Old friends, new love?

[Merelan]

OOC This thread is just for catlover and myself. Please feel free to read and comment.

Tina:

Wandering through her hometown, nostagia having led her from one end to the other. Her mother's death had brought her home after all these years, to close up the house and decide what to do with the 98 years of junk that had accumulated. So many things had changed, and so many had stayed the same in town. The names on the mailboxes were the same, though a couple were now in the second or third generation of the family. The General Store was now more a conveniance store then the old pharmacy and local hangout. The burger joint next door having turned into a McDonalds at some point. Those were the biggest. The library was still there, even the librarian the same. Maybe a bit greyer, but still shhing the kids who dared to break her rules. A smile playing on my lips as I left and turned the corner. A red mustang in the driveway of the Daniel's residence. The hood up, and a man's ass sticking up. Wonder who that was. Admiring the view. The mustang looked familiar somehow. Frank had driven one just like it in high school. Frank, her best friend all through school. The one who had always been there for her, in tears and sorrow, in happiness and fears. The one who had held her hand the whole night her Father had been brought home, cold and mangled from the train accident. The one who had encouraged her artistic talents and even had applied for her to go away to college. The friend she had never thought she could live without. But life away from here had been so different, time went so fast. 20 years now. A failed marriage, a lost child. A career that had placed her name at the top of the advertisement world, and then plummeted it off when she refused to keep on with the lies. Going and starting her own, which was failing miserably. Somewhere they had lost touch. No, It had been Tina that had lost touch. For three times a year she still heard from him, no matter where she had wandered. On her birthday, Christmas and the Fourth of July. Those he always sent a card. Simply signed your best friend Frank. Sometimes she had remembered to send him one, but more then not let it slip. Over time it had gotten to hard to call. A simple phone call and she knew he would have been there. But, she was afraid to face him. His dreams for her thrown away when she walked out the door that day.
Now, here she stood reminded of him by the car. Then the man stood. It was him. Frank. The same profile, the same curly hair, touched with grey now. Stepping forward, unable to even speak. Why was he here again? What had happened that had brought him home just when she needed him. The funeral was later that day, and she was alone. By choice she guessed, but. Did she have the right to even speak to him?
Stepping even closer, watching his every move. So familiar, so right. A tear slipping down her face. The first she had shed since the phone call telling her of her Mother's death in her sleep.

"Frank?"

 

[catlover]

Frank

I tinkered with the car I had played with for so many years. This morning over coffee I read the paper and saw the obit on Tina's mom. I remembered her well, having spent so much time over there when her husband was killed. I was so close to Tina in school. I had a terrible crush on her, but was too shy to ever let her know it. She was the popular cheerleader and the homecoming queen, and dated the football quarterback steadily.I knew I never had a chance with her, so I kept my feelings to myself.

Wonder what ever happenned to her? I saw her only a few times after she went away to college. During summers she was either away or involved and we did see each other a few times, but never dated. We still exchanged a few cards each year, so I had an address, but we really had lost touch.I knew she was in the big city in advertising, while I had taken over our family business, a gas statiion which had evolved into a minimart, but I still was just the old hometown geek with no education and no prospects and no future. I did it because my dad expected it, and I just couldnt let him down, but now I had a good offer to sell it out but where would I go? What would I do?

The folks had both died and I was still there in a small house I had bought from the estate when the Daniels passed away. I was stuck, but now I had ther chance to finally live a little.

With greasy dirty hands I worked on the radiator hose, thinking about how much I used to enjoy working on cars at the gas station until it all changed, and now there was no place for a service station. Everything was self serve, and we closed the shop and started the store. There was no profit in the gas, but it brought people in for morning coffee and sweet rolls etc, and that was a lot more profitable,selling magazines and snacks and fast food items. Very long hours and all kinds of other problems, and not nearly as much fun as working on cars had been.

Suddenly I heard a voice. I turned and there she was. Just standing there smiling at me, and looking as pretty as she did years ago the way I have always remembered her. I looked at her and said "Hi Tina. I'm sorry about your mother. I saw the notice in the paper just this morning and see that the funeral is this afternoon. How can I help?"

