Beginning, Section II, Next Section
Chapter 7
Elizabeth was down in her basement working, when the phone began to ring. Checking the clock first, she put down the piece of glass she was cutting and searched for her cordless. She found it on the dryer by the forth ring.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Elizabeth. It's William. Did I catch you at a bad time?" This was the first time he had called her at home.
"Well, hello there. No, I just could not find the phone. What can I do for you on this fine Sunday morning?"
"I was going over some of your statements, and I noticed the final calculations for the State job were missing. Do you happen to have the numbers?"
"Let me check," she said as she took off her gloves. "I'm in the basement, so you'll have to listen to me babble while I go upstairs."
"No problem. I'm in my car waiting for a train to make a decision about moving or not." William's tone was easy, and Elizabeth smiled as she heard the James Taylor CD she gave him playing in the background.
"So, you are up and about already? Were you good and did you go to church, William?"
"No," he laughed, "but I have been golfing."
"Oh, you're one of those!" She tried to sound shocked, but it did not come out quite right.
"Okay, I'll ask. One of what, Elizabeth?"
"Heathens!" Elizabeth said in a low matter-of-fact voice.
"And did you go to church today, young lady?"
"We're not talking about me, are we? I think it is time to change the subject. I'm checking my briefcase right now. Hold on while I put down the phone for a minute."
He could hear her rummaging through her bag. When she located the paper he was asking about, she let out a (*bleep*).
"Found it. I can't believe I brought it home with me."
"Do you kiss your Mother with that mouth?" William asked teasing tone. Elizabeth was always a good sport about it—she took it as well as she gave it.
"Only on holidays!" she sighed. " Would you like me to fax this to you?"
William shook his head no and grinned. "Elizabeth, how many times do I have to remind you…"
"…Don't send important documents by fax or e-mail." They said in unison. Elizabeth could not understand why she could not remember that simple, logical instruction, but it slipped her mind every time she spoke to him.
"Well, I could run it downtown, if you want me to." The idea did not sound appealing to her, even if she would get to see him. Sunday traffic was her least favorite. Everyone drove so slowly while they stared out their window at nothing, blocking her in so she could not pass them and get to where she was going.
"Why don't I just stop by and pick it up. I'm close to your neighborhood." To give William credit where it was due, he really was near her neighborhood.
"That will work for me." This idea isappealing. "Should I expect you soon?"
"Unless I first die of old age waiting for this train. Arg, it has stopped, and now going in reverse—again!" Her CD was helping, but not enough to make up for ten minutes already wasted, and no end in sight.
"Well…I would keep you company, sweetie, but I have better things to do."
William laughed out loud at her comment. Every once in a while, Elizabeth would slip and say some cute endearment to him. She must have picked it up where ever she grew up at, since few people native to the Chicago area used words like 'honey.'
"Good-bye, Elizabeth."
"Good-bye, William. I'll see you soon."
William arrived thirty minutes later. Elizabeth was waiting for him on her porch swing, gently rocking and enjoying the last of summer. She eyed him as he approached her, and was impressed with the way he looked. He had on khaki golf shorts and a yellow polo that made his deep tan stand out. Elizabeth looked down at her bare, pale legs and suddenly wished she had spent more time out in the sun. She returned to admiring his physique, well aware that she was being obvious about it, but not really caring anymore. She had seen him out of his suit jacket only once, and he was sitting behind a restaurant table at the time.
A flash of blue caught his attention as he approached the steps of her house. William stopped and looked over the rail to see what it was.
"Elizabeth, why do you have a statue of Madonna in your bushes?" He was anxious to hear this explanation.
"Mama gave it to me when I bought this house. Being a dutiful daughter, I put it out by the mailbox--which is more than I can say for my sister Mary, who put hers in the garage. Well, after the forth person stopped by looking for the parsonage (it is on the next block), I stuck her in the bushes. As I see it, she is still out front, so I fulfilled my obligation and should be excused from further harassment about it from my well-meaning Catholic relatives."
"Okay." He liked it when she told her stories. She always justified her actions, and made it almost impossible for anyone to find fault with her reasoning. William sat down on the swing with her.
"Where did you get your accent?" He had been wondering this since the first day they spoke to one another.
"For the first twelve years of my life I lived in Kentucky. Mama was the only one happy when we moved to Illinois. Most of our family is in the Chicago area, but if you ask me," Elizabeth lowered her voice, "I think she just wanted to get us here before she ended up with a bunch of Baptist son-in-laws."
"How was your game, William? You're looking mighty handsome in that golfing ensemble." Elizabeth said it lightly, but she really meant it.
Not as good as you in those short shorts. He observed to himself.
"Good game. Do you golf?"
"No, I have tried it a few times. If I want to get any exercise, I'll just dust off my equipment upstairs. But, now…I may have to rethink my stance. Do all golfers dress like you?" Elizabeth made a playfully suggestive expression.
"Great, now we'll just have to turn Bolling Brook Golf Course into Elizabeth's meat market. You can fill your days judging outfits and such."
They were both laughing when the phone began to ring. After the third ring, William turned to her.
"Um, are you going to get that?"
Elizabeth leaned over him, and took his wrist to examine his watch.
"No, it's Mama." Elizabeth paused as she realized that this was the first time since their initial meeting that they had touched.
Even though they had never spoken on the subject, she understood why they needed to keep their distance from each other until they were finished working together. It would not be good business practice to have an affair right now. But, the frustration was beginning to get to her. She willed herself to sit back down where she was.
"How do you know?" William had not noticed how warm of a day it was until now.
"She calls every Sunday at this time. Would you like to hear a guilt trip?" She stood and took his hand, leading him into her house. "We have to get there before the fifth ring, or you'll miss some of it." She opened her office door.
"Elizabeth, this is your Mother. I didn't see you in Church today…again. Now, Lizzy, I know you've been lax about confession too."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at him.
"You don't want to end up in Purgatory, do you? That is where you are headed, and your mother will not be able to save your soul from there. I'm just telling you this because I love you."
"Isn't she sweet?" She laughed. "Now she is going to tell me some church gossip."
"Father O'Neil was asking about you. It seems as if there is a crack in the stained glass by Baby Jesus's head, and he was hoping you would come and look at it. Of course, I told him you would, and that you could fix it too. He was very pleased when I left."
"I bet! Baby Jesus is twenty feet up!"
"You will never guess who I ran into after mass. It was David! Oh, he was full of questions about you. I didn't know he was writing now..."
"Excuse me." Elizabeth picked up the phone and took off into another area of the house.
