Archie of Outlandish

by Lynnette Kraft

  The song began slowly, so they just sort of swayed to the music under Archie’s umbrella hand in hand. When the tempo picked up a bit, Archie, suddenly comfortable on the dance floor, because he really was proud of his dancing skills, moved into some more sophisticated moves and even twirled Sybil.

  “Very suave,” Sybil said.

  With an uncharacteristically proud look, Archie said, “Why, thank you.”

  Sybil laughed and looked over at his parents, who were also laughing at the scene. It wasn’t Archie’s dancing that made them laugh—no he definitely had the moves. He looked like he belonged there more than anyone else on the dance floor. They only laughed because they were surprised how at ease he was, considering it was his first time dancing in public, and with someone besides his mother.

  The tempo slowed again at the very end, so Archie and Sybil finished their dance with simple sweeping movements and eventually went back to the table where Archie set his umbrella back in its stand next to his chair. His parents were clapping for them. Archie suddenly felt very embarrassed by it all.

  Archie was thankful their dinner arrived just as they returned to the table so they might have something to do besides discuss their dance. Unfortunately, that dance wouldn’t soon be forgotten, even with tempting food sitting in front of them.

  “Where did you learn to dance like that?” Sybil asked.

  “Mother taught me. Father doesn’t dance, so she insisted I learn.”

  “I do too dance. I just don’t do it very well. Archie definitely got those stylish moves from his mother.”

  Sybil said to Annella, “Then you must take your turn dancing with Archibald after we eat.”

  “I think that’s a marvelous idea,” Annella answered.

  Archie pouted. “Seriously? Do I have to? I did only commit to one dance.”

  “But you looked like you were having a splendid time, and it has been too many years since I’ve been on a real dance floor. With her own little pout she added, “For your ole mum?”

  20

  Tallie and Gemma were having breakfast outside on the deck on a particularly clear, beautiful morning at Waiheke Island when Gemma’s phone rang.

  “Gemma Perrelli,” she answered.

  “Oh, hi, Sybil. How are you?”

  At the name Sybil Tallie’s ears perked up.

  “It was nothing,” Gemma said. “Really, Tallie is the one to thank. She’s the one that spotted his talent. I was only helping out a friend.”

  Tallie and Gemma met eyes and Gemma lifted her chin and smiled. “How is Archie coping? Enjoying it or overwhelmed by it? . . . That’s good to hear and when is the release? . . . Oh, it’s on the fast track, is it? Well, that’ll be good for him. I think first-time authors must get anxious waiting for their work to be in print. . . . Uh-huh. I hope this book goes big—for both of you. . . . Hm. Well, that’s an unexpected bonus. . . . Really? I’m impressed. Dancing? I never would’ve guessed it.”

  Gemma glanced at Tallie and watched her countenance change.

  “Yeah, I liked the Plumbys. Nice people. . . . Yes, well good luck! Nice to hear from you. Bye-bye.”

  When Gemma hung up the phone, she expected Tallie to immediately ask about the call, but she didn’t, so Gemma said, “Sounds like Archie’s enjoying the book business.”

  Tallie turned her head in question and asked, “What was it you were saying about dancing?”

  “Apparently Archie’s quite the dancer!”

  Tallie knew her face and neck were getting blotchy, so she jumped up and said, “Oh, will you excuse me for a minute? I just thought of something I forgot to do.”

  “Are you all right?” Gemma hollered after her.

  “Yeah, I’m fine!” she said from the other room. Tallie went to her bedroom, sat on her bed, and began crying.

  Gemma knocked on the door.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked.

  “I’m fine,” she said in a rough voice.

  “Tallie, let’s talk.”

  When Tallie didn’t answer, Gemma opened the door and walked into the room. “Now what’s the matter?” she said while sitting on the bed next to her.

  “Did Archie dance with Sybil?” Tallie asked.

  “It seems so,” she replied. “That bothers you?”

  “He wouldn’t dance with me,” Tallie said through a little sob.

  “Oh, I see,” Gemma said, patting Tallie’s back. Gemma wasn’t used to showing affection, so it was a little uncomfortable for both of them.

  “I should have stayed,” Tallie said sadly. “He told me he loved me and only a few weeks later, I left him. He must have been so insulted by that.”

  “He told you he loved you?” Gemma questioned.

  Tallie nodded.

  “Obviously you feel the same way about him?” she asked sounding a little disappointed.

  Tallie nodded again.

  “Well, just because he danced with Sybil doesn’t mean he’s in love with her.”

  “But you don’t know Archibald like I do. If he danced with Sybil, there has to be something between them. Besides, he didn’t write back to me after my last letter. I knew something was wrong.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you’re here with me then, isn’t it? I’ll take your mind off of Archie. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a man from Auckland. Can you imagine being able to live here? Outlandish is nothing compared to this place!”

  Tallie, of course, would rather have been in Outlandish with Archie than anywhere, but she did appreciate Gemma’s attempt to raise her spirits, so she lifted one side of her mouth into a mock smile.

