Win for Love

by Isabelle Peterson

  Dad, Deb, and Lainey accompany me the rest of the block, and we turn the corner, and my giggles stop and are replaced by tears of joy.

  Mr. And Mrs. Schwarzkopf are standing there holding another pair of roses for me.

  “What are you doing here? When did you get here?” I ask bewildered by their presence, hugging them tightly.

  “Last night,” Mr. Schwarzkopf answers smiling the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.

  “And we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel,” Mrs. Schwarzkopf adds, emphasizing the words Waldorf, Astoria, and Hotel with giddy excitement.

  I make quick introductions between the Schwarzkopfs, my dad, Deb, and Lainey, and then Dad suggests we head in and up.

  George opens the door for us, and we parade in. “Looks like you’ve had a good walk, Miss Talia,” he observes with a giant, if not secretive smile.

  “The best,” I answer wondering how this morning could get any better.

  I pick up Wrigley, and the seven of us squeeze into the elevator. I slip in my card for the penthouse, and up we go with Mrs. Schwarzkopf going on animatedly about the ride they’d had in David’s helicopter. I can’t believe he’d do this. And why? I have a sneaking suspicion, and I don't know if I'm excited or scared.

  When we get to our floor, I’m about ready to interrogate David as to what he’s up to, but I find only my mom and Jude both standing there with more flowers.

  Mom is beaming, and I can’t believe how good she looks. She’s gained a few pounds, which makes me happy as she’d always been on the ‘too thin’ side of things with alcohol as her main food group. Her skin and eyes are still bright and clear, and her smile is as big as I’ve ever seen. Her nine months of sobriety look good on her. Lainey takes Wrigley, and I run to hug Mom tightly with my one arm still clutching the flowers.

  Jude also looks amazing and has actually gone back to the short hair and clean-shaven look. He’s also bulked up, a result of working on construction sites, I surmise. He squeezes me with his super strong embrace careful not to crush my flowers. When he sets me down, I’m now full on crying and blubbering trying to ask my mom and Jude what’s going on when David’s parents walk out with yet another pair of flowers and tuck them into my growing bundle and bestow kisses on my wet cheeks.

  Finally, David emerges and is standing there with his parents and holding another dozen roses, and these are all red.

  “What are you…?” My heart leaps to my throat, and I start to fear that he’s going to pop the big question. I’m not ready for that. Am I?

  “Happy anniversary,” he says, laying his dozen in my arms, and I pause, startled. “It’s today, right? The anniversary of you coming to Chicago?”

  “Is it?” I ask, wiping my face with the back of my free hand and think it through realizing it is, indeed, the one-year mark since I came to the city. How could I have forgotten?

  “I’ll never forget the day, Crystal-Clear!” Mr. Schwarzkopf booms.

  Everyone chuckles, and I breathe easier that this isn’t some grand proposal, and David’s mother kicks into gear taking coats and offering refreshments to Dad, Lainey, and the Schwarzkopfs—introductions flying everywhere as I seem to have forgotten to talk.

  I watch with curiosity as Dad and Mom exchange pleasantries. Dad came to the session when I broke the news to her about finding Jimmy. Things were tense at first, but once she realized that no ill feelings were felt by Jimmy or myself, she’d relaxed. I’m happy to see she still seems relaxed.

  “I hope you don’t mind this little celebration,” David says as he wraps his arm around me.

  “I’m just so blown away,” I tell him honestly.

  “And I’m so happy you came to Chicago. Nothing but the best and good surprises,” he promises and kisses me with Wrigley, now unleashed, leaping up at David’s feet. She seems to think that whenever David kisses me, she should be getting a little love, too.

  “I’ll go put these in water,” Lainey offers, and kisses me on the cheek, her eyes glittering.

  After coffee and pastries, David pipes up. “What does everyone think about a dolphin show at the aquarium? It’s where Talia and I first met.”

  I think Mrs. Schwarzkopf may pass out at both the idea of a dolphin show and David’s sentimental suggestion.

