Once We Were (5 page)

“
It's my book. How dare you go snooping in my things.”

“
Well it's my house,” she grinned. “My, aren't we passionate all of a sudden? Deliver the flowers and I'll give you back your silly book.”

Ioan glared at her. “Give it here.”

She smirked and tossed it at his chest board. The pieces scattered all over the floor. “Oops,” she said innocently. “What a stupid book anyway.” She daintily left the room adding, “And I'll expect a receipt for the flowers.”

Ioan went and even bought the lavenders. Not in honor of Beatrice's request, but because he figured Cora deserved that much. He took a deep breath and rang the bell to the Harlow's modest abode on the working side of town. He placed the flowers gently on the step. It was all he had to do. He turned around immediately and walked away. Mr. Harlow answered. His hair lost its color and he looked exceptionally tired. His brow rose as he watched the boy hurry away. “Ditching the bell, are ya? As if no one has anything better to do? Get a life. Next time I catch you on my porch-”

“
I didn't mean anything by it, sir! Honest!”

“
Well then, step back up here. What brings you here, young fellow?”

“
I was sent to call on Miss Harlow to inquire on her health on behalf of Miss Luckett,” Ioan said awkwardly.

Mr. Harlow studied him, before his gaze lightened. “You're the boy who pulled my daughter from the water.”

“Yes. That would be me, sir, ” Ioan answered. He'd hoped Mr. Harlow hadn't remember him. “Are you going to do me in?”

“
Don't be silly! I can't thank you enough for what you did for my Coralie. She is the world to us,” Mr. Harlow told him. “Please come in. You are always welcome in my home.”

Ioan stepped in as Mr. Harlow quietly closed the door. His dark eyes immediately fell on the photographs on the wall whom he guessed were a younger Mr. Harlow. He stood in uniform next to an anchor. Then he shook hands with a prestigious captain. Next was a photo of a small graduation ceremony attended by officers, captains, and admirals.

“The doctor just stopped by. She is doing better, thankfully. She still has that barbaric cough, but don't let it scare you. She should be alright to see now.”

“
Is this you?” Ioan asked.

“
A younger more dashing me,” Mr. Harlow smiled. “Back when I was an officer in the navy and boarded small ocean liners.”

“
Blimey.” Ioan stared at the photos.

“
What was that?”

Ioan cleared his throat. “I mean, it's quite impressive.”

“It wasn't much. I wasn't rich and I never got a good night's sleep on those boats, but I never said no if it meant getting back out to sea. I brought back quite a few stories for my Cora. I meant to write a comedy, but I never got around to it.”

“
You sailed this boat?”

“
Many times. She was a good ship. Top notch in her hour. Now, you'd find her in a yard, but she was my first love.”

“
I want to catch a ship like that.”

Mr. Harlow chuckled. “One day, young fellow. Keep that enthusiasm and you'll find your oceanic mistress.”

“My father doesn't approve of sailing.”

“
Why shouldn't he? No doubt you've got the stomach for it.”

“
Gentlemen don't sail boats.”

“
Is that so? Well, we can't help stupid,” Mr. Harlow said patting him on the shoulder. “No matter. If it's the ocean you want, the only escape is death. Desire has made us cursed men, which is why you must do everything in your power to get it. The fight may not break free today, but it's only a matter of time before you can't cage it anymore. Yet desire is hardly enough. Sometimes, we need a little luck to push us in the right direction. There's a certain tree I stroll by every afternoon, no matter the weather. It's no more than a mile from here. It is a peculiarly twisted depressing tree in the docks, who never quite escaped land to sea. Take a stroll and you may find just the tools you're looking for.” He turned away into the parlor.

The soft chime of a music box echoed down the hall. Ioan knew he'd best finish his delivery before his father found him missing.  He quietly followed the melody upstairs until he came to a dimly lit room. The music box chimed away on the bedside table as Cora slept. She must be dead, he thought. No one sleeps so soundly unless they are with angels.

He wouldn't wake her. He slipped the oceanography book from under his coat and sat it on her beside table. He lightly placed the flowers on top. His job was done, but he couldn't leave her without expressing his regrets. He touched her soft, slender hand and kissed it gently. “I hope you get well,” he whispered. “I'm so sorry.”  Her fingers locked around his. “Ioan,” she whispered softly. He met her gentle smile. “Please stay.”

Ioan obediently seated himself at her bedside. “I never got a chance to thank you for jumping in after me,” she said. “I'm sorry I snapped at you, even though what you did really was stupid.”

“Miss Luckett is beside herself,” Ioan told her. “She insisted I come.”

“
I'm glad she did,” Cora said. “Whatever it is she told you, it's not as horrible as she made it sound, I assure you.”

Ioan smiled in relief. “I didn't know. I had no idea it was you I rejected for tea.”

“You thought I'd be like her. Shame on you,” she teased.

“
Yes. I suppose. But you're a bit different than she is.”

“
Beatrice is a nice girl, once you get use to her. Somewhat haughty, but she has a big heart,” she told him. “Just buy her nice dresses. They always win her over. I'm sure you two will make a handsome couple.”

“
We're not engaged,” Ioan defended.

“
It's alright to be bashful about it,” Cora giggled. “She wouldn't stop talking about it at tea. I believe she's in love with you. You better not break her heart. I will hunt you down.”

“
She's my cousin. On my mother's side. Isn't that a little disturbing?”

“
A little, but I suppose it must be done. Nonetheless, you will always have my friendship. I owe my life to you now.”

“
Your friendship means a great deal to me.”

