Part Two
"Hey Lo-Fitz! Quit moping around. It happens to all of us," his dorm mate Josh said. Tossing his basketball at him. "Want to go shoot some hoops?" he asked as Luis caught the ball. Luis stared at the ball in his hands and sighed. "No. Sorry, Josh. I'm just not up to it, Man." "What about hitting some of the parties? Having a few beers? Drown your sorrows. Always works for me." Luis studied him curiously for a moment with his dark eyes. "How many break-ups have you had, Buddy? You sound real experienced at this sort of thing," he laughed. "Kind of like my good friend Hank back home," he said. "Who? Me?" Josh asked. Puffing out his rather puny chest. Luis stood up. Towering over him. "You know.you kind of look like him, too. Hank's been dumped so many times I've lost count," he said. Chuckling to himself when Josh grinned and said, "I bet I got him beat. I can't even remember how many times I've been dumped. Me. Myself. Now that's bad." And Luis had to agree with him. "So.are you game? Kyle invited us to his fraternity's big bash. Guaranteed a lot of rich chicks'll be there." Luis shook his head at him as he pulled his faded leather jacket on. Josh was always on the prowl. He was determined to rise above his own social status. Even if he had to do it through marriage. "That's it, Lo-Fitz!" Josh said with a grin.
He was going to live to regret this, Luis thought as they stepped outside into the cool night air. "Come on," Josh yelled in front of him. "I'm freezing my butt off here." They jogged nearly the whole way to the fraternity house. Arriving out of breath. "Man, it's cold out there," Josh shivered. "But it's hot in here," he whistled. Setting his sights on a girl obviously out of his league. "See ya later, Lo-Fitz. I have a date with destiny." Luis blinked at him. Now where had he heard something like that before? He laughed to himself as it dawned on him. His little sister Theresa was always spouting off nonsense about fate and destiny. She lived in a fantasy-world of her own making, Mama said. Always a dreamer. From day one. He looked up. Realizing he had wandered off to a remote, reasonably quiet corner. Here he was. A senior in college. And still he was hit with longings for home and all that he knew. Fine company he was, he smirked, as he stared out the window. At the stars.
He scanned the room. Looking for Josh. And spotted him with the redhead from before. Nope, he thought. He didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell with that girl. "Hey Luis!" Kyle called after him. Luis groaned. So close. Yet so far. He'd been seconds away from stealing away. To wallow in his misery alone. "Have somebody I want you to meet!" Kyle grinned. Throwing his arm over his shoulder and leading him back into the buzzing crowd. "You'll love her. Gorgeous. And rich, Man. You'll be living the big life." Luis barely restrained himself from jerking out of Kyle's grasp. Who said rich girls were more attractive? Beth wasn't rich. And he loved her. At least he thought he did. He was so confused. He'd known her his whole life. But he felt he didn't really know her. "The only problem is, Man, she doesn't say too much. But one look at her. I'm telling you, Lo-Fitz. Who cares if she doesn't say much?" he said. Howling at his own flat joke. That just proved Luis's suspicions. Kyle was already filthy, stinking drunk. "What the.she's gone! Bianca, where'd your friend go?" "I dunno," the sullen brunette replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "She's not my friend anyway. Daddy's just trying to make nice with her old man so he wanted me to get in good with her. But she's hopeless. She doesn't know how to have fun. Not like I do," she said. Pulling him into a tasteless kiss. Luis left. He'd had enough.
He went outside. To resume his stargazing. And prayed for answers. So Beth was feeling a little insecure about their relationship. He had no clue why. Since their fight following graduation, they'd only had little disagreements at best. Luis always assumed in the back of his mind that after he finished college, then law school, she'd be waiting for him. And they'd get married and live happily ever after. Now he wasn't so sure. She actually wanted him to give up his dream. For her. He loved her. But.would he be happy? Truly happy? Going against what he'd worked for as long as he could remember? He didn't know. "The stars hold all the answers, don't they?" He turned. Startled once again. By the soft voice from years past. "It's you," he whispered. Staring into her blue eyes. With their ever- present sadness. She smiled. The corners of her lips turning up. But it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Luis, is it?" she asked. Laughing softly at the look of amazement on his handsome face. "I've never forgotten," she divulged with a secret smile, and he was transported back almost 8 years. To that library where he first saw her. When he wiped her tears from her silky cheeks. "You never answered me," he stated. His words hanging in the night air. "Hmm?" she hummed. "My question," he said simply. Reaching out and brushing her cheek tentatively with his knuckles. "You ARE real," he said. Dark eyes shining in the starlight. "I always wondered," he laughed. "And that morning on the beach. Why are you always running from me?" he asked. "So many questions," she smiled. This time the smile lighting up her blue eyes. He closed his eyes. Savoring the moment. "For another time," she said. Covering his hand with her own and placing a gentle kiss on the back of it. "Wait," he said. "You're doing it again," he called out. She stopped. Turned and pinned him with her blue gaze. "Good-bye, Luis," she whispered. And Luis watched helplessly as she disappeared from his life once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He took the picture out of the box and placed it on his desk. His desk. He'd done it. He followed his dream, he thought as he looked around the small office. Not much. But it was his own. He heart warmed as he remembered the proud smile his father sported after he'd first seen the place. "My son," he beamed. "An attorney. And not one of those crooked lawyers, either," he'd said. Causing Mama to scold in an amused voice, "Martin!" Theresa had giggled like the school girl she was, while Miguel and Kay laughed heartily. Antonio had raised his glass in a toast, "To my little brother. It seems like it was just yesterday I was teasing him about painstakingly fixing that ugly rug of his for good ole Bethy. My how times have changed. Or not," he teased. Luis could swear his face was flaming. But nobody seemed to notice. Not even Paloma. Who could always see right through him. Theresa sighed dreamily. Propping her chin up on her hand. "I'm so glad you two are back together. So.when's the wedding?" she asked. Luis choked on his lemonade, and Beth shot him a funny look and excused herself.
