The Covenant - Chapter Nine

“Please take your seats after stowing your luggage in the compartment above you” states the efficient flight attendant walking down the aisle closing the bins one at a time making sure that all the luggage straps are tucked in neatly in their place.

Observing the other passengers, Annie checks the knob of air above her to add more cooler air to calm her nervousness and then stares out the window to watch the employees loading luggage onto a cart in from the plane next to them.

“Do you have enough room?” asks Rick gently nudging Annie’s hand on the armrest attempting to stretch his legs in the middle seat a little squished between Lauren and Annie.

“I’m fine, but are you all right?  It seems a little snug for you.  Maybe Lauren might trade you places if you ask her” suggest Annie speaking loud enough for Lauren to hear her and hopefully get the hint.

“I like seating on the aisle seat.  I can get up easily and don’t have to crawl over anyone when I need to get up and walk” firmly states Lauren comfortably sinking into the cushions of the seat and pulling out the airlines magazine from the back pocket of the chair in front of her “It’s only a six hour flight anyway.  Only about three feature movies long” as Lauren moves to close in a little more on Rick’s space Lauren adds, “I’m sure Captain Wentworth doesn’t mind.  He’s use to flying all over the place.”

Turning towards Annie, Rick politely smiles but his eyes reflect a different opinion. “You’re right it is not too long a flight.  And it’s much easier to talk to both of you this way.”

“Take a moment and observe the safety video.  Please turn off all electronic devices as we prepare for takeoff” is announced on the speaker as they watch the flight attendant demonstrate how to inflate a safety vest in tandem with the video instructions.

Curious noticing all the items available for the passengers, Lauren pulls out the bag in the back pocket of the chair in front of him. She turns to Rick placing a hand on his shoulder and mockingly asks, “Do you think you might need this? If you do, I’m here for you.”

“No, but thank you” returns Rick “I’ll keep that in mind. How are you doing Annie? I know it’s been awhile since you flew on as long of flight.”

“I’m fine” offers Annie taking out the catalog of unique shopping items conveniently available for the rather bored passengers on the flight to browse. “As long as I can get out every once and awhile to stretch my legs, I’ll be okay.”

As the flight begins to move and the engines roar to begin their assent, Annie can feel Rick lean towards her brushing gently against her arm.  His touch brings chills with tender memories of another time when they were close.  Her heart fills with regret as she remembers.

“You can’t marry him, Annie.  It wouldn’t be fair to his future” insists Lydia Russell “You’re both just barely past being children.  What can he offer you?  Not only has he only gone to a handful of classes at a college, he hasn’t learned any type of vocation or skill to establish himself yet.”

“He loves me though.  I love him too” defends Annie “We would be good to each other. I think we would be a great couple.”

“Let me tell you, if you love him, you will go give him time and space to get what he needs to get done. If you wanted to get married now, you could really do so much better  than Rick Wentworth by marrying someone a little older and more connected” feeling as if Annie is not understanding her, Lydia bitterly adds “He can’t offer you anything other than love which will soon fade away when you are broke and have nothing to live on.  You’ll soon be lonely and living a difficult life.  Eventually he will become bored with you because you have nothing to give to him either.  You’ve lived a very sheltered life so far.  Really, Annie you need to reconsider how he will feel and what your future will be like.”

“But we love each other.  Isn’t that enough?” angrily states Annie “He likes me the way I am no matter how inexperienced I am.   I can just be myself with him and I think he feels the same way too!”

“Nonsense that is just a feeling, it will soon fade. What will you talk about? With no education or life experience, how could you possibly continue to be interesting to him?” Lydia insults Annie with a little more venom than necessary “He’ll leave you when someone more enchanting and cultured comes along because they’ve taken advantage of the opportunities that have come their way and you have not.”

“But he likes me how I am now without any of that!” emphatically informs Annie “He will be happy with me!”

“How can you be so sure?” snidely asks Lydia Russell then deciding to go with another tactic “Look at your family and how they are connected in the Army.  Can he really give you any opportunities that by choosing someone more related could offer you?”

“I don’t care about that.  I’d rather be liked for my own merit and skills than hanging on the coattails of someone that doesn’t even matter to me” retorts Annie “Rick and I can create our own ‘name’ for ourselves being together if that is even necessary”.

“Foolishness …. The Elliots have been in the Army for generations and you shouldn’t throw that away, you need to find someone of your own status” insists Lydia Russell “Rick is new and unknown.  He’s a nice boy but he doesn’t have any qualities to enhance your heritage.”

“I don’t need history.  I need to live in the now.  The ‘now’ for me is with Rick whom I love” demands Annie feeling defeated.

“There will be many young women coming into his life and he will come to resent you for tying him down at such a young age” bitterly reflects Lydia Russell from her own past marriage experience “You need to give him freedom to explore and discover that you are the only one that he wants, not the one that he is stuck with.”

“You don’t understand Rick at all!” exclaims Annie as doubts begin to pervade her thoughts “He’s never purposely made me jealous of anyone. Other girls have liked him, but he has remained loyal to me.  You don’t understand our relationship at all.”

“I may not understand you but I do know what a man needs to be successful and Rick needs time to attain those qualities” incriminatingly insists Lydia Russell and then cruelly adds knowing that it will hit puncture Annie’s sensitive nature “You really are being so selfish Annie.”

“What do you mean?” shocked  by that accusation Annie questions “How am I being selfish?”

“By marrying him at such a young age, you are ruining his future.  You are robbing him of educational opportunities,   a chance to travel and become more familiar with the world, and creating a network for himself to increase his potential promotions” noting that she seems to be finally getting through Lydia Russell continues  “Observing his behavior towards you, he’ll be too tied up thinking of you and if a baby comes along the way too soon that will be the end of it.  You really need to seriously consider his needs over your own.  If you love him, you will give him time and space to do what he needs to do before attaching himself to you.”

