A Love So Sweet

By Monica Marks

A slight chill had settled over the city but Mary Ann found it refreshing. The summer had been unbearably hot and she had always preferred the cool, crisp air of autumn to the humidity of July and August in Chicago.

  She wrapped herself in a cable knit cardigan, locking the apartment door on the way down her three storey walk-up, pausing to ensure she had her purse and cell phone before making her way down the steps toward the bustling sidewalk. It wasn't quite nine a.m. but the South Side was already awake and raring to go.

As her feet touched the pavement, she heard her name called out and Mary Ann turned to look at Mrs. Garber, wrinkled and hunched over, struggling to tackle her garbage can.

"Let me get that, Mrs. G," Mary Ann called helpfully, scurrying to relieve her neighbor of the troublesome can.

"I can do it, honey," Mrs. Garber lied, stepping back to allow Mary Ann to take the container. "I'm more than capable."

"But why would you when I'm right here?" Mary Ann replied lightly, knowing this back and forth all too well.

"You're such an angel, Mary," Mrs. Garber sighed, shaking her snow-white head as she peered at the brunette. "Too good for these parts."

"Now stop with that," Mary Ann chided, settling the lid atop the can as she placed the unit next to the older woman's decrepit house. "I'm as much South Side as you are."

"There ain't nothing romantic about living in these parts, honey. You need to find yourself a good man to take you out of here so you can live like a princess," Mrs. Garber insisted. Mary Ann stifled a sigh. There were just too many things wrong with her neighbor's words for her to entertain for the moment.  She was going to be late as it was.

"Need anything, Mrs. G? I have to get to work but I can get you some groceries on the way home or—"

"Psh!" Elena Garber cut her off with an exasperated hiss. "You aren't my health care worker, Mary. I can take care of myself just fine…"

She paused.

"Maybe just some milk and honey for my tea if you're going already."

Mary Ann swallowed a smile and nodded.

"I'll be home around three," she replied. "With milk and honey."

"Homogenized milk," Mrs. Garber called out after her. "Don't get none of that watery stuff."

Mary Ann raised a hand in an acknowledging wave as she pivoted to hurry off.

"I remember, Mrs. G," she called, her steps quickening as she peered at her watch. She hoped she didn't miss the bus. It was her first day at her new placement and she didn't want to make a bad impression by being late.

To her relief, the city vehicle pulled up to her stop two minutes after she arrived and Mary Ann made her way toward the back, heading north on Halstead. The GPS on her phone had indicated that it wouldn't take more than fifteen minutes to reach her destination in Englewood but with Chicago transit being what it was, she could never be sure if she'd be on time.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jun 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201154431

Book preview

A LOVE SO SWEET

MONICA MARKS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A LOVE SO SWEET

OUT OF THE AMISH FIRE

AN AMISH WILDFLOWER

REDEEMING AMISH LOVE

BE GOOD, MY STARLIGHT

KAYLA

A slight chill had settled over the city but Mary Ann found it refreshing. The summer had been unbearably hot and she had always preferred the cool, crisp air of autumn to the humidity of July and August in Chicago.

She wrapped herself in a cable knit cardigan, locking the apartment door on the way down her three storey walk-up, pausing to ensure she had her purse and cell phone before making her way down the steps toward the bustling sidewalk. It wasn’t quite nine a.m. but the South Side was already awake and raring to go.

As her feet touched the pavement, she heard her name called out and Mary Ann turned to look at Mrs. Garber, wrinkled and hunched over, struggling to tackle her garbage can.

Let me get that, Mrs. G, Mary Ann called helpfully, scurrying to relieve her neighbor of the troublesome can.

I can do it, honey, Mrs. Garber lied, stepping back to allow Mary Ann to take the container. I’m more than capable.

But why would you when I’m right here? Mary Ann replied lightly, knowing this back and forth all too well.

You’re such an angel, Mary, Mrs. Garber sighed, shaking her snow-white head as she peered at the brunette. Too good for these parts.

