Author's note: A sincere thank you to everyone for the latest reviews. Ok, the funny thing about the "present" is just this. I didn't actually mean to write one in. I thought up a few ideas of possible gifts to appease you readers but I didn't like any of them.. so I tactfully avoided mentioning what it was. The secret is it wasn't even anything. Then I read your reviews, and one review made me re-read the chapter.... because I wasn't sure what was meant that I revealed what the present was in the end! Did I? How could that be when I didn't even really have a present in mind. So I re-read the chapter and you know what ...it is there! I didn't even realize it (now that's spooky)..it just wrote itself in. I know what he gave her and it is perfect, that's weird because even though I wrote the words down- I didn't realize what I was writing. Everything points to what it was. How great is that! If you don't know...well it's right there in plain sight. And I certainly will put up more chapters before April guys, what about one every second Monday? Well we can work out something. And hey I found this really wonderful quote that just makes me think of Mr.Dimitri, this is how I see him. .... "for me there lies, Within the lights and shadows of your eyes. The only beauty that is never old." It's by James Weldon Johnson I think. Do you liketh? Okay forewarned is forearmed...this chapter is umm slightly off beat but I do have a point somewhere. Hehehe, consider it as the funny 'Christmas' episode every show does once in a while ; ) that just doesn't quite fit in with previous episodes at all. And HUGE people, huge shoutout to Emmet!!!!! I loved "to his coy mistress" and hope you don't mind its inclusion...it's Marvelous.
"Her eyes, the elegant refined hand she gave me, her indoor dress, the way she did her hair, her voice, her step, always produced the same impression on me or something new and extraordinary in any life, and very important. We talked together for hours, were silent, thinking each our own thoughts, or she played for hours to me on the piano."
ANTON CHEKHOV, ON LOVE.
APRIL COME SHE WILL
Grace was looking over various signs, hanging glass and ornaments that Judy had brought in as a novelty for the holidays. Literary inspired gifts if anybody was inclined that way at all. She liked the poetry themed ones the best. There were various items with well known quotes meant to uplift the soul and inspire on them. She liked the Maya Angelou, but what really caught her eye was this one item that had an excerpt from something they had read in school. The title of the piece was not marked just the quote but Grace knew the title, "Song to Celia". It was just a really odd coincidence. It was by Ben Jonson and had stayed with Grace as she had first read it because it came so soon following the ending of the play, hench the title linkage. But also it had a whole other conjunctive feeling associated with the lines.
~~"Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine. "
It would have been wonderful to purchase it as a gift for August, but the price was much too high. She started down the aisle to catch up with him. He was in the next aisle, she could see his hair over the book shelves. When she turned the corner though she was surprised to find him not alone but conversing with a much shorter woman. She thought she recognized the lady but wasn't sure. The woman had a dark black coat on and white scarf with matching white hat. Grace slowed as she approached but she had been noticed.
"Grace, isn't it?"
"Yes." She forced a smile.
"It's good to see you again, I remembered you from your presentation of course", Mrs. Gonzalez looked over. "Mr. Dimitri was just -"
"My aunt owns this bookstore." Grace bolted out. "I mean restaurant....[Mrs. Gonzalez was holding a french vanilla] I mean you know bookstore slash restaurant." Grace beamed an very uncomfortable pleasant smile
"Well that's nice. It's a beautiful place."
Grace was looking to August freaking out. Was he "off his rocker a mile and a half" - to quote her favorite seasonal movie 'White Christmas' with befumbled, funny, endearing and red haired Mr. Kaye. Grace continued smiling silently in an unnatural way to the point where August was definitely looking at her. He ruffled his hair, that was their special way to advise that something was up and to remain calm. Frequent flyer miles not yet required to be cashed in here though.. In fact Mrs. Gonzalez was gossiping like wildfire with him. Grace recognized a few of the names mentioned but the majority were meaningless, in her experience you never really did find out your teacher's first names or want to right?. So Lise, Andrea, Eric ..well they meant absolutely nothing to her. Where was Judy? She knew her dad was out of town. That would be another stage in the strange eventful history, telling him and someone had to. At least she would be given that. She had promised she would soon, but everytime he called he seemed so happy. She turned her focus back to the amiable Mrs. Gonzalez and was surpised with what she found. Only minutes later Mrs. Gonzalez would reveal a shocking truth. The students behind her back called her Gonzo, and she knew it. And in fact she rather liked it.
