A tear flowed down the side of Margrette's cheek and she gently wiped it away.
"Anyway I stayed at home and well began to lose interest in a lot of things. At the top of my list was exercise, I gained weight in all the wrong places and well it just made me more depressed."
"Where was Frank? Wasn't he helping out with Tabitha?"
"Frank left Tabitha's well being to me, he did a few things but not much." She was verging on tears and Endora found a box of Kleenex and handed it to her.
"That must have been hard."
"Thanks." She said for the Kleenex. "It was but it all came to a head one night, we had one of the worst fights we had ever had. All we did was shout and when we were finally done, he told me he didn't find me sexually attractive anymore. It hurt me deeply and he slept downstairs on the couch for a week."
"Serves him right." Endora said with a bit of sarcasm.
"Endora it wasn't his fault it was mine all mine." She burst into tears and put her head down on the table. "It was my fault." She said weeping.
Endora got up and comforted her friend. She rubbed her shoulders softly. "Margrette it wasn't all your fault."
"Yes it was Endora, Frank isn't the most fit man but he does go twice a week to the gym to work out. He's proper and keeps himself tidy. But I let my self go, I smelled bad and I was way overweight. He kept telling me my attitude sucked and I guess he was right. I was just so far down a hole that I wasn't getting out without help."
"So what happened?" She was intrigued now and thought about if she let herself go, would Warren lose interest?
"After he took me for a walk one afternoon. He took time off work to come and see me. I was taken aback after all this time of fighting. It was a change I wasn't really expecting."
"Well what happened?" Endora looked her friend in the eye and as she would with a child she wiped her tears away.
"We talked and held hands. Something we hadn't done for years. He only asked one thing, for me to accompany him to the gym twice a week. He said it would do me good and it would give us sometime time together."
"So that's how you got into the fitness craze."
"At first no, I hated it! Every bone and muscle in my body hurt, I wanted to give it up the first day. My body was so out of shape it didn't want to cooperate. But I stuck with it. It did help us get over one hump in our relationship, so for awhile I was happy."
"From the look of yourself it seems you took the fitness thing very serious." Endora took a long sip of her coffee and was glad they were having this conversation. She knew this would go a long way in helping Margrette.
Margrette took a bite of one of the biscuits that she had gotten out with the coffee. "You're right about that part, then with all good things they change. One night Frank came in really late. Which wasn't normal, he had this big meeting at work and he looked exhausted. He told me things weren't going so great for one of their overseas operations. So the top brass elected him to go there to get things straightened out. This wasn't just some little job, it was to be at least a six-month posting. It was bad timing, just when things for us were turning in a favorable direction."
"I take it he went." Endora sighed, damn she thought trouble did follow her.
"Yes he did reluctantly, if I had still been working I think he would have quit. They didn't even offer to send me as well with him. Which I thought was a little unfair. Frank was one of their best employee's, he was their first choice." She said with anger.
"So I take it you spent a lot of time at the gym." As she said that her eyes drifted over her friends body she was big, no where near Kathren but still she was impressive.
"I got addicted to working out, but I wasn't doing it right and well one night I pulled something that really hurt. The physician there suggested I get a personal trainer to look in on my workouts. He told me it was easy to hurt yourself if you did things wrong. Plus it didn't have to be anything really heavy either."
"So you enlisted Kathren." This was a guess, a pretty good one she thought.
"Not at first some of the guys tried to help me but they had too many of the ladies already begging for attention, if you know what I mean. Finally I saw her, funny thing was from the back I mistakenly took her for a man and I addressed her as such. She took it in good fun."
"So you got to know her quite well in Franks absence."
"Yes I did, we got to be good friends, nothing more at that point. When Frank finally returned I had my figure back and we had months of terrific sex. Things were really looking up for us and I finally got to introduce Kathren to him. Frank instantly labeled her as lesbian material, how he knew is beyond me. It's not like she has it tattooed on her forehead."
"I wouldn't have guessed right away but sometimes you have feelings about others."
