I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E. I also do not have anything to do with the movie, "The Bridges of Madison County."
Four Days
December 9th, 1900
They both looked at one another before Elizabeth turned the key to open the old, time trodden trunk. Elizabeth and her brother Jonathan sat on the floor before the fire ready to divulge into their mothers past. She had died days before and the last settlement of her will was to open the chest- -the chest that always stood at the front of their parents' bed. The chest that she never saw open before, neither of them have.
"Lizzie, are you sure you've never seen what's in here?" Jonathan asked swallowing hard as they heard the lock unlatch. "It's just hard for me to believe she never shared with you what's in here. I figured it was a girl thing."
"Mother, never let me look inside. She said it was private. I don't think father even knew what was inside." Unbuckling the belt it slid from the latch and slowly she drew the top upward. The smell of cedar filled their nostrils as they looked down inside.
A thin layer of lace curtain covered all the contents below wrapping everything in a hazy off white gauze. An envelope sat on the top. In there mother's fine penmanship were the names Elizabeth & Jonathan. They both looked at one another. "You read it," Jonathan said.
Biting her bottom lip she stared at the letter wondering what her mother could possibly have written. For a striking moment she felt as if her mother was a stranger and she was just now going to learn something about her. Picking up the letter she turned it around lifted the flap and took out the small one page epistle. Her eyes scanned it without reading and then she turned to her brother and began to read.
November 6th, 1900
Dear Elizabeth and Jonathan,
I hope as I have requested you two are reading this together. I know you may have many questions as to why I have changed things in my will. By now you are well aware of my intentions of being buried on Isle au Haut in Penobscot Bay instead of with your father in our plot here in Augusta. I'm sure that had came as a shock to you, and you may think that it's the rambling of some old woman but I a sure you I was in my right mind making these decisions. And I hope by the end you will find why I did this to be important to me and in time come to respect my decisions.
Looking up from the letter Elizabeth asked her brother, "Have you ever been to Isle au Haut?"
"No, but do you remember the time when we were about fourteen and I asked if we could go sailing up there and she flat out told us no. Remember how adamant she was about it? I just figured she didn't like it up there."
Thinking for a moment she turned back to the letter and went on.
…There are so many things you don't know about me. And I hope you don't think of me as a stranger when you are through. I am first and foremost your mother and I have always loved you with all of my heart. So many times I thought of taking this with me to my grave but deep down I knew I couldn't keep this from you. As one gets older one's fear subsides. What becomes more and more important is to be known, known for all that you were during this brief stay. How sad it seems to me to leave this earth without those you love the most knowing who you truly were. I want you to understand why I did this. I don't want you to make the same choices I did in my life. More than anything I want you to be happy.
Please don't think that I wasn't happy being your mother, because nothing is further from the truth. I have always wanted children and a family and I was lucky enough to inherit both. But what you don't know is I was a completely different person before I married your father. I was a doctor. I went to college and medical school where I obtained my licenses and worked with your grandfather up until the day he died.
Again looking up from the letter Elizabeth peered over to Jonathan, shock clearly written all over her face. "Mother was a doctor! She…she was a doctor!"
"I…I can't believe it." He scratched the back of his neck, a mannerism he always did when he was nervous. "I knew mother was always smart. And…and I guess now that I think about it, she always knew when we were sick. She knew what we had and how to fix it and make us feel better. But…but a real doctor!"
Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes, "I don't even know what to say. I mean, why did she stop? You just don't stop being a doctor, Jonathan." She leaned back into the front of the chair, her hands shaking. "I don't know if I can go on. What else could she possibility have to say to us?"
"Here," he held out his hand. "Let me finish."
Tentatively she handed it over to him. Pulling the blanket from the chair she wrapped it around her legs and listened to her brother pick up where she left off.
…When I married your father he didn't like me working. We fought for awhile and soon he prevailed. And soon, Elizabeth, I found out I was pregnant with you. He told me once I became a mother the thought of being a doctor wouldn't even occur to me. Elizabeth as much as I loved being your mother, there was still this part of me that wanted to go back to my practice And if I did, I promise you if wouldn't have interfered in my life with you two. My family would have always come first. My family always came first. There is no way to start telling you this besides just saying it. I have everything detailed to you in the 2 journals under the veil in my trunk.
