AN: Once upon a time, Hetwaszoietsals asked if I would consider writing a story in which either Henry or Elizabeth was disabled when they met. Honestly, it was a crazy request and I was planning on dismissing it, and then a scene formed in my head. That scene is in this chapter. I stopped whatever else I was working on and wrote that scene. It sat in my Google Drive for a long time, untouched. Then NaNoWriMo came around and this story took shape around that scene. Other than having vision problems myself (not blindness) I knew nothing. I spent a lot of time researching skills that Elizabeth would need and how she might function. There is a great deal of fiction in this story, but I hope it's still enjoyable.
I'd love to hear what you think and you can thank Hetwaszoietsals for an offbeat prompt that turned into a half decent story! Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 10
Days fell into weeks and on the first warm Saturday, Elizabeth's phone rang. She stared at it. Joan didn't really care to do much on Saturdays. She never called. It rang again. Her hand hovered over the receiver as she tried to decide who would call her. Elizabeth grabbed it when the shrill ring echoed in the room again. "Hello?"
"Elizabeth?"
"Henry! Why are you calling? Wait! Wait. That wasn't what I meant. I just wondered why you called me. You've never called me before." Elizabeth's words tumbled out as she became more frazzled.
Henry laughed softly. "I guess I haven't. I suppose I should change that so I don't catch you off guard. Anyway, have you been outside?"
"Not yet, I was going to walk over and grab lunch in a bit."
Henry smiled. "Skip that. It's gorgeous outside and it's supposed to snow tomorrow. We need to seize the day."
"I don't know…" Elizabeth started.
"Of course you don't know and you won't know, but I think you'll have fun. When was the last time you had fun?" Henry teased.
The question made Elizabeth feel vulnerable. "I can have fun," she replied softly, although she tried to pinpoint the last time she really had fun. As her memories inched toward the time her parents were alive, she closed that door in her mind. She ignored the pressure building in her chest. "What are you proposing?" she asked.
"If I told you, you'd probably try to find a reason to not go. And, Elizabeth, I really want you to go." She sighed. "Wear old clothes and I'll pick you up in 30 minutes." Henry hung up and Elizabeth continued to hold the phone to her ear. What did I just agree to?
Henry felt the nervous energy race through his body. He hoped that she would enjoy herself. It was definitely a risk. He pulled up in front of the dorm and waited. He grinned when she walked out of the door. Elizabeth definitely had not been outside. She wore her heavy wool coat, scarf and gloves. It was nearly 60℉. She frowned and her expression made Henry giggle.
He hopped out of the truck. "Are you ready?"
"I think I need to change," she said, tugging at her gloves.
"You're fine. You can just take your coat off and if you get chilled, I have a sweatshirt you can wear. Come on." He slipped his hand around hers and led her down the sidewalk and opened the truck door.
As Henry maneuvered his truck out of Charlottesville, Elizabeth's anxiety grew. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"On an adventure," he replied.
Sensing she wasn't going to get any more information, she settled back and closed her eyes. It was eerily reminiscent of the times she had done so as a child each time her parents made the trip from town to the farm. As the road twisted, her body shifted slightly to one side, then the other and when Henry slowed to turn on a gravel road, the bottom dropped out of her stomach. He was taking her home, not to Joan's, but to where she'd grown up. How could he possibly know?
She was a little confused when he pulled to a stop in a different place, what seemed to be a parking lot of sorts. Elizabeth tried to breathe slowly and she tried to remain calm, but she wasn't sure what Henry had in mind.
Henry watched her from the corner of his eye and while, at first, he thought she was just apprehensive about the surprise aspect, but he noticed how rigid she became and how she tucked her lips in nervously. He wondered if this had been a bad idea.
When he opened the truck door, it took her a moment to move, but then she took a deep breath and slid to the ground. She offered a pensive look. "So, what are we doing?"
"I thought we'd try horseback riding," Henry said. "This place is called Brownfield Farms and they give lessons."
