Best Man for the Job
by
Mary Elizabeth Overstreet
- 4 -
In his study, Barnabas checked the small ornate old clock on the hearth mantel when he heard the knock on the door. It was nine in the morning—early for visitors, he thought. He returned his attention to some business reports he was reviewing. At another knock, he looked up in annoyance. Willie should have answered it.
Standing, he left the room and went to Willie's door. He opened it and looked in, almost expecting to see that his servant had run away. Instead, on the bed he saw only the top of Willie's head, a few locks of his blondish hair were visible while the rest of him remained curled up underneath the bed covers. Either he had not lighted a fire or it had gone out, Barnabas thought, for it was cold in the room. He shrugged, ignoring a twinge of guilt, and let Willie sleep.
He reached the front door as the knock sounded again. His face lit up in a smile as he greeted Maggie warmly. "Maggie, what brings you out this morning?" he asked, gently guiding her into the house.
"Oh, Barnabas, I— I came out. . ." She stopped, putting her arms around him. "I wanted to tell you myself." She glanced around to see if they were alone. "I spoke with Jeff last night."
"Oh? After I left you?" He felt himself tense involuntarily and forced himself to relax.
"Yes." She smiled; he was still jealous. "Barnabas, we talked for a long time."
"And?" His eyes never left hers.
"Well, I came here this morning to tell you that. . .that I want to marry you."
"Maggie," he breathed.
"Jeff and I decided that. . ." She smiled sadly. "You love me more," she began again, "and I love you more. That's all that counts."
"Oh, Maggie." Barnabas hugged her tightly. "I love you. You're all I've ever wanted. I'll do everything I can to make you happy."
"I know you will." She pulled back to study him. She had never seen him look so happy—all traces of that inner melancholy seemed to be gone. He was so gentle and kind, considerate of her in every way. Her heart filled with warmth for him. "I'm glad you asked me." She tugged at his coat collar lightly. "Let's talk and make plans—I'm so excited!"
"I can hardly believe it, Maggie. I-I want to do everything for you." He found he was thrilled as he hadn't been in nearly two-hundred years when Josette had agreed to marry him. "Come, we must make our plans." He led her into the drawing room. "Would you care for something? Have you eaten?"
"Why no, I was too nervous this morning. I've told no one."
"I'll have Willie fix us some brunch, if you like." They sat down together on the divan.
"As long as it's no trouble, Barnabas." She smiled at him, and he pulled her into a passionate kiss. "Barnabas!" she said, laughing, when her released her.
He felt young and untroubled. "Oh, Maggie, I do love you so." He kissed her tenderly, holding her face in his hands. "I'd do anything for you."
She caught herself blushing. "I knew I made the right decision."
He smiled. "I'll go get Willie to fix us breakfast."
"All right. But hurry back, sweetheart."
Barnabas rose, his dignity preventing him from racing up the stairs as he wanted to. He had not felt elated with joy and energy in so long. Even the sting of guilt failed to bother him when he again looked in on Willie. "Willie," he said to the hidden form on the bed.
He was cold all over and could not place himself at first. Willie heard Barnabas call his name again and woke more fully. He mustered up a moan.
"Willie, wake up." Barnabas moved to stand by the bed. Perhaps he should take Maggie out, he thought.
Willie pushed the cover off his face to look out, remembering with cruel swiftness what had happened the night before as his body protested against the movement. He was stiff and sore. "Hunh?"
Barnabas looked down at his bleary-eyed servant. He was tempted to leave him to his rest. "Willie, I want you to get up now—"
You want, he thought. "Why?"
"Well, it's almost nine-thirty."
"So?" he said insolently, daring him to get angry.
"I said I want you to get up, Willie." All sympathy left his voice. "Now do it. And be quick about it. You are to prepare breakfast for Maggie and myself in—"
Willie sat up, then wished he hadn't. "Barnabas, I don't want to do that."
"I don't care what you want!" he said sharply. "You'll do as I tell you to do."
"Or what?" He stared defiantly up at the older man, while quaking inwardly.
