The Covenant Chapter Thirty Three

"Are you ready yet?" asks Beth checking her hair in the mirror for at least the tenth time while reapplying her ruby red lipstick.  "You are taking forever and it is time to go!" then looking behind her back Beth exclaims "Ariel where are you?  It's bad enough waiting for Annie, but you should be ready by now.  I don't want to leave Elliot standing around waiting on us."

Feeling slightly frustrated, Beth takes one last tug at her leather glove which matches her long woolen uniform coat. She flexes her fingers for a tightly smug fit.   She adjusts her purse over her shoulder and glances for one last chance into the mirror to make sure her winter hat is fashionably angled to create an illusion of allure.

Walking absentmindedly into the living room, Annie shuffles into her coat and ties her knitted scarf around her neck for warmth.  "The forecast is a winter storm tonight.  I'm surprised they haven't cancelled the concert, but I am really looking forward to seeing Captains Will and Liz Darcy.  It has been ages.  I've missed my friends since they were transferred from Crestwood."

"They are all the same to me.  Corps officers seem to move every couple of years.   I don't understand how you make yourself so attached to them.  I guess it is because you spend so much of your time volunteering for this or that at the corps"  carelessly adding Beth continues "I don't understand why anyone would do that.  There are so many important other things to do like shopping!"  Sharing a grin and giggle with Ariel "I could never give up my valuable time like that, and what for?  So that a bunch of people who won't remember me tomorrow get something they want?"

"I offer my time to help people who may need something not just want it.  It doesn't matter to me if they know my name or not, I just want them to feel someone loves and cares for them so maybe they would know God does too" sincerely replies Annie disappointed in her sister's lack of sensitivity or empathy for others.

"Whatever ..." shrugging her shoulders, Beth replies "I play in the band and sing in songsters.  I do enough already.  I look good in my uniform which is really what matters to anyone even if they won't admit it, right Ariel" hoping to find support for her narcissistic outlook.

"Yeah, I guess so" responds Ariel however feeling perhaps Beth's opinion is possibly not the best one but too afraid to argue with her but silently siding with Annie.

Three phones at one time ring with a simultaneous group text.  "Elliot is waiting downstairs!" Cheerfully announces Beth wanting to move the uncomfortable discussion to another topic "Ready?"  All three women walk out the door one after another.  Beth sashaying to the rhythm of her own desire to flirt and impress, Ariel attempting to mimic Beth's elegance but missing its mark as if an afterthought, and then Annie walking in silent confidence lost in her thoughts waiting for someone else who is not standing in the lobby below.

Earlier Mr. Elliott and Lydia Russell have taken a taxi to The Temple for the musical event that night and have prepared assigned matchmaker seats designed by Lydia Russell for her favorite mentee and carefully arranged potential husband. 

"Ohhh ... I just love big gatherings!  There are so many people to talk to an to meet!" joyfully expresses Alice Hammer squeezing her hands together in delight "Alfred, do you know many people here? Can you introduce me to them?  I think it would be so fun to have a challenge and see how many people I can meet in one night?  What do you think? Shall we make it a competition?"

Tickled Alfred answers, "I think anyone would be happy to meet you whether it was one or one hundred.  You're one of the most original people I've met in my life!"  To this Alice Hammer grabs his hand with both of hers, wrinkles her nose, raising her shoulders smiles that biggest smile she can muster at a moment's notice to which he responds wrinkling his nose right back at her and sweetly touching the tip of her nose with his other hand. 

Coming out of the ladies room, Jennings sees the two of them in the corner and chuckles to herself, "I think Alice Hammer has found her soul mate".  Annie smiles back at Jennings wondering how her love life is going, "How are things with Mr. Woodhouse?" 

"Couldn't be better ... even Emma is helpful to see that we have time together with Nightly and their family" pleased to hear his name again while missing him tonight Jennings replies "I love spending time with him but I know not to disturb him between 2 and 4 in the afternoon when he takes his nap or during reruns of "Night Watch", he's a bit of a grizzly bear if that happens but we've worked out a good plan since then.  He doesn't disturb me during "Starving Zombies" either, so it works out well."

Once in the auditorium, Annie locates her father and Lydia Russell but looks around for another friend's arrival before heading in their direction. She sees Beth, Ariel, and Elliot chatting away in the aisle locating some old friends from territorial music camp years ago.  Sighing at his absence, Annie clings to her program a little more tightly in anticipation waiting one more longer second to see if he will show up to the concert.

Disappointed she starts to head down the center aisle to the reserved seats saved in front of her, when she feels a gentle tap on her shoulder and a friendly familiar voice "I was trying to catch up with you. but got caught in a conversation with the training principal". 

"Ohhh ...." sweetly smiles Annie "I was just about to go in but I was hoping to see you before it started.  What did the principal say?"

"Well, as you know I've been waiting for an appointment and it will be announced tomorrow so you are the first that I'm telling, I'm being assigned to the training college as the curriculum director" pensively explains Rick hoping that Annie will be pleased by the news "It's only about three hours from Crestwood if you ever have a chance to come down once you move back home".

"That's not far at all!" happily considers Annie imaging driving to the school every weekend to see him but still wishing he were not quite that far away from her "It  would be great to see you again while you are stationed there."