"Oh." There was a torrent of emotion that churned inside her. She struggled to maintain composure. Obviously, Henry didn't realize where they were and she could just keep that to herself, but the flood of memories and the idea of riding again brought so many memories so close to the surface.
He watched as she closed her eyes and stood stock still. I definitely should not have sprung this on her. But he was shocked when she opened her eyes and gave him a forced smile and said, "Let's go then." She listened for a moment and then started walking in the direction of the barn. How did she know where to go?
She beat him into the barn by about six paces. When she was young, they had four horses and the stalls ran along the west wall with a fifth in the front that served more for storage. The wheelbarrow, rakes, and a few extra bales of straw could be found there for mucking stalls every Saturday morning.
It seemed that they'd arrived a bit late for that, for the smell of fresh straw was in the air. The horses came to the front of the stalls, shuffling with low nickers, waiting to be petted and perhaps given a treat. There were more horses now, She could hear them, snorting and pawing in the straw. Stalls were now against the east wall as well. She could remember her father's small farm tractor parked there, used primarily for blading the snow off of the driveway or hauling hedge posts out into the pasture to mend the fence. She wondered where the new owners now kept that kind of equipment.
Henry stepped forward, pulling her out of her reverie. "Do you want to say hi?" He asked. She nodded and moved toward the stalls. She'd obviously been around horses before, because she wasn't nearly as cautious as Henry, stroking their muzzles and talking softly to them. He read each one's name from the placard on the stall door and she murmured sweetly to them.
It was when they stepped in front of the fourth stall, in the far corner, and the horse moved forward just the same as the others. But as Elizabeth put her hand up, the horse snorted and pushed its muzzle into Elizabeth's shoulder. She stumbled back a step and Henry quickly reached out in case she lost her balance. He thought she'd be wary, especially since the horse seemed agitated and pawed at the straw in the stall and pushed against the door. She stood, with a look of complete disbelief and then surged forward, wrapping her arms around the horse's neck. "Red," she murmured and Henry saw the tears run down her face. Glancing at the nameplate, he couldn't believe it when he saw the name, Lady in Red. The horse was true to its name, her dark red coat was almost brown and shimmered when it caught the shards of light the forced their way through cracks in the walls.
"Elizabeth?" He posed her name as a question, not really sure what he was asking. What is going on? Are you alright? Why are you crying?
Elizabeth was excited to see the horses. She hadn't been around a horse since the month after her parents' deaths, when it was decided that it was in everyone's best interests to sell the farm. Elizabeth had been heartbroken, but at the time, it was just one more thing to be sad about. She didn't even think she said a word. She just tucked that hurt in alongside everything else.
She wouldn't have even thought to dream that her horse would still be on the property. It had been years since the farm sold. Elizabeth just assumed that the horses were sold separately. But, then Red shoved her. She'd know that nicker and smell anywhere. She clung to the horse and cried. Then Henry's hand was on her shoulder. She'd forgotten he was even there. Elizabeth quickly wiped away the tears and with her hand still stroking Red's neck, she said, "Henry, I'd like you to meet Red. Once upon a time, she was my horse."
Henry's mouth dropped in surprise. He was speechless. Of all of the things that could happen, he couldn't have dreamed this if he tried. He was just about to ask more, but a voice rang out from the opening in the barn. "You Henry McCord?"
Henry pivoted on his heel and found a man, a good ten years older than himself, standing there, wearing cowboy boots, Wranglers, a plaid shirt and a denim jacket. Henry thought that he sure played the part of the cowboy well.
"Yes, sir. My friend and I would like to ride. I know I said that we would both need lessons, but it appears that she is already familiar with horseback riding."
The man tilted his head slightly to look over Henry's shoulder and furrowed his brow. "Lady isn't much for riding. You'd probably do better with Sonny or Trooper."
"Her name's Red and she and I will get along just fine."
