Adalia started to leave, but Jack almost caught his breath when she suddenly paused, and in the most dancer-like of moves -- turned to face him again, as if suddenly remembering something.
"I should have told you...look...I hope I'll see you around...you know...the Tavern and all."
"Well, I live at the Tavern, me and most of my brothers."
"Oh right. That's right. Tina told me that. Sorry...another of my 'if my head wasn't attached...'" Corbett grinned and shrugged. "Anyway...I should have said that sometime...when you have time I mean...drop in for lunch...or dinner. I guess you guys can eat at the restaurants, can't you?"
"We can eat at them, yes. There aren't any restrictions."
"Oh good. I wasn't sure if they were only for the guests or not. I didn't want you to get in trouble."
"That's very thoughtful of you, but yes, they're open to everyone. I don't eat at the Hotel restaurants all that often though."
"Too fancy?"
"Well...that's one reason," and Adalia realized that likely the chief reason was that those facilities usually consisted of groups of friends having an extra special party, or ladies wanting a fun night on the town during a weekend at the Point...and couples. If Corbett felt uncomfortable -- and she sensed that from the change in his stance -- then likely he did not have a lady friend he wanted to escort there.
And that idea made her sigh, as she carefully considered her next words.
"Well, think about coming by the Hotel sometime, come to the casual restaurant…Take a chance."
"A chance?"
"Well, it was a ridiculous ruse on my part. I wasn't trying to deceive you or play games. I suppose -- in my own self-doubt -- I hoped a bit of mystery was in order. I get stares enough, only because so few people recognize me, except as one of the brothers."
"That's such a....Sorry, I'm doing it again. I just hate hearing..."
"Right – take a chance. Come by the Hotel’s most casual restaurant, the one by the terrace…and you can let me know in advance or just drop in, but I'll whip you up something special."
"Am I your guinea pig, Miss Rabinovich?"
Adalia laughed. "I don't think so."
"That's a relief."
"Nobody's died from my cooking..."
"Yet?"
"There you have me, Lieutenant," she joked, winking. "But for real, promise you'll stop by when you get a chance, and let me work up something for you. It doesn't matter what meal. I'm pretty imaginative with all of them, if I do say so myself."
"Well..." Jack hesitated.
"Please. My treat."
"Your...treat?”
“And if you want to come when business is slow, that’ll be fine. You won’t have to worry about the crowds and people and…”
“All right…I’ll come...as long as I'm not putting you out."
"Putting me...? No, no, I wouldn't have asked you if it was going to be a bother....So..."
"So…”
“You will come?”
"We’ll see..." and he used his head to motion over his shoulder, back towards the carriage house.
Adalia smiled, but disappointment was evident in her eyes. "Right. I should be going…but look...promise you'll come for breakkie or lunch...or...or...dinner, afternoon tea...I don't care. And I...I will make sure you get a meal you'll never forget."
"But no real fancy stuff. I'm not all that...I don't honestly..." Even in the dark, Adalia could see that he was turning slightly red. "See...I'm not much of a...I'm...just a plain ol' meat and potatoes bloke, with maybe one or two veggies thrown in for good measure."
"Then Southern cooking should be right up your alley. How about...fried chicken, corn bread, fresh picked green beans or mixed greens with mashed potatoes on the side? Maybe some candied yams, oh, and macaroni and cheese. I had two guys propose to me because of my macaroni and cheese. Oh...and some sort of pie: pecan, lemon meringue..."
Corbett grinned. "Sounds like my kind of meal."
"Or a nice grilled T-bone with a big baked potato and your choice of green veggie, and homemade yeast rolls?"
"That would hit the spot."
"And if you don't mind a bit of 'fancy'..."
"How fancy?"
Her voice grew soft, filled with the passion for food that had made her decide upon this profession...and revealed to Jack exactly what it meant to her. "Like what a drop or two of white or black truffle oil can do to the simplest of mashed potatoes. Trust me -- once you've tried it, you'll never go back. But I swear..." and she placed a hand over her heart, "down-to-earth, just for you!"
