abby immediately recognized him, "Eddie Spenser!" He didn't look very different from college, tall, with slim build, a strong jawline, light brown hair spiky on the top and beautiful blue eyes. Yeah, maybe he had a few more creases on his face, but it had been over fifteen years since college.
"How the hell are ya?" he asked, then added,"You two look great."
Yes, he was always a charmer, Abby reminded herself. She wondered how much she had changed since college.
"I guess you wanted me along for safety advice?" Abby asked, chuckling. She was a physician and knew somethings about children, but certainly not everything.
"At least I talked Pete into watching the kids or we'd have chaos," she said, recognizing Abby's attempt to say she wasn't qualified to be a part of the shopping trip.
"Why didn't you want Conner to pick out his own big boy bed?" Abby asked using the phrase Cheryl had used when she begged her to join her on this outing.
Cheryl laughed a deep hearty laugh similar to those from high school or college. "Abby, you are hopeless," she snickered, nearly out of breath from laughter,"You don't let a three year old pick out furniture."
"My bad," Abby said.
They had almost made their way to the children's furniture section when a man ran right into Cheryl. Thankfully both of them saw the crash coming so no one ended up on the floor.
"Cheryl," cried the man who looked from Cheryl and Abby and exclaimed again, "Abby."
Abby immediately recognized him, "Eddie Spenser!" He didn't look very different from college, tall, with slim build, a strong jawline, light brown hair spiky on the top and beautiful blue eyes. Yeah, maybe he had a few more creases on his face, but it had been over fifteen years since college.
"How the hell are ya?" he asked, then added,"You two look great."
Yes, he was always a charmer, Abby reminded herself. She wondered how much she had changed since college.
February 6, 2010
Abby's Playlist
3 Strange Days by School of Fish
She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
No Heaven by Champion
Factories by Winter Gloves
Delight by Solitary Experiments
Spiralling by Keane
Bulletproof by LaRoux
I Need You Tonight by INXS
Do You Feel by Solitary Experiments
20 hZ by Covenant
Clubfoot by Kasabian
Can’t Stop by Mozella
Cells by The Servant
Do You Wanna Touch by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Keep Hope Alive by The Crystal Method
Apologize (featuring OneRepublic) by Timbaland
She Can Get It by Kevin Rudolf
She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
No Heaven by Champion
Factories by Winter Gloves
Delight by Solitary Experiments
Spiralling by Keane
Bulletproof by LaRoux
I Need You Tonight by INXS
Do You Feel by Solitary Experiments
20 hZ by Covenant
Clubfoot by Kasabian
Can’t Stop by Mozella
Cells by The Servant
Do You Wanna Touch by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Keep Hope Alive by The Crystal Method
Apologize (featuring OneRepublic) by Timbaland
She Can Get It by Kevin Rudolf
February 4, 2010
It's a process.
The first story begins in Colorado and involves a trip to Savannah, Georgia. Want to get you in the mood with some photos.
February 3, 2010
New to blogging, love to write
I write romance/mystery type of stories, but until recently my sister was the only person whom I let read them. After learning some about the publishing industry and new authors, I decided to hold on to my day job. Ha ha. I love writing and don't want to lose my love of writing because I was overcome with the need to market a book.
My stories are about strong independent women who haven't had the best luck with romance, but find out that romance can happen to career minded women as well as some excitement along the way. So you'll have to bear with me since I am new to blogging.
My stories are about strong independent women who haven't had the best luck with romance, but find out that romance can happen to career minded women as well as some excitement along the way. So you'll have to bear with me since I am new to blogging.
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