The Awakening (7 page)

     The sky had darkened, looked like a storm was brewing and the day had turned colder than normal. It was chilly. The dark gray clouds stretched across the sky and the odd raindrop dotted the window. Some heat would be nice. Jefferson regretted now his earlier behaviour. Tipping the canoe seemed like a bit of harmless antics on his part. Adele meant it when she announced she couldn’t swim. Accidents happen all the time. What made him think he had the right to put her in danger?

      Ten after eight in the evening they arrived home. His uncle had left the porch light on.

     Jefferson knew his uncle would be worried, though to his surprise, he was far more concerned than he’d anticipated.

     Bentley paced the veranda, while Eva stood in the doorway watching. When Adele, wrapped in the blanket, stepped out of the car resembling a drowned rat, Eva swept her inside the house, hurrying her along as though she were being punished.

      Bentley wasted no time, and with harsh words lit into Jefferson as he stormed into the house.

     “You have a lot of nerve bringing her back half naked!” Bentley’s face reddened. “I want an explanation and it’d better be a good one!”

      Jefferson flew into his uncle’s study, his uncle fast on his heels.
     Bentley glared at Jefferson.

     “Got a lot of nerve son,” Bentley said.

     “We had an accident.” Jefferson locked his arms and watched his uncle’s disapproving eye. “The canoe upset and our clothes got wet. Big deal. Adele wrapped herself in the only dry thing we had. Look, I feel bad enough as it is. You’re only making things worse. It wasn’t intentional.”

     “I’m making things worse? I’m warning you, I won’t stand for this.” Bentley lunged out of his office chair showing no sign of arthritic pain.

     “Look, I didn’t do anything wrong. If you’d just calm down, I can explain everything.” Jefferson stood beside him. “I’m falling in love with her.” Jefferson had already decided that his uncle was overreacting.

     “In love? Adele hasn’t a clue what love is. For Heaven sakes, she’s only eighteen. How long have you known her? A few measly weeks?”

     Jefferson was angry at his uncle’s implications and leaned forward, his body tense as he spoke.

    “I know exactly how I feel. Stop treating me like a child.”

     “Then stop acting like one.” Bentley raised his voice. “That remark about being in love has to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Honestly, I can’t stand any more of this.” Bentley scowled, and then left the room in a huff.

    
Stupid old man!

    Jefferson kicked the office furniture angry that his uncle had such a low opinion of him. But inside, he worried that his uncle might be right. After all, Adele was young. Maybe he was taking advantage of her.

     After giving it some thought, he shouted aloud, “Nonsense.”                              

    The night fell quiet for everyone except Jefferson, who was in his room, brooding over the fact his uncle saw his actions as those of a fool, merely driven by hormones. In reality though, he’d fallen head over heels in love.

     Jefferson stewed the whole night, thinking she’d become ill. When he finally nodded off, he dreamt she’d suffered the flu and that it had turned into pneumonia. Needless to say, he tossed the entire night recalling his uncle’s harsh words. The idea of Adele not being old enough to know what love was seemed really lame.       Although he feared she might not share the exact same feelings. His uncle was right in saying she was young and naïve, but remembering the passionate way she kissed him back only increased his desire to be with her.

     The last days of June passed in a haze of summer sun. The morning light had been peeking through his window for an hour before he woke. Not wishing for his uncle to know what he was up to, Jefferson dressed, and darted out the back door, and sat on one of the benches staring up at Adele’s bedroom window.

     He picked up a pebble and tossed it at the window. He continued to toss yet another, hitting her window dead center. This time she had heard, because soon she appeared at the window.

     There she stood, as pretty as ever with her long beautiful hair and her radiant face. He waved for her to join him, and was pleased to see her acknowledge him. His heart raced in anticipation.

     A few minutes passed and she appeared at the back door. She ran toward him and threw her arms around his neck.

     He enveloped her in his arms and pressed his lips upon hers. He was instantly aroused, thinking how magnificent she looked. Her eyes sparkled and her passion matched his. He lifted her face to meet his.

