Will true love finally have its way with Sue and Jake? Will the end of our tale mark a new beginning?
Nan
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A Tale from Eve’s Garden
By Nan D. Arnold
Part 7
Our date with destiny. Sue packed wine, glasses, cheese, an apple, of course, the first fruit of temptation and crackers into a chill pack. Not bad for a last repast. She locked the door behind her and headed to the elevator. “Evening Roger,” she said sweetly. “I like the new guy, SC. His sweet nature and chubby features are almost…angelic.”
Roger choked but quickly faked a cough. “Glad to hear it Miss Blu.”
Sue entered Central Park along a familiar sidewalk and walked to the picnic tables by the lake. For a moment, fear overtook her. “Whose there?” she whispered, jarred by a vision of a prison guard who oddly resembled SC and hearing an iron prison gate clang shut behind her. How peculiar. I haven’t had a drink in hours. Just jitters I suppose and conscience. “To hell with both, I’m doing it,” she muttered. A squirrel dashed in front of her. Farewell, furry rodent.
At her lakeside destination, Sue quickly took the flask from her bag and fortified herself with a glass of wine. Opening the chill pack, she strategically placed another glass and the doctored bottle near the edge of the table. Slicing the apple and cheese, she put them on a plate with crackers.
Taking a deep breath, she put on a cheerful face watching Jake amble up. "Happy you found me."
“Not too difficult since this spot is directly across from your building. Listen Sue, I wish our timing had been better,” Jake said, looking dismal.
“I do understand, really,” she smiled. “Let’s say goodbye, shall we. We don’t have much time. An evening mist is blowing up from the lake.” She made a show of uncorking the wine, poured, and raised her glass. “A toast to your continuing brilliant future on the stage. First, a kiss.”
Sue boldly kissed him then raised the glass to her lips, without drinking. Jake took the bait. Hungry from rehearsals all day, he first bit into an apple slice with cheese. “A classy send off from a special lady.” He poured his own glass and lifted it to his lips, about to drink the deadly potion. Sue laughed to herself. Men are such idiots. Eve taught us that long ago.
But SC had other plans.
Pulling out his Glitter Silver Renewal Spritzer, he blasted their wine glasses and the bottle for good measure, repurposing the brew into the best love potion ever made.
Emotionally ironclad and very confident, Sue made a second toast. “Cheers.” She and Jake both drank liberally this time.
“What’s that?” Lake mist changed to a shower of iridescence. Sue scrambled to her feet, kicked off her red soled Louboutins and ran barefoot into the descending hailstorm of stars.
Jake dropped his glass and ran after her. “Sue, where are you?” Running on.” Don’t run from me. I love you!!” Jake reeled at his words and shouted, “I’ve lost my reason.” He laughed. “And I don’t care.”
Sue stopped in her tracks. Jake bumped into her and they both fell into the grass. “What did you say? I thought you said—. Oh, never mind. Kiss me.”
“I said I love you.” repeated Jake, breathing hard. “And I’m happy to oblige your request.” He pressed himself against her and kissed her with a purity of passion alien to both of them
The initial euphoria turned to exhaustion. Instinct told her to lead him to her place but, grass-stained, and wondering where her shoes were, Sue struggled to her feet. Dazed, she walked back to her building through the starry mist, trusting he’d follow.
Jake lay quietly in the grass. What do I do now?
SC’s voice from above prompted, “Follow her, dummy. You’ll know what to do. Oh, and give the doorman a big tip.”
Happier than he’d felt in ages, Jake complied. Jake Will was in love.
Just goes to show you, he thought, grinning like a love struck swain, that anything is possible in the Big Apple…
THE END