"That's true, well Frank was right she is a lesbian, she has had several girl friends but nothing has ever worked out for her. She has tried men but they all feel intimidated by her size."
"Yes that would be a big obstacle for a man to get over. So you spoke in the car that you didn't really need this happening right now. Since Kathren is here I take it you are little more involved with her; am I right?"
Margrette found this a bit hard to tell, but she had never really kept anything from Endora. "Yes I am Endora, but it didn't happen overnight that's for sure. Plus I'm still very confused by the whole thing. After Frank returned, he found me more or less the way he liked me to be, fit and energetic. However I found out something about Frank I never realized before, he is extremely jealous. So much so that we've been thrown out of places."
"Frank jealous, really!" Endora had never thought of Frank as one of the jealous type.
"You better believe it. That's the big problem I have going on right now. Endy I spend a lot of time at the gym, it takes a lot to keep this body I have looking this way. Too much time for Frank's liking. This isn't something that has happened over night Endy. It has built up as my body changed, you probably noticed I turn heads everywhere I go."
"Yes I did notice that." She sighed and wished she could do the same.
"Well it drives Frank insane, we have fights over what I can wear and even how I walk. We used to go out a lot, now we just stay home. Over the last year I've told him I'm doing what I want to do. He objected to this trying to put his foot down but I wouldn't listen. So I turned to someone who would." She put her head down and sighed.
"You went to Kathren." Now she knew the whole story. "So how far involved with Kathren are you?"
Margrette hung her head as in shame. "Enough to say that Frank and I have been separated for the last six months."
"Oh boy!" She knew that this wasn't good. She wanted to know how far this had gone but she had her doubts that she should ask that personal a question. Then she decided that she had to ask. "Are you sleeping with Kathren." She gulped when she asked the question.
"Endora I've never lied to you, I may have stretched things a bit but never have I told a lie. Yes I'm sleeping with her."
She sighed now she knew. "Does Frank know?"
Margrette didn't answer right away then came the words that were hard to say. "Yes, he's not very pleased about it, in several aspects. He's hurt due to the fact I ran off with a woman. It didn't do his male pride any good that's for sure. He cannot seem to understand what the problems are. He looks at me if I were the cause of all of this and I'm not." Her voice was harsh and she was upset now.
"Margrette how are you feeling now? It matters a lot to me to know, I've been friends with you a long time and now it seems you need someone else's opinion. I don't know if I can but I'd like to try."
"Endora I don't know what I want or how I truly feel. I'm totally confused, Kathren has shown me things about myself I never truly knew existed. Frank on the other hand wants me to hide in a closet."
"So what does Sabrina think of this arrangement?"
"She hasn't decided yet, she doesn't know everything. She knows that Frank and I have separated for the time being."
"What about Tabitha?"
"She doesn't know anything just that I have to be away for awhile. We have kept her out of it, she wouldn't understand anyway."
"So why didn't Frank come with you, it's his Daughter and Aunt?"
"He couldn't leave for that many days, since I'm currently unemployed I was the most logical to go."
"So he's looking after Tabitha?"
"No she's with a friend of ours, Frank couldn't be sure if he would be home every night."
"Margrette it sounds like you have a lot on your plate, more than anyone I know." Margrette really did know how to get herself into trouble. "I know you and this will eat you up inside sooner or later, you already had one bout and lost." She took Margrette's hand and squeezed it. "You'll wind up in the hospital again if you are not careful Oreo." She smiled and for a moment she felt like her younger self talking to her friend many years ago. "To me it doesn't matter with whom you take to bed. It's not my concern, what is my concern is that you are happy and Tabitha is looked after. You will have to look hard into yourself and see what truly lies there. If it happens to be Kathren there, then so be it. After that then you have to change your life to accommodate her." She smiled and Margrette smiled back. A tear flowed down her right cheek.
"I know, it's just so hard to think of myself when Sabrina is so sick." Her voice was low and she knew that the day had caught up to her. She was tired and her thoughts were drifting.
