Larkspur Dreams

Sixteen


“I am so sorry,” Lark said. “I can’t believe this.”

“Neither can I.” Jeremy let out a puff of air from his cheeks.

“It’ll just take a moment. Please go ahead and eat.” Lark placed her napkin next to her plate. “Be right back.” She trudged to the front door and looked in the peep hole. Oh, dear. Everett. How could this be? Her date with him wasn’t until the next evening. Wasn’t it? It had never crossed her mind Everett would happen over on this scene because she wasn’t having a real date. She was busy tidying up her life. Wrapping up some loose ends so she could focus on Everett. She looked again. He wore casual attire and carried a big load of groceries with a loaf of French bread sticking out of his bag.

Lark made the executive decision to open the door and calmly explain everything. When the bell rang again, she yanked open the door. “Everett.” Did she say his name too brightly? “Weren’t you going to pick me up tomorrow evening?”

“Yes,” Everett said. “But I just got back from the grocery store, and I bought too much food. So I thought I’d try being spontaneous for once and surprise you by fixing you dinner.”

“You did. You did surprise me.” Okay, I guess that settles it. The hounds of Murphy’s Law have finally caught up with me. And to think I’ve been an optimist all these years. What a waste of time.

“Well? I make a mean macaroni and cheese. And I thaw the best cheesecake you’ve ever tasted. Have you eaten already? Lark. . .you’re looking a little pasty. Are you okay?”

Hello. My name is Desperation. Lark finally opened her mouth to introduce everyone, but from observing the sudden downcast look on Everett’s face, he must have already seen Jeremy sitting at the dining room table.

Everett turned around with his load of groceries and walked back down the path. The look of dejection in his eyes was enough to slay the coldest heart.

Lark wanted to shout something like, “There is a reasonable explanation for this,” but she knew the words would come off hollow and soap operalike. Especially since she’d just made wild accusations against him which were false. Everett wouldn’t be listening to anyone right now anyway. He looked too upset. Lark just watched him go and prayed God would give her a chance to unjumble the new mess she’d just made. Well, if falling in love indeed contained euphoria and anarchy, somehow she could guess which vat she’d just been dropped into.

It sounded as if Skelly tried to start some music on her stereo because he’d accidentally hit the French language CD instead. The teacher said, “Good-bye,” and then, “Au revoir!” How apropos.

Slowly Lark plodded back to the dining table as if she had bricks attached to her shoes. Then she sat down in her chair with a thump. Apparently Jeremy hadn’t missed her too much. He was busy constructing a little Tower of Babel with his mashed potatoes.

“Please go ahead,” Lark said. “Unless we have a tornado or some volcanic activity, I think you’ll be able to finish your sentence now.”

Jeremy chuckled.

Out of the blue, Spanish guitar music wafted in through the dining room speakers. Good. Music will soften the uncomfortable edges of the moment.

“I know we’ve been dating on and off for a few weeks now,” Jeremy said. “But I just felt I needed to tell you. . .I see us as good friends more than anything else. I’m so sorry.”

Lark freed a lungful of air, hoping she didn’t sound too obvious. “Thanks for saying it first. I was about to tell you the same thing, but it’s hard.”

“Boy, you got that right. Like chewing on glass.” Jeremy looked so thankful he reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

Funny, how she felt very little when Jeremy touched her. No stirring wonder. No electrifying euphoria. Just a soothing kind of brotherly comfort. But she still had a question gnawing at her. “Do you mind if I ask why were you acting like a redneck Neanderthal earlier?”

Jeremy laughed and took a long sip of water. “I don’t know. I got this crazy idea if I acted like a jerk, maybe I wouldn’t hurt your feelings that way. You know, maybe you’d be glad to be rid of me. But it just made me feel like a fool. Guess I forgot the words, ‘And the truth shall set you free.’ It’s what I always tell the teens when I counsel them on dating.” He shook his head. “Lark, I’m embarrassed by what I did. It was—”

“I know you did it with the best of intentions,” she said with an earnest smile. “And I will always be glad to be your friend, Jeremy.”

“Good move, Lark. For making an idiot look good.”

