Showcase

by P. Roper

  “Deliah, I’m trying to respect what you’ve been through, though I’m not sure I’ll ever fully grasp it. But every moment that I don’t get to kiss you, I’m also dying inside a little.” His words came out pained and were followed by a sigh. I licked my lips and pressed my lips to his in invitation. Kissing was his; that much I could oblige.

  I curled a hand around the back of his neck, sighing against his mouth. He took the lead, framing my face with his hands and deepening the kiss as gently as he could. Someone’s throat cleared from the doorway pulling a startled gasp from me. He smiled against my mouth before pulling away. We both looked to the door, to find Noelle and Audrey. The former looked like she was barely holding herself together. Audrey’s face bore a smirk.

  “Come here,” I told them, reaching out my hands. Noelle almost threw herself right into the bed with me as Audrey stayed several feet away.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay,” Noelle sobbed, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “Me too, Noe. Me too.” I flinched at the abrupt contact, but returned her hug, smoothing my hand down her hair. I held on until she was ready to let go. She needed that more than I did and who was I to deny her? “I’m sure you have finals and the paper that you should be worrying about more than my whereabouts?” I tried to laugh, but she looked at me like I had lost my mind.

  “Oh, sure, I have those things. But they are insignificant in comparison to you being missing, Deliah! How could you even imply –.”

  “Honey, I didn’t mean that they were more important. Just that it’ll probably be easier for you to focus on them, now that I’m not missing.” I cut her off, but I could see the absolute panic rising in her.

  “Right,” she said before pausing. “Well, finals are next week. So if I’m not ready by now, I probably won’t be. But I’m sure the paper will be glad to have me back full time. I may have pushed my editor transition back.” She shrugged, “But now it can be rescheduled before summer begins.” A smile ghosted her mouth.

  I nodded, keeping her hand in mine but turning my attention to Audrey. “And you? How are you?”

  “Been keeping the team and myself busy,” Audrey sighed. “Grateful to have you back though and Dad is doing everything he can, legally speaking.” She remained standing there, stoic. But I couldn’t miss the shine gathering in her dark, bespectacled eyes or the hesitation lacing her voice.

  “Good,” I took a deep breath, closing my eyes briefly. “There is so much to discuss, but I think I’m going to need to close my eyes a bit. Audrey, could you do me a favour?” She nodded so I continued, “Can you have some clothes brought here for me? Ones that are more comfortable than this?” I raised my eyebrows, plucking at the shoulder of the hospital gown I wore.

  “Of course, I’ll run and grab you something before I head into the office for a few hours.” She smiled. “You good here with Nate for a bit, or do you want to come with me,” she asked Noelle.

  Sniffling, the girl stated her preference to remain with her brother. Nathaniel stood as Audrey left the room. After placing a kiss on my forehead, he righted himself. “Pretty girl, you get some rest. Noe and I will run down and grab a bite and a stretch. But your button is there,” he pointed to the cord hanging just to the side of my pillow, “buzz her and have Jane contact me as soon as you wake up. We won’t be far, I promise.”

  Noelle squeezed my hand before they left the room. I was exhausted but I couldn’t close my eyes for long. I knew that he was unable to get to me but that knowledge barely scratched the surface of quelling my fears. After laying there a while, counting the speckled ceiling tiles, I buzzed Jane and asked for some help. I needed sleep and it wasn’t going to happen on its own.

  The sun was setting outside my windows when I woke again. I once again pressed the button for Jane, but it was a different nurse that came to my aid. Meg, the night nurse. She told me that Evan had come by again earlier to check on me and that Nathaniel had actually just stepped out of my room to take a call. Noelle had gone home with Audrey for the night, having to get some sleep for school in the morning.

  Audrey had delivered a couple pairs of button up pyjamas (one jersey cotton, one silk), a pair of slippers, a new tablet and a small toiletry kit. I smiled. Always looking out for me. I slipped into the bathroom, changing into the soft cotton pyjamas and splashing water on my face. I gasped when I finally saw my reflection. I was ghostly pale and my hair was tangled. But they seemed to have cleaned the dirt and grime from my skin and nails. I imagine that washing the hair of an unconscious person was less than ideal. It had been cleaned, I could smell the shampoo when I brought it to my nose, but nonetheless it was a formidable disaster.

  I shuffled out of the bathroom, one arm not through the sleeve because I couldn’t figure out how to get the IV line through the sleeve. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stared out at Boston. The city was lit up and the sky above it darkened with every passing moment. Somewhere out there, he was locked away. The thought should have brought me reassurance but it only made a shiver run down my spine.

  The door creaked behind me, startling me to my feet as my hand flew to my chest. Nathaniel’s smile dropped from his features as he rushed for me. “You okay? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” His hands cupped my shoulders as his eyes levelled with mine.

  “I’m fine; you just pulled me from my thoughts. Really, everything is okay.” I tried to reassure him with a soft smile. “I’m sorry I slept so long. You and Noe had a good afternoon?”

  He began ushering me back to bed. “Yeah, it wasn’t bad,” he started. “You want me to get Meg to help you with that sleeve?” He chuckled, taking in the sight of me in lopsided pyjamas.

