by Maria Herren
His invitation had been very low key. Specifically, he said, "If you want to come up, I'll show you around." It wasn't much, but it was something. So there she stood.
Eric grabbed her with enthusiasm and kissed her strongly on the lips. "You're beautiful!" he shouted. "Thanks for coming!" He swung her in a circle then put her down, kissing her again on the cheek. "It's great to see you, Charly!"
"Who's your friend?" Eric asked.
For a minute Charly had forgotten about Margaret. Anthony had decided that he and Margaret needed some "space" and Margaret had been moping for days. Charly thought that the sight of hundreds of men in uniform would do Margaret some good. "This is my roommate, Margaret!"
"Nice to meet you, darlin'," Eric said.
"I've heard a lot about you, Eric," Margaret said, smiling shyly.
"Let's get something to eat, son," Eric's father said, looking at his watch. I've got a plane to catch in a few hours."
"Right, dad. I know just the place. They make the best burgers I've ever tasted." They all piled out of the car at a diner that was crowded with the jubilant new graduates and their families. Eric was the envy of most of the men and the star of the moment with Charly on his arm.
They made a striking pair. He was over six feet tall, his black curly hair unruly as always, his tanned skin made his green eyes jump out by contrast. Charly was wearing a white cotton dress that showed off her slim figure. Her long dark hair had a glossy blue hue in the sunlight.
She looks like a thoroughbred race horse! his father thought.
Eric introduced them to a few tables before he heard his name shouted loudly from the back of the restaurant. "Eric, over here! I saved you a space!" There was no extra room, but his family squeezed into the wall to make some.
It was difficult to hold even the loudest of conversations with all the other voices competing for the privilege of being heard, but they did their best. "Dad, meet ‘Drop down and give me fifty, DOYOUWANTTHOSEALLTODAY, SIR?’" Eric yelled as an introduction to his group while his father laughed remembering the story and Billy's family looked confused.
"This is ‘YOUSETTHETIMETOBEATANDI’LLBEATITEVERYDAYFORAWEEK, SIR!’" Billy yelled to his family who nodded and smiled and shouted, ''Nice to meet you, Eric!"
The burgers were hot and delicious. They were all still speaking loud when they left the diner. "Great meal! Good choice, son!" Eric's father hollered, checking his watch. "I'm sorry to eat and run, but I know how much they hate to hold that damn plane!"
"Thanks for coming, Dad!"
"I wouldn't have missed it. I'm really proud of you, Eric!" his father yelled, then drew him close in a strong embrace. Lowering his voice several decibels he said, "Some people that I know are going to be talking to you, Eric. Talk to me before you make any decisions."
"Okay, dad," Eric said, nodding his head.
"You're going to have to keep a close eye on these young women tonight, Son, because all the men in there are!" he waved toward the diner.
Stepping forward he smothered Charly in his massive shoulders and deposited a delicate kiss on her cheek. She looked up into eyes that were suspiciously moist. "You remind me a lot of his mother, rest her memory," he growled softly in her ear. "I wish she could've met you."
Charly stood on tiptoe to kiss him back. "Eric's told me how much you loved her."
He brushed briefly at his cheeks and got in the car, rolling the window down. "Eric, call me next week."
"I will, Dad."
They all stood together and waved him out of sight.
"Your dad is absolutely cool," Margaret said. "Is he still in the military?"
"In a small way. We don't talk about it much. He's not officially active, he's more of a consultant."
"It must be nice to know you're still wanted."
"Yeah. That's kind of the way he feels about it."
The conversation was interrupted by Billy, ignoring the honking of horns as he darted across the street, waving his arms to get their attention. He was a little out of breath. "Eric, man, you just disappeared! Everyone was looking for you!"
Charly saw the sparkle in Eric's eyes. "Who's everyone? Who exactly were they looking for, Billy?" he asked with an innocent grin.
"You know! Everyone!” Billy said, smiling.
