A Grace of Her Own

Melanie’s  house was one of the  stately old Victorians in the neighborhood.  Its ornate arches, wrap around porch, lattice work and time period colors once made it  the crown jewel on  the block.  However, that was years ago when Garrison was alive. After losing him to a sudden heart attack,  Melanie was left with a big  empty  house that had five bedrooms.  There were no children to fill it; there weren’t even any dogs, or cats whispering in the corners.  Being lonely most of the time, Melanie became a hermit.  She only came out of the house to work as a part time library assistant. At the library, Melanie was efficient, but stayed to herself.     

Then  one  summer weekend in August  evolving from her months of mourning, Melanie Grace ventured  outside  in Garrison’s old faded blue overalls, donned a wide brimmed hat, and decided to cut the grass herself. The electric mower was rusty and old, but luckily she had enough cord, and it started up on the first try. The fresh aroma of the newly cut grass danced in the air.  Then,  after    sweeping  years of rough, scattered debris off the porch and creating dirt filled tornados, she mixed some paint. Taking off from her library job the following Monday, she began painting the porch  in soothing honey lemon and brass hues.  The spindles suddenly became alive, and the lot on Wade Avenue  was slowly coming back to life. Old and new neighbors came by to greet her and brought her  juicy beefsteak tomatoes, from their own gardens.  Gradually  becoming friendlier, Melanie  even had a few people over for cookies and fresh iced tea with lemon wedges, on the freshly painted porch. However, after sprucing things up, she still had  five empty bedrooms and no one to share them with. She decided  to do something about it the following weekend. 

Her new sign read – “Melanie’s Place,” rooms available.  At first the feedback was not kind.  The neighbors turned on her. They    didn’t want unethical activities going on under their noses. One by one Melanie explained and patiently reiterated that she would screen all applicants carefully and not let any rift raft go on in her house.   

Arriving in Cranberry that same sultry summer, in August  was Susannah Lipton.  Her mother had kindly asked her to leave home, in Detroit, because she decided to drop out of high school, right before graduation and live with her boyfriend. Susanna didn’t like school and was convinced the teachers didn’t like her. Her grades were mediocre, enough to get by, but school was a huge inconvenience for her. She wanted to live with Henry, and work as a cashier in her favorite book store on Can Ave. That was her plan. She enjoyed reading and writing, just not in school. Her job, combined with his new management position at the local record store, helped  make ends meet.

Everything was going according to plan and for the first time in her life. Susanna felt free. Then one morning while getting ready for work, Henry didn’t wake up. He had a massive heart attack at the age of 19 and died instantly. The doctors said it was just one of those devastating circumstances, but that didn’t help. Henry had been her one true love. Susanna’s  grief was insurmountable.  She was numb for weeks on end and could barely  breathe, or eat. The funeral was just a blur of automatic emotions; it was something that happened in another lifetime.  It was teaming at the cemetery and no one extended  an umbrella for her, she had to do it herself, she barely had the strength. It was as if the clouds were angry, they let loose their fury in an angry sharp piercing rain that punctured her skin.  Susanna was soaked to the bone. The graveside was muddy and smelled of manure.  Grass was torn up in order to make room for the burial plot. It was as if someone had scooped out the precious roots of life. His parents showed up for the funeral, but quickly left afterwards and didn’t even acknowledge Susanna’s presence. There was no gathering afterwards, nothing to acknowledge what occurred. Somehow Susanna managed to make it back to her car and drive back to their apartment in her statured clothes. Days melted into weeks, weeks melted into months. Susanna was walking around like a lifeless zombie wearing Henry’s shirts.  Henry was her life, he was her breathe; he was her reason for existence.  The only thing she had was the ring they picked out together. It was a friendship and engagement ring. Susanna wore it around her neck dangling from a chain so she could easily feel it all the time.

