Invisible

Chapter 2 I the Island

I wipe the beads of sweat off of my brow as the sun beats down on my work-worn body. I stumble a little, climbing out of the ditch that I have been working on for the last 2 hours.

Big, burly Sam hulks over and lends me a hand. His brother owns the business, Sam could make a go on his own but I think he likes hanging around his older brother.

"Thanks." I tell him as we walk to the shade of a giant oak where we left our water. "Is Al taking a breather? He skipped out on the last one." I remind Sam, who rolls his eyes at me.

"Allen! Come on, take a break!"

The head of the energetic 24 year old pops up from another pit. "Hold on guys! I've almost got the piping fixed!"

I laugh as I sit down, relaxing at the feel of the cool grass against my hands.

I wish I could get along with everybody as well as I get along with these guys. They are my team.

I am the only girl in the 'Red Barn Greenhouse and Landscaping' to be a part of the grunt work. I love it, days like today are my favorite, mostly because there's no Tori.

Al joins us, his black hair slicked back with perspiration. He must have gotten the sprinkler system working, his smile is a dead giveaway.

"Once we fill in we'll be done for the day." Sam decides.

"Wonderful!" I nod, agreeing enthusiasticly.

"What you've got a hot date tonight?" Al teases.

"No but you do... unless you don't want me to babysit for you tonight."

Al falls back on the lawn in a distraught manner. "Right, I completely forgot."

"Don't worry, I set aside a nice bouquet this morning, it's in the fridge back at the greenhouse clearly labeled. Happy anniversary." I smile at him.

"Thanks Leah, you're a lifesaver!"

"Yeah, yeah whatever." I laugh, sticking my tongue out at him and immediately regretting it, even my lips have dirt on them. He laughs as I make a face and spit.

Ignoring him, I take the sunscreen and apply another coat. I feel it mixing with the dirt and sweat, making me feel even more disgusting than before but I don't care.

"Man, what I wouldn't give to live here!" Sam exclaims for the 5th time today.

"You say that at every place we do." Al reminds him.

"But this time I mean it!"

"You need to talk to Tiffany then." Al teases him.

"Why? It's just another empty, giant house?" I can't quite keep the annoyance out of my voice. "If you lived here you wouldn't be able to enjoy it because you would be too busy working to pay it off and stressing over it."

It bugs me that people live in places like this, pay ridiculous amounts of money for us to fix it up for them and then they never even see it. It hits a little too close to home I guess.

Sam stands and holds out his hand to help me up. "I could make this place look like Eden if I owned it!" He boasts.

"And you'd pay us double to do it!" I retort, heading back to my shovel.

"Sure why not, after all it's just money."

This makes us all laugh, we get back to digging, pushing, and cleaning up. I really hope the kids don't give me too much trouble tonight. I am already dead tired.

-----

Blake and Gordi come running when I ring the doorbell. They hold their faces up to the glass and wave. I wave back and let myself in.

The twins both shout greetings and wrap their arms around my legs. One sits on each foot.

"You guys!" I laugh, shaking my still wet, but clean hair. I shuffle deeper into the house.

Maggie is leaving money on the counter, right next to the beautiful arrangement of flowers.

"Hey Maggie." I greet her, swinging the 3 year olds around the best I can.

"Hi! Guys, get off Leah, don't attack her until after we leave!"

They giggle and look up at me, blue eyes shining.

"So, what would you like for supper tonight?" I reach down and ruffle Gordi's black curls.

"Pizza!" They both bounce excitedly, hurting my feet.

"I left enough for you to take them to the Pizza Pit. I figured after the long day you wouldn't mind watching them play arcade games."

"Maggie, I love you."

"Oh, also! If you get a chance, your dress is here. It's up in my room with the others, it has your name on it."

"Thanks, I'll pay you when I can."

"Oh that's fine. It'll be your bridesmaid gift."

"No, it's too much... I-"

"You'll nothing. Just accept it." Al tells me, coming into the kitchen. "We appreciate all you do for us. Just take it."

"Um... Okay, thanks."

Blake starts running around in circles and Gordi screams at her to stop. I wave as Al and Maggie sneak out of the house. They've been so nice to me since... I don't let my mind go there.

"Alright guys! Let's get your car seats!" I turn and catch Blake, spinning her around and setting her in the right direction. Both kids take off at a sprint, Blake is a bit dizzy but she is laughing her head off.

I grab the money off the counter and hurry after them. Hopefully games will keep them occupied and busy enough that they actually might sleep later. I really hope so.

-----

They both fell asleep in the car on the way home, thank goodness!

I transport the sleeping children to their rooms. Then I pad silently down the hall to Al and Maggie's room. The dresses sit in the closet, wrapped in plastic. I find mine and try it on.

It's a perfect fit. The white, chiffon glows with sparkling beading around the empire collar and shoulder. The bodice's rouching makes me look almost thin. In the moonlight and the glow from the hall I eye the flowing skirt that trails to my ankles, they shortened it just the right amount.

I spin to take in the whole thing. It's beautiful... but it brings back memories. I wish the dress to be a different color as I hang it back up and wrap it, bringing it downstairs with me, I carefully hang it by the door.

When I check on the twins I find them both sleeping soundly. I retreat to the living room and flip through the television channels. Nothing's on but I curl up in the dark and try to ignore the memories.

But when the morning light shines on my face I know today won't be a good day, last night was full of torture brought about by my mind, and for the millionth time I just wish I could forget.