 

[Merelan]

"Hi Tina. I'm sorry about your mother. I saw the notice in the paper just this morning and see that the funeral is this afternoon. How can I help?"
At his kind and simple, and well meant words a damn inside me broke. I started sobbing hard, falling into his arms and weeping. He just held me, not saying any of the corny things everyone had been saying. Just holding me. I sobbed and cried. The pain and feeling of loss finally lessening as the tears soaked his t-shirt. After a few miunutes I felt him shaking me, making me come to my senses. He held me a moment more, then whipped out an old hanky and wiped my face, all the while smiling encouragingly at me. Like old times. The years swept away. once more leaning on him as I tried to come to grips with reality.

"Oh Frank." Taking the rag from his hand and finsihing the job myself. "I am so sorry. But you see. I hadn't cried, and you, well. The house is so empty without her, and she left me, and I didn't even get to say goodbye, or I love you. Oh Frank." Starting to cry again. But he took my hand and shook his head. I swallowed the tears and blew my nose. Not caring if my makeup was a sight, or my face blotchy, or my hair a mess. This was Frank. And he would make everything better.

"Can I have a drink of water? What are you doing here anyway?"

 

[catlover]

Frank

I led her inside my messy house. She looked around with what looked to me like a gaze of disgust, but I found a clean glass and put some ice cubes in it and poured her some water

I asked if she would prefer a beer or glass of wine, but she shook her head no, as I grabbed a beer for myself. Sitting across from her, I let her say whatever she wanted to say about her mother, her life, and what she was going through. I was there for her - just like the old times,and it felt great to just be with her again

 

[Merelan]

We went inside and wound our weay past piles of stuff, and things, and mess. He handed me the water. I sipped it, it tasted like wine.
Sitting on the edge of my seat, trying to gain control.
"It was so sudden Frank. She was fine, going to come up and visit me next month. But then, in her sleep. I guess. Oh Frank. I am so alone now. First Daddy, then my baby. I guess you heard about that. I was married, you knew. To that lawyer. But after our baby died it fell apart. We didn't know each other anymore. In our sorrow we went our separate ways. My job, it was a joke. A lie. Standing at my baby's grave I realized I couldn't do it anymore. So I quit. My whole life has been a sham, a disaster. And now, Mother is gone. Frank what am I to do."
He reached out and held my hand, stroking it as I spoke. Taking another sip.

"And you Frank? Tell me about you. I thought you were leaving here. And why are you loving here now? Did you buy this place? tell me you started the nursery you wanted to. Remember. You were going to grow wild and exotic plants and sell them. Even though you didn't know much about them. What are you doing now?"

 

[catlover]

Frank

"Well-I always planned to leave as you remember.But, my dad asked me to helpat the station, and the days and weeks went on, and then he got sick so it became a full time deal"

"Before I knew it I was doing everything, and then he died,and there we were. At the time we couldntsell it, and there was nobody else to run it, and besidesd, you cant make any money having to hiresomeone to run it, so I was elected"

"I never did get to try the nursery idea- maybe that might be in the future.Now I have a very good offer to sell the business,and with my mom dead too, there is noone else to share the money with, and it is a lot- due to the value of the location and the commercial zoning"

"Say- the funeral is this afternoon. Of course I was planning to go. Will you let me take you? or do you have someone else to be with you?

 

[Merelan]

My gaze had gone out the window, remembering the games we had played as children out there on the street.
"Funeral? Yes. It's today. I would love for yout o accompany me." Sighing. There wasn't anyone else anyway. Mom's family had long since passed on. Oh Great Aunt Hattie would probably appear. She was from my Fathr's side. She attended everyone's funeral though.
"It isn't a big event. At least, as far as I am conccerned. She didn't like the "weeping and wailing" kind of thing. You remember when Dad died. She had to fight tooth and nail to keep it as private as it was. And even then his family was so upset they never spoke much to her afterwards." Sipping at the water. "Her friend Millie, you know her. Millie Doulton. She has taken care of everything for me. The arrangements, a car." A light suddenly dawning in my head. "Oh Frank, does that mustang of yours run? You know how much she loved that thing, as much as you. I suppose I couldn't, but I suddenly thought, I should arrive in that. But I guess I better stick to the old black car they will send. But oh how she would have loved to see their faces!" Smiling, for the first time in days.