"You're not just hounding me to get to know these two women a little bit better, are you, Billy?"
"Not at all!" Billy declared. "What do the three of you have planned for tonight, now that you mention it? Would you like to shoot some pool?"
"I'd like to go!" Margaret spoke up.
"You don't know how to shoot pool, Margaret!" Charly said.
"Maybe Billy can teach me," Margaret said, smiling shyly.
Eric watched Charly prowl confidently around the table, taking her shots with well-timed grace. She'd changed into a pair of nice fitting jeans and a loose red top. Their first game had been casual, the second was more competitive, and now an interested crowd had begun to gather.
"Give that cocky bastard a lot of hell!" an onlooker yelled.
Charly sat back on her heels, lining up her next shot. The light over the table glinted in her eyes and for a second they gleamed like a tigress.
"Killer shot, Eric. I hate to embarrass you in front of this distinguished crowd, but I've played too hard to throw this game away."
He nodded, then took a long drink from his beer. He didn't have to watch, he heard the hard contact of the balls and the cheers when the designated ball dropped.
Charly was immediately engulfed with new challengers.
"I've had enough," she said, handing off her stick and coming around the table towards him.
My God, I love the way she walks, he thought to himself. Then he took her hand and said, "Do you know that I haven't lost a match since I've been here?''
"I know. Billy told me that you're the undisputed champion," she said, grinning up at him.
"Where'd you learn to play like that?" Eric asked.
"Would you believe me if I told you that I've got a God-given natural talent?" Charly asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I'd believe anything you told me, darlin'," he said, leaning down and kissing her. There were a few hoots and whistles from the bar. "Keep it up, you jealous bastards!" Eric laughed, taking her hand. "Are you hungry?" he asked her.
"Yeah, very hungry. Where are Margaret and Billy?" Charly asked.
"Right in front of you, Charly," Eric pointed out. Billy was giving Margaret some instruction in her pool game. "Looks like they might be here awhile. What are you hungry for?''
"Maybe something Greek? Chinese? Italian?" Charly suggested.
"Let me rephrase the question. Do you want sausage or pepperoni on the pizza?"
⇼
Hours later he held her tightly against him. "Are you still awake?" he whispered.
"Still awake," she answered back, squeezing his arm.
"I'm going to go away for awhile, Charly. I don't know how long. I've got to do some special training and I don't know where it's going to happen or how long it's going to last. I know for sure that it'll be a year, maybe two."
Charly was wide awake, watching his back. He turned over and held her face. "I don't know how to say this," he said, awkwardly. "I don't want you to wait for me." His words were like a sword to her chest.
"You know what I mean, right Charly?" he asked her.
"Yes, I know,'' she whispered, tears in her eyes.
She'd almost done it again. She'd been about to tell him that she loved him. At least this time she'd saved herself that indignity.
"I know what you mean," she said, again. "It's no big deal."
"Waiting for me would be a big deal, and I can't ask you to do that because I don't know what's going to happen next. You really understand?" he asked, uncertainly.
"I understand," she said, strongly. She stood up and gathered her clothes. "I've got to get back."
⇼
In the car she put her arms around the ste
ering wheel and laid her head down to cry. "I knew better than this!" she sobbed to herself. "He doesn't love me. He's never loved me. I've got to leave him alone."
Eric watched her from the bedroom window. She's too tired, she shouldn't be driving, he thought when she rested her head on the steering wheel. He was pulling on his pants when she suddenly drove away. That's probably best, he thought. She doesn't like it when I baby her.
In that instant "baby" and "Charly" came together in his head and he thought about what a wonderful mother she would be. He wished she would be his wife and the mother of his children, but he had no idea what the future held for him. His upcoming training was going to provide plenty of the thrills he loved, like rock climbing and skydiving, along with more intense disciplines. At the moment his sense of adventure was stronger than his desire to be a husband. He wished he could have both, but he knew it wasn't possible. Saying goodbye to her, he had felt like he was saying goodbye to her forever.
