Chapter 12: Moving Day

I should have left last night. Now, I was frantically running around Marinas bedroom babbling about needing a shower, being late to meet Shane and trying to find my clothes. Marina lay across the bed, smirking at my rising panic about what I was going to tell Shane about why I was running late.

Calm down, Freddie. Youre not going to be late, and Shane will be fine. Marina soothed. I glanced up at her from the floor where I was searching under the bed for my shoe. Her smile was seductive and her voice was like warm honey; I wanted to crawl back into her bed.

With every ounce of self-control I continued searching for my clothes. Where is my shirt? I mumbled to myself as I walked out of the room thinking it might still be downstairs. Sure enough, I found my shirt and my bra lying across the back of the sofa.

When I entered the bedroom, I stopped dead and simply stared. Marina was standing naked in the bathroom doorway; the most wonderfully naughty grin danced on her face as she spoke, Come. After we shower, Ill drop you at your bike on my way to the Planet. All thoughts of meeting Shane, packing, movingit all evaporated from my mind as I followed Marina into the shower.

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When I pulled up at my apartment, Shanes truck was already there. And she and Tina sat on the open tail gate, feet singing in the air like children.

Hey, Shane. Tina. What are you doing here? I asked.

I thought you might need a hand moving, so Shane picked me up on her way over. Tina answered as she hopped off the tailgate and eyed me up and down. You are pretty dressed up to be packing and moving; dont you think? She smirked.

I smiled and looked down at myself, What this old thing?

Come on, Tina, leave her alone. Shane nudged Tina and winked in my direction as she spoke. It was Freddies last night of freedom before shes tied to Ms. Actresss house and dog. No more wild nights after last night, huh, Freddie?

Tina tossed Shane a half scowl, and I mouthed her a thank you. She grinned and stood up to close the tailgate of the truck. Suddenly, she turned to Tina and asked, Did you see Marina at the planet when I stopped for coffee this morning?

I threw Shane a pleading look, not to go there.

Tina eyed me as she spoke. No. I asked Thomas where she was, and he said she was coming in late this morning.

Hm. Thats odd, dont you think? Marina is never late for work. Shane said, shaking her head. Unless shes, um Shane cleared her throat. tied up at home. The grin she wore made it impossible to be mad at her teasing. I knew she knew what was going on; and it was fairly clear that shed clued Tina in on it. So much for subtle, friendly pseudo-dating, or what ever it was that Marina and I were doing. Everyone would know by sundown. There was nothing for me to do but shake my head.

Tina came over and put her arm around my shoulder and simply said Marinas a wonderful woman, Freddie. Im happy for you two.

I glanced at her and started to say something; but Tina continued, So, Im ready to get to work. Lets get moving.

Tina, that is very sweet of you, but I really dont have much. And besides, you dont need to be doing any lifting, mommy. I grinned, patting her tummy.

Oh, please, I am pregnant, not an invalid. Tina protested. But, if itll make you happy, Ill only carry the light stuff.

I shook my head at her stubbornness, and turned to toss the keys to the bike to Shane calling Wear the Helmet!

Shane grinned at me, ran over kissed both our cheeks, and placed the keys to her truck in my hand sayingI promise as took the helmet from me.

Tina and I both shook our heads as we watched Shane speed off.

Where is Bette today? Why arent you two picking out baby furniture or something? I asked as we walked up to my apartment.

Bette is at the CAC getting ready for the new exhibit. It opens in 2 weeks and she is a bit frantic. Besides, I wanted to help you get moved. She said with a warm smile.

As I unlocked the door, I cringed, Im afraid I havent done much in the way of packing yet. The door swung open and I gestured into the apartment. But on the upside, I really dont have much, so it shouldnt take long.

Wow. Tina exclaimed, her mouth hanging open for a second. You really dont have much. This wont take long at all.

Especially since most of it isnt going with me. I wont need it and wont have anyplace to store it while Im house-sitting. I said as I stepped into the room.

I have some boxes so we can pack up what I want to keep. I handed Tina some packing tape and gestured to the small pile of boxes waiting to be assembled and filled.

Holding the first box, Tina asked Where should I start?

I looked around. How about the kitchen? Just box it all up for Goodwill. There is some old newspaper there to use as packing.

All of it? For Goodwill? You dont want to keep any of it? Tina asked in disbelief.

Tina, wait until you see it. It is all mismatched stuff that came from Goodwill to begin with. Nothing of any value, sentimental or otherwise. I said as I moved over to the tiny stereo and hit the play button on the CD player. Harry Connick Jr.s voice floated out of the speakers and filled the room with his version of the oldies.

Tina sang softly with the music, as she picked up the newspaper and moved towards the kitchen.

Oh, wait. I do want one thing from the kitchen. I said as I ran into the kitchen before Tina could get started. I rummaged through the small drawer next to the sink, sighing when I found what I was looking for. Cant let these go. I said as I held up a single set of silverware. Tina took them from my hand and laughed as she realized why I had selected this particular set. What? You cant find these just anywhere, ya know? A complete set—fork, knife and spoon. These are collectible man.

