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The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

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Post by Maggie Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:41 pm

This came sort of left of center for me. I beg forgiveness on it and hope I do the characters, even though they're mine, justice.

*A/N: This is a complete work of fiction, where it came from I'm not sure. The muses just sort of popped up and the rest is history. Please do no post my work without permission. If you ask you shall receive, I promise. P.S. Big big huuuuge thanks to the lovely Wolfy for putting up with my sudden muse changes.*

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter 13116481235_9dd0bc2462_z

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter 13116483965_92b7f18a35_z

Summary:
Booze fueled nights are the norm for Marylou Walker, nothing new there. Until she meets her match with a down and out mechanic that decided to take a seat next to her up at the bar one Friday night. Both have checkered pasts and more than their fair share of secrets but for some reason they can't quite shake one another.

Playlist:
http://open.spotify.com/user/highlandfling22/playlist/1lYTRbKGH6OXge9mVP07bb

Polyvore:
http://www.polyvore.com/heart_is_lonely_hunter/collection?id=3415712
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Post by Wolfy Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:33 pm

Eheee! I am already in love with this piece and can't wait for it to begin. I adore that you're using Tig as your guys face claim for this one Wink we also need to discuss SoA at some point because it is brilliant. I'm a Chibs girl myself.

Your summar already has me asking a few questions so I'll sit patiently awaiting the first update! your playlist.. bookmarked because there are great songs in there. "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter" is one of my favourite Reba records. And Marylou's fashion is rather lovely Very Happy sorry I am so late with responding!
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Post by Maggie Fri Mar 14, 2014 8:09 pm

Aww why thank you! I've got to admit that I've fallen pretty hard for ol' Tigger at the moment. Oh I'd love that! I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen season 6 yet but I've preordered it. Aww! Chibs is downright adorable! Smile

I'm so so glad you liked the summary and I'm going to try to answer all of your questions as best I can, hopefully I'll keep you on your toes with this one. I'm so glad you liked the playlist, I tried to change things up with that one. I'm a Reba fan myself and have always loved that song. I must admit that Marylou's fashion is the total opposite of my own but I'd love to have some of what she's got. No worries at all my dear! *hugs*
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Post by Maggie Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:19 am

“Even in the darkest times there is light and that light may take many forms.”

June Lodi California 2014

What the hell am I doing back here?

I thought to myself as I sat at my usual place at the end of the bar. Flannery's had become a favorite haunt of mine for the past two years and I could be found there Monday through Saturday nursing my drink of choice and smoking the occasional Marlboro Menthol. Tonight happened to kick off a rather dull looking weekend and here I sat sipping my Jack on the rocks, alone. I must have looked pathetic but in this dimly lit smoke filled place who would notice unless they were looking? The only thing they would see was a pissed off sulky looking brunette working her way through a drink as she poured herself over the classifieds section of the Sentinel with a banged up hand.  My day had been sub par at best until I, along with more than two hundred of my associates had received our pink slips and were told to clean our desks. As I boxed up my belongings I managed to get my hand caught in the largest desk drawer that today of all days decided to open for me without so much as a hard yank. After a trip to one of the on call nurses I found that I was without any serious injury to my left hand. I got caught out in the rain as I walked across the parking lot to my car which I might add overheated and up and died in it's parking spot as I tried to go home one last time. I ended up calling Triple A to tow the damn thing to the nearest garage and then walked six blocks to Flannery's where I sat currently circling and reading my evening away. Needless to say my life had gone from pretty decent to a shit storm in one fell swoop. I checked the clock above the bar and noticed that it was only a little after seven.

Still early, could get worse.

I thought as I shook a cigarette out of the pack and lit it before flagging Jackie over to give me a refill. I rummaged through my purse and found a ten and put it up on the bar.

"Do me a favor, Jackie boy. Alternate me two to one until this runs out, huh? "

Jackie, the lanky New York transplant gave me a nod. It was my usual Friday thing, two glasses of ice water to one of whatever I happened to be drinking. I'd known him for the past two and a half years and he was always a straight up guy. He and his wife worked their fingers to the bone here but I guess with four kids and another on the way they had to. I always made sure to tip him extra when the place was all but dead, which was tonight. The college kids hadn't quite come in yet and the summer people were due here to July, it was quiet time for us locals. I went back to my paper with my sharpie in hand.

