by Freda, Paula
Drawing together the basket's handles, Julie slipped her arm under the duo and stood up. "Lots of goodies," she replied, glad and sorry at the same time for the interruption. "Shall we find a cozy spot on the grass?"
She didn't have to ask twice. Side by side, she and Evan hurried after the boys.
They chose a spot under the shade of a cherry blossom tree with a wide view of the Lake. An arched, ornate, iron-railed stone bridge spanned the area where the water narrowed. The kind of bridge, Julie mused, where lovers strolled over or rowed beneath.
Without further ado, she opened the basket and took out paper dishes, plastic forks, napkins and hand wipes, along with a red and white checkered oilcloth, explaining it had belonged to her grandmother who had an old-fashioned uncanny way of keeping such items looking brand new and wrinkle-free. Evan and the boys helped her spread the oil cloth neatly over the grass, and watched eagerly as she layered it with a variety of cold cuts, bread, and children's lunchables; cheese and black olive romaine salad, home baked cookies, fruit snacks and juice boxes, and seedless grapes. Finally she brought out a spoon and a small jar of peanut butter and Jelly mix — "just in case," she chuckled.
"A meal fit for royalty," Evan complimented.
Julie offered, "Humble fare, but served with love." She read the spark of admiration in his eyes and felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Quickly she covered, "Dig in, everyone."
After doing full justice to the meal, the foursome cleaned up and headed for the rowboats. Drew and Michael monopolized their hostess. Evan followed, carrying the basket. Inundated with questions about herself, Julie answered truthfully, casting patient glances at Evan. "No, I'm not married," she replied to Drew. "I don't have a boyfriend," she answered Michael."
"How come?" Drew asked, all seriousness.
"Drew, sweetie, not everyone marries."
"But you're so pretty!"
Julie laughed. What a sweet compliment, and more so, coming from a child at an age when he hadn't yet learned the meaning or the art of flattery. "Thank you, sweetheart. Maybe someday some grownup will see me pretty as you do."
Evan interjected, "Drew, Pretty is in the eye of the beholder."
Of course, Evan was right, Julie thought. She had never considered herself beautiful. Pleasant, was as far a description as she would allow.
"Pretty on the inside is what really counts," she told Drew. He sent her a questioning glance. She added, "As sweet and kind as you are."
Drew paused walking to mull over her words that didn't quite make sense to him. Grownups didn't always make sense, but he still liked Julie, and saw no reason why Uncle Evan hadn't married her and made her Aunt Julie.
Michael wasn't past similar thoughts. In the most grownup voice he could muster, he said, "Julie is pretty both inside and out."
"Well put," Evan said. "That deserves a boat ride."
They rented a rowboat seating six. All wearing park lifejackets, Julie sat with Drew beside her, and Evan at the oars with Michael in front of him.
Evan rowed at a leisurely pace. Once again, the boys did most of talking, and once again little Drew raised the subject of aunt and uncle.
"Do you have kids?" Drew asked Julie, out of the blue.
"No, sweetie."
"Bummer," Drew sighed.
"Why do you say that?" Julie asked, surprised at such a remark from so young a child.
"If you were our aunt, they'd be our cousins, And I'd have friends to play with."
Julie glanced questioningly at Evan, then back at Drew. "But don't you have friends in your neighborhood and at school?"
Michael interjected, "Sure we do! There's Jack across the street, and Susie down the block."
Drew scrunched his small nose. "They're your friends. They don't like to play with me. And I'm not in school yet."
"Why don't they like to play with you," Julie inquired.
Drew shrugged. "They said I'm not smart enough yet for their games."
"That's not very nice of them," Julie said. "If they were my children, I'd scold them, and make sure they included you in some kind way."
"I know that," Drew said, chin rising. "You're a nice lady. You'd make a wonderful aunt. I wish you were my aunt."
Evan chuckled. "It's hard for him at this age. Unfortunately, there are no children his own age living in his neighborhood. But he'll be starting kindergarten in a few weeks. Guaranteed, he'll make friends."
