Filling up the Virgin(139)

“I am for now. I have to head home in the morning, I have a new contract starting.” He felt the satisfaction fill him as Lacey’s head snapped up to look at him and take in his words.

“Oh no, that’s too bad it would be nice to have a man around the house.” She gulped, her eyes filling with tears. “It’s time for me to come home, I’ve been imposing on Lacey long enough.”

“Mom you know I love having you there.”

“I know, I know Lacey.”

The three of them carried her things inside, moving and organizing everything she wanted them to. He watched her, wanting to say something… anything to make her realize they needed to talk. But still she avoided him. He watched her as she went upstairs to grab something else, and he followed her. She was in the closet digging around and he was there when she shut the door.

“Really Rafe, you scared me to death.”

“Stop running from me Lacey.”

She started walking again. “I am not running; I just don’t know what we need to talk about Rafe.”

“Really, you don’t think anything that’s happened this week warrants any discussion?”

“What is there to say Rafe?”

“Maybe I have a lot to say...”

“Rafe… Someone is here to see you.” They heard her mother yell for them.

“I’m coming Alice.” He pulled her close, kissing her roughly on the mouth. “I’m not done with this Lacey.”

He moved to the top of the stairs and looked down, a fuming Lacey behind him.

“Who is it Alice?” He moved to start down the stairs.

Alice moved out of the way and a strikingly beautiful brunette smiled up at him. “It’s your wife Rafe.”





Lacey

There had been very few times in her life where Lacey was surprised. This certainly qualified as one of those times. She swallowed hard, the sick feeling in her stomach making it necessary to stop and breath a moment, though she showed no signs of it on her face.

“What are you doing here Rachel?” His voice had changed, and now he spoke with a calmness that was unsettling.

“We need to talk Rafey, please.” She almost pouted and it turned Lacey’s stomach even more.

He didn’t move, and Alice took over the situation. “Lacey, why don’t you and I go start working on dinner and give these two an opportunity to chat hmm.” She smiled and Lacy nodded, moving down the stairs slowly, until she was face to face with Rachel.

“You must be Lacey, Rafe has always had so much to say about you. Things have certainly changed it would seem.” She gave Lacey a smile that was almost evil as she gave Lacey a once over, making the heat rush to her face.

Not to be outdone, she replied. “It's funny Rafe and I talk all the time and he never even mentioned you.” As her point hit home Lacey followed her mother into the kitchen.

They didn’t speak for a long moment, Lacey attacked the chicken they were making with a vengeance, cutting and scoring it. She was lost in her own thoughts, never once trying to address things with her mother.

“So how long Lacey?”

She looked up at her mother frowning. “How long what mom?”

“You and Rafe… how long.” Her mother methodically cut up the potatoes and carrots, never once breaking stride as she worked.

Her mother knew her better than anyone else, she couldn’t lie about it. “I guess that depends on the question your asking mom. How long have I loved him…? Probably for ten years.”

“I see…. How long since you two started… well you know?”

“Mom!” She stopped working long enough to look over at her.

“Lacey, I’m not an idiot… I know you have always loved him, but something changed and its changing you.”

“Recently… I know it’s wrong… I know I should look at him as a brother.”

“Well, it's certainly complicated, but you can’t help who you love dearly.”

“It’s not like it matters mom, not just because he suddenly has a wife he’s never mentioned. We are just so different.”

“Different how Lacey?”

“It doesn’t matter mom; I mean we just are.”

“Lacey you are not a child anymore. You are 20 and know exactly who you are and what you want far more than most 30 year olds. You're successful, and grounded and beautiful.”

“Please mom.” She shoved the chicken into the oven.

“I have all night Lacey.” Alice leaned back on the bar in the kitchen watching her.

“He is…. Perfect... I mean, look at him. There is no room in his life. for someone like me.”

There she said it and it was out in the open.