Misfortune: Christmas With Scrooge Page 12

  “You can take it in the study, it'll give you more privacy.”

  Rushing eagerly down into the room, her mind envisioning two-by-fours, drywall, and shiny new red bricks she found the phone against the back desk. With excitement, she dialed the number.

  She got through to the insurance company after the second ring and gave her name. They put her on hold for a few minutes while she anxiously waited. When the line was picked up again, the gentleman who assisted her and Dexter the day before came on the line.

  He began with pleasantries than plunged right in to his call. “I'm afraid I have some bad news.”

  “Bad?”

  “Yes, it seems your premium payment was paid late for the month of August. Unfortunately, we are unable to honor your contract with us.”

  Laura felt as if someone just plunged a knife dead straight in her midriff. She couldn’t possibly have heard him correct. “I-I know it was a little late, I’ve been having some financial difficulties. But I mailed it in as soon as I had the funds.”

  “We do offer a thirty-day grace period, however, you paid it on day thirty-five. I'm terribly sorry, but we won’t be able to help you.”

  “No, no, no,” she pleaded into the phone. “There must be something you can do? I’ve been paying for that plan for years now.”

  “Again, I'm terribly sorry Miss Witherow, and I hope this does not leave you with too much of an inconvenience.”

  She gasped at his words, the strength in her legs felt as if the blood had been drained from them. With a defeated sigh, she collapsed in the nearby leather sofa, the phone dangling from her limp hands at her side.

  “Laura? What's wrong?” Adell stood in the doorway.

  Her lips moved but nothing came out.

  The older woman came over and covered Laura's hand with her own before returning the receiver to its cradle. “You look dreadful. What happened? What did they say?”

  Her voice cracking, she spluttered out, “They're not going to cover my insurance claim.”

  “What? How can that be? There must be a mistake.” Horrified, she took the seat next to Laura.

  “They said I never made August's premium in time.”

  “And did you?”

  “Of course, it was just—” She was quick to maintain, but then the ghastly reality of her phone discussion struck her forcibly.

  “What is it?”

  Nauseated, she felt her stomach lurch. “I didn't have the money. I was going to cover it soon after the second Bingo Night, but I hardly made any money that night.”

  “Good Lord.” Adell bit her lip fretfully. “I'll call Dexter, right away. He'll know what to do.”

  Numb, Laura hardly registered the woman's words or actions. Adell reached over and began dialing a number on the phone.

  “Dexter, it's your mother. Something horrible has happened—no Laura's not been hurt, but—” She looked at the girl who stared mindlessly into thin air. “Can we come to see you as soon as possible—yes, it's very important—good, I'll see you then.”

  Hanging up the phone, she turned back to Laura. “Everything's going to be all right. Wait and see. Dexter will settle this.”

  Dexter. That was it! The money she had handed over to him to invest, she would use instead of the insurance claim. With a leap of hope, blood began to color her face and the air began to flow through her lungs once more.

  A short while later, they entered Britten Investments. Cara ushered them quickly into his office and shut the door privately behind them. Swiftly, Laura crossed the room, advancing on Dexter earnestly. He watched her rushed approach with his brows knitted together.

  “Dexter, I need my money back.” No time for salutations, she needed to get directly to the point of her visit.

  “What are you talking about?” He looked perplexed.

  “The money I gave you to invest, I need it back as soon as possible.”

  “Whatever for?” Irritation and confusion were evident in his expression, as he glanced back at his mother. “What is this all about?”

  “The insurance company refused her claim.”

  “What?” Angrily, he leaped to his feet, and grasped the telephone receiver in his hand. “Like hell they will!”

  Laura watched as his call was put through to the broker. Foaming at the mouth, he bellowed through the phone lines in an irate tone that even had Laura shivering. A few times, when he looked angrily up at her, she shrunk back defensively.

  When at last he slammed the receiver back on its cradle, he turned on her immediately. “You stupid, idiotic woman—”

  “Dexter!” Adell cried horrified, giving him a scornful glare.