The flight attendant interrupts Annie reveling in her day dreams, “Would you like something to drink?”

“Yes, thanks.  Do you have Dr. Pepper?” politely asks Annie adjusting in her seat and placing the tray down in front of her.

“You still like Dr. Pepper after all these years?” asks Rick tilting his head with a slight smile.  “I usually only saw Coke products when I lived overseas, but on the rare occasion when I saw a Dr. Pepper it reminded me of you every time.”

“Really?  I have one about every day.  Some things never change, I guess” offers Annie feeling sweetly overwhelmed at the thought that he did remember her at least a few times over the years.

Then turning in the opposite direction, “Do you like Dr. Pepper, Lauren?” asks Rick.

“No, I like different types of juices.  They are much healthier than soda” snaps Lauren a little jealous that Annie has a soft spot with Rick over something as simple as soda “I hear they have a variety of tropical juices where we are going.  I can hardly wait to try them out. Maybe we could go together and sample some of the local flavors.”

“Sounds like a great idea!” sincerely replies Rick enjoying merging with any culture that he finds himself within “It would be interesting to see what the area is like at the same time.”

“Why don’t the two of us go out tonight after we arrive?  I think it would be a lot of fun” to add incentive for going out together to establish themselves as a couple from the very beginning of the journey Lauren adds “ I’m sure everyone else will be exhausted.  But I recently read in my Metropolitan magazine that it is best to stay up as long as you can in order to adjust to jet lag.  Annie I’m sure will be willing as the appointed chaperone to stay back and watch the younger members of the team to make sure they don’t get into any trouble.”

Listening to the conversation but not asked to be included, Annie grits her teeth and stares out the window watching the stratus clouds slowly pass by.

As the conversation ends, Rick moves his cramped right leg over towards Annie into her allotted space. His leg brushes against her own sending opposite feelings of excitement and dismay through her. Rick’s cheeks flush to distract himself from his emotions he searches on his Ipod for some music to listen to.  His thoughts drift as a familiar song associated with Annie comes up on his random playlist and fills the sound waves.

He can hear Annie’s voice from long ago “I think it would be better if we waited.  I can’t marry you right now.  It wouldn’t be right.”

“What do you mean it wouldn’t be ‘right’?  Who’s “right”?  Does your family decide what’s right for you?  Or, does that interfering nuisance Lydia Russell? Have you been listening to her again? I thought you were an adult, Annie, but maybe I’ve been mistaken on that count.” Rick angrily attacks not understanding Annie’s viewpoint and instead feeling wounded and betrayed.

“We’re not ready.  As you know, we’re both so young.  What kind of wife would I make for you?  I wouldn’t be enough.  You would get so bored with me in just a few short years” suggests Annie repeating blandly what she has been consistently told by others.

“Annie, I love you.  I would never grow tired of you.  Any relationship has its difficulties but we could make it.  I know we would!” retorts Rick “Is there someone else?  Do you not think I’m good enough for you?  Are you tired of me?”

Annie stammers to find the right words when her heart aches so much “You’re all I’ve ever wanted. But we really need to be wise about this. How are we going to support a life together?”

“I’m planning on going to training in the fall. I can continue my studies as an officer, so can you” offers Rick “Just because we would be married doesn’t mean life stops.”

“Yeah, but it will make everything more difficult for you. I would be too much of a burden …” her words trail into whispers, “and you’ll find someone else who suits you better than me.”

“So that’s it!  I’m not good enough for you.  Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place!  All of you Elliotts are snobs.  I should have known better!” uncharacteristically shouts Rick at her “Why did you bother to flirt with me?  Why didn’t you leave me alone?  I’m not a toy or some sort of amusement for you.  I’ll be fine without you!”

Overwhelmed with emotion and sadness, Annie is at a loss for words and unable to respond in the reality of her most precious loss.  Furious at her reticence, Rick believes that it only confirms his fears, he angrily glares at her. “I don’t need to put up with this.  When you finally come to your senses, I will be long gone.  Don’t expect me to ever come back, because I will not be waiting for you!”

“Excuse me, do you need a blanket?” asks the flight attendant passing around small pieces of blue material for the passengers to attempt to sleep on the long flight to their destination.

“Uhhh … yes, thank you” wakes Rick from his thoughts taking the cloth from her and turning towards Annie and passing another blanket to her.  Annie smiles back at him but he can only feel shadows of pain as he turns back to concentrate on the cool breeze that needs to be adjusted above his head.

 

 

The Covenant - Chapter Eight

A loud pounding noise on the front door echoes throughout the apartment.  Anxiously Annie making a batch of chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen and rushes to answer the door afraid of what emergency has caused the alarming disturbance.

“Tell her” demands Jennings shoving Alice Hammer into the apartment with her shoulder.  “You need to tell her what you have done.”

“Well, uh … let’s see ….” Stammers Alice Hammer looking down and avoiding Annie’s eyes “I just thought …”

“Oh, please.  Just get it out” Jennings rolls her eyes and gently taps her best friend on back moving her more closer to Annie who is a little bewildered standing in front of her “You need to confess what you did.”

“It’s alright” assures Annie concerned what possibly in the world sweet Alice Hammer could do that would in need of garnishing an apology with such urgency “You can tell.  I’m sure everything is okay.”

“Well, you see I got to thinking” slowly begins Alice Hammer taking a deep breath “that you might need some adventure in your life.”

“At least that part is true” bluntly states Jennings annoyed that her friend is taking so long to tell Annie what she has done.

“You seem to be very caught up in the needs of your family and their children and don’t take much time for yourself.  I know this last year has been very hard for you” continues Alice Hammer grabbing for Annie’s over gloved hand patiently waiting at her side for the cookies to finish baking.  The glove slides off as Alice Hammer glasps her hand “Oh, sorry about that.  Let me put that back on for you.”

Jennings grits her teeth in dismay shaking her head. “Show her the letter, it might be quicker!”