"If you're lookin' for a job, Mar I hear that new travel agency place is looking for someone, mainly to do over the phone stuff. You wouldn't be on call or anything like with Sedona but it's something. Better benefits and a prime dental and vision package.  Maggie's friend works for a branch back in New York and her and her husband get a discount off of their trips to see his family back in Romania every year. Want their card?"

Jackie offered as he set down a glass of water in front of me with that half grin of his.

"Sure Jackie, anything is better than this sitting and looking thing I've got going on."

I had just about crossed off another section of the Sentinel classifieds in cherry red in when Jackie slid a fancy looking high gloss card with Sun Seekers Travel splashed across it in raised letters. I tucked it into my bag and went back to browsing when the bar stool to my left seemingly moved on it's own.

"This seat taken?"

I didn't even bother looking up before answering.

"Nope."

"Looking for a job, huh? With this economy it's a wonder I've still got mine."

"Yup. Lost mine today after four years of faithful service in two different states."

"Oh man, hope you got yourself a nice severance package."

"Nope, company didn't offer it and I didn't ask. I was young and dumb and in need of money."

I took a sip of my water and flicked the page again and scanned the pages while my new found drinking buddy attempted to make small talk. Something I wasn't quite used to. I normally did my drinking, whether it be alcoholic or otherwise, alone.

"You know, pretty girl like you should be home not in a place like this. Bet your boyfriend's wondering where you are."

I set down my paper and marker and looked this schmuck in the eye. He was either desperate or stuck on stupid. Nice eyes, just the shade of blue I was fond of,  newly clear, honest and the kind that you didn't find in the usuals that came to this sort of place.

"I can see where this is going and it's not going to be pretty. I'm not with anyone, there's no boyfriend the only thing I've got back home is a bunch of plants, half of which are on their last legs. You're a very sweet guy but I see that ring tan you've got. Been there done that and it's not my game,hun."

I was rewarded with a smile I'm sure was a rare one from my new found seat mate. Something about his eyes told me that this guy had had a rough couple of months. I knew that deeply hidden look, I'd been there myself. Still was most days. Further inspection of his hands, which  looked quite rough and freshly scrubbed before he clocked out of the job told me that he worked quite hard. The scarring on his knuckles told me that he knew his way around a wrench and choice in rings informed me that he was the proud owner of a bike or had been at one time or another.

"I get what you're saying, been there myself a time or two. I'm actually not married. I ended up hitting a weak spot in the shank off of a tail pipe this afternoon.  I'm Clay by the way. Clay Kaminsky."

His hand all claimed mind in a hearty shake. My God this guy's a goofball with paws like a bear, but a sturdy handshake. The sign of a hard worker and an honest man.

Well, that explains the nose and goofy smile then. He's goofy but sweet. Good lord get a load of his hands. Those damn things are like bear paws. I wonder if that old adage is true... Stop! Stop right there, Mary Louise!

I thought to myself as I tried in spite of everything not to smile but ended up losing to myself. There was something about him that I liked, not entirely sure why as there were very few people in this world I actually enjoyed spending time with. I was digging through my wallet for a card as I slid it to him across the worn wood of the bar top.

"If you're looking to get that ring of yours fixed give this guy a call."

Clay looked down at the card and smiled.

"Wandering Scots Silversmith, Tanner, and Tinkerer."

"His name's Tommy Keir. He's my brother-in-law, he does excellent work for a reasonable price. Your best bet's to give him a call at about four, he should be out of the workshop by then. Tell him Marylou give you the card."

I turned to pick up my bag and Clay stopped me.

"Thanks...Marylou. Be careful out there, huh?"

"I'm always careful and thanks, Clay. You too."

I dropped a twenty on the bar for Jackie and flagged him down as I prepared to leave for the night.

"Half of that's your tip, Flannery don't lose it like the last time, huh?"

Jackie raised an eyebrow and then shook his head before wishing me goodnight.

"Be careful out there, Walker. See ya tomorrow night for wings and beers. Tell that sister of yours the Irishman says hi."

I let out a snort of my own before walking out into the muggy night air.