However, she needed money to pay the rent, so she managed to pull herself together and show up for her shifts at the bookstore. After three months of barely breathing,  Susanna had a small savings of $500.00 dollars. She gave notice to the landlord that she would be moving out the following month. There was nothing for her in Detroit  after, packing up their belongings, Susanna gathered the money that was left over and bought a bus ticket to start a new life somewhere far from Detroit. 

The walk from the apartment to the bus station was almost unbearable. Susanna’s clothes clung  to her skin, enveloping her in a liquid summer  sweat.  After purchasing a ticket, she boarded the bus with complete strangers for a very long ride. Nothing was waiting for her on the other side, but she needed to take a chance.

Departing four hours later from the dusty and dirty Greyhound Bus Depot, her feet pounded down, dry cracked pavement.  A neat back pack was slung over one shoulder while her honey brown hair fluttered in the breeze.    Her sunglasses kept sliding down her nose, and finally after three tries she rested them on the top of her head.  Up ahead not far from the depot was a green and white striped awning that seemed to be suspended from a second floor window next to the budding flower boxes. There was a sign perched preciously above the awning that read- Sam’s Deli. Stepping up under the temporary shelter of the awning, Susanna  wrestled with an old wooden door latch, pressed down  with both hands, and went inside.    Out of nowhere, a stout pudgy woman in a housedress appeared and asked Susannah if she needed help with anything

         “What can I get for you hon?”    .

         “Just something cold to drink.”

      “Help yourself, cooler is over there. Don’t keep it open too long.”

Sliding open the cool transparent door took all of her effort. Her forearms were sunburned and her back was tight. Somehow she managed to reach  inside the case, and retrieved a Coke. Scrounging around in her damp pocket for a measly dollar fifty, she slammed  it on the counter.

“Are there any places to stay around here?”

“Well, the only place within walking distance is Melanie’s Rooming House.” The cashier said

Great she thought a rooming house. She would probably have to share a bathroom and abide by some strict rules.  This plan wasn’t working out very well.

“How do I get there?”

“Go to the end of this dead end street, make a left on Main, and go up three blocks until you hit Wade Ave. You can’t miss it.”

“Thanks.”

Struggling  with the sticky door again and stepping out into the heavy air made her head spin.  Walking to Melanie’s became very difficult. However, Susannah dragged herself  forward in her old scuffed sandals. After what seemed like hours, she finally spotted a tall white picketed fence; this had to be the place  she thought.  A pleasant looking woman in her sixties answered the screen door.  Dressed in an aqua blue tank top with a close cropped pixie haircut, and plaid green shorts, she greeted Susannah before she had a chance to knock.  Intuition    told Melanie that this girl was in need of more than just a place to stay. Maybe it was Susanna’s hunched walk, blistered feet or worn leather backpack that gave it away, but Melanie knew that Susanna Lipton needed a place of refuge,     

           “Is that what you’re interested in, a room?” 

With a garbled throaty voice Susannah said yes. 

The large Victorian house was inviting.  Melanie brought out some fresh iced tea on the wooden wraparound porch and Susannah was glad for another cold drink. The clear glasses were sweating because of the humidity, a small puddle had developed, but it didn’t seem to be a problem.  Melanie pulled an old squeaky white wicker rocking chair closer indicating that Susanna does the same. It was a kind friendly gesture and Susanna was ready to settle in, but then Melanie got down to business.  Yanking her reading glasses off her head she began reciting the litany from her own notes as if she was making a speech to a large audience.

“The charge for the room is $70.00 a night. If you want to use the kitchen it’s an extra $20.00. You must have at least one good written reference and an emergency contact number. You are expected to keep the room neat and leave it the way you found it when you arrived. No loud music, drugs, smoking, alcohol, or members of the opposite sex. I need one form of legal ID and a credit card number. You can stay as long as you want, but must pay for each night before 10:00 a.m.”

