This story picks up approx.. 1 month after the movie's ending….
The M rating is for profanity so please take note. Thank you for reading
-Chapter 1-
"Two days is a long time, maybe I should tell Sugar that I can only stay for today's races and come back in the morning," Chantelle hollered down the hall. She finished tying her wrap shirt as she entered May-Alice's bedroom. She gasped at the sight before her.
"What the hell are you doing? It looks like a tornado tore through here!" She began gathering clothes from every available surface, shoving them into dresser drawers. As she picked up the last remnants, she glanced at May-Alice noticing she had not said a word. Grunts of frustration and disapproval were emanating from her and Chantelle couldn't help chuckling at the determined look on her face.
"May-Alice, I asked what you're doing."
May-Alice startled, dropping the skirt she'd held on the floor. In turn, her grip slipped on her balancing bar causing her to lurch forward. Chantelle caught her in time to prevent a fall and between the two, they positioned May-Alice on the bed.
Propped up and regaining her normal breathing rhythm she swore, "Dammit Chantelle, you scared the shit out of me!"
"Well excuse me, I've been talking to you for the past ten minutes. I am going to rearrange my plans. Sugar won't miss me if I skip out on the second day's races. I'm not leaving you alone if you can't get dressed without falling."
A look of panic crept across May-Alice's face. "No! You deserve a break, so do I. Besides, you caught me off guard," she said emphatically.
A slight blush was rising up her neck and across her cheeks as Chantelle eyed her suspiciously. Picking up the skirt, Chantelle allowed the silky fabric to run through her fingers before she began to help May-Alice change. "What the hell is going on May-Alice? Since when do you get dressed up to watch television? You got a hot date or something?" She gave May-Alice a knowing side glance and went to retrieve a sleeveless V-neck tank hanging in the closet. She raised the stained t-shirt over May-Alice's head and allowed the breezy fabric to fall across her middle. Standing back, she looked over her boss and almost-friend thinking once again how beautiful she was, although she doubted May-Alice felt that way about herself any longer.
May-Alice rolled her eyes and looked back toward the mirror. The simple outfit was just what she'd wanted. The light fabrics of the shirt and airy skirt were perfect. She felt feminine and breezy, almost the way she'd felt before the accident. She shook her head trying to sweep some of the negativity aside. She'd promised Louise and Chantelle both not just a few days ago that she'd put a clamp on the self-loathing.
"Can't I just put something on that makes me feel happy every once in a while, "she said, giving her friend an eye roll and a curled lip. She ran her fingers through her hair, wishing again for the hundredth time that she'd not gone quite as short two months before her accident. Chantelle smacked her hands away and began placing clips on each side of her head.
"It's gotten longer in the last month. Suits you more this way." She gave a knowing look in the mirror to which May-Alice gave a slight smile before turning from her glare. "Rennie will like it too. This whole look is sure to get a blush-filled smile from him."
"Oh shut up, it's for me not Rennie. Besides, I haven't seen him since the dance a month ago." She slapped Chantelle's hand away playfully and scooted herself closer to the edge of the bed. "Will you help me please?"
…
After Chantelle helped May-Alice get comfortably situated on the couch, she reached for her purse and looked back over her shoulder. "I'm going to call you at 5 o'clock then again at 10, and I'm going to call again in the morning! Don't lie to me, saying you don't need me if you do. Louise or her nurse will stop by at 3 this afternoon and again at 11 tomorrow to check on you if I'm not back by then. May-Alice, stay out of trouble!"
"I'm not a fucking child, Chantelle," May-Alice huffed as she tossed a pillow in her friend's direction.
Throwing the pillow back, Chantelle gave a dry laugh before ducking out the door. "Uh huh, tell Rennie I said hi." She heard May-Alice swear and she laughed to herself thinking her charge was no doubt throwing a mild tantrum inside. She was no fool, May-Alice was transparent when it came to Rennie. She'd been beside herself not three days ago when Chantelle relayed to her the run-in she'd had with Rennie in town. Chantelle had made it completely clear to him that she'd be away and May-Alice would be alone a full 48 hours. She also hinted she'd need to find someone to look in on May-Alice in her absence. Rennie's eyes had lit up and his usual blush had risen across his cheeks as they always did at the mere mention of May-Alice's name.
