Reye's Gold (Indigo)

by Robinson, Ruthie

  The speaker had moved on to introduce the other honorees. People stood and clapped for each one, and so did he, but his body was just going through the motions. His mind had separated entirely from it. Finally and thankfully the program portion of the evening ended. People were getting up from their tables, to mingle, dance, and seek the bar for stronger libations. He looked again at the table where Reye and Sam sat. Reye was engaged in conversation with a woman seated next to her. She laughed. He stood up, deciding to go over and congratulate her.

  He turned to step away from his table and bumped into his dad, who was now standing in front of him, blocking his path. Leaning his head back, he looked into his son’s face. Stephen didn’t know what his dad saw there. “Are you well, son?”

  “Yes, I am,” he answered, finding understanding in his dad’s eyes.

  “Your mother remembered Reye from their meeting and pointed her out to me. She is a beautiful girl. I can see why you’re taken with her.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “I was on my way over to the honorees table to congratulate and thank them for their hard work. Would you like to join me?” Stephen, surprised by his dad’s request, agreed. It would be nice to have a buffer.

  Starting at the end of the table, they congratulated the other honorees, slowly making their way towards Reye. The crowd to meet and thank the honorees was larger than Stephen anticipated, so it took some time to reach her. She stood with Sam, his arm around her shoulders as they talked to an elderly couple, her back to him. The couple moved away, and Stephen touched her elbow, watching as she turned to him, her widening eyes giving away her surprise at seeing him. Her smile faltered, disappeared, and returned, all in the span of two seconds.

  “Ms. Jackson, I wanted to personally congratulate you for your volunteer efforts. Stephen’s told me about your work at the center and on the soccer fields,” said the elder Stuart, reaching for Reye’s hands. Her eyes swung to his dad’s, surprised again as her hands disappeared, lost between his father’s. “Stephen has told me so much about you.”

  Reye looked between them, unsure. “Thank you,” she said.

  “You remember my son, Stephen?”

  “Sure I do,” she said, accepting Stephen’s hand, her eyes hard, at odds with her smile.

  Reye turned back to the elder Stuart. “Mr. Stuart, this is my brother Sam,” she said.

  “It is a pleasure meeting you sir,” Sam said, accepting the older Stuart’s hand.

  “Will you be staying in Dallas for the holidays?” Mr. Stuart asked them.

  “No, sir, we are going to go back to Austin. We usu ally spend the holidays with our family,” Sam replied. “Well, it has been a pleasure meeting you, Ms.

  Jackson. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

  “Thank you, sir,” she said, not sure of his meaning. Reye turned and began speaking to the next person in line before Stephen could say another word.

  * * *

  “Do you need a minute?” Sam asked her during a break.

  “No, I’m fine, but I do want to find the ladies’ room for a second. I’ll be right back,” she said.

  Sam’s eyes were hard. “He’s not worth you, Reye.”

  “I know, it was just a shock to see him again. Give me a second, okay? I’ll run to the restroom and then I’ll be back,” she said, laying a hand on his arm. He stepped back, allowing her to pass.

  She strode through the ballroom, returning smiles as she made her way out the doors. Why him and why now? What happened to all the cute, cutting remarks she’d prepared to say when and if she saw him again? They’d all vanished from her head. And why did he have to look so good? Ugh! His eyes were still the striking blue she saw most nights in her dreams. He was still fine, especially so in that tux, still golden. But he’d left her, he’d had someone else while he was with her. Remember that, Reye, she said to herself. She marched out of the main door and down the hallway with her head up as she went in search of the bathroom. There were so many people, she thought, changing her mind and direction, deciding to go to her room instead. She needed privacy. She turned to walk to the main part of the hotel where the main elevators were located and heard her name. She’d have recognized that voice anywhere. Stephen walked toward her. Pretending like she hadn’t heard him, she walked faster until she reached the elevators and pushed the button.

  “Hey,” he said as he stopped next to her, looking both uncertain and nervous, his hands in his pockets. That was a new look for him, she’d never seen him nervous or uncertain.

  “Hey.”

  He took another step closer to her. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Congratulations on the award. I guess you took the job at the center.”

  “Thank you again, and yes, I did.” The elevator had arrived. Two teenagers disembarked and she stepped in. So did Stephen, along with an older couple. She pushed the button for the eighth floor.

  “Would you push number ten?” the other couple asked.

  “Sure,” she said. The door closed.

  Reye and Stephen watched as the elevator took them nonstop up to her floor. The doors opened and she stepped out. Stephen followed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to talk to you,” he said.

  “Maybe another time. I need to get back, Sam’s waiting for me.”

  “Give me a second.”

  Not wanting to argue in the hallway, she turned and walked to her room. He was behind her. What are you doing, she silently asked herself, but opened the door to her room, holding it open for him.

  She entered, faced him, arms folded across her chest. “Okay, I’m listening,” she said.

  “Look, Reye, I’m sorry for the way I left things. I had planned to come to Austin after the New Year to find you to tell you that I loved you then, and still do. It just took some time for me to figure that out, to realize that I want you in my life,” he said.

