The Battered Heiress Blues

21





The weeks passed with only bits and pieces of information from Tommy, regarding John’s condition. No doubt, this was purposeful due to my challenged pregnancy, but filtered information was better than no information. The surgery was a success and the PET scan was clean. The cancer had not metastasized to any of his major organs. He would be home tomorrow and I would be able to assess the situation myself.

Henry slipped in during the night without me noticing. Occupying the same recliner in the corner, he didn’t even budge as I fumbled around the bedroom looking for my bathrobe in the morning. His travel clock was next to him on the table. The alarm appeared to be set so I didn’t wake him.

Gabe was looking over the paper, wearing his cop get-up, as I made my way into the kitchen. The house had become an organized mess. A laundry basket of clothes that needed to be folded adorned the kitchen bar along with a mountain of correspondences I needed to answer. Ms. Martin had been busy with Mattie over the last several days and I’d been camped out in my room thinking of my father.

“Leaving for work?” I inquired. “Where’s the Little Man?”

“He’s sound asleep, upstairs with my mom. I have some time. Eat breakfast with me.”

“Henry’s back,” I informed him as I searched the fridge for something to eat.

“His car in the driveway was a big tip off,” he replied smirking. “Yes. England’s finest has returned. We are saved.”

Giving him a look of disgust, I walked over to the sink to rinse some juicy, red, ripe strawberries. My eyes were drawn away from the fruit, out the kitchen window, to a car that was coming down the drive.

“Who in the world is coming here at this hour? Are you expecting someone?” I asked.

“No,” he replied as he left his seat to take in my view.

We watched as the silver Porsche slowly came to a halt. The woman inside didn’t exit the car immediately. She took time applying lipstick and brushing her hair before opening the door. Her long leg was bare, due to the small swatch of black fabric constituting a skirt that clung to her hips. A black stiletto heel was attached to the slender limb. After the first mile long leg, another followed. Her hand slid out into view, pulling her tiny torso out of the vehicle. The biggest thing about her was the thick, blond mane that fell down past her shoulders. Slamming the door closed, she paused briefly to admire her reflection in the car window. After rubbing her teeth clean of any lipstick residue, she confidently strutted toward the front door. In awe of her perfection, I mirrored her movements through the drawing room and into the foyer, opening the front door before she had a chance to knock.

“May I help you?” I asked curiously.

“Maybe,” she replied. “I’m looking for Henry Walker.”

“You’re looking for Henry?” I said coolly.

“He’s expecting me,” she retorted annoyed.

“Funny, he didn’t mention it,” I replied, pausing to see if my intimidation tactic worked.

“I’m sorry. Who are you?” she asked, turning her head to the side as she scanned my body top to bottom, and back up to my face.

“The mother of his baby,” I shot back, rubbing my belly and smiling innocently.

“Funny, he didn’t mention it,” she spewed with delight.

“He’s asleep, but feel free to wait,” I responded, motioning to the drawing room.

“No, thank you. I have some calls to make. I’ll just wait in my car.”

“Suit yourself.”

“I usually do.”

She turned, just as I slammed the front door closed. Gabe stood in the doorway of the drawing room trying to hide his amusement.

“Well done,” he said.

Ignoring his jab, I walked back to the kitchen, with him following closely behind.

“Who do you think she is, Julia,” he asked, standing at the kitchen window, staring at our visitor as she shoved those gangly legs back into her small sports car. “Do you think he is seeing her?”

“I doubt it. She’s so…”

“Thin?” he replied, laughing.

“She is, isn’t she?” I leaned further toward the pane of glass to improve my view. “I could snap her like a twig, that one.”

“You’re pregnant, Julia. You’re not supposed to be thin. You’re beautiful,” he said in a reassuring gesture, smashing down parts of my hair that were obviously in their own zip code.

Realizing that his appearance intervention had not stopped, I reached for the silver platter, removed its contents, and gazed upon my unsightly reflection

“Why didn’t you tell me I looked like this? You shouldn’t have let me answer the door in this state of disrepair,” I said, smacking him on the arm. “Turn around.”

“What? Why?”

“Turn around. I’m going to change into this black dress.” I reached for the most attractive apparel I could find in the laundry basket.