Elizabeth returned a few minutes later with two Corona's in her hand and a smile on her face. Her mother had behaved herself after church, and had not set her up with another man, especially that one.
"Mexican beer?" She handed him the cold bottle. "I checked the clock, and it's after noon, so I think that's late enough."
"Sounds good. I haven't had one of these in ages." Having a beer at Elizabeth's house on a Sunday afternoon—it sounded good to him.
"I have burritos in the oven, so if you would like some, they'll be ready in fifteen minutes."
"Thanks." He pushed the chunk of lime into the bottle. "Elizabeth, have you noticed that every time we are together, we eat?" Like we're substituting food for something else?
"Hum…" She thought about it and silently came to the same conclusion as he did. "It works for us!" She gave him a genuine smile. "I will get you the statement before the Corona kicks in."
William watched as she wrote the date on the top of the paper.
"You're left handed!" He observed. "I never realized that until now."
"Oh, there are many things you do not know, Mr. Darcy. But, if you lean in closer, I'll tell you a secret." William obeyed, placing his face next hers, but not touching. He smelled like soap and for a moment Elizabeth was lost in the thought about how the soap got there. She shook herself out of her inappropriate but agreeable daydream.
"I don't remember what I was saying." Elizabeth confessed in a whisper.
"You are going to tell me your secret." He whispered back.
"Oh, yes. My house gives all of them away."
"Will you show me around?"
"I think not. It is better if you find your own way, but I will answer any questions you have."
William straightened up, and looked her in the eye. Elizabeth, don't whisper words like that in my ear. You are driving me crazy. He pleaded within himself.
Elizabeth did not look away.
He looked around her office, and headed out of the door into the living room. Elizabeth positioned herself in the doorway, and leaned against the frame with her arms crossed. She watched as he slowly moved about the room, occasionally picking up an object or closely studying the contents of a shelf.
Elizabeth wanted him to know her, and her desire to know him was equally as strong. She realized they seemed to share the same experience of chemistry, but chemistry often faded once the passion was released. What Elizabeth wanted was his mind and heart.
William was standing by her stereo equipment, looking at her CD collection. It contained a large amount of folk music and classic rock, but there were also Classical, Celtic, and every album of Pink Floyd.
"Pink Floyd?"
"I like them. 'Wish You Were Here' is my favorite. Someday when I think you will be able to handle the shock, I'll tell you about a Floyd concert I went to in St. Louis. The flying pink pig balloon was quite an experience."
William grinned at her. He could only imagine!
The built-in bookshelves where her entertainment center was held an assortment of different items. A framed copy of Poe's Annabelle Lee, several old poetry books, her rosary, and a few small-framed stained glass pieces were placed in different shelves. There was a noticeable lack of frilly and lacy adornments. No dollies or placemats for Elizabeth. Her furniture was comfortably modern, colored in shades of green and blue.
When he really started to move around, he wondered how he could have missed so much of the stained glass that made up the interior of her house. There were windows, lampshades, picture frames, and framed art.
"How long have you collected stained glass?"
"My dad gave me my first piece when I was sick as little girl. I have been obsessed since."
William next went into the music/sitting room. It contained a piano, her guitar, a short couch, one chair and a coffee table.
"You play the piano?"
"Not much, really. I don't play sonatas or anything complicated like that. Mainly second year student pieces. I amuse myself, though."
"You were incredible at Mario's a few weeks back." William stated honestly. "I know I already told you, but it was great."
"Thank you. I went looking for you after my set was over, but you were gone."
"I wanted…" He would not lie to her, but he could not tell her the truth. I wanted to sit up front and watch you all night. William lowered his head, thinking of a proper response. His eyes fell to the coffee table, where he spotted some handwritten pages sprawled out. Focusing, he saw that they were poems.
William.Don't walk too close
don't breath so soft
don't talk so sweet
don't sing
don't lay so nearPlease, don't let me fall in love with you.
Please let me forget
all those sweet smiles…*
"William! No!" Elizabeth saw what was on the table and panicked. She was not one to share her private writing with anyone, especially the person who it was written about. Poetry and music was her creative escape, and she closely guarded them from others.
"I didn't mean to yell, but," she began scooping the papers up. "These are mine." She shoved the jumbled mess of papers in the piano bench. "Sorry!" she was visibly uncomfortable, and prayed for a diversion. It was answered in the form of a timer on the oven.
Buzzzz
"Come in the kitchen with me. You haven't been in there yet." Elizabeth went into the kitchen and turned the timer off. Calm down, calm down. Maybe he didn't see what I wrote about him. This is embarrassing!
"Eliz…"
"Please, make yourself at home. I need to check my sugar before we eat." She started walking out of the room. "You can look in the cupboards if you want. I'll be right back."
William watched her fly by him. He didn't want her to be embarrassed. To be frank, he was completely flattered; no one had ever done something like that for him before. William knew his resolve to keep a distance from her was done. He no longer cared about professionalism or ethics. Before he left this house today, he was going to open up to her.
*Jewel
Chapter 8
"I'm glad you saved lunch from burning." Elizabeth said as she returned to the kitchen. The burritos were out of the oven and setting on the stovetop.
Elizabeth had calmed herself down while she was in the bathroom by facing reality—William had seen what she wrote about him, and being embarrassed was a waste of time. So, she looked for the humor in the situation (which was hard to find) and laughed at herself for being so silly. There were far worse things then having a man read what you think of him.
"I did. Elizabeth, come here, I want to tell you something." William pulled out a kitchen chair for her, and placed his next to it.
"Yes?" Elizabeth did not want to talk about the poem quite yet. She held her breath until he completed his first sentence.
"I received an offer from Valley. I have written the number under yours." Pointing the paper in front of her, he knew she was not going to be completely happy. "As you can see, it does not yet meet your expenses. I believe I can get it a little higher without going to court."
"Why isn't it the full amount? What possible reason can they have for not picking up the entire tab?"
"The defense they are spouting is that your Quality Control people are also responsible for part of the blame because they did not catch the problem when they were testing the machines."
Elizabeth did not comment on his remark. QC had screwed up in a big way, and she personally went down and fired two supervisors over it. Afterward, she drilled the remaining QC staff until she found where they had erred, then ordered new procedures to be put in place so it would not happened again. Her actions earned her the new nickname of 'Scalp Taker' around the office.
She looked at the number he had written on the page. "Tell me my options."
"You can accept this offer, wait for a better one, or threaten court and be ready to back it up. Accepting this offer is not a wise move on your behalf, unless Valley drags their feet. You'll need to look at your possible per-day costs and compare them to any gain you may receive by waiting him out. I can get another 5% out of Wickham without much delay. Suing him is inadvisable. In my opinion, the amount of money you are seeking is not large enough to offset the time, effort, and costs that would be involved. This has to be your decision."