Henry's gaze shifted between the two. Red was nuzzled against Elizabeth, with her neck against Elizabeth's shoulder, almost like she was hugging Elizabeth. Henry couldn't quite read the owner's look, it seemed to be part dismay and part awe. For a moment, Henry thought the man was going to tell Elizabeth no. But, then, he started walking forward and passed Henry without so much as a glance. "Red, huh? You've ridden her before?"
Elizabeth nodded. "It's been quite a while, but yeah, I've ridden her."
At the man's approach, Red strained against the stall door, pushing into Elizabeth. Elizabeth stroked her neck, "Shh, girl. It'll be alright." Elizabeth moved closer and the horse stepped back, allowing Elizabeth to open the stall door.
"I'm Darryl, by the way. My wife, Jeanna, and I, own Brownfield Farms." He moved back and grabbed the bridle from the wall and returned to Red. The horse whinnied and pulled away.
"I've got it," Elizabeth said and when she took the bridle, she shook her head and handed it back. "No bit."
"I don't think that's a good idea. La-I mean Red, can be easily spooked." Darryl surveyed Elizabeth, trying to gauge just how skilled she might be.
"I said no bit. I never used one when I used to ride her. I don't plan on starting now." There was almost a demanding tone to Elizabeth's words. It was something that Henry had never heard before. She'd never really contradicted anything other than the day she found out he was following her to class, and that was more frustration at Joan and adrenaline from the situation.
Darryl finally shrugged and moved to a side room, one that Henry assumed was for equipment. He returned momentarily with a bridle without a bit, a blanket and saddle thrown over his arm. He balanced the saddle on the stall wall and threw the blanket over Red while Elizabeth stroked the horse's neck talking softly to her. She felt the bridle and once she got it oriented, she slipped it over the horse's muzzle and looped it behind her ears.
Red jumped when Darryl put the saddle on, but didn't shy away the way she usually did. Darryl seemed to be impressed. When he cinched it down and made sure it was secure, Elizabeth led Red out of the barn. She looked over her shoulder. "Where can I ride her?" she asked.
Darryl looked over to the riding ring that was just to Elizabeth's left and frowned. It seemed like an odd question to ask. Henry sensed what was going on. He was trying to figure out what the best way out of the situation was, when Elizabeth asked, "Can I take her out back in the pasture? Have you fenced it off or anything?"
A look of doubt crept up on Darryl's face and Henry was sure that he was going to say no, but then Elizabeth felt for the stirrup and shifted her foot into it and swung up on the gathered the reins around her hands and quickly turned Red to face the men. "So?" she asked.
Darryl grinned, obviously surprised. "Hold on. Let me get the gate," He walked around to the side of the barn and opened a gate. The only fence that's back there is at the foot of the ridge of the south side. Other than that, you should be good."
Elizabeth nodded and nudged her feet against Red's side. Red whipped her head up and trotted through the gate. Darryl shut it behind them and shook his head.
Henry was standing there when Daryyl rounded the corner. "She seems to know what she wants, and I've never seen that horse so calm."
Henry nodded, only half understanding, "She said that Red used to be her horse."
The man's eyes went wide. "The horse was hers? My wife and I bought the farm from some older lady who was selling the property for her brother. The only stipulation was that the horses that were here could never be sold. The other three horses have always been docile, but Lady, I mean Red, never took to us. She's always been standoffish."
"I think the horse might be quite a bit like her previous owner," Henry mused. He was still thinking when Darryl spoke.
"Seems like she's going to be okay. Why don't we get started on that lesson for you?"
Elizabeth had been out for more than an hour when her stomach rumbled and the clouds moved in front of the sun, allowing a slight chill to settle over her. It was then that she remembered Henry. Her mouth dropped open and she let out a gasp. "We need to get back, girl," she said. Red snuffed, made a wide arc and they set off at a canter in the direction they'd just come.
