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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

The Covenant - Chapter Twenty-Six

Walking into the large chain bookstore after wiping her wet boots on the welcome mat, Annie quickly aims for the rows of novels with special highlighted red tags discounted at a lower price.  The large mahogany bookcases are filled with many literature treasures. The books are bound in a variety of hard cardboard, leather, flimsy  bendable paper, some with embossed covers or sketches of a likely scene of the story within.  Some carry titles of "how to ...", others with gorgeous landscapes,  a few with a tempting review on the back cover, but all with a plethora of fonts trying to attract buyers.
In turn, Annie glances over each one recalling a series of adventures, mysteries, and love stories that she has enjoyed in the past.  Glancing through the stacks, she wrinkles her nose at a book that reminds her of a less than satisfying plot line, while most of the others rekindle of warm glow of time well spent reading.   As she tediously peruses the shelves,  Annie pauses over some new releases as the aroma of fresh ground coffee and hot bakery items fill the aisles.  Hearing an unexpected growl  in response to her senses, she considers perhaps a snack might be in order and heads towards the in-store cafe area.  She grabs a book that challenges her interest and finds a comfortable seat to indulge her imagination.
After buying her latte and lemon cake, she moves about comfortably in the sofa in the corner of the cafe and opens up to the forward to read who the book happened to be dedicated to.  She always finds this interesting and wonders who the person is and what they did in the author's life to inspire them to dedicate a piece of their creative soul to them.  Often it is a parent, a spouse, an editor, perhaps a best friend, but there is usually generally someone that the author is reminding them of this gift of their heart.    She wonders how much the story is based on truth versus the author's own imagination or wishful thinking.  Annie smiles to herself and continues reading.
Without looking around her, Annie smells a familiar cologne lodging itself not too far from her.   While staring down at her novel, she finds herself blushing remembering the owner of such a wonderful scent.  She shuffles in her seat again and returns to her story from her temporary break of concentration. 
In spite of her reading reverie,  she hears a man next to her politely clear his throat.  Without glancing up, she begrudgingly shuffles more to her left away from him expecting that he needed some more room to sit down than she was offering in her comfort.  Breathing deeply in annoyance, she slightly tilts her back towards him and tries to locate her last sentence in the chapter again.
A few seconds later, she hears a pin drop at her feet and roll across the tile flooring.  She considers for a moment whether she will be polite and help it to pick it up, or let the owner scavenger across the room to capture his loss.  She decides to be helpful.  Bending down, she claims the errant pin and raises her head just in time to knock against the chin of the competition claiming to find the lone pen.
"Oeww" she hears him moan next to her, as Annie hovers her hand over the pain now increasing on her  own temple too.  She closes her eyes hoping that somehow darkness will attempt to make a speedier recovery.  "I'm sorry"  Annie whispers in her agony without opening her eyes  "I was just trying to help".
"It's okay" she hears a familiar voice respond while rubbing his chin "I was trying to surprise you. I've been trying to get your attention, I guess that I got it now even if my jaw is hurting a bit.  I hope you are okay too."
"What?" asks Annie looking up into the face of a well-known friend "I didn't know you were in town!" 
"Yes, just got in a few hours ago" Rick responds still cuddling a red spot on his chin "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing well!  I didn't know you were coming here!" gushes Annie blushing in excitement in seeing him again.
"I'm glad you found my pen" offers Rick holding his hand out to her as Annie is nervously flipping it back and forth in her hand  "I've been dropping it all over the place and you didn't even notice.  I finally had to kick it over your way.  I wasn't even sure you were going to pick up then."
"Yeah, it took a moment to consider whether I wanted to interrupt my story or not to help a stranger" giggles Annie very pleased to see him again "We've got a lot to catch up on!"
Moving closer to her on the sofa, Rick appears to be just as delighted to see her again, "So, how is the visit going with your family?  Are you having a good time?"
"Ummm ... that is rather debatable depending on the day.  But things have gone much better than I expected.  I have a few friends in town which have made things a lot better too" explains Annie taking a sip of her hot coffee.
"I hoped that we would run into each other.  I know that this is one of your favorite places no matter what the city and that you are staying just around the corner.  So I took a chance and thought I might run into you here" offers Rick smiling into her eyes "It's really good to see you again."
Annie blushes but then remembers one annoying fact, "So, when are you getting married?  I haven't heard a date yet?"
"What?" shocked asks Rick "I guess eventually, most people do. Once you find the person you want to be with, you make that happen as long as both are willing."