 

[catlover]

Frank

"Sure, I remember Millie- wer used to see her occasionally at the station and then the store.Nice of her to make all the arrangements for you. Of course the "stang" runs! I think you nee a good laugh and that would be some fun on a somber day. We don't have a whole lot of time.I need to clean up and get dressed.What sort of arrangements for after the services? Why dont we have dinner together tonight? A big night in the old town. There is a new restaurant out on the highway that you will like. Id like to take you there.

 

[Merelan]

He understood, and well. Of course he did. He was Frank. I stood, setting down the glass.

"After the funeral? There isn't anything planned. She wouldn't want one of those silly reception things. She wasn't like that. You know. She is cremated and later, when I find I can, she is to be spread over the pond, where we put Dad. It's what she always wanted, to be back with him." I smiled and touched his hand.

"Frank, thank you. For everything. I'm sorry. Sorry about alot of things, but mainly that we lost touch. It was my fault. Forgive me?" Turning to go. Then looking back over my shoulder.

'Dinner is on me. Yes, I would love to get out. The house is too still, too quiet. I can't face it alone yet. Especially at night. thanks. Pick me up at 3? The funeral is at 3:30."

 

[catlover]

Frank

"I'll be there for you" (thinking to myself "as always")

"Do you need a ride home? It's getting warm out there and it's silly to let yourself get overheated? I'd be happy to give you a ride in ther Stang!"

 

[Merelan]

"Thank you Frank, but it's only a couple blocks. I shall be fine. See you at 3?" Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and then leaving. Feeling his eyes on me as I walked away. Turning at the corner and waving.
Once home I quickly changed, and called the funeral home to explain the change. Of course they didn't understand, but I did, and Mom would. That's all that mattered to me now. Millie thought it was a great idea, knowing Mom as well as I did.

To get through this afternoon. Then, feeling faint and nervous as I sat downstairs in my old chair by the window. I hadn't eaten at all today. Grabbing up an apple and eating it, all the while sitting still and quiet, waiting. Waiting for 3 o'clock. No, I was waiting for my Mom to come through the door, a glass of wine in one hand and a book in the other.
The tears threatened to start again. Choking them back I went outside and waited on the porch, but the memories followed me there too. Dressed in a simple dark blue dress, her string of pearls at my neck. My hair pulled back in a simple french twist. Sandals on my feet. It was her favorite dress, and her favorite hairstyle for me.

 

[catlover]

Frank

As soon as she left, I picked up the junk and filled my garbage can and three large big plastic garbage bags. I was so embarrassed by my mess. All those old magazines and papers and stuff. It would all go to the dump tomorrow.

The place looked surprisingly neater and I then vacuumed and dusted and made the place a little more presentable.I even went out in the back yard and cut some fresh flowers, I felt so good about seeing her again. With a bouquet on the table, I started to get ready and after my shower, got dressed in my best suit and tie, and fired up Betsy, my old Stang,and went to pick her up promptly at 3.

She looked lovely in that blue dress with a single strand of white pearls. We arrived at the funeral home for the service, and I took her arm as I led her into the chapel and to her seat in the front row.

