What Will Spring Bring?

Welcome to The Spot Writers. Prompt for April: write a story about “expectations for spring.”

Along with several short story collections and books of poetry, Cathy has published two novels: WOLVES DON’T KNOCK, a psychological drama, and MISTER WOLFE, the darkly dark sequel/stand-alone novel. She has also written two volumes of grief poetry in memory of her son Matthew that she hopes might help other grieving parents: MY HEART IS BROKEN and BROKEN HEARTS CAN’T ALWAYS BE FIXED.

 

Cathy continues with her Melvin saga (to be a novella in the very near future so she can get this guy out of her head and move onto something else!).

 

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What Will Spring Bring?

by Cathy MacKenzie

 

“I think I’m done, Marie.”

“Done? What do you mean?”

“Huh?”

“Melvin, you said it. Don’t give me that look as if you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“What look?”

“That look of yours. The innocent look.”

“Not sure what you mean.”

Marie flailed her arms. “There you go again. Just repeat what you said before this exchange started.”

“What did I say?”

“Melvin! Gah. Don’t you remember? You got dementia or something?”

“I’m fine, Marie. I’m totally fine.”

“So, repeat your words.”

“What words?”

Marie waved her arms in the air again. Stomped her feet. “Melvin! You’re more than exasperating. What you just said to me. Something about being done.”

“Oh, done. Yeah.” Melvin scratched his chin. Then the top of his head. Wished he had a cigarette, but he hadn’t smoked in years, not since he met and married Marie; giving up smoking had been one of her stipulations before their union (though he’d been tempted on many occasions!). “Dunno what I meant, Marie. Sorry.”

“I give up,” Marie said as she left the kitchen. “Perhaps I’m done, too—whatever ‘done’ means.”

“Marie! Marie! I know what you mean now.” He almost chased after her, but she’d stop before she got too far. And she did!

She stopped. Turned. “What?”

Melvin glanced at her before lowering his eyes to look at his scuffed shoes, the likes of which he wasn’t supposed to wear indoors. “Yeah, it’s spring—even though there’s still snow. I just think... I’m done with my bad ways. Yeah, that’s it, Marie! I’m gonna be a new man. One you’ll love even more. Call it my spring resolution.” He was surprised how his words gushed out.

She stared at him. Her mouth dropped. She licked her lips. Smacked them together. “I couldn’t love you any more than I do now, Mel. I just wish you had a bit more self-respect.”

“Yeah, well... I guess I mean I won’t go kayaking as much and I won’t—”

“What? Why? You love kayaking, Melvin. I’ve never once stopped you.”

“But you never go with me.”

Marie’s face paled. He wished he could take back his words. He should’ve played dumb. Or dumber.

He strode toward her. Put his arms around her. “I’m sorry, Marie. So sorry. I’m heartless at times.”

She wiggled out of his arms. “It’s okay. Just that... I miss my girls so much. And the water... It makes me sad. I can’t stop thinking about them and...”

He leaned into her. Kissed her cheek. Tasted her tears. “I know. I know.”

She stepped back. “Is that all you meant about being ‘done’?”

Melvin pondered. Knew Marie could see the wheels turning in his head. She always could read him. “Just done as—as in I’ll mend my ways, Marie. Be a better man. A better husband to you.”

“Aw, Mel, really? I’ve been wanting to hear those words for years. Truly?”

“Truly,” Melvin said. But his gut clenched. His heart beat too fast. Could he give up Kailani? She was a figment of his imagination, wasn’t she? He wasn’t a kid any longer. He was a grownup and should act like one. But... Kailani? Oh my Kailani. Can I give you up? Forever and forever?

“I love you, Marie. More than any other woman in the world.” He should’ve reached for her. Given her another hug. A kiss. But his hands were behind his back, and as he said the comforting words that Marie wanted to hear, he realized two of his fingers on his right hand were crossed, forming an “X.” 

“Melvin, you better!”

He released his fingers and, with his hands still behind his back, formed the sign of a cross with his two index fingers. Get rid of the draculas, he thought. Not that Marie was a vampire, but he could never be certain. And Kailani? Who knew if she were a real mermaid. Perhaps she was a vampire in disguise.

“Melvin, did you hear me?”

He sighed and uncrossed his fingers. Crossed them again. “I hear ya, Marie. I hear ya.”

 

From the author: Will Melvin keep his “spring resolution” or will he be back on the lake looking for Kailani? Come back next month when it’s warmer here in Nova Scotia to find out. Hopefully kayaks will be out of storage by then.

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The Spot Writers—Our Members:

Val Muller: http://www.valmuller.com/blog/

Catherine A. MacKenzie: https://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Phil Yeats: https://alankemisterauthor.wordpress.com

Chiara De Giorgi: https://chiaradegiorgi.blogspot.com/