CHAPTER 7: MEET MR. THOMPSON (PART 1)
TWO WEEKS LATER
Two weeks had passed since the group from Genovia had moved to The
Plaza. Since there first night in New York, when Charlotte made the
rather shocking revelation that she was Eloise's birth mother, the
group had split up to attend to their respective lives. Clarisse and
Joseph had been busy making preparations for their suite, which they
had moved into the previous day. They were now busy unpacking their
things, which Clarisse insisted they do on their own like "normal"
people. Joseph found this quite amusing, but when he found his wife in
fitted black leggings and a over sized sweatshirt of his, sorting
through boxes casually...well, he had to admit he liked the change. It
did feel nice and normal. Her attire was nothing like anything she
used to wear and while he loved her in her tailored suits and evening
dresses or silk pajamas...seeing her in such casual attire made him
fall in love with her all over again. As for Clarisse, she loved her
new independence! She unpacked her things happily beside Joseph,
noticing him stare at her occasionally admiringly. They walked in
Central Park when they grew tired of the unpacking and talked about
the garden they would have when they purchased a home at some point.
They liked their suite at The Plaza, but they didn't want to live
there forever. The best part was that nobody bothered them, which
surprised Clarisse a bit the first time they ventured out of The
Plaza. She decided to celebrate by letting Joseph kiss her rather
passionately in a crowded restaurant, and nobody seemed to notice! Joe
had been in touch with his son Mario, he told his father he was very
busy with work and would be out of town for a bit, but would visit his
father and step-mother as soon as he returned.
Mia for her part, had also been busy with the new suite where she
would be residing with her grandparents. She was also trying to spend
as much time as possible with her mother, brother and Lilly since they
were in the City for only the summer.
Kay had returned to Paris a week after she arrived, secure that
everything was just fine at home. Charlotte had spoken with the proper
members of Parliament in Genovia and given her resignation, siting
personal reasons for her not being able to give proper notice.
Charlotte and Eloise had been spending a great deal of time together
and despite her brake-up with Shades, she was feeling happier then she
had in a long time to be with her daughter. The nights, when she lay
in bed thinking of Shades, were hard for her, but her time with her
daughter was so precious that she tried not to let the sadness get her
down. Shades had kept his distance from Charlotte. They had not seen
each other since that night two weeks before. He had mostly kept to
himself, taking walks, watching a game or occasionally spending time
with Joe when he was around. Clarisse and Joe offered for him to stay
in one of the guest bedrooms in their suite and he had excepted. It
was just for while, while he "figured things out" he promised, but his
friends told him to stay as long as he liked.
Nanny had spent the last two weeks keeping a watchful eye on Eloise
and Charlotte, who seemed to be adjusting to their new relationship
incredibly well. This gave her a lot to think about in regards to her
own relationship with Charlotte, which caused her to be lost in
thought most of the time. The others thought she was thinking about
her new course with Mr. Thompson, which she and Mia would be starting
tonight. She let them think that was what was on her mind since she
could not disclose what was truly bothering her and it was not a
complete lie. She had also been thinking of Mr. Thompson, which was
not uncommon lately it seemed.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
That evening Nanny knocked on the door of Clarisse and Joe's suite
ready to meet Mia to go to their class. She had spent a long time
picking out what to wear and decided on a fitted grey pencil skirt
which was more on the casual side and a short sleeve black silk
blouse, with black wedged sandals that tied at the back of her ankle.
Her hair was in her french pleat neatly and make-up was picture
perfect, she wore lip gloss as Mia suggested rather then lipstick. Mia
said this would make her look younger, which it did.
Mia opening the door and smiled approvingly, "Well, I see you are
dressed for roping in a boyfriend!", she exclaimed, letting Nan enter.
"Does that mean I look like a tramp?", Nan questioned looking down at
her outfit as she stepped inside.
"You look very classy!", said Clarisse who had just entered carrying a
box, "Oh look Joseph! I found our wedding album!"