~*****************************************
"So what do you think?" Lily asked as she put her fork into blanched pie crust. Rick was spaced out on the couch and Lily finally got her sister to herself in the kitchen.
"You really want to know? Well I think he should go back -"
"I can't believe you would say that."
"Look if you didn't want to hear my opinion, then why even bother." Judy went on, "Lil, I remember you saying that you thought he was really fabulous the first time you met him. You said you were really impressed at his presentation to the parents about the play last fall-"
"I never-"
Judy continued on, "Oh come on, you raved about all the exciting ideas he brought up for a week after that parent meeting. Lil I thought you were mad. You downloaded Heart is like a Wheel."
"Obviously I was mad. It must have been a premonition or something."
"Uh huh", Judy proded deeper. "So your telling me you really don't like him?"
"I am." Lily looked up at her sideways.
"You know Karen talked a lot about that parent meeting too last year," Judy started to laugh. "Almost makes me wish I had a child just so I could have attended. She said he played music and spoke very animately. I remember her saying he seemed very passionate about the whole play."
"Exactly my point. He gave up his job for Grace you know. He did. I don't even think she realizes that completely. That school board only suspended him. He would have been back the next term. The principle spoke with me shortly after even and pretty much layed it on the table. They wanted him back and if I as a parent was uncomfortable with that then possibly I would be moved to remove my child from the school. He even suggested that in 50 words or less. Of course camoflaged in back tracking and denial that they wanted to see that happen. The fact was they had recruited him. They were invested in Dimitri and although they thought the whole situation was regrettable, were willing to over look it. August had friends in that school and they were pressuring the VP, Brooker you name it. Even his students, a few from that Drama Club- asked for meetings or had their parents calling in. "
"Wait, so he's August now?", Judy had to ask. "Maybe that says something about him then Lil."
"That's what I'm afraid of." She paused, "If he inspires people he doesn't even really know like that, can you imagine if he wanted you to be his friend? If he went out of his way to encourage you?"
"Does he know they want him back?"
"They sent him a letter, it got forwarded to where he was teaching some adult education courses at that University in California. I guess he worked to get considered for these courses, and they gave it to him since he is apparently published- Whatever that means. hmf. "
"You mean as a writer-", Judy asked wide-eyed leaning in.
"Yes. So I've heard at least, and Upton did decide there was no reason for further pursuit of the matter so this other school took him right away on temporary contract. He's running the Drama Club out there he told us for the regular students of the college. In California... so I guess everything is turning out as smoothly as could be hoped for."
"So what's bothering you then?"
"The fact that I wrote him a letter too."
"That's it? Well I don't see- I mean what did you write to him?"
"Nothing. Forget I even mentioned it. But it's not the only thing I've been thinking about him. He really did do a great job with directing that play-"
"Oh I know. I mean I was in tears when Grace was on stage, and the part where she sang-"
"I know. That's what really sort of bothers me now. Just how good she was. And now real."
~~~"Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, Lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk and pass our long love's day,
Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires and more slow;
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, Lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.
But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near; "
"Her eyes, the elegant refined hand she gave me, her indoor dress, the way she did her hair, her voice, her step, always produced the same impression on me or something new and extraordinary in any life, and very important. We talked together for hours, were silent, thinking each our own thoughts, or she played for hours to me on the piano."
ANTON CHEKHOV, ON LOVE.
APRIL COME SHE WILL
Grace was looking over various signs, hanging glass and ornaments that Judy had brought in as a novelty for the holidays. Literary inspired gifts if anybody was inclined that way at all. She liked the poetry themed ones the best. There were various items with well known quotes meant to uplift the soul and inspire on them. She liked the Maya Angelou, but what really caught her eye was this one item that had an excerpt from something they had read in school. The title of the piece was not marked just the quote but Grace knew the title, "Song to Celia". It was just a really odd coincidence. It was by Ben Jonson and had stayed with Grace as she had first read it because it came so soon following the ending of the play, hench the title linkage. But also it had a whole other conjunctive feeling associated with the lines.
~~"Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine. "
It would have been wonderful to purchase it as a gift for August, but the price was much too high. She started down the aisle to catch up with him. He was in the next aisle, she could see his hair over the book shelves. When she turned the corner though she was surprised to find him not alone but conversing with a much shorter woman. She thought she recognized the lady but wasn't sure. The woman had a dark black coat on and white scarf with matching white hat. Grace slowed as she approached but she had been noticed.
"Grace, isn't it?"
"Yes." She forced a smile.