  I can’t imagine being happier than this moment right now.

  With our front row seats, the dolphin show has been a blast. I love watching Mom’s fascination with the tricks and intelligence of the always-smiling mammals.

  “How about a volunteer?” the trainer asks.

  Hundreds of hands fly into the air from both young and old.

  David raises my hand for me, and I try to pull it down, but he just grins.

  The trainers select one young boy, a teenage girl, and me. Reluctantly, I go up front where the trainers teach us some commands, and we instruct the graceful creatures. After they’ve performed their maneuvers, the lead trainers ask the dolphins to get some presents for the helpers, and they each dive and return with small closed buckets in their beaks. The trainers make a big show of opening each little bucket giving the little boy a plush toy dolphin, the girl a seahorse necklace, and a large sealed clamshell for me, each with the aquarium logo on it. The audience applauds, and the three of us return to our seats.

  I let my family and friends get a look at the shell, and I scold David, “You should have let a tourist get the opportunity. Mrs. Schwarzkopf would have loved that.”

  David just shrugs and keeps grinning.

  After the show, David suggests a trip to the John Hancock Building with its fantastic views. I argue that we should go to the Sears Tower, but David wins when he adds that it’s where we had our first date.

  Instead of heading to the 94th floor, the observation deck, we go to The Signature Room on the 95th floor where David has reserved a table with a view, and we all enjoy drinks and some appetizers. I’m nervous, but proud of Mom as she sips her Shirley Temple kiddie cocktail and Jude his Coke.

  Everyone enjoys the views, and I point out the Ferris wheel to the Schwarzkopfs who plan to go to Navy Pier the next day.

  “So, we’d eat dinner here, but I have one more stop today,” David declares as he signs the check I hadn’t even noticed was called for and apparently paid.

  We all stand and head downstairs. In our three-car caravan with Chip driving the Schwarzkopfs, David, and me, and David’s parents’ driver, Max, driving them along with my mom and Jude, and Dad and Deb in their own car bringing Lainey and Lance, we make our way across the city.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see,” he answers mysteriously.

  “So, you’re not going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “Nope.”

  “Not even a clue?” I bat my mascara-laden eyelashes at him, and he rolls his eyes.

  “Fine. A hint. I first saw you at this place.”

  “We were already at the aquarium,” I reply, bewildered by his clue. The only other place that comes to mind is the library, but that’s not much of a place to have dinner. But with David, one never knows. Maybe he rented out the Winter Garden on the top floor and has something catered. He’s proven he’ll go above and beyond, the flowers still fresh in my mind.

  David just shrugs and says not another word, just holds my hand and rubs small circles on the back of it. As we drive through the city, I point out other points of interest for the Schwarzkopfs still not believing they’re up here for me.

  I love that David would make my anniversary of my new life so memorable.

  Fifteen minutes later, we’re not at the aquarium nor the library, but rather we’re pulling up to a restaurant. “I ate here my very first night in Chicago,” I tell David with a laugh.

  “Oh, you ate here?” he asks.

  “Yes. I was so nervous. I was underdressed and surrounded by beautiful people. But the food smelled so good, I couldn’t leave. So, I just sat at my table and read my book.”

  “Hmm,” is all Da
vid says.

  Inside, David is greeted warmly, and I receive a very different reception than I’d gotten last time. I wasn’t treated rudely, but I was squirreled away into a corner. I didn’t really mind at the time since I was just wearing a pair of jeans and everyone else was dressed in fancy dresses and suits, pearls and diamonds. Frankly, I was surprised they sat me at all. I’m incredibly surprised when we’re seated this time.

  We’re seated at a long table, all twelve of us, right in the middle of the restaurant where everyone can see us.

  “So weird,” I tell David when the hostess leaves. “That’s the booth I sat in last time.” I point to a booth in the corner.

  “I know,” he replies quietly. “I was sitting right here.”

