Once Within A Lifetime

by Rose, Phyllis Georgina

  She had two more stops to make, but it was lunch time and they should stop for lunch at an outdoor cafe nearby, a charming little place with small glass top tables and small chairs with large, puffy cushions. An awning stretched out over them to protect them from direct sunlight or rain as the case may be. She ordered fruit and salad and enjoyed the textures and coolness as they delighted her palate. He ordered a similar meal and relished it, enjoying her company.

  “What a pleasant place to eat and it has such a cheerful atmosphere,” he remarked.

  “Yes, I like it here. As soon as we finish eating, we can complete the tour of the shops.”

  “As I watch you select your materials, I can think of jewelry that will blend perfectly with it. I am sure that might change if we discussed the style further.”

  “Yes, it sounds like a perfect combination,” she smiled at him. “I wish we could have more time together to do just that.”

  “I agree totally, we must get to spend more time together and do some of those things, though I am not sure how we can manage it being so far apart. We should plan how we can spend some time together and get more involved in discussions.”

  They finished the meal and got into the car to check out the remaining shops. She found one where she located about half a dozen prints to work into her new creations and set up the order and delivery arrangements. She ordered some emerald Crepe de Chine with tiny Jacquard motifs and porcelain blue Caviar Tweed. She must have some of the positive-negative prints to stimulate imagination. Pure Silk Crepe de Chine with flights of seagulls clearly outlined against a solid toned background. These reminded her of her New England home. Some black on white and some red on white. This last stop went quickly because she needed only two more fabrics to round out her choices and found them quickly and easily. Some pure cotton printed with tiny scattered leaves in geranium and some in turquoise would be grand. Also some Pure Silk Shantung with a subtle sheen. This was superb quality which was very evident.

  “Oh, Todd, look, I must have some of this black Confetti Dotted Organza, it is cobweb sheer. The dots are cut from black velvet circles edged with gold. With sheer sleeves, it could become an elegant gown. How wonderfully exciting,” she exclaimed gleefully.

  “You know, I can just imagine to a large degree how this material would look in certain styles,” he remarked excitedly.

  “It is time to go back to the city now,” she reminded him. “I will get everything packed tonight because I leave tomorrow afternoon to return home and begin my work and marketing plans. I am so sorry I will not be staying here longer this time.” She had never felt so reluctant to leave before and knew exactly why this feeling was so strong.

  “I, too, wish you did not have to go so soon. We just met and I want to spend more time with you. What can we arrange?”

  They got in the car and started back. He smiled at her, “I have had a truly wonderful time and enjoyed it to the fullest, seeing the purchasing side of your business. It has been interesting to watch you as you select the fabric and I enjoyed your explanation of the feel, drape, and motion you need to look for when you plan a certain item which helps me see the industry in a whole new light. Before, I saw the fashions, now I see the fabric shops, the shipping, the show arrangements, and the designer who maneuvers all these factors into this special fashion. It truly appears to be a miracle. It is so difficult for it all to sink in right now. Thank you for all you have shown me and for letting me be a part of your wonderful world.”

  “I am glad you came with me. It is interesting to explain these things to someone else. It seems different when you are just doing it alone, but showing someone else makes you see things in a different light also and takes away the impersonal element that can creep in all too easily. It is really very helpful and makes it seem more real and alive to me this way. Alone, I just did it as part of the process, and sharing it with someone else makes it so much more interesting to me, as well. How nice it has been since we met.”

  They arrived at her hotel at six o’clock and stopped at the door and she asked, “It is late, will you come up and dine with me on my lovely patio overlooking the bay and city? We can order some food before we go up and have it delivered to us there.”

  “What a grand idea, I do not have to rush off, and I do want to spend more time with you.” They ordered a meal and went up to sit on the patio until the waiter arrived. She pointed out some special places to him and it was easy to see why she loved this particular hotel as she did. He fell in love with the view and appreciated her good taste in the selection of the hotel. By the time dinner arrived, it was getting dusky and the lights were coming on all over the city, a beautiful sight, peaceful looking and romantic.

  She looked at the marvelous view, “I eat out here often, I love to watch the birds and bees in the daytime and see the lights come on after dark, looking like giant fireflies everywhere. It is a true delight to have such fantastic surroundings.”

  “I agree, it is truly delightful,” he turned slightly in his chair to look out over the countryside at the beautiful sights. “Thank you for bringing me up here so I could experience this marvelous sight. You are very observant and appreciative of things and the simple pleasures seem to be a special treat to you. How refreshing.” He lit the candles on the table.

  “I have always felt that way about things. Being in my profession is a means of support, certainly, but I see it also as a means to be exposed to these wonderful sights and sounds to enjoy which become my special treasures. It makes me feel rich in a truly special way that is difficult, if not impossible, to put into words, but I certainly feel it to my very depths. This is something everyone should be able to have and enjoy.”

  “I appreciate your feelings and it is so good to have someone special to talk with and to whom we can show our feelings and our lifestyles. Can we continue to see each other and learn more?” he asked expectantly.

