by Lyle, Linda;
“We’ll have the usual, Antoine.” The waiter nodded and backed away from the table in one smooth move. Alex cleared his throat, but didn’t say anything.
“Is something wrong?” Elizabeth watched him carefully.
“That’s the second time you’ve asked that question.” He smiled as though it was amusing, but something about his tone made her think he was avoiding the question.
“Maybe for good reason.” She waited for a response, but he continued to straighten the silverware. “Well?”
“Well, what?” He didn’t even look up.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No.” His answer was staccato, quick and sharp. Now, she knew there was something going on. His characteristic coolness was warming up. She’d try a new tactic.
“You said you wanted to talk to me. What about?” She tilted her head so that she could better see his face. She put a finger under his chin and lifted until his eyes were level with hers. “I can’t see those big brown eyes when you look at the tablecloth.”
His face relaxed into a smile, and he took her hand in his, placing a soft kiss on her finger. “You have a very good memory.” He leaned back in his chair, still holding her hand. “I do need to ask you a question, but I’m not sure how to go about it.”
“Oh?” she answered. Her heart began to beat wildly at the tone of his voice. “What is it?” She was almost afraid to hear what he was going to say.
“We haven’t known each other a long time, but I feel as though I’ve known you all my life. I know that’s a cliché, but it’s true. I want to be with you in every sense of the word.” She opened her mouth, and he held out his palm to silence her. “I know how you feel about that. I’m not trying to pressure you into something.” He stopped and hit the table in frustration. “This is not coming out right at all.”
“I don’t understand. What are you saying?” She watched him, holding her breath.
“I want to be with you because I’m in love with you.” She stared, her mind not comprehending. “I want to marry you.”
His words were barely uttered before the waiter appeared with their lunch. Elizabeth was grateful for the time to gather her wits. She groped for the right words to answer with, but her wits refused to gather. The waiter disappeared and Alex turned to her, waiting.
“Well. Don’t you have anything to say?” He watched her intently, but she just sat there with her lips frozen together.
“I…uh…I…uh…I don’t know what to say.” She finally blurted out.
“I’m not asking you to marry me right away. I just want you to know how I feel.” He leaned forward taking both of her hands. “Look, I know this obviously came as a surprise to you.” You bet it did. “I also realize that you need time to think about what I’ve said.” No kidding. “I have an idea.”
“What?” She would take anything that would get her out of this situation.
“Why don’t we go our separate ways until after Thanksgiving? That way we both can have a little space to think about it.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
“Then it’s settled.” He released her hands. “I think we should eat before the food get’s cold.” She nodded. Elizabeth picked up her fork just to have something to do.
Alex talked about the office and the weather in an obvious attempt to break the tension, but she was relieved when he asked for the check. The ride back to the office was as quiet as the ride there, but for different reasons. This time she was the one who needed to think.
fourteen
Elizabeth spent the next few days in confusion. Alex stayed in his office, and she ate lunch with the girls. At night they went their separate ways. Staying at home every night made Elizabeth aware of how accustomed she was to having someone around. Her work was starting to suffer because she was continually mulling over the situation with Alex. She finally asked for her vacation days to be added to the Thanksgiving holidays. On Friday, she cleaned her office and headed for Hope’s. Every year since her parents’ accident she had spent the holidays there. This year she had thought she might spend it with Alex’s family, but the thought of seeing Scott all weekend made her stomach tie up in knots. In light of the circumstances, she was glad to make a quick getaway. She needed time to think.
Hope was only too glad to have her for the whole week instead of two days. The minute she stepped into the house she felt peace return in a calm wave, washing over her troubled spirit. She slept well that night for the first time in many days.
They spent the next few days cleaning and baking. It was like being roommates again. It had been a long time since she had felt so at home. Since Hope and Stacey had gotten married, these get-togethers had gotten few and far between. She couldn’t blame them really. It was the way it was supposed to be. When a woman got married, her husband and then her children became her main priority. It was just hard being the only one without someone.
That thought continued to bounce around in her head all week, until by Thursday it was a staccato drumbeat that threatened to overcome her. Then Hope’s family arrived. All her sisters and their husbands and kids filled the house with laughter and conversation. The noise, mixed with that steady drumming in her head, had her searching for aspirin like a drowning man for a lifeline. Hope found her in the kitchen.
“What’re you looking for?” Hope asked. Her face all at once concerned.
“Just some aspirin. I have a little headache.” Elizabeth tried to smile, hoping to wipe that look of concern off her friend’s face. She didn’t need any problems today.
“They’re on the top shelf in the bathroom.”
“Thanks.” Hope moved to go get them. “That’s okay. I can find them. You’ve got guests to take care of,” Elizabeth insisted.
“Those aren’t guests. They’re family and they can take care of themselves.”
“Meaning I can’t?” Elizabeth asked, hands on hips.
“I didn’t say that.” Hope threw up her hands in defeat. “Go ahead. Fend for yourself.”
