Martha

Chapter 23 She's Gone

Chapter 23
She's Gone

Two days after Martha dumped me out, Ralph asked me if I could take him to the airport. On our way, we stopped by a local bar to have a few drinks and talk. To talk was his idea. To talk about his sister, of course.

The guy didn't know me, still, for the last two days in her house, he turned into my defense, not wonder why he stayed for only two more days. Ralph tried really hard to make his sister forgive me. But he failed badly. In fact I think it made things worst. "Persevere my Puerto Rican friend. I know my sis can has her tempers and he can be annoyingly stubborn... I know, I know, don't look at me in that way Antonio. She is a real bitch when she wants to. But let take it in this way... She let you in... and please let's don't add more details to that phrase than those pertaining to that particular scene over the piano." Ralph chuckled.

"So, do you think I still have a chance with her?" I really wanted to hear his opinion on the matter.

"Do you want me to be sincere with you amigo? He leaned closer to me, patting on my shoulder.

"Yes."

"Well, I've been observing my sister for the week past and I must say she' is sad. This woman cares about you. Whatever you did, hurt her, still she misses you. Of course she denies she's having a hard time, but that's the way she is. Always choosing to confine herself inside the bubble she has built around her for a long time. She thinks that makes her stronger, but not. Martha only hides, like an armadillo, rolling herself up to avoid the rest of humanity", Ralph took a deep breath, as if revealing some sort of forbidden secret while talking about his sister. While drinking his beer, he looked at me right into the eyes, studying my reaction to every word he said. "Antonio, I believe that you have been lucky, if it's the appropriate term to use. I think that yes, you still have a chance with her but you need to give her some time. For now, your name it's banned, forbidden to be mentioned in the house. Thank God she's not the witch everyone's says. Imagine what could she do in revenge!"

"Ha, ha! Yes." I sniggered short and snippy.

I was then on my way back home, after leaving Ralph at the airport, thinking of the conversation we had at the bar. I didn't know why he was giving me hopes. I guessed it was because he really thought I had a real chance with Martha. Yes, he said she was still mad at me, but also that she was sad. Why? Because she loved me, or maybe because she felt betrayed by the only person whom she trusted for a long time. In the end, he was right, it was better to give her some space.

As I got closer to downtown I felt like not wanting to go home, yet I didn't want to go anywhere else either. I drove by Paula's apartment and I thought of stopping by. Soon I remembered she hated me too, perhaps even more than Martha did.

Before going home I stopped at the Mr. Matthews' market to buy some groceries. I was running out of wine and I knew it would serve at my only companion that night. Wine and books to heal the soul of a lonely, dumped out by two gorgeous women, man.

While grabbed a basket, I recalled the day when I accidentally bumped over beautiful Martha. Those blue eyes marked me to the bone, hypnotizing me with ethereal charm. Yes, I've been charmed, enchanted, bewitched by this woman, and I liked it. Aimlessly, I meandered amidst the fruits and vegetable alleys. For a moment I wished to see again, her loading her basket with her healthy choices. But she wasn't there.

I put random items in my car to make some time because I didn't want to go back home yet. So I found I've had been loading my car with things I didn't need at all, but I would  buy them any way. I even grabbed two white votive candles. Those reminded me about her. Damned! I was such a mess!

In the register, Mr. Matthews greeted me with his characterizing politeness. "Good afternoon Mr. Grau. It's good to see you again. How have you been lately?"

"Thank you Mr. Matthews. It's good to see you too. I've been great, thank you."

"And how's Miss Higgins? I've heard you had to take her to the hospital because she had an accident?"

"Oh, she's better... I think."

The man suddenly paused registering the items while cocking his heads asides, he stared at me right to the eyes. "Mr. Grau, I'm sorry if I am impertinent and I know this is not of my concern... I don't know what has happened between you and Miss Martha, and believe me I would have never dared to ask, but please, allow me to tell you this. Miss Higgins is a wonderful lady, it's only that life has been cruel to her. Time and consequences of some misfortunate events cursed her life and the constant gossip of the people of this town has stigmatized that poor woman. Of course I don't believe the things people had made up about her. One thing I'm sure for the little I've spoke with her and that is that she's a fine woman."

"I know." Was my only reply.

"Oh. I see." He read between lines. "Well Mr. Grau, true love can overcome adversities and can wreck walls down... Remember that."

"Thank you Mr. Matthews." My lips forced up a polite smile.

"My pleasure sir... So it's one hundred with three dollars in total. I didn't charge the tampons. I think you don't need those?" Mr. Matthews chuckled as he put the box of tampons away.

***

That night, I laid on my bed. A half empty wine bottle rested on the bedside table along with an empty glass. I only stared at the ceiling in my room, avoiding to turn on the TV or the laptop. Downcast, I only wanted to let myself drawn into my own stupidity and misfortune... I didn't want to see anybody.

Despite what I was advised by Ralph and Mr. Matthews, I had no strengths, no will to fight. At least not during that weekend. I was determined to give her that chance, and give it to myself, to process things out. Not having a plan, not even setting up a strategy, I found myself more than once, peeping out the window to see if I could spot on Martha, but there was no sign of her. I was back to where I begun, asking myself every time, was she at home?

On Saturday, Paula called twice, but I preferred not to answer. Not that I wanted to ignore her, like she did before with me, it was just that I didn't want to talk to anybody. Specially hers. I was having a hard time and I didn't want to use her. Deep inside, I knew it wasn't her fault either. It was mine, for I never made things clear and while chasing Martha, I dated her, giving her some hopes, to believe we were in a relationship.

Monday morning finally arrived, and I was more than happy. Weekend had been a torture. I urged to be distracted by the nonchalant conversation of my students. Coffee mug in hand, I grabbed my briefcase and walked out the house. The sound of an old car's engine igniting forced me to look to the neighbor's house. The rumbling noise indeed came from Martha's house. Slowing my pace, I waited on the sidewalk. With a scratching rusty sound, the garage doors opened. A black convertible left the house in reverse. It was Martha driving it.

Never looking at me, the woman drove by and all I saw was the cargo on the back seat. It was loaded with luggage and travel bags. My heart dropped to my feet and I felt a cold blow inside my stomach. Martha was leaving, and there was nothing I could do about it. But, where was she leaving?

"Good morning Mr. Grau." The mailman greeted me. "I think our lovely witch is leaving us. And judging by the baggage, I think she's not coming back any soon." The man shrugged, handed me the bills and walked by.