"Oh, for sure," Julie seconded, glad of the saving remark leading the conversation away from the subject of Aunts. Quickly, she asked Drew, "When is your birthday?
"October Ten," he said, proudly.
"And you'll be how many years old?
"Six."
She glanced at Evan. "No pre-school."
Evan shook his head. "No," he said simply. Nothing further offered, and Julie didn't press him. She hadn't attended preschool, either. Although it did surprise her in this day and age.
They were approaching a narrow bend in the lake where a brick and stone bridge connected the two sides of the woods. Evan slowed rowing and let the momentum of the water push the boat along, using the oars simply to guide the boat in a straight path under the arch. Drew and Michael paused their young banter, eyes riveted by the undersides of the arch and the sudden dungeonlike darkness sparking their young imaginations. Straight out of a Grimm's fairytale, Julie thought. Was there a troll or an ogre hiding about?
A growl reverberated off the stone and startled both boys and Julie. But Evan's good-natured chuckle grounded their fear before it took hold.
"That was not fair!" Julie protested.
"I couldn't resist," Evan said. "The sudden silence, and expressions on your faces—" he laughed.
"You just wait, Uncle Ev, Halloween's not far," warned Michael.
Sunlight dispersed the darkness as the boat and its occupants emerged from under the bridge.
"Okay, okay, I apologize. How about next weekend a movie and McDonald's to make up for the scare?"
The boys looked at each other, considering the request for amends, then glanced at Julie for her opinion.
Julie smiled. "I think that's a fair offer."
"Okay, Uncle Ev."
Evan said, "And this time we'll pick up Julie at her apartment."
"Oh, I-I didn't mean to include myself," Julie stammered. "I-I didn't mean to invite myself."
"You didn't, Julie, I invited you."
The boys turned to her in unison. "You will come, won't you?"
She didn't answer immediately, needing time to catch her breath. Needing time for her heart to slow to a normal beat under his calming gaze.
"Unless you have a prior commitment."
"No, not-nothing that can't be postponed," Julie answered, praying she didn't sound lame.
"Well, then it's a date. What time should we pick you up?"
"T-two. Two o'clock. Too early?" Julie swallowed nervously. He had to have heard her voice crack.
"Two o'clock, that's fine," Evan said. He checked his watch. "I'll row a bit more, than we need to start back."
"Let me, Uncle Ev. Let me have try at the oar," Michael pleaded.
"Yeah, me too," Drew yammered.
The remainder of the boat ride was spent giving the boys turns at the oars.
It was close to four o'clock when they disembarked and back to strolling through the park, enjoying nature at its loveliest, the waterfowl, along with the several species of birds, and the cute antics of the squirrels and other small animals that called the park home, most of them quite used to humans. A short visit to the zoo and the aquarium followed.
When they reached the spot where they had started out, across from the Museum, Evan turned to Julie. "I promised my sister I'd get the boys home for dinner. " He paused, as though searching for the correct words, then added, "I ... we had a wonderful time. Thank you. We'll pick you up at two o'clock next Saturday. Are we still on?"
Play it cool, her thoughts kept urging her. Don't let him see how ecstati
c you feel that you'll be seeing him again, or how scared you are he's only asking for his nephews' sake. "Yes, I look forward to it."
"Boys, let's walk Julie to the train."
"No really, the station is just up the block. And I'd like to stay a little longer. You guys go on."
"Okay, see you next week." Again a pause, a hesitation. What was he thinking, Julie wondered. Did he feel the need for a friendly gesture, a touch, a handshake perhaps? She certainly did. Julie extended her hand. Evan's clasp was hearty and genial.
Drew first, then Michael, hugged her warmly, then they were off with Uncle Evan.
Long after the threesome had disappeared from sight, Julie continued to feel the exhilarating warmth of his fingers clasping hers.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The week felt as if it would never end, very much like Abby's questions regarding every detail of Julie's date with Evan. No matter how many times Julie repeated "It wasn't a date!" Abby refused to accept the fact. And it wasn't just Abby who literally danced around her. Even Captain Liam, one evening as she prepared to leave work, mentioned, "What happened this weekend?"