Hope went back into the dining room and Elizabeth made her way to the bathroom, closing door. The noise below faded to a dull hum. She sighed and leaned against the door, her hand pressed against her temple. Opening the cabinet, she moved the deodorant, shaving cream and finally found the aspirin behind a brush. She laid her head on the cool tile of the bathroom wall. Looking at her watch, she knew if she wasn’t back soon, Hope would come looking for her. With a sigh, she headed back downstairs.
Hope outdid herself. There was the traditional turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, plus her famous chocolate mousse and a variety of vegetables. There was so much food that an army couldn’t have eaten it all, but everybody did their best to put it away. After the meal, there was a general groan as plates of pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse and carrot cake were pushed away half-eaten. Then a general retreat was sounded as the men headed for the recliners and the women headed for the kitchen.
“Why is it that the women always do all the cooking and the cleanup in this family?” asked Aunt Hilda. “Whatever happened to the women’s movement and equality?”
“I don’t think it’s made it this far, Aunt Hilda,” Hope replied from the sink.
“Well I think we ought to start a revolution in this household.”
“You’ll have to wake the troops first,” Hope’s mother said, holding the door to the living room open. Laughter filled the room at the sight—the six men lay in varying states of repose, some with mouths open sucking air in and blowing it out. It reminded Elizabeth of a whale she had seen at Seaworld. The women’s laughter woke Jeff from a gentle slumber, and he struggled to get off the couch. Beached whales were more graceful.
“What is it?” Jeff asked.
“Aunt Hilda wanted to know why we’re all in the kitchen and you guys are all out here.” Hope cocked her head, hands on hips, and surveyed the room. “I guess that’s pretty obvious.”
“What?”
“It’s jus
t that, well I hate to say it, but you guys are just more at home in your easy chairs.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, nothing, honey.”
“Don’t you nothing-honey me, Hope. Are you trying to imply that I,” he placed his hands on his chest and then gestured to the other men, “and my comrades here cannot handle the kitchen.”
“You said it, not me,” Hope replied looking as innocent as a kid with her hand in a cookie jar. She turned and winked at Elizabeth. “What do you think Liz? Could they even find the sink?”
“I don’t know, Hope. It might be too difficult for the men.” Elizabeth tried to hide a smile.
“What are you giggling at?” Jeff growled at Elizabeth.
“Nothing.” Her eyes were large and round, looking the part of the innocent bystander.
“Do you think we’re just a bunch of tough guys with no sensitivity? Well, we’ll just show you.” Jeff stood up and roused each man from his half slumber. Most were totally ignorant of the conversation. “Come on, men. We’ve been challenged.” He lifted his toothpick like a flag before the charge. “Into battle.”
In the kitchen, Jeff pulled out one of Hope’s daintiest aprons and proceeded to do an immitation of Hope cooking. The other men joined in and soon it was complete chaos in the kitchen.
“That’s enough,” shouted Jeff above the din of laughter and yelling. “Ladies, out.” Jeff held the door open and pointed toward the living room. “You deserve a rest.” He bowed at the waist as the women filed past and then closed the door with a flourish. The women sank into the chairs, laughing.
“You got a good man, Hope,” Aunt Hilda said, nodding her a head and pointing her finger. “My Douglas would never have gone into the kitchen, not even for a snack. He sent me for the snacks.”
“I know, Aunt Hilda. My Jeff’s a sweetie. When I had the flu last winter, he brought me breakfast, lunch, and dinner in bed.” Hope smiled as she listened to her husband giving orders in the kitchen.
“Now, don’t get me wrong. My Douglas was a fine man. He was just a product of his raising. He was my best friend and I miss him. We used to talk about everything.” The glow of unshed tears brightened her eyes, and she stopped to dab a handkerchief at the corners.
Elizabeth felt a stab of pain as Aunt Hilda talked. More than anything, that was what she wanted: someone to share things with and talk to, someone to come home to. Tears began to surface and a wave of self-pity rushed over her. She made the excuse of a headache and slipped out of the room, but on her way out she caught Hope’s eye as a tear slipped down her cheek.
Elizabeth cried into her pillow, sobs shaking her body, though she made no sound. A bitterness began to envelope her heart as she thought of all her friends who were married and so happy. It wasn’t fair. Then she remembered Alex. He wanted her. He said he wanted to marry her. He went to church; he made a good living; he was attractive and attentive. Why shouldn’t she marry him? Deep in her soul a voice struggled to cry out, but she silenced it. She got up off the bed and went in the bathroom to splash some cool water on her face. She had made a decision. She looked at herself in the mirror. Somehow she didn’t look like a happy bride-to-be. Pushing the thought out of her mind, she thought of Alex as he struggled to share his feelings with her. He loved her and she was attracted to him. He made her feel good about herself. Wasn’t that the beginnings of love? Of course. It had to be. She left the room with a sense of relief that a decision had been made.
Later that night, Hope cornered Elizabeth in the now-polished kitchen. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Don’t give me that. I saw your face this afternoon. Give it up!” Hope had that look on her face, and Elizabeth knew she would have to tell her.
