Part 4
XXPMDSXX
Luxurious homes surrounded the campus, in particular, the dean's house, the governor's mansion, and a couple of other residences were nestled close by. It was a respectable neighborhood low in crime due to security sweeping the area day and night.
Paul checked his wristwatch noticing it was nearly four o'clock when he spotted Della leaving the women's dorm. Intrigued, he noticed she had freshly changed her clothes and carried her handbag. Slowly he made his way from the side of the building keeping his distance while not letting her out of his sight. The sun in the sky blinded his sight momentarily as she rounded another corner walking down the sidewalk past the stone mansion. Finally, after locating her, Paul quickly knelt down behind a shrub. Peeking through the leaves watching Della, he noticed she had stopped at a modest residential house.
Della paused looking around to see if anyone had followed her and buzzed the doorbell. A middle-aged man answered the door with a newspaper, draped over his arm gesturing her into the house. Paul watched her enter the house wondering if she had a secret affair going on and he needed to tell Perry about it. As Paul continued to wait to see what transpired, he noticed the same man and different woman were leaving the house. They both waved towards the house, saying their goodbyes as they walked towards their parked car. While holding the youngster's hand, Della watched the couple drive off and shut the door. Paul retreated back to campus to inform Perry about what he found out on his excursion.
Paul ducked out as the campus security screened the area and safely made it back to his dorm to find Perry studying. Perry looked up from his book as Paul entered and shut the door with a smile on his face.
"You want to hear the report, Perry?" Paul said as he sat down in a chair taking out a pack of half-smoked pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
"And….what did you find out?" Perry took his cigarette from his hand. Paul fingered his flip lighter and clicked it a couple of times.
"You're not going to believe it, Perry…" Paul teased him with a smirk.
"What Paul? Tell me…." Perry's tone was firm from which Paul has never seen.
"Perry, I followed Della just as you asked me to. I found out she had gone to a residential house off-campus with a couple that had a small child. Perry, she's babysitting on the side. My guess is while she's been attending school here at the campus. I wasn't close to hear all the conversation between them, but the couple defiantly was comfortable leaving their child with her," Paul finally grabbed the cigarette from Perry's hand, lit it, and exhaled the smoke from his lungs, and took another quick drag off it.
Perry gathered his composure turning his attention away from Paul knowing that his emotions for Della were growing stronger more by the minute.
"Paul, you are dating her friend, Valerie."
"Yes, as of right now. She's not tired of me yet," Paul chuckled extinguished his butt into the ashtray.
"I want you to set something up for me. I want you to invite Valerie to a picnic at the park with her other friends, Janet, and Della. Make it as if you are having a farewell get-together because exams are that day and moving out is next week." Perry explained as he thought to himself, smiling at Paul.
"You sure you want to do this Perry? I mean I know you have strong feelings about Della. She might think you are making a play towards her just because of what happened out in the campus yard earlier. What if she doesn't show up? Then you have another dilemma, right there. You've lost your chance if she doesn't make an appearance," Paul told him while he paced the room with his hand in his pocket.
"Paul, I am just asking for a friendly picnic. It's the end of the term, hopefully, she'll see that as an invitation and nothing more," Perry injected before returning to his book, but only one thing was on his mind, Della.
"Alright, will do. I'm not going to make any promises Perry. I'm off to see a lucky lady right now," Paul exited the door, shut it, and left Perry alone to his thoughts and his books.
It was nearing seven o'clock in the evening, and students had to be back in their respective dorms before eight. Paul entered the library to see if she had been studying for her exams. Spotting her across the middle of the room, he maneuvered around the tables and quietly sat down beside her trying his best not to cause a disturbance.
"Valerie, how're things going? You ready for your exam tomorrow? You are going to ace your test as much studying you've been doing? I know you'll pass it, no trouble at all." Paul quietly whispered.
"You think so. I sure hope you are right. I heard from another girl that took the test last year. The exam has tricky questions and throws you off. I just hope I make the right choice to their answers," Valerie sounded hopeful.
