Page 17 of Only Time Will Tell

“I’m not sure I follow you, son.” She placed her hand over mine. “What happened? Did you and Charlotte have a fight?”

“No. But she’s one of many things that trouble me. I’m sorry, Mother, ignore that. Restless sleep has taken its toll on me.” I rose to take my plate to the sink and leaned in and kissed her cheek before heading outside to meet my father for what I expected to be an unpleasant day. As soon as saw me, he walked ahead down the pathway. Fine by me, I didn’t feel like dealing with him as it was.

During the two-block walk, my thoughts wandered, fueling my confusion because I knew at some point today, Charlotte would come by the shop, probably to get my opinion on some stupid wedding-related nonsense. I truly didn’t care what food she chose or what color was on the cake.

The only thing I cared about was getting myself out of this mess.

My father had already made it abundantly clear that if I didn’t marry her, I would be out of the house and out of a job. The thought of breaking my mother’s heart was the only reason I’d stayed in this predicament. But I had to call it off, consequences be damned.

Mid-morning, I was stacking cans of paint when the bell over the door chimed. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. She was here. I knew this before she unleashed that high-pitched screech I loathed.

“There you are, Alexander. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve been avoiding me,” Charlotte squawked. Well, she had that much right. I had purposely been avoiding her.

“Good morning, Charlotte. What can I do for you?” I asked even though I didn’t care.

She paraded over and kissed my cheek. “We have to meet with the caterer today to pick the menu. Does two o’clock work for you?”

“I don’t get off until six, Charlotte. You know that.” I stacked the last of the cans and tried to sidestep her, but not before she grabbed my shirt sleeve.

“Don’t ignore me, Alexander. I’m not planning this wedding alone. You will do my bidding, or I will tell my father,” she threatened. Who was worse, Charlotte or my father, and what was he getting out of this deal?

Our fathers were meeting later this week in hopes mine could secure a loan for an expansion to the back of the store. He thought adding an appliance section would gain more sales. I adamantly disagreed, which he used to point out my need to pay better attention to our business plan. The people in this town were blue-collar, hardworking folks, people who had to save for what they needed to survive, and new refrigerated boxes weren’t one of those things. They were used to going to the market daily for what they needed. Refrigerated units were a luxury, not a must.

And of course, that was the time my father chose to come around the corner from the stockroom. “Alexander, take your lunch at two and accompany her to the caterers. Afterwards, get your hair cut and then return to help close up.” Then he walked off, as though his requests were written scripture and not to be ignored.

Not at all thrilled about this, I turned to Charlotte. “Fine, I’ll meet you at the caterer at two.”

Smirking, she wiggled her wiry fingers at me before the bells once again jingled, signaling her departure.

As the day progressed, the agitation built, increasing to an explosive level and I found myself slamming stock onto the shelves rather hastily.

“Honestly son, I don’t know what’s gotten into you.” It was best to not reply, or I’d likely let it all out and find myself without a home. “In little more than a week, you’ll be a married man, and shortly thereafter, a father. You really need to get yourself together. Buck up and be a man.” He shook his head in disappointment as he walked away.

A married man? A father? Bile rose, burning the back of my throat. My impending doom consumed me, taking the breath from my body. I’d die before I married that vile woman. I had to get out. Get out of this madness. I wasn’t fit to be a husband, let alone a father. That wasn’t something I ever wanted. I ran out the door, my father was calling my name behind me, but I couldn’t stop. Didn’t stop as I ran straight to the waterfront three blocks away without grabbing my coat or bothering to look back.

“What am I doing?” I loudly proclaimed. How did I get into this mess? I don’t even remember asking her to marry me. I can’t remember anything before these last couple of weeks. I must have hit my head at some point and suffered amnesia.

I sat and stared at the Sound. The water had a calming effect on me. Had I lived here all my life? I must have. Watching the hues of the impending sunset brighten the sky, I was enthralled. The amber shades of yellow and red with a hint of a dusky pink illuminated the darkening sky. Such soothing shades. But as the sun faded to black, reality reared its ugly head, and I knew there would be hell to pay for missing that damned appointment.

The slight breeze coming off the water chilled me. I stood and stretched, mentally preparing myself for the battle I knew awaited me. Along the way, I heard someone call my name, but they were yelling, “Alex.” Only my mother called me that and it wasn’t her voice I heard, so I didn’t turn around. The voice grew louder, more persistent, needy and desperate. I stopped and turned to check that the person calling out was okay, only to find a strange man running toward me.

He was out of breath. “Do I know you? Are you alright?” I asked. His face was flushed and streaked with tears.

“Alex, oh my God. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” Using the back of his hand, he wiped his eyes.

“I’m sorry, sir, but do I know you?” I once again asked.

“Alex, it’s me, Charlie.” His tone pleaded for me to recognize him, though I didn’t.

“Did my parents send you to find me?” This man was a stranger to me, yet something about him felt oddly familiar. “Perhaps we attended school together?” My classes were small but maybe he was only there for a short while and I’d missed him there.

He grabbed ahold of my forearm. “Don’t you remember me?” Sad lines creased his face as he begged me to remember him.

Right then, that ghastly voice I feared spending the rest of my life waking up to echoed down the street. “Alexander!” Charlotte yelled.

I cringed, dreading her next words.

“Alexander, where have you been? You missed the appointment with the caterer for our wedding dinner. I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you didn’t want to marry me.” Hands firmly placed at her hips, accentuating her irritation with me.