Exercise – Short Story
Installment 1
She walked down the hall. Why not? Where else was she going to go? It felt like she was always waiting on him. Pacing back and forth along the wide hallway, self conscious every time she passed a door with a glass window. Doubtless there would be some students inside that had noticed her constant coming and going. How many of them were on to her? Did any of them know just how pathetic she was?
Day after day, coming to this same place — the same routine, whether he cared or not… He would never care as much as she did. He didn’t have the capacity. Maybe no man did.
Sometimes she wondered if it was the routine she was used to and needed more than the man himself. If that were the case, it would be too sad a reality to acknowledge. The school bell rang and her heart thudded quickly in her chest. Time to decide again. Same decision as every day. Confront him or run away.
She turned on her heel — 3 inch black peep-toe patent leather pumps. In black from head to toe, her well tailored J Crew slacks and cardigan gave her a much more put-together and stable image than she ever actually felt. Than she was. How much of her life was a deception? How much of everyone’s is?
Outside in the evening sunlight of late August, everything looked beautiful, warm and safe. How fucking misleading. The air seemed to sparkle with something like fairy dust, like possibility. At this time, even pools of gnats seemed magical.
She pulled her long dark hair into a loose chignon on the way to the parking lot, face set in a determined grimace. She couldn’t get her CRV started fast enough. On days like this, it was impossible to know how far she’d have to drive before things felt okay again. Thank God it was a Friday evening. Her last “conversation,” if you could call it that, with Nathan had been 5 nights ago over the phone. It ended with him hanging up on her, then turning off his cell. As pathetic as she was, she’d driven to his house that night just to be ignored. And every afternoon was the same. Arrive at school just before his last class gets out. Sometimes she’d wait and confront him, other times not. They were such a long way from those weekends months ago when they just laid in one-another’s arms, ordered delivery and watched old movies. What happens to love to make it spoil into something so vile?
Moments like this she wished she could keep going, keep driving. Really escape. As childish as it seemed, running away still held a lot of allure at times. Maybe it was the promise of something different — the chance to start over and the hope that wherever she ended up, maybe she’d do things better the next time around. But there was no such thing as a do-over and the most she could hope for from drives like this was just a chance to clear her mind, calm down a little, and maybe have a nice supper somewhere new before returning home.
Twenty miles south of town she turned down a road she’d never taken. With her GPS tucked away in her glove box, it felt a little like cheating, knowing she wouldn’t get too lost. She made the decision to take the coastal road when she came to it and soon was looking out upon vast stretches of ocean and small seafood restaurants positioned to appeal to a variety of clientele.
With the onset of twilight, she decided to stop for a bite to eat. A large Victorian home on the edge of a cliff advertised fresh caught crab in the restaurant adjacent to the B-n-B. It seemed like a perfect spot.
There was a distinctive chill to the breeze that blew in from the ocean, coupled with a touch of humidity. She walked carefully toward the restaurant, the Caliche parking lot shifting mercilessly beneath her feet. Inside the restaurant, large tables draped with white linen table clothes were painstakingly set. Candles flickered in the centers, sparkling beautifully in the crystal water glasses and reflecting in the well-polished silverware.
There were only a scattering of people. One elderly couple dined wordlessly toward the far side of the room and a young family was seated at another end. She couldn’t help but notice she’d be the only solo diner. A woman appeared from the kitchen and hurried toward her. She grabbed menus from the hostess stand and confirmed that the young woman would be dining alone, then led her to a table nestled beside a bay window.
The woman with the menu introduced herself as Sue and said she’d be her waitress.
“I highly recommend the crab! Caught it fresh today. Steamed and served with a little butter and lemon — it’s sheer perfection.”
“Sounds good to me,” the woman smiled.
“Alright, Sug. Would you care for a glass of wine with that? Our house Chablis makes an awful nice pairing.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“Excellent. The sides are steamed vegetables and rice pilaf. I’ll bring out a salad and some bread to get you started. Save room for dessert, though. I’m the pastry chef in this little place and it’s a crime to leave without trying my layered chocolate cake with raspberry sauce!”
