Closure
Copyright © May 2011 Lissette E. Manning
Published © May 2011 L.D.B. Press
ISBN: 978-1-4581-4036-4 ebook
ASIN: B005110CJW
BNID: 2940012597496
All rights reserved.
The author retains sole copyright to her contributions to this book.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.
For information and inquiries, address Nancy Medina via lizziebeth@simplistik.org.
This book is a work of fiction and any similarities to any persons, living or dead, or places, events, or locales, is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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To Ben Barnes.
Thanks for being you, Sweetness.
You, and your work, were an inspiration for this story.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank the following for their time and assistance. Any errors (or literary license that I may have taken with some minor facts/locations) are solely my responsibility.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank Andrei Gelu, Geloo from sxc.hu, whose photo of the female portrait is the one I used to make part of my cover image.
To Mary Lou – I appreciate that you took the time to proofread and critique my story. Without your doing so, I would have missed those little errors that I didn’t notice the first time. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Whatever you need, I’m there!
To JD – Thank you for always being there whenever I’ve needed you. You hold a very special place in my heart. I appreciate the time you take to read my work and letting me know what you think of it and how to make it better. No matter what, Sweetness, I’m there for you. Love you always!
To Andrew Neuin – I thank you for bearing with me through so much. You’re friendship means a lot to me and I’m glad that it’s withstood the test of time and that you’re still here within my life. I appreciate your insight, and your support, on things so very much.
To Mario Padilla – I don’t know what I’d do without you. We’ve had our ups and downs but have retained our friendship no matter what comes our way. It’s hard to express how much you mean to me within these few words, but I hope you know that I treasure you so very much and that whatever you need, I’m there.
To KNK_INK – I came to know you through BBF and am so very glad to call you a friend. I appreciate that you have read my work and offer me any input when needed. Anything you need, just let me know. <3
To Nick Cutler – You’ll always be my Dumi! ::winks:: Thanks for always being there, even when time has gone by and we haven’t talked for some time. Knowing you’re around always made my day.
To Andrew Castro – My dearest Cookie, there’s never a dull moment with you. Thank you for taking the time to assess my work and give me your honest opinion on it.
To my Mom, Jay Jay, James, Eli, Mary – thank you for believing in me when I thought that I’d never make it this far. You all rock and I love you very much!
To those that are too numerous to mention – thanks for being there for me in so many ways. I appreciate all the suggestions and insight that you’ve all given me to make my work better as I went along. I treasure you all so very much.
Lastly, I want to thank you, D., for putting up with me all these years through good and the bad. I know I’ve been a brat, at times, but it means a lot to me that we’ve weathered every storm that’s come our way and that we’re still standing. Gracias, Querido, por todo. Te quiero mucho!
1. Bittersweet Memories
I’m leaving, Ben.
Ellie’s words still rang with crystal clarity within my head. For the life of me, I could not brush them off. The devastation that my wife had wrought upon me still resonates with each passing day.
I tried to make sense of what she’d said to me, but my mind refused to acknowledge every word that had spilled from her lips. We’d spent so much time together, building a life that had spoken volumes. Everything had seemed so perfect. And yet it was not. With those three words, she had shattered the very world that I’d built around her.
Taking a deep breath, I walked throughout the house that she and I had shared. Everywhere I looked, I saw something that reminded me of her. The Prince of Tides, a book that she had always meant to read, lay forgotten upon the coffee table. A misplaced pen lay haphazardly on the mantle. A pair of worn slippers were tucked discreetly underneath the edge of her desk. Seeing these things brought forth a wave of heartache so deep that it suffocated me.
Leaning across the doorjamb as I surveyed the contents of my living room, I brought to mind the day that she had told me that she was leaving. The memory of it was still so vivid that it left a sour taste within my mouth.
2. The Calm Before The Storm
Grasping my wife’s hand, I pulled her close as we walked along in search of the spot that my parents had picked out for our picnic. We were vacationing in Connecticut, staying with my parents at the small bed and breakfast that they’d acquired recently in downtown Meriden. The idea of a picnic at Hubbard Park had been mine, for it was one of my favorite places to go to as a child.
A nervous giggle erupted from Ellie’s lips as she squeezed my hand. Although, she did not quite get along with my Mom, she had promised to behave for my sake. Mom had a tendency to criticize Ellie about everything she did, making her feel as if she wasn’t good enough to be my wife. Mom always felt that I could have done better in choosing the woman I was to marry. But what was done, was done and I wouldn’t change the way things were. Rubbing the small of her back, I leaned over and whispered sweet-nothings into her ear as we caught sight of my mother.
She let go of the basket that she’d been holding and pushed herself to her feet. “Darling!” she said, hugging me tightly as she turned her attention towards my wife. “Ellie, dear, good of you to come!”
Smiling, I brushed a light kiss across her cheek and returned her embrace. “Hey Mom.”
Ellie dutifully kissed Mom on the cheek. “How do you do, Mrs. Morgan?”
