A Few Flowers Part 10

Hed almost made it out the door when Agnes stopped him. Where are you going? she called out just as he pulled the door handle.

Im going out for lunch. Ill be back at one-fifteen.

Whats that smell? Agnes pointedly sniffed the air. One eye narrowed marginally, and she then broke out into a wide smile. Never mind, she mumbled. Its just the fresh gel in your hair. I see youre taking Cindy out for lunch again. Just so I can page you if I need you.

He felt his face redden. What he did with his hair was none of Agness business. Nor was it her business where he went, or with whom, on his personal time. Not that hed ever taken personal time during working hours before.

He heard Agnes humming gently as the door closed behind him. He reminded himself not to let Agnes find out he was taking Cindy to the theater tomorrow night. Agnes would never let him live down his decision to start leaving on time every night.

Even though he antic.i.p.ated Friday evening out with Cindy, he knew theyd have to make it an early night. Sat.u.r.day was their hike, and he could hardly wait.

Nine.

Right on schedule at 8:00 a.m., Cindy slowed her car in front of a tall, exclusive apartment building in a neighborhood of many such buildings. With Montys directions in her hand, she tilted her head back to gaze skyward, up the height of the building at the address he had given her. Montys apartment was on the twenty-fifth floor.

Just as she considered searching for the visitor parking area, Monty appeared through the large gla.s.s door. Gone was the designer power suit and tie, replaced by pristine jeans and a good-quality, name-brand windbreaker, which hung open to show a colorful T-shirt. In stark contrast to the immaculate clothes, his hiking boots and baseball cap had seen better days.

As she pulled up to the curb, Monty opened the pa.s.senger door. Before he climbed in, he tossed into the backseat a backpack that was in even worse condition than her own.

Hi.

She forced herself to mumble a h.e.l.lo. His familiar face grinned at her from beneath the baseball cap, but nothing else was the same. She struggled with the image.

Cindy steered into traffic. Ive been thinking. Are you sure this is wise? Have you asked your doctor about this?

I havent talked to him recently, but he told me I should be getting some exercise. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the movement of Monty resting one hand on his stomach. Ive gained quite a bit of weight due to the inactivity, so this is a good chance to start getting back in shape.

Not that she considered Monty the least bit heavy, but evidently hed gained enough weight to buy a larger size jeans. Still, she doubted a long hike on a mountain trail was the wisest choice. Since she never got around to canceling the outing, she planned to take the easiest and shortest of the three trails and go slowly.

Soon they reached the turnoff for the park, and Cindy followed the b.u.mpy gravel road to the parking lot. She pulled out a map of the park and traced her chosen route with one finger. This is the one I told Erin wed be on, in case of an emergency or something.

His smile made her heart skip a beat. Youre so sensible.

If such a comment had come from Erin, she would have taken it as sarcasm, but coming from Monty, she accepted the statement as the compliment hed intended.

Donning their backpacks, they started down the trail, chatting about the area in general. They walked side by side and Cindy kept their pace slow. If he noticed, Monty didnt seem to mind.

She purposely stopped as often as possible, whether to watch a playful squirrel or to admire a colorful bird high on a top branch. At the sight of a nest of sparrows, Cindy pulled her camera out of her backpack. She also made Monty pose for a few snapshots, and then he took a couple of her with her own camera before they continued on the path. For awhile no words were spoken, allowing her to enjoy the wind rustling in the trees and the twittering and chattering of the birds and squirrels overhead.

Monty pushed a branch out of the way. I love this time of year. Warm, but not too hot yet, everything is green and all the summer flowers are out. He turned to wink at her. I know men arent supposed to admit to liking flowers.

Cindy thought it strangely appealing that a man would not only have such thoughts, but would be able to share them without feeling self-conscious.

At some point, Monty reached for her hand and held it while they walked down the trail. Cindy didnt want to admit how much she enjoyed the small contact as they maintained a comfortable silence with their slow but steady pace.

