Just in Time

by Steven Manchester

  Just in Time

  Just in Time

  a novelette in the world of Pressed Pennies by

  Steven Manchester

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

  The Story Plant

  Studio Digital CT, LLC

  P.O. Box 4331

  Stamford, CT 06907

  Copyright © 2014 by Steven Manchester

  Jacket design by Barbara Aronica Buck

  E-book ISBN-13 978-1-61188-197-4

  Visit our website at www.TheStoryPlant.com

  All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever, except as provided by US Copyright Law. For information, address The Story Plant.

  First Story Plant Edition: September 2014

  Chapter 1

  It was a windy, early-autumn afternoon. The first of the leaves were preparing to fall when Bill Stryker marched up Wilbur Avenue toward the center of town. His broad shoulders were tucked squarely to the wind, and his blue eyes squinted to navigate his way.

  Wrapped in a light throw blanket, Eunice Giles sat on her front porch, quietly watching the world as it spun in perfect circles.

  The distinct harmony of John Lennon and Paul McCartney caused Bill to look up. Immediately, he spotted the silhouette of a woman sitting in the shadows of a porch. Tipping his invisible hat to her, he joked, “Good day to fly a kite, eh?”

  Eunice Giles leaned forward just enough to reveal her dazzling smile and a light pair of eyes that sparkled with mischief.

  Bill felt the warmth of the sun touch his face and his legs stopped moving—involuntarily. He gazed into her kind, emerald eyes and cleared his throat. “Umm…at the risk of appearing too forward,” he said, “I was just on my way to Gray’s Ice Cream for one last cone before they close up shop for the season. Is there any chance I can buy you one?”

  She thought for no more than a second before she threw the thin blanket aside, shut off her radio and stood. Gesturing that she’d be a minute, she headed for the door. “Just let me get my sandals.”

  ~~~

  Ten minutes later, they stood in the small window of Gray’s Ice Cream shop. Bill ignored the list of flavors. “I’ll have a small sugar cone of black raspberry,” he ordered and turned to Eunice.

  She looked up at him, surprised.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she mumbled. She took a step closer to him and grinned. “It’s just that…well…you’re my flavor.”

  He smiled so wide that it felt like his face might break and then turned back to the girl in the window. “Make that two, please.”

  Bill wasn’t even to the rim of the sugar cone when he blurted, “Have dinner with me.”

  Eunice was in mid-lick and froze. “A cone of ice cream isn’t enough?” she finally replied, grinning.

  He shrugged. “I have a feeling that dinner won’t even be enough.”

  “Are you getting fresh with me, Mr. Stryker?”

  “No, ma’am,” he said sincerely.

  She nodded and took another taste of her purple treat.

  “Not yet,” he added with a grin.

  She nearly laughed the rest of her ice cream off the cone.

  ~~~

  The lighting was much too bright, the food overcooked and the waiter—a lethargic man in no risk of suffering a heart attack—had even messed up the order. Yet, sitting in the middle of a hypnotic conversation with Eunice, Bill barely noticed any of it.

  As the waiter sauntered back to the table, his tray held two cups of coffee and one caramel pudding for Bill. Awkwardly placing the dessert onto the table, the apathetic server asked, “Will there be anything else?”

  “Thank you, no,” Bill answered, without ever averting his attention away from his dinner date. He gestured toward the gooey dessert. “You sure you won’t share this with me?” he asked. “Trust me…it’s not going to last long on that plate.”

  Eunice laughed and poured a second spoonful of sugar into her coffee. “It’s all yours,” she said, lifting the cup to take a sip.

  Bill smiled. “You had your shot,” he joked.

  “All yours,” she repeated, content to watch.

  Bill grabbed his spoon and dove in. “So tell me about your family,” he said, after finishing the first bite.

  “I have one son, Jim, who recently retired from a career in the prison system.”

  “Oh wow. A prison guard?” he asked.

  “Yes. He was a Correction Officer for thirty years.” She shook her head. “He’s a wonderful man, but the job definitely took its toll on him.”

  “I bet.” Bill took a break from the caramel for a sip of coffee. “Grandkids?” he asked.

  “One grandson…Richard.” She shook her head again. “And from what I can tell, he’s about one argument away from a divorce.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  She shrugged. “Though I think young people quit on each other way too quickly these days, it may be for the best in this case,” she said. “It’s a loveless marriage…darker than any penitentiary his father ever worked in.”

  Bill nodded. “I agree. Marriage shouldn’t feel like serving out a sentence.”

  “But enough of my troubles,” she teased. “Your family?”

  “One ex-wife and two daughters who hardly speak to me,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Well, that’s not good,” she said, and thought for a moment. “It looks like both our families are messed up.”

  Bill grinned. “At least we have something in common,” he joked, “…which I’d say is a pretty good start.”

  Eunice chuckled. “I’d say you’re right.”

  They talked long after the table had been cleared and the check paid. Even with all the waiter’s glares, they held hands and talked. “You’re so amazing,” Bill blurted at the end of dinner.

  Her face instantly lit up. “How’s that?” she asked, the mischief in her eyes shining through.