Elizabeth sat quietly weighing her alternatives. Bennet would not be taking too large a hit if she settled soon, and suing Valley would not be getting them any more State of Illinois jobs anytime soon.
"William, can you get 10% more?" Elizabeth knew what she wanted.
"It might take time."
"Make it ten." Firm in her decision, Elizabeth pushed the paper in front of him.
"I will let you know the progress of the talks. Is everything else working out for you?"
"Yes." Elizabeth answered but her expression was one of doubtfulness.
"What's wrong? Is there something more I can do for you?" There was obviously something else on her mind, he could tell by the way she tapped a pen on the table.
Elizabeth was straightforward with him.
"I need to hire someone to give me some instruction. Bennet has started a personal computer line, and it is not taking off like I had hoped. The critics and reviewers praise it, but we still have no name recognition in the public market. I am not sure how to approach this dilemma. I have people in the office who are paid to take care of issues like this, but…" Elizabeth stopped tapping her pen and looked him straight in the eye.
"William, everything I know, I have learned on the job or from my father. I have no formal business training, and at times this hinders my decision making process. Let's be honest about it, two years of Art and Music from Berkeley doesn't get you very far when you're trying to break into a PC market. I must know more than the people working for me, but I do not have the time to take college courses."
"Incredible, I had no idea." William's jaw dropped a little as he looked at her with astonishment. "Elizabeth, you are so good at what you do. You're a natural."
Elizabeth was not convinced. She had never been very comfortable in her role as President of Bennet Computers. It was at her father's insistence that she took over his position. He wanted a family member to continue on where he left off. Mary was Dale Bennet's first choice, but she turned him down flat. Mary had no desire to deal with customers or internal issues, and refused to take over a job she knew would make her miserable.
Over time, Elizabeth's confidence had risen, but she still second-guessed herself when she was breaking unfamiliar territory.
"Elizabeth, I know of an excellent company who can give you the training you need. I will send you a name and contact tomorrow." William patted her hand, and then wrapped his hand around it.
"Thank you."
"If you will let me, I would really like to help. We could meet like this and go over whatever you need, but not as Allied and Bennet. We could be just two friends…" William leaned closer to her. His heart began to beat faster as he gathered his nerve.
"Friends?" Just say it William, or I am going to.
"Elizabeth, I am hopelessly attracted to you." He did not blink when he said the words. They were so true, and real.
"Me too." It was such a relief for Elizabeth to finally admit it.
"Could we do something away from the office sometime?"
"Please." It was now Elizabeth's turn to confess her thoughts.
"May I ask you a favor?" There was a new look in her eyes; one William had never witnessed before.
"Anything." He could feel her breath on his face as she moved closer to him.
"Will you kiss me?"
William bridged the small gap between and softly placed his lips against hers. The kiss was long and sweet, but not forceful. It was the type of 'first kiss' that every time you remember it; it makes you feel butterflies because it was so new and exciting.
When they parted, Elizabeth muttered, "That was good."
"I agree." Responded William.
She opened her eyes, surprised.
"Did I say that out loud?" A faint blush covered her cheeks. William just smiled at her. Elizabeth burst out laughing.
"We had better eat!"
William went home around three hours later. They spent their time talking on the couch while holding hands and getting to know each other. Not wanting to rush her, William took his leave earlier then he had wanted to. He could have spent all day in her house, but thought it was best for them to move slowly. He did not want to mess up what he had with Elizabeth.
The good-bye kiss at the door was quite similar to the first one. Maybe a little longer, and with a bit more passion, but controlled just the same. They were both holding back what they were really feeling, and allowed the moment to create itself—cautiously.
William was ten minutes away from her house when he realized he had left the document he had originally came for. Since it was his intention to work on her case when he got home, he turned his car around and went back.
William knocked on her door, but the music coming from inside the house was too loud. He opened the door carefully, peering around the door, but he could not see Elizabeth. Recognizing her voice mixed with the song playing, he determined he could hear her in the living room. Elizabeth was singing at the top of her lungs, and it sounded to him like she was also playing her guitar. The song he knew, it was Sheryl Crow's 'A Change'.
As he entered the room, the grin that was on his face dropped in to open wonder. There stood Elizabeth barefoot in the middle of the room, with her back to him. Her hips were swaying to the music, causing her hair to dance along the base of her waist. Watching her small arms move with the forcefulness of her strumming of the guitar caused him to stand a just a little straighter. The vision in front of him was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.
Sell the house and go to school
Get a young girlfriend daddy's jewelA change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good
I think a change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good.
"Earthy." William said under his breath.
Elizabeth began to really get into the music, and her whole body was moving. Her voice was getting louder, and it drowned out the CD she was playing. She slowly removed the guitar from her body, and sat it on end against wall. Leaning her head back, she ran her fingers through her hair, bringing it high above her head before letting the stands fall back down. Elizabeth was completely unaware that she was being watched.
It was at this point that William realized he could not move without embarrassing himself. He had fantasized several times about doing that himself. Well, actually his fantasy was a little more complex. First, he would remove the pins holding up her bun one by one, kissing her bare neck while he still could before her hair covered it. Then, allowing the thick braid to fall down her back, he would run his fingers through it, freeing…
A change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good
I think a change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good.
As she danced herself around, Elizabeth opened her eyes and saw William looking at her with a fire in his eyes. His breathing was obviously labored. For a few seconds she questioned herself, then continued moving to the rhythm as her mouth formed a slight smile. She motioned her finger inviting him to join her, but he only shook his head no. With a seductive grin he imitated her gesture, asking her to come to where he was standing. She pretended to think about his offer, then made her way to him.
Scully and angel on the kitchen floor
And I'm calling Buddy on the Ouija board
I've been thinking 'bout catching a train
Leave my phone machine by the radar range
When she reached him, Elizabeth slowed her sway to a sensual pace as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he joined her in the dance. Her fingers traveled along his neck, working outwards toward his shoulders—feeling every muscle. He closed his eyes and let out a long, slow breath as she was doing this, which made her want to do it more.
William lowered his head as she raised hers, and they met halfway. There was nothing subtle about the kiss they shared. It was deep and passionate. The restrained frustration they had been experiencing over the last two weeks was evident by the fierceness of the exchange. The intensity caused them to stop moving to the music and turn their concentration elsewhere. William pulled back to catch his breath, but the sight of her tilted head and parted lips sent him back to her. A soft moan sent a rush of adrenaline flowing through his body, bringing him to the brink. Both wanted it, and when he ran his hands down her hips, and pulled her tight against his body, Elizabeth understood why he did not come over to her.
