Never in This Life

CHAPTER 1 The Crepe Myrtles loomed over the driveway as I strolled along in the shadows. The crimson-red flowers were in full bloom here in the middle of summer. I studied their beauty, and my dark mood lifted a bit Finally I reached the mailbox, searching inside for yesterday's mail. One lone envelope waited patiently in the very back. Pangs of guilt shot through my system as I recognized the handwriting. It was from my best friend back home that I had ignored and not seen for ten years. I knew that we were way past due a reunion - a reunion that I must attend immediately. I turned and headed back down the drive. The Old Homestead towered ominously ahead as I quickened my pace. I glanced up at the darkened windows of the house that was once a gracious beauty of its era. Now it was run-down, a victim of time and the elements, just like the man inside of it. The owner of a prosperous rice plantation built the home in the late 1800's as a summer home. My husband's family bought and restored it in the late forties. This beautiful home, in an equally tranquil setting, was willed to my husband in 1985 when his widowed mother passed away. He now stayed too drunk to take care of it. I walked over the dune, down to the ocean with the unopened card, and sat down ripping the envelope open. The picture on the front was of a young girl sitting staring into a fire in which she sees castles. The caption inside read, Nothing happens in this world unless it is first dreamed. Underneath was written - "and I dream that some day soon you come home...I MISS YOU! Happy 40th. I LOVE YOU! Maggie." Under her name she printed in large letters, "STRANGE THINGS GOING ON IN MY LIFE NOW! NEED TO TELL SOMEONE.....HELP!!!! M." The last part caught my attention. Maggie had always had the perfect life: a charismatic personality, caring family, good friends, beauty, money, and a relationship whenever she desired one. She had no problem getting into those, they just didn't last. Maggie never seemed to have a worry in the world, but ten years was a long time. We has spoken only twice briefly, losing that basic closeness that distance can destroy. Besides, in our last conversation she stated she had been in a relationship with someone who insisted upon every second of her time. Maybe that's what this was all about. The aches and pains of the big breakup. My curiosity was peaked. I looked out upon the ocean. That's when I saw the gleaming graceful bodies arch slowly out of the water and then return. A pair of porpoises frolicked in front of me. Tears began to fill my eyes. I stood, removing my oversized sweatshirt while walking to the water's edge. Jumping the waves, I dived in and swam until I could no longer touch bottom. I treaded water searching for them and realized they were waiting. They carefully watched me as they circled. Their naturally upturned mouths smiled at me as they played. One slowed, turning sideways to get a look at this Earth creature that had invaded their territory. A single eye, intelligent and omnipotent, gazed into mine. I swam with them until they tired of me and moved on. I knew I must do the same - move on. My time was up in this place. Diving under the water I opened my eyes and watched the sun's rays grow more intense as I surfaced. Swimming to the shore, I then ran from the beach to the house. I had a plan. Reaching the house I vaulted the steps to the kitchen. Once inside, I ripped off my bather and put on some dry clothes. I knew what I had to do: leave this stagnant existence, make amends with Maggie, and find out what was bothering her. She needed me, for I had ignored my friend for much too long. I silently glided up the dark, back steps to the master bedroom. This was his room now; something we no longer shared. I didn't sleep with him anymore, much less make love. The shades were drawn making the normally dark room seem almost morbid. The room was in total disarray, clothes strewn everywhere. I picked my way through the pigsty. There he lay as usual, sleeping in the same position I had placed him in only hours ago when he had finally gotten home. I could smell the stench of last night's alcohol seeping from his pores as I leaned down close to his face. "George, can you hear me?" He didn't budge. "Are you even alive?" His breath on my cheek assured me of that. The night before had been a long one for him, as all nights had been lately. It was a Saturday evening, but it made no difference what day of the week it was. George usually stumbled in about three or four in the morning slamming doors, waking me with a barrage of slurred obscenities. He would then accuse me of carrying on a sordid affair while he was out. As he raised his hand to strike me, he would fall on the floor instead, and then gather himself together enough for me to help him into his bedroom. Neither of us worked, because George was independently wealthy. He made that quite clear before I married him. "You'll never have to work again. I will give you all the money you could ever want or possibly need. One huge party after another, baby." Granted I wasn't working, but he wasn't bestowing any money on me either. The parties he had promised turned out to be one drunken evening after another. On our wedding night he gave me a check for fifty thousand dollars. I deposited it in a personal account the next morning.