We Will Always Have the Closet

by Natalina Reis

  The sight in front of her stunned her. It was spellbinding. The whole dome was drowned in semi-darkness, lit only by dim lights along the bottom backs of the observation benches. All around them, the fish and other sea creatures swam in that peaceful way of theirs, immersing the whole scene in an otherworldly mood. Sam set a checkered kitchen towel on one of the benches and laid out the bottle of Ginginha, the glasses, a container of figs, and another of chocolate-dipped strawberries. Where did he get those? Petra wondered. She had not seen him buying it, sneaky creature that he was.

  Petra’s heart melted all over again as she sat down beside Sam on the bench. His handsome face turned to hers and his smile had the effect of lava in her heart. She hoped that would never change. “This is an early Christmas gift,” he told her. In the domed space, their voices echoed and sounded almost unreal. “I know how much you love this place, so I thought…” He didn’t finish because Petra had jumped into his arms and had covered his mouth with hers in a passionate kiss. “I guess you like it,” he said when their lips came apart.

  “Are you kidding me?” she said in a whisper. It didn’t seem right to talk loudly in that place. It would be like breaking a spell. “I love it. I don’t know how you did it, but it’s perfect.”

  The hour passed magically slow as they talked, ate, drank, and enjoyed moments of silence and contemplation together. The more Petra thought about it and as close to him as she felt now, the more she was convinced that she had to tell him about what she had found today on the bottom of the box in the galleria.

  “Remember when we met?” she whispered, nestled in his arms as she sat between his stretched out legs on the bench.

  He nuzzled her neck. “How could I forget? It was the first time I had a sexual encounter with a stranger in a closet.”

  “That’s not true,” she protested, slapping his hand gently. “It wasn’t sexual at all…”

  “Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better,” he said with a chuckle. “But I felt like smoking a cigarette afterward. And I don’t smoke.”

  In spite of herself she started laughing along with him. True, the memory of that encounter still gave her goosebumps and her heart still flipped in her chest. She couldn’t think of that meeting without turning bright red and feeling a fluttering in her chest. “Anyway,” she continued, feeling a little embarrassed, “I told you I was there because I was trying to retrieve something that belonged to me. Remember that?”

  “Yes, I do,” Sam said, suddenly sober. “And then again in the galleria the day of the gala.”

  She giggled again. “When we ended up inside another closet…” He kissed her without warning, without provocation. Petra’s body became fluid as she hung on to his neck, the kiss deepening, his hands on her back, kneading, caressing… “My God, Sam, you take my breath away. How was I able to live all this time without you by my side?”

  “It’s a mystery scientists will be debating centuries from now,” he joked, stroking her face with his hand. “You were saying?”

  “I found what I was looking for,” she confessed. At his silent question, she continued. “In the office today. It was inside a box with a bunch of other things that I think Jonas took from other people.”

  Sam opened his mouth, but thought otherwise and didn’t say anything. She smiled, realizing he was going to wait patiently until she was ready to tell him.

  “You’re not going to ask me what it is?” she said, a teasing smile on her lips.

  “I have to admit I am very curious about that mysterious object you have risked your life to retrieve,” he said, licking his lips. “But I know the information needs to come from you voluntarily, so you have my full attention.”

  “When my parents died in the accident, I was given a small box with their belongings,” she started, squirming a little in her seat. “In it there were some things like a wallet and a watch. Nothing they were too attached to or that meant that much to me. Except for my mom’s engagement ring.”

  Petra had turned her back to him and was leaning on his chest, her legs stretched along his. Sam interlaced his hands, arms wrapped around her in what he hoped was a comforting gesture.

  “Ever since I was a kid I had admired that ring and the story that went with it.” Her voice had grown wistful and softer than usual. “It symbolized my parents’ love for each other and their whirlwind romance. My father, who was always broke, being an artist and all, had spent a whole year working odd jobs and saving every penny to buy my mom an engagement ring.” She looked up at him and smiled. “It wasn’t a diamond ring, but it was beautiful. A simple thin gold infinity ring representing everlasting love. My mom told me that when I got married, she would give it to me.”

  A giant fish of some kind came to the window in front of them and seemed to watch them for a while. “When I got it after they died, I didn’t wear it. I was going to do what my mom wanted me to do; I was going to wait and wear it once I got married.” Caressing his hands with her thumb, Petra continued. “I was such a romantic fool! I believed that I was going to fall head over heels in love just like my parents before me, so when handsome, artistic, charismatic Jonas came into my life, I took the bait—hook, line, and sinker.”

  For the first time, Sam allowed himself to speak. “So, you began wearing the ring…”

  “Yes, as soon as I said I do,” she replied. “I also told him the story behind it. So, when I first told him I was going to leave him, the ring mysteriously disappeared from my nightstand, and I have been looking for it all this time. I turned that house upside down and could never find it. The bastard had taken it. I just thought it had been misplaced or fallen behind something.”

