Natasha's Hope

by Heather Greenis

  The following day, Elaine appeared from nowhere when he arrived at the school and remained by his side when he wasn’t in class. Alex’s chums whispered and smiled, envious of his position.

  Christine crossed his mind a few times, but he was so smitten and flattered to be in Elaine’s company, he avoided talking to Christine. Procrastinating, not wanting to hurt Christine, he wanted to put off the inevitable.

  Alex retired for the evening, sat at his desk to work on his homework. His door abruptly swung open.

  “Alex,” Rose lectured. “Christine saw you with Elaine. Did you know that? How could you, Alex? She’s heartbroken. I’m so disappointed I’m without words. How could you take up with that … that odious creature?”

  Alex leaped to his feet. A tiny part of him felt horrible that Christine found out in such a manner, but he didn’t appreciate his sister meddling in his personal life.

  “Get out, Rose,” he roared. “This is none of your affair.”

  Rose gaped at him, and with one last glare, spun on her heel and departed, slamming his door in her wake.

  Alex flopped on his bed and stared at the ceiling. “Given time, Rose and Elaine will talk and become the best of friends. Both Rose and Elaine have outspoken personalities. Elaine admitted it was a mistake pursuing Isaac. She is no longer interested in my chum.” Christine’s face filled his mind. “I owe her an apology.”

  Dreading the impending conversation, he didn’t sleep well. The majority of the night was spent staring at the ceiling. “Can this be avoided? No, it cannot.”

  Sitting in the classroom, Alex watched the door for Christine to arrive. She entered, but found a seat at the opposite side of the room, as far away from him as possible. Thwarted in his attempt to speak with her, the lecture began. Heads turned in his direction and then Christine’s. The hiss of whispers flayed his nerves. His classmates had to be talking about him. Were they chastising him for being so cruel? It seemed like everyone in the lecture hall was looking at him, everyone except Christine. He had to apologize to ease his guilty conscience. Christine darted out of the room the moment the lecture ended, refusing to glance toward him. Determined, Alex waited for her outside the door to her next class. To his dismay, Christine avoided him and brushed past without acknowledging his presence.

  * * *

  “You stupid ass. Did you actually think she would forgive you?” Keeghan barked to the man on the screen. “Poor Christine. Her heart is breaking. She fell for you, and I’m not getting the warm fuzzies for Elaine.”

  “Aren’t you feeling sorry for Alex,” Will questioned.

  “A bit, but only because he’s shy and thinks people are centering him out. That would be humiliating, but my heart is breaking for Christine. I liked her. I hope they can work this out and get back together.”

  Alexander pointed toward the screen.

  * * *

  Running after Christine, Alex reached out and gripped her shoulder. Her eyes began to swell with tears. His heart twisted. She wiped her eyes in anger and turned her back to him.

  “Please, go away,” she pleaded. “I can’t stand to look at you.”

  “I am so very sorry,” Alex whispered.

  Christine spun around and looked into his eyes. “She’s beautiful, but she does not deserve a man like you. How could you be taken in by the likes of her?” She stopped and swiped at the tears again. “Perhaps, you’ll make a perfect couple.” Her voice was cold. “I believed you to be a kind, sensitive, caring man, but it is apparent I was mistaken. You are a cruel, heartless, insensitive person.”

  The comment cut into his soul. He was a Venderkemp and the name was respected. He would never intentionally tarnish the name. But somehow it seemed he had done just that.

  “It was not my intent to hurt you,” he responded softly.

  “Your words are meaningless.” She glared at him. “If I may speak plainly, you will not find happiness with Elaine McClaire. What will you do when she decides to move on with someone who has more to offer her?” She took a deep breath, fighting her tears. Her knuckles were white as she gripped her books. “I will miss the company of your family. I’m not sure I even know who you are anymore, if ever I did in the first place.”

  Christine stalked into the lecture hall without allowing Alex the opportunity to reply. Her words echoed repeatedly in his mind. His remaining classes were a blur. He ate his lunch in solitude and rushed home when he finished his last class, avoiding Elaine and his chums.

