Restoration

Felix strolled the grounds of the old manor house sipping at an iced coffee. It was a hot July morning and the neighborhood was in preparation for the 4^th of July celebrations. Minivans and SUV’s filled with yard decorations and brand new barbeques seemed to line the streets. He gazed up at the historic house and wondered what Ashley saw in it. All he really saw was real estate. His tastes leaned towards modern design and architecture. He liked things crisp and clean. Designs that are simple and functional. He liked white. White everything. It was clean. It was the essence of light. It reflected and emanated outward. Color seemed to hinder his process. He was a man of keen intellect and reason. White allowed him to muse against the blankness of his surroundings filling in the void areas with his own thoughts and ideas. As he rounded the corner that lead into the back yard he saw a dark complected man leading a draft horse pulling huge oak timbers up to the back construction area. He stood and watched for several minutes as the man who seemed Hispanic at first clicked and motioned at the horse. The horse seemed to follow directives quite well and Felix was transfixed by their communication.

“A crane would be more efficient.” Felix said as the man disengaged the horse from his load.

“Maybe. But a horse is friendlier to the environment.” The man replied smiling.

“I’m Felix.” He said extending his hand.

“Abe.” The man replied as he turned back to the animal.

“What’s your horse’s name.” Felix inquired.

“Michelangelo.” Abe said. “We create eco-friendly art together.”

“Ah.” Felix responded not sure he wanted to engage in an Al Gore discussion.

“I noticed inside there is a statue of one of our chiefs.” Abe said.

“Oh, you mean the wooden Indian?” Felix replied.

“Tammanend. He was a great chief.” Abe said.

“Never heard of him. I wouldn’t know…My girlfriend wanted the house because of that piece of sculpture.” Felix said nonchalant. “So how did you come to work on this project?”

“I’m with a company specializing in green construction and restoration.” Abe said.

“Louis hire you?” Felix asked.

“Yes. Mr. Applebaum has been very good to the Shinnecock nation.” Abe replied.

“Excuse me?” Felix said.

“Long Island. We are an American Indian sovereign nation.” Abe explained.

Louis rounded the corner in a rush.

“Felix. I have a small press conference in about ten minutes. This is going to look fantastic for you, for the project and for the Historical Society---as well as Abe’s business.” Louis said. “This whole area is going green. Hey where’s Ashley?”

“She’s in London…with her girlfriend.” Felix sighed.

“What is she doing in London?” Louis said confused. “All this is for her, isn’t it?”

“She got a free ticket. So she went.” Felix continued. “Besides it’s not all for her. We’re getting something out of this experiment in community affairs.”

Louis pulled Felix to the side. “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” Felix replied unconvincingly.

“”You know what I mean. Ashley should be here. Did she know about this?” Louis asked.

“Yes, she knows I am going to restore the house.” Felix said vaguely.

“Felix. Did she know the importance of her presence for this press affair?” Louis asked increasingly agitated.

“I told you she’s with her girlfriend.” Felix said deflated,

“When you say girlfriend, do you mean a friend who happens to be female because my wife has lots of girlfriends or do you mean ‘girlfriend’. As in the kind that kiss each other…on the lips…and stuff.” Louis queried.

Felix was silent. He continued to gaze out over his domain.

“Oh wow.” Louis said as awareness seeped into his thoughts. He smiled. “That’s hot….that’s really hot.”

“No, it’s not.” Felix retorted. “It looks great on video when you’re beating off, but when you’re in it, it’s not ‘hot’, Louis.”

“She left you for a woman.” Louis blurted out looking for confirmation.

“It’s way more complex than that.” Felix said dodging a yes or no answer.

“Sure, sure. Of course it is.” Louis said. “So…What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to finish what I started with Abe’s help.” Felix said as he gulped the last bits of caffeine and tossed the cup into the ‘green’ refuse container.