"You'll be fine. Hey, after the exams tomorrow. You want to go on a picnic with me. Oh, if you want bring your friends. What're their names again?" Paul blankly said.
"It would be nice to spend time together before we leave. Janet and Della would love to go. I know they will come because food is a weakness for the both of them," Valerie said with such eagerness. I'll bring the picnic basket. Let's make it three in the afternoon," Valerie acknowledged and Paul took her hand and gave her a quick kiss before being caught by the librarian.
"It's a date. Good luck with your exam, Valerie. I'll see you tomorrow," Paul got up from his seat and retreated to his dorm to tell Perry the plan was on.
The Final's Day arrived for students. The finals were scheduled all day till mid-afternoon. The girls were nearly a nervous wreck. The morning rush caused the girls to bump into each other while fixing their hair and makeup along with some last-minute studying.
"Do any of you want to celebrate the end of term by going on a picnic?" Valerie invited.
"That would be a great way to relax and enjoy the day before we go off on our own. I mean, of course, we'll stay in touch, right?" Janet asked not wanting to lose her friends.
"Well, that's fine with me Val. Janet, you worry too much. Of course, we'll still be friends. You know that right?" Della replied joining her as she fixed her hair in the mirror smoothing her dress down the length of her lean figure.
"Yes, I know. I just can't help it, Della. I didn't have that many friends growing up. I just don't want to lose the friends I have," Janet informed her with a worrisome look on her face.
"Come on you two, let's get this exam out of the way. Just remember to read the questions carefully and don't put too much thought into them. I found out if you do, then you end up making a mistake picking the wrong answer to the question." Della opened the door leaving the two girls to gather their purses and followed her.
The three friends walked across the campus in silence followed by another set of students that had split in different directions leaving only one man following the girls. It was Perry Mason, keeping his distance from them to not make himself noticeable. That didn't last long because as they approached the doors to the building, Perry quickly reached from behind pulling the door handle open for the girls. Della had seen an outstretched arm come from her side, quickly turning, only to see Perry behind her.
"Just in case I don't happen to see you again I wish you the best of luck on your exam." Perry whispered to her so that only she could hear. Her friends hurriedly came to her side as if to find out what he said, but missed it. He flung the door wide open for all three girls holding it as the others entered, leaving Della the last to pass by him.
"Good luck to you as well. I wish you all the best, Perry." Della smiled as she brushed past him through the entranceway. Her floral-scented perfume lingered in his nostrils only for a second as she disappeared down the hallway.
It was midday most of the students had already begun to pack up. Meanwhile, the girls met back in their dorm, chatting up a frenzy about their exams.
"Della, you think you passed yours?" Valerie asked.
"I sure hope so most of those questions I already knew and for sure got them right," Della answered her as she sat her belongings down on the coffee table.
"I'm positive I passed mine. Only a few questions gave me a slip up," Janet joined in the conversation.
"So, Della what did Perry whisper to you while he held the door for us?" Valerie nosily asked pinning to get her friend stirred up.
"He just wished me luck is all. Just drop it would you Val… nothing is going on between us." Della gave a small smile and shook her head.
"Come on Janet, get the lead out we don't want to be late. Paul is picking us up. We're all invited to the picnic. Come on Della, we don't want to keep Paul waiting," Valerie said impatiently.
"How did you think did on your exam, Perry?" Paul asked meeting up with him in the hallway of their dorm.
"I passed with flying colors, Paul. Are you ready for the picnic? I got to change first then I'll be ready. I'll take my car while you drive the girls, so Della won't expect me to be there," Perry explained while he changed into a pair of slacks and dress shirt, leaving the top two buttons open on his shirt and combing his hair with his comb.
"Okay, sure thing, Perry. Just hope you know what you're doing, pal," Paul hurriedly changed his clothes in his room.
Packing the picnic basket for the group Della put in a variety of sandwiches, potato chips, potato salad, and a variety of soda. She grabbed a clean blanket that was found in the top of her closet for a makeshift table cloth.
"All set, are you ladies ready?"
"We're coming Della."
