Timing Is Everything

by Steinsiek, Sabra Brown;

  She pulled the car into a parking space in front of her apartment complex in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, and led the way up the stairs to her apartment. “I should warn you,” she said as she unlocked the door, “I am not the best housekeeper in the world. It’s hard to clean around the clutter I keep.”

  Laura’s apartment was the opposite of his sparsely decorated condo. It was obvious that someone lived here. The bookcases overflowed with books and keepsakes, punctuated here and there with photos. Her computer was in one corner with a bulletin board over it that displayed a large calendar. Bits and pieces of paper were pinned to the board and overflowed from the file folders on her desk.

  “I’m sure it can’t compare with the view from your condo,” she said as she opened the drapes to the small balcony, “but I have a great view of the city, which is the main reason I took the place. It’s not convenient to anywhere, but I think it’s worth the commute.”

  She led the way into the bedroom and showed him where his towels were, leaving him to freshen up while she checked her messages. She looked up as he came back into the living room.

  “Since you haven’t given me a clue as to what we’re doing, I had to guess at what to wear,” he said. “I hope this is all right.”

  It was more than all right. Wearing a beige sweater and jeans, he looked even more handsome than she’d remembered. “Sorry, Taylor, I should have said something. That’s fine, since I thought we’d play tourist today. You’ll want to bring your coat for later, though. Tonight I have to be out at my folks to help make tamales for tomorrow. You can come along if you’d like or avoid the crowd ‘til tomorrow if you’d prefer.”

  “If you think I won’t be in the way, I’d like to come along.” A vision of Cary drying dishes with ill-hidden resentment crossed her mind so she warned him, “You’ll probably be put to work.”

  “I don’t mind—as long as it’s not peeling potatoes.” Laura’s startled look made him explain. “It’s just that Annie is convinced I can’t cook, so I always get the job of peeling the potatoes.”

  Laura laughed. “Taylor, that’s so funny! I have the same job here for the same reason.”

  Their laughter eased any awkwardness between them, and they left the apartment, both of them feeling like this visit just might work.

  Chapter 18

  Laura’s fervent pleas to the weather gods had been answered, and it was a beautiful day. As often happens in a New Mexico winter, the weather was mild, and they could get by with just a sweater.

  Old Town was already dressed for Christmas. As they wandered around the central Plaza, Taylor asked her about the paper sacks set up all around the square. “Those are the farolitos to light the way for the Christ Child. Some places they’re called luminarias. Rudolfo Anaya has a good book about them that you might want to take to Meg.” She watched as he leaned down to inspect one. “They’re pretty simple, really, just a little sand and a candle in a brown paper sack, but they’re magical. You’ll see them tomorrow night. The whole neighborhood will be wearing them. In fact, we get to spend most of tomorrow helping to set them up.”

  In one of the shops, Taylor was fascinated by a display of storyteller figurines, finally choosing one to take home. “Why that one, Taylor?”

  “I don’t know, really. It was just the right one.”

  “Good,” she said with a smile that caused his heart to skip a beat, “a storyteller should speak to the heart of its listener.” She put her arm through his as they left the store and said, “Now it’s time to introduce you to green chile!”

  She explained to him on their way to downtown Albuquerque that New Mexico actually had a “state question,” voted on and passed by the legislature. “Red or green?” she asked.

  “Red or green?” he said, puzzled. “Is this a Christmas question?”

  She laughed. “Well, in a way it is. The question is about red or green chile. There are die-hard fans of red chile and those of us who think green is the only way to go. And Christmas? Christmas is both!”

  She took him to McGilvray’s at Central and 6th for a lunch of green chile chicken soup. Even Laura admitted it was a pretty hot batch, but Taylor gamely struggled through most of it.

  “You eat this stuff all the time? Voluntarily?” he’d gasped after the first bite.

  “Here, try a bite of tortilla. It will help,” Laura said, trying very hard not to laugh at him. “Maybe not every day, but most days. I’d die without it.”

  “Well, I may die from it!” he said as he tried another spoonful. This one went down easier, and he began to taste the subtle flavor of the chile hiding behind the heat. It was good, but he wasn’t sure he would ever develop a permanent taste for it.

  “But that’s the secret, Taylor. Chile, red or green, is addicting. Once you’ve had it, you’ll want more. This way I make sure you come back again.”

  After lunch, she took him down the street to Maisel’s for Indian jewelry and art. He found a turquoise bracelet and earrings for Meg, and Laura helped him choose a pair of earrings for Annie. They walked across the Fourth Street Mall and came out in front of the Hyatt where he’d stayed when he’d been in town for the concert.

  “I don’t know that you got to see this when you were here,” she said as she led him to a group of bronze statues on the corner. “It’s my favorite piece of public sculpture. It’s called Sidewalk Society. The artist is Glenna Goodacre. I interviewed her when she created the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. I love all of her work.” Taylor was fascinated by the slightly larger-than-life-sized bronze figures that included a construction worker, a mother and child, and a teenage boy on a skateboard. He was surprised when Laura took a stick of gum out of her purse and put it on the outstretched hand of the teenager.

  Laughing, he asked, “What are you doing, Laura?”

