Part 18 (1/2)

”Maybe I should go out and talk to her,” I said.

”I think that would be a good idea,” Teri agreed.

I grabbed Maggie's sweater and went out on the deck.

Maggie stood looking out at the woods, s.h.i.+vering.

”You forgot your sweater, Maggie.”

She threw the sweater over her shoulders. ”Thank you,” she said.

”I think Charlie's telling the truth, don't you?”

I didn't know what else to say and I felt awkward. I'd been out of the loop, as it were, for four years, emotional detachment and all. I wasn't always so detached. But regardless, I made an inept attempt to rejoin the world.

”I mean, I can see where he'd be attracted to Allison,” I said.

That was definitely the wrong thing to say. I should have stayed in my own detached loop.

”h.e.l.l, is that all that matters? That she's attractive? Christ!” she said and put a hand to her forehead.

”No, no. h.e.l.l, you're much more attractive than Allison and you're much more appealing.” I stopped abruptly as I realized what I said.

Maggie shot a surprised look at me, which I avoided completely.

I tried to make conversation but stumbled over every word. She watched me as I continued in agony.

”Sorry, I'm not very good at this Maggie,” I said. ”Been out of the loop too long. I'm better with my camera and nature.” I fought the pang of emptiness.

”Ah, I see,” she said softly and looked up at the moon. ”It's safe behind the camera lens and nature is always a constant.”

I didn't know how to reply to the truth Maggie had spoken. I felt the scar on the back of my neck and remembered the last woman I was involved with. I shook my head.

”What's wrong?” Maggie said, not looking at me.

”Oh, nothing. I was just remembering a past incident. I lost myself in someone, who as it turned out, was not quite all there-if you get my meaning.”

”What happened?”

I didn't know why I'd brought it up. ”c.r.a.p,” I mumbled and Maggie smiled slightly. It seemed my awkwardness amused her. ”Some other time. Suffice it to say, I allowed myself to be taken in and I paid for it dearly.”

Maggie gave me a curious look, but thankfully let it go.

”So I know how you feel,” I said. ”I know what it's like to be in love and then betrayed.”

”Well, this is a first for me,” she said shakily, tears welled up in her eyes.

We heard the doorbell and Maggie quickly dried her eyes.

”I am sorry, Maggie. Truly I am,” I said, surprising myself at the tenderness in my voice. I pulled out a hanky and handed it to her.

She gave it a surprised look, and then took it from me.

”Well, you don't see these much anymore. Thank you,” she said, wiping her eyes.

”My mother taught us well. Never leave the house without a hanky.” I put my arm around her small shoulders, fighting a wave of contentment. ”C'mon, company's coming.”

In moments, people were everywhere. Maggie was telling me who was who as everybody from town came. She and I were pa.s.sing out candy as if we were some kind of a.s.sembly line. I never saw so many children in my whole life. Maggie recruited a youngster to take over.

I leaned against the stair railing and watched in amazement. ”Is it like this every year?” I asked.

”Just about. Although, I don't remember this many people,” Maggie said.

Hannah appeared from the dining room. ”Goodness, I hope I have enough food. Where did all these people come from?”

I looked out the door and saw Doc coming up the walk. He stopped at the door.

”Trick or treat.” He smiled wickedly at Hannah and she blushed.

”Walt, get in here before you scare the poor children,” Hannah said, smiling. Doc looked down at her and kissed her cheek.

”How's my gal?”

”She's doing fine, now that you're here. Now, let's get this evening started.”

This was going to be some evening, in more ways than I cared to think about.

Chapter Sixteen.

By six o'clock, the party was in full swing.

Charlie came in with some beautiful woman on his arm. ”Kate, Teri, Mac, I'd like you to meet s.h.i.+rley,” he said with a sly grin.

I gave him a curious look. ”Hi, s.h.i.+rley, nice to meet you,” I said and offered my hand.

”A pleasure.” She was chewing gum.

When she shook my hand, she reminded me of a blond bombsh.e.l.l from the 1940's. Charming and...una.s.suming I think is the politically correct way to describe her. I glanced at Teri and Mac, who were just staring at her. I nudged Teri; she blinked.

”Oh, I'm sorry. s.h.i.+rley, it's nice to meet you.” Teri smiled and introduced Mac, who was still staring.

Charlie took s.h.i.+rley's coat and she had on a strapless black velvet dress that was very revealing, but she wore it like a glove. I didn't know which way to look. So, like any red-blooded American lesbian, I stared.

”Holy c.r.a.p,” I said slowly and Mac nodded in agreement.

Maggie joined us, and her eyes widened for a split second, but she recovered quickly, much better than I did, when Charlie introduced her to s.h.i.+rley.