Paul was patiently waiting on the girls leaning up against his newest model Thunderbird. Taking a drag on his cigarette, he noticed that two girls came into view without Della. He watched intently as the girls hurried to his parked car as he stood in place, hopeful Della didn't change her mind.
"I thought you had another friend. She is she coming too or what?" Paul asked Valerie but was soon interrupted when Della hurriedly walked towards the three of them.
"Ah… there she is with the picnic basket with all the goodies," Paul stated, admiring her beautiful features as she came up to him. Opening the car doors for the ladies and shutting them.
"Sorry, I'm late." Della apologized.
"You didn't keep me waiting long," Paul affirmed as he shut his door, looked for oncoming traffic and pulled out of his parking space. Perry watched from afar, as the plan went accordingly. Paul took the girls out to the park. Perry pulled out from his parking spot following at a distance in his black Cadillac convertible with the top up.
The Park was about five miles from campus therefore it wasn't too overly crowded. Parents attended to their children on the swing sets as well as couples having their picnics on blankets stretched out on the grassy areas. A concession booth was in the middle of the park for extra accommodations.
Driving slowly up the path towards the parking lot, finding a spot, and parking his car. "Well, here we are." Paul looked over at Valerie who looked over at him and winked mischievously. Paul got out, opened the back door for Della and then helped her out of her seat, holding on to her hand, and shut the door. Quickly he opened Janet's door and escorted her out as well gently taking her hand.
"Thanks, Paul. You are such gentlemen," Janet acknowledged taking his hand in hers as she exited the car. Valerie was still in her passenger seat sitting she quickly grabbed Paul by the arm. Turning suddenly, he looked at her.
"What's the matter, Valerie. Do you feel okay? You change your mind about the picnic?" Paul asked with a little worry on his face.
"Let's split. I'd rather take in a movie instead of being out here. What you say, Paul?" Valerie gave her best not so innocent look encouraging him of something more than a movie.
"Sure, but what about your friends." Paul was not letting on that Perry should be arriving shortly because he was not that far behind him. The road was only one way in and one way out. If Paul left now, he had a chance of meeting Perry on the road while he left making him realize Della was there alone.
"Della, come here. Paul and I changed our minds. We are going to go to town take in a few movies and then we'll be back. Is that a problem?"
"No, it's fine. It'll be good for me to take in some quiet time. Janet is already making a friend I see," Della pointed out towards her friend as she was chatting with a young man at the concession stand.
"What about all this food I packed? Janet and I can't eat it all…" Della motioned towards the basket. Before Valerie could respond Paul started his car and backed his car up taking off down the roadway in a hurry.
"I swear one of these days, Val…." Della mumbled under her breath holding onto the basket. She made her way over to where Janet stood chatting with the young man.
"Janet, sorry to interrupt you but Val and Paul had other ideas. They wanted to go see a movie. So that just leaves you and me," Della squinted out in the sun.
"That's fine with me Della I already have plans too. I want you to meet a new friend, Larry. Larry this is my friend Della. Della this is Larry. He goes to business school on our campus. He's really nice…. I mean… really nice," Janet took the young man's arm and walked off leaving her alone yet again.
Still in shock, Della shook her head and walked to a shaded spot that was not taken up nearby the children's play area. Although it was a quiet area, it wasn't overrun with youngsters. Della sat down the basket and unfolded the blanket, which she stretched out on the grass, smoothing out the wrinkles. Paul had driven halfway down the roadway passing a few cars not known to him, but a black Cadillac was coming in his direction. Recognizing it, Paul slowed down only to nod to the driver, it was done and the plan was set.
Perry slowed his car to a crawl stopped for the walkers crossing the roadway it gave him time to scan the area for Della. Not seeing her at first, thinking maybe she went out for a walk in the park, he looked all around. Driving slowly, then turned his attention to the building of the marked concession stand, there was still no sight of her. He pulled around to park. While, shutting off the engine, he spotted her. She was in a beautiful sky-blue dress skirt and white button top and sandals. She was reading a small book that concealed her face but he knew it was her and made his move. Enjoying some peace and quiet finally, Della opened her book trying to read about a mystery adventure when a shadow blocked out the sun thinking it was her friend Janet.
