Till We Meet Again (20 page)

Silence.

     “But what if she hurts him?”

     “Stop it!” Caroline yelled. “You can’t keep doing this, Diane. Your mom is with Brian. And your dad is with Simone. They have people who they love and who are making them happy. You need to stop being your parents’ keeper and just be their daughter. That’s what they want. That’s what they need.”

Silence.

     “Aunt Caroline?” Diane sounded like a little girl again. “If I can’t protect my parents….what do I do now?”

The hurt in Diane’s voice was heart wrenching. I couldn’t listen to anymore. I had to get out of there. Now!

I quickly turned around, ran down the hallway, down the stairs and out the front door.  With Lizzy’s car keys in hand I ran to her Land Rover and drove toward town to do the shopping on my own. Hoping I wouldn’t get lost.

As I got further away from the house I realized that my original anger toward Diane has now turned into sadness for a little girl; a lost little girl that needs to find her way. How do I help her heal? Would she even let me try?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     “I’m glad I went running this morning.” I said to Charles as we went down the buffet line filled with all types of BBQ goodies from beef, chicken, and pork to apple and cherry pies. Large rectangular and circular tables, some under large white tents were decorated with white table cloths, colorful streamers and balloons. They were strategically places all around the expansive lawn. The sun was shining bright. It was a bit humid. Thank goodness for the ocean breeze.

     “Babe, how many times do I have to tell you I love your curves,” Charles said while nibbling on my ear…causing me to giggle.

     “Hey young man, you better save that nibbling for this spread,” the older red haired gentleman laughed while pointing to the food displayed on the buffet line.

Charles laughed and shook the man’s hand. “Hey there Senator Keeley, good to see you.”

Senator Keely of Connecticut was just one of the many politicians, celebrities and heads of multi-national companies attending the BBQ today. Even though it was on a much larger scale it made me think of my grandparents’ annual Open House and how I missed those days.

     “Good to see you too, Charles. Your parents really know how to celebrate the country’s birthday. And who are you, young lady,” he said smiling at me. “I’ve never seen you here before. I would have remembered,” he winked.

      “No, you haven’t. This is my first time here,” I said taking his hand and giving him a warm smile. “I’m Simone Cameron. It’s nice to meet you.”

      “Nice to meet you as well,” the senator said holding my hand in both of his. “By any chance do you live in Connecticut?” he asked.

     “I’m afraid not,” I answered.

     “That’s too bad. I could use a constituent like you.”

Taking my hand from the senator’s and putting a possessive arm around my shoulders, Charles said, “Well again, Senator, it’s nice seeing you again. Please give your WIFE, Emily, my regards.”

The senator looked a little flustered as he turned bright red. “Well, ah, nice seeing you again Charles.” Looking down at me he said, “Ms. Cameron, it’s been a pleasure.” Then he walked away.

Charles turned back to the table.

     “That was a little rude,” I said as I turned to the table as well.

     “He’s a dirty old man,” Charles said in a clipped voice.

     “Oh he’s harmless,” I said laughing.

     “No he isn’t,” he said sternly.

I looked at Charles wondering what that was all about. But then another one of the 300 plus guests stopped by to speak with us.

After hours of shaking hands, smiling non-stop and making small talk I needed a break. Wanting to get away from the crowd I decided to go into the house for search of a moment of peace and quiet.

Not wanting to run into anyone I decided to walk around the front of the house and go in from there. As I walked down the hallway to find a quiet corner to hide I thought I heard Diane’s voice in distress. I began to follow her voice.

     “I said leave me alone!” she yelled.

     “Oh come on,” a man’s voice begged.

     “I’m not going to tell you again!” Diane sounded angry and scared.

Once I turned the corner into the den I immediately saw the problem. It was Senator Keeley. He had Diane pushed up against the wall. She had her hands on his chest and was trying to push him away. But since he was almost a foot taller then she and he had a solid build she was having no luck at all.

     “What the hell are you doing?” I yelled.

Keeley immediately stepped back. Diane showed relief in her face.

     “Oh, Simone,” Keely said nervously.

     “What do you think you’re doing to her?” I asked again.

      “Diane and I were just having a little talk,” he gave a nervous laugh.

     “How dare you?” I said through clenched teeth. “What gives you the right to keep going when a woman says no? Do you know her father would kill you if he knew?”

     “Well, well, there’s no need to get the family involved. It’s just a misunderstanding,” he said trying to make his way out of the room.

     “Bullshit!” I said in his face blocking his retreat. “And you already got family involved. Now you get your ass out of here before I call the rest of the family to ‘escort’ you out.  And don’t you ever step foot on this property again. Ever!”

     “Look,” Keeley said his face red with anger, “You don’t know who you’re dealing with…”

     “Oh yes, I do,” I said with disgust and getting closer to his face. “Come near my family again and I’ll let you know exactly who YOU’RE dealing with.”

I moved out of his path to the doorway. He practically ran out of the room.

I immediately turned to Diane who had not moved from the wall during my confrontation with Keeley.

     “Are you alright?” I asked.

With tears in her eyes she shook her head “yes”.

     “Did he hurt you?” I said looking for any sign that things went further than what I saw.

     “No, no…the bastard!” she said, the fear turning into anger. “I couldn’t push him away from me. I kept trying but he wouldn’t budge.”

     “Has he ever done this to you before?” I asked thinking about how Charles had described him as a “dirty old man.”

