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.
May 27, 2010
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.
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