“I just had a lot on my mind and that headache made it hard to think.”
“Well, why don’t you get it off your mind by telling me?”
“You don’t give up, do you?” Elizabeth gave her friend a crooked smile.
“Not when it comes to you, so give!” Hope pulled out a chair and sat down, motioning for her to take the other.
“Last week Alex told me that he wanted to marry me.”
It was a good thing Hope was sitting down, because she was obviously shocked. “But you’ve only known each other a few months.”
“Actually, I’ve been working there for three years,” Elizabeth argued.
“You weren’t dating then. You hardly ever saw the guy,” Hope replied.
“How do you know? You don’t work there.” Elizabeth was on the defensive. “We’ve spent a lot of time together in the last several months.”
“Enough to know that he’s the one you want to spend your life with? Do you really know him?” Hope reached out and touched her hand willing her to answer.
“Of course I know him.” Elizabeth brushed away the thought that she had just said that very thing to herself not long ago. “He’s sweet, and thoughtful, and attractive. What more could a girl want? And he’s very rich.” She tacked that on for good measure, but both of them knew that money wasn’t the issue.
“Is he a Christian?”
“Yes, he goes to church with me every Sunday.”
“Just going to church doesn’t make him a Christian, Elizabeth.”
“Don’t be so judgmental, Hope.”
“I’m only trying to make sure you don’t make the biggest mistake of your life. There’s something about this guy that I don’t like.”
“How would you know, you’ve never met him? You only know what I’ve told you about him.” Elizabeth threw her hands up in frustration.
“I know.” Hope looked her in the eyes and Elizabeth knew that Hope had a point. Elizabeth lowered her eyes to the table. The silence lasted for several minutes. The ticking of the clock sounded loud in Elizabeth’s ears. Finally, Hope spoke, “It’s your decision, Elizabeth. I just don’t want you to rush into anything.” She patted her hand, and then left Elizabeth to her own thoughts.
❧
The next day Stacey met them for lunch. She squealed with delight when she heard the news. “You mean that dreamy man really asked you?” Stacey asked her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Well, he didn’t give me a ring or propose formally. He said he wanted to give me time to think about it first.”
“What’s to think about, honey? He’s gorgeous. I’ve seen him in court and he’s a doll.” Stacey’s excitement was catching.
“He is, isn’t he?” Elizabeth smiled. She felt pride rising up as she thought of Alex. She would be Mrs. Alex McClintock.
“I’m sure,” Hope replied, but Elizabeth could hear the uncertainty in her voice. Stacey was oblivious.
“Me too. I’m just so excited. We’ll have to go shopping. What kind of dress do you want?”
The rest of the lunch was filled with questions from Stacey about bridesmaid dresses and flowers. Elizabeth was overcome with the amount of decisions to be made. Hope sat quietly, entering the conversation with monosyllable replies. Stacey got more excited with the moment, unaware of the tension building at the table. Finally, they all went their separate ways. Elizabeth tried to smile as she waved good-bye to Stacey, but the smile faded when she caught Hope’s eye. There was no happiness there, only traces of concern. Elizabeth turned purposefully to her car and set out in search of Alex.
fifteen
Scott pushed away from the table with a groan. Mother always made enough food for an army, even though there was just the four of them. He knew his parents would like grandchildren and were beginning to lose hope. He and Alex were both getting older and neither one seemed intent on getting married, much less having children. Alex least of all. There was a different woman every month, kind of like the flavor of the month at the local frozen yogurt place. He and Alex were opposites. Alex dated hard and Scott hardly dated. His mother and father had instilled in him a desire for a godly woman, one who put God first in her life. Those girls were few and far bet
ween these days. So instead of dating, Scott spent his off time working at home or at the church. Glancing in the living room, he saw his mother sitting on the arm of his father’s chair. The mere sight of them together stirred the long-buried desire in his heart that grew each day. At the thought of a family, Elizabeth’s face popped into view. Elizabeth, this month’s flavor, was out of the question. He tried to refocus. What about Claire? There was a good woman. She was hard working, feminine, beautiful, and the life of the party, but…what was it that was missing? He stared into the fire as though it held the answers.
“What’s so interesting in that fire?” His mother’s voice was warm and teasing. “Got something on your mind?” There was no fooling his mother.
“Just thinking.” He smiled up at her as she leaned down, one arm circling his shoulders, just like the night he found out about the real Jennifer.
“You’re thinking awfully hard.”
“You don’t give up, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you. If I acquiesced every time you said you didn’t want to talk, I’d never know what was going on with you. It’s like pulling teeth to get anything out of you.” She rumpled his hair. He chuckled, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“You’re probably right.”
“No probably about it. I’m your mother. I’m always right.”
“Okay, okay. I give up.” He held his hands up in surrender. “What do you want to know?”
“What’s bothering you.” It was a statement not a question. He thought about it a while.
“I was just thinking how hard it is to find a good woman these days.”
“There are still a few out there. Don’t give up.” She patted him on the shoulder. “God will let you know when it’s the right one. He’ll bring her to you when it’s time.”
