The Spigot
chapter five
Lest anyone else saw her in a nightgown, Mel quickly showered and dressed. Coffee in one hand and book in the other, Mel went out to the garden, weaving around building materials and equipment. She made it past the construction zone to the garden bench without spilling. Once there, she prepared to keep one eye on the construction and the other on her book. Not so easy to do as it turned out. The noise was deafening and very distracting.
She was hoping to have lunch with Philippe because she needed to know where she stood in their relationship. The machines stopped at lunch as was the norm. The workers left, but so did Philippe with a wave and “I will see you tomorrow” as he left!
“What?” No explanation for leaving so early. “Why can’t I figure him out,” she questioned herself.
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| Mel sleeping in the moonlight watercolor by Elaine |
When Mel went to bed that night, she tossed and turned. Her mind was restless. The full moon streamed in upon her face, keeping her awake. This time the sound of the spigot was disquieting.
Finally, slumber crept over her, like a warm blanket.
Soon after, she was wakened suddenly by a rustling and scraping near her window. Expecting a dog or cat, she was shocked to see Philippe digging a hole next to the small backhoe.
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| Philippe unearthing box by moonlight watercolor by Elaine |
After digging for a few minutes, he stopped and looked toward her window.
Had he seen her? She was at once uncomfortable and pulled back. “What is he doing?” “Should I call out?” A chill climbed her spine, a little voice telling her to stay hidden.
Philippe reached down into the pile of dirt and pulled hard to free a heavy object from the hole. He set it on the ground and wiped it off. Once again, he glanced toward her window. Satisfied, he hoisted the box to his shoulder and was gone.
Mel was so confused. Suddenly, she realized it was the buried treasure he had joked about!
She returned to bed, but sleep eluded her. Had Philippe been using her to get to the box? What was inside … jewels, money, gold?
She felt tangled, wrapped inside something ugly. Barbed wire was ripping her emotions. Just when she realized she had fallen for him, he had been toying with her. And for what? A handful of gold?
Exhausted, she fell into a leaden sleep.
Mel never heard Philippe in the kitchen. She did not smell the coffee or the wonderful aroma of bread baking. He tapped on her door several times, but she slept on.
Suddenly he was in her room, holding a tray. She sat up, startled.
“You don’t belong in here!” she gasped. “Go!” She paused. “And close the door behind you.” That last uttered in a rasp of emotion.
“But…” he began.
Mel turned away, surprised at her behavior. Hot tears followed.
He was gone.
Mel went to the door to lock it. Instead, she looked out the door to see him disappear down the hill and out of her life.
Then she saw it, a rose on the step. Had he dropped it there? She had found roses before, too. Today, she left it there.
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| mystery rose on the doorstep watercolor by Elaine |
Closing the door, she drew the bolt.
The work crew arrived. She went to the bedroom, closed the window, and crawled back into bed to cry herself to sleep.
The work on her outdoor studio continued every day, but Philippe did not return. Each day Mel crawled into herself like a sea snail into a conch shell. Her father called several times, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer. He would ask about Philippe and how would she reply? Would she tell him how he had use her?
No. She just retreated deeper into that shell, hoping it was large enough to store the world of pain she felt.
Wow! What was supposed to be a 2 part story has become 5! Are you enjoying it?
What do you think will happen chapter 6?
I’m listening!
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