I was going stir crazy. Being trapped in a house with Amelia, Bill, his family and my parents was driving me around the bend. When Lorena invited me for tea, offering refuge from the wedding planner and the mother-in-laws, I accepted.
"After everything that came up the other day, I wanted to follow up with you," she said, inviting me to sit on her patio. Her garden was nowhere near as fancy as the
Compton's, but it was clear that Lorena had married into money. More money than Bill had, at least.
"About what?"
"It really wasn't my business to tell you that stuff about Bill," she explained. "I hope I didn't cause any problems."
"I haven't even approached Bill about it, to be honest." I wasn't sure how to, without risking his ire.
"You seem like a lovely girl, Sookie," she said, placing emphasis on the girl. I didn't take offence to her tone. It didn't sound condescending, it sounded protective. "You remind me of myself at your age."
I looked at the auburn-haired woman across from me. She wasn't much older than I was really, but I supposed after two arranged marriages, an early widowhood and an impending divorce, she had experienced a lifetime in those few years.
"We do have more than a few things in common," I acknowledged.
"I like you, and with you marrying Bill, I know we'll probably spend more time together, and I'd hate for you to hear this from someone other than myself," she began, looking guilty. I schooled my face to stay open, and not reveal that I already had an inkling of where she was going with this.
"What is it?" Short of her revealing that she was in on Bill's plan and she herself was about to kill me, I was confident there was nothing she could say that would make me feel ill will towards her.
"I was around sixteen when my parents started arranged my first marriage," she explained. "I was very smitten with a particular boy, but my parents were having none of it."
"Oh?" I tried for casual, having no idea if I was succeeding.
"We'd long been family friends with his family, but my parents had their minds set on the son of a shipping magnate. Being married into their business was far more beneficial to my father's ship building business, as opposed to a recreational resort company."
"You mean the Compton's?" I asked. "You were dating Bill?"
The look of relief that passed over Lorena's face was obvious. She seemed so happy that I'd put it together for myself and managed not to sound upset about it. "Yes," she nodded. "We were young and foolish, and didn't understand about obligations and business and money."
I nodded to indicate that I knew what she meant.
"My parents insisted I marry the other fellow, and I did. It was difficult at first, but I learned to accept it," she shrugged. "Bill married Pam, and life seemed to move on."
She watched me silently, and I realized she was waiting for me to say something. "Do you still love him?"
"A part of me will always love Bill, but I know now that we were teenagers, drunk on first love."
I had never experienced that particular phenomenon, but I'd witnessed my share of young romance vicariously through my friends. I knew that it could be heart-crushing, angst-ridden and irrational. I also knew it could be sweet and tender.
"I didn't want you to find out and think that somehow I was trying to move in on your husband," she said.
"I appreciate you telling me this, I'm sure it was difficult, but we both know I'm not in love with Bill," I said. "Why didn't you mention it before?"
Lorena bit her thumb anxiously. "I wouldn't have said anything at all, but once you asked me his past the other day, it got me thinking."
I took a sip of my tea and waited for her to continue when she was ready.
"After we both married, we never really spoke of our history," she continued. "At least, I didn't. Speaking to you about it reminded me just how oddly Bill had behaved, though. "
"What do you mean?"
"It was when my husband died."
"I'm sorry."
"Bill was comforting me one night, and he tried to kiss me. I reminded him he was married. He said that he didn't have to be, but I told him no. Even if I'd wanted to, I knew my parents were already seeking out a new husband - I hadn't had children with my ex and had no money, no means of support."
"He left it alone?"
"I thought he did. Not long after Pam announced she was pregnant and then she was killed. He acted so strangely. He put the moves on me. I'd always chalked it up to him being hurt and in pain... people do crazy things when bad stuff happens."
Yes. I supposed they did, like having sexual fantasies about strangers when they are being held hostage in a brothel.
"He said he wanted to marry me, now that he was single. I was surprised and flattered... but like I said, my parents had already taken steps to arrange my next marriage. Not to mention how it would look, him getting engaged within weeks of his wife's death."
I wondered if Eric knew about any of this? If he did, it certainly would have roused his suspicions.
"Eventually, Bill's parents arranged your betrothal, and then the war came, delaying your wedding. Bill and my husband were both in the military, in the same regiment. They became friendly. They used to all go of on their leave together," she said.
I knew that. I also knew it wasn't uncommon for soldiers to take their leave at Gentleman's resorts. How handy it would have been, as an owner, to take your men there and treat them to a wonderful experience. Neither Lorena nor I were fools. We knew what men could get up to, especially during a war. I wasn't in love with Bill, I don't think I'd ever truly expected his full fidelity prior to our wedding. Now that the war was over, I was less inclined to be forgiving. I wouldn't be surprised if Lorena felt similarly.
"When the boys recently went on a 'weekend' I didn't put a lot of thought into it," Lorena admitted. "I liked him... I had faith he could go and sort of behave himself."
I could understand that. Surely there were men who could go and be with their buddies and go home alone at night? Never say never.
"Then the pictures arrived."
We both knew what pictures she was referring to.
"You were at one of those places, weren't you?" she asked.
"I was."
"My husband has always insisted he was set up, do you think that's possible?"
"Yes," I said. "You're wondering if it was the same place?"
She nodded.
She was about to speak when we heard a man's voice call out, "Honey, I'm home!"
Lorena looked at me nervously. Two sets of footsteps could be heard coming down the hall.
"Sookie," Lorena said, as two men stepped out onto the patio. "You've met my husband, and this is his friend, Lt. Herveaux."
I'm not sure I was able to contain my shock at seeing none other than Alcide at her husband's side.
"Hello," I stuttered. I'd met Captain Krasiki before, but I was not prepared to see his companion. The last time I'd seen him, I'd been dosed with Ardence and drooling lasciviously over Eric.
"Nice to me you," I said, shaking his hand. "I'm Sookie Stackhouse."
"Bill's fiance," Lorena elaborated.
Both Captain Krasiki and Lt. Herveaux faces darkened at the mention of Bill.
"I'm glad you were returned safely, Miss Stackhouse," the captain said. He gave Lorena a kiss on the cheek. "Alcide and I have a meeting in a few minutes, but I hope to see you for dinner."
"That's fine," she smiled, giving him an affectionate squeeze before the two men returned into the house.
"So you're back with your husband?" I asked once the men were out of earshot.
Lorena nodded. "After our conversation the other day, I started thinking about some things, things people have said and done." She didn't say by who, but I'm pretty sure we were thinking the same thing.
"I hope it all works out for you," I said sincerely.
"Thanks," she replied. She was watching me expectantly again.
"What?" I asked.
"Are you going to tell me how you know Alcide?" she queried.
"I don't," I answered quickly."
Sookie," she said. "The moment I said his name, your face blanched."
I shook my head, denying anything of the sort.
"I've been truthful with you, Sookie. Now it's your turn."
~X~