Roy hadn't wanted to get up that morning. It wasn't so much that he was tired, it was more like laziness. He ate breakfast without much haste, and strapped on his overalls. When he finally did get outside to start his day, he did not go to his chores. He did not go to the mountains to collect berries. Instead he made his way towards the barn. He needed to think, he needed to be alone.
However, his attempts to be alone proved unsuccessful. For there, sitting by the hole that the time-capsule had been kept in, was the one person he did not want to see. Or was she the one he wanted to see most? He wasn't quite sure. But before he could make up his mind, Elli spoke. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to be in your way. I will leave." She arose, but Roy signaled for her to sit down.
"I couldn't sleep well last night. I was thinking about you, and I am sorry for embarrassing you in front of all the people at the beach."
"Um, that's okay. I think they were talking about you too." A long pause followed.
"I asked my grandmother about Doctor, and she said that doctor was a good man and he had been the one who loved me first. And she is right. I don't think I have the heart to turn him down after he has been willing to marry me for all these years." Elli finally said.
"Did you tell him about going to the fireworks festival with me?" asked Roy.
"No. I think it best he didn't know."
"Can I still see you?"
"I don't know," she said doubtfully.
"Well why not as friends?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well just because you are getting married doesn't mean we can't still be just friends. Let's do something together. Today even," Roy said with sudden hope.
"But I have work. You have work. No offense, but you haven't done much in the way of trying to restore the farm. And besides, Doctor isn't stupid- he's got a PHD. He is going to notice that I suddenly disappear during the middle of the day."
"I suppose you are right Elli. I guess we just weren't meant to be," he said saddened by the thought. Another pause followed.
"Tomorrow at midnight. Be waiting for me." And with that she left.
Could she really get away with this? Doctor had been sound asleep when she left, but he could have awakened by now. Though they slept in the same rooms, they luckily did not share a bed. She imagined waking up next to doctor each morning. She shuddered. Finally the brick road she was walking on ended and the farm stood in front of her. She saw Roy leaning against his fence impatiently, his bandanna tied in a rather striking manner. How could she be just friends with him? She would have to try.
He came towards her. "What shall we do tonight?" he asked. They decided to paint Roy's barn, a task only enjoyable with each other. They talked and laughed together under the moonlight. When they finished it was 4:30 in the morning. Elli soon returned to the clinic to enjoy the rest of the night in her bed. Thus began their late night rendezvous.
This lasted for about two weeks, each time Roy trying to persuade Elli to see him during the day. But her answer was always the same: tomorrow at midnight. That is until Elli's conscience kicked in. They were sitting at Mother's Hill looking out at the full moon. "Marriage is no barrier to our bond," Roy commented in a thoughtful manner. Then Elli realized that she could no longer do this. To be spending time with him and not be more than friends was impossible; that she knew.
"I can't do this," Elli declared.
"What?"
"I just can't keep doing this anymore, Roy."
"Well why not?"
"It's like I am in an orchard filled with trees that bear the most delicious fruit in the world, and I am not allowed to taste a single one."
"You want some fruit?"
"Oh Roy, it is too much to bear to be with you and not be able to be with you. And I am going to be married! Do you not think it wrong to be sneaking out at night to see someone, and then lie about it to my soon-to-be husband when I return? I am sorry, but I just can't. I have to get back to the clinic." She arose and hurried down the mountain path.
The next day Roy slept in late. Even so, he only got in four hours of sleep that night. Well, that would change now that he wasn't able to see Elli. He supposed she was right about it being immoral. And she was the one who had to do the lying, so it was probably worse for her. He sighed. Why did she have to be getting married? He truly wished that doctor would discover the cure for cancer and become famous and forget all about marrying Elli.
Roy did the day's work with an empty feeling inside him. It was rather hard to bear not being able to see her. Maybe he should move away, then he wouldn't have to go through the pain of seeing Doctor and Elli have kids and grow old together. He could return to the city, maybe get a job as an engineer or something.
He was taking things too fast he thought as he opened the door of his house and went inside. Why, Elli wasn't getting married until- well he didn't know. He checked his calendar and stood back in surprise. Her wedding was in two days.