"Finally", said Joseph entering from the other room, " Can't loose
that. Evidence of the happiest day of my life!", he said planting a
lingering kiss on his wife's lips. Looking up he caught site of Nan.
"Wow Nan, you look wonderful! Very elegant, intelligent and pulled
together, with a hint of sex appeal. If I may say."
"Aoww, well thank you Joseph!", Nanny said, pleased by what she heard.
Joe turned from her and gave his wife a little wink. He had thought
Nan looked lovely, Clarisse was sure, as any man their age would, but
she did not feel even a hint of jealousy. He loved Nan like a sister
and enjoyed boosting her self esteem a bit when he could. Clarisse
loved him even more for this trait of his. His words were not untrue.
Nanny looked very lovely and pulled together, which was rather ironic
in comparison to the butterflies in her stomach.
"Alright!", said Mia, "Let's get this show on the road!"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A half hour later, Nanny and Mia were sitting in the classroom waiting
for the class to begin. About twenty other people were already there,
but there had been no sign of Mrs. Daniels or Mr. Thompson yet. Mia
sat next to Nan, her eyes glued to the door. Nan nudged her a little,
raising her eyebrows a bit as a way of saying not to be too obvious.
Mia moved her gaze around the room. There was very handsome young man
sitting alone in the back who caught her eye. He was tapping his
pencil and reading something on the desk in front of him, as he looked
up they locked eyes for a moment. He smiled casually. She smiled back
shyly, gosh he was cute! She then realized Nanny was poking her in her
ribs. She spun around to see what she wanted, but following Nanny's
gaze she realized that Mr. Thompson had arrived.
He wasn't what Mia had pictured, she had thought the older man would
have a cooler air about him, more like Joe. She had pictured Mr.
Thompson sitting on the edge of his desk conversing with the class.
Somehow she couldn't picture this man doing that. He had on a grey
suite (in the middle of Summer!) and had a thinning main of grey/white
hair. He was a little stout, but not fat. His skin was on the tan
side, his fingernails perfectly trimmed. He wasn't a bad looking man,
but not someone that Mia would picture a person daydreaming about.
He placed his things neatly on the desk in front of him and settled
quietly into his chair. He sat with his hands folded on the desk and
scanned the group with a small pleasant smile. Most of the class
weren't looking in his direction, as they were having private
conversations or unpacking their things. The class would not begin for
a few more minutes. He said hello to a man sitting in the front row
that apparently had been in a previous class. He scanned by Mia
smiling and she smiled back politely. Then he got to Nan and his smile
faded briefly only to reappear a moment later slightly wider then
before. If Mia wasn't mistaken, she saw a glint in his eye as well. He
then moved his gaze away in, what was to Mia, a obvious attempt to NOT
look at Nanny. "He likes her!", Mia whispered to herself inaudibly.
She then turn to her Aunt, sure she would see a look of delight to his
reaction, but instead found her eyes nervously glued to the paper in
front of her, where they had clearly been for a while. She missed the
whole thing!
A moment later a thin, prim looking woman wearing a tailored suit
walked into the room. She walked right up to Mr. Thompson, who upon
seeing her looked rather uncomfortable. Mia knew this was Mrs. Daniels
without having to ask Nanny, who had finally looked up and watched as
she talked to him. After droning on a bit, she took a seat in the
front row and Mr. Thompson stood up to address the class.
"Good Evening everyone. I am so glad you could make it. The name of
this course is "Seizing Opportunities in A Child's Imagination" and
hopefully you will all find the course useful in your respective
careers. My name is Wilkes Thompson and I will be instructing this
course"
Mia listened as Mr. Thompson spoke, he had a very proper English
accent, but seemed like a nice guy, maybe a little uptight. She was
more interested in watching her Aunt however, who so clearly adored
this man. They dived right in to the subject matter of the course and
soon people were volunteering answers and opinions politely. Nanny
remained silent...unlike Mrs. Daniels who's hand shot up continuously.
