**Author's note: but they didn't have the conversation… and so… what if…?**
**Sorry for absence, Episode 4 was killing me! Will post daily until finished.**
S2 E1 - The Night of the Red Dress
Part 1 of 6
Tired, annoyed, feeling put-upon, Camille looks towards the patio to see 'her date' sitting at a table. The early evening sky backlights a very familiar outline. The golden light glows softly on the clean sweep of his suited back, the shape of him so solid and dear. His face is in shadow but she knows every line of it.
The joy that surges in her heart is matched only by the shock that Maman has FINALLY gotten it right! Next comes the shock that he is actually HERE! Him. Here. For her. How had Maman managed it? How had he allowed it? He wouldn't have… unless… unless he wanted to?
With flutters in her stomach, she shyly approaches… to have the whole thing blow up in her face.
He is only waiting for Fidel.
He is baby-sitting for the evening.
He is leaving.
Sorrow and disappointment wash over her. She tries to cover it up, laugh it off, looks everywhere but at him. Nevertheless, she sees his reaction and knows that he has seen HER reaction and, for once in his life, he has read her correctly. Face burning in embarrassment, she lets her mother direct her to the correct table where a perfectly nice man waits for her.
As she sits, she realizes this is not the RIGHT man. None of them will EVER be the right man. She casts one last despairing look at Richard's retreating back.
But he isn't retreating. He is hesitating, a look of such longing on his face that her heart goes out to him. He is the perfect image of a man caught on the horns of a dilemma. Suddenly, HIS reaction to HER reaction flashes through her mind. He hadn't been shocked or appalled or indignant. His look had been one of surprise, wonder, and hope… then he had tried to cover it up as if it was the secret of his heart. The secret of his heart? Was it possible? Her pulse leaps. He is going to come back! Yes, Richard! Take a deep breath and gather your courage and come back! Save me!
He doesn't come back. He sighs, and, diminished somehow, turns and moves away into the dark.
She freezes and suddenly sees her future laid out bleak and sterile before her. It is unbearable. Their moment should have been HERE, tonight, right NOW, and it is slipping away. Sorrow floods in and she sinks into her chair.
A hush falls. Thunder builds up in the air. A small voice speaks right in her ear... go to him
She stands. No one is there, just the cooling air wafting past her other ear... he cannot you must
Not giving herself time to think, she excuses herself from THIS man and rushes after THAT man. For a moment she thinks he has eluded her but then she sees dim movement. "Richard!" The movement stops and she sees the pale V of his shirt front as he turns at her shout. Fearful yet full of hope, she hurries up to him.
When she reaches him, she finds herself mute. What possible reason can she give to justify her actions? Nothing rational. Nothing sane. Nothing that would make sense in his orderly world.
What do I tell him? she frantically thinks. A slip of air circles her... the truth
"Camille?"
She finds herself gazing into the faintest gleam of green, moonlight washing him silver. She knows then that here is HER heart's secret. Unbidden, her hand reaches out to catch one of his. She feels the tremor run up his arm, "Richard, can you tell me one thing? The truth? Can you?"
She sees him blink, his lips part then close. His fingers jerk in hers but she holds tight tight, brings up her other hand to strengthen her grasp. He finally nods, "I'll try. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Everything. Us. Please, Richard..." She takes a deep breath. She hears him do the same, bracing himself. "… do you care for me at all? Even a little?"
END-part 1