A change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good…
"William, let's go to the couch." Her voice gave away her motives.
"I can't…." He breathed heavily against her shoulder. His words sent shivers up her spine as he began to work his way to her ear.
"Be right back." Elizabeth ran to the door and locked it. Next, she opened a closet and took out a thick blanket, and stopped to toss some couch pillows onto the floor beside him. Laying the blanket out in record time, she kicked a pillow into place and returned to him and her position before the interruption. She wasn't even gone ten seconds.
A change, a change would do you good.
After another long taste of his lips, that literally left her gasping for air, Elizabeth pulled her head away.
"I'll take you down slowly." She whispered as she pulled his shoulders down to the floor with her.
Elizabeth brought him down to his knees.
Elizabeth pulled him close to her and put her head against his chest. The feel of his heart beating rapidly made her squirm even closer to his body. Taking her hands, she pushed them up his back, pressing hard. When she reached his neck, she went back down until she reached his waist. Loosening his shirt, her hands found their way under the cloth and onto his broad chest. It was firm and strong. She bit her bottom lip as she pulled him all of the way down to the floor with her.
"Liz…"
The song had changed as they touched each other. It was slower, and they subconsciously responded to the change of tempo. That afternoon, they did all things unmentionable--more than once.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Elizabeth entered Charlotte's office with a grin on her face. The weather was beautiful, the birds were singing, the billboards she read were funny, and the traffic was light. It was an absolutely perfect day.
"Good morning, Charlotte. Ready to begin another Monday?" She called out.
Charlotte eyed Elizabeth suspiciously over her third cup of coffee. Too happy!
"You've had sex!" She accused with a pointed finger.
Elizabeth's eyes went wide as she blushed, but try as she might; she could not stop grinning. Charlotte just rolled her eyes at her.
"William Darcy is on hold. He refused to call back, and said he would just wait for you until you got in."
Elizabeth ran to her desk, shutting her door behind her with her foot. She could hear William on his speakerphone giving his secretary instructions. The tone of his voice as he gave orders was firm and decisive, sexy in a commanding sort of a way. Elizabeth leaned on her desktop and savored the sound of his words. When he excused his secretary, she spoke up.
"Hello?"
"Elizabeth!" He picked up the receiver wearing the same silly grin she did. "How are you this morning? Did you notice how light the traffic was?"
"Yes. I'm fine except that my lips are chapped. You?"
"I pulled a muscle. Other then that, just fine."
"Mmmm…" Elizabeth was about to quiz him about his injury when he asked her a question.
"Would you want to go out for lunch?" William was hopeful.
"I can't. I have to concentrate today. We're going after a lucrative job, and I need to carefully review the bid." Elizabeth allowed her disappointment to be heard. But on second thought, she reasoned that maybe they should skip meeting for lunch until they had their hormones under control.
"When can I see you next?"
"Tonight I'm stopping by the Church, so that's out." A frown creased her forehead. She had promised to go last night.
"Are you going to confession?" William whispered.
"Hardly!" Elizabeth laughed out. "I need to check out the crack in the stained glass. What about Tuesday night after work, William? I could take you to my favorite steak place downtown."
"Sounds good, when would you like to meet?"
"As soon as you can get away."
"I'll be at your office at 5 p.m."
Two Weeks Later-Saturday.
Elizabeth waited for him in his townhouse, wrapped in an oversized towel on the edge of his bed. She had stayed over at his place for the first time last night, and was combing out her wet hair after her shower. William's golf game was supposed to be over by now, but he had warned her that sometimes they teed off late.
The night before William had given her the complete tour of his home. She had been in it before, but they had not spent any real time there until this weekend. William had told her that he liked the 'warmth' of her house better then his.
His townhouse was located right on the golf course in an exclusive neighborhood. It was really too large to be considered a townhouse in her mind. There were four bedrooms, an office, dining room, kitchen, living room and four bathrooms. The view was incredible to look at through the numerous windows in the living room. He had the entire place furnished with classic Italian leather pieces in black and maroon, and it was obvious to Elizabeth that he had taken time when picking it out.
No matter what he preferred, she liked spending time in his home, primarily because it was where he lived and spent his time away from her. Every room was dark and masculine, very much like him.
When William came home, he found her sitting on the bed, fighting with a large toothed comb. He leaned over her and gave her a kiss.
"Have you been up long?" When he left her this morning, she was still snug in his bed.
"An hour. Thank you for making the coffee." Elizabeth returned his kiss. "How did you do today?"
"Good." He watched her comb out her hair. "May I do that?"
"Sure, just start at the bottom and work your way up." Elizabeth handed him the comb after he crawled behind her on the bed. Gently, he began to work the tangles out.
Elizabeth," he said as he pulled the comb through her hair, "you are a wonderful woman."
Elizabeth smiled. "I think you are the wonderful one. After all, you lived through my PMS last week."
"I'm being serious." He stopped combing and turned her head so she could see him. "Elizabeth, I love you."
Elizabeth allowed the weight of his words to sink in. He loved her. Other men had mumbled those words to her in the past, but never had they been as sincere and genuine as they were when coming from his lips. He did not call them out in the thrall of passion, or use them to soothe her when she was angry. William said 'I love you' because he meant it. Elizabeth reached up and stroked the side of his beautiful face.
"I love you too, William. You are the best of men."
This was the first time they had confessed aloud their hearts. Each had let it show in their actions and expressions, but was hesitant when it came to saying the words. They had known each other for one month, with two weeks of that as a couple. It might have seemed a little soon for some people, but time had no bearing on their feelings.
Not only did they love each other, but also they were truly in love with one another.
Next Day-Sunday.
William was sitting on her couch, reading some Poe while Elizabeth was playing a tune on her guitar in the sitting room.
He looked up from his book as she repeated the same melody over and over. It had a sweet sound to it.
"That's pretty, Elizabeth." He called to her in the other room.
"Thank you, but it is not the right sound. I think I need my mandolin for this section."
William put down the book and joined her.
"I didn't know you played the mandolin." He stood in the archway between the two rooms, and looked at her with a delighted expression. Elizabeth never ceased to amaze him. There were so many discoveries disclosed every time they were together. For William, these were the best of times.
"It was the first instrument I learned to play. I was about seven when my granddad bought it for me. When we Bennet girls were little, my dad wouldn't allow television in the house. He claimed it dulled the brain. So, we had to come up with alternative entertainment."