Chantelle had been told by May-Alice, she'd in veiled terms invited Rennie to come visit some four weeks before. He was obviously having reservations so Chantelle gave him the casual nudge he needed. Although he'd given no firm reply, she was convinced he'd be showing up today. By May-Alice's demeanor, it was clear she was expecting the same.
….
The shadows across the windows were beginning to shift as May-Alice looked at the clock for what felt the hundredth time that day. Marebeth, Louise's nurse, had left not quite an hour ago and May-Alice's anxiety was beginning to amp up again in the stillness. The morning had been creeping by slowly, so May-Alice had decided to wheel herself down to the dock. She'd spent the time after Chantelle left watching the news and talk shows. When her old show had come on she found herself clicking the television off, not wanting any of her old life interfering with her day.
The heat wasn't too bad yet although summer was well on its way. She grabbed her camera and slung it over her neck, then tucked her long skirt up so it wouldn't catch in the wheels. As she made her way down the ramp, she took a deep breath in, relishing the sweet smell of hay and grass coming from the distance. Days like this when the sun was hot but not unbearable, when the breeze wafted the smells from the neighboring houses, and the fish were jumping like hotcakes, May-Alice was transported back to the happier days of her childhood.
She neared the dock, but hung back far enough to be shaded by the low hanging willow branches. Ever mindful of the need to stay out of direct sunlight due to her medications, she found she much preferred the laid back feel of the old tree anyway. She lifted her camera in time to snap several shots of a heron diving for his mid-morning snack. Pleased with the pictures she'd taken May-Alice relaxed and allowed the breeze off the water to transport her.
His hand ran lazily along her shoulder skimming along her jawline before his fingers lifted the hair from her neck. She leaned into his hand feeling the last of her tension melt away at his touch. May-Alice lifted her head and opened her eyes slowly to take in the man behind her. "Rennie," her mind yelled as she lingered over every inch of his face.
She marveled at the lines around his mouth and the sly smirk it held. She blushed at the way his eyes greyed while taking in her features. She felt shy and timid as he leaned in planting his lips on hers, finally claiming what had been his all along. He leaned back and looked deep into her eyes as his fingers swept imaginary circles across her cheek.
"May-Alice? May-Alice aren't you hot out here?" His face looking alarmed, he repeated his question twice. She shook her head, blinking to bring him back into focus. He began to fade as she shook her head again, blinking rapidly to take in her surroundings. "Dammit" she muttered under her breath. "Marebeth, what are you doing here?"
"Didn't Chantelle tell you I'd be coming today? I know it's a little early, but I thought you might like the company. It's nearly 2:15, how long have you been out here?" Concern laced her voice, as she'd noticed the redness creeping up May-Alice's neck.
May-Alice hadn't answered, instead she opted to brood over missed opportunities, even if they'd only been a dream.
Marebeth had stayed for over an hour, talking May-Alice's ear off while making a late lunch. May-Alice had found herself enjoying the younger woman's company after she'd gotten over her initial irritation. They'd enjoyed a light lunch of sandwiches, apples, and coleslaw with fresh lemonade. Now however, May-Alice was feeling antsy again. She'd gotten her hopes up and was kicking herself for being so stupid.
She looked at the clock again realizing she'd been lost in thought for the last half hour. She reached for the phone as the first ring came through. "Couldn't even be a second late, could you?"
"Hello to you too. How's your day going, you need me to come home?"
"Dammit Chantelle, I'm not a fucking child!"
"Huh, that whine sure says differently."
"Ha, ha. Tell me about Sugar and the horses."
Chantelle regaled her day to a barely listening May-Alice. A sound in the yard had caught her attention and she was straining to make out its origin. Just as she was about to say something, the screen door creaked open.
"Rennie," she said with a smile on her face and question in her voice.
Catching Chantelle off guard, she could hear the tone in her voice change. "May-Alice, what the hell! Are you there, I asked you a question."
May-Alice gave Rennie a small nod and turned her attention toward the phone. She cleared her throat, willing the excitement from it and said in the strongest voice she could muster, "Rennie."
"Ah, tell him I say hello. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" With a hearty laugh, she hung up on a speechless May-Alice.