Barnabas lost what patience he had left and grabbed Willie by the collar of his pajamas. "Or there will be a repeat performance of last night!" He had him pulled halfway out of the bed.
He was still incredibly strong, Willie thought. "No there won't," he said, but fear made him sound conciliatory rather than defiant.
Barnabas dropped him with a push. "Very well, then." He watched Willie grimacing as he caught himself on the bed. "Now listen to me. I want you to prepare us each an omelet—as you've done before for me. Bring it into the dining room, and be quick about it."
Willie didn't look at him, hating his cowardice. "All right."
"That's better." Barnabas let the anger slip and smiled at the thought that Maggie was going to marry him. "I have some news for you."
"What?" He noticed the change in Barnabas' tone and looked up, not really caring to hear the news.
"Maggie has agreed to marry me," he said smugly.
Willie hid his feelings of surprise, despair, anger. He just didn't care any more. "Congratulations," he said flatly.
"You don't sound too thrilled, Willie." Barnabas found himself cruelly amused.
Willie pushed off the rest of the cover and swung his legs out of the bed. He couldn't restrain himself from an obvious wince. He held his left side till the spasm eased off. He did not think Barnabas deserved a reply.
"Well, I'm sorry it doesn't please you," he continued, slightly uncomfortable seeing the aftereffects of his rage. "I'll leave you to get dressed."
Willie didn't answer till Barnabas was gone and had shut the door. "Thanks a lot," he muttered. He felt all full of darkness and hate. He wanted out, and he never wanted to see Barnabas or Maggie again. He could hardly believe Maggie had told him about Willie going to see her. But if she could be that cruel and unreliable, he wouldn't care what she got herself into.
A short time later, Willie made his way downstairs. Even going that short a trip was hard on his bruised body—or it was hard on his mental state because physical discomfort made him emotional and feel sorry for himself.
He glanced in the door of the drawing room as he passed it. Maggie noticed him and stood up. "Hello, Willie."
He looked at her, unsmiling, then at Barnabas who watched with interest. There was an acid taste in his mouth as he said hello to her.
She went up to him, noticing how he took a step back. "Did Barnabas tell you?" she asked excitedly, leaning on the door jamb.
"Yeah. Congratulations, Maggie." He moved to leave, unable to stand her any more.
"Willie," she said to keep him from leaving.
"What?"
"Is something wrong?"
He glanced at Barnabas and laughed sardonically. "Wrong? No, I don't think so." He turned to leave again.
She laid a hand on his arm, and he flinched away. "Willie."
"Look if you want something to eat, you're gonna have to let me go fix it." It was a rude thing to say, but he didn't care. He walked away.
Maggie frowned to herself, then looked to Barnabas questioningly. "Did Willie get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Barnabas! You know, he seemed very grumpy or angry or something."
"I'll speak to him about it." He would not have Maggie treated rudely.
"Don't do that. I just wondered what was wrong with him."
"Well, Willie does have a rather strange temperament. Perhaps he didn't sleep well."
"Oh." She returned to sit next to him.
"Now where were we?"
Willie set the table for them as breakfast was cooking, his own included. He had to get out now, while Maggie was still here to keep Barnabas occupied. The most reasonable method hit him suddenly, and he smiled.
He waited till they were seated at the table and he was bringing in the food. "Hope this is okay," he said as he placed Maggie's omelet before her.
"Thank you, Willie." She noted his change of mood.
"Well, uh, seein' as this is the last time. . ." He suppressed a smirk and looked over at Barnabas. The other man was staring at him, his expression unreadable.
"What do you mean?" She looked at him.
"Oh, didn't Barnabas tell ya?" She shook her head. "I'm leaving today."
"Leaving?" She looked at Barnabas in question and could see that he was surprised or not pleased.
How dare he! Barnabas was thinking. Well, two could play at this game. "Oh, yes, Maggie. I forgot to tell you. Willie is taking a holiday. He'll be back in a couple of weeks."
Willie looked at Barnabas, clenching his teeth in anger. He hated that smug look on the man's face and felt himself trembling with rage.