Mia had to roll her eyes at the woman, she was so annoying! The way
she tried to answer every question, the way she ran her fingers
through her short dyed hair trying to flirt with Mr. Thompson, the way
she stared at her nails and seemed bored when anyway else spoke. She
wondered if Mrs. Daniels ever caught the little glimpses Mr. Thompson
sent in Nanny's direction when he knew she and no one else was
looking. Little did he know that Mia was playing detective. He had
cautiously looked at her legs, her hair, face and once if Mia had not
mistaken, her chest. Nanny was oblivious to all of it, in her state of
nervousness and her pursuit to take notes . Finally Mia heard the
words she had been longing to hear "Why don't we take a brake"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Charlotte and Eloise had dressed that evening in frilly party dresses
at Eloises request. They were going to order Pizza and watch Eloise's
favorite Movie "Enchanted" and Charlotte's favorite "Mary Poppins".
The door bell rang and Eloise danced open to get it, assuming it was
her pineapple pizza! She opened it to find Shades holding a dozen long
stem roses.
" Mr. Shades! You brought Momma Charlotte roses! How absolutely
divine! Well, do come in for Lord's sake!"
Scott entered the suite and followed a skipping Eloise into the living
room, where his eyes met Charlotte's. He ran his eyes over the dress
which made her look like a princess. The pink bodice pushed up her
chest and showed off her tiny waist and the neckline exposed he bare
shoulders. It was a stretch from the black or grey suits she favored
in Genovia while working for the Queen.
"God, you look beautiful", he finally managed.
"Are those for me?", she asked flatly.
"Your mad. I don't blame you. Even though it was YOUR not telling ME
the truth that led to this...well, I should have never stayed away for
two weeks. I'm sorry. Here, these ARE for you"
"Eloise, Would you go to your room for a moment, so I can speak to
Shades alone?"
"Alright...I will go get Skipperdee, but make it fast! I want to watch
the movies for Lord's sake!
Charlotte waited for Eloise to leave the room before speaking.
"You don't get it do you? You didn't stand by me Scott! I needed you
and you ran because you were mad. I know I have been unfair to you,
but you wouldn't even let me properly explain. I felt like I just
wasn't worth the extra hassle... Like things getting more complicated
was a deal braker "
"I did not feel that way, but I am sorry for making it seem I did.
I've been doing a lot of thinking Charlotte. I realize now you had
been trying to warn me that it wouldn't be easy. You had told me you
had a secret that you weren't ready to tell. I guess I should have
given you credit for that, but I was hurt and shocked and...afraid"
"Afraid of WHAT?"
"Afraid... Afraid that with you wanting to move here and with your new
life... you wouldn't want me or need me anymore", he stopped talking
and walked over to her to take her hand and kiss it lightly. He then
took her hand and walked her over to the couch and eased her down into
a sitting position, laying the flowers in her lap. He bent over her,
bringing his lips to her ear. He kissed the lobe gently and then
whispered, " I love you so much it makes me crazy sometimes, but
that's no excuse. I'm sorry Charlotte"
He pulled back to look into her eyes and she cupped his face in her
hands. Slowly rubbing her thumb over his cheek before speaking, "I
love YOU and I'm sorry too. So what does this mean? Will you relocate
to New York to be with me? You do realize that Eloise will be a part
of our lives now, not just mine, but ours"
"Charlie, all I know is I want to be with you! I'm ready to settle
down. I will live wherever you want and accept your daughter, I really
do like her...she's spunky and fun. I want to know everything, the
whole story of Eloise and your whole life and promise you that I will
never, never judge you! Your the best person I know and that will
never change. The point is this, I will do whatever I have to do to
get you back and prove to you that I am not a complete ass"
"Well... I would say you just did"
"You forgive me?"
"I have to. I love you stupid! Do you forgive me?"
"How could I not? Your my world! I love you so much!"
A tear rolled down Shades cheek and Charlotte was incredibly touched
by the site of it. The two kissed just as Eloise was returning to the
room.