     “I worried all night thinking you’d become ill.  I have to know… are you all right?” He sighed, relieved to see her looking so well. “I’m sorry for everything. Tell me you’re not upset with me.”

     Adele smiled. “I’m kissing you, aren’t I? Why would I be angry? I slept like a log last night.”

     “I’m in love with you. I want to shout it from a mountaintop the way I feel about you.”

     Adele kissed his lips.  Jefferson anxiously kissed her back and then left her. He leaped onto a nearby bench and began to shout.

     “I, Jefferson Quad, am head over heels in love with you.”

     Adele frowned. She turned away and without warning doubled over, and fainted.

     Her head started to spin and her face felt as if it were burning.
     Jefferson rushed to her.

     “Adele!” He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the bench. He taped her face and shorty after she came around. 
     Her fainting was the strangest thing.

Chapter 11

    Adele had spent an hour in her room that morning thinking about Jefferson. Living at Bentley’s was like a dream come true. Strange how her dreams for an exciting life actually happened?
    The way she was pinning for him was pitiful. Never thought she’d have those feeling for a man.                                     

     Adele was sitting on her bed deep in thought, but glancing at the clock, decided to dress and join the men downstairs.
    They were already seated at the breakfast table eating when she walked in the room.

     When she met Jefferson’s penetrating stare her heart melted like butter on a hot fry pan. He was gorgeous, and she became excited thinking about the way he could kiss.

    Even so, she ate and soon after, Jefferson invited her to join him in the nearby town of St. Lawrence. Bentley needed some supplies and had asked Jefferson to help. 

     Naturally she agreed, and with Eva’s help to zipper up the back of her dress, she was positive she’d be ready in time. She wanted a beautiful dress, matching shoes, an assortment of jewellery, anything that might cause Jefferson to be dazzled by her charm.

     It was important to her that she made a good impression. After her fainting spell she worried he might be thinking she was just a pathetic waif, which of course she wasn’t.
     Eventually, she exited the house wearing a floral skirt, came to her knee and swirled around her bare legs. She had on a sleeveless pastel pink top and wore white sandals.

    Jefferson opened the car door. She got in, careful not to lose her balance. He looked so sophisticated dressed in his fashionable suit and tie. Being alone with him was always awkward. Many times he seemed more like a dream than he did reality. How could Jefferson, a grown man being interested in her? He was so sophisticated and had such compelling charisma.
    Anyway, in no time, they were on the road. And in more ways than one, it would prove to be an unforgettable experience for them both.

     En route to town, he glanced over at her and said, “You get prettier every time I see you.” He reached for her hand. “Glad you decided to come along. The summers are short— soon I’ll have to go back to the university.”

     Adele had forgotten all about the university. He’d be leaving come September, and the thought of it soured her mood.

     Jefferson broke the silence which seemed to have settled over them.

    “I’d be a liar if I were to say I’d write you every day. Studies are all consuming, let me tell you. Honestly, I don’t know at this point how I’m going to keep my mind on my studies. Wasn’t planning on falling in love. Not for a long time.” Jefferson turned his eyes to the road ahead and then looked back at her. “Uncle Bentley said he’d be happy to pay for my train-fare home each weekend. That is, if you’d like that.”

     Adele felt like she was in some kind of fantasy. But hearing this now made her heart skip a beat. All of a sudden she felt guilty. Guilty as sin. She was to blame. Jefferson couldn’t come home every weekend. His studies would suffer. Now she felt like a burden.
     She lifted her eyes to meet his. “That’s awfully kind him, but won’t your studies suffer?”

    “Perhaps. But Adele, I can’t imagine not seeing you for any length of time.”

     She stared out the window, contemplating what she’d say. “Stay in school. I don’t want to be the blame for your studies suffering.” She’d no sooner let the words fall from her lips when she felt a burst of tears filling her eyes. 

    “Huh?”

     “You heard me.”

     “Yeah I did. Are you sure?” he asked, frowning. “I mean, it would only be on the weekends.
    “I’m positive. You’ll get distracted and that wouldn’t be good.”