Thinking this was a bad idea, a very bad idea she felt trapped.  Things had gone from bad to worse, she was grieving for Henry and now she met up with this tight ass woman.  She certainly didn’t need this attitude her face; Susanna had enough of that at home.  She  was on the prowl for freedom, not smothering from some old lady. However, she knew Melanie was her only choice. She didn’t have a car and her cheap sandals weren’t taking her far any time soon. This lady was her only choice.  Digging out the friendship ring that also served as an engagement ring, from a small chain around her neck she whispered a prayer. It had something to do with finding peace. Pinching it between her thumb and first finger, so knew she was lost. She wanted to go back to the apartment that she shared with Henry. Instead, she decided to plop herself in this one horse town with an anal woman who ran a boarding house. Jesus, she wanted to sleep forever and wake up when the pain was all over.

“Do you still want the room?” Melanie asked in a demanding tone.

“Yes, but I only have cash, no references, or anything else you require.

“Well, I’ll try you for one night, and one night only to see how you do.”

“Okay”    Susanna said to herself trying to focus and be polite as possible.

Climbing the first flight of brown stained steps added to her existing perspiration under her arms.  Off to the left, tucked neatly in an alcove, was a small friendly door.  There was a stuffy attic feel to the air making it hard to breathe. A welcome sign was stenciled on the front of the door in county décor. Great, Susanna thought she would be living in an oven with Martha Stewart for the next 24 hours.

“This is your room. I can get you a padlock if you wish, but right now it’s just me living here.  The bathroom is down the hall, one towel and washcloth per person; don’t leave anything on the floor. I expect you to leave the room and bathroom the way you found it. Come downstairs when you are ready, we can have an early supper together.”     

          Realizing Melanie had an agenda; Susanna was starting to get pissed off.  Unpacking her sparse belongings and basic toiletries, she decided to take the room for only one night. After making that decision she definitely needed a cigarette. Her heart missed Henry more than life itself. She couldn’t move, her legs were like dead bolt weights, but she needed that cigarette to take the edge off. If only Henry were here things would be so much easier.  Checking to make sure the ring was still on the chain; she grabbed her cigarettes and lighter, and pulled the door shut behind her. Henry always told her to quit, it was the only thing they fought about, but now it didn’t matter because he was dead. Maybe she would die from cancer and be with him sooner rather than later.

Remembering  Melanie’s precious no smoking rule, Susanna headed outside with her Marlboros and Zippo lighter. Slinking her way down the steps, she ran into Melanie face to face while she was vacuuming the blue oval braided rug in the front hall. 

“Just getting some fresh air.” said Susannah

“Okay, sure enjoy”

It was a stupid lie, but there was nothing like a long hard drag on a cigarette to take the edge off, and this lady was serious starting to annoy her.  After lighting her cigarette with the Zippo lighter and dangling it from her lips, she began pulling her frizzy hair back in a ballerina bun in an effort take some of the weight off the back of her neck.

“I’m making some spaghetti would you like some”? Melanie asked over her shoulder.

“Sorry, I know your rule, but came outside.” 

“Its okay.” it’s really okay. ”

Melanie knew not to make a big deal about Susanna’s smoking. At least the girl came outside. It might be a long 24 hours if she started to nick pick the situation.

Great, this broad cooks and runs a boarding house, how domestic.  However, Susanna was hungry; her last meal had been a melted Snickers candy bar six hours ago.

“Can I help you with anything?” asked Susannah out of a sense of duty.

“Sure, you could help me with the salad. I just picked some vegetables from my garden.”

“So, you have a garden?”

“Well, it started out as my therapy after my husband died. All I has was my job, but nothing else. I needed something to nurture. One day I bought a packet of seeds and it took off from there.” 

“How about you start on the tomatoes and lettuce.”  Wow this lady was really pushy, but Susanna bit her lip in an effort to curb her smart mouth.

“Sure, do you want the tomatoes in quarters?” Susanna asked in an obligatory voice.

“Yes, please.” Great, Martha  Stewart with polite manners she thought to herself.

“Do you want the lettuce shredded?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

After working in silence for a good 10 minutes Melanie burst out laughing.