“I’ll bear that in mind.” The woman giggled a little, bolstered out of her doldrums by Sue’s rapid-fire recommendations. She couldn’t help but wonder if Sue would’ve really let her select different items from the menu.
The woman peered out the window and into the blackness beyond. She could scarcely make out a spattering of stars above and white water crashing onto cliffs below. The ocean provided a constant, hushed soundtrack to her meal.
Before she could again lose herself in introspection, Sue was back with a glass and small carafe of golden wine. She set a covered basket of bread on the table and ordered the woman to enjoy before she strode back into the kitchen.
The woman’s eyes wandered over the nearby surfaces. Gilded picture frames contained smiling people set against a backdrop of the ocean, the front lawn, or the sweeping porch. Sea and bird life filled other frames and ivy hung dispersed throughout the sizable dining room. Against a wall near the entry way, close to the young family, sat a well-polished baby grand piano. The woman wondered briefly if the proprietress played.
Having taken in the room fully, the woman noticed, though vaguely, her own reflection in the window, super-imposed against the darkened night. A sinking feeling of despair registered within her. She absently pulled off a chunk of warm, crusty French bread. What a perfect comfort food. She emptied half the carafe of Chablis into her wine glass and took a hesitant sip. Far from being a wine snob, the woman rarely ordered anything at all for fear she wouldn’t like it. As luck would have it, this particular wine was refreshing and light — just great for a summer evening, even if there did happen to be a chill in the air.
Somewhere in the middle of her succulent crab dinner, Sue came over to ask how everything was. The woman replied enthusiastically that everything was just wonderful. “This is the best crab I’ve had in a long time.”
“I’m so glad you like it. You’re not staying with us, are you? Old Wolfy, my husband, makes a mean crab cake eggs benedict for breakfast. It’s reason enough to stay here all on its own.”
The woman smiled and admitted she was just passing through. Sue nodded thoughtfully and said she’d be back in a moment.
In the time it took the woman to pry apart another little piece of crab, Sue’d returned with a bottle and two small, brilliantly carved glasses.
“Oh, I couldn’t – thank you. I’m at my limit for wine if I want to make it home safely tonight,” the woman smiled.
Sue sat down opposite her and responded genuinely, “I reckon you are, child. But I’ve seen the way you looked when you came in here – so forlorn and lost – and I’ve noticed the way your looks have changed since you’ve been here. From carrying the weight of the world on your little shoulders to enjoying a good meal in a nice spot. Have you thought that a little time away, a little less ‘passing through’ and a little more living in the moment could do you some good? – My word, child. I didn’t mean to shock or offend you. I sure hope I haven’t. Just think about it.” She filled the glasses with a deep red syrupy liquid as she spoke. “One minute Sug. I’m gonna get you some thinking food.
Sue cleared away the remnants of the crab dish as the woman sat alone in contemplation. The idea struck her as unusual and appealing, partially because it was something she’d never done. Maybe a weekend away in a quiet, small town B&B on her own would be just what she needed. Perhaps it would improve her outlook and perspective.
She was still mulling over the possibility when Sue returned with two plates. Layers upon layers of cake and mousse in shades of tan, beige and deep brown drifted toward the table. The entirety of the delicacy was coated in a shiny ganache on top of which stood a decorative music symbol constructed of gold-leaf. “Behold my famous l’opera gateaux. I never studied baking anywhere to speak of, but I like to think if I’d been a pastry chef in Paris, these beauties would’ve won many hearts and awards.”
Sue sat back down and raised her glass toward the woman. “Pour la vie, pour le coeur, ” Sue drawled.
They clinked glasses and the woman took a hesitant sip of port. The sweetness was more intense than she’d anticipated. She frowned slightly.
“Small sips, Sug. Let the wine slowly pass over your tongue. Tastes just like sweet cherries!” Sue smiled and demonstrated the proper way to enjoy port.
