The Inner Struggle: Beginnings Series Book 7 (23 page)

“Sure we are, Dean. Reverend Bob married us.”

“Let’s see how I can say this.” Dean took a moment to think. “I went to history this morning. Which by the way, do you know Trish has a purple appointment book?”

“Yes I do, It’s pretty.”

“Why does she have an appointment book, El?” Dean asked.

“To keep track of who wants to come to history, why else? Plus new history rules state you have to have an appointment to view. Joe approved that one last week.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little odd?” Dean commented. “I mean, doesn’t Trish seem like she’s stuck in the old world?”

“Oh sure, but that’s fine. It keeps things very professional in history. She likes to be business like. The only thing I can’t make her understand is that she is never really gonna get a fax on that fax machine Cole brought her back. She keeps waiting and waiting.” Ellen snickered. “I told Cole to get me one so I can fax. . . wait a second, what’s Trish’s fax machine have to do with my marriage to Henry.”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are we talking about it?”

Dean stopped to cringe and catch his calm. “Because it proves she is a stickler. El, listen to me. I went to history.”

“You’re not going to go off the subject again are you?”

“No.” He shook his head. “While I was there I asked to see the understanding rule book. She asked if it was for my understanding with Henry.”

“Oh she’s perceptive that Trish is. How did she know?”

“She didn’t. She thinks you and I are back together. I told her I couldn’t be primary because Henry was your husband. At that time, she proceeded to show me that Reverend Bob never filed the paper work or license.”

“Maybe he forgot.”

“True.” Dean held up his finger. “Then I ran into Reverend Bob who told me he never married you. It was April Fool’s Day. He thought you were kidding him so he played an April Fool’s joke right back. He said he never really married you. You aren’t married”

Ellen shrieked and stood up. “Oh my God! I’ve been living in sin?”

“What?”

“Just kidding.” She sat back down. “This is funny. Wait, no it’s not. Shit.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Does Henry know? I bet he knows now.”

“No. Trish isn’t saying anything and neither is Reverend Bob. I thought I’d tell you first so you could figure out how to break it to Henry before Frank finds out.”

“Frank.” Ellen plopped backwards on the couch. “We have to keep this from Frank for a while. He will have a field day.”

“Let me tell you something, El. What were the reasons you two didn’t say anything when you thought you got married? You didn’t want to be stopped? Guess what? If Frank finds out, he’ll be watching you like a hawk this time because he will not let it happen again.”

Ellen took a long breath and sat up looking so calm. “Yes true. But we’re good right? I mean Frank doesn’t know so we’re all right.” She stood up from the couch. “Let’s get back to work. I don’t want to think about this right now.”

“You have to think about it before we leave here.”

“I know.” Ellen moved to the other mobile. “Frank doesn’t know right? You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

<><><><>

There was a certain silent snicker that crept within Frank as he watched Henry working on the cooling unit in Fabrics. He snickered because Henry swore as he lay on his stomach and reached under the unit for something that rolled there. He snickered because Ben and Todd watched every wiry move Henry made and he snickered, well, because he was about to be the bearer of good news…or bad news to Henry, depending on who looked at it. “Henry.” Frank crouched down beside him.

“Hey Frank,” Henry grunted. “Almost . . . got…it.”

“Henry,” Frank lowered his voice to a whisper, “you have an audience watching you wiggle under here.”

A loud ‘bang’ and then an ‘ow’ came from Henry and he quickly scooted out holding his tool. “Got it.” He rolled over and then quickly stood up, shifting his eyes to Ben and Todd who went their separate ways back to work. “What’s up?”

Frank snickered.

“Oh you are sick.” Henry dusted himself off.

“You’re a very attractive man, Henry. It’s bound to happen.”

“Frank.” Before Henry bitched, he saw that Frank’s comment had drawn the attention of Ben and Todd. “Uh, look.” Henry motioned his head to them.

