The Empire

by C. L. Alden

  “I am a complicated man. A man with many facets. But, I’m also a man that doesn’t like to take life so seriously all the time. That can laugh at himself. And,” he said looking directly at her, “who can learn from his mistakes.”

  There it was. There was no denying it now. She thought she was getting a bit of a vibe from him last night, that he was interested, but she chalked it up to lots of drinks and the emotion of a reunion with an old friend. Now here, she was feeling that vibe again. There was no rationalizing his meaning away this time.

  Darcy recovered and chuckled to change the tone back to easy peasy. “Fast Eddie… You don’t actually call yourself that, do you?”

  “Sometimes.” He replied simply. This made Darcy laugh more. “What? Is that so wrong? It’s a cool nickname. I’m a cool guy.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What?”

  “Oh yeah. You’re cool alright. So, Fast Eddie, what happened with Rebecca?”

  “Nothing really. Well...me, probably. At least that was part of it. She’s smart and beautiful. WAY too good for me. I met her several years after my divorce from Katie, my first wife. And then, you know, we just grew apart...Maybe it was neglect on both our parts. Neither of us worked on the marriage like we should have. The focus was always something else—whether it was the kids, or work, but it never seemed to be about us. It’s kind of like we woke up one day and realized that we weren’t in love anymore.”

  “Oh.”

  “But, she’s an amazing woman and a great mother. We talked about staying together for the kids sake, but a loveless marriage didn’t seem like it would be fair to anyone, so we kind of just eased out of it. Little by little.”

  “What about the kids?”

  “We share custody. Rebecca lives only a few streets over. It’s actually worked out pretty well, and amazingly enough we’ve managed to remain friends.”

  “That’s rare.”

  “It hasn’t always been easy, but we both agreed that it’s what’s best for our family. So we share holidays. Sometimes we even spend part of them together.”

  “Isn’t that weird?”

  “A little. She’s remarried now. I like Steve. He’s a good guy. We get along. So far it’s worked. What about you? No ring I see.”

  “Checking me out were you?” I’m flirting now?!

  “Yes.” Eddie said looking her right in the eye. Darcy noticed that there was always an intensity behind those eyes, whether he was laughing and joking or being serious. She smiled. Eddie was beginning to grow on her.

  “Nope. Not married. Never been married.”

  “Really?” Eddie seemed a little shocked by this news, “Why?”

  “I never found the right guy I guess. I’m not against marriage or anything. It’s just never worked out.”

  “Do you see yourself ever getting married?”

  “I’d like to. If I found the right man. It’s hard. I travel a lot. Work takes a lot of my time. I date, but it’s been years since I’ve been in a serious relationship.”

  “So love ‘em and leave ‘em?”

  “No…well, yeah, sometimes. Not always. I’m not into one night stands or anything, but I guess I’m too independent for some men, and I don’t like all the games.”

  “I’m with you on that. Those online dating sites are full of trolls.”

  “How—Why? Why would you think I’d be online looking for a date?” Does he think that’s the only way I can get a date?

  “Isn’t that how people meet these days? You don’t strike me as one who would be hanging out in bars.”

  “Well no. I don’t have time for all that. But I do have friends you know. Just because I’m not a popular kid…” She stopped herself. Where did that come from?

  “Exactly.”

  “What do you mean?” Now she was getting defensive.

  “No, not about you not being a popular kid. I meant exactly—that you’re a busy woman with a job that demands a lot of your time, so online dating makes sense for you.”

  “And what about you? Sounds like you have some online experience as well.”

  “Definitely.” He said with a tone that suggested that he wasn’t putting down online dating. “But different circumstances. For me it’s about broadening the pool. Small town. You know, everyone knows everyone.”

  “As in been there, done that?” Darcy asked with a wicked grin. The comment caught Eddie off guard. “Now look who’s blushing!” It felt good to turn the tables on him.

