A Moment Like This (14 page)

Selah Donovan sighed as she collected a crumpled paper from the floor. It seemed every day her customers became less and less thoughtful of the cleanliness of their surrounds. They were amazingly quick to dirty it even if they did.

Sketchy lines showed through the thin surface, drawing her divided attention. Curiosity preyed on her mind, weakening the sting of her conscience as she gently tugged at appeared to be a well rumpled corner. Ironing out the creases with her fingers she squinted at the image. The lines were lightly drawn but not indistinguishable. The pad of her finger traced of the delicate image, fascinated.

Notes jotted in the margins grew the picture brilliantly in her mind. The transparent, red glass petals would inspire ever the grandest rose to blush, embarrassed. The delicate green of the stem would make the grass about even greener in envy. In her mind's eye the piece was beautiful, gorgeous and confusing. The last note in the margins baffled her. Why taint a piece so perfect by hinging the center?

Looking more at the paper more carefully she was able to pick out the sketchy form of a ring. Selah held up her hand beside the intricate and stunningly delicate design. She tried to visualize the dazzling creation on her own finger. The diamonds resting in their diminutive petal settings would intrigue all who saw it. It would be the only one like it in the world.

Her hand lowered in thought. Who had drawn this soul inspiring piece? The effort put into the details, the thought put into every line, the heart someone had poured out into this piece numbed her. Whoever lost this blueprint must be devastated. But how was she supposed to return it when the paper wasn't signed?

She could have thrown it out like the litter it was but Selah smiled as people admired the newest addition to her bulletin board of community announcements. The sign above it read: take me if I'm yours. While many people gaped at it no one reached forward to claim it.

Selah shrugged and turned towards the kitchen once again. She'd done as much as she could, short of going door to door. If the paper remained orphan and the breathtaking piece tragically unmade, the blame did not fall to her shoulders.

Turning at her waist Selah watched as her newest customer entered the Daisy. Michael wandered deeper in, looking lost. He noted her with his gaze and smiled timidly than his eyes dipped to scanning his surroundings, taking in everything.

"
Welcome again," she greeted. His smile didn't brighten to meet hers.

"
Selah, you didn't happen to pick up any stray papers while cleaning did you?"

"
Many, why?"

"
I'm missing a very important document for a project I'm working on. Did you throw them out?"

"
I threw out the useless ones. Any others would be over by the board. I'm getting quite a collection over there."

"
Thank you." Without saying goodbye, Michael hurried to where some of the customers had taken down the rose blueprint from the board. She smiled as she watched an old man and his wife point at it. Perhaps it would find its owner after all.

"Come on, Colin. It's been three months now. She's not looking for the rebound anymore."

"How many times must I tell you to stay out of my personal life, Andy?" Colin snapped at the hopeless bachelor, who, remote in hand, reclined on the couch.

"Look man," Sean said, flicking off the television and sitting up. Tossing his feet over the edge of the couch, he draped his arms over his legs and continued, "You got to show her you're interested. She's not going to make the first move, especially after what she's been through."

Colin didn't want to admit it but Sean was probably right. Promise was resilient but she wasn't super woman and had never been very confident in herself. If someone was going to move the relationship past friendship, it was going to have to be him. The move would have to gradual and slow.

His heart pace quickened at the thought of slipping a ring on her finger and sealing the vow with a kiss. He wouldn't have to restrain his feelings any longer. He could finally protect her like he wanted to. He… wasn't there yet. Colin shook his head, trying to detach the over reaching thoughts.

He may be ready for all of that but Promise may not even be ready to accept his attentions. He had to take this slow but after waiting so long he wasn't sure if he could. Colin was sure if he didn't tap the break Promise would. One high school dream had let her down; she may not want to live in his so soon.

"Colin, dude, you've got to live a little. You aren't going to pick the rose without being stuck by the thorns. Well, unless you buy them from the florist, of course. But…"

The florist? Roses? That was it! "I just remembered I left something at the office. I better go get it before the they lock the place up."

"Is it important?"

"No small matter of life and death."

Let him mull that over, Colin thought to himself as he buttoned his coat against the winter chill that was beginning to set in. Raising his face to the sky he closed his eyes and breathed in the stingingly crisp air. Just what he needed. Fishing his keys out of his pocket, he listened for the door to click open. Slipping into the driver's seat he fired up the engine and prepared to back out of his drive.

