Archie didn’t get home until nearly eleven o’clock that night, and since he was meeting Tallie at The Lupine for breakfast at eight-thirty, he knew he should have gone to bed, but he was so eager to begin writing that he couldn’t help himself. He pulled out his notebook and began formulating his story.
The title, Archie Underneath, kept popping into Archie’s head. Would he use it as part of the story, maybe as a repeated phrase? He wasn’t sure, but he would keep that in mind as he wrote. Either way, he was dead set on the title, because titles, to Archie, were practically prophetic.
Archie scribbled ideas in his notebook for four hours and by the time he decided to force himself to be finished for the night, he had already come up with a rough sketch of the story. He was excited to tell Tallie about it and hoped he would be able to pull himself out of bed in time to meet her for breakfast.
It wasn’t like Archie to be late anywhere, but the excitement of the week, as well as a repeat of the nightmare he’d had a few nights before had worn him out. He rushed into The Lupine thirty minutes late and saw Tallie leaning against a wall by the inn looking through a newspaper.
He hurried over to her and said, “I’m so sorry I’m late, Tallie. I was up much too late . . . or early, depending on how you look at it.”
Tallie smiled and reached out for his hand. “Don’t worry about it. You were writing, weren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“Remember, I watched you rush off to write your article about the fountain incident. I saw that same look in your eyes last night. I could tell you were dying to get started.”
“That is how I work. I become inspired and forget everything until I’ve at least put my thoughts down on paper.”
“I saw they posted your article about the fountain this morning. Do you think people will like it?”
“I have no idea, but I’ll know soon. People don’t waste time sharing their opinion.”
“Well, I read it and I think it’s wonderful. It must feel great speaking on behalf of the kids in Outlandish.”
“It does,” he admitted.
“Well, I admire you for it.”
Drinking their coffee and waiting on their breakfast, Archie said, “So today is it.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.”
Archie shook his head. “I’ve had such a wonderful time with you this week. I’m not quite sure how successful I’ll be at resuming regular life.”
Tallie laughed. “I was thinking the same thing. Going back to Portland sounds so dull in comparison. I mean, I like Portland, but it’s missing something, you know . . .”
“What is Portland missing?” he asked completely missing the obvious meaning of her words.
Tallie looked at him expecting him to be teasing, but when he sat waiting for an answer, she felt embarrassed.
It hit him suddenly. “Oh. You mean . . . I see.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Well, that was awkward.”
“I’m sorry,” he said chuckling. “I’m just not, well, experienced in such matters.”
“And that’s what’s so appealing, Archibald. You’re so different from everyone I’ve ever met. You’re open and honest, but kind and gentle, too. You’re just so . . . genuine.”
Archie smiled. “Thanks. I don’t think many see me like you do.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Tallie. “I think everyone who gets to know you finds you exactly as you are. I don’t think you could hide if you wanted to.”
“Don’t forget, that’s exactly what I did when I first saw you heading toward me.”
“But see, even that was a genuine reflection of who you are. There are so many things you could have done, even feeling as insecure as you obviously did. But you did what you were inclined to do instead, and I admire that.”
Archie remained quiet but seemed pleased with Tallie’s observations.
“Have you ever had a . . . romantic relationship?” Tallie asked.
Archie shook his head and looked off in another direction, feeling a little conspicuous.
“Don’t feel bad about it. I mean, you’re only twenty, right?”
Archie nodded and again, looked away.
“Okay, no more of that. I can tell it makes you uncomfortable.”
“I’m sorry,” Archie said, embarrassed.
“So, tell me, what did you come up with during your sleepless night?”
“A rough draft.”
“What? Of the whole story?” she asked in disbelief.
“Oh, it’s a very rough draft, but I have it sketched out.”
“I guess when you’ve got it, you’ve got it. I’m telling you, Archibald Plumby. This is your destiny.”
She pointed to his backpack on the floor. “Did you bring it with you?”
Archie nodded. “Would you like to see it?”
“Of course!”
When Archie reached for his backpack, his elbow hit his umbrella stand, and it toppled so he lost his shelter. This did happen on occasion, and it was always a little traumatic when it did. Archie quickly ducked his head down and put his arms up over his head as if the ceiling were crashing down on him.
Tallie was caught off guard by his dramatic response and only gasped.
Archie kept his head down and asked, “Tallie, can I get a little help?” He said it calmly but he felt anything but calm.
“Oh yeah. Sorry!” she said, rushing over to him. She picked up the umbrella and stand and positioned it so it was right next to Archie. “Okay, you’re all set.”
When he came up, his face was pale and Tallie said, “Oh my gosh, are you okay?”
He nodded. “Just give me a moment. I’ll be fine.”
Tallie stood and watched Archie closely as he breathed and regained some color in his face.
“I didn’t realize. I mean, it really is a big deal, isn’t it?”
“Yes. A very big deal, I’m afraid.”