  “Well, it’s just that—”

  She didn’t leave him twisting in the wind for very long. “I’m just teasing you. But they don’t call you Fast Eddie for nothing!”

  He feigned shock.

  “That’s it. I’m done.” She raised her hands to face level, leaning back in her chair as if she were backing away.

  “Good. You are brutal!” he replied, pretending to wipe his brow.

  Darcy laughed. He was so easy going.

  “Now back to you. You were saying that it’s hard to find a man that’s comfortable being with someone who is strong and independent.”

  Wow, Darcy thought, and he actually listens. “Exactly. I need someone who can appreciate and balance out my strengths and weaknesses, that can accept that I can do the same for him. I’m not saying that I’m superwoman or anything, but I can take care of myself. And that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be taken care of...sometimes. I want a partner in life. Someone to share the road with. Does that make sense?”

  “Yes. You want a safe harbor to shelter in, but the freedom to unfurl your sails, and go where the wind takes you. You want someone who isn’t afraid to let you shine.”

  He was looking at her again with eyes that only showed her part of what he was thinking. Did he think that he was that sort of man, she wondered? More importantly, did she think he was that sort of man? Why am I wondering about any of this? Really, why did it even matter? She was only in Shoreton for a week, and then she’d be headed back to the opposite coast, and life would go on.

  The conversation moved back into stories about past adventures as the main course arrived. A sumptuous meal of baked haddock with crabmeat stuffing for her, and steak au poivre for Eddie. Eddie kept her entertained with stories that seemed to be designed to point out all of his flaws and failures. Before she knew it, dinner was over and the staff was clearing their plates. They topped the meal off with coffee, Stingers; a lovely concoction of brandy with white creme de menthe served on the rocks, and chocolate cake which they shared.

  “This has been a lot of fun.” She said breaking eye contact and a silence that was speaking volumes to her. Best to move this along.

  “Yes it has.”

  “We didn’t do much talking about the Empire.”

  “We will. Go take a look when you have some time. There’s usually no one there in the day during the week except maybe cleaning staff.”

  “And you’re going to talk to your grandfather?”

  “Yes. I’ll get him to come around.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  She noticed that they were the last to leave the restaurant. It was later than she thought. Eddie held the door for her as they left the hotel lobby. “It’s so nice out still.” Darcy said. “Doesn’t it usually start to get cold around this time of year?” It was still mild out. A bright moon illuminated the beautiful grounds of the hotel. The pathways were dimly lit by small light fixtures stuck in the ground at intervals.

  “Indian Summer? Global warming?” Eddie held his hand out to her. “Let’s enjoy it. Come take a walk with me.”

  Darcy took his hand. They took a path around the hotel that took them to the ocean side where there was a giant lawn that sloped down to a rock wall that held back the sea. There were clusters of trees at the perimeters with well manicured flower gardens and shrubs in between. The walking path wound around and through the trees and flower beds. The Great Lawn was a popular place to host fancy parties and weddings. It could accommodate a very large tent
. Across the Great Lawn on the north side was a grassy area with a gazebo in the center of it. The area was surrounded by trees and shrubs leaving the ocean side open as a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony or small party.

  Darcy and Eddie walked through the trees and gardens until the ground began to slope down. They stood at the edge of the trees and looked out at the water. The hotel was situated on a small point. On one side of the bay they could see the lights from the neighboring town and on the other side, part of the coastline of the very south side of Shoreton, which was mainly houses. One of Shoreton’s oldest neighborhoods could be seen. The downtown area was around the point and out of view. To the left, beyond the gazebo on the north side of the point they were on, a nearly mile long breakwater jutted out from the coast. At the end of it was a small lighthouse that had been built in the early 1900’s. Beyond the Great Lawn was open ocean, broken up in the distance by a few islands.

  “Have you ever seen pictures of the original Grand Seaside?” Eddie asked.

  “A few. I know it was more elegant than this version. Very ornate. Didn’t it have turrets with pinnacles and a widow’s walk?”

