Strings

Chapter 9 - Marie #5

“We have fun together. We disagree, but it’s okay.

We can talk or be silent. He plays guitar.

I write. He supports what I do and takes me seriously.

I just don’t want him to become the primary focus of my life.

I realize it’s an unusual time — this pandemic.

Intense. Robby and I are caught up in that.

Our relationship is moving faster because when we’re together it’s just us, mostly — no bars, no parties, no sports, no outside entertainment — but I’m determined not to lose my focus.

In my life already, there have been times — unexpected and chaotic — when I had to depend on myself, and there was nothing there.

I don’t understand why, but when I was in a serious relationship with a man, that relationship defined my life, and he was the center of it.

That may have been okay for my mother or my grandmother, but times have changed.

Economics have changed. Gender roles have changed.

And I don’t just want a job. I want a career I enjoy.

And I got the education for that, but unexpected events happened, and I lost my focus.

Then my whole life blew up, and I had no one, not even myself.

I don’t want to go through life alone, but I never want to be in the position again where I depend on someone else for happiness or meaning.

Is that even possible? What’s it like for you and Charlie? ”

“A balancing act. Give and take, and not just short-term. Sometimes one gets more attention, most of the effort . . . for years. Then, it shifts. The relationship is the focus. Not the individuals in it. Relationships take sticking with the other person through a lot of garbage, some unpleasant times. But the happiest times, too.” Margie pushed her chair back and stood up.

“Speaking of relationships, I’d better tend to mine.

Charlie could use my help with some prep.

With any luck, we’ll be busy tomorrow. And I still have pie crusts to make.

I’m thinking breakfast, for us, before 7:00, say eating by 6:30, before we get customers.

I’m glad you came. Go on up. Get some rest — I have a feeling you won’t be getting much tomorrow night! ” Margie laughed and walked off.

Grace went upstairs, took a shower, cracked the window, and was lulled to sleep by the sound of Lake Superior rolling in and out across the rocks.

*******

She woke up just before the alarm went off, as often happened.

Maybe she no longer needed an alarm. She never thought about testing that theory until an occasion like this, when she didn’t want to risk being late.

It didn’t take long to wash her face, brush her teeth, put on the black jeans and tuck in the new corduroy shirt.

She flipped her hair forward, tried to run her fingers through it and couldn’t, but when she flipped it back, the bedhead was gone, so there was that.

Margie’d set up the same window table they’d had last night. Charlie was on his way there with a carafe of coffee, so Grace walked over too. “Tired, Charlie? Yesterday was a dilly, wasn’t it?”

“Not tired, and yes it was, but I’m hoping today and tomorrow will be, too. We’re working on borrowed time. They could shut us down any moment. Thanks again for the help yesterday,” he said, filling her mug.

“No problem. A win-win . . . You know, if today is looking that busy, Robby and I can stick around and help.”

“You clearly need that coffee, girl. Having Robby here when we’re busy? No thank you. We’ll be fine. You get him out of town.” He turned toward the kitchen. “Margie? You need help? We gotta get this show on the road.”

They heard her laugh, then she came through the swinging door with three full plates.

Bacon, hashbrowns, and eggs over easy — all of Grace’s favorites.

They’d just gotten started when the door opened and a tall, masked nurse appeared.

Charlie stood up. “Marie, what a great surprise! Come on in. What’ll you have? ”

“Just coffee, Charlie,” she said walking over, her eyes on Grace.

Grace thought there was something familiar about the woman the moment she came through the door, but she couldn’t place it.

Then Margie said, “Well, you’ve timed this just right.

Little Brother should walk through that door any minute, and this is Grace, Grace Wheeler.

Grace, meet Robby’s favorite sister, Marie.

Marie works nights at the hospital. Sit down sweetie.

You got off a bit early, didn’t you?” Margie pulled out the fourth chair, but Marie had stopped a good ten feet away.

“Yes. It was slow, and my replacement came in early and was fine with it. But I won’t come any closer.

Covid’s in the ER and probably on me.” Grace noticed she had on surgical gloves.

Charlie came back with a mug and a cherry cheese Danish.

“Thanks. That does look good.” Grace couldn’t take her eyes off Marie.