Tallie sat next to Archie and rubbed his back, but Archie was a bit humiliated by the whole thing, and he was embarrassed by Tallie’s back rub, even if she was being kind.
“Can I do anything to help?” she asked.
“Usually I recover pretty quickly if I’m left alone for a moment. It’s the breathing that helps the most.”
Tallie removed her hand from his back. “Oh, I’m sorry. Okay, should I leave? Or . . .”
“No, if you could just go back to your seat please, I promise I’ll perk up soon.”
Tallie went back to her seat. She wasn’t sure if she should talk or just remain quiet, so she was pleased to hear Archie say, “If you’ll grab my bag, I’ll hold onto the stand this time.”
“Sure.”
She put the bag on the table. “Shall we try again?” he asked.
“If you’re up to it.”
“Of course.”
Tallie was happy to see the waiter on his way to their table with their breakfast. She knew it would help them to recover from the awkward event.
They sat together for the next hour reading through Archie’s ideas and talking about the reference photos she would provide for his story.
“So, maybe we should go to your house after breakfast, and I’ll get pictures of your bedroom and your dining table, and we’ll set up different scenes in your house and on the beach with forts and umbrellas, and you can get me some pictures of you when you were a child.”
“This will be so helpful,” he said. “Thank you for suggesting it.”
“No problem. When I get back home, I’ll edit you into the photos, print them, and send them to you. Would eight by ten be a good size to send?”
“Yes, that should work well.”
“I’m so excited to see this come together! I’ll get right to work on it.”
“What will Gemma think about our working together?” Archie asked.
“It’ll be my personal project. She won’t even know about it.”
“I hate to make things awkward for you. I know she keeps you pretty busy. Are you sure you want to do this for me? You can back out right now. It won’t hurt my feelings.
“Besides, you’ve been gone all week. She’s likely already a little upset about that.”
“No, it’ll be all right,” Tallie answered. “She was working on a project I wasn’t involved in, so I’m sure she didn’t miss me. Should I try to get her to recommend an agent? I’ll bet she knows a few. I could tell her it’s for a friend. I wouldn’t need to mention your name.”
Archie shook his head. “I’d rather avoid that if you don’t mind.”
“But what if you can’t find an agent on your own? I think that’s pretty important with a first project, and I’ve heard it’s really hard to get one. Let me ask her.”
Archie thought about it for a moment and then said, “Let me give it a whirl and see what I come up with first. You never know, I might get lucky.”
“Okay, but don’t be too stubborn. It’s not like you’d be selling your soul to the devil or anything.”
“No?” Archie asked.
“Archibald!”
“I’m only joking,” he said, chuckling.
Archie’s mother was home cleaning the house when he and Tallie showed up.
“Hello, you two. What are you up to this morning?”
“Good morning, Mrs. Plumby. Has Archie told you about his book project yet?”
Archie interjected. “I ran out the door so fast this morning, I barely made eye contact with Mother and Father. In fact, I didn’t.”
“Well, tell her now.”
Archie proceeded to tell his mother he was going to write about his childhood and that it would be in the form of a children’s book.
Annella hugged Archie. “That’s a wonderful idea, Archie. How did you come up with it?”
Archie put his hand out as if presenting Tallie.
“Oh Tallie, good for you! And Archie, I’m so proud of you. What a big undertaking. One I’m sure God will bless. I always knew He had something special planned for you and your writing.”
“Thank you, Mother. It’s beginning to seem like the inevitable path for me. I feel it’s being confirmed at every turn. Of course, we’ll see whether I can truly find success in it.”
“I’m going to create some reference photos for his illustrations,” Tallie interjected. “That’s what we came here to do this morning.”
“Well, I should let you get to work then, shouldn’t I?” said Annella.
“Yes, I guess we should get to work,” said Tallie. “But can I get something from you, Mrs. Plumby?”
“Sure,” she said. “What do you need, dear?”
“Pictures of Archibald when he was little, well, of you and Mr. Plumby as well. Do you have some you can get to easily?”
“Yes, I think I can find some,” she answered. “I’ll look for them while you both get started.”
It took a few hours for Tallie to get all of the photos, because they needed to create each scene Archie had planned to write about, and when they finally finished, they realized they had missed lunch and were approaching the dinner hour.
“Would you like to go for some shrimp scampi?” Archie asked.
“Sure, what is it?” asked Tallie.
“Very large, succulent pieces of buttery, garlic shrimp.”
Tallie laughed at Archie’s dramatic description. “It does sound delicious, and I am starving.”
Archie and Tallie finished their meal and decided to end their day on the beach together. Archie brought along his very large umbrella, secured it in the sand with a spike, and they both sat underneath it.
“What time do you leave tomorrow?” Archie asked.
“My flight leaves at noon, and I have to get a taxi to take me to the airport, so I’ll probably leave here at about eight.”
Archie smiled at Tallie. “I’m glad I’ll be busy writing or I might miss you a great deal.”