  “That’s right.”

  “I remember seeing a picture postcard years ago of the front that must’ve been taken from the center of the Great Lawn. There was a wide covered porch that ran the length of the hotel. There were tables set up with ladies in fancy dresses and hats sitting at them.”

  “Did you know that there used to be a large glassed in pavilion on this lawn?”

  “No.”

  “During the summer months they’d string lights all across the lawn and into the pavilion and they’d have a live band or orchestra and dancing. They’d take out some of the panels of glass to open it up so that the dancing could continue out onto the lawn.”

  “Where was it?” she asked trying to imagine how beautiful it must’ve been.

  Eddie pulled Darcy out from under the trees out onto the lawn.

  “Wait” she said pulling him back closer to her so that she could lean on him for support. “Lawns and heels don’t mix.” She took off her shoes and held them with her free hand. Add alcohol and you were toying with a potential disaster. She wasn’t drunk, but just tipsy enough to be clumsy.

  They walked a little farther out onto the lawn and up a little towards the hotel to an open section of lawn that was parallel to the corner of the hotel. In the moonlight she could see they were standing next to a sundial atop a large stone.

  “I think it was right about here.” He put an arm around her waist and began dancing with her. She felt a tingle, almost like a mild electrical current race through her body at his touch. It was similar to the after effects she felt when she got zapped by hoodie boy. “Can you hear the music?”

  “Um…” She had to admit, it felt nice to be in the arms of a man, dancing under the moonlight. But this is Fast Eddie, she told herself. Eddie continued to move her around the lawn as if they were on a dance floor. Darcy chucked her shoes and put her hand on his shoulder. So what, she continued the internal argument with herself.

  “Close your eyes and listen. Hear it?”

  Darcy giggled. “No…Do you?”

  “Uh huh. Listen.” Eddie began to softly hum a tune. He pulled her closer to him. Okay, this is a little too close...a part of her thought. Lighten up, another part of her answered. She let herself relax into his hold, and just enjoy the closeness. The tingle in her body continued. She could hear Eddie humming in her ear and through his chest as she laid her head near his shoulder. She closed her eyes. At that moment, the feel of his arms around her, the gentle sway to the music he was humming, seemed to encompass her entire world. Everything else began to fade away. All she could hear was his voice. All she could feel was his body moving against hers. Slowly, as if moving toward her from a great distance, she swore she heard the faint strings and brass of an orchestra. Eddie’s voice was added. “Imagine it’s a warm summer night. There’s a full moon and the stars are out. There is an orchestra playing in the pavilion. Ladies in ball gowns and gloves, men in dinner jackets, sipping champagne…”

  “It sounds nice.” she said, imagining the scene, and suddenly wanting to feel very much a part of it. “I would’ve loved to have been there.”

  Taking the imagining a step further, he said “We are. Look around. There are strings of lights above us giving off a soft glow. The pavilion is packed with men and women in fancy clothes. Waiters circulate with trays of champagne. You’re stunning in an aqua ball gown and white gloves...” As he spoke the scene became more and more real to her. It almost felt like she was there. She could see the two of them dancing, just as he described. There they were, dancing in the pavilion strung with white lights among all the other guests. She could smell the salt of the sea, and the rose and lavender of women’s perfume. She could see Eddie in a black dinner jacket and tie, dashingly handsome. The orchestra music got louder.

  “Aqua, huh? You’ve really thought this out.”

  “I have…” he replied, leaving his answer to hang in the air for a moment. He continued with the fantasy. “I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of you all evening in your sleeveless,” he lightly ran his fingers down her arm, “backless gown,” he said as he ran his hand slowly down her back.

  She was caught up in the sensation of his touch. In her mind, she saw him touch her in the aqua dress. She could feel it. She was in that pavilion, in his arms, happy and proud that he was hers.

  He continues, “I’m in a—”

  “Dinner jacket and tie.” she breaks in, describing what she sees.