Seeing no headlights over the horizon, he inched out. Nearly parallel with the side of the road, he accelerated it in reverse and slide. After gaining control of his vehicle once again, Colin centered himself on the road and breathed a sigh of relief. He would not be crowding the morgue, tonight at least. Making a face at his cryptic thought, he made his way to his destination.

Promise watched as Adelie entered the Half Shell. After shaking off her hat the young woman proceeded to smooth down her hair. She walked deeper into the restaurant she removed her coat and slung it over forearm, stuffing her hat in the hood.

"It's snowing puppies and kittens out there."

"Puppies and kittens?" Promise questioned.

"Well, it certainly isn't raining cats and dogs," Adelie responded as if her answer were perfectly normal. Her face brightened, "Mr. Matthews was very pleased with what you gave me last month. He can't wait to see what you've brought for him today."

Promise's fingers fidgeted where they were clasped over the manila envelope. "I only have a chapter or two. The story is nearly finished but I'm having some trouble writing the last chapter. I guess I find it hard to write a happy ending when there doesn't seem to be one in sight for myself."

Adelie covered her hands with her own and smiled brightly enough for the two of them. "I'm sure an idea will come to you; you're so smart like that."

"Thanks," promise said with a small smile. "I'm sure I'll think of something too if just a matter of putting my head where my heart isn't."

"Don't be so glum," Adelie encouraged cheerily, "Things are never as dark as they seem. Why I bet that prince charming of yours just took a wrong turn; he'll be here soon enough and wonder how he ever let himself get distracted from finding you."

"Thanks, Adelie," Promise gave her a small genuine smile. "I'm sure you're right I just have to be patient."

"Excellent! Now do you know what you're ordering?" her hyper friend asked, yanking her menu up to cover her face. "I honestly haven't a clue what I want today. The salmon… No I had that last time. The crab legs? Too much work. There's always shrimp…"

When Promise returned home that evening her mood was still sober though no longer depressed. She went about her routine of feeding the cat, washing the dishes and taking her shower as she did every night. Settling down at her computer after her chores were complete she pulled up the story she was working on and stared as the cursor blinked in place. Stagnant. Unmoving. Fixed… and yet so broken.

Too much like her life. Shaking her head she tried to release the doubt that was digging its claws into her mind again. Adelie was right, her mind fought, someone would come some day. When she was old and gray… No, someone would come soon. There was someone out there right now. He'd just…

Promise's head jerked up at the sound of the phone's ring. As she scrambled to get out of her chair the answering machine clicked loudly. After a small pause a voice was heard. "Promise…" It was one of the nurses from three to eleven. "Mrs. Helen had another seizure. She's… she's not waking up this time. We just got the call she passed away…"

Promise stared at the screen, blank faced. Mrs. Helen hadn't been doing well since she was released from the hospital but she couldn't be dead. No, she couldn't be dead. She slumped on her chair, amazed the tears were not quick to come. Her eyes read the words on the screen as they blurred.

She hadn't seen Michael every Friday for nearly a month. When she asked him about it he told her the project he was working on was taking up all of his time. He tried to reassure that was the reason, plain and simple, but she didn't buy it.

She was working on something for someone special, someone female. She could feel it. Whoever she was she was obviously important to him. He was brushing her off after all wasn't he? Just when she had started to get her hopes up. She'd really believed that there was something in how he looked at her lately. It must have just been the noonday sun reflecting into his eyes off her newly polished counters.

But she swore… There was no time to swear and no purpose to it anymore. He'd shut her out. Shut her out behind a screen, a window. He was shut away in some glass tower somewhere, seen, heard, so close and so far away. So far away…

Promise slammed her finger into power button on her computer that was beaming at her. Folding her arms over the keyboard, she sobbed her bitter tears. There was no prince charming and there was no happy ending. Not for Selah and not for her.

Rubbing groggily at her eyes, Promise forced herself upright on where she had slept. The doorbell trilled again. What sort of idiot rang the doorbell at, she glanced at the clock, one in the afternoon! Scrambling to get off the couch she failed to notice the phone that rested by her hip. As she thrown the quilt aside, it clattered to the floor and skittered under the nearby coffee table. The phone screamed over the doorbell.

