Mary and the Bear (2 page)

Mary Elizabeth desperately wanted to lie down and get some sleep, but she was too wired and her apartment was a mess. Cleaning would keep her hands busy and her mind quiet, she hoped. Starting with the kitchen, she loaded the dishwasher and then wiped down the countertops. From there, she worked her way through the rest of the apartment, cleaning everything in sight and as she cleaned, she did her laundry.

Her apartment was so small; it didn't take long to finish. Casting about for something else to do, she remembered Kiesha and gave her a call.

"Mary Elizabeth, I didn't expect to hear from you this soon."

"I came straight home after the funeral and cleaned. I know I need to rest but I'm too wired. I go back to work tomorrow.” Even now Mary Elizabeth was pacing around in her living room, unable to sit still.

"You know you don't have to return to work now if you don't want to. Feel free to take all the time you need."

"I'm ready to go back. Sitting around thinking about what happened will only make it worse."

"Well, I offered. If you change your mind later, the offer still stands. I know what you're going through.” She sure did, Mary Elizabeth thought. It was only a few years ago that Kiesha lost her mom. “But that's not why I asked you to call. You know that I'm opening another store in North Carolina, right?"

"Yes.” She heard about it from one of the other managers at the store where she worked.

"I want you to be the manager. It would mean relocating, but I'd be willing to pay all of your moving expenses. I have to warn you, this store is located in a really small town up in the mountains."

"I don't know what to say. It sounds wonderful, but the timing ... With Babs gone, I'm going to be needed at home now more than ever."

"Mary Elizabeth, that's exactly why you should leave. You need to get away from your family. It's the only way you'll ever have a life of your own. Your mom doesn't depend on you, she uses you, and you allow it. Remember how you hated being compared to Babs? If you come to Refuge, you'll be somewhere no one has ever heard of her. You'll be out from under her shadow and finally be able to be yourself, without interference from your family."

"I'll think about it. I promise.” It really sounded appealing and at any other time, she'd have jumped on the opportunity.

"Take all the time you need, but don't take
too
long. I haven't told the other managers what I'm about to tell you. The guy with me at the funeral? His name is Alex. We're getting married soon and already expecting our first child. I'm going to need a lot of help getting the new store up and running, and of course, I really want my best friend with me."

"Kiesha, that's great! I'm so happy for you. I didn't even know you were seeing anyone."

"I wasn't. It's happening extremely fast, but we're very happy. Anyway, that's what's behind the promotion. I really need help and you're perfect for the job. Also, the timing is perfect for you. I don't want to push, so I'll stop talking now. Think about it and let me know."

"Okay, I'll let you know real soon what my answer is.” Her other line beeped and Mary Elizabeth looked at the caller's ID. “Kiesha, got to go. I have to take this call."

"Talk to you later. Bye."

"Bye.” She clicked over. “Mother?"

"Mary Elizabeth, your father and I have been talking. Now that Babs is gone, we think it's time for you to move back home. Neither one of us are getting any younger. It won't be long before we'll need someone to take care of us."

"Mother, you're only fifty-three and Dad's not even sixty. Both of you are in perfect health. It could be another twenty years before you need someone looking after you, possibly longer."

"We're healthy
now
, but that could change overnight. You're not getting any younger yourself. If you had managed to get a husband and have children, I wouldn't ask this of you. I'd understand that your family needed you, but you don't, and at your age it's doubtful you ever will."

"
Mother
! I'm only thirty-two. I have plenty of time to get married and have kids."

"If you were as beautiful as my Babs, I'd say that was true, but you're not. In fact, you're rather plain looking, bless your heart. You take after your father's side. Then, there's your size. How many times have I told you if you'd just lose weight, you might be able to attract a man's attention? No, it's time to be reasonable and realize that you'll never find a man to marry you. Whatever small chance you had of attracting a husband is gone."

A knock sounded at the door. “Mother, there's someone at the door. I need to go. I'll speak with you later.” Thank God for whoever was at the door. She just didn't have the energy to deal with her mother right now.

"Don't forget what I said. We'll expect you here soon. Just throw out your furniture. Most of it's trash anyway. Where you got your taste in furniture from, I swear I don't know."

Another knock sounded at the door. “I've got to go now, Mother.
Goodbye
."

"Yes, yes, fine. See you later."

Mary Elizabeth heaved a sigh of relief as she disconnected the call and walked to the door. Looking through the peephole, she was surprised to see Charles standing there. She opened the door and stepped back, allowing him to enter. “What are you doing here?"

Charles indicated the box in his hands. “Since you didn't come to the house and eat, I brought you some food. I have way more than I can eat by myself. I offered to take some around to your parents, but they have just as much food there."

Mary Elizabeth led the way into the kitchen. “Put it down here on the countertop. If your kitchen looks anything like my parents, you have enough food to last a month, if not longer."

