by Anne Stone
“I skied over.”
“Oh, really? You skied all the way over here? That’s something you don’t see in St. Louis.”
“I know, but I always did it while living in Wisconsin.”
“Let me get your coat. Are you cold?” she asked as she grabbed his coat and hung it up in the closet.
“No. I’m fine. I actually worked up a sweat skiing over here. What about you?”
He knew she was freezing. She had on two pairs of socks, a turtle neck, a sweatshirt, and was preparing to put her winter coat on.
“I’m a little cold,” she said.
“A little? Look at all the clothes you have on. I’ll light the fireplace.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of starting a fire a long time ago.” She sat on the couch and covered herself with a blanket while Alejandro started the fire. He joined her when the fire was blazing. Before she knew it, she was starting to get warm.
They sat in silence watching the fire catch and die down before he asked her if she was alright. He’d passed on Gabriella’s concern about not joining her family downtown. “How come?”
“Huh?” she said.
“How come you didn’t want to join your family?”
“I wasn’t in the mood.”
“Because of our discussion last night?”
“Yes… No… I don’t know.”
“Angelina, let me in. I want to help you. I didn’t want to upset you. I only want to be the ears that you need to work through this.”
She burrowed further under the covers. She was freezing. Alejandro moved towards her and pulled her into his arms. “You’ll be warmer.” She nuzzled into his side and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thanks.”
They sat huddled on the couch, lost in their own thoughts. Out of nowhere she said, “Alejandro, what’s happening here?”
“What do you mean?”
“It seems like we’re together all the time. You want to help me. I know you do. It’s just that I don’t know… I want to… I just can’t.”
“Can’t what?”
“I’m so confused,” she said as she started playing with the zipper pull on his jacket. Wrinkling her nose she added, “Alejandro, I feel like we’re dating. We share so much with each other. Lately, we’re together all of the time. I just—”
Alejandro placed his hand on her jaw and turned her head towards him, stopping her mid-sentence so she’d look him straight in the eyes. “How would you feel about that?”
“What?’
“Dating.”
“You want to date me?”
“Well, yes, actually I do. You’re so special, Angelina.” Stopping, he swallowed loudly, briefly closing his eyes and continued, “I’m going to be upfront with you. If we were to date, you have to understand that it will go nowhere. It will just be for us to have someone to hang out with. I’ll never get involved in a full-fledged relationship. You have to understand that.”
“Why not?”
“Just because. That’s why. I have my reasons,” he said seriously.
Shaking her head, she said, “You want me to share my issues with you. Why can’t you share yours with me?”
“I just can’t right now.” Stopping momentarily, he took a deep breath, expelled it and said, “Maybe someday I’ll tell you, but right now it’s still too fresh for me, and I just can’t.”
“How about just being good friends. Right now that’s all I need.”
“Good idea.”
They sat wrapped in one another’s arms as they tried to stay warm. As midnight approached, he said, “Angelina, if you found the right man, do you think you’d get married and have that family?”
“I’ve thought a lot about what you said last night. If I could find someone as understanding as you, I’d say yes. But in all honesty, I don’t think I’ll ever find him.”
He twirled her hair in his fingers. “You’re sure about that?” His eyes twinkled. Sitting there, she’d made him think about having his own family again. He had a lot to deal with, but maybe… Maybe he could make her dreams come true. He wasn’t sure where those thoughts came from since two hours ago he was adamant about not having a family of his own. But first he knew he had to deal with his own issues. Only time would tell. “Do you have any champagne? We can have our own celebration.”
“My parents refrigerated a bottle earlier today. Can you open it?’ Unfolding from the warmth and comfort of his arms, she led him towards the kitchen and retrieved the chilled bottle.
Alejandro opened it with ease while she got the champagne flutes. “Let’s toast. To the New Year. Let it be filled with good health, happiness, and love.”
She nodded and took a sip from her glass. “Yes, I agree. To good health, happiness, love, and most of all honesty.” She looked him directly in the eyes and said, “If we’re planning on ‘hanging out together’ as you call it, we have to be honest with one another. Agreed?”
He looked away for a moment and then looked back, shaking his head, “Agreed, but it will take time… Time for me to be able to share what happened in my past. Please be patient with me and I’ll eventually tell you.” He took a gulp from his glass.
“That’s all I can ask for.” Smiling at him, she took another drink from her glass. Then they heard a myriad of booms in the distance. Her neighbors were shooting off fireworks early on this cold, wintery night. She assumed they were ushering out the end of this hellish year with the hopes of a promising start to the New Year.
Alejandro checked his watch just as it was approaching twelve. He started a count down, “Five… Four… Three… Two… One… Happy New Year!” He reached for Angelina, pulled her into his arms, and planted a kiss on her lips. Both were surprised by his actions. She was taken aback but returned his kiss.
Hand in hand they headed for the couch where he wrapped themselves in the blanket. Holding her in his arms, he said, “This feels right, doesn’t it?”
