Drawing Blood (32 page)

Chapter Fifty-Three

David

He gave a small smile to himself as he pressed kisses down Abby’s stomach, her skin damp with sweat. Her stomach contracted under his lips like he was tickling her, and the sound of her ragged breathing was as rewarding to him as her cries of pleasure or the way her nails had dug in to his back. He cast his eyes upwards. Abby had her head to the side, her hair damp where it came in contact with her forehead and neck. She looked exhausted in that drenched with pleasure way, but she was smiling as much as he was.

“David,” she said, her tone warning. “I can’t. I really can’t again …”

His hand between her legs felt plenty of evidence she might be lying. But he didn’t push it. He bit at her skin, then sat back on his heels. “Do you want to shower first?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. You go ahead. I … I need a minute.”

He crawled back up over her, kissing her cheek. “You’re good for my ego, you know that?”

She smiled and turned her head so his next kiss hit her lips, but she turned away when he tried to kiss her deeper. “David, I mean it. I’m exhausted.”

He got up and left the bedroom naked, walking right down the hall to the bathroom. He started the shower, catching his reflection in the mirror over the sink. He was grinning like a buffoon but didn’t care.

He soaped up under the warm spray, then rinsed off quickly. Abby joined him in the shower after a bit, but mostly because they were running late. His body was hoping they might just make the time for what he still had on his mind, but she laughed in that secretly delighted way before telling him to behave himself and go wake up Archie, get him dressed.

David did as told, finding the outfit Abby had laid out and wrestling the toddler in to it. He liked the kid, but his English-French speaking mixture was tricky to follow.
Chemise! Pantalons!
No! Archie apparently didn’t like the ensemble, but he wasn’t winning the fight. David told him they were going to a party and Archie had to look nice if he wanted to eat. He wasn’t sure if that was terrible parenting or not, but it worked.

Once the clothes were on Archie forgot all about his own preferences and toddled off down the hallway to the living room where his blocks were. David would never have believed that rectangular chunks of wood could entertain a kid so much, but they were the best baby-sitters he’d ever seen.

He went to the fridge and pulled out the coleslaw that Abby had made that morning before they’d put Archie down for his nap. He put it close to the door and grabbed the gift basket they’d made up for Caroline Murphy as Abby darted across the hall to the bedroom to get dressed. They were supposed to be at the Murphy’s half an hour ago, but he didn’t mind being late in this circumstance.

“We’re late,” Abby informed him as she came out of the bedroom in a bright yellow sundress, turning her back to him. Clearly he was supposed to zip up the back.

He slid his hands inside instead, pulling her against him, running his hands up her stomach to cup her breasts. She pushed at his hands but it was feeble. She was trying not to laugh, too.

“Don’t blame me,” he said against the bare skin of her shoulder. “It’s all your fault.”

“David – I mean it! Do up the zipper!”

He stepped back and zipped it up, glancing her up and down as she turned. The dress hugged her waist and hips nicely. Actually, the entire dress made her look even better.

“Wow,” he said, as she bustled past him to the kitchen. “Abby, you look beautiful.”

She actually blushed as she opened the fridge. “David.”

“You do.” He put his hand over his heart. “You’re killing me.”

“Where’s the coleslaw?”

“Waiting for us by the door. You’re stunning.”

“Can you pack up those blocks? We’ll take them with us to keep Archie quiet.”

He caught her by the hand as she tried to rush by him again. “Abby? Are you nervous?”

She sighed, not turning to look at him. “Yes.”

“What do you think is going to happen?”

Then she turned to him, shaking her head. “She hates me. How can she not?”

David looked down at their linked hands. “She’ll get to know you. Then she can start to like you. As much as it might suck for Janet, she has no choice.”

“That’s the worst part. Who wants to be forced to be amiable to someone that slept with her husband?”

“That’s the past, right? Archie might represent that but it’s not his fault. No one can stay mad at a kid. And you’re a good mother, who can hate a good mother?”

She shrugged. “This is going to be hard.”

“I know. But hey … you’re with me.  Even if everyone ignores us we’ll have each other.”

She smiled. “And we’ll have Archie.”

“I’m not worried about Archie. That kid will have them all eating out of the palm of his hand, trust me. And you know what?” She looked up at him when he paused. “It was Janet that said I should bring you.”

“It was?”

