Romantic Little Banger
Christina was down in the wardrobe room, humming some nonsensical tune when Henry found her. She had been straightening clothes on a rolling rack when she turned to face Henry. And screamed.
"Ahhhh… Henry! What're you doin down here?" She asked. "You've gone and given me a fright."
"Sorry Christina." Henry said, "I just wanted to find out about something."
"Sure Henry, what can I do for you? "Christina asked in her Scottish brogue.
"I need to find out what happened the other night at The Middle Ages." Henry said, "There's some gaps in my memory and I'm not sure what memories I do have are real or just things I'm wishing to happen."
Christina motioned for Henry to sit at the small round table that she kept her supplies on. She smiled at him as he sat uncomfortably on one of the chairs opposite her. Christina looked at him, trying to gauge his feelings. She wanted Henry and Betty together in the worst way; she just wasn't sure what to do to push things along.
"Christina, did Betty come up onto the mat when I lost that duel?" Henry asked.
Christina hesitated for a moment, not sure what to say. She hadn't heard Henry tell Betty that he loved her, but she knew without a doubt that he did. Betty would never lie about something like that, plus any blind fool could see that Henry was totally lovesick over that girl.
"Well Henry, yes she did." Christina said.
"Did I say anything to her?" Henry asked.
"Well, I guess in a manner of speaking you did." Christina said, "I mean I saw your lips moving a wee bit. "
"Ok then, what did I say?" Henry asked with a smile.
"Well Henry, the better question is how do you feel about Betty?" Christina said.
Henry looked down at the tabletop, staring blindly at the swatches of brightly colored fabric, scissors, and measuring tape. He fidgeted with his hands for a few moments before looking up at Christina.
"I-I think, I mean I care about her…." Henry started.
"You CARE about her!" Christina said sternly, "you fought Nick Pepper in a restaurant full of her co-workers, bloodied up your face just because you CARE about her?!?"
"Well it's complicated." Henry started to explain "I mean there's Charlie, and the fact that we haven't known each other long, and the fact that we work in the same building, and……"
"Henry!" Christina said sharply, "you're out of excuses. Either you know or you don't. If you know, then you need to tell her and if you don't, then maybe you ought to spend some time finding out!" Christina huffed.
"I guess you're right." Henry said, "I guess maybe I need to talk to Betty and Charlie together."
"NO! Bad idea!" Christina exclaimed, "Charlie said……
"Charlie said what??? To whom??? Betty??? What did she say??" Henry asked, his voice rising.
Christina bit her lip; she hoped that Betty wouldn't be too mad; "Charlie told Betty that you were HER boyfriend and that she needed to back off." Christina said quietly.
Henry's head began to pound with the sound of a thousand freight trains. His mind spun at the fact that Charlie would say such a thing to Betty. Sure, he knew Charlie was jealous, but there was no reason to tell her to "back off" unless…….
Henry jumped from the chair and adjusted his glasses onto his nose. He gave Christina his wide, goofy smile.
"Thanks Christina, you've been a big help. Now I know exactly who to talk to and get the answers that I need. Thank you!!!" Henry yelled as he ran from the wardrobe room.
Christina sighed as she watched Henry's retreating form. He really was a romantic little banger, she thought as she picked up another skirt to repair.