By the time the path narrowed to a single file, they stopped to sit on a fallen tree while they had a drink of water. Cindy checked the log for creepy crawlies, then swooshed away a fly that chose that moment to buzz around her head. I forgot to pack insect repellent. Did you bring any?

Monty sat directly beside her. Dont worry, Ill protect you from flying and biting monsters.

Cindy nearly choked on the water. As she sputtered and coughed, Monty patted her gently on the back. He rested his hand on her shoulder, then raised his hand to run his fingertips on her chin. Sorry, he murmured.

Instead of replying, her words caught in her throat. Both turned at the same time, and their faces were only inches apart. Slowly, he tipped her chin up slightly, and as he tilted his head, his eyes drifted shut. Cindy couldnt help it. She also closed her eyes, and his mouth brushed hers in a slow and gentle kiss. Before she had a chance to react, he was already standing. He held his hand out to help her up, but she stood without touching him.

If she had deluded herself before, she now had no doubt where this relationship was headed, if she let it.

Since they could no longer carry on a conversation in single file, Cindy studied Monty as he walked in front of her. Due to the slightly uneven ground, she couldnt tell if his limp was worse, but she suspected it was.

Shortly after noon, they reached the halfway point and stopped for lunch. With the increase in the temperature, Cindy shed her windbreaker and tied it around her waist, and Monty stuffed his into his backpack.

Monty laid a blanket on the ground, and Cindy spread hers on top to give them a bit more protection from the hard lumpy ground. She noticed Monty wince as he lowered himself stiffly and awkwardly to sit on the blanket. She purposely didnt respond to his discomfort, taking her time to rummage through her backpack to allow him more time to get comfortable. He rubbed his leg when he thought she wasnt looking.

Cindy smiled when she discovered they had packed identical lunches"peanut b.u.t.ter and jam sandwiches, an apple, and juice. Monty had also brought a bag of trail mix to snack on.

Following a short but heartfelt prayer of thanks for the food and their day, they began to eat.

This was a great idea, Cindy. I really needed this chance to get away. Too often I end up working all weekend, except for the time I take off on Sunday morning.

She turned to him as she replied. My grandmother taught me to always have one full day off every week, a full day of rest. When she was alive, we did something special once a week, even if it was only going to the park. Cindy sighed. I really miss her.

That must have been nice.

I know you said you were raised in foster homes. Didnt you ever do that kind of thing?

He shook his head. No. While Im not going to say that every family that took me in was bad, I always felt like an outsider when it came to family activities. And I wasnt always the easiest child to care for. I had quite a chip on my shoulder.

Oh, Monty, Im so sorry. How old were you when your mother died?

As far as I know, shes still alive. She abandoned me when I was five.

Cindy swallowed hard. She couldnt imagine a mother simply abandoning her small child. In all likelihood, from the distorted viewpoint of a small child, he only felt hed been abandoned, when that probably wasnt the case at all.

They made brief eye contact, and he immediately focused his attention on the toes of his boots. Dont look at me like that, he mumbled. She was an unfit mother. Who knows what would have happened to me in that environment. I only pray that she is safe and well and that someday she will allow G.o.d to bless her in the same ways He has blessed me.

Im sure she misses you.

Before she realized hed moved, Monty grasped both her hands, riveting her attention to his face. Cindy, she dumped me off like unwanted baggage. A couple of days before I was to start kindergarten, she took me to the mall, sat me on a bench in the middle of the food court with two plastic bags beside me, told me to stay there, and said she was getting dinner. That was the last I saw of her. When the mall closed, the security guard called the police to take me away. I was taken to a juvenile care center and then on to the first of many foster homes.

She couldnt conceive of a mother doing that, nor could she imagine the trauma to a small child. How awful.

He stared off into s.p.a.ce. I know I shouldnt let it bug me, it was so long ago, but Ill never forget my first day of school. The first day of kindergarten, the other mothers hugged and cried over the other kids being dropped off, and a lot of the mothers spent most of the day in the cla.s.sroom. The social worker patted me on the head, sent me in, and as soon as I was inside the cla.s.sroom, she left. I felt sure that my mother would pick me up when all the other moms came, but of course, she didnt. For the longest time, I hoped she would just show up and take me home. I never saw her again.

