*****WARNING*****This blog post contains graphic sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.
Mateo Negron walks with a little strut. He had something in his pocket he thought was sure to please his wife, and no not that something, though he’d use that after. He was a shorter man but taller than his wife. His older sons had outgrown him years ago taking after his taller brothers. Mateo had light brown skin, a sweet loving face and a devilishly charming smile. He had dark brown and greying hair that was balding on top and he sported a little greying moustache. He wore a white short sleeved button up shirt a little open at the top with a proud hint of moderate chest hair peeking out of a white ribbed tank top under. He had been working in the garden centre so he was in khaki green cargo shorts and a pair of outdoor work boots. He was stocky and well built with a little bit of a middle aged spread. He had been at Maria today a bit about how they should organize the invoices after not finding three he was looking for. It kept coming up and they had picked at each other, argued a bit. He felt like it was petty and he wanted to give her a nice night out so after stalking off on her after the last invoice squabble he took himself for a walk. “Mateo, you ass.” He chided himself “Your woman is everything, smarten up and find her smile. Make her smile. You know how later.”
But right now he was walking into their home with part one of that “Maria, my beautiful orchid…...my love. Let’s have a date. There’s a movie playing at the cinema...a favourite of ours. I already bought the tickets….Carlitto’s Way:rise to Power. It has Luis Guzman…” He feels like he’s really dangling a carrot now. He takes off his boots ready to steal her into his arms for a kiss when she sees the tickets.
Maria is finishing up dinner, but it is louder than it usually is … and very few things in her house are ever quiet. She is banging the pot, even as she stirs. She’s in comfy relaxing jeans and a soft blue t-shirt that is a bit too large for her, because it is Mateo’s. “Give me a hard time about the invoices. You don’t do paperwork, you take buildings apart. God, when ill they start on that new job?” she grumbles to herself as she moves around her kitchen. She should have told Mateo that she was fine running the gardening center alone. But no .. He had wanted to help and now she was angry at him. Oh, he would make it up … he always did … but until then, she was mad. She hears him come in and all but singing in joy to her about a date. Her ears perked up, but then fell as he went on. A gangster movie. Mateo loved his gangster movies. And she loved Mateo. Like every wife since biblical times, she simply played along. But no .. not today. She stands with her arms folded, a wooden spoon sticking out of the right hand. “Not tonight cabron (dumbass).” she steps back, avoiding even the hug. If he got hold of her she’d be sitting in a theater in an hour watching that stupid, stupid movie.
Mateo looks a little crushed “Cabron? But it’s Luis Guzman, our favourite guy….come on baby. Don’ t stay mad….” He tries to reach for her again but is wary of the wooden spoon.
Maria took another step back and brandished her spoon at him. “YOUR favorite guy.” she snaps. “Take Pedro. He loves it too.” she inhales and the words come out of her mouth as if she’d actually been planning this for years. “I’m going out!” she drops the spoon in the pot and bellows. “Fernanda! Laia! Finish cooking supper!” and she is out the door, marching out the front of her house and marching through the trees to Lydia’s back door and pounding on it like the police. “Lydia! Save my husband from making me kill him!”
After the big family dinner Lydia had the fosters set up with a movie after so she could have some chill time and get the dishes done at her own pace. Even Dante and Gen were watching the movie which was sweet. It was Spiderman Into the Spiderverse which drew in kids of all ages, even the teens. Then all of a sudden there was a pounding at the back door and Maria was yelling about a pending homicide. Lydia opens the door with a bit of a grin “Have you planned the murder start to finish or is it just an inkling?” She ushers her in “Would Sangria help?” She abandons her dishes and gets out 2 glasses.
Dante had paused the movie at the pounding but seeing Maria come in he started it up again and snuggled into Gen.
Gen looked up at the pounding, but as soon as she knew ho it was, she snuggles back in with Dante.
Maria came in and sighed. “I was thinking I could stuff a bunch of invoices down his throat until he chokes.” she huffs and then nods. “Yes, sister. Pour!” she leans on the counter and gives her a rundown of her day, including his offer of a movie. “He kept walking at me … thinking he will catch me and make me want that movie and anything else he wants to give me.” she huffs again. “I ain’t stupido. That’s how we got Samuel, Laia and Tomas. Not that there be any more babies, but that isn’t the point.” she sighs. “Just need some time away from men.” she looks over at the couch and Dante and Gen and rolls her eyes at young love. “Let’s do something. Girls night out, eh? Get out of the house. Talk about dogs. Oh, I need something!” she declares.
As if on cue, the Alvin dogs get up from thie flop with the children and come and greet Maria. Willow sniffs and wags, nosing at her waist. Bean does a little wag and full body shake and then flops to the floor and rolls and lets out a massive stinker with a resounding toot.
Lydia was laughing and nodding when the dog fart suddenly washed over the whole kitchen “Girl’s night OUT!” she yells in self preservation and jumps back “Dante, Gen, please watch the kids and shove them into a bed around 9 please.” She grabs the large jug of sangria from the counter. Lydia has traded in her pretty pastel skirt for a pair of black leggings but still has on the mint green tank top and the light blue overshirt. She took off the bangles and earrings but still has a hint of eye makeup shimmering around the edges of her lids. She steps into her flip flops and sees Dante give her some sort of laughing salut and head juts to the door “I know another neighbour you’d like if you haven’t already met her. And she has a great firepit. Come on!” She does pocket her phone in case of emergencies but holds the door open for Maria.
Maria growls and pushes Willows head away. “No girl! I ain’t THAT mad.” and she lets out an “UGH!” at the fart, immediately following Lydia out of the house. “The more the merrier!” she cheers, already feeling more relaxed than she had.
Colleen Reinhardt had planned for a nice, intimate evening at home with her husband. Maybe a movie, some popcorn and melted butter, followed by the rest of her night in their room. Those nights had actually been coming more often, as Seamus had a steady girlfriend now and that meant the house was, for all intents and purposes, nearly empty. On this night, it really was empty, a Logan and Kurt were off at a movie and Seamus was on a double date with his friend Sasha. The house was theirs! Until power to the Bottoms went out. Not a catastrophe, thanks to the solar cells, but something that required John’s supervision so that, once the batteries went out, the lights would stay on. But she was a bit annoyed at her man. Not his fault, but he could have called in Quentin.
Lydia walked up the steps of the Reinhardt house with Maria “you’ve probably seen all the redheads around…..well their matriarch, or this generation’s is Colleen. She’s always a hoot. Nurse at the clinic and mama to a brood of 4 herself.” She knocks cheerfully and waits.