  Sam held her hand and turned her gently toward him. “But now you found it,” he stated, eyes intensely deep into hers. “Now, you found it.”

  A glorious smile filled her face as if her soul was seeping through her pores and into the air around them. “I have found it. And I have finally found my fairy tale love as well.”

  ***

  Petra

  Christmas came and went in a flurry of frenzied activity. Liam had hesitantly introduced the new woman in his life, Annie, to Sam and Petra on Christmas Eve. As usual, the artist used all his creative powers, which were impressive as Sam was quick to admit, to produce an amazing feast for four at his loft studio. Among friends and good food, the evening had been joyful and festive. Annie, they all agreed, seemed to be a great match for Liam with her split-personality of half-artist, half-realist. She also seemed to be at ease with Liam’s friends, which gave Petra a huge sense of relief. Doubts about how this new girl might place a wedge between the three of them were quickly dismissed after talking to her for a while. Petra could see herself really liking this girl, and like a protective sister, gave Liam her silent blessing.

  The year was coming to a close. It had been memorable in more ways than she could count. Some of it had been truly horrid and heartbreaking, but in the end, it was the good memories, the wonderful things that came along with the bad things that really counted. It had been an amazing year, and Sam wanted to end it with a bang.

  Petra wasn’t sure what he was planning, but she knew he was up to something. He had taken on that aura of stealth he often got when investigating something or keeping information from her. As much as she was not too fond of surprises, coming from him she couldn’t help but be excited. He had really outdone himself with the Underwater Dome night picnic. It couldn’t have been more perfect or romantic. It fed that romantic monster that lived deep down inside of her, the one she thought she had slain after her divorce, but which had been recently resurrected. Part of her loved it, part of her was terrified that if something went wrong in their relationship, she would never be able to recover. Her love for him had overwhelmed her soul and her heart. Their souls were now so entwined, she couldn’t tell anymore where hers ended and his started.

  Sam had driven into town a couple hours ago with the excuse he had some business to attend
to, but he was so vague about it she was certain he was preparing some surprise. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, a night that she had consciously ignored since her parents had died. Her end-of-the-year routine was a meal of comfort food, comfy pajamas, and an early bedtime. It was better just to sleep through those hopeful minutes right before the clock struck twelve than find herself in tears missing those who were not around anymore or mourning those who were, but were dead to her just the same. The great tradition of the New Year’s countdown caused her so much distress, she always made sure she went to bed way before it started. In fact, she refused to watch regular TV on those nights and watched recorded movies instead, comedies usually, to keep the tears at bay. This year she wasn’t alone anymore. Her parents were still gone, but lived happily in her memory. And now there was Sam with his gorgeous, generous smile and liquid green eyes, whose heart was as big as he was and just as open. There was also Liam, a friend that she had avoided for years for fear of “leading him on” and for his close connection to her ex-husband. He was now a permanent feature in her life and she loved it. This year, there was much to celebrate and much to hope for when the countdown began.

  Busy in the house, she didn’t hear Sam’s car pull in the driveway or the door opening and closing behind him. When he came in the kitchen, she was preparing a smoothie in a loud mixer. She was focused, her eyebrows knitted together and her nose wrinkled in concentration. She absolutely hated the noise those machines made. In her own words, the noise scrambled her brains. He giggled, watching her labor over the source of the offensive racket. The noise stopped and she smiled at him. “You’re back!” she exclaimed. He crossed the kitchen to her side and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Do you want a smoothie?”

  “I would love one,” he said, sitting on the high stool by the kitchen island, “I am parched. Spinach and strawberries?” She nodded and poured him a big glass of the mixture.

  Sitting down beside him with her own drink, she placed a hand on his thigh, needing to establish a physical connection with him. “Took care of business, then?” she asked, taking a long drink from the glass.

  Sam smiled, amused. He leaned forward and kissed her, licking the great big green mustache that her smoothie had left behind on her upper lip. “Yum. Better than the one I am drinking,” he whispered suggestively, earning himself a slap on the thigh. “I did take care of everything.”

  “So, are you going to tell me what we’re doing tonight?” she asked, her curiosity growing by the minute.

  “Other than making love all night?” he said with a wicked smile. She playfully slapped him again.

  “You know what I mean,” she said, rubbing the spot on his thigh she had just slapped.

  Sliding off the high stool, he stepped closer to her so her legs were straddling him at his waist. “First, I am going to do this,” he said, moving his lips softly to her ear and causing her shivers. “Then, I am going to do this.” His mouth moved to her neck and chin. “I may end it like this.” His lips moved on to nibble hers teasingly. In spite of herself, her body immediately responded to his touch and she moaned.

