A Summer in Time

Chapter XI: "Time to Say Goodbye"

A SUMMER IN TIME by Norman H. Goroshnik
CHAPTER XI: THE FALL SEASON: "TIME TO SAY GOODBYE" 

For Paul, the road back to the cottage was filled with sheer disappointment.  He was barely able to climb the stairs to his room.  Paul dropped down on his bed and facing the wall, tried to block out a very lonely feeling.  Had he gone back in to the cottage, Paul would have made a fool of himself and would have had a lot of explaining to do about his actions.

It was no longer important to Paul that a friend of Blair's was supposed to come up from Providence to take her on a date.  Exhausted, Paul  fell asleep with his clothes on.

Paul managed to open his eyes Sunday morning.  He focused on the wallpaper, a copy of prints dating back to the American Revolution.  The morning sun shone through the blinds.

Paul looked over at a sleeping David.  He must have come in very late.  Paul got out of his clothes and showered.  By then David had woken up and Paul just had to ask,"did you see Blair with her boyfriend from Providence last night?"  "Yes," David answered.

"I can see you are going to drive yourself crazy over Blair.  She lives in Providence and you live in Brooklyn," David exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief," you are leaving yourself wide open for problems!"

"I don't know how I can make you understand what I feel!  I can't explain it, Dave.  I know you are right.  You warned me," Paul struggled, "but this is like nothing I have ever known.  I don't want to lose her, but I know I will and that is what's driving me crazy!  I will care about her long after we call it quits.  But all I can hear in my head is, 'why can't it be?'"

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"Blair, are you packing?" Sheila called up from the living room.  It was early.  The train was leaving at 3:45 for Providence.  Besides all your clothes and things, you were carrying home something extra.  Packing was not the problem.  Paul was the problem.

It was at this time that you realized leaving was going to be a bit harder than you expected.  The expression on your face made it quite obvious that you were concerned about tomorrow and the  tomorrows  to come.  And part of that concern was Paul.  Did you care enough to see him again?  When and how would you see him or not at all? 

What if Paul never called or wrote?  The easy way out would be to end this thing before you got further involved. 

All the heavy thinking and packing tired you out.  A cold glass of orange juice offered renewed energy.

You sat on the porch waiting until it was time to leave.  It was a beautiful day.  But isn't it always that way, just when you have to leave the weather can play tricks.

A big beige Buick convertible turned up the driveway.  It was Teri returning from Provincetown.  She got out and thanked her friend, waving goodbye as the Buick eased out of the driveway. 

 _______________________

"I suppose we will be going over to the girl's cottage? asked Paul.

"Well, your girlfriend is going home today, don't you want to say goodbye to her," teased David.

He would see Blair off.  Paul was stubborn and chose to approach the relationship aggressively. He would push until he either got what he wanted or got hurt trying.

"Are we stopping off to eat, Dave?"  David replied, "Sure, that sounds good."  All Paul could do was wait to and see what would happen.  Needless to say, he did not enjoy his breakfast.

 _______________________

From your porch chair, you were able to see  Paul and David drive up.

"Blair, David and I would like to drive you to the train station."

"It really is not necessary, Paul.  Charles said he would take us, " you responded, maintaining a cold exterior.

"David and I would like to thank you for everything.  I know David would want to say good-bye to Sheila and see her off.  Let us do this for you and your sister."

You did not appreciate the way Paul rephrased his request.  But you let it slide. 

"Okay, since neither of you are going home until tomorrow and Charles still has to finish packing."

"We don't mind Blair.  Besides, I am sure Charles would like to spend some more time with Laura. That is great!" Paul shouted, revealing his jubilation!

"Paul, did you have something to eat?"  you asked, touching him on the arm.

"I could use a cup of coffee," he replied, walking around the lawn in circles.

You stood and turned towards the door, hoping Paul would follow you inside.  A common ground had been reached and a cup of coffee would be, "food for the spirit."

"Would you like to take a walk after we finish our coffee, while you are waiting to make your train?" asked Paul.

"I just need to finish the dishes and then we can go," you replied, trying to take control.

"Let me dry them for you," Paul said.  There was no need for Paul to say anything further.  He hoped on hope and demonstrated his best qualities: patience, understanding and compassion. He wanted a commitment!

When the dishes were dried and put away, you left the cottage together, walking down what seemed like the most peaceful road on Cape Cod.

Breaking the silence, Paul said, "Can I ask you something?"  and without waiting for a yes or no,  "Would you let me write to you?" 

"Oh, that would be fine, Paul."  you answered politely.

"And now my next question.  Would it be possible for us to arrange to see each other again?"  Paul paused. "I can come to Providence.  Or you could come to New York and spend a day with me.  I could show you around, we would have a great time together!  Blair, I want very much to see you again.  I am sorry I upset you this week.  I want for us to get to know each other.  I haven't told you anything about me."