"Yes, it appears that time has come" agrees Annie feeling a big dejected that he is already attached and there is no longer hope "It's always important to find the right one and not settle."
"I agree completely.  It's good to have a friend to marry but you need someone whom you are attracted to as well and share many things in common with especially core values too" continuing the conversation adds Rick unsure where Annie is leading them.
"You'll make a wonderful husband.  You're a good listener and caring.  You're smart and wise. Anyone would be happy to spend their life with you" suggests Annie wanting to support him in his decision and feeling that Lauren doesn't quite measure up to him.
"Well thank you.  I hadn't really considered those qualities in myself before and I'm flattered that you noticed" gushes Rick quite taken with all the sincere compliments. "You could say the same for yourself too."
"Yes, I guess so.  At least I hope to make someone happy one day" humbly states Annie wishes that he was that 'someone' rather than an unknown figure in the future.
"So you still didn't answer my question, when are you getting married?" impatiently asks Annie not wanting to delay the horrible answer too much longer.
"Uhhh.." begins Rick not sure what he is suppose to answer "I don't know.  I hope soon."
"Oh" deeply sighs Annie feeling that a relationship between them is truly hopeless "Well, I hope she ends up deserving you."
"Who?" confused asks Rick realizing perhaps they might not be communicating on the same subject.
"Who?  What do you mean 'who'?  You know.  Stop teasing me" remarks Annie slightly annoyed that he won't bring up Lauren's name and acting like he doesn't know who she is.
Feeling that Annie is playing a game knowing that it is her that he actually is thinking about marrying even though he has not admitted it to anyone states confidently with a smile "Oh, I see what you're doing. I think you know" moving a bit closer to her to see how her eyes are responding.
In response to his closeness, she tilts her head a little further back wondering why he is putting a move on her at this moment in the cafe while talking about his fiance, "Okay, I guess you're not going to tell me and I'll just have to guess."
"This sounds like fun" agrees Rick not sure what she is doing but thinking the game of sharing their feelings is rather entertaining.  He places his arm behind her on the sofa and is charmed by the whole conversation.
"Are you getting married next month or six months from now?"  politely asks Annie wondering how long she has to find a dress to attend his wedding.
"Let's see.  I think three months is actually a good time.  It's long enough to get things together and merge two lives.  What do you think?" smiling at her, Rick takes another sip of his coffee waiting for her response.
"It's the time I would have chosen too" sighs Annie despondent that he cannot even see how much even in little things they share in common with each other  "I'm sure you'll be very happy."
"I'm sure too" confidently states Rick too tickled that they are discussing their future life together in such an odd manner without even a formal proposal. "I think when two people love each other many wonderful things can happen quickly."
"Yes, quickly ..." Annie can almost feel a tear forming and wonders why Rick cannot see how much she loves him  "I'm sure you and Lauren will be very happy together."
Acting as if he has just been slapped, Rick moves a foot away from her, "Lauren?  What do you mean, Lauren?  I'm not marrying Lauren.  Ben Wick is marrying Lauren." And then looking into her eyes and seeing the forming tears, reads Annie entirely wrong, "Are you upset that Ben Wick is marrying Lauren?  I knew you liked him this summer, but I thought you would be over him by now."
Scrunching her nose, Annie responds, "No, I don't care about Ben Wick.  I'm incredibly happy to hear Lauren and Ben Wick are getting married!  I had no clue!  When did they get together?"
"You didn't know?" puzzled asks Rick completely surprised that the gossip had not reached her yet.
"No, I didn't even know they were interested in each other" truthfully admits Annie recalling that Ben Wick didn't seem all that impressed with Lauren's shallowness in a few conversations with him.
"They got together within the few hours I was flying back to the states with you.  By the time I returned to Peru, they were already settled as a couple.  Didn't your sister tell you?"  bluntly asks Rick.
"No, she gave me the impression you were very much still with Lauren and that you were going to be engaged soon" honestly replies Annie confused by her sister's deception.
"She was there.  She saw Lauren and Ben Wick together.  I don't understand why she didn't tell you" angrily confirms Rick "Did she give you the box I sent home with her for you?"
"No, I didn't get anything except for the occasional post cards you sent me" replies Annie "I enjoyed them very much.  Thank you for sending then to me.  I didn't wonder why you didn't really mention Lauren in them, but it was nice to hear from you."
Rick sits silently for a moment trying to digest what he has just been told and realizing that Annie may not fully be aware of his feelings for her yet again.