“What’s the point? She has already seen you,” he said throwing his arms up, confused.

“I don’t care. Just turn around,” I demanded.

Turning his back to me, as ordered, I proceeded to slip off my robe and nightgown. The black, belly hugging dress just barely fit.

“Okay,” I said, signaling that I was clothed.

“Okay, I can turn around?” he asked.

“Yeah. Will you hand me that hair clip on the counter next to you?”

He complied with my request, tossing it to me. I twisted my long, dark curls up and clipped them tight.

“There. How do I look?”

“Good. Great. Better than her- definitely.”

“Don’t you patronize me, Gabe Martin. I’m not in the same league as her right now, but I look presentable, right?”

“-Better than presentable. Why are you doing this? You don’t even want Henry. That’s what you said. Hold up, wait a second. You want Henry?” he decided, acting surprised.

“This is news to you? You’re a cop for crying out loud.”

“But you said…”

“I’m a woman. We say a lot of things we don’t mean. I couldn’t let him back in my good graces so soon after Tricia. You men have a lot to learn.”

“Obviously. Look, if I didn’t comprehend your master plan, Henry hasn’t gotten it either. He has been following you around like Dog since Christmas, waiting on you hand and foot, and you’ve given him absolutely no encouragement. Do you know that he stayed up late last night doing your laundry-even the girly stuff,” he giggled holding up a pair of huge grandma panties that were on the top of the laundry pile.

“Give me those. They’re comfortable. I can’t wear sexy stuff right now,” I replied, embarrassed to learn that Henry was washing my intimates and leaving them out for others to see.

“All I’m saying is that you can’t expect the guy to wait around forever, Julia, in some strange holding pattern. You told him it was over. You said welcome to fatherhood, but goodbye to you. What’s a guy supposed to do?”

“When did you become a fan?”

“I wouldn’t say fan. I do, however, appreciate the effort he has put forth to try and sway your decision. It’s down right admirable. If this has all been a ploy to play hard to get, you better rethink your strategy- quick.”

“Or else?”

“Or else, legs for miles is going to ride into the sunset with your prince,” he said with certainty.

“You think?”

“I’m a guy and this may sound weird, but Henry is a hard person not to like, if you’re of the female persuasion. He’s good looking, as far as I can tell from the stares the women give him. He’s athletic. I doubt there’s an ounce of fat on his entire body. It’s disgusting, really. He’s obviously smart, wealthy, and that accent seals the deal. Women love the accent. Hell, I love the accent. Kate stole my heart at our first meeting when she said Sheriff Martin. She could have been reading the phone book.”

Gabe became distracted and seemed to lose his train of thought, no doubt, thinking of Kate.

“Anyways, I’m not a fan of his- after Tricia. You can’t shine shit. But then again, what do I know? I’m a simple country boy who enjoys deer hunting and turkey calling. I’m not worldly. If you think your evil plan to make him pay is working, keep up the ice queen persona. I’m sure mini skirt out there isn’t interested in Henry at all,” he said, giving me the thumbs up sign.

“What do I do?” I implored, with worry written across my face.

“Here’s what you do. Put back on your night gown, rough up your hair again, and tell him you don’t feel good. Mission accomplished. He won’t leave with the twig if you’re under the weather. That’s how you snap her- use good old Southern drama. Girls raised in the South don’t accept defeat. You’ve been in the big city way too long. That’s your problem. Remember your roots. As much as I would absolutely love to see how this thing plays out, I have to go to work,” he said, taking a small bow. “You’re welcome.”

“You’re a genius Gabe Martin- positively diabolical.”

“Thanks. I think. Stop selling yourself short. Big or little, you’re still better than her on your worst day. You’re Julia Spencer. Start acting like it,” he replied, kissing my forehead and handing me back my tent like nightgown.

“Love you,” I responded sweetly.

“What’s not to love?” he said, running his hands up and down his form.

“That’s my line.”

“So it is. See you tonight. Give Mattie a kiss for me.”

“I’ll do it.”

He shook his head, giggling like a school girl, mumbling, “Ah…good times,” as he walked out the door.