The blue equilateral cross seemed to glow in the dim light of the hotel room. She noticed that it quivered. Then she noticed that it was her hand holding the home pregnancy test result that was shaking. She found it amazing that a little blue symbol could hold so much weight. She knew before she ever left New York that she was most likely with child. Denial can be a potent elixir, though. Reality suddenly slapped her in the face.

“I guess it’s really true.” She whispered to herself and then she could feel that soft rush of caving in. She flopped on the bed and began to cry. She wasn’t quite sure why. Change is always a provocateur. She began to run through her mental list of choices. She could have an abortion. That would be the most sensible. She didn’t even know Scott. She certainly didn’t feel compelled by some draconian tradition to marry and make it all right. An abortion would mean the least amount of change to her life. It made the most sense. But there was a niggling feeling that poked at her. What if she went ahead with the pregnancy. Could she handle being a single, working mom? She made enough money to support herself but she would need to hire a nanny to keep working and to keep working in order to pay a nanny. She might as well be married, she thought. Just then the house phone rang.

“Ms. Barrett?” The concierge inquired.

“Yes?” She answered.

“A Mr. Scott Burton is waiting in the lobby for you.” The man said sweetly.

“I’ll be right down.” Chelsea replied as she hung up. She quickly wiped her under eyes and fluffed her hair. Then she wondered why.

She saw him as soon as she stepped off the elevator. However, he did not see her. She stood there for a moment in the corridor and studied him. He was fair with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. He had a nice smile. A geeky, smart, kind smile. He was robust, almost plump. He had put on weight since she last saw him. He was a wonderful writer and a great conversationalist. He was incredibly smart. She was a sucker for intellectuals. Tidbits of their last repartee began to resurface in her memory and she realized that it wasn’t that big of a mental jump to find herself in bed with him. He was charming and he seemed like a real man. He wasn’t some art dude on the make. It was refreshing since the business she chose to write about could be smarmy and gross with people desperately fucking their way up a ladder that honestly led to no where. Scott turned around and she could see that he was holding a fresh bouquet of flowers. It was that touch of sweetness and consideration that confused her.

“Hi.” She said confidently as she walked up to him.

“Oh, ‘ello.” Scott said and his face beamed. “Em. Well you’re looking well.”

“Thank you.” She said awkwardly and she wondered why she felt like she was in high school again.

“Em, so, yeah. Oh, these are for you.” He said as he shoved the flowers towards her. “Welcome to London.”

“I’ve been here before.” She whispered shyly.

“Right, right. Well then welcome back.” He said smiling. They stood there for some time staring awkwardly at the floor. “Look. Do you think you might fancy a cup of tea? I mean, I didn’t want this to come across as a business transaction. We are in the same field after all.” He said a bit shy.

“Sure. But I have to stay in the hotel because my friend is about to return from getting lunch and she doesn’t have a key card.”

“Certainly.” He replied and held his arm out to show her the way.

The main dining area of the exclusive hotel was still set up for brunch as Chelsea and Scott took a seat near the window.

“How’ve you been?’ Scott asked sweetly.

“I’m not sure how to answer that.” Chelsea replied.

“I only meant it in a casual way.” He said and he leaned forward in anticipation of her answer.

“I’ve been great, actually.” She said enigmatically. “Except for this little inconvenience.” She added.

“Yes. Well. I guess it is an inconvenience.” He said and he seemed slightly hurt by her answer.

“How have you been?” Chelsea inquired politely.

“I’ve been busy, actually. It’s been grand, to tell you the truth. I’ve made great strides in my editorial work and landing quite a few writing assignments. Seen a shitload of art. A lot of it is shit, you know. Then I’ve seen a few exhibitions that have been quite amazing. I think you’d fancy them.” He said cheerfully.

“That’s great.” Chelsea replied distracted. She really liked his smile and he was so different now. He was sober and the male bravado was gone.

“I was thinking, you know…that maybe while you’re here we could get to know each other a little better. And then maybe that would inform your decision.” He said awkwardly. He was so endearing that she couldn’t bring herself to say no outright.