“Oh, yes let me find it in my purse.  I just put it in there about an hour ago” as Alice Hammer begins to dig through her gigantic oversized purse full of books, makeup, mail, toys for her grandchildren, etc.

“She’ll never find it … it won’t happen …” mutters Jennings under her breath holding many eclectic items in her hand to assist Alice Hammer in her search.  In a few tedious moments Alice Hammer exclaims holding a white envelope with a shield on the front in the corner “I found it!”

Puzzled Annie cannot figure out what this could possibly have to do with her, she hears the bell from the oven alarm announcing that her cookies are finished cooking.  “I’ll be back.  Why don’t you take a seat and we can have some fresh baked cookies together?”

“OOOhhhh wonderful!  I just love cookies!  Sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, lemon cookies, zebra cookies, cookies with sprinkles ….” Delightfully chatters Alice Hammer clapping her hands together in anticipation.  In return Jennings stares at her and shakes her head.

Carefully Annie places the melting chocolate on dessert plates with a pitcher of hot steaming vanilla coffee and moves towards the living room where her friends are waiting.

“Well, what is it that you would like to tell me?” graciously asks Annie pouring them each a cup of coffee.

“Have you ever wanted to travel?” excitedly asks Alice Hammer with big wide eyes and a cheesy encouraging smile.

“Yes, I’ve thought about it time to time, but there never seemed to be a right opportunity to go anywhere” reflects Annie slightly envious of her friends who have traveled at different points in their lives.

“You like to help people too, right?  I always see you doing things outside of church with your Sunday School class, members of the youth band, and the Girl Guards too as well as helping out with the Sensational Seniors club on Tuesdays” states Alice Hammer as if making a list of qualifications for employment.

“You’re right, I do enjoy doing things with the kids and seeing both of you every week” nods Annie in agreement wondering what her dear friend has been up to.

“You’re avoiding your crime” pointedly states Jennings looking directly at her best friend for over forty years “Just get it out.”

“As you know there are posters all over every corps building in the division advertising service corps.  They’ve opened up to all age groups this year for the six week summer session” begins Alice Hammer “As a elementary teacher, I know you have the summer off and often end up babysitting your nephews but they are going to summer camp this year.”

“Yeah, that is usually how my summers end up being” adds Annie “but they are going to scout camp and now both are finally old enough for senior music conservatory so they will be gone for entire month.”

“I was thinking that a summer away in an exotic location might be good for you” continues Alice Hammer rubbing her anxious hands together “You like helping people and I’ve heard more than once that you’ve though about being a missionary but just haven’t had a chance to do anything since you were in college.”

“Yes that’s right, but I’m not sure what this has to do with me.  I didn’t sign up.” States Annie concerned that there might be some more unknown elements to the discussion yet to come.

“Well … I didn’t know if you had actually read the posters” stutters Alice Hammer “I know that I should have asked you first, but you were always so busy when I remembered and then at other times we were having such a good time together that I accidently forgot to mention it to you.”

“Spit it out … I can’t stand it anymore.  If you don’t tell her, I will!” perturbed states Jennings crossing her arms in front of her and crossing her legs in definance.

“I signed you up” announces Alice Hammer holding her breath.

“Oh, really?  That’s not a problem.  No one has contacted me” sighs Annie a little wishfully thinking that she had taken the initiative to sign up even though the possibility of going would be rather remote now that she had found out that Rick is leading a summer service corps team for the summer.

“There’s more she hasn’t told you” bluntly remarks Jennings clearing her throat and taking another sip of coffee.

“Well, I REALLY wanted you to be chosen to go.  So I might have stretched the truth slightly” swishing her lips as Alice Hammer adjusts her seat  “You took Spanish in college, right?  I remember you studying with Rick in the library years ago.”

“I took three years in college but I can barely remember past “Como se llama”. Foreign languages haven’t exactly been my forte even though I can read and comprehend somewhat.  What does this have to do with me?” asks Annie now staring at the single envelope on the coffee table.

Taking a deep sign and pressing her lips together before she begins, Alice Hammer rushes the words out “I told them that you were quite fluent and could be an interpreter for the team to Lima, Peru.”  She takes another deep sign in relief as her shoulders relax and she places a huge smile on her face.

“What?  I wouldn’t even expect my dog to understand my Spanish commands let alone to even attempt to communicate with anyone!” shocked responds Annie snapping the cookie she has just bitten in two.  “How were you able to send it in without my signature?”

“This is where it gets a little tricky” admits Alice Hammer slightly blushing.

“She signed your name to the application” blurts out Jennings tired of Alice Hammer’s delays “It was wrong, but she is here to ask for your forgiveness.”

“Oh, I see. What’s in the letter?” grabbing the envelope off the table Annie remarks “Oh, it’s been opened too.”

“I went ahead and read it because I didn’t know if it would be worth it to bother you about everything I had done.  If you hadn’t been accepted, it wouldn’t have made any difference anyway” excuses Alice Hammer “I know it was wrong, but I think in spite of my unacceptable behavior you will have a fabulous time!  It’s a trip of a lifetime!  And, you’ll be helping others all at the same time!  Captain Wentworth is on the same team and I know you use to be friends.  He’s still single and available.  It would such a good thing for you to go” nervously stumbles Alice Hammer over every sentence to provide her friend encouragement to accept the position. “You’ll be acting as a chaperon and part-time interpreter when a local one is not available.

“Annie, look at it this way.  She was wrong to do it, but had the best intentions for you in mind.  You need to go on the service corps team and get out of here for a little while” affirms Jennings feeling Annie’s doubts of herself are about to overcome her. “You can do this.  You have the time off and it would be a good thing too.  You already know most of the team.  You remember Harriet who is good friends with Emma Knightly.  She is going to be there at the same time visiting her family and is also helping as a translator for the time you are there. Also, Lauren and Hailey have been accepted for the time, with Ben Wick from our corps who is fluent and has been on quite few service corps teams over the years, and Captain Wentworth is the team leader. You’ll have a great time with that group.”