"Janet, do you mind? I'm trying to enjoy this book. Please get out of my ….." Della upset dropped her book in her lap.
"Reading anything good?" A deep voice replied startling her.
"Very, interesting book, yes. Why, if it isn't Perry Mason. What are you doing here? Did Paul set this up? I actually see 'you' behind this," Della informed him and gave him a bashful smile, and sat down her book on the blanket.
"You don't mind if I join you, do you? I mean if you'd like for me to go. I'm gone." Perry waited for her answer.
"No, it's fine. You can stay I have enough food for two people. Are you hungry?" Della pulled the basket open in front of them and placed her book back in her purse. Della noticed he was dressed differently not that of a well-to-do wealthy heir. He was dressed down and she liked it. He was not a show-off like she thought he would be. I mean she knew he had money and could spend it the way he wanted.
"We have turkey club sandwiches, potato salad, potato chip, and what kind of soda do you want? Cream soda, Pepsi-cola, coke, or R.C.?" Della opened the basket for them to pick out their food.
"I'll settle for all of it really. I'll take a cream soda though," he gently took it from her hand brushing her fingers as he took it. He glanced at her occasionally while they ate their lunch to see if she was watching him, and she was. He was thinking, what did she feel for him? Did she really think that he was making a play at her as Paul suggested? He had to explain that's not what he was doing, even if that's what she thought.
"So, do you think you passed your exam, Della?" Perry took a sip from his bottle and then looked back at her.
"I sure hope I did. If I didn't pass. I have wasted my time and effort in coming here. What about you, do you think you passed your exam?" Della sounded hopeful and brought a chip to her mouth consuming it as he watched her.
"Yes, I passed. I'm sure I did. You didn't go for nothing nor was your time wasted. I promise you that," Perry's voice was low and reached for another bottle of soda out from the basket.
"What are you saying, Perry? Did you get a peek at the results before the exams were over?" Della grabbed a small plate putting her potato salad on it with a serving spoon.
"No, no one told me. I have a feeling, we're going to be just fine," Perry mistakenly said. Taking her off guard about the 'we're' statement that was just mentioned by him. She backed up slightly as he was in close quarters sharing the blanket with her.
"Perry, I need for you to answer a question for me? Did you plan all this just to meet me out here?" Della sat down her plate of food looking at him suspiciously.
"If you must know, Della. Yes, I wanted to spend time with you but only as friends, since I know you are obligated to be with someone else. As a friend that is, I don't intend to break any engagements unless you do. I'm sorry for what Laura had said to you, but she's not of my concern right now. I never truly knew her at all." Perry explained to her, watching the children play tag and hide in seek, leaned back on the blanket near her side. Della's mind was racing, did she want Michael. The man that she was engaged to waiting for her back in Chicago. He was a great kisser mind you and had money which made her comfortable. Did he really love Della? She thought about it and was still unsure and uncertain what if she changed her mind, her future would change as well. Taking a chance, she thought carefully since she's been away, Michael only wrote a few letters to her. Never came to campus to visit her either which says a lot, her emotions were running wild in her head.
"Just what is it that you see in me that you didn't see in Laura?" she asked him.
"Too many things to list, Della. You're perfect in every imaginable way, especially to me," Perry cautiously said to her looking into her eyes. Knowing he touched her, by the way, she observed his face, he took a chance, making his move, coming closer to give a quick kiss to her lips. As tender as the moment was it was interrupted by a small rather peculiar being.
"Sorry, Mister. My sister wanted me to ask you if you and your wife had extra soda pop in your basket. I just had the last one and my parents are packing up. We thought we had extra but we didn't." The young lad told him.
"Della, you want to check, to see if we got any left in the basket," Perry chuckled at the boy and peered over in her direction.