Lark sighed. She watched as Jeremy rolled up his sleeves and dove into his meal with startling gusto. While he dug deeply into his salmon, Lark leaned over for a peek in the kitchen. She saw Skelly doing a little celebration jig with her broom. Amazing. Well, at least all appeared well with two gentlemen in her life.

❧

Lark was obviously still dating the biker. Everett slammed the front door, making the window glass rattle. The door had already been shut, but he had a sudden need to open it and slam it again. In fact, he’d done more door-slamming in the last week than he’d done in his entire life.

He appeared to have been right all those years. Spontaneity wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. People caused pain. Numbers didn’t. What could be plainer or easier to grasp? He just needed to get back to the basics. Work. But even his job had taken a nosedive. How could his tightly woven way of life come unraveled so quickly? Everything had been going so well—a sterling example, in fact, of the good old American work ethic paying off. Until, of course, he’d moved next door to Larkspur. Now he’d lost his biggest client. And a big chunk of my income.

The reality of it hit him full force. Maybe the time had come to have a serious talk with God. So easy to give advice to other people about the power of prayer, but now when the going got tough, what was he really made of spiritually?

But perhaps all of the problems could have been avoided if Lark hadn’t brought over my newspaper. Then Zeta wouldn’t have invited her to the company Christmas party, which means Sylvester wouldn’t have had the chance to be disgusting. But playing with the endless scenarios felt useless. Somebody had to stand up to the lout eventually. He just hoped God would reward him for doing the right thing.

But in spite of everything, Everett longed for the delight of Lark again. He shook his head. When had he ever needed delight before? He’d banned the word from his daily schedule years ago.

Delight. He opened a dictionary he kept in a kitchen drawer and read the exact meaning. Something that brings enjoyment. Hey, I can get enjoyment out of my combat simulation game and a double espresso. And then he noticed the word joy listed next. He had to admit that emotion was harder to come by.

Everett slapped the dictionary shut and started putting his groceries away in the refrigerator. Milk. Juice. Bread. The essentials. But then he dug out other items from the bag he’d never purchased before. Caramel cheesecake. Vegetarian sushi. Maple-covered walnuts. All because he thought the items would please Lark.

But what nagged Everett the most was the guilty expression Lark had while he stood there with questions all over his face. And right after Lark had pelted him with queries of the same nature. She must be going out with a number of different men at the same time with equal earnestness. Or perhaps she was just dating that one youth minister with the rebel hair and kamikaze jacket. But his intellect told him to let go of Lark. Now.

Everett opened the freezer door and let the air cool his face. But who was he kidding? He wasn’t about to let go of Lark that easily. Just because some beefy guy kept showing up with a ponytail and a macho vehicle as if he’d just driven off the set of a “B” movie? He’d simply wait for the biker to exit, and then he’d fire a few questions at Lark. Perhaps he could utilize some of the same queries she’d bombarded him with earlier.

Everett closed the freezer door and sat down at the kitchen table to look over his list of contacts. Concentration would be difficult if he checked his watch every five minutes, but what else could he do? After he’d heard the rumbling of the bike next door, he waited another half hour.

Hoping Lark was finally alone, Everett changed into a green shirt and khakis and stomped over to her front door. As he reached up, the door magically opened. She stood there smiling at him guilt free. “I thought you’d never come.”

“Well, I’m not coming in until I’ve had my say.” He had practiced his spiel, and he felt determined to get it out.

“Okay,” Lark said.

“I don’t know the rules of dating very well, but I’m just going to say it straight out.” He took in a little extra oxygen for support. “Yesterday evening felt unique. Memorable. I’m not talking about what happened with Ozark Consulting. I’m talking about us. Anyway, I’m not going to be dating anyone else. I thought you felt the same way. I’m hoping we can see where our. . .as you called them. . .our ‘sentiments’ are leading us. Do we have an understanding here? Are we clear?” Everett wondered if his words were coming off too robotic.

“Yes, sir. We’re clear, captain, sir.” She saluted and tugged on his coat, laughing.

Guess that answered my question. Everett frowned.

“Now will you please come in out of the cold?” Lark asked. “I promise what I have to say will make all things well between us.”

“Is anybody here?” Everett looked over her shoulder. He couldn’t believe in a matter of a few days he had gotten so possessive.