“I’ll have to think about it and let you know” replies Annie “there are a few things I need to consider.”

“You don’t have time to wait!” exclaims Alice Hammer “They need to know today.”

“She hung onto the letter because she was afraid to tell you and now has waited for the last minute to tell you” further instructs Jennings with a smirk.

“I guess it would be a good thing.  I’ll go ahead and send them an email” replies Annie feeling that God have might have stepped-in with His own plans for her life at a moment’s notice.

“Uhh … I have another confession before you do anything” quietly whispers Alice Hammer barely loud enough for the other two women to hear.

“What did you do?” cautiously asks Jennings narrowing her eyes directly at her friend.

“I told them that you had accepted the position” answers Alice Hammer nibbling on a cookie and taking a large swallow of coffee.

“Wouldn’t they think it was strange coming from an email from you instead of Annie?” suspiciously asks Jennings knowing there is more to come.

“I told another fib to you out, dear.  I set up a new email account for you to use because I didn’t know your current email and you would needed one for your application.  I’m so sorry.  I didn’t think it would go this far” feeling overwhelmed that she might have overstepped a boundary and might not be forgiven Alice Hammer looks pleadingly at Annie.

There is a long silent pause in the room and then Annie begins to loudly laugh. “You really must have felt I needed to go.  I’m not angry but it rather odd and funny at the same time.  I haven’t been to Peru.  I need to read up on some of the customs there and obviously practice my Spanish. I’ve always had a dream of walking along the Inca trail to Machu Pichu. It might actually be an opportunity of a lifetime!”

Kindly Annie reaches out and gives Alice Hammer a reassuring huge warm hug.  “No more emails though, I’m closing down that account.  I don’t even know the password, so you’ll probably have to help me do that. But I will write both of you and let you know about everything that happens while I’m gone.  Thank you for caring about me.

Looking at Annie and reflecting on her own life, Jennings adds “Sometimes unexpected things end up being the best moments in our lives.”

The Covenant - Chapter Seven

Arriving at Kellynch Citadel Rick quickly jumps out of the car and reaching behind him opening Annie’s door as she is exiting the car but then immediately moves to the other side of the car where Lauren is impatiently sitting still waiting for the door to be opened for her as she has done with many previous dates.

In the parking space next to them, Chris Hayter runs up to Charles car “Hey Hailey!  I’ve been looking for you!  Did Charles take the long way around?”

“No, it just takes the ladies a little longer to realize what time it is and how long it takes to get some place” rationally states Charles innocently defending himself and his sense of direction “If you are looking for Hailey, she is talking to Captain Wentworth and her sister over there” nodding in the direction of the other car with a cluster of people surrounding it.

“Thanks!  I’ll see you later!” agreeably smiles Chris Hayter hoping to catch up with his girlfriend before she finds some other entertainment to keep her interest for the day.

The group moves towards the large courts and fields that have been turned into a Carnival to raise money for World Services to help missionaries and their educational and health programs overseas. There are colorful booths and games of every variety with plenty of visitors carrying a mixture of pink and blue cotton candy or fresh hot popcorn.

As the group of individuals walk under the large banner announcing the activities for the day and its purpose, Mary Musgrove grabs Captain Wentworth’s arm to support herself as she pretends to need help climbing over the uneven curb.  Charles walks up to her and gives her a look.  She returns a smile and soon moves over to her husband’s side bathing in his attention and concern.  Charles Hayter places himself firmly beside Hailey complimenting her on her outfit and the way it reflects her eyes successfully diverting her attention from the handsome officer.

The eclectic trio of Captain Wentworth, Lauren, and Annie are soon left on their own walking in step with each other amongst the booths. 

“Will you win a teddy bear for me?” flirtatiously asks Lauren wrapping her arm within his own pulling him towards the game and away from Annie whom he seems to be conscientiously observing  in his silence “I’m sure with your skills it wouldn’t take very long at all!”

With Lauren’s incredulous cheering, he throws the ball very expertly at each can while Lauren shrieks in delight and with flattery encourages his masculine technique. Annie watches for awhile but eventually rolls her eyes at the obtuse comments and decides to focus on something else.  With a deep sigh, she watches the young children fish for a buried treasure within a small plastic yellow pool in the next booth.

“I want something to eat!  Captain, what about a funnel cake?” asks Lauren smiling with a wink “I’m in the mood for something sweet”. 

Realizing that now they are a duet, Rick looks behind him to find where Annie has gone.  Feeling the warmth of the day and oblivious to others around her, Annie is putting her hair into a ponytail because of the heat. He remembers the same motions from years ago and how she liked to wear her hair like that because of its convenience.  He smiles at the memory lost in his thoughts for a moment.

Lauren smirks noticing where his attention is focused at the moment then grabs his arm pulling him towards her, “She’ll catch up with us.  If we don’t hurry there will be a long line and I don’t like to wait.”

Looking out of the corner of her eye noticing the movement, Annie reluctantly follows the couple in front of her a few steps behind them wishing that there was someone else to talk to so she wouldn’t feel like such a third wheel.  Her heart aches as she watches Rick and Lauren chat back and forth with each other remembering years ago when her and Rick use to spend hours chatting with each other when the time on the clock no longer mattered.

As the day wears on Annie decides to take a break and sit on a bench where she is joined by Mary and Charles who have caught up with them for the moment. 

“It’s so hot out here!” exclaims Mary taking a flyer which she has transformed into a fan rapidly moving in front of her face “You look flushed Annie. The heat is getting to you too. Maybe we should go inside for while and leave the others to enjoy themselves.”

“I’ll get you another water Mary. Annie would you like one?” politely asks Charles digging in his pocket for some loose change. 

“Yes, thank you” responds Annie leaning back and bracing herself on the seat of the bench then looking up and then down to shade her eyes from the sun “water sounds great right now.”