If the subject was important enough the caller would leave a message. Acting quickly, she ran her fingers through her hair and made her way towards the door. She must look like… She didn't want to think about it. After a bad night's sleep and a rude awakening hell frozen over would be warm. Pausing she smoothed down the worst of it and prayed it was delivery personal on the other side; at least she'd never have to face them again. Breathless, she reached the door and yanked it open.

The man stared at her a moment then seemed to find his mind and extended a long, thin package towards her. "Flowers for the fair maiden," he informed her, remind her of the phrase Colin had used teasingly months before. Saying her thank you she accepted the flowers she shut the door wondering who in the world they could be from. She hadn't talked to Aidan in months; they weren't from him were they? Wouldn't that just be the sealer for the worst twenty four hours of her life?

Finding her courage she plucked the card from within the bouquet and read it aloud to herself quietly. "Yes, there are only eleven roses here. The flower shop didn't make a mistake and I didn't skimp. The last one is a very special one; I will bring by later, sweet heart."

It wasn't signed. She flipped the card over but there was still no name to be found. It was only December fifth. Her birthday wasn't for another two weeks. Valentine's Day wasn't for months. Why...

Wandering into her kitchen, Promise settled the roses into a flattering vase. Who? Alex's plaintive mew interrupted further thoughts on the matter. After fixing Alex her meal, Promise noted the message blinking on her machine. With a sigh and a shrug she pushed the button. Things couldn't really get worse at this point.

"Promise, this is Colin. I just got your message about Mrs. Helen. I was planning on coming by later today, for something else, but I'm headed over there right now. Don't bother calling back and telling me not to worry. I was gone before this message was recorded, had that been possible. I'll see you shortly."

At least Colin was on his way, Promise managed a smile at the thought. He was always… She should get dressed. Alex twisted about her ankles as she made her way back to her room. She was just pulling her shirt over her head when the door bell rang again. Alex meowed and hurried out down the hallway as Promise struggled with her shirt and then a pair of jeans. Her hair still hung in clumps. She shrugged; Colin had seen her at worse.

When she came back out into the main living space, Colin was preoccupied rummaging through her refrigerator. "Hungry?" He nearly jumped out of his skin at her voice; she smiled at the lopsided, fingers-caught-in-the-cookie-jar smile he gave her.

"Thirsty really," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was just about to uncap the milk when you snuck up on me. Good thing I hadn't. Have you eaten yet? You didn't pick up when I called…"

Her stomach rumbled at the thought of food. She'd fallen asleep after the call about Mrs. Helen passing last night, never eaten dinner. "No need to answer." Colin chuckled. "What would you like?"

"I can get my own if you'll…"

"Er…" Colin's foot swept the fridge door shut behind him as she reach for it. His hand rested over it protectively. "Let me make it for you; I insist."

"Well, if you insist."

"I do," he said quickly then corrected, "I insist."

"What's gotten into you?" Promise chuckled.

"Nothing," he answered too quickly. "What would you like?"

Promise hummed thoughtfully as he reached into the fridge and pulled out what she had requested. He was up to something and it was in her fridge.

Their meals prepared, they both headed out to her dining room to eat. Their meal was quiet for some time; however, as she reached down to officially eat half of her sandwich, Colin spoke, "How are you doing?"

Promise sighed, the strength of her appetite waning. "Still in a bit of shock." Colin response wasn't immediate or even seemingly related when he blurted it out a few moments later.

"I brought something for you."

"You didn't have to…"

"I wanted to. I…" Shaking his head as if to dismiss the rest of his sentence he reached into her refrigerator and drew out a long, thin white box. She pondered a moment how he had fit it in there and watched him as he brought it to the table and sat down. He played with the ribbon that tied it shut, looking nervous. Taking a silent deep breath he pulled the strings and, as if afraid to lose his nerve, swung the top off in the same motion.

Promise gasp as he fingered the petal of a long stemmed rose. Clearing his throat, he looked about the flower box for his voice. Hers came first. "How beautiful! But what is it for?"

"Someone very special to us told me I owed you one a long time ago."

When his eyes rose to meet hers the name passed between, unsaid. As he held it out to her, tears clouded her eyes. Her fingers wrapped reverently about the stem, then carried its sweet fragrant below her nose.

"I don't understand. Why so many? Why any at all?"

"I figured a dozen roses were hard to turn down," Colin conjectured as he rubbed the back of his neck, unable to make eye contact.