She agreed as she snuggled closer, “Yes, for some reason, it does.” Never in her wildest dreams did she anticipate the start to the New Year would play out as it just did. Kissing Alejandro was definitely the start to the New Year that she needed.
They sat watching the fire die down in the fireplace. “Penny for your thoughts,” he said.
“I was just thinking,” she said as she snuggled closer.
“About what?”
“I don’t know… I guess that I am lucky to have you in my life. I’m fortunate to have Gabriella as my friend. If it weren’t for her, we’d never have met.”
“Let’s not get nostalgic here.”
“It’s true. Alejandro, I don’t know where our friendship will lead, but I want you to know that you’re important to me, and that I never want to hurt you.”
“And I hope I’ll never hurt you. We’ve got to take this one day at a time, but I believe that no matter what happens, we’ll always be friends.”
They continued watching the fire. Before she knew it, Alejandro was asleep. She looked up at his face. It was the first time that she’d truly seen him relaxed. What happened to you, she wondered. I’m not going to dream too big. You’re a wonderful man, but I’m not going to let myself get hurt. I’ll be objective and take this one day at a time. Friends, that’s what we’ll be. Friends. She snuggled deeper in his arms and drifted off to sleep.
She heard a noise and woke up. She was still wrapped in Alejandro’s arms.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just heard a loud noise. That’s all.”
“It’s the snow plow trying to make it down the street. It stopped snowing, but it started again.”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I was, but I woke up a while ago. Come on, let’s get some sleep. I think it’ll be quite some time before it stops snowing. Look at it outside.”
She glanced out the window and it was snowing with an intensity that looked like it had no plans on ending anytime soon.
He tightened his embrace
as she laid her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for being here with me. You’ve made this evening unforgettable.”
“Go to sleep.”
“You, too.”
Alejandro’s phone interrupted their slumber. Sleepily, he answered. It was his mother and she was concerned about him. She’d tried calling his house numerous times and couldn’t reach him, finally deciding to try his cell in hope that he’d answer. He told her he was with Angelina. He explained that Gabriella had told him about her being alone in the storm.
“That’s gallant of you. The roads are impassable. I don’t think Angelina’s family will make it home today. I’m sure they’ll check in with her, but you need to stay with her and make sure she’s okay.”
“Mom, she’s fine. She’s resourceful. But to put you at ease, I’ll stay until the electricity comes back on.” They talked a few more minutes and then he hung up.
“It was my mom telling me how bad the roads are… I’ll stay until the electricity comes back on.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”
“I want to.”
She thanked him, and asked if he was hungry. It was almost eight in the morning. He nodded that he was.
“We have some leftover sweet rolls from yesterday. I think we might have some bagels and cream cheese, too. I’m sure the cream cheese is fine, being that it’s freezing in here. I’m sorry, but coffee is definitely not on the menu.”
“It’s not,” he chuckled as they made their way to the kitchen.
They ate breakfast and returned to the living room where he stoked the fire, bringing it back to life. It was her turn for her phone to ring. It was her mother. “Honey, I’m so worried about you being alone. Are you staying warm?”
“I’m fine, Mom. I’m not alone. Alejandro came over last night to check on me. Gabriella told him that I was staying in and would be alone. He was concerned about me since the electricity is out all across the county.”
“Wonderful,” she exclaimed. Jackie was beside herself. She knew her daughter’s New Year was starting off on the right foot.
“Mother,” scolded Angelina.
“Oh, Angelina, can’t I dream?” Angelina sat there shaking her head in disbelief. She couldn’t get over her mother. In her own way, she always seemed to be interfering in her children’s lives, even if she really did nothing but express her thoughts.
She told Alejandro that her family didn’t expect to return home until the following day. The roads were treacherous, and the authorities were telling everyone to stay off of them except for emergencies.
“Well then. What are we going to do?” she asked.
“What do you want to do?”
“Let’s talk some more. Get to know one another better… Tell me why you chose to become a transplant surgeon.”
He stood up from the couch and started pacing the living room. He walked to the fireplace and placed his hands on the mantle. Bowing his head, he took a deep breath and turned towards her. “My best friend in high school became ill. They weren’t sure what was wrong with him. After running a multitude of tests, they discovered he was in kidney failure. He was immediately placed on the transplant list, but didn’t live long enough for a donor to be found. I knew then that I wanted to be a surgeon. In his memory, I decided to be a transplant surgeon. I wanted to make a difference. I’m sorry that Jacob didn’t live to have a transplant, but hopefully through the awareness programs that I have developed, I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”
Angelina walked over to him, placing her hand across his heart and said, “You’ve made a difference. A huge difference. Look what you did for my family. I’ll always be grateful for all you did for Colleen. You’re a special person, and I’m lucky to have you in my life.” She gave him a hug and kissed his cheek.
