Northern Moonlight (13 page)

“See you then, Sabrina.  Good to hear your voice.  Bye.”

“Bye Gio.”  Sabrina tried to contain her exhilaration, but since she was alone, she let out a little scream of happiness.  It had been so many years since she had experienced
any feeling remotely like this.  Although she didn’t want to put a label on it, she knew subconsciously that she was falling in love. 

*****

Friday was an idyllic afternoon for carefree traipsing around the city.  As Sabrina strolled towards the Met, a gentle breeze rustling her cascading chestnut hair, she felt like she was meeting her secret lover for a rendezvous.  In a way, Gio was a secret.  Her family had not yet met him and she aimed to keep it that way for the time being.  The blossoming of this relationship was too fragile to bring outsiders, with all their opinions and expectations,  into the picture.  The only voices Sabrina wished to hear belonged to her and the handsome fireman who waited for her expectantly on the museum steps, casually gripping a rail with one of his burly hands. 

Sabrina eyed him from the street, not wanting him to spot her just yet.  He was wearing a pair of dark sunglasses, along with a crisp gray flannel shirt tucked neatly inside blue jeans that accented his narrow hips and muscular thighs.  Giddily, Sabrina raced up the stairway until she was standing directly in front of him.  Spontaneously, she greeted him with a peck on the cheek.

Gio pulled her into his embrace, kissing her firmly on the mouth, then stepping back to look admiringly at her. She was a striking portrait in her pale yellow sundress, white button-down sweater and matching sandals.  “You look beautiful, Sabrina.” He said, removing his sunglasses.

“Thank you, Gio.  I’m so glad you came today.”

He smiled, holding her hand as they entered the museum’s glass doors and stopped at the reception desk to pay the fee and pick up a map.  The Met was an imposing museum, even for a native New Yorker and art lover like Sabrina.  It was virtually impossible to view all of the collections in a single afternoon.  The pair decided to focus their visit on the museum’s first floor, which housed impressive assortments of French Impressionist paintings, juxtaposed with ancient Egyptian artifacts.  The urge to hold one of the many wood carvings in her hands possessed her, as she marveled at the intricately cut and molded bowls, cups, and vases.  She glanced over at Gio, disappointed to see an uninterested expression on his face.

“Are you bored?” She asked pointedly.

“No.” He was offended.  “Why would you say that?”

“I’m sorry.  It was just the look on your face…and you haven’t commented about any of the pieces.”

Gio sighed heavily.  “Listen, I’m glad to walk through this museum with you.  I’m glad to walk through
anywhere
with you.  But objects don’t impress me.  I told you how I’ve come to realize that nothing is permanent in this life.”

“OK, nothing is permanent.  That’s not on the table for dispute.  But that doesn’t mean that you can’t take interest in these incredible works of art.” Sabrina was disheartened, wondering why he had suggested going to a museum if he was going to have such a negative attitude.

“Sabrina, you didn’t hear me complain, did you?  Just let it go.  I want you to enjoy this.”

But Sabrina was flustered by his behavior and persisted, “Why don’t we just leave if you’re not having a good time?  I don’t want you to stay here just for me.”

“You don’t know when to let things go, do you?  I noticed that about you the first time we had dinner.  Look, I had a very rough shift last night.  It was a house fire near Church Street.  No one was hurt, but the whole house was destroyed.  The couple who owned the house was griping about how they lost their record collection and cabinet full of stupid knick-knacks.  I couldn’t believe the ingratitude.  I mean, I wouldn’t be overjoyed to lose my belongings either, but I would at least be grateful to be alive.”

“I’m sure they
were
grateful!  How did you expect them to react?  You yourself said that sorrow can’t be quantified.  If they were grieving the loss of their possessions, it really represented grief over a loss of
security
.”

“Now you’re not only a criminal investigator, but also a psychologist, I see?  Sabrina, you grew up in a sheltered Manhattan world.  You don’t know what I go through every day.  Newspapers portray a fireman’s job as quaint…climbing up a tree to rescue a scared kitten.  That’s a mockery of what we do.” 

Sabrina was stunned by this incongruous behavioral shift and had the sudden urge to flee, but instead spat back at him, “I don’t know what makes you think that I have such a naïve perspective on a fireman’s work, but your presumptions, once again, are insulting!  As for my ‘sheltered Manhattan world,’ that’s another misconception of yours.  My parents have worked hard their whole lives and still do, both of them!  They rent an apartment…I’m the one who decided to buy a house, and I did it with my own salary.  Not a dime came from them.  You really have some nerve!”  Sabrina’s eyes were fiery with indignation. 

Gio stared at her, smirking outrageously.  “Feisty for a Primrose.” He said, swooping his head down and kissing her right there in the middle of the ancient Egyptian artifact collection.  Sabrina was scandalized as tourists gawked at the pair, but she was
aroused nonetheless and kissed the blasted man back with a teasing, promising passion.  Abruptly, she broke off the kiss, pleased to see the smirk obliterated from his arrogant face and replaced by a slow-kindling, high-voltage desire that she had deliberately stoked. 