Maria followed happily as they tromped through the back yards. “Si, I’ve seen her. She’s already tended to Mateo and Samuel for their wrenched muscles” she comes up the steps to the Reinhardts back porch and waves through the glass door at the woman within.
Colleen had just sighed and said to herself. “Now what?” when the answer came via a knock on the back door. She beamed seeing Lydia and even another very friendly looking woman. She pulled open the door. “Lydia!” she hugs her and looks at the women. “You must be Maria. Mateo’s wife? He talks about you all the time.”
Maris blew out a breath. “Of course he does, because without me, he’d be lost.” she laughs. “It is good to meet you, Colleen.” she looks at Lydia, waiting for her to get the point of their visit.
Lydia hugs Colleen back and laughs and then nods at the banter between her two friends. She lets it play out and then holds up the sangria “Maria and I are looking for a night of women’s wisdom and wine, sangria to be exact. Would you care to partake? And if the answer is yes, can we use your firepit? Because I’m just that obnoxious.” She admits fully.
Colleen is dressed in a long overall dress with an old torn at the neck tshirt underneath it. Almost but not quite pajamas. She beams at Lydia. “I’ll get the lighter!” she proclaims and doesn’t even close the door, going into the drawer that has four BBQ lighters in it an dselecting one. She’s back and about to close her door, when she suddenly stops. “You know I have a friend who needs a night like this. Can I invite her over?” then she pauses. “Of course I can because it’s MY firepit!” she goes back in to grab her phone and returns with it. “Get the wood on, ladies. I’ll be right with you.” and she sends a text to her friend.
Amelie! Girls night out. My backyard! See you in 5! If you're not here in 10 I’m sending Seamus over to your house with samples! Of what? Do you want to know?
She pockets her phone and heads for the firepit to start the fire.
Lydia happily goes to the woodpile and starts forming a little wood teepee in the fire. She sees a box of small twigs and shoves them under for kindling and then takes a seat on one of the cut log stumps of which there are many. “Nice clear night...oh shoot cups...or mugs. Colleen can we impose on you for drinking vessels?” She giggles.
Amelie is at home trying to find something to clean. She’s not really talking to Felix yet but trying to not make it look like she’s not talking to Felix. She of course said the needed things for working together and running a household with children but nothing personal since she told him he had to find somewhere else to sleep. She’s in her usual grey jeans and flowered button up shirt with her hair in a messy bun. Just when she’s contemplating doing a full cleaning of the stove as her evening’s busy work to avoid conflict she feels her phone buzz in her pocket and reads Colleen’s text. It’s like a beacon reaching into her darkness and she almost cries at it, despite the joke about samples. She sees Felix through the doorway of the kitchen watching TV with Rene and Cath and walks to the front door to grab her purse and and a pair of simple white runners and then to the back door and announces her exit hastily “I’m going over to Colleen’s for a ladies night. I have my phone if you need me.” They rarely did, especially these days. Defiantly she leaves without waiting for a reply. Within minutes she’s approaching what’s already a roaring fire and smiling. This was her favourite kind of night out, a night out outside under the stars. She sees Colleen and hugs her and then a woman she knows from the street as well, and then...Lydia Alvin. She gives a little sigh but keeps greeting Colleen. Of course they were friends and she didn’t dislike Lydia. It was just complicated.
Colleen’s looking at the beginnings of a nice fire when Lydia mentions cups. Snapping her fingers, she holds up an index finger. “One second.” and dashes back into her house and grabs 4 coffee mugs. She rushes back and sets them near the fire when Amelie arrives. She hugs her and notices the sigh. Amelie had been pretty stressed lately, she knew. Looking between Amelie and Lydia, she arches a brow. She motions to the fire. “Have a seat .. all of you.” she sits in one of the tree logs, covered in an old blanket to protect against splinters, grabs one of the mugs, which is an official NHL mug. “Bartender, if you please.” she calls out to Lydia.
Maria greets this new woman with a wave from her lawn chair. “I am Maria Negron.” she introduces herself. “Welcome to the ladies night out.” she grabs a mug that looks like a tourist coffee mug from Niagara Falls and holds it out. “Yes, bartender, vaminos!”
Lydia pours for Colleen and Maria and then walks over to Amelie “It’s good to see you again, and have a night out without the kids. Although one of yours is helping babysit mine with Dante.” She gestures to the mugs “Take your pick. Do you drink sangria? I make it myself.” She’s nothing but warm and friendly to her neighbour as Lydia always is.
Amelie greets Maria back “Hi Maria. I’m Amelie Beaulieu. I’ve seen you and your family. Big family.” Then she tries to think of how to respond to Lydia. The woman is kind to her and it’s disarming. She also knew Lydia was a really good parent despite what might be some philosophical differences. She resigns herself to being kind back “Well thank you for letting me know where Gen is so I don’t worry. And yes I’ll try your sangria...thank you Lydia.” Amelie notices only 2 mugs left and neither call to her. One says Fuckin Eh under a maple leaf and the other had an umbrella between the words Vancouver Makes Me Wet. The f-bomb wins it and she takes it and holds it out for the libations and then when her cup is full she finds a little log stump seat and settles in “This is so nice. I needed something like this tonight.”
Lydia takes the Vancouver Makes Me Wet mug and snorts at it “Colleen where did you get this? Makes me want to take a day trip to the big city.” She jokes and then sits and raises her glass to toast “To women, wisdom and wine.”
Colleen sips and sighs. “So did I.” she admits. “John had to go in.” she rolls her eyes. Then she laughs. “Maria ALMOST has us beat for largest family.” she teases. She replies to Lydia. “Fiona brought it for me the last time she and Vincent went to the mainland. Vincent works there now for days a week. At 13.” she holds her mug up. “To women, wisdom and wine!”
Maria nods. “Lucky seven.” she proclaims. “An all good … at least when I’m looking right at them.” she glances at Amelie. “Your daughter is with Dante, si? He’ll be a good man yet. Lydia will teach him. I’d offer help from Mateo but …” she rolls her eyes. “He’s in hot water with me … again. I confessed to Father O’Keeffe this morning and by noon, Mateo is giving me more to confess.” she rolls her eyes. “Because … men, right?” she peers at Lydia. “What is that shimmering on your face, Lydia and ho come I didn’t see it before?” she answers at least part of her question. “Because men. Mateo.” she holds up her mug. “To women, wisdom and wine!”
