Drive and Determination

by Louise, Kara

  She walked through the living room and down the hall toward the single bedroom. When she stepped in, she felt a tightening around her heart as she looked in, but it was brief and she was soon able to smile as she looked around her. On the wall, photographs and pictures were hung in the most haphazard way.

  Will remained in the living room and began to sit down in one of the chairs when he heard Elyssa cry out, “Oh, Janet!”

  Will’s heart leapt and he jumped up from the chair. As he rushed back to the bedroom, he wondered what it was that triggered her outburst this time. He came to the door and braced both hands against the frame; a concerned look upon his face. He saw Elyssa staring intently at some pictures hung on the wall.

  “What happened?” he asked as he looked to her and then followed her eyes to the grouping of pictures on the wall. “What are they? What do they mean?”

  Elyssa turned and without understanding, asked, “Excuse me?”

  “You cried out. You said, ‘Oh, Janet.’“

  Elyssa shook her head. “Janet knows better than to hang her pictures like that! You never hang four pictures on the wall in such a random way. Your eye doesn’t know which one to look at.”

  Will looked at Elyssa with more than a little incredulity. He had expected to find her in another sea of tears, but instead, she was critiquing her sister’s decorating style.

  Elyssa continued, “Janet never had an eye for placement, but she ought to have known you never place pictures on the wall that way. You must have a semblance of balance and a focal point.”

  Will’s eyes widened as his face transformed from panic to disbelief. “You cried out like that because she had hung her pictures wrong?”

  Elyssa walked over to the wall and removed a couple of pictures from their nails. “Sure. Can’t you see? This one should have gone here, with these two on either side. And this one,” she held it up to the wall because there was no nail upon which to hang it, “would be perfect here.”

  Will rocked back and forth on his heels as he looked at her with a gleam in his eye. “So that’s what that was about at the pre-school.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You walked over to the table and began rearranging things. You didn’t like the way they were placed.”

  A sheepish look made Elyssa’s face look annoyingly irresistible to Will. “Guilty. Sometimes I do it without realizing it.”

  Bringing the one picture down, she held it in both hands and stared at it. “That’s the curse of being a designer. Always critiquing and figuring out how you could do it better.” She turned and noticed him eyeing her curiously. His gaze was deep and intense, and she quickly turned her attention back to study the work of art in her hands.

  “I think I’ll take this one back with me,” she said thoughtfully.

  A small smile threatened to burst forth from Will. He felt as though they had made a major breakthrough. Elyssa had finally been able to think and talk about Janet in a lighthearted manner instead of dissolving into tears. But he didn’t dare bring it to her attention.

  There was silence in the room for a moment and then Will said, “Everything has been cleaned in the house, all the linens and such, so there should be no problem for you to sleep in here.”

  She turned quickly, her eyes darkening. “No! No, I could never bring myself to sleep in their bed.”

  “Elyssa, don’t be unreasonable.” He wondered whether they had just taken a step backwards.

  “Perhaps I’m being unreasonable -- irrational, even -- but I can’t do that. I won’t do that. I’ll sleep on the sofa in the living room. If you want to stay here instead of the pension, you can sleep in here.”

  She turned to walk out when Will answered back, “Well, I’m not sleeping in their bed if you’re not!”

  Elyssa stopped suddenly, her eyes widened, and she turned sharply around. “What did you say?”

  An uncharacteristic, but disarming blush spread across his face. “I didn’t quite mean that the way it sounded, Elyssa.” Normally, he carefully thought through every word that came out of his mouth. Why he didn’t catch it this time, he was not quite sure.

  Elyssa could not hold the smirk back any longer. “I certainly hope you didn’t.”

  Inwardly, Will cherished the light banter that had replaced the cold demeanor and biting words that had at first characterized their relationship. He could sense that Elyssa’s feelings had begun to change from bitterness to acceptance. He could only hope that would be enough to erase her resentment towards him and that her acceptance would evolve into something deeper.

  After they both freshened up, Elyssa looked at her watch. “Well, if we want to spend any time up at the market square, we better leave now.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll leave my things here and check in at the pension when we get back this afternoon.”

  They each grabbed a bottle of water and placed it in a small backpack Will brought along. They walked out, easily finding their way back to the corner where Manuel had told them to catch the transportation up the hill. A few other people had begun to collect and again they were watched with curious eyes.

  A short while later, both Elyssa and Will noticed the people begin to gather their things and press towards one another as if their transportation had arrived. But in looking down the street, all either of them could see was a rickety looking cattle truck. When it stopped in front of them and people began piling into the back, neither could hide their astonishment.

  “We’re not going up a mountain in that, Elyssa. I absolutely put my foot down!”

  Elyssa looked at the truck and then back at him. “You can put your foot down all you want, even stamp it a few times…” She straightened her shoulders and stared intently at his eyes. “But I am going!”