Frank slowly turned his head and received a bright smile from both Ben and Todd. “What? You don’t think he’s attractive?”

“Frank!” Henry tossed his tool in his bag.

“Henry, take a walk with me.”

“Frank.” Henry leaned to him whispering in a cringe. “You know how that’s gonna look after that comment.”

“Oh so what?” Frank grabbed his arm. “You should be proud to be seen with me. Walk.”

“Where are we going?” Henry pulled his arm away, grabbed his tool bag, and followed him out.

“We have to talk.”

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re not going to like this Henry.” Frank turned his head, smiled then looked again at Henry with a serious look. “I’ll try to tell you this as good as I can without shocking you. O.K.?”

“O.K.”

“You and Ellen aren’t really legally married. Reverend Bob didn’t perform a legitimate service. He thought it was a joke and guess who’s laughing now.” Frank smiled then wiped it from his face. “Of course, it’s not me.”

“Where in the world do you come up with these bad jokes, Frank?”

“It’s not a joke, Henry.”

“And I’m supposed to believe you?” Henry asked. “Why would you know this anyhow, Frank ?”

“Because I overheard my Dad and Reverend Bob trying to break the law and legally marry you guys without you two ever knowing that you weren’t legally married.” Frank took a breath. “So there.”

“Right.” Henry started walking. “This isn’t funny, Frank.”

“I’m not joking. But . . .” Frank ran up to him. “Reverend Bob was . . . on April Fool’s Day.”

“Shit.” Henry stopped cold. “This can’t be.”

“It’s true, Henry.”

“El and I aren’t married?”

“Nope, which means . . .” Frank poked him in the chest. “You’ve been living in sin. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

“Oh you’re full of shit Frank. I actually believed you for a second.” Henry shook his head.

“Henry, ask my Dad if you don’t believe me.” Frank pestered behind him.

“You know what, Frank. I will.”

“Let’s go.” Frank pointed to his Jeep. “I’ll drive.”

Reluctantly Henry stepped in and took the short ride to where Joe was fixing something at the bakery. Henry and Frank stepped inside, stopped at the same time to take a deep smell, smile, and then found Joe in the back, under a sink.

Frank leaned over the sink and peered into the drain. “Hey, Dad. What would happen if I turned the faucet on right now?”

Joe looked up as he lay on his back. “My foot would go straight up your ass.”

“Oh.” Frank stepped back. “Henry needs to talk to you.”

“What is it. Henry? I’m busy helping you.”

“Joe.” Henry looked down through the drain peering through the hole at Joe. “Frank told me that El . . .”

“Yes.” Joe answered.

“I didn’t ask you anything.

“If you’re asking me if what Frank told you is true. Yes, it’s true.”

“Joe, you mean to tell me Ellen and I aren’t married?”

“Nope,” Joe grunted. “Who the hell put these washers on last? Christ, they’re tight.”

Henry scratched his head and stepped back. “It’s a Slagel thing isn’t it? Both of you are in this together.”

With a deep echo from yelling back up the drain to them, Joe spoke, “Frank, he needs proof. Go get Reverend Bob and all three of you go to history.”

Frank faced Henry. “You heard my Dad? Do you want proof?”

“Yeah, I want proof.” Henry walked ahead of him. “I know you’re joking. But if you’re not… you’re just loving this aren’t you, Frank?”

“Who me?” Frank laid his hand on his chest happily. He walked behind him so Henry couldn’t see his smile. “I’m torn up that this has happened to my two closest friends.”

“So you see, Henry,” Reverend Bob spoke with compassion as they hit the door to history, “that is how it went down. I am so sorry.”

Henry’s head swayed. “I can’t believe this.”

“Sorry.” Reverend Bob opened the history door. “This should be your final proof.”

Trish looked up from her book with a wide smile as Frank, Henry, and Reverend Bob walked into her domain. “Afternoon. What brings you to history?”

Reverend Bob approached the desk. “We need to show Henry the list of marriages filed here.”

