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The Cape Elizabeth Ocean Avenue Society (A Plane Tree in Provence)

By Arlene Rains Graber

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Chapter 1
Penny Wilson sat in the den waiting for her husband, Michael, to get home from the town meeting. Michael was late. Must be schmoozing with the locals longer than usual. Silence and darkness spread like a canopy over the street outside. Cape Elizabeth, Maine, was a sleepy quiet hamlet hidden from the bustling city of Portland.
Penny heaved a deep sigh, tired from working on the accounting for her shop and browsing through order catalogs. Now she waited. Rubbing her temples, she closed her eyes trying to dispel the emotional battle racing through her mind. Turmoil trumped peace. She needed to get this over with. The clock blazed ten-thirty. Tremors began to build from the pit of her stomach, inching upward. Maybe it could wait. No, she had to confront him.
Headlights flashed across the open window blinds. Michael was home. Penny’s heart pounded. Her hand shook as she laid the catalog on the coffee table. She didn’t move from the large overstuffed chair. Anger and anxiety fought against the unrest bubbling in her stomach. The confrontation ahead would not be pleasant.
Michael whistled as he walked into the house. “Hey, pretty lady, still up?”
Drawing a huge breath, Penny looked up. “Michael, we need to talk.”
“Sure. What’s up?” He bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. His nonchalant manner indicated he thought she probably wanted to talk about the boys or suggest they add an addition to the house.
“Sit, Michael.” Her tone changed from even to unyielding. She looked away while Michael positioned himself on the sofa opposite her, then turned and met her husband’s eyes. Without hesitation, she blurted out, “Are you having an affair?”
“What?” Michael reared forward and stared at Penny.
“You heard me. I don’t need to repeat the question.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Michael,” she said quietly, “I saw you with a woman in my van before I left for Europe.”
“Are you talking about something that happened a month ago?”
“Three weeks ago to be exact.” Penny held her gaze to his eyes. She was relaxing a bit more and the words came easily.
“You never said…”
“I didn’t have the chance,” Penny interrupted. “I didn’t see you until I was on the way to the airport. You and Ms. Someone were driving in the opposite lane next to our car.” She hesitated. “Then, after we arrived in France, I certainly didn't want to talk about it 3,000 miles away.”
“But, when I picked you up yesterday at the airport, you didn’t say anything and last night…”
“I know. I was so glad to see you…well…” Penny fought for composure, her emotions raw. “Forget last night. I’m talking about it now.”
Michael’s hands dropped into his lap. Drawing in a deep breath, he clasped them tight, and turned his head to stare out the window. “Penny, I’m not sure what you think you saw, but I am not having an affair.” He jumped to his feet, jerked off his suit jacket, flung it on the chair next to Penny, and began to pace.
“Then explain to me who the redhead is and why she has permission to caress my husband.”
“Caress?” Michael’s voice was loud, his words indignant. “Penny, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but accusing me of infidelity is ridiculous. I repeat. I’m not having an affair and that’s it. End of story.”
He turned on his heel and stomped out of the room toward the kitchen.
Penny followed. He wasn’t going to get away without an explanation. The arrogance. Who did he think he was? More importantly, he was treating her like an acquaintance not a wife.
“Don’t you walk out on this, Michael. You still have some explaining.”
Michael grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator and wheeled around to face Penny. With his index finger, he tapped her gently on the nose. “No explaining needed. Your imagination is working overtime.” He popped the bottle cap and took a gulp of water. He frowned, eyes squinted and mouth clenched. “I’m upset and offended at your accusations. Whatever happened to trust? You’re in the wrong here. Not me.”
Penny stood, gaping in shock. Had he just twisted the issue to her fault? Arrogant jerk.
Michael replaced the cap on the water bottle and strode out of the room. “Night. See you in the morning.”
Furious, Penny stood for a moment before turning out the lights and stomping upstairs to their bedroom. Michael was already in the shower. She undressed, cradled her body in fleece, and stood ready for battle. Michael appeared and continued his routine, toweling himself like nothing was wrong.