     Reluctantly he nodded even if she wasn’t making any sense, even though he was clearly confused.

    Still, it was a gorgeous warm scenic trip to town even if an invasion of uncertainty loomed menacing like.

    Adele watched as he parked the car, then sighed. Jefferson, God bless his heart, hurried to open her door, then draped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her.

   “Are you sure you all right?” Jefferson asked, suspiciously.

    “Absolutely.”

    “That’s good,” he said a worried look lining his face.

     Adele couldn’t think of a single time in her life when an afternoon promised to be more awkward. Their trip to the hardware store was nothing but a blur now as she thought about Jefferson leaving. The rest of the day seemed pointless.

     “There’s a lovely park up ahead I’d like you to see,” he said, “c’mon.” He slid his arm through hers, and led her toward the park.
    “Hungry? There’s a hotdog stand over there and the best French fries in the world.”

     Adele never commented.
     “You don’t seem to be looking forward to dinner.”
     She looked at him and lied. “Sure I am. And the park is beautiful.”
    They sat on a picnic bench to relax. But as the minutes ticked by, a crowd of men sat next to them and soon the air became clouded with smoke. The smell of cigar and pipe tobacco wasn’t something she was accustomed to and before they ate she asked to be excused. She needed to put some space between them and the smokers.

     “I’ll be right back,” she said, “I need the ladies room.”

     Jefferson rose. “Yes of course.”

    “Thanks,” she said. “I won’t be long.”

     She left in a hurry and made her way across the park to the public washrooms. It was a funny little place, surrounded by signs and numerous hotdog stands. When passing by a sign, which was nailed to a tree, something caught the corner of her eye. Snooping low to have a closer look, Adele’s jaw dropped. On the poster was a picture of a man who bore a remarkable resemblance to her father. The caption read: ‘Mental Patient on the loose!’

    All of a sudden the park became a hazy fog and Adele’s head began to spin. Unaware of what was happening, she fainted on the spot.
    Sprawled out on a busy park, she didn’t see the small group of people who soon surrounded her, causing a commotion.

                * * *

     When Jefferson heard the noise he rushed to the restrooms where he saw her lying on the ground. Someone had been kind enough to drape a coat over her. But when he overheard a man say that he’d never seen such great legs, he became angry.  His inclination was one of total disgust.

     “Leave her alone!” he said sharply, his face gray with concern.
     He scooped her up off the ground and laid her in the back of the car, then drove a distance until he found a quiet spot near the river. He parked the car and got out.

    “Adele.” He tapped her face. “Wake up.”

     When she heard his voice she stirred.

    “Where am I? What happened?” Her eyes opened and she stared up at a distraught Jefferson.

     “You fainted,” Jefferson panted, taking in a sigh of relief. “I brought you here; away from whatever it was that caused you to faint. Let’s get you out of the car, get you some fresh air.”
     “All right.”

     He steadied her while she unsteadily got out of the car. Jefferson led her to a place where they could sit and relax, and she could regain her strength.

    “Feel like such a fool, always fainting.”

    “Stop that. You’re not a fool.”

     Sitting on the soft grass, straightened her dress, Adele found herself taking extra care as she brushed her hair with her fingers.

    “Do you know why you fainted?”

    She scowled at him. “No. I feel stupid, though.”

     Jefferson, not wishing to interrogate her, thought it wouldn’t help matters questioning her, so he spoke no more of it.

     She inhaled deep breaths of fresh air still trying to untangle her hair. Jefferson sat with her underneath the oak tree. 

     “Stop saying you are a fool.” He stroked her hand gently. “Not your fault I keep taking you places that make you uncomfortable. Wish I was able to help, but I just make things worse. Nothing you’ve done is your fault. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”
     “That’s not the way I see it,” Adele murmured.

     “Doesn’t matter,” he said, “things happen for a reason. It’s all good.”

    Adele leaned forward and looked into his eyes. “I have something to tell you.”

    “What is it?”

    She forced herself to meet his gaze. “… well, I’ve been keeping something from you.” Jefferson kept running his fingers through his hair like he had a nervous tic. “Jefferson, stop it.” She grabbed his hands.

