Chapter 4
Clarke Mayville stares down at the traditional round solitaire on her left hand. She’s waited for as long as she can remember for a man to come along and give her what she needs.
Unlike most of the people Clarke grew up being friends with, she never had the opportunity to broaden her horizons or leave her hometown, not after an unexpected pregnancy was discovered. There’s always been something holding her back; first, a little person who depends on her every moment of each day. Then obligations to care for her elderly family members. Her biological mom hadn’t been in the picture since she was little, and she never knew her father. To Clarke, her grandparents were the only parents she had. She even called them her mom and dad when referring to them. It may have been unconventional, but they made her feel like she was there own. They’d done the best they could, always providing and giving her moral support, even when she was going to be a single mother.
While her friends have college degrees, she’s still lacking the fancy education she once predicted she’d have.
Clarke would never trade being a mother to little Tyler. He’s her reason for living. Without him, she would have given up years ago. Having been left behind by someone she trusted with her whole heart, Clarke has always put a wall up toward other men wanting to spend time with her.
She’d never dated another man until Tim came along. He wasn’t just someone she met by accident. He was a customer at the restaurant she worked. Every weekend, starting on Friday, after her daytime duties at a daycare ended, she’d have an hour to grab her son before rushing to be at her next job. Life was chaos, but she managed to juggle it all, mainly because she had to. There wasn’t a line of people waiting to take the place of the man she once thought to be her future. She couldn’t begin to explain how it felt to have hope ripped out from under her, only to discover she was carrying a child that would constantly remind her of that lost love.
Clarke also knows she can’t dwell on the past. A high school romance doesn’t compare to the relationship she’s found with Tim. He’s such a good man, a provider and carefree soul, who would do anything for Tyler. She knew the first time the two met there was something special about the man.
Not only was he a good role model, he came from a good family. His father owned the town hardware store, and his mother was the librarian. They spent their summers in Florida in their RV and often invited Clarke and her son to come along. They’d welcomed her with open arms, which is something Clarke never assumed she’d have. Being a single mother gave her a complex. She never thought anyone in their small town would think she could be anything more than a mediocre waitress with a kid to feed.
Having lived with her only living grandparent up until six months ago, when she’d moved in with Sam, Clarke did the best she could to save money. She’d always hoped they could have a home of their own.
Ever since her grandmother passed away two years ago, Clarke and her grandfather haven’t seen eye to eye. He was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and refused to take the measures to change his eating habits or regulate his sugar intake. Clarke was the person keeping him alive. She’d pre-make his meals, sort out the portions, and explain to him that carbohydrates also turn into sugar. Her pasta-loving grandfather had become hateful. He was lonely, missing the only woman he ever loved. Her grandma had done everything for the man, and as much as she tried, she’d never fill her mother’s shoes, not in his eyes.
It wasn’t that they hated each other. Clarke loved her father, and was grateful of everything her parents had sacrificed for her to remain at home to raise her son. They were babysitters so she could work. Supporters, when she was feeling down. They were the only people she knew she could count on. Now it seems like little Tyler is the one taking care of his grandfather.
The excitement of getting married takes Clarke away from all the negative she’s surrounded herself with. Tim is handsome. He’s not the kind of guy she would have been instantly attracted to. He’s tall with sandy brown hair. His dark eyes always seemed like the kind that would deceive her. She couldn’t explain why they made her feel that way, but she’d always been against brown-eyed men, at least dating them. Clarke remembers something her mother told her when she was a young child. ‘Never trust those brown-eyed boys. They’ll break your heart.’ At the time she’d been speaking of a little boy who’d given me a Valentine.
Tim proved her wrong. The age difference was a big factor in her apprehension at first. Tim is in his thirties. He’d been married before to a woman who passed away from ovarian cancer in her early twenties. For the next several years he’d become an alcoholic. Now recovered, Tim has turned his life around. He tells her it’s because she came into his life at the perfect time. Clarke smiles at all the fantastic moments they’ve shared between the two of them. He appreciates each and every day, and because of that, she’s been able to accept maybe this was meant to be.
Tim is so darn perfect she can hardly contain her reaction when he walks into the room, or compliments her in front of others. For once she’s on a pedestal. Tim wants everyone to know she’s going to be his wife.
He’s in the market for a larger home so Tyler will have more room to entertain his friends. An in-ground pool was always something Clarke could never afford, but Tim insists they have one. Added to that, he wants land. He’s promised her a forever and it’s overwhelming at times. It’s the kind of home she always wanted for her son.
Being an entrepreneur, Tim seeks out business opportunities. He’s currently revamped three local buildings on the main street of their small town. First it was the corner coffee shop. While Tim was working to remodel the downstairs, he lived in the upstairs loft. Once it was finished he offered the place to the new manager, who jumped on the opportunity to be so close to work.
