Part 5
Although the housewarming party was not until the next night – Saturday evening – and the informal invitation from Tina was on the desk in his apartment, Kim decided that to keep things in his favor, he should truly live by the Latin motto: Carpe diem.
Part of that involved waiting until just after dusk and – on making relatively certain that the ‘coast was clear’ – walking the short distance from the Tavern to the one-story Edwardian style carriage house that was now on the same acreage as the Hotel. The newer building’s architecture harmonized with the older one until they seemed to have been constructed at a similar time, but in order to make the former even more distinctive, it was situated a slight distance away, as if to give the new resident a sense of privacy in a normally busy vicinity.
The new resident, in fact, appeared to be home for Kim saw her now familiar SUV in the small driveway, and the first floor was dotted with lights, including soft candlelight glowing in one of the front windows.
Very inviting he considered, a knavish smile tugging at his mouth. Just as if she knew I was on my way. The little light in the window, leading the way to her heart.
Well, he would like to think that was the case.
She had been at the Point for about three days and in that time he’d not had a moment alone in her company. The closest opportunity was after Tina introduced her to the assembled group, and the conversation then had been quite brief.
You would think Tina didn’t trust me at all he laughed, remembering how she discreetly hooked an arm within Adalia’s so as to guide her in the direction of some of the other tiresome Point residents. I have to admit it – I love the way she did that. Very smooth. Must be some kind of Southern American tactic: stomping you in the groin without you seeing it coming! No wonder John’s such a pussy.
But again Kim wondered why he had set his sights on someone he hardly knew; had decided to win her over before ever seeing her. It was risky but worth it – he knew that the second Tina escorted Ms. Adalia Rabinovich of Jeffersonville, Indiana up to the stage in the Tavern’s main area. He pushed his way through the small crowd gathered around the platform and patiently waited until the Keeper was done...then he went forward and boldly said:
“Excuse me. We haven’t met, Ms. Rabinovich. I’m Kim Barrett, one of John Biebe’s younger brothers.” He added the last part in hopes to perhaps charming Tina and offered his hand for the new arrival to shake. “It is so wonderful to meet you!”
Adalia’s face revealed that she did not recognize him or his movie, and her hand shake was more hesitant and neutral than denoting any enthusiasm in his direction. Which was advantageous, in a way....They haven’t spoiled her yet with stories of how awful I am. At least he hoped not. Recalling John Biebe’s reaction – and knowing that his wife was of like mind – he could just imagine them ensconcing Adalia at their home so they could whisper conspiracies and rumors in her ear. He wouldn’t be surprised if – the next time she saw him – she screamed as if Jack the Ripper had spoken to her, then ran for her life. Just because he preferred Sid’s company to the others. It was the old guilt by association and that was hardly right!
Well, I’ll find out in a second he thought as he shifted the large gift basket in his arms and stepped onto the still bare front porch...bare except for a single swirling wind chime, gently tinging in a slight breeze. Kim conscientiously wiped his feet on the WELCOME mat (which he thought at first was wrought iron, but on stepping on the elegant patterns, realized the semicircular designs were instead of rubber), examined himself for a final time in the storm door’s reflection (Hair in place....She should love my cologne....That tie! I ought to have gone with another tie....), then rang the door bell.
The time seemed unending between that action and the wait, until Kim began to wonder if she had gone out and left her SUV behind. After all, most places in the Point were within walking distance. Since he had exited out a rear door so no one would see him, there was a chance she was sitting in the Tavern right now, and he began to consider a second....
No need.
Someone was unlocking the door. Kim cleared his throat and stood as straight as possible, smiling his most charming (I think...I hope that’s the one I’ve been rehearsing. Should be a cross between a John smile, an Aubrey smile and a Maximus smile. I am always surprised to see that Maximus smiles in his movie, poor bastard. I don’t want to look like I’m going to eat her the second she shows her...) as the main door opened...and he saw Adalia’s surprise.
“Oh! Uh...” She was obviously struggling for a name.
“Kim.” He figured he should help her – that would be polite.
“Kim. Right. Kim...Burnett?”
“Barrett. Kim Barrett,” he continued to smile.
“Right.” Adalia stood near the interior threshold, one hand propping the door and the other resting against the jamb. Although wearing a pair of jeans and a rose colored tank top that perfectly enhanced her complexion and hair, Kim still thought her lovely, realizing that this was the type of woman who transcended her wardrobe, casual or formal. He hated that a lace black shawl was draped over her shoulders, only because it detracted from the perfect lines flowing from her neck. This might be her idea of ‘slumming’ – he had not seen her this way since her arrival at the Point, but it was nice, he considered, to find her being quite natural and ‘at home.’ He also noted from her stance that while comfortable, his arrival was not simply a surprise but put her on guard.
Fuck – I guess Tina and John have been talking...and Bud...and Terry...and Aubrey...and Max and Cort and Lach and Arthur and....Then again I’d be surprised too if someone I hadn’t invited suddenly showed up on my door step. Maybe....just maybe.... “I’m sorry. Did I catch you at a bad time? I know you weren’t expecting...”