  Gemma surprised Tallie by leaning over and giving her an awkward hug. While patting her on the back she said, “There are other fish in the sea. It’s better that you focus on your career anyway.” Unwrapping her arms from Tallie, she put her hands on Tallie’s shoulders and said, “Just imagine who you’ll have to choose from when you’re a successful photographer traveling the world!”

  Tallie hoped Gemma’s heart wasn’t as calloused as it seemed. If she could pick anyone, anywhere, she would pick Archie. Tallie looked down, and Gemma let go of her.

  Looking back up Tallie asked, “Did it sound like Sybil had feelings for Archibald?”

  Gemma was quiet at first but eventually said, “I’m afraid so. I’m sorry.”

  Tallie was desperate to know more. “Did she come right out and say it?”

  Gemma nodded with reservation.

  Tallie put her hands over her face and cried quietly. Gemma slumped her shoulders and frowned.

  “Hm,” she said. “Well, is there anything at all I can do to make you feel better?”

  Tallie shook her head.

  “Then I guess I’ll leave you to cry it out, but how about we go dancing tonight?”

  Tallie shook her head again.

  Gemma bent down to meet Tallie’s eyes. “No? There are some pretty tempting men on this island.”

  “No, thank you.”

  Gemma shrugged her shoulders. “You can’t say I didn’t try. Well, I’ll be out on the deck if you need me.”

  Tallie decided to write to Archie, but as difficult as it would be, she also decided she wouldn’t say anything about Sybil. She wanted to give him the opportunity to tell her on his own.

  A week later in Outlandish, Annella was getting ready to leave for work and was running a tad late, so she hollered up to Archie, “Archie! I’m off to work! I put a letter from Tallie on the table for you!”

  Archie opened his door and hollered down, “Thank you! Have a nice evening!”

  He went down to get the letter and took it to his room to read. Tired from working on illustrations all day, he lay down on his bed.

  Dear Archibald,

  I’ve been missing you. Since you didn’t write bac
k to me after my last letter, I’ve been wondering what’s keeping you so busy. Is it the illustrations or is it some other book business that keeps you tied up?

  Gemma and I sat out on the deck this morning and talked about my career. She’s going to connect me with some people who do tour guides and need photographers to travel and take photos for their books. This could take me all over the world. Pretty exciting, huh?

  We’re thinking of going dancing tonight. The nightlife here is pretty great. We’ve met all sorts of people!

  So do you have a release date for your book? I’m looking forward to having my copy. You’ll have to make sure you sign it for me since I’m pretty sure Sybil is going to make you famous.

  Speaking of Sybil—does she come to Outlandish much or do you mostly correspond through mail? I’ll bet you’ve been forced to talk on the phone, haven’t you? Looks like your life is going to be changing fast. I hope you’re ready for it.

  Well, I better run. Gemma is waiting for me to join her for a glass of wine. You could even drink here in New Zealand. The legal age is eighteen.

  Take care,

  Tallie

  Archie put the letter on the floor and stared at his canopy deep in thought.

  Something isn’t right. Is she upset because I forgot to write to her? She didn’t even end her letter with Love, Tallie. Dancing? Why would she tell me she was going dancing? Why would she even go dancing? And traveling around the world? She didn’t sound at all like herself.

  Archie got up and grabbed a piece of paper, anxious to write her back and hopefully clear up anything that might have upset her.

  21

  Confrontation had never been Archie’s strong suit, and when he sat down to write to Tallie, he chickened out. He hoped a kind, nonconfrontational letter would elicit an equally light response and that his mind would be put at ease, but three weeks later he was still waiting for her response.

  Sybil had gone back to San Francisco telling Archie she would keep in touch as things progressed on the publishing side of things. She didn’t say when she’d be back but did encourage Archie to keep busy with his illustrations while she was gone. He was grateful to have something to occupy his time and his mind.

  Archie had purchased his usual papers and was on his way to the library to read them. Although he was no longer in need of career direction, it was a routine he enjoyed, so he kept it up. He walked in and waved to Mrs. Pinkers, who was busy with some patrons. When he sat down and opened the Pacific Coast Buzz, he saw a photo in front of him that caught his attention. When he looked closer, he realized it was a photograph of him, under his umbrella on the beach. He glanced at the title, Ten Reasons the Beach Should Be Your Next Getaway. He quickly looked to see who was credited for the photo and saw Tallie’s name. He was surprised by it, especially since she said she wouldn’t use any photos of him without permission. He wondered if Gemma had put her up to it.

  “Hm,” he whispered to himself, “why would she do that?”

  Feeling a burst of courage, Archie decided he would go home and write the letter to Tallie he had intended to before. Picking the papers up, he waved to Mrs. Pinkers and walked out of the library.

  When he got home, he rushed up to his bedroom, pulled out his paper and a pen, and began writing.

  The doorbell rang just as he was getting started, and since he was the only one at home, Archie went to answer the door. When he did, he saw Sybil standing there.

  “Sybil. What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “There’s my umbrella man,” she replied.

  Archie was getting used to Sybil’s extroverted personality, and he did like her, but he wasn’t entirely comfortable around her. It was the first time he’d heard her use the term umbrella man, and he wasn’t sure he liked it very much, especially since she said my umbrella man.

  “Well, are you going to ask me in?” she asked in a teasing voice.