Ten
Seven Years Later
Charly looked out the window, gently rocking her little girl to sleep, remembering the taste of the pizza she and Eric had shared that night seven years ago. A smile played with the corner of her lips. They had laughed and argued between the pepperoni and sausage, finally compromising on a half and half. The pizza was not very good but Charly had never enjoyed one more.
Her daughter, Lily, sighed and nestled closer. Charly admired her perfect beauty objectively. She was a very active child. She was three and her brother, Alex, was six. He was busy with a new game that Charly had bought for him. He was good with games. He liked to solve things and put things together. What Charly admired most about her son was how well he got along with his little sister.
He'd been fascinated by Lily from the moment he saw her at the hospital. "Mommy, she's perfect!" he told her.
He had paid a lot of attention to her from the very beginning. He wanted to help dress her, was constantly talking to her and handing her toys. He was very proud to be her big brother.
Now that he was six there were a lot more things that interested him besides Lily, but he still made time for her every day. At school he'd often make a surprise to give to her when he got off the bus. The paper dolls that he made were all over the walls of her room and. they'd sit together and he'd make up stories about who they were and what they were doing.
They'd shared all of her first discoveries. The frogs, the scent of the different flowers that Charly planted in the garden, the warmth of the summer rains. Lily was curious about everything and delighted daily by her surroundings.
Lily stirred in Charly's arms. Reluctantly, Charly put her in her bed. When she only had Alex, she would often hold him through his nap. She knew it spoiled the child but she didn't care. And Alex had turned out to be anything but spoiled. He was a really thoughtful, kind, delightful little boy.
They all did their best to spoil Lily, but it was too early to tell.
Bending down to kiss her soft cheek Charly drank in the smell of Lily's skin and stroked her honey golden hair. "You're a beautiful little miracle, Lily," she whispered in her ear. "Mommy loves you."
Lily stretched her little legs reflexively in response to her voice and Charly exited quickly, leaving the door open just a crack behind her.
There were only a few hours left before Carlo would be home and Charly hadn't started to make dinner. Still, she took the time to make a cup of espresso and wander through the garden. The swans on the lake saluted her and the peacock spread the glorious fan of his tail. She watched the peacock parade in front of her, admiring the flashing turquoise green and blue hues around his neck. "God had drunk some wine when he made you," she murmured. "Why else would he give you such a small head, such a big tail, such iridescent colors and almost no purpose aside from being so beautiful!" She enjoyed his splendor while he clucked around her, pecking for insects. Unable to restrain herself she reached out and pulled on his tail feathers, sending him clucking in concern to the edge of the garden where he eyed her suspiciously. Alex had not paid much attention to the peacock, but Lily was fascinated by him. When he wasn't watching she'd sneak up on him, and had plucked several of his beautiful feathers and then laughed and laughed.
The garden was really beautiful. Carlo had wanted to hire a full-time groundskeeper before he discovered his wife's talent and enthusiasm for gardening.
When Alex was just a year old he was able to point excitedly at his favorite flower. It was springtime and it was a red tulip. Charly decided right then that she'd plant a lot more red tulips.
Lily loved lilies, of course, and Charly had planted one entire bed that was only for lilies. Daylilies and Asiatic lilies, but the most beautiful and sweetest smelling were the Oriental lilies. Some bloomed in late spring and early summer, but most of them bloomed around her birthday in July. Charly remembered the sweet fragrance of the all white Casablanca lilies wafting in the house while she was nursing her daughter.
Charly looked around the garden and breathed in the fragrance. It was her seven year anniversary and she felt extremely loved and blessed. Carlo said that he'd fallen in love with her the first night he'd seen her, dancing with Giovanni Terrazi. She hadn't believed him at first.
He'd been taking care of some business in New York and wanted to come see her at school. It was several weeks after Eric's graduation and she was happy to have some company. He took her to dinner at a small restaurant in Italian Village. He seemed to know everyone there. Giuseppe, their waiter, confided that his dream was to one day own a restaurant. Francesco, the head bartender, knew everyone's name and what they liked to drink. He made more money in tips than some of the patrons at the bar. The atmosphere was fun, the food was excellent.
