The Best Laid Plans, Chapter 71
 
 
 

As Bobbie wakes up the next morning, she sees that her friend is already dressed and sitting at the table eating.

” Why didn’t you wake me?”

” You look like you were in deep slumber. I felt it would be cruel to awaken you.”

Bobbie looks at her watch. “ I can’t believe how long I slept. It’s been ages since I’ve done that. I guess I feel safe with you.”

“ I am very pleased that you would. Are you hungry?”

“ Starving.”

“ Well, this is all I could order. “ He shows Bobbie a triple order of continental breakfast. She begins to eat.

” And, I got this for you.” He hands Bobbie a bag. Inside of it is a full change of clothing, including underwear.

” How did?...”

” I saw your dress in the washroom, and I remembered the size. I told the wife of the manager what I needed, and she went to the appropriate shop. I hope that I have not presumed too much.”

“No. This was sweet. Thank you. You know what? I am going to go shower first, get dressed in my new clothes, and then have some breakfast.” Bobbie goes into the bathroom. When she emerges, fully dressed, she sees him sitting on the windowseat, looking at the view. Bobbie goes over to him and slides her arms around his neck from behind.

“ A penny for your thoughts.”, she whispers into his ear.

“ I was trying to think when I had been so content.”

“ And?”

” I haven’t.”

“ Well, I am content too. But, hungry. Let me eat something and then, we can enjoy the day. So, how do you like it?” Bobbie comes in front of him and models what he had bought.

“ You look beautiful.”

“ It’s the dress.”

” It’s the model.”

“ Thank you. I’ll eat and then, we can get going. “ Bobbie eats her meal, and they leave the motel room.

“ Do you want to go back to the Fair?”

“ No. Let’s hang out around the pier.”

They spend the day at the pier. They go from shop to shop, trying on silly clothes and hats. Seeing what kinds of knicknacks they like. The ride the carousel, and watch the street performers. They eat cotton candy and homemade icecream. Bobbie sits next to him on a bench, as he sketches the organ grinder and his monkey. Along the way, he buys Bobbie a big hat, a cameo and a scarf. They watch an old movie at the rundown theater. When it emerges, it’s dark.

“ Are you hungry?”, he asks.

“ Starving.”

“ Well, let’s take care of that.” They walk to a restaurant that Bobbie knows about by reputation. It’s very expensive. Bobbie pulls at his arm.

“ We can’t go in there.”

“ Why not?”

” It’s very expensive.”

“ I know. But, the food is excellent. “

“ We could go somewhere else.”

” No. The Lobster here is outstanding. If going in makes you uncomfortable, then we won’t. But, I will find a compromise. So, sit out here.”

He goes into the restaurant. He is smiling when he comes out a few minutes later.

“ So?”, Bobbie asks.

He takes Bobbie by the hand. “ Let us go over there.” He leads Bobbie to some outdoor tables. “ Now, they usually do not serve out here, after dark. But, I have arranged it so that we can dine here.”

” What. In the dark?”

“ No. By candelight.” As if it were being timed, out walks several waiters. They prepare the table. A table cloth, china, silverware and candles in protective covering, so that they won’t extinguish. By the time the table is set, it’s the most beautiful thing Bobbie’s ever seen.

“ I can’t believe....that you’d do all of this for me.”

” And, why not? I promised you dinner. Come.” He and Bobbie sit down at the table.  He takes Bobbie’s hand and turns it over.

“ You know...I can read palms.”

” Oh, you can?”

” Absolutely. Some gypsy women that my mother hired taught me.”

” Does your mother know about this?”

” My mother knows very little about me.”

“ Oh. Well, what does my palm say.”

“ That you’re a remarkable young woman. You will grow into a strong, vibrant woman one day. Full of fire, and grace. And passion. You will make some man very happy. Give him more happiness than he ever thought he deserved.”

” Uh-huh. You can see all THAT in my palm.”

“ No. I can only see it in my heart. I know that this must sound crazy to you, but, I need to tell you. I L...”

Bobbie puts her hand to his mouth.

” Let’s not go there. We’re having a great time. There’s no need to ruin it, with discussions of things that are somewhat impossible to handle right now. Let’s just enjoy being with one another. OK?”

He nods yes. Before he can say anything else, the food begins to arrive.

“ See. Right on time. Now, no more palm readings. Just good food.”

He and Bobbie shared the best meal that she’d ever had. She couldn’t imagine that food could taste that good. They spent the evening just enjoying one another’s company. Bobbie listened as he told her of his love for art. The places that he’d been to. What he’d seen. She saw that it was getting late. They shared a chocolate mousse for dessert, and had some expresso. He excused himself and came back smiling after a few minutes.

” What have you got to smile about?”

” You’ll see.” He extends his hand to Bobbie. “ Shall we?”

Bobbie gets up and he holds her to dance.

” Don’t we need music in order to dance?” It was his turn to put the fingers to Bobbie lips.

“ Listen.” He whispers in her ear.

Just then, Bobbie heard some music coming from the restaurant. She knew the song, for Ruby loved to play the record. “ The Very Thought of You” by Nat King Cole. As Bobbie placed her head on his chest, she could hear the words to go along with the music...
 

*****************************
the very thought of you......
and i forget to do....
the little ordinary things...
that everyone ought to do

i'm living in a kind of daydream.....
i'm happy as a king.....
and foolish, though it may seem.....
to me, that's everything

the mere idear of you......
the longing here for you........
you'll never know...
how slow the moments go...
till i'm near to you.....

i see your face in every flower......
your eyes in stars above......

it's just thought of you....
the very thought of you....
my love

the mere idear of you...
the longing here for you.....
you'll never know.... how slow....
the moments go.....
'til i'm near to you

i see your face in every flower....
your eyes in stars above......
it's just the thought of you.....
the very thought of you.......
my love
 
 

Bobbie looks up at him at the end of the song, and into his eyes, which seemed to delve right into her soul. As his lips touched hers, she felt her heart for the first time. The kiss was long and slow and seemed to go on forever. When it finished, Bobbie said, “ Let’s go back to your room.”