"I wondered what you would think of it" shyly responds Rick trying to keep his feelings in check in order not to reveal too much "You are always invited to come any time that you are free.  There are still a lot of places to explore in the area which we could see together."

'I'd like that very much" agrees Annie feeling that every day is an adventure when she is with him and then smiling into his eyes  "I'll have to look at my schedule once I move back and definitely make plans to do that."

Feeling a boost of courage, Ricks holds her gaze for a moment, "Annie, I've been wanting to talk to you.  Do you think we could ... ummm ... would it be possible to... uhhh"

"Oh there you are!  I've been looking all over for you!" teases Elliot taking her arm and wrapping it around his own as if he is escorting her in a wedding, "The program is about to start and you don't want to miss any of it." Then acknowledging Rick with a slight bitterness in his tone "I didn't even notice you were there.  You're rather an invisible kind-of-guy, some would call it a dark horse, hope you have a good evening.  Annie and I will see you later" pulling Annie in the opposite direction away from Rick.

Feeling trapped, Annie anxiously turns to Rick "Can I call you tomorrow?  Are you busy?" 

Just then Lydia Russell enters the lobby behind Elliot's shadow, "Annie what is taking you so long, we've been waiting for you and the prelude is beginning" then peering over to Rick and rather curtly "Oh, what a surprise to see you.  I heard you were back in town and wandering about somewhere.  You've gotten older but don't appear to have changed much.  I was expecting you to look like a savage considering how long you have been living over sees."

"I'm not sure savage would apply to anyone in the world today.  You'll find people are all the same in every country but just living in various cultures with different titles to describe them," snidely remarks Rick not sure if he can tolerate a full moment in the room with Lydia Russell who caused so much heartache years ago.

Rick's thoughts fade into memories of years ago as he remembers Lydia Russell is standing in front of the home of the Elliotts ....

"Rick, you need to listen to me as an older woman with years of experience" Rick recalls Lydia Russell explaining to him "Annie needs time to experience the world.  She has so much in front of her.  If she gets married now, she will live a life of regret never being able to take advantage of the opportunities in front of her.  Her family is very wealthy.  You could never provide for her in the way that she is accustomed to.  You don't have the contacts or run in the same circles.  What can you offer her?  She may think that she loves you, but it is a childish love.  What does she know? She will fall in love many times in her life before she settles down.  If she gets married now, she fall out of love with you when she meets someone who suits her better and can understand her financial necessities."

"She loves me.  I know she loves me" argues Rick "She doesn't need you or your wealthy friends.  Those things don't matter to her.  I'll provide everything I can for her but mostly I promise to love and find happiness with her."

"Nonsense, it doesn't last" refusing to believe his dedication, Lydia Russell explains "She may enjoy you for a moment, but she will get bored and frustrated when she can buy something that she wants.  You're going to be an officer, she will be a writer.  You can't be so selfish to take her talent away from her. You don't love her if you are willing to do that."

"She can write with me.  I won't stop it" defends Rick appreciating every part of Annie that he knows "Maybe she doesn't want to be an officer, we can be good lay leaders together.  I love her very much."

"If you really love her, you need to let her go" forcibly suggests Lydia Russell with a hidden matchmaking motive of her own.  "I've decided to take Annie with me for the summer on a trip to Alaska with my nephew.  I hate traveling by myself.  This will conveniently give you time and the opportunity to disappear."

"I'm not leaving Annie unless she asks me to go" determinedly replies Rick.

"We shall see ..." challenges Lydia Russell "By the way, Annie is gone with her family for the next couple of weeks.  She's not here and I don't recall any of them leaving a forwarding address".

In a second Rick's eyes narrow returning to the present moment glaring at Lydia Russell smirking back at him.  "What happened to your nephew, did he ever get married? Do you hear from him much?"

Coldly looking back at him, Lydia Russell remarks "No, he has his own friends and likes to travel. He is very busy with his work so he doesn't have time to keep in contact with me". 

Being guided and tugged towards the reserved seats, Annie cautiously looks back over her shoulder to see Rick heading towards the exit doors.  Wrestling free from their arms, Annie jogs back up the aisle and out into the lobby reaching him just as Rick is opening the doors.

"You will be able to spend some time with me tomorrow, won't you?" pleads Annie not sure that she is not sounding as desperate as she is feeling "I mean, I really would like to spend some time with you to catch up and see the city.  There are so many things to see here and to show you.  I think we should go together.  You don't want to miss anything" and then in a quiet whisper her voice trailing "I don't want to miss anything without you."

Taking a deep breath, Rick looks searchingly into her eyes for assurance, "Yes, I'll call you tomorrow. Maybe we can plan for the day to be just for the two of us" looking over her shoulder and seeing Elliot coming up the aisle to retrieve her again and not wanting to be a part of a jealous spectacle, "But as it happens something has come up and I have to go."

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow!  I can hardly wait!" cheerfully accepting his offer, Annie starts to move towards Rick to impulsively give him a hug but is interceded by a sharp voice.

"Annie you need to come now, it's starting" commands Elliot throwing visual daggers in Rick's direction.

Turning to go, Annie yells threw the lobby doors "I'll see you tomorrow!"