“You know what I would like?” asked Melanie as she sucked up her invisible tears.

Maybe a Few Xanax Susanna thought to herself.

What?”

“I would like someone to tell me what the hell I’m supposed to do with this big old house.  I have five empty bedrooms and no renters. My dear husband left me this massive thing and now I have to pick up where he left off. It’s been years since he died but it still hurts every day.”

Reaching down deep in her soul Melanie tried to find her good natured humor.

“Maybe, just maybe I should turn it into a brothel!” she said quietly under her breath.

“Well, it might supplement your income.”  Susannah said flatly with a sigh.

“You know you’re right, I could call it Melanie’s Men.”

Both women burst out laughing holding their sides as if there wasn’t air.  Melanie forgot what is was to laugh so hard, so did Susannah. 

The spaghetti water was starting to boil over and the electric range was sizzling. The tomato sauce was waiting to be poured out into the sauce pan.  Both of their stomachs were growling, so they worked fast, Susannah on the salad and Melanie on the spagetti.

         Carrying their plates onto the porch, they admired the sunset.

“It reminds me of my husband. We used to go camping, and at the end of a long day we would stop to admire the sky.”

“How did he die?”

“Heart attack,  5 years ago.  He just up and left me one day, said he was going out for a walk and collapsed in the middle of town.”

Great, more drama, something Susanna didn’t need but unfortunately knew about. Susanna didn’t offer any personal information about Henry.

After a long pause, Melanie interrupted the silence.

“How is the spaghetti?”

“Very good, thank you.”   

                   

Finishing up they watched the lightening bugs dance on the limbs of the trees.  The humidity still clung to the branches making them droop. Ciadices were dancing and mating, probably making love.  Drifting off to sleep, Susanna pushed herself up from the white wicker rocker and took her bone white china plate into the kitchen. “Rinse your plate, I don’t want bugs.

“Okay”  God she thought this woman is really pushy.                    

“Good night Susannah.”

“Good night Melanie.”

Before she went upstairs to her room, she dug out the special ring from Henry to make sure it was still there.



The next morning a sweet summer breeze welcomed the new day. It was a  little after 11:00 a.m. and Susanna was starving.

          Melanie left a note telling Susanna that she was doing some shopping and would be back later. It was written in her  neat catholic school script. The morning paper was neatly laid  out between the two placemats.  Susannah was annoyed by this gesture, after all Melanie wasn’t her mother, or even her friend. Sighing, she flipped to the Help Wanted ads knowing this is what Henry would have wanted.  Spotting a different type of ad Susanna became intrigued.  It was requesting a part time child care provider.  Well, I guess it beats waitressing Susannah thought to herself. At least kids could be cute. 

         After putting the groceries on the counter, there  was a brief pause between them. 

“Ah I see you have been introducing yourself to the Cranberry Chronicle. People around here take a lot of pride in that paper. I’ll be the first to admit that the paper can be a little cheesy, but in a good way.”

Susannah chuckled to herself about that remark. Maybe this broad did have a sense of humor after all.

“So, what do you know about babysitters in this town?”

“Well I know a lot of people are looking for one. Honest, they are scarce. More kids than babysitters make for unhappy parents.”

“So do you think this ad is legit? It’s asking for childcare for a set of three year old twins.”

“Well if I recall, Marion Levy has a set of twins that must be at least three years old by now. I bet you it’s her ad.”

Jesus Christ three year old twins and a mom who stays home part time. Susanna found that one hard to swallow.

“Thanks for the tip.” Susanna said trying to be as polite as possible.

She got up with a start and pushed the chair out of her way. While Melanie’s back was turned unloading groceries, Susanna slipped out the back door.

“Where are you going so fast in this heat?”

“I’m going to the pay phone to call the number in this ad.”

“That’s just stupid. You mean to tell me you were purposely going to walk three long blocks in this heat to make a local phone call?”

