A Modern Day Persuasion (25 page)

“I thought you’d be used to it by now,” Clara said, claiming Harve’s attention as she responded to his earlier jesting. “I understand Melissa can be quite the shopper herself.”

“Alas, it is too true, her passion for home interiors never ceases to amaze me,” he said as a defeated man, but his lament was accompanied with a twinkle in his eye.

Mary touched Anne’s arm. “Do you think the boys might still fit into these by Christmas?” she asked, referring again to the outfits she had shown Anne upon her arrival.

Anne held them up for further inspection. “I’m not sure, Mary. You would know best.”

Mary nodded, but Anne could tell she had been hoping for something a bit more concrete. Although Anne had a general inclination that they would, she didn’t feel qualified to give a confident answer, not being around the boys enough to know their rate of growth.

Saving Anne from further questions, Rick captured everyone’s attention when he finally rose from his chair. Grabbing the recently written papers which previously consumed his attention, Rick proceeded to fold one of the sheets in half. Harve took this as an indication his friend was now ready to leave and began moving towards the door.

“Well, looks like we’re headin’ out,” Harve said to Clara, eager to leave behind all the chaos. “I bet you girls will appreciate some ‘alone’ time.”

As Clara and Mary began to say their goodbyes, Anne’s attention was redirected when she noticed Rick attempting to make eye contact with her. The gesture was far too obvious and pointed to be imagined, yet Anne felt it to be somehow surreal, like a dream. Rick’s riveted and compelling look led her to see the note in his hand, which he then tucked under the leather table mat on the desk. Locking eyes with Anne once more, she couldn’t mistake the pleading request Rick was making, which was confirmed by his tapping the mat directly over the now hidden message. Anne felt stunned, almost paralyzed, and yet a consuming urge beckoned her to rush directly to the note.
What could he have written
? Anne pondered.

“We’ll see you later tonight at the Elliot’s?” Clara’s voice cut through the insanity surrounding Anne’s mind.

Harve nodded and turned the door handle, only waiting long enough for Rick to catch up before leaving. All of this went unnoticed by Anne who’s concentration was solely on the piece of paper and the telling look Rick gave her before his departure.

“Mom,” Mary sought Clara’s attention once the men were gone. “Etta and I spotted a dress for you to wear at the wedding.”

“Really? Where at?” Clara asked, all ears since she’d been having trouble finding just the right outfit for this special occasion.

“Macy’s,” Mary responded without missing a beat. “It’s the perfect color, and it has a matching jacket.” Overjoyed, Clara listened as Mary proceeded to describe the dress in detail while Anne remained in her frozen state.

Cautiously looking to see if the women were paying any attention to her, Anne found them completely preoccupied. Taking a deep breath, Anne nervously inched her way to the desk—her desire and great anticipation driving her to see what Rick had written.
Is it good news or bad news
? Anne thought anxiously.
Did something I said earlier move him? Or maybe the opposite, and I inflamed his anger so much that he couldn’t wait to express his disappointment in me
? Checking again to see if the girls were still engaged elsewhere, Anne quickly lifted the table mat ever so slightly and slid the folded piece of paper out from underneath, grasping it with concealed eagerness.

Feeling especially tense, Anne stole another glance in their direction. Mary, maintaining her domination of the conversation was now in the process of describing various shoes and accessories which could be purchased to complete Clara’s perfect look. Before opening the note, Anne tried to compose herself. Recalling Rick’s face just prior to his departure, she drew courage. Either way, Anne would cherish the unique intimacy just that little interaction with Rick had allowed her that afternoon. Anne knew the contents of the letter would bring one of two things: either fulfillment of her hopes, or the final blow that would shatter her heart into a million pieces.

Feeling like she couldn’t wait another minute to see what the future held, Anne slowly began to unfold the letter with trembling hands. As she did so, it was almost as if the note
whispered to her the promise of freedom—the freedom to love or to let go. Anne was ready—she was over seven years ready.

Inside was Rick’s familiar hand writing scribbled across the page, and Anne felt her eyes glisten as she began to read the letter that would forever change her life. As she read the words became alive, and in her mind, she heard Rick’s strong and masculine voice speaking.

My most dearest and lovely Anne,

I felt as if my life had ceased to exist when your family persuaded you not to marry me. Although I never stopped loving you, to my shame, I have to confess to also harboring feelings of resentment, bitterness, anger, and disappointment. Like a fool, I let my pride get involved, and stupidly walked away. I should have stayed to earn your dad’s approval and make something of myself. Instead of putting your feelings first, all I worried about was my bruised ego and thought you’d surely come after me. But as days turned into months, and then months into years, I realized I’d been foolish and let down the most important person in my life. By then, so much time had elapsed, I began to believe it was too late to fix what we once shared. I was sure you’d forgotten me, and more than likely already married someone else. I convinced myself that what you had felt for me was merely a school girl’s crush, and it was only I who had experienced real love. Yet, after hearing the words you spoke today, I dared to hope again.

Anne, I know in my heart we were meant to be together—everything within tells me that. Even still, I fear I am only fooling myself that you might feel the same way. But I must try once more—I won’t let fear rule me. Anne, I offer once again my heart, my everything. But this time I do it as a grown man who loves you more than ever before. Do you remember the first time I asked for your hand on bended knee? It is a moment I will never forget. Please know that you have been my only love, and it is a
love I have held constant. You alone have the power to touch my heart and soul.

Anne forced herself to stop reading, overwhelmed by her surging emotions and finding it difficult to breathe. Sinking into the chair, Anne closed her eyes and tried to remind herself that this was no dream. The note before her was tangible and true, a testimony bearing one of the most beautiful love stories Anne had ever imagined—and surprisingly, it was hers. Glancing again to see if she was still unobserved, Anne resumed her reading.