    “What?”

    “Running your fingers through your hair.”

    “I’m sorry,” he said, eager to hear what she had to say.

     She sighed and shook her head. “This is so difficult.”

     “What is?”

     “My feelings. Okay this is it,” she said finally, clearly losing her patience. “I’ve built these walls, you see, to keep people out. Something happened to me a while back that I wish I could forget.”

     Jefferson stiffened. “You don’t have to tell me if you’re not comfortable.”

    “Yes, I do. It’s hard, though. I feel like… like ─”

    “Like what? Spit it out!”

     “I’m in love with you. I’m sure of it,” she admitted, cupping her face in her hands. She sat pouring out her heart to him as a child would. Raising her eyes, she noticed Jefferson had once again turned into a young child.

     Delighted, he sprung to his feet, danced around the immediate area as if a small boy, embarrassing her. 

     “Yes!” he shouted.

     “Jefferson, stop it! People are watching.”

     He knelt down beside her, panting as if he’d run a marathon.

    “Who cares?” He wrapped his arms around her, and bestowed a kiss on her lips.

     Finally, the words were out. Adele loved him and it felt good. With all the excitement he’d forgot about her fainting spell— nothing else mattered.

     He’d been successful in capturing her heart and felt like the luckiest man alive. In a little over a month, he’d return to the university and now certainly, she’d have a change of heart concerning his plans to return home on the weekends.
 

     For Jefferson that night seemed to stand still. She loved him, and the exciting news made it virtuously impossible for him to sleep.

                * * *

     Sunday morning they had no sooner finished breakfast, when Bentley announced Jefferson had a phone call.
     “I’ll take it in the other room,” he said hurrying into the study.
     When Adele heard the door shut she became suspicious, and sped to the living room. She didn’t see Bentley or Eva so she picked up the receiver and covered the one end with her hand and listened.
    “Jefferson, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
     “Oh, hi Louise, how are you anyway?”
     “Sad, so sad, babe. When are you coming over? I’ve missed you. Don’t you miss me?”
      “Of course I do, but my uncle has company and he needs me here.”
     Adele could barely believe her ears. Jefferson had just told her how much he loved her. So why was he not telling Louise? She felt betrayed. As she listened she discovered there was more to Jefferson besides a handsome face.
    “Remember the day at the lake? You can’t do those things to a woman and then just leave her. I’ll never forget it. Never forget the way you made me feel.”
     “I remember. Hard to forget something like that.”
    “Let’s do it again? How about tomorrow?”
      Adele nearly fell over listening. The palms of her hands heated and she couldn’t help but think she’d only been another girl on his long list of girlfriends that he’d taken to the riven and did heaven only knows what to. Everything about him was a lie. He’d been insincere, and now she felt he’d merely taken advantage of her.
     She slumped down onto the sofa to listen because she didn’t think she’d be able to stand any longer. Every word after that was just one more tear to her wounded heart. How much can a damaged heart stand?

      “Can’t, Louise. My uncle really needs my help. His arthritis has been acting up again. You know how it goes.”
       “Well how ‘bout I stop by? Together we can help the old man, then make the most of the evening. What do you say?”
      “You’re making this awfully difficult for me, Louise. But I can’t. We have company.”

      “So.”

      “Look, it’s a girl,” Jefferson finally admitted.

     “What’s that supposed to mean? How old is she? What’s her name?”
      “Her name is Adele. She’s only eighteen. Uncle’s taken her into the house and is raising her as if she was family.”
      “So what do you care about a teenager?”
      “I’m showing her around.”
    Adele was in tears. He’d never said a word about being in love, never mentioned how they’d met. Nothing. Her heart raced as she continued to listen.
      “Never mind, Jefferson. I get it. Thanks for being honest with me. Goodbye,” the woman said loudly as she hung up.
    The line hadn’t disconnected because Adele was still listening. Jefferson clued in. “Who’s listening?”
     It was all she could do to speak. “The little eighteen year old dummy you’re showing around.” Then she too slammed the phone in his ear.