![]() | ![]() |
Benjamin opened the door to the local roller rink, situated on the outskirts of the city park. As he stepped in, wheels thumped across the wooden floor slats. The circular motion of the skaters created a wind tunnel inside, blowing around humid stale air. Similar to how Vivian’s hot air had burst into his lesson at the swimming pool three days ago. Lily had handled herself graciously like a lady despite Vivian’s temper tantrum. He admired her calm demeanor and the way she could inject humor into the situation. Scanning people near the tables and around the rink, he noted neither Emmett nor the girls were here yet. It had to be close to seven o’clock when they’d planned to meet. As he pulled out his pocket watch, he flipped the lid, noting the time at ten minutes till the hour.
A pipe organ across the room vibrated a familiar musical tune. He hadn’t been here since last summer, but a few practice glides should keep him steady on his feet. In the corner an open table was large enough to seat all of them. He sat, untied his skate laces, loosened the nut with the key while he pulled the plate apart so he could slip his shoe into the opening. Once adjusted, he squeezed the metal together and tightened the nut. Repeating the process with the other shoe, he tied both laces and buckled the skate straps. He stood and pushed off with one foot across the floor toward the empty corner. As he got closer to the edge, he spun around and skated backward. His wheels tapped the floor along with the beat while he rolled next to the wall. He enjoyed this thrilling activity and it suited him, which would undoubtedly allow him to dazzle Lily with his skills. A few complex turns boosted his confidence; he’d be ready for sure when she arrived.
Benjamin skated to the table and braced his hands on the back of the chair. Saturday nights were always busy at the rink and tonight wasn’t any different. With so many people, the high-pitched roof rebounded all the commotion like thunder rolling in on a stormy night. Twenty-foot-high poles lined the sides of the rink, supporting the roof and making people disappear for brief moments. While the crowd circled, the constant swirling movement of the clothing colors could make any sober person feel dizzily drunk.
As he followed the skaters, Lily appeared alongside in a sky-blue dress walking right at him. Everyone else faded from view. She seemed to be hovering toward him as if she were a dream. His body tingled. She was even more beautiful than the last time he’d seen her. There had been a way about her he found tremendously captivating. He waved his hand, drawing her attention.
Lily walked faster than Anna and Emmett, leaving them trailing behind. She smiled. “Good to see you again, Benjamin.”
“It seems like days.”
“Let’s see...it’s Saturday and the last time was Wednesday...so yes, it’s been three whole days. What have you been doing without me?” She laughed.
“Please have a seat.” Benjamin pulled out a chair. “I’ve kept my nights busy, so I tried not to miss you too much.” He winked. “Last night I had a meeting at the Good Fellows Club. And the night before that I played poker with Emmett and Louie.”
Lily tilted her head. “Hmm...and you still found time to miss me?”
“Did you miss me too?” Emmett slapped his hand on Benjamin’s back.
Benjamin lurched forward while his skate wheels rolled back and forth. His arms flailed as he spun around. He stopped twirling in front of Lily and held his arms open wide. “Ta-dah!”
“Wow!” Lily clapped her hands.
“He’s much better at catching himself from falling than I am.” Anna sat in the chair next to Lily. “Usually the next day I have a purple bruise on my backside.”
“I’ll try to keep you from falling, sweetheart.” Emmett leaned over and kissed his wife.
“I can promise that I’m much better at skating than drowning.” Benjamin chuckled. “However, I had such a good swimming coach it might end up being a toss-up with some more practice.”
Lily grinned. “Well, I’d better get my skates on then.” She took a shoelace which held a shiny silver skate key from around her neck.
“I’m glad you decided to come anyway, Anna.” Benjamin shook his thumb at Emmett. “Maybe he can help you out as Lily did for me. He was bragging at poker how at the marathon last summer he could skate circles around everyone.”
Emmett rolled his eyes upward.
“You fell more times than I did.” Anna shook her head.
“That’s only because of all the spiked punch.” Emmett held out his hand. “Come on, this song has a good beat.”
“Hang on to me and go slow.” Anna wrapped her hands around Emmett’s arm. “I don’t want you yanking me down.”
Lily stood, skated backward, and motioned with her index finger for Benjamin to follow her. “Let’s go, I can’t wait to see those fancy moves.”
“Looks like we’ll be great partners.” Dampness formed on his palms. Impressing her should be easier this time. At least here, he wasn’t an anchor at the bottom of the sea. He wiped his hands across his pants and pushed each leg backward while picking up speed toward Lily. Holding his hands out, he reached for her. “Let’s show ‘em what we’ve got.”
She nodded.
As they touched, a tingle ran through him, pulsating every nerve in his body. Benjamin smiled and gave her hands a slight squeeze. The thumping of his heart kept pace with the rapid tempo of the waltz. “Ready to try a few steps?”