"Eww! Well, I see you two have gotten back together. Well,
I...AM...GLAD! You two just look right together. You BELONG together!
Now, we just need to get Nanny a boyfriend! Anyway... Mr. Shades why
don't you skitter on over to your room and bring back your favorite
movie and we can watch it with ours...but HURRY for Lord's sake! I'll
make some popcorn while you're gone"
"I will do just that", said Shades as he walked away from Charlotte
reluctantly and turned to say, " Thank you Eloise...for sharing your
mom with me"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
As most of the class headed out the door for their brake, Mia hurried
up to Mr. Thompson's desk before Mrs. Daniels could make it.
"Hello Mr. Thompson. I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Mia
Thermopolis. I'm very happy to be taking this course as I believe I
will be looking for my first teaching position in the Fall. I'm here
with my Aunt, Nan Harrison. She has taken a few of your classes. She's
over there", Mia said pointing to Nanny who was pretending to be
looking for something in her bag after she saw Mia approach Mr.
Thompson.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Thermopolis", He said offering his
hand, "Yes, Mrs. Harrison has been in several classes I have
instructed. Although I...I don't believe I have had the please of,
well, meeting her in person you see. I have read her final reports and
they were very good indeed. She obviously truly cares about children"
"Oh yes, she does. Well, allow me to introduce you. Aunt Nan?", Mia
called over her shoulder.
Nanny froze in her tracks. What was Mia doing? It was too late now to
run away however and so she pulled her self up straight, the way she
had seen Clarisse do and strode over to where Mia and Mr. Thompson
stood, passing by Mrs. Daniels who was the only other person remaining
in the room.
"Nanny, I thought you should meet Mr. Thompson, after all you have
taken several of his classes and he was just saying how impressed he
was with your papers. Mr. Thompson, Nanny has told me what talent you
have for inspiring young minds and older minds as well for that
mater...So it seems you are both rather impressed by the other"
Nanny shot Mia a bit of a evil look (she was being too, too, too
obvious!) before speaking,"Ha 'ello Mr. Thompson! It is a pleasure to
meet you. Mia is correct in that I have enjoyed your classes very much
indeed. I have found them rather enlightening", Nanny said speaking
very carefully as to sound a bit more refined.
"The pleasure is all mine Mrs. Harris. I, ah, I have found your ideas,
on paper that is, to be quite lovely and I would love to hear more",
Wilkes said genuinely, as he shook her hand, noticing how soft it was
and holding onto it a bit longer then necessary before letting go.
"It is Ms. Harris, as I have been a widow for more then half my life,
but please just call me Nan"
"Ok... Nan", he said as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes. Hoping
his admiration for her wasn't obvious.
The two stared at each other for a long moment before Mia reluctantly broke in.
"Shall we grab a cup of coffee before the brake ends? There is a cafe
across the street and I would just love a cup! Will you two join me?",
Mia asked casually.
"Why, I would love to!", Wilkes said quickly.
Mrs. Daniels had heard this, as well as the rest of the conversation
and came over to have her presence acknowledged, " MISTER Thompson, I
am so sorry to take you away from these, these...CHARMING ladies, but
you DID say you would help me fill out this paperwork for the
scholarship my club has decided to give to a qualified student in YOUR
school district. This IS a pressing mater, I'm sure you realize! We
really should take a look at it ... NOW", she said looking at Nanny
and Mia while saying the last word as if to tell them to "get lost".
"Oh, yes. Indeed. I had forgotten", he said to Mrs. Daniels as he
turned to Nanny and Mia, "I do apologize! Perhaps, perhaps AFTER
class?"
"Yes! What a wonderful idea, then there is no rush. We will see you
then", said Mia tugging Nanny behind her as they stepped out into the
hall where Mia told her Great Aunt her plan. She explained to a
reluctant Nanny, that after they got to the cafe she would pretend to
get a phone call and have to go, leaving Nanny and Mr. Thompson to
chat alone and get to know one another.