  She looked a little embarrassed, then laughed with him. “OK, so I know it’s silly. But you can rarely come down here and not find something on his hand. I always hate it when there’s nothing there.”

  Taylor thought she looked beautiful, the winter sunlight on her bright hair, her face glowing with laughter. He was falling in love with Albuquerque and green chile…and, most of all, Laura.

  She had arranged the day so they ended up at the Sandia Peak Tramway just before sunset. The mile-long tram to the top of Sandia Peak offered a perfect view of the city and the spectacular New Mexico sunset as they went up. It was bitterly cold at the top of the tram, and he was surprised at the tremendous temperature difference. They hurried to the High Finance Restaurant where they enjoyed the view and a margarita, as the sunset put on its multi-colored display. The city had changed to a jewel-strewn blanket of lights by the time they came back down.

  As they got back into the car, Laura asked, “Have I worn you out, Taylor?”

  “Not a chance. It’s been a great day. I can see why you love it here.”

  “Well, then, are you ready to face my family and friends?”

  “That I’m not so sure about,” he said, only partially in jest. “But let’s do it anyway.”

  Laura’s parents lived literally on the other side of town. Even in normal traffic on the freeway, it took close to half an hour to drive from the foothills and across the Rio Grande. Laura and Taylor shared a comfortable silence on the way. Laura stole a glance at him now and then. He seemed to really be enjoying himself, but she was still afraid all of this was boring him.

  Taylor couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so completely at peace. It was as if he’d come home to someplace he never knew he had missed.

  Laura pulled into a graveled driveway that curved down and around to reveal the house that seemed to have grown from the hillside. A cluster of dried red chiles, a “ristra” Laura called it, hung next to the door. She opened the door to release a burst of voices and delicious smells before she turned to smile at him. “Ready, Taylor?�
�� As he followed her into the house, he was suddenly terrified of meeting her parents, something he hadn’t felt since his date for the junior prom.

  Chapter 19

  The kitchen was full of people involved in a number of mysterious tasks. Taylor watched as Laura leaned down to kiss a small woman and bring her to him.

  “Taylor, this is my mother, Maria Consuela Bernadette Isabel Armijo Collins,” she said, the soft, musical sounds of the Spanish names coming naturally to her.

  “Laura!” her mother chided gently. “Welcome to our home, Taylor. Feliz Navidad.”

  Taylor shook her hand and said, “Thank you for letting me share your Christmas—and your daughter.”

  A tall, red-haired man materialized from out of the crowd. “What’s this about sharing my daughter?” he said as he wrapped his arms around Laura.

  A muffled cry of “Daddy!” came from her before he released her to come forward and shake Taylor’s hand. “Welcome, Taylor.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Coll—”

  “None of that, please,” he interrupted. “Everyone here is friend or family or, in some cases, both. My name is Sean. Laura, have you fed this young man?”

  “Not since lunch, Dad.”

  “Then we need to fix that. Come with me, Taylor. We’ll feed you some real New Mexican food before we put you to work.”

  Maria watched her daughter as Taylor was led into the chaos of the kitchen. She’d not looked at the other one that way, the newsman she had brought here a month ago. Her Laura’s heart was in her eyes as she watched Taylor walk away.

  Taylor was fed, then initiated into the intricacies of tamale making. Beth and her mother were there, as well as a number of other neighbors as they prepared the labor-intensive delicacy. There had been much discussion before Laura and Taylor arrived about the famous young man that she had invited, but no one treated him any differently than they would have a son or brother of their own. Taylor soon relaxed and was accepting the Spanish lessons he was being offered.

  * * *

  Sean Collins poured glasses of wine for those remaining after the work had been finished. Maria curled up on the loveseat waiting for Sean. Laura and Beth shared the couch while Taylor looked out over the city. He took the offered glass of wine and joined the others. Sean sat next to his wife, taking her hand as she leaned against him. For a moment, as he watched them, the pain of losing his parents was as fresh for Taylor as the day it had happened.

  “Ay, Dios mío,” Laura’s mother said, “I am so tired.”

  “You say that every year, Mom, and then you bounce right up again the next morning,” Laura said affectionately.

  “So, Taylor,” Beth said, “how are you feeling? First Laura drags you all over town, and then we put you to work.”

  Taylor laughed. He liked Beth and not just because she reminded him of Annie. “Actually, I’ve had a wonderful day, but, I have to admit, I am tired.”

  “Then we’d best get you back to Laura’s so you can rest. We have a lot of work for you to do tomorrow, too,” Sean said. Before anyone else could speak, he continued, “Beth, why don’t you drop Taylor at Laura’s? It’s silly for her to drive all that way and back when you’re going that way already.”

  He missed the looks his daughter and wife threw at him. Beth knew that Laura was going to be furious, but this was simply too good a chance to pass up so she said, “Sure, Dad, that’s a great idea. I’ll be glad to.” She could feel Laura glaring at her and saw the amusement in Maria’s eyes.

  Laura was devastated. She knew her father was only trying to be helpful, but she had been looking forward to a little more time with Taylor. But there was no way to say it without making herself sound too eager.