“Yes.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m … I’m in love with you. You know that?”

She swallowed but nodded. “I know.”

“I remember what I said the other night. I want to marry you, Abby. So when you’re ready, just say yes to me.”

She smiled so he kissed her again, then they were bundling up everything you need when you have a toddler plus the coleslaw and baby gift.

When they pulled up to the Murphy’s, she was staring out the window at the house. Her mouth was in a stiff line, and her hands were clenched on her lap so tightly her knuckles were white. He covered her hands with his. “Hey. Relax. No one’s going to attack you in there.” She nodded. “I mean, they’re mostly civilized. I think.”

He held the coleslaw while she carried the present and took Archie’s hand. He carried his own bag with the blocks inside. They walked slowly to accommodate his short legs. David rang the doorbell, and felt some anxiety himself.

This shouldn’t feel so weird,
he thought before the door opened.
The three of us got along so well at one time.

Murphy answered the door, smiling. “Hey David. Abigail.” He nodded at her nicely enough, but it felt tense.

David cleared his throat. “Sorry we’re late.”

“No, you’re not late. Supper’s not ready yet. Come in, please.” Murphy took the coleslaw and led them in to the front room. David couldn’t help but notice the way Abby checked out the room, eyes tracing over the furniture, pictures, all of it. He had an irrational moment of wondering if she wished she was the woman of this house.

He’d never had anyone to be jealous about. So this is what it feels like. David didn’t like it.

Archie was looking around in much the same way. New house, strange voices in the next room. He reached out to take David’s hand, too. David had to grin at that, and Abby noticed it as well, giving him a small smile.

The coffee table had been pushed under the large picture window of the living room, and piles of presents were already accumulating on it. Abby added their gift to the pile, letting go of Archie’s hand to do it. He was fine with holding David’s hand but he watched his mother like a hawk.

“There you are!” He looked up as Janet entered the room. Archie darted behind David’s leg as Janet gave him a hug.

“Janet, you look great. How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” she said, pulling back and smiling. “I’m starting to feel like myself again.” He noticed how she absently patted her stomach like she was still self-conscious about it. Then her eyes flicked over to Abby.

The air was instantly thick with tension, and David was wishing Murphy hadn’t left the four of them alone. Janet’s face looked pinched. Abby was looking at the ground, her hand clenched on her opposite elbow, like she was trying to make herself as small and invisible as she could in a bright yellow dress.

“Hello, Abigail,” Janet finally spoke. “That’s … that’s a beautiful dress. I … I actually have the same one.”

Abby looked startled. “Oh … thank you. You … you have a lovely home. And you look fantastic, David’s right.”

They stared at each other. He had to do something to keep things moving along. He scooped Archie up in to his arms. “You remember Archie?”

Janet smiled instantly, because that’s what a person does when they see an adorable two year old. She gave his belly a tickle and Archie smiled at her, then turned his head in to David’s shoulder, playing shy.

“You know what, Archie? There are some other kids out in the backyard, and I’m pretty sure Daniel is the same age as you.” David had never heard Janet sound like a kindergarten teacher before.

“Did you hear that? Do you want to go meet some new friends?” Archie responded by pulling David’s ear. “Okay, let’s go.” He turned back to Abby. “I’ll be right back.”

“Actually, Abigail, would you mind giving me a hand in the kitchen?”

Abby looked like she’d rather juggle live grenades but she nodded, giving her best attempt at a smile. “Sure, whatever I can do to help.”

They all moved in to the kitchen, and David continued through the patio door on to the deck with Archie still on his hip. There were four other kids in the yard, all different ages, all resembling each other very closely. They studied him as he bypassed the grown-ups and walked their way. Archie got very still, and when David crouched to set him down he held on to his shirt.

“Archie,” he said gently. “It’s fine. Make new friends.”

“Do you like trucks?” The oldest boy, about six by David’s guess, asked. Archie looked at him, not responding. “You can be the tractor if you want.”

That’s when Archie saw all the toy cars on the blanket on the grass. His eyes got wide and he looked at David.

“Go ahead, play nice.”

He stood and turned back to the patio, noticing that everyone was staring. Not at him, at Archie. Thankfully the kid was oblivious to it, but he felt himself get angry. He’d promised Abby that these people would all be civilized. What were they going to do when they saw her? Shave her head and stone her?