"Just for me, eh?"
"Yeah....So..."
"You'd better go."
"I'd better go," and she hesitantly extended her right hand. "Jack...it's been good to meet you."
"Same here. It's been good meeting you too, Adalia. Good night now."
Their hands briefly gripped, neither giving the other time to speculate or imply a single thing beyond this being a Western gesture of welcome or farewell. It quickly ended, the Hoosier whispering a polite "Good night Jack," before she hurried along one path, the moonlight momentarily vanishing behind a cloud cover just as she slipped between a row of roses. When the light reappeared, she had gone as if enveloped in the brief darkness and the life of the garden itself....
Like gossamer....
*******************************************
"Why no...my feelings aren't hurt. You aren't the first person that never heard of my movie."
Kim had one hand against a wall, supporting himself as he spoke to a dreamy-eyed brunette gazing up into his face. She had nearly accosted him, mistaking him for...well, it did not matter now. The fact was that upon realizing her error, she did not apologize and slink away, embarrassed. No, she stayed, they talked; she was with one of the incarnations -- an available one -- and that was all that counted. Kim might have been insulted at first on hearing her "Excuse me, but aren't you..." followed by the name of one of his more popular brothers, but realistically he had experienced it enough times to know that it did not matter who these women thought he was at first, as long as they remained in the end.
"Well, I can't say again how sorry I am."
American, but Kim was not sure from where. Some nondescript region with little or no accent, but with that perfect tan that was not from a tanning bed or a can... Possibly a California girl? 'I wish they all could be California girls...' "Don't you dare apologize again...Lauren," and he said her name in a way that made her lips part and her tongue make the tiniest of moves across them. She's positively wet with anticipation. "I'm glad you didn't leave, and I'm glad you managed to get in without one of our watchdogs sending you back."
"I'm glad too," she giggled. "I almost didn't. I heard it was a private party, but I figured I'd take a chance."
"Brave girl."
"And...And did I tell you how much I love your accent?"
"Why no, you didn't," he replied, feigning surprise.
"Oh I do. I love Aussie accents.”
“Ozzie.”
“Osborne?”
“No my dear…it’s Aussie as in Ozzie, not aw-see.”
She pouted. “Oh. Oh! Like they call Australia Oz.”
“There you are.”
“Well then, I love OZZIE accents,” she giggled.
Ozzie…Aw-see. What the fuck does it matter when she looks the way she looks.
“Anyway, Aussie accents are so much more interesting than English ones. I get tired of English ones."
"It's probably the glut of movies and telly shows they have."
"Probably," she panted, giving him the silliest of smiles, but reaching out to discreetly place several fingers on his behind.
"They don't have an Empire any longer, but they've made up for it..." Kim felt compelled to add.
"With a zillion adaptations of tired old books I had to read in school? I mean...Gawd...it's like one long stupid Merchant Ivory production, isn't it?"
"It must feel that way. But…I thought all you Americans loved those BBC imports."
"Well, it'd be nice if they had a production without people riding around in a horse and buggy, or Kate Winslet or Cate Blanchett in a hoop dress."
Kim grinned. "You know Ms. Blanchett is a fellow Australian...or did you?" He couldn't remember a movie with Kate Winslet in a specific hoop dress, but then he felt she looked great in whatever time period her movie happened to be set.
"Is she really? No, no, I didn't know that. Kim?"
"Hmm?" At first he was unsure if she was making sure that was his name, or asking him a question.
"Can I tell you something?" and she moved closer to him, if that was possible, the heady spice of both her perfume and the Zinfandel in the glass she held exciting him.
"Oh yes, of course you may. What is it?"
"If they do one more Pride and Prejudice I swear I'll strangle somebody with a corset!" Kim laughed. "I wish Miss Austen and...and...and that Dickens…that Chuck Dickens..."
Chuck? Dickens?
"...and those stupid, depressing Brontës had never been born. Gawd. I mean...who the hell even understands what Shakespeare was talking about anyway. He couldn't just speak English like everybody else?"
