by Sioux Dallas
Ellen and Liisa had a rip-snorting good time planning a surprise party for Paul. He knew they remembered his birthday in March but didn’t do anything because of Liisa’s troubles. He thought the party was to be for Liisa’s birthday on June eighteenth.
The party was planned for Saturday, June fourteenth which was Flag Day. Ellen had made arrangements to rent a room in the Country Club. She, Liisa, Aileen Stoddard, Carolina Pervis and Gerald Decker decorated the room with American flags and balloons.
A circle of small flags with red, white and blue flowers were in the center of each table. Balloons were tied on the back of each chair. When the game was explained, each person would burst their own balloon. Inside each balloon was a question, suggestion or a command for that person to do. Paul thought it was a party for Liisa and Liisa thought it was for Paul. They were both right and wrong. It was a surprise for both of them. Perry Morrison and Lynda Van Worton were outside to take Liisa’s gifts and sneak them through the kitchen door to a table hidden behind a curtain.
There was a sitter for Jerome so Gloria and James could attend. Ronald brought Eva Landiver, a young attorney in training that he’d been dating. Ronald had had his nose out of joint that he wasn’t in on the hunt for Liisa’s stalker. He had been busy studying and taking his bar exams as well as interviewing to be hired on the staff of a prestigious firm.
There were forty people in all at the tables. Ellen knew where Paul would be sitting and placed a special command in the balloon on the back of his chair. She also placed a question in Liisa’s balloon.
The menu was written in Old English on artificial parchment. The dinner read:
Chilled trout in aspic
Saratoga potatoes
Baked squash
Tomato, cucumber and watercress salad bowl
Green beans with mushrooms and cranberries
Lime Chiffon Pie
Everyone was present by six. Aileen whispered to Ellen and asked her when Liisa would find out the party was half hers and could open her presents. They decided to let Liisa open as many presents as she could for a while after they had sung to her.
Ellen held out her hand to Liisa. “Come here with me, dear. I need you to stand over here.” Puzzled Liisa went obediently to stand by Ellen in front of a curtain in the corner of the room. “All right all together,” Ellen called.
Liisa opened her mouth in surprise when everyone stood and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her and then cheered and clapped. “B-b-but,” she stuttered.
“Stop trying to sound like a motor boat and open your gifts,” Ronald yelled.
“What?!” Liisa didn’t know what to do next.
Ben and Ronald hurried and opened the curtain to show a decorated table piled high with beautifully wrapped gifts. Isabelle Collins hurried over with a pad and a pen and sat down in a chair ready to make a list of presents and who gave them. This would help Liisa write thank you notes.
Liisa gulped hard and held her breath to keep from tearing up. She was touched that so many people thought of her when she had kept herself from everyone for months. The gifts were all useful, some puzzling. There were books, music, linens, kitchen items, gift certificates to specialized stores, and lingerie. Some of the lingerie was what one would give to a new bride. She blushed and hurriedly put those down.
After Liisa had thanked everyone sincerely, Ellen announced that they would now have dinner followed by the balloon game. People, hired to help with the dinner, served the choice of coffee or raspberry tea and kept hot rolls on the tables with butter and jams.
Paul was grinning across the table at Liisa glad for her to have this surprise party. He didn’t pay any attention when Ben stood and came to the end of the table. “Paul, we’re so sorry that circumstances kept us from celebrating your twenty-eighth birthday in March. All of us, family and friends, got together and bought a plane ticket for a round trip to Scotland. It’s for two weeks and I’ll make arrangements for you for a hotel or you can travel and stay in hotels or bed and breakfasts while you travel over Scotland.”
It was Paul’s turn to be open-mouthed as the crowd erupted in cheers and whistles.
“I don’t know what to say,” then he laughed. “Are you trying to tell me to get out of the country?” Everyone laughed.
“No, son,” Ellen spoke, “we love you and want you to take some time to just erase all this hoop-de-la out of your head and take care of yourself for a change.”
Liisa came over to hug him and kiss him on the cheek. “You certainly deserve it,’ she smiled.
“I still don’t know what to say. When am I supposed to leave?”
“The departure date is up to you,” Ben said with a twinkle in his eye. He and Ellen looked at each other with a secret smile that only people who have been married a long time can have.
“Speech. Speech,” the crowd yelled.
“When I regain my speech, I’ll have something to say. Right now I can only say I’m so grateful and so blessed for family and friends such as you.” He whispered to Liisa, “And I’m not leaving until we know for sure your stalker is out of the picture and you’re safe.”
“What about this game?” Gloria called. “I’m curious. I’ve never heard of this.”
“Me either. Explain, please,” several people called.
Ellen told them they would learn as they played. She told Rosa Marcum to start since the game had been explained in detail to her. Rosa laughingly held her hand over one ear and broke her balloon. Rosa read, “Sing part of a favorite song.”
“Oh, no,” her husband Roger loudly proclaimed. “You should have kept her until last. She’ll clear the room.”
With a mischievous smile she sat on his lap, took his face between her two hands, looked into his eyes and sang, I love you truly.”