One of the guys from work offered him a beer, which he took without hesitation. Around him clusters of people returned to their conversations. He stood next to Murphy at the grill, listening to him talk to a man who must have been his father; he looked just like Elliot, just older with white hair. He stood like a soldier and had the appearance of someone who could still beat you senseless with just his bare hands.

“Well … not much can be done, can it, son?” He was saying, looking at Murphy in a strange way. David knew they were talking about Archie by how Murphy looked back at the son he didn’t know he had, out in the sunshine on the lawn. His face was unreadable. From the years he spent in Europe with the guy David knew Murphy’s face went on lockdown when he didn’t know how to cope.

“Where’s the woman?” The older man said.

“Abigail, Dad. Her name’s Abigail. I’m assuming she’s in the kitchen helping.” Murphy’s voice had an edge to it. At least he was defending Abby. In a way. David bet he wouldn’t do that with Janet around, though.

“Janet asked her to help,” David offered before taking a pull on his beer.

“What are you planning on doing about …” he let it trail off as he watched the kids play.

“We’ll figure it out, Dad.” Murphy’s tone was getting sharp. “No matter what we decide we have to make sure to do what’s best for Archie and for us.”

David liked the sound of all that. He also felt the need to contribute. “I asked Abby to marry me.”

They both looked at him, and so did Dale Edwards, who was standing closest to him on the other side.

It was Murphy you spoke. “You did?” David nodded. “What did she say?”

He shrugged. “She hasn’t answered me yet. But she didn’t say no.”

Murphy’s father made a noise that suggested he thought David was an idiot. Murphy shot him a look, which he missed, but David still appreciated the gesture.

“Well, congratulations,” Dale Edward said, slapping him on the shoulder. David upped his estimation of how much Dale had drunk already.

“Supper’s almost ready,” Murphy declared. “Who likes their steak well-done?”

Chapter Fifty-Four

Abigail

She had never been this uncomfortable for such a long period of time. She’d quietly helped the women out in the kitchen before supper, dressing the salads and setting out the plates and cutlery for the buffet-style spread on the kitchen table. Everyone was very pleasant and polite but no one really spoke to her, either. She’d eaten out on the patio with David, balancing her plate on her lap. A couple of his friends from work had sat with them, and they were jovial and friendly and drunk. But she had been grateful they just acted normal around her.

Now Abigail was sitting on a blanket on the grass, watching Archie run around the yard with his new friends, the children of the couple that lived next door, Hank and Elizabeth Talbot. They seemed like a nice couple, and Elizabeth was the only woman there that Abigail didn’t think hated her completely. As long as Archie was having fun meeting new people this excursion would be worth her humiliation.

That’s exactly what it felt like, humiliation. Elliot’s friends and family all spoke to him easily, laughing and joking and sharing like regular people. She was the one ostracized for what happened. It made her angry. It was unfair. And then she felt bad for wishing people would be meaner to him. They were his friends and family, after all. No matter what the circumstance she would have been the outsider.

The men on the patio erupted in laughter, and she noticed the patio lights had been turned on. Out here on the grass it still seemed bright, but the sun was starting to set. A lot of beer had been consumed, she noted. From the patio she heard raised voices and a lot of ribbing going on with a fair share of cursing. She was the only woman outside at the moment. Apparently she’d assumed babysitter role for the evening.

One of the Talbot girls stopped and asked Abigail to tie her shoe. Abigail did, laughing as the girl said a cheerful “Thank you!” before sprinting off to keep up with the boys tearing around the trees along the fence line.

She gazed back to the patio, and David was in the middle of telling a loud and bawdy story that had everyone laughing. She would have rather cut off her own feet with a shovel than walk up to them and ask him when they were leaving, so she stayed where she was. She pushed a toy dump truck across the blanket instead, trying to look like she didn’t mind sitting in the middle of the yard all be herself.  In truth, she wanted to cry.

When Abigail looked up again, Elliot was walking across the grass towards her, with two bottles of beer. He stopped in front of her, holding one bottle out.

“You look like you could use this.”

She took it, fighting off the urge to burst in to tears. He moved toys out of the way and sat next to her, arms up on his knees. She took a sip of beer gratefully, looking anywhere but at him.

“I’m sorry. This must be really … awkward for you.”

She nodded, but she didn’t want to appear to be a wet blanket. “Archie’s having fun, though.”