Well, at least she made up in looks what she lacked in good manners and smarts. Those melons of hers are about to pop out of that top. "Makes one wish the sun did set on the Empire, doesn't it?"
"You mean it hasn't yet?" she grinned.
"You're a woman after my own heart...Lauren." There, she did it again. She'd drop to her knees right now if there wasn't a room full of people. What the fuck! If I told her to drop to her knees and blow me in front of everyone she wouldn't hesitate. "So...you're here with..."
"Some girlfriends. My first time. I can't believe all these...You guys are...I mean...Wow!"
"Yes...wow."
"And you're all exactly alike."
"Well, not exactly." And he moved her free hand away from behind...and just beside his groin. "Some of us are more..."
And at that moment Adalia returned, rushing through the patio doors as she placed one hand over her heart, smiled, then pushed the hair back from her face. Where she had disappeared to for a half-hour or more -- yes, Barrett had been counting the seconds, or at least he believed he had been -- he did not know, but seeing her walk into the room was like the proverbial breath of fresh air. She was smiling...no, beaming, those lovely features glowing and alive, and the exhaustion he had earlier glimpsed now gone. The eyes were brighter, more alert, and he was reminded of the evening's beginnings when the party first started. To anyone not paying attention, the subtle differences were hardly noticeable, but to someone for who details were a part of life....
Amazing how a walk in those gardens could refresh one to the point of renewal.
She looks as if she could conquer this party all over again, he thought, hiding a grimace when John Biebe came to her side, appearing to be in his typical role of everyone's big brother, the role he was expected to play and did so sincerely well.
Kim had a perfect view of everything, and Lauren could see nothing of Adalia from her own angle. So enticed was she by this younger incarnation, (and the idea that one was attracted to her), that she missed the expression on his face announcing how thrilled he was to see the new chef again. She detected...nothing, nothing but the excitement of being in his company and the desire to boast to her girlfriends about her catch on her first visit.
Kim attempted to read their lips, but for every word he deciphered, he lost four or five. John was asking if she felt better. Adalia replied that indeed she did, and was grateful Tina had suggested the Hotel gardens. John said something about her being fortunate to have a home so close to them, then....Kim gave a slight frown. Maybe John was mentioning moonlight...moonlight garden...one of his wife's favorites...Something...duplicated at their own gardens at home.
Ah...that makes sense. Tina has those English and Moonlight gardens too. She said the Hotel ones inspired them. Sid's right. Why do these ladies of such exquisite tastes fall...Oh...damn!
He almost choked on one deep intake of breath, and not from any particular action except simply being herself. Adalia was looking beautifully romantic, a pre-Raphaelite image brought to reality -- the result of passing underneath the living room's track lighting, and he remembered...remembered a soft-focused image immortalized on film. Classic beauty caught in a single moment of an awakening lover finding her bending over him, and then bestowing him with a kiss. It had been Adalia's face over fifty years before....
Which gives ol' Jimmy Stewart one up on me. To have that face leaning over me....To have those lips....My brothers were right for once -- she does look like...
He raised an eyebrow. Adalia had said a word that caused him to mouth it to make certain he understood. Was it...gossamer?
"I'm sorry...what was that?"
Lauren gave him a playful punch in the chest. "Silly! I said 'Some of you are more...what?' You didn't tell me. Or...do I need to guess? Do you want me to guess?"
"Do I want...? Yes...it's a game of mine. I don't know why I insist on playing it, especially when you're being so...well...serious." He watched John politely and -- in a most brotherly fashion -- touch the upper portion of Adalia's back, while, with his other hand, he pointed to where Tina stood with several others.
"Oh that's all right," she purred. "I was just worried you'd lost interest in me already."
"Lost...interest? Oh no, no, I haven't. Believe me, I haven't at all."
Why the hell gossamer?