  I’m stunned silent. I think back to that night and don’t remember seeing a large table set up, then again, I was doing my best to hide. Besides, once I’m into a book, often the world around me fades away.

  “It was just me and one other that night, but I was drawn to you from the start. I couldn’t stop watching you. Is that creepy?”

  “A little,” I answer, shoving my shoulder into him.

  “You were reading a book.” The smile on his face is infectious, and I can’t fight the smile on my face.

  “Little Women. That’s what I was reading.”

  He nods and leans over kissing my temple just as our server comes to our table to take drink orders and announce the dinner specials.

  Dinner goes perfectly with everyone getting along so well. I can’t help but keep an eye on what Jude and Mom are drinking, but they keep it clean all night. When dinner is done, and the table has been cleared, David asks, “Talia. Do you have that shell from the aquarium?"

  “Uh, yeah?” I answer and grab my purse pulling out the souvenir and hand it to David.

  Maybe it’s just my imagination, but everyone at the table quiets.

  “Talia. When we met a year ago, I was as closed as this shell. I first saw you sitting at that booth over there, then we met at the aquarium. When I saw you at the library, I knew there was something more to you, and I had to get to know you. In the beginning, I held on to my secrets just as you did. We both had our reasons. At first, I was determined to keep closed, but as I got to know you, I found myself opening up bit by bit. You are smart, funny, clever, and you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, both inside and out. I love your optimism, your willingness to try new things, and your compassion knows no bounds. Your strength of character is inspiring. This past year has shown me this over and over again. And there’s not a person sitting at the table who doesn’t see that. You got me to open and see the possibilities of the future. It’s a future with you.”

  David drops to one knee and takes my left hand, but I can barely see any of it, my eyes are filled with tears. I push the tears away not wanting to miss a moment.

  While this morning, I wasn’t so sure about a proposal, after this day with everyone I love around me, and all the special things David has arranged, knowing what’s coming, I know what my answer will be.

  David does something to the souvenir shell, and it pops open revealing an incredible diamond ring nestled in a bed of white velvet. My hands fly to my mouth, but it’s not like I could speak anyway. My heart is in my throat.

  “Talia, Crystal, or whatever other name you want to use, will you do me the honor of spending the rest of your days with me. Will you marry me?”

  For the second time today, I’m crying and can’t speak. But I have to. I have to say the word.

  “Yes,” I squeak, and David’s smile goes from big to enormous. “Yes, I’ll marry you!” I clarify.

  David pulls the ring from its soft bed and slips it onto my left ring finger. It’s a perfect fit. There are so many diamonds I’m almost afraid to wear it. Next, I’m in David’s arms, and we’re kissing. Then I’m being hugged by my mom, and brother, and father, and everyone. Somewhere in the back of my mind, it registers that the entire restaurant is applauding. There are flashes from cell phones, and maybe paparazzi—who knows. Who cares?

  I found love. True love. He’s seen me, all of me, and still loves me.

  38

  Epilogue

  CRYSTAL

  Ten years later...

  “Daddy, I’m scared!” Cara squeals and tucks her blonde curls into David’s side as the Ferris wheel reaches its apex.

  “It’s okay, Cara,” her older brother, Sam, soothes, his blue eyes full of concern. “Mom and Dad would never let us get hurt.”

  I beam at our adopted children, Cara and Sam. We adopted them two years ago, their mother having passed from a crash with a drunk driver and no family to take them in. When I passed the bar four years ago, I never imagined becoming a parent. Hell, I never imagined becoming a parent ever! But when Cara and Sam’s file came across my desk, I became bizarrely fixated. Okay, bizarre might be a bit dramatic, but I still fixated on them for whatever reason. We petitioned to take in the then three- and five-year-old siblings and were granted foster parent status, and six months later, we applied to become their adoptive parents with success.

  My legal work in the foster system focusing on children with parents who battle addiction has been the most rewarding I could have imagined. Frankly, it was Dad’s idea I work in that area noting that I have a unique experience. So, while preparing for my pre-law requirements, I earned a degree in social work. My law degree focused on family law.