Now stop with that, Mary Ann chided, settling the lid atop the can as she placed the unit next to the older woman’s decrepit house. I’m as much South Side as you are.

There ain’t nothing romantic about living in these parts, honey. You need to find yourself a good man to take you out of here so you can live like a princess, Mrs. Garber insisted. Mary Ann stifled a sigh. There were just too many things wrong with her neighbor’s words for her to entertain for the moment.  She was going to be late as it was.

Need anything, Mrs. G? I have to get to work but I can get you some groceries on the way home or—

Psh! Elena Garber cut her off with an exasperated hiss. You aren’t my health care worker, Mary. I can take care of myself just fine...

She paused.

Maybe just some milk and honey for my tea if you’re going already.

Mary Ann swallowed a smile and nodded.

I’ll be home around three, she replied. With milk and honey.

Homogenized milk, Mrs. Garber called out after her. Don’t get none of that watery stuff.

Mary Ann raised a hand in an acknowledging wave as she pivoted to hurry off.

I remember, Mrs. G, she called, her steps quickening as she peered at her watch. She hoped she didn’t miss the bus. It was her first day at her new placement and she didn’t want to make a bad impression by being late.

To her relief, the city vehicle pulled up to her stop two minutes after she arrived and Mary Ann made her way toward the back, heading north on Halstead. The GPS on her phone had indicated that it wouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes to reach her destination in Englewood but with Chicago transit being what it was, she could never be sure if she’d be on time.

She had never been to this particular rehab facility but that didn’t bother her. She knew that one place was not much different than the next. They were all filled with patients who needed her help as a PSW and Mary Ann eagerly looked forward to each opportunity. This was the first new placement she’d had in over a year. An elderly gentleman she’d been caring for had recently passed and despite the sadness Mary Ann felt over his death, she knew she couldn’t afford to be with fewer than three patients to sustain herself financially. Despite what she’d told Mrs. Garber, the South Side wasn’t her first choice of residences—it was all she could afford.

When the bus let her off a block from Wellness Springs Rehabilitation Facility, Mary Ann found the nondescript three storey building with little effort and five minutes to spare before her appointment.

She stopped at the front desk and asked the harried looking nurse for directions.

Good morning, Mary Ann started but the woman held up a hand, her eyes trailing over the desk as if she’d lost something. Passively, Mary Ann closed her lips and waited for the nurse to continue her search uninterrupted. For an uncomfortable moment, a silence fell between them until Mary Ann wondered if the medical worker had forgotten she was there.

Excuse me, she tried again, realizing that she was upon her appointment time. I’m looking for—

Just give me a second!

Mary Ann was slightly taken aback by the brusqueness of her tone but she checked her irritation. She knew better than anyone how overworked the staff in these facilities could be.

You have a job to do too, a voice in her head reminded her.

I’m sorry but I’m going to be late, Mary Ann said firmly. Can you just direct me to Carter Davidson’s room?

As if Mary Ann had burned her, the nurse’s head jerked up, a sarcastic smirk falling over her face.

You’re here for Davidson?

Mary Ann was sure she didn’t like the sneer curling over the woman’s lips.

Yes. I’m his PSW and I have an appointment.

The nurse snorted loudly and threw back her head, straightening her back. She extended a finger down the hall.

Take the elevators to the third floor and make a left. He’s at the far end of the hall.

Mary Ann opened her mouth to thank the nurse but the woman hadn’t finished.

He used to be on the first floor, she continued. But he had to be moved. You know why?

A prickle of apprehension shot through Mary Ann.

No... she replied slowly. The nurse’s smirk widened into an ugly, mirthless smile.

I guess you’re going to find out, she replied simply, dropping her gaze again like Mary Ann wasn’t there anymore. Mary Ann stared at her for a moment longer but when she realized the nurse had nothing else to add, she slowly moved in the direction of the elevators.

Suddenly, she wasn’t feeling so optimistic about her new placement.