"I don't know Mia...It's dishonest. It's juvenile. It's..."
"IT'S going to get you "in the door" and IT is GOING to work!"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Mia and Nanny sat at the cafe a couple of hours later waiting for Mr.
Thompson. They were waiting to get their beverages until he had joined
them. He was finishing up his paperwork with Mrs. Daniels as she
insisted, but entered a few minutes later and took the empty seat at
the table with a smile.
"Thank you for waiting ladies. I do appreciate it"
"Aoww, for sure, sure, sure", Nanny said, letting her accent slip.
"That Mrs. Daniels follows you around like a lost puppy!", Mia added.
Wilkes let out a little chuckle, "I suppose she does"
"Just as long as she doesn't start humping your leg! I'd be careful if
I were you, she looks like she may be in heat", Mia said, making both
the older adults eyes grow big, but soon Mr. Thompson let out a deep
laugh. This led Nanny to smile as well.
"Ms. Thermopolis, you are rather funny. Mrs. Daniels has taken
several of my classes and although I don't generally speak ill of
people as a rule... I must admit I dread seeing her every time"
"So...", Nanny said trying to change the subject. She did NOT come
here to talk about Mrs. Daniels, "Ha 'ow are you enjoying the class
thus far, Mr. Thompson?"
"Please call me Wilkes, Nan", he said giving her a shy smile which
flushed Nanny's cheeks, " I am enjoying it very much, thank you. A
good group! Lovely people...of course some that are more LOVELY then
the rest", he said looking rather longingly into Nanny's eyes.
Nanny's eyes grew big and quickly shot down to look at the floor,
surely he couldn't have meant that the way it had sounded. Could he
have?
Mia saw this as her chance to dash away and so she reached into her
pocket for her cell phone, " Excuse me, I think I'm buzzing", she said
pretending to answer her phone, "Hello?...Oh mom,
Hi!...What?...Oh...Oh no!...Well, I will be right there!", she said
tucking the phone back in her pocket, "That was my mother", she
explained to them both, "She has herself in a little predicament and
needs my help right away I'm afraid. Not to worry, everything will be
fine, but I'm afraid I must go"
"Oh dear, well you are a good daughter Ms. Thermopolis. Perhaps, a
rain check then?"
"Certainly Mr Thompson... And of course there is no reason why Aunt
Nan can't stay, so you two enjoy your coffee!", she said shooting a
little smile at Nanny before turning back to Mr. Thompson, "I will see
you next week then Mr. Thompson. It was a pleasure. Well, better get
going... Bye!"
Nanny watched as Mia disappeared through the door. She was trying hard
not to blush since there was absolutely no reason to, for Lord's sake!
Looking back over at Mr. Thompson, she found that he had been watching
her with a small smile.
"Aoww, Well, I, ah suppose we should get that coffee", she finally got out.
"Oh yes! Indeed, allow me. What would you like?"
She asked for a large good old black coffee. Wilkes opted for Tea.
After giving him her order she fumbled for her wallet, but you gave
her a "tosh, tosh" and so she put it away. Then he said something that
Nanny knew she was reading much to much into, but she just could not
help it!
"You can get it the next time", he said as he approached the counter.
Nanny couldn't help but smile, but she managed to stop by the time he
got back. Thanking him, she accepted her beverage and they both
settled in for what turned out to be a rather long chat. They talked
for several hours, a fact that shocked them both when they saw the
clerks were closing up. They talked about anything and everything.
They shared a little of both their pasts, talked about art and music
as well as foods they enjoyed and their opinions on various movies and
plays. She had felt so comfortable with him and they had talked so
long that eventually she let her true accent return completely.
Something he found endearing, not low class, as she had feared.