  Laura wanted to cry, but instead bit down hard on her lip. Now was not the time to act upon her emotions.

  Infuriated, he spun on his heel, exposing his back to them and shutting out his feelings. She watched his shoulders lift as he inhaled deeply, then droop in despair.

  “They got you on a technicality. You didn't pay last month's premium and your thirty-day grace period has expired. According to the contract you signed, they are not entitled to owe you any claims.”

  At last he turned and looked at her. His eyes were dark and hard. “You're going to have to declare bankruptcy.”

  His mother gasped. “Dexter, there must be something you can do to help.”

  He shook his head even before Laura asked, “What about the money I gave you? If you give it back—”

  “I can't.”

  She froze, feeling a dreadful chill overwhelm her. “What do you mean, you can't?”

  “The money is locked in for a year. Dammit, Laura, I explained all this to you. The funds have been invested in a non-redeemable certificate in order to get the best possible return in the shortest period of time. You won’t be able to touch that money until its maturity, which we agreed that twelve months would suffice before you needed to withdraw from it.”

  She listened listlessly as she felt the life being sucked slowly from her. Adell was speaking, but her words were inaudible to Laura's frenzied mind. Instead, she found herself slowly turning around and walking out of his office. She needed, desperately, to get as far away from him as possible. Behind her, someone called her name, but she wasn't sure whom.

  She walked in a daze from the building and out into the cool September wind. Its chilling breeze struck her cold face and lifted the dark strands of hair from her shoulders, arousing her numb conscious momentarily.

  Focusing on the speeding cars whizzing by with their occupants rushing to return to a home, a family, and a life, Laura felt a staggering pity for the woman she had become. A feeling of hopelessness filled her heart, along with a sense of grief, for she despairingly mourned the girl she could never be.

  “Laura, don't!” Dexter appeared out of nowhere, seizing her arm in a fierce grip and wrenching her off the road's curb. “Are you insane? Nothing is worth that.”

  Bewildered, she stared up at him. What was he talking about? And what was he so angry about, now? He wasn’t the one who had lost everything and was now in financial ruin.

  He stared down into her wide vulnerable eyes, and clenched his jaw. An intense fierceness blurred his vision and had him wanting to reach out and shake her soundly. The wild emotions coursing his blood had an overpowering effect on his equilibrium. Instead he glowered angrily down at her and roughly ordered, “Go home, Laura. I'll see you shortly. We need to talk.”

  She continued to stare at his troubled profile even as he turned and called for his mother, who waited anxiously by the building entrance. She didn't think she could handle yet another “talk” with Dexter. Their talks always seemed to end in a heated confrontation. Something Laura's unsound mind was able to handle. For some bizarre reason, she was in the habit of unwittingly drawing an angry reaction from the man. If she had the answer to this, possibly she could divert his opinion of her.

  “Mother, take Laura home. Watch her closely and I'll be there as soon as I can.” He turned back to La
ura and added suddenly a notch softer, “Everything's going to be okay.”

  As she watched him walk away, she wondered why then did she feel her world was crumbling and she was drowning a slow painful death? With Dexter O’Reilly's likeness standing at the helm.

  “Come, Laura, let's get you home. A nice cup of tea will help ease your nerves.” Adell put a consoling arm about her shoulders and led her in the direction of the parking lot.

  They left together, passing the time in the vehicle in silence, Laura deep in thought, until they reached Adell's doorstep. It was then that Laura turned and advised the woman of her plans.

  “I thank you for your hospitality, Adell, but I'm going to take my leave now.”

  The woman looked alarmed. “What do you mean? Where will you go?”

  “I don't know yet. But I must leave, for my own sanity.”

  “You can't leave, now. Dexter will fix this, wait and see.” She reached out and touched the girl.

  Laura looked down at the loving, motherly hand and closed her eyes. “I'll leave with only the clothes on my back. The rest you should be able to get refunded. I thank you again, Adell, for all the help you've been to me.”