Are you sure nothing happened to her? She didnt have an accident or something?

He still didnt look at her as he spoke. No. When they looked through the bags my mother left, I remember the security guard talking to the police officer. There was a note saying my mother didnt want to be stuck with a kid anymore and not to try to look for her because she made sure they would never find her.

Cindy gulped. Do you remember her?

Only through the eyes of a child. I dont even have a picture of her. My most outstanding memory is that she was always very busy, different men were always coming and going, there was a lot of smoking and drinking, and looking back as an adult, Im sure there were illegal drugs. And we moved a lot. Often the police came, which made me even more frightened of them when they took me away from the mall. Wed just moved again when she abandoned me, so I couldnt even lead them to where I lived. They never did find her, or if they did, theyve sealed the records. Obviously Ive never seen my father. I dont know if she knew who he was.

Oh, Monty. . .

He turned to face her for a second, then turned away. Dont feel sorry for me. G.o.d took care of me when my mother didnt. Now lets pack up and keep going.

Theyd barely started again when Cindy thought she heard a phone ring. Monty halted in front of her, shucked off his backpack, and quickly dug through one of the outside pockets and pulled out his cellular phone.

Cindy tried not to let her mouth hang open as Monty opened the case and hit the b.u.t.ton.

He shrugged his shoulders, then turned away. Smythe Computers, he answered brusquely, then nodded a few times as he listened to the caller. He looked around, then cautiously stepped atop a fallen tree in an attempt to get better reception.

Cindy watched, dumbfounded, as Monty explained something in complicated high-tech computer lingo.

Upon completion of the call, he snapped the phone shut and eased himself down, carefully settling all his weight on his right leg. Then, he picked up his backpack, which he had left on the ground at Cindys feet.

Cindy tapped her foot, but her thick-soled hiking boot didnt produce the desired effect, scrunching into the mulch of the trail rather than producing the more satisfying sharp staccato sound of a rap against a tile floor. She crossed her arms. We were supposed to be communing with nature.

He grinned sheepishly. I have my office calls forwarded to my cell phone after hours and weekends. He shrugged his shoulders, tucked the phone back into its case, and then slipped the backpack over his shoulders.

She didnt move or speak but continued to stand with her arms crossed.

I cant expect my staff to be on call on weekends, especially when most of the time Im at home working beside the phone, anyway.

She remembered hed mentioned spending a lot of time working, including weekends. Up until now, though, she had no idea what that meant in practical terms. Youd better not have a palm-size computer in there, she mumbled.

He laughed, but she noticed he didnt confirm or deny it.

Cindy led for awhile, again making sure they walked slowly and stopped often. By the time Monty took the lead once more, she noticed a significant change. He limped heavily. Although they were walking on fairly level ground, she saw traces of moisture on his brow. Of course, he said nothing.

Finally the path widened again, permitting them to walk side by side. Unlike the beginning of their journey, their conversation was stilted. She knew he wasnt out of breath, but Monty wasnt talking much. She felt an almost tangible stab into her heart, watching him try to remain cheerful, when she suspected he felt anything but.

By the time they reached the car, Montys pace was slow and labored and his limp very p.r.o.nounced. Even knowing his reaction, she had to ask, Are you all right?

He nodded as he tossed his backpack into the backseat, then cautiously eased himself into the pa.s.senger seat, using his arms to lower himself in, noticeably not putting any weight on his left leg. I may have overdone it a bit, but Im fine. Dont worry.

She worried anyway but said nothing.

Their initial plans were to go out for a greasy hamburger after their hike, but instead Cindy drove him straight home. She had to bite her lower lip and fight the tightening in her throat as she watched him pull himself out of the car.

Before he left, Monty turned and bent at the waist to lean into the car window, supporting his weight on his arms, bracing himself against the door frame. Thanks, Cindy. Well have to do this again. Ill be in touch. As he disappeared into his apartment building, his limp was the worst shed ever seen.

And he never tried to kiss her good-bye.