“Oh I...no...just....Well actually...” She sighed and giggled, unintentionally moving her head in such a way that her hair tossed partially over her face...and left Kim gulping for air and praying that nothing below his waist had become obvious. “It’s...just...I was....” She pushed her hair back and sighed again. “It’s been...one of those nights, if you know what I mean.”
“Very much. I feel like I have them all the time.” He noticed that she appeared to relax – not a great deal, but the slender arm supporting the frame drooped ever slightly, passing near a funny little box affixed to it. What an odd place to put your mailbox..“I did catch you in the middle of something, didn’t I? You don’t have to be polite.”
“Well...”
“I did. I knew it. I should have called. Well, I would have called if I had your number. It’s not listed in our directory yet. And here I was simply trying to make you feel at home...”
Adalia pointed at the basket Kim protectively held. It was not simply a wicker basket, but one in the shape of a miniature house. “So you thought you’d surprise me...with a home?” She nodded towards it. “I love what they did with that. Real clever.”
That accent. He could not exactly place her accent, he thought, for it was very much like Tina and Stephanie’s. Kentuckians, he discovered over the passing years, sounded as though they could be from anywhere in the United States, and he knew it depended on the region of the state they came from, as well as Kentucky being ‘on the border’ between the North and South. (Oh yes, in his long time at the Point and the coming of so many Americans, he tried to learn as much about their states as possible, no matter where it might be). The Keeper and her friend did not possess the distinctive ‘Southern’ accent so well known thanks to Gone with the Wind (although he often heard some of the Yankee visitors claim that their accents were just that), and it tickled him when he heard some guest inquire as to whether either woman hailed from California...or in one case, someone mentioned New Jersey! (A comment which left Jim Braddock in stitches!) Some time ago, a friend of theirs from Virginia said that Tina could have come from the Tidewater area. The case was that neither woman was labeled as being ‘American Southern’...just American and from ‘somewhere’ and now Adalia Rabinovich fit that category. Kim decided that perhaps with her being on the southernmost border of Indiana and across the river from Louisville, many in her hometown (which he discovered was rather ‘small town America’) were perhaps accent-less as well.
“Yes...I thought I’d surprise you...at home with a new home.” He held the basket forward so that she could have a better look through the glass. “Surprise!” At least his attempt at humor made her smile and she gave the contents a cursory glance.
“Surprise...and...well...I guess thank you.” She glanced over her shoulder as if considering something, then added, “Oh...sorry...I’m being rude.”
Oh my...She’s going to...
The outer door was finally pushed open and she held it wider. “Please...come in, Mr. Barrett and...I hope you’ll forgive the mess. I’m still trying to get my life in order. You don’t realize how much you have until you move. I was telling my family that when I was packing up.”
The Eagle has landed! And Kim Barrett took his first step into what he was beginning to consider the ‘inner sanctuary’.
Considering this was a carriage house, the square-shaped foyer felt quite spacious due to the height of the ceiling and the fact that there were still few furnishings, so it gave him a better idea of exactly how lovely her home would eventually be. Then again, Adalia might intend to leave the entrance as Kim noted: an antique cherry demilune and matching chair were along one wall; a lovely antique cherry hall chest with a crystal bowl filled with translucent stones was against another; a round antique pewtered mirror was hanging directly opposite the front door so that one saw themselves the second they stepped inside (I was wrong – this tie is perfect). There was a simple elegance to what she already had in place, but to give it some intimacy, one portion of the wall contained a small series of not only color and black and white photographs, but a few in sepia as well. In that tiny section, Kim saw a sample of the Rabinovich family, present and past and he knew in one instant They must mean a great deal to her.
Although still glancing around he suddenly heard himself say, “No...not Mr. Barrett.”
“Oh?” Momentary suspicion crossed her eyes as she once more turned to face him. “I thought you said...”
“Mr. Barrett would have been my father.” Bless his heart – I learned everything I know from him. “I’m Kim. Short for...Kim,” he shrugged, hoping his attempt at humor would...yes, she continued smiling.
“All right then...Kim....So...let’s see what you have here.” She lifted the cellophane protecting the items and her hazel eyes began to sparkle. “Well...”
They’re beautiful. She really has beautiful eyes. I wouldn’t mind waking up to those every morning. “I knew that you were still getting settled and I know your housewarming party isn’t until tomorrow, but I thought I’d be neighborly and bring a few things in advance....I hope...I hope you can use them. They’re not the usual little goodies of course...”
“This is...nice. Very nice.”
“I guessed...”
“You didn’t do a bad piece of guessing, Mister...Kim. Um...Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. This is very nice; I had it at a sommelier’s conference not long back. We were saying how hard it is to find a sparkling Chardonnay this good for under $100....But this...” She gingerly withdrew the second of the two bottles of wine, studying the label as she did. “A 1986 St. Julien Ducru Beaucaillou?”
“You approve then?”
“Let’s just say...I’m quite...touched by your generosity...and not so sure I can accept this. Not the Ducru Beaucaillou. I’m not even sure it’s proper to take the Champagne.”