Lydia sips and then laughs at Colleen’s comment about Maria and her competing for largest family and then grins about the mug “Oh good for Vincent.” She swallows another sip when Maria talks to Amelie about Dante. She knew full well the circumstances under which she had met the Beaulieu parents and caught inklings from Dante about Amelie being a challenge for Gen. She suspected it might have a little to do with him at least considering the arrest. Then she can’t help but laugh at Maria “You’ll have to enlighten me….do you have to confess just for thinking about killing your husband? Because I imagine those booths could get pretty packed.” Then she runs her finger along her right eyelid “Oh yes, bit of makeup tonight. Big family dinner before you came knocking. All my babies came home. It was wonderful.” She looks like she wants to say more particularly to Maria but has a think on it and sips deeply. How much did she already know?
Amelie holds up her cup to toast a little more shyly than the others “Women, wisdom and wine…” She said quietly. Then she smiles at the conversation between Colleen and Lydia. When Maria directly asks her about Gen and Dante she cradles her mug “Yes Genevive is ….dating Dante.” She glances at Lydia “And I do believe Lydia does very well with him...and know he’s had his struggles. I do pray for him.” She looks curiously at Maria now “Oh you’re Catholic. Our family is as well...well I am…” She trails off and then asks “How does he take your confession? In your home?”
Colleen smiles. “Yes, we’re so proud of him. He’s even changed his name to Reinhardt already. Imagine that!”
Maria laughs. “No no .. You only have to confess if you actually kill him. Then you get to your Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s and go home. He tells me to be patient … like that’s not my whole life in a word.” she looks at Lydia. “Oh … you must have been so happy. Even the white one you made yours, right? Soon I will be begging my older boys to come home when it’s not a holy day.” she laughs. “I can hardly wait!” Then she looks at Amelie. “Prayer helps. He has your Gen to guide him right.” she holds up a finger. “Gods gift to him, that girl of yours.” then she snorts. “Confess in my home? With half my kids underfoot half the time? No … we just walk and talk. I’ve never done anything like it, but it’s nice, actually. And he speaks passable Spanish. He’s a good priest, even if he’s Irish … no offense, Colleen.”
Lydia beams “Oh well good again for Vincent. And brave to join you all….still the largest family after Owen and Slaine have their own set of 4 complete.” She gives Maria a little grin “Our Fathers and Hail Marys...check. Don’t think I’ve ever said either of those. And yes I was very happy. Speaking of growing families, I was surprised at first about the kids news. Angel an Ziggy of course, but I can see it. I can see it working. And yes even Gareth came home, my Chipmunks, Gareth, Ziggy, Angel now that he’s joined our family, my little fosters of course Stone, Elle and Mina and of course Dante and Gen. Have to say Amelie you raised a kind and clever young lady. She fit right in tonight. God’s gift indeed for those with the faith. Dante was raised semi Catholic too he told us.”
Amelie takes in all that’s being said. Her head is spinning and she’s not sure if it’s what being said or the sangria. First she addresses Colleen “Your daughter, the one getting married - the man is changing his name? That’s an interesting take. Modern. But I think I recall some things you said about Vincent. One of my sisters, the younger one, Lisette never took her husband’s name. It was an unspoken scandal in our town. She’s still Lisette Paget….yes it rhymes.” She laughs a bit “No children...it seemed they coudn not now matter how much they tried.” She smiles about Lydia’s happy family dinner too. She longed for happiness in her home right now. Then she looked both touched and a little awkward about the Gen to guide him comment from Maria “Yes, safely I hope. For them both.” She muses about the walking confessions “I should call Father Liam soon.” She tunes into Lydia’s next which seems to be directed at Maria about one of her kids and Maria’s. Then she looks melancholy about Gen fitting in with the Alvins “I’m glad Gen had a nice night at your dinner. I feel like I hardly see her these days….it's hard when they grow up. Dante’s Catholic? Huh…” You could almost see his status elevate in Amelie’s facial expression just a bit.
Maria smiles listening to who was at the party, but then Lydia mentions Angel and her jaw drops. “THAT is ho Angel is dating?” she lifts both of her hands to her mouth “Oh …. I only know he’s been seeing someone .. damn near lives at her place now.” she sniffs. “Ziggy .. oh God does know, doesn’t he. Just what Angel needs.” she blinks and waves her hands, trying to get control. “I am so happy, so I will try not to cry.” she blows out a breath. She looks at Amelie. “He’s Guatamalian .. so yes he’s Catholic. Might not be a Church goer, but I don’t think God cares.”
Colleen laughs. "Yes .... Owen a father." she shakes her head. "I still can't believe it isn't Seamus .. speaking of uncharitable thoughts I would confess to Liam if I was Catholic enough." she laughs and nods at Amelie. "Oh Vincent hated his father ..and the man earned every bit of it. Normally he is very old fashioned, but he wanted to take our name hen he married Fiona and we're happy to have him." she looks at Maria. "No offense. He's another redhead .. poor dear .. most think he's a Reinhardt and he has to explain to people that not all redheads are related.” she smiles hen she hears about the family gathering. “Ziggy has a boyfriend … well good … it’s about damn time.” she looks at Maria. “It’s always nice when they find good people. I was so worried about Seamus for so long … but now he’s in something stable. It’s wonderful!”
Lydia starts laughing at Maria “Damn I thought you knew as much as I did. Well I’m glad you’re happy about it. Because they announced to our family that they’re about to move in together. And they’re already dropping comments about marriage and kids. She’s not pregnant...I asked. I happened to be holding a knife when they told me all this and everyone thought I was threatening Angel...believe me I wasn’t...just a bit shocking until it sunk in. Simon joked Gareth would have to call in his fire department pals...those two had some steam coming off them...talk about falling hard. But it’s genuine. And it is about damned time. She followed my rules even….don’t get pregnant or a disease, and stay away from those Peterson boys. I’m sure the twins are much nier guys than their uncle who I dated in high school but had to be cautious.” She nods at Colleen “And yes we worry about them so….glad for all of yours too...Seamus? Wouldn’t have guessed him settling into something with one girl. Owen I called it before I even met her.” Then she addresses the Dante thing “I think there’s layers to the Guatemalan thing. Selena was Mayan, like Indigenous Guatemalan, so Catholic yes but also the older traditions. Dante said something about a corn god too. Course that made stone ask if there was an ice cream god…” she laughs.