"I don't know how we can plan anything right now.  As I mentioned, I have to find a job first and earn some money," you replied.

He held your hand, taking you directly to his heart, unable to turn your hand loose.  Bonded at the palms, Paul spoke as if the time you had together was running out.  "Blair, I know we will have miles between us, but I feel we are good for each other.  And you know if I say I am going to do something, I will do it.  I am asking for you to trust me to make this all happen for us so we can be together.  I will work hard to do whatever I can to see you and to be with you.  When we are apart, I will always be wondering what you are doing or how you are doing.  And I promise to call often.  Blair, I can't think of anymore ways to say, I care about you."

Tears filled your eyes. Nobody every spoke to you like Paul did.

A Golden Retriever sat quietly in his master's driveway, his eyes followed as you and Paul turned to go back to the cottage.

"Who will pick you up at the train? Paul asked.  "My Father," you answered.

You reached the cottage and walked slowly away from Paul, towards the front door.  Things were completely amiss.  "I need to go up and change now,"  you sounded depressed.

Paul had said everything that mattered.  Trouble, discomfort and uncertainty clouded each other's vision of a future together.

"Can I help you with your bags?"  Paul called out, trying to be helpful.  "No, I just have a couple of   bags," you quietly replied.

In your upstairs room you turned around and checked your outfit in the mirror.  Getting dressed up seemed like the right thing to do.  You took an extra minute to see if you left anything behind.

Paul stood in the middle of the living room.  He was spellbound when you came down the stairs never having seen you dressed up before.  Pleased, Paul noticed you carried the leather bag he had had made for you.

"Blair, you are so beautiful!" Paul exclaimed, complimenting you in a special way.

You were a sight to behold in a white cotton dress with large black round buttons centered down the front and a sailor's collar with vertical strips and smaller horizontal ones.

"Thank you," you answered a little self-consciously.

David gave Paul the keys to his car so he could put the bags in the trunk.

First it was time to sat goodbye to Teri.  She had helped to make this an enjoyable vacation.  Abby was next.   She led the group of  "Little Women" finding places to go and things to do.  And Laura added sophistication, as if the girls were all royalty.  Hugs and farewells all around, it felt very much like leaving family. 

David watched you saying goodbye and sort of wanted to be wrong about you. He decided to give you the benefit of the doubt.

No one spoke on the way to the train station.  No cheers. No jokes.  No cute conversation.  It was understood that this was the final ride in David's Plymouth.  Tomorrow it was back to reality. 

You focused on how Paul was dressed.  You would need to take him shopping.  He looked bad. The train was there and would leave on schedule.  No one had boarded the train yet.  They most certainly would  rather spend their last few minutes visiting and saying goodbye to friends and family.

Paul took in the whole scene.  He liked what he saw.  He didn't know if he'd ever return to the Cape.  As he waited with you, he tried to memorize everything he saw.

"I should get on the train," you said.

"Blair, you don't have to go just  yet," answered Paul.

What ever possessed you to put your arm around him?  Allowing Paul to hold you in his arms and kiss you?

Standing among all the people on the platform, he was so proud of you.  Anyone could tell.  His kiss was filled with so much admiration.  Paul was masculine and confident, it appeared as if you two had been together forever.  He loved holding you, looking directly into your blue eyes.  Your faces close together.

But there was some mystery very much concealed, behind your expressive facial features. 

People make promises to contact each other once the vacation is over.  And Paul was completely sure it was you he wanted.  No one else.

Paul did not forget to say goodbye to Sheila. "Thanks for everything, you are terrific!"

"I really think you are quite a guy Paul, and David too.  I appreciate both of you,"  Sheila added. "It was great to have you with us."

"Goodbye, Blair, I will miss you.  I will write.  Let's hope we can get together soon.  Good luck finding a job.  Take care of yourself,"  Paul said, trying not to be emotional.

By then, people were boarding the train.  Inside the coach the isles seemed awfully narrow.  Sheila followed you in after saying goodbye to David, promising to keep in touch with him.

You moved past rows of filled seats eventually finding two empty seats, by the window.  Just as soon as the doors closed, the steel wheels were in motion.  Paul got so excited.  He ran along side the train, waving goodbye until the train cleared the platform.  The emptiness was apparent as the train pulled out of Hyannis.  There was nothing left to do. 

David caught up with Paul and headed to the parking lot.   "When are we leaving, Dave?" Paul asked.  "We will rest up today and leave tomorrow.  We just have to hope the roads won't be too crowded."  said David.

Coming Soon:
CHAPTER XII: "Across the Miles!" 
Stranger things can happen.  When least expected, people turn up in your life.  Not when you are looking in the usual places, doing usual things, with the usual friends.  It takes distance to find that special someone.  Go the extra mile!

A Summer in Time: Table of Contents