Both looking at one another they lifted on their knees and peered inside. Lifting the veil from the contents the first thing that caught Elizabeth's eye was the 2 leather bound journals nestled in the corner.
…There you will find everything that happened to me the four days you and your father were gone in the summer of 1878 visiting your grandmother.
Pulling the journals from the chest she sat them on the floor. "What else?" She looked back to Jonathan. "What does she say?"
"That's it. Everything else picks up in the journal." Putting the letter back in the envelope he looked at his sister. "Are you going to be able to do this?"
Picking up the first journal she opened it to the first page. "As long as you stay with me and read it."
"Of course, you're my sister and as much as I almost feel as if I don't know her. She was our mother."
Smiling at her brother she squeezed his hand and took the ribbon from the first page and flipped it over. She swallowed and began her journey.
….. It was the week of the fourth of July. You both left with your father to visit your grandmother in Portland. You were to be gone for four days…only four days…
Chapter 1
…As always your father was a last minute packer, and I found myself upstairs in our room, helping him fold his trousers into his carpetbag. Also, being as disheveled as he was, he haphazardly threw everything into the same bag, and I knew everything wasn't going to fit.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
Taking everything out of his bag, she began to refold his clothes. "I'm positive."
"And what are you going to do for four days by yourself?" He placed his hands on his hips.
"The same thing I do, just with less help." She rolled her eyes.
"Make sure to lock the door before you go to bed at night. Make sure all the animals are in the barn before dark. I don't want you walking through the field when you can't see."
"I'll be fine, Robert." She lightly kissed him on the cheek. "Now you better hurry or else you'll miss your train. And tell your mother I said hello."
Without returning her kiss, he grabbed the carpetbag from her hand and headed for the stairs. "Come on kids, we got to go!"
Michaela looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was thrown up in a bun, and a few stray gray hairs came loose. She was forty-two years old. But at times she felt much older. Turning to the side, she pushed a few wrinkles from her dress and hurried downstairs to see her family off.
………………………………….
"Bye Ma," both Elizabeth and Jonathan said, kissing her cheeks. "We'll be back in time for fireworks," Elizabeth told her.
"Can't wait." Michaela hugged her children. "I'll see you on Friday."
"Come on. We'll be late!" Robert called from the wagon. "You'll see your ma on Friday! Let's go!"
Watching the children run to the wagon, she smiled. 'Goodbye! Be good for your grandmother!"
"Bye, Ma!" they shouted.
Michaela watched as the wagon drove down the dirt path and onto the main road. Putting her hand to her forehead to block out the sun, she gave one last wave before she turned around. It was hot outside, but the trees gave off a nice breeze, and she reveled in the feeling of it whipping her skirt back and forth. She never put her stockings on that morning, so the breeze felt heavenly as it caressed her legs.
She pushed open the screen door, basking in the sounds of silence. "Four days…" she smiled.
…………………………………………….
"Jonathan, do you think mother was happy living with us?" Elizabeth looked up from the journal. "She seemed so happy to see us leaving."
"Of course she loved us. Just because she was happy to see us get out of her hair for a while doesn't mean she didn't love us. We liked to get away from them once in awhile too."
"I suppose." She was contrite. Turing back to the journal, she began to read.
………………………………………..
…The next morning I woke up early, I knew there was much to be done, so I wanted to get a head start. I could tell the day was going to be dreadfully hot. I tried not to think about working all day in the hot sun, but I knew there was nothing I could do. The weeds had over-grown in the garden. Your father wanted half of the field plowed so when he came back he could start planting again. The cow needed to be milked and the chickens fed. Yes, I had a lot ahead of me. It was a little different only making breakfast for one person. But for the first time in twelve years, I was actually able to eat a hot meal. I didn't have to worry about washing the dishes right away, because it was only me. Quickly, I dressed and set out for work.