  I nodded at him and after sitting me on the edge of the bed, he slipped out of the room; returning with her just moments later. Meg made quick work of re-routing the line and hanging a secondary bag. Some toast and jam was dropped off soon after she left and once I had slowly eaten it, Nathaniel agreed to lie beside me a while. I just needed to hear his heart. I needed to feel his arms around me and his breath fanning the hair on the top of my head.

  “Nathaniel,” I whispered into the dim room before I fell asleep again.

  “Yeah, pretty girl?” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

  “Can we wash my hair tomorrow?”

  A laugh shook his chest and subsequently my head that rested on it. “Of course, love. Now sleep, alright?” I nodded against his shirt and sleep found me.

  Chapter 26

  I was released from the hospital after six days. Returning to the estate after more than a fortnight felt equally strange and comforting. The drive out from Boston had me on edge but the familiar smells of the place I had called home for seven months allowed calm to wash over me.

  For the two weeks following my return, the place was bustling. The Fourth was fast approaching. Nathaniel had hired a security team. There were new cameras installed in all the common spaces on the property, including the exterior and a guarded gate was erected at the end of the driveway. The PA team seemed to always be around and the caterers joined them for the final five days before the event.

  “The fourth is always my favourite,” Noelle bubbled from across the island of the kitchen. “I mean, I can wear a bathing suit with a cover up and swim whenever. No one cares if my hair is done or not. It’s legitimately the lowest key party of the year, which definitely makes it the most fun. Plus, school’s out so I can have hard lemonade.”

  Ellen’s eyebrows rose at the hard lemonade comment. “Girl, you are still underage.” She let the comment hang in the air while Noelle rolled her eyes and laughed.

  “Ellen, I’m a senior. I’ll be legal in Mexico, Europe, Australia as well as parts of Asia and Canada in a few months. Plus, it’s not like I’m getting blitzed and I won’t be leaving the property. So, we’re good.” She flashed a bright as sunlight smile and bounced across the room, planting a kiss on her caretaker’s cheek before skipping
from the room.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t think I’ve seen her quite this happy since she got the editorship.” I busied myself making coffee.

  “I think it’s just that school is out. She’s always lived for the summers. But keep a close eye on her, will you?”

  I turned at Ellen’s tone. “Why does that sound a lot like a warning?”

  “I think she’s okay now, but if she gets bouncier? It’ll be because she’s hiding hurt behind her happiness. I’ve raised that girl her whole life. And sadness looks a lot like overjoyed on her.” Ellen placed a hand on my shoulder and nodded before walking away, leaving me to wonder.

  The week moved quickly, but that conversation lingered with me. I found myself watching Noelle more. Nothing seemed to change. She spent a lot of the week in the pool or with her two friends, just lying in the sun. Nathaniel rarely left my side, often tracing comforting circles on whatever exposed skin his fingers found.

  The day before the party, Audrey showed up with an entire beauty crew in tow. She, Noelle and I sequestered one of the larger bedrooms and had them set up an almost complete salon. We had our hair and lashes done. They plucked and waxed any place that needed it before finally finishing our indulgence with facials, manicures and pedicures. We spent all day being pampered. Then, glowing, we had dinner alfresco and filled the night sky with laughter.

  I woke on the fourth of July to feather light kisses being brushed over my shoulders and back. I stirred, sighing and felt Nathaniel’s smile against my skin. “Morning, pretty girl,” his morning voice rumbled through me.

  Rolling onto my back, I stretched. “Morning, handsome boy,” I smiled at him.

  “You want waffles?”

  “What kind of question is that?” My eyebrows furrowed in his direction and he laughed.

  “Noted,” he remarked, still chuckling. Slipping out of bed, he ducked into the closet and emerged moments later in a pair of sweatpants. Still barefoot, still shirtless, but he had a bag in his hand. “I got you something new to wear today,” an almost shy smile touched his face.

  Sitting with the sheet tucked under my arms, I raised my eyebrows as he dropped the bag in my lap. I pulled out a black bikini; a shallow structured balconette top and bottoms that tied at the sides. I looked at him holding up the garments, “You want me to go to a party in this? With your mother in attendance? Are you insane?”

  Another full laugh burst from him, “There’s more in there.” He gestured to the bag.

  Depositing the suit beside me, I pulled tissue paper from the bag. A new pair of oversized Jimmy Choo sunglasses with cat eye frames sat nestled on top of a bold red wrap cover up. I smiled. “Thank you. Do you have shoe suggestions?” I didn’t understand it, but the man seemed to enjoy providing full ensembles.

  “Yeah, just wear your black birks or a pair of flip flops,” he winked and smiled with his whole face. “I’m going to go see if I can convince Ellen to either make us waffles or let me use the kitchen to make them myself.” I nodded and he left the room.

  Dragging myself out of bed, I put on the outfit, the cover dress almost brushing my knees. I pulled a scrunchie onto my wrist before making my way downstairs. My hair was done by a professional the day before, so there was no way I was touching it. But I knew there was a chance that I would need to tie it up outdoors later in the day.