"This wasn't the only reason I came. I couldn't take another moment in that house. It's so empty, the memories are getting to me.” He'd changed out of his suit into a pair of snug fitting jeans and white polo shirt that showed off his lean athletic build. Charles was an extremely attractive man, with his golden blonde hair and baby blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Charles. It's rough for all of us right now, but eventually, it will get better. Let's go into the living room and sit down. Have you eaten? Would you like anything to drink?” Mary Elizabeth put away the food. She'd eat later when she had more of an appetite.

"I don't suppose you have any beer?"

If the smell of his breath was any indicator, Charles had already had enough to drink. “No, sorry. I rarely drink. Your choices are juice, water, milk, or soda."

"I'll take a soda.” She grabbed two sodas out of the fridge and joined him in the living room; glad she'd cleaned up. She definitely wasn't expecting company. She searched for something to say. “The service turned out really nice."

"Yeah, it was more than that bitch deserved."

"Um, excuse me?” Mary Elizabeth's gaze stopped bouncing around the room and locked onto Charles. She couldn't have heard correctly.

"I said it was more than she deserved. The bitch was cheating on me with her boss.” Mary Elizabeth said nothing, though inside, she was shocked. Charles knew about the affair?

When she didn't respond or act surprised, he said, “You knew about it, didn't you? You knew she was cheating on me with that scumbag boss of hers."

Mary Elizabeth debated over what to say. She could admit to knowing the truth, but she'd promised Babs and it would go against every principle she had.

"Don't bother trying to lie. I can see the truth on your face. I should have known she would tell you about it. She's used you for years to cover for her."

"I don't know what to say.” There was a part of Mary Elizabeth that felt guilty. If she'd tried a little harder, would she have been able to talk Babs out of what she was planning? If she had, maybe Babs would be alive today.

Charles left the window he was standing by and sat beside her on the couch, picking up her hands and holding them in his own. “Just tell me, why did she do it? I have to know. What did he have that I didn't? What did I do to make her turn to another man?"

"Charles, Babs didn't give me a reason. She wasn't big on explaining herself or her actions.” Why did Babs do any of the things she did? That was one thing Mary Elizabeth had never been able to figure out.

"I can't believe I wasted so much time with that faithless bitch. You know, she was the reason we never had kids. She didn't want to ruin her figure. Never mind what I wanted. I made a big mistake when I didn't marrying you. I should have known what she was like the night she seduced me, her own sister's fiancé. Instead, I was flattered that she wanted me so much. What a fool! I fell right into her hands."

"Charles, if you'd really loved me, Babs wouldn't have been able to seduce you. We were never more than good friends who happened to become engaged. Didn't it seem strange to you that we never had sex, yet we were planning on getting married? No, you didn't make a mistake. You and Babs were meant to be together. She was a much better wife for you than I would have been.” Mary Elizabeth thought back to a recent conversation she and Babs had concerning kids. Babs had been scared that if she'd given Charles the children he wanted, it would have taken his attention away from her. No sense explaining that to Charles now.

While she was speaking, Charles moved closer, placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. “I don't know what I would do without you, Mary Elizabeth. You've always been good to me, even after all that's happened between us. I can always count on your support. Why the hell didn't I marry you? You would have never cheated on me. We could have been happily married with our two-point-five children if it hadn't been for Babs.” Before she could respond, he lowered his head and kissed her. Held securely in his arms, she froze, not knowing what to do. In truth, she was shocked.

When she didn't respond to his kiss, he moved from her mouth and placed kisses all over her face. Turning her head to the side, she tried to get her hands up between them to push him away, but they were trapped by her sides. “Charles, stop."

He began kissing her neck. She wiggled, trying to get away from him. “Charles, stop it! You're not yourself right now. Don't do anything we'll both regret."

He tried to kiss his way down to her chest, but they were pressed too close together. What a time for her not to be wearing a bra! Moving more forcefully, she threw herself back, attempting to break his hold on her. At the same time, he unexpectedly loosed his grip. As a result, all she succeeded in doing was landing flat on her back on the couch. Charles quickly alighted on top of her.

She could feel his erection against her thigh. This couldn't be happening. She was not sitting in her living room fighting off a drunken pass from her sister's husband. Damn, she was getting angry. She didn't need this crap on top of everything else. Granted, the man had just buried his wife and probably wasn't thinking straight, but she was his sister-in-law, not some floozy from a bar.

"Charles,” she said sharply, “let me go! You're drunk. You need to go home."

"I'm not drunk. I know what I'm doing. Let me show you how good it can be between us.” He latched his mouth onto her t-shirt covered breast while trying to pry her legs open with his thigh. Enough was enough. She lifted her leg up, kneeing him in the groin. Not hard enough damage, but definitely hard enough to get his attention.

