The Poser

[pipper]

Estella thought that John had been way too forward when he dabbed his napkin on her mouth. True, he was being a gentleman, but couldn’t he have asked first, or even tell her, so she could have done it herself? She just smiled.

But when John mentioned going to someplace in his vehicle and then walking to take the pictures, Estella suddenly felt a bit cautious, when he said, “Are you game?” It was as if he was challenging her to spend the time with him, alone, in that place, and then walk back to his SUV in the fast fading light, or in complete darkness.

If it had been a ‘date’ she would have found it ‘romantic’, but it wasn’t! She was married, and what would Paul think of the idea?

Paul! Estella had a way out! “Hmm…I think Paul would probably chaperone me. He’s paying for my course, so, he’ll would like to meet my partner. I hope you’re okay with that?”

 

[Rick345]

It was probably a mistake to touch her and try as it might John couldn’t read the look on her face and for a long moment he wondered if Estella was about to give the same blessing she gave Bobbie Jo. Thank goodness before things became too awkward she smiles, and he breaths a sigh of relief.

“Oh that sounds like a great idea by all means bring Paul along the more the merrier. I’d like to meet him as well.”

At the very mention of his name Estella’s eyes twinkle in the candle light of the cafe. Estella looks radiant and he more than happy to have Paul tag along that would keep him from making a fool of himself.

“We won’t have to take much up the mountain just our cameras and portable chairs and maybe a thermos of coffee” and quickly interjected, “ or tea.. None the less many hands make light work”

 

[pipper]

That’s the last thing, Estella wanted to hear! Was he calling her bluff? What if Paul decided to let her go without him? What a real mess she had found herself in. Could it get worse, before she was back home?

Estella took another sip of her tea while silently cursing Charles Barnes for being there when John and her arrived at the cafe. What had they talked about when she had excused herself? Hopefully not anything to do with the Barnes project, which herself was guilty of for telling John.

“What day do you plan to make the trip, so I can tell Paul?" she finally asked John.

 

[Rick345]

“I’m off this weekend is that good for you?”, taking another sip of coffee before lifting another forkful of chicken to his lips. He slides the chocolate covered treat between his lips making sure he didn’t spill even a dab, that would be embarrassing.

“Its real nice up there, but it can get cold when the sun goes down so bring something warm. The road up the mountain passes just behind the Wal-Mart on highway 98, I guess we can meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot and pile everything into my truck. Sunset is at about 8:30 what time should we meet up?”

Glancing down at his watch he realizes its getting late and the evening with Estella was about to end but in his heart of hearts he wishes it could last longer much longer, she was intelligent, charming, and beautiful. And the only thing waiting him was a cold dark empty apartment.

 

[pipper]

Estella decided to let John make that decision. “You’ve been there before, so you should have a rough idea how much time we need.” Then she gobbled down the last bit of her Fish Taco, so she could get away from this place, but…

“And how is my favourite Louise?”

Damn! Jimmy Burns! “I guess you say that to all of them! Jim, how are you?”

Jim smiled. “Well, as you’re my only Louise, you are my favourite.”

Estella decided to make introductions. “Oh, where are my manners. “John, this is Jim. He designed the costume I wore for Louise’s opening act in the school performance I told you about. The board decided that each costume would be designed by a different designer." What a mouthful, she thought.

“Yeah, I still have that gown you wore.”

“All in royal blue, everything, not just the gown. Even the feather boa, and my high-heels for crying out loud.”

Jim grinned. “Yeah, just in case you got brave and took the gown off.”

Estella looked at John. He appeared to be taking in their banter. “Very, ha, ha. You know that gown had a built-in bra.”

“I wasn’t referring to that.”

It finally dawned on Estella. The costume’s panties. He had made them royal blue as well, though they wouldn’t have been seen, as the gown stayed on. 'Did he really expect me to take off the gown?' she thought.“Well—at least I slipped a strap off my shoulder, when I left the stage, just as Natalie Wood did.”

“But you were supposed to slip off both, just to make it a little different. The gown would have stayed up. In fact, it didn’t really need the straps, but the school board required that it did.”

Estella needed to get going, and quickly. She quickly looked at her watch. “Sorry John, Jim, I need to get back home, before Paul wonders what’s happened to me.” She could have phoned her hubby but didn’t want him telling her not to hurry home.”

Then she headed out of the café, with camera bag in hand.