A Lonely Sky

by Linda Schmalz

  Sam thought of the hellfire Deirdre would rain for not attending the party. But he’d be in his own private hell if he went through with the engagement. It was a toss up between two wrongs, and last night, no answer seemed right. But this morning, as the rain and his head cleared, he realized what he must do.

  The concert soon ended, and the audience was invited to mingle with the American choir. Sam took the opportunity to try to reach Julia, but found himself jostled in a crowd of villagers.

  “Bloody hell,” he said, as an elderly woman elbowed him. “You’d think they were the blasted Beatles!”

  Sam managed to weave his way to the front of the crowd, only to find Julia gone. He spotted her heading towards the bus parking lot. She seemed to be helping Kim walk. Extracting himself from the throng of well-wishers, he headed for the lot. Only one bus remained, and as Sam approached it, Julia appeared at the door. “Sam!”

  “Hello.” He stopped in his tracks and smiled. She was even prettier close up, her long hair the color of the sun, her eyes a beautiful cornflower blue.

  She stepped off the bus. “I was just heading back to mingle with the villagers. Kim isn’t feeling well. She’s lying down inside.”

  “Ah. I see. I was hoping you might like to mingle with me a bit.”

  Sam noticed the slightest hint of a blush adorn her smooth cheeks. She looked down at the ground, but a small smile formed on her lips. “I saw you at the concert. Thanks for coming.”

  “My plans changed. My options were to spend the day at the pub getting fabulously drunk, or attend your concert in hopes that you could actually sing.” He bent down to catch her eye, and share the twinkle in his.

  “Very funny.” She laughed, and looked up again. She seemed to relax at his joke. “Did you like the concert?”

  “Brilliant, yes. Well done. You enjoy singing, do you?”

  “Yes.” Julia’s expression became thoughtful. “I love singing, but not as much as acting. Still, it helps to have a musical background for theater as well.”

  Sam found his opening, but needed to tread carefully. He didn’t want to upset her again, but felt compelled to push her towards her dream. He reached inside his shirt pocket for his cigarettes, only to find in his haste to get to the concert, he left them in his room. He’d just have to forge on without his crutch.

  “Julia, I’m wondering if you gave any thought about what we discussed last evening? About talking to your father?”

  “In all honesty, so much happened since I returned last night, I haven’t had a chance. Kim and the guys got caught sneaking into the hotel. They’re being sent home tomorrow.”

  “And you?”

  “No one knows I was with them.” She smiled, gratitude filling her face. “Thank you so much for walking me back.”

  Sam took a chance. “Thank me by talking with your father.”

  “It’s not as easy as all that, Sam. You don’t know me, and you don’t know my father. I can’t break his heart. He’s still not over my mother’s death.”

  “I’m sorry.” And he was, but not for her father. “You’re right. I have no bloody right to tell you what to do. But, I see a lot of myself in you when I was your age, and you have so much energy and life and you should be able to do what you want with it.”

  She remained silent and avoided looking at him.

  “I shouldn’t have come.” He turned to leave. Perhaps this was a mistake after all.

  “Wait.” He felt the warm, soft touch of her hand on his arm, so different from Deirdre’s ice-cold, thin fingers.

  “Sam, I’m sorry. It’s just that you have everything I want and can’t have. You’re an actor. You’re living your dream. You live in England!”

  “What does England have to do with it?”

  Julia looked away, as if embarrassed. “I’ve always dreamed of going to England.”

  “And so you’re in Germany,” Sam teased, hoping to lighten the mood. “You’re getting close.”

  “Yes, well you see, that’s just it.”

  Sam waited patiently as Julia took a deep breath. “I get close to what I want, but I never get exactly what I want. I wanted a happy family. My mom died and now my dad is permanently sad and overprotective. I want to be an actress. I acted in high school and now I can’t pursue it. I want to go to England and I’m in Germany. And yes, yes, I know I sound like a spoiled brat, and I know a lot of people my age don’t get to travel or go to college.”