“Sure.”
He pulled her close, pressing his fingertips against her shoulder and applying light pressure on her back guiding her. He glided her backward across the wooden floor while gazing into her eyes. She had a natural beauty makeup couldn’t create. Her darkened lashes and raspberry colored lips simply enhanced her allure. They zipped around the rink weaving between the skaters. The wind blew the curls around her tight, knit cloche.
He swept her to the right, twirling in circles. Her head tipped back and she giggled. The scent of her flowered perfume wrapped around them as her skirt whirled in the breeze. He held her closer, swaying along with the melody. She was comfortable in his arms. He could certainly hold her like this forever.
In the third routine, he spun her in the opposite direction. An intensity connected their eyes while their bodies formed a natural rise and fall along with the rhythm of the song. They were both in such perfect tempo. Everyone else seemed to disappear. Her quickened breaths pulsated on his fingertips. He’d never had such a powerful connection with anyone.
Gracefully, they soared across the floor from one side of the room to the other. Their wheels clicked on the wood as they twisted around each other. His heart raced as the song neared the end and he slowly turned her. They rolled to a stop in a tight embrace. His breath quickened. Her moist lips seemed to be awaiting his and he inched closer.
Her lashes fluttered and she tilted her head.
Applause erupted.
Benjamin pivoted. A group of bystanders encircled them. He bowed, waving towards his partner.
Lily curtsied.
He grabbed her hand. “It’s warm in here. Would you care to go outside to cool down?”
“Sure. I wouldn’t mind getting some fresh air.”
They took their skates off, setting them under the corner table. He led her through the side door and out into the night. A sliver of moon hung in the dusk sky. Farther, light from a small window above illuminated an empty bench. A row of high bushes blocked the view into the parking lot. “Please sit.” He held her hand while she lowered herself onto the bench. Muted music set an inviting atmosphere. He scooted in next to her. “At least we can hear each other easier out here.”
“Where did you learn to skate like that?”
“Aw...so you thought I was good?”
“Yes, of course. I never doubted you would be.” She smiled.
“You’re not so bad either. We made a pretty great couple out there.” He grinned. “I guess all those summers I spent skating with Louie were successful. The street he grew up on happened to be a dead-end, good thing, since my mother didn’t like it if I played in the street. Anyway, we played our version of hockey. Since there were only two of us, you were either the goalie or on offense. Sometimes we got other kids in the neighborhood to join us. Either way, it was fun. What kind of games did you play?”
“Your story reminds me of when I played kick the can. However, we played it on the street.” Lily smirked. “And it wasn’t a dead end.”
“Good thing you’re still here to tell the story.”
“It sure is.” She tucked a few loose strands under her hat. “But playing in the streets wasn’t the most dangerous act I ever did.”
He twisted toward her and rested his elbow on the back of the bench. “Don’t stop there, what happened?”
“Remember the water tower they took down three years ago in Columbia Park?”
“Yes?”
“Well, from my upstairs bedroom window I’d always wondered how gorgeous the view would be from the top of that tower. So, one day, when I was around fourteen, I finally decided to find out. I crossed the street into the park and stood frozen at the bottom of the ladder. The rungs seemed to have multiplied along with the height. But something about the long climb beckoned me. I pulled a bench over to reach the first rung and shimmied my way up to the platform surrounding the tower. I walked completely around the entire circle. You could see over the top of all the buildings and for miles beyond the edge of town. It was magnificent.”
“I’ll bet.” He leaned in. “Were you scared when you climbed down?”
“No, not until the car pulled up with the copper.”
“You’re teasing me.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m not. He took me in, fingerprinted me, and stuck me in a cell until my father came.”
“He probably wanted to put a good scare into you.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I never scaled that tower again, but it didn’t stop me the day I found the ladder to my rooftop.”
“At least that climb is much safer.” He picked up her hand, rubbing his thumb across her skin. “I’m enjoying the times we’ve gone out.”
“Me too.”
“I’ve been thinking...” He didn’t know if he should ask but now seemed an appropriate moment. At least they were alone. “I’d really like to take you somewhere without our chaperones. What do you say, next time I’ll stop by and pick you up?”
“Well...”
Had he pushed her too fast? They’d only planned two events together. He glanced into her blue eyes. “We don’t have to. I just thought it might be nice.”
“I wouldn’t mind. However, my father has a strict rule on meeting any man I’d spend time alone with. I thought you might think the whole family encounter might be a bit premature. Especially since we don’t know everything about each other yet.”
“I know you’re sweet, kind, considerate, and obviously beautiful.”
Lily’s face flushed. “You’re all those too. Handsome, I mean.” She laughed. “I know my father will ask about your family, what you do for work, and other probing things like that. Are you all right with those types of questions?”