Trish pulled the purple appointment book front of her. She opened it. “You don’t have an appointment. Would you like to make one?”

All three of them looked at each other.

Trish flipped another page. “You know the new rules. You can’t view history without an appointment.”

Reverend Bob tried to reason. “Trish dear, it’ll only take a second. Henry needs to see.”

“Please Trish?” Henry asked.

Trish looked like she thought about it then quickly shook her head. “I’m sorry. I need to prepare and if I break the rules for you, everyone who wants to review history will think they don’t have to have an appointment. I’ll have mass confusion in here.”

Frank threw his hands up. “Who the fuck ever wants to view history?”

Trish gasped, “I’ll have you know, lots of people find it interesting reading especially the event files.”

“Well, we have an appointment,” Frank said.

“Where?” Trish asked.

“Right there.” Frank pointed and shut her book. “So there.”

“Hey!” She reopened it. “I’ll make an appointment if you like.”

“Then make it for now,” Frank tried not to argue.

“How about . . .” Trish picked up her pen, “tomorrow at two?”

“How about now?” Frank insisted then he leaned into Reverend Bob and Henry. “We’re going in.” Frank cleared his throat and motioned his head to behind Trish. “Hey, Trish. You uh . . . got a fax.”

“I do?” She turned her head and quickly turned back when she saw them rushing the back room door. “Stop!” She stood up. “I’ll call security.”

Frank stepped to her. “I am security!”

“Then you know rules are rules.” She waved her finger at him. “Why do you want to see the marriages Henry? Just ask Dean. I showed him the whole list this morning.”

Henry slid in a stop and turned around as she sat calmly back behind her desk. “You showed Dean?”

“Yeah,” Frank pointed, “why’s that? Did he have an appointment?”

Henry stopped Frank from saying anymore. “Trish, did you know Ellen and I aren’t really married?”

“Oh sure, Henry,” Trish said. “The paper work was never filed with me. Reverend Bob always does that timely. He’s so good about it.” She giggled.

“But Trish,” Henry continued, “you heard me and Ellen call each other husband and wife for how long? Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

“Well I thought that’s what you called each other. You seem dedicated and . . . you live together.” She shrugged. “Lots of people did that in the old world.”

“So you told this to Dean?”

“Yes,” Trish answered.

Henry faced Reverend Bob. “Dean told you this?” He saw Reverend Bob nod. “And you told Joe then Frank overheard. Dean started this all?” He turned back to Trish again. “All because you opened your mouth to Dean. Aw man, Trish. Dean?” Henry stomped and whined. “Dean?” He stepped back. “I can’t believe you told him first instead of me.” He saw she really didn’t pay attention to him. “You know what Trish? You . . . you . . . you suck!”

“Hey!” Trish immediately stood up when Henry stormed out. “I’m telling Joe!”

Frank watched as Reverend Bob, looking so guilty as he followed Henry out. Trying not to laugh and looking understanding, Frank laid his hand on Trish’s shoulder, guiding her totally upset being back into the chair. “You know what Trish? You don’t suck. In fact, you’re one of my favorite people in Beginnings today.”

“Thanks, Frank.” Trish still looked sad.

“Keep up the good work.” He moved to the door. “You did the right thing. This needed to come out. Don’t let Henry make you feel bad.” He opened the door. “I appreciate what you did.” Walking out, Frank clenched his fist with a ‘Yes!’ and trudged off to find Henry and Reverend Bob.

<><><><>

It was late, as expected, when Ellen and Dean left quarantine. They walked slowly to the row of houses where they both lived. Their pace was not as fast as when they first dropped off the Jeep at the garage.

Ellen stopped walking a house before her own. “He’s still awake.”

“Henry’s an insomniac. What did you think?”

“Should I tell him tonight, Dean?”

“As soon as possible. El.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “This isn’t really that big a deal. So you aren’t married, so what.”