Elliot laughed, noticing the kids. “Kids are amazing. Nothing fazes them, does it?”

They both watched the kids for a moment, the voices on the patio still not as loud as the little wild ones played a ridiculously clumsy game of tag.

“He’s … he’s amazing, Abigail. You did good.”

She was choking up again. She bit her lip, and then Elliot looked her square in the eye. Her breath caught, and she tried to get a hold on how her heart fluttered and how much she liked that his eyes crinkled a bit when he smiled.

It hadn’t been just loneliness and stress in France. She was still attracted to him.

Abigail made herself look away at the kids again. “I don’t know. He’s just a good kid.” There was a pause. “Caroline is beautiful.”

Elliot nodded. “I had no idea how something so small could change so much of your life. And every now and then I find myself thinking how you did all that on your own. I’m sorry about that, Abigail.”

“Why? You were going to show up, marry me and help me raise Archie?” She did her best to not sound bitter but she was tired of people telling her how strong she was. She wasn’t strong; she was scared witless most of the time.

Elliot had no answer for her. “David told me he wants to marry you.”

“He thinks he does.”

“I think he means it.” He was still looking at her. She could tell by how the skin of her neck and chest warmed, like she was blushing.

“He is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”

“He’s honest,” Elliot confirmed. “He doesn’t say anything unless he means it.”

“So you think I should marry him?” She looked up at him.

“I want him to be happy. He’s my friend. And … I do care for you, Abigail. I’m not one of those men who just …” He couldn’t even say the rest, but she knew he wasn’t the sleeping around type when she met him.

“I know you’re not,” she said. “And neither am I, no matter what my actions over the last few years have been. I’d only ever been with James.”

He looked down at his beer. “I was sorry to hear what happened with him. That must have been horrifying for you.”

“He was the horrifying part, not the suicide,” she offered carefully. She hadn’t really spoken about this with anyone. “He might not have been dead but my husband was certainly not alive when he returned.”

“I’m sorry, Abigail.”

“Hey – watch out there, Elliot. Careful where you’re spending your time!”

Abigail was instantly embarrassed, looking up to see who was shouting at them across the yard. It was Elliot’s neighbour, and when she looked at Elliot she noticed his jaw clench as he muttered, “Jesus Christ.”

He got to his feet, but she stayed where she was. Everyone was looking at them now. She wished the ground would swallow her up.

Elliot offered her his hand. She looked at it for a moment before taking it and getting to her feet. There was no tingling reaction to touching him. She was too mortified.

“Don’t let us interrupt you two!” Hank Talbot was very drunk, and even the children seemed to notice it. They had stopped where they were, wondering why the grownups were acting so strange. The men on the patio had stopped talking; they were looking from Hank to Elliot. Abigail caught David’s glance to find he was already watching her, his face concerned. He knew she was upset.

Abigail wasn’t waiting around. She grabbed Archie up, startling him slightly, and started stalking across the grass to David. He was coming out to meet her and she could hear Elliot following her.

“Come on, I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking!”

David stopped where he was. His face was flushed, and it was as much from anger as from alcohol. He still surveyed her, and she didn’t know what to make of his expression. All she knew was it scared her.

Elliot must have felt the same way. She heard him start to say, “David -” but by then David had turned on his heel and was walking over to the bench where Hank Talbot was sitting. No one seemed to be on his side. They were all actually backing away from the man.

The panic was contagious; she worried about David’s posture. He was wound tightly, she knew.

Hank seemed unaware something bad was probably about to happen. “What, you’re upset your girlfriend is visiting with the father of her red-haired bastard?”

“You have a lot of fucking nerve,” David growled before he wound up and socked Hank Talbot square in the nose, blood instantly splattering everywhere.

Abigail stopped where she was, holding Archie tighter. “David!”

“Christ, Cleary.” Elliot ran for his friend, pulling David back before he could hit the man again.

“Tell him,” David was shouting, his face almost purple. “Tell him how you pay him back for years of service by being such a good neighbour; making his wife put your dick in her mouth, you fucking prick!”

Abigail noticed Elliot freeze. At once all four Talbot children burst in to tears, based solely on the tension and the fact that their father was bleeding, because there was no way they knew what was being said. Everyone else did. Abigail felt she was going to be sick to her stomach.

