The Christmas Pin Society
by
Copyright © 2006
Chapter Ten
Unbeknown to anyone, Ben had been counseling Harold for the past year. Harold had decided that he needed to know more about himself before having an intimate relationship again. Being mentored by someone he watched grow up, not to mention half his age, did not seem uncomfortable for Harold. Knowing Ben for so long was precisely why he chose him. Ben had wanted to be a marriage counselor since he was fourteen. In childhood he bore an innate quality of listening with a loving and caring heart. His remarkable perception of life and the people who lived it came from a well of wisdom drawn from that place within each of us wherein dwells the divine. We used to call him an "old soul".
Although Ben had been practicing for only four years, these qualities, together with his positive outlook and spiritual centeredness, helped to create widespread respect for himself; and an above average success rate for those whom he helped.
After a year of serious contemplation, prayer, and consultation, Harold felt that this December 18th was a good day to bring him closer to where he had hoped he would be. As we ate our lunch, enjoying company and food, Harold, like a young school boy, was driving across town with the hope of seeing someone he had not been able to stop thinking of.
Three more blocks and he would be there. His throat felt dry, and he thought how foolish it was for him to feel this sort of nervousness at his age. Snow began to fall as he drove up to the house. His mind wandered while he sat quietly in the car. He wasn't completely sure what sort of response he would receive; would she laugh at him, would she understand his motives, would she even open the door?
He shook his head to clear his thoughts, and looking into the rearview mirror asked, "Are you a man, or a mouse?" After all, he knew she was the love of his life from the first moment he met her. He took a deep breath, walked up to the house, and rang the bell. The door opened with a jingle from the bells on the wreath. "Harold," was the composed, yet slightly surprised and confused response from the voice across the threshold. "Hello, Hannah," he replied. There was an awkward pause as Hannah searched his face. They had spoken occasionally, and every now and again ran into each other in town; but she sensed something different today. Harold broke the silence, "Would you like to go for an ice cream?" Hannah glanced past him into the snowy background. "Ice cream?" she repeated, with a slight questioning-your-sanity inflection. It was the same question he had asked her for their first date. Hannah's eyes revealed a smile was about to appear. "Isn't it a bit cool for that?” she asked. "Well," Harold replied roguishly, "you always said I could talk you into anything." "Within reason," Hannah quipped humorously. Before she could respond further, Harold urged, "Come on, Hannah, get your coat. We can do whatever you want." He paused, then urged again, "Hannah, please. Come on." He sounded twenty-three again; his voice was gentle and coaxing. His mannerisms stirred up memories and emotions in her, and she almost gave in. But they weren't twenty-three anymore, and Hannah's youthful smile faded with a question, "Why?" "Because I miss you," was the reply, "And I'm hoping things between us can be better." "Isn't it a little late for that?" she asked. "It's only as late as you want it to be, Hannah," his voice was low and serious. Hannah had dreamed of this moment for a long time. She had fantasized it happening almost exactly this way. Now that it had, she wasn't sure how she should respond. He sounded sincere, she thought, but it was her mind now which began to wander; what if it didn't work, what if things didn't get better, what if they get hurt all over again, what if... She slowly closed the door to him, and leaning against it, a tear streamed down her cheek. Hannah was bewildered; her heart wanted to hold him, but her fear seemed too great.
Harold stood on the porch facing the door. She closed it; no word, nothing, just closed it. It was not what he had expected, and his heart sank. If she had at least told him to "go to hell" he would have known what she felt, but ~ nothing! He slowly stepped off the porch. It was still snowing. He hadn't noticed the cold earlier, but now it was deeply felt, and he pushed up his coat collar around his neck. As he stepped down the walkway, he heard a jingle sound behind him. He turned to see Hannah, her coat snuggled about her as she moved quickly towards him. Her smile greeted his. She stood facing him with a small bundle in her hands. "I would like to go somewhere," she said. He put his arm around her, as if to shield her from the cold, and helped her into the car.
No comments:
Post a Comment