“No. Jeremy left about half an hour ago, and my neighbor, Skelly, left about five minutes ago. Please come sit down.”

Everett managed to settle himself in the cushy, lavender sofa. Froufrou pillows surrounded him threatening to cut off his circulation, so he removed a few. Then he stretched out both his arms across the back of the sofa. He stared at Lark, waiting for her story.

Lark sat on the love seat across from him. “Jeremy and I have been dating on and off for some weeks now. Mostly just going out as friends.” She licked her lips. “Everyone in the church thought we would get married. They said we were a matching set. But I’m not totally sure what they meant.” She fluffed one of the pillows.

Everett thought Lark appeared uneasy. He noticed she would either lick her lips or massage her earlobe when she felt uncomfortable. But he really wasn’t in the mood to deviate from the subject. Cut to the chase, Lark. “And were the people in the church right?”

“No, they weren’t.” She fidgeted in her seat. “Since a certain man moved next door to me, I discovered I didn’t want a matching set. Maybe in dishes, but not in marriage.”

Everett rested his elbows on his knees. “And if I hadn’t moved here, would you have married him?” He wasn’t sure he really wanted to hear the answer.

“I think of him more as a friend. And besides, this evening, just as I was about to tell Jeremy how I felt, he said it first.”

“You mean he dumped you?” Everett leaned back.

Lark furrowed her brows. “Well, I don’t really think of it that way. I’ve gained a friend.”

Everett laughed then realized how rude it seemed. “I’m sorry, Lark. I’m laughing from relief. I just spent some unpleasant hours next door concerned you were enjoying yourself too much over here. Well, you know what I mean.”

Lark sighed. “I do. . .know what you mean.”

“I don’t know how to say the things I feel. I’m not even sure what I feel. It’s as though I’ve known you for a long time.”

“I feel the same, Mr. Holden,” Lark said. “Kind of makes me want to sit next to you with some cocoa and a cozy fire.”

Everett patted the cushion. “I think that can be arranged on this big, purple couch.”

Lark got a match and lit some cinnamon candles on the coffee table. “Actually, the couch is lavender with violet flowers.” She winked at him and headed into the kitchen.

He followed her and then watched as she brought out some cocoa packets from her pantry. “Need help?”

“Why don’t you pick out some mugs up there.” Lark pointed to one of the cabinet doors. “All I have is the instant kind of cocoa. Do you mind?”

“My untrained taste buds wouldn’t know the difference.” Everett picked out two mugs. One had a Michelangelo painting on it and the other had comic book characters. Funny combo.

She grinned at his selection of mugs as she poured in the whole milk.

“I like your casual clothes,” Lark said. “You look nice in green.”

“Thanks. And I’ve never seen you in a suit before. It’s a great look, but then I’m beginning to think everything is a great look on you.”

“Even a soiled evening gown?”

Everett nodded. “Even that.” He leaned against the counter. “So is lavender your favorite color?”

“Yes.” Lark popped the mugs into the microwave. “Lavender represents a coolness and a warmth at the same time. A calming pleasure to the eyes and a warming to the heart. At least it’s how I feel about the color.”

Everett had never thought much about colors. But when he wasn’t wearing a suit, he tended to buy green shirts. Now he suddenly wondered why. Maybe it was because his middle name was Moss. “I want to remember what you said. It’s important.”

“Why?” She poured the cocoa packets into the hot milk.

Everett’s hand covered hers as she stirred the cocoa. “Because you make me believe in life again,” he whispered in her ear.

Lark looked a bit loopy all of a sudden.

“And you’re the only person who’s ever been able to knock me off the pedestal I put myself on.”

She pulled back in surprise. “I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Another danger of being a workaholic. In fact, my life had become a monotone, one-dimensional, black-and-white kind of existence. I don’t really want to live that way anymore.”

Lark reached up to touch his face. “I’m glad.”

He touched her hand. Lark is all of the wonderful opposites of my life. She’s the depth, the variety, and the color I didn’t even know I needed. But he did. Such romantic thoughts from a bean counter.

When the cocoa had been heaped with marshmallows, Everett turned on the gas fireplace while Lark flipped on a Bach CD. They sat on the couch together, sipping on their beverages.