  * * *

  Sitting up in bed chatting, Hope and Adam heard the knock on their door.

  “Momma. Poppa. May I come in?” Alex asked.

  “Of course,” Adam responded.

  Alex entered their room and sat on the edge of their bed.

  “Christine and I have ended our relationship.”

  Rose had informed Hope earlier in the day that Alex and Christine had parted, but it was disappointing to hear Alex confirm that. Having felt Christine was the perfect complement to Alex, both Hope and Adam had expected to be informed of an engagement.

  “I didn’t fall in love with Christine,” Alex admitted. “I couldn’t picture myself spending the remainder of my life with her, but I never meant to hurt her.”

  It broke Hope’s heart to hear Alex relay his last conversation with Christine. Her mind drifted to the conversation years earlier when Poppa informed her he and Jane had parted company. Shortly afterwards Izabella entered his life. She had to trust her son’s heart. A smile brightened Alex’s face as he spoke of his new friend.

  Shortly after he left their room, Hope wandered down the hallway, stopping at her father’s door. Looking into the room, he and Izabella were on the sofa, reading.

  “Did Alex visit with you this evening?”

  “He looked in just long enough to say goodnight.”

  Alex didn’t tell Poppa. Strange, they have such a close relationship. Biting her bottom lip, Hope nodded and returned to her room, crawled into bed, and snuggled with Adam. They had a long talk about their son.

  * * *

  Saturday evening, Alex’s heart thundered in his chest as he dressed in his best attire. It didn’t settle as he rode to the McClaire home. The iron gates of the estate were open, welcoming his arrival. Alex rode up the curving drive to the large three-storey stone home nestled on its forty acres. Handing his horse to the waiting stable boy, he took a deep breath and walked toward the double door entrance. He pushed the button to ring the bell and a gentleman in a black suit and white shirt answered the door. Elaine appeared rushing down the rounded steps. The yellow light from the gas lamps shimmered on her dark green gown.

  “I’m looking forward to the evening,” she announced, pushing the loose hair from her face.

  After kissing his cheek, she led him inside. The McClaire family home was elegantly decorated with extravagant Victorian furniture, imported area rugs, and beautiful candelabras and chandeliers. Life-sized portraits graced the entrance hall. Elaine pointed out her father, mother, and grandparents, each in their youth. Her home was every bit as elegant as the castle, but he felt more at ease in his uncles’ home. Glancing up the marble staircase, Alex did not see any members of the McClaire family. Postponing the inevitable meeting with her parents is not helping my nerves. Elaine took his hand and led him to the right. Three large sofas dominated the parlour, with end tables and a stone fireplace. A beautiful grand piano sat in the corner of the room. On the walls were several large paintings. Alex knew from his studies he was looking at works by Monet and DaVinci.

  Taking a seat on the sofa beside Elaine, her voice filled the silence as she chatted about her day. Within a few minutes, a couple entered. Mr. McClaire was a short, stocky man with grey, thinning hair and spectacles. Twitching the pant legs of his dark suit, he sat in the chair across from his daughter. Mrs. McClaire settled beside her husband, arranging the skirts of her long, gold gown about her. The warm shade complemented her silvery hair. They introduced themselves and engaged him in
conversation, asking about his family and his studies.

  The conversation was a blur in his mind, but when asked, Alex spoke briefly of the orphanage. His nerves prevented him from conveying his enthusiasm and pride for the business, but at least he did not sound like a fool. He kept his answers brief and well-mannered.

  The meal was announced and the four entered the dining area. The large mahogany table was prepared with four place settings of fine china, silver cutlery, and crystal glasses. A gold candelabra holding five off-white candles sat in the middle of the table with a small floral arrangement on either side. Alex took his seat across from Elaine and saw his own reflection in the large mirror that hung on the wall beneath the long mahogany china cabinet.