"Theresita!" Mama said in an exasperated voice. "Think before you say something next time," Paloma said. "I'm sorry," Theresa apologized. "I just assumed." "Alright. Leave your sister alone. I was kind of wondering the same thing, Luis. But I didn't want to put you on the spot," he said. Smiling at his youngest daughter and running his hand over her dark head affectionately. "I don't know, Papa," Luis admitted. "We've only just got back together. It's been a long time." "Yes, it has," his father agreed. "Don't you think it's time you started a family of your own, Son? I want some grandkids," he laughed. "Preferably after you and the girl of your dreams get married," he said. Casting a meaningful glance Antonio's way. "Is Beth the girl of your dreams?" Paloma asked quietly. Remembering the 'real' girl of Luis's dreams. He'd confided in her about Sheridan long ago. She knew he still thought about her. Sheridan's memory lingered. And Luis wasn't so sure he wouldn't see her again.
Luis avoided the question. Knowing what Paloma was up to. He couldn't wait his entire life for her to come back into his life. Just as suddenly as she had all those other times. It'd been four years. How could she affect him so? He'd given up trying to figure it out. "I love Beth," he said. Rising from his seat and making his decision. He'd kept her waiting long enough. He'd found her outside. Bare feet tucked up under her on the old swingset. Her brown eyes lit up at the sight of him, and he smiled at her. "Luis, wait," she said. Placing a finger on his lips as he sat down beside her and opened his mouth to speak. "I know you aren't ready for this." "But Beth," he protested. "No, Luis. Don't. You need some more time. And I'm okay with that. I want you to be sure when you ask. Okay?" she whispered. Her dark eyes staring into his. "Shh," she hushed. "I'll be waiting," she said. Kissing his forehead and stretching her legs out. He watched her as she walked away. Time. All the time in the world wasn't going to make this decision any easier.
That had been a week ago, he thought. Running a finger across the old photo. Taken at their high school graduation. Him, Hank, and Beth. Whatever he decided, he knew she would always be in his life. But did he want to take that final step and marry her? He didn't know. He just didn't know, he thought. Lowering his weary head to his hands. His eyes wandered to the copy of the Harmony Herald lying just fingertips away. The headline proclaimed.Crane Heiress to Wed.He slammed his fist down on the paper. Then picked it up. Studying her. Why? She wasn't happy. He could tell. Her blue eyes were dull. Lifeless as he held her. And that little spark he had seen at their last meeting was gone. Extinguished. It was crazy. But he had to see her before he made his decision. He grabbed the paper in his hands and walked through the door. Never looking back.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Later, as he stared out at the rolling waves frantically pounding the shore, he thought they were a perfect reflection of his mood. He'd gone to the Crane Mansion. And they hadn't let him see her. Refused to admit him. What were they afraid of? He stared ahead. Oblivious to the rain that had begun falling lightly. Barely conscious of the ocean's salty spray. But he felt her presence immediately. He always had. It was strange really. Almost frightening how much she was a part of his life. Yet she wasn't. She walked slowly toward him. The wind whipping her blond curls around her beautiful face. "You cut your hair," he whispered. Smoothing his hand over it. His hand falling to her neck and bringing her close. Sighing contentedly as he felt her nestle against his chest. They held each other for the longest time. Uncaring that the rain and the waves' mist were soaking them. Finally, she pulled away. And there were tears in her blue eyes. Tears in his dark eyes. He tasted the salt from their mingled tears as he kissed her. For the first.and last time. A cry tore free from her throat as she leaned her forehead against his. Kissing his tears away. "I'm sorry," she whispered in farewell. He stayed there. Rooted to the spot. His decision made for him.