“
Good,” she answered. “And that's Cora to you, sir.”

“
I thought your name was Coralie.”

“
No. Cora. That's it. Nothing else. Got it?” she warned.

“
Coralie is a nice name.”

“
No!”

“
Please don't hurt me.”

“
I can't hurt you. My parents need you. They want to thank you by arranging a dinner.”

“
That's not necessary,” Ioan said. “Please tell them so.”

“
Why not?” Cora demanded.

Ioan proceeded carefully. “They work hard to earn what money they have. I don't want them wasting it on me,” he said.

“Are you going to reject me again, Mr. Saier?”

“
No, of course not,” he said hastily. “I suppose I'll attend your little party. And it's Ioan to you, miss.”

“
Ioan,” she corrected herself.

“
Cora?” her mother knocked lightly on the door. “I made you a stew. Oh, young Mr. Saier. I didn't know you were here.”

“
I lost the time. I should be going,” Ioan stood.

“
Well there's plenty for you too, if you'd like to stay,” Mrs. Harlow offered.

“
Thank you but I should go. Goodbye Cora.”  He left the room quickly, nodding farewell to Mrs. Harlow.

Mrs. Harlow smirked at her daughter. “Why, Cora, he's a handsome boy. A little shy, but in a sweet kind of way.”

“We're only friends. He's going to be engaged to Beatrice.”

“
Engaged to Beatrice? She's only thirteen! And he certainly doesn't look a day over fifteen! Oh never mind it. Who knows what goes on in the empty minds of the rich? It's none of our business. Best we stay out their way. They can be dangerous folk, the rich.  By the way, I was informed that Emmett and his father are attending the party.”

“
Mother, no! You know how vulgar he is! What came over you to invite him?”

“
He overheard me talking to Mrs. Derz about it and invited himself. It'd be rude to say no. Besides, there are plenty of activities to keep him occupied. Don't worry, my dear, with that dashing Mr. Saier around there is no spoiling your evening. I promise.”

Cora held her best dress up to the mirror. She frowned and grimaced at the others. She didn't have the luxury Beatrice had to buy a new one. Secretly, she hoped to see Ioan again. She wanted more than anything for him to come. It was wrong to hope so much. After all, he was engaged to Beatrice. Nonetheless, she could still like him, secretly, and dream of him all to herself. Who could blame her for liking him? He was quite good looking and charming and sweet and everything she couldn't have. She could accept their friendship but still admire him from a distance, and he would continue to woo Beatrice. Beatrice deserved a sweet understanding husband like Ioan.

She tried to convince herself all this, but couldn't shake her heavy heart. She gazed gloomily in the mirror. She imagined herself in a corner with her hand-me-down and Beatrice dancing in a sparkling dress.

A faint light danced across her window. She squinted and recognized it as morse code. She saw the shadow of a little sailboat drifting in the harbor. Ioan continued to signal her window with a flashlight. She lifted it open.

“
Ioan, what are you doing?”

“
Did I disturb you?”

“
I'm getting ready for
your
party, which you should already be at.”

“
Beatrice's father wouldn't allow her on this boat. So I thought maybe, perhaps, you'd like an escort to the party.”

“
Right. Kill me instead.”

“
I'll have you know that I am master of this vessel and have everything under complete control.”

“
You stole my father's boat!”

“
Borrowed
it.”

“
I don't believe you.”

He grinned. “Come down. I want to show you something.”

She looked at the water anxiously. “Oh no.”

“
Come on,” he insisted. “I'll tie you to the boat. There's no way you'll fall over.”

“
I'll grab my coat,” she grinned.

Ioan waited. He wrung his fingers nervously. What if she didn't like the ride?  Desperate to distract himself, he dusted her seat repeatedly and cushioned it with a life belt. He was still beating invisible dust when she appeared next to him. She cleared her throat. “Alright there?”

Ioan looked up at her. “Rogue mosquitoes, you know, ” he said quickly, trying not to look stupid.

“
I think they're good and dead now,” she said.

“
Right. Come in. Watch your step.” He took her hand and settled her into the boat.  He puzzled himself over the sailing gears. His foot pumped a pedal laboriously as he yanked at a wire. Cora shrieked as the  boat trembled violently. “This is more complicated than I remember.”

“
What have you done to the boat?”

“
It is self propelled. Your father's experimented with his own motor system. How do I get this working again?”

“
What if we just row,” Cora offered quickly, hasty to avoid anymore accidents.

“
I need another man.”

“
Spoken for,” she answered, taking up an oar. “And don't give me that look. We're late as it is.”

Ioan smiled and took up the other oar, and the two paddled the boat along. “I'm sorry I couldn't get it working. There's something deeply satisfying and exalting when you hear an engine roar. It will take us double time to get there now, but the view is not so bad.” Cora followed his gaze to see the thousands of diamonds glistening above her. A few of them tailed off  into the sky. “It's beautiful. It's so clear.”

“I've never seen so many shooting stars. I knew you'd like it. Perhaps I'm not so much a failure after all,” he said.

The party went on without them. When they got to shore, Ioan helped Cora out of the boat and tied it to a tree. She grabbed his hand and hurried him up the path.

No one noticed the two casually slip into the crowd, except Mr. Saier, who'd been looking for his son for the past hour. Beatrice waited impatiently to dance. Mr. Saier marched toward them.

“
Where have you gone to?” he demanded.

The two stared at him bewildered. Both had forgotten he or anyone else existed in the world.

“Never mind. Beatrice is waiting.
Now
, Ioan!” he ordered.