Читать книгу A Ghost's Story - Jenna Lynn Bretz - Страница 13

That’s when it happened. The breakthrough I was waiting for! I received a call from a producer out of New York City. He had seen me at an audition in LA and felt I would be perfect for the role of Sandy in the stage production of Grease. My answer was an emphatic yes! This would require me to move to New York. I would have to give up my job, my apartment. I would have to give up Stanley. The thought of that conjured up emotions that I preferred not to feel. But I was not going to let all my dreams go for him.

My mother was apprehensive but supportive about New York. She pulled together enough money for my airfare. Liam and Angela felt I was too young to be going off to New York alone and, once again, offered to send me to college. After much debate, Liam came through for me. He contacted a former colleague who now lived in Manhattan with his wife and kids. They were happy to have me come stay and be their live-in nanny. I would tend to their kids during the day. Which would leave my nights free to pursue my own interests. So it was settled. I was moving to New York.

Stanley arrived at eight fifteen, as usual. I was already at our table, coffee and warm bagels waiting.

“Good morning, Juliet.”

“Good morning.”

“I have something really important to address with you.”

My stomach did a flip. “Sounds serious.”

“Well, it is.”

“Okay, Stanley, what’s up? What is so serious?”

“You and I have been seeing each other now for three months. I have really enjoyed your company and want to continue to enjoy your company. I think very highly of you, Juliet. And because of this, I would like for you to meet my parents.”

I felt a wave of relief. “That would be great, Stanley. I’d love to meet your parents.”

“Dinner then, Saturday evening?”

“Okay, great. What time?”

“Seven good for you?”

“Seven sounds great.”

“Good, then it’s a date.”

“What should I wear?”

“I trust your sense of style, Juliet. You choose.”

“Okay, Stanley, my best leather and chains it is.”

He laughed, genuinely delighted by my sense of humor.

“So is that it? Is that what was so important?”

“Uh, yes, Juliet. I have to tell you, you are the first girl I have ever wanted my parents to meet. You are very important to me, Juliet.”

My stomach flipped again. Stanley must have picked up on it. His face was suddenly pale. He looked down at his shoes.

“Juliet, am I reading this wrong? You are not feeling what I am feeling, are you?”

“No, no, Stanley, that is not it at all. I really like you and love spending time with you. It’s just that I have something to tell you too.”

“What? What is it?” he questioned with a worried tone.

“I’m moving.”

“Where?”

“To New York. I got my big break, Stanley! The leading lady role in a real Broadway show!”

“Wow! New York. When?”

“I leave at the end of the month.”

Stanley appeared wounded but smiled anyway.

“I have everything worked out. I will be working for some people my dad knows, watching their kids during the day and going to rehearsals in the evening. They will be providing my housing and a salary. Isn’t that great, Stanley! I am really doing this. I am an actress!”

With that, Stanley perked up, embraced both my hands in his, then kissed them lightly. “Wonderful, Juliet. How wonderful for you.”

Looking back, I can see how selfless Stanley was. I recognize now the pain he had in his eyes. But I was too excited to see or care at the time. All I could do was think about New York.

Saturday at seven arrived. Stanley was right on time, as usual. I chose to wear my emerald-green velvet dress. It really brought out the red in my hair. I also wore my mother’s pearls, the one gift my father ever gave her. She was happy to pass them on to me.

“You look very beautiful, Juliet.”

Stanley was wearing a white shirt, black tie, and his signature khaki pants.

“And you are also looking quite lovely, Stanley.”

“Shall we go then?”

“We shall.”

We arrived at the Tam O’Shanter Inn. It was the type of place that I never expected to grace with my presence. I was feeling a bit underdressed or maybe a little insecure. Stanley noticed right away. He gave me a look that inspired confidence and held my hand firmly in his as he walked me proudly to the table where his parents sat waiting.

“Stanley!”

His mother exclaimed as she stood to hug and kiss him. Stanley’s father stood and shook his son’s hand firmly.

“How are you, son?”

“Great, Dad, really great. Mom, Dad, this is Juliet Foster.”

Stanley’s mother did a quick head-to-toe inspection of me, smiled and politely held her hand out to greet me. His father nodded and bowed, lightly shaking my hand. Stanley pulled out my chair, as did his father for his mother. We all seated ourselves around the table. Stanley and his father talked about his internship at the hospital and the latest research Stanley was involved in. While his mother told me stories of what a perfect child Stanley was. Then as the conversations began to dwindle down, their focus turned to me.

“Juliet, what is it that you do?” his mother asked.

“I am an actress and a waitress.”

“Really! That’s quite interesting. Are you a student here in LA?”

“No, ma’am, I have been pursuing my acting career by night and waitressing by day.”

