Romance Through the Ages

by Amy Harmon

  Matt moved quickly. Before I was even to the door, he was standing in front of me. “Please let me explain.”

  “I don’t want an explanation.” I really did, but I didn’t want one now. I wanted one when I was in control and I wouldn’t cry in front of him. I tried to move past him but he put out his arm and held the doorframe. Now my choices were to either stand there or wrestle my way past him. I didn’t like either option but since I didn’t want him to touch me, wrestling was out of the question. “What Matt? What do you want? You want to explain? Explain. Tell me why you told me you had meetings over the weekend when it was really your Mom. Tell me why you and your mom would have dinner with Meg but not me. Tell me why, even though we’re dating exclusively, you don’t want to introduce me to your family.”

  There was silence for a moment and then we heard the front door of the bookstore quietly close.

  Meg! Meg had just left. She’d just heard every word I’d said. Hot red anger swirled together with my hurt feelings, creating a wildly combustible mix. I could imagine her smug expression. I wanted to call her every name I could think of. I wanted to slap Matt in the face for letting me go on like that while she was still here. Humiliation and rage and hurt were boiling up and threatening to explode.

  “I want out of here. Let me past right now.” Matt didn’t move. “RIGHT NOW!” I yelled.

  Matt slowly moved aside and let me walk past. The door hit the wall when I threw it open.

  “Can I call you in a little while?” Matt asked. “When you’ve cooled off?”

  “Call Meg,” I yelled over my shoulder.

  I cried all the way home. I left the sample board and portfolio in the car. The last thing I felt like doing was working on a project for Matt. I felt like Janessa as I banged around the kitchen noisily trying to find something to eat. Nothing sounded good. There was nothing I wanted to do so I did what I always did when I was spitting mad. I put on some sweats and my running shoes and went for a run. I didn’t care that it was dark. Janessa wasn’t home to give me motherly advice and at the moment, I’d have enjoyed beating the crap out of someone trying to hassle me.

  After twenty minutes my lungs were burning. I either needed to get angry more often or start running no matter my mood. I turned around and headed back home, even angrier that I felt so awful and out of shape.

  When I got home, I took a long, hot shower. Slowly the anger melted away leaving only the raw, savage hurt of what Matt had done. My tears flowed down the drain until I couldn’t cry anymore and I turned off the water.

  I rummaged through the cabinets again but nothing sounded good. The only thing left to do was go to bed.

  I’d been in bed with the light off for about twenty minutes when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number. It was probably Matt, thinking I’d ignore a call from his regular number. I answered the phone.

  “Hi Lizzie, this is Lola Keller.”

  “Oh. Hi, Mrs. Keller.”

  After a minute of small talk, Mrs. Keller continued. “Every year, Dave and I host a little get-together for the partners at his law firm and some of their best clients. It’s not a formal thing, more of an open house and mingling thing. Dave has a client whose wife is Emma Cho.”

  “From Emma Cho Interiors?” I asked.

  “That’s the one.” I suddenly felt even more humbled. They knew Emma Cho and had hired me to be their designer. “The Chos will be invited so I was thinking you should come. I’ll introduce you and she’ll be able to see the beautiful job you did here. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it can’t hurt.”

  “It sounds wonderful,” I said, “and I appreciate the thought, but…”

  “Please don’t turn me down. If you’re worried about your boyfriend, don’t be. Chad said you were dating someone and I should invite both of you.”

  I knew it would be awkward for Matt. He wouldn’t want to go. Of course, maybe since it was for Mr. Keller’s work, Chad wouldn’t be there. That would make it easier on both Chad and Matt.

  But wait. Why was I worrying about Matt’s feelings? He hadn’t worried about mine. And besides, this was for my career. This was a big opportunity. Emma Cho’s design company was one of the most sought after in all of Portland. Matt could deal with it. Or he could not go. At the moment I didn’t really care whether he came with me or not.

  “I’d love to,” I said.

  “Oh good. I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll put you down for two.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Keller.”