"I think it's time we hit the sack, you've told me what you wanted to. Tomorrow you'll want to go and see Sabrina and begin to look at your Aunt's apartment." She hugged her friend. "We'll get through this one thing at a time. Right now I suggest we hit the pillows." She looked at the time and had found that an hour and a half had passed by. She was going to feel this tomorrow.
"Do you like Kathren?" Margrette said in a low voice.
"She seems very nice Margrette and she definitely turns heads. I'll have more chances to talk with her tomorrow." She put the dishes away into the sink and took a look at her weary friend. She put her arms around her and gave her a hug, she looked very much like she needed another one. A hug was worth a million words.
"I'm so glad you are here Endy." Margrette said in a very soft voice.
"I'm glad I can be here for you Oreo."
Margrette wasn't used to being called her pet name, Endora had made it up and was the only one who used it. It brought too many memories to the surface and she fell apart in Endora's arms.
Endora held her tight knowing this was the best thing for her. A lot of things were stored up inside Margrette and some of them were finally getting released.
In the morning it was Warren that was up first. He crept downstairs to put on some coffee and set up the breakfast table. He had a wonderful time last night and he was glad to see everyone together. He thought about how long it had been since they had a full house like that. To him it seemed way too long, he had enjoyed himself immensely. He was also surprised by Margrette's appearance, he had seen fitness models before but never in person. She looked great, tall slender in a way he was a bit jealous of Frank. However he would never trade Endora for anyone, she was the best and he loved her so.
He also thought about Margrette's friend Kathren, now she was something else. He had never in his life seen a female that large. Also the fact that she was blue was very interesting. When he first saw her he thought he had swallowed his tongue. Now a female otter would normally not turn his head but this one was special. He thought that if he had to start all over again he probably would have given her a try. He tried to be as quiet as he could, he knew Endora didn't get to bed for awhile after he did. She liked to get a good nights rest if she could. Thank goodness Tabitha was staying over at a friends house, it was a small blessing.
"Ah my knight in black and white." Said Endora as she came into the kitchen.
"I hope you slept well dear, I tried not to wake you."
"You did a good job dear, didn't hear a thing." She gave him a kiss on the nose, it was the little things that kept them together. He returned it with a little scratch behind her ear.
"If you keep this up dear we may have to back to bed." She grinned and he grinned back. After all these years they still had it.
"Margrette looks really good, she has really been working out."
"Oh I didn't think you noticed." She gave a small giggle.
Warren gave her a strange look. "So how is she? I really didn't get to say much to her last night."
"She has big problems Warren, big problems."
"That doesn't sound good love, anything you can tell me." He had been around long enough to know that something's that women tell each other would always remain private.
"Margrette and Frank are separated, have been for six months now."
"That's not so good. How is she holding up?"
"Not too good, with that and Sabrina clinging to life, she's falling apart inside. She needs help Warren, a real doctor."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?"
"I would have you do something but I'm really not sure if it's a really good idea."
"And that being?"
"You call and talk to Frank and see what his side of the story is, I know Margrette's but I need more information."
"I see what you mean, dear. I don't know if I could get much out of Frank. I haven't really kept in touch with him. It must be almost ten years since I last spoke with him. We were never really that close."
"It's ok I really didn't think it was a good idea anyway. Although I just might have to ask you to call."
"Just say the word dear and I'll give it my best shot."
"Thanks." She scratched his ear and he kissed her nose.
The Breakfast went quickly but was briefly interrupted by a Six-year-old named Tabitha. Seems the neighbors had let her out of her cage. Tabitha had a way of going straight for the obvious. She ignored everyone and went right to Kathren, who just happened to be the largest member at the table.
"WOW! A Blue giant Otter lady." Said Tabitha with surprise in her voice.
"And who do we have here?" Said Kathren. "What's your name little one?" Kathren had been told the whole story and about Tabitha as well but she knew kids love to talk so she played up to her.
"I'm Tabitha, I'm in 1st grade."
"Well Tabitha it's nice to meet you my name is Kathren."
"You sure, Giant Otter Lady sounds better."
