The Eyes of Midnight Page 4

  Drew turned to Karen and reached for her hand.

  "I beg you," he pleaded. "If you know anything, please tell me."

  Karen sighed and placed her hand on his back.

  "I'm sorry to be the one," she grimaced, "And I wish there could be some way to soften the blow, but Dalice gave her engagement ring back to your grandmother."

  Drew's head sank down and he seemed to crumple up inside himself.

  "Did she say why?" he whispered.

  Karen drew closer to him.

  "Apparently she got an email from her first boyfriend, who's no longer married. And he wanted to get back together again. I'm really sorry."

  Drew exhaled slowly. "That would be Bruce," he said curtly. "They dated in high school back in Vermont."

  Karen could not understand how he was holding his composure so well. If she had been in his shoes, she would have completely fallen apart. But perhaps he was still in shock.

  "Can we go for a walk?" Drew suggested.

  Holding her arm the two strolled together by the pond and discussed life. Drew asked to visit the garden, so they sat by the fountain and reminisced about their childhoods, and the losses they experienced along the way.

  * * *

  Later that evening, Karen looked down from her bedroom window at the cottage. She was greatly concerned that Drew was not expressing his feelings. Maybe she just needed to give him some time.

  When Karen awoke the next morning, she was standing in the front of the Victorian house. She immediately became frightened. This was the first time she had wandered so far in her sleep.

  "Karen," Maude called. "Are you alright?"

  Karen turned around and joined the woman on the porch. She reluctantly explained her recent episodes of sleepwalking and confided to her what happened the previous day at the cottage.

  "I'm so happy to hear you're staying with us."

  Then Maude's face looked sad.

  "So he knows the truth now," she mused. "That was very brave of you to tell him."

  Karen shook her head.

  "I just couldn't lie to him." she replied. Though she had not been completely honest about why she had left before.

  "Could you do me a favor?" Maude asked.

  Karen nodded.

  Then Maude took her inside the house to the kitchen behind the dining room.

  "Roger has brought some supplies that need to be checked off the inventory list, and I've lost my reading glasses."

  "No problem, I'd be happy to help out."

  "Thank you, dear; and just one other thing. Roger also reseeded the lilac garden behind the house and was wondering if you could look after it for me."

  "That would be fine." she answered.

  Maude left the room, and Karen compared the inventory list with the supplies. One item in particular that caught her eye was a purple bottle labeled "Poison". That would be perfect for tending the garden, Karen thought. So she checked it off the list and dropped the bottle in her pocket.

  After she completed verifying everything on the list, Karen went out the back door to inspect on the garden. Roger had seeded the flower beds, but there were some weeds that needed to be removed. She got down on her hands and knees and began pulling them out. Some of the remaining flowers were beginning to wither and she noticed that there were insects feasting on their petals.

  She removed the purple bottle from her pocket and sprayed the bugs. The poison had a strong sweet smell that reminded her of grape jelly. Karen placed the bottle back in her pocket and looked at her wrist watch. It was almost noon now, so she decided to go and join Drew.

  She sauntered off to the cottage and found him sitting up in bed.

  "How are you?" she asked.

  He looked like the gravity of the world had been placed on his shoulders, and she could see his mind was still focused on yesterday.

  "Is there anything I can get for you?" she sat down beside him.

  "Yeah, someone to love." he murmured wistfully.

  "Your grandmother and I both care for you, Drew." She tried to comfort him.

  "It's not the same, Karen. When you give your heart to someone and then they go and smash it to pieces.”

  He turned away. “Eventually everyone always leaves."

  Then she glimpsed the tears behind his dark glasses. Karen brought some tissues and gave them to him.

  "Thank you," he responded looking in her direction. "You wouldn't do that to someone you loved, would you?"

  Karen took a deep breath.

  "No," she answered honestly, "I could never leave someone that I loved."

  Drew focused his attention on her.

  "Have you ever been in love, Karen?"

  It was as if he had turned a bright spotlight on her.

  "Truthfully,” she revealed, “I've had my share of crushes, and some infatuations, but I’ve never experienced romantic love before."

  Drew appeared shocked by this.

  "You mean, you've never had a boyfriend, ever?"

  "Not unless you count the one in my dreams. But of course, he's just as make-believe as Mary Jane was."

  "That's sounds more tragic than what happened to me yesterday.” Drew shook his head dismally. “Tennyson once wrote, ‘Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all’ ”

  Karen experienced the warm sensation of humiliation.

  "Oh, I apologize," he amended quickly. "That was really foolish of me. I honestly wasn't thinking. Please, how can I make it up to you?"

  Karen lowered her head sadly. "I'm pathetic, there's nothing anyone can do. I'd give anything, anything to be like everyone else."

  Drew placed his hand on her.

  "And that is what I love most about you," he said, “that you aren't like everyone else. It’s what makes you special."

  Karen lifted her head slowly. Did he say the word ‘love’ or had she imagined it?

  The color in his face rose.

  "You know, I didn't say anything before, and that was because I was engaged. But damn, I have no reason now to hold my tongue. When you first came here, I knew you were special. I was attracted and drawn to you; the sound of your voice, the scent of your hair, and most of all, the beauty inside you." He paused. "Honestly, I've never met anyone like you before, Karen."

