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Chapter 32
November 2004
An afternoon telephone
call of some importance occurred the next day.
"Hey, Mari
- it's Emma."
"Hey girl,
what's up?"
"Nothing much.
Say, isn't your mother a travel agent?"
"Yeah, back
in Jackson. You're going on a trip?"
"I'd like to
book an island vacation around Christmas."
"Whoa - last
minute! I guess you're talking about the Caribbean. You know
that winter's high season down there?"
"I know, so
I thought a travel agent might know of some last-minute deals."
"You've come
to the right place. I'll have Mom call you. So, what are you
looking for?"
"Something
romantic - it's a second honeymoon, of sorts. Something to spice
things up, you know? I thought maybe Aruba or the Grand Caymans."
"Spicy? Ever
thought of St. Martin?"
"St. Martin?
No. Is it nice?"
"Oh, honey,
if you want to put some starch in George's shorts, let me tell
you…"
~*~*~
December 2004
In 1935, a group
of New Orleans business leaders decided to host an annual football
game to attract tourists and national attention, much like the
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. They weren't the only ones
- Miami and El Paso had come up with the same idea. That year
saw the creation of the Orange Bowl in Miami, the Sun Bowl in
El Paso, and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The Sugar Bowl is
one of several annual events held in Louisiana designed to attract
tourists. Others include the Jazz and Heritage Festival, Essence
Festival, the New Orleans Open (now the Zurich Classic) and the
Bayou Classic.
But they are the
exceptions, not the rule. It is a truism in the state that when
you get more than three people together, they'll come up with
a festival, one that is for the locals in their communities.
From small villages to large cities, the people of Louisiana
have in their blood the need to celebrate something and blow
off some steam. They'll honor anything: wooden boats, volunteer
firefighters, music, ethnic heritage, agricultural crops, reptiles,
pirates, fish, and especially food. Because of the mild climate,
these events happen almost year-round, rather than being shoehorned
in during the three months of summer.
Some of these events
become tourist draws, like Mardi Gras and the French Quarter
Festival, but that was not the reason for their creations. Out-of-staters
discovered these parties and decided to join in. Fortunately,
the locals always thought the more the merrier.
One of the most
beautiful, and least known, of the festival seasons in Louisiana
was how the locals celebrated Christmas. Towns across the state
would hold understated and lovely events to mark the end of the
year. The northern city of Natchitoches was renowned for lighting
the downtown along the Cane River for the month of December.
Along the lower Mississippi, the River parishes would have families
and groups build huge, fanciful bonfires on the river levees
to light the way for Papa Noel on Christmas Eve. Plantation homes
all across the state would put on their holiday best and hold
concerts of music and singing.
In New Orleans,
the celebration was unique. City Park would be turned into a
wonderland of lights best enjoyed by carriage during Celebration
in the Oaks. Creole restaurants offered the traditional Reveillon
dinners - special three- and four-course dinners served only
at Christmas. A subtle loveliness descended on the city, as it
prepared not only for the birth of the Savior, but the madness
of New Years and the Sugar Bowl crowds.
~*~*~
Will Darcy stuck
his head out of his office. "Barbara, would you come in,
please?" A moment later, Will and his assistant were sitting
at the small table in one corner of his office.
"You're gonna
be mad at me," he began.
"Probably.
What do I have to do?"
"Prepare a
Christmas party for fifty on December 23 in the board room."
The middle-aged
woman looked up. "Who's the party for? That's too small
for the company, and that one's set for the 17th at the Hilton."
"I volunteered
us to host a party for the EDNO staff. Being low man on the totem
pole and all."
"Mmm-hmm. How
nice do you want it?"
"Do it up real
nice."
"Full bar?"
Will twisted his
face. "Hmm… What do you think?"
"If it was
me, I'd go with beer and wine."
"Sounds good.
And charge everything to me. This is my treat."
"Yes, sir."
Barbara had unflinching trust in her boss because of gestures
like that - he would pay for this party, not the company. "I'll
get on it right away."
"Sorry to drop
this into your lap at the last minute."
"It's all right.
We do so much business with our caterer I ought to be able to
use an IOU or two."
Barbara got up and
returned to her desk, leaving Will Darcy in a pensive state.
It was a spur of the moment thing to volunteer at the last board
meeting. He wondered if he were a glutton for punishment. Sure,
EDNO had done good work over the last year, and they certainly
deserved the recognition.
But the tradition
at the non-profit was to invite spouses and guests. That meant
Elizabeth would be bringing Mike Riviere. It was hard enough
seeing her every time he did something for EDNO. How was he going
to get though an evening watching her with another man, even
one as respectable as Riviere? He looked out his window at the
river.
