#bahh i hope im writing merle well enough

[ingloriousblasters]

Second Chances - Chapter Two

Chapter One

Sorry, this took a lot longer than I had anticipated. The weekend kind of got away from me.

Anyway, here’s chapter two! Hope you like! 

Chapter Two

Nora and Anna sat at the one stoplight that went through the heart of Redwater. The car idling, Nora could feel the descent of eyes from the people around town staring at the unfamiliar vehicle.  Please turn green, please turn green. It felt like the more she wished for the light to change, the longer it stayed red.

“Oh Mama! Look at all those dolls!” Anna gasped from the backseat. Nora quickly gazed to her right, noticing the little toyshop that sat next to the old bookstore she had worked at. Nora felt a tinge of sadness in her stomach. It seemed like everywhere she looked while waiting for the light, she could see the ghost of her old life; playing like a faded film strip across her mind. The bookstore, Dede’s located a little further down the street on the left, the old grade school up ahead with the high school right behind it as you headed out of the heart of town. When the light finally turned green, Nora accelerated forward, this was going to be harder than she imagined.

It was only last week when she received the phone call from the doctor in the next town over from Redwater. Her mother had died. According to the doctor from Clear Creek, who was told by the church ladies that witnessed it, her mother was walking out of the grocery store and just dropped. Her heart had given out. Nora was stunned when she heard. She wasn’t sure how she felt. Sad? Angry? It was hard to say. After she had left Redwater and given birth to Anna, she sent her mother a letter and photo of the new baby, but she never received a response. Nora never wanted to cut off all ties; she just had to get out of the small town. She never hid where she had moved to, allowing her information to be listed in the phone book. But she never heard anything in five years. Not from her mother, not from Rodger, no one. Now here she was, reluctantly coming back to Redwater to take care of all the loose ends from her mother’s passing. The timing, she had to admit, was more than convenient as her landlord, Mr. Fitzpatrick, was raising the rent on their apartment again. The Fitzpatrick's were a decent couple. Mrs. Fitzpatrick doted on Anna, and let Nora drop her off in emergencies, but they, like all the other building owners in the city, had to keep up with the demand. Nora had made steady money as a waitress, but soon it wouldn’t be enough. She had to come up with a plan as it wouldn’t be long until Anna started Kindergarten.

As Nora made her way out of the center of Redwater and towards the subdivisions, Anna kept pointing out all the new things she was noticing. Having a sidewalk and couple trees as a backyard, the vast amount of open space was intriguing.

“Where are all the buildings at Mama?” Anna called from the backseat.

“There really aren’t any baby.” Nora turned her head slightly to answer her daughter. “We’re in the country. But that means more space to run around. No stopping at the street and turning around.” Nora hadn’t really explained to Anna why they were here yet. She wanted to keep all that away from her daughter as long as she could. She wanted to protect that childhood innocence as long as possible. Just returning to Redwater for the time being was already starting to worry Nora about what they might encounter.

They were meeting an attorney to see what could be done with her mother’s house. It had not sounded promising when Nora had gotten off the phone with the man the other day. As she turned down the street, she could see a sleek, expensive looking, black car waiting in front of the house. Nora pulled up into the little driveway and sighed. Oh Mama, what happened? The old house looked too far into despair. The red-shingled roof was falling apart and looked liked it had seen better days. The tan siding was caked in earth and ivy growing up the sides, and the front yard overgrown with weeds and who knew what else.

“Eww.” Anna remarked. Nora put the car in park and shut off the engine. She opened the door and smoothed out the champagne colored dress she was wearing, her slip underneath had worked its way up from shifting around in the car. She held the door for Anna, who popped right out of her seat clutching her little, stuffed, brown dog. The attorney made his way out of his car and walked to the other side to grab a black leather briefcase.

“Mrs. Buckley?” he asked as he stuck out his hand.

“Uh, Miss. Miss Buckley.” Nora replied, trying to swallow the nerves that had formed inside her as she took his hand. The attorney gave a slight nod and a look that seemed apologetic. A look Nora was very familiar with.

“Well, it seems your mother didn’t really have much of her affairs in order. She had a considerable amount of debt with the bank and missed many payments.” he said. “I can handle most of this, but will need you to go to the town hall to get copies of her death certificate. I’m afraid there wasn’t a will left behind, so I’m not sure how things will turn out. Like I said, she was in a lot of debt.”