“Let’s put it this way, Mr. Wonderful, you’d better talk to me and enlighten me on your behavior, or you can leave.” Penny's voice was calm but firm. Two could play the arrogant game.
Michael was unwavering. “Did your friends plant these ideas in your head while you were gone, cause I don’t know where this is coming from?” The words were calm but the point made—he’d done no wrong.
“No, and you know better. All I want is to know who she is and why.”
“I’m not going to talk about this now. Maybe not ever. Get it? Penny, I don’t know what’s got into you, but I’ve told you there is nothing to be suspicious of—certainly not another woman. So the best thing you can do is forget it, and we can get on with our lives.”
“Forget it?” Penny screamed, her voice piercing the night. “Forget it? I don’t think so. You cannot toy with my feelings like that. Don’t you respect me enough to talk this out or at least tell me who she is?”
“Respect? How about me? Would you call accusing me of an affair respectful? You’re blaming me for something I haven’t done. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. I am not having an affair. What more do you want?”
“I want to know who the redhead is,” Penny said, her voice rising higher. “So who is she?”
Michael’s voice boomed in response. “Okay. Here’s the deal. The way I see it, you’ve already condemned me, so whatever I say won’t matter. You don’t want to hear an explanation. All you want is a confession. Well, my dear, hard to give you one if there isn’t one. In fact, here’s what I think. You don’t trust me, you’re unhappy, and you’ve been looking for something to fault me for. So, enjoy the fictional accusations. Hear?”
“I will, and you hear this. Get out!” She’d had enough. If he didn't have the courtesy to talk about who the woman was, or try to explain…well, he could leave his comfortable home, his children, and his once agreeable wife.
“You can’t mean that.” Michael stood, glaring at her, arms folded across his chest in defiance. “You really want to end fifteen years of marriage over something you dreamed up?”
“I didn’t say end the marriage. I said get out until you decide I’m worthy of an explanation.”
“Listen up, Mrs. Wilson, if I leave, I won’t be back. Hear?”
“Yes, and I don’t care. Did you hear that?” she said, mocking him.
“Yes!” Michael walked to the closet, grabbed a suitcase, and began packing. “So what will you tell the boys? The truth? That you threw their father out?”
“Cute, Michael. Cute. No, I may say something like, your father found someone else. Or, I might say your father doesn’t want to talk to me anymore. Then again, I may say something to the effect that their father has decided he likes redheads better than blondes. Not sure, but it’ll come to me by morning.”
Michael pulled on slacks and slipped a sweatshirt over his head. “Better watch your words there sister. Don’t say or do anything you might regret later.”
“Me! I haven’t done anything that I’m ashamed of. It’s you, Mr. Wilson, who I believe might have something to regret.”
Michael closed the suitcase, shoved his feet into a pair of Keen sandals, and started for the stairs. “Once again, this is all in your imagination. If you come to your senses, call me.”
*****
Michael stormed out of the house. He stumbled on the porch stairs, sending an armload of clothes sprawling over the sidewalk. Drat. Where did she get off telling him to get out of his own home? Should be her, not him. Gathering up the clothes, he opened the car door and shoved the suitcase in before getting behind the wheel. He slammed the door, gunned the motor, and mumbled, “I’ll show her. She’ll get more than she bargained for. In a few days she’ll beg me to come back.”
Michael drove to the Parker House Inn. Could have stopped at the small hotel on Main Street, but the Inn would be more comfortable and had a view of the ocean. Anyway, if he wasn't able to stay home, he wanted something as nice. No sense scrimping just because Penny was having a tantrum.
The innkeeper gave him a look that questioned why he was there. Everyone in Cape Elizabeth knew each other, or at least could recognize faces. In a town of less than 9,000, it would be difficult to get lost, much less not know what went on. Michael smiled and asked for the best room available. He might be staying a long time—he couldn’t be sure.
Settled into a room on the second floor with panoramic windows overlooking the ocean, he put away what clothes he’d brought and turned on the television. Time for a cocktail. His stomach growled. He dialed room service and ordered a sandwich along with a couple of drinks. At the dinner meeting tonight, he’d hardly touched the rubber chicken and soggy green beans that were served.