...PART ONE OF TWO
CHAPTER 7: MEET MR. THOMPSON (PART 2)
After the Cafe closed, Nanny was going to get a Taxi and head back to
the Plaza, but Wilkes insisted on driving her since his car was parked
right across the street and so she accepted. Nanny stood back as
Wilkes opened the passenger door for her. She smiled at him a bit
shyly as she slid in. They chatted more on their way to The Plaza,
which took a rather long time since there was quite a bit of traffic.
Wilkes eventually parked his Emerald green Jaguar not far from the
entrance to the lobby of Nanny's long time residence. Smiling over to
her as he cut the engine.
"It must be wonderful to live at The Plaza. It's a lovely place!"
"Oh, yes! Indeed it is. As I told you earlier. I 'ave lived 'ere for
quite a while now"
"So, you are planning to return to Education in the Fall you said, but
you have nothing lined up?"
"Oh no, no not yet, but I will be putting in resumes soon for sure, sure, sure"
"Well, we are looking for good teachers and I would be happy to have
you in MY school system. Would you consider applying? ...Or, Well, you
haven't even seen which positions are available have you? I'm sorry to
put you on the spot. They will be listed in the news paper shortly,
but I will bring the list of positions next week for you and Ms.
Thermopolis to look through, just in case you, you know, see something
you might like to apply for"
"Well, that's very kind of you. Thank you Mr. Thompson. I'm afraid I
have not taught in a number of years, but I do have past experience"
"Tosh, tosh...that is what refresher courses like the ones you have
been taking are for! I have read your theories on education and child
development and feel assured that any school would benefit from your
teaching there"
"Well, THANK you Mr. Thompson. You are very kind"
"I am just being honest and please call me Wilkes. You know, I have
carried around the first closing paper you wrote for me from that very
first class you took. I use it as a example for all my classes. I pass
it around on the first day as I explain what will be due at the end of
the course, siting that it is one of the better papers I have read. A
little inspiration, if you will. Of course I didn't pass it around
tonight, as I didn't want to embarrass you. The paper, it was on..."
"Teaching with Music and the Importance of the Arts in Education",
they said together.
They both laughed a bit as their voices met in unison and then as
their smiles faded they stared at each other for a moment, unsure of
what they saw in each others eyes.
Nanny finally broke the spell, "Aoww, you are just being nice. You
don't really carry that paper around with you do you?"
Wilkes looked back at her seriously. He then reached between the seats
to grab his bag. He rummaged through it and soon emerged with a paper
in red plastic binding and handed it to her.
Nanny reached in her purse for her reading glasses, saying as she did
so, "Now see... This can't be my paper. I never put a binding on it",
but as she slipped her glasses on and opened the front cover she saw
that it was her paper. The first one she had so nervously written for
this man who was her instructor. A man she admired and respected. She
had been terrified at the time that he might read it and think her,
well, stupid. In the end she had been overjoyed that he had liked it
and had given her an A...but now to know that he used as a example
for others was truly flattering. She looked up to meet his eyes,
willing tears to not appear.
"I added the binding. It is a most valuable teaching tool you see and
I wanted to keep it safe. If I may say, Nan, you do not give yourself
enough credit for how incredibly intelligent and, well, charming you
are"
Nanny was turning a nice shade of beat red from his compliments, but
she was so touched she almost didn't care. Almost. She closed the
binding and handed the paper back to Wilkes, who carefully put it
away. As he put his bag back, she took off her reading glasses which
she thought made her look rather old and placed them on the seat next
to her.
"Thank you for showing me that and, well, for believing in me I
suppose. It means a great deal to me", she said just above a whisper
as she examined her hands.
Wilkes stared at this woman who he had been admiring for months, who
now sat right beside him. She was lovely, inside and out, but had
little self esteem. He realized then, with a slight sense of panic,
that he wanted nothing more then to take her into his arms and kiss
her until she understood how wonderful she was.
Feeling his gaze on her, she turned to look at him. What was he
thinking? She had no idea, but thought that he might be interested in
her beyond her ideas on Education. He was looking at her rather
intently. Too, too, too embarrassed to look at him any longer, she
looked down at her hands once again, as she did so she spotted the
time on her watch.