  Adell searched her eyes. “You're serious, aren't you?”

  Laura nodded. “I still have my father's annuity. It should tie me over for a little while.”

  “Let me help you one last time.”

  “No I can't—”

  “Please. Let me. Where are you going with so little money? You need help Laura and I want to give it.”

  Laura probed the older woman's determined face. “How?”

  “I have a cottage, along the coast of Lake Nipissing, we only use it during the summer. You can stay there until then. The scenery is breathtaking and the open air is exhilarating. Nothing could be better to help clear your mind.”

  “I don't know—”

  “Laura, you need to get away. I can provide an inexpensive solution, it's an opportunity for you to clear your head and get back on your feet.”

  A look of surrender began to appear on her face and Adell smiled encouragingly.

  “All right, but on one condition.”

  Adell sighed happily. “Of course, what?”

  “I'd like to leave now, and—” She looked seriously at the woman. “I-I don't want Dexter to know where I've gone.”

  The gladness drained from her face. “I can’t do that, he'll be so worried.”

  Laura shook her head. “I hardly doubt it. But that's beside the point. You must promise me.”

  She looked unsure, but nevertheless said, “All right. He won't know. But I still think—”

  Again she shook her head. “I can't Adell. You see you were right, I do care for your son, and his animosity towards me pains me greatly. I no longer have the strength to fight him.”

  Slowly the man's mother began to nod, understanding if not exactly agreeing. “Then you must go, before he arrives. I'll face the wrath.”

  “Thank you.”

  The older woman disappeared into the study only to reappear shortly. In her hands she carried a leather folder and a set of keys. “Here's the keys to the cottage, if you leave now you should arrive before night fall. Directions are in the folder as well as a bit of money to cover living expenses.”

  “I can't take your money.”

  “And live off what? The wilderness? You're a brave girl, Laura, but I hardly think that much. Of course you'll take my money.”

  Laura smiled with a tear in her eye. “I'll pay you back, every penny, I promise.”

  “I don't doubt someday you will be able to.” She smiled in return, then went over to the writer's desk and retrieved another set of keys. “You'll need a means of transportation. In the garage is my old Volkswagen, I never use it.”

  “Oh, Adell.” Impulsively, she hugged the woman and allowed the tears to fall. “You're wonderful. I'm going to miss you.”

  “Nonsense. We'll see each other soon. You just take as much time as you need to recuperate. Now go, before I change my mind.” With a zestful grin, she gave the girl a push.

  One last time she smiled her thanks then made her leave. Laura was going to miss the older woman. In such a short time they had become very close, a feeling kindred too maternal. Dexter O'Reilly didn't realize how good he had it.

  The Volkswagen was exactly where she said it would be and after only a few attempts, it choked to life. Giving a final glance in the direction of the home, Laura gave a sorrowful sigh, before turning the vehicle onto the road. Fighting back tears, she dare not look back in fear of Dexter's car appearing in her rearview mirror as he drove up the street. Needing to break all contact with him, although in her mind she knew was right, her heart told her otherwise. Seeing him again would only break her heart, and that she was certain would be her ultimate demise.

  With the directions stretched out across the passenger seat, she drove north until the city outskirts dropped off and she was cruising the wide-open countryside. Not long after she passed Huntsville, she climbed the steep back roads of the Nipissing inland, gasping at the breathtaking beauty of the countryside.

  Towering pine trees, some as tall as the skyscraper buildings along the horizon of the province's capital, covered most of the land. Laura had lived all her life in the Muskoka yet had little opportunity to travel north. In all its flawless splendor she was even rewarded a glimpse of a bull elk hovering along the roadside sporting a magnificent crown of antlers. This was nature at its supreme. Untouched and oblivious to a complicated and sometimes unmerciful world.