"I'm always careful! Her Scotsman would be all up in arms about that one Jackie and you know it."

"Hey! Wait! At least let me walk you to your car."

I heard Clay say as I stopped and turned by the pool tables halfway to the door.

"Car's in the shop but thanks, Clay."

"Then stay for one more drink, on me; it doesn't even have to be alcoholic. It's nice to have someone to talk to. I'd like to get to know more about the mysterious Miss Marylou."

I was taken off guard, not many people wanted to get to know me, I was just a nameless face in the crowd to most people. Walk by me in the street and you wouldn't even think twice about me but for some reason he wanted to know more about me and deep down I wanted to know more about him.

I thought it over for a second what exactly did I have to lose? Nothing really, maybe gain someone to talk to on the nights we stopped in at the same time for a drink, nothing more. I flashed him a smile as I set my bag down in a nearby bar stool and sat down.

"I've been called many things in my life but never mysterious, Mr. Kaminsky. Take a seat and I'll fill you in on the not so interesting life of Mary Louise Walker. On one condition though, you tell me about yourself."

Clay let out a laugh, a pleasant sound that brightened my day considerably, and took a seat next to me.

"It's a deal. Hey Jackie, can we get two waters over here?"

Jackie nodded as he turned from the baseball game he was engrossed in, his Yankees were playing and it didn't look good.

"Okay, for starters, where are you from? You don't sound like the usual California girl to me."

"Good starting point. I'm actually not from the great state of California. I'm from a tiny little map dot town called Misshapwa, it's in Montana right outside of Helena. What about you? You're not the typical surfer dude yourself, sir."

Clay took a sip of his water and shook his head.

"Surfer dude I'm not, I'm a Wyoming boy myself. Tiny map dot place like yourself called Hobuck Valley about an hour away from Casper."

I'd briefly been through Wyoming when I moved out to the outskirts of Boulder almost three years ago. I pushed those memories out of my mind with a slight frown, something Clay noticed.

"I take it you know Casper?"

"Yeah, I went through when I was moving out to Boulder a few years back. Crappy car and some pretty crappy memories. Nothing big though, just the first time I'd moved away from family,y'know?"

Clay nodded as he checked his pockets for what I presumed to be his pack of cigarettes and groaned.

"Damn, I must have left them back at the garage."

I offered him one of mine, which he accepted with a grateful look as he lit it and took a deep drag and looked at me for a moment.

"Don't know very many women that enjoys menthols anymore. Alright, Ms. Marylou, favorite color?"

"Really? Hmm, I must be an odd one then. Oh that's an easy one, ice blue. How about you?"

Clay took a sip of his water and thought.

"Green, hands down. What brought you here to Lodi?"

I lit my own cigarette and let out a plume of smoke as I mulled over an answer.

"Change of scenery and a change of people. What about you?"

"Same, although I've lived damn near everywhere with the exception of Hawaii and Alaska. I wasn't always a mechanic it was just something that found me and I ended up being good at it."

Somehow I got that vibe from him, a jack of all trades and master of one that found him.

"I get that. I guess I haven't found what I'm good at yet, almost thirty years old and I still haven't found my vocational calling."

Clay looked surprised at my age as he snuffed out his cigarette.

"You don't look like you're nearing thirty at all. Then again women usually get the better end of the stick when it comes to aging. Us guys look decrepit by the time we're forty."

I let out a laugh at that one, most of then men I'd been involved with, there hadn't been many mind you; looked much older then they actually were but Clay, he was different.

"Thanks, I'll be thirty in September. What are you talking about? You don't look a day over thirty-one."

"I'll be thirty-five this February but hey I'll take thirty-one my Dad would be proud. He's one of those guys that never aged well."

He rummaged through his wallet until he pulled out a worn family snapshot. I couldn't help but smile, he had the perfect family. Two parents, a gaggle of brothers around him hell there was even a collie dog with a red banana around it's neck and they all looked happy. Something my sister and I would have given our eye teeth for when we were younger.

"Aww, oh wow. You're right with that one. You've got a nice family there."

I reached into my purse and pulled out my wallet's photo keeper and handed it to Clay. The top photo was a picture of my younger sister, my Granny, and I sitting on the front porch steps back home.

