by Louise, Kara
Elyssa didn’t say anything to Will, but she thought it would look great in the den of the house she was working on. Even though she wasn’t hired to finish that room -- yet -- she’d keep the books and bookcase in mind. She may even have to conspire to get it before Will did.
By the time they left the store, Elyssa had made several mental notes of things there that she might like to come back out and buy for the house.
Elyssa was really enjoying herself. The atmosphere and the variety of stores and the buildings that housed them did not cease to keep her interest. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that Will had very similar tastes to her own.
The street became more and more crowded with people. Will reached out for Elyssa’s hand and as his fingers closed around hers, he smiled as he felt her fingers close gently around his.
They walked for some time up one side of the street and down the other. When they were almost to the garage where his car was parked, he suggested they drive to the Film Center so they would get there more quickly. They returned to the car and were soon on their way to the theater.
When they arrived, the title of the movie was spelled out on the marquee. Elyssa didn’t recognize the language, but felt reassured that it must be a good movie because of the number of people in line.
When they walked past the people in line and toward the ticket taker, Elyssa looked at him curiously.
“I already have the tickets,” he said, as he reached into his pocket.
They walked in and he handed the tickets to the man at the door. They were directed to go the opposite direction that everyone else was going.
“That’s odd,” Elyssa said. “Everyone else is going into that theater.”
“Well, it does have two theaters. This one is smaller, I think.”
Elyssa briefly raised her eyebrows in surprise and followed Will, still clinging to his hand.
When they entered the theater, Elyssa was surprised to see that it was empty. “Oh, goodness! Are you sure we’re in the right place?”
“Yes,” he said confidently. “Where would you prefer to sit?”
“How about right in the center of the theater?”
“Here?” Will asked as they came to a row that fit Elyssa’s description.
“This looks great.”
They walked toward the middle of the row and sat down. “Do you want some popcorn or a drink?”
“No,” Elyssa answered as she looked around her again. “I’m fine.”
Elyssa was just about to ask Will again if he was sure they were in the right theater when the lights dimmed. As the name of the movie appeared and the music played in the background, Elyssa gasped.
“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg!” she exclaimed.
“No, I believe that says, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg.” The French words flowed smoothly out of his mouth. “Have you seen it before? If you have, we can leave.”
“Yes, but no! I don’t want to leave,” she declared as she realized he probably could speak French as well as Spanish.
She suddenly began digging in her purse.
“What are you looking for?” Will asked.
“A tissue! Oh, why can I never find one when I need one?”
Will reached into his coat pocket for a handkerchief. “Here. Take my handkerchief, but do you really think you’ll need one?”
“Most definitely!”
Elyssa looked around her again. I can’t imagine why no one else wants to watch this movie! It’s wonderful!”
“So you think it’s good?”
Elyssa let out a big sigh. “Words can’t describe it. Just be prepared, Will. They sing throughout the whole movie. Look,” she said, as she pointed to the screen. “Even the mechanics in the garage sing their lines.”
Will lifted his eyebrows to that, smiling to himself over Elyssa’s enthusiasm. He then reached over for her hand.
Very quickly Elyssa forgot that they were the only ones in the theater. She was lost in the sights and sounds of this movie that she and Janet used to love to watch. It was one thing to watch it on TV, but on a full screen it was so much more enjoyable. She was also very much aware of her hand in his as occasionally he would stroke it with his thumb or give it a gentle squeeze.
Will smiled when he’d catch Elyssa humming the tune to a familiar sounding song -- the song, “I Will Wait For You” that he heard her sing in Guatemala. The song and its words had haunted him, and he had wondered just how long he would have to wait for her. He felt a little more confident that things were going well, but he still had that major hurdle before him when he’d tell her the house was his. But not tonight. He cast a sideways glance at her and hoped that when he told her tomorrow, she would understand.
The story of a young couple in love was very sentimental. Both struggled financially and made some decisions based on that.
As it neared the end, Will realized it was not ending the way he would have wished and began to realize why Elyssa needed a tissue.
As Elyssa wiped her eyes, Will fought back the swelling up of heartache that he began to feel for this couple. He couldn’t help but wonder if this would be his and Elyssa’s fate. He held on tightly to Elyssa’s hand as the movie came to an end.
“Wasn’t that the most beautiful movie you’ve ever seen?”
“I can think of some that end a little happier,” Will tried to joke.
“I think that’s what makes it so special. It’s like real life. We have no guarantees.”
“No, we don’t,” he answered a little somberly. He had no guarantee that his plan to bring Elyssa here would sit well with her once she was told the truth.
They stepped out from their row of seats and again Elyssa looked about her. “People just don’t know what they’re missing!”
When they came into the lobby, Elyssa excused herself to go to the ladies room. While inside, she touched up her makeup and brushed through her long, dark hair. It has been fun, she thought with a smile as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Who would ever have imagined this?