By the time three o'clock came, I knew I needed a break for a late lunch. It grew to be so hot that I began to feel faint as I plowed the fields. I went in and made myself some lunch. As I was finishing the last of my lemonade, I noticed a wagon coming up the way and pulling onto our property. Right away, I noticed it was a man by the way he was sitting, and as he got closer I could see his long hair and rugged appearance. He pulled his wagon on the side of our house and hopped down.
"Ma'am." He tilted his head. "I'm afraid I'm lost."
"Are you supposed to be in Maine?"
"Ya."
"Well, then you're not that lost," she smiled.
Scratching his head, he looked around. "I'm looking Outlook Point."
"Well, you're pretty close. It's about two miles from here," she told him.
"Which way?" He grabbed his tablet.
Walking off the porch, she neared him. "Well you go that way." She pointed left. "And you'll pass Butlers."
"Butlers?" he questioned.
"Butlers. It's a small house close to the road. It has a big, mean, yellow dog. And then you'll turn right." Thinking for a moment, she realized she got confused. "No. No, I'm sorry. You turn left, and you take that road till you hit the fork. And it's only half a mile."
"Okay, which way when you hit the fork?"
"Left."
"Left…" he wrote it down.
"You'll pass Peterson's—it's a farm—and you'll turn right. It's past the school house, and you go up the trail."
"Alright…" He hoped he got it down right. Usually, he was so good with directions, but a few hours ago, he realized his map was useless.
"Um. I can take you if you want," she offered. "It's difficult when you don't know the roads."
He thought for a moment. "Well, I don't want to take you away from what you're doing."
"Oh. Oh, no. I was just taking a break. I'd be happy to show you. Let me just get my shoes."
He watched her as she walked back into the house, grateful that he found someone to help him out. Leaning against his wagon, he grabbed his canteen and took a swig of water. He hoped he'd run into a small lake so he could take a swim later on to cool himself down.
"Alright, I'm ready." She rolled her sleeves up.
Throwing his canteen in front, he helped her up into the wagon and jumped up. "Which way?"
"Out, and then take a left."
Moving to the side of the wagon, she folded her hands in her lap. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I got your name."
"Sully," he said simply.
"Michaela." She smiled nervously. "So, Mr. Sully, why are you looking for Lookout Point?"
Slapping the reins for the horses to go faster, he turned to her. "I work for the government. I scout lands that could be used for national parks one day. I take photographs of them; send them t' Washington. I also do some paintin', but that's more of a hobby of mine."
"Well, Lookout Point is a lovely place. You can see the lighthouse in the distance. I've seen a few paintings taken from that view." Looking at the view around her, she took in a deep breath of fresh air.
Reaching over to grab his canteen that was at Michaela's feet, his hand lightly grazed her leg causing her to jump. "Sorry," he told her. "It's a hot one today. Is it always like this up here?"
"In the summers." She shook her head. "It can get quite hot."
"Do you go up to the point a lot?" he wondered.
"No. No, I really don't have the time. My children like to go up though."
"How long ya been married?"
"Oh. Fourteen years this December," she thought back. "Fourteen years. What about you, Mr. Sully? Are you married?"
"It's just Sully. And no, I'm not married. My wife passed away about four years ago." He looked down the road.
"I'm sorry." She looked away, feeling uncomfortable. "How did you get into working with the government and the national parks?"
"After my wife died, I decided to move back east. While I was in Washington, I met up with an old friend who had some ties with some senators, and he was telling me how they were lookin' for men to scout the land; men who were good with their hands and could draw. Had t' teach me how t' use the camera though. But I caught on fast. Been doin' this work for almost three years now."
"Sounds exciting. Being able to travel all over. Going to new places." She couldn't help but be enthralled.
"It's a good job, I enjoy it."
"We'll have to get out here and walk rest of the way up. The wagon won't make it up the trail."
"Alright. I'll leave my stuff in the back of the wagon." He glanced up at the sky. "The light's not right. I'll just plan out where I'm going to take my shots and do some prep work, so I'll be ready at day break."
Walking up the rugged terrain, Michaela was grateful the trail was in the shade. "Is this the only place in Augusta you're taking pictures?"
