Being Mrs Spence

“… I remember one of our time out here, I sat watching you move to the lake side. You spread out your hand, with your face raised to the sky and eyes shut. The sun kissing your face brightened up your beauty and you appeared like an angelic being. I couldn’t get enough of such precious moments. It was a rare sight stored in my memory. Flox, If I ever forget everything about you which is impossible though, I will never forget that picture you created on my mind seven years ago. I have a similar oil painting hanging in my sitting room…

“Oh really. Wooow! You personally asked an artist to paint it…?

Florence exclaimed smiling.

“No, I was driving and sighted it an art gallery. It wasn’t exactly but almost. It still speaks of the true beauty of nature. I asked of the price, expensive but it was worth every dime. I bought it with extra two but that particular one stood out as my best.

Florence looked up at him and smile.

“We had similar passion for nature before we separated, I got married and some things didn’t appeal to my senses anymore. Well, so I thought until this moment. Probably because the man I married wasn’t a nature freak like I used to be. I miss a whole lot of things in my five years of marriage but I blame no one for that. Marriage always comes with different baggage… you know…

She swallowed hard before breathing in deeply.

“… I will love to see the painting but I don’t know how possible that…

She paused, folded her hand in akimbo style.

Max saw the sadness in her eyes. He wish he can comfort her and take away whatever that was troubling her.

“Do you want to come around to my place some time? Please let me know whatever you decide and it will be a honor having you under my roof again.

Florence nodded, she told him probably next weekend but she will let him know if she can make it or not.

They become quiet, Maxwell picked up a peddle, he began throwing it towards the water side.

“Do you remember one comedy show we attended one evening, it was during an Easter period? Max asked her

Florence nodded without looking at him. Maxwell continued

“… there will be a live show next weekend. If you are interested, I can book down our tickets ahead of time…

Florence was quiet.

“… is okay if you don’t feel like it. Or you can come with your loved ones too. I will pay for all the tickets just let me know ahead of time. Is that okay by you, do you want to think about it or you aren’t interested?

“Dunno. I can’t tell.. give me from now till morrow… let me check my schedule.

Florence replied.

“Alright then. There’s no problem. By the way… how’s your elder sister Susu? She nicked named me journey walker because of the way I’m always on the road travelling. I remember she saying if we happen to get married, you will become Mrs Walker or Mrs journey…

Florence started laughing, Maxwell joined her.

“I Remember that too. She will always ask me, “Flo, is Mr Walker back or he’s still journeying” I will tell her that you were still journeying. My sister can be super funny… she’s doing great by the way. Mother of two boys, if I include her husband then it will three boys. She usually say “my boys are out, my three boys are in the game room playing tennis or soccer…

Maxwell laughed out.

He was happy to watch Florence laughing.

They stayed talking about many other things.

They later went to the cafeteria and ordered for food and drinks.

The day was getting dark.

After they were done, they stayed up talking some more before Maxwell said.

“I guess is time to held home. I don’t always feel comfortable with a lady driving late at night. If not that you came with your car, I would have love to take you home first.. to make sure you are home safe.

“I don’t feel like going yet, I want to stay a little more before thinking of entering the road again.

Florence didn’t want to tell Maxwell that she was lodging in a hotel. Going back to her hotel room will be so lonely and quiet. She may start thinking of her present predicament of which she doesn’t want to. Staying out will take her mind away from certain things.

Maxwell did not want to argue with her but he wasn’t comfortable with the fact she wanted to stay out late when is already 9:30pm.

Her husband and probably kids maybe worried about her.

Driving alone, late at night is quiet dangerous for a vulnerable lady.

“… i feel like taking some liquor, i want to get intoxicated a little before leaving or better still take it along with me to my hote… to my house..

Maxwell knew she was about to say hotel but quickly change it.

He has many things running through his mind. He wondered if it was a mere slip of tongue or Florence was actually lodging in a hotel.

At same time he tried not to pry.

“, You can’t take a liquor to night… you will be driving remember and is 10pm already. Maybe next time you can have enough of alcohol as you like but not to night…. alright?

He gently took her hands into his, pat it gently and try to remind her that she is very important, not just to him but to many others who wouldn’t want to see any harm come to him.

Florence withdraw her hands from him.

She stood and told Max that she was going.

Maxwell Walked her to her car and asked her to drive safely.

After she drove off, Maxwell retuned to his own car and drove away.

**************

Cole searched frantically, he opened several cupboard, bags, lockers, lifted the bed, on every corner and even on the roof.

He rushed down from the stairs to the gym house where Marina was doing a pregnant woman exercise.

“Marina… Marina…

Cole was shouting her name as he rushed towards her.

Marina sat up, drank deeply from her filled smoothy juice. She looked unbothered as Cole approached her.

“I’m looking for my money, did you take it… or happens to see it?

Marina sighed before saying

“How much is even the money that is missing?

Cole mentioned and it was thousands of dollars which he kept away safe.

“How can you even accuse me of taking your money, how… just how Cole? Do I look like a thief to you. How can I go to your bag and take such a huge amount? What do you take me for. Is probably Florence that stole the money the last time she came to pick some of her things. This accusations is a huge disrespect to me…

Cole stood not knowing what to do or say anymore.

Florence has been gone for over a week. All his five years of marriage to Florence he has never looked for anything, mostly cash.

Florence was careful, articulated, neat and many other great attributes that Marina lacks.

He could have agreed with Marina that Florence probably took the whole money due to the fight they had but after Florence was gone, he still saw the money on the second day.

Florence has never returned ever since, so how come the money went missing.

He frowned at the way Marina was already throwing tantrum.

She was mad at him for accusing her of stealing instead of Florence.

He has no choice than to quickly apologies.

And blames himself for the carelessness as he promised to go back search again.

Marina sighed out of relief as she relaxed back and continue sipping her smoothy.

Cole sadly climbed up the stairs to the main house, he angrily punched the wall out of frustrations and held back his hand in pain.

He went to the master bedroom which he presently shares with Marina. The room was in a mess.

He doesn’t even know where to start from in cleaning the room.

Marina’s stuffs were everywhere. He was tired.

Even though Marina has asked him not to employ a female help, she does not want any lady to start competing with her over her man and the house.

he has to look for somebody who will cook, wash and clean because he was tired of doing it and seeing dirts.

He was fed up from cleaning the house ever time while Marina goes on messing it up.