“Well, I wanted some privacy.”

“I can give you privacy; just let me put these groceries away.”

“Okay,” Susanna said coming back in through the door and gulping down some more orange juice and dying for a cigarette.

“Put your plate in the sink, I don’t want ants.” Melanie demanded.

“Sorry”. 

“Don’t be sorry, just rinse your plate.”

Wow, it was going to be a long 24 hours if she decided to stay another night.

Susanna sat in the hall and dialed the number in the paper from an old rotary phone. She let it ring three times and was about to lose her nerve and hang up when a hassled woman’s voice answered.

“Hello” stated Marion.

“Yes, I was . . . calling about the ad in the paper, the one for part time child care.” Susanna spat out.

“Okay, then yes. I have three year old twins who aren’t potty trained yet. Their names are Andrew and Abby.  They are really a handful. I pay twelve dollars an hour cash to start. Are you still interested?”  Marion asked.

“Well, I could give it a try.” Susanna stated.

“Whom may I ask is calling?”

“My name is Susanna”

“Oh yes, you must be the girl staying at Marion Levy’s place...”

Wow you surely couldn’t breathe in this town without anybody knowing about it.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Well, tell me a little bit about yourself.” Marion inquired.

“I just got here yesterday from Detroit.”

“Wow that’s a long way from home.”

“Well, I took a bus . . . “

“You mean to tell me you took a bus from Detroit in this heat.”

“Well, yes, I did.”

“Did you come alone?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Why did you decide to come to Cranberry of all places?” Marion asked politely.

“Well, to be honest, Cranberry seemed the farthest  distance from Detroit.”

“Okay well, are you still interested in the position?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Good, when can you come over to meet with me?”  Marion asked in one breath.

“Soon, I could be there around 1pm.”

“Great, my address is in the ad. I’m just three blocks from Melanie’s. She knows where I live.”

“Great, I’ll see you then.”

“Okay, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” 

There was still time to chicken out. She could just call her back and say this wouldn’t be a good fit for her. She didn’t know what to do with kids. Besides she was still mourning Henry and didn’t know is she could be freakin’ Mary Poppins for the Bobsey Twins.

On the other side of town Marion Levy was a frazzled woman.  She had  three year old twins who drove her crazy.  At three years of age they still weren’t potty trained and too old to be in diapers. Since this was the case, they weren’t accepted to the preschool at church. Of course Marion blamed herself for this dilemma. After all, she was a stay at home mom and had the time to put into the twins’ potty training.  Her husband Tim seemed entirely obviously to her position. Granted he did try, and was a great dad. He even built an extra bathroom on the first floor, but Marion took this problem personally.    She was starting to think that this hunt for a babysitter was nothing more than an over indulgence, but in reality her mothering skills needed work.

Arriving precisely 1pm Susanna let herself in through the front garden gate and knocked at the front door of 21 Meredith Street. The house was a tiny cape cod on a corner lot. Tim and Marion had bought it when they were first married. Tim had put some work into it, and now it stood as straight as a soldier, with its deep black slatted shutters and bone white  siding. The front yard was neatly kept, but not overdone. There was one parking spot behind the house.  Toys littered the area next to the minivan. Marion tried her best to keep the van straightened up, but it was useless. Carting the twins around every day made for muddy floor mats and sticky windows.

Finally Susanna reached the address in the ad and was dripping with sweet before she rang the doorbell. One ding dong was all it took and it was as if Marion appeared instantly.

“Susanna, hello, and come in. we’ve  been waiting for you”. 

Walking in through the boxy screen door the twins instantly clung to each one of her legs.

“Well you must be Abby and Andrew.”  It’s so nice to meet you my name is Susannah.” 

“Let her come in and get cooled off.”

“Please come in.” Marion guided her inside with the palm of her hand. 

Susanna was trying to be friendly, but was a bit apprehensive. What she really wanted was a long hard drag on a cigarette. Funny, she forgot to bring them with her today. That was a good thing; she didn’t want Marion to get the wrong idea about her, she needed the money.