"I said, NO!” She shoved him and jumped to her feet as he rolled off of her onto the floor, clasping his balls. “You need to go. Now!"

Slowly he got to his feet and hobbled to the door, still clutching himself. When he drew even with her, he stopped. “This isn't over between us. I know you think this is the grief and alcohol talking, but it's not. I've known for a long time now that I made a mistake. Now that Babs is no longer a concern, I intend to have you like I would've if I hadn't been so stupid."

"Goodbye, Charles.” She opened the door wide, a hint for him to leave. Giving her one last look to show how determined he was, he slowly walked out. Closing the door with a thump behind him, she leaned her back against it and closed her eyes, tired beyond belief.

Damn, what a day. First there was the funeral, then the call from mother, and now Charles. She could only hope this Charles thing was temporary. But her mother? That was a different story. Mary Elizabeth always found it difficult to tell her mother no. It was a habit she'd developed as a child when she'd been willing to do anything to gain her mother's attention and approval.

What was she going to do? The picture of herself old and gray, at the beck and call of her demanding mother flashed through her mind, causing her to shudder in fear. Whatever it took, she had to keep that from happening. Like a light bulb going off in her head, she remembered Kiesha's offer. What a godsend! Someone upstairs was looking out for her. Picking up the phone, Mary Elizabeth dialed her number. “Kiesha, it's me. I accept. When do I leave?"

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Her mother didn't take the news of her moving well. To say her reaction was unpleasant was putting it mild. She went ballistic. “Mary Elizabeth Brown, I can't believe you would do something like this. How can you be so selfish? You know with your sister gone, we need you now more than ever. Who's going to cook Sunday dinner? Who's going to drive me to my hair appointments and bridge games? Who's supposed to take our clothing to the dry cleaner? You know we depend on you."

"Mother, you and daddy don't need me. You have a brand new car that you're perfectly capable of driving. You'll be just fine and don't forget about Charles. You know you can call him if you need anything. North Carolina isn't that far. I'll still come home for visits. Between phone calls and emails, it will be like I'm still here."

Nothing Mary Elizabeth said pacified her.

Her mother was dead set against her leaving and did everything in her power to talk her out of it. She got her friends involved. Mary Elizabeth's phone rang off of the hook with people calling to talk her out of it. She couldn't go anywhere in town without someone stopping her to express their opinion of her actions. Her mother even complained to their pastor and then he was on her case as well.

If it hadn't been for her father, Mary Elizabeth would have caved under all of the pressure. Just when she was ready to give in, call Kiesha and tell her she wouldn't be coming after all, her father had a little talk with her.

"Mary Elizabeth, I know I haven't been the best father to you girls. I let your mother have her way because it was easier to give in than to fight for what I wanted. I should have stood up to her more often, especially about her treatment of you. I realized that when Babs died. Don't be like me. Fight for what you want. Take advantage of this opportunity. Do whatever you have to do to get away from here and experience life. You've spent enough of your life catering to the whims of this family. It's time you did something for yourself."

Mary Elizabeth pulled her thoughts from the past and consulted the map. She was getting close and needed to pay attention if she didn't want to get lost. Kiesha said Refuge was tucked out of the way and hard to find, and this hazy twilight that made it seem later than it was didn't help. She tried to leave early so it would still be light when she reached her destination, but Charles showed up at her apartment this morning in one last determined bid to get her to stay, delaying her departure.

Finally, she spotted the last turnoff. From here it was a straight shot into town. Alex, Kiesha's fiancé, made arrangements for her to rent the only available apartment in town. It was located above Refuge's only eating establishment, which was probably why it was sitting empty. Not many people would want to live above a place that was noisy and always smelt like food. She was too happy to have a place of her own to care.

An hour later she pulled into a parking space in front of the crowded diner. The sign above it read, “Eat at Moe's.” Someone had a really strange sense of humor. Hugh Mosely, the owner of the apartment, was expecting her. She'd been instructed to ask for him in the diner.

After locking the truck, she walked inside. Several people stopped what they were doing to gawk at her. Spotting the waitress, she walked over to her. Her nametag read Cyndi. “Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find Hugh?"

Cyndi arched one eyebrow, looked her up and down and then turned away, dismissing her as unimportant. “Hugh! Someone to see you,” she hollered, then went back to flirting with the male customers at the counter.

"I'll be there in a sec.” A deep voice that sent shivers down her spine came from the kitchen area. Around her, she could hear customers speculating what her business with Hugh might be.

"Who wants me?” She turned at the sound of the voice behind her. Holy moly! A great big mountain of a man was coming toward her. He was tall, very tall and built like a linebacker. The closer he came, the bigger he grew and the more her head tipped back to take him all in. Good Lord, and she'd thought Alex was big. He must have been in the kitchen for he was wearing a white apron and wiping his hand on a towel. His jet-black hair was pulled back into a queue. From this angle, she couldn't tell how long it was.