Harp music swirled around them. His arm settled around her easily as she nuzzled her head in the curve of his arm. It was as if they’d cuddled that way for years. Scented with roses, she felt soft and warm. So this is what marriage will be like. Suddenly the computer-espresso life appeared unfulfilling and trivial in comparison.

Lark set her mug on the coffee table. “I love the feel of your crisp, starched shirt. I’d love to have one of those.”

Now who could have guessed those words would come out of her mouth next? Then Lark gave him a heavy-lidded look. It felt like the right time for a really great kiss, but he needed to know one more thing. “Lark?” He set his mug down.

“Hmm?”

“What is it you like so much about a starched guy like me?”

She grinned. “You do have a reticence about you—that’s true—but there’s also such a sweetness just under the surface,” Lark said. “Even in this short time together, I can tell. You are like my favorite dessert.”

“And what is your favorite dessert?” Everett asked.

“S’mores. You see, you have this crusty graham cracker on the outside, but inside I can tell there is all this sugary, creamy, marshmallow-and-chocolate middle oozing out all over the place.”

“Oh, really,” Everett said, enthralled by her amusing depiction.

Lark pulled out a lavender rose from a bouquet sitting on the coffee table. Her big, brown eyes looked up into his. “And I know right here,” she placed her hand on her heart, “something special is happening between us. And I want to keep my heart open. I don’t want to miss God’s blessing.”

Everett kissed the tip of her nose. No one had ever called him a blessing before. He didn’t feel worthy of such high praise, but he liked the way she said it.

She lifted the rose to his cheek.

He took a whiff. No scent.

“You were trying to find the fragrance. These roses don’t have any. But they bring pleasures in other ways.”

“Oh?” Everett asked.

She stroked the petals along his cheek. “They are a piece of His creation and bring us beauty and wonder.”

“Just like you.” Everett couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than the woman who sat next to him. His words must have been appreciated, because Lark smiled at him, looking sweeter than s’mores. Everett gently swept her long brown locks over her shoulders so he could see all of her lovely face. Then he lowered his head to kiss her. What a sensation! Floating again. He’d kissed women before, but mostly to thank them for a nice evening. His contact with Lark fell into a category all by itself. He felt ready to tell her more of the things in his heart when suddenly his cell phone came to life.

Lark looked down at the buzzing interruption but didn’t seem upset.

He glanced at the screen. The call appeared to be from Chet Riley, someone he knew at Ozark Consulting. “Maybe I’d better get this. I’m sorry.”

Lark nodded, so he stood to take the call.

“Everett here.” He mostly listened as Chet gave him the latest news. “Sounds great.” Astonished and relieved with the promise of employment, Everett thanked Chet and said good-bye.

“What it is?” Lark asked. “You look dazed.”

“I guess I am.” He sat down. “Apparently, there’s been an unexpected event. Sylvester is finally selling the company to Chet Riley. He’s a good Christian man. I’ve known Chet a long time, and he wants me to replace Zeta as soon as the ink dries.”

Lark threw her arms around him and kissed him. “Thank God. I’ve been praying for you.”

“I prayed for a job, too, but I had no idea how it would work out.” Everett shook his head. “I’m not sure why Sylvester sold out just now. Maybe it was the threat of reprisal from all the women he’d harassed. But I’m really glad he’s gone. And everyone has you to thank for that.”

“No. You were their hero last night. And mine, too.” Lark snuggled her hand under his, and he squeezed it.

After a couple more tender kisses, they both promised each other to celebrate the next day. Since the weatherman guaranteed sun, Lark suggested an edgier form of entertainment—hiking at Beaver Lake. Everett surprised himself by agreeing. Since he’d never been a big outdoorsy guy, he just hoped he’d live to tell about it.

❧

The following day, after hours of jam-packed spontaneous adventure, Everett not only survived the hiking, he thought he could take on just about anything. Canoeing. Mountain biking. Motorized paragliding. Well, maybe not that last one. But the day has proven to be quite illuminating. And fun. Such a foreign word before Lark. Even though he’d nearly tumbled down the side of a ravine once or twice, he felt a satisfaction that exceeded any previously known pleasures. In other words, he experienced joy with Lark. So simple and real, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting more.