"No, I actually have one more place. A little island off the coast. Isle au Haut, I think it's called."
"I've never been there before. I've heard it's a beautiful little island though." Picking up her skirt, she walked around the large rocks, making sure she didn't slip.
"Have you lived in Maine your entire life?" he questioned.
"No. I used to live in Boston. But, my husband's family lives out here. His father owns a plantation in Portland, and he wanted to be near them, so we bought our farm here. He likes living out in the country."
"Do you like living out here?" he wondered, only hearing what her husband wanted.
"It's different than Boston." She tried to smile.
"I've been to Boston before." He turned around to look at her.
"Really?" She was surprised.
"Yep, Beacon Hill."
"Beacon Hill." Her face lit up. "That's where I grew up. I…I haven't been there in so long."
"It's a beautiful place. Spent all day in the common when I was there. Peaceful." Walking up to the clearing, he looked around, setting down his things."
"I'll wait. I'll wait till you're done. I…I don't mind," she told him.
"I'll start down there. About as good a place as any." Sully walked down a trailing path, setting up his surveying stick and measuring the distance.
Michaela walked around the base of the overlook. She watched Sully as he worked. Making circles, she didn't know why she felt nervous. What did she have to feel nervous about? Kicking a few rocks around, she looked over the edge and saw the stream that tucked around the bottom of the overlook. Jonathan liked to go fishing down there. "Sully, do you like—" Turning around, she didn't see him anywhere.
Walking down the path, she still didn't see him. Moving over to look in the bushes, she saw him squatting down and picking up flowers.
"You caught me," he laughed. "I was just picking you some flowers."
"Oh."
"Men still do that don't they? Picking a woman flowers to show her a sign of appreciation? You don't mind do ya?"
"No. No not at all, except those are poisonous." She held a deadpan expression.
Quickly, Sully dropped the flowers to the ground.
"Haha," Michaela covered her mouth. "I'm just kidding." She laughed harder. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that." She bent over to pick them up. "I'm sorry."
Helping her gather the flowers, he smiled. "Well, I hope ya like them." He handed them back to her.
Holding them to her nose, she smelled them. "Thank you."
………………………………………
"I don't know if I trust that man," Jonathan remarked.
"Why not?"
"Picking Mother flowers. What's that? You shouldn't pick a married woman flowers."
"He was just being nice. Mother did show him how to get to Lookout Point. He was being a gentleman."
"I don't know," he sighed. "What happened next?"
………………………………………
Hopping down from the wagon, Michaela turned back to look at Sully.
"Well thank you for showing me up to the point. I really appreciate it," he nodded.
"You're welcome." She clenched the flowers in her hand. "I'm glad I could help you."
Sully smiled and nodded again. Turning around, Michaela started to walk back up toward the house, but then she turned back around. "Would…would you like to have some lemonade?"
Thinking for a moment, he smiled. "Sure. I'd like that." Jumping out of the wagon, he followed her into the house.
Walking through the front door, he looked around. "Ya have a nice home."
"Thank you. You may sit down." She pointed to the table and chairs. Taking a vase from underneath the sink, she filled it with water from the pump. Situating the flowers, she placed them on the table.
"Aren't ya afraid t' have those in here?" he joked.
Giggling, she set them in the center. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that." Her faced turned red. "So, where are you staying while you're here?"
"In town at Murray's Hotel. I haven't checked in yet. Wanted t' find out where I'd be shooting first."
"Oh. How long are you staying?" she wondered.
He thought for a moment. "About four or five days. A week maybe. Long as it takes to get the work done. So where is your family?" He looked around the empty house.
"They went up to Portland for a few days. My husband took them up to visit their grandmother." She smiled, handing him a glass of lemonade.
"How old are your kids?"
"Elizabeth is twelve, and Jonathan is eleven. They're not little kids any more." She raised her brow. "They're growing up before my eyes. Things change."
"They always do. One of the laws of nature," he smiled. "Most people are afraid of change. I hated to see the land change…what people would do with it. That's why I took my job. I'm tryin' t' preserve it."