"That's my Gran and my sister right before I left Misshapwa. She raised us after my mom split and took off with some trucker she met."

Clay was flipping through my photo collection and found a picture of Tommy and Liza on their wedding day. Both grinning like the lovebirds they still were.

"That would be Liza and Tommy on their wedding day."

"So that's the Scotsman, how'd he get those scars? Must be a tough dude."

I smiled and nodded.

"Tommy's a big teddy bear really. He actually got them the night they met, he was on his way home when she stumbled into her getting mugged by some thugs and rescued her...but not before he got those. Poor guy almost died when he was in the hospital. She never left his side the entire time and they got married two years later."

"Wow, that's a fateful meeting if ever I've heard one. What about you? Still looking for your prince charming?"

I reached for the ashtray and put out of stub of a cigarette.

"I've given up on Prince Charming, my prince turned out to be an asshole wrapped in tin foil. What you? Still looking for Miss Right or should I say Princess?"

"Yeah, still am and it sounds like who I thought was my Princess would have gotten along really well with your prince. Don't let one asshole bring you down, we're not all that bad. Sometimes our armor's a little rusted out and our horses aren't in the best steed like shape but there's one out there for you."

"You've got a point there, Clay. I won't give up if you don't. Sometimes  the Miss Right/Princess type woman is a person that's wrong half the time about things in her life. Oh, and believe it or not our tiaras are only for show, we don't wear them all the time they've been known to clash with jeans.

Clay let out a deep chuckle before he raised his glass.

"To the everyday Mr. and Miss Right, wherever they may be. It might take us some time but we'll find them."

"Here here."

We clinked glasses and dissolved into a laughing fit before we each looked at the clock, it was well past twelve.

"Wow, is it that late already?"

"Must be, man time really flies doesn't it? It was nice talking to you, Clay. I'd like to do it again sometime."

Clay gave me an easy smile and nodded.

"I'd like that. Hey, uh, you need a lift home or anything?"

I hesitated for a moment Clay was a perfectly nice guy but still looks could be deceiving, I'd learned that the hard way.

"Oh thanks, Clay but I'm only a couple of blocks away.."

"Take the lift, Marylou. There are gangs out tonight, the last thing I need if your sister and her Scotsman coming down here and kicking my ass because you got knifed and mugged. You're perfectly safe with Clay."

Jackie cut in as he wiped down the bar and looked me dead in the eye.

"Alright, but only if you let me pay you back with money for gas or something. Where are you parked?"

Clay grinned as he paid his bar tab and tossed me a helmet.

"Right out front. You've ridden on a bike before, right?"

My eyes widened as I nodded and followed Clay out to a beautiful gleaming Dyna that was parked right out front. It had been a few years since I'd been along for a ride but I was sure it was going to come back to me. Wait until he signals for me to get on, feet on the pegs, hands on his hips, look out for small animals, and lean with him on the turns.

"Alright, the foot pegs are down for you. Enjoy the ride, Marylou."

It wasn't until I'd stepped up to his bike that I'd noticed his cut and logo. No wonder I was safe with Clay I was riding with a made member of the Wandering Wolves. From the looks of his cut he was from the mother chapter out of Canter, just over the city limit a mile south. I'd done some sincerely screwed up things in my life but tangling with a guy with affiliations to a Club was a new one, even for me.

"Which way am I going?"

Clay asked before he started the bike.

"22 Silverlake Road, last house on the right. Can't miss it."

"The place with all the white picket fence and really nice flowerbeds with the butterfly bushes?"

I snorted and nodded before placing my hands on his hips.

"That's the one."

"I always wondered who lived there. I pass your place every morning on my way to work and didn't even know it. I'm over on Canyon Run, last place on the left."

I knew Canyon Run pretty well, Liza and Tommy's place was the first house on the block, I might have passed Clay's on my way there from work and never even known it. Funny world it turned out to be. Twenty minutes later we were parked out front of my place bidding each other good night.

"Thanks for the lift, Clay. I'd probably still be walking. At least let me give you money to fill your tank, it's the least I can do."

I said as I reached into my purse and pulled out my last twenty and pushed it into Clay's hand. I never carried much cash on me since Liza got mugged years back.

