Wildflower (20 page)

Abby leaped to her feet and reached to
lightly grip Hazel’s arm. “Hazel, please listen to me, there’s
been...”

“No, please don’t,” Hazel begged fearfully.
“Please don’t ask this of me Abby. I will not be able to refuse
you, and I will not be able to live with myself afterwards.” She
was crying softly now as she spoke.

“Hazel…”

“No, please Abby,”

“Hazel, listen to me, please,” Abby continued
insistently as she stepped closer and held Hazel transfixed with
those crystal blue eyes. Hazel stopped trying to back away; she
just stood still, tears silently running down her cheeks. “Hazel,
the dog’s name is Hubby.”

Shocked at not hearing what she’d expected to
hear, Hazel just stared at Abby for a moment. “What???” she asked
at last.

“The dog’s name is Hubby,” repeated Abby
softly, still holding Hazel with those dazzling eyes.

Slowly understanding began to pierce Hazel’s
distress fogged mind. She reached for Abby and squeezed her hands.
“Abby?”

“I am not now, nor have I ever been married,”
whispered Abby softly. “The dog’s name is Hubby. He is the only
Hubby that I’ve got, or ever will have.”

“Oh Abby, I’ve been such a fool,” sniffed
Hazel softly, tears filling her eyes once again. “I don’t know what
to say to you. I...”

“Just tell me we’re Ok,” said Abby gently,
gazing intently into Hazel’s eyes. “Tell me we’re Ok and that we
can try again.”

“Oh god Abby, do you really mean that? Do you
still want to try again after what I’ve just done?”

“Yes I do,” replied Abby earnestly, “and the
fault is mine. I should have introduced you properly to Hubby when
we met on the road that day. Come on, we’ll do it right now.”

She dragged a willing Hazel out to the
parking lot, and told her to stand by the door. Letting the big dog
out of the car Abby crooned to him for a moment then asked Hazel to
call him. At the sound of his name he bounded over to Hazel. She
crouched down and hugged him fiercely, crying into his neck as she
did. He squirmed and tried to lick her face to comfort her. Finally
she let him go and Abby called him back and put him in the car.

“Oh my god Abby,” Hazel sniffed again, “I’ve
been such a fool. How can I ever make it up to you?”

“The misunderstanding was my fault Hazel.
Please say we can go back to before this madness and pick it up
from there.”

“Abby, we can go back to wherever you want,”
replied Hazel as she gazed lovingly into Abby’s eyes.

“Thank you Hazel,” smiled Abby as she dropped
her gaze and blushed softly. “I want to go back to where we were
during that last dance. As I recall you were romancing me pretty
intently.”

“And you were enjoying it,” laughed
Hazel.

“Oh my god, I love the sound of your
laughter,” beamed Abby. “Yes I was enjoying it, and I want
more.”

“And gladly will I give you more, at the
first opportunity.”

“How about tonight? Are you free?”

“I’m free and I would love to spend the
evening with you. What would you like to do?”

“First I’d like to help you move back into
your own home, and then I’d like to take you to dinner.”

“How about we grab my stuff from Sharon’s and
go to my place where I’ll cook your supper for you,” enthused
Hazel. “I’d love to cook for you Abby.”

“Alright, that sounds like fun. I’d like to
see your home; I only got a glimpse through the door the last time
I was there.”

“Oh god, you’re not going to beat up Tommy
are you?”

“Actually I intend to kiss him,” laughed
Abby. “I’ll admit he was pretty tough on me, but he was protecting
you, and I want your protectors to be tough.”

“Ok, then we can make him take Hubby for a
big walk while I am cooking dinner,” grinned Hazel. “That way we
get to talk and Hubby gets a nice walk.”

“I like it Hazel,” laughed Abby. “I also want
to get your new phone number while I’m there.”

“Oops, sorry about that,” whispered Hazel as
she dropped her gaze.

“Actually, in the long run, I am glad things
happened the way they did,” said Abby softly as she took Hazel’s
hands in her own. “It seems to me that our personal codes are quite
compatible. It will make things a lot easier for us in the
future.”

“Excuse me?”

“I think it is unlikely that we will have
such trouble again,” Abby smiled up into Hazel’s eyes. “From now on
we will always make sure we completely understand what the other
has said or intended, right?”

“Absolutely. Abby what are you trying to say
here?”