“Susanna, would you like something cold to drink?” Marion asked.

“Yes! Please Susanna said trying to remember her manners.”

“We just have  bottled, or tap water; sorry the selection isn’t so great.” Marion stated.

“Ice water would be great, thank you.”

“Please sit down. I’ll tell the twins to play downstairs, so we can talk.”

Sounding like a drill sergeant Marion directed the action.

“Abbey  Grace and Andrew James  please remove your arms from Susanna’s legs right now and go to the basement to play. Remember to clean up what you get out and don’t play with  the paints, or play dough.” 

With mischievous grins, the twins pried away their arms and let Susanna free. They rattled down old musty basement steps with their plastic swords and capes flapping around their necks.

Susanna was a little taken back by Marion’s tone of voice. Was it really necessary to be so bitchy towards her kids? She started to think she might have gotten herself into another precarious situation, but then again she needed the money and the kids were really cute. Quietly and privately she gently yanked the chain around her neck to make sure the ring was still there, and it was. God she really missed Henry. They could of have had this. The house, the kids, and marriage, but now none of that mattered Susanna was just trying to survive. Still, being in Marion’s house and seeing the twins was like taking a stab straight to her heart. She would never have this dream and it took all her might not to cry in front of Marion.  The only thing keeping her together right now was Henry’s ring. She knew he was with her, she could feel it. Suddenly Susanna knew she had to get out of her head and get on with things.

“Susanna, please sit down anywhere you like.” Susanna chooses the loveseat adorned with a denim slip cover. Then she thought it would be a good idea to reach for a coaster. 

“Okay, so I need someone to help me around lunch time and into the early evening. I need someone here while I do a few errands like grocery shopping. I also need some time to do a full load of laundry, fold it and put it away all at one time. I also need someone here when I have to run one or the other to the doctor, which happens quite often.  God knows I love the twins more than life itself, but sometimes I just don’t have a minute to breathe. My husband God Bless the man works 60 hour weeks so we can afford to keep this house, but he just doesn’t get it.” Marion babbled.

Susanna only listened to Marion part of the time, the rest of the time she was still stuffed inside her own head.

“So, please tell me if you think this situation will work for you, or not. I need an honest answer.”

“So,” Will it work, or not Susanna? Marion asked in a demanding voice.

“Yes, yes it should work. I’m staying at Melanie’s for now, but hope to get my own place soon.”

“Yes, well rents are expensive. . . Are you sure this situation feels right with the twins and all? I’m not offended if you want to back out.”

Instinctively feeling for her pack of cigarettes, Susanna swallowed hard when she realized they weren’t there. Pulling an elastic band from her wrist she twirled her hair and wound it up in a sloppy bun before giving Marion her answer. God she missed Henry, it hurt to breathe, but she had to answer Marion.

“Yes, yes this will work.”

“Is twelve dollars an hour okay with you?”

“Yes, its okay.”

“Great, then can you come back tomorrow?”

Jesus Christ this woman was wound tighter than  a  yo yo, Susanna didn’t want to know what she would be like if she  took the time to unwind herself.   

“Yes,” Susanna said as she looked Marion square in the eye.

“Great, can you be here by 1:00 tomorrow?”

“Sure.”  Susanna said keeping her answers short and sweet.

“Okay great! I’ll get the twins to come say goodbye.”

“Abbey and Andrew come up here and say goodbye to our guest Susanna.”

“Susanna wook  what we made for you.” Andrew piped up

Susanna knelt down to get a closer look.

“It’s Addey and me in the pool with our dog.”

“Oh, it’s beautiful. Can I keep it, or do you want to hang it up?”

“You can keep it; we like to draw wots and wots of pictures.”

Placing the picture under her arm she stood back up.

“Are you comin’ tomorrow Zusanna? Hone Hone?

“Yes, Abby she will come back tomorrow.” Marion stated firmly.