"You are full of surprises. Will you play it for me?"
"Yes, but don't get too excited. I haven't played it in a while. I'll go get it upstairs." She knew William well enough to know that he would like anything she played, but she still wanted to do her best for him.
Elizabeth was halfway upstairs when the phone began to ring.
"It is just Mama, William. Don't answer it."
William grinned as he sat back down on the couch. Last week Elizabeth had asked him if she could wait before she introduced him to the family. She said that once they knew, they would not leave them alone—especially her mother. Since he was enjoying his private time with Elizabeth so much, he readily agreed. William liked the little world they had created together. It consisted of weekends and a several nights during the workweek. They were free to do anything they wanted, without the interference of unwanted invitations or guests. Just the anticipation of knowing they would be alone fueled him through the days when they were not.
The answering machine picked up, but instead of Mrs. Bennet's voice, the caller was a male.
"Elle, are you home? This is David. Oh, wait, you have about ten cousins named David. This is David Whent. Please pick up. I want to talk to you, Elle."
Elizabeth flew back down the stairs and slammed the office door behind her.
A few seconds later, William heard her say in a low, strong voice "Go to Hell!" Then Elizabeth slammed down the receiver. After several minutes had passed, and she had not come back out, he went after her.
Elizabeth sat in her desk chair, staring at the wall. Her hands were slightly shaking as a few silent tears fell down her cheeks.
"Elizabeth, are you all right?" William took her hands in his.
"No." She answered in a small voice.
He gently pulled her up to him and wrapped his arms around her. William was seriously concerned about Elizabeth, she was shaken and he had never seen her like this.
"Is that man threatening you?" Judging by her reaction, this was his first instinct.
"No, he is a harmless English professor-wannabe writer. He is not a threat." Elizabeth moved closer to him and tightened her grip around his waist.
"If he is bothering you, we should do something about it." William was very calm as he spoke. He had confidence in Elizabeth's ability to deal with her own problems, but he had the undeniable desire to protect her from anything unpleasant. He adored the woman in his arms.
"He doesn't call very often, William." Elizabeth sighed. "For many years, he was my best friend in the world. We had a huge falling out a year ago, and I am very angry at him."
William sat down on her desk chair and placed her on his lap. She laid her head against his shoulder.
"William, you should know that I don't handle anger very well. I am not the type of person to get mad easily, but when I do…it is hard to let it go. I am trying not to be that way, but… "
"We all have traits we are working on, Elizabeth. None of us are perfect, although some are closer then others." William placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Even you? What triggers your dark side, besides waiting on trains and IDOT?" Elizabeth loved the way William made her feel better. She knew she was a lucky one to have someone like him to love her.
"I don't know. Sometimes at work, I loose my cool. Incompetence! That sends me over the edge faster than anything."
"So, you need to work on tolerance?"
"I think so."
"Well then, I had better keep you away from Mama for a while longer." Elizabeth sat up and looked at him.
"Is everything okay with you now?" Her tears were gone and her eyes were dry. "Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine, thank you." She gave him a small smile. "I'll go get my mandolin and play a charm that will turn you into my love slave." Elizabeth got off his lap.
"You don't need a mandolin for that." He said as she left the room.
Elizabeth determined that his last comment deserved a reward, and she returned to kiss him before going upstairs.
Chapter 10
Three Weeks Later
William held Elizabeth's hand at the boarding gate at O'Hare Airport. She was going out to California for four days to be with her father. Dale Bennet had been enrolled at the Institute for the Blind for several months, and this would be her first visit to see him.
Dale, like Elizabeth, had diabetes, but unlike her, he never took care of himself. He ate poorly, worked too many hours under stress, and ignored the warning signs. Two and a half years ago he went into Insulin Shock after taking his morning dose on an empty stomach. He was in a coma for three days, and when he awoke, he was blind.
In the beginning, he could see shadows of dark and light, but over time, they faded away. He stubbornly fought the fact that he was blind, and lashed out to anyone who tried to aid him. Elizabeth was given complete control of the business, while Dale sank into his depression.
Unable to watch her father destroy himself anymore, Elizabeth used her anger for good four months ago, and told him off. She let him know what she thought of his selfish behavior, and how he was tearing the family apart. She gave him no sympathy or pity as she tore him down bit by bit. When she was finished, Dale Bennet sat broken, speechless, and in tears. To hear his most favorite daughter tell him what a complete disappointment he was finally drove him into submission. The next week he was signed up for training.
Elizabeth was apprehensive about seeing her father. They spoke twice a week on the phone, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was miserable. Dale was always a strong man, and now to be dependent on other people to show him how to function in the world of the sightless was almost too difficult an adjustment for him. The Bennet stubbornness was alive and well in Dale.
The flight was called over the loudspeaker and Elizabeth picked up her carry on. She had wished William could have joined her on this trip, and been introduced to her father. Elizabeth was certain they would get along very well, but her father's present attitude did not hold much promise of civility.
Elizabeth turned and looked at her beloved. A tinge of sadness came over her as she watched him watching her. She knew it was going to be a long four days.
"Good-bye, William. Have a good weekend, and call often."
"Good-bye. I love you." He kissed her lightly on the cheek, but Elizabeth was unimpressed.
"Will, that won't hold me over. Kiss me like you mean it." Elizabeth shot him 'the' look he knew all too well.
"In front of all of these people?" He said in a low voice, scanning the crowd.
"Why not? We won't see them again." Her eyes were sparkling as she raised her eyebrows.
William took her hand and led her to a semi-private area. They had a couple of minutes to themselves since the boarding of the plane had just begun. He pulled her tight against him.
"Liz," was whispered as he kissed her deeply. William was trying to pour four days worth of missed opportunities into one two-minute kiss. A moan escaped her as she dropped her carry on which contained her precious laptop, but it went unnoticed by the lovers. He was kissing her from every angle, and Elizabeth reached out for his belt loops to pull him even closer. When he finally stopped, she was flushed.
Elizabeth reached up and cupped his ear, whispering something meant for him only. Judging by his expression and the way he shifted on his feet, it must have been agreeable.
A group of young military men witnessed the heated exchange between them and began to clap and whistle loudly when they stepped apart. Elizabeth beamed proudly at the gentlemen, grinning from ear to ear, but William just ran his hand over his red face, trying not to show his satisfaction.
"Come home safely, Elizabeth." William led her back to the boarding gate.
"I love you, William."
"I love you, too."