When am I going
to get over this? It's over, and has been for five years.
I can't help
it. I'm still in love with her.
Well, I've got
no choice. I can be a man or a coward. I've been running away
for too long. If I really love Elizabeth, I ought to be happy
for her. Maybe this will be a good thing. Maybe I can finally
put Elizabeth Boudreaux behind me forever.
~*~*~
To: All EDNO
staff
From: Carl Eden
Re: Christmas Party
DGS has generously
offered to host this year's Christmas Party. It will be held
December 23 in the DGS boardroom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Spouses
and guests are invited. Please RSVP to Jan Hill by COB Friday.
Carl
Lizzy's eyes flew
open at the unexpected email. William - or William's company
- was hosting a party for them. This would be the first time
she and William would be at a social function together since
college. Why was he doing this? Her heart whispered that he was
doing it for her, but it was quickly hushed. Since their reunion
in September, William hadn't shown the least indication of being
anything more than a friendly acquaintance.
Yes, they had gotten
along, and it seemed he had forgiven her. Had he read the letter?
It seemed so. Yet…
"I thought
I liked you, maybe even loved you, but it's clear I really don't
know you. I don't know who the hell you are. But whoever that
is, I don't want anything to do with her!"
Yes, William might
have forgiven her. But it was impossible that he had forgotten.
She sighed. Yes, she still loved him, but Mari was right. It
was time to put William Darcy behind her forever.
~*~*~
At 5:30 p.m. on
the 23rd of December, the doors of the board room of Delta Global
Shipping were thrown open to EDNO and their guests. The room
was a large rectangle on the top floor of the four-story DGS
building, located on the river-side of the protection levee at
the foot of Poydras Street. The room took up a quarter of the
floor, and one side was lined with windows overlooking the Mississippi.
A large table was in the center of the room, and it was covered
with appetizers. A temporary bar serving wine, beer and soft
drinks was set up close to the double doors leading to the hallway.
A second door led to the personal offices of the President/CEO
and the Chairman. The hosts for the evening were Will Darcy and
his VP of Marketing, Leon Anderson.
The men were dressed
in their usual business attire - suits, and sport coats, with
only Christmas ties as a nod to the season. The women were dressed
appropriately for the occasion, their outfits more suitable for
a night on the town than a day at the office. Elizabeth, after
much indecision, had decided to go for it and wore a dark green
cocktail dress and heels, a red belt showing off her trim figure.
Most everyone who
was married or attached brought guests. Elizabeth hung out with
Charlotte, as neither had a date.
As they were introduced
to Kaywanda's new boyfriend, Scott Davis, Charlotte asked, "And
where did you say you met him, K?"
Kaywanda giggled
as she tightened her hold on Scott's arm. "I was down at
the Green Project - you know, that reused building supply place
off St. Claude? I was looking for a new door for my momma's house,
and Scott here was SO helpful, showing me all the doors that
had come in, and taking measurements, and all that construction
stuff. We got to talking and found we had so much in common and…well…here
we are!"
Scott grinned. He
was dressed rather casually - a black crew-neck shirt and cargo
pants with a grey houndstooth jacket. "I'm just working
there until next fall. I should be starting my graduate studies
at UNO in September."
"What's your
major?" asked Lizzy.
"Sociology,"
he answered.
Kaywanda piped in.
"He wants to get his Ph.D. or become a social worker. Isn't
that wonderful?"
They shared a little
more small talk before the couple drifted off. Once out of range,
Charlotte leaned over to Lizzy. "So, what do you think of
K's new beau?"
"He's nice,
if awfully…"
"White?"
injected Charlotte.
"I was going
to say 'Goth' with all those piercings and tattoos, Char."
"That too,"
Char laughed. "I like him. K needs somebody good. Oh, hi,
Jan. Hi, Mr. Hill."
Lizzy and Charlotte
talked for awhile with Jan Hill and her husband, a contractor
from Jefferson. Lizzy looked around to see Will Darcy approaching.
Her gut clenched. He was in a navy suit with a tie in a holly
pattern. She had wondered if Will was going to talk to her ever
since she learned of Darcy's offer to host the party. Now she
was going to find out.
"Hi, Will."
She moved over to invite him into the circle of conversation.
"Merry Christmas,
Lizzy," he smiled. "I hope all of you are enjoying
yourselves. Hello, Charlotte, Jan. Mr. Hill, nice to meet you."
"Same here,
Mr. Darcy. Very nice place you got here. Who built it?"
"Haven't a
clue. You may want to ask Leon." He turned to call to Anderson.