She was a softer, female version of Robby.

“Just put them down over there.” She pointed to a table about fifteen feet from theirs, then looked back at Grace.

Their eyes met and Grace said, “It’s nice to meet you, Marie. I wish we could shake hands.”

“Me, too.” Then, she looked to Margie. “Do sit down. I’ve been on my feet most of the night, and I’m going to.

” She sat down, unhooked her masks on one side, lifted her mug, and took a long sip.

“Why can’t they make coffee like this at the hospital?

You guys eat your breakfast before it’s stone cold. ”

Margie looked at Marie. “You eat that Danish. You need to eat one everyday, Marie. You’re too thin. You and Robby take after Dan.”

“I know. But, thanks to Little Brother, I’ve made some changes.

He suggested a new routine. I took some clothes to his house.

Now, when I’m working, except for when I want to stop like this, I go straight to his house from the hospital.

I have a sanitizing routine for me and my clothes.

Once I’m clean, I eat. Then I sleep. I miss the boys and Russell, but I’m getting more sleep and worrying less about infecting everybody at home.

And with twelve-hour shifts, I’m only working a three-day week, or that’s the plan, subject to Covid.

I think it’s going to help. I can already feel a difference.

” She picked up the Danish and looked right at Grace.

“Tell me about you while we eat. I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t have much time, and my brother’s important to me.

In all these years, I’ve never met one of his girlfriends. ”

Margie and Charlie had been focused on their breakfasts, but now they looked at Grace, who reached across the table for the carafe and poured herself more coffee.

Then, she sat back in her chair and took a sip and looked at Marie over the top of the mug before saying, “Okay. I’m a journalist. I’m from South Carolina with family connections up here.

I’ve been thinking about coming for a while to get involved in protecting the BWCA against the mining industry.

The pandemic, specifically the lockdown, spurred me to do it now.

Robby, Margie, Charlie, and the owner of the resort where I’m staying have all been tremendously kind.

I’m still working, remotely, for a paper back home, and now I have a second job up here with a group working against the companies that have mining leases in the BWCA.

” She took a breath. “What else do you want to know?”

“Are you single or married or divorced? Do you have any kids?”

Margie and Charlie stopped chewing. Marie and Grace looked at each other.

Without breaking that gaze, Grace answered, “Divorced. No children. I’m an only child.

My father’s dead. My mother’s in South Carolina.

” She took a breath. “Anything else? I don’t like to talk about myself, but I don’t have anything to hide. ”

And then Robby cleared his throat. He stood just inside the door in his scarlet coat. “Well . . . A roomful of surprises. Wish I hadn’t stayed home for that second cup of coffee. Anymore of what Marie’s eating?” He turned and walked through the swinging door into the kitchen.

“I’ll go fix him a real breakfast,” Charlie said quietly, getting up with his plate.

“And I have some prep to do.” Margie left too.

Marie and Grace looked at each other. Marie put the unfinished portion of her pastry down. “Why haven’t you told Robby you’re divorced?”

“Because we’ve not known each other long enough for it to be important. And it’s past history.”

“Are you seeing him for the money?”

Grace let out a laugh. “I’m sorry. You clearly have not heard the whole story. I didn’t know who your brother was until he told me. I’ve never seen his band. I’ve heard of them, yes, but only that. His money is not a factor.”

Marie sat back. “He told me that too, but I wanted to hear it from you. I believe you. I just want what’s best for my brother. I’ve always looked out for him. Usually, with his female companions, I don’t have that chance, but you’re here.”

Grace sat up and stretched. “Robby is a lucky person to have so many people who care about him. I’ve told him that.”

“You’ve told me what?” Robby said quietly, coming toward them with a mug and looking intently at Grace. He’d taken off his coat and was wearing a blue and black patterned flannel shirt with jeans.

“How lucky you are to have all these people who love you.”

“You’re right.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly. Straightening up, he lifted a chair and put it next to her. He stretched his legs out in front of him and looked at Marie. “So, you come here often?” He raised his eyebrows as he took the first sip of his coffee.

“Good morning. I’d say I come here regularly.” Marie was smiling.

