Estranged

Marnie’s sleep was cut short by the sound of her sister hitting the pavement, the crunching of bone jolted her awake. After a few breaths, she pulled herself together and pulled on her earlobe, settling her heart to a steady pace.

All but ripping the sheets, she tore out of bed and rushed outside to preoccupy herself with her roses. Beds of yellow roses framed the navy blue door, brightening up the house, even in the dark. Watering them to accommodate for the recent lack of rain, Marnie’s heart bloomed at the drops of water pooling on the petals, breathing life into her like nothing else could. Once the soil was damp to her satisfaction, she rushed back inside for her pruning sheers and went to work, distracting herself from the heinous nightmare that woke her in the first place.

During the pruning, she noticed a hideous strip of white polluting the roses. Marnie reached in as quickly as she could and yanked out a receipt for dog food. She peered around, wondering where it might’ve come from, but crumpled it up and shoved it into her pocket.

Chest heaving, she took a refreshing breath, exchanging the old air with the new. Taking a few steps back, Marnie peered at her roses with tired eyes. The cheerful yellow succeeded in lifting her mood enough so she could function. Satisfied with her work, she trudged back inside, wiping the dirt from her bare feet. Sitting at the kitchen table, she rested her head on the table, her hand softening the surface.

What her home lacked in substance it made up for in character. Quaint as it was, its most outstanding feature was the garden. Wrapped around the house like a scarf around a neck, it emphasized the natural beauty of Antony. She seldom left the comfort of her little town: her safe haven sent back in time before skyscrapers. Thirty minutes from the nearest town and two kilometres from her nearest neighbour.

The ever elusive neighbour. Everything she knew about him came from stray glimpses. His American Jeep Wrangler pulling out of his driveway, his face nothing but a pale blur. But that blur often popped into her mind, a welcome distraction from her disturbed sleep. Her imagination ran wild with possibilities: perhaps he was an illegitimate relative of the Royal Family. Or a foreign delegate gifted the property by the British government. Or even the head of a cartel hiding away to avoid any fuzz.

As usual, music emanated from her stereo, filling the air with electricity. Marnie tied her thick auburn hair up and gazing into the mirror gazed into her own ovine eyes. She wiped the sleep from her eyes, admiring the freckles scattered across her face like a dust of paprika.

Sitting down to a warm cup of tea, her face boiled at the sun rising, beaming through the windows. She’d not missed a sunrise in over three years to watch the light touch everything, waking the world. Marnie shrugged off her exhaustion with a yawn, recognizing the need for a nap after her shift.

Grabbing her snack, she slipped on her pumps and reluctantly left her sanctuary.

Unlocking her old reliable Corolla, she took a moment to admire it. Marnie had a soft spot for underdogs, resulting in a growing collection of garish salt and pepper shakers. She discovered them at yard sales and flea markets, insisting they “needed a home”. Her favourite was a pair of winking skunks in love. They always made her smile.

She tossed her bags onto the passenger seat as she plopped behind the wheel. Starting the car, the exhaust rumbled as she drove the way to work. She stopped at the end of the drive, taking the opportunity to bask at the colossal manor in the distance.

Marnie followed the curvy roads immersed in the hills until she reached downtown. The cobblestone road housed a variety of shops. Among those included The Enchanting Garden. Despite its niche market, it still welcomed many returning clients.

Marnie parked beside the old Austin mini in its usual spot alerting Marnie to Hattie’s presence. Through back door, Marnie recognized the sound of Hattie grumbling with frustration.

“I swear…” Giggling, Marnie dropped her bags and ran to assist.

“Oh Marnie, thank heaven you’re here. The new gloves came in today and I’ve no clue where to put them.” Taking one of the boxes from Hattie’s arms, Marnie placed it on the counter silently delegated to her.

“Why not put one pair on the model hands and have… maybe ten pairs in the display case? Leave the rest in the packaging so they keep their shape.” Hattie’s head popped up from behind the oversized box; eyebrows raised.

“Perfect! What on earth would I do without you?” Marnie shrugged and opened the box of gloves, organizing them without any more fuss. Taking a closer look at the specially packaged gloves, she noticed their quality.

“Are these the imports?”