  “You obviously don’t just love life,” he said, and squeezed her hand. “Seems to me you’re in love with it.”

  Her smile widened. “I believe that love might very well be the only reason that people exist to begin with.” She shrugged. “Only in experiencing love—both in knowing how to give as well as receive—do we discover the very essence of humanity.” She winked at him. “Life’s all about karma for me.”

  “Perfect,” he said. “That’s perfect.”

  ~~~

  On the ride home, Bill took note of the big, bright numbers on the car’s dashboard clock. They read: 11:11. “Hurry and make a wish,” he told Eunice.

  She immediately closed her eyes and whispered, “I wish this night would never end.”

  Instinctively, Bill pulled the car over to the side of the road and threw the shifter into park. Their eyes locked; he leaned over and kissed her—long and hard.

  Without any formal announcement, Bill and Eunice were dating exclusively. In the twilight of their lives, the courtship proved to be both innocent and intense—all at the same time.

  ~~~

  Weeks fit quickly into months, and not one of them passed without Bill either sending Eunice a bouquet of fresh sunflowers tied in lavender ribbon or else delivering them in person. Her favorite colors were yellow and purple. Considering that the flowers were only in season for a brief time, she marveled over this incredible feat. He’s definitely not a penny pincher, she decided.

  “You are the sun upon my face,” he told her, �
�and I never want you to forget it.”

  Bill is witty, kind and down to earth, Eunice thought. Besides expensive cologne, he always wore a magnetic smile. Although he had the uncanny ability to watch movies and pick out their mistakes, his greatest gift to the world was laughter. He had a wonderful way of lightening any situation, reminding people of their common humanity with all its fumbles and failures.

  “All things in life will pass,” he told Eunice, “and to laugh through the darkness is a gift. A small dose of the giggles is enough medicine to heal whatever ails you.”

  To the world, Bill Stryker was easily excitable, sweet and considerate. To Eunice, he was romantic, doting and generous.

  “Why are you so good to me?” she asked him one night.

  “Because you deserve nothing less.” He chuckled. “I’ve lived long enough to know that it’s the little things that make all the difference,” he told her. “Flowers on random, rainy Tuesdays and love notes hidden where you’re sure to find them.”

  As the months unfolded, Bill and Eunice shared everything from pet names to Eskimo kisses. “Love is meant to be sappy,” she said.

  “And people in love shouldn’t give a damn what the rest of the world thinks,” Bill added.

  ~~~

  For Eunice’s seventy-first birthday, Bill pulled off the impossible. He quit smoking. “I’m on the patch,” he joked. “Five hundred milligrams of nicotine, fitted like a vest, coursing through my bloodstream.” It was no joke though. His body could no longer take the abuse.

  “It’s the best gift I’ve ever received,” she told him.

  But after quitting the cigarettes, Bill couldn’t stop eating and put on so much weight that he started to resemble an aircraft carrier. “I won’t be happy until I weigh four hundred pounds,” he joked, and people laughed along with him. But it was an act. He was more self-conscious of his appearance than he could ever remember. It seemed the bigger he got, the more invisible he became to the opposite sex—all but Eunice.

  “I don’t care,” she said. “I really don’t care about appearances. You’re beautiful to me, Bill Stryker.”

  He sighed heavily and tore through the cellophane wrapper on a pair of cupcakes. It was a taste of heaven and guilt all wrapped up into one little pastry. “It’s hopeless,” he said with a roll of his eyes.

  She laughed and ate the second cupcake.

  ~~~

  It was a random Tuesday night when Bill told Eunice, “Pack an overnight bag. I have a surprise.”

  “A surprise, huh? And what would that be?”

  He laughed. “If I told you, then it would defeat the purpose, right?”

  “Not if you gave me a clue it wouldn’t,” she said.