  Defiantly, she pulled out a few coins from her purse and strode up the ramp, handing her coins to a young man and taking her place on one side. She stood, placing a firm grip on the side rail. While not looking directly at him, she could see Will out of the corner of her eye as he raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

  The truck was fairly well packed with people, and the doors were about to be closed in the back. Will held up his hand to stop them and he jumped in. There were too many people between him and Elyssa to easily walk over to her. For that she was grateful, certain that she would have been the object of a very stern scolding.

  As the truck slowly began its ascent up the hill, the breeze played with Elyssa’s hair. She looked over the edge of the truck as the view began to stretch out below them. The abundance of greens covering the hillside and the blues of the water and sky were nothing short of beautiful. The volcanoes off in the distance stood majestically as if they were sentinels guarding the lake. A smile on her face drew all of Will’s attention, despite his misgivings about what they were doing.

  While he had reservations about the mode of transportation they were taking, he had no idea that this little excursion would involve about thirty sharp hairpin turns as the truck made its way up the mountain. He didn’t even want to think about what would happen if they encountered a vehicle coming the other way. Several times he wondered whether the vehicle would even make it up the hill! But in all these things, Elyssa seemed oblivious as she watched with glee the scenery pass.

  At one point, the truck did encounter another vehicle and had to back down the mountain a short way to allow the other vehicle to pass. Elyssa met Will’s eyes briefly with concerned ones of her own, but once the tremulous maneuver was successfully completed, she turned away.

  As Will’s mind reeled between the absurdity of them riding this cattle truck up a mountain and Elyssa’s evident enjoyment of it, he realized that this was the very reason he was so drawn to her. He would have never ridden this truck if she were not with him. If he had to, he would have sought someone out and paid them a nice sum to drive him up in a trustworthy vehicle.

  From that very first evening he saw her at Chad and Janet’s re
hearsal dinner, he had seen an endearing liveliness in her that was so unlike the other ladies in his circle of acquaintance. They concerned themselves with always looking their best in designer clothes, being seen in the right places and with the right people, driving the most popular car, and all those other traps that were of no value, at least to him.

  He chuckled to himself as he recalled how angry he had been at her for her outburst at his announcement of Chad’s promotion, while at that same moment he had found her even more appealing. At the wedding, as he stood by her side and escorted her back down the aisle behind Chad and Janet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she felt so right for him. He remembered chiding himself for his completely unreasonable infatuation and determined to have nothing to do with her.

  A slight jarring of the truck brought Will back to the present and he saw that they finally reached the top.

  As everyone eagerly stepped down from the truck, Will stepped over toward Elyssa and helped her down, shaking his head. “It’s not often that I risk my life going to the market!”

  “Personally, I found it invigorating!” Elyssa replied with an unrestrained smile. “Besides, driving the streets of Chicago can’t be any less dangerous!”

  “When I drive in Chicago,” he took her arm and guided her in the direction everyone was going. “I am the one in control of the vehicle.”

  Elyssa smiled as they followed the crowd of people to a rather large sized plaza. Here they saw vendors selling a variety of goods from garden fresh produce and baked foods to brightly colored yarns and threads, pieces of wood ready to be carved, and large sheets of leather that would be fashioned into belts, wallets, and assorted other goods. They walked around in silence, each taking in the unique atmosphere of this place. Up here there were no vendors selling souvenirs for tourists; everything was for the locals. Elyssa could clearly understand why Janet had been fond of coming up here.

  A stage was set up on one side and a band played lively music. Occasionally a vocalist appeared and sang. She didn’t understand one word but completely loved it.

  As they meandered through row after row of goods, Elyssa found herself drawn to the yarns and fabrics. She knew she needed restraint, as she would never be able to take home everything that she liked, but she did allow herself to make a few purchases.

  Something caught Elyssa’s eye and she wandered away from Will. When she looked back around, she could no longer see him. Shrugging her shoulders, as if convincing herself she didn’t really care, she began walking around alone. The fresh fruits and vegetables looked delicious and when she found herself staring at basketfuls of ripe, red strawberries, she couldn’t help herself. As Elyssa handed over the small number of quetzals the woman asked for, she was grateful she could at least remember her numbers in Spanish. She purchased a small bag and began to enjoy their succulent taste.

  She continued to wander through the plaza, occasionally looking around for Will. She walked over to a man who was selling hand carved wood. They were beautiful pieces and she began dreaming about what she could do with them.

  She was about to bite into another strawberry when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see that Will had caught up with her. Rather than greet her, he asked what she was doing.

  “Looking at the beautiful wood pieces,” she answered rather defensively. “Why?”

  “Not that!” he said firmly. “That!” he said as he pointed to the strawberries.

  Elyssa could not understand his concern and decided to be lighthearted. “Now you know, Will,” she took his hand in hers and closed his finger within her palm. “It’s not polite to point here.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “I stand corrected, Elyssa.” He rather enjoyed the feel of her small hand around his, but his concern for her welfare was greater. “What are you doing eating those strawberries?”

  Releasing his hand, she said, “I’m doing just that! Eating strawberries. Why?”

