Save Me (9 page)

“Wake up sunshine
.”  Marc gently rustled her.  Mercy’s eyes slowly opened and she smiled at the sight of him.

“Did I sleep all day?”

“Pretty close.”  Marc set the tray on the bed.  “You haven’t eaten since yesterday, I figured you must be starving.”

Mercy sat up and leaned her back against the headboard.

“The company was so good I forgot all about being hungry.”

“
Smooth line,” Marc chucked. “Since you picked out roast beef, I figured it was a safe assumption you liked it.”

Mercy took a bite of the sandwich.

“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to make me lunch.”

“I know.”  Marc hopped in bed with her and they ate lunch together. 

Following
lunch, Mercy suggested kayaking on the lake.  Marc had a slight fear of water and had never been in the craft, but wasn’t about to show it.  After helping her into her kayak, he climbed into his own and immediately flipped it over.  Mercy couldn’t contain her laughter.  The water was brisk even in the heat of summer.  The largest lake in Maine never got much warmer than the cold Maine Atlantic Ocean Mercy informed him. 

They padded the shoreline going at least a few miles.  On their way back to the camp, Mercy playfully splashed him and then paddled out of reach be
fore he could splash her back.  Soon Mercy was back to the camp’s dock ready to escape.

“Someone has
to help you out of you of your kayak.”

“Shit,” Mercy’s shoulders slumped.  “I didn’t think that through.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of that.”  Marc grinned cleverly.

Marc managed to not flip his kayak over while getting out, a small feat.  Then he helped Mercy out of hers. 
She wrapped her arms around his neck and Marc pulled her out of the kayak and against his chest.

“I think you should come swimming with me to appreciate how enjoyable this lake is.”

“No, no!  Marc!  Don’t do it!”

Marc walked backwards into the water slowly bringing her with him.

“Stop!  Marc!” she whined. 

Marc brought her into shoulder deep water and didn’t let her go.  Mercy gasped from the cold.

“You little…”

Marc laughed.

“Bastard?” he asked.

“Yes!  It’s freezing!”

“I’ll keep you warm,” Marc kissed her and Mercy didn’t participate at first, feigning anger.  But her protest was short lived.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and opened up to him.

“I’m cold.”  Her teeth chattered. 

Marc kissed her again then scooped her up in his arms carrying her into the cabin.  Carrying her felt so intimate and he was surprised she didn’t protest in her independent fiery way.  They changed into dry clothes and sat down on the couch together watching Mercy’s pick of a movie, Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore.  Any woman who liked Sandler was okay in his book.

HEAVEN
AND HELL

Marc

The first four day together at the cabin, they never stepped foot into the real world.  They spent their time together cuddled up on the couch, barbequing, enjoying a campfire, swimming, and making love.  A LOT of
amazing sex.  Marc simply couldn’t get enough of her. It was Heaven. Each day that passed he felt a piece of his heart given to her, but he needed to keep his guard up, he reminded himself constantly.

“What do you say to a night out on the big town of Greenville?  We’re going to get cabin fever.”

“I could stay here forever and it would never grow old.”

“Come on,” Mercy patted his bare chest.  “Let’s have dinner out at one of the pubs and go for a walk around the town.”

Mercy hadn’t wore her prosthesis at all that day so she must feel up to the challenge of a walk.

“If you insist on leaving.”

“I do.”  Mercy rose from bed and used her crutches to go the bathroom.  “I’m going to take a quick shower.”

“I’ll help you.”  Marc
was on her tail and readied the shower.  They stepped into the shower together and Marc soaped up a washcloth softly scrubbing her stunning body.  Lathering up a handful of shampoo, Marc massaged it into her long hair.  She leaned back washing the bubbles away and Marc watched as they sensuously ran down her body. 

She looked down between them feeling his eagerness against her.

“You just had me,” she said taking his member in his hand.  Marc groaned.

“You turn me on twenty-four hours a day, I can’t help it.”

Marc picked her up and she straddled him, he gripped her derriere and supported her as he pressed her against the shower wall.  Marc dove inside of her and their shower was prolonged by yet another interlude.

Finally out of the shower some time later, Marc and Mercy headed to Greenville.  They pulled into the lot of
the Moosehead Bar and Grill and walked in together.  They were seated in a small booth against the wall across from the bar.  A group of young men gawked at the pair of them.  Mercy had worn a pair of shorts exposing her leg for all to see, something she didn’t do often, but Marc insisted.  It was a hot humid night and she shouldn’t be ashamed.  That’s what he told her. 