  “Okay, thanks, I’ve heard you. Now what?”

  “I was hoping we could start over. Could we talk, get together before you leave?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. Been there, done that. Would you leave now?” She reached for the door handle and opened it.

  “Reye,” he said again.

  “What, Stephen? I need to get back, would you please just leave?” Her voice was firm, her expression set.

  He looked at her, searching her face for an inkling of forgiveness. Seeing nothing, he decided to leave. He’d give her a little time and try to talk to her later. The evening was still young, or so he hoped.

  * * *

  Sam was surprised to find Reye coming out of the room as he opened the door. He surely hadn’t expected to find her dry-eyed and in the process of returning downstairs.

  “Sam, I was on my way back.”

  “Oh. I saw Stephen getting off of the elevator and got a little worried,” he said.

  “Don’t be. I had given some consideration to running upstairs to cry my heart out, but you know what, I’ve had enough of that, no more tears for me. He wanted out, he walked away, remember.”

  “Yeah, I do, but I wasn’t sure you did.”

  * * *

  Stephen had returned to the ballroom and was immediately accosted by his mom. “I wondered where you went to. I saw you and your dad talking with Reye.”

  “Yes, we were.”

  “She is a beautiful girl,” she said, her attempt to demonstrate, if not her approval of Reye, at least not her opposition.

  “Yes, she is.”

  They both looked over as Reye and Sam returned to their table, taking their seats, engaging in conversation with the people sitting next to them.

  Later on that night, Stephen watched Reye and Sam walk to the dance floor, the band playing some tune he didn’t recognize. Deciding to ask her to dance, he headed in the direction of the dance floor. His dad stepped in front of him again, and he almost fell over him. What was up with his dad?


  “Take some advice from your old man. Give her some time. You are going to have to reintroduce yourself to her and let her know that you are serious about her this time. You are serious about her, aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am.”

  “How serious? Do you want to marry her?”

  Stephen didn’t have an answer for that. He was at a loss for words. He hadn’t given any thought to what would happen beyond Reye agreeing to see him again. What did he want from her ultimately?

  “I think you owe it her to be sure of what you want from her before you do this again. Don’t you?”

  He slowly nodded. He looked over at Reye, dancing and laughing, her head back as she gave Sam one of her favorite smiles, wide and open, eyes dancing. Just as sure as he knew his name, he knew he loved her and wanted her permanently in his life. He would do what was necessary to have her again.

  “I can tell from your face that you’ve answered my question. Good luck then.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Knowing Reye like I do, I’m going to need it.” He laughed with his dad, but his gaze was still focused on her.

  * * *

  Toward the end of the evening, Stephen sat at his table waiting for yet another song to end. He’d not given up yet, so he’d sat and watched and waited. Reye and Sam were finishing yet another dance. He was determined to talk to her again before she left. The evening was winding to a close and fewer people remained. Now seemed like a good time, so Stephen stood and walked over to her table.

  “Would you dance with me, Reye?”

  She sat there for several seconds, not looking at him, her gaze focused on her lap. After a few more seconds, he thought she wasn’t going to answer, but she looked up and met his eyes. She nodded. He reached for her hand and led her to the dance floor. He pulled her into his arms, lifting her arms and placed them around his neck, moving his hand to her waist as he pulled her in to him. He took a second to stand there, holding her, not moving, just getting re-acclimated to the feel of her body next to his. It had been so long since he had held her, and it brought back so many memories for him. “Are we going to dance or just stand here?” she asked, breaking his reverie.

  He laughed softly and started moving in tune with the music. It was a slow song so he didn’t have to concentrate on his moves, just her. She danced with her cheek pressed next to his, his mouth next to her ear.

  “Reye,” he said.

  “Yes,” she answered, a little breathlessly.

  “I miss you.”

  “Don’t.”

  He paused for a second. “I love you.” His voice was sincere, his hands tightening around her as he felt her start to pull away.

  “Just listen, please,” he said. “Will you just listen to me?”

  For several seconds there was silence as he and Reye moved slowly to the music of the band. “Okay,” she said finally. He pulled her closer, slowing to move with the music. “I want to see you again. I realize you’re angry, and you have every reason to be, but I want the chance to make it up to you.” She pulled one of her arms from around his neck. He grabbed her wrist before she could pull away completely, holding it near his face as he continued talking, his voice earnest. “Don’t answer right now, just think about it. Okay?”

  She pulled her head back to look him in his eyes. The eyes looking back at her were intense, sincere, and hungry. Her body, the traitor, began to respond to his nearness. They both stopped moving, all pretense of dancing gone.

  “Look, Stephen,” she said. “I’ll think about it, but I don’t know if I’m willing to risk myself like that again, or if you’re worth it. Should I take the chance that you might change your mind down the line if things get too difficult? What if you encounter others who don’t approve of us, what then?”

  “Shsssh,” he said placing his finger to her lips. “How about we start again? Take it slow if you want, until you’re comfortable with me, us,” he said.

