Wildflower (19 page)

Well out near the point, Abby sat on her
favorite boulder and watched Hubby chasing gulls for a while.
Finally she pulled out her cell phone and called Billy. “Billy
Parsons,” came that cheerful voice.

“Hey Billy, it’s Abby.”

“Well hello there stranger. You’ve been out
of touch for a few days. Nan tried to call to see if you wanted to
come in for Sunday dinner, but there has been no answer at your
house.”

“Yeah, I know, sorry Billy,” replied Abby
contritely.

“So what’s on your mind Abby? How can brother
Parsons brighten your day?”

“You just did sweetie. Listen, I need a
favor.”

“Name it and it’s yours, gorgeous.”

“I need you to find my girlfriend,” she said
softly.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me Billy; I know you cabbies have
mysterious ways of finding people, and I need you to help me find
her.”

“You could have told me, Abby,” he said
softly. “It would have saved me trying so hard.”

“I didn’t know either, Billy. I have always
liked girls as well as boys, but this is quite new to me. We had a
misunderstanding Billy, and now I can’t find her. Will you help
me?”

“Poor old Billy Parsons,” he sighed
elaborately, “always being used and abused by the beautiful
women.”

Abby smiled at this as she heard the old
teasing in his voice. “So what’s her name?”

“Excuse me?”

“The new woman in your life.”

“Abby, you are way too sharp for me,” he
laughed. “How did you know?”

“You gave up far too easily.”

“Darn, I’ll have to work on that a bit,” he
laughed. “Her name is Lucy and she’s great.”

“I can’t wait to meet her. So can you help me
Billy?”

“Ok sis, if Miss Wonderful lives in St.
John’s, I’ll find her. What’s her name?”

“Hazel Fillmore. She published a book through
a local publisher last year, if that is any help.”

“Ok Abby, I’ll call as soon as I have her
location. Do me a favor and call Nan, she’s worried about you.”

“Of course I will,” replied Abby. “I’ll do it
right away. Billy, are we still Ok? Are we still buddies?”

“We’re cool Abby,” he replied easily. “We’re
still buddies. You call Nan now while I get back to work.”

“Thanks Billy, you’re the best.”

“And don’t you forget it either,” he laughed
as he broke the connection.

She continued to sit on her boulder and touch
base with her friends until the battery on her phone went dead.
Finally she leaped up and raced back toward the house. Hubby gave
chase and soon overtook her. Laughing all the way, she ran to the
house and burst inside. With Hubby in the supervisor’s position
Abby changed into something nicer and put on a quick dusting of
make up. Once she was ready to face the public, Abby went to the
store in Pike’s Cove for the mail and a huge bag of dog food for
the man. Back at the house she whistled at the size of the bonus
cheque Harry had sent to her, along with his request for another
consultation contract. “Bless Harry’s golden heart,” she smiled as
she read the letter.

After changing back into her sweats, Abby set
about cleaning her entire house. All the windows were opened to let
the air blow through as she worked and she whistled as she busied
herself. Soon she had washed away every trace of the soul crushing
depression and she was looking forward to finding Hazel again. It
was nearly ten o’clock when Billy phoned with Hazel’s address.

“You owe me another rhubarb and apple pie
Blondie,” he laughed. “Get you pencil, here’s the lady’s address.”
She thanked him profusely as he finished. “Abby, good luck. She
must be one hell of a woman and I hope to meet her one day.”

“I want you to meet her Billy, but just you
remember, I saw her first.” He was still laughing as she hung up
the phone. That night Abby slept soundly and did not even notice
when Hubby crawled up onto the bed with her.

The Hunt

The day dawned bright and sunny, and as the
sun peeked over the watery horizon, it found Abby and Hubby out on
the beach. It was barely five a.m. but Abby was an early riser and
she had wanted to be up at dawn today anyway. Today was the day she
would track down Hazel and set things straight between them. Back
at the house Abby showered and dressed in a nineteen forties style
that she knew Hazel would love on her then she fed Hubby and made
herself some breakfast. Filled with hope and excitement, Abby put
the dog in the car and headed toward the city. It was barely ten
o’clock when she arrived, but she went straight to Hazel’s
apartment anyway.