The crowd laughed and cheered as Roger kissed her and then dumped her on the floor. They went around the table some telling of their most embarrassing moment, some telling of their best vacation and some describing a food they had tried to cook and made a mess. Some answered questions such as Who is buried in Grant’s tomb? or What year did Frankenstein build his monster?
Finally it was Paul’s turn. He quickly burst the balloon and had to chase the scrap of paper because it was blown out of the balloon. He read the paper and then stared hard at his mother. People wondered as he waited with a blank face. He straightened up and read clearly, “Tell the person that you love how much you love them”. People looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
Some smiled thinking it was all a big joke. Ben reached to take Ellen’s hand. They waited expectantly, hoping they had not done the wrong thing.
The crowd wondered when he was going to do anything. Liisa looked around with a weak smile on her face. Oh, Paul. My heart will break if you go to some girl in this room. I only wish it could be me, but you think of me as a little sister.
There was a surprised hush when Paul knelt on one knee in front of Liisa. “Liisa, we’ve been raised together as brother and sister. I’ve always admired you and cared for you. We kept Mom and Dad on pins and needles with our escapades, some of them dangerous. As time went on, I realized that I’ve been thinking of you as more than a friend or a sibling. You’ll always be my best friend, but, Liisa, I love you with my whole heart and I want us to be a family of our own. This is as much of a shock to you as it is to me at the time. I don’t expect an immediate answer.”
He took a velvet box from his pocket and opened it to show a gold ring with a diamond in the center surrounded by diamond chips. “Will you marry me? Will you make our own family with me? Will you make me deliriously happy? I meant to give this to you privately later, but some smart alecks decided to hurry me along.”
There was utter silence as everyone waited shocked, happy and breathless. They liked and admired the couple and wished the best for them. All of them knew by now what Liisa had been facing and what Paul had gone through.
Liisa sat stunned. Staring, Paul reached up with his thumb t
o wipe a tear that was escaping down her cheek. “Say something. I hope and pray you feel as I do and -”
Liisa fell to her knees in front of him. “Oh, I do. I love you dearly, but I didn’t think you would ever care for me except as a little sister.”
“Well, answer him,” Ben bellowed. “Will you become our daughter for real?”
Liisa answered by putting her arms around Paul’s neck and kissing him. The crowd went wild with cheers, whistles, beating on the tables and then coming to the couple to congratulate them and wish them well
Cory came to pound on Paul’s back. “Paul, you old scamp. I suspected how you felt about Liisa but you never expressed it. I’m so happy I think I might cry.” He hugged them both together.
As the crowd celebrated with great happiness, the lights suddenly went out. A spooky voice said, “Enjoy it while you can. This will be the last.”
Screams and curses rang out over the room. Then a loud voice screaming and cursing was heard from the kitchen side of the room. The lights carne on and there stood Agent Silver and two of his fellow workers holding a struggling woman between them.
“It worked, Ben,” Agent Silver stated loudly. “We thought she couldn’t stand to have this much happiness without trying something.”
Several of the men stood calling that it was a good thing this was a woman. After what she had put Liisa through and had done to the popular Arnold and then Paul, she deserved the worst the law would allow.
“Mrs. Harris!” Liisa gasped. “Why? I never knew you and I certainly have never known anything about you.”
“There’s another surprise,” one of the agents with Silver spoke. He reached up and pulled the wig from the person’s head. “It’s Mr. Harris!” several voices spoke at once.
“Why?” Liisa kept saying. “You said I knew something I wasn’t to talk about, but I don’t know anything.”
“We were in the airport in London when you saw me force pills to my wife. It was her father’s money that started my store. He died and she got to be a real witch. She wanted me to sell, give her three fourths of the money and each go our own way. I couldn’t allow that because I’d been gambling and mortgaged the store. I forced her to take an overdose and she died while you were getting on the plane to come back to the United States. I knew you’d tell on me and I couldn’t get away with it.”
“You idiot!” Liisa yelled. I had amnesia and wasn’t aware of anything going on around me. You made me nervous staring at me so much. That’s the only reason I looked at you.”
“Why did you dress as your wife?” Gerald asked curiously.
I thought if Liisa saw a woman, she wouldn’t think she had seen anything happen to her.”
“Case solved,” Cory spoke proudly.
“That part of it, yes,” Liisa cried. “I still have the amnesia.”
Mr. Harris was taken out to be booked and charged with murder on two counts, attempted murder on two counts, harassment and assorted other crimes.
Everyone came to hug Liisa and Paul and express their sentiments; sorrow at what she had been facing and happiness for their engagement.
“This is one engagement that will go down in history,” Ronald laughed. “Your marriage is bound to be the best to have survived all of this.”
Liisa felt relief that she now knew why she was being stalked, but was still concerned that she had the amnesia.
I hope and pray that my amnesia will clear up as completely as the case of my stalker. Imagine him thinking that I saw him kill his wife and would keep quiet about it all this time. He must have a sick mind. And all the horrible things he did to people I love.”
None of them could explain why Clyde Harris thought as he did. At least he would be in prison and no longer a threat.
Ellen cooperated with Liisa and invited the group to the Johnsons for a dinner. Liisa cooked an authentic Norwegian dinner and was pleased that it was received so well.