"I got R.C. and Pepsi cola left. Here you go, enjoy." Della passed them off to the young boy. He took them from her hands and thanked her. Before she could recoil her hands back on the basket, Perry grabbed them placing a quick kiss on the top of them, making her shiver. She touched his cheek lightly and he leaned into her palm and advanced towards her again, leaned in for a small kiss to her lips.
"It's been a really nice afternoon," Della gasped as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips, feeling the sensation on her mouth licking her bottom lip and darted her tongue out to tease him.
"Yes, it really has been," Perry picked at her dress seam removing a piece of lint that was attached to it.
"You know not to change the subject. But I haven't seen Janet in a long time. I wonder if she got lost in the park with her guy? I hope she is okay. I mean she's a big girl but not the brightest," Della sighed looking around the park. Perry looked out into the crowd of people and returned his attention to Della who was concerned for her friend. He stroked her arm down to her elbow, gently pulling her away from her intended gaze.
"She's fine I saw her, Della. She's over there by the big maple tree sitting at the picnic table with a young man," Perry nodded towards the area occupied by Della's friend. Della placed her hand over his and squeezed it, and thanked him for his concern. He turned his head looking at her, knowing he was also concerned for her friend. Emotions were running high and Della leaned down gave him a slow deep kiss. She savored the kiss, stroked his hair, ran her hand down the front of his open shirt, and gasped as he deepened their kiss.
"Perry, I think we should go. We don't want to be arrested for public indecency," she said into his mouth and gave him a quick kiss. He returned her kiss holding onto her arm and encircling her waist pulling her flush into him. She wrapped her arms behind his head, raking her fingers through his dark hair as he deepened the kiss again. Slowly disengaging from her mouth, he began placing tender kisses down her neck and nipping her left ear, lightly biting it, and making her moan.
"So, let the police come for us," he nuzzled into the crook of her neck.
"Perry, please." She struggled for a breath. He stopped looked into her flushed face and knew it was the right thing to do. He helped her gather the picnic basket items and walked towards her friend. Smoothing out her dress and combing her hair with her fingers she advanced on her friend who had the same idea as she did.
"Uhh Janet, do you need a ride back to campus?"
"Oh, Della. Hi, um… no I'm fine. Larry is going to be driving me back. I'll meet you back at the dorm," Janet stared at Perry.
"Well, I see you have been enjoying yourself." Janet looked at the two of them noticing that Perry's shirt was open at the top and hair was unruly. Janet gave them both a sly grin and winked at Della which didn't go unnoticed by Perry.
"Fine, I'll see you back at the dorm." Della turned walking away with Perry as he held the basket in his hand, guiding her with his other hand towards his parked car.
Opening the car door for her, she settled in the passenger seat as he shut the door. Opening his door, placed the basket between them. They drove back to campus in silence, stealing glances at each other every once in a while. His mind was racing, had she changed her mind about him. How he truly felt toward her, would she break her engagement with Michael?
Della sat in silence looking out the window, touching her lips and then her neck, where Perry's lips had recently been. Not only did she know she had to make a choice, but the right choice. Did she want Perry? Did she want Michael, whom waited for her back in Chicago? She was confused, but she knew deep down in her soul it was right to be with Perry, but her heart was saying something else. What if Perry was using her to get back at Laura? She needed time to think or did she need to think at all. Once she got back to Chicago, she would know in her heart and soul, who she wanted to be with. Perry parked his car in the campus area shutting the engine off and looked over at her.
"We're finally here," Perry leaned back against the seat looking over at her with a grin.
"Yes, thank you for bringing me back. Val and Paul were supposed to pick me and Janet up at the park," Della stated.
"Paul knew all about me coming to the park. We're best friends... didn't he tell you?" Perry amusingly said.
"I should have known that you two we're friends," Della gave an annoyed look smiling back at him. He chuckled and exited the car. Shutting his door and opening her car door, he took the basket off the seat. As she stepped onto the sidewalk, she placed a quick kiss on his cheek and headed towards her dorm. She left him awestruck without even a goodbye. He'd be sure to see her tomorrow and make the most of it being the last day on campus, even if it meant he had to help her move out of the dorm. He would spend time with her one way or the other.