“Well, I am on assignment here so…I would have to get my work done first and---“ She started.

“Oh that’s brilliant. I was afraid you’d say no right out the gate. That’s great. And sure, you have to, you know, work, but I could help you if you want.” He offered.

“Help me write?” Chelsea answered a bit defensive.

“No, no, no. That’s not at all what I meant. I just mean that I could get you to places quicker than the tube or I could get you into exclusive places that know me. I could help you in that way.” Scott clarified.

“That’s very sweet of you.” She said softly.

“I just want to say that I really like you and I really enjoyed the time I spent with you when I was in New York.” He said and his face turned red.

“You didn’t remember any of it….or me.” Chelsea began. He smiled and turned away.

“I was being a pratt if you want to know the truth. I remember everything. I, em, I got scared.” He admitted.

She stared at him for a moment not sure if he was feeding her a line of bullshit or not.

“What do you remember?” She said defiantly.

“I remember the beautiful little mole on the side of your right breast.” He said and he never took his eyes off of her. He was absolutely correct and she felt completely naked.

“I remember everything else that happened after that. Shall I go on?” He asked tentatively.

“No. That’s okay.” She said a bit embarrassed.

“I saw you the first day in your office. And I wanted to know you so I got chummy with one of your co-workers and managed to get an invitation to the Lichtenstein show.” He confided.

“Your credentials could have gotten you in.” She said not buying his line. He shook his head ‘no’.

“Not the back room where the private reception was.” He explained. Chelsea looked out over the London street unsure of what was happening. The sun had disappeared and a light drizzle began to cloak the city.

“I’m going to be honest with you.” He said softly. She could see he was shaking. “I’m thirty-four. I’ve been in and out of relationships. I’m not interested in something casual. I don’t know if I will have the opportunity to be with someone I enjoy and start a family.”

Chelsea shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She thought for a moment she might throw up. Then she thought the ground disappeared.

“Hear me out because I don’t think I will have the courage to say this later. But…if you would like to consider taking a chance with me, I would like to prove to you that I would be a good choice. I might even be a good father. I just want you think about it. Whatever you choose to do I will respect and support you.” He said softly then he slid an envelope full of money to her side of the table.

“I wasn’t expecting this.” Chelsea said bewildered.

“Neither was I. I---I went to the bank this morning and I thought I’d just withdraw what I needed and be done with it. But then as I walked over here I realized that there are some things in life that present themselves---opportunities, challenges, pathways---whatever you want to call them. And if we ignore those places that can take us out of ourselves---outside of our routines---outside of who we think we are and what we’re supposed to do---that is the excitement of life. That’s what makes it rich! That’s what makes the journey so profound. The idea that you and I have created something together has shattered my preconceived notion of who I am. To my very core. No one has ever done that.” He said excitedly. “I’m just asking for a few days. Let’s get to know each other before we snuff out any possibilities.”

She put her hand on the envelope. She was so confused and surprised that she was unsure what to say. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw a man pass through the dining room. She turned and could see the man was dressed in a fine black wool suit. He carried a hat in his hand. She thought maybe a celebrity was passing through, as the sense of excitement seemed to infuse the environment. He had long dark hair and as he turned around she could see that it was Mr. Rhys dressed in an immaculate Victorian morning suit. He looked directly at her for some time. Then he smiled, tipped his hat and rounded the corner.

“Chelsea. Chelsea?” Scott said softly trying to bring her back to the conversation. His voice became a faint echo as if he were a thousand miles away.

“Excuse me!” Chelsea said quickly and she jumped out of her chair and followed the apparition into the corridor. When she got there, Mr. Rhys was no where to be found. She looked down to find the envelope in her hand. Then she turned to rejoin Scott at their table but he had left.

“The gentleman I was sitting with?” She asked the Concierge.

“He left in a rush. Said he was late for a meeting. He asked me to give you this.” The concierge held out Scott’s business card. On the flip side it read, ‘My home and cell numbers. Please call me before you make any decisions. Warmly Scott.’