With his departure, I quickly took off the black dress. Placing it in the laundry basket, I put back on the tent. I pulled my hair out of the clip and gave it a good toss, as Gabe suggested. Grabbing some blush from my purse on the counter, I intentionally rubbed the rose hue onto my cheeks, throwing it back in my bag and sitting down just as Henry entered the kitchen.

“Hi love. How are you?”

Tru was wearing khaki shorts and a navy blue knit polo. His hair was still wet from the shower, as he approached to stroke my belly and say good morning to Emma Grace. Leaning down in front of me, his eyes stared at my face.

“A woman is here for you- outside. I asked her if she wanted to come in, but she refused.”

“Yes. She’s a realtor. Are you unwell? Your cheeks look flushed.” His hand found its way upward to my face, concerned.

“I don’t feel so good today. A realtor?”

“Do you have a fever?”

His hands cupped both my cheeks then gravitated to my chest and back.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. Why do you need a realtor?”

“Emma Grace will be here soon. I need to find a house. We should get you to the hospital.”

He started to pull me out of my chair.

“No. No. I probably just picked up something from Mattie. He’s around all those other kids at therapy. It’s no big deal. I’ll just take some Tylenol and drink lots of orange juice. I’ll be fine. You have plans. Go. Don’t keep Tricia waiting.”

“Her name is Callie. I’ll reschedule. I wouldn’t feel right leaving you today.”

“If you’re sure?” I replied, trying not to smile.

“My girls come first. Let me go explain the cancellation. I feel bad she drove out here for nothing.”

I followed closely behind him to the door.

“Tell her that I’m so sorry for screwing up your plans.”

“I will. You don’t worry about that. Sit down. I’ll make you a ham and cheese omelet. Be right back.”

With that, the door closed. My plan had worked. Gabe was the puppet master. I had become his evil apprentice. After feeling a very small tinge of remorse, I promptly decided that the ends justified the means. I tried not to be too obvious, staring through the window, watching them converse. Callie looked truly disappointed and I relished in my victory. Baby trumps big hair every time. Thank you, Emma Grace. Operation GET YOUR DADDY BACK was commencing.

When Henry returned, he dragged me back up to bed, insisting that I get more rest. If there was one thing I didn’t need, it was more rest. I was the most rested person in America. There was little for me to argue, considering that he had bought my little rouse. I made my bed and now would have to lie in it- all day. Lucky me. Tommy would call that justice, but I preferred to think of it as falling on my sword for the greater good.

“Here you are,” he said, placing the tray of food down in front of me.

“I am really sorry for messing up your day.”

“It’s no trouble. We rescheduled for tomorrow.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” I realized looking at the omelet.

God was zapping me. Maybe it was Henry’s news that I didn’t stay off the house hunting search or maybe it was heavenly retribution for lying, but my stomach began to churn. I motioned with my hand to the trash can beside the nightstand, which Henry grabbed and presented to me in the knick of time.

“Sorry. I don’t know where that came from. My stomach was fine when I woke up this morning.”

“She’s really doing a number on you. I can’t wait for the next ultrasound.”

“You’re in luck. We have one scheduled this week.”

“Perfect. I’m the only one who hasn’t seen her. Now, let’s get you a shower. Come on, then, follow me.”

Being in the bathroom with him was like old times. He turned on the water as I disinfected my mouth with Listerine, brushed my teeth, and then deposited a piece of mint gum on my tongue to settle my stomach. When I was done, he stood behind me and pulled off my robe. He turned to leave as I grabbed his arm.

“Don’t leave. Stay and talk to me while I sit perched on my shower chair. I’m tired of my own company.”

“Are you sure?” he asked surprised.

“Yes, unless you have better things to do. I’m having your baby. I think we’re way past modesty. It’s not like you don’t know every inch of my body anyway- right? Just because we’re struggling, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love you, Tru. There is no one else in the world who I feel more comfortable with than you.”

“Okay,” was all he could muster by way of a response.

“Okay. Help me out of this tent,” I said, smiling, referring to my old lady nightgown.

Henry assisted me and stood staring at my naked body which revealed itself one inch at a time. I couldn’t read his thoughts which bothered me immensely. Self-doubt became my clothes, cloaking me, and weighing me down.