  The phone rang again a half hour later. This time it was Matt and this time I wanted to talk to him.

  “Hello.”

  “Elizabeth, don’t hang up. Please.”

  “I knew it was you, Matt. If I wanted to hang up, I’d have just ignored the call.”

  “You have every right to be upset, but please let me explain what happened.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Matt sighed and began. “My mom called a couple of weeks ago and said she was flying up for the weekend. She said I was so busy with opening the Seattle store she was tired of not hearing from me. She was only going to be here for a day and a half. It wasn’t like it was a long trip.”

  Matt paused but I didn’t speak. “Are you still there?” he asked.

  “I’m here. Just listening.”

  Matt sighed again and I was glad this was hard for him. “I haven’t told her about you,” he said quietly. I waited. “I’ve wanted to but every time I start to, I just… I don’t know. It just seems like the wrong time or something.”

  “Why?” When Matt didn’t say anything, I asked him again. “Why, Matt? Why is it so hard to tell your family you’re dating someone?”

  “Because of how they are. They’ve always had some pretty strong opinions about who I date.”

  “What kind of opinions?”

  “Man, I hate this,” Matt said.

  “Just tell me.”

  “There’s an expectation that I should date people who… people that… girls that come from the right families or have the right careers or connections.”

  I felt like I’d been slapped in the face. “And I guess I don’t fit the bill.”

  “I’m sorry, Elizabeth.”

  “They sound like charming people,” I said.

  “I know it sounds like they’re terrible, but that’s not true. They just worry about me. They want me to be happy.”

  “And we all know it’s impossible to be happy with a lowly bank teller who went to a state university instead of an Ivy League school.”

  “You have no idea how much I wish I’d have hired you to do the Seattle Salamander. Then I could have introduced you as our interior designer.”

  “And that would have made everything better?” I couldn’t believe this conversation. I was a nice, middle class girl and suddenly I was feeling like a peasant. Like scum.

  Like Elizabeth Bennet! I was so familiar with this story. Matt’s mother was Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I’d have to stand up to her someday, but Matt hadn’t even given me a chance.

  Matt’s voice was quiet. “I know how it sounds, but yes. It would have been easier to introduce you as an interior designer than as a bank teller.”

  I could hardly believe this kind of prejudice existed. I thought it was only in old England that these distinctions were made.

  “Why did you invite Meg?”

  “I didn’t. Mom did. I told you before, our families have known each other for years. Mom likes Meg.”

  “How nice for Meg,” I said.

  “She’ll like you too when she gets to know you.”

  “You have to introduce us for that to happen, Matt. And you’re afraid to. You’re too ashamed of me.”

  “Elizabeth, I love you. I’m not ashamed of you. I wish your circumstances were different, but I’ve shown you I can overlook that. I think you’re smart, and beautiful, and talented. Except for your drawing of the mural.” His attempt at a joke fell flat. I just didn’t feel like
laughing.

  “I know I hurt you and I can’t even begin to tell you how bad I feel about that. I will tell my family. And they will love you. I was a coward and I’m sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?

  I knew what I was going to ask him to do and I knew he wasn’t going to like it. “You can go with me to a party at the Kellers. They’re hosting a party for the partners at Mr. Keller’s firm and some of their best clients. Mrs. Keller invited me and said I could bring you. Chad said you should be invited.” I don’t know why I threw that last part in. I really wasn’t trying to make him jealous. I guess I wanted him to know Chad was a good guy.

  “Why would she invite you to a party for his office?”

  “Because one of his clients is married to Emma Cho and she’ll probably be there. Mrs. Keller wants to introduce us.” I almost stopped there but the hurt, sarcastic side of me would not be silenced. “Maybe, if I’m lucky, she’ll offer me a job on the spot and then I’ll be worthy to meet your mother.”

  Matt caught his breath. “I’m sorry Elizabeth.” The line was quiet for a moment. “Of course I’ll go with you.”

  Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.

  “Will you forgive me?”

