Lilies And Smoke

CHAPTER TWENTY: The letter

It was Sunday and Anita's eyes droop from the lack of sleep, she's stayed downstairs and slept on the sofa ever since the night with the bed. She's shut her bedroom door and only dares to go up there when she needs a new change of clothes. She felt silly, but she knew she wasn't imagining that. She felt the bed move. She knew she couldn't have made that up, but when she searched her house, she found nothing and no one. She wants nothing but to go to go to Alex's place... but they weren't that far into their relationship and she didn't want to scare him off, especially after last time. She knew she wasn't going crazy.

It was real... it was real she repeats to herself, cosying in her pyjamas on her sofa as Bill lies on her lap. Anita rubs her face, trying to stay awake. The screeching of her letter box open, a small thump lands on the floor next to her front door. The letter box slams shut, Anita gets up off the sofa and walks towards her front door and crouches to the floor and smooths her hands over the floor board until her hand hits a paper envelope. She grabs hold of it and walks back towards the sofa and chucks it on her coffee table, as she heads towards the kitchen to grab a drink of water. Anita opens the top cupboard closest to the back door and takes out a glass cup and fills it up with tap water. She gulps it down greedily, wiping her mouth as she places the glass on the counter beside the sink and closes the cupboard door. She runs her fingers through her hair and holds her arms up there, as she sighs. She turns, facing the direction of the living room as she thinks to herself, I best see what it is. Anita finds her hand bag on the kitchen counter, sure of herself that Janice left it there as she rummages around for her cigarettes and lighter. She takes out her cigarette packet and searches her bag for her lighter, she feels her brush and the bumps on each stem. She searches the sipped pocket inside the bag and finds her lighter and takes it out.

She walks over towards the sofa and pats down the table for the envelope and takes it outside with her as she goes outside to sit on her front door step. She places the envelope in her lap and lights her cigarette, taking in a deep drag and blows it out slowly. She sniffs, her nose pinched by the cold. She wipes her nose with the back of her hand and continues to smoke, listening as a couple of kids scream and cheer down the other end of the street. She hears the bouncing of a ball, as it's booted down towards her end of the street. The pitter patter of feet as one of them shoots off to retrieve it. Anita takes in another big drag and blows it out of her thin lips. She rubs her eyes with her thumb and forefinger and sits there content for a little while, not letting any thoughts cloud her mind. She places her cigarette between her lips as she opens the envelope, hoping that it's in brail and not just some takeaway sticking their menu through her door. She takes another drag and taps at the end of her cigarette as she blows out the smoke, as she places it back to her lips. Anita places her hands over the envelopes contents and feels the bumpy texture. A letter, she thinks to herself in surprise as she unfolds it properly and begins to read it.

Her eyes widen in horror at the first sentence and takes her hands off the letter. Oh my god...oh my god...

The letter was from Andy, her heart sank to her stomach. Her breathing tightens as she comprehends how he found out where she lives. She puts her hand to her mouth and tries not to let out a cry. Her hands tremble as she lets it fall to her lap, her body begins to jerk as tears begin to stream down her face. Dripping to her chest from under her chin, as she tries not to cry out loud to draw attention to herself. She sniffs, her hands shaking violently as she goes to pick up the letter. She stumps the cigarette out and tries to gather herself so she can bring herself to read it. Tears plummet down her face as she continues to read the letter, turning the page as she reads the next part. Anita starts to sob, as she reads on.

"Anita? Are you alright?" a croaky voice soothes; Maggie walks up her driveway. Slowly and looks down at Anita as she cries. "Yeah, yes I'm fine" Anita cries, her lips trembling. "You can't tell a wise woman that everything is alright, when I can see that you are not" Maggie points out, her voice crackling. "I've just got a letter off someone I don't really want to hear from" Anita informs, placing the letter on her lap as she wipes away her tears. Maggie attempts to sit down beside her, her legs wobbling as she sits down on the hard step. "Well, I'm all ears and no talk. My sister got all the talking you see" Maggie says, her voice hoarse. Anita sniffs, "yeah, she doesn't like me or Jan much".

"If it makes you feel any better, she doesn't like anyone much".

"It doesn't..." Anita replies dryly, swallowing hard as she calms herself. Maggie gives her a sad look, "I know, it wasn't right what she said to people. Don't listen to a word of it, she can have a venomous tongue at times". Anita laughs shortly, bitterly; "yeah I know... how come you're not like her? If you don't mind me asking".

Maggie raises her brows, "you think she hasn't said a nasty word about me? Oh, she most definitely has, but we've settled things and we are sisters after all. We don't have a big family".

"Neither do I" Anita informs, wiping her cheeks.

"So, this letter... is it from family?" Maggie asks hesitantly, cautious of Anita's state. Anita shakes her head, "no... it's from my ex-boyfriend". Maggie gives her a sad smile, "did it not end well?". Anita shakes her head again, "no... no it really didn't. I'm scared to death of him, I-I didn't think he would know where I live". Maggie places her hand on Anita's shoulder, "why are you frightened of him?". Anita bites her lips, trying to not let them tremble. A pregnant pause settles between them as Anita was unsure whether she should say anything, Maggie rubs her hand on Anita's back.

"He beat me. He used to beat me a lot" Anita says in a half whisper, letting a sob escape her lips as she places her head in her hands. "Is that why you moved here?" Maggie asks softly. Anita nods, lifting her head up; "he doesn't know this area, he's never been here as far as I know". Maggie hushes her and gives her a small hug, "what did the letter say?". Anita sniffs, tears begin to form in her eyes, cascading down as she replies; "he says he's changed and wants to see me and that it'll be different this time around. He said..." she chokes. "He said he won't take no for an answer and that we can work it out... he said he won't give up my-" Anita sobs and breaks off, leaning into Maggie as she comforts her. Maggie pats her back and rocks her.

"Now, now" she sooths, rocking Anita. Anita wails, trying to contain herself. When she settles Maggie pulls away and asks softly, "what won't he give up?". Anita wipes her eyes and under her nose as she replies, "I miscarried my baby girl late in the pregnancy, she was fully developed but... he has her ashes and won't give them to me". Maggie places her fragile hand to her mouth in shock, "what an awful man... well if I see anyone on this street that isn't that new fella Mr Strouse hanging around, I'll be sure to let you know darlin'. You don't have to be frightened". Anita tries to smile and sobs, "thank you Maggie, I really appreciate it".

"We women must stick together" Maggie assures, rubbing Anita's arms. Anita coughs, "I-I think I'll be alright... I just want to sit and relax with my dog for a while and clear my head. Thank you, Maggie, for everything. I really appreciate it".

"It's alright, you come around any time for tea or to chat. I'm around the corner if you need me, pet" Maggie comforts. Anita manages to smile, "thank you" she says getting up to her feet. She extends her hand out in Maggie's direction and feels Maggie grip her hand as she helps her to her feet. "Goodbye Maggie, I'll see you around soon".

"I'll see you soon darlin'" Maggie says, giving Anita a short hug before walking off towards her house. Anita picks up the letter and walks up her front door step and into her house, slamming the door behind her as she locks the door. Unknown to either Maggie and Anita, Anne was listening to the conversation from her bedroom window, slipping behind the curtain as she watches Maggie cross the street and go inside her house.