"Oh you don't need to, really, Marylou. Like I said before back at Flannery's it's nice to have someone to talk to..and even nicer to give a lift home to."

"I know, but still it's the principle of it, Clay. You went out of your way and I'm paying you back, it's not very often that I get a nice guy with an equally nice bike to talk to. Now that you know where I'm at feel free to stop by or something sometime. Something tells me I'll have some time on my hands. Thanks again, be safe okay?"

Clay gave me a final goofy smile before nodding and starting the bike again.

"I'll catch you down at Flannery's tomorrow night?"

I stopped halfway up the front walk and nodded.

"Yeah, I'll be there in my usual spot. Probably going over the classifieds again. How about you?"

"Yup, I'll be there. probably around six or seven. Keep a seat open for me at the bar."

"Will do."

We waved our goodbyes one final time and parted ways under the bright summer moon.  I couldn't help but smile to myself as I made my way into the house and threw my bag down onto the couch and kick off my shoes. My otherwise crap day had ended on a high note. I checked my voice mail to find a message from Liza asking me how my day went and filling me in on this week's accomplishments.

"Oh...and uh I was wondering if we could stop by for Sunday dinner? We're all dying to see you."

I could hear Tommy in the background making a fuss.

"Now don't go inviting us over there, Liza. She could be busy you know. Lou, if you're busy we totally understand don't mind your sister. Just call us tomorrow, aye? Oh! I got your gift and it's beautiful...the shortbread however were eaten by a certain Cookie Monster who's currently sound asleep. Any chance I could convince you to make another batch?"

A sound smack was heard with Liza taking hold of the phone again.

"Gimme the phone back! Lou, don't listen to him. He did get his shortbread...Tommy stop!"

"Don't listen to her, Lou! She's a liar and an accomplice to cookie thievery."

"Am not!"

"Are too,dammit!"

I could heard a thud as the phone was dropped what sounded like some sort of preposition and a laugh, probably Liza and then a mad scramble.

"Lou, it's Liza, I'm not sure how much of that you heard but we're sorry. We love you and I've gotta go, bye!"

The message ended as I decided to turn on the taps to the shower with a sigh. It wasn't until the messages ended from Liza that I realized how alone I was. The only sound that filled my house was the ticking of the clock and the sound of the peepers outside. As I finished my shower and changed into a clean pair of pajamas I did my nightly routine of checking the locks and setting up the coffee maker before climbing into bed. I drifted off to sleep thinking of Clay of all people and wondering if he'd gotten back to his place safe and sound. I wondered if he went through the same routine I did, I'd probably never know and honestly why was I thinking of someone I'd only just met?


Last edited by Maggie on Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:24 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Post by Wolfy Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:22 pm

I absolutely loved this first update and am itching to continue reading the next one. I love all of the characters you've introduced so far and look forward to learning more about each of them! I also loved how Jackie butted in and convinced MaryLou it was perfectly safe to grab a ride home from Clay — that made me giggle a bit.

Urgh, this really was perfect. I'm trying to be as patient as I possibly can but it's not working very well ;p you write beautifully and I just want to read pages and pages of this one.
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Post by Maggie Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:03 am

I'm so sorry I didn't reply yesterday to this. I'm so so glad you enjoyed the first update. I'm trying to really get into their heads for this one. I only thought it was right to give Mr. Flannery a bit of interaction, I could actually see him doing this. If he passes the Jackie test he must be a good egg.  I can't thank you enough for reading and reviewing, it really does the mean the world to me, as well as my muses.  Still working away. Oh! I do have a banner for the lovely Liza and Tommy as well as dear little Nate. I'll be posting them later on today. Smile
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Post by Maggie Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:17 am

I'm so so sorry about not posting this after my last message. Just a little post about our other three center characters and a few settings via Polyvore. Having a bit of a stall at the moment with this but I'll be back on the horse in no time, no worries.  Very Happy 

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter 13463361664_5f1d40eea4

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Post by Wolfy Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:06 am

I love that banner of Liza, Nate and Tommy! it's beautiful. I need to learn how to edit things as you do. The polyvore set is perfect, too. I really love their home :] and all of the purple you've tied in there! I can't wait for the next update, but please, take your time.
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