  My body must have had time to replenish its supply of tears because they started flowing again. “I don’t know what to say, Matt. It isn’t that I don’t understand. I do.” I’d watched Pride and Prejudice enough times that I understood him perfectly. “But that really hurt.”

  “I know, Babe. I promise, I’ll make things right. I’ll get on the phone right now and call my mom if it will make you feel better.”

  “You don’t have to do it right now, but you know if we’re going to keep dating, you’re going to have to tell them about me. Even if I’m a bank teller.”

  “I know. And I will. I will because I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” It was the first time I’d said it. I was pretty sure I meant it but I wasn’t happy it had been uttered in such an unromantic situation.

  I couldn’t sleep for hours. My restless mind kept playing through scenes from Pride and Prejudice. I was surprised at the similarities between Mr. Darcy and Matt. I smiled at the irony even though I didn’t feel like smiling. For the first time, I realized that Matt had failed to live up to Mr. Darcy’s courage and character. I hoped that someday he’d be able to measure up.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Two busy weeks passed. I worked at the bank during the day and I worked at the bookstore most evenings. I’d primed and painted all the walls a creamy eggshell. A carpenter had built in all the bookshelves and now I was painting them. I’d also bought the low table and chairs in unfinished condition and I was painting them, as well, to ensure the colors matched. At the last minute, I decided to go crazy on the little set. I used all four colors on each piece but no two were the same. The table had four different colored legs and each of the chairs was a whimsical rainbow of colors. I loved how cheerful they looked.

  I saw Sam some days at lunch, but mostly I watched the mural come together a chunk at a time. One day there was a little girl’s body, the next she had a head. Day by day the mural grew and it was even more spectacular than I’d envisioned. Sam was a genius.

  Matt had been kind and attentive. I don’t think he’d mentioned me to his family yet, but I could tell he was trying to make up for it by being extra sweet. That was fine for now. I didn’t want to argue with him, but I was a little wary. At some point he’d have to let his family know about me. I didn’t want to be his embarrassing secret.

  The night of the party at the Kellers arrived. Nerves and concerns crisscrossed through my body. I worried about Matt. I hoped Chad wouldn’t be there and yet, I hoped I’d see him. I was excited to meet Emma Cho but was scared she’d see things about the Keller’s house that I’d done wrong. Janessa had suggested I dress simply with one “wow” statement. I wore a simple black A-line dress with elbow-length sleeves. It hit right at my knees. It felt very fifties. My shoes were flat ballet Mary Janes. My statement was a pair of black and white houndstooth tights. Janessa had snagged me a pair when they came into the boutique. They were fantastic and I loved them.

  Matt looked good in a pale blue button-down shirt and charcoal slacks. A buttoned vest and a silk tie finished the look. He could have been photographed for the cover of GQ he looked so stylish.

  The party turned out to be a bigger affair than I’d expected. I’d pictured a couple dozen people milling around the living room and dining room, but the house was teeming with people. February had been cold and wet, but the first week of March had been dry, if not warm. The French doors in the dining room and the door from beside the breakfast nook were opened out onto the spacious back deck. Yard lights twinkled and two radiant heaters warmed the deck. Tables of food were served in the dining room, the kitchen and the deck.

  Mrs. Keller hurried over to greet us. “I’m so glad you could come,” she said with a hug before she looked at Matt.

  “Thank you for inviting us, Lola. This is Matt Dawson. Matt, this is Lola Keller.”

  Matt greeted her kindly.

  “Emma isn’t here yet, but they RSVP’d to say they were coming. I’ll come and introduce you at some point in the evening. In the meantime, just eat and relax and get to know some of these people. I’ll bet there are quite a few who will want to hire you before the night is out.”

  “Maybe I need to hire you to be my publicist,” I said.

  “Silly girl. You don’t need me. You just need people to see what you’ve done.”

  The rooms did look beautiful. The lighting was soft and the colors rich. It almost boggled my mind to think it was my design and I had pulled it all together.

  “You like what you did, don’t you?” Matt said, his arm around my waist.

