Chapter Twenty-Nine
Folia numquam frustrata expectatione - 'Disappointment never leaves'
March 10th 1989
18.07pm
Elizabeth came through the front door of her home, the door slammed behind her as the blustering winds pushed behind it. The storm had taken a hold of the evening, it was like the opera of the skies, determined to be heard as it sang out, a magnificent display of dramatics for all to see. Henry called out alerting Elizabeth to the fact he was in the Kitchen. She slipped her wet coat off from her body and hung it up before going to see him.
'Hey you, how was your first day of leave?' She smiled seeing him, she always enjoyed seeing him but there was something about coming home to him in her home that made her heart dance. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his back softly as he stood at her skin washing up. She watched as he placed a glass on the draining board, watching the suds drip down and her mind flashed back to the very moment she knew she was falling for Henry.
'Remember that evening here where I was washing up and you came in turning the radio on and we danced?' She asked.
'Yeah, I'll never forget it. I knew I was falling for you that night' he turned in her arms and reached for the towel to dry his hands
'Me too, I remember when I was washing up and looking out the window thinking it was only a matter of time, it was inevitable' she reflected.
'I don't think the weather was much better then than it is now' he joked as the window rattled the windows behind them.
'Probably not, but it doesn't matter, because were safe inside. The storm can't hurt us in here' she grinned and rested her head on his chest, holding him tighter. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head softly, inhaling her scent.
'You're back a little later than planned, everything ok?' He asked
'Hmm, I had to call the CIA head office but I couldn't get through I think the storm is interfearing' she shook her head displaying her annoyance as she stood back from his embrace and looked out of the window.
'Call the CIA?' He looked at her confused, this was the first time he'd heard of this.
'Yeah I tried to get in contact with you earlier but the signal has been rubbish all day, its nothing important. They sent an email around to myself a few others offering the opportunity to move to DC and complete the rest of our studies whilst training up for the CIA. The email went on to explain how then from that we should be at a point where we can basically get into work right away and learn the ropes with the opportunity to do somewhere abroad. I mean it wasn't that black and white but that's it in a nutshell' she explained as she walked to the fridge looking for something to eat.
'Elizabeth that is fantastic news…'
'Im not taking the opportunity so do not get ahead of yourself McCord, they stated In the email that even if we didn't take this offer that our future positions at the CIA are still appointed, so I will still be joining them in seven months when I finish all my studies. We have no food.' She huffed slamming the fridge door shut.
'Elizabeth you have to take this' he argued back with her
'Henry its ok, It doesn't suit us and that's fine' she smiled, confident with her decision
'Elizabeth no' his voice dipped low, he shook his head and closed his eyes. He couldn't let her throw away an offer like this
'Henry listen to me, I am not accepting the offer. I cannot move to DC whilst you're about to join the Marines in two weeks, we would be so far apart and then what, I am down there whilst you're here in the base, we wouldn't see one another and then you'll be deployed and, what? Come back home here to Virginia as I'm cast of abroad somewhere for god knows how long? I know I said deployment and distance won't break us apart but it doesn't mean I am prepared to sacrifice our relationship all together Henry, you're too important too me for that' her words fell effortlessly from her lips, soft and gently as she expressed her thoughts. Henry listened to her speak and swallowed hard, his guilt crept inside him and squeezed him tightly.
'Elizabeth…'
'Henry it's ok, at least this way I can still see you for the odd lunch break or one day at the weekend' she smiled and turned back to the fridge opening it again
'Elizabeth'
'I am so hungry, do we have any food in the house?'
'Elizabeth'
'Do you want to cook or shall I order in?'
'GOD DAMN IT ELIZABETH' he snapped slamming his fists onto the kitchen work top. She jumped out of her skin and her body froze upon hearing his tone. She turned to look at him, fear plagued her eyes as she looked towards him. Silence lingered between them, as the winds continued to howl outside, the thunder began to roll in, livid black clouds lingering ready to unleash all they hold.
'Henry you're scaring me' her voice cracked, she gripped the sleeves of her jumper as her hands shook, something wasn't right she knew that and it terrified her.
'Iraq, my first deployment is Iraq, for a minimum of twelve months due to some training they want me to carry out' she watched him looking down at the counter as he spoke, his sharp words escaping his mouth
'When?' She managed to muster a reply
'I have to leave in three weeks' a small sob fell from his lips. His reality crashing around him, he couldn't dare look at her as he heard a heart wrenching sigh escape her lips, he knew she would be stood with tears pricked in her eyes and her hands cupped over her mouth as his words raced around in her head.
'How long?' Her breath shook as she tried not to lose control
'Twelv-'
'No, how long have you known. When did you find this out? There is no way they told you this today, that training programme would have been set up months ago so… How long?' Her words shook as they bounced back at him
'Since that meeting I had in October, five months ago' his words full of deceit. She closed her eyes as his sharp words drove into her, stabbing her through to the core. The sounds of the storm outside echoed through the room, the thunder clapped, almost as if they were applauding henrys performance. The tress withered and flailed as their groans of pain were carried by the wind, screaming out in a fit of consuming rage, an emotion that Elizabeth could connect with as she looked at the man before her.