“Wait a minute!  I’ll go with you!” replies Mary putting her sandals back on “Maybe there is more shade over there” leaving Annie by herself and her thoughts.

Just around the corner, she can hear the voices of Rick and Lauren talking.  “Yes, my brother was interested in Annie for awhile.  But she didn’t date him.  I think it was because of Lydia Russell.  She didn’t think my brother was good enough for her.  So he ended up with her sister, Mary.  We always liked Annie better but he ended up marrying Mary.  She’s okay but Annie feels much more like a sister.”

“Do you think that if Lydia Russell hadn’t been around she would have chosen to be with your brother?” curiously asks Rick listening carefully for the answer.

“I don’t remember Annie dating anyone else and they seemed to get along really well.  I think she did like him.  How could she not like my brother?” rhetorically asks Lauren “I think he must have been the love of her life because there hasn’t been anyone else that I know of.  Lydia Russell is way too controlling.  I wouldn’t ever let anyone control me like that.  I have a mind and a will of my own.  I make my own decisions especially if I loved someone, I would do anything for them.”

“That’s interesting.  I think it shows a strength of character to make good decisions for oneself without depending on the opinion of others especially those with ulterior motives” firmly agrees Rick as his voice gains intensity noticing his friend listening around the corner “I would think that real love and happiness would be worth it to put aside the unnecessary control and gossip of others.”

“Have you ever been hurt by someone?”  Cunningly asks Lauren “I couldn’t do that to someone I loved”.

“At one time, but that love has faded and gone.  It can’t grow if it is not respected and honored” regretfully admits Rick “Love is much more than just a feeling and shouldn’t be one-sided.”

Each word strikes Annie painfully to her core.  She did love Rick.  But she let the advice of others sway her to let him go.  It was her belief that he needed time to finish his education and to develop his own sense of self without being bounded to the obligations of a married life at such a young age.  It wasn’t that she didn’t love him, but that she had loved him enough to give him space to achieve all of his goals and freedom to become a man that he desired to be.   He hadn’t understood that at the time.  Rick angrily had misunderstood her motives and felt that she was sacrificing him for Lydia’s friendship and guidance as a mentor.   Perhaps even at that point if she had been more confident and would have felt more like a reliable strength and support rather than a hindrance to him things might have been different.  But the day is gone and that moment has past.  Annie can feel the heat rising to her face as her heart pounds at the echo of his words.  

“Do you think that you could fall in love again?” coyly suggests Lauren moving closer to him and gazing directly into his eyes.

“Maybe one day if I meet the right person” calmly reflects Rick “I’m about the right age to start settling down so I suppose that I should start looking again.”

“You never know, the right person may be under your nose” smiles Lauren looking into his eyes once again.

“We need to find Annie” states Rick knowing that she is sitting on a bench right around the corner having observed her earlier “She always seems to lose her way.”

A bit miffed, Lauren responds “I suppose your right. She has a tendency to get lost doing her own thing. She’s usually gone for a walk or absorbed in some book forgetting what time it is.”

“There you are!” exclaims Rick with a smile “We’ve been looking for you. I didn’t know if you had left us again and gone off somewhere.”

“No, I was just resting for awhile to give you some space to enjoy yourselves without me tagging along for a moment” responds Annie making Rick intuitively aware of the statement’s duplicite meaning.

“Why don’t we go over to the trampoline and try it out” suggests Lauren wanting to gather the attention back to her with her gymnastic skills.

“Sounds like fun.  Are you coming Annie?” asks Rick catching up with Lauren walking at break neck speed ahead of them.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a minute” replies Annie grabbing her bottle of water and taking off slowly behind them not feeling like interfering in their conversation any more.

Lauren does several difficult flips as she has many times before in her neighbor’s backyard.  “Come on Annie!” challenges Lauren believing the Annie would never join her and bouncing and flipping with each new request. “I bet you haven’t done this in awhile! Rick come on up! It’s easy!”

“I doubt Annie would want to.  She seems contented to sit and watch” responds Rick “I think those days have past for her.”

Feeling challenged and a bit insulted, Annie decides to put forth her best effort “I’ll try.  Not that I’ll be any good, but it might be kind-of fun.”

Annie climbs ungracefully on the mat and begins to delicately bounce.  Lauren moves towards her and obnoxiously bounces with all of her effort into the mat.  Annie’s body responds by flying into the air and accidently doing a not so bad flip. 

“That wasn’t too bad!” acknowledges Lauren “Why don’t you try it again?”

Annie concentrates doing a few practice bounces and then remembers the technique of few flips when she was on the diving team in high school.   

“Wow.  I’m impressed!” shouts Rick laughing “Both of you are quite good!”

In that second, Annie smiles back to him but misses her footing and lands on her ankle. “Oowww”  slips between Annie’s lips grabbing her ankle.

“Are you okay?” asks Lauren coming to an immediate halt after finishing an excellent double flip.

“No, I think this might be it for me today” reluctantly admits Annie scooting off the trampoline as Rick helps her down by letting her lean on his shoulder.

As she limps one step at a time leaning on his shoulder, they run into his sister and her husband.

“I didn’t know you were here too! Annie has hurt herself on the trampoline and needs to go probably to the ER.  Annie, you remember my sister and her husband, Colonel and Mrs. Croft.” Offers Rick.

“Yes, we’ve met recently.  They’re renting my dad’s home while the rest of my family are in Bath” replies Annie smiling at them through the pain in her ankle.

“We certainly can take her.  We were planning on leaving now anyway and just happened to run into you.  The hospital is practically next door to our house.  It would be a pleasure to take Annie” responds Mrs. Croft putting an arm around her for support as she moves Annie towards their car.  “Go ahead and catch up with your other friends.  We’ll take good care of her.”

Instead of leaving, Rick continues to walk towards their car and helps her into the front seat. He takes her hand lingering for a moment without saying anything and then releases it.  “I’ll see you later after you’ve seen the doctor” he mumbles shutting the door.