She stepped aside and reached for his hand. Grasping it, she pulled him back towards the couch. “I’m getting a little chilly. Let’s cuddle.”
Alejandro smiled and followed her to the couch where they huddled under the blanket. They rehashed the holidays, discussing her mother’s get together and his parents’ open house. By noon, the electricity had been restored. Alejandro ensured that she had everything she needed, then indicated he needed to go home. She thanked him just as their lawn service appeared to clear the driveway and sidewalk of the massive amounts of snow. He donned his skis and she gave him a goodbye hug. “Be careful going home,” she said as he started down the sidewalk. Waving his hand goodbye, she saw him turn the corner towards his home.
What an eventful start to the New Year, she thought to herself. I think this year shows promise, and I’ll go along with anything that he agrees to. Maybe half-dreams can come true. She closed the door behind her and headed to the kitchen.
Chapter Eleven
Angelina spent the remainder of her break taking it easy. Her parents returned home the next day after spending another night away from home due to the storm. She helped her mother take down the holiday decorations. She forgot what a chore it was taking down and putting away the multitude of decorations that seemed to multiply on an annual basis. She couldn’t believe that the holidays were over. She and Alejandro had spent an enormous amount of time together during the holidays. She wasn’t sure where they were headed but she enjoyed dreaming about the possibilities. She hadn’t seen him since New Year’s. He was on service at the hospital and wouldn’t be available. Depending on how many patients he was treating, he generally spent most of his time at the hospital, often sleeping on the couch in his office.
She spoke with Gabriella. Neither mentioned the time she’d spent with Alejandro during the holidays. She knew that his mother knew that he’d spent time with her during New Year’s, but she wondered if he’d shared the news with Gabriella. Eventually, they’d all have to know about their “dating.”
*****
The evening before she was scheduled to return to school, she was in her bedroom preparing for the next day. She wanted to get to school early, as the new year held such promise. She was just finishing getting her bag together when her phone rang. Forgetting to check the caller ID, she answered, “Hello?”
“Hello, there. What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for bed.”
“Ahh,” the caller said. “Then I guess I’ll let you go.”
“Don’t you dare,” she replied. “I haven’t talked to you in days.”
“Sorry about that. I had a couple of really rough ones. I didn’t know whether I was coming or going.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you were able to get some rest.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I’m worried about you. Are you ready to return to school?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well?”
“Stop it. I’m fine. I got ample rest during my break. I think I learned my lesson…”
“I guess I’m just being overprotective. I know you’re okay.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now, what about you? Are you off service yet?”
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling. Want to go out tomorrow night? Celebrate the New Year and your first day back at school.”
“Sure. Alejandro?”
“Yeah.”
“I haven’t told anyone about us.”
“Us?”
“Well. You know what I mean. I haven’t even told Gabriella.”
“Thank you. Angelina, I have to do this my own way.”
“I understand. We’ll take it slowly and see what happens.”
“Don’t expect too much out of me—I don’t really have much to give. We’re just friends, right?”
“Whatever you say.”
They continued to chat, and Alejandro could tell she was getting tired. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Do you mind if we meet somewhere?”
“No. I think that’s a good idea. I don’t want my mother hounding me with speculation.” They agreed on a restaurant and ended their conversation.
Angelina had a horrible start to her first day. She’d awakened with a pounding headache. She dressed and went down for breakfast—she had to be ready for school, regardless of any headache.
Her mother could tell she wasn’t feeling well. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’ve just got a killer of a headache.” She was running behind, so she quickly grabbed her breakfast and hurried out the door. Just as she was ready to close the door, she told her mother she wouldn’t be home for dinner as she had a meeting.
“What about your headache?”
“I’ll deal with it. See you tonight.”
Her mother wished her a good day, but wondered what she was up to.
Angelina’s class was out of control. They were forced to have indoor recess due to the abundance of snow and wind chill temperatures. Her head continued to throb and the noise levels were making it worse by the minute. Somehow she got through her day and had never been happier when the bell rang.
Gabriella came by on her way out. She could tell Angelina still wasn’t feeling well. “You still have that headache?”
“What do you think? I couldn’t wait for this day to end.”
“It’s always hard getting back after a long break… Come on, let’s pack you up and go home.”
“I have somewhere to go tonight.”
“Call if off.”
“No. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay… See you tomorrow. I hope you feel better.”
“Thanks.”
Angelina organized her classroom and graded a few papers from the day. She wished that her headache would go away. Nothing seemed to help. She was just going to have to grin and bear it. She hadn’t seen Alejandro in a week and was looking forward to their dinner. She didn’t want to miss their evening. She missed him.
Alejandro was waiting for Angelina in the bar area of the restaurant. He saw her park her car, then noticed her hand pressed to her forehead. She was holding her eyes. She sat in her car for a good minute before opening the door. He watched her walk towards the restaurant. He didn’t want to overwhelm her with his concern, so he decided not to say anything.
