Saved by the Marine

Chapter 4

*4 years later*

My eyes are fixed on the people walking by, feeling a ping of jealousy. I wish I didn't have to work on such a beautiful day. It was summer and the town looked beautiful. The flowers are in bloom and the sun is warm without a single cloud for company. This town was picture perfect. It could be on a postcard. It was small but there was a*****e for nearly everything you could need. One grocery store, one florist, one deli, one school. You get the idea. The best part was all the nature that surrounded it. There were ice-capped mountains in the distance and we were surrounded by a thick forest with only one road in and out of the town. We were also lucky enough to have a small beech. I loved it here.

I now live in a modest two-bedroom bungalow that I was able to buy with my savings. I'd made a conscious effort to not tell anyone about the money I had when I moved to California all those years ago. I figured it would put a target on my back. Marc controlled every aspect of my life, so I was fortunate he never discovered my inheritance.

Our home isn't flash or fancy, but it's got a comfy, cozy feel about it. We have a decent front and backyard, sash windows and a little porch.

It's my safe place. My oasis. Just me and Cici. My little girl was my everything. The center of my universe. She is adored by everyone. Other than her dark hair that she'd got from her father, she looks just like me but a more perfect version. She was polite, smart, cheeky and so beautiful. She was very shy and would take a while to get comfortable around someone new but she knows everyone that lives here, so she's usually her bright, bubbly self.

I hear my name being called, pulling me from my thoughts of my little earth-bound angel. I turned to see one of the locals wiggling his coffee cup at me. I grab the hot pot of coffee as I head over to him.

"Sorry Burt, I was away with the fairies again." I said whilst filling his cup.

"That's alright sweetheart." he replies with a warm smile.

Burt helped me find this job. He heard me being turned down by the grocery store manager when I was asking for work. After leaving the store, I stood outside feeling deflated about not being able to find a job when he approached me. He'd removed his hat and held it to his chest and apologized for eavesdropping, but that he believed he could help me. His mannerisms were that of an old-fashioned gentleman. Charming and kind. He told me that his friend owns the diner and would be glad of some extra help. He introduced me to Al and the rest is history.

Both Burt and Al were pushing 80. Burt was the smaller of the two with a thick white mustache and glasses, always wearing his English cap. Al is just over 6 feet and has a big tummy. He has a full gray beard but nothing on top. He always reminded me of a Viking. They've known each other all their lives. They were like brothers. They bicker like children, but one could never be without the other. Burt comes to the diner every day to hang out with his pal. Sadly, they've been widowers for some years now, but they have each other and I think one would be lost without the other.

I love these men deeply. They were there for me when I really needed someone. I call them my horary uncles. Cici refers to them as Uncle Bert and Uncle Biggie. Probably not the nickname Al would have wanted, but it's what stuck. Both Burt and Al adore her. Cici spent so much time at the diner before she started Pre-K. If I was ever stuck for a baby sitter, she would sit up at the counter with Burt drawing or playing with toys. She loves seeing these two, so I make sure to bring her to visit them often.

"You do make the best coffee, Rose" This makes me smile because he must tell me this nearly every time.

"It's true. I wouldn't lie. Now if only that old fart wouldn't be so stingy with the butter in these eggs." He says, whilst putting a fork loaded with scrambled egg in his mouth.

"There's nothing wrong with the way I make eggs. There's plenty of butter in there. Your taste buds are just shot from all the coffee you drink." I heard Al before I saw him. He steps through the kitchen door, drying his hand on a cloth, then throwing it over his shoulder.

"Yeah right. Anyone would think the cows went on strike the way you ration butter." Burt retorts before having another mouthful of eggs.

"Now, now you two. Stop bickering or I'll bang your heads together."

"It's not me, it's him. I was quite happy in the kitchen before I heard the dribble coming out his mouth. I swear half the time he comes in here is to annoy me. Always going on about the bleeding butter." Al turned to pour himself a coffee. Whilst Al's back is turned, Burt gives me a wink and a coy smile as he very much enjoys getting Al worked up. I returned his smile whilst shaking my head. I leave them to it and go to clear some tables. I walk into the kitchen with the dirty dishes I'd collected and load them into the dishwasher. When I returned from the kitchen, Al waved me over to him.

"Me and Burt have been worried about you recently, doll."

"Why? I'm fine." I stood looking puzzled at them both while they exchanged glances at each other.

"You work so hard and you're doing a fantastic job with that beautiful girl of yours but....." Al hesitated, seeming to look at Bert for help.

"Buuuut?" I mimicked Al wanting him to continue. My eyes flicked between the both of them.

"Don't bite our heads off again and get all defensive." Bert takes over with his palms in the air.

"But we think it's about time you found someone to settle down with. Everyone needs a partner in this world. You deserve to feel special." Al says quickly, as if he's ripping off a band aid.

"Oh come on guys, not this again. I'm fine with the way things are. I don't want a relationship." I whined whilst folding my arms and leaning on the counter.

"Don't you think that you deserve something more than just being fine?" Bert says while using his figures as quotation marks when he says the word fine.

"Look, I know we've had this conversation before and you've turned down the offer of me setting you up with my grandson, but he's a great guy and I think you'd really hit it off."

I unfold my arms and start shaking my head.

"Put the arrow down, Cupid. I really don't want to date anyone. I'm happy with it being just me and Cici. Thank you, but no thank you."

"He's a good man, Rose. You'd really like him. Will you just meet him? We won't be here forever, and we can die happy men knowing that you're being looked after."

I roll my eyes at Burts attempt to guilt trip me. He does this every time they bring it up.

"Nice try, but it's not gunna work. It's really sweet of you guys to worry about me. One day maybe, but definitely not at the moment. I couldn't even think about dating. I really don't want to meet any potential suitors that you've found."

Burt looks down at his coffee and Al starts playing with his hands. Both of them are looking a bit too shifty.

"What is it?" I said, with a raised brow. They don't say anything. They just looked at each other sheepishly.

"Oh god, what is it? What have you done?" I can read them like a book. I don't think I'm going to like what I'm about to hear.

" Well... It's just that....we thought... "

"Spit it out Al!" I urged him, growing impatient.

"He'll be here shortly and he's really looking forward to meeting you." Bert continued, ripping off that metaphorical band aid again.

I stood there with my jaw on the floor staring at them both. I might actually bang their heads together before the day is over.