“They’re staring at me.”  Mercy’s face flushed.

“They’re staring at you because you’re beautiful.” Marc tried to ease her conscience.

“No it’s because of my leg.”

“Stop worrying about your leg, okay.”  Marc held her hand across the table.

“Can I get you folks something to drink?” An older portly waitress asked, pen in hand.

“I’ll have a margarita please,” Mercy responded.

“A rum and coke,” Marc requested.

The older woman retreated back to the bar.

“Peg leg,” a clearly drunk kid, no older than twenty-two, yelled across the room.  “Yeah, I’m talking to you.”  He looked over at Mercy.

Marc’s blood boiled and he started to rise to his feet.  Mercy grabbed his hands.

“Please, don’t do anything.”

Marc looked at the drunks who starred back laughing.

“Please,” Mercy begged.  “It’s not worth it.”

Marc eased back into his seat red faced.

“Ahoy matey!” the same drunk yelled, the group of them laughing.

Marc was on his feet before Mercy could protest again.  He grabbed the pock marked kid by the fabric of his shirt and shoved him into the bar forcefully.

“Say one more thing, one more god damn comment about her.”

The kid looked back at him with a shit eating grin.  Marc was twice the size of him; he towered over him and his muscles rippled under his short sleeved shirt.

“I’m not sayin’ anything that ain’t true.”

Marc shoved him into the counter again.  The man’s three friends circled around him.

“You’re going to apologize to her.”

The kid laughing exposing his disgustingly yellow teeth.

“You and what army?”

“I don’t need an army.  Tempt me.”  The entire restaurant was silent as the scene unfolded.

One of the men grabbed Marc shoulder.  With one arm
Marc pushed him so hard he tumbled into a table falling on his ass.

“Don’t,” Marc pointed a finger and warned the aggressor.  The man, another kid no older than college age, wiped himself off and stood a few feet back.

“Just apologize to her,” one his smart friends advised.

“I’d listen to
your friend,” Marc instructed him angrily.

“Take it outside guys or I’m calling the cops,” the bartender warned.

“Alright, alright,” the kid held up his hands, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re going to tell her.”

Marc yanked him back and guided him roughly to where Mercy watched with wide eyes from their booth.

“Say it.”  Marc held him by the scruff of his neck.

“I’m sorry,” he said meekly.

“Say it like you mean it.”  Marc applied pressure.

“I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have said that to you.”

“And you and your friends are going to leave
.”

“What?”

“YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING TO LEAVE.”

“Yes,
ah, sir.”

“Go.”  Marc let go of him and pushed him in the direction of the door.  His three scrawny followed behind him.

Marc watched them leave and then sat back down at the table with Mercy.  His adrenaline was still cranked on high.  He wanted to throw a right hook at the punk kid, but going to jail wouldn’t accomplish anything.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Mercy said with tears in her eyes.

“What I should have done is pounded that kid into the ground so he was no more than a stain.”

“You can’t protect me from the world.”
             

“I will when I’m with you.”

Mercy looked out the window by their booth.

“They were just stupid drunk kids.”

She nodded her head, but kept her gaze fixed out the window.

“Look at me.”  Marc reached across the table and rest his hands atop of hers.  Mercy turned her head, but didn’t meet his eyes.  “Mercy, look at me.”  Her teary eyes tore him apart.  He now more than ever wanted to rip that kid from limb to limb.

“Don’t ever let someone make feel bad about yourself.”

“Easy for you to say.  You’re gorgeous.”

“And you’re fucking breathtaking.  I’ve never met a woman more beautiful.”

“Are you folks ready to order?”  The waitress showed up at their side with their drinks.

Mercy wiped her eyes.

“I think we need a few more minutes,” Marc said.

“Certainly, take your time.”  The waitress walked away.

“Why don’t we just have our drinks and head back to the cabin.”  Mercy took a big sip off her margarita.

“You wanted to enjoy a night out and that’s what we’re going to do.  You’re not going to let those assholes ruin it for us.  Alright.”

Mercy nodded her head.  Marc put his hand under her chin and lifted it.

“Chin up beautiful.”  Marc smiled at her.  She broke into a small smile herself.

“What would you like to have for dinner?”

Mercy perused the menu.

“Chicken alfredo.”

Marc placed their orders and the waitress returned with their food twenty minutes later.  They enjoyed a peaceful dinner together, but Marc could tell the earlier event had gotten to her. 

“You ready for that walk?”