Amelie had looked happy about what Maria said about Guatemalan Catholics but then later a bit thoughtful about the whole Mayan corn god thing. She watched the back and forth about Ziggy an Angel with some amusement, glad in a way hers were young enough not to be moving in with people just yet. Then it oddly gives her great comfort that Ziggy had rules laid out by Lydia. She almost wanted to ask her to repeat it so she could record it for Felix. Lydia the lawless wasn’t actually the full on free range free love parent about everything. “It is wonderful to hear you all talking about your kids. I feel more human being here. “ She drinks her sangria now and then realizes she’s emptied her cup.
Lydia automatically tops up and refills everyone as they chat. Keep the wine flowing with the conversation. She had made the sangria as an option for dinner with her kids but as it turned out everyone wanted Gareth’s white wine or fizzy drinks with the chicken meal.
Colleen laughs about Ziggy and beams about Seamus and Owen. "Oh Owen will marry her … He's always wanted a family. Seamus ... he surprised us all, but he's been doing that for years." she smiles. "Dante is deep. And no one could have guessed. God, he's like Seamus." and she laughs as her glass is refilled.
Maria drops her hands when Lydia mentions that Angel and Ziggy were talking marriage and kids. She clasps them and raises them over her head. "Thank you, Jesus for giving my boy love." she lowers her hands. "One down and six to go!" she proclaims, drinking her wine and holding her cup out for her refill. She looks at Amelie. "You don't feel human? Why not?" she looks genuinely curious.
Amelie sighs and as Colleen and Maria chatted she sipped at her next cup. The Sangria was quite fruity and delicious and it was going down far too easily. Alcohol was like truth serum with Amelie sometimes “Colleen knows a lot of this. Lydia I’d appreciate it if anything I say about Gen doesn’t get back to Dante. I do appreciate how much he cares for my daughter and what he’s been through. I don’t appreciate that Gen and it seems my husband don’t tell me where she is anymore. I would have loved to have known she was going to your family dinner. I feel like I’m losing her….and Sasha too. Maybe I’m one of those people who’s better with little kids than teenagers. I seem to be screwing this part up. And now Felix….” She closes her eyes and grits her teeth “We’re in a bad place. I don’t know how to see or get us out of it. I’m afraid I’ll lose him too…” She sniffs a bit.
Lydia had been smiling and nodding about how Dante and Seamus were alike and then given Maria a little shoulder squeeze at her gratitude about their children’s shared love “I feel the same way about Ziggy…..oh goodness Maria.” She laughs. And then when Amelie is clearly in pain she pulls her log seat closer to Amelie's and puts her arm around her like she would for one of her kids “I’m so sorry. Those are awful feelings. And no I won’t tell Dante. You can confide safely here. I frequently feel that way with my oldest son. He shuts me out...I can feel it and it hurts like hell. My husband passed away but I remember the good times and the bad. Maybe you and Felix are just in a bad one. They pass you know.” She looks at the other women “We all know. Even Maria….she won’t really kill Mateo…” She gives her friend a little half grin and extends it to Colleen.
Colleen listens as Amelia shares. “Oh communication problems.” she blows out a breath and smiles a little bit, trying to give comfort. “As far as the kids … they usually grow out of it, and I say that as who only had ONE child that would take off without a word and often come home at or near dawn. But I was always able to keep the lines of communication open BECAUSE I had John with me.” she drinks some more wine. “But that wasn't always the case. John and I separated once … and there were a couple of times I was afraid it was over. Especially when I moved out with the boys.” she drinks deeply again. “But he got into therapy and things are wonderful again. Ebb and flow.” she toasts the ladies silently and drinks deeply.
Maria drank as the other women talked around her. Then she admits it. “No, I will not kill Mateo. He is my heart and my life. The one who will be there when the children grow up and have their own lives.” she crosses herself. “God willing.” she looks at Amelie. “Well, you have to get him to talk. Is he serious all the time? Maybe that jokester? Does he wander? I am not trying to be nosy. I only hope to help.” she motions around the fire. “We have so many experiences between us all .. so many children and so many husbands.” she blinks and looks at her wine. “That almost didn’t sound right, did it?”
Amelie shudders “I could never move out. No judgment Colleen. I’m honestly terrified to do this all without Felix. Lydia I’m sorry I didn’t know you were widowed. Life didn’t give you a choice.” She sighs “ No he’s wonderful. He doesn’t wander. He’s not serious all the time though lately we both are. We used to joke more. I think it’s how we survived our kids when they were little. We were a team. I feel like we broke it.... and I only ever want one husband. It’s my faith yes... but I can’t even see it with anyone but Felix. Even when he infuriates me. He’s all I see.”
Lydia looks between all the women and nods after a long sip. “Relationships are hard. Kids are hard. No one’s ever been able to hold a candle to Dave so I hear you Amelie. I think for some people there is just one. So fight for it then. If Felix is all you want, tell him. You said he infuriates you...so just lots of fighting? Fighting can be healthy even. Clear something out. Maybe that’s what you and John needed Colleen just over a bit of time.” She snickers at Maria “But call on friends when you need breaks. What was the deal with you and Mateo today? Something about a movie you don’t like? Dave used to watch all the mindless action movies. I could predict the whole plot 5 minutes into it.”
Colleen grins. “Well a lot of John’s problems stemmed from his father, especially. And of course pride … he didn’t want to go to therapy. This last time, we were literally standing outside of the lawyers' office to sign the papers when he agreed to therapy again. It was THAT close. Then his father died, and he opened up a lot more.” she sighs, softly. “But that bullet came so close I could feel it.” she looks at Amelie. “You have to remember that. Remember you love him even when you’re so angry at him you can’t see how great he is.”
Maria thinks about it. “Relationships grow with time, sort of like kids. What worked when Angel was two didn’t work when he was 12 or even 22.” she looks at Lydia. “Oh, he spent the day nitpicking at me over invoices. And then he comes home wanting to see a movie I don’t honestly like. I just told him I do.” she blows out a breath. “We do this.” she admits. “Mateo usually works construction, but they are between taking that house down and making that tall building shorter and taking own the library and Community Center. So when he isn’t working that job, he helps me. But then we have less to share at the end of the day you know. ‘Oh Maria, you won’t believe what I saw today’ or ‘Mateo, the funniest thing happened in the shop this afternoon’ … like that. So … basically I am just sick of him today and needed to be on my own.” she chuckles. “When I get home I will remind both of us how good it is.” and she winks.
