Paula was behind the bar, placing empty beer bottles in a plastic bin. The clanking drowned out the bell, which signalled another patron’s arrival. When she finally looked up, she was face to face with Danny.
“Hey,” she grinned, but didn’t move closer. Glancing over her shoulder, she said under her breath, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Danny picked up on her discomfort. “What, so now things are going to be weird between us?”
Checking herself, Paula placed her hand on his in a gesture that marked her integrity. “It’s not that. It’s just…I haven’t told Billy yet.”
“That’s what I hoped it was.” Danny said, relieved. He sat on a stool and looked at her closely, searching her eyes. “What we did…it wasn’t a mistake, was it?”
Their romantic escapade at the convention had been unforgettable and completely unexpected. Danny had never felt so much for someone, and he never realized he felt that way about Paula, despite all the years they’d known each other. After they made love several times that weekend, it was like they were meant for each other, and all it took was one look and the right atmosphere to get them there.
“No, it wasn’t a mistake, Danny.” Paula answered sincerely. “I just don’t know how Billy’ll take it is all.”
“Do you think he’ll be mad?”
Turning around to grab a beer out of the glass-windowed refrigerator on the opposite side of her, Paula shook her head. “That depends.” She answered, deadpan, as she pulled the metal cap off with a bottle opener attached to a string under the counter.
“On what?” he asked, accepting the beer she offered him.
“On what we tell him.”
“What do you suggest?”
Looking up at the ceiling, Paula considered the question for a moment. “Well, I guess first we should figure out what it was that actually happened.”
Danny scrunched his face. “What do you mean? You want to give him a play-by-play? You came on to me, we had sex several times, and then we went home?”
Paula smirked. “First of all, you came on to me.” she countered.
Scoffing, Danny took a sip and then argued. “Please,” he lowered his voice, “your whole adjusting the tie thing? Plus, that sexy number you were wearing…your hair, the dancing, the fact that we conveniently had to share a room?”
A grunting noise came from her throat, indicating she disagreed. “You with the tight pants, insisting we stay overnight? Your whole ‘trying to be a gentleman’ bullshit?” she air-quoted the word ‘gentleman’, “if you were any harder you could’ve gone surfing.” Paula patted the counter, emphasizing her satisfaction.
Smiling too sweetly, Danny took another sip of beer, not taking his eyes off her. When he put the bottle back down on the counter, he shot back, raising his voice. “You asked me to go to the shindig.”
Paula noticed a few eyes on them. “You accepted.” she said matter-of-factly as she wiped down the counter unnecessarily.
“You didn’t want to go anyway.” Danny challenged, lifting himself up off the stool so he was closer to her. He was almost yelling, drawing attention to himself, unbeknownst to him.
Paula inched forward; they were almost nose to nose. “Neither did you.” she argued back.
“Yeah?” Danny sneered loudly. “Well, there’s a reason why I went.”
She shouted back. “Oh yeah…why’s that?”
He grabbed her face gently, causing her to lean against the counter for support. Searching her eyes in a fit of both frustration and longing, Danny said pointedly. “Because I’m in love with you.”
Paula’s face softened as a grin spread from ear-to-ear. “I’m in love with you, too.”
Danny drew her face closer to his and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Just as their mouths parted, they heard a beer bottle clank as it touched the neighbouring countertop. They both turned their heads and saw Paula’s older brother Billy standing there. His expression was unreadable.
Billy looked at Danny like he knew it all along and said. “Well, I won that bet.”
***
Meryl depressed the plunger on her perfume bottle, spraying herself, as she did only on special occasions. Barry was taking her out for a Valentine’s Day supper, and he said to dress fancy, that it was a surprise. Obliging, she picked her best winter dress: a long black backless frock that swayed from side to side when she walked. It had a shrug made of faux fur and she had Louise do her hair in an up-do.
“You look nice, mom.” Louise complimented, inspecting her mother’s hair a final time. she noticed her mother had packed an overnight bag. “Where are you staying?”
Meryl blushed; it would be the first time she’d stayed overnight away from home since Louise was born. “I don’t know, he just told me to pack something for the night.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Do I look nervous?” Meryl asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“Yes.” Louise giggled. “You look like you just swallowed a bird.”
“Goodness, what will I do? I haven’t…err…been with a man since your father.”
Placing a hand on her mother’s shoulders, Louise leaned closer for emphasis. “I’m sure he’ll be a gentleman.”
Meryl waved. “Oh, I know he will. I’m just nervous about how I’m going to look in the morning.”
“Just take your hair out before you go to sleep and you’ll be fine.” Louise advised. “And wash your face…and if you’re sharing a room,” Louise stopped, observing the shocked look on her mother’s face that said ‘I don’t think so, I’m not ready for that yet’, “then just make sure you brush your teeth before you say good morning to him is all.”
