Secrets of the Weeping Willow

by Kathleen Anastasia

  Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Elizabeth looked up into Aurora’s brown eyes full of concern, “What can I do to help?”

  Reaching up, Elizabeth folded Aurora’s fingers in hers. “Nothing. It is something I need to do myself. I don’t even know where to begin; to tell you the truth. Although, there is one thing you can do for me. Don’t tell my mother. I don’t need her freaking out once again. I need to do this without her breathing down my back, trying to confuse me.”

  Leaning down, Aurora wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s neck. That, I can do.”

  “Hey, let’s get off this depressing subject.” Elizabeth said, as she unraveled herself from Aurora’s arms, turning to smile up at her. “So....?” Elizabeth asked with raised eyebrows, “Did you get the number?”

  “What number?”

  “You know, the gorgeous guy by the bar.”

  Aurora laughed, “No, I didn’t”

  “You didn’t. How come?”

  “Up close wasn’t as good as far away.” Aurora admitted, as her eyes lit up with mischief.

  “But I did meet someone.” Pleasure entering her voice. “I met him by the band you went to see. As a matter of fact, he helped me look for you.”

  The remark reminded Elizabeth of what she must of put Aurora through. “Did I mention how sorry I am for that?”

  “Yes, and be reassured it is forgiven and forgotten.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll not bring it up again. Instead, I want you to give it up girlfriend. All the dirty little details.” Elizabeth said with a chuckle.

  Chapter 11

  The only thing Elizabeth really knew at this moment was that she had to stop running from her past, and to do what she needed to do she needed to confront that which terrified her. But with no known concrete memories to help her take her first step, she had decided to research the very place that had triggered her lost memories.

  That is how she found herself outside the New Orleans main library, her body frozen in place as she gathered her courage to step beyond the doors and into the very place that may tell her what had happened to her all those years ago. The truth about her supposed abduction that her mother refused to tell her about and that had stolen twelve years of her life may lay within these walls. After taking several deep cleansing breaths, Elizabeth stepped hesitantly through the doors, her body vibrating in anticipation of what she may find. The experiences she has had since her arrival in New Orleans were disturbing and unsettling and had filled her with anxiety as she rubbed her slightly trembling hands together in an attempt to still her heart and the knot that had formed in her throat. A question foremost in her mind was what type of door she was on the verge of opening, or had she already opened that closed darkened door manifested by a sliver in her mind and its contents which had already started to seep into her consciousness?

  The question filled her as an unknown strength propelled her forward to seek the answers long ago buried in the dark fibers of her brain. While the emotional part filled her with confusion as she found herself pulled in multiple directions. One moment she had the urge to run as fast as she could away from this place and all the feeling it had provoked, the next moment she found herself chastising herself for wanting to run from what she had always wanted and desired.

  Her instincts told her that her unknown memories were the bridge to her past.

  A past that had started to seem darker and more ominous by the day, made even more real with the appearance of the stranger that had brought on a sense of known evil and familiarity.

  Yet still, she sensed an even stronger underlying, unknown, beauty that had been forgotten, begging, to be remembered and brought back from the edge of oblivion ultimately creating a desire to know the woman from her dreams, who brought on a sense of sadness and strangely, love.

  With that thought in mind her eyes skimmed down the line of oak tables that lined the first floor; where several people sat, books and papers scattered in front of them. Her heart fluttering as her eyes paused at the information desk, where an older woman looked over the shoulder of a young nerdish looking boy, the screen flickering in the glasses of the woman. Taking in a deep breath, Elizabeth stepped forward. “Okay, here goes nothing.” She thought, as she ran a hand absently along one of the large tables while walking toward the desk, its wood cool and smooth, on her fingertips. Elizabeth bit the corner of her lower lip slightly as she took her final step to the desk, her eyes drawn to the quirky saying on the boys t-shirt: ”Knowledge a fountain of clarity.” The simply printed words, strangely, had a relaxing effect on her and somehow gave her confirmation of her decision to find her past. Then Elizabeth chuckled when she looked up to a bored expression on his face as he raised an eyebrow in question to her sudden appearance in front of him. Then, another look crossed his face. She had seen that look before, always by bookish kids questioning her motives whenever she stepped into any institute that promoted learning. “May I help you?” He asked in a bored tone.

  “Yes, I was wondering if you could tell me the best way to get information from about nine years ago?”

  “What type of information?”

  “Perhaps an accident.”

  “Do you know what type of accident it was?” He asked impatiently.

  “I’m a little vague on the details.” Elizabeth said, but then quickly continued when she saw the young boy roll his eyes, “Okay, all I know is that it happened around this area in 2001, the spring of `01....I believe... that is all I really know.” Elizabeth finished in a fluster.

  “I need more specifics than that.” He said with an irritated indifference.

  “Okay, how about newspapers from this area around that time?”

  “Sure! Whatever.” the young boy said as he typed a few quick keys in the computer in front of him, his forehead furrowed in concentration. This done even before he looked back up and requested that Elizabeth have a seat, that someone would be right over to direct her to the computer archives.