“Oh, okay.” Nora found herself muttering. She had realized she was only half paying attention to what the attorney was saying. Spirals of thoughts were going through her head. She had a feeling things wouldn’t be great, but she never thought her mother wouldn’t leave a will. Nora ultimately knew what that meant, nothing. She would wind up with nothing. Immediately, her mind went into overdrive. How was she supposed to support herself for the time being? She had thought even if her mother had left her just a little bit of money, she would make it last until she found some type of employment. Now? Now she wasn’t so sure.

The attorney muttered something to Nora that sounded like an apology and continued to inform her about what would most likely happen. The bank would take the house as collateral for the debt her mother owed. Nora stared at the thing and thought it was for the best. If the outside was that bad, she could only envision the inside, the smell of alcohol and cigarettes infused into the walls and carpets. No way would she want her daughter to stay in something like that. You’ll figure something. Nora thought. You always do. You have to.

As they got back into the Plymouth, Anna asked Nora who lived in that old, dirty house. It starts. Nora replied that it was her Mama. She told Anna her Mama had fallen sick and passed away and was now in a better place.

“She dead, like Toby the fish?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. She’s dead.”

“I’m sorry, Mama.” Anna replied. To Nora’s surprise, Anna didn’t question her further.

****

Nora drove them back into the heart of Redwater to head towards the town-hall. The faster she jumpstarted on this whole process, the easier it would be to figure out what her next move would be. First thing would be to find a place to stay. The nearest hotel was at least an hours drive back East. It would make things with the attorney more difficult to handle, but she had tackled worse. Nora pulled up to the curb outside the town-hall, the old, concrete building towering over her. Anna bounced right out of the backseat again, a routine she was used to. They made their way through the thick, brown doors and down along the checkered floor to an older woman sitting at a desk.

“Excuse me.” Nora said. “I’m here to request some copies of my mother’s death certificate.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry hun!” the older woman said as she adjusted the big glasses sitting on her nose, the corners attached to a black string that went around her neck.

“It’s okay. I…I wasn’t really around much and our relationship just sort of…” Nora couldn’t finish the sentence. The way the older woman was looking at her caught her off guard. A sad smile on the older woman’s face, her eyes glossed over with what looked liked might be the formation of tears, a warmth to this woman. For once in her life, Nora was conversing with someone who actually took sympathy on her, and it didn’t feel insincere.

“Im sorry, do I know you? Nora asked rather abruptly. “It’s just that I grew up in Redwater, and I don’t believe we ever met.”

“Oh, no! That’s quite alright, hun. I’m probably a complete stranger to you. Name’s Doris. My husband and I moved here about 2 years ago.”

That explains it. Nora thought. Doris wasn’t around when everyone found out she was pregnant.

“Hi! I’m Anna!” The curly haired girl said, while waving her free hand that wasn’t holding the toy dog.

“Well hi there, sweetheart!” Doris responded back with a smile. Nora wondered if Doris had any idea who they were. After all this was Redwater. Even if she was old news, somehow, someway she knew her name would have popped up in some conversation.

“I’m sorry, what did you say your name was again, dear?” Doris asked Nora.

“Oh, I uh didn’t say. It’s Buckley….Nora Buckley. My mother was Catherine.” Nora waited for something to click in Doris’s head, for sure she must have heard about the “Buckley Situation” a few years ago. Doris just nodded her salt and pepper haired head, and told Nora to wait a couple minutes while she located and copied the certificate in the back room. While Doris was gone, Nora told Anna to sit in the chair near Doris’s desk, while she strolled up and down the little hallway. Numerous papers were stuck into a long, rectangular cork board. There were some for events around town, a Fall Festival later in the year, people buying and selling odds and ends, and off in the corner, a sign for job openings. Nora scanned through the couple of pieces of paper in the area; one called for a mechanic, the other a hairdresser. Neither occupations Nora had experience in. As she scanned the wall to see if there was anything else posted, Nora heard Doris quickly clear her throat to let her know she was back. Doris made her way over towards Nora, Anna still playing with her toy dog in the chair by the desk. She handed Nora a manilla envelop with the copies of the death certificate inside and smiled at Nora.

“Ya looking for some work, dear?” Doris asked. Nora nodded and explained that unexpected circumstances had popped up and that she was in need of something fast, but nothing on the board she seemed to be qualified for.

