Page 45 of Miles. Alton & The 9:04
“My worst relationship is with my mother,” Megan added.“Of course, she called when the bills started coming due and the landlord wanted the rent.That woman actually asked me when I was going to pay her rent.I think she has finally realized I am not coming back.Now she's trying to come here.”
“Do you want her here with you?”
“I want my Mamma with me about as much as I want a UTI and a yeast infection at the same time,” Megan said, crinkling the adorable nose.“I tell you, honestly.You never realize how weighted down you are with family shit until you get free.Honey, I am free.My family is in South Dakota, and I am in Illinois living in a tiny house and back to making money I can spend solely on me.A lady can finally buy some new panties.”
Mae was hit with an idea, a wonderful idea that she would have her new friend help her with.She was smiling.
“Megan, I am going to put a garden out back to grow some veggies.I need to go shopping to get some boots.You wanna come with?”she asked.
“Hell, yeah!”
“Okay, kill the tea idea, and I’ll treat you to lunch,” Mae said.“Also, I need to get socks and panties, too.Maybe there's a sale and we both can luck out.”
Megan's eyes began to tear up.“A real friend.You'd do that for me?I mean, I can buy my own lunch, but really?You'd do that?For me?”
“You are my only friend here and friends take care of each other,” she said.“It also helps when friends have things they work on together.The gardening thing may be too much, but if you want any of the veggies when they are harvested, you're going to have to help.”
“I'm good to help,” she said, noticing the white dress.“Nice dress.Any special occasion?”
“Thom and I got married today.He went to work, and I get to spend the day with my maid of honor,” she said.“I know.I know.But hey, things work out funny like that.Let me go change into some jeans and we can roll.”
****
IT DIDN'T TAKE LONGfor the ladies to grab a couple pair of gardening boots, hand tools, and hats for working in the yard.A quick stop by the shopping center and catching a sale at a ladies’ lingerie shop was a fifty well spent.Instead of staying out to dine for the mid-day meal, Mae remembered Thom mentioning coming home for lunch.She ordered Thom a turkey and cheese with a bit of pasta salad.She purchased two chicken salad platters for her and Megan.
“I remembered Thom saying he was coming home for lunch today.I hope you don’t mind me cutting this short and we have lunch at the house?”
“Heck, no; as a matter of fact, let me grab one of those sandwiches for Jiminy when he wakes up and gets ready for work,” Megan said, placing an order as well.
They were laughing and talking when Thom came through the back door to find a sandwich with pasta salad on the table with a cold glass of lemonade.He smiled at Megan as he removed his hat.He offered a wave as he disappeared in the back of the home to wash up.It made him feel good knowing Mae had someone to spend time with as well as Megan.It truly was an odd turn of events, but again it felt right.
Heavy footsteps announced his arrival into the kitchen where his lunch awaited him.He listened as the women chatted about herbs and fruits to make teas.They spoke of vegetables to grow in the garden and when to harvest based on an Almanac his wife had purchased at the store.Thom said nothing as he ate his sandwich, listening for the surveyor’s arrival.
“Thom, are you okay in there?Do you need anything?”Mae called out.
“No, I'm good,” he said, rising.“Going out to meet Dan.”
“Okay, let me know if you need something,” she called back.“Hey, who is Dan?”
“Dan, Dan, the Survey Man,” Thom replied, walking out the door.
Mae, curious, stood up to follow Thom to the back door.She didn't go outside, but quietly watched as Thom pointed to two different locations.The men walked around the property, talking quietly, and finally, Thom appeared satisfied and shook the man's hand.
His back remained rigid as he looked out over the land, seeing a different vision for the new life he would live with Mae.The surveyor would take measurements for the barn for the engine as well as the barndominuim.
“Yeah, need a new budget,” he said softly.
Turning slowly, he looked at the home he now shared with his wife.He observed Megan leaving, giving him a wave, which he returned.His feet, feeling heavy with unmatched steps, went to the porch and climbed the few stairs to be greeted by Mae's waiting arms.She provided a kiss and asked no questions but rubbed his back with a soft reassurance that whatever he was planning; he had her support.
“You're not going to ask?”
“No, when the time comes, you will share,” she replied.In the other room, her cell phone rang.“And so, it begins.”
“Are you expecting calls for job offers or your replacement wanting to know where the bodies are buried?”
“Neither.Those are more than likely the gossipmongers and theorists,” she said.“I'll call my assistant back later.What I am curious about is this wedding night.”
“By the time this day is over, you might be lucky to get a lick and a tickle.The dossers are wrecking my station,” he said.“I'm really trying to review policies to see what can be done.Honestly, it is trying my soul.”