  Thanking him, she walked over to one of the large oak tables, resting a hip on the edge of it as she looked around. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess as she watched the hands of a large clock, her pulse a rapid beat, as her anxiety rose in time to the movement of the hands. Doubt quickly replaced the confidence she had felt earlier as she wondered whom she was fooling as she straightened from her slouched position noticing the older woman from earlier approaching her. Elizabeth smiled as she observed kind green eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses, which were perched on the tip of a long nose. The woman’s voice, soft as she introduced herself, asking Elizabeth to follow her to where the material she was looking for was kept.

  Elizabeth nodded in understanding as she followed the woman hesitantly, her eyes skimming the large hips that were squeezed into a dark sensible skirt, which fell to her mid calves as she walked. The polyester material was making a swooshing sound as the hem stuck the sides of her legs. The dark material was softened by the cream color silk blouse buttoned up to the throat where two long pieces of material were tied into a loose bow and an opaque and black broach was pinned just above her left breast. When they reach their destination, Elizabeth looked over to a line of large computers, which sat in individual, open cubicles. The librarian directed her over to the first cubicle, where she typed in a series of numbers and letters, which pops up another window with dates. After a few moments, a newspaper filled the large computer screen and Elizabeth’s attention was drawn to the images on the old news clippings. She became startled when the woman’s soft voice broke through her wondering thoughts. “Our library is in the process of transferring all of our archived microfiche to computer but there are some that still haven’t been downloaded yet. So, if what your looking for is not here, just let Brian know at the information center and he can look into getting that information pulled from the basement.”

  “Brian? Is he the one that just helped me?”

  “
Yes. Do you have any questions, then?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “No. I think I’m all set?” Elizabeth said hesitantly as she looked down at the screen and the overwhelming amount of information it contained.

  “Good, and one more thing if you need to step away from the computer for any reasons and don’t want what your viewing seen. You can always down size the screen by bringing your mouse to this dash along the right upper side of your screen. Then place this sign on the cubicle so it wouldn’t be disturbed. Then when you’re done with what your looking for just close it out, by bringing your mouse to the x along the top and it should automatically sign you out.”

  “What if I’m not finished with all of this and I have to go?”

  “Just, let Brian know and he can help you with that also.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your help, Miss?”

  “Gloria.” She said with a kind smile. “If you need me further I’ll be filing books in the history section.

  “Sounds good.” Elizabeth said absently as she sat down on the chair in front of the computer.

  Sighing as she looked at the computer screen, unable to contemplate where she should begin. Elizabeth decided to just explore all the different search options first, hoping it would tell her how to start to look for information that even she was unsure of what she was looking for, or even if she would recognize it, if it was something of importance, so instead, she decided to quickly skip over any information she felt was non relevant.

  After several hours, Elizabeth leaned back, her eyes raw from hours of staring at the monitor, her hand sore and clammy from gripping the small mouse as she moved through the pages, which had become a blur of words and images. A moan of discomfort escaped her lips as she moved her head back where a kink had gathered at the base of her neck and along her lower back from leaning forward for so long. Her eyes fell closed for a blissful moment of rest, as her head fell forward as she reached up in an attempt to rub out the discomfort.

  Instead she felt a pair of strong-callused hands brush hers aside as they deliciously kneaded the knot that had formed, a pleasant groan escaped her lips at the wonderful release of her sore muscles. “Mmm.... that feels wonderful.”

  “Happy to hear that.” Elizabeth heard the deep masculine voice vibrating through her pleasantly, her mind not registering the connection.

  When it finally registered she pulled away as she twisted to face the owner of the hands. She felt a warm flush warm her face in self-consciousness as she saw the man she had shamelessly flirted with the night before in the small local bar. Her heart fluttered in appreciation, his green eyes with a bit of gold fleck, radiating even more in the light of day. She has always been a sucker for eyes. “You following me?” She asked anxiously.

  His golden eyes twinkled at the question and the instant defense Elizabeth put up, as her arms crossed her chest. “I’m glad to see you remember me, after all.”

  “Yeah, well....”

  He lifted his hand to stop Elizabeth from explaining. “Don’t worry you don’t have to explain. I’m just happy that I ran across you again.” He said as he leaned against the wall of the cubicle, the wall giving only slightly to his weight as his eyes skimmed the screen. “What are you researching?”

  “Nothing.” Elizabeth said as she quickly moved her mouse to downsize the screen, the library insignia replacing the news clipping she had been currently looking at. “What brings you here? Since you’re not following me, that is.”

  “Research...for a client.” He said with a smile. “I was on my way out, when...I saw my angel from the other night.”

  Elizabeth let out a harsh sarcastic laugh, at the cheesy line. “That’s a pretty bad pick up line. Did you, just think that up?”

  His eyes sparkled in amusement as he looked down at her. “What? You don’t like it?”

  “Not really. I’m not much into cheesy pick up lines.”