Gulping down a scotch and water and inhaling a hamburger cooked to perfection, his thoughts began to trace what had happened, and why he was here and not at home. Why on earth did she think he was having an affair? Where did she get the idea, or more important from whom? Gosh, I’ve never ever given another woman a single thought.
He gazed out the window thinking he should go for a walk on the beach and cool off. Why Penny was accusing him was confusing not to speak of infuriating. He struggled, trying to grasp what Penny could have possibly seen. She said she saw him on her way to the airport. And, in her company van. He rarely drove it, but she was right, he’d used it that day while his car was being serviced. The silhouette of Ronny surfaced. A flash of fear darted through his heart. That’s it. Ronny. Confounded woman. Sure, he could have had Ronny if he wanted to, but he didn’t. He was simply being a nice guy giving an employee a ride to work.
Facts were clear now. First of all, Penny saw him and Ronny that day. But what she saw or thought she saw was nothing more than a flirtation. Probably looked bad, but in the end, it was harmless. In fact, the entire incident could have been more, but Michael had nixed it before it got started. Second, when Penny accused him of infidelity, he was offended and inward rage consumed him. Where was the trust? After years in a solid marriage and all they’d been through together, she doubted him. The woman was crazy. They had a good thing together. Changing all that never entered his mind. Michael’s reflective thoughts abruptly stopped. Maybe she was the one who wanted out, and this was her way of making it happen.
*****
Penny was furious. A hot flush crept over her face as anger mounted. She paced back and forth, her stride pronounced and stiff. Anger finally leveled, and she began to sort out what led to the fight. Another woman. Plain and simple. Her image etched deep into Penny’s mind. One she couldn’t shake no matter what Michael said tonight. A sick feeling came over her remembering the scene. Michael driving in Penny’s company van with a woman, her arm draped around Michael’s shoulders, in the passenger seat. Though it was a fleeting glance, the evidence was clear. Penny could still see that infectious smile of his as the redhead laughed, her gaze fixed on him. There was no question in Penny’s mind but what Michael and the woman were involved
Still, Michael didn’t act like a husband who had something to hide. When he met her at the airport last night, there were no signs of guilt, and he appeared genuinely happy to see her. From all appearances, there wasn’t the least hint of marital problems. He’d rushed to her, folded her in his arms, and kissed her long and passionately. It was several minutes before he released her. Penny could still feel his arms around her. But appearances are deceiving and not reality, a phrase Penny understood more and more these days.
The airport scene continued to replay in her head. Every detail was vivid. Michael ushered her toward the baggage carousel and then walked ahead to search for her luggage. Once in the car, he reached over and gave her another kiss. She shivered. The guy knew how to press her buttons. He was a master at making a sale.
“Let’s get home. I can’t wait to see the boys.” She gently pushed him away and pulled the seat belt into place. She needed to remain focused. Michael was a betrayer no matter how much she wanted to believe otherwise.
Better to concentrate on something else. She gazed out the window trying to focus on something other than her husband. Her Cape Elizabeth looks great, she thought. It felt good to be home, even though the trip to France had been wonderful. Aside from the adventures in Provence, she had gained a new dimension on how she wanted to live life in the future. There would be changes. A great deal of soul searching had provided new insights that would require some alterations to what had been a robotic existence. With the help of her friends, she now felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Michael turned down their street and into the driveway of their two-story bungalow. Penny caught her breath at the sight of a huge welcome home sign. “Who made the sign?”
“Connor and Conrad.” Michael grinned, his chest pumped with pride.
“Yes, I can see that now. I recognize the precise stroke of Connor’s writing as well as the slanted letters of Conrad’s.” She quickly opened the car door and rushed to the house, Michael close behind. She stepped inside. Another thrill zipped through her body. The room was magical. Streamers hung everywhere, and confetti was strewn about the table, which held a huge cake and a bottle of Champagne. Her eyes swept the room and adjoining den, noticing that everything was neat and immaculate.