Red led the way back to the barn and stopped at the gate. Elizabeth pursed her lips. She hadn't intended on having to open the gate, but if that's what she needed to do, then that's what she would do. She dismounted and walked forward, reaching her hand out, hoping to feel the gate. "Where is it, girl?" she murmured and Red's nose was at her back, pushing her forward and to the right. She reached out just in time to touch the gate and slide her hand along the rail. Her hand ran over the chain and she felt around to see how it was looped. Pulling it free, she shoved at the gate and then walked through. Darryl met her at the corner of the barn. Hearing his footsteps, she held out the chain and he took it from her.
"Sorry about that. I didn't think you'd be back for a while," he said.
"I got hungry," she shrugged.
Red nudged Elizabeth so she could lead him into the barn. Once in the barn, Elizabeth deftly reached under Red, felt the buckle and loosened the strap. Darryl pulled the saddle off and then the blanket followed. Elizabeth led her into the stall, immediately laying her hand on the narrow shelf inside expecting to find the brush, but it wasn't there. Darryl said, "Looking for this?" He held up the brush. Elizabeth pulled the bridle over Red's ears and down her nose, and held it out. He took it but looked confused when she held her hand out for the brush when he was holding it not six inches from her. After a moment, he shrugged and put it in her hand and she began methodically brushing Red down.
Darryl watched her and then retreated back outside to where Henry was riding in wide circles in the pen to the side of the barn. "How'd she do?" Henry asked.
"Seems like she did just fine. She's brushing Red down now. Without seeing it with my own eyes, I never would've believed it. Red's a different horse around your girl."
"She's just my friend and I'm sure she had a good time. Thank you for letting her take the horse out. Sounds like they both enjoyed it." Henry smiled. It wasn't exactly what he had envisioned when he saw the ad in the newspaper, but as long as Elizabeth had a good time. That was all that really mattered to him.
They stopped to pick up some burgers and fries on the way back and ate in the parking lot next to the dorm. They ate without speaking, only the sounds of paper wrappers crinkling and chewing broke the silence.
Elizabeth wadded up her burger wrapper and shoved it inside the fry box. "Thank you for today. I never even realized how much I missed riding until I was out in the pasture. There's something completely freeing about letting the horse just take you away. You turn over control and the wind's in your hair and you can't catch your breath, but in a good way. It's kind of hard to explain."
Henry's chest swelled with happiness. Just looking at her, he could tell there was a change. She seemed like she'd softened somehow, maybe relaxed. That amused him, because he felt anything but relaxed on top of that horse. "I'm glad you had a good time. I think we'll need to go back. I'm probably going to need several lessons if I ever want Darryl to trust me to ride outside of the ring.
Elizabeth smiled. "I'd like that."
Henry fought the urge to place his hand beneath her chin, tilting her head up to kiss her. Instead, he quickly fumbled for the door handle and rolled out of the truck. The air, which was now turning cooler, served to clear his head. He walked around the front end of the truck and moved to open the door for her.
"How about I fix you dinner tonight?" he asked, pushing the door shut once she stepped away.
"I need to shower and I have some homework to do," she said. Normally, Henry wouldn't push, but they'd had such a nice day and something within him yearned to keep it going.
"Well, it's 3 o'clock now. How about I let you do whatever you need to do and I'll pick you up at 7? I'll make spaghetti."
Elizabeth grinned, "Spaghetti, huh? You're pulling out all of the stops. Will there be wine with dinner?"
"You're underage," Henry reminded her, his tone teasing.
She leaned in close and whispered, "I won't tell." Her breath floated past his cheek and sent a wave of goosebumps across his body.
— ∞ —
Although he offered a feeble protest, Henry poured Elizabeth the second glass of wine. After a sip, she set the glass back down and pulled the napkin from her lap. "Do I have sauce on my face?" she asked.
Henry grinned and guided the hand holding the napkin to the left corner of her mouth. "Just a bit," he said. "Are you finished? I'll take your plate."
