by Tish Thawer
“No, only that she’d be there when the train arrived, and she’d be on a bench near the platform.”
“Okay then,” he sighed.
“Have you finished packing?” Lillian asked as she began to sort the papers Nathan had set on her desk.
“Oh you know, I still have a few things to pack,” he replied shyly.
“Nathan Allan Wade. I swear, will you never change?” Lillian laughed out loud. “Go home and get packed this instant.”
Nathan grinned, knowing his truth was revealed. He hadn’t packed a thing, but he was only going to be gone a few days. Nathan didn’t see the point in bringing his dress attire. Instead, he’d settle for his field clothes: a couple of sport shirts, casual trousers, and a pair of suspenders.
“I don’t have that much . . .” He relented under Lillian’s motherly gaze.
“Nonetheless, off you go,” Lillian said, shooing him out the door. “And don’t forget to stop by the bank on the way home. You should have plenty of cash with you—enough to last the week at least.”
“How about dinner tonight at six at Lombardi’s?” Nathan asked as he grabbed his coat and hat.
“That sounds lovely, but only if you’ve done as I’ve asked and will be ready to leave in the morning. Your train departs at seven, and you cannot be late,” Lillian chided.
“I will not only be ready to leave but will have my bags by the door.” Nathan grinned. “I’ll pick you up at five thirty,” he said as he opened the door to leave.
“Five thirty it is.” Lillian waved him out.
Nathan stopped by the bank, as Lillian suggested, and then the library. He needed to grab a book or two to keep his mind occupied on the train. It was, after all, going to take a few days to get to Colorado.
It was five thirty sharp when Nathan knocked on the door of Lillian’s apartment. She was always a stickler for being on time, and Nathan knew if he was late, she’d balk over needing to rush to dinner. He adored Lillian and wanted nothing more than to make her happy. They lived in separate apartments, but within the same building. Lillian lived on the floor below his, and as they headed down the stairs, Nathan remembered carrying his father’s satchel clumsily down each flight before his dad left for his latest expedition. He’d set it down on the last step and taken Lillian’s hand as Samuel told her when he’d be returning. That was the last time he saw his father. It was also the day Lillian became his guardian.
“I want you to order whatever you like tonight, and no scrimping because you’re worried about the cost, understand?” Nathan insisted.
“Oh no, you will not,” Lillian scolded. “We’re going to have a lovely dinner, but it will be on me.” Nathan started to protest but stopped when she gave him “the look.” “Besides, if you pay, I will assume it is to say goodbye, and I will not be saying goodbye to you, young man. You’ll return in a week, and when you do, you can buy dinner then.” She winked.
“Deal,” Nathan replied as he raised his arm in the air to hail a cab.
“We can walk, Nathan.”
“I didn’t want you to have to walk all that way,” he replied as the car pulled up to the curb. “And you gave no stipulation about a taxi, only dinner.”
Nathan opened the door and offered his hand to her.
Lillian clicked her tongue, but didn’t argue. Instead, the two rode to the restaurant, enjoyed a lovely meal, and returned home early enough for her to be able to read a chapter in her book before heading to bed. Nathan had left before on excursions, but he always came home. Something about him leaving this time felt different, though. They hugged one another tightly as they said their goodbyes.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be home in a week,” Nathan insisted as he kissed her forehead. “I love you, Lillian.”
“I love you too, Nathan. Now be careful. I’ll hold the fort down here until you return.”
He smiled. “You always do.”
Nathan looked back one last time before he headed upstairs.
* * *
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