Filling in the Blanks – Chapter Two (The Coversation)
I stared silently out over the railing. The view was still breathtaking, no matter how many times I gazed at the vista in front of me. The moon and stars seemed to shine brighter out here, in a stark contrast the vast darkness of the desert off in the distance.
I pulled my silk robe tighter to my body as my mind was lost in thought. Bess was right, no matter how much I wanted to deny it. Had it really only been a few hours ago that Frank and I stood out here and tried to convince each other that we were nothing more than great friends? He and I both knew better – we had played this game one too many times before.
I heard the balcony door open and soft footsteps made their quietly up behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know it was him. "Hi," I whispered, keeping my back to him.
"Hi," he responded just as quietly. "Can't sleep either, huh?" he asked, gently placing his hands on my shoulders.
"Not really," I responded, even though I knew he already knew the answer.
His arms encircled my waist and he hugged me to him tightly. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling. I interlocked my fingers with his and we stood there silently, for what seemed like eternity.
Frank was the first one to break the silence. "I thought we weren't pretending anymore?" he asked softly, toying with the ring that was still on my finger.
I bit my lip, wondering if I should really say what I was thinking. Deciding to get it off of my chest once and for all I retorted with a sigh, "When are we not pretending, Frank?"
Frank matched my sigh with one of his own at my words. "You're right," he admitted honestly. His breath tickled my ear as he leaned closer to me. "Tell me what you want," he whispered.
I shivered involuntarily as I listened to his words. "I don't know," I admitted.
"You told me once before that you didn't want to think," he reminded me. "You just wanted to enjoy."
"That was different," I protested weakly.
"Why?" Frank countered.
"Because," I insisted.
Frank rolled his eyes at my childlike answer and gave me one of his own. "Because why?" he pressed.
"Because I just don't know how much longer I can keep on pretending – we can keep pretending," I corrected.
"Then let's put a stop to it," Frank said. "I'm as tired of this charade as you are, Nan." He turned me to face him and softly caressed my cheek. "I'm tired of every time I see you not being able to do what I want."
My breath quickened in my throat. "What do you want to do?" I whispered.
"This," he said emphatically as he drew me close to him and pressed his lips to mine.
When we finally parted for air, I gave him a soft smile and opened my mouth to speak. Before I could say a word, he placed a finger against my lips and silenced me.
"Don't," he implored me. His deep brown eyes searched mine in the darkness. "No more pretending – not tonight. We can sort it out tomorrow, but tonight…let's just be true to ourselves for once."
"You make it sound so easy," I whispered.
"It can be for once," he insisted. He interlaced his fingers with mine, and twirled the weddings set on my left hand once more. "According to the Egyptian government, we're still Cole and Rebecca Addison. We've been more like ourselves pretending to be them, than we ever have before."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. On some crazy level, I knew he was at least partially right. But would one more night as Cole and Rebecca change who we were as Frank and Nancy? Would this give me more clarity into our convoluted situation, or make it that much more of a murky mess?
"Cole and Rebecca seemed to be the perfect pair – maybe Nancy and Frank would be, too," he whispered as he caressed my cheek.
Before I could loose myself completely in his words and smoldering eyes, I turned away. I put some much needed distance in between us and moved to the corner of the balcony, once again staring out at the dark horizon.
Frank didn't come after me. I heard him sighing in defeat, as he sat down in the wicker chair. "I'm sorry," he said after a moment. "I shouldn't have pressed you."
I stared out over the railing as his words played over and over again in my mind. 'Cole and Rebecca seemed to be the perfect pair, maybe Nancy and Frank would be, too.' 'We've been more like ourselves pretending to be them than we ever have before.'
Was it really that simple? I wondered. Was the charade we were playing not a fantasy, but closer to reality than we wanted to admit?
I finally turned around to face him, but I stayed with my back to the railing. "I do like the thought of us, Frank." My eyes connected with his, when he lifted his head in surprise at the feeling behind my words.
Frank slowly rose from the chair. "Nan?" he prompted hopefully.
It was at that moment I decided to throw caution to the wind. I was going to live by the words I had said to him in New York. I didn't want to think, I just wanted to enjoy. I strode across the balcony, closing the gap between us. I glanced up at his hopeful expression and gave him a dazzling smile. "Yes, Cole, darling?"
(not the end...:) )