The boys raced toward her and threw their arms around her. “You guys are the best. I’ve missed you,” she said enveloping both in her outstretched arms. “Did you do all this?”
“It was a joint effort,” Connor said, grinning at Michael. “Dad is responsible for the cake and champagne, and Conrad and I did all the decorating. Now, all the neighbors know you’re home. Isn’t that a blast?”
Penny felt like her heart would burst. She loved her sons. So proud of them. Connor, the extrovert at fourteen, was a clone of his handsome father, and Conrad, at sixteen had blond wavy hair with luminous blue eyes like her own. They were growing into fine young men and had never given either Michael or Penny cause for concern.
Michael opened the champagne without a hint of nervousness, and the boys flipped open bottles of Gatorade. The boys talked and talked about all that was happening in school, their sports activities, and tales of how Michael handled the cooking and kept house in her absence. The homecoming was full of joy and love. If she wasn’t so sure, she might have thought that her sighting of Michael with another woman was a dream.
Later, after the boys went to bed, she had unpacked, showered, and snuggled into her own bed for the first time in three weeks. Michael reached for her as though she’d been gone a year. Refusing was totally out of the question, and she willfully welcomed his arms. Their lovemaking was lustful and passionate.
“I’ve missed you,” Michael had murmured. “You can’t imagine how much.”
Penny eagerly released all the passion that had become hidden by problems. Perhaps it was an attempt to have one last beautiful night with her husband of fifteen years, but the reason didn’t matter. She loved every minute. Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms for hours.
Snapping back to the present, Penny crawled into bed. The confrontation with Michael hadn’t ended right. While she wasn’t sure a confession would have been better, Michael’s leaving was certainly not planned. She wondered where he was sleeping but quickly erased that thought. She had a full day tomorrow at the shop and needed to get good night’s sleep.
But, try as she may, sleep didn’t come. Every time she dozed, thoughts of Michael and another woman stormed her subconscious. She tossed and turned until finally sinking into a deep sleep. The sound of the alarm actually woke her. This was a rarity. She couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t been awake before it went off.
*****
Driving to the shop the next morning, Penny struggled to keep her mind on the road. Her life was in flux, but for now, she needed to concentrate on her business and the start of winter classes. Penny owned the Designers Pen, a needlework shop, and aside from her husband and children, it was the most important thing in her life. She had built the business from scratch, carving a haven for needle artisans from an old abandoned two-story clapboard just off Two Lights State Park. Now, thirteen years later, it provided a nice income for her family. She was successful, but then so was Michael. He owned his own insurance agency and enjoyed a solid stable reputation in the community. Michael was a person who could raise money with ease and somehow gather volunteers to help when others couldn’t. His personality drew people to do whatever he asked. Penny had always admired how hard he worked to give his family the very best and how supportive he was of her career.
The glaring red light ahead went unnoticed. Her car sailed right through it. She grimaced, clenching her jaw attempting to direct focus elsewhere. It wasn’t easy. Thoughts of her marriage, a red-headed woman, and Michael kept swarming her conscious. She turned into the parking lot of the Designers Pen, parked, turned off the engine, and bent forward letting her head rest on the steering wheel. Trying desperately to get a grip on emotions, she took two deep breaths. Composure slowly squelched the emotional storm of last night. There would be no visible emotion shown to customers. It wasn’t her style. It was the business that was important at the moment. She’d handle things at home later.

*****

Directions for an Argument
Two people who care for one another.
Accuse the other party of unproved facts
Let emotions dictate the answers
Avoid the point
Dwell on being right instead of listening

Application:
Glare, scowl and forget about feelings, then let the questions and answers surge.

NOTE:
It is best to discount respect or the argument will fail.

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