  “You’re not spoiled, you’re disappointed.” Sam knew disappointment all too well. “It’s okay to be discouraged, but it’s not okay to quit trying, love. That’s all I mean. Don’t give up on going for what you want. I’m not.”

  Before Julia could answer, Kim exited the bus, sickly green and in a panic. Sam stepped aside, allowing her to run a few yards away and vomit.

  Julia offered an apologetic smile. “I should go help her.”

  “Allow me.” Sam said. As Kim walked toward them, he helped the sick girl back onto the bus. Julia followed.

  Kim settled into a seat and Sam turned to Julia. “ I think I should stay until someone else comes. I have a car back at my hotel, and if needed, I could drive her to a hospital.”

  Julia took a moment to weigh the options. “Okay.”

  She motioned for him to sit across the aisle from her as she sat next to Kim. A few minutes of uncomfortable silence ensued. Sam wanted to talk more about Julia, but her attention focused on her friend.

  Kim sat up and looked Sam’s way. “I feel a little better.” The color had returned to her cheeks and her voice seemed stronger. “Julia says you’re an actor from England. I don’t recognize you, no offense.”

  Sam laughed. “Well, I’m not surprised. I’ve only done bit parts on American television. I’ve done more theater in London, Shakespeare and the like. Do you act?”

  “I act like a fool on more than my share of occasions, obviously, but no, theater isn’t my thing. Julia loves it though.”

  “So I hear.” Sam winked at Julia. “Well, perhaps someday she can visit me when I’m rich and famous.”

  “Yeah,” Kim said, shutting her eyes, and resting her head against Julia. “She always did want to see England.”

  Julia pushed Kim’s head off her shoulder with a soft nudge. “Quit talking about me like I’m dead. I’ll get to England someday.”

  Kim suddenly sat straight up and her eyes grew wide. “Ow. My head hurts again, but never mind that, because I have a brilliant idea!”

  “The last time you had a good idea I wound up stuck in a tavern, remember?” Julia said.

  “Exactly!” Kim’s face flushed with excitement. “And that’s when you met Sam, who just happens to be from England, right?”

  Sam nodded, unsure of where this was leading.

  “Well Jules, Sam could take you with him!”

  Sam hid an amused smile.

  Julia seemed just about as serious. “Yep, and while I’m over there I’ll steal Prince Charles away from Lady Di and end up Queen of England.”

  “No really,” Kim said, gaining more enthusiasm as she hatched her plan. “You’ve always wanted to see England. When are you going to get an opportunity like this again?”

  “Exactly what sort of opportunity do I have now? You think I’m just going to jump in a car with someone I met not even twenty-four hours ago and travel to another country? “ Julia turned to Sam. “No offense.”

  Sam smiled. “None taken, love.”

  “And I’m sure Mr. Mueller is going to be thrilled to hear I ran off with some guy I met in a bar which he doesn’t even know I was at, and then, I’m sure my father would be overjoyed to hear about the escapade.”

  “They don’t have to know,” Kim said.

  “Oh right.” Julia looked at Sam and rolled her eyes. “Like they’re not going to notice I’m missing?”

  “No, and that’s the beauty of my plan, Jules. No one will know you’re not where you say you are!”

  “You need to lie down
again, doesn’t she Sam? Her hangover is affecting her brains.”

  Sam shook his head in agreement, enjoying the silly banter between friends and listening to the plot unfold. He could just imagine Deirdre’s face as he pulled up to the curb with Julia at his side. Then again…

  Kim continued. “This will work. You tell Mr. Mueller that you were with the boys and me last night. Tell him you can’t live with the guilt and feel you should be sent home too.”

  Julia’s voice filled with panic. “Kim...my father-”

  “Let me finish. Tell Mr. Mueller that he needn’t contact your dad, because you already did and he knows you’re coming home. Of course, you’re not really going to call your dad, ‘cause you aren’t going home. You’re going to England.”

  “No I’m not,” Julia said, glancing over at Sam. “This is ridiculous.”

  Sam didn’t answer, his own mind spinning around how this plan might help him as well.