“Oh yeah, they cost me a pretty penny, so they better sell, and… what on earth happened to your arm?!” Hattie exclaimed, glaring at Marnie’s right arm. When Marnie matched her gaze, she noticed scratches scattered all over her arm.

“Were you attacked by a cat on your way here?” Marnie chuckled, answering directly.

“No, I erm… there was some rubbish caught in my rose bushes this morning.” Marnie said examining her arm and shrugging it off.

“How did you not notice?!”

“Sleep deprivation,” Marnie replied, smirking at Hattie.

“Why don’t you have a nap?”

“No, I’m here to work, thank you.” Marnie took the gloves to her counter and unpacking a pair, she slid them delicately on the model's hands. Ten pairs, still in their packaging, were placed in the display case while Hattie scribbled some fancy words about the gloves on the chalkboard.

“Thanks, Luv,” Marnie smirked and checked her watch, knocking on the counter, once, twice, and a third and final time for luck.

“Time to open, if you would do the honours,” Hattie said as Marnie unlocked the front door, flipping the hand-painted sign from closed to open.

“Should I leave the door open today?”

“Why not? It’s a beautiful day.” At Hattie’s response, Marnie propped the door open, a gust of wind blowing against her face.

“Door open and no sign of Dot,” Marnie said peering around the bare street.

“Typical of a sixteen-year-old girl? How can one expect her to be on time when she’s so much else to do?” Hattie scoffed, just in time for Dot to appear out of nowhere, barging through the door past Marnie to the back.

“Good Morning Dot,” Hattie called out to her, distracted by tidying the parasol display. Dot poked her head out from the store room to rush an explanation.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I slept in.” Hattie released an exhaustive groan. She was not pleased with Dot’s habitual tardiness, but her antics made up for it-- in Hattie’s mind at least.

Dot was unnaturally cheerful, considering her situation; poor soul. Forced to drop out of college due to her mum’s MS, Dot was stuck as the sole source of income and caregiver to her mother.

“With the amount you’ve been sleeping lately, you’d think you were Sleeping Beauty.” Hattie chortled at her own joke as Marnie smiled at Hattie’s unique disposition. Dot ducked back into the stock room, to carry out her job.

Marnie tucked back behind her counter, awaiting the arrival of the first customer. Marnie found comfort in the routine: it promised that nothing unexpected would occur but sadly it only fuelled Hattie’s rumour mill.

“Any news on your mysterious neighbour?” Startled but not surprised at Hattie’s voyeurism, Marnie groaned. The squeak of the door to the break room filled the room alerting Marnie that Dot was listening in on their conversation. Marnie groaned but complied.

“No,“

“What do you know?” Hattie growled. Marnie’s shoulders tensed up at her feisty middle-aged boss. She had no interest in annoying the woman with a reputation for chasing down shoplifters.

“I’m pretty sure he lives alone,”

“Doesn’t he ever have visitors?” Marnie raised her head and glared at Hattie.

“It’s not as if I spend all my time watching him, besides, most of his property’s hidden from view.” Marnie pulled out a book, opening it to the marked page, and attempted to read whilst Hattie continued.

“Why would a person choose to live in such a large place by themselves?” Marnie tapped out of the conversation, keeping her eyes on her book.

“Perhaps he thrives in solitude: like you.” Dot offered through the crack in the door. Marnie focused on the words in her book, hoping they would distract her from the badgering around her. The shopkeeper’s bell rang, switching Marnie into work mode. Tucking her book behind her counter, a client entered with her young daughter in tow.

“Good morning.” Hattie hopped to attention, seeing to the customer’s well-being.

“Good morning. I was wondering if you had any parasols. I have to attend a costume party,”

“Yes, we have a lovely selection right over here.” Hattie said, leading the woman to the parasol display. Marnie remained behind her counter watching Hattie work her magic. Just as Marnie was about to return to her book, she noticed the customer’s daughter. Playing with the frilly dresses on the rack, her long blonde hair hung in twin braids. When the girl glanced in Marnie’s direction, Marnie smiled, pulling out her stash of saltwater taffy. Placing the jar atop the counter caught the little girl’s attention. She stared up at her mum, awaiting approval. Once her mother nodded, she skipped over to Marnie’s counter.