Lauren runs up to him placing an arm on his shoulder with laughter in her voice yells back through the car window “Don’t worry Annie, you just get better.  I’ll take good care of him for you.  He won’t miss a thing!”

 

The Covenant - Chapter Six

“I’m so excited!” floats Lauren between the kitchen table and moving towards the cabinets to take out a mug for some hot chocolate “I’m so glad that it was so easy to convince Mary to invite Captain Wentworth over for dinner.  If I didn’t know better I would say she was harboring a secret crush on him too!”

“Well that would make three of his.  I did see him first if you remember, so I have first dibs” snidely remarks Hailey flipping her hair behind her shoulder and sticking out her chin a little more pronounced than before and firmly confirming “I think he has noticed me as well”.

Rolling her eyes while twitching her lips Lauren rebukes her sister, “He might have noticed you but he kept his eyes on me all night at the wedding!”

As the competitive chatter continues, Anne’s eye glaze over as she stares at the herbal tea bag steeping in her mug bringing back many memories of a dear friend that once kept her attention nearly fifteen years before.

“Annie, I’m so glad that I caught up with you!” gasping for air Rick tries to catch his breath as he slows down his pace to walk gently beside her “I was looking for you after you left class today and you disappeared.  Were you in a hurry?”

“No, not really but I need to get back to the house because Lydia Russell has something for me to do and I really shouldn’t be late” nervously explains Annie shifting her textbooks in her hands to find a more comfortable position to get a better view of him.

“Do you want me to help you carry some of that?” grabbing without waiting for a reply, Rick takes three of the largest books from her “They look pretty heavy”.

“It’s okay, but thank you” genuinely relieved remarks Annie “I think that I’ve got enough homework for tonight to last me for a year”.

“Would you like to study together tonight?” eagerly asks Rick “If you wouldn’t mind I might need some help in understanding some of the medieval poetry I’ve been assigned which you seem to have a knack for explaining”.

Blushing Annie agrees “Ok, I think that I can managed some free time after work.  I have some new music that I think you might like to hear too.”

“Sounds great!  I’ll bring some snacks along. Maybe afterwards we can watch a movie or something?”  Anticipating a positive reply Rick continues “I just bought a couple of the new blockbusters that came out this summer which I hope you don’t mind seeing again.”

“Sure, I’ll bring some soda so it’s even. But I get to pick the movies the next time” Annie jokingly teases “But you may have to watch a chick-flick or two”.

“No problem, just don’t expect me to cry during the sappy parts, but I might be conjured into holding your hand to help you through them” flirts Rick not yet having held her hand but wanting to.

“Ha, ha” laughs Annie looking at him in the eyes just for a moment while taking her books back from him as she reaches her car “I might just let you do that”.

The aroma of the tea brings her back as she hears Lauren accusingly ask her “How thick are you going to make your tea?  Personally, I like mine pretty weak with lots of cream and sugar.”

“I didn’t realize that I had been stirring it for so long” notices Annie “I think that I made need to add more cream than usual to make it drinkable and not so bitter.”

“You know Annie I was talking to Captain Wentworth after the reception.  I really didn’t know that he knew you before.  He said that you had changed so much that he hardly recognized you.  I think what he meant with you getting older as everyone does, you just don’t look the same” Lauren continues reflecting “I can’t imagine what I’m going to look like when I’m your age.  I hope that I’m different and never get old looking instead I want to look beautiful and be the most gorgeous woman in any room my entire life!”

Forcing a grin, Annie looks at her for a second and then down at her teacup again “None of us really know our future until that time comes.  There are much more important and valuable things in life than just beauty which one day will come to mean more to you.”

“I certainly hope not!” refuses Lauren “People just say that when they don’t feel good about themselves and the way they look … no offense Annie of course to you … I’m going to marry someone rich who can afford to keep me looking pretty!”

“Really Lauren, you sound so shallow. Some people are born with natural beauty, look at Sophia Lauren, Dianne Keaton, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer, they’re never going to look old” taking a moment to pause before Hailey wistfully adds “I think that I might have the same genes in common.”

“Whatever …” smugly replies Lauren “If you have them, then I have them too as your sister.”

“At least we have the Musgrove blood and not like the Elliots even if Mr. Elliot is the only one still attractive for his age” considers Lauren then noticing that Annie was still in the kitchen listening to them “I didn’t mean any offence, but your dad is still quite good looking considering his age.”

“Yes, I know.  He makes quite a bit of effort to look that way every morning” replies Annie with a tinge of resentment in her voice having been the sacrifice of many of his selfish whims to pamper himself over the years.

They hear a knock at the door which Lauren runs to respond too avoiding any more unintended insults to Annie whom actually she cares very much for like an aunt.  Annie looking at the ceiling can hear from the other room “It’s Captain Wentworth!  How are you doing?  What a surprise! Yes, we’d love to go for a ride!”

Walking into the kitchen Annie looks up to see Rick standing in front of her.  “Hi!  I saw your car outside.  I came by to see Charles.  I’ve invited everyone for a picnic at Kellynich Park if you would like to come.  The girls suggested going to the corps who are having a carnival to raise money for world services and thought it might be something fun to do.  Would you like to join us?”

“I don’t know if there will be enough room in Charles CRV for all of us if Annie comes too” pointedly announces Hailey.

“I can bring my car along” suggests Rick “if we take both cars there will be plenty enough room.”

“Don’t worry!” enthusiastically offers Lauren “I can ride with you and everyone else with Charles.  Then there is plenty of room.”

“What is all this noise about?  You can’t forget me.  I want to go too!” informs Mary wiping the last bit of glazed donut from her cheek and closing the Faces magazine in her hand.

“You need to ride with Charles and Mary and the boys” organizes Lauren and then somewhat disappointedly “Annie can ride in the back seat in the car with us.”