“Oh but you must,” Kim insisted, his features having fallen a little on hearing her words. “I refuse to take any of it back with me when I go. I don’t have any other housewarming gifts in mind since I don’t know you very well, but I thought...” He shrugged. “I thought that you might have your own private wine cellar and there should be something special that was yours and yours alone; not for the restaurants and not for most of our guests.” He snickered. “Sid doesn’t even know I located that Bordeaux because he’d want his paws on it first, so no, no, I’m not taking it back. None of it. You do what you want with it, but it’s not returning with me. There aren’t that many people here that would even appreciate it the way you and I...”
“And Sid?”
“Ah yes, Sid....Not the way we do. Look....If you feel there are strings attached – there are none, and if it makes you feel uncomfortable, then serve it tomorrow night at your party. Tina and a few others will appreciate it, and you can even say I brought it just to celebrate the occasion of your arrival. So...” Now was the moment to hold his breath and pray, pray that she would not play the old-fashioned girl and after a few seconds he heard her answer:
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. And you’ll see...I even brought a corkscrew and some glasses, just in case you hadn’t unpacked yours yet.”
“Wow! I’m impressed. You thought of everything, didn’t you? Sort of like my brother, Josh. He brought wine and glasses to my place the last night I was at home...my home back in Indiana I mean. So this was nice of you.”
“I was an efficiency expert in my old life, you know,” he proudly proclaimed.
“No....No I didn’t know.”
“Well, I try....It was my...position...to make certain that things were handled adroitly...whatever it took. I’m afraid that has carried over into my life here at the Point, and unlike some of the others in their years here, it was one of the things I decided I preferred not to give up.”
“You’re a perfectionist then.”
“Not quite...but I do try.” He placed the basket on the chest as he continued speaking. “And I think it’s very important to make a new guest feel as if our home is their home....Or in your case...that you are made to feel at home. I’d hate to think that you’ve been here such a short time and you’re already homesick for Indiana.”
He saw a blush creep into Adalia’s cheeks, inwardly causing Kim to believe that perhaps – for the first time in his life – he had managed to charm his way into a woman’s heart without being overtly seductive. Usually he found himself working quickly, letting his interest know exactly what was in his mind before she changed hers (and he normally pegged it as the female felt the same), but now, there was only him and the new chef. She had not run away. She was not calling him names or throwing a drink in his face. Bud White was not around to interrupt with his typical ‘saving the damsel in distress from the Black Knight.’ It was such a pleasant change, and if he played his cards right....
“I...” She paused and Kim knew he had hit a soft spot. “I...honestly haven’t had much time to be homesick. Been too busy actually.” She held up her right index finger. “But I do have my living room furniture pretty much in place, if you’d like to come further than the hallway.”
Fuck me standing. Next she’ll be saying she has her bedroom furniture in place too. If she doesn’t....Oh well....I love improvisation. “Oh...Oh I only meant to drop off...” he protested, hoping it did not come across too falsely, but no, Adalia’s smile remained.
“It’s all right. Please...” and she motioned with one hand to indicate he should follow her to a room that was just behind them.
“You’ve twisted my arm...” and he took up the basket once more. “If you’d like, I could open the Bordeaux...”
“That Bordeaux? I don’t think so.”
“It’s perfectly ready to drink,” he grinned, showing all of his pearly whites. “And we could talk over all the plans for the Point’s kitchens and wine cellar. Tina’s been keeping the cards inordinately close to her chest.”
“Oh...I’m not sure I can talk about that yet, Kim, but I have a feeling you’ll be very pleased when we make the announcement.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
He could smell the burning candles; heard voices coming from inside the room. Already he imagined the two of them feasting on the dishes he had brought and him playing a role that was quite foreign. The Bordeaux would be savored and the bottle nearly emptied before they started on the Champagne. Now he had trouble preventing his thoughts from imagining what might occur once they were more relaxed and Adalia less inhibited, and discovering him as equally beguiling as his better known brothers. For once in my life – be subtle. She seems to like me...and he momentarily wondered how a $300 1986 Bordeaux would taste – trickled about those lovely breasts now innocently hidden underneath the cotton fabric, but in his fantasy, bare and erect at his touch. Hmm...he wondered how a $300 1986 Bordeaux would taste to her if he sprinkled some on his....
Must get my mind off that right now or I’ll ruin everything. I’m not like Sid....All right, I’m sort of like him, but I want this to be different! I want her to like me, really like me before we fuck. I want to be able to say that Adalia is my companion. They’ll just hate me! And I’d love it! Good Lord....I sound like Sally Field! ‘You like me – you really like me!’ But damn! To have this lovely sheila in my bed.... “Well, at least you got one of the most important pieces of furniture set up,” he finally managed, mentally dressing both himself and Adalia before he did something he would later regret.
He thought Adalia looked puzzled as she asked, “Excuse me?”
“Your TV. I can hear your TV. Were you watching a movie?”
“My...? Oh no...no...that’s not the TV,” she laughed as she opened the double doors so that Kim might stand at the top of the sunken living room.
And the Aussie nearly dropped the basket, along with the Bordeaux and the Champagne!