A once in a lifetime chance

[wildxfire]

OOC: A CLOSED thread ..


IC: Paul was a man in his midlife, kept trim by hard work and a underlaying ambition to be someone he knew he could never be. Coming to a small crowded restaurant he gives in to hunger and braves the packed room to eat before going back to his work as a carpenter.


As he finished the not worth mentioning meal he notices the woman sitting adjacent to him. Her dark hair and eyes blend with her stylish yet understated clothes, her face a reflection of being someplace else far away.

The lady (In his mind he has ranked her there, not because of her appearance, but because of a feeling) rises to her feet and reaches into her small purse searching for something.

*What would it be like?* Paul wonders *Just to know this lady for a few short hours or days, and actually become friends*

With a shrug he shakes off the feeling and rises to leave himself. *Time to get back to work* He mumbles as she drops her now found keys to the floor.

Bending to retrieve them (always a gentleman) thier hands touch, and as the electricity flows thier eyes meet for the first time.

 

[Stardust Memory]

Aimee

Still single at 36, Aimee enjoyed life and all it had to offer. She dabbled at writing short stories and even some poetry. One of these days she was going to be published. One of these days. In the meantime, she was doing some freelance work that paid the bills and she liked it that way.

Aimee had come into the city to do some Christmas shopping and decided to stop for lunch before going to FAO Schwarz. It was one of her favorite places to go during the holidays. She loved the look of wonder and marvel on the children's faces as they oohed and ahhed over the toys. It was truly like a visit to Santa's Workshop at the North Pole.

Yes, Aimee believed. In Santa and fairies and all things magical. She was a rainbow chaser and an incurable romantic.

Speaking of romantic, her eyes wandered more than once to the dark haired man sitting across from her during lunch. He was lean looking and handsome in a rugged sort of way. Aimee couldn't help wondering what he did for a living. He wasn't a 'suit' so that left a lot of things.

His hands. Long slender fingers that almost caressed his coffee cup. She wished he would look up so that she might see his eyes. Hands and eyes. Aimee didn't know why, but they were the first things that drew her whenever she looked at someone. Enough Aimee. The day is growing late...

Glancing at her watch, she stood fumbling in her pocketbook for her keys. Ahh... there they are she thought. Just as suddenly they fell between her fingers to the floor.

Aimee bent to pick them up at the same time as the stranger reached for them. Their hands touched and she looked into his eyes, knowing that she could easily live there for an eternity.

"Thanks," she murmured as their fingers wrestled to pick the keys up first. She slapped his hand playfully. "Mine," and chuckled, a deep throaty laugh that made him laugh in return.

 

[wildxfire]

Her humour as we fumbled for the keys delighted me, something not usually found in this cold world I knew.

"My name is Paul" I said softly as our laughter died down and I pressed the keys into her hand. "I work nearby at a large remodeling project"

Standing close to her for the first time I smell her perfume and inhale the cloying scent that was so tantalizing to me.

Realizing I still held her fingers in mine I released them with a start, then tried to apologize as a shy smile crept to her lips.

"Sorry.....Ahhh, this may be an old line, but has anyone told you that your eyes are beautiful?" I blushed as the words rushed out, then before I could help myself I blurted again.

"Would you have the time to see our project? It's nearby and what's finished is breath taking....."

Not expecting an affirmative, (Why would a lady like this spend time with a common carpenter like me anyways?) I wasn't surprised when she began to answer.


"I don't know...I have an appointment soon and have a distance to go to get there...."

Dropping my head I nodded in agreement, trying to think of a way to excuse myself gracefully as she continued...

 

[Stardust Memory]

"Would you have the time to see our project?... "

I couldn't believe my ears. I was inexplicably drawn to this man whom I had met only moments before. I didn't know anything about him yet but I wanted to. I wanted to know everything.

"I don't know... I have an appointment soon and have a distance to go to get there... "

Paul shuffled his feet awkwardly and I couldn't help smiling, "Besides, Paul. How can I possibly go with you to see your project when I haven't even told you my name yet? It's Aimee. Aimee Franklin."

He looked surprised, relieved and curious all at once. (Though no more so than I was.) The two of us spoke at the same time, "Shall we go?" Laughing, I slipped my hand through his arm and we walked outside.

"I hope you don't mind walking. It's not very far and it's such a... " "Can we walk? It's such a beautiful day." We laughed comfortably this time.

I wasn't sure what made this seem so right, but it was. And who was I to argue?

 

[wildxfire]

Paul

I'm a man trapped within a cage of my own creation, One who has forced himself to be alone and become adjusted to it. Yet inside that solitary existence, so protected and safe, has become lonely. Tis easier to get into these protective barriers, than to escape them , before they close and crush my soul...

Holding the doors open for her (Always a gentleman, if only in my mind) I catch up to her as she stands and looks at the half finished palacade.

"This has been my home for the past 10 months" I tell her shyly, scared of what she'll see and comment on, but more afraid to lose someone who I'm so attracted to...

"I put the small figurines into each setting, small dwarfs and gremlins that tell a story of a persons life. A continuing saga if you will, set into wood that will last an eternity..."

Standing back I'm caught up by her beauty, her face and figure merging into something words can't define, more a feeling than a tangible touch...

But then reality comes crashing in, and I'm just a hired hand after all, a wandering man who has seen the world thru jaded eyes and has little hope of doing more than just existing.

"Thank You, Miss" I say sincerely, my head hanging down "For taking the time to look at it, But I know I'm holding you back from more important things..."