~ ~ ~

It’s so pretty! Alison squealed, clapping her hands together. I can’t believe you did this!

He returned her smile and shrugged.

Why not? he replied. Am I that boring?

You know what I mean, Alison giggled, pulling the necklace from the setting. Wow. This looks expensive.

Are you being serious right now? he demanded, annoyance overtaking him. Alison pushed him playfully and Carter quickly moved to unclasp the chain to place it around her creamy neck.

Oh! It’s perfect, Alison cooed, peering at herself in the mirror of the compact. I love it!

And I love—

Hello?

A gentle rap on the door of his room caused the reverie to fall away and hope spiked through his chest.

Alison?

But just as quickly as the thought crossed his mind, it fell away as he realized the pitch and timbre of this woman’s voice was nothing like Alison’s. Hers was higher, shriller. This woman’s tone was softer, breathier and he didn’t recognize it as one of the nurses usually on his floor. Carter hated her already, whoever she was.

Instantly, anger shot through his veins and he scowled, turning his head toward the sound.

Mr. Davidson?

Definitely not Alison.

Who are you? he snarled as she neared. Even her footfalls were different, even, lighter. They paused, surprised by his question.

I’m Mary Ann Siegel. I’m a personal support worker and—

No one asked you to come here, Carter interjected. You have the wrong room.

He knew that wasn’t true. After all, she had called him by name but that didn’t mean he was going to humor her by letting her stay.

I can’t deal with another stranger. I can’t deal with anyone person at all.

He wondered if he would feel differently if it had been Alison who had come.

Get that out of your head. Alison isn’t coming.

Carter heard the soft intake of breath and he imagined the look on her face as he turned his head away toward the window, ignoring her deliberately.

I was asked to come here, she insisted. I was hired through my agency—

It’s a mistake.

There was a finality in Carter’s tone, leaving no room for argument but that didn’t seem to dissuade the PSW. He felt her draw closer.

Emily Davidson hired me, she offered. There was a tentativeness in her tone that infuriated Carter more.

Of course she did. She can’t bear to come here herself either but she’ll hire all of Chicago to come here, just to ease her own guilt.

Well you can take it up with her. I don’t need you here. As you can see, I’m in a hospital.

No, Mary Ann corrected. You’re in a rehab facility.

His head jerked back around toward her, his face a picture of disbelief.

Are you arguing semantics with me?

I’m not arguing with you at all. The patience in her words almost sent Carter over the edge. A hospital is a place people go to get fixed. A rehab is somewhere people go to heal.

Carter felt his jaw drop slightly, a short, furious laugh escaping his lips.

Heal? he echoed. You think I’m healing?

I don’t know, she replied softly. But if you let me, I’d like to find out.

Carter waved a hand at her and again moved his head toward the window.

You wasted your time coming here. Get out.

Mr. Davidson—

I SAID GET OUT!

His words reverberated through the room and he didn’t need to have eyes to see that she jumped at the brashness of his demand.

Will you just let me—

I swear, if you don’t leave, I’m going to call security! Carter threatened. Her breath intake was deep and offended.

Mr. Davidson—

GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! he howled, his fists closing around the sheets in as he pounded his hands against the bed. GET. OUT!

What is going on in here?

A new voice entered the mix but it was a familiar one this time.

Nothing, the PSW replied, a catch of upset in her voice. I’m just leaving.

A feeling of smugness twined through Carter. 

Carter... Nurse Grayson sighed.

What? he spat back. I didn’t ask for her and I don’t have to see her.

It’s fine, Mary Ann insisted, her words trailing away as she backed out of the room. I’m going.

He knew she’d left but he could still feel Grayson watching over him with reproving eyes.

Why do you have to be so difficult? the man muttered. The question was rhetorical but Carter answered anyway.

I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone of the incompetent staff in this hole, Carter shot back. And if you all left me alone, you wouldn’t have this problem, would you?

Grayson didn’t respond for a long moment and Carter thought he had left also.

Good riddance to all of