Maggie stared at Willie who was not so good at hiding his feelings. Something was happening here, and she wanted to know what it was. Willie nearly knocked Barnabas' breakfast from his plate as he set it down in front of him. He didn't look at either of them as he strode stiffly out.
"Barnabas, what's going on here?"
He turned his attention from the door through which Willie had exited, to her. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, come on, you saw the way he acted." She searched his eyes from across the table.
"Yes." He looked down at his food, wondering if Willie would have had the nerve to poison him. "But I really don't know why he was upset."
"I gather that he thinks you do." They locked eyes. "Barnabas, let him go. That's what he wants."
"What makes you say that?"
She didn't answer, not wanting to lie to him or reveal the fact Willie had been to see her.
"Have you been talking to him?" He was certain of it now.
"Barnabas, just let him go."
"You have. He's come to see you, hasn't he?" The anger in his voice was unmistakable.
"What does it matter? He'd be happier somewhere else." His obvious fury frightened her and made her a little angry as well at his unreasonableness.
"I don't ca—" He stopped, realizing how that would make him sound.
"You don't care, what? If he's happy?" She stood up. "How very cruel of you, Barnabas. I wonder if I was wrong about you. Or if I've made the right decision." She started toward the door.
"Maggie, wait!" He rose quickly and followed her.
Willie listened from within the kitchen. So Maggie had not betrayed him! he thought. And now if she persuaded Barnabas to let him go, he would have to be careful to stay away from him until then. Barnabas would almost certainly take his anger out on him if he got the chance.
He moved to the dining room where he could hear them.
"Maggie, wait, you don't understand," Barnabas said after catching up to her and gently taking her arm. "Please."
"Look, Barnabas, I know it's none of my business really, but I won't stand by watching you make him miserable. He's terrified of you, and I'm beginning to see why. You're very formidable when you're angry. I don't want you to hurt him, regardless of what he's done in the past."
"Maggie, please. . . What do you mean?"
"You know—the grave robbing."
Barnabas did not answer for a moment, trying to absorb this information and piece together what Willie must have told her. "You know about that?"
"Yes, and I know it must've made you mad to catch him at it, but he was drunk that night and. . . Well, I can't help but notice how much he's changed since then—and for the better. Barnabas, I wouldn't be so concerned if I didn't think Willie could do better for himself somewhere else now."
He stared at her and tenderly touched her cheek. "You're a very kind-hearted girl, Maggie. I'll let him go, if that's what you want."
She shook her head. "You're missing the point. It doesn't matter what I want. You should do it because it isn't right to make him stay if he doesn't want to. Let him go, Barnabas, don't tell the police."
"All right, Maggie. He's free to go wherever he likes." He looked at her a moment more, then said, "I'll tell him now. Willie!" he called without malice in his voice. When the young man came in, Barnabas felt a wave of guilt at the stiff way Willie moved. Maggie would hate him if she knew what he had done to him.
Willie waited expectantly; he had heard their conversation, he knew what was coming. It made him uncomfortable, almost defensive to have heard what Maggie said on his behalf. Sometimes he wanted her pity, but not now, for surely pity was all she felt for him, he thought.
"Willie, you are free to go find other employment if you wish." For once he could not read Willie's expression. "I won't mention to the police what you were doing that night if you promise me something."
"What?"
"I think you know."
Push him, Willie thought. "Maybe you'd better tell me."
Barnabas held his temper with difficulty. He knew he could not openly tell Willie not to tell anyone about what he had been and done. "If you'll come talk to me before you go, I'll explain."
"Yeah, but I wanted to leave now." Keep pushing till Maggie sees what he's really like, he told himself.
"Please, Willie." A subtle note of pleading entered his voice.
Only Willie heard it. The feeling of power, of actually being in control made him want to smile. He could give out enough of the truth to make Maggie aware of Barnabas' cruel streak and take him down off that pedestal. He thought of the beatings he had suffered and decided to make his former master squirm.
"Why don't you just tell me now so I can leave?"
Barnabas was furious, but he guessed he should have expected something like this. "Very well. Maggie, would you excuse us, please?"
"All right." She went back to the dining room, wondering what kind of mind game they were playing.