Amelie looks at Colleen tearfully and nods “I’m really working on that.” But then she laughs with Maria “Oh goodness I hear that. I also work with Felix. He’s the dentist and I’m the hygienist. What do we talk about? Honestly that felt easier in St Pierre. Maybe because we’re just getting to know people here. Also him not telling me stuff isn’t helping us at all.” She sighs a little at Maria “I wish I could take your approach but the mood for that is hard to find.”
Lydia snorts “Fastest way to solve an argument or make up though.” She offers another round of refills “Did you hear about the shoe thief adventure? The cops came to question our dogs. Funniest night ever. Your boy was with them Amelie. Did he tell you about it? Poor Theo got bit by the fire station beagle. And it turned out it was Kester! One shoe stolen at a time. Strange days we got here.”
Amelie smiles “Sasha was very excited. And he came home with puppies. One he took to his girlfriend Paige, but we have little Taffy. I’m sorry Theo got bit though.”
Colleen raises her brows. “I can understand that. But you’re making friends now, so that should help.” she looks sympathetic. “John doesn’t keep things from me for long. Usually he’ll wait until there’s a lull, because of course nothing can happen when I’m bored.” she rolls her eyes. Then she laughs. “Kester? Oh, maybe he’s getting senile in his old age.” then she looks at Lydia and shakes her head. “Just when we thought things couldn’t get stranger around here.”
Maria nods in sympathy. “So for you it’s literally all the time.” she sighs. “What does he keep from you … and what’s his excuse? Mateo will keep some things from me if he thinks it will upset me, or if he thinks it’s something he can handle and has or does. Tomas stole a candy bar once. Mateo didn’t tell me. I found out overhearing the kids talking about it and his punishment. I get very afraid of my babies getting into real trouble. You know ..” she looks at Lydia. “Me going for the wooden spoon if I’ve had a hard day. He thinks he is protecting me and whatever kid he is covering for. I get it, I just don’t like it.” she chuckles. “Again, he makes it up to me. Every time.” she looks at Amelie. “Maybe you should just talk about these things at night when the children are in bed and you have both … released your stress, you know?”
Amelie connects with Maria’s words “It is stuff like that. I have a lot of fears too...it would actually be easier for me to just know the good and the bad. Hell I might even say, ok you take this. He’s better with the teenagers. Maybe I grew up too fast….lots of things. I was an expert when they were small I swear. Sometimes Felix got a bit lost then. But I was also home with them longer...now the pendulum has swung in his direction and honestly...I hate it. I might even be a little….jealous. The kids go to him, the older two. I feel useless. I mean on the other hand I’m glad they do.” She laughs about the stress release idea “Well we’d have to share a bed again first….yes it’s that bad. And I’m not sure that IS my stress release if you’re talking about what I think you’re talking about?”
Now Lydia chimes in “Yeah she means sex. This is Maria we’re talking to.” She laughs. “Hell if the man’s not doing it for you relieve your own stress before talking to him? Sometimes you need to take matters into your own damn hands.” She laughs heartily and looks at Colleen for back up on the notion.
Amelie blushes and looks a little scandalized “Oh...not so likely with me….who has the time or energy at the end of the day?”
Colleen looks understanding. “For us it was the boys versus Fiona. The boys were all quote endquote mine while Fiona is a Daddy’s Girl. That didn’t really change until she met and started dating Vincent. And even then, she didn’t come to me until she wanted to go on birth control pills because she knew he was the one she would be having sex with. That was our pendulum swing, I suppose.” then she arches her bro. “Sex. Orgasm. It’s all stress relief.” she agrees with Lydia. “And it’s all NEEDED for a healthy relationship.” she laughs. “Even if you don’t cum together … you both need to cum.” She grins. “FIND the energy.”
Maria blinks and nods. “Of course I’m talking about sex. And cumming.” she looks a little surprised that Amelie did not know that. “Like Colleen just said. FIND the energy … even if thats here you spend the last energy of the day. Sometimes Mateo and I can barely say good night to each other before we’re asleep.” she considers Amelie. “If I’m out of line tell me … I wander off the line a lot, but … Sometimes … as Catholic women … we get bogged down in hat we think the Bible says … that we must submit to our husbands and all that …” she hesitates and sips, but falls silent.
Amelie nods a bit shyly at Maria and then at Colleen and Lydia “You’re all much bolder than I am. How is this small town so different than where I grew up? I know duty and motherhood and being a wife,,,,but I’m just not as in touch….with everything else. I mean maybe I don’t need it like some people. I want the closeness but sometimes it overwhelms me tires me even. I suspect it’s disappointing to Felix sometimes.” She downs her drink and reaches out her cup towards the Sangria now on a stump and uses the little spigot to refill “And maybe I’m just broken.”
Lydia was laughing along with Colleen and Maria but got serious when Amelie started again and exchanged a look with the other two women. “Amelie, you can talk to us….if you want to…” She doesn’t push the woman, but she’s sensing something more than what’s been said.
Colleen looks at her. This woman had become so close to her in so short a time. “Yes, Amelie .. talk to us.” she looks very concerned. She’d thought her friend had worked through it. That it is still ongoing is news.
Maria nods slowly. “Women help each other out.” she says. “So let us help … if we can.”
Amelie clammed up a bit at the questions and the outreach “Stuff happened to me before Felix and i married. I don’t want to bring the night down. It’s that 1 in 3 thing that’s really every women you know. For me it was a professor, a trusted mentor at the time. I’ve prayed about it many times….sometimes it still makes things hard….Felix has been very patient. We were already together. He held my hand through all of it. The ugliest parts….” She drinks half her new mug down now.
Lydia sighs “I get that you’re all about prayer Amelie. What about some therapy? This was before your kids and you still have problems connecting to your man….I know it doesn’t just go away but it could get a little better. I’m sorry you went through that.” She pats Amelie’s arm “What happened to the asshole who did it?”
Amelie swallows hard and shrugs “I wasn’t the only one...prison...as far as I know he’s still in there...although I know it’s not a life sentence. Because of the number of people though it added up to about 25 years. And he wasn’t a young man...maybe he’ll rot and die.” Her bitterness could sour the rest of the pitcher of sangria.
Colleen has heard this story and it still gets to her. “I have to say .. again, Ame … that therapy can help. You’ve been praying about this for … 20 years? More?” she sighs. “Prison is a start to your healing but … there;s so much further you can go.”