They talked for hours. Charly hadn't enjoyed herself so much or laughed so hard in a long time. They had a lot in common. From music to writers to cuisine. "I've never met anyone like you," Carlo said, at the end of the meal.
"You probably haven't met a lot of American women," she laughed, lightly.
"On the contrary, I think I've met too many!" he smiled and leaned forward. "You're the only one who really interests me. Which brings me to why I'm here," he said, leaning forward. He seemed a little nervous, which was most unlike him. Charly smiled to put him at ease. Whatever it was really had him uptight.
"I haven't stopped thinking about you since the first night I saw you. I've never felt this way for any woman in my life. You are very, very unique and I know this seems sudden. I've learned to follow my heart quickly because if you waste the moments to consider and reconsider, sometimes the most precious things get away. I'm here to tell you that I love you and if you'll have me I want you to be my wife," Carlo finished, his words thoughtful and heartfelt.
"I'm stunned," Charly said, taking in a deep and shaky breath.
"I understand," he whispered, taking her hand which was trembling. "There's something else, isn't there, Charly? What is it? You can tell me anything."
"I think I'm going to cry," Charly said.
Carlo handed her a table napkin. Charly stared at the white linen napkin, hardly breathing, summoning her courage. She hadn't told anyone yet, but under the circumstances she thought she should tell him. "Carlo, I'm pregnant."
The words seemed to hang in the air. He was staring so intently at her she thought maybe he hadn't heard her.
"Does the father know?" he finally asked, quietly.
"No."
"Do you wish to tell him?" he asked.
''No."
"Do you want to keep this baby?" Carlo wanted to know.
"Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"I found out for sure yesterday," Charly said, calmly.
"I see," Carlo replied. He was silent for several minutes, then he signaled for Giuseppe. "What's been made for dessert tonight?"
He didn't touch his plate and watched her while she ate the whipped cream and chocolate cake. Finally he broke the silence. "I have always loved children."
Her eyes flew up to meet his.
He laughed gently. "Why do you look so surprised? I've just told you how I feel about you. I'm a grown man, Charly. I know what I want. It's up to you. I'm pretty certain that you don't love me yet. The real question is do you think that you ever could?"
"I really don't know," she said, honestly.
"Take your time to decide. I'll stay here in the States until you've made up your mind."
⇼
The next week Eric called twice while she was in class. His second message said that he'd been accepted into the Navy SEALS and would be leaving for training in a few days. He left a number where he could be reached until then.
She had never called.
⇼
Seven years, Charly thought, glancing down at the diamond and gold watch Carlo had given to her in the hospital after she had Alex. She hadn't worn it very often that first year. Finally Carlo confronted her and asked her why she didn't like it, offering to exchange it and have her choose a different style. He laughed when she told him she didn't wear it often because she was afraid of losing it. "If you like it, please enjoy wearing it every day. If you lose it I'll buy you another one," he said, kissing her on the neck.
It was time for her to start dinner but she was enjoying a rare moment of solitary time. The setting sun bounced its brilliant reflection off the water on the lake and got caught in the peacock's tail.
Charly walked into the sunshine of her kitchen. Throughout the day the doorbell had rung with deliveries as Carlo had gradually filled the house with flowers, each with a handwritten note.
With the huge display of tiger lilies on the kitchen table, he'd written: "I love to see the tiger in our daughter's eyes."
The white orchids said, "These remind me of the night you met me at the airport in the white dress." The fragrant bouquet of hyacinths said, "You always smell like springtime."
On and on it went throughout the day until the last delivery. It was very small, comparatively, but each of the seven singular red roses was exquisitely wrapped. Each of the seven notes held his favorite memory of that year. Charly cried when she read the note for the first year. "The birth of our son."
