Chapter 32
I had just reached my door when I heard my landline ringing. Fearing it was the police officer needing more information, I rushed inside, I picked it up breathlessly in my haste and panic.
“Hello?” I questioned hoping they hadn’t hung up. I still hadn’t checked my machine and had no idea if it was full or not.
“Hi, is this Charlie Phillips?” A warm sounding female voice asked.
“Yes, I’m Charlie, can I help you?” I asked, curious who would be calling so late.
“You don’t know me, and have no reason to believe anything I say, I know, but I was hoping you would agree to talk to me anyway. I’m Maria Summer, Ben’s wife.” I froze, I had no idea what to do or say. “Please don’t hang up?” She hastily added, which made me snort. “I know you’ve had a long and awful day, finding out about Lycans, being told you’re someone’s soul mate, and then the argument between Daniel and Ben. I’m so sorry for intruding on your life like this, but as Beta female, my role is to support the Luna. I know you don’t want the role or Daniel after everything that was said, but I was hoping we could meet for a cup of coffee tomorrow? I know the cutest little bistro on Pine Street? That’s near you, right? I hope you don’t mind, I got your information from Ms Michaels, the woman is amazing, never forgets a thing.” She was rambling, but in a sweet endearing way, I couldn’t help but admire her bravado. “Anyhoo, one cup of coffee and I swear it will be the last you hear from me if that’s really what you want. I would really just love to have one conversation with you. One hour that’s all I ask. Please?”
“I don’t know, I have a funeral to arrange and a funeral home to find, I don’t know that I will have time.” I stalled, really not sure if I wanted to be dragged back into that drama.
“Okay, I understand, but you should know, I’m the social chair of the pack, I’ve taken on some of the Luna duties until Daniel found his mate. So, I know every caterer in the state. I also know Pike and Son’s funeral home, will offer you the best rate but then stick a ton of extras on to stiff you after they get the contract. But Thompson and Simms funeral home, although a little more expensive, will do everything in their power to give your loved one the send-off they would’ve wanted. I can give you all my knowledge and contacts for the low, low price of one conversion and an hour of your time?” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You drive a hard bargain, but okay, I will meet you tomorrow for one cup of coffee.”
“Excellent, I will see you then. Is ten too early for you?” She asked, with glee in her voice.
“No. That would be fine, I will see you then.” I replied, feeling like I may have been conned.
“Perfect, thank you Charlie, and I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” I said before I hung up. I took the phone into my bedroom and found my old address book, in which I had written Mrs Shapiro’s sister’s number. Preparing myself for a horrid conversation, I took a deep breath and dialled the number.
I woke up after a dreamless sleep, I had made sure to take my pill after the awful phone call to Mrs Shapiro’s sister, whose name I found out was Ivy Lowenstein. She and her husband Harvey were flying in that morning, I was meeting them for dinner. I decided to still go for my morning run, just a little later than usual, hoping it would help me stay calm and not burst into tears when I met Maria for coffee. I made a mental note to also call Elaina and explain why I didn’t think us going out was a good idea. I dressed in my favourite denim jeans, they were soft and comfortable, but still flattered my body and made me feel confident wearing them, a red asymmetrical knit sweater, and leather ankle boots, a touch of red lip stain completed the look and I was out of the door. I left early and stopped at a florist on the way, Mrs Lowenstein had told me Mrs Shapiro wanted a bouquet of white calla lilies for her coffin and nothing else, and I wanted to get a price, they were my contribution as Mrs Shapiro had prepared almost everything for her funeral after her husband had passed. I found some beautiful flowers, and after a short discussion about what I wanted, I paid and headed to the coffee shop, relieved there wasn’t much left to do, but that I would have some options for Mrs Lowenstein to consider over dinner. The funeral would be on Monday, later than anyone was happy with, but after a lot of back and forth, it was agreed and settled. I arrived at the coffee shop a little after 9:30am, the morning rush was dying down so there were a few tables free, I ordered my usual soya caramel latte and picked a semi-private table. I didn’t want anyone overhearing whatever Maria had to say and thinking we were both nuts. I hadn’t long sat down when I saw a gorgeous, dark-haired woman, with olive skin enter the shop. She was truly stunning, in a forest green wrap dress and tan-coloured knee-high boots. With a long tan trench coat and minimal makeup, she could’ve just stepped off a runway. She was tall and slim, with full lips and dark eyes. The kind of woman who makes all other women feel inferior, I suddenly felt very underdressed, in my casual attire. It got worse when Ben walked in after her, he spotted me instantly and my face flamed red, partly in embarrassment, partly in anger. I had hoped to never see him or his brother ever again, my departure from the house being my final farewell. I saw him gesture to me, and Maria made a beeline to my table.