Elliot pushed David away from Hank Talbot, and the bleeding man put his hands to his face, screaming. Elliot was looking at David, the shock plain on face.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elliot shouted at him. “You’re both fucking blitzed. Go home, both of you.”

Abigail caught Janet’s face where she stood in the patio door. She was pale, and she looked like she was in shock, too. Her hand was at the base of her throat, and someone next to her put a hand on her shoulder. Abigail thought it was Elliot’s mother.

That’s when Abigail noticed David was intoxicated. He swayed on his feet, and when he looked at her his eyes were strange. “You ready to go home?”

She nodded, mute. Archie was squirming in her arms, but she couldn’t make herself stop squeezing him.

“Get out!” Elliot repeated. He looked to her, and she hoped her look was apologetic. He just shook his head, and she took that to mean he didn’t hold her responsible. Or maybe it was her own wishful thinking.

The sound of kids crying snapped everyone out of their reverie. Elizabeth Talbot, tears streaking her face, was grabbing multiple arms and pulling her children through the yard towards the house. That made Archie start too, and that’s when David snapped in to action. He pulled the patio door open, held it for her. Abigail passed him and they walked right through the house and out the front door. David gave her the keys and took Archie from her, holding him on his lap in the passenger seat. He tried to calm the boy down but it was past his bedtime anyway so he was both scared and overtired.

She started the car and David mumbled miserably, “You can leave me at my house and take the car. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stay away from me for a while.”

“How will you get to work?”

He cringed; clearly he’d forgotten it was Sunday night. “I’ll take a cab.”

She paused, letting herself calm down. Eventually Archie quieted on David’s lap; that helped. “I didn’t think I could be more humiliated than I was walking in to that house. And then you punched a neighbour and …” she exhaled again. “I know you think you were defending me and your friend, but you never should have said that about Janet.”

“I know.”

“Jesus, David. Elliot’s parents were there. Janet’s parents – your boss was there! Sure they were in the house but if someone tells them what you said …”

“I know. I haven’t had anything to drink in a long time. I used to hold it better than that.”

She pulled up to the curb in front of his house. She put the car in park and rested her forehead on the wheel. “David … why do you want to marry me?”

He was trying to peel Archie off his chest. A person may as well try to catch an echo in a jar. It was impossible without waking him up. “Why do you think, Abby?”

“How in the world can you … love me?”

He sat still, looking down at Archie’s face. “I just do, Abby. How can I explain it? When I first laid eyes on you I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. You took care of me, you were kind to me. You were honest with me. You weren’t trying to impress anyone. Your touch was the most thrilling sensation I’d ever …” he sighed. “Should I keep going?”

“No.”

“Since my mom died I have been drifting … listless. And you … ground me. With you I feel like … I know what I’m supposed to do. I’m supposed to be your partner. Your friend. Your lover. If you’ll still have me.”

Abigail closed her eyes. It was undeniable that David grounded her, too. Made her feel like she had a place she belonged, a place where someone would take care of her, where she didn’t have to be the caregiver all the time. It would be so easy to say yes, give in, and marry David. She could be happy with him. She could grow to love him as much as he loved her, she knew she could. So why was she fighting it?

Abigail didn’t trust it.

She looked over at him. He was staring at her expectantly, looking incredibly young again. For the first time she felt the need to make him feel safe. She needed to reassure him that she was heading in the same direction he was.

“Yes,” she said just one word. He frowned, confused. “I’ll marry you.”

He still looked confused, but after a moment he smiled. “Abby, you don’t mean that.”

“I do. Let’s get married.”

“You don’t love me.”

“Not yet. But I know I will.”

He studied her face, stone-sober suddenly. “When I saw you and Elliot sitting out on the grass, I … I was jealous. You don’t really … look at me like you look at him. I didn’t remember what it was like being around you two. And it wasn’t just the war, was it? The two of you are so uncomfortable around each other. You can’t lie about it. It’s plain as day. Most people might see it as guilt, but for me … I’m just back to being the third wheel.”

She caught his hand. “David, there’s nothing there. Believe me.”

“You’re not a very good liar. But that’s okay, I appreciate you trying. At least you’re trying to spare my feelings.”

“David …”

“It’s okay. I’m a big enough sap to forgive it. I don’t want anyone else. I just … I just want you.”

They stared at each other for a long moment.