"Hey Lo-Fitz! Quit moping around. It happens to all of us," his dorm mate Josh said. Tossing his basketball at him. "Want to go shoot some hoops?" he asked as Luis caught the ball. Luis stared at the ball in his hands and sighed. "No. Sorry, Josh. I'm just not up to it, Man." "What about hitting some of the parties? Having a few beers? Drown your sorrows. Always works for me." Luis studied him curiously for a moment with his dark eyes. "How many break-ups have you had, Buddy? You sound real experienced at this sort of thing," he laughed. "Kind of like my good friend Hank back home," he said. "Who? Me?" Josh asked. Puffing out his rather puny chest. Luis stood up. Towering over him. "You know.you kind of look like him, too. Hank's been dumped so many times I've lost count," he said. Chuckling to himself when Josh grinned and said, "I bet I got him beat. I can't even remember how many times I've been dumped. Me. Myself. Now that's bad." And Luis had to agree with him. "So.are you game? Kyle invited us to his fraternity's big bash. Guaranteed a lot of rich chicks'll be there." Luis shook his head at him as he pulled his faded leather jacket on. Josh was always on the prowl. He was determined to rise above his own social status. Even if he had to do it through marriage. "That's it, Lo-Fitz!" Josh said with a grin.
He was going to live to regret this, Luis thought as they stepped outside into the cool night air. "Come on," Josh yelled in front of him. "I'm freezing my butt off here." They jogged nearly the whole way to the fraternity house. Arriving out of breath. "Man, it's cold out there," Josh shivered. "But it's hot in here," he whistled. Setting his sights on a girl obviously out of his league. "See ya later, Lo-Fitz. I have a date with destiny." Luis blinked at him. Now where had he heard something like that before? He laughed to himself as it dawned on him. His little sister Theresa was always spouting off nonsense about fate and destiny. She lived in a fantasy-world of her own making, Mama said. Always a dreamer. From day one. He looked up. Realizing he had wandered off to a remote, reasonably quiet corner. Here he was. A senior in college. And still he was hit with longings for home and all that he knew. Fine company he was, he smirked, as he stared out the window. At the stars.
He scanned the room. Looking for Josh. And spotted him with the redhead from before. Nope, he thought. He didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell with that girl. "Hey Luis!" Kyle called after him. Luis groaned. So close. Yet so far. He'd been seconds away from stealing away. To wallow in his misery alone. "Have somebody I want you to meet!" Kyle grinned. Throwing his arm over his shoulder and leading him back into the buzzing crowd. "You'll love her. Gorgeous. And rich, Man. You'll be living the big life." Luis barely restrained himself from jerking out of Kyle's grasp. Who said rich girls were more attractive? Beth wasn't rich. And he loved her. At least he thought he did. He was so confused. He'd known her his whole life. But he felt he didn't really know her. "The only problem is, Man, she doesn't say too much. But one look at her. I'm telling you, Lo-Fitz. Who cares if she doesn't say much?" he said. Howling at his own flat joke. That just proved Luis's suspicions. Kyle was already filthy, stinking drunk. "What the.she's gone! Bianca, where'd your friend go?" "I dunno," the sullen brunette replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "She's not my friend anyway. Daddy's just trying to make nice with her old man so he wanted me to get in good with her. But she's hopeless. She doesn't know how to have fun. Not like I do," she said. Pulling him into a tasteless kiss. Luis left. He'd had enough.
He went outside. To resume his stargazing. And prayed for answers. So Beth was feeling a little insecure about their relationship. He had no clue why. Since their fight following graduation, they'd only had little disagreements at best. Luis always assumed in the back of his mind that after he finished college, then law school, she'd be waiting for him. And they'd get married and live happily ever after. Now he wasn't so sure. She actually wanted him to give up his dream. For her. He loved her. But.would he be happy? Truly happy? Going against what he'd worked for as long as he could remember? He didn't know. "The stars hold all the answers, don't they?" He turned. Startled once again. By the soft voice from years past. "It's you," he whispered. Staring into her blue eyes. With their ever- present sadness. She smiled. The corners of her lips turning up. But it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Luis, is it?" she asked. Laughing softly at the look of amazement on his handsome face. "I've never forgotten," she divulged with a secret smile, and he was transported back almost 8 years. To that library where he first saw her. When he wiped her tears from her silky cheeks. "You never answered me," he stated. His words hanging in the night air. "Hmm?" she hummed. "My question," he said simply. Reaching out and brushing her cheek tentatively with his knuckles. "You ARE real," he said. Dark eyes shining in the starlight. "I always wondered," he laughed. "And that morning on the beach. Why are you always running from me?" he asked. "So many questions," she smiled. This time the smile lighting up her blue eyes. He closed his eyes. Savoring the moment. "For another time," she said. Covering his hand with her own and placing a gentle kiss on the back of it. "Wait," he said. "You're doing it again," he called out. She stopped. Turned and pinned him with her blue gaze. "Good-bye, Luis," she whispered. And Luis watched helplessly as she disappeared from his life once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He took the picture out of the box and placed it on his desk. His desk. He'd done it. He followed his dream, he thought as he looked around the small office. Not much. But it was his own. He heart warmed as he remembered the proud smile his father sported after he'd first seen the place. "My son," he beamed. "An attorney. And not one of those crooked lawyers, either," he'd said. Causing Mama to scold in an amused voice, "Martin!" Theresa had giggled like the school girl she was, while Miguel and Kay laughed heartily. Antonio had raised his glass in a toast, "To my little brother. It seems like it was just yesterday I was teasing him about painstakingly fixing that ugly rug of his for good ole Bethy. My how times have changed. Or not," he teased. Luis could swear his face was flaming. But nobody seemed to notice. Not even Paloma. Who could always see right through him. Theresa sighed dreamily. Propping her chin up on her hand. "I'm so glad you two are back together. So.when's the wedding?" she asked. Luis choked on his lemonade, and Beth shot him a funny look and excused herself.