Michaela smiled at him, admiring his optimism.
"But, now I look at it as something you can count on. It can be a comfort. There aren't many things you can count on." He took a drink of lemonade.
"I guess so." She bit her lip. "I'm one of those people that it frightens though, I think."
"Oh, I don't think so."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, from the big city of Boston to the country. That's a big change."
"Well, yes, but I wasn't by myself. I had Robert. Now the children."
"What's he like? Your husband?"
"Robert, he's…a good man. Hard worker, caring, honest." She looked down. "Good father."
"So I take it you like it all the way out here?"
Michaela looked down, not really knowing what to say. "Umm…"
"Go on," he laughed. "I'm not going to tell anyone."
She covered her face blushing, "What do you want me to say? It's great; the people are real nice." She shook her head. "And that's all true. It's quiet, and the people are nice. In certain ways. We all help each other out…" she trailed off.
Setting down his glass, he looked to her, trying to meet her eye. "But?"
Breathing out, Michaela sighed. She looked out the window before returning her gaze. "It's…it's not what I dreamed of as a girl."
Sully looked at Michaela, feeling a little sorry for her. He could tell that she wanted a little more out of her life than what she had here in Augusta. "I think I know how you feel," he told her. He had no idea why he was sharing so much with this woman that he just met. Never had he talked so much to one person.
Smiling, she felt at ease for the first time in awhile. "Would you like to stay for supper? There's not much of a selection in town. Not unless you go all the way into Augusta. And you'd have to eat alone," she laughed. "And so would I."
"I…I'd like that," he smiled.
…………………………………………
Walking up stairs to change, she turned into her bedroom and picked out a fresh dress. She looked out the window and saw Sully down by the well washing up. He tore off his shirt and placed it to the side. He dunked his hands in the bucket of cool water and began to wash his face. She stared at him a moment before she went back to changing. She fixed her hair and put in her favorite earrings. Spraying on a dab of perfume, she hurried back down stairs.
"There ya are." He sat at the kitchen table.
"Did you get cleaned up?" she asked.
"Yep, the heat out there ain't too forgivin'."
"I know." She rolled her eyes, making her way to the sink. She took the bowl full of fresh beans that she had picked this morning and placed them on the counter.
"Need any help?" he asked.
"Help? Help what? Cook?"
"Yeah."
"Umm. Y-yes." She moved over.
"What ya want me t' do?"
"Well, you can scrape the carrots." She handed him a knife.
"Okay." He began to cut off the skin. "Like this. How's that?"
"Umm." She shook her yes. "Good, very nice. Don't forget to pick off the ends, umm."
For a few minutes, they stood in silence next to one another, while he peeled the carrots and she snapped the beans, both lost in their own silences and private thoughts. Looking at the cupboard on the opposite side of Michaela, he saw the green onions. He went to reach for them, not noticing how uncomfortable Michaela was with him so close. "I can pull the ends off of these too," he smiled.
"Oh. Oh, yes. Alright." She looked at him biting her lip.
"How's this?"
"Yes, that's good. Just don't use your fingers. They'll make your hands smell." She made a face. "Here, I'll get you some lemon."
…………………………………………..
"I'm rather surprised at Mother," Elizabeth scrunched up her face. "Inviting a man she barely knows for dinner. That's not like her at all."
"I know." Jonathan got up. "Do…you think something happened? I mean, why do you think she is telling us all this? There has to be a reason."
Elizabeth scratched her head. "You're right. There has to be a reason."
"I swear, if he did something to her…" He started to pace.
"Jonathan, calm down. He's seems to be a really nice man. Come here; sit down." Picking the journal from her lap, she started to read again.
………………………………………….
Catching her breath, Michaela held her hands to her cheeks. "You're lying!" she laughed. "You're lying!"
"Nope, it chased me clear across the Colorado Territory. I guess it didn't like getting its picture taken!" Sully laughed with her. "No more bears for me," he smirked.
Letting out a breath, Michaela held onto her sides. She had never laughed so hard before. "You really love what you do, don't you?" she smiled.