"I wondered why I didn't hear from you too often.  You mentioned that you had run into Elliot again. Do you see him very often?" tentatively asks Rick unsure how Annie feels about him.
"Yes, we see each other a lot" informs Annie but seeing that Rick appears not too happy with this as he sulks back into the sofa adds "But we're just friends.  I think Beth and Ariel Gray are more in a competition for his attention."
"I was wondering if you were going to Sunday Evening at the Temple tomorrow?" asks Rick hoping to set a time to see her again.
"Yes, I'll be there!  We can meet and sit together if it's all right with you" offers Annie "They are having Captains Will and Liz Darcy as the special musical guests."
"It would be really good to see them again" agrees Rick "I'll look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.  What are your plans for tonight?  Would you like to have dinner?"
"That would be lovely!" blushes Annie excited to spend more time with him when she hears a voice calling out from across the bookstore.
"Annie!  Hey, Beth and Ariel are waiting outside for you.  Remember, we're going to the play tonight?" rushes up Elliot looking Rick critically up and down as Rick glares at him.
"Oh .." sighs Annie looking apologetically at Rick "I forgot".
"I already bought your ticket" firmly states Elliot not giving her any leeway to change her mind.
 Looking over to Rick and smiling in a very hopeful manner, "Umm ... I will definitely take a rain check on dinner.  We have to go soon!"
"That would be great!" politely states Rick hating for his afternoon surprise to be interrupted.
As Annie grabs her coat and begins to walk away as Elliot is leading her by the elbow, she breaks free for a moment and returns back to the table and leans up to give Rick a peck on the cheek.  "It was really good seeing you again.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow night!"
Rick smiles back at her but throws silent daggers at Elliot impatiently waiting behind her.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Covenant - Chapter Twenty-Five


 "So do you know what today is?" excitedly asks Eliot mugging and leaning over towards Annie trying to capture her attention.
"No, not really.  Saturday, I guess ..." bewildered responds Annie trying to remember if there is any significance to the day.
"Of course you know" teases Elliot taking her hand "It's a very special day for us".
"ummm" sighs Annie not sure of any event to mark the date "Let me think ..."
"You're kidding me!" retorts Elliot "It's been three months since we met again in New York!"
"Oh ... I didn't realize it, sorry" states Annie a little flushed that it would have been a milestone to him since they've been going out together as friends "I'll have to put it in my calendar so I remember the it next time it rolls around again."
"Well, today we are celebrating" informs Elliot not deterred by her lack of memory of dates "I'm taking you to my favorite Peruvian restaurant."
Recalling sweet memories, Annie smiles "I'd love too!  Are we going there now?"
"Yes, I thought we would start there and spend the rest of the day together" suggests Elliot having thoughtfully organized the day for the two of them.
"Let me just grab my coat and I'll be right back" offers Annie quickly heading towards the other room.
Noticing in the mirror her lack of fashion accents, she looks into her jewelry box on the dresser and finds the long looped red and green beaded earrings that Beatriz made for her at the children's home as a parting gift.  Holding the earrings in the palm of her hand, she tenderly smiles and says a silent prayer for the children, Harriett, and Major Smith at the home.
"I'm just about ready" she calls out to Elliot patiently waiting in the other room.  Her thoughts linger and she wonders how Rick is getting along.  Thinking sadly to herself, "He must be engaged by now, it's really time for me to move on."
While attempting to pick up her purse, it accidently tips over and out of the side pocket falls the most recent postcard Rick sent to her a couple of weeks ago.  It was friendly and warm with news of current events but devoid of any personal impressions of anything more than friendship towards her.   After tracing the signature slowly with her fingertips, she gently places it in the top drawer of her dresser and shuts it with a firm hand.
As they walk towards the subway, Elliot is very chatty about recent conversations in his life with influential people around the city.  He tells her of his new wardrobe and how impressive he looks wearing it. He repeats many of the charming stories he has told several times before.   Annie encourages him but her thoughts remain elsewhere.
As the trek up the sloped sidewalk, Elliot places his hand on the small of her back to make sure she doesn't slip on the wet concrete among the overcrowded walkway.  "It's just up a handful of blocks, it won't take us long to get there."