Willie almost asked her to stay but decided she would still be able to hear if he raised his voice. "Okay, Barnabas."
"Lowering his voice, he said, "What do you think you're trying to do?"
"Huh? I couldn't hear ya."
"Willie, I'm losing my patience with you. If you don't stop this I'll—"
"What? Punish me? Listen, Barnabas, I already lost my patience. I mean, I'm sick an' tired of bein' pushed around by you. Just who the hell do you think you are anyway? You know, I never understood why you treated me like that. I mean, after what I did for you. . . Why, Barnabas?" He looked into the other man's dark eyes.
Barnabas was temporarily speechless with anger and guilt. "Willie, why are you going on like this?" He was afraid Willie would say too much.
"And another thing, Barnabas, why didn't you change? I-I thought you'd be different, but you're meaner than you were before, and you don't even have an excuse for it." He jabbed a finger at him for emphasis.
"I don't know what you expect me to say. You have been less than an adequate. . .employee. Where I'm—"
"You mean, slave," Willie interrupted.
"Now listen, Willie," Barnabas found he had little conviction in his words of feelings, "you—"
"I'm tired of listenin' to you. You always say something to hurt my feelin's. If you hate me, why don'tcha just say so?" Willie knew he was affecting Barnabas' emotions, because he wouldn't look at him.
"I don't hate you." There was something raw and unfinished about Willie, he thought. It made the young man's arrogance anger him more than it otherwise would have. It was as if he was being tested to see how much he could take before he slapped Willie down.
"You sure act like it." Willie was getting emotional himself. "I mean, I tried to do what you wanted, but I couldn't just stand by an' let things happen. You never even tried to understand." He kept his words deliberately vague, knowing Barnabas would get their meaning. "All you cared about was yourself and what you wanted, never mind what happens to anybody else."
Barnabas knew he was right, but to admit it to him in his present frame of mind would be more triumph than he thought Willie deserved. All he could say was, "I'm sorry." And the words didn't come easily.
"You are!? For what?" He wanted him to apologize for beating him, and Willie knew that if he did, it would be enough for him.
"If I hurt you," he said quietly, meaning it.
"If?" Willie felt his eyes grow hot and turned away. "If, huh?"
"Well, what do you expect me to say?" He could see Willie was shaking.
"I dunno." He threw his hands up in despair. He had never thought he'd reach this type of point in his relationship to Barnabas, and now that he had, he didn't know what to think or to say. "I dunno."
Barnabas pitied him. "All right, Willie. What is it you want?"
"Oh, God, Barnabas, I don't know." He massaged his brow with one hand, trying to ease his tension.
"Why don't you stay? I'll pay you what Stokes would've paid you." He surprised himself by making the offer. He didn't know why he was feeling so sympathetic for Willie. Perhaps it was Maggie's influence. He wondered if Willie could make something of himself.
"You mean, you'd pay me? Like a regular job?" Willie turned around, looking up at him. He knew he didn't want to leave. Why he should want to stay after some of the things that had happened to him, he didn't know. But he thought that it must have something to do with the fact that Barnabas' disapproval of him made him nearly as unhappy as some of those and other things that had happened because of the former vampire, such as Carolyn's death. Willie craved his approval without really realizing it, that's why it upset him so much when Barnabas treated him badly.
"Yes, Willie. How much did he offer you?" Barnabas was surprised and pleased that Willie was responding positively.
Still an opportunist, Willie thought to himself. "One twenty-five a week."
"A hundred and twenty-five?!" He gave him a knowing look. "Willie, let's make this a new start, shall we?" he suggested. "Please don't lie to me. I won't ask any. . .unusual tasks of you, so I would appreciate it if you didn't lie to me any more."
Barnabas' eyes held his in a not quite man-to-man way. Willie could not have explained his own emotions in this situation. He knew only that Barnabas' reasonable, possibly even caring manner reached him. He felt young, like a boy. "0kay, Barnabas." He paused e moment. "Stokes offered me a hundred a week."
"0ne-hundred?"
"I swear, Barnabas. You can ask him if you want, but it's the truth."