“I know. I’m huge,” I said, figuring that’s what he was thinking.

“You’ve never been more beautiful,” he replied, placing his hands on my belly.

“Thanks. A girl needs to hear that occasionally; especially when she looks like a whale.”

“I love you,” he said out of left field.

Panicking, I said the only thing that came to mind.

“Could you get rid of those eggs before I get out? Emma Grace and eggs obviously don’t mix.”

He looked disappointed. I was disappointed. I had the perfect moment to remedy my own sad situation and I didn’t have the courage. There was no acceptable excuse. He’d already gone out on a limb in declaring his love; someone save me from myself- anyone.

Henry left and returned as I was stepping out of the shower. He walked towards me with a towel, outstretched. With his body against mine, he wrapped the white cotton towel around me. Feeling his hold, I exhaled slowly to steady myself. As he prepared to take a step back away from me, I found my courage, closing my eyes, and kissing his lips ever so gently.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“We should talk. Will you hand me my robe?”

Henry looked stunned. I was nervous, but I felt reassured knowing that he kissed me back. After tying my robe, I grabbed his hand and led him to the bed, where we sat.

“I’ve missed you… a lot. I know that you’ve been trying to mend fences with me and I haven’t made things easy for you. I’m sorry. It’s just that I was so hurt.”

“Tricia was a big mistake, Jewels. We both agree on that, but the bottom line is that you sent me away. You gave up on us.”

“I know. I did. I realize now that you had every right to see whomever you chose; but it was just Tricia?”

“Yes.”

“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m still of the opinion that our love…our history… should have kept that affair from happening.”

“I don’t want to go back over all this. I slept with Tricia. That can’t be changed. Whether or not you think that I didn’t have a long enough mourning period over the loss of our relationship is really none of your concern. You left me- not the other way around. You don’t get to decide how other people handle their heartaches and disappointments. People in your life are allowed to feel any way they want to, even if it doesn’t match up with your own thoughts on the matter.”

I pulled back, stunned at his frankness.

“Look, I’ve been making an effort because you are the mother of my child. We are going to be in each other’s lives for the long haul. Like you said, that doesn’t have to be together. I’m tired of forcing myself on you. I think I’m finally prepared to move on, officially.”

“Oh… well that makes my kissing you rather embarrassing, doesn’t it?”

“Jewels, we will always love each other. I do love you. That’s why I told you so. We have a child to raise together; it doesn’t mean that we have to be in love with one another, right?”

“Sure. Right. That’s a good point. One request though, in light of this new understanding; would you please stay in the house until we get through the infant stage? I don’t think it’s in Emma’s best interest to be carted between houses, especially with me breast feeding. You can move into the room next to the nursery. The room is bare, but I can order some furniture for you.”

“I’ll stay. I agree; it is best for the baby,” he said in a matter of fact tone.

“Okay, then it is settled. I’m getting kind of tired. I think I’ll take a nap. Would you mind closing the door when you leave?” I asked, trying to disguise my disappointment.

“Sure,” he replied. Looking concerned, he added, “Are we okay?”

“Absolutely,” I responded pulling the covers over me and turning on my side, away from his field of view.

“I’ll wake you for lunch.”

“No. Don’t. I’ll set my clock to get up before Tommy and John arrive.”

“Okay. Have a good sleep. I’ll be here if you need anything,” he said as the door closed.

When I heard his footsteps on the stairs, I got out of bed to lock the door. The last thing I needed was for him to walk back in and see me crying. I still had a small amount of pride intact. Dog snuck in as I swung the door shut, jumping up on my bed. Claiming the spot near the footboard, he responded to my neck scratches with tail wagging.

Trying to stifle the sounds of my discord, I plunged my head into the pillow. Crying seemed to upset Dog. She marine crawled her way up to my face, licking my wet cheeks. My mind was filled with images of girlfriends and step monsters caring for Emma while Henry was away working. A tart like Callie was destined to be in my sweet girl’s life and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

When I calmed down enough to speak clearly, I called Gabe who informed me that he would be home in a flash with a chocolate milkshake. Thank God for true friends.