Moving past a floral shop on the corner, Annie senses fill with the scent of orchids which remind her of Peru.  Looking over, she sees baskets filled with colorful orchids of maize, mauve, and violet and notices also the magenta-hanging belled flowers with a sunburst in the center.  The Cantuta daintily mixes in as accents amongst the buckets of orchids.  She tenderly remembers gathering the wild flowers on an outing with the children and then keeping the collection fresh in a paper Dixie cup to decorate her simple room for the summer.
"Would you like to carry a few with you for the day?" asks Elliot noticing how much the flowers seem to be affecting her.
"No, thank you.  They just bring back some memories" responds Annie quickly boxing those sweet moments in to recall at a later time.
"Just wait a minute" as Elliot walks into the store leaving her alone to peruse the other options of flowers.
Quietly Annie picks up a single orchid in her hand inhaling the fragrance as it sooths her thoughts.  She looks over at Elliot through the window and notices he has a small bouquet in his hand.  He is chatting with the young woman in the somewhat rather long line behind him.  She notices that he is taking out his phone while she seems to be repeating a number to him. 
Sighing, Annie shakes her head and is grateful that her feelings have not moved any deeper beyond friendship towards him in spite of his attention and mock devotion.
"Here, I got these just for you!" exclaims Elliot handing her a small wild flower bouquet and quickly giving her a light kiss on the cheek.
"Well, thank you very much!  They brighten my day!" sincerely responds Annie holding the bouquet between both her hands and taking a moment to breathe in the beautiful kaleidoscope of scents.
As they near their destination, Annie can hear rhythmic drums and flutes with a familiar beat and tune. She can feel her feet unintentionally move to the rhythm of some of the traditional dances the children taught to her over the past summer. She giggles to herself knowing that her uncoordinated ability to dance left a lot to be desired but the attempt was greatly appreciated.
"What are you doing?" curiously asks Elliot noticing that Annie is moving in an unusually slightly awkward way.
"I'm just having fun, trying to remember how the kids taught me to dance" replies Annie and then more sincerely with some laughter "I wasn't a very good student as you can see".
Placing his arm around her in a shoulder hug, Elliot laughs with her and attempts to mimic some of her moves as well which amuses both of them.
"Please come this way" offers the hostess carrying two green leather bound menus and guiding them to a quiet corner table.
The waiter greets them with "Hola! Como estas esta tarde?"
"Muy bien, muchos gracias." replies Elliot with his limited knowledge of Spanish and then burying himself within the folds of the menu hoping there are no more further questions to answer.
After chatting some with the waiter about the menu choices, Annie orders her meal in Spanish that she was eventually able to pick up and recall from her service corps experience. 
"Well, I hope what you ordered for me is good" teases Elliot not very daring where food is concerned but wanting to please Annie.
"I think you'll like it, if not I'll trade you" offers Annie feeling quite a home there and placing a finger on her cheek as her earring dangles against her hand while noticing the decorations and atmosphere of the restaurant.
"This is delicious!  What is it again?" asks Elliot taking another portion from the appetizer plate.
"It's called  "papa rellena" which is fried mashed potatoes stuffed with meat, raisins, olives and a hard boiled egg.  It was one of my favorite snacks" remarks Annie taking another large bite "I've ordered a squash soup and for the entree Tacu Tacu with fried Bizcochito bananas.  I think you'll like it."
"You're always having me try new things" admits Elliot with a smile "Most of your ideas haven't turned out to be too bad.  I'm going to trust you this time."
While Elliot excuses himself to respond to a text with a return call, Annie looks around the room.  Framed photos of the Peruvian landscape of clouded mountain peaks and Machu Picchu outline the dining room. Annie's thoughts drift to conversations she once had with Rick.  Her heart aches for a moment as she shuffles her cloth napkin in her lap trying to place the memories aside.
As Elliot returns to the table, he seems a bit flushed and agitated.  "I have to change our  plans for this afternoon.  A personal emergency came up that I need to deal with.  Do you mind if I take you home and I could meet you later on for coffee?"
"That's fine.  Don't worry about it.  I was thinking of going to the book store anyway because one of the books of my favorite authors has just come in" offers Annie wanting some time on her own to think and to sort-through all of her emotions that have been stirred today.
"All right, I'll meet you at the 'Adventurous Sleuth' since I know it is typically where I will find you at 6 pm.  How does that sound?"  suggests Elliot relieved that Annie is not upset that he has to leave earlier than expected.
"See you then!" graciously replies Annie "Thank you so much for lunch, it was very thoughtful of you!  We'll have to do this again in three months."
"Sounds like a date!" jokes Elliot kissing her on the cheek before heading out on his way to deal with other private matters.