  “That’s right.”

  “We’ve just had dinner in the restaurant and now I’m in your arms and we’re dancing in a crowded pavilion. The orchestra is playing a slow song.”

  “I want you all to myself, so I pull you out to dance with me under the stars.” As if they are really there, he pulls her a few steps. “You kick off your shoes and I pull you close.” He tightens his grip around her waist as she sees the two of them leave the pavilion.

  After a moment she asks, “And then what?” Her eyes are still closed waiting for the story to continue.

  “I lean down and kiss you.” He says as pulls her closer and kisses her.

  The feel of his lips on hers is jarring, until the scene in her head catches up and for a moment what she is imagining and feeling are one in the same. She can feel the warmth of a summer night. She can hear the orchestra playing, and feel the gloves on her hands and his hand on her bare back. Everything feels right. Reality is gone and they are the fantasy. The kiss ends, and the fantasy fades back slightly. She opens her eyes and sees Eddie in the present, yet the orchestra is still playing, the pavilion and dress are gone.

  Eddie is watching her. He looks as stunned as she feels. He lets go of her and takes a step back. She can see that similar feelings are running through him, and that he is trying to figure out what just happened and gauge her reaction. She isn’t sure of that herself. She needs a moment to process it all. To separate what’s part of the fantasy from what is reality. Are they two different things?

  She broke the silence. “Wow... You certainly know how to tell a story.” She knew it sounded crazy, but it felt so real.

  “Yeah that was…” he’s at a loss for words, still dazed by what they have just shared. “Did you feel—I mean, did it feel like we were actually there?” he asked as he took a couple steps backwards and collapsed against the tall stone of the sundial.

  Darcy took a deep breath, trying to clear her head. “Yes. It was incredible...” She felt like she was under some sort of spell. The feelings, the emotions, the fantasy they had just participated in. It was sudden and overwhelming. It was tangible. It was intoxicating, and yet at the same time in the back of her brain a tiny nagging question kept bubbling up; Is this happening? How did she feel about Eddie, Fast Eddie, kissing her? She wasn’t sure. It felt like everything had happened so fast. The dress, the music, the dancing, the perf
ume. The music. “Um...did you hear music too? Not your humming but an orchestra?” She felt stupid asking, but it seemed so real.

  “Yeah, I did... but that’s not possible. Is it?” He looked as baffled as she felt.

  “I don’t know, but I’m glad to hear you say that.” She said relieved. She listened for a moment and heard nothing but the ocean. “Huh, I don’t hear anything now. Do you?”

  “No, it’s gone.” He laughed, looking relieved as well. “That was weird. Did we just have some sort of shared hallucination?”

  Since they parted, her head felt like it was beginning to clear, the tingling had subsided. Rational thoughts were filling her brain. What the hell was going on? She wondered if he felt the same. “I don’t know what that was. How do you feel?”

  “Fine now, but...it may sound weird, but when we were dancing, I had this tingling sensation.”

  “Me too.” Darcy agreed.

  “Really?” he said, looking perplexed.

  “And then what?” What was happening was starting to sound less and less like a dream or hallucination, she thought.

  “This...this intense desire to be close to you. Did you feel something like that?”

  Darcy shook her head, “Yes”.

  “The vision I was describing, it was almost like a movie, but more real. I don’t know… I could see you and I, just as I described, and then it was like I was there because I could feel it too.”

  “Me too.” She agreed.

  “Geezus” he was looking more bewildered.

  “What about now?”

  “Weird, but not as intense. What is going on? Have we been drugged?” Eddie asked looking rattled.

  “Why would we be drugged?”

  “I don’t know.” he replied, confused. She knew Eddie was just searching for answers.

  She took a couple steps back and the tingling faded a little more. “That’s odd.”

  “What?”

  “The tingling. It seems to fade the farther I am from you.” She walked toward him, the tingling increased.