The words to Pastor Colins sermon went in one ear and out the other. Shed never strayed from paying attention in the past, yet it had now happened two weeks in a row, and she knew the reason. To get her mind back on track, Cindy tried reading the notes on the back of the bulletin. It didnt help.

Monty hadnt shown up at her door this morning. Shed waited for him. As the time for her to leave drew closer, she picked up the phone a dozen times, then hung up before she finished dialing his number. For the first time, Erin left before she did but thankfully said nothing. Also for the first time, she arrived only minutes before the service started and snuck into a seat in the back row.

She keenly felt Montys absence. Even though theyd only attended church together once, she almost felt as though a part of her was missing. After the service, rather than mingling around to chat, she hurried home to check the answering machine. The display read zero.

Cindy couldnt stand it anymore. She dialed his number, but only got Montys answering machine. Instead of telling him how worried she was, Cindy left a short, cheery message along with a request to call her back.

She stayed home, despite Erins repeated requests to join her and Troy for the evening service. Monty didnt call.

He still hadnt called by the time she crawled into bed. Most of her prayers centered on him and waffled between prayers for healing and whatever it was that was happening between them. Cindy feared that despite her caution and careful discretion surrounding the circ.u.mstances of meeting him, it was too late. She had fallen in love with Montgomery Smythe.

Ten.

The intercom buzzed. I need a coffee, please, and then I need to see you.

Cindy nearly choked on her coffee. She couldnt remember the last time Robert had said please, which told her she wasnt going to like what he was going to ask. Cindy immediately abandoned her work to pour his coffee, then hurried into his office to find out what was wrong.

While Robert sifted through the file in front of him, Cindy discreetly checked her watch. Shed only been at work half an hour and didnt want to appear too anxious, therefore she planned to wait until nine-thirty to phone Monty at his office. The arrival of a small vase containing a red salvia, a white hyacinth, and a yellow carnation only served to make it worse, being a constant reminder of him as she watched the clock.

Robert slid the contract she had taken to Montys office across the desk. Theres been a small amendment, and Im going to ask you to retype the last page and take it back to Smythe Computers and have it signed again. He handed her a paper outlining the changes. We need it right away, and I need you to witness it again and be back in time for the one oclock meeting. And then Ill need the notes from the meeting typed, so youll have to stay overtime.

She didnt care about the overtime. This was the chance she needed. Instead of merely phoning, she could see him in person. Cindy thanked G.o.d for His timing, grabbed the paper out of Roberts hand, and rushed back to her desk.

Fortunately, she managed to complete the corrections with little interruption. Before she ran to the elevator, she brushed her fingers over the velvety flower petals. She couldnt believe the ache in her heart after not hearing back from him.

Cindy drove to Montys office as fast as she could without getting a ticket. When she entered the reception area, her heart nearly stopped. He wasnt in his office. No suit jacket hung over the back of the chair, and the desk was as neat as a pin.

She turned to Agnes. Will Montgomery be back soon? He wasnt expecting me.

She tried not to squirm as Agnes studied her face and then the large manila envelope in her hand.

Montgomery phoned to say he wont be in today. He said he likely wouldnt be in tomorrow, either.

Cindys stomach tightened into a knot. She knew he never missed work unless he was so sick he couldnt drag himself out of bed.

At Cindys silence, Agnes continued. I wouldnt tell anyone else but you, but Im worried about him. He didnt do any work this weekend. The few times hes phoned in sick, hed at least done some work from home, and so far today he hasnt even answered his E-mail. In fact, he hasnt done anything all weekend. If I hadnt spoken to him personally on the phone, Id be in a state of panic right now. Its spooky, almost like when he had his accident. You cant imagine how frantic we were at that time. He didnt show up for work. He didnt call. He didnt answer his phone. And nothing was being done from his home. It took us three days to find out what happened to him.

At least Cindy knew why hed done nothing Sat.u.r.day, but that didnt explain Sunday or todays lack of correspondence. A surge of relief pa.s.sed through her, knowing Agnes had spoken to him personally.