“And did you have inside information that prompted this visit?”

“Well, not in the way you mean. I just put two and two together and hoped I was right. I’m glad I was. It’s good to finally meet one of your girlfriends.”

“And I’m sure, in record time, the whole family will have all the details. So, what do you think of this girlfriend?”

“The verdict is still out, but so far, so good. And now, I’m leaving, while I can still stay awake to drive.

” She stood up and put her masks back on properly.

“Grace, I’m glad we’ve met. Little Brother, be careful, and I’ll see you next time.

You guys pray for a vaccine, more testing kits, and more protective clothing.

” She turned and said loudly to the kitchen, “You can come out now. We’re all friends. ”

Robby said, “Be careful driving home.”

“Thank you for what you do at the hospital.” Grace said. “You’re brave.”

“Thanks. You be careful with my brother. He’s a rock star, but he’s human too.”

Charlie came through the swinging door with Margie right behind him. “All of you need to get out of here. Marie, glad to see you but we don’t want your germs. Robby, glad to see you, too, but you cause problems. Grace, you can stay.” Charlie laughed.

Margie looked at Marie. “We’ll be at your parents’ tomorrow night.” She turned to Grace. “Go get your stuff and get outta here. I’m sending you two out the kitchen door.”

“I need to pay my bill!”

“Nonsense,” said Charlie. “You worked it off. Go!”

Grace headed for the stairs, and Robby started after her, but Charlie caught him by the arm. “Oh, no, you don’t! You go up after her, you guys’ll never come down. I was once your age.” He turned and went through the swinging door chuckling.

Margie spoke to Robby as she poured two coffees to go.

“There’s a bag in the kitchen. Your breakfast is on top.

In sandwich form. You can fix these in there and put lids on.

” Robby picked up the coffees and went through the swinging door.

Margie followed and looked up at him as he stirred in sugar.

“You know how I feel about you, but Grace has gotten to Charlie and me. She’s not some lovesick fan or famous model.

She’s a young woman who’s trying to make something of her life.

And she seems to be alone. You’re a good person — I know you are — but you’re a man in his prime who’s used to being the center of attention and getting what he wants.

You’ll be fine no matter what happens between the two of you.

But this could be a turning point for Grace. Think of her.”

He got two lids and pressed them onto the cups, then he looked at Margie. “I hear you . . . every word.”

Grace came through the swinging door. “There are people about to come in.” Then they heard voices.

Margie pointed to the back door. Grace put her backpack over her shoulder, grabbed the food bag, and looked at Margie.

“Thank you. Y’all take care.” Margie smiled.

Robby had the coffees. Grace opened the door and there was Robby’s truck.

She looked back at him in surprise. “But you came in the front door.”

“You still don’t get it, do you.” He stepped out the door.

“I have to think ahead when I know there’ll be crowds.

I parked back here so I wouldn’t have to walk through people now.

I knew when I did it, Charlie probably hadn’t unlocked the back door yet.

I tried it. It was locked. I went around front.

There wasn’t anyone on the street then.”

“Well, we should hurry. Soon, there’ll be tons of people, and I need to go by Olsson’s and pick up my order.”

“Don’t worry. I placed an order, too. Gene said the town was going to be full, and we should pick up around back like last time.”

Robby put the cups on the roof over the passenger seat and unlocked the truck.

Then, he took Grace’s backpack and the food bag — minus his sandwich, which he handed to Grace.

“You get in.” He went to the back of the truck and put the bags in.

Then he got the coffee cups, went around to his side, got in, put the cups on the dashboard, and locked the doors.

Grace was still holding his sandwich. He took it from her and put it on the dashboard too.

Then he looked at her. “How long’s it been since you made out in a truck?

” and pulled her across the seat. “I’ve always liked trucks with vinyl seats. ” Grace smiled.

Pretty soon, they heard someone pounding on the kitchen door. Robby looked up. He smiled and sat up. “We’ve been spotted . . . but only by the dishwasher. Buckle up, buttercup. Next stop, Olsson’s.” He started the truck.

“You’re in a good mood.”

“Yep. Why not? Heading up the Trail with a pretty girl and a guitar. Feel like I’m sixteen again.”