  She was shocked by the turn of events. Was she dreaming this, or was it real? All those feelings Karen had bottled up inside her were apparently also inside of Drew. His fiancé’s goodbye was like a cork popping from a bottle of champagne, with his words and feelings gushing out all over.

  "I'm sorry if I've overwhelmed you with all this," he apologized, "but I really wanted to encourage you that you're not alone, and that you are loved. I love you very much, Karen. And I don't expect anything in return."

  Karen began to cry and reached for one of the tissues Drew had dropped.

  "I have a confession to make." She began.

  "You can tell me anything."

  Karen sat up and squared her shoulders bravely.

  "The real reason that I left was because I was falling for you, and I didn't want to come between you and Dalice."

  An expression of sheer delight appeared where the grief had once been.

  "Oh you don't know how happy my heart is to hear that right now." Drew grabbed her passionately and kissed the top of her head.

  "My sweet Karen, it looks like I am your first. And nothing would make me happier than to be with you."

  Karen felt as if she had stepped inside a fairytale. She was waiting to wake up from the dream, but it kept lingering. Maybe her dream man had become real and materialized.

  "You really want to be with me?" She was incredulous.

  "Come over here," he breathed, "and let me show you."

  Karen hesitated for a moment and then surrendered to his outstretched arms. And for the first time in her life, she let herself be loved. Drew cradled her in his arms, and she felt the warmth of his breath upon
her head. He stroked her hair with his fingers, and then ever so gently placed his lips on her mouth and kissed her.

  * * *

  The next morning found Karen tending the lilac garden behind the house. She watered, hoed and sprayed poison. Her thumbs were beginning to turn green. Just as Karen completed working, she pocketed the purple bottle, when Maude appeared in the kitchen doorway.

  "Morning Karen, how are you?"

  Now that she realized the previous day had been real and not a dream, Karen was walking on the clouds.

  "I feel content," she answered, "And how about you?"

  Maude wrinkled her face.

  "Still looking for those darn reading glasses, you haven't run across them by any chance?"

  Karen shook her head.

  "No, but I'll let you know if I find them."

  "Thank you, dear." Then she disappeared back into the house.

  Karen touched the long flannel muffler she wore around her neck. She had something planned today for Drew. But first she would read him the poem she had written last night. For Karen had been inspired when she beheld his cottage bathed in the moonlight.

  She prepared a picnic for Drew and herself in the enclosed garden. Laying out a blanket between the fountain and stone maiden, she set down a basket of sandwiches with fruit. Then she went to get Drew.

  "Mm, I smell something good... besides you."

  Karen and Drew both sat with their legs crossed on the blanket.

  "Ever since I came here," she began "I've wanted see something, but haven't had the courage to ask."

  Drew smiled. "And now you do?"

  "Yes, I do," she answered.

  "So are you going to tell me what it is?"

  She could see he was curious.

  "From the first time I saw your face; I've wanted to see what's behind those dark glasses."

  "So," he confirmed, "you want the phantom to remove his mask for you?"

  Karen giggled.

  "I want to see all of you, and know all about Drew."

  He slowly removed his sunglasses as rays of sunlight filtered down between the trees into their picnic area.

  Karen saw two chocolate candy eyes that were just as delicious as the rest of him.

  "You are so beautiful," she observed.

  "Hey, I'm just a guy. You're the one that's beautiful."

  "I have something for you," she announced, “I wrote it last night before I went to sleep."

  Drew leaned his head back in wonder.

  "I smell a poem."

  She laughed and unfolded the paper from her pocket.

  "It's titled 'Through the Eyes of Midnight.'"

  "That reminds me of a song I heard many years ago." he recalled.

  "Are you ready?" she asked.

  Drew nodded and she began to read:

  "Life is tragic and hysterical

  Without something enchanted

  To see is magic and a miracle

  And taken so for granted

  With our sight and vision we rely

  To see beyond the curtain

  But the heart is quicker than the eye

  Of that I am quite certain

  This disguise that hides my soul

  From taking any chances

  In your eyes, I am made whole

  Partaking in romances

  Waiting all my life to discover

  A love born without sight

  I close my eyes to see my lover

  Through the eyes of midnight"

  After she finished, Drew reached out his hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.

  "Through my life," he began "I've been given many things, but none so rare as this."

  "Thank you," she blushed, and removed the long plaid scarf from around her neck.

  "First, I want to see the way you see."

  "How is that?" he asked.

  "I'm going to blindfold my eyes and see what your world is like."

  Karen tied the flannel wrap over her eyes until there was nothing but utter darkness; the midnight world of Drew Lamont.

  "Where are you?" She moved her hands in front of her.

  "I'm right here," Drew responded, reaching out for her.

  She fell on top of him and they both rolled together on the blanket laughing.

  They came to rest beside each other. Drew took her hand and placed it on his face. Karen felt the various curves and contours of his features. Now she knew what it was like to live in his world; to experience the dark beauty of touch and sound. Karen was falling in love.

