He had a sad smile on his handsome face. “No dear. You are thirty eight. You lost track of time with all your running around going this way and that. Now you will settle down with Ken, tend to your charming shop and see what happens.”
She shook her head, red curls flying. “Not possible. Surely I know my own age.”
Her father reached into his elegant jacket to retrieve a birth certificate. Liz and Ken read every word. The proof stared back at them. Montefiore Hospital in Chicago. “I’ve been so ditsy for years that I lost time. How odd. No wonder I always feel so young and energetic.”
Ken picked Liz up and twirled her around with Queenie barking all the time. “I love you younger than me.”
“And I love you older than me.”
“Now let’s see how your dear mother’s gown fits and then we’ll have a bite before I depart. Also I want the details of any Television transactions before papers are signed.”
Chapter 10
The gown fit perfectly on Liz’s trim shape. White lace had faded to a softer ivory and everyone agreed the color and fit worked. A head piece also survived the years and hung to Liz’s shoulders. Perfect. Her mother had died many years ago; wearing her clothes brought her near.
Tears were in her Dad’s eyes as he gazed at his daughter. At long last she had grown up. Raising Liz alone was a chore. He sobbed every night begging for help and now his prayers were answered. How did he ever survive yet he did. Nanny’s never stayed, she didn’t fit in schools. Aspergers Syndrome was difficult to discover yet with his contacts and money somehow the right teachers were found and his little girl survived. No Harvard , just a dream but she learned to be friendly, to draw, she had his business sense and now good news. And here came Ken out of the blue, love at first sight. He pulled himself together, crossed his fingers and hoped for the best.
Dad’s chauffeur drove them to the charming restaurant not far from the shop. To her Dad’s surprise, Ken was well known and treated like a king there. Romero, the chef, bustled out to greet them. He hugged Mr. Gleason, kissed Liz on both cheeks and shook Ken’s hand. “Do we have a celebration here?
“We do indeed. My daughter and Ken Lerner will be married on Wednesday. As her Father, I am very excited. We’ve come here to enjoy a light dinner. Of course, there will be many more in the future, Romero.”
Still full from the pizza, Ken and Liz ordered shrimp cocktails and salads. Her Dad ordered his favorite broiled salmon. They talked business, Ken’s, the forthcoming TV series and what it may mean to Liz’s shop. After dinner, the three of them walked back to Ken’s company with the chauffeur following.
“I see what you mean about an established company, Ken. I’m very impressed that your father left this all to you.”
“Yes sir. I helped him since I was young. It’s all I know.”
“Very interesting. You know the business so well and you’ve kept up with all the latest products. You’re the man, Ken.” Liz hugged him. “That’s all I hear from a quick call to my associates. Well done. This is a large store with a huge inventory. I hope you have a fine staff.”
“I do. Most of the staff have been here for many years. It’s an old established company. I keep up with the latest electronics. It’s a full time job. That’s all I ever did until I walked next door to meet Liz. And then my whole life changed.”
“Wonderful news, this. Now I must head home. Tomorrow is a busy day. Before I leave, I have questions regarding guests to the wedding.”
“Daddy, invite anyone you’d like. Let us know and we’ll have a dinner reception nearby and thanks for absolutely everything. Are you sure I’m in my thirties?”
He patted his chest where the birth certificate lay. “Yes, daughter. I just so happened to be there on that special day.”
Mr. Gleason rode back to the upper East Side, blotting tears along the way. He had kept a secret from Liz all her life. Should he reveal the truth now that she and Ken were to be married in a few days? Aspergers Syndrome. Her mother had it. Not bad and Liz had it worse. She had the best teachers who knew how to treat a child. Eventually she fit into society. This thing about her age. He shook his head. She acts young. God help me. The chauffeur pulled up to the stately home where he lived with his new wife. He’d discuss this with her tonight. She’d bring some sanity back into his everyday existence and smooth the way. There were so many secrets kept just to protect his delicate daughter.
Chapter 11
“Darling, you’re home and you’ve survived.” Rebecca lifted her arms to embrace him.