Whered you get these? Tina asked. This is the really old Holiday Inn logo. My family traveled a lot when I was a kid. I cant tell you how many mornings I remember seeing that flashing trial of green lights ending in the arrow head pointing to the entrance of the hotel parking lot. When we traveled, my parents liked to get an early start. It would still be dark outside when my dad would pick me up, still asleep and carry from the hotel room to the back seat of the car. Tina pauses, running her finger over the logo on the knifes handle. My dads face and those flashing lights were often the only thing I saw as we left the hotel. Her voice trailed off, as she looses herself in the memory.

I watched her for a moment. Keep um. I said softly. Thats a wonderful memory. Who knows, maybe youll find one of those old Holiday Inns and take Junior some day.

Tinas mouth fell open and she held the set out to me. I couldnt. This is the only thing you wanted to keep.

Nah. Its only a bunch of clutter and Ive got way too much stuff as it is. I laughed gesturing at the near barren apartment. Before she could speak, I walked out of the kitchen to begin packing the bedroom.

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I was just finishing the closet when Tina came in asking What next, boss?

Are you sure you want to do this? I asked as I looked at my few belongings I really dont have that much and Im sure you have better things to do with a beautiful Saturday.

Tina put her hands on her hips and said in a firm voice, What next?

I just chuckled at her attempt at sternness. Okay, mom. I teased. If you insist, all the stuff on that bookcase needs to be packed to go with me. I gestured to a small piece in the corner.

Tina went over and began as I took the last of the things from my closet.

Freddie. Who is this? Tina asked, as she held up a picture frame.

I squinted at the framed picture she held in her hand. Oh, that is my group of friends from.. I paused for a moment as I remembered the day that picture was taken. I looked at Tina and smiled as I continued. Thats from college. Its the night before graduation. Its not the greatest picture; but thats me there in the middle. I said with a chuckle.

Tina studied the picture more intently. Thats you? Tina laughed, pointing at the picture. Oh, my God. Look at that mullet!

Hey, I was stylin, Ill have you know. I defended myself, but chuckled as I went back to packing.

And this? Tina held up another picture frame. Seeing the picture, I sighed and moved to sit on the edge of the bed next to Tina. I took the picture from her hand wiped the dust off on my shirt before staring at it for a long moment. This is Mattie. I said as I handed the picture to Tina. That was her first birthday.

Tina took the picture and studied the tiny girl smeared with chocolate icing. Shes beautiful. Tina cooed. How old is she now?

I looked at the picture for a long moment before answering, We lost Mattie a few months after that picture was taken.

Tinas hand flew up to her mouth as she spoke, I am so sorry, Freddie. I didnt mean to pry.

I looked Tina in the eye and shook my head saying No. Dont be silly. Mattie was a beautiful child. We were blessed to have her at all, even if it was too short a time.

Tinas eyes filled with tears.

Tina. It is okay. I offered as I took Tinas hand in mine. Mattie was a gift in my life and I loved her dearly, but she had to go on from this world and I had to go on in it.

Tina looked at me as she spoke slowly. Bette and I were pregnant before. I miscarried at 12 weeks. The tears spilled down her cheeks as she rubbed a hand across the tiny bulge forming at her stomach. I am so afraid that something will happen this time.

I didnt know what to say, so I lifted my hand to rub Tinas shoulder as she cried. Finally I offered, Most problems happen in the first trimester. Youre beyond that now. Im sure youre going to have a beautiful, healthy baby.

I know. Tina sniffed. But, thats why Bette and I kept it a secret for so long. Tina paused as she wiped the tears from her face. Everyone was very supportive when we lost the first baby, but I didnt want to go through that again. In many ways, they were as upset as we were. Tina paused and wiped her eyes again. I couldnt bear to go through that again.

We sat quietly on the edge of the bed for a long moment, both lost in our own painful past.

Hey I grinned. You want to see some more pictures of Mattie?

Tina gave a weak smile and nodded; I got the small shoe box of pictures and we both sat on the floor at the foot of the bed as I sifted through the loose pictures and the ancient memories. We sat there for the next hour looking at pictures and laughing as I told the wild tale of my 28 hour labor, followed by the stories of Matties first tooth, first words, first steps.

Okay. Back to work. I teased as I stood up and looked around at all there still was to do. Break is over.

Tina grabbed my hand. Oh, honey. If you cant stand up by yourself nowtisk.youre in trouble. I laughed as I began to pull her up from the floor.

Tina snatched her hand away and swatted at me. I can stand up by myself, thank you very much. She huffed. I was just gonna say thank you.

I took in her words of thanks and nodded their acceptance, but continued to tease. Come on then. Lets see it. When Tina rose easily from the floor, I shrugged adding Yeah well, your days of doing that are numbered. Just wait. Again, Tina swatted at me and we both laughed as we returned to our packing.


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Two hours later we sat in the living room, each with a bottle of water, surveying our work. We had everything packed and divided into two piles: to donate or to keep.

How long are you house-sitting for? What will you do after?” Tina asked

The house sitting thing is for 4 months. Im not sure what I will do after that. I guess I will look for another apartment. I said shrugging, as I considered the possibilities. I dont know. Ill cross that bridge when I get to it.

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After we dropped everything off at Goodwill, Tina asked me if Id take her to the Planet; she was suppose to meet Alice and Dana there. She invited me to join them, but I still had to get the stuff I was keeping and get over to the house by 6.

I thought about going in to say hi to Marina when I dropped Tina off, but decided Id just call later. I wanted to shower and change before I went to meet Ms. Richter.