  She hugged him tightly, embracing his head in her arms. Drew's fingers traversed the sculpture of her face and mouthed "I love you."

  The birds sang in the treetops as a wind rustled playfully through the leaves. Karen heard the rushing of water splashing from the fountain, and felt the rhythm of Drew's heart beating against her. She savored the unique masculine scent that was his alone. She had become so tangled in his arms and legs that she did not know where she ended and he began.

  "Karen, you are a gift from heaven."

  Their lips touched.

  "Then unwrap me now." she answered.

  And so he did.

  * * *

  That evening Karen gazed out the bedroom window looking up at the stars. Then looking down at the cottage, she pondered the most perfect day of her life. It had been remarkable in every way. The best birthday gift she could ever give to Drew was herself. And in return, he had given himself to her in such an intimate way.

  Karen was jolted from her reverie by a knock on the bedroom door. She glanced at the clock, and saw it was almost 10:30 p.m.

  She opened the door, and Maude stood outside wearing a very serious expression.

  "Is everything alright?" Karen asked, "I haven't found your reading glasses yet."

  Maude entered the room and was silent.

  Karen began to worry; she could see that something was not right.

  Maude motioned for her to sit on the bed.

  "I don't know how to say this," she began. "But when I was out looking for you earlier today, I saw you in the garden."

  Karen swallowed, her throat had become dry. She suspected what was coming next.

  "And I must say, Karen, that I was surprised. No, horrified to find you there with my grandson in the middle of the garden..."

  Maude was not able to complete her sentence.

  Karen's head dropped down.

  "I fell in love in your grandson," she confessed quietly.

  The old woman seemed to be taken aback by this.

  "You know what my poor grandson has just gone through," Maude's voice grew louder, "And to take advantage of him like that?"

  The room was still for a moment before the old woman continued on.

  "You were my employee here, but I'm sorry; I'm going to have let you go."

  Karen spirits sank within her. Her entire world had been snatched away.

  "I know it's late," Maude remarked without emotion, "so you can leave in the morning. I hope you can respect my decision, Karen."

  And on that note, the elderly woman abandoned the room, shutting the door behind her.

  Karen lay down and unleashed all of her sorrow upon the pillow. She felt something uncomfortable in her pocket. It was that bottle she had used to spray the insects with earlier. She took it out and placed it on the bedside table, the word "Poison" glaring at her. She felt very sick, as if she had swallowed the contents of the purple bottle; feeling the agony of her tormented heart. Perhaps if she drank the poison, this sensation of loss would go away.

  Karen's eyes became heavy and she began to drift. Being swept away on the tides of midnight; till she reached the shore of sweet repose where the sandman waited.

  When she awoke, she realized that she was not in her bed, but sitting down staring into a mirror. Where on earth was she? An array of makeup, eyeliner and perfume was set out before her. It was a vanity table!

  Karen inspected her
new surroundings. It was an antiqued-crowded room with faded violet wallpaper. When her eyes stopped at a large mahogany bed, so did her heart; for she was not alone. Under the covers, Maude Waverly was fast asleep.

  Silently, she crept out, and returned to her room in the east corner. It was around two in the morning when she climbed back into bed.

  * * *

  A fiery dawn blazed into her room. Karen dismounted from the bed, and gathered her belongings. Maude was waiting just outside the bedroom door.

  “Well,” she sniffed, “I trust you have everything?”

  Karen took one last look around. Yes, she had everything; everything except the love of her life. Tears began to well in her eyes, but the old woman remained impassive.

  "I don't want you to have any further contact with my grandson."

  She held up Drew's cell phone in her hand.

  "I've taken his phone away as a safety precaution."

  Karen picked up her knapsack

  "I wasn't trying to take advantage of your grandson; I really do care for him.

  Maude made no comment as she backed away from the door.

  She bid the old woman goodbye and left.

  * * *

  Karen moved down the sunlit path to the enclosed garden until she found him. And there he was sitting on the stone pedestal as if waiting for her to come. The sparrows were playing in the bird bath as the sun shimmered through the umbrellas of majestic evergreen.

  "Drew, we've got to leave quickly!" she urged.

  But he did not move, or could not move.

  "Drew please, we don't have much time."

  He did not seem to hear.

  She came closer and saw that there was something wrong. She removed the dark glasses from his face and then screamed. Blood trickled down like tears from his eyes. Suddenly his hand reached out and grabbed her.

  "Look at what you've done to me," he snarled, "Get out of here and leave me alone!"

  Terrified, she ran away into the trees which became as dark as night.

  And as the dream faded, Karen opened her eyes and realized she was back in her bed at the boarding house again. It had been almost a week since she had left the Waverly house and Drew. She had called Maude's number repeatedly the last couple days, but there was never any answer. Suffering bouts of melancholy during the day and nightmares after dusk, she could not go on like this. It had to end, or surely she would lose her mind.

  * * *

  Sitting in the cottage parlor, Drew took out his new cell phone. He had no idea where his old phone had disappeared to last week, but his grandmother had provided another one. Although this phone did not have Karen's number programmed, and grandmother said she had misplaced her information.