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***
For the first time since spring break, it's a relaxing Saturday morning. There are no more assignments to grade or lessons to plan. Students will take their final exams starting first thing Monday morning.
I take a sip of my mocha latte, a bite of my vanilla bean scone, and just people-watch in the coffee shop. I'm fairly certain that the couple sitting at the far table are the ones who ordered a custom painting from Elanna a few weeks ago.
"Michael," Angelo called out. He nodded his head toward the glass door where a very determined Elanna was approaching from the parking lot carrying a large box. The box was nearly as big as she was! I darted to the door and held it open as she made her way inside. The waiting couple hopped up as well to lend a hand with the box.
"Elanna! This is much bigger than we expected!" The woman remarked as her husband helped lower it carefully to the floor.
"There are several inches of bubble wrap on each side for protection. You could ship this thing around the world and back again safely!"
"That makes it a little hard to see."
"Yes, it does. So here is a print of it." Elanna reached into a large manila envelope taped to the side and pulled out a glossy replica of the painting. "The actual painting is twice as tall and twice as wide. I think I captured your vision."
"Oh my gosh! It's magnificent! Honey, look!" The couple both gushed over the print.
I returned to my table and watched the exchange. Talking, laughing, smiling, studying the print. After a while the conversation wrapped up, the print returned to the envelope, and cash changed hands. More smiles, talking, and laughing followed. Then the couple left with the painting and Elanna took a seat at the table.
"They seemed quite happy with the result. You must be proud."
"They were so excited that I couldn't help but feel excited too. It's going to a great home, I just know it. But I'm a little sad too. I spent a lot of time with that painting."
"Do you feel attached to all of your paintings?"
"Not all to the same degree, but yes." She paused for a moment, then a mischievous grin formed on her face. "I'm more attached to paintings I really put myself into."
I chuckled. "I'm pretty attached to one of those myself."
Angelo arrived with Elanna's usual order.
"Thank you, Angelo. Say, do you have room in the back to store an extra painting or two? Michael and I are going on a camping trip, and I want to be sure you can fill in any gaps that may arise."
"I've got room for a couple of paintings, just make sure they're covered. Where are you two going?"
"We haven't made a final decision, but we have a couple of parks shortlisted."
"Sounds like fun. Drop off the paintings before you leave and I'll take care of the rest."
"Thanks, Angelo, you're the best."
Angelo left to man the counter once again.
"We should decide where we're going and reserve a campsite," I noted.
"Yes, but there are more pressing matters."
"Right. I need to finish my breakfast and head home to get ready if I'm going to have any chance of tying my bow tie in time."
"A bow tie?"
"Yes, it is a somewhat dressy party, and I look dashing in a bow tie if I do say so myself."
"I need to go meet a friend of mine. She's promised to do my hair on a study break."
"I wish your friend the best of luck on their exams. Are we still okay with arriving an hour early to help with last-minute setup?"
"Yup. I'll be ready. Don't forget to stop by and pick me up. I believe you promised a horse-drawn carriage."
"Did I? It must've slipped my mind. Well, I'll see what I can arrange. See you later. I love you."
"I love you too, Michael."
A goodbye kiss and she was off to settle her bill. I scarfed down the last bits of scone, gulped the last bit of coffee, and lamented that my relaxing Saturday morning was already over.
***
I opted for a cream-colored shirt, a grey vest, a matching grey bow tie, and my brown tweed jacket. Dark slacks, socks, and shoes finished out the look. It was a versatile design, suitable for soliciting donations from wealthy alumni or marching off to death by PowerPoint in a faculty meeting. Or, in this case, rubbing elbows with fellow faculty and their spouses.
I rang the doorbell, with a single long-stem red rose in my hand. No corsage, this wasn't a corsage kind of gathering. But I didn't want to arrive empty-handed.