Maria listens to the story, her jaw clenching. She lets Lydia and Colleen say their peace, and then drinks of her sangria. “The Church tells us to pray to God for answers, and to accept his will in our lives.” she speaks very softly. “But we are only humans. How can we properly interpret Gods will?” she looks at Amelie. “This professor raped you after you first got with Felix. And Felix is still with you today. It seems he literally has Job’s patience with you and what you’ve gone through.” she mentions the biblical character because that may speak to Amelie. “But all you have done is pray to God.” she lifts her hand. “And I am not speaking against God. What I am saying is that God has given us the ability to learn so much. Like his gift to Colleen to heal, He’s given others the gift to listen and help you through what happened to you decades ago. So I would say to you that perhaps God wants you to go to someone who he has gifted with the ability to heal your scars. Felix should be Sainted for staying with you .. Not many men would .. not after that. Maybe that is what God gifted Felix with. Patience to stand by the woman he loves. Maybe he thinks he is protecting you here he couldn’t before?”
Amelie looks overwhelmed by it all again. “You think Felix should have left me Maria? I often think that...but he didn’t. I became pregnant and he would have stayed through that. I was trying to tell my parents what happened...all of it but I only got through the pregnancy part and they were ready to throw me out on the street so Felix said it was his and proposed on the spot….I lost the baby. I still feel guilty about how grateful I was over that. The child was innocent, didn’t choose the method of their making. But I was still grateful. And then eventually we had 4 children. I did figure some of it out with him, just not to the happy degree you all have and have had with your husbands. I don’t know about therapy….I feel….shame in even talking about it here. I swear it’s this wine. I’ve never even told my own sisters….how can I tell a stranger?” She looks between them all.
Lydia nods along with Colleen and then even more so with Maria “I don’t think she’s saying Felix should have left you. But sadly that not all men have his strength. I mean think about how men are socialized...but I think you already are taking to …..well Maria was a stranger...you didn’t know me well. Basically, honey, you’re already doing it. But we’re no experts. We’re here for you of course...but I suspect there’s things a therapist can offer you to move you on the path that we wouldn’t even know. Now there’s two in this town, Dr. Singh...but he’s a man. And now we have Dr. Henry...Dr. Mary Henry. Maybe just try an appointment with her...see how you like her?”
Colleen nods with Lydia, but Lydia spoke her thoughts. She will move and kneel beside Amelie and hold her hand, if allowed. If not, she ill just stay close to her friend.
Maria listens to Amelie. “Dios mio.” she murmurs and crossed herself. “No, I am not saying Felix should have left you. I mean the opposite.” she sighs. “I am Catholic. I know ho harsh the Church can be … and our families. I didn’t go through what you did … nothing like it. I only got pregnant as a teen to find the father wanted nothing to do with us. My family as somewhat supportive, but I planned to raise Angel alone. No one … not me, not my mother … no one in my Church … thought I would ever find a man to take on me and my baggage. But then I met Mateo…” she shakes her head and blows out a breath. “What I am trying to say is that Lydia and Colleen are right. I would say go to Father O’Keeffe … but like the other therapist … he is a man … try the woman. Do it for you first, eh?”
Amelie holds Colleen’s hand and smiles at her gratefully. She smiles at Maria a bit when she crosses herself and then listens and nods “I’m glad you found Mateo….” She looks at Colleen” And that you and John reconciled and he got help.” She looks at Lydia “I don’t know if there’s any resolve for losing a spouse….but I completely appreciate your supporting me, and the advice, all of you.” She looks around and takes in a breath “I will think about it, which is more than I’ve done before. Thank you.”
Lydia laughs a bit “No, there’s no resolve. And no one has ever compared to Dave. He’s a hard act to follow.” She looks around at the other women “Like all of yours, so do whatever it takes to hang onto those good ones.” She laughs a bit “Because all I’m going home to tonight is my Battery Operated Boyfriend. I’ll live vicariously through you ladies.” She jokes and pours herself another cup, trying to lighten the chatter a bit.
Amelie can’t help but laugh and still looks a little scandalized by such talk “Goodness!”
Colleen laughs. “If John isn’t home, I am taking a picture of Bob and sending it to John.” she laughs even harder. “Last time I did that he came home in the middle and …. It was … wow.” she grins and winks.
Maria laughs, but also looks fascinated. “I never tried a toy…” she looks at Amelie and laughs a little harder. “Us good Catholic girls are missing out. But I think I may go home and tell him about this … give him something to compete against.” and she laughs again, throwing her head back and ultimately falling over. She isn’t hurt and all will know by the way she literally rolls on the ground laughing.
Lydia laughs and rolls her eyes at Colleen “Now you’re just showing off.” She teases and then Maria chimes in before laughing and falling right over “Oh shit Maria…” She goes to stand up and help her up and weaves trying to make her way. “You feel it all when you stand up...or fall down. You ok down there Maria? Want us to call Mateo? Bring you a snack? Sick my dogs on you to scare you back up….or stink you back up…” She’s laughing really hard now and just sinks to the ground beside Maria.
Amelie’s eyes go wide at Colleen. And then she nods to Maria “It’s never even crossed my mind. I mean I don’t want to make Felix feel inadequate…” She laughs when Maria falls over and then Lydia struggles and sits down too “Oh come on we’re not that drunk.” Experimentally she stands and immediately sways “Merdre (shit). Pardon my English. I am that drunk….”
Maria watches from her position on the ground. “Mateo IS my snack.“ she proclaims and tries again to stand on her on.
Colleen watches them all. She doesn’t stand … she knows what will happen if she does. “Home. All of you. We’re out of Sangria anyway.” she laughs at Amelie. “Especially you, since you have the longest trip.” she does start giggling, however. “Thank god there isn’t a law against drinking and walking in this town.”
Now Lydia tries to haul Maria up by her wrists. She’s the more robust of the two of them and she’s had a big supper so her tolerance is a little higher. It’s not hitting her as hard but she’s feeling it. She’s also having fun with it all. “Come on Maria. Don’t make me carry you or Colleen will have to call in her paramedic son if we both fall. Nothing like the drunk mamas to be the talk of the town. Take care Amelie….be good to yourself and Felix. ..and Colleen thank you for hosting this. We’ll have to do it again.