“Sure.” 

Marc paid the tab and they walked about the town’s main street down to the public docks hands intertwined. 

“Are you only with me because you feel guilty about the accident?” Mercy asked out of the blue.

Marc took a moment to answer, shocked by the question.

“No, not at all.”  He stopped and pulled her so she stood facing him.

“Why would you be interested in me?”

“Because you’re an amazing woman.”  Marc put his hands on the sides of her neck.  “I’m drawn to you mind, body, and soul.”

“I find it hard to believe anyone could be attracted to me.”

Marc lowered his lips to hers.

“I don’t see what’s missing.  All I see is what you are.  And what you are is beautiful.  I’ll say it a million times until you realize that you
are.
  You’re beautiful Mercy.”

Mercy leaned her
head into his chest and Marc held her protectively wanting to shield her from the world

“Let’s go back to the cabin,” she said.

Marc kissed her forehead and took her hand and they walked back to pub’s parking lot.

*****

Mercy

Mercy lay in bed facing away from Marc.  He was fast asleep and all she could think of were the words of the man in the bar. 
Peg leg.  Ahoy matey. 
She knew Marc was right, they were stupid drunk kids, but she couldn’t let it go.  Her self-esteem plummeted.  That was why she wore jeans and sneakers, so people wouldn’t see.  So she wouldn’t get the stares and comments. 

Restless, Mercy quietly crawled out of bed and hobbled with her crutches to the screened in deck.  The moon was bright in the cold evening sky.  Stars twinkled all around and the noise of loons calling filled the air.  This was where she wanted to be.  Away from it all.  Away from judgment.  Marc told her how beautiful she was, but in the back of her mind, she had a hard time believing anyone thought she was beautiful.

“Couldn’t sleep?”  Marc’s voice came from behind.

“I’m sorry if I woke you up.”

“You didn’t wake me up.”  Marc took a seat beside her.  “It’s still bothering you.”

Mercy didn’t answer him.

“Come here.”  Marc patted his lap. 

“Go back to bed, no sense for you to be awake too.”

“I won’t sleep knowing you’re upset.  Sit with me.”

Mercy took a deep breath, stood up, and positioned herself in his lap.  Marc wrapped one hand around her back, the other around her waist.
  She eased her weight into his chest and got lost in the scent of his cologne.  Rather than lecture her as she expected, Marc simply held her quietly.  The movement of his breathing, his chest rising and falling, his heart beat thudding against his unclothed chest, all the prior calmed and soothed Mercy.  She ran her hand up and down his rugged shoulder tracing his tattoos.  All Mercy wanted at that moment in time was for him to hold her and never let her go.

The last two days of their stay, Mercy and Marc never left the camp.  The average couple would tire of one another being confined for such a long period of time alone together, but Mercy didn’t want to see their time end.

“The car is all packed.”  Marc came inside walking to Mercy’s side.

“Thank you.”

“Come down to the dock with me.”  Marc extended his hand.  Mercy grasped it and walked with him.  They sat on the bench
at the edge of the water and looked out at the lake one last time.

“This week has gone by too quick,” Marc said.

“It sure has.”

“I don’t want to go back to reality.  I don’t want to say goodbye.”

“Me either.”  Mercy leaned her head on Marc’s shoulder.  “If our lives were different.”

Marc kissed the top of her head affectionately.

“If they were different,” he sighed and kissed her ear.

After an hour of simply sitting together, Mercy tugged on his hand to leave.  Marc followed her back to the Jeep and they departed.

Darkness was just settling on Bellview when Marc and Mercy pulled into her yard.  Marc brought her luggage into the house then packed his Porsche.  Mercy stood in the doorway watching him.  When he was done, he walked to her.

“What time is your flight?”

“Four p.m.”

“I don’t have to go back to ‘work’ until tomorrow.”

Mercy could tell he was waiting for an invite.

“Stay,” she offered.  Marc walked in with no hesitation.

Marc kissed her slowly, passionately, as if they were already saying goodbye.  She was glad she had one more night with him.  One more night then she was off to her new start.  Goodbye Marc, hello British Columbia.  The thought left her with a void.

Marc, familiar with where her bedroom was now, led her back to her king size bed.  He tended to Mercy, helping her as he always did, then crawled into the bed atop of her.  She loved the way he attended to her, helped without question or expectation.

“I’m not going to sleep a wink tonight because I don’t want to miss a
single moment with you.”

Mercy’s heart
fluttered, a normal occurrence around Marc.