  “I’ve got to stop gawking at it like it’s such a big deal, don’t I?” I said and laughed.

  “Maybe when Emma gets here, but until then, go ahead and gawk.”

  We made our way to one of the tables of food and filled a little plate with finger foods. Two middle-aged women in black pants and white shirts were handling the food. It wasn’t nearly as fancy as the food served at Meg’s New Year’s Eve party, but it was tasty and presented nicely.

  I looked around for Chad but he wasn’t there. I felt both relief and disappointment. An older woman in a pale blue suit walked toward us. “Lola just told me you’re the designer who redid her living room.”

  “I am.”

  “My dear, you worked a miracle. I told Lola at last year’s party that she couldn’t host another gathering until she got rid of those awful roses. I was thrilled when she said she’d hired a designer and my, oh my, did you work wonders.”

  “Thank you. It was a lot of fun.”

  “Well, I can’t wait until I’m ready to make some changes. I know who I’ll be calling. My name’s Gwen, by the way. Gwen Spielman.”

  “Does your husband work with Mr. Keller?”

  “Yes, he’s one of the partners.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. And yes, please call me.”

  “I will. It’s great to meet you, too.” Mrs. Spielman patted my arm and moved to another guest.

  “You’ll be a full-time designer before you know it,” Matt said.

  I was excited by Mrs. Spielman’s reaction to my design and I was sure Matt was just trying to be supportive, but I bristled a little anyway. Part of me wanted him to have to introduce me before I became a successful designer. I wanted his family to have to like me, even as a bank teller. I was the same person no matter which job I had. But tonight wasn’t a night to bicker and stew about that. I smiled at Matt and put my arm through his.

  And then Chad walked in. And not alone. He had a cute strawberry blonde with him. She was laughing at something he’d said just before they walked in and I suddenly felt sick. He looked my way and our eyes locked for just a moment. He nodded and turned away first.

  I braved a glance at Matt, hopi
ng he wouldn’t be upset. Thankfully he hadn’t even seen Chad walk in.

  “We should go mingle a little,” Matt said. “You might as well talk to as many people here as possible. You know, ‘network.’”

  I smiled and we moved out onto the deck where we joined a lively discussion about the Trailblazers. Matt didn’t pay much attention to basketball, but he knew enough to offer a comment here and there. The dining room was visible from where I stood and Chad and his date were laughing and filling their plates. They moved through the kitchen and into the family room. I could still see them through the window. In fact, I seemed to be aware of where Chad was no matter where he went.

  A short time later, Mrs. Keller reappeared. “There you are, Lizzie. Can you come with me? I’d like to introduce you to Emma.”

  We followed Mrs. Keller through the dining room and into the living room where a beautiful Asian woman was talking to another couple. At an appropriate break, Mrs. Keller inserted herself into the conversation. “Emma, this is the young lady I was telling you about. This is Elizabeth Barrett and her friend, Matt. This is Emma Cho.”

  Emma extended her hand to shake ours. “I’m delighted to meet you,” she said. She was an adorable woman with a quick smile and an unusual smattering of freckles across her cheeks and nose. I suddenly realized the only other Asian I’d ever seen with freckles was Lucy Liu. “Do you have a minute to talk? I’d love to pick your brain about how you came up with this beautiful design.”

  I glanced at Matt who nodded and we sat down, Emma on one of the chairs, Matt and me on the couch. “I have to say I’m really happy to meet you,” I said. “I’ve heard so much about you. I even came in to see if you had any openings right after I graduated but the man who I met said you weren’t hiring.”

  “Yes, it’s a sad thing. I’m sure you know what a toll it’s taken on most of the designers the last few years. A hard economy hits everyone but designers get hit especially hard. So many people just decide they’ll wait another year or two to make any changes.”

  “That’s what I found as I was interviewing,” I said. I was thrilled to have this time to talk to Emma but I felt very self-conscious having this conversation in front of Matt. I knew he was pulling for me, but I felt like I was being scrutinized.