"Turn down?" Colin fidgeted in his seat for a second then dared a lock with gaze with gaze.

Promise was speechless at what she saw. His body language was jerky, fidgety, and nervous? Tilting her head slightly she watched him swallowed, squirming. Yes, he was nervous. She couldn't fathom why. Then she read into his eyes.

There was a wideness about them that made her think of a doe in the headlights of a vehicle. But there was also something more. A child stared back at her, hopeful and innocent, impressionable… vulnerable.

But there was still something else. Something she'd seen there for a long time without seeing. The longer her silence stretched the dimmer and guarded his eyes became until they dropped their hold on her gaze. She remained unable to speak, her mind scrambling for the term she wanted. The look in his eyes was so familiar and yet so strange. A geriatric voice whispered through the hollows of her mind.
His heart in his eyes.

Closing the lid to the box before him, Colin refused to meet her gaze. "I…"

Cutting him off, she held the rose to her nose, closed her eyes, and inhaled the scent. Her eyes swept upward and meet his as she spoke, "a dozen roses
is
hard to turn down." The glimmer of hope returned, flickering, threatening to disappear at the first hint of rejection. She needed to say something else she knew, to reassure him but words failed her. Leaning over, she fluttered a kiss against his cheek. His eyes now wide, she could clearly see his heart beating in them. It was a beautiful sight.

When Selah arrived at the café that morning, there was a package on the ground. Picking it up she tugged at the ribbon about it then, thinking better of opening it outdoors in case it was important, tucked it under her arm. Once she was inside she dropped her keys onto the counter and hopped up onto a nearby high chair.

Pulling on the string, she carefully removed the lid and gasped at the contents. It was just as she had pictured it. So many emotions tumbled through her she was on the verge of tears for confusion of what to feel. It was the rose from the blueprint. All the same questions tumbled through her mind again.

The glass creation that had been raised on her fingers slipped back into the foam lining of its case. Who would have given it to her? Why? Running her fingers across her temples she stared down at the rose. It was flawless but the center… Remembering the margin notes on the blue print, she scooped it gently from its case. Slipping her fingernail under a crevice in the middle bud, she was still surprised when it lifted.

A small sound directed her gaze below the rose into its case again and she gasped, nearly dropping it. It was the ring. Her confusion level doubled. When a voice sounded behind her, she screamed. When a hand wrapped about her arm she screamed again, nearly knocking the priceless rose to the ground. Taking hold of her other shoulder he stared her down; she froze.

"
If I'd thought you were going to wake the entire town I would have left a note."

Relief flooded through her quickly, breaking the dams of her eyes. She wrapped her arms about Michael and held him tight as she shuddered with quiet tears. "I was so scared it was…"

"
This wasn't my most ingeniously concocted plan," he admitted as he wiped away her tears and moved the rose back from the edge of the counter. She watched him as he plucked the ring from the case's interior and placed the rose in with ease and care. Turning his back to the counter, he looked at the ring then at her. "Have you tried it on yet?"

Taking the ring from his extended hand she slipped it on her finger and smiled. "It fits like a dream."

Hearing what she thought was a sigh she looked up to find Michael closing the rose's center. "I'm glad you like it."

"
I'm…"

"
Confused?"

"
Yes…"

"
And I'm crazy," he muttered to himself. Slipping the ring from her finger, she fiddled with it in her fingers. Catching a glimpse of an imperfection on the band, she brought it to her eyes for inspection.

"
Violets are blue?" She read aloud in question. Michael's attention flew up from the counter then dropped.

"
Yeah, 'Roses are red, violets are blue…"

"
Wait, it says something inside…" Michael's face changed but out of the corner of her eye she couldn't make out the emotion. "'Crazy about you.'"

Michael remained silent as she stared at him. It had occurred to her several moments ago that the rose was from Michael but it never occurred to her she might have been the girl Michael was crazy about. It never occurred to her, even after the blueprint disappeared after his visit to the Daisy, that it might have been his. In that moment, also, it was just occurring to her that this was the project he had ditched her for. She was the girl she was jealous of.

The thought cracked her lips wide open. Giggling bubbled out as poor Michael watched on with a look akin to horror on his face. Still giggling she slipped the ring back on her finger and stretched to her tiptoes. Running her fingernails gently down his face she informed him, "I'm crazy about you, too." Her heart beating wildly, she kissed him.