One did not hear the word that often, and he had to wonder, what had inspired it. Being in those gardens, well, Kim -- on second thought -- realized it was more appropriate than originally believed. Adalia was intelligent, well spoken -- he imagined her poetic and romantic as well. Her passions seemed revealed through the menus and dishes she had suggested or he heard her describe, making her as much an artist as any writer or painter. That was her particular gift. So it was not difficult thinking of her discovering something in the garden, something of such delicacy and transparency, that the word seemed appropriate and came to mind.
It only made him want to know her better. It made him wish it was Adalia conversing with him at this moment, and not the charmingly empty woman vying for his attention instead.
"Oh good," Lauren sighed. "So...have you stayed long enough?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, I believe so. Ms. Rabinovich has my housewarming presents; I've stayed an appropriate amount of time and paid her my respects. Yes, I think I can leave and not seem rude." He grinned toothily. "Why?"
"I...just...wondered....I thought maybe we could go back to the Tavern and have a drink."
"Of course. My flat is at the Tavern, you know."
"No, I didn't know."
"Oh yes. The first floor in fact."
She looked puzzled. "The first...? But I don't remember seeing..."
"Oh...that's what you Americans call the second floor. Your first floor is our ground floor."
"Is it? Well...whatever," she giggled. "First floor, second floor..." She squeezed closer, wrapping one arm around his right one, as if indicating that she had no intention of allowing him to escape. "I'm just looking forward to talking to you more, without all these people around."
"Really? I was going to say that I'm looking forward to..." and he leaned forward to whisper in her ear, causing her to collapse into a flurry of laughter. "However, if you just want to talk..."
"Talk -- smalk. Let's go."
Kim took Lauren's hand and began to maneuver his way towards the front door. He said good-bye to the few brothers he passed, wished a good evening to the regulars he saw, nodded an unspoken farewell to those he did not know. But just before stepping out of the crowded living room and into the hallway, he took one final glimpse near the area of the fireplace, to where Adalia stood amongst a small group, her head tossed back as she laughed in response to some remark Savannah had made.
In a matter of seconds, Kim studied everything about the chef: the twinkle of her eyes, her gentle smile; a lyrical dialect that seemed more reflective of her Kentucky neighbors than that of the Midwest. And then there was the flow of the rose-colored silk, each delicate fold draping her curves, revealing every advantage. He also realized, with the greatest clarity, that he wanted to be with her more than he ever had anyone, either in his movie life or at the Point. It was at that moment he knew that she was not a woman to be seduced in some clumsy manner, or given a crass pickup line, or involved with him in a meaningless one-night stand.
This was a woman to whom he might give a loyalty he never thought himself capable!
But he would continue as though nothing had changed. He swore then and there that he would not pursue her to the point of stalking, or annoy her, or make her uncomfortable. No, he would make Adalia feel very much at home in her new world, and whenever the moment permitted, find the kindness he called the major flaw in all but one of his siblings. He could not possibly change overnight, and in fact, now felt he was less than perfect anyway. Kim simply hoped that Adalia could bring out the best in him, and in exchange, he would attempt to make her see what a catch he could be.
A catch. Well, that's a first Kim old boy. First time in your whole miserable life that you really wanted a woman to care. I know, I know, it won't be easy....I...I just need to take my time...be patient....He opened the door for Lauren, and on stepping out into the cool air, he visibly relaxed and deeply inhaled, feeling quite free. She'll see...eventually. I know she will....I want her to....
"So are you and your friends staying at the Hotel? Or are you just here for the evening?"
"We're at the Hotel for the weekend, but I have my own room, so it's not like Mommy and Daddy will be waiting up."
"Oh good for you. I happen to like big girls."
Incredible how I can be so ridiculous with this one, and I want Adalia to see me at my best. I can be funny with her, and serious, and she'll take me either way. At least I think she will. I've sensed that she will....
"Kim? Do I know him?"
Kim was startled back to reality as he heard Lauren speak, then saw that she was pointing a short distance away from them, but still along the line of the walk. "I'm sorry, luv....What was that?"
"Him. Do I know him?"
"Him?" Kim squinted, attempting to catch better sight of the figure now moving towards the Tavern, his head down and hands firmly behind his back.