"Oh my Lord! I really must, must, must be going now. My family might
worry...", she said as she reached for the door handle.
"Oh, Please, please allow me!", Wilkes said as he dashed around to
open the door for her. The gesture was rather old fashioned, but Nanny
thought it was sweet and enjoyed it all the same.
Taking his hand to help her up, she felt a small bit of electricity in
her veins at his touch, which she tried to ignore.
"Thank you. I 'ad a wonderful time tonight Wilkes", as she said this
she cursed herself. It's not as if they had been on a date, but his
sincere reply put her at ease.
"I had a wonderful time as well! I find I rather enjoy talking to you
Nan. I hope we have another opportunity soon for some, well, one- on-
one time, as it were"
"That would be lovely. I really should go now I'm afraid"
"Yes, yes of course. Well, good night Nan"
"Good night Wilkes", she said as they stood staring at each other for
a moment before she turned and walked towards The Plaza. She had never
been so aware of what the back of her might look like. She hoped her
skirt was not too, too, too wrinkled from all the sitting she had
done.
As it turned out Wilkes had briefly, and rather ungentlemanly he
thought, been looking at her skirt, but NOT to look for wrinkles. As
she disappeared into The Plaza, he looked down at the passenger seat
and saw that Nan had left her glasses behind. Should he rush in and
try to catch her? Surely she would need them before next week...or
perhaps he could stop by with them in the morning. This would give him
another opportunity to see her as well. He smiled as he closed the
door and got into the driver's seat. He would return tomorrow.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Charlotte looked around at the mess in the living room and decided she
would leave it for tomorrow, since it was already so late. The three
of them had a wonderful night of watching movies, Shades brought over
"Shrek" to add to the others, and eating pizza and snacks. They had
laughed and danced and sang and ate, ate, ate! Shades and Eloise were
now on the floor fast asleep. Eloise had her head on shades chest, he
had on a Burger King crown which Eloise had gotten from her room for
him so he would "match" Momma Charlotte. Eloise had her mouth open, a
twizzler sticking out of the corner and her own Hello Kitty "Shades"
on. Charlotte thought they made quite a sweet picture. She plucked the
candy from Eloise's mouth and covered them both with a blanket. She
didn't want to wake her to have her brush her teeth, so she let that
notion go. After brushing her own teeth and changing she came back in
the room ready to get comfortable on the sofa. She planned to sleep
there, near her two sleeping beauties, but didn't want to go to sleep
until Nanny got home. She was a little bit worried, but tried to relax
since Mia had stopped by earlier to tell her she had gone for a coffee
with this Mr. Thompson.
There was a knock at the door. She thought for a moment that it might
be Nanny, but why would she knock? Charlotte opened the door to find
Mia, clad in her pajamas.
"Sorry, but I couldn't wait to hear the details!"
"I thought we already did that earlier"
"What? Oh, no not about you and Shades, which, by the way, I am sooo
happy about, once again! No, I meant Nanny and Mr. Thompson. I can't
wait to grill her for details! Is she still up?"
"Well...She's not here actually"
"What? Well, where is...Oh my god! Did she come home yet?"
"No...and I'm getting kind of worried"
"Oh, if you had seen those two tonight you wouldn't be worried! He
LIKES her Charlotte, a lot!"
"So you said, I just wished she would call. I also wish she had a cell phone"
"Yeah, we really have to get her one. Well, listen. If she is not back
in a hour and you're still worried, come knock on my door and we'll go
and find her, although I'm not sure where Mr. Thompson lives"
"Why does that mater?"
"Well, I assume that's where they went after the cafe. Maybe to talk
more privately OR make wild passionate love"
"Mia!"
"Well, I don't know! They really like each other! She's not home yet!
And at their age why waste time?"