Tallie smiled back. “Oh, you might, huh?”
Archie laughed.
“Well, I know I’ll miss you, Archibald.”
“When do you think you’ll be back to Outlandish? I hope it’ll be soon.”
“I hope so too, but I really don’t know.”
“You will write to me though?” Archie asked.
“Of course I will. And you better write back . . . or will you be too busy writing your book?” she teased.
“I think I’ll be able to squeeze it in.”
Archie met Tallie at The Lupine for breakfast at seven o’clock the following morning. They talked while they ate, but kept the conversation light. It seemed neither of them wanted to think about being apart from one another. But when it was almost time for Tallie to leave, suddenly the conversation took a quick turn in the direction of parting words.
Tallie was the one to start. “Archibald, I followed you that day, months ago, only because I wanted to photograph you, but you turned out to be so much more interesting than I ever expected. I feel like I’ve made a wonderful friend, especially this past week. Thank you for sacrificing your schedule for me.”
Archie was surprised when she used the word friend, and because he was cautious in his manner and inexperienced in the ways of love, he decided to refrain from saying what he thought he might, which was that he was falling in love.
Instead he said, “It was my pleasure showing you around Outlandish. I’ll be happy to do it again when you come back.”
“Now you create an amazing story, and I’ll send you the photos as soon as I get them edited and printed. Okay?”
Archie nodded and said, “I’ll do my best to impress you, Miss Greenleaf.”
“I’m sure you will,” she answered.
Surprised by Tallie’s slight disconnect emotionally, Archie asked, “Is everything all right, Tallie?”
“Yes, why?” she asked.
“I was just . . . you seem a little . . . well, you have a long day ahead of you.”
“Yes, I’ll admit, I’m not a very good traveler. In fact, this was my first solo flight.”
“Well, that’s one more than I have.”
“You’ve never flown?” asked Tallie.
Archie pointed up to his umbrella.
“Yes,” Tallie said, “that might pose a little problem in an airplane, although wouldn’t be completely impossible. I don’t think.”
“Why don’t you let me walk you to your taxi?”
“I don’t know,” said Tallie.
“Why?” Archie asked. “I won’t make you late.”
“I know,” she said. “It’s just that I kinda . . .”
Archie stopped her. “Please?”
“Oh, okay,” she said, although she was ready to get the good-bye over with. Her cover up emotionally was always to ignore the reality of a situation. Avoidance often worked, at least until she could be alone. In other words, Tallie hated good-byes.
What she hadn’t considered, however, was how Archie would perceive her manner, and it was obvious he was troubled by it.
To try to set his mind at ease, she said, “You’re right, it’ll be a long day, but at least my bed is waiting on the other side of it.”
They walked together to the parking garage, which was only three blocks from The Lupine. Tallie carried her bag in one hand and her purse over her shoulder. Archie carried his umbrella stand’s strap over one shoulder, and his umbrella in one hand. So, that meant they each had one free hand, and while they both wished to hold the hand of the other, for some reason, they didn’t.
When they arrived at the parking garage, they saw Tallie’s taxi was already waiting. Archie was disappointed he wouldn’t have more time to say good-bye, but Tallie was relieved.
Archie helped her put her small bag in the backseat and Tallie started to climb in.
“Wait, Tallie,” Archie said with a little desperation.
He took her hand and guided her back out of the taxi. She kept her head down, so Archie lifted her chin with his finger. When she looked up he saw she was crying. Her behavior made sense to him as soon as he saw her tears. “Please come back to Outlandish soon,” he said. “I think . . . I mean, I can’t be certain, but . . . I might be . . . well, I am actually . . .”
“What?” she asked. “You are what, Archibald?”
“I’m falling in love with you, Tallie.”
What Tallie wanted to avoid, and yet deeply wished might happen, caused the reaction she feared. She began to cry, and very hard.
Archie put the back of his hand on her cheek and began wiping away her tears. Desperate for her to stop crying, he said, “Please don’t cry, Tallie. I didn’t mean to . . .”
With tangled feelings of joy and sadness, Tallie began laughing through her tears.
“Now you know why I was trying to leave quickly,” she said.
Archie nodded. “I’m sorry.”
With both hands she wiped her tears while she laughed at herself.
Archie took one of her hands and moved it away from her face. He then reached up to the other hand and took it into his. Stepping closer to Tallie, he leaned down and gently kissed her. It was something he had been nervous about beforehand, but when he kissed her, it felt natural . . . even easy. When their lips parted, they kept their faces close.
“I do love you, Tallie,” Archie said quietly.
Tallie looked at Archie and smiled shyly. “I love you, Archibald.”
“I’ll be back. I promise,” she said.
Archie kissed her hand. “I’ll be here waiting.”
Tallie kept his hand as she moved into the backseat of the cab. When they finally let go, Archie closed the door.
She looked out the window and waved to Archie. He smiled and watched as the cab sped away from Outlandish.