He was an attractive man, despite or perhaps because of his size. He had high cheekbones and a dusky complexion that betrayed his Native American ancestry. His nose was long and sharp and his lips were sensuously full.

She attempted to pull her sluggish mind together. His mammoth size had briefly shocked her out of her weariness, but now it was all rushing back. “Me,” she croaked. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “I mean, I was told to see you about the apartment upstairs?"

"Are you Mary Elizabeth?"

God, she loved his voice. It was deep like Barry White's and made her feel all shivery inside. “Yes."

"Bring your vehicle around back. There's a stairway to the apartment. I'll meet you with the keys.” That said, he turned and walked away.

Okay, obviously a man of few words. Ready to get settled in after the long drive, she trudged back out to the truck to do as he instructed. She backed out of the parking space, drove around to the back of the diner, and parked near the bottom of the stairs. According to Alex, the apartment was furnished, which was a big plus. Less stuff she needed to transport. Her truck was loaded with clothes and personal items that she couldn't bear to part with, and of course, her expensive cookware. The rest of her things she'd placed on consignment at the store back home.

Hugh was waiting at the bottom of the stairs as promised. Turning off the engine, she grabbed her purse and jump out of the truck. He led the way up the stairs, talking as he went. “It's a two bedroom apartment, fully furnished. The furniture is old and the place needs a new coat of paint, but the heat and air work just fine. Brand new appliances and water heater. Anything don't work, you let me know."

He opened the door and motioned her inside. “I'm downstairs in the diner most of the time. Rent is due on the first, no later than the fifth. You need an extension, you talk to me and we'll work something out. Rent is three hundred a month plus a hundred dollar deposit. Feel free to fix the place up any way you like. God knows it needs it. Any questions?"

"You have a lease for me to sign?” He didn't have any paperwork in his hands. She wanted to get everything settled tonight.

"No lease needed. Alex says you're good people and that's enough for me. Here are your keys. If you lock yourself out, I keep a spare set downstairs in the office. If you'd like to eat in the diner, tenants get a fifty percent discount. Come down tonight when you finish unloading and eat, on the house. By the way, utilities are included in the rent. Can't separate them from the diner below so you won't be getting a bill. Stove's gas. Hope that won't be a problem. Phone's already on. Number's listed beside it."

With that, he dropped the keys in her hand, took one last look around and headed out the door. For such a big man, he moved quickly and quietly. She couldn't even hear him on the stairs as he descended.

Looking around at what was to be her new home, she realized she had a lot of work to do. The place was definitely a fixer-upper. A few coats of paint would go a long way toward sprucing it up. You could tell it had been several years since anyone had lived there.

Under the tiredness, there was a tiny spark of excitement growing. She'd always liked do-it-yourself projects and now she could indulge. She'd done it. She'd moved, and now she had two weeks to get settled into her new place before reporting to work.

A brief look at her watch showed it was almost six p.m.. She made herself get moving. There was the truck to unload, the bed to make and some cleaning to be done before she could call it a night. Groceries would have to wait until tomorrow. Good thing she'd packed a few things and stored them in a cooler for the trip. They should suffice until she could get to the store.

Trudging down the stairs, she made the first of many trips to the truck. She doubted she'd get everything unloaded tonight, but at least she'd have the essentials. One thing for sure, after all of this, she shouldn't have any problems sleeping.

It was close to eight o'clock when she finished. She was deeply satisfied with all she'd accomplished today. It had been a long day. She was exhausted, but there were still a few things to do before she could call it a night. She cleaned the bathroom, made the bed and unpacked the few essentials that she'd need in the morning.

That done, Mary Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief. She considered going down to the dinner for some real food, but was too tired. She fixed a sandwich and ate it standing up at the kitchen counter. Now that she wasn't moving as much, she realized it was cold in the apartment. After searching for a few minutes, she managed to find the thermostat and turn on the heat. She made sure everything was locked up tight, turned off the lights and went into the bedroom.

She grabbed her nightclothes and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. She really wanted to soak in the surprisingly large tub, but was afraid she'd fall asleep and drown. Rushing through her shower, she dressed for bed and turned in for the night.

Normally she had problems sleeping in unfamiliar beds and strange surroundings. She prayed that tonight it wouldn't be an issue. She needed sleep. In the last few weeks since Babs died, she'd only napped. If she didn't get any rest tonight, she'd break down and buy some sleeping pills.

As she was falling asleep, her thoughts drifted back to her new landlord. What a strange man. He was appealing, but not handsome in the traditional sense. Grandma Pete would have said that his face had character. Her last thought would have shocked her if she'd been more alert. She wondered if it were true what they said about men with big hands and feet.