“That’s it regarding secrets. From now on, Liz will know we’re married, we live here and we’ll take it from this point. She’s been sheltered for years. Now she’ll be married, the man is terrific, her shop is doing well and they’ll be married Wednesday, Valentine’s Day.”
“This happened way too fast. Are you all right with their plans?”
“Oh yes. Love conquers all, so they say. Meanwhile, I do like your satin gown. Let’s check it out in the bedroom before we consider a hot tub.”
“I’ve already considered it and I’m ready, my love.”
Hand in hand they strolled to the private end of their home. Conversation might do for the next day.
Bubbling over the next day, Liz made a big sign announcing their wedding on Wednesday. She invited the whole neighborhood, everyone who had been in the first few days. Ken, of course, invited the entire staff of his company. “This will be a cast of thousands like the old Cecil B de Mille movies from long ago.” All day, Liz giggled and drew cards. ‘Claudius 11 said NO to marriage, We say YES, Thanks dear Valentine, you know best’. She used bright red ink combined with white sparkly clouds and Cupid aiming his bow at Claudius. As fast as the cards dried, they were sold and she drew another dozen. The cameras rolled catching the joy of the moment. Samantha continued her romance, shoppers bought cards, and drank coffee while Queenie wagged her tail.
Then her Dad entered with a beautiful woman. He introduced her to Liz. “Honey, this is Rebecca. She’s my wife. I’ve been lonely for so many years and then we met just as you met Ken. Now your unhappy dad can smile again.”
“Oh. Oh, Daddy. You’ve given me the best gift of all, a mother. Hello, Rebecca.” They linked arms and walked through the shop. When they came to Cards by Liz Gleason, Rebecca stopped and read each one. Her laughter pealed like a bell, tears rolled down her perfect cheeks and the whole shop full of customers joined the elegant stranger.
“You are a treasure, Liz. We’re so fortunate to have a daughter like you.”
Liz introduced her pup to her new mom and dad. “Please take Queenie for a walk around the street. She needs exercise before lunch and I’m too busy.” They hooked the pink lead and away they went, the small dog, Dad and her new Mom. Liz puffed up with pride watching the three of them and then she returned to business. There were cookies to be made, a new card formed in her mind. ‘What’s new? New Husband, new Mom, new shop, I’m so new Happy Valentine’s Day. Liz drew an egg hatching with red hair spilling over and a big Cupid looking in surprised. Hmm. Different and cute. She used all the colors she had to brighten the card. Satisfied, she let it dry and waited for opinions. And they came fast and funny. Lots of laughter again so she drew eleven more. This time Liz had a sign up list for customers. This appeared to work.
Her parents came in flushed with excitement. “We took Queenie out for lunch. She’s a big hit for such a small dog. Everyone took pictures and we advertised Gleason’s Greetings by displaying your cards.”
“You did?”
“Oh yes, Liz. We’re so proud of you. This will boost your business.”
“Thanks, you two. Watch the shop while I feed Queenie upstairs, please.” She hurried up the wooden stairs with her sweet pup as her parents looked bewildered. Samantha saved them and took over. A few minutes later Liz returned to hurry with another idea for a card. On went the smock to be interrupted by Ken.
“Good news, honey. Allied Productions wants to exte
nd the contract to two months. Already they are getting feedback and it’s all good.”
“We’re still getting married Wednesday, right?”
“Right, of course.”
“Then I don’t care. All that matters to me is you and can you believe Dad just came over with his new wife, Rebecca. Isn’t that great? So come over to meet her for a minute if you’re not too busy. They might leave soon.”
“Okay, Liz. Fathers, mothers , relatives I haven’t had for years until I met Liz. Oh well. She’s worth it. I’ll hurry over but I only have a few minutes. Business is booming today.”
