Love Hurts. JJ Keller

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СКАЧАТЬ quad, a couple walking hand in hand near the dormitories. The fragrant outdoor scents took Shania’s breath away each time she visited, as the lovely smells had earlier today as she meandered along the pathways.

      The areas of the college grounds were identified according to the plant scheme. West Quad consisted of nutty oaks, pecans and fat-branched, big-leaved blackwood trees. Strategically placed benches allowed visitors a view of the beautiful wooded area. North Quad consisted of lush tickle grass, day lilies and elderberry bushes, while South Quad hosted boxwoods shaped into cones, rectangles and circles. Shania and Justin lived in a family housing complex on the East side, in one of the ancient buildings.

      The East Quad was Monet colorful. Riverside Avenue hosted a line of brownstone buildings with newer high rise modern-day housing units behind the rustic structure. Worthen Complex had the oldest and least expensive apartments, primarily because of their small size. Despite the pain of carrying a stroller and baggage to the fifth floor, she loved her living space and wouldn’t go to the ground level even if a unit opened. They resided on the west end. Each night a fabulous evening sun filtered through the paned windows. The original brick sill outlined the casing, and a set of gargoyles held sentry on the cement ledge outside the structure. One of the mythological creatures shadowed the glass outside their bedroom. His heavy presence was visible through the living room window as well.

      Shania glanced through the dark panes, unable to sleep. Her job with Companion Connections had run from eight in the evening to two the next morning. Although she and Justin had been in Briarwood for three months she missed talking to lonely people on the phone late at night. Her internal clock hadn’t adjusted to being able to rest at regular intervals. However, she couldn’t continue to keep late hours in addition to rising early in the morning to attend class. Somehow she had to find a way to snooze.

      “Mommy,” Justin screamed.

      She rushed to his side. He was tightly bound in his covers and sweat coated his face. “You’re wrapped up like the mummy we saw in the museum. Remember how we laughed at his costume?”

      “No.” His lips quivered.

      “I’m here, honey.” She cuddled him close and stroked his back. The nightmares continued. At first she had assumed the dreams were a result of uprooting him from the only home he’d known, or sleeping in the new child bed instead of a crib. Instead, the changes in their lifestyles, class, daycare and Justin being separated from her for long periods created anxiety for him.

      “The monster’s getting me.” He nuzzled his face into her nightshirt.

      “What monster?” She glanced around the room, trying to figure out what odd shape would create a scary image for him. Maybe he continued to worry over the mummy.

      “There.” He pointed toward the window.

      “The statue?” Gauzy curtains covered the panes allowing sunlight and moon light to filter in, making the room seem larger. Beyond the glass was the concrete gargoyle, holding court over students gathering in the yard below.

      He nodded.

      “Why, that’s Morgan the second, here to watch over us. He’s not a monster. He loves us and sits outside on the cement ledge to keep strangers away. We’ll call him M-two.” Shania rocked Justin, gently humming a song and making up the words as she went along.

      The peaked ears and heavy coat mantle of the stone statue were clearly defined and created exaggerated shadows on the wall.

      “Okay. I want him.”

      She rubbed her cheek against his. She missed Morgan too. They’d seen him at least twice a week for the past three years. He’d spend hours playing with Justin and chatting with her. They hadn’t seen nor heard from Morgan since his wedding day several weeks ago. His absence was noticeable and heartrending.

      “I do too, honey.” Her voice came out as low and as sad as she felt.

      She moved Justin’s new toddler bunk to the other side and her bed near the window. As the bed legs dragged on the hardwood floor, loud shrill squeaks resonated in the bedroom. Shania could only hope the neighbors were deep sleepers. Shania and Justin had painted a colorful country scene on a canvas last Sunday to use as wall art. Justin loved horses, so they were at the forefront of the picture. Shania hung the canvas between the beds giving him a little more privacy.

      Justin finally rested. Shania pressed her face against the windowpane and glanced at the gargoyle, nestled in the mossy green bed on the cement ledge. “Please keep better guard over us, M-two.”

      She pivoted to walk into the compact living room. Open concept or not, the space was miniature compared to the old house she’d rented in Cyan. She did like how the kitchen incorporated a breakfast bar. However, with no space for a dining table, she and Justin had developed the bad habit of eating in front of the television. Someday, post-school, she’d get a job in a museum or work in an art studio, and hopefully earn enough money to get them a house with two bedrooms and a dining room. Right this moment she had to worry about getting by until her next CD payout. She sighed.

      The next morning as she finished packing her book bag, she picked up her phone and pressed Morgan’s speed dial number. Before the call rang twice, she ended the connection. What would she say to him? “Hey, how do you like married life?” No, asking about his marriage to a woman who made her strip and leave a church in her underwear was a silly reason to call. Shania had to think of something substantial.

      A sigh slipped from her as she glanced toward the bedroom. Justin wasn’t a morning person, preferring to sleep in and stay up late at night. Each morning he became a grumpy bear. She placed cereal in his favorite Diego and Dora bowl, added milk and replaced the half gallon in the nearly empty refrigerator. Routine activity would provide a sense of order. She needed the comfort of ordinary and separated the pulp from the orange juice. The few dribbles of the liquid went into a matching Diego sippy-cup. Procrastination was one of her weakness, so she arranged the dishes on the placemat and then strutted toward her adorable beast.

      They always decided what clothes Justin wanted to wear the night before, and then placed them on the dresser in preparation. She leaned over him and smoothed a long lock to the side of his face. He resembled Beck in appearance and Morgan in attitude, mannerisms and personality. Sometimes Justin could be very stubborn and like his role model, Morgan, grit his teeth while placing his hands on his hips. A sharp ache tore at her chest. So much pain had occurred in the past three years.

      “Justin, baby doll, it’s time to get up.” Her fingers created circles on his arm.

      He yawned and snuggled down farther.

      “Sister Agnes is waiting.” She ruffled his hair.

      “No,” he responded.

      “I need to go to class. Up! I have your favorite cereal,” she firmly stated.

      His head popped from under the covers. “Crunch?”

      Shania nodded.

      He threw off the covers and climbed off the bed.

      “Need help with the bathroom activities?”

      “No. Big boy.” He yawned.

      “That’s right. I don’t have a baby doll anymore. I have a big boy.”

      He nodded and covered a yawn. Then, he shuffled out СКАЧАТЬ