  “Never going to happen,” he said and kept on smiling.

  ~~~

  While they dined on a blue plate special at one of their usual spots, Eunice squirmed with anticipation. Roger’s Spa was a greasy spoon that promised great food served by good, hard working people, followed by a bowl of some of the best black raspberry ice cream.

  After a short drive to the shore and a brisk walk by the water, Bill said, “I’ve never told you that I love to fish, have I?”

  She shook her head, wondering, Is he taking me fishing? It was chilly out. Much too cold for some fishing expedition.

  “And there’s this boat that I’d love you to see,” he added, placing his hands upon her shivering shoulders.

  She nodded.

  “Because of my work, I never had time to fish, but it was my greatest love as a kid. I’m now rediscovering the beauty of the water and I’d love to share it with you.”

  Again, Eunice nodded—trying to be a good sport. She imagined a small fishing boat with a loud outboard motor and took a deep breath. As she exhaled, a plume of white vapor rose into the darkening sky. This is nuts!

  As they hurried down the docks toward the marina, an attendant spotted Bill approaching and unlocked the gate. “Good evening, Mr. Stryker,” he said. “She’s ready for you and all hands are onboard.”

  “Thanks, Frank. I appreciate that,” answered Bill and then held the gate open for Eunice.

  All hands are onboard? thought Eunice. She was confused but dismissed it as some sort of seaman lingo she didn’t understand.

  They approached a white skiff with a small outboard motor attached to the stern; it was similar to the one Eunice had pictured and she cringed when she saw it.

  Oblivious to her reservations, Bill grabbed her overnight bag and then helped her aboard.

  This seems a little small to be spending the night in, she thought, and folded her arms across her chest to retain whatever body heat she could.

  Smiling wide, Bill fired up the motor and steered the skiff out into open water.

  Minutes later, they pulled alongside a yacht so big that it couldn’t fit into the marina’s largest slip. The name Can’t Buy Me Love was painted across the ship’s stern.

  Eunice smiled at the obvious Beatles reference. It was the biggest boat she’d ever seen and she laughed at Bill’s clever sense of humor. “Very good, Mr. Stryker,” she said, her teeth nearly chattering. “You almost got me.”

  Bill never cracked a grin. “Eunice, this is actually…”

  The ship’s captain awaited them at the top of the ladder and unknowingly interrupted Bill. “Good evening, Mr. Stryker,” he called out, “the crew’s onboard and ready to shove off when you are.”

  Eunice’s jaw dropped.

  As they boarded, she couldn’t believe her eyes. At one hundred twenty-six feet long and several stories high, the white, steel hulled monster contained five staterooms, along with a captain’s cabin, master cabin and four plush guest cabins. Computerized and modernized, it possessed every amenity from satellite telephones and fifty-inch televisions to the galley’s double BBQ grill and professional dishwasher. Wrapped in polished mahogany and glass, it was a floating mansion.

  With Eunice’s mouth still hung open, Bill turned to her within the warmth of the ship’s interior. “At a maximum speed of fourteen knots, our cruising speed can be maintained at around twelve knots.”

  Her forehead wrinkled.

  He smiled. “It means we can go wherever we want…really fast.”

  She was still at a loss for words.

  “Since we have matters of the heart figured out, I decided it was time to show you where I come from…all of me, so to speak.”

  One of her eyebrows rose.

  “Like it or not,” he said, with a playful shrug, “I’m filthy rich.”

  ~~~

  Throughout the night—while Eunice tried to shake off her shock—Bill poured out his soul and shared many intimate details of himself that he absolutely needed her to know. “I’m not proud of everything I’ve done…or the things I should’ve done and didn’t,” he said, “but I still need you to know all of it.”

  She nodded. “Of course, Bill.”

  “I spent my life amassing a great fortune,” he explained, “or so I believed it was a great fortune.” He shook his head. “I was so foolish to believe that once I had all the money I would ever need, that I’d actually have everything…except for a wife who truly cared for me or children who even knew who I was. My days spent with the boys at the club added up to a whole lot of nothing. And that’s exactly what I had for most of my life.” He placed his hand in hers. “But after meeting you, getting to know and love you, I now know that the only thing that matters in life…besides our health…is love.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “And if I had to choose between the two, I’d pick love over good health any day.” His eyes filled. “Eunice, I honestly feel like you showed up in my life just in time.” He stopped, waiting for her reaction.

  “Just in time,” she repeated in a whisper and squeezed his hand back. “I know. I feel the same.”

  They hugged for a long while.

  Eunice looked up at Bill and grinned. “Any more surprises, Mr. Stryker?” she asked.

  He shook his head, match
ing her smile. “I don’t think so, Ms. Giles.”

  “Good,” she said and kissed him passionately.

  Chapter 2

  As winter melted into the spring of their golden years, Bill and Eunice spent each and every moment discovering a young and budding love. They found a laid back nightclub where they danced away every Saturday night. They took long rides, stopped to watch children play Little League, and walked miles of rocky East Coast beaches. Together, they captured a hundred sunsets, many jars of fireflies and the love of a lifetime over several cozy campfires. And through it all, they devoured gallons of black raspberry ice cream. Their relationship was comfortable, easy—eternal.

  On a wrinkled old beach blanket, he finally asked for her hand.

  She gave it. “Together forever?” she asked.

  “Together forever!” he confirmed. “So what do you say about a summer wedding?”

  As if she didn’t hear the question, Eunice asked, “How did you know, Bill? I mean…really know?”

  “How did I really know…what?” he asked, his arm wrapped around her.

  “How did you know I was the love of your life?”

  Bill sat up straight and gazed into her eyes. “That’s an easy one,” he said, grinning. “You like black raspberry ice cream.”

  “That’s it?”

  Bill chuckled and then took her other hand into his. “Since the moment I met you, I’ve honestly felt like my life has just begun,” his eyes glassed over with emotion. “…and I’ve forgotten about everyone and everything else around me.”

  “Good answer,” she said.

  “Honest answer,” he said and threw his arms around her again. “My love, you have the spontaneity, faith and innocence of a child.” He kissed her on the top of the head. “You really believe the world is good; therefore, it is. You create your own experience, your own reality and as far as I’m concerned anyone caught inside it is blessed.”

  She hugged him tightly. “I’m the one who’s blessed,” she whispered.

  He shook his head and kissed her again. “Your grace, happiness and peace have rubbed off on me and I’ve finally learned that all the best things in life are possible.”

  She melted into his embrace.