  “I want to do that same thing. We just have to see what our schedules are and how we can get together. I don’t want it to be too long, do you?”

  “Oh, no, I don’t. Maybe we can come up with some kind of plan.” he replied as he reached across the table and touched her hand. They sat there and looked at each other, smiling hopefully.

  The waiter arrived and served the wine, a delicate bouquet from the nearby vineyards. He knew it was one of her favorites. He opened it, offered some to Triessa to taste and she nodded in approval.

  "I deem it a fantastic choice; please leave the bottle on the table."

  The waiter served the entrees and they started their meal. The salad dressing was one of the house flavors which captivated the taste buds. They ate slowly to absorb all the delicate flavors and by the time the main course was served it was quite dark across the city with the exception of the lights and beginning stars now appearing with more frequency. This spectacularly brilliant and starry night added to the ambiance, and after dessert and coffee, they entered the living room, sat a while and discussed future plans, she, going back to the drawing board and, he, back to his sales and a market meeting.

  He bid her goodnight and asked, “When are you leaving tomorrow? May I come and take you to the airport?” “I leave shortly after noon. I would love to have you escort me to the airport. Please come by for an early lunch so we can have time to eat and get there on time.”

  “Great, I will be here by ten o’clock. I can load your luggage into the car, we can eat, and then leave for the airport. Thank you so much for such a magical evening. I thought such things were pure fantasy. Now I know it can really happen. Thank you, thank you dear lady.” He kissed her hand, said goodnight and left.

  She started to pack getting most of her things ready for the last-minute wrap up in the morning. She traveled light this time because of her shorter stay and soon got her suitcase organized except for a few final details. She retired and soon fell asleep reveling in the joy and pleasure of the day and all the events of the past couple days.

  CHA
PTER 2

  As she awoke she remembered the previous evening and lay there to recall it for a while before getting up. She smiled and raised her hands over her head in a long stretch, then decided she had better get up and get ready. She showered and dressed comfortably in her attractive mauve pants suit with a lovely, feminine blouse and had coffee with a croissant on the patio. A slight mist hovered over the landscape causing a rather hazy view of the area. This made it much easier to leave than it would have if it were a gorgeous and beckoning day. She glanced at the time and hasted to finish her packing and be ready when Todd arrived which would be about forty-five minutes away. She felt especially sad to be leaving under the present circumstances, things were just beginning to get interesting and she was a little concerned about how it would go after she had gone. She was thrilled with all that had happened and it seemed as if she were stepping into a fairy tale.

  Her burgundy luggage with gold initials in the lower left corner, one of her designs, awaited by the door and she checked for the last time to be sure that her itinerary, tickets and travelers checks were secure in her bag. She would keep her portfolio and sample kit with her to keep her busy and occupied on the plane and help fill the hours of the long trip. Todd’s arrival broke into her reverie so she opened the door and he gathered the luggage to take down to the car. With the questionable weather, the top was up on the MG and it looked quite different to her but still very nice.

  They finished lunch and left for the airport. He stopped to unload her luggage and parked his MG nearby so he could escort her into the terminal. They bid each other a sad farewell and exchanged phone numbers and addresses. A quick departure would be much easier than a lingering one.

  “I am planning to be in New York soon and can visit you in your home town if you would like. I will get in touch with you for directions. We have so much more to learn about each other. I do not even want to imagine not seeing you again. Don’t you agree?”

  “I certainly do. If we do not do this, it could be weeks or a month before we see each other again. It is so hard to meet and then have to be separated by oceans and continents. It makes me feel very sad and alone.”

  “I will get in touch with you and we can work out the plan and arrangements. How does that sound?”

  “Just great, I will be waiting for your call.”

  Now she was on the way getting farther from him every minute and it was so hard to contemplate. She settled back in her seat and her mind immediately wandered to her favorite spot in her studio where she comforted herself, and she was eager to get there now that she was finally airborne and on the way home. She opened her portfolio and attempted to drag her mind away from the affairs of the last few days so she could calm down a bit. The memories were beautiful, but it all led up to their parting and left things up in the air. This had definitely been a new experience for her and she felt somewhat unsettled and disturbed.

  When she arrived at her home, it was a pleasant, warm evening. She picked up her car, loaded her luggage and portfolio into the back seat, and started home. Now that she was here, she was eager to get home and settled in. She had plans to retire early tonight and get up early tomorrow so she could get right into her day and keep her mind as busy as possible. She would get it organized when she got up.

  She parked out front, opened the door and was astonished, for inside the foyer were two large bouquets of roses for her, one a deep rose color and the other white. There must have been five dozen in each bouquet. She read the card, “See you as soon as I can. Todd.” She returned to the car for her luggage and portfolio, set them in the foyer and sorted through her mail waiting on the table just inside. She looked for personal items now and the rest must wait until tomorrow when she got back into the swing of things.

