Chapter 6

Six months later...

Poppy lifted her head, rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck. She’d been at this for what seemed like hours. Sorting out household statements from Hank’s debt statements was not a pleasant task. Jeremy had been good to his word and had sat at her side sorting out everything. He’d helped her contact the credit card companies that Hank had charged an exorbitant amount on and had strong-armed them into agreeing to close the accounts and setting up a non-accumulating interest agreement so she could make payments that would eventually pay them off.

Each month, when the survivor’s benefits were deposited in her bank account, she separated the lights, water, and gas, from the loathsome bills that set her teeth on edge every month. She had filled out a mountain of paperwork disputing the debt because Hank had forged her signature and she had had no idea he received the cards or spent as much as he had. What on earth was purchased, she was clueless.

There certainly were no new assets filling their house or sitting in the yard. If there was a boat, or new cars, or some asset she could lay her hands on, she’d sell all of it to help pay these cards off or at least pay them down. It was a huge burden on her shoulders and a catalyst to building an even bigger detest for her husband. Bitter bile lapped at the back of her throat.

She had thought there was a hefty life insurance policy that would have left her and the girls set up comfortably, but somewhere along the way, Hank had ceased making those payments. Poppy clenched her teeth and squeezed her eyes tight. What started out to be love for Hank had deteriorated over time because of his aggressive and jealous behavior. But now that he was gone, her feelings for him became even more rancid. Piling up this debt, without her permission or knowledge, and leaving her and the girls without so much as a savings, or a life insurance policy, just solidified how selfish and narcissistic he truly had been.

Poppy slammed her fist on the table, causing her pen to bounce and fall to the floor. She closed her eyes to stay the tears.

A tap at her door made her sigh. She didn’t feel like talking to anybody right now. Her mood was foul, and her body ached. She pushed herself to stand and shuffled to the door.

“Hi.” Jeremy smiled. A sliver of excitement raced up her spine. Seeing Jeremy lightened the dark shadow that hung over her emotions. He had been an amazing friend during these long six months.

“Hey.” Poppy watched all three girls race into the house. “Thanks for picking up the girls, Jeremy. It’s so kind of you.”

“Not a problem. I enjoy their chatter while we drive home. Chelany enjoys it too.” He glanced at the table scattered with invoices and envelopes. “How’s that going?”

“Ugh.” Poppy helped Marla and Mable with their backpacks. “You girls go to your room. I’ll have a snack for you in a few minutes and we can start your homework.”

The girls giggled and scurried to their room, Chelany after them.

Jeremy’s eyes shone with empathy. “I know. It sucks. What can I do to help?” He stepped closer to the messy table.

“Nothing.” Poppy scooped the papers together and shoved them into a haphazard pile at one end of the table. “I just need to make out the checks and get them mailed.”

“Well, I tell you what, you write out the checks, I’ll stuff the envelopes and we can take the girls for ice cream. They all got blue on their behavior cards today. Then we can drop the envelopes in the mailbox near the parlor.”

“I don’t know...” Poppy glared at the pile of Hank’s treachery.

“Oh, come on. Getting out of the house will be good for you and the girls deserve a treat. What’s better than a scoop of ice cream to drown your frustrations against this.” He gestured to the invoices.

Marla ran into the kitchen. “Ice cream? Can we go get ice cream, mommy?”

Poppy turned to her daughter with a sardonic smile. “I suppose so. I hear you both behaved very well in school.”

“We did!” Marla nodded enthusiastically.

“Alright. Go play with your sister and Chelany. Jeremy and I will be just a few more minutes and then we’ll be ready to go.”

“Yay!” Marla ran back down the hall.

Poppy turned to Jeremy. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done these six months without your help, and support. You’re a good friend, Jeremy.”

He touched her arm tenderly. “Poppy. It’s my pleasure. I’ve admired you for a long time. You’re a great mother and you never deserved the way Hank treated you...”

Poppy frowned.

“But that’s none of my business. Come on, let’s get these dreadful things in the mail and out of the way.”

She pursed her lips and sat down. Lifting the pen from the floor, she wrote out the check, and handed it to Jeremy. He verified it was going in the right envelope and tore off the invoice portion, then licked the envelope closed. He placed a stamp in the corner and set the bill aside.

Soon they were done. Poppy recorded each check as she wrote it and balanced the checkbook. Jeremy pretended not to notice the final balance. But Poppy knew he couldn’t help but see the measly amount. At least she had enough to pay these wretched bills. Someday it would be done, and the revenue would be hers and not the debtors’.

She reached across to take the pile of sealed envelopes, just as Jeremy reached for the same pile. Their hands grabbed one another instead. Poppy froze. The warmth of his hand sent a pleasant sensation up her arm and settled in her heart. How often had she had ridiculous dreams about Jeremy while Hank was still alive? Could it be that the cosmos was preparing her heart for this time when Hank would be gone, and she could actually give her heart to another? A kinder, gentler man.

A flash of the shower dream she had the night Hank was killed penetrated her thoughts. How often she had entertained memories of those dreams now that she slept alone. Would Jeremy be as kind and giving of a lover as he had been in her dreams? Heat filled her cheeks because of the intimate thoughts.

Jeremy smiled and released the pile of envelopes. Poppy lifted them and put them in her purse. She cleaned up the invoices and shoved them in a filing accordion keeper under the month of April. It did feel good to have that done for a while.

She had to admit one more thing. It felt good to have Jeremy’s help. Hank had never sat with her while she made out the household bills. Perhaps now, she knew why. He had his secret bills to sort out and keep her from finding out. No wonder he insisted on picking up the mail every day. How often had he screamed at her for not letting him be the man of the house by getting the mail? She’d given in to his demands, of course, thinking it was a good-wife type of thing to do. Now she knew better. Hank had ulterior motives for getting the mail without her seeing it first.

Shaking her head, to shake the venomous thoughts from her mind, she walked toward the door. “Come on girls. We are ready to go.”

A chorus of “Yay!” came with the girls as they ran to the door. Jeremy’s cobalt blue Buick Enclave was last in the driveway, therefore by default designated the vehicle they would all go in. Poppy had kept Hank’s older model Bronco and sold her beloved Jeep Wrangler because she was able to get more for the Jeep and pay down some of that debt. Jeremy’s Enclave was a better fit for two adults and three girls.

It felt good to sit next to Jeremy as they drove to Josh & John’s Ice Cream parlor. They had known each other for 5 years. Ever since Chelany joined the Daffodil troop with Marla. No, they had first met at toddler preschool. He used to bring coffee and she’d bring cookies. Then one day, Hank had come with her. From then on, Jeremy kept his distance. Had Hank said something awful to Jeremy? Poppy figured he did. Why else would Jeremy have changed his behavior?

With the daffodils, Jeremy had always been a helpful contributing parent. Poppy didn’t miss the fact that he was a handsome man, nor did her subconscious. He showed up in her dreams soon after. It was as if their souls traversed the ethereal waves at night to be together, despite Poppy’s commitment to her marriage. She had no control over her dream life. Nor did she tell Hank or anyone else about this ongoing affair her mind was having with Jeremy Black.

Now that Hank was gone, Jeremy proved himself to be a solid and trustworthy friend. He’d been there the night of the tragic accident. He understood Poppy’s family legacy that killed Hank. And he was willing to support Poppy emotionally, like a mentor, as she learned more about and became adjusted to being a shapeshifter. He’d sat by her to sort out the mess in bills that Hank had left.