“I’m saying I want to build a relationship
with you Hazel,” replied Abby softly. “As I said at the dance, this
is all new for me but I do want to try if you do.”

“That is all I have ever wanted since I first
set eyes on you over a year ago,” breathed Hazel.

“Then go say goodbye and grab your coat,”
smiled Abby.

New Beginning

“Hi honey, I’m home,” called Hazel as she
entered the apartment.

“I’m in the kitchen sweetie. Are you moving
back now?”

“Yes dear, I’m moving home now,” she grinned
as she winked at Abby. Smiling, Abby tugged Hubby fully into the
apartment and gently closed the door.

“Are you sure it’s safe? I saw the blonde
bomber in town again today. I think she’s still looking for
you.”

“Ah, Tommy ...

“I’m sorry Hazel; I know you’re madly in love
with the woman, but...”

“Tommy,” exclaimed Hazel, blushing to her
roots, “shut up, for crying out loud.”

“Oh relax Hazel, you know darn well it’s true
that you love the blue eyed wildflower,” he retorted as he entered
the living room. Suddenly his jaw dropped open as he saw Abby
smiling at him with a naughty glint in her eye.

“Well now, Mr. Reid,” she purred as she
swayed toward him, “that is good news indeed.”

Hazel blushed even deeper and punched Tommy
on the arm. “Jerk,” she laughed. “Now you’re going to get it.”

Tommy wasn’t smiling though, he looked angry.
“This is not wise Hazel,” he said firmly. “I don’t think this is a
good idea, Mrs. MacKai, and I think you should leave right now.” He
took a step toward Abby, but a deep threatening growl from her side
stopped him cold. For the first time he noticed the huge dog.

“Mr. Reid, you are one hard headed man,” Abby
sighed as she silenced Hubby with a swift hand signal. “First you
refuse to listen to what I have to say, then you are rude to me,
and then you slam the door in my face.” Tommy had remained stock
still, not daring to make a move. He started to speak, but Abby cut
him off.

“Before you continue to express your
opinions, Mr. Reid, there is someone I would like you to meet. Mr.
Thomas Reid, may I present my dear and only companion, Hubby.” So
saying Abby made a sweeping gesture toward the big dog with the one
floppy ear. “He was given to me by a small boy whose mother had
saddled him with that name. Tommy, I am not married, nor have I
ever been.”

Tommy’s mouth moved several times, but no
words came out. Slowly the light of full understanding spread over
his face. “Oh shit,” he managed at last.

“Exactly,” sighed Hazel as she put her arm
around his shoulders. “Brother Tommy, we have some serious sucking
up to do here.”

“And then some,” he agreed softly. “Miss
MacKai, I know apologies are not going to be nearly enough; is
there any way I can make this up to you?”

Abby stepped into his arms and hugged him
tightly. “You were only trying to protect Hazel,” she said softly.
“That is not a crime in my book. Would you like to start over?”

“Yes ma’am, I would indeed,” he said as he
gently returned her hug.

Smiling brightly, Abby stepped back and
offered her hand. “Hi, you must be Tommy. We met last Christmas,
remember? I’m Abigail MacKai, but all my friends call me Abby.”

“Thomas Reid ma’am, but my friends call me
Tommy,” he replied softly as he shook her hand warmly. “I’d really
like to count you among that number.”

“A pleasure Tommy, I’m Abby to you, and this
handsome fellow is Hubby.”

“Hello Hubby, you’re not going to chew off my
leg are you?” grinned Tommy. The dog wagged his tail and went to
him, eager to make a new friend. “My, that’s a real change of
attitude. I guess you’re not so mean after all; you were just
protecting your mom like I was trying to protect mine.” He dropped
to one knee and began to wrestle playfully with Hubby who tried to
lick his face and knock him over at the same time.

“Boys, that’s enough rough housing in the
apartment,” admonished Hazel. “Stop it at once.”

They ignored her completely so Abby barked at
them. “Sit!” Side by side they sat and looked at each other
sheepishly.

“I guess we’re in the soup now, big
fella.”

“Speaking of soup, what’s burning in the
kitchen?”

“Oh shit,” gasped Tommy as he leaped to his
feet and sped into the kitchen, Hubby hard on his heels. “That
wasn’t funny Hazel Fillmore. God will get you for that, and so will
I.”

“That looks like a vat of chili, and I smell
the makings of garlic bread,” teased Hazel as she and Abby followed
him into the kitchen. “So who’s coming to dinner?”