  She felt a strange loneliness which she had not experienced before, and though she was used to living alone except for Nancy, her cook, she felt deeply lonely. She had met many wonderful people on her trips, but this was something quite different and it was hard to get used to. She wanted to have someone else around, someone special. She could see the great benefits. Once something had been awakened in you, there was no denying it or going back. That awakening could not and would not go back to sleep. Her awareness had been piqued and it was difficult to calm down. This definitely was very different. She went upstairs and got ready for bed and soon drifted off into a pleasant sleep as she entertained thoughts of his arrival here in her home.

  Tomorrow was Thursday and the material she ordered should arrive in a couple days and she began to feel eager to get started on some new ideas. Once she looked at it, felt the texture, and viewed the angle of drape, she would be inspired with new plans. Thanks to Todd, she saw it all from a new and different light. Her designs had been planned with only a woman’s viewpoint in mind and now she began to think about which way would they appeal to men as well and why. She must talk to Todd more about that. It could be a great added factor to her work. Up to now she had not entertained these thoughts in quite the same manner. The male point of view had not been a factor previously, but now, after seeing Todd’s reaction to the fashion show and discussing points with him, she had a new, broadened perspective for everything in her new design ideas. How nice to have someone to share things with, she thought dreamily.

  As Thursday dawned she arose and dressed in comfortable jeans and shirt and sat by her window in her studio to recount her trip. She had been sitting here for some time recalling the wonderful memories of the trip and found it difficult to get herself moving. She looked out over her lovely garden and wondered how it would appeal to him. Would he like it; think it too feminine? What about the pond, the swans and the goldfish? “Oh,” she sighed aloud, “He will be in New York the beginning of next week and here on Wednesday. After his Monday and Tuesday meetings in New York, he will be on his way to my home.” She had to get her head out of this lovely whirl it was in and get busy so she started downstairs to check on something for breakfast, though she was not one bit interested in eating at this point.

  A light cereal with milk and fruit, some coffee and toast should carry her through the morning. Suddenly she was concerned about her eating and keeping in shape now with her new change of perspective on life. It was more important now because everything had taken on new meaning and significance, things taken for granted up to now. Another attitude and opinion had been considered here and she was amazed at how the trip started one way and ended up so totally different from anything she could ever have expected, yet it felt so natural and interesting.

  She finished breakfast, rinsed the dishes, and set them aside to drain and dry. The flowers beckoned her and she went to admire them again and decided to call him and thank him for them. The florist, no doubt, had called her cook, Nancy, to see about letting him in with the flowers. Triessa and Nancy had grown close to each other over the years, like regular family.

  She went back to her studio to get to work to capture some of her thoughts and ideas for the new material and fashion line. She began sketching and doodling, and automatically wrote Todd’s name all over her page. Maybe a new start on a fresh page would help, and she got back into the work mode and continued until it was time for lunch.

  Needing a break more than food, she went down to the kitchen and found some food Nancy had prepared and left for her. This made her happy to have an easy lunch to prepare so she could get back to her designs while they were still fresh.

  On her way back upstairs she stopped at her office to look at her mail, which took about an hour, then went back to her studio to start her work again. She wanted to get a lot done to show Todd when he arrived. She now wanted to share her thoughts and ideas with another person. That had not been a consideration up to now. Everything seemed so different. It was a little disorienting to say the least. How and why she did things would be new considerations now and she was interested in seeking out another’s opinion. What do you think of this? How does this look?” Could this really be happening? Was s
he dreaming? Not at all, this was all very real and wonderful. What would life be like from now on? Everything had changed so much.

  She stopped work early to take a stroll through her garden and watched the swans float gracefully in the lovely pond. She had loved these birds from a child and was happy to have her dream of having some of her own come true. They were such elegant and majestic fowls and glided smoothly about, a beautiful floating wonder.

  Back at the house she entered her kitchen and got some ideas for dinner. She had an excellent cook but gave her the time off while she was gone, plus the couple extra days before the weekend. She would arrive tomorrow and they would discuss Todd’s arrival next week and go over some of the special things she would like to have cooked for him as a reminder of their trip and meeting. Nancy would have no trouble duplicating the items; she was very good at French cooking. I will take the list with me when I go into town and see if I can pick up any special items we will need, she told herself.

  She found that Nancy had made and frozen some lovely meals for her. She selected one to heat for dinner. Eating alone was no longer enjoyable and she hurried through the meal, cleaned up the kitchen, and went back to her office for a while and sat at her desk to make some plans.

  I want to plan a special wardrobe for his visit, she thought. I also need to prepare the guesthouse for my new visitor who may be showing up more and more. I will go down and check it out first thing in the morning. The guest house was a medium-sized cottage fashioned after a lovely French cottage she had seen on one of her overseas trips. She had it built on the west side of the house and a rolling lawn sloped down toward a pond full of wild water lilies. It was beautiful and the smell from the lilies filled the whole cottage. She hoped he would not think they smelled too sweet. If she opened the doors and windows the air would circulate through the place and freshen it up a bit.