  He struggled to eat in the stiff formal setting. He secretly wished Elaine had siblings to help carry the conversation. Rose would add life and enthusiasm to the room. Mrs. McClaire began extolling the praises of her daughter and then her husband’s accomplishments. The two women dominated the conversation, but it helped to settle Alex’s nerves. He was able to finish the food on his plate.

  “Would you care for a brandy?” Mr. McClaire asked.

  “No thank-you,” Alex replied, yet to acquire a taste for the drink.

  Bong. Bong. Bong. Listening, Alex counted as the grandfather clock chimed ten o’clock.

  “I should depart for the evening.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Elaine informed him.

  Just the two of us. Fresh air. I’ll be able to breathe. Alex masked his smile.

  In the shadows at the bottom of the entrance’s long stone steps, Elaine stretched up and brought her lips to his. Tingles raced up his spine. Alex smiled all the way home.

  * * *

  Breakfast was nearly completed when Alex placed his cutlery on his plate and reached for his coffee.

  “Momma, I’d like to invite Elaine to dine with us.”

  Ecstatic, Hope’s wide smile showed her enthusiasm. This woman had obviously captured her son’s heart. “Of course. We’d be delighted to meet her.”

  “Excuse me.” Rose pushed her chair back and walked out of the dining room.

  Five minutes later, Hope walked into Rose’s bedroom.

  “Isaac is welcome to join us for the meal.”

  “We’ve made other plans,” Rose informed her as she prepared for church.

  “Rose,” her voice held a warning note.

  “Momma. I have accepted an invitation to dine with Isaac’s family. It would be rude to cancel.”

  “You will join the family on the next occasion.”

  “I will not. I don’t like her. Elaine is—”

  “Rose,” Hope warned. “You will keep your negative opinions to yourself. The family is capable of forming our own opinions.”

  Rose stomped out of her bedroom leaving Hope to stare at the ceiling with a heavy sigh.

  * * *

  Stewart, Izabella, Hope, and Adam sat in the parlour, waiting for Alex to arrive with Elaine. The door swung open to admit a beautiful woman. Her cream gown and matching bonnet accentuated her skin tone and beautiful eyes. Alex stepped into the room behind her.

  “Elaine, allow me to introduce Momma, Poppa, Papa Stewart and Izabella,” he announced, pointing to each.

  Hope’s first impressions were positive. Elaine seemed well-mannered, respectful, and delightful. The mutual affection between Alex and Elaine was apparent as they looked at each other. The conversation during the meal flowed easily with Elaine speaking of her family and upbringing.

  “Would you like a tour of the orphanage?” Alex asked when dinner was over.

  “I’d prefer to spend time with you.” She smiled up at him and rested her hand on his chest. “Let’s go outside.”

  The rest of the family remained at the table and waited for the door to close.

  “I admit, I miss Christine, but Elaine is pleasant,” Hope remarked.

  “Indeed she is,” her father responded. “And very attractive. Alex’s eyes glow when he looks at her. We must invite her back next weekend.”

  * * *

  “Are you certain you don’t want a tour of the orphanage?” Alex questioned once they were outdoors.

  “We don’t spend enough time together, Alex. I want you all to myself. The meal was delicious and your home is beautiful.” Elaine put her arms around his neck. “I want to meet your sister and the extended family you speak so highly of. I just know your sister and I will become the best of chums. We will have a perfect life together, Alex.”

  * * *

  On Monday afternoon, Hope walked into her daughter’s room when Rose returned from school. “We have invited Elaine to join us for dinner on Saturday.”

  Rose crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I will not be joining you. I refuse to sit in the same room as that woman.”

  “Lower your voice,” Hope commanded. “You will be joining us.”

  Rose scowled, dropping her arms. “May I invite Isaac?”

  Hope inhaled deeply. “Of course. We welcome him at our table.”

  Hope left her daughter’s room and went to her own bedroom. Walking to the window, she stared into oblivion. “Raising children wasn’t to be this difficult.”