"I'm sure Tabitha." She put on a big smile for her.
"How'd you get so big and musclely."
"Well that's a good question Tabitha. Well for one thing my kind are all big. I'm not even finished growing yet, just like you. Also I ate good foods like vegetables and fruits."
"Oh yuck, vegetables!"
"They're not all yucky Tabitha you just have to find the ones you do like and eat those. I don't like all fruits and vegetables. Plus you have to do plenty of exercise."
"You mean like running and stuff."
"Yes Tabitha running is an excellent way of exercising." Kathren now was sure they had to be sisters, Margrette's Tabitha was exactly the same. Heaven help them if they ever get together.
"If I run far will I look like you."
"No you won't Tabitha but you'll be healthier, you have to lift weights to become muscley as you said. It takes a lot of time and effort to get a body to look like mine." She flexed her arm to show the little girl just how big it really was."
"Wow!" Tabitha said in an excited voice. "Can I touch."
"Sure go right ahead." Kathren lowered her arm within the reach of the little girl who gently gave her arm a squeeze.
"Very hard!" She exclaimed.
"Yup and you to can be like me but you would have to work really hard."
"Maybe when I'm older."
"Sounds like a plan Tabitha."
It was then that Tabitha's attention turned to Margrette. "Ooh another muscley person."
"Hello Tabitha it's nice to see you, my name is Margrette."
"Hi, are you staying here with us?"
"Me and Kathren will be here for a little while."
"That's nice, Mom do I have to give up my room?"
Endora was a bit surprised by the question. "Ah.. no dear we have enough room, you will be able to sleep in your room tonight."
"YAY!"
Tabitha didn't say much after that, she was too busy eating her Krispy Critters cereal. She ran off as soon as she was done giving kisses to everyone before she left.
Margrette just sat there stunned. "My I can't believe how much alike they really are, even being this so far away." Margrette said.
"Would you be able to tell the difference?" Endora asked, she was curious to know.
"I'm not sure, physically they look the same but I really don't think I could if it was only for a short time. In a long test I probably could."
"Well one day we will get to see if you can."
"She is a fine young girl Endora." Said Kathren, she has a lot of energy.
"Tell me about it, I just wish I could run the house on it. It would save us a fortune." She laughed and so did everyone else. It was a good start to a very busy day ahead.
Everyone was ready to go, a lot of things had to be looked at today. They were just waiting for Margrette to finish talking to her husband. She came out not saying to much.
"Well." Said Endora
"He warned me to look out for Kathren, he was sure that she would show up sometime." She laughed and said "Oh look there she is!" She had a smile on her face which thrilled Endora to no end. "He also said he called a lawyer buddy of his who's looking into our situation. He said check the apartment out, but don't do anything with it for now. It was probably going to have to be packed and crated until it goes through the courts. Unless we somehow find a will." She sighed.
"Well we can go through the closets. Pull out the clothes, they will probably have to be donated to the goodwill anyway. If it's anywhere in the apartment it's probably in a closet." Said Endora.
"Or a bank." Said Kathren.
"Yes that will be another stop when we find her bank statements." Said Margrette, oh I just wish Sabrina was awake she could help us somewhat."
"She'll come around when she is better Margrette, no sooner."
"Yes you're right Endora, lets get going." Margrette knew this was going to be a long day.
The ride over was pleasant, it was nice and sunny with a small breeze. Summer here always seemed nice, but they did have their bad days. The Apartment complex was farther away than they had thought but they finally emerged from it's long winding driveway. As it came into view they couldn't believe how beautiful this place was. There were trees and lovely flowers everywhere. No wonder Franks Aunt had wanted to live here. They parked the car a little distance from the main building, Margrette went ahead to main doors.
Endora helped Kathren out of the car, it was a bit cramped for someone of her size. She wondered what she was going to have to drive when she reached full size. Kathren always kept a close eye on Margrette and she watched as a young Raccoon tried to put some moves on her. Endora saw Kathren's immediate reaction.