“Oh, I see, so you do not attend the university.”

“No, I just dove right in to acting.”

“That sounds very exciting. So do you plan on going to school in the future?”

“No, not exactly.”

“Mother, Juliet is actually moving to New York. She will be working on the stage production of Grease. She’s playing the leading lady role, Sandy.”

“How wonderful for you, Juliet!”

I could tell Stanley’s mother really meant that. But not for my benefit.

“New York, that is really exciting. How do your parents feel about your move?” asked Stanley’s father.

“My mother has her reservations but is happy for me. She actually bought my plane ticket. My father and his wife are less enthusiastic. They are trying to be supportive.”

“Your parents are divorced then?” asked Stan’s mother.

“Actually, they were never married.”

“I see. Do you have any siblings?”

“No, I am my mother’s only child. My father’s wife is unable to have children. So it’s just me.”

“Well, that’s a shame. Every child should have a sibling.”

Stanley’s mother finally finished her line of questioning. Our food arrived, and we ate in relieving silence. Afterward, Stanley told his parents the story of how we met. His eyes lit up with happiness as he spoke. He closed his story with “I just hope she remembers me after she makes it big on Broadway.”

Stanley and I walked his parents to their car, a black Volvo station wagon. They embraced and said their goodbyes, then turned to me.

“Well, good luck to you, young lady. Be safe in New York. It was good to finally meet Stanley’s lady friend. He can’t stop talking about you,” said Stanley’s father as he winked kindly at me.

“Thank you, sir, it was a pleasure to meet you as well.”

Stanley’s mother extended her hand to embrace mine. “You are a lovely young lady. We wish you all the best. Good night.”

I looked over to Stanley as they drove away. “Your mother hates me.”

“Well, I don’t hate you, Juliet. I adore you.”

“No, really, Stanley, she can’t wait for me to leave for New York.”

“I don’t care what my mother wants, Juliet.”

Stanley caressed my cheek with his hand and kissed me. His lips were hot against mine and soft as fine silk. We had never kissed before. He had never even tried to kiss me before now. I was a bit surprised, but I did not resist.

I can still taste his kiss. I would give anything to kiss his lips again …

Stanley and I spent the rest of the evening stargazing from the hood of his car. He listened as I talked about New York. He made me promise to allow him to be the one to take me to the airport. Then he drove me home. This time, I initiated the kiss; it was just as brilliant as the first one. Stanley stared into my eyes before I departed the car. “I love you, Juliet.”

I was speechless. I could feel my cheeks burning.

“Stanley, I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just want you to know that I really do love you.”

I just sat there. I was at a complete loss for words. Stanley stepped out of the car, then came around and opened my door. He offered his hand, which I took, then assisted me out of the car. He held my elbow in one hand and placed his arm around my waist. We walked to my apartment; he waited as I unlocked my door.

“Good night, Juliet.” He kissed my forehead and walked away.

“Stanley, wait!”

“What is it?”

“I want you to come in.”

“Juliet, I would love to come in. But I think I should go.”

“No! I really want you to come in. Please come in, Stanley.”

He began to walk toward me. I felt like I was going to pass out, my heart was beating so fast. As soon as he was within reach, I grabbed his hands and pulled him through the door and kicked it shut. We both engaged in a kiss—a very passionate kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and indulged in the feeling of his tongue against mine. He pulled away from me and looked at me. His face red, his breathing rapid. I smiled at him and pulled him back into me, kissing him hard. I left his mouth and started for his neck. The salty taste of his skin was euphoric. I could feel his heart beat against my lips as I kissed him. I wanted him to want me to need me. He pulled away.

“Juliet, I really should go.”

I reached for him again, ignoring what he had said. I unbuttoned his shirt, then reached inside, running my fingertips over his chest and then over his abdomen. He gasped with each touch. His skin was warm and moist. I followed the contours of his throat with my open lips, taking in the flavor of him. He tried to stop me, but I insisted. I wanted him. I lowered my hand down over his zipper. I could feel that he wanted me too. I unzipped his trousers and pulled the button free. He grabbed my wrist to keep me from going further.

“Stanley, let me do this,” I whispered in his ear.

He released my wrist, and I reached for him, massaging his soft, warm skin. His head fell back with pleasure. I stopped and walked away. He opened his eyes and looked at me. I reached back and unzipped my dress and let it fall to the floor. His mouth gaped open as he watched me undress. I unclipped my bra, unveiling my breast for him, then let my hair down.

“My God, Juliet, you are so beautiful. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. But this, this is incredible. You are incredible.”

“Come over here, Stanley. Take me to the bedroom.”

Stanley crossed the room, swooped me up into his arms, and carried me to my room.

* * * * *