Smugly, she asked, “Would you like to see some Renaissance sculpture, or have you had enough museum for one day?”  His eyes caught hers, and she could discern in them a fierce need to finish what they had started several times.  She was sure that her rosy cheeks and disarrayed hair betrayed an ardor to match his, but she would not give him the satisfaction of admitting it with words.  Instead, she stomped her foot impatiently and asked again, “Renaissance art or
Ausgang
?”

“Silly Primrose.  Did you think you could stump me with the word
Ausgang
?  It so happens that I took German in high school. I know
Ausgang
means ‘exit.’” His tone was mocking, and Sabrina was once again impressed by the knowledge this man possessed.  He certainly was arrogant, but Gio was as brilliant as any formally educated man she had ever met. 

“Since you know what the word means, would you like to answer my question?” She asked with deliberate tartness.

“
Ausgang
.”  He growled and grabbed her hand.  “Take one last look at all the pretty pictures, Sabrina.  We’re not going back to a museum anytime soon.  Let’s go get some grub.”  Outside the museum, Gio hailed a taxi cab and instructed the driver to take them to Chinatown. 

“I hope you like Chinese food, Primrose.” Gio said teasingly.  Suddenly, Sabrina deciphered the puzzle of Gio’s attitude.  This rudeness and callousness stemmed from his physical frustration.  The man, the gorgeous, muscular fireman, was probably spoiled getting his way with women.  Here she was presenting him with a challenge, with a treasure chest and a lock for which he did not have the combination.  While Sabrina did not fancy herself the type of woman to play games with men, she enjoyed the power that this newfound discovery imparted with it.  Each time she and Gio met, their chemistry heightened, and it was a most enjoyable ride indeed.  Why smite the intensifying magnetism before it had a chance to peak?  Sabrina found it exciting to have a man with whom to banter.  The spicier their verbal exchanges were, the more electrifying all other levels of their relationship had the potential to be.

Her thoughts far from Chinese cuisine, Sabrina replied, “It’s not my favorite, but it’s fine with me.  We’ll see what your fortune cookie says.”

“Don’t tell me you believe in ridiculous things like fortune cookies and horoscopes and nonsense.”  He feigned a look of disgust.

“Yes, I do.  And it would be appropriate if your fortune told you what happens to grumpy men.”

“What happens to them?” He asked warily.

“Nothing much.” She smirked at him, as the taxi driver ran a red light. 

A few more blocks of slow, stop-and-go traffic and Gio paid the driver.  He and Sabrina made their way onto the busy sidewalk.  It was now Friday afternoon rush hour and herds of people jostled by, trying to catch their bus or summon a taxi to begin what looked to be an enchanting spring weekend. 

The sunset was a deep shade of crimson blended with mystical violet vapors.  Gio stole a glance at Sabrina, admiring her lovely features in the vanishing light.  Sabrina felt his eyes on her and returned the regard, smiling confidently, secretly decoding his innermost thoughts. 

The Chinese restaurant Gio selected was halfway between casual and upscale, and Sabrina instantly liked the atmosphere.  The aromas of herbal tea and fried dumplings wafted through the restaurant, as Gio and Sabrina were seated at a table lit by bold-colored lanterns.  A waiter instantly poured them cups of hot tea and brought over crispy noodles with duck sauce to snack on while they pored over the menus.

Sabrina opened her menu and immediately snapped it shut, as Gio eyed her, confused.  “You didn’t even look at the menu.”

“I don’t have to.  I order the same thing every time I go to a Chinese restaurant.  Shrimp and mixed vegetables with brown rice.”

Gio rolled his eyes and retorted, “That’s very dull.  Why not be a little more adventurous?  New experiences can lead to intriguing places.” His voice was low and inviting.

“Do you ever stop with that innuendo?”

Gio sat back in his chair and appraised her as he had the first day they had met on the waterfront.  He purposely waited several long moments before responding, enjoying the sight of her fidgeting.  “Sabrina, you’ve known from the first time I saw you that I want you.  I don’t aim to hide it.  As you can see, I’ve respected your boundaries, but you’ll never get me to stop trying.” 

Gio continued, as Sabrina listened, leaning back in her chair and tilting her head to one side as he spoke.  “The truth is that I haven’t had a serious relationship since my first girlfriend, Madeline.  And I know that’s a long time to go without a relationship.  But for various reasons, some of which you can easily guess, commitment has been a
struggle for me.” He squirmed in his seat, and Sabrina listened more closely. “What I’m saying is, I’m not looking for something quick and casual this time around.  I feel like I could finally be ready for something real.”

With that, he silenced himself, already regretful for having revealed too much.  Sabrina mulled over his words, recognizing that they would be much more convincing if they were already lovers.  But there was a genuineness in Gio’s voice and facial expression that made Sabrina believe him.  It was going to be harder than she thought to resist this man. 

After Gio’s revelation, he remained stubbornly quiet during dinner, and Sabrina knew that he was reacting to a newborn state of vulnerability.  Both were relieved when the fortune cookies and orange slices were served.