"Hey, Leon, we got a question for you." After introducing
Hill to Anderson and the two, with Jan, wandered off discussing
the design of the building, Will turned to Charlotte. "Are
y'all having a good time?"
"Of course!
What a spread you've put out! I just might sneak some of that
shrimp home in my purse."
"Charlotte!"
cried Lizzy.
Will said with a
straight face, "Well, don't take 'em all. Leave some for
me. Saves me from makin' groceries over Christmas." It took
a second for the girls to get the joke, and all three had a good
laugh.
Charlotte looked
out the window. "That's a nice balcony, Mr. Darcy."
"Please, call
me Will. Want to see it? The door's right this way." He
escorted the two women through a door onto the balcony overlooking
the wharf and the river. The sun was almost down, the last pink
streams of sunlight painting the nearby skyscrapers. The day
was mild, with only a light breeze off the river.
"Beautiful!"
exclaimed Charlotte. Will silently agreed with her, but for a
different reason, as his eyes were on Lizzy. They moved to the
railing, watching some of the river traffic.
"Will, this
is so nice," remarked Lizzy.
"Yeah. Sometimes,
when I brown-bag it, I eat lunch out here. My office is right
over there." He pointed at another door.
Char breathed in.
"How can you get any work done with this view, Will?"
"It's tough,
sometimes. My assistant, Barbara, keeps my feet to the fire,
though." They turned and observed the crowd within. "Everybody
seems to be enjoying themselves."
"It was very
nice of you to host this party and to invite the spouses too."
"Yeah, well,
it's a tradition at DGS, as well. We had about two hundred people
at the office Christmas party last Friday. We had to hold it
at the Hilton. You didn't bring a date, Char?"
She shook her head.
"Lizzy's my date tonight."
Will had vowed to
be polite and open to Elizabeth, no matter how much it hurt.
If Riviere was her choice, he would be happy for her.
"Mike couldn't
make it tonight, Lizzy?" he asked.
Lizzy blinked. "Pardon
me?"
"Mike."
"Mike who?"
"Mike Riviere.
Did he come in this weekend from Washington?"
"I don't know.
How would I know that?"
"What do you
mean? I thought…Hold on a second. Aren't y'all dating?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
By this time, Charlotte,
seeing that something both personal and important was going on,
had discreetly slipped away back indoors. The pair never noticed.
Will fought his
confusion. "But…but I was told…You aren't dating?"
Lizzy shook her
head. "Mike and I broke up back in May. I haven't seen him
since."
Will blinked. "You
aren't dating Mike Riviere."
"No, I'm not."
"Oh."
The implications flooded his mind.
Lizzy was confused.
"You sound like you're disappointed."
Will started, jerked
out of his ruminations. "No! I mean…umm…I'm sorry."
He looked over her shoulder, trying to control his growing hopes.
"Mike's a nice guy. I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"It happens."
"Right. Uhh…Breakups
can be painful. I hope…well…" He looked at her,
"How are you doing?"
She smiled. "I'm
fine, Will." She realized that Will was uncomfortable, but
for all the right reasons.
"Good, good.
You look good. Well, I mean. Happy."
"I am happy.
Alone, but happy."
"Good, good.
No! I mean, It's not good that you're alone…I mean…
Oh, hell - I better shut up."
Lizzy giggled. "And
how are you?"
"Me? I'm fine,
fine." He shrugged and it occurred to him to be as open
as Lizzy had been. "Umm…I'm not dating anybody right
now, either, though. Been busy, you know."
"Yes, I can
imagine."
"Lots of out-of-town
meetings."
"I know how
it is. It's hard to have a relationship when you're busy."
He leaned over the
railing and looked at the river in the twilight. "Yes, well,
it's lonely, too. Finally, you get to the point of wondering
if it's all worth it. The work, without having someone to share
it with. Without having meaning in your life."
Lizzy joined him
gazing at the river, watching a freighter navigate the bend at
Algiers Point. "I agree. We weren't made to go through life
alone. Everyone's looking for that special someone, wondering
if they'll ever meet, frightened that they won't, and scared
that they have but passed up the opportunity. Torn between the
mystery of the future and the regrets of the past."
Lizzy stole a peek
at her companion, afraid she had said too much or not enough.
She felt a warm rush as he turned his attention to her, his eyes
searching, wondering. His lips started to move.
"Mr. Darcy?"
The couple broke
out of their trance at the interruption. Darcy's assistant, Barbara,
was right behind them. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but Miss
Darcy's on line one."
"Oh!"
cried Will. He glanced at his watch. "Tell her I'll be at
the condo in a little while. Thank you, Barbara." As the
secretary walked away, Will turned back to Lizzy. "I'm sorry,
Lizzy, but I've got to cut out a bit early. Gina got back in
town today from Auburn, and we've got this dinner to go to. Family
thing."