Benjamin brought her hand up toward his face. “Yes. I will go through any inquisition for you.” He kissed the back of her hand.
“Thank you. But maybe you should answer a question I’ve been wondering.” She arched her brow. “Do you mind telling me what religion you practice?”
“I’m Presbyterian.”
Her eyes widened. “I presumed you weren’t Catholic like me.”
“Will that be a problem with your folks?” He placed his other hand on top of hers and scooted closer till their shoulders touched.
“I’ll make sure they understand we’re not running off to get married.” She peered up at him from under her lashes.
“Yet.” He chuckled.
“That doesn’t sound like a slow relationship.” She shook her head with a playful smile. “I don’t think the family would find humor in that comment like we do.”
“Did I say I was joking?”
“No.” She nudged his arm. “But if you're in so much of a hurry...why don’t you stop by tomorrow after church and meet them? Say around twelve-thirty?”
“Perfect. And afterward, I’ll take you out to a place I think you’ll like.”
“I can’t wait!”
A couple hours later, Benjamin walked up the backstairs of his house. The evening had gone better than he could have imagined and tomorrow would be an exciting day. He reached for the knob, opening it into the dim-lit entryway.
“Good evening, Benjamin.”
He spun around toward the kitchen. “Mother, I’m surprised you’re up this late.”
“I need to speak with you. Come, sit.”
Benjamin walked in. Her tone sounded serious and he sat across from her at the parquetry topped breakfast table. He hardly ever saw her wearing that silk purple robe and the last time she waited up this late, it wasn’t good. “Should I be concerned you’re drinking coffee and staying awake for me?”
“It’s decaffeinated, but even so, I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. Not without talking to you. You’ve been keeping yourself quite busy lately. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re trying to avoid this conversation.” The coffee cup clanked on the saucer. “What have you been doing with your time these last few days?”
His back stiffened against the chair. He certainly couldn’t tell her about Lily now. Not with this mood. “Just the usual. Cards and a club meeting.” Mother had to be aware of something, but what?
She studied him. “I had a chat with Deloris the other day.”
Uh-oh. “I see.” He shifted in the chair.
“Vivian was there too.”
His muscles tensed. “How is she?”
“As well as can be expected.” Her eyebrows rose. “She loves you, Benjamin.”
“That’s not love,” he mumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m sure she’s upset with me and she has every right to be. But I’ve made my decision. Besides, we aren’t suited for each other.”
“Nonsense! You don’t know what’s good for you. Vivian may be a little rough around the edges with her attitude, but it isn’t anything you shouldn’t be able to handle. You’ve done just fine these past four years.”
A heaviness settled in his stomach. He should have expected Mother would think he couldn’t decide what was right for himself. If he’d stood his ground sooner, he wouldn’t be in this predicament. Vivian wasn’t the woman for him and the sooner his mother understood that the less complicated his life would be. “That may be true. However, lately, everything has changed with her.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Or with you?”
“What does that mean?”
“Twice in the last week you’ve disgraced our family. First with the absurd public display, which I forgave you for because I thought you only needed some time to figure things out. But now, I find out the real reason you’ve given up on Vivian.”
“I explained why.”
“Benjamin Kenneth! Lying to your mother is not something I will tolerate.”
“I didn’t lie.”
“When you don’t tell the whole truth...it’s still a lie by omission. Keeping Miss Vanderhoof’s existence out of the equation has certainly played a factor in whether or not you would work things out with Vivian.”
A jolt of coldness struck his core. She believes them. “I’m not lying!” His voice softened. “I’m your son. I’ve given you no reason not to trust me and I’m telling you Lily had nothing to do with my choice to end things with Vivian.”
“I will not tolerate any further humiliation for our family. Miss Vanderhoof is not the one for you.” She slapped her hands on the table.
He jumped.
“We have a business reputation to uphold in this town. As long as you are under this roof, you will do as I say.”
“Then I’ll move out!”
Mother gasped.
“You don’t even know Lily. She’s special.” His words halted. “I care about her.” He slowly exhaled. “Don’t you think Vivian and her mother have a biased opinion?”
Mother sprang upward. Smack! The chair struck the tiled floor. A vein throbbed in the middle of her forehead. “I’d think long and hard about trying to make it on your own. Your brother had a very hard time financially. We’ve arranged everything for you to be successful.” Her facial expression soured. “You know what you need to do. You’ve made this mess and compounded the problem with a Catholic. The sooner you make amends with Vivian, the easier your life will be.”
How had he let his parents dictate his life for so long? There was no reasoning with Mother. He stood, turning toward the backstairs. Mother unquestionably made her point clear, but somehow, he had to figure a way out of this dilemma.