 

[Merelan]

he stood beside me as I agreed with all the arrangments, then led me to my seat. But he left me then. Going back to sit with the others. People from town and her church. Then there was Auntie. Weeping and sobbing. Her voice and tears irritating to me, as always. But I plastered on my smile and held her hand as she sat next to me. The words the minister spoke simple, and true. Not any garbage about her sianthood and perfection. My mother had liked a drink now and again, could swear like a fishwife and believed in living life to the fullest. I thought my own words and memories as the short service contiued. Then came the hard part. The reception line. I hated this. Hated it always, and so would she. But I had too. Standing there as people filed past. One after another, murmuring their condolances, kissing me. I knew most of them but it had been years. The worst were the ones that asked about me and my life. What life? But I replied gently, keeping my true thoughts to myself. I was ready to scream when I looked up and saw him talking to a lovely lady. Shelooked familiar. Oh. It was Nadine, his old girlfriend from high school. I hadn't known she was around still. She smiled at me and then linked her arm through his, being her usual possessive self. As always, afraid I was going to take him away. Shaking my head and inwardly smiling. But she clung to him even as they approached. I wondered if they were together again. She had married, twice, from what I remembered. but she had always wanted Frank.

"Hello Nadine. So nice to see you again. And kind of you to come." Holding out my hand and being polite, though I knew she hated me. Always had, jealous of my friendship with Frank.

"Can you believe how long it has been? Either can I. Thank you. Yes, better sudden like this. In her sleep. It is what she would have wanted." Then on they moved. My eyes following as they walked away, a brief hand squeeze from rank more help and support then anyone could offer. Finally it was done and the place slowly emptied. Isank into a chair, exhausted. Kicking off my sandals and curling my legs under me. Rocking back and forth. My mind numb as I sat there.
Yes, arriving in the mustang had caused talk, alot of it. Auntie had even told me how disrespectful that had been. Bah. mom would have loved it. Loved the look on their faces when Frank had helped me from the bright red car.
Sitting there, just resting, letting my thoughts float. It was nice.

 

[catlover]

Frank

When I left Tina in the family pew, we didnt think iy would look apprpriate fior me to sit with her, so I took a seat with the others in the congregation. I looked up and there was Nadine sitting next to me. She had seen us arrive, and as soon as I was away from Tina and alone she came after me. I had been avoiding hwer as much as I could all these years, after she was married and raising a family, but more thanonce she came into the station and later the store, and the old memories started the juuices flowing again. We were just not suited for each other and it was best we stay apart to avoid any complications.

When she got divorced she called me and asked me to take her out, but I never did. Then I read of her second marriage, and didnt see her for a long while, but one day she came in and told me she was separated again. All I thought was thank God I never got involved with her- she was bad news. She never left me alone even while we went through the receiving line, even though she knew I wanted to be with Tina. Finally, after asking me to take her to dinner and I declined. she gave up and left so I could go to Tina and be with her, knowing she needed me.

She was sitting in a chair with her shoes off. She looked relaxed, almost asleep when I went over and gently asked "How're you doing?"

 

[Merelan]

he startled me.

I sighed. "I am fine. just tired, tired of all this. This emotion. The pain, the platitudes that they give me." Waving in the direction of the door. Holding out my hand to him.
"Thank you. Frank. You are, are a dream come true. How did I ever lose track of you?"

 

[catlover]

Frank

We left together.When in the car we just started driving - to nowhere in particular - we drove around and looked at the town, little changed from years ago. We went by the old high school which started the memories flowing.I remembered her as the school queen- the head cheerleader and the dream girl of every guy there. She was alweays my close friend - more like a brother-sister relatiionship, with me yeastning for her every night in my lonely bed. No one else ever appealed to me. Because of that feeling I never married and never even had a serious girlfriend.

I did gwet involved with one of the women who worked at the minimart, but she was married and we played on the side for a while, but eventually her hubby took a new job away from toen and they moved away.

I dro9ve her by my place where the old gas station was gone and a new minimart in its place, with self service gas pumps out in front.It didnt look like there was any great amount of activity,which was fine since I was going to sell it anyway to one of the big chains. Nothing there of interest, so we kept on going out of town on an old road.

Finally we parked and talked. It was too early to go to dinner, buyt here we were all dressed up and no place to go. I asked if she would like to go somewhere and have a drink, and she said she was perfecrly happy to just be alone with me and her memories. So, we parked and just talked, and finally I was overcome with emotion at her situation of having to say goodbye to her mom,and I gently leaned over and kissed her, and told her how happy it made me to be with her.

