For a good moment, I had forgotten why I was here, on this island with Lionel. It was petty yes, but I had found myself enjoying the issues surrounding this home and the drama that came with it.
I had asked Lionel about May, Marjory's daughter and he acting very evasive. He avoided answering in full who she was or why she was such a sour topic in the household. He had mentioned to me that she was currently in a mental asylum and that's why it would be rude to speak of her especially about why she was committed in the first place.
My curiosity sat on me intensely. I didn't want to give it up. I knew without a doubt that Lionel would not say a word so I depended on Josey to do so. I would be a pain to her from today forth, but I didn't care. Anything to keep me going while I lived here.
"Good morning Marjory." I greeted her as I sat down at the table for breakfast.
"Mr. L will not be joining you for breakfast today ma'am. However, if you need anything, kindly ring the bell on the table and I or Josey will be at your service in no time." She said ignoring my greeting.
"If you have a problem with me, I would prefer that you told me, rather than treat me like dog the rings a bell around my neck for your attention or have me treat you like a slave by ringing a bell to call your attention. I do not expect an elderly woman like to behave the way you do." I was livid by her suggestion and it showed.
"Ma'am I meant no offense." She tried to rescue herself from the situation, her facing turning red from embarrassment.
"Mrs. Campbell to you, Marjory, Mrs. Campbell!" I insisted. "And also, how rude and disrespectful is it that you stand around read to aid us when Lionel is around and yet would rather rest in another room and leave a fucking bell for me to call for you? Are you insane?"
Marjory was in shock and it was easy to see, she simply made a bow and apologized for what she did and stood there with the intention to watch me eat as she would for any other meal we would have. But I didn't intend to eat because of how angry I felt, so I simply got up and left the dining room.
Hours later, a knock on my door woke me up from a nap I didn't realize I was then taking. I quickly rushed to the door and it revealed Lionel standing there impatiently.
"What happened?" He asked walking in without an invitation.
"Excuse me?" I protested at his action.
"Shut the door Sue." He demanded.
I folded my arms ignoring his demand, making him walk back to the door to shut it by himself.
"Marjory is a very important person to me, and to this household. You will not treat her otherwise." He demanded.
"I know very well Lionel that I am not of importance in this home but I do deserve respect." I was calm but clear. "She has had it for me since the day I walked into this house and I am sick of it. Do you even know what she did this morning?" I asked him.
"I don't think it matters."
"You don't think it matters? Really? Lionel I tiptoe in this house. I watch my every step and my every word because of the way she looks at me and speaks to me whenever it is she decides to. When you are not around she ignores my greetings and treats me as if I have a chronic disease and everyone around should sit far away from me."
"That's not true Anna Sue and you know it." He protested in a way that he was refusing to believe a word I said.
"Fine! Why don't we ask her?" I suggested.
"And why would I do that? The woman is old enough to be my mother for fucks sake, so if you have a problem with her, while you deal with it, treat her with the respect." He said putting the final blow for me.
"You kow what? I've had it!" I was walking out of the room straight to the kitchen where I knew I would find Marjory. And I did.
Lionel walked behind me following my steps while making protests that I was acting ridiculous.
"Mrs. Campbell." Marj said at my appearance. "How may I help?"
"Marjory what did you and Lionel discuss about this morning?" I asked her ignoring her question.
"Well….." The hesitation in her voice told me something was off.
"Well?" I persisted.
"Okay. Did you tell him you left me with a little bell to summon you when I need you at the table this morning?" I asked her.
She looked down at her feet trying to avoid the question.
"Wait what?" Lionel said acting surprised.
"Did you also mention to him that when I politely greeted you ignored my greeting and demanded I use the bell when I needed your help?" I asked her again.
She stayed quiet.
"Great. I guess not." I said now turning to walk out of the kitchen.
"Deal with your rubbish." I said to Lionel as I stepped out and kept walking till I got to my room now leaving the door locked behind me.
Half an hour later, Lionel was pounding on the door begging me to open.
"I need space Lionel." I said out loud.
"I just need a few minutes of your time. I will be out of your hair before you know it." He begged again.
When I opened the door, he suggested we took a short walk to the beach side behind my room as we talked.
"I do have respect for you Sue. I have just known Marjory for too long in my life that when I saw her cry, it triggered so much in me. I have seen her through too much pain. And I know it was dumb of me to think that you did something atrocious to her, but I could not help but think it." He explained.
"To be fairly honest, I don't care about your relationship with her. What I do care about is the way that I get treated, especially after I am perceived as your wife and the woman of the house. The least you can do is offer me a comfortable stay."
"I absolutely understand."
"Look, I have sacrificed my entire life to be here, and I would like to believe you have to. You don't love me and I don't love you and yet we are here trying to help our fathers sort out the mess they got into. The least we can do is understand where we are at." I said while I looked ahead at the color of blue before my eyes.
"Marjory's daughter, May, she was committed because of me." He admitted.
"What do you mean?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I cannot say much, but all I can tell you is that I owe her and her husband a lot. Most especially her."
"Well you can owe her and respect me at the same damn time."
And now I thought to myself, how Lionel could have driven someone crazy to the extent of committal. Granted, his looks drove me mad, but no that mad.