It was on the second day of Elizabeth's departure that William found himself in the bookstore close to his home. He was terribly bored and missing the enjoyment Elizabeth's presence provided. Even though he knew it was not wholly sane, he found himself completely bewitched by her. Since the first Sunday they were together at her house, they had never been away from each other for more then two days in a row. Two weeks ago, they had started riding together downtown each day. It gave them time to be together and talk before and after the long workday.
William had become accustomed to being able to reach her whenever the mood struck him, sometimes to share a funny incident, other times just to hear her voice.
In a short period of time, Elizabeth had become his family. William was left with few relatives in the world after his parents had passed on. He had only one sister who lived in New York City, a few Aunts and Uncles scattered elsewhere, and one cousin he could call close. There were still acquaintances from his college days that he kept in contact with, but as the years passed, the less important the connection to them became. Running Allied had consumed him in almost every way, taking from him precious time to build new relationships with other people outside the workplace. Other than the men he golfed with on the weekends, he had few male companions he could call friend.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, seemed to be known everywhere she went. Her dry-cleaner greeted her by name, as did the parking garage attendant. She led her neighborhood Christmas light display, and always had messages waiting for her on her answering machine. People went out of their way to be good to her because she was always kind to them first. Elizabeth took the time to get to know others, and William was learning by her example. He met the couple living next door to him one day because Elizabeth went out to get the paper and introduced herself. They were actually very interesting, and since that day he had, on his own, struck up a conversation with the man at the clubhouse.
Before Elizabeth had left for California, she told him to enjoy his four days of freedom, and even suggested that he drink a beer in his underwear while watching television--just for fun. William went to his refrigerator after she was gone to give her idea a shot, but when he saw all of the special food he had stocked just for her, and the new blue medicine bag she kept at his house, he changed his mind. He would have much rather have her with him, sitting around and laughing about how ridiculous they looked, than to do it by himself.
William was new to surrendering his inner thoughts and emotions, and he reasoned that once the gate was opened, there was no turning back. He opened the gate and allowed her access to everything. It was liberating and frightening at the same time.
Right now, more then anything, William wanted her home. Maybe then time would return to its normal pace instead of the crawl it had been reduced to.
Having read everything in his library, William went looking for anything the bookstore had to offer to stimulate his mind. The subject of the book was unimportant, really. The only qualification it needed to fulfill was to be able to distract him for two more nights.
How he ended up in the non-fiction department was beyond him. He was simply wandering around when he stopped in front of a display. An author's name made him halt.
From the author of 'Three days in Rome' comes "Father's time' by David Whent.
William recalled the name David Whent, and Elizabeth's reaction to the man's phone call. … he is a harmless English professor-wannabe writer. She told him to 'Go to Hell'. He picked up 'Father's time' and read the back cover. It was a story based on a son's reaction to his Father's life and passing.
"Too depressing." He thought. William picked up 'Three days in Rome'. His curiosity was ignited. Elizabeth had never fully explained her connection to the David Whent. William opened the book and read the inscription.
Elle,
I know you will understand.
David
William read it again.
David Whent had called Elizabeth 'Elle' on the phone.
Flipping to the first page, his eyes consumed the first few lines.
I will forever remember the first time I laid eyes on her. She was the new girl standing up in front of the science class. A vision to me, her soft brown curls framed her face and made her dark eyes stand out against her pale skin. She was tall and lanky, but to one twelve-year-old boy who sat shyly behind his desk, she was mesmerizing. The teacher, whose name I can no longer recall, announced to the class that we had an additional student. He instructed her to introduce herself, and she did so with a slight shake in her voice.Her thick southern accent had the other children looking at each other, some actually attempting to contain their snickers, while others did not. Elle continued to give her name and information without blinking an eye. She did not seem affronted by their lack of regard or respect. She simply went on, expressionless, mouthing as little as she could. When she finished, she turned her head and looked the teacher in the eye. She was a brave girl.
"Elle, we are going to have to work on your English. I could hardly understand a word you said." The teacher's comment caused the class to erupt in laughter.
The man was heartless, and at that moment I formed a hatred for him that lasts to this day. I do not need to remember his name to prove my hatred.
Elle did not flinch. With cold eyes, she surveyed the other children. I remember thinking these exact words at that time: 'they are not good enough for you, Elle. I understood every word you said.'
William shut the book and allowed his mind to go blank for a minute. What if that girl in the book was Elizabeth? He wrestled with the voices in his head. In his hand, he might be holding a piece she had not given him. The shock was almost too much for him to absorb. Only to be matched by the guilt he was experiencing.
A part of him felt dirty, like he was reading her diary. The other part wanted to know. Elizabeth had always intrigued him; she was so…individual. William craved to know what had made her the woman she was.
He picked up 'Father's time' again, and read the teaser on the back page.
The author takes you on an exploration of his mind, and his Fathers, during their darkest days together.David Whent, known widely for his psychological insights, has taken us on another journey of the mind. Like his first book "Three days in Rome', Dr. Whent gives the reader a peek into the structure of his personal experience with an interesting individual.
William put the other book back while still holding onto 'Three days in Rome'.
He spent the next ten minutes in debate with himself.
Curiosity won out as William walked up to the checkout. He handed the book to the middle-aged woman behind the register. She raised her eyebrows at his choice, and decided to voice her opinion.
"Good book. You will love Elle; she's incredible, although sad. I am surprised the book did not sell any better than it did." She flashed him a toothy grin.
William looked at her blankly.
"Tear off the back cover." He said sharply. "I don't want any spoilers."
The woman looked at him oddly, and did as she was told. If William had known the pilgrimage he was about to take, he would not have entered the bookstore that day.
Chapter 11
Torn.
William was torn. Sitting in his leather armchair in front of the fireplace, the thought about how strangely classic the scene around him was. Half expecting a dog to enter the room and sit at his feet, he fondled the paperback with his hands.
I don't have permission.
William looked at the clock, realizing Elizabeth would be checking in soon. He opened the book and began reading. An hour passed before he knew it.
…all through high school she always sat alone in the cafeteria. She used her time in that lonely room well, by reading and drawing while eating the lunch she brought from home. I do not want to give the impression that Elle was unpopular, it was more of a case of invisibility. With the exception of her family and myself, no one else allowed himself or herself to come close to her. She was thought of as 'different' and the other students looked upon her with insensitive eyes, only seeing her as sickly, fragile, and in need. If they had taken the chance (and it was a chance, because she did not let many close to her) to know Elle from the inside out, they would have known she was NOT sickly, NOT weak.Granted, Elle's insulin was stored in the Nurse's station, and her life was too dependent on it, but her world went past her illness. Elle was like fire--warm, blazing, flickering, red. Her passion was beyond the scope of my being able to share it with her, let alone understand it. Even if I could, Elle would never allow it. She did not look on me with anything but friendship, and it cut into my heart. I can say with all conviction that I would have died for her-at the age of 16. I had these thoughts! We floated through our sophomore year of high school. Elle in her self-created cocoon and I looking in at her.