  “Cara,” David crooned, pulling the timid five-year-old into his lap. “Look! You can see Daddy’s office from here.”

  Her head pops up, but she still clutches at David’s arm like a life preserver. David points out the Waterston Building, then his hand drifts toward the shore. “And that building there with the golden windows? That’s where Mommy and I lived before moving to Evanston.”

  “Lucky,” Sam huffed. “I’d love to live in the city. And to see the ocean all the time.”

  “Not the ocean,” I correct Sam. “That’s Lake Michigan.”

  “Yeah, I know,” he says with a shrug. “I’d really like to live on the ocean, though,” he adds.

  I’m not surprised since Sam decided to decorate his bedroom with a surfer theme. His mother used to be an aspiring competitive surfer until she became pregnant with him. He saw many photos of his mother with her board all over their home, and he has several hanging in his room. That he ever called David and me ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom’ blew me away—not that it was immediate. It took more than a year.

  Finally, Cara relaxed and started to enjoy the view.

  I smile as our perfect day continues. The day started out with Sam and Cara making me breakfast in bed—cinnamon sugar toast with strawberries on the side, a cup of coffee perfectly mixed, and a glass of orange juice.

  “Happy Birthday, Mommy!” they sang as they walked in, David charged with carrying the tray.

  “For me?” I ask sitting up in the bed, feigning surprise. On a typical workday, I’m up three-and-a-half hours ago, but David put me on alert that our darlings wanted a special day for me and how could I tell them no? I couldn’t. So, I took a personal day and let David call them out of school.

  After breakfast, the kids brought me to the aquarium, a favorite for all four of us. Next was lunch at the Pier along with remote control boat races and all sorts of fun in the Funhouse Maze. It took some cajoling to get Cara on the Ferris wheel. For the past two years she's fought it. Finally, Sam convinced her, and I’m so relieved that she finally found fun with it.

  “What next?” I ask as it neared dinner time.

  “Dinner at The Signature Room!” Cara says. We’ve brought Sam and Cara there since the very beginning. They loved being treated like young adults and were very adventuresome with trying new foods. “And I have a new dress, too!”

  “Oh, my favorite place!” I say joining in. “And I can't wait to see your new dress!” I reply. I love that she’s having as much fun on my birthday as I am.

  As we head home to get cleane
d up and ready for dinner, we pass a convenience store with a line out the door.

  “What’s going on there?” Sam asks.

  “Must be for lottery tickets,” David answers. “The jackpot must be pretty high for such a line.”

  “I think it's over five-hundred million,” I chime in recalling hearing something about the office chipping in to buy some tickets.

  “Whoa,” Sam gasps, his blue eyes as wide as I've ever seen them. “Could you imagine winning the lottery? That would be the best thing ever! If I won the lottery, I wouldn't need anything else.”

  I look at David who smiles and holds in his laughter, then at my two darlings buckled into the backseat. I think of Jimmy. I think about how good my mom is doing. And Jude. True, a part of it was my winning the lottery to get here, but somehow, I have a feeling I would have found this life anyway.

  “I think there are better things than winning the lottery.”

  The End

  Social Responsibility Statement

  Win for Love is a work of fiction. Crystal’s odds of buying a winning lottery ticket were 1:1. She was a guaranteed winner for the purposes of this story. In real life the odds are much steeper. Playing for fun every once in a while is all good, but if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, there is help.

  For more information you can visit https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm for symptoms, methods of treatment, and a list of recommended groups for help.

  Please play responsibly.

  The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that Alcoholism is the third leading cause of preventable death (after tobacco and poor diet/physical inactivity).

  Now, if you follow me on Social Media or my website, you’ll see that I do enjoy a good cocktail or glass of wine. I imbibe conscientiously.

  If you, or someone you know has a problem with drinking, there is help out there. www.aa.org