Bernie, Ted, Sven, Cory and Paul joined Liisa. Gloria, James, Ronald, Ellen and Ben were present. After the dinner Liisa proudly presented Ted, Sven and Bernie with their portraits that she had done of each of them. They were surprised and pleased.
“Hey,” Sven jumped up, “you didn’t sign these. You must sign your name so that in the future we can proudly display an original Liisa Lofoten. No. Liisa Johnson, when you become famous.”
“And you will be famous,” Bernie declared.
“Hear Hear. And we’ll have the first portraits you’ve painted,” Ted grinned.
“Not the first,” Paul reminded them. “There’s the ones of Arnold and the mystery man.”
Liisa groaned. “Did you have to remind me?”
“That convinces me,” Gloria stated, “that you should try portrait painting. Arnold would have been so proud of you.”
Bernie lifted his painting in admiration. I have a feeling Arnold knows all about it and approves. Liisa, why don’t you display these paintings of us for a few weeks and it might entice some customers.”
“He’s right,” Ben assured her. “You’re truly an artist and I’m betting that your fame will spread all over the state and beyond.”
After everyone had left, Paul and Liisa walked out to enjoy the fresh air.
“Paul, we haven’t discussed a family. I want children and I hope you do. I know how much you love and care for Jerome and assumed you would want our children.”
“Assume no longer. Of course I want children. However, we’ve both been through so much trauma for several weeks, I think we should get settled in our marriage first. We’ve known each other all of our lives, but it’s nothing like living together and adjusting to each other day to day.”
“Yes, I agree,” she smiled. “I hope you’ll agree to me keeping the Gallery open and working. Now that I don’t need bodyguards, maybe I can hire Martha, at least part time, to help. She can use the income. I was impressed with Carrie at the electronics store. What do you think of me giving her a chance to work with me?”
“That will be your decision, Liisa. You’re a good business woman. You’ve proven that. I trust your judgment. I’ll be busy with my work, so it’s only natural that you want to keep the store open. The ladies can help you and free you to paint to your heart’s content. We’ll look for a house and property when we’re ready to start a family.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Getting engaged on my birthday and having the scariest part of my life’s puzzle explained, will be something I’ll never forget. It’s unbelievable that so much joy can come out of tragedy,” Liisa mused.
“We couldn’t have had a better party. I didn’t know Mom and Dad had planned for us to express ourselves and I sure never imagined Mrs. Harris would show up. Agent Silver thought he, she, (whistled) might. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that you’ve agreed to marry me,” Paul hugged her.
“Paul, are you sure you want to marry me? Suppose I never get my memory?”
“We’ll worry about that about fifty years from now. We need to be planning a wedding. We’d better put our two cents in before Mom and Gloria have the whole thing planned.” Paul was right. Ellen and Gloria were planning and had been even before the engagement.
Some of the women in the church gave Liisa a beautiful engagement party. She couldn’t keep from tearing up thinking that her mother would have loved this. She was sure her mother and father were looking down and smiling on her. Now she understood why the lingerie at her party was so much like what a bride would wear.
“Where will you live?” the couple were asked many times. “Temporarily well live in the apartment Liisa now has,” Paul told them. “Eventually we’ll search for the just right house.” “What do you consider just right?” Amy Morton of Morton Realty asked.
“Oh, one well located near schools, hospital, stores, all things we like and need. We want at least a four bedroom with a large fenced-in yard for children and animals. We aren’t looking yet, but we will be keeping an eye out for the future.”
Liisa wanted to wait to plan a wedding, but Paul was determined that it would be soon.
“Paul, be very sure that you want to marry me. I still have amnesia. How do you know I haven’t done something illegal?”
“I know you well enough to know that you would never do anything illegal. The wedding is on. I don’t want you worry your pretty head over anything.”
Under pressure Liisa finally agreed on Sunday, October twelfth at four o’clock. They first made sure the date was open for them at their church. They then booked the reception in the big ballroom of the Dartmouth Hotel. They would stay at the hotel for the night and leave the next day for Scotland.
Liisa was getting more nervous as the time drew near. Gloria and Ellen were taking care of invitations and announcements. Aileen, Caroline and Jenna were taking charge of decorations for the wedding and the reception. Mrs. Handy, the church organist, would be in charge of the music including additional musicians and singers.
Ellen dragged Liisa over most of the state looking for a bridal gown. After many trips and hundreds of miles, they found what she felt she could live with in Hartford. The gown was formfitting to the waist and then opened to a wide skirt with a crinoline under it. The sleeves fit to the wrists with a point over the back of the hand. Short, white silk gloves covered her hands. White satin slippers just peeped out from under the gown. The neck was heart-shaped over the throat. A veil, hanging below her waist, would be held on her head with diamond tipped pins. The top half of the gown would have hand-sewn diamond chips scattered in an attractive pattern. The skirt of the gown would have a web of lace covering the bright, white satin.
Paul had chosen to stay with black tuxes, and white, pleated shirt with black tie and cummerbund, but his best man and groomsmen would wear silver grey with black ties and cummerbund.