Making note of Ellie’s brusqueness, she smiled as if there was nothing wrong. Waving a hand about, she gazed momentarily at the large pond that sat within the middle of the park. “I’m fine, thanks. Please, do sit. This spot seems so perfect, doesn’t it?”
“It’s quite lovely,” I assured, taking a seat on the blanket that she had spread upon the ground. “I’ve always loved this place. The way the water flows across the pond, the ducks and the swans as they lounge nearby, the sounds of people as they walk by – it’s almost magical.”
She patted me lightly across the cheek and returned to her previous task. “It is, isn’t it?”
Ellie sat down beside me, pushing back several strands of her mahogany-colored hair as it fell across her brown eyes. Tentatively, she leaned forward and rummaged through the basket that lay before Mom’s feet. “Will George be joining us?”
“Yes. I sent him to fetch a couple things that I’d forgotten to pack. He should be returning soon.”
I watched as my wife tilted her face up towards the bright cerulean sky. She smiled softly to herself, enjoying the moment. A dark shadow soon crossed her face as her eyes fell upon me. It disappeared as quickly as it had come. I could not help but wonder as to what had momentarily marred her happiness.
Shrugging off that moment of uncertainty, I took in the sights that lay before me. Pure-white clouds were scattered across the sky’s surface; small puffs of cotton that seemed to bloom right before your eyes. The sun shown high above us, so warm and so inviting; caressing anything and everything that crossed its path. Birds chirped loudly; music upon one’s ears. Subtle hints of lavender tickled my nose as the slight breeze carried the scent along. Men, women, and children walked about, their faces alight with pleasure as they enjoyed each other’s company. The day was beautiful, full of a sweet perfection that bespoke volumes.
Mom was chatting animatedly about one of her boarders, oblivious to the fact that neither I, nor my wife, were really listening. I found it hard to believe that she was just fifty-two years of age. Her light auburn hair curled gently about her face, ruffled by the slight breeze. Her lovely brown eyes crinkled with amusement.
Mom spent most of her time working at the bed and breakfast, yet she did her best to spend as much time as possible with the family whenever we were able to gather together. She was always so sure of what she wanted and of where she stood, that it was hard for those who met her not to like her. She was that full of life.
My reverie was broken as I heard the sound of my father’s laugh within the distance. My sister walked beside him, an amused expression upon her face. Catching sight of us, she smiled broadly; her green eyes shining. Patting Father’s arm, she broke free and ran in my direction. Leaning down, she placed a sloppy, wet kiss across my forehead.
Sticking my tongue out at her, I shook Father’s hand as he came to stand beside us. “Had a change of heart, Jaq?”
“Hardly,” said Father as he slid a bag laden with fruit, cheese, bread, and several other items into Mom’s hands. “She was bored and couldn’t stand the thought of being holed up within her room a moment longer, I think. I convinced her to come along.”
She grimaced, playfully punching Father’s arm. “Dad! That’s so not true! I hope none of you mind.”
Mom smiled broadly, handing her a cup of lemonade. “Not at all, Darling. It’s good that you did.”
Chuckling softly, Father placed a gentle kiss across Mom’s cheek and promptly made himself comfortable. “Have I missed anything?”
Ellie absently twirled her wedding band around her finger, her brow furrowed. “Can’t say that you have,” she replied softly.
Taking the initiative, Mom drew Father’s attention as she began to unload both the basket and the bag that she’d been given. He chuckled softly, lending her an ear as she spoke and soon regaled her with a story of his own about the going-on’s within the law firm that he worked for. I could not help but envy the camaraderie that existed between them.
Dipping my hand into one of the bowls that Mom had set out upon the blanket, I grabbed a couple of grapes and popped one into my mouth. Jacqui saw me doing so and slapped me across the back of my head, craftily making away with the three grapes that had been left within my hand.
“So what brought about the change of mind?” I inquired as Ellie tapped me across the shoulder.
“I’m going for a walk,” she whispered, pushing herself to her feet.
“Shall I go with you?”
She glanced briefly at my sister and smiled. “Not really. I need a few moments to myself. Besides, Jacqui looks as if she wants to talk to you.”
I glanced in my sister’s direction, catching the slight smirk that played about her lips. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. I just need to hash out a couple things within my head.”
I searched her eyes as unease began to settle within me. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine, Ben,” she said with exasperation; her brow slightly furrowed. “What could possibly be wrong?”
I took in the slight droop to her shoulders, wondering if something was truly wrong. Things had been hectic for the both of us these last few weeks; our relationship a tad strained because of our different work schedules. Yet here she was, taking a moment to placate me by spending some time with the rest of the family.
I yearned to question her, then and there, but refrained from doing so. She was prone to having moments where she needed a bit of solitude. The least that I could do was grant her the reprieve that she sought. Releasing a pent-up breath, I finally relented and let her go off on her own.
“She seems displeased,” my sister replied as she, too, watched her walk away. “What have you done now?”
“Nothing, Jaq. At least, not that I know of.”