“Hi, you must be Charlie, I’m Maria. I hope you won’t be too angry with me for bringing my husband with me.” She smiled, warmly and genuinely, adding a little grimace when she looked at Ben. I was frozen, I lowered my eyes to the table, trying not to allow the tears to fall. “Ben, honey, why don’t you go get us both coffees, leave us to have a little girl talk.” I didn’t hear him respond but assumed he left when I heard the chair opposite me be pulled out. “I am sorry, truly, for not telling you I was bringing Ben. I didn’t think you would agree if you knew, and Ben needs to say something to you if you would allow it?” I was oddly more impressed by her after this little deception, she had balls and was obviously devoted to her husband.
“I’ll listen to whatever he has to say, but then I want all of you to leave me alone. I’ve been humiliated enough; I refuse to be put through anymore. Can you promise me that?” I asked, her reply would determine whether I stayed or walked out right then.
“If that’s your wish after you’ve heard what he has to say, I will delete your number and you will never have to speak to anyone from Applewood again. I will even tell Daniel you don’t want to talk to him, but I can't promise he will abide by your wishes, and I have no power to force him, I would if I could, but I don’t have that kind of authority.” Well, she was honest, I couldn’t ask for more than that.
“Alright, I will stay and listen to what you have to say.” I agreed, somewhat reluctantly.
“Thank you, I really appreciate it.” She responded, giving me that dazzling smile again. I couldn’t help but giggle, she was good at getting her way, I doubt Ben ever won an argument in their house.
“What’s so funny?” Ben asked, arriving at the table with a coffee in each hand. Which started me giggling all over again.
“I’m sorry.” I chuckled. “I suddenly had the visual of you,” I pointed to Ben, “in an apron, waiting on-" I couldn’t finish, I could barely breathe, as I looked at the amused expression on Maria’s face. “Hand and foot.” I managed to choke out. Maria couldn’t suppress her own laugh any longer, while Ben looked incredulous at the two of us. He put the coffees down and pulled up a chair next to Maria, his fingers immediately entwined with hers. She raised her eyebrows at him and gestured her head towards me once I stopped cackling.
“Now?” He asked, it was kinda sweet, she was clearly the puppet master, I pinched my lips together, so I didn’t smile at it. “Okay.” He took a deep breath. “I had no right to say what I said, to call you what I did.” He shifted uncomfortably. “You are not a plaything to Daniel. You have made him happier than I have ever seen him, and more miserable than I have ever seen him. He loves you with everything he is. I was in the wrong, I was upset and frustrated and scared and I said something stupid in a moment of anger and weakness. I’m truly, deeply, so sorry, more sorry than I could ever express to you in words. I’ve helped destroy my brother, he’s a mess, and he’s thinking about handing the pack over to me because he knows he can’t lead without you. And after everything that happened yesterday, he doesn’t see a way to make things right between you both. And if you don’t want to fix things between you two then that’s your decision, but please? I’m begging you, don’t let me destroy what was fated?” He looked at Maria, still unable to look me in the eye. She nodded, and I felt another snort slip out before I could stop it.
“How much of that did you tell him to say?” I asked her, not sure what answer I was expecting.
“Just the first half, the rest was all him. I would have worded it better.” She gave me a wink and I found myself smiling at them both.
“Well, thank you for that. Is that all?” I asked, refusing to be swayed. Ben met my eye for the first time, he looked desperate, and I saw the bags under his eyes, and his face was paler. He was racked with guilt. “It’s not your fault, you didn’t call me a slut, that was your brother. He made it perfectly clear what he thought about me, and why would I want to be around someone who doesn’t respect me?” Ben looked down he clearly didn’t have a response to that. Maria sucked in air through her teeth, I looked at her, but she was glaring at her husband, he had obviously left that out.
“What exactly did he say?” She asked her focus on me, since she wasn’t getting the answers she wanted from Ben, she would get them from me, apparently.
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