 

[Stardust Memory]

The Palacade is abuzz...

with the sound of the painters' voices as they sand and patch the walls. One or two call out "Hey Paul!" There are tarps laid out over the floor to catch the drippings. But that is not what holds my attention.

The centerpiece of the room is a fountain. "Ohhhhh... It's wondrous!" Its water cascades into a sparkling pool seemingly lit by fairy lights. Poseidon, wielding his trident, towers above dolphins and water nymphs frozen in a worshipful dance around him.

Paul seems almost embarrassed to take me away from the fountain to show me the benches he has been carving, but becomes more animated with every piece he shows me. His fingers caress the wood as he talks.

Each is a piece of art in itself. Portions of the fountain come alive in bas-relief. "Pure magic," I murmur as I am transported by his words into the world of this man who has so captivated my imagination.

Suddenly I hear him say "Thank You, Miss. For taking the time to look at it, but I know I'm holding you back from more important things... "

My heart lurches. I don't want this to end... We've only just begun. Begun? Did we even start? Yes, I think to myself. Somewhere in time...

"MISS?" I look up at him. "Have you forgotten my name so quickly?"

"No, Aimee. I just... "

"Just decided that you would join me on my excursion this afternoon when you finish work? Why Paul! I would be thrilled to have you go with me," I forged on hopefully. "I'm not sure you'll really enjoy what I was going to do, but I have a book with me. If it's all right with you, I could find a quiet corner and wait for you to finish for the day?"

 

[Stardust Memory]

Come out and play, wildxfire!

In the dark of the moon, we have our dreams to light the path.

 

[wildxfire]

Paul

The day passed quickly...I immersed myself in my work, forgetting the troubles that haunted me...the wrong doings I had done earlier in life as I worked.

I spent the majority of my day perched on the edge of the fountain, placing the tiny figurines on the edge of the first dish, where they would stay perched for life...grinning down at the people below as the water rushed past them.

Each time I paused, I looked down at the petite, lady like figure below me and wondered...why?

What made a total stranger...wait so patiently for me? Reading her book and acting if this was the only thing she needed to do?

And then she caught me...glancing up from her book, her violet eyes held my blue ones...until my face flushed and I broke the gaze, returning to the little gremlin that I held in my hands.

The little man was solidly in place, his leering face turned in the proper direction and I decided to call it "a day".

"LOU?, I'm leaving a little early, OK?" I called out to the oldest carpenter as I slid down the dangling rope "Make sure it's locked up when you leave?"

A wave of his hand was all I needed as I brushed myself off and moved towards the still reading figure, my hands fumbling with the rag they held.

"UH, Aimee?" I stammered in a beginning "I was hoping you'd let me buy you a real meal? Someplace of you’re choosing, where we could eat decent food and then sit and talk, if only for a short while?"

I had decided...it was worth the pain of being turned down, if only to ask and have her tell me no..Just to speak to her...and I quietly waited for her refusal as she continued to read.

 

[Stardust Memory]

Look up, Aimee! Look... Up...

My heart skipped a beat when Paul invited me to dinner... and to talk. I was almost afraid that I would look too eager. Truth be told... I was.

"I would love to, Paul. Just let me freshen up a bit, okay?" I set my book down, going to the lavatory to rinse my face and comb my hair. I examined my face in the smudged mirror wondering what he saw there that drew his interest. Whatever it was, I hoped that he would not soon tire of it.

"Okay. Ready," I said quietly as I approached him. He was sitting on the bench where I had spent the afternoon, head back and eyes closed. He looked at me with an embarrassed grin as he stood hastily.

"Umm... was just thinking."

I grinned back and took his arm. "Shall we go? Do you like Italian?" Somehow I already knew what he would say before he answered.

 

[wildxfire]

Paul

"I know of a wonderful place" I replied my face lighting up at her return and her suggestion."But allow me to change before we go there? My room is only around the corner and it is on the way, please?"

A gentle smile confirmed her patience and desire to accomodate me and I offered my arm as we walked out of the building.

"Around the corner, here" I indicated, smirking at her puzzled expression as I moved towards the parking in the rear of the building, then explained. "I have a RV, it guarntees me a comfortable place to stay in each town, and the room is always there for me"

Unlocking the door I held it for her, diverting my eyes as she took the steps into the RV, trying to ignore the alluring sway of her figure as she did so.

"Have a seat, I will be only a moment" I offered "There is fresh coffee on the counter, I set the timer to brew about this time every day"

Moving to the read rooms I closed the door partially and called thru it as I undressed.

"The restaurant is across from the theatres dowmtown, if you have the time?"

A quick sponge bath and the days grime was off me, than a pair of dark dress slacks and loose tan V neck and I was almost ready to go myself...

 

[Stardust Memory]

"Fresh coffee on the counter... "

I didn't need to hear that twice as I opened a cupboard and took down two mugs. "How do you take yours?" I called out as I poured for both of us.

I looked around Paul's 'room' while he was getting cleaned up. No dishes piled in the sink. No clothes lying around. Everything seemed to be 'in its place'. Not a typical bachelor's pad at all, and it was remarkably 'homey' for an RV which made me smile. In fact, everything about him made me smile.

"Nice place... " I called over my shoulder as I turned to sit down at the kitchen table.

"Thanks."

I whooped and jumped. I hadn't heard him come out from the back. Paul was standing right behind me and caught me in his arms. We stood still for what seemed an eternity, just gazing into each others' eyes. Yes, I thought to myself. I could get lost there for a very very long time.

"You startled me!"

"I didn't mean to startle you."

We chuckled together, his hands on my upper arms trailing slowly downward as if reluctant to let me go. Please don't... I willed him. Please don't let me go...