Amelie hugs Colleen and falls into her a bit “You are a good friend….a very good friend and I’m glad I met you….all of you…” She breaks away from the hug and teeters a little bit and then catches herself “I love you all and more women’s nights…..beautiful friends beautiful hearts….beautiful Felix….” The sangria hits her with a new wave as she talks and she gives a little almost royal wave before she sort of zig zags towards home. A few yard down she trips on a sprinkler and swears a blue streak in French. Then she does that thing drunk people do when they’re trying to play sober and very slowly and intentionally goes in her still unlocked back door like a cat burglar. She hears water running in the kitchen and sees Felix washing dishes. The kids and puppy seem to have turned in for the night aside from the older ones who are still out. She sets down her purse and walks up behind Felix, hugging him spontaneously around the waist. Talking to her new friend and friends about him has made her feel so full of love for him and all he’s stuck by her through “Felix I love you...we need to fix us. I can’t lose you.” She’s already sounding tearful as she begins.
Felix has finished all but one dish from their dinner and snacks while watching television. Their dishwasher worked perfectly well, but he did them by hand anyway. Maybe that would help smooth that path for he and Amelie. He had a session with Dr Singh at lunchtime Monday, and he was actually looking forward to it. However, he was also a realist. He’d also ordered lumber which would be delivered, also on Monday. Grey was right … a ‘guest room’ that might someday be Sasha’s room was in order. Of course first … it would be Felix’s doghouse. The kids were asleep. Even Gen had come home and was actually sleeping, as Felix had checked in on them before he went to do the dishes. Sasha was out and, at his age, as not expected home anytime soon. The back door opened and Amelie came in, immediately coming to him and speaking such words of love to him that he feels a little surprised. But he is hopeful, and he turns and takes her in his arms. “I can’t lose you either.” and he bends to kiss her … and in that one kiss he realizes … Amelie has been drinking. She’s always been an honest drunk. For good or Ill, he doesn’t care. He is kissing his wife again. And she loves him … she just told him so after drinking … it is surely the truth.
Amelie throws her arms around his neck and kisses Felix with a passion she hasn’t expressed in a really long time. He had said the words back to her. They were connecting. All of the words of the women tonight buzz around her head giving her the fortitude to pull back and say “Don’t sleep on the couch tonight. Come back to our bed.” She grips his shirt a bit and kisses him again and then looks hopefully at him as she stumbles a bit backward. But her eyes are earnest.
Felix savors the kiss. It’s been too long … even before their fight. She finally pulls back, but he keeps holding her. Listening to her. She wants him in their bed! As she stumbles backyard, Felix scoops her into his arms and heads for the stairs. The rational part of his mind is shouting at him, but he slams the door on it, even as he opens the door to their bedroom and carries her inside, closing it behind them. He lays her on their bed, still kissing her. “I love you, Amelie. So much.” he caresses her hair and her face.
Amelie giggles when he scoops her up and carries her to bed. He hasn’t done that in a very long time and not yet in this house. Felix could be so romantic it made her heart melt. She kisses him back tenderly and then when he tells her he loves her she gets teary eyed “I know...you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t tell you that enough Felix. I can’t live without you. I love you too.” Then she feels his caresses and starts kissing him again, a little hungrily. She’s giving in to this tonight. All those ladies and their BOBs...no way...she had the perfect man and she wanted to love him and be loved by him. Completely out of context for Felix but out of her drunk honesty she blurts out “I do not need a battery operated boyfriend. You are the perfect one.” And then kisses him again like it makes total sense.
Felix is very into kissing his wife, but her words make him pull back and look at her, slightly confused. More than slightly. “I …. I’m glad to know that.” he replies, wondering here that came from. He had knowledge of what a battery operated boyfriend was and how it was used. Could she be giving him a hint? He begins to unbutton her blouse and opening her shirt, leans in for more kisses as he works her bra off.
Amelie giggles a bit “OK i might be a little drunk...but I love this….girls night...the women told me many things.” She kisses him back intensely and assists with the removal of her clothing. For some reason his kisses and touches feel heightened to her tonight. Maybe it’s the sangria, maybe it’s just been so long. She tugs at his shirt bottom trying to pull it up and off of him.
Felix is just happy to hear Amelie giggle again and, hen she explains that she is drunk is not surprised. It explained this behavior. Again a voice in him tells him not to take advantage, and he again slams the door in its face. He peels off his shirt and lowers his head to her breasts, flicking at her nipples. He blindly unbuttons her slacks, then unzips them. “What did they tell you?” he asks, then sucks at the nipple in his mouth as his hand slowly works its way under her panties.
Amelie gasps when he flicks her nipples and cradles his head to her body like she never wants him to stop. She moans when she feels his hand slide under and down and moves her hand from his head to the back of this shoulder blade hanging onto him “They told me we need to relieve our tension…..like this…..I’m open to it…” She admits. Amelie really does want to be whole with him and right now she feels like she can let him do anything. She loves Felix so much.
Felix’s plan had been to make love, but the way they usually did … he would finger her until she was wet enough to enter, enter her and make love until he came. It had been months since the last time they made love in this way. But her words embolden him. Relieve tension? Yes, please. In his trousers, he has gone from semi-hard to completely hard and his mind switches into a higher gear. A gear he hasn’t shifted to for a year and a half, at least. She’d been drunk then too, and he allows himself to forget how it ended. He pulls himself up a bit and now hooks her panties along with her pants and will try to pull them off as one and toss them aside. The desire to taste her again has his mouth watering.
Amelie moves with him, lifting her hips as he pulls off her pants and panties and smiling at him with love in her eyes. The pants and panties hit the floor and she starts tugging him back to her assuming he wants to be inside her. She’d like that too,,,it’s a little early in their usual process but she could. She reaches to unbutton his pants and tries to kiss him again.
Felix is near tears as she responds so eagerly to him. She tries to unbutton his pants and as he kisses her deeply, he obliges and blindly gets out of pants and boxer briefs. Then he pulls away from her, kissing his way down her body. Spreading her legs, he moves between them. “I have missed you so much….” his voice is shaky, and he reaches to part her hairs and look on her clit for the first time in 19 months. “Amelie…” he whispers and takes his first lick of her, already curling his tongue around her clit, savoring her taste. He moans with the pleasure of it and immediately begins to not only ignore the voice in his head but going through the process of root canal lest he cum far too soon.
Amelie’s eyes go wide for a moment when he doesn't enter her but moves down and then they close. She submits to him. He legs open and her hips lift again “Oh god Felix. I love this….when you do this…” Drunk honesty strikes again “I know I shouldn’t but...oh god…” She presses into him “Oh please Felix…..” She’s giving him full permission.
