As we get ready to
leave the theatre my mother sees Lewis and his family. They are well off and
upper class like us. I used to play with Lewis when I was younger and we are
still friends. Mother believes that he almost compromised my reputation but I
think that is rubbish.
He is a lovely
young man who does not like to put product in his hair, which is slightly too
long to be respectable and is the color of dark crimson. He is very tall,
taller than most young me his age, being 20. He has strong limbs that fit his
frame very well, and his eyes are a most adamant blue. He is most agreeable and
about the only man I seem to be able to get along with, excluding my father.
My mother rushes
over to them and starts gossiping with Maria, Lewis’ mother. Lewis walks over
to me and hugs me, which my mother will tell me later was extremely
inappropriate.
“So, how are
things on your end?”
“Well,” I reply,
“Mother is smothering me as usual but it is always a pleasant surprise to see
you.”
“Why Miss Elliot,
are you having lustful thoughts about a man? I can hardly believe my ears!”
“Well, to be honest with you, I can barely keep my hands from tearing
you free of your material constraints [making a pointed look at the buttons of
his shirt], you are looking so erotic in that new vest.” We both smile and
Lewis starts laughing. I love his laugh and hearing it makes me laugh. Soon our
laughter is almost uncontrollable and Lewis has to place a hand on my shoulder
while being bent over double, to stop himself from falling over.
Mother walks over briskly, having obviously just finished her
conversation with Ms Winchester, and takes Lewis’ hand off my shoulder. She is
clearly upset. “Lewis dear, you are drawing attention to yourself, and thus my
daughter, in an undesirable way. I know you two are close and it must be lovely
to catch up. Elizabeth, we are going to have dinner with the Winchesters on
Saturday. Lewis, I believe that your mother is wanting to leave and would like
you to return to her. She is feeling quite tired.” I stare at her with an open
mouth. I close it.
‘Mother, you don’t honestly…”
“Elizabeth, we must also leave so you had better get your things ready.”
I turn to Lewis and see him smiling the way only he does, meaning that
he is thinking of something mischievous. If it is anything along the lines of
what I am thinking, he will see my mother drowning in a vat of hot oil. Mother
walks away to leave us to our goodbyes, though I have the experience to know
that if we are not quick she will come right back again.
“Sorry about that. She was really quite rude and I can only beg that you
will forgive her.”
“Honestly Elizabeth, you do not have to be polite to me. I know your
mother does not care for me. I shall see you within the week. We will have to
organise something soon.” I agree. Lewis takes my hand and I feel a small
wrapped box and a card fall into my open palm. I look up at him. “Open it when
you are alone,” is his only reply.
He turns to my mother and speaks loud enough to attract the kind of
attention he knows will annoy her and says, “Lovely to see you again Ms Elliot.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.” Then he turns to me one last time,
takes my hand, and says, “I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.” He kisses my hand for just a second too long, and
then walks back over to his mother.
***
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