 

[Merelan]

he drove and drove, somehow knowing I needed it. Telling me of all the changes, and the non changes of the town. Who was still around, who wasn't. Wha was married to who and with what kids. I barely remembered some of them. At the high school I sat quiet. remembering the days we had joked and had fun. His strong presence always with me. The guys I dated being careful with me, for there in the background was my watchdog. That's what they had dubbed him. One night one boy had pinned me to the ground, after some making out, and was ripping at my clothes. I had tried to scream, but he had stuffed my panties in my mouth. Right when he would have won the fight a buddy of his had come along, pulling him off. Then begging me not to tell Frank. I knew then that they were right. Frank would have literally killed him, he was that protective. Once gone from here though I had been vulnerable. open to hurt and rejection. Life had changed so much since those days, and yet, so little. We parked and talked more. Remembering old time. I was able to tell him of my lost baby, without crying and without the searing pain. He had pulled me close and held my hand as I spoke of her and the three short days she had struggled to live. Then we changed the subject, laughing at old jokes, and times Sudennly he kissed me. I was stunned, unable to react. Just a soft kiss, but on the lips. pulling away he blushed and I brought up another subject, his car. Getting him to talk of her and his love for her. Unable to understand what I was feeling. watchign him as his eyes glowed with his pride of her. frank. This was frank. he was handsome, sexy. in a rugged way. dark eyes and curls, with a pepper of grey. And that smile, his crooked grin. how had I never seen that before. I looked away, out the window. The sun was setting now, over the field. Shaking my head clear of my new thoughts of him.
This was frank. i couldn't be attracted to him, could I? It had only been a caring kiss, like others we had shared. But my mom had always told me he loved me, only me. I had laughed and told her no. But had she been right. Could he care for me as more? His hand still held mine and I found myself stroking it, tough and hard from work. Strong and gentle. I could easily see him fixing his Betsy, covered in oil and dirt, or just as easily whipping up an omelet, or cradling a baby. or stroking my skin.
"No." realizing I had spoken out loud. "Umm... I am hungry. Can we go eat?" tryign to get my head clear again.

 

[catlover]

Frank

We drove to the restaurant.We were a little early, but they could serve us. We ordered a drink before dinner. I had a gin and tonic and she had a glass of chardonney. She was impressed with the place that was new to her, and I was happy to be the one to introduce her to it.

By then we had talked about all the old group and we certainly didnt want to talk about her mom and the funeral today. That was history. Looking to the future, I asked what her plans were. She already knew that I was selling my business and was about to be comfortable financially and without any clear path ahead. So, it looked as though both of us were starting on a new path and the posibilities loomed large in front of us, but I certainly didnt want to get my hopes up too high.

 

[Merelan]

The chardonnay was perfect, he had remembered after all these years. The more we talked, the more he opened up about his past, the present and the future. As I sat listening my thoughts kept straying to the kiss. The Kiss. I t had become capitalized in my mind. He was gorgeous. The waitress was cute and had checked him out as we entered, and he her. A wave of jealousy had flowed over me.
A moment of silence sat as I realized I should have answered something. I wasn't even sure what he had asked.
"I'm sorry Frank. Too bad about the family business though." Not sure if it's closing was good or bad news, as my mind had wandered. If I remembered, and heard right. He was glad. Maybe now he would go off and find the woman of his dreams. Suddenly wondeing who that would be, and what type, and if I fit the bill.

 

[catlover]

Frank

We had a very nice dinner. Tina enjoyed herself and I was very grateful for the time together. but it had now been about five hours as the clock reached 8 PM.

I asked her if she would like to go somewhere for an after dinner drink. I wasn't yet ready to call it an evening and go back to an empty house, but wanted to hear her choice. I didint think she wanted to be alone either so there was a perfect solution, but she had to state her preference. She knew how I felt about her, but I wanted her in her comfort zone.

 

[Merelan]

I knew he was trying to keep me occupied, not going back to an empty house. Besides, I didn't want to leave his side. But I was so tired suddenly. Waves of exhaustion seem to flow over me. the emotion of the day caught up.