You are the reason I came to California. Please trust and know that men can stay true, believe it of me—and know that it is only you of which I think of day and night.

Harve wants to go, so I hope to draw your attention to this letter. The next time I see you, just one look at your face—the face that has so fully captured my heart—it alone will tell me whether you are to be mine now and forever.

“Anne, here it is!” Etta announced, draping a flowing bridesmaid’s dress in front of Anne.

Anne had not even heard Etta approach. Her emotions were already heightened from the letter, so the surprise of finding Etta upon her caused Anne to jump noticeably. Not wanting Rick’s letter to be seen, Anne swiftly stuffed the note into her pocket where her trembling hand remained. But Anne could not so easily hide her shock-white complexion or shaken countenance. Although Anne tried to appear normal, her agitated state was far too obvious, drawing the attention of the women as they began scrutinizing Anne’s odd behavior.

“Anne, are you alright?” Etta asked with concern. “Mom, come see how pale Anne is.”

Clara advanced towards Anne for a closer inspection. “Why, Anne, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Clara observed, kneeling next to her.

“Sis, are you feeling okay? You seem on edge,” Mary remarked.

Anne found it difficult to speak. Clearing her throat, it took a moment before her vocal chords responded. “No… I…I need to go home,” Anne uttered in a faint voice.

“Right now? You look too weak to walk!” Etta voiced incredulously.

“Be serious, Anne,” Mary pressed.

“Yes!” Anne said with a little more gusto than she had intended. “Right away.”

Anne got up and made a path across the room to retrieve her purse. She didn’t want all this attention and needed some space to clear her thoughts, not a medical team trying to assess her physical status.

“Anne, you really should lie down,” Clara suggested, showing her concern.

Before Anne could refuse, Charles entered with Little Charlie and Nicholas, each boy bounding towards their mother, eager to share about their exciting day with Daddy. Anne was grateful for their arrival, as it created a temporary diversion. Mary greeted both her boys with hugs.

“Mom! Guess what we saw!” Nicholas exclaimed animatedly. “An octopus!” He wiggled his hands to represent the sea creature’s movement.

“My goodness!” she said with mock excitement.

“It had all these legs, and a worker let both of us touch one,” Nicholas answered proudly.

“A live octopus?” Mary questioned her son, turning to Charles for confirmation while she held Nicholas’ hands at bay.

“No, Mary, it was a dead one in a jar,” Charles jested, knowing his wife’s aversion to sea creatures.

“Charles!” Mary said peeved, “You know how I feel about the boys touching stuff like that!” She ushered both boys to the sink to thoroughly wash their hands.

“Mary, calm down,” Charles replied, “A little sea juice won’t harm them.”

“Anne, would you like me to drive you?” Etta asked, turning everyone’s attention back towards Anne. Etta had spotted Anne slowly inching her way to the door with her car keys in hand.

“Really, it’s not necessary. I’m fine,” Anne tried to say convincingly, hoping to not have Charles get involved as well—but with no such luck.

“Is everything alright?” he asked to Anne’s dismay. Good gravy! All she wanted to do was slip out quietly without turning her departure into a full-blown fanfare.

“I’m sorry, it’s just my nerves…I really need to go home,” Anne said with determination, reaching for the door. “And Etta…the dress…I think it’s perfect.” Anne smiled kindly at all the concerned faces.

As if prodded by Clara’s still anxious expression, Charles took a step towards her. “Are you sure you don’t need someone to drive you home?”

“No, Charles,” Anne said, turning the doorknob before stopping. “But…”

“Yes, Anne?” Charles answered quickly, hopeful that perhaps she had changed her mind.

“Could you please be sure to tell Harve and Rick that I hope to see them tonight at my house?” Anne asked.

“Sure, no problem,” Charles replied, thinking her request odd.

“It’s important,” Anne urged pleadingly. “You won’t forget, will you?”

“Harve told me himself he’s planning on coming,” Clara tried to put Anne at ease, “And I’m sure that means Rick will be there as well.”

Anne thanked Clara then exited the room without further delay. Stepping inside the elevator, she punched the close button, unable to wait for the doors to shut on their own. Even still, the doors moved at what seemed like a snail’s pace and Anne felt her impatience growing. “Dear God, please let this be for real,” Anne prayed out loud, still trying to grasp what was happening.

To give herself assurance, Anne pulled out Rick’s note from her pocket and read the words over again, only pausing when the elevator signaled it had reached the ground floor. Once the doors opened, Anne rushed out, making her way through the automated entrance doors of the hotel in pursuit of her vehicle.

“Anne!”

At hearing her name, Anne halted in her tracks. Either her mind was playing tricks on her, or it was the voice of her beloved. Her breath caught as she slowly turned to see him standing outside the hotel’s entrance. Rick had waited for her—this wasn’t a dream!

It was as if time stood still for them while they gazed at each other, both expressing in their look the unlimited love they were now ready to finally share. Anne felt her eyes begin to brim with tears as her happiness threatened to spill over. She was an emotional wreck, not knowing whether to laugh or cry—but when the first tear finally rolled down her cheek, Rick ran quickly to her and enveloped her in his strong arms.

“Anne, my precious Anne…” Rick said, kissing the top of her head.

In the comfort of his embrace, Anne felt overwhelmed with blissful gratitude, wishing this moment would never end.

He pulled back slightly in order to look directly at Anne. “I told myself I couldn’t return to you until I was able to prove myself worthy of not only you, but also of your family,” Rick spoke these words as he gently stroked her cheek. “I’m sorry I took so long.”

Anne could no longer contain her emotions, and unrestrained tears came streaming down her face. “It was always my wish you’d come back,” she whispered.

He squeezed her tightly. “You never forgot me?” he asked, his voice raw with emotion.