  It was nearing dusk by the time she whined the small vehicle along a grassy and narrow path leading to the cottage. At first sight, it appeared exactly that, a cottage. With its stone base and log cabin appearance, one could strongly feel the pioneer era. As she stepped out of the car she was assailed by a fresh untainted breeze of pine and lake water mingled with the cool sharpness of early fall. Adell was right; already she could feel the effects of the undisturbed surroundings and their restoring powers.

  Leaving the vehicle behind the house, she wandered down the rocky path leading to the front of the building, and was confronted with the exact expanse of the “cottage”. What appeared to be a small wooden cottage from behind, turned out to be an enormous chalet from the front, seated precariously high above a rocky shore. It was completely made of stone and logs, which continued in the same theme within the home.

  A warm living room with overstuffed furnishings, greeted her along with a huge elk head similar to the one she spotted along the road, keeping guard high on the cathedral's wooden wall. Its black beady eyes followed her as she crossed the room and went to investigate the rest of the cottage.

  Underfoot the cold surface of the knotty pine floor caused her to wish she had left her shoes on as her perusals discovered a large kitchen with a wall of windows overlooking a breathtaking view of the lake in all its awesome glory. Behind the kitchen was a dining room hosting an old harvest dining table that could easily seat ten, while upstairs she discovered three fabulous bedrooms with their very own timber theme throughout.

  Laura felt lucky to have met a woman such as Adell and been given the opportunity to stay in such an extravagant but welcoming home. And yet, the cottage was so big and vast she felt a sudden uncomfortable pang of loneliness. She would have given anything just to be able to share it.

  A hard, cold and unloving face came to mind. With sorrow she pushed the image aside. The first step to healing would be to erase the memory of the man for good from her mind. She knew, however, it wouldn't be easy, especially with the many numerous family photos gracing the walls.

  Surveying them all, her eyes fell upon the child image of Dexter. In one photo, he was beaming up at the camera, so full of joy, with his arm around his brother. Another photo showed him making a comical face, his eyes crossed for the photographer. She smiled and traced her fingers over the image of the boy he once was. It was not hard envisioning his childhood ghost running alo
ng those very pine floors. But if she intended to get on with her life, and that meant without him, then she needed to learn to scorn those very thoughts.

  Dropping her fingers, her smile vanished and she turned away with a sigh before starting a fire in the large stone hearth. Then, without warning, a silent unexpected tear rolled down her cheek.

  CHAPTER 7

  The wind picked up outside, thrashing angrily against the log cottage. Laura curled further into the warm knitted afghan she tucked around her feet; a good book propped against her knees. She knew the cold winter was coming and if she had any sense she ought to think about heading back to the city. But the actual thought of leaving her small haven was depressing. In the two months she had been there, she slowly but surely came to peace with herself.

  Painfully she faced the truth she had fallen in love with Dexter, and the feeling would never be reciprocated. She might have been able to live with that, but the bitter more disturbing realization was knowing not only would he never love her, but more painfully, wanted nothing to do with her.

  It was this pain which she came to face, and with it the foresight to a long and lonely life, for she knew with surprising assuredness her heart would belong to no one else.

  A loud painful howl came from the November wind outside her window. Putting her book down, Laura sensed the forlorn wail could have been her own. Soon it would be December and with the wintry month came Christmas. She wasn't sure if she had gathered enough strength to face another holiday alone, but she couldn't hide from the outside world much longer. She needed to leave soon, to get her life back in order. How, she wasn't sure, but knew she needed to get a job and a place over her head.

  Pushing the afghan aside, she slid her feet into a pair of slippers and crossed the cold floor to the kitchen. She just passed the threshold when the lights flickered and went out. The storm obviously taken out the few hydro poles crisscrossing the wooded shoreline. Thankfully, Laura was prepared, lighting the thick candle waiting on the kitchen table in such an event. She returned to the living room, checked the fire was still burning warmly, then sat back on the couch with the afghan curled around her, and the candle perched on the nearest table giving her light to read.