A tousled haired Tommy Reid answered his door
and went into shock as he saw the glamorous blonde woman standing
there. She smiled radiantly and gave him a few minutes to gather
his wits and his manners before she spoke. “You must be Tommy,” she
smiled pleasantly; “we have met before. My name is Abigail MacKai.”
Still smiling, she extended her hand toward him and waited.

“Uh, Tommy Reid,” he responded as he regained
some of his wits. “Forgive me; I worked a night shift last
night.”

“I am sorry to intrude on your rest,” she
replied easily. “May I come in? I wish to speak with Hazel.”

“I’m really sorry Mrs. MacKai,” he replied
rather coldly, “but Hazel is not here and she does not wish to
speak to you anyway. She has moved in with friends just in case you
should try to find her. Please leave now, and if I see you around
here again I will call the police.” With that he stepped back and
shut the door in her face.

Stunned, Abby just stood staring at the door
for a moment. Finally she knocked again. “Please Tommy,” she
implored as he answered the door again. “There’s been a mistake, I
must ....”

“Yes there has,” he replied coldly, “and you
have made it, ma’am. Unlike some folks, Hazel has moral standards,
and she would prefer to keep to them. She does not want to speak
with you, and I will call the police if you continue with this.”
This time he slammed the door.

Completely taken aback, Abby stepped away
from the door and walked slowly to the stairs. Almost like a
sleepwalker she mechanically descended the stairs and made her way
back to her car in the parking lot. Abby drove slowly to a vacant
lot to let Hubby out for a few minutes.

“So what do I do now?” she wondered as though
in a fog. She felt the dark edges of despair gripping her heart so
she took out a small bottle from her purse and swallowed a happy
pill. “No bloody way, not this time; I am going to find Hazel
Fillmore if it is the last thing I do. I will find her and explain
what has happened. If she still wants to avoid me after that, I
will go away and never bother her again, but not until after I have
set the record straight.”

The restlessness soon took her and Abby spent
the rest of the day walking the streets of St. John’s looking for a
tall dark haired woman. She did not find her and eventually had to
return home.

“Sharon, thanks a million for giving me a
place to hide for a few days,” sighed Hazel as she lay back on her
friend’s couch.

“No problem Hazel,” replied Sharon as she
plopped down beside her. “I still can’t believe she was married. I
didn’t see any rings or any mark on her hand where one would
normally be.”

“I know Sharon, I didn’t either. I heard her
loud and clear though; she said she had left her Hubby alone far
too long already.”

“Aw honey, that’s too bad. The woman is drop
dead gorgeous and she seemed to really be interested.”

“I know. I knew it was all too good to be
true. I finally found the perfect woman and she turns out to be
married. Worse yet, she’s definitely interested, but I’m just not
into the three’s a party scene, and I don’t do the side dish thing
either.”

“You really like her though don’t you?”

“Madly passionately in love with the woman,”
replied Hazel dejectedly as she sank deeper into the couch. “That’s
why I need a place to hide out for a few days, just in case.”

“Just in case?”

“In case she tries to find me.”

“Why not just tell her the truth? Why not
just tell her you don’t do that scene.”

“Because she’d just look at me with those
crystal blue eyes and ask me anyway,” replied Hazel, tears running
down her cheeks, “and I’d know I’d say yes.”

“Hazel?”

“I couldn’t ever deny Abby MacKai anything
she would ask me for,” sighed Hazel as she wiped away the tears.
Tommy’s shirt had absorbed all the tears she planned to cry over
this.

“Hazel, you don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do mean it,” replied Hazel in a
defeated voice. “I wouldn’t be able to resist her Sharon; I know
myself better than that. No matter what she asked me for I would
give it to her, no matter how it made me feel about myself
later.”

“Wow, you’ve really got it bad girl.”

“As I said before, I’m madly in love with the
woman.”

“Well then my darling, you can hide out here
as long as you want. I’ll protect you.” Just then the door buzzer
went off and she rose to answer it. “Well, my date’s here and he’s
chomping at the bit. Make yourself at home and I’ll see you
later.”

“Thanks again Sharon. Have a good time; I
won’t bother waiting up.” Sharon giggled as she left the
apartment.