Feeling like a fifth wheel Annie states “I don’t have to go.  I’ve got things to do.”

Before anything else can be said Charles jumps into the conversation walking towards her pulling at her arm to join them  “Nonsense Annie, everyone wants you with us. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Glaring at Charles ability to be so comfortable with Annie, Rick smirks and turns toward Lauren “Everyone ready?”

Moving closer to him impulsively Lauren grabs a hold of his forearm giving him a gentle stroke in unity with her excitement “I can hardly wait!”

The all find their places in the car.  Rick opens the door for Lauren and lets her in and then moves to the other side of the car behind the driver’s seat.  Annie has already started to climb in and starts to shut the door, but Rick grabs a hold of it in a bit of a tug of war, before finally Annie gives in and lets Rick shut the door for her.  Smugly he looks to the sky pleased with himself before finding his place in the driver’s seat.

As the incessant questions by Lauren begins, Rick takes cursory glances into his review mirror observing Annie unaware that he is analyzing her.  Every time Annie looks up into the mirror, Rick quickly looks away and fidgets with the radio again or the windshield wipers for a cleaning.

Annie somewhat confused because he isn’t smiling at her and seems to be enjoying all the questions that Lauren is throwing at him concentrates on the scenery randomly passing outside her window. “Annie, are you listening?” pertinently Lauren demands “Captain Wentworth just asked you a question.”

“I’m sorry, I’m lost in my own thoughts.  What did you ask me?” embarrassed Annie tries to move her thoughts back into reality.

“I was wondering if you still like to write?” kindly asks Rick wanting to include Annie in the conversation that so far has only been one sided.

“Occasionally, but it’s hard to find time to” remarks Annie “sometimes it’s just a need to be inspired that leaves me blank without it”.

“I use to like to read your poetry and stories” remembers Rick with a warm smile at the reflection.

“I write too!” Lauren intercedes “I’ll have to show you some of my work as well.  Hailey and I like to make up commercials. We’ve done it since we were children.  I’m really good at some slogans and branding.  I’m considering marketing as a career.”

The conversation shifts back to Lauren as Annie relaxes into the comfort of cushions of the back seat.  She silently muses to herself for a moment “At least he remembers that I use to write.  There are so many things that I will never forget about him.”

The Covenant - Chapter Five

“Hurry up!  The bridal party is headed to the reception and we’re going to be late!” pleads Lauren trying to encourage her sister to reapply her makeup more quickly so they won’t miss a moment of the celebration.

“I think Liz looked so beautiful!  I want to look as pretty as she did on my wedding day … her eyes were so bright and I loved the updo and wisps in her hair” lifting up her hair in an imaginary do looking side to side at each angle while pursing her lips in the large decorative mirror in the public bathroom, Hailey continues “Lauren, you’ll need to help me learn how to do that.  We can practice on each other.”

“Ok, but not now.  I want to make sure that we are able to sit in a good spot so Captain Wentworth to has a clear view of us” self-consciously Lauren explains “I want him to notice how ‘womanly’ I look today and not to think of me as someone so much younger than him but more of his equal. Don’t you think in this dress I look at least five years older than I am?”

“I guess so, I never really noticed.  You always look the same to me” bluntly states Hailey “Why do you need to look older anyway?  He already knows how old you really are.  If he really likes you, it shouldn’t make a difference anyway.”

“Yeah, I know but don’t you think I look more mature today?” insists Lauren mocking a glamour shot into the mirror as if it is a camera.

“Whatever … you think what you want” replies Hailey tired of the discussion and wanted to get back to the reception to see what Hayden is doing with all the other women dressed-to-the-nines at the reception. “Let’s go or we are going to miss the whole thing!”

After they leave, Annie comes out of the stall having overheard their conversation.  She looks at her hair which is plainly set and the lack of lipstick as it has worn off earlier in the day.  She looks tired from not having slept the night before thinking of the past and wondering if a future with Rick has been lost forever because of a bad choice but with good intentions that she made years ago.

In her reflection, Annie takes her hand and touches the corners of her eyes slighting raising her brow. “It’s no use.  I will never be twenty again” she whispers quietly to herself in the empty room. She finishes up drying her hands and applies some fresh lipstick to enhance her appearance.  She straightens out her dress while tucking her tummy in but confesses “I can’t breathe like this all evening. Fifteen years has left its mark, I might as well embrace it.”

“Oh there you are!  We were looking for you!” exclaims Jennings “I saved a seat for you next to me.  I’ll meet you back there in a few minutes.  You definitely don’t want to miss the bouquet toss.  However, I need to let you know, I’m planning on catching this one” nudging her in the ribs “Just between you and me, I’ve been hoping Mr. Woodhouse might get the hint – but so far he’s been rather clueless.  Maybe you can help me out by filling him in on the good luck that catching the bouquet means, especially if I catch it today.”

“Ok, I will.  It’s a promise. My best wishes on being the next bride!” giggles Annie having enjoyed watching Jennings and Mr. Woodhouse flirt back and forth for years since both of them lost their spouses and who always seem to enjoy each other’s company more than anyone else.

“Alice thinks I should leave it up to the younger ones” explains Jennings but with more passion confirms as she opens the swinging door “All’s fair in love in war, I say!  Mr. Woodhouse is definitely worth the extra effort!”

Walking down the hallway towards the corps fellowship hall, Annie finds herself smiling and hoping that one day she will also find true love whatever form or age in comes in.  Lost in her thoughts, she runs into a pair of black shoes that evidently were headed directly towards her.  Her head bumps the middle of a man’s chest.  She recognizes his cologne from a long time ago and deeply blushes.

“Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t see you”, gushes Annie trying to move out of the way but dancing to an odd rhythm in-sync with her unexpected partner.

“It’s alright, I should have moved out of your way.  I noticed that you seemed a little preoccupied” apologizes Rick and then fumbling for what to say next “It was a great wedding don’t you think?  People should get married all the time for the party afterwards”.