Seeing his earnest expression without a hint of guilt, he knew he had found the key to Willie's personality. Kindness was its own reward, he thought. But he did not want Willie trailing after him like some faithful dog, or rather a lonely child. "Very well, one-hundred a week."
"Thanks, Barnabas." Willie smiled at him. "Do I still get my two weeks vacation?"
"Willie!"
"Oh, all right." He gave a lopsided shrug, not caring too much.
"On second thought, you may have a holiday. I was just telling Maggie that I'm going to hire some electricians to come in and work on the house and some other workmen to take care of the major renovations. You see, I want it to be ready before we're married, and your pace was not nearly fast enough."
"Well, what do you expect?" he muttered, feeling slightly insulted.
"Don't be petulant, Willie. I merely meant that one man cannot work very fast on a house of this size. Besides, you'd only be in their way. Now after the work is done, I'm going to hire a housekeeper who'll also cook, so you needn't concern yourself with that."
"You were gonna do all this anyway?"
"Well, of course."
Willie sat with a thud into the chair beside the staircase. "I didn't know that."
"Surely, you didn't think I'd have Maggie living here with most of the house in this condition?"
"I never thought about it."
Barnabas caught himself about to tell Willie that that would have been typical. "Well, it's true."
"Barnabas, I don't have any money to go anywhere," Willie said after a brief silence.
"Where do you want to go?"
"I dunno. I got no place to go to."
"You have no family?" Barnabas realized he knew almost nothing about him.
Willie snorted derisively. "Who me? Yeah, I got lots of family, but I wouldn't go back there for notbin'."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Willie."
He looked up, smiling. "You really are," he noted. "Well, don't be. They don't care—if any of them are still there. I ain't been back there since I left home." Willie got up. "You know, I've been in Collinsport about as long as any place I've stayed since then." He wondered what Barnabas was thinking behind his neutral expression. "Your breakfast is cold, I'll bet," he said, embarrassed. "Want me to fix some more?"
"Let me speak with Maggie, and I'll let you know."
"0kay, Barnabas, anything you say."
* * *
"Stop that, Willie," Barnabas said softly as Willie was reaching to loosen his tie again. "You're even making me nervous."
Willie dropped his hand again and looked around the chapel. It was nearly packed, he thought. Barnabas and Maggie had invited everyone they knew. They had been planning this wedding for three months, and it looked like everybody had come. He smiled wryly and nodded to Professor Stokes. Now that was something odd, he thought, Stokes at Barnabas' wedding. Well, officially he was sitting on Maggie's side. He shifted about nervously, almost reaching to loosen his tie again. Standing beside and behind Barnabas in front of this big crowd was making him sweat. He wished Maggie would hurry and show up. His hand found its way into his pocket. The ring was still there, he reassured himself for the hundredth time.
He looked around again. There was Julia Hoffman sitting with Roger and David. Roger wouldn't meet his eyes, but Julia gave him a brave smile. He was suddenly blushing, and looked down. She had told him she was proud of him, proud of him for learning how to be Barnabas' friend. The best man, Willie thought as a trickle of sweat ran down his back between his shoulder blades, Barnabas' best man. And at the 0ld House, he was more than that now. Barnabas was teaching him how to run his business, so he was not just the caretaker, he was an aide. And he had a nicer room, more clothes, more freedom. He had a lot of things now, he even owned a suit. Of course he didn't wear it unless he had to, still. . .
Full volume organ music began playing, and all heads turned toward the back of the chapel. The sight of Maggie in Josette's beautiful wedding gown made everyone smile in appreciation and sigh as she passed them. Her father escorted her down the aisle slowly. Willie felt a pang of regret. He loved Maggie too, but she never knew it, never would know it. Barnabas was a lucky man, he thought. She smiled at him, and Willie smiled back.
Barnabas looked at Maggie, saw her smile at Willie and glanced at him. Willie looked back. "Your time will come, Willie," Barnabas said quietly. "It will."
He looked down, embarrassed, not wanting anyone to see his watering eyes.
But no one was looking at him. "Thanks, Barnabas," he whispered.