For the next several days Hazel worked from
opening until closing time. The other girls told her to slow down,
but she would only say she was trying to get caught up. After a
couple of days she was ready to move home, but Tommy called and
said that Abby had come to the apartment that morning looking for
her. Hazel went back underground, getting up at five to go running,
and then working until nearly bedtime.

Abby had spent days wandering around the
streets of St. John’s hoping for a glimpse of Hazel, but to no
avail. She was starting to get depressed again, but she popped
another happy pill and kept going. Swearing to find the object of
her desire, Abby dressed in something glamorously retro each
morning and headed out to the city.

At last, as she sat down to a cup of coffee
and a muffin in a small café she had not been in before, Abby got
her first break. She recognized two of Hazel’s friends from the
dance. The women were having a late lunch and Abby marched
determinedly to their table.

“Hello ladies, it is good to see you again,”
she said brightly. “You’re Sharon and you’re Tina, right?”

“That’s right,” replied Sharon. Neither of
the women would meet her eyes, nor did they invite her to sit
down.

“I’m trying to find your friend Hazel
Fillmore,” said Abby softly. “Can either of you help me?”

“I’m really sorry Mrs. MacKai, but Hazel has
asked us not to help you.”

“That’s Miss MacKai,” corrected Abby gently.
“I am not now, nor have I ever been married. I am not engaged,
living with, or otherwise keeping company with anyone except my dog
who is outside in the car.”

“Whatever you say,” sighed Sharon, pointedly
studying her coffee. Neither of the women had looked up at her
yet.

“There has been a bad misunderstanding,”
continued Abby, fighting to keep her tone civil.

“Of course,” muttered Sharon.

“The dog’s name is Hubby,” Abby said
flatly.

“Right, whatever.” Abby did not speak again,
nor did she move a muscle. Finally Sharon looked up at her. “What
did you say?”

“My dog’s name is Hubby,” replied Abby
softly. “In all the noise and confusion, Hazel must have
misinterpreted my words and drawn a natural conclusion. The
misunderstanding is all my fault, and I just want to straighten it
out. If she still wants to avoid my company after that, I will
comply with her wishes. Please can’t you help me find her?”

“We promised Hazel on pain of death we would
never tell. I’m sorry. I’ll tell her about it, maybe she’ll call
you.”

“Thank you so much,” smiled Abby weakly. This
was a long way from what she’d hoped for, but it was a lot better
than nothing. “Hazel is very lucky indeed to have such loyal and
devoted friends.” With slumping shoulders, Abby turned to go, but
Tina spoke for the first time.

“Miss MacKai,” called Tina as Abby turned
away.

“Yes?” replied Abby as she turned back
again.

“You look hungry. You might try the Foggy
Morning Café. The food is good and the service should be just what
you’re looking for. If you don’t like the service just ask for the
manager.”

Abby gazed into the girl’s eyes for a long
moment, but she sensed no deception there. “Thank you Tina, I will
never forget this kindness.”

“Just don’t rat on me,” grinned Tina.

“Mum’s the word,” smiled Abby. “Good day to
you ladies, enjoy your lunch.”

“Tina, what the hell are you doing?” hissed
Sharon as Abby left the restaurant.

“Look at her Sharon; she’s in worse shape
than Hazel. She was telling the truth, I just know it, and the two
of them belong together. You saw them at the dance.”

“Yes I did, and you are right,” sighed
Sharon, slowly shaking her head. “I just hope Hazel isn’t mad. If
she is I’ll rat on you myself.”

Abby knew right where the café was as she had
driven past it a number of times in the last few days. She pulled
into the parking lot and parked where the car would not be seen
through the window. She didn’t want to give Hazel a chance to run
away again. Stepping quietly into the restaurant Abby slipped into
a booth. She had barely a moment to wait as the place was almost
empty, the lunch crowd having just left. “Yes ma’am, how can I
serve you today,” asked that rich contralto that sent her heart
soaring.

“Soup, a sandwich, and a moment of your
time,” replied Abby as she looked up. Hazel had her back partially
to Abby at first, but she was facing her now as she spoke.

“Oh my god,” gasped Hazel as she put her
fingers to her mouth and started to back away.