"Nothing unusual," Julie said, shrugging.
"No, that's not altogether true. There's something about you — a certain lilt to your steps, a look in your eyes. We've worked long enough together for me to notice. Did you finally meet someone special?"
No use hiding the truth from the Captain. Not when they worked together forty-hours-plus a week. No use hiding the truth from herself, either.
"Fine, yes, I met an old friend. Someone I knew in High School."
"An old boyfriend?"
"No, he was never my boyfriend?"
Disbelief crossed the Captain's gaze.
Julie amended, "All right. Yes, I had a crush on him. But that was years ago."
"Uh hah," the Captain murmured. "So has he asked to see you again?"
"No ... Yes — It-It's complicated."
The Captain groaned. "I hate that expression!"
Julie caught a glint of humor in the Captain's eyes. "Yeah, me too," she said. "It's just too soon to speculate."
"But you are looking forward to seeing him again?"
"Yes," she admitted. "It's just that I'm not certain he's looking forward to seeing me again."
"Can't you tell?"
"No."
"That's nonsense. When I was courting my Mrs., I wasn't one hundred percent sure about my feelings, but she was."
That remark brought a smile to her lips and they shared a laugh. Yes, she thought, that might be true of some couples, but not always.
Saturday morning finally arrived. Evan hadn't called to cancel, but there was still the chance he might not show, Julie considered. Among the few young men who had expressed a mild interest, two had taken that route. The others, sooner or later, had called, citing some plausible excuse, ending the phone call with "I'll call you." But they never called again.
"Oh no," she moaned, when around 10 a.m. the phone rang and his number appeared on the Caller I.D. display.
She answered the phone with a timid, "hello ..."
"Julie, is that you?" Evan asked.
She cleared her throat and answered, "Yes."
Here it comes, she thought.
"Julie, I'm sorry about the short notice, but would you mind if we skip McDonalds and have dinner at my sister's. She's been asking to meet you. ... Julie, are you there? Julie?"
"Y-yes, s-sorry."
"She makes a mean dinner! And I'll gladly drive you home afterwards. Do you mind?"
"Yes, I mean No, I don't mind at all. I'd love to meet her."
"Great. I am sorry about the short notice. She just sprung it on me this morning. My sister's like that."
"It's—
Michael's voice inquired in the background" She coming?"
A slight pause. Julie guessed Evan nodded when she heard the two boys cheering.
"—okay," she finished. "It's a nice surprise."
"Thanks, Julie. See you soon." He hung up.
Julie yelped, "Yes!" But a sobering thought brought her excitement down a notch. Was he merely being nice to her for his nephews and his sister? Did his personal feelings have anything to do with Julie, herself?
She voiced her doubts to Abby a short while later. Abby groaned. "What is it with you? Do you really think a guy would date a girl for the sake of his nephews and his sister?"
"Someone as nice as Evan might," Julie declared. "And he hasn't actually dated me."
Abby arched her eyebrows. "I'm not getting into that argument again. But as far as being nice to you because of his nephews and sister — well, maybe as you say, someone as nice as Evan might—." She shrugged. "None of the fellows I've met would. Just go with it. Stop being paranoid. You're a pleasant looking girl, with a kind heart, good morals and a lot of character to interest any nice guy. Like I said, just go with it."
"I don't have much choice. My heart won't let me do otherwise."
The movie was stupendous! Disney & Lucasfilm's Star Wars VII. Her being a fan since childhood along with her Mom, made watching it a long-awaited thrill. Questions, opinions, comments, continued strong between the four even as Evan rang the doorbell to his sister's home. "Okay, everyone, simmer down. Kathleen's not one for commotion.
No response on the first ring, but on the second, the door opened to reveal, the loveliest, airbrushed beauty Julie had ever set eyes upon. The light green cotton shift did little to hide her slender, yet prominent curves, or the waves of dark amber-blonde hair that fell softly across her shoulders.
"Carol?"
"Hello, Evan."