"Ok, if I am still worried in a hour I will come and get you. I don't
want to wake Clarisse and Joe though"
"Oh, they abandoned me! There was a note when I came home from class
saying they had left to go use a friends cabin in New Hampshire. Joe
must of wrote the note because it said:
"Gone to friends Cabin in N.H.,
Hot Tub + Fire Place + Seclusion,
Equals don't call us we'll call you,
Back in a couple days"
Anyway, Lilly's coming over soon. She's a night owl. We're going to
stay up and talk quite late I would think"
"I see, well I will come and get you if I need you, but I'm sure
you're right and she's fine"
A voice from behind Mia made them both term.
"I'm SO sorry girls! I 'ad you worried 'ad't I? I lost track of time!
When I saw the time I could just not believe it, for Lord's sake!"
"We're just glad you're home Nanny. I was a bit worried, but it's ok.
We are going to get you a cell phone though", Charlotte said, relief
washing over her. She had been more worried then she had realized.
Staying out late at night with or without calling was something Nanny
had never done, ever! Seeing her standing bashfully in front of them
as safe as could be, made her realize how much she truly loved this
woman.
"So!", Mia said slyly, "Where HAVE you been young lady?"
"We were in the Cafe, talking!"
"The cafe closed almost two hours ago! Nice try though"
" Aoww, now Mia! We DID sit and talk in the cafe! For hours, which I
can't believe it just went by so, so, so fast! Then as it was closing
we went to Wilke's car and he gave me a ride. There was rather a lot
of traffic and then when we got out front we talked for quite a while
more, before I saw the time and said goodnight"
"Sure!", said Mia, checking Nanny's clothes to see if they were mussed
or misbuttoned.
"It's the TRUTH Amelia!"
"Now you sound like Grandma!"
"Do I have to go and get her to remind you to mind your manners or can
you be a lady on your own?"
"Ouch! Ok, I'm sorry Aunt Nan. I was just teasing...anyway Grandma and
Joe went to New Hampshire for a couple days, so your on your own
there, but I will give you your privacy. I didn't intend to...
Overstep. I am sorry"
"Aoww, No Mia, I'm sorry! You have gone out of your way to help me and
here I am treating you this way for a little harmless teasing! I'm
sorry. I'm just very, very, very tired... And maybe a bit confused"
"About? Never mind, none of my business!"
"Its ok Mia. Its just...Wilkes, Mr. Thompson that is. I'm not really
sure what I'm supposed to be feeling with regard to him. I'm finding
that I, well, that I really like him. However, he is my instructor and
clearly from a higher class then myself and, well, I 'ave no idea if
the feelings I 'ave may be returned"
"I saw him look at you tonight Aunt Nan. They're returned"
"Well, its all too, too, too much to think about right now. I think we
should all go to bed"
"Ok, I'm going, but let me leave you with this my darling Aunt. Number
one, it's not what you SHOULD be feeling, you simply feel what you
feel! Number two, the class ends in a few weeks, so who cares if he is
your instructor! Number three, NO one is above you. You are the
kindest, sweetest most considerate person I have ever known...others
are below YOU. On the flip side of that coin, your twin sister is a
former Queen of a small European Country, so there you have it! And
number four, HE WANTS YOU! Ok? I love you, I'll be over in the morning
for details, but only if you want to give them. It'll be late morning
though, cause Lilly's coming over. Good night!"
"Aoww, my darling girl!", Nan said kissing Mia, "Good night and thank you!"
Mia smiled at Nanny and said good night to Charlotte before retreating
back down the hall to her own suite. Nanny and Charlotte then looped
arms and entered their suite. Nanny gasped when she saw the site in
front of her.
"Oh, I'm sorry Nanny! We will clean up in the morning"
Nanny turned to Charlotte smiling and gestured towards shades, "The
mess was NOT the reason for my reaction. You patched things up! Oh,
Charlotte I am so happy for you two!"
Charlotte smiled back at Nanny, "Thank you Nanny. I am happy for you as well!"
...PART 2 OF 2 / TO BE CONTINUED