  “So then,” Kim said, as if Julia hadn’t spoken. “You go to the airport with me, Bob and Chris, but instead of getting on the plane for home, you sneak off with Sam here, who is waiting at the airport in his car. Viola! You get to go to England, your dad thinks you’re still with the tour and Mr. Mueller thinks you’re back in the States.”

  “And I think you’ve lost your mind,” Julia said.

  Sam remained silent, his thoughts confusing him. What if Julia did come back to England with him? That would certainly send the message loud and clear to Deirdre that the engagement was postponed. And showing Julia around London would certainly help pass the time until the call about the mini-series role came.

  He studied Julia. Would it be right of him to use her to snub Deirdre? He knew he should do the right thing and just call Deirdre and say it was over. She was probably realizing right now he wasn’t coming to the party. Guilt and confusion washed over him, but he pushed it aside. He didn’t go back today for the party, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t get engaged another time. In fact, if he wanted to see his money, he needed to marry her. And if the call for the mini-series role came through, he wouldn’t need to get married at all. But what if it didn’t? Was money worth being trapped in a marriage without passion? Damn. He thought he had figured this out already.

  “Sam, you with us?” Kim’s voice interrupted his musings. “Any thoughts on the idea?”

  Sam glanced at Julia again. She seemed doubtful and hopeful and beautiful all at the same time. And it unnerved him, but in a way that somehow made him happy too. “How would she get back to the states from London?”

  Julia’s eyes grew wide and she shot him a look that revealed her surprise at his answer.

  “I mean,” he continued, smiling at Julia. “Won’t her father realize she’s not on the plane when the tour comes home?”

  “Hmm…” Kim bit her lip in thought. “I’ll pick her up and her dad will never have to know she didn’t come home on the plane with the choir.”

  Julia looked at the two as if they’d lost their minds. “And just where am I going to get the money to book the flight home?”

  “Simple,” Kim said reclining in her seat as if she had the whole plan wrapped up in a pretty little basket. “They’re refunding our money from the trip, minus our flight expenses, right? When I get back home and my refund arrives, I’ll send you a check. Then, when you get home, you repay me out of yours.”

  “No, that won’t work. The money won’t show up in time,” Julia said. “This whole thing is stupid. Let’s just forget it.” She turned away from Sam and looked out the window. But her disappointment hung in the silence between the three of them. He couldn’t stand to see her so disappointed and he couldn’t understand why he felt so much for someone he barely knew.

  “I’ll buy your ticket home and you can pay me back, when the money comes,” Sam said, confident his Aunt Polly would provide him this tiny loan. “The idea isn’t stupid, Julia, especially if you really want to come to London. I thought it was preposterous as well, but the more I think about it, I believe it’s doable.”

  Julia’s only response was a heavy sigh. “I don’t even know you.”

  Sam wished she’d turn away from the window. “Nor I you. But I promise, I’m not an ogre or a letch. And you can stay with my aunt. I’d love to show you around London which will keep me occupied so I’m not sitting about waiting for that call.” And it won’t hurt that this will delay my engagement. “You’d actually be doing me a favor, Julia.”

  “Do it,” Kim urged.

  Julia finally turned back to Sam, her expression cautious. “I don’t know.”

  “You’ll like my Aunt Polly,” Sam said. “She’s widowed, lives alone, except for a butler, in a huge estate in London, and is a jolly good sort. She’d adore the company.”

  “I can’t-” Julia started. “My father will-”

  Kim cut her off. “You have to go! Next fall you go to nursing school and then you’re stuck in college for years. This is your golden opportunity, Jules. What if you never get the chance to go to England again?”

  “I’ll leave my license number, address, phone number and aunt’s numbers with you, Kim,” Sam offered. “I’ll have Julia call you everyday to tell you she’s safe. If you don’t hear from her, feel free to send the London bobbies after me.”

  “Sounds great,” Kim said. “What do you think, Jules?”

  Julia glanced out the window. “I think someone is heading towards the bus.”

  Kim peered in the direction Julia indicated. “Mr. Mueller.”