  “I don’t know. I’ll think about it, and don’t push me.” They were quiet for a few minutes. Realizing that they’d stopped dancing, they began moving slowly to the music again. “I’m really tired. Do you mind if we stop?”

  “Sure,” he said trying not to sound disappointed, adjusting his face into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He didn’t know what he expected her to say, but this wasn’t it.

  He took her hand again and led her back to her table. Once they’d arrived, she turned to him and said, “Thanks for the dance, Stephen. See ya around.”

  “Yeah. See ya, Reye. I’ll be in touch.” He looked over at Sam, who sat intently watching them. “Good night, Sam,” he said and turned and left. He walked over to say goodbye to his parents and left the ballroom for good. He needed some air and space, somewhere he could be alone, to lick his wounds. He saw the red dressed beauty walking towards him, stepping in front of him before he reached the main doors.

  “What’s your hurry?” she purred through pouting lips.

  “Long night,” he said, giving her a tight smile as he walked past her and continued on out through the door.

  * * *

  Sam looked over at Reye as she sat in the passenger side of his Grey Ghost, staring out of the window. Grey Ghost was the name he’d given to his white Escalade, a graduation gift. He and Reye were now on the road driving down I-35 towards Austin. They’d left the gala, returned to the room, packed, and checked out, stopping only for Reye’s favorite Starbucks drink.

  Earlier he’d been shocked to see Stephen walking into the ballroom. Reye hadn’t seem him enter, and Sam had been grateful for life’s small wonders. She was nervous enough without the ex showing up. He’d watched them on the dance floor and was struck by how beautiful they were together. They made a striking couple, Reye with her brown skin against her white dress next to Stephen in his tux, with his golden boy looks. They’d turned heads. Apparently they’d forgotten that dancing was required on a dance floor, because they’d stood still, talking and looking intently at each other, as if they were the only two people in the room. He knew, had known all along, that Stephen was serious about Reye, that he loved her. He also knew he would have a hell of a time convincing Reye that her golden boy was for real this time. But he hoped Stephen was successful. Reye had become singularly focused on her job, to the exclusion of a personal life. And that worried him. He looked over at Reye out of the corner of his eye.

  “After all we’ve been through, you’re not going tell me what Stephen said to you?”

  Reye was quiet for a few minutes, staring out of the window at the passing dark landscape. “He said he loved me, he wants to see me again, wants us to be together and would I please think about it. He is willing to go slow, blah, blah, blah, if that’s what I need,” she said flatly.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  She turned to face him. “I don’t know. Why should I? He’ll just hurt me again. He thinks he misses me, and he might. We were good together, and I don’t just mean the sex. But I’ve learned that I need more than that. What if he tires of the hassles that may come with being with me? What then? I do love him still, but you of all people saw what I was like after he left. Why would I willingly do that to myself again?”

  “You do still love him, and that’s a place to start. Right, Reye?”

  “Yeah, I do, but what’s love got to do with it?” She laughed.

  “Maybe you should just wait and see. He might surprise you.”

  “Maybe, we’ll see.”

  Chapter 16

  Christmas Day found the Jackson clan together again. Reye loved her family dearly, but the noise level they created when they were together was overwhelming sometimes. Or maybe it was just her. Since leaving Dallas, she had been weepy and fretful. She looked around the room, taking in the wrapping paper scattered everywhere, along with a multitude of gifts, the conclusion to the family’s gift-exchanging ritual. Leaving the family room, she went in search of quiet. Grabbing her jacket from the hall closet, she walked through the kitchen, inad
vertently interrupting a conversation between Sam and her mother. “Don’t mind me, I just need some air,” she said, opening the back door and stepping out onto the deck.

  “Hey, baby girl. You needed some peace and quiet, too?” her dad asked. He’d settled back into his favorite lounger on the deck, cup of coffee in hand.

  She was like her dad in so many ways. “What are you doing outside?”

  “I’m just sitting out here watching the stars, taking in this quiet evening, enjoying God’s day. What brings you out?”

  “The same,” Reye answered.

  “Come over and tell me about your trip to Dallas. Did you have a good time?”

  Reye located a chair and pulled it over to him while looking around for something to prop her feet on. Not finding anything, she took off her shoes and settled her feet on her dad’s legs.

  “Yes. The ceremony was very nice, very grand.” She overemphasized the word like she was the Queen of England. Her dad chuckled. “We, the recipients, were given the red carpet treatment, a beautiful suite, fabulous dinner, a plaque, and a standing ovation. I’ve never felt so appreciated. All kidding aside, it was great, Dad.” She waited a minute before nonchalantly adding, “I ran into Stephen. You remember him, don’t you?”

  “Sure, the young man from Dallas that went to the law school here?”

  “Yep, that’s him. I think their family’s firm helped to sponsor the event.”

  “Really.”

  “Yep, and guess what?” Reye decided she needed to talk about this with someone other than Sam. She loved her sister-in-laws and her mom, but she’d never felt close enough to discuss Stephen with them. But her dad, he knew firsthand what Stephen had meant to her.