"Yeah," he shook his head. "I do."
Leaning on her hands, she looked at Sully from across the table. "Tell me, what's the most exciting place you've ever been to?"
Sully groaned, thinking. "Most exciting, umm…" He took a drink of lemonade.
"Un…unless you're too tired." She glanced at the clock and began to fidget.
"If you're askin' a man if he's too tired to talk about himself," he laughed, "then you really don't get out much, do ya?"
Michaela looked down, placing her hands in her lap, not saying anything. She pinched the pleats in her skirt, feeling inadequate.
"I'm…I'm sorry." He could tell he hurt her. "I didn't mean it to sound like some dumb statement."
"No, No." She waved her hand. "I just meant…maybe it's dull for you to be sitting here in the middle of nowhere talking to some dull housewife."
"This is your home; this isn't nowhere," he told her.
Michaela smiled, looking down, her eyes filling with hope.
"I'd have to say the most exciting place would have t' be Yellowstone in Wyoming. It's beautiful. Trees and wildlife, far as the eyes can see. Mountains, valleys, and hot springs. Geysers that shoot up water a hundred feet. It's somethin'."
"I…I would love to see that." She cleared her throat, taking a drink of lemonade.
"Well there's trains that go straight through there. Ya could ask your husband." He eyed her.
"Yeah…" she swallowed.
Looking around, Sully glanced outside. "It's a beautiful evening out. Would ya like t' take a walk?"
Michaela smiled, "Mmm hmm…"
……………………………………………….
"You got it all right here, ya know?" They rounded the barn. "I'm serious. This is as nice of a place as I've ever been."
"Ummm…" Michaela strolled next to Sully, her hands resting behind her back. "So, where do you go after you leave Augusta?"
"I'm not sure. My boss hasn't told me yet. Depends on how he likes my work while I'm out here. I might get a break," he laughed.
Slapping her arm to kill a mosquito, Michaela sighed. "I'm getting eaten alive out here. It must be my perfume."
"Must be. They ain't touchin' me," he laughed. "Let's turn back."
They both turned around. "Wasn't much of a walk," she laughed. "Sorry."
"It's alright. I figure we did enough walkin' today," he smiled.
"That's true." She looked up at the sky, seeing the stars. "Would…would you like something to drink? More lemonade, coffee perhaps?"
"Coffee would be nice."
"Alright."
Stepping onto the porch, Sully opened the screen door for her. "Thanks," she smiled. Turning up the lamps, she put the kettle on the stove to warm up. "I baked some cookies last night." She set them on the table.
"Oatmeal," he smiled. "My favorite."
Moving back to the sink, she looked out the window, a strange feeling coming over her. She filled the sink up with water and submerged the plates inside.
"Do you want me to help you wash them?"
"Oh. No. No, I'm not going to wash them. I'm going to soak them. I'll wash them later." She continued to look out the window.
"Michaela…"
"Umm…" She didn't look up.
"Michaela?" Sully got up from the table, walking toward her.
"What?"
"We're not doing anything wrong, ya know? Nothing you couldn't tell your children about." He handed her a cookie.
She took it, eyeing him before she took a bite. They both stood in silence, looking out the window. A million things ran through Michaela's head before she moved to the stove, picking up the pot and taking two cups from the shelf. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?" She sat down.
"No." He sat down opposite from her.
"Do you ever get lonely traveling so much?"
"Nah, I don't fall into that. I got friends all over that I can visit from time to time."
"You really don't need anyone?" she questioned.
"I like meetin' new people different from myself. I like t' meet them all." He took a sip of coffee.
"That's the problem out here. You tend to meet the same kind of person over and over and over again. So when Mrs. Delany's husband has an affair with the Richardson woman, the whole town wakes up."
"Ohh…" he swallowed down his coffee.
"So, it doesn't scare you though, being alone?"
"I don't think so. I'm used to it now."
"Do you want to settle down and have a family again?" she wondered.
Sully stiffened. "Not everyone is meant to have a family."
"But…but how can you live like that, just yourself? What about other people?" She shook her head, trying to understand; trying to remember what it was like when she used to be on her own.