Liz heard cash registers ringing at the other end of the phone. She pictured gifts bought for Valentine’s Day, expensive gifts not just little cards. Her shop became diminished in value by comparison. Ken, the big time shop keeper compared to Liz and her tiny shop with greeting cards. Foolish enterprise given to her by her Dad. She hid her head in shame. Silly woman at her age, whatever age she may be and she ran out the back door to feel snow beginning to fall. No boots, no coat or gloves, Liz ran fast across the street, through the alley, past the homeless people, red hair flying behind her wet with snow.
The love of her life came searching for her shouting “Liz, Liz. Did you see a red haired woman running? She didn’t have a coat.” A homeless man said, “I saw her. She ran that way.” He pointed a filthy finger toward the alley. “I don’t have no coat. Gimme one and I’ll find her for ya.”
“Help me find her. I’ll give you a warm coat.”
Ken followed the man who led him right to a freezing wet Liz huddled in a doorway. He wrapped Liz in a blanket, gave the man his coat with a big thank you. “If you want a real job, come to the computer store on Fourth Street after you clean up. I mean it. And now, my darling, let’s go home. You need a hot shower, food and a talk.”
Ken carried his bride-to-be two blocks to Fourth Street, up the back steps to her hovel where he stripped off her clothes murmuring love the whole time. He scrubbed her back, decided to climb in the shower with her and they made love, sweet love, while he asked why oh why did she run away and she spilled the beans about her inadequacies. They’d work it out, he said, to reassure his soon to be as in no secrets. Her Dad now had a wife and they had each other. Maybe the Television thing would work out and maybe it wouldn’t. The most important thing was that they would work out and of this Ken was for sure.
Ń Boer maak ń Plan
(A Love Story)
by Paul Zunckel
Dedication
To all the ladies out there...without you the guys would have no direction.
Thank you.
Acknowledgments
My wife... Lucie... for loving me.
And My Mom... for putting up with me.
The Lord... He Blessed me.
Prologue
The lightning flashed across the dark African sky, lighting up the rolling storm clouds, as the thunder hammers down, the rain hitting their exposed skin like darts...stinging and a chill sweeps through their bodies.
The donga into which they have crawled seeking shelter from the sudden fury of the storm started to fill with the downpour from the heavens, a small river flowing under their shaking bodies. Piet could feel the woman shivering against him as the cold set in and the burly South African pulls her closer, his strong arms holding her close, offering her what warmth his own body could supply.
They have been trapped in the wide open savannah when the storm had rolled in...and over and over the safari owner cursed himself for not paying more attention to what was happening around them, but he had eyes for nothing but the blonde blue eyed woman with him...damn he felt like a bloody school boy with a massive crush on the head cheerleader, and now the woman who has stolen his heart lies next to him...dripping wet...shivering with cold and with a possible sprained ankle.
“Fok, after this is over, and we get out of here alive I doubt if she will even smile at me again in the bank...fok Piet, you are so bloody stupid...you find someone that could be your soul mate, and you flush it all down the toilet. Shit I don’t even have the courage to tell her how I feel...but I know in my heart, this one is made for me.”
The woman beside Piet groans in pain. Her beautiful features twisted in a grimace as the cold from the storm washes over her...her face is a mask on the dim light but he can see how pale she is. He looks down at her left leg and can see the redness of the skin and the swelling starting up around her ankle. Piet pulls her closer...savouring the closeness...he kisses her softly on the forehead...Peggy looks up at him...he can see the pain in her eyes...but a small smile touches her lips.
Piet removes his soaking wet jacket, and starts to cut strips from the material with his hunting knife. The ankle needs to be splinted, and slowly he moves the leg out, removes her shoe and places padding around the swelling and then applies the makeshift splint. A soft groan escapes from Peggy’s lips causing him to look at her in alarm, but thankfully, she has passed out, giving the lovesick South African a chance to complete the job.
Once Piet is happy that the ankle has been stabilised, he settles back next to Peggy, puts his arms around her once more, offering her what warmth he can...his mind flies back to three months ago when he walked into the main bank in Lusaka...stood in the queue waiting for his turn to be served by the teller, and was then rendered speechless as he gazed into those lovely blue eyes that looked back at him across the counter...her smile dazzled him...and he felt his heart thumping in his chest.