“Charlie, and he will be here any
minute.”

“Perhaps I should buy you dinner after all
Hazel, Tommy obviously has a romantic evening planned and ....”

“And you are going to stay to dinner, Miss
Abigail MacKai,” replied Tommy. “I owe you a dinner at least, and
I’ve been wanting to introduce Hazel to Charlie. I would be
delighted if you two would join us for the evening. I know Charlie
would love to meet you both.”

“Tommy, you don’t ...”

“I insist,” he interrupted.

“Very well then, I would be delighted to join
you for dinner,” smiled Abby, “if it works for Hazel.”

“A get to know the family evening eh? Why
not?”

“Hazel honey, why don’t you show Abby around
a bit while I get things on the go here,” suggested Tommy.

“Great idea, right this way my dear.” She led
Abby through the small apartment, stopping at each point of
interest to tell a small story of how each piece had come to be
there. She and Tommy had taken to combing the yard sales every
Saturday morning, looking for ways and things to use in decorating
the place. Abby was completely enchanted with their efforts. She
could easily see by the way Hazel had decorated her own room why
Abby’s retro outfits had been such a hit with Hazel.

“A single pressed flower,” smiled Abby as she
lightly caressed the framed blossom with her finger tips. “This is
absolutely beautiful Hazel. What’s the story behind this one?”

“That one has a very special meaning for me,”
replied Hazel shyly. “When I was still in school, I used to run a
lot. I was way up on a rocky bluff after a long run one day, lying
in the sun and admiring this little blossom that was growing out on
the rocks. My uncle found me there and tried to rape me.”

“Oh god, Hazel,”

“I grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in
his face,” Hazel went on with a reassuring smile. “I kicked him and
broke his leg then I ran all the way home. As I ran I noticed the
flower still stuck in my ring. I had completely uprooted it and
used it’s only scrap of soil as a weapon. That day I promised this
small blossom that when I found someone just like it, that is the
person I would fall in love with; someone living out among the
rocks, clinging to a small bit of land, and yet continuing to
blossom and make the world a more beautiful place. I swore to honor
and nurture that person and to make sure no one ever uprooted her
from her chosen place in the sun.”

“And is that why Tommy called me the
wildflower?” asked Abby softly as she noted the small photograph of
herself and Hubby that stood by the bedside lamp.

“Yes,” whispered a furiously blushing
Hazel.

“I am deeply honored Hazel.” Before the
moment could go farther there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” bawled Tommy who was obviously
stuck in the kitchen.

“Locked,” responded a male voice from
outside.

“Shit,” exclaimed Tommy.

“WOOF!” exclaimed Hubby who was now standing
at the door.

“Got it,” called Hazel as she was turning the
knob. “Hello, you must be Charlie, please do come in. I’m Hazel
Fillmore, and this is Abby MacKai.”

“A pleasure ladies,” smiled the small man
brightly as he stepped through the door. “Now who is this fine
handsome fellow here?”

“This is Hubby,” replied Abby as she tried to
pull the dog off him. It was no use as he was on the floor playing
with the dog, wrestling and losing as Hubby enthusiastically tried
to lick his face.

“Hubby,” mused Charlie softly, as he regained
his feet. “Well sir, I’ll just bet that name has been at the root
of all the distress around here of late.”

“Very perceptive of you sir, it has
indeed.”

“How did he get a name like that anyway
Abby?” asked Tommy who was busily trying to set the table.

“There was a family leaving for Toronto,” she
replied as all three of them headed for the kitchen. “They couldn’t
take the dog, so I adopted him. The boy said his mother had named
him. She’d said his ears bore a striking resemblance to those of
her husband.”

“Indeed,” exclaimed Hazel, “well then, he
must surely have been a very handsome man.”

“I quite agree. This fine fellow has been my
crutch in time of need as well as my constant companion since we
had the very great good fortune to fall into each other’s company.
It pleases me that you and he have bonded so well Hazel.” Hazel
blushed softly and smiled warmly at Abby as she lightly scratched
the dog’s ear.

The dinner and following evening passed
pleasantly in general getting to know you conversation. Charlie was
a sweet charming man and Abby found herself quite liking both he
and Tommy. Tommy had been pretty tough on her, but that was only
because he was trying to protect Hazel. She soon understood that he
didn’t have a mean bone in his body. At length, she realized that
she would have to go or these nice folks would stay up all
night.