“What is it?” she asked, standing on her tippy toes to look into the jar.

“Saltwater taffy.” Marnie picked up the jar and lowered it for the girl to pick a piece.

“Thank you, Miss.” The girl said ever-so politely. Staring at the pink piece of taffy she’d chosen, she unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth. With a mouth full of taffy, she managed to ask Marnie her name. Marnie crouched down so they could speak at eye level.

“Marnie. What’s yours?”

“Emma.” A lump lodged in Marnie’s throat at the little girl’s response. She closed her eyes for a second and cleared her throat, sniffing away her tears before they could arrive.

“That’s my sister’s name,” Marnie replied. Little Emma swallowed the taffy with a strained gulp and smiled at Marnie with pink stained teeth. A blush bloomed from the apples of Emma’s cheeks. She began to blush as her mother approached with the chosen parasol in hand.

“I see you’ve made a new friend Ems.” Her mother said gaze darted between Marnie and Emma who took her mother’s hand and smiled.

“Yes, I have.” Emma chirped, and peered up at Marnie, smiling brightly at her while her mother placed the parasol on the counter.

“Is that everything for you today?” Marnie asked, scanning the parasol into the computer.

“Yes. And I’ll pay for the taffy as well,”

“No need. It’s complimentary.” Marnie said.

“Thank you.” Emma’s mother’s words filled the air with gratitude as Marnie rang her up.

“Have a lovely day.” Marnie beamed, watching Emma keep in step with her mother, envious of their relationship. Borderline buried by her thoughts of the past, Marnie managed to crawl out of her mind. Back in reality, Emma waved at her as the bell on the door tolled, announcing their departure.

“Marnie,” whenever Hattie said her name, Marnie was yanked from her introspection, “well done, but you needn’t buy sweets for the little ones,” Marnie responded with only a shrug, keeping silent and moving to tidy the shelves along the back wall.

. . .

The sun was setting over the hills as Marnie covered the counters, closing up the shop for the night.

“Well done girls, I do believe today was a record sale day.” Marnie and Dot smiled at each other at Hattie’s kind remarks, “alright, I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Hattie called out, retreating out the back door leaving Dot and Marnie alone in the break room. Gathering her bags, Marnie felt a sudden nudge on her abdomen.

“What about your neighbour?” Dot probed.

“What about him?” Marnie’s replied, exhaustion from the day, melding her mind.

“You said you saw him?”

“And?” Dot shook her head and pressed Marnie for information.

“Is he cute?” Marnie scoffed and chuckled at Dot’s shallow curiosity.

“What does that matter?” Marnie replied, switching out of her pumps for her driving shoes. Dot shrugged crushing a plastic water bottle between her hands. Marnie flinched.

“Dot, where’s the water bottle I bought you?” Dot shrugged before saying, “I think it’s in the wash.” Marnie placed her forefinger and thumb on the bridge of her nose.

“D’you remember?”

“What?” Dot asked in confusion.

“Please don’t crush the plastic like that,”

“Oh,” Dot bounced up in realization, “I’m so sorry. I forgot. But is he?”

“Is he what?”

“Cute?”

“I dunno. I only saw him pass by in his car this morning.” Marnie replied, stepping out the back door with Dot following closely behind. Marnie noticed Dot looking around eyes growing dark with worry.

“D’you need a lift?” Marnie asked. Dot peered down the road.

“I had one. I dunno where she is, I told her six o’clock.” Marnie oozed compassion.

“Come on then,”

“You sure? It’s out of your way.”

“Hardly a long way away, it’s only ten minutes.” Dot showed her bright smile and got in the passenger seat. They drove west for ten minutes until they reached Dot’s street.

“Which one are you again? I can never remember,”

“Seventeen, the one with the out-of-control hedge.” Pulling up to the terraced home with the hedge described, Dot unbuckled and rushed out of the car, waving and shouting her thanks.

“My pleasure.” She uttered to herself watching on as Dot rushed into her home.

By the time Marnie returned home, the sun had set, but she couldn’t resist the urge to check on her roses. The monotony of the day crossed her mind and her thoughts returned to her reclusive neighbour.