When they got back to the room, Bobbie had never been so nervous. She thought it ironic. She’d been with many before, with no problem, and now, it was like it was the first time. They stood in front of the bed. He kissed Bobbie over and over on the lips. He reached out to her and unzipped her dress. It fell to the floor, and Bobbie was only in her underwear. He sat down on the bed, and pulled Bobbie to him. He planted tender kisses on her stomach. She leaned down and began to undress him, first his shirt. Then, she unbuckled his pants. He got up to remove them, and they spent some time just kissing and exploring one another. He picked up Bobbie and placed her on the bed. He removed her bra and they spent time just exploring one another. Taking the time to get to know their bodies. Their pleasures. The kind of time, that when done well, your lover’s mere touch, electrifies your body.

As they began to make love, Bobbie could feel it in her heart and soul. She’d had sex many times. Too many to count. But, for the first time, she was making love. He was gentle and tender with her; attentive to her needs. Soon after her climax, Bobbie began to cry.

He lifts her chin. “ Is there something wrong?”

“ No. “

“ I’m sorry. Was this your first time?”

The irony of that didn’t escape Bobbie. “ Unfortunately, no. But, it was the first time  it was perfect. Nothing wrong. Everything was perfect.”

“ Well then, I am pleased. I know this may be too soon, but, I was wondering about the future.”

“ The future?”

“ Of our relationship. I hope you do not believe that I make love to every young woman I meet. I assure you, that is not the case.“

“ I believe you.”

“ I must return to school, but, I would most certainly like to continue our relationship. Possibly, I could speak to your father.”

“ My father? Why?”

“ In order to arrange visits for you to come to me. I don’t want him thinking that I am not an honorable gentleman.”

“ You’re certainly the first true gentleman I’ve ever met. Why don’t we talk about this later?”

“ Fine.” He kisses Bobbie and falls asleep. Once he’s asleep, Bobbie sits up in bed and just stares at him. The outline of his body on the sheets. She snuggles up against him and falls asleep.

In the morning, Bobbie is awoken by her own internal clock. She grabs the shawl he purchased for her, and goes to sit in the windowseat. She is watching the sunrise slowly come up. He awakens to see Bobbie’s profile, outlined by the sunlight coming through the slits in the blinds. He grabs the pad and charcoal and sketches her like that. He was almost finished before Bobbie even noticed he was up.

“ Oh, I didn’t know you were up.”

“ I know. You seemed awfully deep in thought. What is the phrase you Americans use...’ A penny for your thoughts?’”

“ That’s the expression. Nothing much. I was wondering if things could be any better than this.”

He comes over to Bobbie and slips his arms around her waist. He kisses her. “ I do not believe so.”

“ I wish it could go on forever.”

“ There is nothing stopping us.”

“ Only reality.” Bobbie hugs him again, and, looking out the window, she is startled. Luke is standing outside the window. She pleads with her eyes to give her more time. And, he gives her the sign for 10 minutes.

“ You know what? You probably need a good shower. Why don’t you go in and take a long, hot one, and I’ll order breakfast this morning.”

“ I’d rather take one together.”

“ Well, I think you’ll be OK alone. I’ll see you when you get out.”

“ OK.” He kisses Bobbie. As he’s heading towards the bathroom.

“ Hey...”
He turns.

“ I just wanted you to know. I’ve had the time of my life. No one has ever been as good to me as you.”

“ I’m only giving you what you deserve.”

As soon as he is safely in the bathroom, Bobbie goes over to the door and opens it to find Luke.

“ You’re a hard woman to track down, Barbara Jean. But, I did it.”

“ Luke. What are you doing here?”

“ Looking for you, that’s what. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“ NO. Look Luke, I’ve found someone special.”

“ Barbara Jean, not that again. You’ve met some schmuck who doesn’t have a clue as to what you are, and you’re getting those goofy dreams again, aren’t you? Barbara, please, spare me. We’ve been through this already. Prince Charming just doesn’t exist, so stop trying to invent him.”

“ But, he likes me, Luke. Just me.”

“ Just you. Does he know what you do?”

“ No.”

“ Then, how can you say he likes you. He doesn’t know you or what you do.”

“ It doesn’t matter, Luke.”

“ Of course it does. It always does. Barbara, cut your losses. You’ve got a couple of days swell memories. That’s more than most. I’ll be waiting in the car, Bobbie. You’ve got 10 minutes.”

Luke leaves. Bobbie sighs, but agrees that he’s right. She’s been living a fantasy, which is the most dangerous thing in the world for a girl like Bobbie. Bobbie gets dressed in a hurry, leaving her cameo and scarf.

She writes him the following note:

‘ I thought it was better if it ended this way. No names. Just two people who met and had a good time. I’ll never forget this time. You’ll never know what you’ve meant to me. I’m leaving the sketches on purpose. I have your vision of me in my head. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be as beautiful as the girl in those sketches.’
 

[[[[[[[ Back to the room]]]]]]

“ Of course, I never saw him again. I left the sketches. They would have only been a reminder of something that I could never have. It's odd. I can remember all sorts of details about that time, but, I can't place his face. Though, I can go immediately to the place in my heart where he is.”

” What did you do?”

“ I went back to work.”