Elanna answered wearing the most incredible purple cocktail dress. Long sleeves with a short skirt. The top went up to her neck. The material was shiny with a kind of wavy pattern to it. Her hair was pulled back, and two barrettes secured two tiny braids, one on either side framing her face. She was wearing a black ribbon choker with a gold pendant on the front.
She reached for the rose. "Thank you, Michael. You do look quite dashing in a bow tie. I'm sorry I ever doubted! Come on in while I put this in some water."
She turned to get a tall glass from the kitchen in place of a vase. The back of the dress was open across most of her back. There was a clasp around her neck, then nothing but her perfect skin down to about her waist where fabric swooped back in and hugged her figure down to the hem. I'm not sure how far she can bend over before showing off more of her perfect... assets.
She's wearing matching purple heels. Is that shade of purple called lilac?
The rose went into a tall glass with some water sitting on the kitchen table.
Elanna returned to me, brought one hand up to caress my cheek, and said, "Michael, my love. Breathe for me."
I inhaled. She stood tip-toe and leaned in for a kiss. My hands found her butt. We kissed. My hands massaged her cheeks for a minute when I had a realization.
"No panties?"
"I want my plus one to have easy access tonight."
"You do realize we have never had a naughty little secret that stayed secret for more than 30 seconds, right?"
"That just means we need more practice."
"Oh."
"But hey, you can already form complete sentences. This could be a new record! Are we ready to go?"
"Almost." I produced a small square of paper with a scribble across it. "I asked the horse to draw a carriage, but he could barely hold the marker."
We both laughed until we teared up.
"Now, miss Elanna, we are ready to go."
She retrieved her purse from the table. "Very well, mister Michael. Lead the way."
***
"Elanna, my dear, you look absolutely ravishing! In fact, I'm a little surprised Michael isn't ravishing you this very moment." You have to admire Helen's directness. Or not. "Michael, Ed is out back stocking the ice chests. Elanna, help me set out the finger foods, will you?"
I headed out back in time for Ed to take a look at the women through the sliding glass door. "I tell you, Michael, we are two very lucky fellows."
"That we are, my good man. That we are." We stared for a bit too long and earned a cross look from Helen. And a little laugh from Elanna, I think. "Alright, what do you need me to do."
"Take the soft drinks there out of their packs, put them in that ice chest there, and add ice. Bags of ice are in the deep freeze in the garage." Ed got back to stocking another cooler with the hard drinks.
"Great. Did the pool table arrive?"
"Yes, it did. They delivered on Tuesday. I figured it would be good to have a couple of days to hone my skills before the party."
"Ah, Ed the pool shark."
"Hehe, I wouldn't bet money on that if I were you. Say, I give my last final on Wednesday morning, so Helen and I are taking a long weekend and heading to the coast. The table will still be around if you want to come over and try honing your pool shark skills."
"Sounds like fun. I'm sure I'll need a break from grading exams before the end of the week."
Drinks and snacks were soon ready, and guests started to arrive. Mostly fellow faculty members and their dates. Other friends from elsewhere were invited, of course, but the timing suited the college professor crowd. Some of the younger faculty graduated from accelerated programs, so they weren't much older than Elanna. I don't know if Elanna cared one way or the other, but I was glad she'd have people close to her own age to talk with.
The Dean and his wife showed up as well. I need to introduce them to Elanna at some point tonight. Speaking of, where has she gotten off to?
I found her in the living room chatting with a few people looking at one of her paintings that Ed and Helen purchased from the coffee shop.
"Michael, my love, could you fetch a handful of cards from my purse?"
"I'll be back in two shakes, beautiful."
I went to the master bedroom where purses and jackets were being stored. I took the opportunity to deposit my jacket before finding Elanna's tiny lilac purse. I'm here to say, there is no task more terrifying than retrieving something from your lover's purse for the very first time. You simply don't know what to expect, or how you'll react to whatever you find. Sure, the cards Elanna requested will be in there, but what else? It's just a tiny purse though, how bad could it be?