  * * *

  On Saturday afternoon, Elaine burst into the dining room with Alex behind her. The rich aroma from the kitchen made his mouth water. Hope set the cutlery beside the last plate and looked up.

  “I brought a table arrangement, Hope.” Elaine handed the flowers to her.

  “Thank you, but that wasn’t necessary. Dinner will be ready in just a moment.”

  Elaine sat on the chair and patted the next chair, encouraging Alex to join her.

  “A fresh floral scent always complements a—”

  The door swung open and Rose, Isaac and Papa entered the room from the private parlour. Rose and Isaac’s giggling came to an abrupt stop. The smile vanished from Papa’s face. An unexpected quiet descended on the room.

  Alex wished with his entire being to enter Rose’s mind. To talk to her. Rose, I want you to be friends. If Rose sensed his plea, she ignored it. The tension in the room intensified. Rose avoided eye contact with both him and his guest. Izabella and Poppa entered, both carrying bowls of food.

  “Thank you for your help, Izabella, Adam,” Hope said. She sat at her normal place, beside Poppa.

  Rose took her usual seat between Adam and Izabella and immediately shifted her body away from Elaine. It was rude in the extreme. Izabella attempted to include Alex and Elaine in the conversation, but Rose refused to acknowledge him or Elaine.

  Alex shifted his attention to Isaac. His poor chum sat in uncomfortable silence, his gaze shifting between Rose and his plate. On more than one occasion, Alex attempted to begin a conversation, but Rose turned and began whispering to Isaac. When asked a direct question, Rose glared at him and gave a blunt answer. Infuriated, Alex was tempted to blast his sister, but he couldn’t bring himself to cause a scene with both Elaine and Isaac present. Instead he remained silent, hoping, praying the evening would end well. Lectures never took place in the company of guests, but he expected his sister would be chastised in private later.

  On one level, he understood his sister’s attitude given the exchange between the two women on the university steps. He had discussed the incident with Elaine. She regretted insulting Rose and realized it had been a mistake to pursue Isaac. Rose. Allow Elaine the opportunity to apologize. At least be sociable. I’m falling in love with this woman.

  The entire evening was dreadful, the worst he could remember. Rose only spoke to family members or Isaac. She ignored Elaine to the point of being very rude. His normally chatty girl friend remained quiet. At a loss, Alex was unsure of how to handle the situation. Neither Momma nor Poppa were pleased by the tension at the table, their eyes shifting around the room. Even Izabella remained silent. The moment Rose finished her meal, she excused herself, and she and Isaac left the room. They heard the door to the outside close. Alex led Ela
ine to the parlour and sat on the sofa.

  “I’m so sorry,” Alex began. “That was—”

  “My first impression of your sister was accurate. She is rude and childish.”

  Unable to defend Rose’s behaviour, Alex sat quietly, listening to Elaine rant about his baby sister.

  That night, lying in bed, Alex stared at the ceiling. His mind drifted to his youth. Alex had cherished his time at home, having a comfort level with the children and his family, particularly his sister. Since meeting Elaine, he cherished his time at school. He enjoyed being with Elaine and loved the physical side of their relationship. His heart pounded at the very thought of receiving more than a kiss goodnight.

  His chums were envious of his position. All the men at the university knew Alex Venderkemp was courting Elaine. He was the luckiest man in the world.

  “Rose will have to adjust. To become civil in Elaine’s company. I want to spend the remainder of my life with Elaine. Once I graduate I will begin my official duties at the orphanage, just like Poppa did. He and Momma relieved Nana and Papa Venderkemp. Somehow, I must find a way to bring Rose and Elaine closer.”

  He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, desperate for some sleep.

  * * *

  By Elaine’s third visit to the orphanage, both Hope and Izabella saw a different side to Alex’s friend. She asserted herself in conversations that did not pertain to her. Even more upsetting, Elaine was very demanding in Alex’s company. Her voice became loud and domineering when Alex’s attention wasn’t focused on her. Alex jumped at the very sound of her voice. Hope called Adam, Poppa and Izabella into her bedroom and closed the door.