It was not until the next year that her anger finally reared its head, growing a spiked tongue of rebellion. Elle almost died. It was...
The ringing of the phone startled William out of his reading. He stared at it and had to let it ring three times before he could pick it up.
"What?" Angry at being brought back to reality, he did not think about the caller.
"William, is that any way to greet me?" Elizabeth scolded.
William choked with emotion at the sound of her beautiful voice. He had been reading at such a furious pace, yet absorbing every syllable--experiencing her through the written word.
"Elizabeth, I want you home. I need to be with you." His voice held a different type of desire. It was close to frantic. His protective nature had taken over his common sense.
"I love you, please, please come home." William wanted to take away all of her past, and make her forget what he now knew. "Or I'll come to you."
Elizabeth was becoming confused. William was acting so strange; she had never heard him sound so desperate. But, now was not the time to have one of their long conversations. She hated to have to put him off when he was obviously distressed. William had always made time for her when she needed him, but her father was a mess and taking all of her attention.
"William, my dad is here in my hotel room with me. I'm going to take him out to dinner later tonight. Let me call you back this evening. Just remember that I am two hours behind you. I love you, too," she lowered her voice even more, "so much."
"I'm going to fly out to you. I'll call the airlines now." He was insistent. He could catch the next flight out and be there before nightfall.
"Honey, don't do that. I'll be home in two days. I want to miss you."
"Elizabeth, let me come to you." She heard the pleading in his voice, and knew that she could not allow him to go on anymore.
"No! I need to spend time with my father. I'll call you tonight, and we'll talk for hours. I love you."
"Liz…" William called her by the name he only used during their intimate times. He could not comprehend why she was fighting him on this.
"I promise I'll call you back. Just hang on until then, please William. I can't fail my father right now. When I get back home, you and I will plan a trip together and get away. Everything is going to be fine, but William, I really cannot talk right now. Please, understand."
"I am sorry. I can not take this. The moment you get back to your room, you will call?" William knew she was not going to give in to his pressure. He had resign himself to two more days of waiting for her.
"You know I will. Just calm yourself, and find something to pass the time. I'll get back as soon as I can. Good-bye, Will."
William hung up the phone and rubbed his hand over his mouth.
She will never feel pain again if I can help it. He vowed with a vengeance.
…It was the next year that her anger finally reared its head, growing a spiked tongue that spoke of rebellion. Elle almost died. It was not uncommon for her to miss school, but after four consecutive days of absence, I became concerned and called her home. Her sister was back from college, and knowing I was Elle's best friend, she told me everything.…the bruises on her arms were evidence of a several misguided IVs. She just lay in her hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her jaw was set firmly, and her breathing steady. I should not have said anything to her, but youthful ignorance is my only excuse.
"Elle, your Mother said you should be out of here tomorrow. We can still make the prom next weekend, if you feel up to it."
(Dear reader, I had not told you about my asking her to the dance until now because I can still feel the disappointment like it was yesterday. She had agreed to go with me, and I held hope. Maybe then she would see me for more than her best friend at school.)
Right after I asked her about keeping our plans, she turned her head and spit hateful words at me as she extended her bare arms in my direction so I could get a good look.
"Damn it, David. Look! Look at me!" Her arms were black and blue, with red prick marks all over. They looked like someone had purposely beat them with a heavy object.
Elle unleashed everything at me, and tore me down until I was unable to speak. I became the target of her painful childhood, and she expressed it with the worst of words. I do not how long the lashing went on, but when she finished, she buried her head and wept like I have never seen.
Her father, who was out in the hall, heard the shouting and rushed into the room. He shot me an angry look as he approached his daughter's bedside. Tucked under his arm was a wrapped package. She did not notice his presence for a long time, but once she did, I witnessed a side of her I never wanted to see again.
Elle ripped the gift out of the crook of his arm and threw it against the wall. I could hear the glass contents of the package shatter. I had never seen her as furious as I did at that moment.
"I don't want another 'token' sick gift!" She screamed as loud as she could at her father. "I want YOU to take this damn disease YOU gave me away! Otherwise, just get the hell out of my room, because you are of no use to me!"
The experimental drug they were pumping into her small veins was poisoning her. When she lifted her head off of the pillow during her tirade, strands of hair covered the pillowcase. I let out an involuntary gasp when I saw this, which brought her angry attention back to me.
Elle was not too tired to fight, but I was too young to help her. I fled the room.
William lowered the book, and tried to control the churning of his stomach.
God. My Elizabeth… how you suffered. Tears fell down his cheeks as he thought about what he had just read.
When he was able, William poured himself a strong drink and continued reading.
…watched her graduate. Elle accepted her certificate with a hardened expression, then proceeded to walk off the stage and out of the gymnasium, leaving everyone in attendance stunned. I eased out of my chair and went looking for her. I watched as Elle threw her diploma in the trash can by the doors and left the building. She never returned to her seat, never joined her classmates again, and to my knowledge, never reentered the school.She hated them all for making her miserable life more miserable.
I started to and caught up with her outside. It was pouring down rain and there she was stood, in the courtyard with her arms outstretched, breathing in freedom. At last, Elle had emerged from her prison.
…really by chance that we met again. She had spent her first two years after high school at Berkeley, and over time we lost contact. As I watched her eat her pasta at Mario's, she was different. Stronger, bolder, healthy, and happier. She had finally bloomed into the woman I always knew she would become.Elle related to me the events after she dropped out of college. She had traveled across America. Living day to day without a definite plan, she sought out those people most like herself. Her spirit lived this way for two and a half years, and she told me it was heavenly.
She spoke fondly about California and San Francisco. She admitted that she was a little out of control during that time, but she also never felt as free. It seemed as if she had taken a lover for a couple of months, but left him in the middle of the night on a whim. She told me that she never really loved him anyway, and she was certain his sentiments were as her own.
Elle lived near the Hopi Indians in Arizona for part of one year, learning their customs and beliefs. The diabetes they shared tied them together. While settled near the Rockies, she worked as a waitress in a dump of a diner, but the thrill of that experience wore off quickly, and she once again left in search of excitement. Elle was happiest in Seattle, where she played her guitar in the park for money and shared an apartment with four other musicians.