What a day! Everett tossed his keys on the counter and put away his coat as well as his brand new roller-blades in the hall closet. He smiled at the framed photo of Lark he’d asked her for. Wouldn’t do having her picture in the office. I wouldn’t get a thing done staring at it, and besides, I have the real thing just a glance away.

Everett set the picture on the coffee table and headed upstairs to his computer. It had been awhile since he connected with his other self. The feeling would be like going back to work after a long vacation, except usually he didn’t take long vacations. He usually just worked. A lot. But now he felt rested and optimistic. Something that gave him a genuine smile.

As he sprang to the top step, the doorbell rang. Couldn’t be Lark. She’s at a French cooking class. Maybe it’s Chet.

Everett trotted back down the stairs and opened the door. Someone with long hair, a beard, and shabby clothes stood on his porch. Someone who looked very familiar. His brain did a quick gathering of information. “Marty? Is that you?” Everett leaned closer to him. “What are you doing here?”

Marty held out his hands. “Coming to see my only brother.”

Everett could barely get his mouth to move. “Where have you been all this time?”

“Doing a road trip to Hawaii.” Marty slapped his leg. “That’s a little joke. Hey, aren’t you glad to see me?”

Everett jerked his brain back to the present. “Sure.”

Marty grabbed him with gusto. Everett lifted his hand for his usual pat but gave his brother a hug instead.

“Do I get an invite inside?”

“Sure.” Everett opened the door and let him in. He went through the motions of leading Marty to the living room as well as adding a few pleasantries, but he really felt numb. Along with that bothersome tingly sensation. Everett tapped his face. The past came crashing back in a wave of grief. All that he’d kept at bay for three years. His elderly parents. The responsibility. The foolish decision. The accident. The funeral. “Why did you really come?” Everett heard himself say out loud.

Marty seemed to study him. “Hey, man, I haven’t seen or talked to you since the funeral, so I thought it was time. You know.”

“Yeah. You’re right. It’s been a long time. It is good to see you,” Everett said. So much had passed between them, though, he just wasn’t sure when he’d be ready to reunite the last of his family. But at least now he knew what had become of his brother. “Do you want something to eat?”

“I’m always hungry,” Marty said. “Thanks.”

“Okay.” Everett noticed his brother still wore the same aftershave. The same one he always splashed on in his teen years. In fact, it had been their dad’s favorite. “I’ve got some frozen entrees.” Everett closed up his laptop on the coffee table and headed into the kitchen.

“Sounds good.” Marty picked up the photo of Lark off the coffee table. “Wooow! Who’s this?”

Everett didn’t even need to glance back to figure out whom his brother was talking about. Lark. He wished Marty hadn’t seen the photograph, but there was no time to hide it now. Maybe he could come up with a safe answer. “She’s a woman I’m spending some time with.” That sounded pretty lame when he knew he felt more than that.

“You’re serious about her, aren’t you? I know you wouldn’t say that unless you had some serious feelings for her.” Marty set the photo down.

How could Marty know me so well? They hadn’t spent much time together since he’d left for college. He looked back at Marty. “Her name is Larkspur. And yes, I care about her.” Changing the subject would be good about now. “So do you have a girlfriend?”

A ripple of pain crossed Marty’s face. “I did have a girl-friend, but she’s gone now. Left me for a rich guy.”

“I’m sorry. You’ve had a rough time these last few years since. . .well, you know.”

“You can say it,” Marty said without a hint of anger. “Since mom and dad and Greta died in the car accident. You’re right. I haven’t been doing so well. But I’m doing better now.”

“And why is that?” Everett asked.

“Because I’m here with you, Ev.”

Everett smiled, remembering a happier time when they were kids and Marty would always call him Ev. Seemed kind of strange to hear the nickname now. Haunting echoes of the past.

“Have you seen the house?” Marty asked.

For a moment, Everett wasn’t sure what his brother meant. Then he realized Marty was referring to their old home in Fayetteville. He shook his head. “No. I haven’t been back since—well, you know—since it sold.” Excellent time for another new topic. “So where are you living now?” Everett asked.

Marty laughed. “That’s the good part. I’m living with you now, Ev.”