Bone 2

By Chris McGraw

Bobby stood there on the front porch of Brook’s home, mansion was more like it. It was huge. It took what seemed to be every bit of eternity, or at least five minutes, to climb the steps to the front door. She didn’t have to worry about security because anyone who came to rob the place would be too tired to do anything once they arrived, let alone have the energy to carry anything off if they were able to break in and find things they wanted. Brooks had entered the house to change into some shorts, shirt, and tennis shoes from the dress she had on.

Who ever said work never paid off wasn’t completely correct. It wasn’t necessarily the work, but how you managed what you were given. She had definitely managed her money and possessions well. Her parents were middle class people who had to earn what they received, but who also lived comfortably. Brooks was an only child, so she had the potential to be a spoiled brat, but wasn’t. Of course, she had everything she wanted, but she knew the value of hard work. She and Bobby were like family, and many people believed they were, which worked out to her advantage, for it often helped keep certain guys from harassing her. The last thing she needed was having to show someone she could defend herself. Being the only child meant being trained to protect herself since there were no siblings around to help do that for her. Bobby helped prolong her actually having to use what she had learned, with the exception of using it on him from time to time.

All and all, they were like family. They had met at a church service and had kept in touch. Her family lived in the same area he had, so seeing him was easier than not. She had gotten wind of the tragedies that had happened recently and decided to stop in and be family to him by helping out where she could. She knew it couldn’t be easy starting over with no one to help. She was in a position where it would be easier for her than most, but she was grateful for what she had. She knew it was wrong to hoard it for herself, especially when she knew others could benefit.

She had finished changing and wondered why Bobby had insisted on standing outside the whole time. Her room was upstairs and on the far side of the house. There would have been no embarrassing moments for them, yet he would have nothing to do with coming in until she had changed. Once she was downstairs, she sent her maid to bring him in.

Upon entering, he noticed how big the house really looked from the inside. The house was mammoth. One could easily get lost in the place and would almost need a map to get around. Bobby spotted Brooks and she motioned him to follow her into the kitchen. He slowly followed her in, making sure to take in the sites as he walked. It was no wonder Brooks was in the shape that she was. Having a house this size, it would keep you in tip top condition to walk the length of it just once a day.

As he made it into the kitchen, Brooks offered him a glass of water, had him sit at the table, and brought their water over along with a pitcher for refills. “Don’t you have servants for that?” he asked.

“For what?” she asked, uncertain as to what he was referring to.

“Aren’t they supposed to get the beverages and serve them?”

“I can’t do what I want in my house? I have maids and if I wanted them to, I could have them wait on me hand and foot, but that’s not me. I mostly use them through the week while I‘m at work, to help keep the house work up. I do hope that’s okay with you,” She always had a way with words around Bobby. She always believed if you can’t be honest around friends, who could you be honest around? He turned quiet.

“Anyway,” she started again, “I wanted to offer you a place to stay indefinitely until you can be on your own again. It would be nice to have you around; I’ve missed the comradely.”

“Aren’t you worried about what people will say?”

“Since when have I’ve been worried about that?”

She had a point. “Can I have some time to think about it? I just don’t want to jump into anything. You have a nice place here, but I don’t know if I would feel right about it.”

“You have my number; you can call whenever you decide.”

“Actually, the phone’s gone. No job, no money, equals no luxuries.”

“That’s right. Maria!” she called out. One of the maids came in. One look and you could easily tell she was Brazilian. Brooks spurted off in Spanish. The maid responded, turned, and left. A minute later, she returned with a cell phone and handed it to Brooks. She then slid it to Bobby.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Ummm, a cell phone???”

“I know that much, but why are you giving it to me?”

“I’m not giving it to you; I’m letting you use it until things work out. How else will you be able to get in touch with me without a phone?”

“You work too hard for what you have.”

“So, what are you trying to say? I can’t do what I want with what I have?”

“I’m saying you can find better use of it all.”

“How’s that?”

“Give it to someone else. I’m in no place to be accepting things from you.”

“You are so stubborn. What can’t you just let me help you out?”

“I don’t need your help, that’s why. I’m not a charity case.” With that, he got up from his seat and made his way toward the door. Brooks sat for a second, then got up and pursued him. Finally catching up to him, she grabbed his arm to stop him. He stopped to eye her. “Bobby, stop and think a minute. What will it hurt you to just take a phone for a few days until you get on your feet?”

“First, I suggest you take your hand off of me. Second, I am better than this. You know that and I know that. That’s the bottom line. I’m not going to lower myself to some sub standard way of doing things.”

Brooks released his arm. “Ok, fair enough. Where did you say you were staying until things work out? I suppose everything will be provided/ taken care off until you can better yourself. Hold on! Wait a minute. That would mean someone is helping you out. I bet the only thing worse would be to have to live on the streets and wonder where your next meal is coming from and when your break would come. Perhaps even worse would be you realizing you’re in a bind and heaven forbid you actually ask for help. Trust me, this is a whole lot easier to do than for you to swallow your pride and have to admit to someone and yourself that you can’t do it on your own. Believe it or not, we all are dependant on each other more than you think.”

“Oh, really? So I guess you have it all figured out.”

“No, I don’t, but I do know this: You’re headed down a destructive road if you don’t stop and turn around. I don’t doubt you can make it own your own. God knows you’ve been through worse and came out on top, but there’s one major difference.”

“What is that?”

“Pride. You don’t want to admit you need help. This life isn’t meant to be lived alone.”

Bobby stood there a moment thinking of what she had said. He did hate to admit weakness. He looked her in the eyes again. He turned and left.