Tim’s second project was the place next to that. It had been a barbershop for longer than Clarke can remember. The old signs and barber’s pole still remained on the exterior. When the original owner retired he’d let the shop go. Tim went in and gave the place a makeover. It wasn’t long until a new barber came along who was interested in making it his own. His third and last project was the pharmacy. It’s old wooden floors were bowing and the ceiling had seen better days. When Tim was finished the owners were so grateful. They did a huge interview with the local newspapers making Tim a bit of a hero. He’s often recognized and praised for what he’s done for his community. His only response melts her heart each time she hears it. He tells them it was his late wife’s dream to make an old town new again. He’s only living out her wishes.
Clarke realizes her daydreaming has caused her to lose track of time. She hurries into the bathroom to pull her long darker hair up into a bun before brushing her teeth and rushing out the door to make it to work before she’s late. Hating the lunch shift because it doesn’t allow her to grab her son from school, Clarke reminds herself that Tyler is in good hands. Tim usually picks him up and they visit the hardware store before coming home to make something for dinner. He’s been teaching Tyler how to make easy meals. So far they’ve done spaghetti a few times, and some shake and bake styled chicken. Tyler has become a master of heating things in the microwave, which makes Clarke proud to know he’s learning to do things independently. She wants him to know how to take care of himself, because each new day is never a guarantee.
It’s not until she’s rushed into the diner and starts putting on her official diner designed apron that Abigail, another waitress she’s become quite close with, approaches Clarke. Abigail is still in college. She’s only nineteen, and with a partial scholarship she’s well on her way to being successful. “Did you hear the news this morning?”
Clarke’s eyes light up when she assumes it’s something exciting. “No. What’s going on? Did the town approve the new taco place?” Tacos have always been her guilty pleasure. If only there were a restaurant, or fast food location close by.
“Nothing good. I read this morning that they’re planning on closing the old movie theater. Doesn’t that suck? My parents had their first date there. I mean, I know it was lacking appeal, but it’s a landmark. According to the paper they want to buy property and build a new complex that will enable them to have thirteen high definition theaters with a full menu of food items and an arcade. Like we’d need that to watch a movie.”
“Wait a minute,” Clarke begins. “Is this you talking? I vividly recall you saying you drove for an hour to go to a larger theater last week.”
Abigail rolls her eyes. “You got me. My dad was having a fit this morning. I guess the mood sort of rubbed off on me. She grabs a folded paper off the counter and hands it to me. “Just read the article. It’s so sad. The owners are heartbroken they can’t afford repairs. Maybe your handy hubby-to-be can work his magic?”
Now Clarke understands why Abigail has brought it up. She thinks Tim is in the market for another project. A smirk crosses her face when she imagines Tim being everyone’s hero. “He’s not made of money. We‘re looking to buy a house that will need a lot of work. He’s going to be busy for a few months.” Clarke knows while she’s saying this Tim could be across town already scoping out what sort of improvements he could make on the historical landmark.
Then Clarke’s eyes focus on the lower square article below. It’s the picture that first catches her attention. Someone she recognizes is now her main focus on the page. It’s a death announcement.
Elias Berkley Hargrove Sr. was found deceased in his home last night. Founder of the Grove Park Elks, a dedication ceremony will be held at the ball field on Saturday night at dusk. All are welcome to attend. His two sons Elias Jr. and Jonathan survive Mr. Hargrove. At this time funeral arrangements haven’t been announced.
Clarke stares at the picture of the man she hasn’t seen in years. He’s aged, but she’d recognize him anywhere. Having lived on the outskirts of town, Eli Sr. was known to be a hermit in his latter years. Ever since the falling out with his wife, Siobhan, Clarke hadn’t seen or spoken to the man. Though her heart breaks for the life that’s no longer thriving, there’s an immediate knot in the pit of her stomach.
If Eli Sr. died does that mean Eli Jr. will finally step foot back in the town he left behind six years ago? If he does, will he seek her out? Will he change his mind and want to know about the child he wanted me to abort?
Clarke feels like she’s about to hurl the coffee she consumed on the drive to the diner. She quickly rushes to the bathroom to gather control of her emotions. Of course, Abigail follows, suddenly curious as to what has Clarke is such a tizzy. By the time she finds her in the stall she’s hunched over with tissues in her hand, her face covered in tears. “What the hell? Are you that upset about the movies? Did you lose your virginity there?”
This makes Clarke weep harder. She shakes her head, but words aren’t coming out. It takes her a few long moments to settle down, because losing her virginity only reminds her of Eli and his father. They’d first made love in Eli’s room in his house when his father and his younger new wife went away for the weekend. They’d planned it all out, her parents assuming she was staying with a girlfriend, when all the while she was with Eli. He’d lit candles and turned on music. They laid there for hours talking before anything happened. Eli took his time exploring her, and she’d done the same with him. When they came together it was the most powerful love she’d ever experienced. Back then she could see her future when she looked into his eyes. Now all she feels is pain.
“Someone I know has passed away. I need to get out of here.” As Clarke says it she thinks of the grandchild he never got to know. Guilt floods her, and she loses herself in another bout of gut-wrenching tears.
Fear rips through her mind. Eli could be back. What if he looks for her? What if he wants to know his son? What if he tries to ruin what she has with Tim?
It’s all too much to handle.