Why she would live so far below her means baffled me. Elle was rich in her own right. Years ago, her father had made many sound and prosperous deals on Wall Street, placing his daughter in an excellent financial position. I never did ask her why she did it, but I think she played poor for the rush.
William looked over the top of the book. Elizabeth had never told him much about how she had spent her time after college. In fact, she had said so little that he had assumed she started working for her father after she left Berkeley. Confusion set in as he began to wonder if the book was even factual.
Yes, Elizabeth talked very little about her days before he knew her, but…no, he was certain it could not be true. Enveloping his mind in denial, William read on.
…We met at the airport. Elle bought her own ticket. I state the truth when I tell you that I had never kissed her up to this time. She checked her guitar (and nothing else) at baggage and we took off for the gate. The flight was not interesting, and our arrival in Rome lacked the excitement it should have. We headed straight for the hotel.
William shifted in his chair. His gut told him to put the book down because he was getting into territory that was never meant for his eyes. But, his curiosity ruled.
...I made love, and Elle made like. Looking back, it was obvious that she did not love me, but at the time I decided to cling to the hope of it. She was powerful, sensual, and uninhibited. Between exchanges, she would sit on the bed; with only a sheet wrapped around her, telling me all of her secrets while strumming her guitar. I will admit I loved Elle's stories about her childhood. The way she called her mother 'Mama', and how her expressive eyes became glassy when she recalled happier times. The longer she spoke, the more her natural accent came back. It was the southern drawl that drove me insane, and she fulfilled every passionate design I had.Elle played me some songs she had written over the years, but not all of them. There were at least fifty songs total, but only three days for us to share them.
She finally broke down and admitted to me how much despised running her father's business. Elle was not the type of person who should have to spend hours upon hours behind steel and glass. Anyone who really knew her would be able to see that. It sucked her creative energy dry. She took over the company out of loyalty, and loyalty alone. She felt smothered by working in business, like she was captured once again.
Elle confessed that not a day went by where she did not long to go back to the person she was before she came back home. She missed the spontaneity. I wiped her tears away with gentle kisses, and she thanked me. I understood her heartache completely.
William's heart began to harden with jealously. He was starting to hate the man who wrote the book. How could David Whent know so much more about her than he did? How could she tell him so much? Elizabeth had NEVER told him that she hated business. She was so instinctive at it, so accomplished. It was one of the things about her he admired most.
William took a few moments to pace around the room and freshen his drink before returning to reading.
The second day, Elle finally told me about the hardship she went through as a teenager. Not one detail was left out. Her soul was as bare to me as her skin. She spent six hours pouring out her past, stopping only once to make love. I absorbed her pain and returned it back to her as peace. When we fell asleep in each other's arms that night, wrapped in her sheet, I had convinced myself that she did indeed love me, even if she wouldn't say the words.
William slammed the book down on the table next to him, sending the lamp crashing on the floor. He shook his head violently, trying to release the memory of the words he had just ingested. He sought refuge in denial.
Elizabeth, the Elizabeth he knew would never, never do this. His Elizabeth had not yet shared with him any of the stories this man had written about. His Elizabeth would not go off with a man she wasn't even dating like the Elle in the book. Never! His Elizabeth was damn near perfect. He was close to asking his Elizabeth to marry him. His slow discovery of her was the best experience of his life. Everyday was a new treasure, a new secret…
William stood still in the middle of the room. My God, is it true? Is that woman really Elizabeth? He picked up the almost finished book, and sat by the only light source in the room. His hands were shaking as he downed his drink for courage and allowed his eyes to fall to the print.
On the third morning, it became quite clear to me that we were never going to see the city. I could not have cared less, because it was on this morning she allowed me to do something I never had dreamed of. Elle was in the bathroom, preparing to take her morning shot of insulin. Because I had known her for so long, I knew she never let anyone watch her give herself a shot. She always hid herself away, something her Mama had taught her to do. I walked to the open door and looked at her with a questioning expression. Her face became dark as she pondered my unspoken request. She held her hand out to me, and I joined her.Into her hip, Elle allowed me to give her the insulin…
Throwing the book against the wall, William ran to the bathroom to vomit.
He sat in his chair, half asleep and drunk. His heart was stone and his mind was empty. An annoying sound was penetrating his gloom.
"Stop it." He yelled out to nothing. The sound did not cease. Opening his eyes, his senses stumbled awake. It was the telephone.
William picked up the receiver and listened.
"William, is that you? I have made it back to the hotel room. The Institute is getting fed up with my father. He is a complete monster in his Braille class. I gave him a stern lecture tonight over dinner, and he seemed to respond. Time will tell. William?"
"Yes, Elizabeth." His speech was slurred.
"Are you all right? You sound like you've had a little too much to drink." Elizabeth's voice was suspicious. She was concerned about him all day since they spoke on the phone. William was not the type of man to loose control.
"Fine." The fog he was in lifted, and for a minute, he was perfectly aware of his words.
"Elizabeth, I was thinking about going to Italy. Have you ever been?"
"Italy sounds wonderful. I've been once. Where would you like to go?"
"Tell me where you've been." Please prove me wrong Elle…Elizabeth.
"Well, I have been to Rome, but only for three days. I do not like Rome. Let's not go there, William. How about another city?"
"Three..Days..in..Rome." He said the words slowly as his heart iced over.
William felt the sour taste coming into his mouth once again. It was true, all true! She was Elle, and he did not know her anymore. He never knew her.
"William, what is…" She stopped talking as everything fell into place, and crashed. Elizabeth could not catch her breath.
He knew the name David Whent from her answering machine, he found the book, he said the title, and figured out the connection. Elizabeth knew it was over at that very moment, he would not love her anymore.
"How could you!" He cried on the phone. "And who the hell are you? Damn it, Elizabeth, I loved you and you deceived me! I thought I knew you. Who are you?"
"It happened two years before we met. I…" She did not know what to say to him.
William covered his mouth at this point because he could not control his language, and by God, he could not believe what was happening.
"IS IT ALL TRUE?" William was ill at this point. "ARE YOU ELLE?"
Silence fell on the phone line as he waited for the answer.
"Yes, it is all true. I am her." Elizabeth admitted.
"It doesn't matter to me, anymore. Forget it. You were never going to tell me. You are a liar and a fraud! I can't believe I was taken in by you and oh, what a fool I was. I believed you were an honest woman, but you are nothing but a common…"
William ripped the phone line out of the wall. In his anger, he went into every room in his house and did the same to the other telephones. He would listen no more to her. She was a stranger. Elle was unworthy!