  For the next hour they were lost in each other’s arms until Sam told her they needed to get ready to go. She almost regretted having to do it. It felt so good in his welcoming arms. She was very reluctant to be anywhere but in his warm, loving embrace, no matter how promising it may be. But Sam was insistent, so she dragged herself up, got dressed—casual clothes, he had instructed—sprayed herself with some diluted essential oils, and she was ready. “Where are we going?” she asked, getting into the car. Sam didn’t answer, just smiled.

  The drive into Seattle was a quiet one. Sam refused to talk much for fear of revealing the big secret, and Petra was too engrossed in her own thoughts, imagining what the surprise could possibly be. When the car was parked in the city, she noticed with dismay that they were very close to Jonas’ beautiful home. This could not be the surprise. “Are we going to Jonas’ house?” she exclaimed.

  “Calm down,” Sam soothed her, crossing an arm over her shoulders protectively. “Jonas is in Port Townsend, remember? This house has been put up for sale again. There is something I want to show you.” Gently urging her forward, Sam walked toward the house, removed the keys from his pocket, and went in the front door. At her questioning look, he said, “Liam gave me the keys.”

  Once inside the house, he turned on the lights. Nothing had changed much since the last time she had been there. The artwork was still displayed around the house, on walls and pieces of furniture. The soft furnishings were still ethereal and art in themselves…she hated that Jonas had such amazing taste for elegant items. It was probably his only saving grace at this point. It wouldn’t do him any good for the next few years while he was a prisoner. She almost felt sorry for him, but then she shook herself off and focused on Sam instead. Sam obviously knew where he was going. He crossed the front hallway into the living room, past the so-called office/library and headed toward the main bedroom. There he stood facing her with an enigmatic look in his eyes. “What?” she asked, a little lost.

  “Remember this room?” he said, pulling her a little closer to the wall.

  Of course, she remembered. She had lived there for a couple of years. She had seen it being built and decorated. She had shamefully salivated over the art bought to adorn the space. Sure, she remembered, but it wasn’t exactly a good memory. Suddenly, Sam pulled a little harder and before she could react, they were both inside a small utility closet, hidden in a corner of the room. “Oh my God,” she exclaimed, her hands open wide against his chest. “Is this…our closet?”

  Sam laughed. “It’s almost midnight,” he said in a whisper. “I wanted to be where we first met when the New Year arrived.”

  That was so romantic; she felt herself melt against him. This time, she was not trying to keep some distance between their bodies. This time, she more than welcomed their tight proximity, so much so she moved even closer. Now, their bodies were glued together with only their clothes between them. She could feel the heat of his hands on her back, the beating of his heart against her face, his warm breath on the top of her head.

  There was no need to talk or move. Standing there, in each other’s arms, relishing in each other’s warmth was all they needed. It was heaven. But Sam was not finished. He threw a glance at his watch and announced that in less than one minute, they would be crossing over to a brand new year. He dug in his pocket and took out a small box. “Hold this. I want you to open this at midnight.”

  Petra held the box in wonder and waited for him to tell her when. Curiosity was killing her and her fingers were itching to reveal what was inside, but she waited. Finally, he gave her the signal and she opened it with trembling hands. What she saw inside brought tears of joy to her eyes. It was a gold ring encrusted with tiny diamonds.

  “It’s an infinity ring,” she whispered, choking on tears.

  Sam took the ring out of the box, grabbed her hand, and slid the ring onto her finger. “Just like your mom’s ring,” he said. “A symbol of my love for you, something to remind you always that I am here, and that I will love you forever.”

  Their lips met in an emotional kiss. Petra trembled and tears rolled down from her eyes. Sam tipped her chin up with a finger. “And if you ever lose it…” She was about to shake her head, but he interrupted her, looking her straight in the eye with that wicked look of his. “If you ever lose it, just remember, we will always have the closet.”

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  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my wonderful writing group, The Sippy Cups. Without them I would hav
e never found the courage to write again and realize my lifelong dream of being published.

  My husband and sons who had to put up with my writing through sleep deprivation, lack of regular meals, and unwashed loads of laundry; thank you for not complaining…too much.

  My aunt (and namesake) Natalina who always nurtured the love for the written word and the value of good spelling and grammar; you sure had an effect on me!

  Thank you, sis, for being my best friend even when an ocean separates us. I am inspired by your ability to love fully and deeply.

  For my mom and my dad who always encouraged me to read and write and be all I could be, thank you forever. I owe you everything.

  A great big thank you to my two editors, J.K. and Toni. You are awesome!

  For all the amazing writers who have entertained me and taken me to places I never thought I would be, thank you, thank, thank you.

  And thank you, readers, for picking my “baby.” I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  About the Author

  Natalina wrote her first romance in collaboration with her best friend at the age of 13. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes.

  After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she has taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.