Annie instinctively gives him a puzzled look because without realizing his true motive thinks that the best part of the wedding is the ceremony and especially where the couple exchanges vows but afraid to say anything manages “I guess so, if you really like going to parties.  I don’t go to parties very often, I don’t mind being on my own”

She can feel the words come out of mouth but as words reach a tone all she can think to herself is, “Don’t give him the impression you’re a hermit.  You do get out … well sometimes … at least it happens once in awhile.”

“I don’t go to parties much either since being stationed overseas at least not like the ones that are here” explains Rick wanting to continue the conversation but not sure what to say next “It’s quite different being home again.  I’m getting use to some of the typical social customs again.  I guess that I’ve managed to acclimate myself to the culture where I’ve been the last ten years.  It’s very different being back again.  I feel a bit of an outsider even though I’m still familiar with everything.”

“Oh … have you had much trouble adjusting to the food again?” asks Annie wondering why she couldn’t come up with a better question at least one that was slightly more interesting.

“It’s all right.  I like rice and beans for breakfast though and I rather miss it since being back” chuckles Rick “It’s been good to get re-acquainted with everyone again.  I was afraid that they might have forgotten me.”

“Oh, that would never happen” excitedly states Annie then feeling embarrassed at her quick response continues “You’re family wouldn’t forget you and you have your other friends from school too”.

“Yes, that’s true.  It’s been a long time and people tend to focus on those right in front of them and forget about the ones they leave behind until they see them again” offers Rick “Everyone has been very friendly though and I’m enjoying my visit”.

Unable to respond because her heart wants to let him know that she never forgot him, not one conversation, not one look, not one moment since he has been gone; Annie looks him directly in the eyes but only says “I’m glad you’re having a good time with everyone.  Lauren and Hailey seem quite pleased to have you here.”

In that second Rick almost takes a step back and raising his chin while taking in a deep breath as if to re-group his thoughts “Yes, they are very sweet and pretty young women.  I never knew Charles had such beautiful and intelligent sisters.  They seem quite confident and goal oriented too.”

In contrast to these words of acclamation, Annie can feel every ounce of her inner soul falling into a deep pit at this true acknowledgement of her dear friends’ characters, “Yes, they are nice girls.”

“Well, I don’t mean to keep you from the reception” politely but in a colder tone states Rick “Your loyal friends are probably waiting for your return”.

“Oh … uh … yes I suppose they are” awkwardly agrees Annie “It is time for me to get back, I’ve been talking way too long. It was nice to see you again.”

“You too.” Blandly states Rick with his back already turned from her and purposefully walking away down the corridor.

After turning the corner of the hallway, Annie stops a moment to collect her breath and sadly thinks to herself. “At least that is over. I’ve met him and I obviously don’t mean anything to him anymore.  I can get on with my life now because there is no point expecting anything from him. But I’m just not sure how to do that …”

At that same exact moment, Rick leans against the bulletin board of the latest announcements of camp, day camp, Bible Conference, and other activities for the summer. A few posters gingerly fall to the floor as his back hits the wall. Resting his head in his hand for a moment, he can feel the pressure throbbing against his forehead. His eyes sting and he blinks several times while gritting his teeth to regain his composure. “Why did I ever think she cared about me? It doesn’t even seem like she missed me.  All I’ve done is spend my time thinking of her the last fifteen years.  She acts like she barely remembers me as even an old acquaintance.”

The music fills the room with plenty of smiles and laughter.  Everyone appears to be in a good mood celebrating the marriage of Darcy and Liz.  Both of them glow in their excitement and love for each other.  Everyone is more than thrilled and happy for them.   As the wedding reception winds down, the bridal bouquet toss is announced.

Lauren, Hailey, Beth, Ariel Gray, Mary and Kitty Bennett, and Lila Steele are also joined by Jennings and Alice Hammer.  

Jennings positions herself with her feet wide apart as if ready to receive a football after a hike. She pulls up her uniform skirt slightly above her knees in her off-black hose stocking feet.  She claps her hands once together “I’m ready for ya!” she chimes in as the other girls smile and feel the competitive edge rise to the challenge.  She flexes her shoulder muscles one last time as the bride prepares the bouquet to be thrown.

For a second, Annie looks up and catches Rick’s eye at the bridal table. He smirks but blushes slightly before turning away to talk to Charles for a moment. Seeing him choosing to turn the other way rather than watching her, Annie thinks to herself with deep regret “He’s the only one I would ever want to marry but it seems like that time has passed for us”.

“Ready?” asks a very happy and contented Liz to her friends “One, two, three, here it goes!”

The bouquet flies into the air as small clusters of baby’s breath glide to the floor, it twists and turns in the air and finally lands at it destination.

Jennings leaps in her best jumping jack pose.  It narrowly misses the goal posts of her hands, sliding to the right and into the palms of Mary Bennett.

“It got me!” shouts Mary squeezing her knees together while jumping up and down in a semi-squat position “I’m the next one going to get married! I can’t believe it! I’m so excited! I can hardly wait!” after pausing for a second and smelling all the beautiful array of flowers looking over at the bachelor cluster turning to her sister, Kitty, in utter excitement Mary squeals “ I just need to meet him first! Maybe today will be the day!”

Again, Rick catches Annie’s eye and holds it for a moment as they both exchange a smile between each other. But then she notices his attention switches over to observing both Lauren and Hailey who are quietly analyzing amongst themselves their disappointment and strategizing on how to spend more time with the male companionship that is dutifully there for the rest of the evening.  In acknowledging her loss, Annie finds that they are both quite animated and charming to watch. She politely smiles at each of them before returning to her place at the reserved assigned table.

With hands on her hips, Jennings playfully glares at Mary for a moment in her cycle of astonishment and defeat. Rather loudly she declares, “Well, I guess that I’ll just have to wait for the next one! One day I’ll get my man!”