"I was wondering if he's someone I should know. I mean...is he one of you guys? He kind of has your build.” She shrugged. “I know it's kind of dark, but he...well...he just doesn't look familiar."
"Umm...who the devil...? Oh! Looks like Jack," came the unexcited answer.
"Aubrey?!!!"
Oh Lord...there goes the fan-girl look. If I told her it was him, she'd squeal and run after him like a bitch in heat. "No...no, not that Jack. He's no where near as..." He nearly said 'fat' or 'obese' but instead explained, "It's my other brother, my older brother, Jack Corbett. I recognize the hat."
Lauren looked puzzled. "Excuse me? There's another Jack here?"
"Oh he's been here forever and a day."
"He has? I've never...What did you say his name was again?"
"Jack Corbett," Kim grinned. It was nice to know that there was someone even lesser known than him. "He was in this little flick with Bryan Brown..."
"Oh him I know! I saw him in that Thorn Birds miniseries when they repeated it on cable TV a few years back. Used to be married to Rachel Ward. Or maybe he still is. I don't know. So Jack Corbett was in a movie with Bryan Brown?"
"And Mr. Sulu too I think."
"No shit?! I didn't think he'd done anything but...well...you know..."
"Star Trek?"
"Right, the old Star Trek....Jack Corbett. I wonder if any of my friends know him. A couple of them are bigger Crowe fans than I am."
"Maybe, maybe not. Probably not."
Lauren chuckled. "Good grief. Is he that insignificant, hmm?"
"Well, that might be a bit rough," Kim explained, smiling even more, "but he's a lawyer, and it was a war movie..."
Lauren turned up her tiny nose. "I don't like war movies."
"Well, this wasn't a war movie per se, but it had to do with a war."
"Okay. A lawyer...in a war movie that wasn't a war movie."
Kim stifled his chuckle. "It was a combination war movie, courtroom movie."
"I didn't like A Few Good Men either."
"Then you'd probably dislike this one as well. It's all about World War II crimes against humanity and such."
"Oh Gawd! Save me from another of those! I'm sorry....I know it's a Crowe flick and all, but that sounds like a major snooze-fest. Let's pass, all right?"
"All right. Believe me, I have no problems with that."
"And I hate lawyers too," she continued as she cuddled against Kim once more, the two proceeding the way they had been going. " Well, not hate them, but they're...well...you know. I dated a lawyer once and it was all about him, him, him, nothing but him. Thought the world revolved around him..."
"I know the type." I'm likely one of those ‘world revolves around me’ types myself...and I know Sid is, but we're both...unique.
"It didn't help that he resembles George Clooney on top of it."
Oh no! It couldn't have been. My oh my, does that gentleman get around. Talk about a small world!
"At least he wasn't one of those that advertises on TV, you know."
"Oh, the 'You're injured and I can get you a check for ten million dollars' sorts."
"That's it. No…he might have been worth a million dollars himself, and very classy but so full of himself….Is your brother anything like that?"
Kim watched as Jack's figure moved further and further away, and at the last minute turned to the right as though heading to the beach. It appeared a last second decision, at least Barrett sensed that it was, and he wondered why his sibling was out there wandering about, especially as he had left the housewarming party some time beforehand. But he knew Jack enjoyed the solitude, loved to walk....
This is why the poor fellow will never find a sheila. He's way too serious for his own good....Doesn’t make any sense after all these years….
Kim's reply to Lauren, however, was to playfully flick a tongue behind her ear, an indication of how he hoped the remainder of their evening would proceed. "No one is like me, my dear. I am an original, as I hope to show you."
And the way I hope to show Adalia some day...so that she will get to know me better too. But when I do, it won't be the Kim Barrett everyone claims to know so well....It'll be the Kim Barrett who almost thinks he'd do anything in the world to.... But he paused in his thoughts, wondering if he could honestly be what had proven so difficult in the past: to be less selfish, less self-centered....
Anything in the world to have Adalia love me.