  “Yes. Um. I’m sorry,” he said trying to shake off the confusion he felt.

  Moving away from the door so she could come in he asked, “Do you have some news or . . . ?”

  “No. I’ve been away for a couple days and thought I’d make a little detour through Outlandish on my way back, just to see how things are going with the illustrations.”

  “I see. Away on business?”

  “Yeah, I signed a new author who lives in Hollister.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “Yeah, it is. Although I’m not nearly as excited about that author as I am about my umbrella man,” she said pointing her finger at Archie and raising her eyebrows.

  Archie hoped nothing in his expression revealed the anxiety he felt over her odd behavior. He wondered why she kept referring to him as her umbrella man. She’d never done it before. In order to, hopefully, direct the conversation back to the book, Archie said, “The illustrations are coming along. I should meet the deadline with no trouble at all.”

  “Perfect!” she said. “May I see them?”

  Grateful for the shift in mood, Archie sighed unknowingly and said, “Yes. Why don’t I put on some tea while you take a look?”

  “Are your parents away?” she asked.

  “Father is out of town on business and Mother is at the restaurant.”

  Sybil seemed pleased to hear that. “Why don’t you go ahead and get your drawings, and I’ll fix the tea.”

  Archie was growing more and more confused, but agreed and walked away to gather his illustrations. When he got back downstairs, he put them on the table and said, “Did you find everything you needed?”

  “I did,” she said. “Let’s take a look at your illustrations while the water is heating.”

  Archie laid them out on the table. He pointed to an illustration that included a living room fort and said, “Do you think the blue in this is too bright?”

  Sybil shook her head. “No, not at all. It’s brilliant. It may be my favorite one yet. Vivid colors are what make your illustrations pop, Archibald.”

  Archie let Sybil look at the illustrations, and they talked about each one a little bit. When they were done he said, “I’ll just take them back to my room, and we can have tea.”

  “Is your bedroom ceiling still lowered like it was in the story?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Would it be possible to take a peek? I’d love to see it in real life.”

  Archie wasn’t crazy about the idea, but he shrugged a shoulder and said, “All right, but should we have our tea first?”

  “Oh, okay,” she said.

  When they sat down, there was a strange silence. Archie had never felt so uncomfortable with Sybil and didn’t quite know what to say. He expected Sybil to carry the conversation like she usually did, but she seemed to be preoccupied.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked.

  She shook her head like she was coming out of a stare. “Yeah. I’m just knackered from traveling. With all the driving I’ve done over the past year, you’d think I would be used to it, but it always makes me feel a little out of sorts. Maybe a walk in the fresh air will help. Would you like to walk on the beach with me for a bit?”

  “Should we finish our tea first?” he asked.

  “You know, I think my stomach might handle it better once I’ve had a little walk.”

  “All right,” he said.

  The wind was a little stronger than usual that afternoon so Sybil had to stop to find her hair clip, and Archie had to keep a hold of his umbrella canopy.

  “Too bad I can’t use one of those,” Archie teased.

  “Well, you could if you wanted to,” Sybil said, laughing.

  Sybil stopped walking so Archie did, too. She took the clip out of her hair, turned, and clipped Archie’s hair back from his face.

  “There. See how fabulously it works?”

  Archie knew he m
ust look ridiculous, so he immediately took it out.

  “Oh, c’mon. It looked good,” she teased.

  “Mm-hm. I doubt that,” he said handing the clip back to her.

  Sybil took the clip with one hand and quickly grabbed Archie’s free hand with the other. He thought about pulling it away but didn’t for fear of hurting her feelings. Besides, he wondered if there might be another reason for it that he hadn’t had time to comprehend.

  “You know, Archibald, I missed you.”

  Archie, caught off guard by her words, remained quiet.

  “Did you miss me?” she asked. “Maybe just a little?”

  He hoped she wasn’t doing what he thought she might be doing. Pausing to find the right words he cleared his throat and finally said, “Um, I . . . well, I was just so busy working on the illustrations . . .”

  Sybil stepped a little closer and said, “I’m really glad we can work together, Archibald. I really like being with you.”

  Archie’s expression proved his confusion. “Um. Are you speaking . . . from a professional point of view?”

  Sybil laughed, let go of Archie’s hand and played with his hair.

  Archie felt his face turn red.

  “Not exactly,” she said slowly.

  “What point of view are you speaking from?” he asked.

  “You’re so cute when you’re nervous,” she teased.

  Archie finally mustered up the courage to say, “Did I mention that I’m . . . that Tallie and I are . . .”

  Now it was Sybil’s turn to be embarrassed. “No! You didn’t. She didn’t, either. Oh goodness. I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Oh, please don’t be,” Archie pleaded. “I hope I didn’t give the wrong impression . . . Did I?”

  “No. You didn’t. I’m so sorry. Had I known, I never would have . . .”

  Archie looked worried when he asked, “We can still work together, can’t we?”

  Sybil pressed her lips together into a tight smile and shook her head. “Of course we can work together. Oh my. Let’s just forget that ever happened. I really am sorry. I had no idea you and Tallie were a couple. She only referred to you as a friend.”