By Marilyn & Jo

Looking at the clock on the dresser Ivy Braddock threw the cover over her head trying to go back to her dream. Quickly the darkness under the cover became stuffy and she gave in to the reality that she wasn’t going to get back to sleep. Exasperated she got out of bed and headed towards the shower. Maybe Jim will try to call again today she thought as she turned on the water and set the temperature.

She knew was Toni would be saying to her right now if she were there. She had heard it during their shopping trip. Of course Toni was right. Jim would be back in a few weeks and crying about it wasn’t going to make the time go any faster or change the fact that they are apart. But damn it she wanted to cry. She wanted to think about Jim.

The shopping trip in Coffs was a nice diversion but when the days events were over she still had to go to back to her room alone. Having stood a little too long in the shower daydreaming she was startled when the phone rang. Turning off the shower she didn’t bother with a towel before answering the phone.

"Jimmy?" she answered hopefully.

"Ivy Braddock who do you think it is? I told you I’d be here around noon to pick you up."

"Oh Toni hold on." Ivy pulled on her robe and wrapped a towel around her hair before picking up the phone again.

"Toni, I woke up late so I’m running behind. What is all the commotion going on there? That can’t all be Richie."

"My family is here. How late did you sleep anyway?"

"Look Toni. I really am not ready to deal with everyone yet today. How about I come by later this evening?" Ivy was remembering the last time she was around Gena Stanley and wasn’t looking for a repeat performance just yet. She would have a lot of getting herself together before she could deal with that.

"I didn’t get to bed until late. Jimmy tried to call several times last night but the line didn’t seem to be any good. The call kept dropping. That’s why I thought it might be him when you called. I promise I’ll be by this evening. I’ll be fine until then. Really I will."

After hanging up with Toni, Ivy decided to get dressed. She knew the longer she stayed in her room the less likely she was to leave it. Jim had suggested she get out some during their all too brief attempts at conversations the night before. At least she had been able to hear his voice she thought to herself.

Opting to wear something nice so she wouldn’t have to return to her room before going to Toni’s she put up her hair before heading out. The afternoon was warm and sky was a clear blue. Perfect weather for a walk she thought to herself.

Having no destination she simply picked a direction and started off on her way. The sun felt good on her skin and the fresh air was invigorating. She caught glimpses of houses from the road a few times. But one caught her attention. It was a large structure made of glass and metal, it looked like no building she had ever seen before. Walking closer she began to wonder what such a building would be used for.

Sid was just coming out his door when he noticed the dark-haired young woman staring at his house. She seemed unaccompanied and so he smiled at her and began to walk in her direction. "You like my house," he said in greeting, the words a statement and not a question because, of course, it was magnificent.

"So this is a house. I was wondering. It is completely unique." she said with wonder in her voice. "It caught my attention from the road. I'm sorry, I guess I'm trespassing, aren't I?" Ivy looked at the man in front of her and then back at the house. The house suited him somehow but she couldn't quite figure out how or why. Looking back at the man she smiled, "It suits you, the house I mean. I'm Ivy Braddock, by the way."

"And a very perspicacious Ivy you are, too!" His smile broadened. "And you are most welcome, Ivy Braddock. I fear I've not had my door quite beaten down with company since I arrived."

"Thank you. I hope this means you aren't going to have me arrested then." she laughed. "I suspect most of the residents are still getting settled in themselves. I haven't been out much since my arrival except to visit with Toni and Richie." She found her gaze being drawn to the house again. "Who ever designed it? It is amazing."

"I did," he replied, enjoying her response to the place he'd created for himself. "Top to bottom, it's all my design."  He looked down the lane toward the direction from where she'd come and even though there were no other houses that could be seen from his, added, "I know it doesn't blend in with the rest, but then I don't really blend in with the rest myself."

He, truly, had not visited the other houses in the Glen, but he was well aware of who their occupants were. He also knew who was staying at the Inn. But he asked, "And, Miss Ivy, do you have a house hereabouts?"

His question caused her to turn her gaze toward him. "No, I don't. I am staying at the Boarding House. I'm from New Jersey." Why was she talking so freely with him? Maybe it was his smile. Or the amazement she felt when she considered what he had said, he designed this house. "Sometimes it is good not to blend in." She pointed towards his house. "Places like this wouldn't happen if everyone blended. The light must be amazing inside, and the stars."

"I should like for you to see that sometime." He looked pointedly at the ring on her finger. "Perhaps your husband and you could come tonight? Is he back at the Inn?" 

"No." her face took on a distressed look. "He had to return to New Jersey for a few weeks. He will be back before Toni and Richie's wedding." She looked at the ground and moved the toe of her shoe over an imaginary pebble. "But I would love to see it sometime." She looked at him and managed a half smile. She wasn't going to cry. She cried everytime she thought about Jim not being there and she wasn't going to do it this time. She didn't want everyone calling her "poor Ivy" when they discussed her. "Perhaps you'd give me a tour sometime?"

"I'd be delighted." He studied her discomfit when Braddock's leaving was mentioned. So, she didn't know. How interesting. "New Jersey is a long way from the Glen, Ivy. Have you been married so long, then, that your husband didn't mind leaving you and going such a distance?"

"We've been married about a month now," she said biting her lip a second. "He needed to take care of some things back home. But everyone seems to be looking in on me."

Sid looked shocked. "A month! This must be very important business for him to have left such a lovely bride so very soon." He paused, pursing his lips. "I note your last name is Braddock, dear Ivy. I have heard of a prize fighter named Braddock. Is your husband any relation to him? I have, you see, some passing interest in the sport and rather wished I wouldn't have to miss that bout he has coming up so soon. Does your husband like boxing by any chance?"

Ivy paused for a moment to digest his words. Did he just say upcoming bout? she looked at him. "Excuse me um, I'm sorry I have forgotten your name." She raised her hand to her face and touched her temple. "Did you say upcoming bout?"

"Sid," he said smoothly. "Yes, this Braddock fellow, I believe his name is Jim, has a bout scheduled any day now. I've heard he's training in New Jersey quite intensely these days. Good thing you're not married to him. Rumor has it he's going to get his block knocked off. That would certainly be no way to treat a new wife, now would it? Yes, it's a good thing you're not married to that guy!"

"Married to him? Sid! I am married to a boxer named James Braddock. At least he used to box." Closing her eyes she breathed deeply. She didn't understand. Jim hadn't said a word about a fight. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at Sid. "May I ask where you got your information?" she asked in the calmest voice she could muster.

"Why, my dear! Married to him! Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that! I would never have mentioned a thing had I known! As it happens I was checking the American fight schedules on my computer...being an American and all, you may have noticed...and there he was. James J. Braddock. Why, I even printed it out in case there were some way I might be able to arrange a flight back to the  States."  He  reached into a breast pocket, pulling out a neatly folded sheet of white paper. "Here"  And then he added again, "I'm just so sorry, Ivy. I wish I'd known."

She took the paper from him and unfolded it. As she read it her hands began to shake. She folded it again and held it out for him to take back. She looked down the road then back at him. "Sid could I trouble you for a ride back to the boarding house?"

"No trouble, Ivy. Just wait here and I'll get a car."  He didn't want her following him around his house and watching as he opened the hidden doorway to his

underground garage. Rather quickly he roared up beside her in a blue Bugatti convertible. He smiled brightly. "Going my way?"