The woman smiled. The elderly couple were making their way to the exit, saying their goodbyes and praising the meal they’d just eaten to a man donning an impossibly white apron. His hair, like Sue’s, was a mixture of dark grey and white, save at his temples where his hair was white alone. He smiled heartily, shaking the hands of his apparently regular patrons.
“Can’t wait to see what you’ll have for us next week, Wolfy. It’s always such a delightful surprise.”
“And it’s my pleasure. Y’all have a nice evening, now.” He held the door for them as they departed and waved once after they left before turning back toward the interior of the restaurant.
He glanced around. The dining room was empty now, save for the table where Sue and the woman sat. His eyes met the woman’s first and he smiled cordially and began to head over. His gaze shifted to Sue and a look of true love and devotion washed over his face. It was like watching snow melt on a warm spring day — as if the pressures of work and other concerns, in that moment, were washed away.
“Wolfgang,” he said, extending his hand. After a simple introduction, Wolfgang joined them at the table. The woman found herself intrigued by this couple. Their seemingly intense love, quiet business, and the casual, calm way they had about them. Sue herself was no exceptional beauty, nor did the woman think she ever had been. Her features were all slightly oversized and soft looking, making her easy on the eyes and giving her the impression of being very approachable and friendly.
Wolfgang, on the other hand, was dashingly handsome despite his age. There was an indefinable intensity about him, though the area around his eyes were softened slightly by wrinkles. He wasted no time getting to the business at hand. “Sue tells me you might be joining us for the night. We definitely have the space. We have a suite is available and you can have it tonight if you like for a significant discount. We do so love having visitors.”
“Oh I really don’t know,” replied the woman. “Truth is, I only live a few hours from here, though I’m not exactly sure where here is.” The woman blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed for admitting she hadn’t paid any attention to where she’d ended up.
“Nonsense,” Sue remarked in a tone to end the discussion. “You’ll stay with us, dear. There’s a perfectly lovely fireplace in the room which we don’t mind starting up, even in August. These nights can be chilly and the fire’s relaxing. At any rate, it’ll do you good to have a night out of the ordinary and it’ll do us good to have someone around to enjoy the property.”
The woman stretched and yawned. The wine seemed to be doing a number on her, plus she’d had a fairly long, stressful day. “Deal,” she told the couple, “Just as long as you make me a fair price.” She grinned sheepishly.
“How does $50 sound?”
“Perfect.”
The older couple smiled at one another and assured the woman she wouldn’t be disappointed, then they went about clearing the table. After payment for the meal and the night’s stay was squared away, the woman was led to the adjacent building. The entryway opened onto a grand staircase. The entire effect of the room made one feel as though they’d been transported to an antebellum mansion.
The woman scarcely had time to marvel at the highly polished mahogony wood work as she was quickly whisked up stairs, hurrying to keep up with Sue. At the top of the stairs, Sue led her to the end of the hallway. A plaque beside the door to the room displayed the name “Sandburg Suite.” Inside, the room had the look of a stately early 20th century bedroom dressed in subdued earth tones. A chaise lounge was positioned near the foot of the bed, in front of a dark fireplace.
Sue hurried first to the hearth, opening the chimney and deftly whipping up a roaring fire. She then moved to the bed, turning down the sheets and placing a Vosges chocolate gently on the pillow.
“Now then,” smile Sue, “your bathroom is through the door there” – she motioned to the left of the far wall where a door stood closed. “In the morning, you’ll be treated to a beautiful view out the windows and if you feel in the mood, you may find a book to your liking on the wall here. A great late night, fireside activitiy if I do say so myself. Should you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Dial 0 on the phone here and we’ll be happy to help you out with anything at all.”
“Thank you!” The woman was clearly pleased with the accomodations. “What time should I plan to be downstairs in the morning?”
“Anytime between 7am and 10am, dear. Just join us in the dining room. Feel free to walk around this old house if you like. There’s a sitting room with a large library on the first floor as well as a game room where we have our guest television. We also keep snacks there for our guests should you feel a bit peckish in the night.”
“I’d be surprised if that happens after the delicious meal I just devoured!”
Sue smiled, wished the woman a pleasant night, and headed down stairs.
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