She nodded and allowed Henry to take the plate, but wrapped her fingers around the tumbler. "I'm keeping this," she said, shooting him a shy smile. Rising, Elizabeth turned and counted the steps in her mind. 2 ,3, 4 Her hand brushed the door frame. 1, 2, 3 Elizabeth's thigh grazed the arm of the upholstered chair, which she deftly moved around. And 2 to the couch. When her knees hit the cushion, she reached out to make sure the end table was still there and placed the glass wine down before flopping into Henry's secondhand, broken down couch.
She listened to the stream of water running into the kitchen sink, the scraping of the fork knocking the few stray pieces of pasta from Henry's plate. Elizabeth was sure it had to be Henry's plate because she was positive that she'd found every noodle there was and had left hers empty. The dishes slid into the sink, the water was turned off and the soft thump of Henry's footfalls indicated he was coming to join her.
Elizabeth let her eyes fall closed. It had been a good day. The ride, followed by the food and wine relaxed her. She couldn't remember if there had ever been a time she was so at ease. Henry stopped at the bookcase and she heard the strike of the match a split second before she smelled the sulfur. It only took a moment for the aroma of apples and cinnamon to waft through the air.
Elizabeth couldn't help herself. "Candles? Are you trying to seduce me?" She smiled as Henry chuckled.
Henry surveyed Elizabeth nestled into the corner of the couch, her ponytail flipped over the back of the couch, eyes closed, soft smile illuminating her features. She was so beautiful. Was he trying to seduce her? No, but would he mind if she was interested? Definitely not. The more time they spent together, the harder he fell. He only wished that someday she would be open to feeling that way about him. He pushed those thoughts away. They weren't helpful. Turning back to the conversation, he replied. "More like combatting the overwhelming oregano stench I currently have."
"I like oregano too," she said, and her smile grew wider. "Thank you for dinner. It was wonderful."
"The wine wasn't half bad either," he said, sitting down.
The couch dipped as his body sank down into the cushions. Elizabeth sat up, taking a long drink from her glass. "No it isn't." She set the glass down and allowed herself to fall back.
Her hand landed on Henry's. She thought for a moment about pulling away, but his touch made her feel warm, comforted. Instead of moving it away, she slipped her hand beneath his and stroked his palm.
Henry stared down at their hands. He observed the tendons in her wrist flex with each movement of her fingers. Just as he was about to lace their fingers together, she cleared her throat.
In hindsight, Elizabeth thought it was the wine that finally put words to a thought that had been held inside for quite some time. "I was just thinking about my situation and how we get along okay."
Henry's face contorted as he tried to figure out where she was going with this line of thought. "Of course, we do," he murmured.
"Yeah, so my options to be involved in a permanent relationship are kind of limited. I was just thinking that maybe sometime you would, we could…" Her words trailed off and Henry turned fully to face her, but he didn't move his hand, which Elizabeth now squeezed. She forced the words out before she lost her nerve "...we could sleep together."
Henry's mouth fell open and he tried retracting his hand, but she held on to it, continuing her thought. "I know it's a big ask. I just want to feel, you know, pretend, that someone loved me. I want to have that experience, just once."
Her head was turned and it felt like she was staring at him. Henry felt like he had been sucker punched. He couldn't draw a breath. His heart hurt. All this time he'd spent with Elizabeth, falling for her more each day, and she was oblivious, and obviously felt nothing for him.
He stood and pulled away from her, but as he turned, he watched the blush flood her face and her hand flew to cover her mouth. "Oh my God. I-I'm sorry. I can't believe I just said that. Just forget about it, okay. It was dumb and presumptuous." Elizabeth stood abruptly and quickly took a step without thinking, whacking her shin against the coffee table in the process.
"Dammit," she muttered.
"Elizabeth," Henry said, taking hold of her elbow.
She yanked away, stepping around the end of the table. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. She reached out, feeling for her denim jacket. Elizabeth whispered, "Can you please take me home?"