Felix knows that when drunk, his wife speaks true. He knows she loves to be eaten out. Before …. Before she had loved it and it was a regular part of their lovemaking. Now he does not reply to her, but looks up her body, pulling his head back a little to watch her. Sticking the tip of his tongue on the tip of her clit he moves in quickening figure eights, making sure to maintain constant contact with her clit.
Amelie starts moaning softly with each motion, grinding a little against him. She grips his shoulder with one hand and the sheets with the other, bunching them “Felix…” She feels the pressure building in her body and trembles. Her face reveals the beginnings of waves of pleasure as her mouth opens and she begins to also pant a little.
Felix does not stop. He knows that, sober, she thinks they should not partake in this act. That it is sinful, perhaps. But he loves it … loves to make her cum. And as long as it has been, he remembers the signs well. He laps at her clit, wanting nothing more than to make her cum. Intentionally.
Amelie’s sensations start to expand in her and it goes from pressure to insane and almost aching pleasure. She’s cumming and hard. It’s also lasting awhile. She bucks at Felix and shudders, trying not to scream. She’s still aware she has children sleeping. Then she needs more of him and she tugs his shoulder “Felix…..oh please Felix…” This is the way they used to make love before things were changed for them. She’s still open to him, still cumming, wanting to keep going.
Felix lifts his head as she cums hard. Even as she tugs at him, he is climbing hp her boty, positioning himself. She is still cumming, and he thrusts into her, fighting her orgasm, but he slides inside. “Amelie.” he groans in a hoarse whisper. He half pulls back and is half pushed out and happily he thrusts against it and back inside of her. He can already tell that he on’t last as long as he wants to … but he will try his damndest. Again he thrusts and moans, watching her under him. His, beautiful Amelie.
Amelie moves with him, gripping his hips, his back and feeling him fill her up and hit every happy place in her body at once. She cums until she can’t riding it out and gripping him from the inside over and over the end of it but also hanging onto him so they don’t completely break contact “Felix I love you…” She murmurs and then as if a switch has flipped she suddenly pushes him off her and out of her and pulls the covers up around her body protectively. It had felt so good, too good. She wasn’t allowed to have it that good. She shrinks into herself and away from the love that’s being offered. She can’t help it. It’s instinct.
Felix is gripped and can feel himself at the edge. But just as he begins to cum, Amelie pushes him out and off of her. His jaw drops as reality beats him in the head. As he is shoved, he cums on her hip and then the covers. Under his body, he can feel the sheets being pulled by her, and he doesn’t have to look at her to know she’s pulled them up to her chin. He drops his head onto the mattress and makes a noise between a sob and absolutely frustration. “Bon Dieu.” he growls into the sheets. (God damnit) “Fucking…”
Amelie looks at him with tears spilling over “I’m sorry Felix...I’m trying….” But she still can’t come back to him and stays well on her side of the bed like she’s crossed the divide again.
Felix can hear her perfectly well with his head in the mattress. He takes in one deep breath, followed by another. Part of it is the panting from his orgasm and part of it is trying to calm himself. “I know you are, Amelie.” he lifts his head. “I know you are.” he pulls himself up and throws his legs over the bed. “For twenty years, you have been trying.” he stands, locates his boxer briefs and begins to get back into them. “I just…” he stops himself, his heart sinking.
Now Amelie starts to feel defensive like she had with Maria. Should he have left her? It was a question she beat herself with when her self hatred kicked in “You’re sick of being patient with me?” It has a bite to it. She gets up and grabs for her clothes now but with the sheet around her like she’s hiding her body. “I’m sorry….I guess I expect too much...because you’ve given so much. Maybe…” and now she means it but it comes across saturated in her guilt tone “Maybe I’m not worth it anymore….all the secrets, all the distance…..this can’t cure it for us...for you…” She pulls on her shirt and buttons it rapidly without the bra.
Felix grabs his jeans and pulls them on as she begins to speak. He freezes with his shirt in his hands, staring at her, as if watching the words pour out of her mouth. Again, he takes in a deep breath. He is a very even tempered man with patience for days. Days. Not decades. He stands and looks across the room at her. “I would die for you, Amelie.” his voice is sincere but hollow. “I would trade my life to make you happy again if I could.” he drops his head. “But I can’t.” he heads for the door. “You leave me no choice, Amelie. I’ve begged you to get help and you refuse. You leave me no choice.”
Amelie is halfway into her pants and underwear under the sheet, and then she freezes. He would die for her. She closes her eyes...but then there’s more, and she looks honestly frightened “What do you mean Felix? Are you leaving me?” She holds onto the sheet like it’s for security,
Felix looks at the closed bedroom door. Then he turns and looks at her. His wife. His everything. “No.” he tells her. “I will have another bedroom built in the garage. I … made the arrangements this afternoon. I’ll move in there because I cannot make myself leave you. I love you too much. But….” he takes in another deep, calming breath. “If you don’t get therapy for this … We’re going to get a divorce, Amelie.” he reaches for the doorknob. “And it will kill me.” he opens the door and steps out, closing it behind him and heading for the garage, here he looks for half an hour for the old air mattress.
Amelie watches him leave. Her Felix. Her love. Her life. She waits until the door closes and then falls back onto her pillow, curling up in a ball and crying. She cries nonstop for what feels like hours. Then she puts on her pajamas, uses the bathroom and brush her teeth. She can still feel and smell the traces of making love with Felix all over her and it haunts her. She creeps downstairs, avoiding him if she can, but she doesn’t see him. He must already be living in their garage. She grabs her purse with her phone and takes it upstairs. She finds the website for the Alexandra Clinic and looks up Dr. Mary Henry and reads her bio. With a gulp she clicks the button to book an appointment online and chooses a time. The system sends her an auto confirmation. With a little sigh she forewards the email to Felix with no personal message, just the information indicating that she is going to see a therapist. She won’t let her marriage end if she can help it.
Felix found the mattress and inflated it, then stripped to his boxer briefs and lay on it, staring at the unfinished walls and ceiling for … he had no idea how long. He heard Amelie come downstairs and then back upstairs. Then he heard Sasha come home. Then he heard silence. When his phone beeped, he looked at it and saw that the time was 1:43 a.m and that he had an email from Amelie. He opened it and saw that she’d made an appointment with a Dr Mary Henry. Felix begins to cry. She is going to heal, he hopes. But he also knows that, for a while, the garage is home.
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