  He reached for the bag and took it from her. “Did you remember to wash these first in your bottled water before you ate them?”

  Elyssa’s eyes widened. “No, other people were eating them right out of the bag.”

  “Yes,” Will answered in a rather long, drawn out way. “That’s because they’re used to the food and water here. Your system isn’t.”

  Elyssa hated being treated like a young child by him but knew he was right. “I am sure I will be all right.”

  “Well, just in case,” and here he took her hand tightly in his. “We’re getting down the mountain. The last thing you need is to make all those hairpin turns with a queasy stomach.”

  They began walking toward the stop where the truck dropped them off, but arrived to see that it had just departed and was making a turn down the street.

  “Great,” he said. “We have no idea when the next one will come.”

  “I feel fine,” Elyssa reassured him. “We can wait.”

  “Now you feel fine. But it won’t last long.” He looked around him and then told her, “Wait here!”

  He quickly departed without allowing her any response. “Ohhh!” Elyssa cried out in disgust. “He makes me so mad when he issues all these orders!”

  She sat down on a bench and began to wonder whether she really would get sick. I hope not! she thought to herself. That’s the last thing I need with him around!

  She watched for Will to return and was startled when a small pickup truck stopped in front of her and Will opened the door and jumped out. “Here, Elyssa. Get in.”

  She stepped into the truck and slid across to the middle of the seat, nodding at the gentleman behind the wheel. As they took off, Will explained to Elyssa that he had asked around whether anyone knew of someone willing to drive them down the hill in a car, and this gentleman said he would. The older man nodded and smiled as Will talked to her, almost as if he understood what he was saying. Elyssa was quite sure, however, that he couldn’t.

  The ride down was much less adventuresome than the ride up and Elyssa was becoming more convinced that there had been no need for alarm.

  As Will carried on a friendly conversation with the driver, Elyssa looked through her treasure of things she had bought. Her favorite find was a brightly colored embroidered shawl that cost her almost nothing.

  Leaning her head back, she felt comforted by the voices, particularly Will’s. He had a very soothing voice, and as she really could not understand anything they were saying to one another, before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep.

  She awakened when the truck came to a stop at the bottom of the hill. Her eyes opened slowly and none too soon did she discover that her head had toppled against Will and his arm was wrapped snugly about her. She quickly righted herself and he withdrew his arm. He opened the door and stepped out, reaching for her hand, as if nothing had happened… almost as if it had been the most natural thing for her to fall asleep up against him.

  They walked the small dirt streets up toward what Elyssa thought would be considered the center of the village. Small markets, a variety of stores, and eating places lined the street. Will seemed to be looking for something as he gazed down the street.

  “Are we looking for something in particular?” Elyssa asked.

  Will nodded. “Manuel recommended a place to eat. Are you hungry?”

  Without any warning, Elyssa paled and wrapped her hands tightly around her stomach. “I don’t think so, Will. I think we better get back to the house. I’m not feeling very well.”

  Chapter 13

  Will took hold of Elyssa’s arm and began walking at a faster pace. “The house is still a few blocks away. Do you think you can make it?”

  Elyssa grabbed her stomach tightly as she nodded. Presently, it was merely cramping and the situation was nothing more than bothersome, but she already felt all the mortification that her unthinking actions would lead to. All she could foresee was locking herself in the bathroom as her body rebelled against some bacteria that it was not used to.

&nb
sp; Why, she thought, does he have to be here to witness this? She cast a sly glance up at him. And why does he always have to be right?

  Elyssa’s steps became slower while her sense of urgency increased. About a block from the house, she suddenly doubled over, the cramping in her stomach overtaking her. Will reached down immediately and picked her up. Her face, which was normally vibrant and rosy, was now pale and dull.

  It was awkward carrying her with the bags she had purchased up at the market, but it felt good to have her in his arms. It gave him a sense of gratification being there to help her. He liked the feeling, especially when she relaxed against him and turned her head and rested it upon his shoulder. His delight in holding her was tempered, however, knowing how poorly Elyssa must be feeling.

  They arrived at the home none too soon. He put her down to open the door and as soon as it was opened, Elyssa made a beeline for the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She turned on the water full blast, hoping it would cover up some of the sound. Then she sat on the floor next to the toilet and waited for the inevitable.

  Will went to the small pantry that Janet and Chad had just off the kitchen and he looked inside. Seeing a small box of crackers and a bottle of 7Up, he pulled them out. When she was ready for something to eat and needed something to drink, these would be best. He knew Pemberleo recommended that their employees in Guatemala keep them on hand for this very reason and was grateful to find them stored away.

  He settled down in a recliner in the living room and waited. He knew it would be a long day and might be a long night and he had no intention of leaving her here alone.

  *~*~*

  Will made several attempts throughout the afternoon to get Elyssa to open the door, offering her crackers, 7Up, or plain bottled water, but she refused all.

  “Go away!” she moaned when he knocked on the door. “You might as well check in at the pension now, because I’ll be in here a long time.”