"Theresita!" Mama said in an exasperated voice. "Think before you say something next time," Paloma said. "I'm sorry," Theresa apologized. "I just assumed." "Alright. Leave your sister alone. I was kind of wondering the same thing, Luis. But I didn't want to put you on the spot," he said. Smiling at his youngest daughter and running his hand over her dark head affectionately. "I don't know, Papa," Luis admitted. "We've only just got back together. It's been a long time." "Yes, it has," his father agreed. "Don't you think it's time you started a family of your own, Son? I want some grandkids," he laughed. "Preferably after you and the girl of your dreams get married," he said. Casting a meaningful glance Antonio's way. "Is Beth the girl of your dreams?" Paloma asked quietly. Remembering the 'real' girl of Luis's dreams. He'd confided in her about Sheridan long ago. She knew he still thought about her. Sheridan's memory lingered. And Luis wasn't so sure he wouldn't see her again.
Luis avoided the question. Knowing what Paloma was up to. He couldn't wait his entire life for her to come back into his life. Just as suddenly as she had all those other times. It'd been four years. How could she affect him so? He'd given up trying to figure it out. "I love Beth," he said. Rising from his seat and making his decision. He'd kept her waiting long enough. He'd found her outside. Bare feet tucked up under her on the old swingset. Her brown eyes lit up at the sight of him, and he smiled at her. "Luis, wait," she said. Placing a finger on his lips as he sat down beside her and opened his mouth to speak. "I know you aren't ready for this." "But Beth," he protested. "No, Luis. Don't. You need some more time. And I'm okay with that. I want you to be sure when you ask. Okay?" she whispered. Her dark eyes staring into his. "Shh," she hushed. "I'll be waiting," she said. Kissing his forehead and stretching her legs out. He watched her as she walked away. Time. All the time in the world wasn't going to make this decision any easier.
That had been a week ago, he thought. Running a finger across the old photo. Taken at their high school graduation. Him, Hank, and Beth. Whatever he decided, he knew she would always be in his life. But did he want to take that final step and marry her? He didn't know. He just didn't know, he thought. Lowering his weary head to his hands. His eyes wandered to the copy of the Harmony Herald lying just fingertips away. The headline proclaimed.Crane Heiress to Wed.He slammed his fist down on the paper. Then picked it up. Studying her. Why? She wasn't happy. He could tell. Her blue eyes were dull. Lifeless as he held her. And that little spark he had seen at their last meeting was gone. Extinguished. It was crazy. But he had to see her before he made his decision. He grabbed the paper in his hands and walked through the door. Never looking back.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Later, as he stared out at the rolling waves frantically pounding the shore, he thought they were a perfect reflection of his mood. He'd gone to the Crane Mansion. And they hadn't let him see her. Refused to admit him. What were they afraid of? He stared ahead. Oblivious to the rain that had begun falling lightly. Barely conscious of the ocean's salty spray. But he felt her presence immediately. He always had. It was strange really. Almost frightening how much she was a part of his life. Yet she wasn't. She walked slowly toward him. The wind whipping her blond curls around her beautiful face. "You cut your hair," he whispered. Smoothing his hand over it. His hand falling to her neck and bringing her close. Sighing contentedly as he felt her nestle against his chest. They held each other for the longest time. Uncaring that the rain and the waves' mist were soaking them. Finally, she pulled away. And there were tears in her blue eyes. Tears in his dark eyes. He tasted the salt from their mingled tears as he kissed her. For the first.and last time. A cry tore free from her throat as she leaned her forehead against his. Kissing his tears away. "I'm sorry," she whispered in farewell. He stayed there. Rooted to the spot. His decision made for him.