Wanting desperately to change the subject, Meryl asked. “And what does Brad have in mind for you two tonight?”
“Well, I’m going to make him a nice supper here and we’re going to watch a movie together.” Louise said. “We agreed to keep things simple for the occasion.”
Meryl rested a hand on Louise’s shoulder. “Simple is always best.” she said, with an expression that said she was envious. “Well, wish me luck.”
“Good luck, mom.”
***
Doing as she was instructed, Meryl ensured she was in front of her house by six o’clock on the nose. At exactly six, a stretched white limousine pulled up, and Meryl gasped as the power window rolled down slowly and Barry’s face appeared. “My lady.” he said gallantly, exiting the vehicle. Leading her into the rear seat, he gently rested a hand on the small of her back.
Sitting down inside the limousine, Meryl was overwhelmed. “Wow, this is incredible, Barry. Where are we going?”
Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of it, sending tingles down her spine. “It’s a surprise.”
Trying to hide her frustration and excitement, she simply kissed him chastely on the lips. “I can’t wait.”
The ride was long but both Meryl and Barry sat silently, embracing each other as they listened to classical music playing over the speakers. Meryl noticed that Barry kept placing his hand against his heart and she became worried. “Are you feeling okay?”
Barry waved dismissively. “Oh, I’m fine. Just fine. Never better.” he insisted.
Although unconvinced, finally Meryl let it go as they reached a fancy restaurant about twenty minutes from Meryl’s house. Barry held her hand as she exited the limousine, and didn’t let go of it until they reached their table and he pulled a chair out for her, taking her trench coat and draping it over the back of her chair.
The establishment was fit for royalty. Rustic, crystal candelabra hung from the ceiling, giving an ambient lighting that was both relaxing and romantic. Soft music played from hidden speakers inside the walls, which were stucco and painted a creamy white. The tables were covered in silk cloths, twisted down the center, covering the legs. At each table was a nosegay of fresh calalillies arranged in a clear crystal vase.
It was breathtaking. Meryl wondered how Barry pulled off getting reservations for Valentine’s Day. She imagined it cost him a pretty penny since they’d only met a short while ago and Meryl guessed that a place like this required reservations months in advance. The meal melted in her mouth. She ordered filet mignon and Barry, as gentlemanly as he was, ordered the same.
As the waiter came around and served them a second glass of wine, Meryl noticed that Barry nonchalantly placed his hand on his chest again. When the waiter left she put her glass down and placed her hand on his. “Barry, my dear, I really am worried about you. Are you having chest pain?” her glance was split between his eyes and the spot on his jacket where his heart was.
Cupping his hands around hers, Barry said. “My dear, yes, I’m fine.” he chuckled. “Goodness,” he drew in a deep breath, causing Meryl to feel even more convinced of his souring health. “I certainly lose points in the discretion department.” he said.
“What is it?” Meryl begged. “Are you unwell? Do you have a heart condition that is just too awful to tell me about until now?” she fretted, feeling the tears begin to form. “Whatever it is, love, I can handle it.”
Barry placed his hand on his heart again, but this time it remained there. “Oh, Meryl,” he gushed. “There is nothing wrong with my heart except that you own it, all of it, and that isn’t wrong at all. It’s perfectly right.”
Confused and still feeling uneasy, Meryl waited for Barry to make some sense. “I love you, Meryl. I fell in love with you the moment we met.” he said, as he lifted the lapel of his jacket, where his hand had repeatedly visited, and he pulled out a box.
Gasping, Meryl cupped her hands around her nose and mouth. Tears began to pour before he even gave her the box. As he opened it, she couldn’t help but whimper with joy. “Meryl, my life, my love. I know this is sudden, but at my age you must live in the moment and enjoy every second of what is left.” Barry said with so much conviction that Meryl couldn’t handle it.
She simpered, gasping desperately for air as he opened the box, revealing a beautiful but simple diamond solitaire. But it could have been a loop of pipe cleaner and it would have bore the same response. “Oh, yes! Yes, Barry! Yes, I’ll marry you!” she said, before he could even ask.
Leaping up out of her chair, she grasped him tightly as other patrons caught the spectacle and began clapping. They kissed chastely but quickly and repeatedly, as if to get in as many kisses as possible in the shortest amount of time. “Thank you, my love.” Barry gushed. “You’ve made me so happy.”
“Oh, you…you’ve made me so happy!” Meryl beamed and then added. “And relieved. I thought you were having a heart attack!” she laughed.
“No, my dear. It’s been a long time since I proposed and I didn’t want to get down on one knee and realize I didn’t have a ring to give to you…I’m such a klutz.” Barry admitted.
“And now you’re my klutz.” Meryl said happily, kissing him once again.