As she walked out, she looked around for Will. Not seeing him, she began walking toward the front. A small sign caught her attention.
Theaters available for rental. See management.
Her eyes widened and she let out an audible gasp. “Oh my goodness! That’s the only reasonable explanation why we sat in an empty theater!”
She looked ahead and saw Will leaning with his back against a wall up ahead. As she walked toward him, she asked herself, How did he know this is one of my favorite movies? How did he know?
“All set?” he asked as she came up to him.
“Yes, I think so.”
They returned to the car and drove a short distance before Will pulled over. “I know it’s late,” he said, “but it’s such a beautiful night. Would you like to walk along the river?”
“I’d love to,” Elyssa answered.
They walked along Michigan Avenue. As they looked down toward the river, the shimmering lights from the city danced across the water. Coming to the Michigan Avenue Bridge, they began to walk across it.
“It’s beautiful here, Will.”
“They have dinner cruises along here and architectural tours. I thought maybe we could come back and do that someday.”
Elyssa stopped and looked out over the water. “I’d really like that.” Then she turned and leaned her back up against the rail, looking up at Will. “Thank you for a wonderful evening,” With a crooked smile and the raising of one eyebrow she added, “I don’t believe I’ve ever had anyone rent a theater for me before.”
Will inhaled slowly at Elyssa’s acknowledgment and glanced toward the ground. Softly, he said, “I must confess that I’ve never rented a theater for anyone before tonight.” A gnawing at the back of his mind reminded him that there was something else he had done that he needed to tell her. Pushing it down so their evening together would end on a pleasant note, he said, “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yourself.”
He looked back up at Elyssa and despite the beauty of the city around them and the glistening water below, all he could see was her.
He reached out and fingered a lock of Elyssa’s hair, running his fingers down its length. He seemed reluctant to release the curl as a ringlet at the end wound around his finger.
Elyssa remained motionless, barely able to breathe, as she watched him lift his eyes to hers and ever so slowly lean in toward her. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips kiss her cheek.
Will pulled back slightly after a moment to gauge her response. When he found her eyes closed, he brought his hand up to her chin and with his fingers, he tenderly turned her head just enough so that he could easily press his lips to hers.
Elyssa moved in closer and slipped her arms around his waist, latching them together behind him.
When at last they pulled away, words seemed difficult to come by.
Later, when he drove into the Garners’ driveway, he stopped the car and turned to Elyssa, taking her hand in his. “Elyssa, I enjoyed being with you tonight.”
“Me too,” she replied.
He sat quietly for a moment, simply watching her face in the darkness of the car; the only light being from the porch. He finally opened his door and got out of the car and walked around to let Elyssa out. When he took her hand, he kept a firm grasp on it as they walked to the front door. As they stepped up on the porch, he clasped his other hand over hers.
His eyes traveled down to their entwined hands as he began to stroke hers. He only wished he could impart the depth of his feelings to her so that she would not respond to his confession tomorrow with anger. He finally released her hand and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. When he felt her arms go around his waist, he turned his head and lowered it, resting his cheek on the top of her head. As he inhaled the fragrance of her hair, he wished with all his might that he could make the time stand still to this very moment. Finally, he drew back and lowered his head, kissing her gently.
“Good night, Elyssa. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Elyssa said good night and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Will stood looking at it for several moments. He took in a deep breath as he realized this evening with her had been perfect. He could not have enjoyed himself more. As he fingered his set of keys, looking for the right one, he contemplated what tomorrow would bring. He could only hope she would understand.
Chapter 28
Elyssa closed the door behind her as she came in from her date with Will and collapsed against it. She brought her hand up over her heart as she felt its clamorous beating and took in a few breaths that were sorely needed. When she finally garnered her strength and pulled herself away from the door, she turned and took a quick peek out the peephole. She saw Will fingering his set of keys before he turned and walked to his car.
Elyssa knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she told her aunt a little about their evening. She tiptoed down the hall and softly tapped on the door to their room. Maddy promptly got out of bed and put on a robe. She stepped out and closed the door so the two of them could talk and not awaken Edward.
Elyssa didn’t know where to begin, but began in hurried, excited whispers. “Maddy, from the moment we were together in the car, I felt so at ease. I really enjoyed his company. We went to a restaurant fairly close by. You’ll have to try it. Then we drove into Chicago. We walked through Old Town, going into an occasional store and looking through the display windows. Then you won’t believe what he did!”
Maddy took in a deep breath as if she were exhausted just listening to her. “What did he do?” she asked with eager anticipation.
“We went to a theater -- actually he called it a film center -- where they show foreign and classic films. There were a lot of people there, but when we walked into the theater, we were the only ones in it!”
“Really? Did anyone else ever come?”
“No! And that’s not the only incredible thing. The movie was “Umbrellas of Cherbourg!”
“My! That’s one of your favorites!”