Turning the door knob, Elizabeth stepped out onto the porch 2, 3, step down, 2, 3, 4, sidewalk 6, 7, over the crack, 9, step down, truck. Elizabeth's fingers brushed over the familiar form of Henry's truck around the front end and to the passenger door. She pushed the button on the handle and pulled. It was locked. She stood, nervously shifting her weight on the balls of her feet and waited for Henry to unlock the driver's door and climb in. He reached across and unlocked her door.
Elizabeth climbed inside and pulled the heavy door shut. Henry studied her. She looked straight ahead, her cheeks and ears still bright red. When he didn't immediately start the truck, she closed her eyes and tucked her bottom lip in an effort to ward off tears.
"Elizabeth?'
"Please, Henry," she mumbled.
Henry sighed, turned the key in the ignition and the truck roared to life. He backed out of his spot and turned into the street. It was a short drive, but the silence weighed on Henry and as much as he wanted to lay his intentions out, he didn't think she'd be very receptive. He knew that she wouldn't believe him if he told her that he already had feelings for her, but he needed to do something.
"What are you doing?" Elizabeth asked, as Henry rolled to a stop. "We aren't at my dorm yet."
"I know, but I wanted to say something and if I took you straight back, you'd barrel out and disappear on me." Henry took a chance and reached out, taking her hand.
Elizabeth's stomach was already clenched in a knot, a combination of the wine and a liberal dose of embarrassment. Then when Henry came to a stop, at least a full two blocks from her dorm, bile rose to the back of her throat. She was trapped and had no idea what he was going to say. Then he took her hand. It was sweaty. He was definitely nervous.
"Look. I like you," he started.
"You are paid to like me," she interrupted.
"No. Last semester, I was paid to walk you to class. Now, I choose to spend time with you, because I like you. I like spending time with you. I think you are a beautiful person. I wish you could see that in yourself."
"I don't see much of anything," she replied, with just enough of an edge to her voice to show she was fighting back tears.
"You see a lot of things. You just don't use your eyes. Being blind doesn't mean you won't find someone. You'd find someone special if you'd just open your heart to it."
With that, he returned his hands to the wheel, put the truck into gear and pulled back out on the street. Within a minute, he had pulled to a stop in front of Elizabeth's dorm. Elizabeth started to get out, but Henry's words stopped her in her tracks. "You never let me answer your question. The answer is yes, but not until I know for certain that you aren't pretending anything."
A lump formed in the back of her throat at what that might mean. Her voice cracked as she looked over her shoulder and asked "Was?"
"Was what?" Henry questioned.
She turned to lean on the truck door and faced him. "You said 'I was paid.' What did you mean?"
"I thought you knew. I haven't been paid anything since last semester. I told Joan that I couldn't accept money for doing something I would do anyway."
"Henry, what are you doing for money then?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's not important. The point is that I like you, for you. It's not because I'm being paid to and not because I pity you, or any of the other reasons you'll come up with for why I probably don't really like you."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to argue, but then closed it. Henry knew her better than she'd like to admit. She was still thinking about that when he spoke again. "So? I'll be here at 7:40 to walk with you to class on Monday. Meet you out front. Oh, and the sidewalk up to the door is right behind you."
With little else to say, she stepped back and closed the door. She made it halfway up the sidewalk 7, 8, 9 when she heard the clunk followed by the squeak of his door opening.
"Hey! What are you doing Friday night?" he asked.
She stopped, but didn't turn. "Why?"
"I'd like to take you out. On a date. What do you say?"
In spite of herself, the corners of her mouth turned up into a small smile. She continued to walk 10, 11, 12. "I'll let you know Monday morning when you pick me up."
Elizabeth pushed the door open and retreated inside. As she made her way up the stairs, she knew she had a phone call to make.
Henry stood by the side of his truck watching her go inside. He smiled. She hadn't said no and he was hopeful that would mean yes.