  I swung into the kitchen finding a teenage girl, far too happy for the hour of day and her big brother. “Deliah! Happy Fourth,” the bouncy girl rushed over and threw her arms around my neck.

  “Good morning to you too, Noe. Does your enthusiasm know any bounds?” I chuckled, returning her hug.

  “What’s not to be enthusiastic about? It is eighty three degrees outside already. I get to spend the day with all my favourite people. And Nate convinced Ellen to make waffles!”

  I laughed, looking around her. “She put you to work in return though, didn’t she,” I asked the only man in the room. He nodded from the edge of the counter where he was cutting fruit, so I made my way to his side and offered my assistance.

  Guests began trickling in shortly after lunchtime, the pool and yard filling with people playing, children and adults alike. I mingled, always being sure I was in or very near a group of people. I knew that security had been amplified dramatically but unease at the thought of being alone still nagged at me. Evan and Parker played Frisbee with Nathaniel. I watched them a while, laughing and behaving like college kids again. Evan hadn’t had a day off since I left the hospital, working straight through in order to guarantee the day off, claiming he absolutely couldn’t miss this one.

  Audrey and her parents arrived late afternoon. Her father offered me an update on the case and after declining in the moment, I ended up catching up with him eventually. I learned that Niles had been granted his plea. He had pleaded guilty but bargained with the help of his mother, to be institutionalized instead of simply being sent to prison. With my recorded statement and video footage that they had found uploaded to his offsite server, he had been charged with aggravated kidnapping and assault. He would be locked away for at least fifteen years, at which point his case and mental state would be reassessed by a panel of psychiatrists.

  Thanking Mr. Jule, I sought out Noelle. In that moment, I needed her joy. Annabelle and Evie were poolside, each draped over their own teenage boy. And Noelle was sitting with her back to them, talking enthusiastically to a number of people around the pool. Her gestures were exuberant and her laugh was too loud.

  “Noelle,” I approached her.

  “Eeeeeee,” she screeched, bouncing up and throwing herself at me. “Are you having a lovely time? Isn’t the sun just absolutely glorious today? Let’s go get a drink, shall we?” I nodded, letting her lead me away.

  She poured us lemonade. Noticing she hadn’t added anything to either glass, I raised my eyebrows. She had definitely seemed tipsy back near the pool, but here, she just shook her head at me. “I tried one with vodka and it was awful. E drank it. I guess I’m more of a champagne girl,” she shrugged, laughing. She turned, looking over the party. Her face smiled so brightly but her eyes looked almost lost.

  “You alright,” I asked.

  Wrapping an arm around me, she laughed. “Of course! Think I just need to stick to the shade for a bit. So much sun, you know?” I nodded, but made a point to watch her the rest of the night. Maybe Ellen had been on to something. Something was off. I supposed time would tell but I can’t say I wasn’t concerned, seeing the girl full of bright light, struggling quietly.

  Dinner had been served in the yard. An elaborate surf & turf meal. We all sat, the older guests filling one long table. The women in sundresses and large hats, the men in pressed trousers and golf shirts. While the few actual children were at their own small table, the table the rest of us sat at made me laugh a little. Every person seated directly around me was barely clothed, just in a swimsuit or trunks, yet the wait staff all wore crisp light linen.

  When the sun began to lower, strings of lights sprung to life in the fading daylight. The yard was cast in a soft glow. Music played softly through the speakers. Nathaniel’s arm was slung over the back of my chair and his hand traced infinity symbols on my shoulder. By the time dusk settled over us, I had a firm understanding of why the fourth was Noelle’s favourite annual event.

  The atmosphere was permeated with peace. Conversations hung in the air, companionable chatter surrounding me. I mostly listened and watched our guests throughout the meal, only occasionally adding a few words of my own. The air was humid and warm while fireflies flickered whimsically from the trees surrounding the property.

  As the tables were cleared, guests began gathering in small groups, most maintaining their conversations. Trays, filled with champagne circulated and the volume of the crowd gradually rose like the bubbles in the flutes. Nathaniel held my hand, his fingers laced with mine as we made our way around in an attempt to interact with everyone one final time be
fore the night ended.

  The scheduled firework show approached and people slowly made their way closer to the center of the yard. As everyone gathered, I noticed that Nathaniel gradually stiffened. “You okay?” I whispered into his shoulder.

  “Yeah, of course,” he smiled down at me. “Just, uh...” he let his sentence hang, glancing around at the crowd that had begun assembling. Decision flashed in his eyes and he turned in toward me. Adjusting his grip on my hand he already held and reaching out to grasp my other, his gaze sought mine. He took a deep breath before his face broke into that beautiful megawatt smile of his. My breath caught as Nathaniel lowered his well over six foot frame to one knee.

  Still holding onto my hands, he spoke. “Two hundred thirty two days ago, I laid eyes on you for the first time and in that moment; I needed to know all of you with every fibre of my being. You literally agreed to run away with me only days later. Since the day I learned your name, you have occupied my first and last thought without fail. We have had an unbelievable year so far,” he pulled his lower lip under his tongue a second.