  “I’ll remember that.” He said as he moved away from the wall, moving further into the cubicle, so his hip now rested against the desk in front of her.

  Elizabeth smiled as she looked up at him, finding this whole interaction highly amusing. But, even more surprised at how much she was enjoying flirting with him.

  “I’m glad to see that you were able to get home safely last night.” He said with another chuckle.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “But, I’m even more happy to see you again after that little disappearing act you pulled on me.”

  “Yea, well sorry about that. But, you have to admit you did come on a bit strong and I was in no shape to handle it.”

  “Touché.” He said with a wink.

  Elizabeth heart fluttered with an unexpected pleasant flip as she shook her head with a chuckle.

  “But, you know what this really means.” He said as he leaned forward, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

  “I don’t know? What?” She asked, finding herself being more curious then nervous.

  “That we are meant. Don’t you think?”

  Laughing, Elizabeth shook her head negatively. “Well, I don’t know about that. It’s coincidental. But, meant. I think your stretching that a bit.” She said as she lifted two fingers to show a small amount.

  “Then how would you see it? That we could run across each other twice in two days. Besides… once I think about it...” he said as he leaned closer as if he is going to whisper something extremely important into her ear, his eyes dancing with an inner delight. “I believe this makes us no longer strangers.”

  “No longer strangers?” Elizabeth screeched in exasperation.

  “Shhhh...” He said as he looked around.

  Elizabeth turned to saw several people look over before she dropped her voice to just above a whisper, “We are strangers!” She said as she leaned forward to emphasize, “I don’t even know your name.”

  “Leo, Leo Stiles.” He said quickly as he extended a hand to Elizabeth.

  “What?” She asked in confusion as she looked down at his out thrust hand.

  “My name. You just said we wouldn’t be strangers if you knew my name. So, my name is Leo Stiles.”

  Lifting her hands in surrender Elizabeth shook her head as she finally surrendered to the moment as she extended one hand placing it into his, slightly surprised with the sharp tick in her stomach from the contact. “I’m Elizabeth.” She said with a flustered gasp. Then angry with herself for the gasp of air she had exasperated.

  Her breath caught in her throat when she heard him utter one simple word, “beautiful”, just before he brought her fingers up to his mouth to brush her fingertips, his eyes holding hers, a slight devilish twinkle sparkling from them. In that moment, Elizabeth knew she was in trouble, deep trouble, as she found herself unable to look away from the depth of his gaze. This small romantic gesture was enough to flip her heart into a tumble, melting the hard exterior she had built around it. Her face grew warm, as she pulled her hand away, breaking the gaze as she looked down and away in a nervous self-conscious laugh. Leo’s voice held a hint of laughter as well as he asked, “Now… Elizabeth, what do you say about going out for a coffee or lunch with me?” A hand held out to her as he continued. “No strings.”

  Elizabeth paused as her mind ran through all the reasons not to do it, then finally giving up when they all fell flat even to her. Besides, she was becoming hungry anyway. A small smile lifted her lips as she looked back up, her breath momentarily caught as she felt her heart flip, betraying her lack of control over how sexy and hot she found him. “Sure.”

  “Great. I know a perfect little coffee shop just down the street that serve up some great sandwiches and soups.”

  “Okay, how about I meet you there. In say...an hour? I still have a little more work here.”

  “Oh no, you don’t. I’m not letting you do that to me again. I’ll wait here until you’re d
one. Then we can go. I’m not letting you out of my sight this time.”

  “Are you trying to say you don’t trust me?” She asked with a teasing note.

  His eye’s lit up at her response as he responded, “Yes, that is what I’m trying to say.”

  Elizabeth laughed, surprised at how comfortable she was starting to feel with him. “Fine. Let me go talk to Brian, at the information desk, to get my stuff saved. Then we can go.”

  Laughing again at him as he pushed up from the desk and as he stepped out of the cubicle, swept his arm out in a gallant jester.

  Still shaking her head and chuckling as she walked over to the information desk, Elizabeth was thinking how she had never met anyone quite like this Leo, finding herself intrigued and flattered by his attention and comical, if not corny, pick up lines. After giving her information to the information desk, she turned back around to see Leo now leaning against the table she had been leaning against earlier, casual in his own skin. His slightly baggy blue jeans skimmed his hips, enhancing rather than hiding his well defined body, with broad shoulders that filled out a faded t-shirt with a New York logo across the front. His hair, cut short, was a dark brown and a five o’clock shadow enhanced his chiseled features. “Damn he looks hot”, Elizabeth thought.

  Just then Leo looked up from a book he was holding, his eye’s crinkled at the corners as he smiled at Elizabeth with another wink. Before placing the book behind himself, he crossed them across his chest. Elizabeth found her face warm again, her attraction to him intensifying.

  Hearing her name, Elizabeth turned to face the young boy, smiling as she requested that the material she had been working on be placed aside for the next day. After filling out the appropriate paperwork, Elizabeth turned back to Leo a flutter of nervous excited butterflies filled her stomach.