“Hmm.” Doris thought for a moment, crossing her arms and peering at the board. “Ya know, I came across a ‘Help Wanted’ sign about a week or so ago.” She said, looking back to Nora. “I think it was right on the outskirts of town, out near the railroad tracks. An old farmhouse.”

“The Dixon farm?” Nora asked.

“Ah, yes! That’s it. Knew it was someone, just couldn’t think who. That Dixon man never pops into town unless he has to.”

Nora nodded her head. She hadn’t thought about the Dixons in years. She remembered the night she told Rodger she was pregnant and when out to the fields. She had seen smoke coming from out there that night. Rumors about the Dixon clan ran wild in Redwater back in the day. Old Man Dixon and his wife were not a picture perfect couple and they didn’t try hard to hide it. Nora remembered hearing from her parents when she was younger all the things Mr. Dixon supposedly had done to his wife. For hearing so many rumors about a family, it occurred to Nora that she had never actually met any of them. Mrs. Dixon died in the fire when Nora was just a few years old, and Mr. Dixon hardly ever came into town. She knew they had had sons, but they were quite a bit older than Nora and were gone from Redwater as soon as they could. Nora wasn’t sure the Dixon’s place was the best place to go, but she knew she needed something fast. If Old Man Dixon would hire her right away, she could start saving money and settle her and Anna somewhere before school started.

“Thanks.” Nora replied. “I guess there’s no harm in checking it out.”

Doris agreed and gave Nora a reassuring squeeze of her arm. “Be sure to let me know how it goes!” She said.

“Why…why are you being so nice to me?” Nora asked skeptically.

“Everyone has their faults, dear.” Doris said. “How does the saying go? ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?’ No one is perfect. And those that think they are, are blinded by their own reflection.”

“Mama, can we eat yet?” Anna asked as she had snuck up on Nora and Doris. Nora gave her daughter a nod and told her to wait just a little longer. She returned her attention back to Doris, whose genuine smile had never faded in their conversation.

“Thank you.” Nora said to her, a smile forming on her own lips as she felt her eyes water. Whether or not the Dixon’s place worked out, she would be forever grateful that Doris was kind enough to offer her help.  

“Anytime.” Doris responded.

****

Nora and Anna had stopped for lunch inside Dede’s dinner after leaving Doris at the town-hall. It was a surreal feeling for Nora, being there with Anna. She could sense some of the customers inside eyeing them, clearly recognizing Nora as the death of her mother was still fresh in the town’s mind. As Anna ate her fries and shake, Nora contemplated going to the Dixon farm. Deep down, she knew it was her only option so far, but she was hesitant. She wasn’t sure what she could offer work-wise. It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle it, she just wasn’t sure if Mr. Dixon would take the time to train her. By the time Anna’s bottomless stomach was full, Nora had made up her mind. They would head out towards the old farmhouse. If it didn’t work, then at least they would already be on their way out of town and heading towards some sort of hotel to stay.

The old Plymouth made its way up the long, gravel road to the farmhouse, passing by a hand painted “Help Wanted” sign. Nora could see nothing but a cloud of dust in the rearview mirror. As they got closer, she could make out the main house. The two story had a dull, green roof, and the white siding was faded from the sunlight. The front porch, Nora noticed, wrapped around the entire building and was wide enough to fit four people across. There seemed to be no remnants of the old house that had burned down all those years ago. Nora parked the car in the open field of grass near the house, a faded, red pickup truck a couple feet over.

“Stay here, baby.” Nora told Anna as she made her way out of the car. “I’m just gonna go find the old man that lives here and talk to him real quick.” Anna shook her head as she took in the surroundings. Nora walked up the short flight of stairs to the front door of the house and knocked. No answer.

Knock Knock Knock!!!!

Nora hit the front door harder and still no answer. Surely someone had to be home, she thought, as she peered into the front window next to the door. When no one came, Nora decided to check the back. She made her way around the porch to the back of the house. Behind the house to the right stood the barn, its doors wide open and marks in the dirt that led out into the corn fields. Nora cupped a hand over her brows to peer out into the distant sunlight. She could make out the outline of a tractor coming towards her direction.

“EXCUSE ME!” She yelled repeatedly, while swinging her other arm, until the person on the tractor finally seemed to have heard her. They stopped the engine on the contraption and hopped off. Immediately, Nora’s heart started racing. Oh yeah, real good first impression. Yelling like an idiot while on someone else’s property.