"Kathren no! Margrette can take care of herself. You trained her, you should know." Endora knew that there would be no way that she could stop her if she decided to bolt. It was over in a moment and Margrette brushed the guy aside. When he walked towards them he really didn't pay too much attention to where he was going until he walked right into Kathren. He looked up and took a big GULP!
Kathren put her hands on her hips and lowered her large head down to meet his face. She said only a few words to him, all the while smiling with her large carnivorous teeth.
"She's mine!" Suddenly she smelt something that she knew the scent of. She looked down at the Racoon's trousers and she could see that they had a large wet patch at the crotch. He bolted away and she giggled.
"Kathren that wasn't nice, that young man will have nightmares for days."
Kathren laughed. "Sometimes it pays to be big." She winked and Endora and they were off to follow in Margrette's footsteps.
Inside the building depreciated in looks. It was run down and there was a for sale by owner sign out in the main lobby. They looked at the directory and found the superintendents office, it was on this floor. They hoped that he or she would be there. The place needed a good painting and some wood work, at the end of one hall was the superintendents office. The door looked like it had been through hell and back. Margrette was afraid to knock in case it caved in. But she knocked on the door twice and waited, through the door they could hear sounds of someone moving inside. Then the door opened and there stood a very old female badger.
"Yeah what do you want?" She said in a gruff voice. She looked to be a hundred.
"I'm here representing a tenant of yours a Mrs. Sarah Sky."
"Lawyers, damn!" She slammed the door in their faces, all the while shouting. "My Lawyer's name is Buttman you can call his office for an appointment."
Margrette thought this was not a good way to start the day. "Hello. I'm not a Lawyer I'm here to inform you that Mrs. Sarah Sky recently passed away, I'm here as her representative."
There was another clatter and the door swung open again. "Sarah's dead?" The old badger said.
"I'm sorry to say yes, I'm a distant relative sent here to clear things up on this end."
"Come in come in, please excuse my manners. Please have a seat, I had no idea of Sarah's death."
"It was quite sudden. Only a couple of days ago."
"I see, I knew Sarah enough to see her and to talk once and awhile. The last time I saw her she was with a pretty young female skunk."
"That would be my daughter."
"Beautiful young thing, ah the days of youth. Now what can I do for you?"
"I want to be sure that everything is paid up, I may have to keep things in the apartment for awhile."
"Understood lets just see what, her account says. Be right back." The old woman went out of the room for a moment but it took her awhile before she finally came back with a file folder in hand. She sat down at her desk and began to read what was in the folder. "Looks like Sarah was paid up till next month, so that kind of gets you off the hook for awhile. I'll need a phone number where I can reach you so I can give you a reminder."
"Sounds good." Margrette gave the woman Endora's number and address for she may be here for a little while longer than she had hoped.
"Good looks like everything is in order, now is there anything else I can do for you."
"You can direct us to Aunt Sarah's apartment." She smiled at the old woman, hoping that this wouldn't take too long so they could get on with the searching.
The old woman paused for a moment then said. " I'm sorry Mrs. Johnston I cannot do that."
"Huh, I don't understand." What was going on here she thought.
"The moment you told me of Sarah's death the apartment became sealed. The locks will be changed and everything that is in the apartment will stay there. That is until you show me some legal paperwork. Do you have such documents showing that you are the legal guardian of Sarah's estate?
"What!" Margrette said in a high voice. "This is ridiculous, I have Sarah's key."
"Yes I understand that and you cannot use it. That key is not a valid, the place is now legally sealed. Any attempt to enter the premises and I will call the police. Mrs. Johnston I know this sounds weird to you right now but it protects Sarah from getting taken by con men and the like. I am legally bound to protect her interests. And at this moment you don't have the legal right to enter her home. I will be happy to help you when you return with the proper documentation."
"But but.." Her voice trailed off.
Endora thought here we go again. "Margrette I think it's better we leave and call your husband, he may be able to clear this up by phone."
"I just hope you're right Endora." She stood up and turned to leave. "Good afternoon we will return."