Words appeared to fail him. He stammered, "I-I didn't know you were here."
"Your sister called me, last minute. Asked if I'd like to join the family for dinner."
"Oh, she didn't mention it ... well, you're always welcome, you know that."
"Yes, I do," she smiled graciously. She reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. Sparkling green eyes gazed over his shoulder down at Julie. "So, who's that peeking from behind you."
Evan turned. Julie glanced up at him with half a smile. "Julie, this is my long-time friend, Carol."
"Come on in, Julie."
Her self-confident gaze seemed to blare, Come in, Julie, and see what you're up against.
I'm Utterly Doomed! Julie thought, heart plummeting.
CHAPTER NINE
"Hello," Julie greeted. "Nice to meet you," she lied, out of respect for Evan. After all, he'd introduced her as his long-time friend.
"Likewise. Although we did attend the same grammar and high school."
"I don't remember you," Julie said in earnest.
"Well, we were in different classes. I was in the gifted students' class, A+.
"Oh. And you remember me?"
"Yes, hard not to. "Miss Twisty Piggy Tails."
Julie swallowed. She glanced at Evan. At least he wasn't laughing. His company and kindness, these past couple of weeks, had actually made her forget the old nickname.
The old hurts resurfacing gave her the courage to ask, "Did you ever call me that?" Good to see Carol's composure slip at her audacity.
"Well," Carol replied, "we were kids. You know, peer pressure."
"Yes, I know about that. After all, you had an image to maintain." Julie wondered where she found the nerve to say those words, but Carol's claim to superiority reopened old wounds. All the same, an eye for an eye wasn't the answer, especially in Evan's company and in his sister's home. He had never taunted her. In fact, it was the memory of his respectful behavior toward her, that helped her push forward and build up her self-esteem during the remaining school years after he and his family moved away.
"But it's true, Carol. We were kids. Certainly we've come a long way since then, learned our lessons and matured."
Whatever Carol planned to reply was sidetracked by Evan. "Let's all go into the living room." He led them into a cozy, traditionally styled parlor. "Boys, keep Carol company. Julie
, come with me into the kitchen. I want to introduce you to my sister."
Julie followed Evan glad to be free of Carol's presence. The kitchen was larger than the living room. The oak table opened to its maximum, was large enough to accommodate ten comfortably, and already set with cotton placemats and Sunday best tableware.
A woman almost as tall as Evan stood in front of a stainless steel stove, stirring a steaming pot of what smelled like tangy Chicken soup.
"Kathleen?" Evan called warmly. "We're here to give you hand? And I want to introduce Julie."
The woman turned, and Julie saw immediately that under the flowery wrap-around apron, she was far into her third trimester.
"Oh, I didn't know—"
Kathleen chuckled. "He forgot to tell you, right?" Dark brown eyes scolded Evan. "He's not one for small details. He prefers the big picture, although if this isn't big enough a picture—" she laughed, patting her enlarged stomach. A few more weeks and Drew and Michael will have a baby sister, Lord willing."
What a lovely woman, Julie thought. No sign of superiority here. Just like Evan, down to earth, friendly, kind disposition. "Please let me help you. Just direct me."
"Thank you. Normally I'd say, go inside and relax, but at the present, I'm a bit slow and clumsy. I'll definitely appreciate the help. Evan, could you check the roast. And Julie, help me make the gravy. Flour is in the cupboard near the sink, and pots underneath, utensils in the drawer ..."
"Okay, I'm on it," Julie said, joining the bustle, grateful for the warm hospitality offered.
Within the hour all were seated at the table, with Kathleen's husband, Bill Ellison, a Long Island Railroad engineer, who had shortly arrived home, seated at the head of the table, with Kathleen at the other end. Carol commandeered the chair next to Evan and the boys placed Julie between them, priming her with the moves to their latest junior iPad game.
"All right, sons," Bill said, "let's settle down."
Both Drew and Michael pouted, but quieted, and Julie noted how Kathleen sent her husband an appreciative smile, before she bowed her head reverently along with her family, including Evan, for a thankful prayer before the meal.