"It's good to see you again, I remembered you from your presentation of course", Mrs. Gonzalez looked over. "Mr. Dimitri was just -"
"My aunt owns this bookstore." Grace bolted out. "I mean restaurant....[Mrs. Gonzalez was holding a french vanilla] I mean you know bookstore slash restaurant." Grace beamed an very uncomfortable pleasant smile
"Well that's nice. It's a beautiful place."
Grace was looking to August freaking out. Was he "off his rocker a mile and a half" - to quote her favorite seasonal movie 'White Christmas' with befumbled, funny, endearing and red haired Mr. Kaye. Grace continued smiling silently in an unnatural way to the point where August was definitely looking at her. He ruffled his hair, that was their special way to advise that something was up and to remain calm. Frequent flyer miles not yet required to be cashed in here though.. In fact Mrs. Gonzalez was gossiping like wildfire with him. Grace recognized a few of the names mentioned but the majority were meaningless, in her experience you never really did find out your teacher's first names or want to right?. So Lise, Andrea, Eric ..well they meant absolutely nothing to her. Where was Judy? She knew her dad was out of town. That would be another stage in the strange eventful history, telling him and someone had to. At least she would be given that. She had promised she would soon, but everytime he called he seemed so happy. She turned her focus back to the amiable Mrs. Gonzalez and was surpised with what she found. Only minutes later Mrs. Gonzalez would reveal a shocking truth. The students behind her back called her Gonzo, and she knew it. And in fact she rather liked it.
~*****************************************
"So what do you think?" Lily asked as she put her fork into blanched pie crust. Rick was spaced out on the couch and Lily finally got her sister to herself in the kitchen.
"You really want to know? Well I think he should go back -"
"I can't believe you would say that."
"Look if you didn't want to hear my opinion, then why even bother." Judy went on, "Lil, I remember you saying that you thought he was really fabulous the first time you met him. You said you were really impressed at his presentation to the parents about the play last fall-"
"I never-"
Judy continued on, "Oh come on, you raved about all the exciting ideas he brought up for a week after that parent meeting. Lil I thought you were mad. You downloaded Heart is like a Wheel."
"Obviously I was mad. It must have been a premonition or something."
"Uh huh", Judy proded deeper. "So your telling me you really don't like him?"
"I am." Lily looked up at her sideways.
"You know Karen talked a lot about that parent meeting too last year," Judy started to laugh. "Almost makes me wish I had a child just so I could have attended. She said he played music and spoke very animately. I remember her saying he seemed very passionate about the whole play."
"Exactly my point. He gave up his job for Grace you know. He did. I don't even think she realizes that completely. That school board only suspended him. He would have been back the next term. The principle spoke with me shortly after even and pretty much layed it on the table. They wanted him back and if I as a parent was uncomfortable with that then possibly I would be moved to remove my child from the school. He even suggested that in 50 words or less. Of course camoflaged in back tracking and denial that they wanted to see that happen. The fact was they had recruited him. They were invested in Dimitri and although they thought the whole situation was regrettable, were willing to over look it. August had friends in that school and they were pressuring the VP, Brooker you name it. Even his students, a few from that Drama Club- asked for meetings or had their parents calling in. "
"Wait, so he's August now?", Judy had to ask. "Maybe that says something about him then Lil."
"That's what I'm afraid of." She paused, "If he inspires people he doesn't even really know like that, can you imagine if he wanted you to be his friend? If he went out of his way to encourage you?"
"Does he know they want him back?"
"They sent him a letter, it got forwarded to where he was teaching some adult education courses at that University in California. I guess he worked to get considered for these courses, and they gave it to him since he is apparently published- Whatever that means. hmf. "
"You mean as a writer-", Judy asked wide-eyed leaning in.
"Yes. So I've heard at least, and Upton did decide there was no reason for further pursuit of the matter so this other school took him right away on temporary contract. He's running the Drama Club out there he told us for the regular students of the college. In California... so I guess everything is turning out as smoothly as could be hoped for."
"So what's bothering you then?"
"The fact that I wrote him a letter too."
"That's it? Well I don't see- I mean what did you write to him?"
"Nothing. Forget I even mentioned it. But it's not the only thing I've been thinking about him. He really did do a great job with directing that play-"
"Oh I know. I mean I was in tears when Grace was on stage, and the part where she sang-"
"I know. That's what really sort of bothers me now. Just how good she was. And now real."
~~~"Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, Lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk and pass our long love's day,
Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires and more slow;
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, Lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.
But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near; "