  Sam reached into his pocket for a pen and paper and jotted down his phone number. He handed the paper to Julia. “That is the number where I’m staying in Rothenburg. If you decide to come to London with me tomorrow, call me tonight and I’ll be waiting at the airport in Frankfurt. If you don’t call, then I’ll assume you aren’t coming.” He smiled. “But I hope you do. Either way, Julia, it’s been wonderful meeting you, and you too, Kim. I hope you feel better.”

  Sam turned to leave before he had to explain his presence to the choir director.

  “Bye Sam,” the girls said.

  He walked the path to his hotel, his mind a mess of emotions. He knew he should call Deirdre and explain his delay. He dreaded the call, but felt a twinge of guilt about standing her up. But something about Julia made him want to do the right thing.

  Fine. He’d call her again, and say a friend had delayed him. It was partially true, and the best he could think up at the moment.

  Sam smiled as he reached his hotel, feeling happy for the first time in months. Money wasn’t at the forethought of his every waking moment. For once, it wasn’t financial worries or his career on his mind.

  It was Julia.

  Chapter Nine

  Deirdre looked beautiful and she knew it. Her sleek, silver-blue satin dress accentuated her model thin frame, her long blonde hair swept into a stylish chignon and pearl earrings highlighted her satiny smooth skin. She stood tall and poised next to her mother at the party, knowing all eyes were on her as she greeted guests, air-kissed heavily made up matron cheeks, and pretended all was well.

  But behind the ice-blue eyes, anger seethed. An hour ago, Sam called to say he wouldn’t be able to attend the party, and thus, they wouldn’t become formally engaged. Worse yet, he wouldn’t commit to when he would return. It was all Deirdre could do to smile and thank the guests for coming to a party she now had absolutely no interest in attending. But she was a Lamont, and the show would go on.

  “Yes, yes, lovely to see you, Mrs. Bloomington,” she crooned to an overweight, over dressed and over-the-hill friend of the family. As the woman moved on, Deirdre leaned into her mother.

  “Sam’s not coming.”

  Penny Lamont’s smile froze on her face as she spoke through clenched teeth. “What did you say, dear?”

  Deirdre smiled pointedly at another couple that greeted her as they passed. “You heard me, Mother.”

  Penny turned to the next pair of aristocrats. “We se
em to have forgotten something for the party. Please continue to meet the rest of the family and Deirdre and I will return shortly.”

  Deirdre felt her mother’s thin fingers grip her elbow. “Let’s go find that silverware, shall we Deirdre?”

  Her mother led her from the banquet hall into the parlor, shutting and locking the massive gold-etched door behind them. She turned on Deirdre, her teeth clenched, her voice a harsh whisper. “Tell me this is not happening. Deirdre. Sam must come and he must propose! This is announced as an engagement party, and we have no engagement to show! I have the media on standby for this.”

  If Deirdre sought sympathy for her situation, she’d find none here. She learned long ago that disappointment and feelings were to be swept under the rug if it meant jeopardizing the Lamont reputation of the perfect societal family. No, Mother was not one she could break down and cry to over her own disappointment that Sam was in no hurry to be her husband. The only thing that mattered now was to keep it from the press.

  Deirdre waved away her mother’s concern, the best way to calm Penny down. “Just tell the hounds Sam was delayed in Germany. There will be an engagement to celebrate, just not today.”

  Penny pondered the idea for a moment, her eyes darting back and forth until the decision was made. “Brilliant idea, darling. It’s the same thing we’ll tell the guests.” She smoothed down her dress and visibly relaxed. “Now then. Did Sam give you any indication of when he might actually propose?”

  Again, concern for Sam, nothing for her. Couldn’t her mother see the hurt invading every aspect of her being? No, of course not, for Deirdre couldn’t show defeat, no Lamont ever had. Throw us down and we just bounce.

  “He’ll be back soon, Mother.”

  “Yes, he will.” Penny’s answer seemed more threat than assurance. She coiffed her hair and walked to the parlor door. “Now put on your brightest smile and finish greeting your guests.”