"I told you. I like other people. But, I like bein' by myself."
"But it's not the same," she tried to make him see.
"I know it's not the same, but what you're sayin' is that it's not good, it's not normal, it's not proper." He sat down his cup.
"No." She shook her head. "No, that's not what I'm saying."
"See, I have this problem with what people think is normal or that they think they should follow some code for the way it's suppose t' be. Everyone's different. You probably think I'm some poor, lost man that's just wondering around, lookin' for what's missin in my life. You pity me, 'cause my wife died, and now I'm just wandering."
Pushing her cup away, Michaela looked at him in the eye. "You know, just because someone wants to settle down and raise a family doesn't mean that they're following some sort of rule book. Perhaps they're just doing what they want to do. Just because I've never seen some geyser in Yellowstone doesn't mean I'm asleep in my life." She looked away.
"Do you wanna leave your husband?"
She looked up at him, the question catching her off guard. "No!" She got up. "Of course not."
"I'm…I'm sorry." He held up his hand, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I apologize."
She placed her hands on the counter, pushing her body away, looking at the ground. "What made you ask me a question like that?"
"I'm sorry. I thought that's what we were doing…asking questions. It was dumb. I'm sorry."
"No, I thought we were having a conversation, but you're asking me all these questions. Reading meanings into meanings. Maybe you think I'm just too simple to understand. But you know what? I'm not! I was a-"
"No, no." He got up. "I'm sorry. I told you I didn't mean what I said. I'm sorry." He looked at her for understanding. Placing his cup in the sink, he turned back to her. "Well, Outlook Point at dawn. I gotta get going."
"Look." She pushed back a stray lock of hair. "I'm sorry."
"No, I told ya I was sorry. I mean it," he smiled. "It's late."
Turning around, Michaela followed him to the door. "I feel like something's been spoiled now."
Walking back to her, he smiled, "No, it was a perfect evening just the way it was." They both looked at one another. Realizing how close they were, Sully backed up. "Thanks for dinner and the coffee; the company. You're a good woman, Michaela." He opened the door and stepped out. "Oh, and Michaela? You're anything but a simple woman."
…………………………………………..
Elizabeth and Jonathan both looked at one another. "What was that!" she closed the journal. "Why would he even ask her that?"
"I told you this guy was trouble." He clenched his fist. "Asking her if she wanted to leave father. Who the hell does he think he is?"
"There's…There is something more going on. You see how Mother is reacting to him?"
"She afraid of him!"
"No, she's arguing back. She's standing up for herself. But yet, she's also giving in." Elizabeth found it weird.
"Well, he's obviously enamored with Mother."
"She's not doing much to fight it off," Elizabeth told him.
"Elizabeth, you know Mother was pretty. More than pretty. And she was kind. He's taking advantage of her."
She looked off. "There's just something more to this. I…I think she feels something for him."
"Feels something for him?! Elizabeth!"
"Jonathan, she takes him to Overlook Point, asks him to stay for dinner, a walk, coffee. Have you known her to ever do that before?"
Landing in the chair, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're crazy; you know that. You're crazy."
"Fine, I'll just see what Mother says." Picking up the journal, she began to read once more.
………………………………………….
I sat on the porch that night after Sully left. Thunder was rumbling in the distance, and a delicious breeze was coming in. After I finished reading, I stood at the edge of the porch and opened my robe, letting the wind rip though my flesh. I felt more alive at that moment than I had in a long time. Something came over me when I met Sully. I didn't know what it was at the time. But I grew to learn. What I did know was I wanted to see him again. And for the first time since moving to Augusta, I got in the wagon and drove toward Outlook Point. At night; alone. I found the spot Sully stood at earlier in the day, where he was setting up his prep work, and I stuck a note to the tree. Driving back home that night, I recounted the events of the day, hoping tomorrow would be just as nice. Never did I expect what would happen.
I had a lovely day. It's been awhile since I've had interesting "conversation." I'd like to meet with you again. So if you would like to have dinner again, with a not so simple woman, I just so happen to be available. I know you have to work, so any time is fine with me.