When the man from the fields got closer, Nora felt confusion replace her rapid-beating heart. He wasn’t old, at least not as old as she pictured “Old Man Dixon.” He had short, cropped hair, brown with a hint of grey on the sides, the top just barely long enough to hint at curls. Wearing weathered jeans, he grabbed a rag out of his back pocket to wipe his dirt covered hands. His tanned arms were exposed in the white, wifebeater he was wearing, the fabric clinging to his body from the heat coming from the Georgia sun.

“Can I help ya?” He remarked loudly. “The hell ya doin on my property?”

“Are, are you Old Man….I mean, uh Mr. Dixon?” Nora asked. “I, uh, came to ask about the Help Wanted sign out front.” She finished sheepishly. The man’s deep, blue eyes bore into hers, making her feel exposed.

“Ain’t no Mr. Dixon, that was my Pa. Name’s Merle.” He replied. “And besides, ain’t needing help anymore, been meaning to take it down.”  Nora’s heart sank. She watched as he finished wiping off his hands and stuck the rag back in the pocket. She had to think of something, she wasn’t just leaving it at that.

“Please,” she heard herself mutter. “I can help out with whatever you need me to.”

“Look, Miss, ya seem real nice, but I don’t need any help.” Merle replied, his patience waining. For some unknown reason, Nora just wouldn’t let it go. This man wasn’t even going to give her a chance, she was used to people turning her down before, but with all the events from the day weighing her down, she wasn’t going to accept ‘no’ for an answer.

“Please,” she repeated. “Just give me a chance, I don’t like begging, but I haven’t even been here 10 minutes and…”

“Is this some kind of joke?” Merle cut her off. Nora furrowed her brows, a joke? Did he really think someone would drive all the way down here to pretend to need a job?

“I just don’t know what a woman like ya would be comin down here for? Don’t ya have a …”

“MAMA MAMA MAMA!!!” Anna called as she came around the back porch, a jingle of metal following her. Anna made her way up to Nora and Merle, with a German Shepard following right behind her.

“Baby, I thought I told you to stay in the car?”

“I know, but look a dog! He came from the behind the house!” Merle just stood there, biting his lower lip while watching these two strange females, who just showed up on his property, continuing their own conversation. Eventually, he cleared his throat rather loudly to make the woman aware he was still there.

“I’m sorry, this is my daughter, Anna. Anna this is, uh Mr. Dixon.” Nora responded.

“Hi.” Merle grunted out.

“Hi, Mr. Dixon.” Remarked Anna, while gently patting the dog, now sitting next to her. “He don’t look very old Mama.” Nora’s face turned bright red at her daughter’s comments.

“For Godsakes, I told ya there ain’t no Mr. Dixon or “Old Man Dixon” or whatever! My old man’s been buried six feet under for three years!” Merle huffed out, rubbing his hands over his face. As he gained control of his outburst, his eyes roamed over the woman in front of him. She seemed exhausted for how young she looked. Like she had lived a whole life’s worth in a short amount of time. Merle noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, and that her eyes were pleading with him without her actually saying anything. His anger subsiding, his rational side kicked in. Obviously this woman was in need of some sort of help. Knowing he was probably her last option in this awful town, he felt somewhat guilty about brushing the woman off so fast. Your just like them other folks from town, Dixon, he thought. Merle thought it over for a couple more seconds before speaking again.

“You cook?”

“Huh?” Nora asked, confused at the man’s change of mind.

“You cook?” He repeated, emphasizing the last letter. “Days are long out here in the fields, might be nice to come back in to a warm dinner or somethin.” Nora nodded her head, a faint smile on her lips. She wasn’t about to question his change of mind, if he needed a cook she would cook. Better than trying to be a mechanic. The two stared at each other for just a moment longer before Anna interrupted with giggles. The German Sheppard had knocked her over and began licking all over her face.

“Ah, get off puppy!” She squeaked as the dog wouldn’t let up.

“Ay, King, git off.” Merle yelled while blasting off a high pitched whistle. Obediently, the large ball of fur walked away from the girl and towards Merle.

“Uh, I guess I should give ya the tour then, huh.” Merle asked Nora.

“Guess so.” Nora said as she waited for Merle to take the lead. She still wasn’t sure how well this would work out, but for the time being, Merle Dixon would have to do.