     “No,” she said shaking her head, walking over and sitting on the couch. “He was always too friendly but he never crossed the line; till now.”

     “Do you mind telling me what happened?” I said sitting next to her and putting my hand gently on hers.

She shook her head and began. “I was feeling overwhelmed with all of the people here. You know helping to play hostess and all.”

I shook my head knowing the feeling.

     “I wanted to find a few minutes of peace and quiet. So I came into the den. He must have followed me inside the house because I wasn’t here for more than two minutes before he came in. He started asking me about my clinic in San Diego and how he was trying to get one just like it started in Connecticut, and if I could be on the planning board, etc. I was so excited by the idea of helping people here on the East Coast that I let my guard down. I didn’t realize until it was too late that he was getting closer and closer, as I started moving further away. Once I was against the wall he put his hands on my arms and started saying how we could work well together.” She spit the last sentence out with disgust on her face. “I went to smack his face but he held my hands down and tried to kiss me. I tried to push him away but I couldn’t. That’s when you came in. Thank God, Simone. I don’t know what he would have done if you didn’t come in.”

     “I’m sorry you had to experience it,” I said, “But I’m glad I was able to stop it.”

    “Simone,” Diane said quietly with tears in her eyes.

     “Yes?”

     “I was so scared.” With that she threw herself in my arms and cried.

I patted her on the back and let her know it was ok to cry.

As if she suddenly remembered her animosity for me she quickly pulled back.

     “I’m sorry,” she said wiping away her tears, sitting up straight and smoothing down her hair.

     “Don’t be,” I said regretting that the old Diane seemed to be back.

     “Please don’t tell my father what happened” Diane said quietly.

     “I won’t if you don’t want me to,” I said. “But he has to know Diane. Not only for what Keeley did to you but to make sure it doesn’t happen again to anyone else.”

     “Yes, I’ll tell him,” she said looking down at her hands. “But not till after tonight. I don’t want the party ruined.”

Not sure I agreed with her but I respected her choice.

There was silence.

      “Diane, I hope you realize one day that I am not your enemy. Nor am I trying to take your place. I love your dad…I love this family. No matter what the future holds I am here for you and Daniel as well.”

She nodded.

     “I was going to get some apple pie and ice cream. Do you want to join me?”

Diane hesitated. “Sure,” she said and began to walk beside me.

As we walked through the house and out to the backyard I began to think for the first time that weekend that maybe Diane would come around, maybe not today, but maybe someday. But at least we’re way past the one syllables.

As the sun began to set the party moved to the beach area. Blankets and towels were scattered along the sand as everyone tried to get a “good spot.” Every spot was a “good spot.” The Dupree’s had hired professionals for the fireworks display. The company had a barge docked just off shore to shoot the fireworks from. You could feel the excitement in the air. We all knew we were in for a good time.

Charles had us move a blanket a little too close to the shore, if you ask me. But he said he wanted to be away from everyone. He had his legs spread open as I sat between them – my back against his chest. Snuggled against his chest I couldn’t think of a better place to be. He pulled back my hair and nibbled on my neck.

     “Be careful there Mr. Dupree,” I said breathless. “We aren’t alone.”

     “Too bad we’re not,” he said coming up for air.

The servers passed out flutes of champagne as we waited for the fireworks to begin. Under the stars with the sound of the waves Charles squeezed me tight. All I could think of was how much I loved this man. I truly could not think of my life without him.

We took a sip of champagne and the fireworks began. Colorful, sparkling, booming sounds. I could feel the vibrations in my stomach. The colors were amazing. I couldn’t stop grinning I was so happy at that very moment. As the display was about to end Charles kissed me on my neck, he turned me toward him and kissed my lips.

With our lips only about an inch apart from each other Charles said, “Simone, you know I love you more than words can say. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I brushed my hand down his cheek – so much in love with this face; with this man.

     “Charles, I want nothing more than to spend my life with you. I love you.”

     “I love you too babe.”

Just then I heard a big boom and people around us gasped. Charles turned my head toward the fireworks. On the barge were letters with sparks coming out of them they read, “Simone, will you marry me?”

I gasped. Feeling a little light headed I turned to Charles and looked in his eyes as he looked in mine.

      “Yes, baby, yes. I’ll marry you!”

The salt from our tears mixed in with our kiss.

     “I love you!” we both said over and over again as the people all around us clapped and cheered and the ocean’s waves engulfed our blanket and our legs. We didn’t care about getting wet sand in our toes or even the people around us. We had each other and a love worth waiting for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I open my car door and begin to walk on the grass it hits me…just like it does every time I come here. The quiet is unnerving. No, I don’t expect anyone to be holding a conversation but there are no birds singing, no crickets chirping. Even the trees rustle in silence in the gentle breeze on this beautiful sunny autumn day.

No longer having to count the rows I walk up to my grandparents’ tombstone… Jack and Debra Winthrop. Rarely seeing one without the other in life it’s not surprising that they wanted to be buried in the same grave.

It has been a few years since they both left us. Married for over 69 years at the time of Grandpa’s death we should not have been surprised when Grandma died exactly one month shy of the first anniversary of Grandpa’s death. But it still came as a surprise when she closed her eyes for the last time. Never again would I look into those light brown eyes…touch her soft skin...run my hand down her silky hair. Never again would I hear the sound of her soft sweet voice.

     “Happy 74
th
Anniversary,” I said looking down at the tombstone. I laid a bouquet of blue hydrangeas in front of the stone. Blue was Grandma’s favorite color.