"Can I take a raincheck? I am so tired all of a sudden. I think that last glass of wine triggered the exhaustion. Do you mind terribly just running me home?"

 

[catlover]

Frank

It had been a long stressful day but I was disappointed when she asked to be taken home. We drove mostly in silence, having said most of what we had to say, but leaving unsaid anything about any possibiloity of the future for the two of us. I parked in her driveway and walked her to the door, thinking only of the loneliness of tonight for me, and for her,unless I was lucky enough to be invited in.

At the door I kissed her goodnight. This wasnt just a peck on the cheek either. I kissed her very nicely and well, and then looked into her eyes awaiting the invitation that didnt come.

I broke the silence while looking at her and asked what her plans were for tomorrow. She said there were some things that needed to be done around there, inside and out in the garden, and would I like to come over about 9 and give her a hand. That relieved the anxiety I had, as I at least knew she valued the relationship and this was just good night - not goodbye.

I drove home alone to that empty house I now hated, deciding to put it on the market tomorrow, whether Tina and I had a future or not, I was leaving it behind. Sitting alone, I thought about her and how much I wanted to be with her - now and forever. Tomorrow I would tell her and get her reaction. Tomorrow - would it ever come?

 

[Merelan]

Tina:

The kiss at the door clinched it. Tiurning I walked in the house. Him watching, as he had so many times. Not leaving till I turned on a light. Mom had been right. He loved me. All these years he had loved me, been there. But. No. I was tired. Exhausted. Looking aorund the walls starting closing in again. A breeze therough the window drigted across her afghan and puled her scent to me. I pulled it from the chair and cuddled in, standing there. Rocking. Crying. Then falling to my knees by her chair I broke. My sobs and heart so loud it frightened me. I begged her to come back and let me see her.
But alone I sat there, my head buried in her chair. Weeping for her, me, Frank. My lost life. The sobs subsided slowly, and I drifted off to sleep. Just resting my eyes I thought. But soon deep into slumber.
At some point throguh the night I wept again, but these were cleansing tears. And I moved to the sofa and slept the rest of the night there. My body in need of the rest it was getting. But sleeping late. Curled up in the same clothes as I had worn to the funeral, my sandals slipped off in the night. My mothers afghan wrapped in my arms. Tear stains streaking my face. Hair disheveled, but resting.

 

[catlover]

Frank

I spent a fitfull and resless night, todding and turning and occasionally dozinbg, but thinking about Tina the whole time, wishing she were there with me for us to comfort each other and know that someone cared. Finally I gave up wishing I could just roll over and kiss her good morning, and got up and made some coffee.

Sitting there at the table and playing my usual few games of solitaire, I nibbled some leftovers for a lousy breakfast, and then dressed in work clothes and headed for her house. I was a little early, but went to the door anyway and rang the bell, still with coffee cup in hand, awaiting her to come and let me on

 

[Merelan]

The sudden dong of the bell woke me. Reaching for my bedside table, confused for a moment. Oh god. That was Frank. I stumbled to the door, rumpled and half asleep.
"Good Morning." Then spied the coffee cup and reached out. 'Thank you." Sipping.
Turning and motioning him in.

"Sorry, I need this more then you." Waving the cup at him. "I guess I fell asleep here on the couch." Obviously, and what a sight I must look.
"Give me ten minutes and a quick shower and I will be right with you.
"Oh." Handing him back the now empty mug. "Those were Dad's. I think they are vintage car mags. But Mom would have wanted you to have them. I will be right back." A quick kiss on the cheek and I was off. Dashing quickly into the shower. Embarrassed that he had caught me sleeping there, and hoping the signs of tears weren't too obvious.
The coffee and shower helped. I quickly dressed in my denim shorts and an old flannel shirt. Tying it around my waist. No point in dressing. This job could get messy. Letting my hair hang down my back wet. There, comfy. Not sexy, but last nights revelation was gone. He had only been being his usual freiendly self. I had been tired, and emotional and taken it all the wrong way. Today would be different. I would behave and not think about it.