So what's Your Name now?

[chris2c4u]

A country music style song given the Lit treatment vis a vis Chris and Maid...it's a shorty...PM either of us as we post for one night only...

He walked along the sidewalk to the general store,
throws his hair back over his shoulders, sees her there.

His eyes meet hers and her customer turns
Grins, hi Steve, long time no see...

Steps back away from the laser light between shop girl and biker, that afternoon.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Mary looked up, surprised, maybe a bit embarrassed.
At the least, she was disconcerted.

She hadn't expected to see him again.
Not after all these years.

"Hello, Soldier," she quipped. "Do I know you?"
He nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am. I believe you do."

"My name's Steve. Steve Bolton. And yours?"
He needed her to say it, but didn't really want to hear.

 

[chris2c4u]

"Mary", she said again. "Just Mary."

The customer tried to speak to Steve; they'd been at high school together.

He had only eyes for her.

"I made it through my term," he said and stood next to the counter.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

She nodded. "You never wrote. Never answered mine."
He shrugged and shuffled his feet.

"Hey, Tommy!" she called out for the kid who stocked on weekends.
"I need you to watch the store for a bit. Me and Steve... "

Tom nodded. "Sure thing Miz... "
She hushed him quick and hurried out the door. "Be back in a few."

 

[chris2c4u]

You wanted me to tell you about Saigon whores?

Yeah I was there in their pussies, in their arms

Damn I thought you'd forgotten me, I never got a word from you...

In my heart, I was true to you

Always and forever, I was your man

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Her heart twisted, close to bursting.
"Let's walk a bit."

"So what you been up to, Mary?"
He needed her to say it, but didn't really want to hear.

"I run the store now. Mom and dad retired," she shrugged.
"It's turning a profit now for the first time ever."

"At least til one of the big outfits builds someplace close."
"They're rezoning."

She still hadn't answered his questions.
Not any of them.

"Let's walk a bit."
This time she sighed.

 

[chris2c4u]

This time he held her hand and felt her ring.

So, you're a happy gal?

Got a man, got any kids?

I only wanted you to be a happy gal.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

The thick gold band burned her skin.
Almost as much as his touch.

"I do," she said as they came to the end of the block.
She knew he wanted her to say it, but she knew he wouldn't want to hear.

Her heart pounded, caught in her throat.
"And... Yes."

Mary pointed.
Steve's eyes followed, the light glinting off her wedding band searing his soul.

 

[chris2c4u]

The girl on the swing giggled to her friend.

Steve looked at Mary and they walked into the park.

They stood at the side and he wiped his eyes.

Yeah, she sure looks like...he wanted to say Mitch.

His best friend. He wanted to say Mitch.

He saw the little girl's eyes...and looked at Mary

 

[Maid of Marvels]

"Some say she looks like me, but... "
It was time to say something he maybe didn't need her to say, but she knew he needed to hear.

"Be proud of her," Mary said.
"I am."

Reaching up, she gathered one of his tears on a fingertip.
And he took one of hers.

"You take good care," she whispered, her voice cracking.
"I only wanted you to be a happy gal," he whispered back.

 

[chris2c4u]

The End

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