“Yeah, Suzannea we wove you.”

“Okay, let Susanna go home, we will see her tomorrow.”

“Yes, I will come back tomorrow.” Susanna said as she headed toward the door.”

“Great, thanks Susanna is $24.00 enough for today?”

Not realizing that Marion was trying to pay her, Susanna became surprised.

“Yes, it’s fine thank you.”

Dumbfounded, she turned the knob that opened the screen door and let herself out.

“Bye everybody, see ya later gators.”

“Afta while crocodiles.”

Shoving the money down into her damp jeans she was blown away. Marion just paid her $24.00 for visiting her and the twins for 30 minutes.  It was at that precise moment that she missed Henry the most. 

The walk back to Melanie’s was stifling. Susannah was drenched with sweat when she reached the back door. 

“So are you going back?” Melanie inquired with her back to Susanna.

Again with the noisy questions, this chick was really starting to get on her last nerve.

“Yes.”

“Good, good because  if you plan to stay another  night  its $70.00.”

“Okay. I will pay you for another night. Let me just run upstairs and get my money.”

Taking one step at a time her feet hurt with each vibration. The handrail served as a balance beam and Susanna was glad for its steadiness. Reaching the top of the creaking steps Susanna let out a sigh and was painfully aware that Henry was gone forever. This had to be a dream. Here she was in the middle of Mayberry trying to find herself.

The next day  Susanna woke up to the sound of Melanie . doing something. It woke Susanna from a deep sleep. The air was still fridged from the air conditioner used last night. She padded quietly out of her bedroom hoping to avoid Melanie.

“Good Morning Susannah, I hope I didn’t wake you with my noise . . . .

“No, not at all.” She lied.

“Let me just get into the shower and change, then I’ll be down for breakfast.”

“There are no cooks here, fresh fruit is on the table.” Melanie said.

“thanks, Melanie.”

It was a beautiful summer day. There wasn’t a cloud in the blue jeweled sky, but it was hot. So hot that sweat started to accumulate on Susanna’s forehead just as she got out of the shower. She pulled on some old underwear and an old shorts and tank top, making a note to herself to invest in some new clothes.

When she reached the kitchen it was empty. There was no air; it was immaculately cleaned, almost sterile. The silence along with the humidity made Susanna feel alone, there was a whole world out there, but she didn’t belong to anybody.

After gobbling down a juicy peach she threw the pit in the empty trash bag hoping this wouldn’t piss Melanie off. Then it was time for a smoke, a long hard drag on her favorite brand. Yeah that’s the ticket she thought. Anything to take the edge off. She opened the squeaky back door and was planning to sit on the step to enjoy, but Melanie startled her.

“Don’t worry, I’m going outside.” Susanna said with a start.

“It’s not that Susanna. You are such a beautiful girl and I hate to see you pump those cancer sticks into your lungs.” 

“Well, Melanie last time I checked I own my body.”

“Garrison smoked a pack a day, he quit now and then but wasn’t serious about stopping.” Finally it caught up with him and I lost him forever. He’s gone now and you can see how I have to pick up the pieces.”

“Did you love him? I mean really love him forever?”

“Of course Susanna, we took vows and he was my best friend.”

“Okay well, love hurts sometimes.”

“Yes, I know Susanna, I know it does.”

“I’m off to Meredith Street to save Marion from her stressful life.”

Susanna hopped down from the wooden railing and tugged at her jean shorts. Her hair was falling in wisps around her face and her sunglasses were perched on top of her head snug and secure.

“Susanna, would you like a ride to Marion’s? It is almost 100 degrees out here.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather walk and get my adrenaline going.”

“Okay suit yourself, the twins are a handful. Be patient with Marion.”

This lady was really starting to get on her last nerve. What she anyway? A philosopher? She surely wasn’t her mother.

“Bye Melanie, if Marion calls tell her I’m on my way. “

“Will do Susannah.

I’m off to save Marion