"I'll be here, again I'm sorry Mrs Johnston that I couldn't help you." Said the old woman. She felt bad in doing that, she could have just showed her the apartment but she didn't need another lawsuit on her plate. She had three already and one more would drive her over the edge. They seemed like nice people she thought, they should be able to get the proper papers. Now she had to get back to her packing.
As they opened up the door they almost ran over someone. They were about to excuse themselves when they recognized the person standing there.
"Zig Zag!" Endora exclaimed.
"Hello Endora, Margrette, Kathren. Wow funny meeting you here."
"This is where Margrette's Aunt lived, we were going to access what was up there but we have hit a small snag."
"Sorry to hear that, anything I can help with."
"Know a good lawyer who works cheap." Endora said sarcastically.
"You really need a lawyer?"
"Yes we do."
"Then I can help you." She smiled and picked out her appointment book. "Looks like I have a couple of hours after I get through here to help you. Can you wait about an hour or so? Or meet me somewhere?"
Endora thought about a good place to meet around here. Finally she came up with the Golden Palace it was a coffee and donut shop and had a back room if they wanted a bit of privacy. "How about the Golden Palace it's not too far from here and it even has a back room."
"Excellent I'll see you there in two hours that should give me enough time."
"Good we'll see you there." They said their good-byes and proceeded outside. Parked beside and in back of them were several construction vehicles. Also there was a beautiful blue convertible sports car. Even Endora liked the looks of it and she really wasn't into cars.
"Wow that's some car!" Kathren exclaimed. (Per Chris' story Zig Zag drives a Lexus.)
"You're right about that." Endora said.
Margrette took a glance at the fancy car but paid it no mind, just walking on past. She was too miffed to look at cars.
Endora shrugged her shoulders and proceeded after her. They got in the car and headed for one of the mall's nearby, it would be easy to kill two hours in there. The time did go by fast and soon they headed for the Golden Palace. When they pulled into the parking area they saw Zig's little blue sports car was already there. Seems that she didn't need the full two hours after all.
She had found a good table in the back room, sitting beside her was a lovely brown rabbit. She was neatly dressed and had a look about her. Endora guessed that this was Zig's personal Lawyer. They all sat and introductions were made.
"Everyone this is Christine she's my attorney."
"Nice to meet you." Said Christine.
"Now you did say that you needed a Lawyer?" Zig said just to clarify things.
"Yes, we do." Said Margrette. "I'm sure we can work out a fee Christine. Although this trip may wind up breaking us."
"I'm sure we can work something out. Now what do you need me for?" said Christine.
Margrette started to explain her situation to Christine, all the while the others began their own conversations.
"So Zig Zag, are you going to buy the property?" Endora inquired.
Kathren had gotten along well with Zig Zag and was pleased to see her once again.
"Figured out why I was there, huh." Zig Zag smiled.
"Yeah, I saw the for sale sign inside the foyer and then I saw the construction trucks. I knew that they were there probably for an inspection."
"Yup and as I figured the place is heavily run down."
"So it's a no go, sorry to hear that. Oh well if you're looking for something like that place I'm sure there are others."
"Oh no, it's perfect for me."
"Huh!" Her response threw Endora for a moment.
"Well, I'm looking for a place to invest in, the tax man is killing me. My accountant said it would be a good idea to look into real estate."
"But you said the place is run down. You don't want to get into that kinda mess, do you?"
"Yup, all the renovations done can be deducted from my taxes, it's perfect. A good section of the building was rebuilt about four years ago. A roof cave in trashed about eight apartments. Of the 50 apartments in that building only 10 are livable. So if I can rework and even get half up to snuff I'll be making money."
"Sounds good if you can work it." Kathren said.
"Yes I've already made an offer, we'll see how things go."
Endora noticed that things seemed to be a bit tense between Margrette and Christine. This was great, Lawyers always had a way of making simple things complicated.
End of Chapter 5
Enter the lawyers…….ackk!!!!!!!!!! Don't sue don't sue!!!!!!!!!