“I thought that perhaps the other theater was just showing something everyone wanted to see, but after the movie I saw a sign that stated theaters were available for rental. Maddy,” Elyssa said as she took her aunt’s hands in hers and inhaled deeply. “He rented the whole theater just for us and arranged for them to show that movie!”
“Had you told him you liked it?”
Elyssa shook her head. “The only thing I can think is that while we were in Guatemala, I sang ‘I Will Wait For You.’ He must have remembered and either knew that’s what movie it was from or he found out.”
Maddy gave her niece a knowing nod. “He’s a very successful businessman, Elyssa. He is probably very good at remembering things that will help him at a later time.”
“I guess!” Now that a condensed version of her date had been relayed to her aunt, Elyssa relaxed and suddenly felt all the weariness of the late hour. She yawned and stretched out her arms. “I’m tired. What time do you want me to get up in the morning to help you get lunch ready for the picnic?”
“Don’t you worry about a thing! I prepared most of it this evening while you were out. Now you go to bed and get a good night’s sleep!”
“I’ll try. Good night, Maddy.”
*~*~*
Elyssa had just begun stirring the next morning when her cell phone rang. She blinked a couple times, trying to get her bearings and reached aimlessly for the phone.
When she picked it up, she looked down and saw that it was Will.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Elyssa. I didn’t waken you, did I?”
“Oh, no.” Elyssa yawned. “I was just lying in bed trying to find the strength to get up.”
There was a pause on Will’s end.
“Is everything all right?” Elyssa asked.
“I don’t know, yet.”
“What is it?”
Elyssa heard Will take in a deep breath. “I received a call this morning from Guatemala. There has been a lot of rain and the villages are having some problem with flooding. Some of our farmers may have lost fields and possibly homes. I’m actually on my jet now heading down there.”
“You’re on your way to Guatemala?”
“Yes.” Will paused a moment. “I’m sorry, Elyssa, but I won’t make it to the picnic today.”
Elyssa felt a wave of disappointment flood her, but she also felt a deep concern for the villagers. “Do you know which villages were affected?”
“Unfortunately, no. Communication has been slow in coming from the area. I’ll call you when I know something.”
“I would appreciate that.”
“Elyssa, I…” A deep breath swallowed up any additional words.
“Yes?”
“I… uh… I really enjoyed myself last night.”
“Me too.”
“Well, the jet’s about to take off. Hopefully I’ll be home in a couple of days. I will want to see you as soon as I return.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. Please be careful, OK?”
“I’ll be careful.” Will turned off his phone and looked out the window of the plane. This was not how he had expected to spend the day, but he needed to go and assess the damage -- not just to the crops -- but possibly to a farmer’s whole livelihood. A few more days waiting to tell Elyssa wouldn’t hurt.
*~*~*
Although Elyssa enjoyed the picnic with her aunt and uncle and their children, her heart was somewhere else. She thought about how much she would have enjoyed Will being with them and frequently wondered where he might be and what he might be doing.
She finally heard from him Sunday afternoon and he told her the village that he and Elyssa had visited had not been heavily damaged. He was now setting out for a village on the north side of Lake Atitlan. He didn’t know what he would find when he got there. Again, he made a point of telling her that he wanted to see her when he returned and hoped he would be back by the end of the week.
When she started work on Monday, her one consolation was that the living room was almost finished. The furniture and accessories had all arrived and now it was up to her to arrange it. Fortunately, she had a few burly men who could easily move the furniture back and forth until it was exactly as she wanted it.
As they moved the recliner from where it had been to where she wanted it, a small slip of paper fell away. She leaned down to pick it up and was quite surprised to find that it was a parking garage stub from the same one they parked in while walking around Old Town. As she looked at the stamped date and time, she wondered for a moment at the coincidence of someone else being down there at the same time that she and Will were, but was interrupted in her thoughts by the men looking to her for their next set of instructions. She stuffed the stub into her jeans pocket.
She kept tabs on the work going on in the kitchen in between moving things around or hanging something on the wall in the living room. When that room was exactly as she wanted it, she went into the kitchen to talk with the cabinetry man about the center island he was installing. One of the other workers came in with a concerned look on his face.
“Elyssa, there’s someone here to see you.”
“Oh. Is it a delivery person?”
“Uh, I really don’t think so.” He skewed up his face. “It’s a woman who is demanding to know who’s in charge here.”
Elyssa gave a questioning raise of her eyebrows. “Did she give her name?”
Catherine something. I didn’t quite get her last name.”
Elyssa shrugged her shoulders. “Thanks, I’ll be out in a minute.”
She finished what she was doing and stepped out into the living room to find a somewhat older, very fashionably dressed woman. She was snooping around, looking intently at the furnishings.
“May I help you?” Elyssa asked.
“Exactly what is going on here?” The booming voice of the woman must have penetrated every room and floor of the house.
Elyssa looked at the tall, rather imposing woman who unceremoniously strutted toward her. She came to a stop a mere foot from Elyssa and propped her hands up against her waist, gripping it tightly.