  Taylor wasn’t happy with the arrangement, either. He realized that he’d been playing a fantasy in the back of his mind all evening, a fantasy that involved kissing Laura. It just wouldn’t play out quite the same way at her parent’s door, but he smiled and said it sounded like a good idea.

  * * *

  Laura walked out with Taylor after he had said goodnight to her parents. Beth had decided she’d better give them a little time alone if she ever expected Laura to forgive her.

  The night was beautiful, clear and cold, with a bright moon. “Thank you, Laura.”

  “For what, Taylor? Running you ragged?”

  He took one of her hands in his, “For giving me a day I will always treasure,” he said quietly as he looked into her eyes. Silence grew between them, and he began to think that his earlier fantasy might just be possible. As he finally decided to kiss her, Beth called goodnight to Laura’s parents and Taylor reluctantly released Laura’s hand.

  “Laura, I’m coming out in the morning. Would you like me to bring Taylor with me or do you want to go in and pick him up?”

  “It’s up to Taylor. Why don’t you two work it out? If you decide I should pick you up, just call me in the morning. The number is there by the phone.”

  “Just don’t call her too early, Taylor. Our Laura is not a morning person.”

  Beth hugged Laura and whispered, “I promise, I’ll behave.”

  Laura whispered back, “You’d better! You aren’t going away in two days!”

  * * *

  As Taylor opened the door to Laura’s apartment, he realized how much of its warmth had come from her presence. It seemed much emptier without her there.

  Beth had grilled him on the ride home. He shook his head and smiled as he remembered. She wanted to know what he did in his off time, if he was seeing anyone, and subtly warned him that he would have to deal with her if he hurt Laura in any way.

  He’d wanted to find a way to ask her if Laura was seeing someone, but the opportunity never presented itself. Instead, he’d answered her questions, and they’d made arrangements for her to pick him up in the morning. Then she’d dropped him off at the apartment complex and drove away, leaving his questions unanswered.

  Now, alone in Laura’s space, he had a moment to examine his feelings about her. Pouring a glass of the wine she’d left for him, he settled onto the couch and, surrounded by the things that helped make her who she was, let his thoughts roam.

  He’d never felt this way about anyone. He and Annie had been a failed experiment. He’d never really loved Janis and had just let her convince him that he did. There’d been others, but no one who affected him as deeply as Laura did. A series of pictures from the day played through his mind, and he smiled at the new memories and anticipated the ones to be made tomorrow. If Beth had not come out when she did…

  The phone interrupted his thoughts. Glancing at his watch, he realized it was late. He thought it might be Laura with something she’d forgotten to tell him, so he answered.

  “Hello?”

  There was a moment of silence; then a male voice said, “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong number.”

  “Wait! Who were you trying to reach?”

  “Laura Collins?”

  “This is Laura’s. May I take a message?”

  In Taos, Cary said, “No… thanks. I’ll call her later.”

  Taylor hung up the phone. He’d probably just screwed up Laura’s relationship with someone. And he wasn’t sure if he should be pleased or feel contrite about it. One thing for certain, he’d better give up answering her phone!

  Realizing the time difference made it early morning for him, he decided to head for bed. Tonight he’d take advice from Scarlett O’Hara. Tomorrow was another day.

  * * *

  Hanging up the phone, Cary tried to catch what it was about that voice. It sounded familiar, but the reason was just out of reach. What the hell was a man doing in her apartment, anyway? It certainly hadn’t taken the little bitch long to get over him.

  Regretting the impulse that had made him call, Cary headed downstairs to the lounge and the numerous snowbunnies who would be
happy to keep him warm tonight. Never mind Laura. He’d call her when he got back from Atlanta and the final interview with TNC—if he had the time.

  * * *

  “Sean Patrick, what were you thinking?” Maria Collins sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her husband.

  “What?”

  “Sending Taylor home with Beth? Didn’t you see that Laura wanted to spend more time with him without us around?”

  “Then why didn’t she say so?”

  “Because you made it impossible. You’d already pointed out how inconvenient it would be.”

  Sean looked bewildered, “I didn’t know!”

  Maria stood and put her arms around him. “Have you forgotten what it’s like to be in love? I don’t think she knows it yet, but our Laura’s in love with this one.”

  Sean held her close for a minute, then tilted her head so he could look into her eyes. “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. And, I think he’s in love with her.”

  “Then I guess I really screwed up, didn’t I?”

  She laughed softly at his confusion. “They’ll survive. Now, come prove to me you haven’t forgotten what love is.”

  * * *

  Laura sat in the darkened sunroom, surrounded by stars in the cool light of the moon. She thought back on those few minutes she’d had with Taylor before Beth had come out. He’d been going to kiss her, she was sure of it. And she’d wanted that more than she would have thought possible this morning when she’d met him at the airport.

  She’d spent less than two days with this man. It was too soon to feel this way, wasn’t it? And, even if he had kissed her, it didn’t mean he felt the same way. She was reading way too much into things.

  She saw the light go out in her parents’ room. From the stories they’d told her, it had been love at first sight for them. It was hard not to believe in fairy tales and happily-ever-after with her parents as an example.

  Chapter 20