A flash of lightning forked earthwards, splitting a mighty monarch of the African bush in two. The rain increases as it hammers down on the two people huddled in the donga. The woman burrows closer to the big man...seeking warmth...and a smile plays on his lips as he remembers Jacobs words...as he remembers the impact this woman has made on him.
“Bwana Piet...you must take your courage in your hands...Eish!...the man that will hunt a wounded buffalo is scared of a woman...ai ai ai Bwana...you must speak what your heart feels, for if you lose her...your life will be meaningless.”
Piet pulls the shivering woman closer...kisses her softly again on the forehead and looked into her beautiful face...gathers up his courage in his hands and whispers softly to the unconscious woman...or so he thought.
“Peggy ...um...wat ek wil sé...I mean...ah...Ag fok...I love you.”
Chapter 1
The tent flaps move aside as Piet steps out from the tent, looks across the mighty Zambezi River and stretches his sleek suntanned frame...satisfaction written all over his broad features...he glances back into the tent to where the sleeping redhead is softly snoring...a smile touches his lips.
“Man it is true what they say about redheads...shit I could hardly keep up with her, and this fascination that these foreign woman have with the big white hunter idea...man life is good...let it roll, let it roll. I always knew I was a lover, not a fighter...business is good.”
Bachelor life for Piet van Zyl suited the burly South African down to the ground, and if the female clients that came out on the photographic safaris decided that the Big White Hunter was also on the menu, who was he to complain...after all it all boiled down to good customer service...and referrals. Referrals were the life blood of his business in Zambia, and he was slowly building up a very good reputation with overseas travel agencies as being the one to go to...the one who delivered the goods.
“Oh Piet...honey...I’m awake and need my strong hunter to protect me from all the vicious beasts in here...come back to bed...I’m lonely.”
Piet turns from his daydreaming, and moves back towards the tent. The sun just starting to peek over the horizon...the grunts from a pod of hippo out in the river, and the early morning calls from the birds in the trees surrounding the camp, along with the chatter of the resident primates fills the air...mixes with the giggles from the redhead as Piet once again returned to the tent, a wry smile on his futures.
“Ja business is good and who am I to complain.”
The dust fr
om the departing Land Rover slowly settles back onto the dirt road as Piet watches Jacob drive off towards Lusaka...taking the latest batch of clients back to the airport...including the redhead who had got her claws into Piet on the third night of the week long safari.
“Phew...man that one was demanding...thank goodness she was the only single woman with this bunch...shit its getting difficult to juggle some of them...I hope the next group are all pensioners...I need a bloody break.”
He moves over to the large thatched area that serves as a dinning/pub for the visiting guests, but also where the safe is kept...a large roll of American Dollars in his pocket...tips from the much appreciative party that have just left. Pulling the roll from his pocket, he carelessly throws the roll onto a small table, bends down and opens the safe, intending to add it to the tips from the previous four tours, but when he sees the amount that is in the safe...he has only one alternative...drive to Lusaka and bank it...something Piet did not do very often.
The burley South African loves the bush, the wide open spaces...the call of the wild and the animals that make Africa what it is...he loves to share his love of the wilds, to capture it on film. What he does not love is the hustle and bustle of the big city, the exhaust fumes, the fast pace of life and the endless stream of people seeming to hurry everywhere, with nowhere to go.
He puts the Land Rover into gear, leaving Isaac behind at the camp and heads off towards civilisation, where unknown to him there is more than just the hustle and bustle waiting for him, and that when he returned to the camp...something of his would have been left behind.
Piet walks into the bank, through the revolving doors, and stops in his tracks...the queue leading to the tellers is almost to where he is standing...he fights with himself...part of him wanting to leave...the other part knowing that the money needs to be banked, and so slowly allows himself to be absorbed into the mass of humanity...the babble of chatter washes over him...making him wish for the peace and quiet of the safari camp.
HeartWorks Page 4