"I understand.
How is your sister?"
"She's doing
fine. She's studying marketing and graphic arts, and doing real
well. Between school and her sorority, she's staying busy."
"What sorority
is she in?"
"Tri Omega."
"Nice to have
her home for the holidays."
"It is. And
you? What are you doing this Christmas?"
"What I usually
do. Spend some time back home in Chackbay."
"I'm sorry
- I should have asked. How is your family? I know how Jane and
Chuck are doing, but what about the rest of them?"
"Oh! They're
fine. My parents are just the same. Mary's teaching now, and
Kit's in college."
"There's…five
of you all together, right?"
"Yes, all girls.
Jane, Mary, Kit, Lydia and me. The Boudreaux Babes." She
didn't know if Will had caught the slight hesitation before she
mentioned her youngest sister.
Will seemed torn
for a moment. "I've really gotta go. I'll make my
excuses inside. But before I do that, I want to personally wish
you and your family a very Merry Christmas."
"Thank you,
Will, that's very nice. I wish the same to you, too."
"Thanks."
He turned to go. "Please give my regards to Chuck and Jane?"
"I will. See
you next year!"
Will stopped and
turned, confused. "What? Oh…right, next year. January.
Yep, I'll be seeing you. You bet!" He grinned, waved, and
stepped back into the board room.
Lizzy sagged back
onto the railing, replaying the encounter in her mind. She was
still staring off into space when Charlotte found her a few minutes
later.
"He just left.
What the heck was going on out here?"
Lizzy had been contemplating
Darcy's dimples. "What's that, Char?"
"What's with
you and Will Darcy?"
Lizzy was glad that
the gathering darkness hid her blush. "We were just catching
up on old times. We did go to college together."
"Is that all?"
For now, maybe. "Since when did you get so nosey?"
"Since when
do you have a private conversation with the most eligible bachelor
in New Orleans?"
"Most eligible
bachelor? Where did you get that?"
"Gambit
- two months ago."
She pointed at her
friend's forehead. "You read trash, you'll turn that
into trash. Now, let's go inside. All of a sudden, I'm famished!"
She made her way towards the door, Charlotte following in her
wake.
"Hey! Leave
some shrimp for me!"
"Not a chance."
~*~*~
It was not often
that a dinner at Commander's Palace was boring, especially one
featuring the jokes of his uncle, Edward, and his cousin, Richard.
But as much as he liked his family and as proud as he was of
his sister, Gina, Will couldn't wait for the meal to end and
to journey to the sanctity of his study in Pemberley Plantation
to think.
At about midnight,
he finally sat ensconced in an oxblood red leather chair in the
study - his dad's favorite chair - with a snifter of Benedictine
& Brandy, staring at the gas fireplace. It wasn't cold enough
to warrant a fire, but Will thought the glow of the flames helped
set the mood for contemplation.
"Will?"
He looked up to
see his sister at the door. "I thought you went to bed,
Gina."
"I thought
you did, too. Anything wrong?"
"Nope. Just
thinking."
"Can I come
in? I don't want to bother you. I just want to be with you."
"Sure."
"What'cha drinking?"
"Aren't you
a little young?" he teased. His sister wasn't yet twenty.
"Will, I am
in college. Besides, you ordered the wine tonight, and refilled
my glass, as I recall."
"B&B. Help
yourself." Soon, she was in the armchair next to him, warming
the liqueur with her palms. Will noticed her actions. "Hmm…methinks
you've had this before."
Gina gave him a
knowing look. "My usual is Frangelico, if you must know."
"Great. What
are they teaching you at Auburn - drinking?"
"Humph! It's
better than a Jager Bomb."
"What's that?"
"Jagermeister
and Red Bull."
Will shuddered.
"Or a Sex on
the Beach, or a Red-Headed Slut, or…"
Will threw up one
hand. "I give up! Enough already!"
"Cheers, big
bro."
"Cheers, squirt."
They sat and sipped,
as scenarios flowed though Will's head. He turned to his sister.
"You're looking
forward to the ball?"
"Yeah, I guess.
Too bad my sorority sisters can't see it."
"The Fitzwilliams
and Darcys started the krewe. It means a lot to your Aunt Patricia
and Uncle Edward."
"Yeah, it does."
She smiled. "And I get to dance with you, right?"
"That's true.
Umm…anybody you want to invite? Other than the list we drew
up before."
Gina thought. "No,
there's nobody else locally. Why, got somebody in mind?"
"Maybe."
Gina jumped up and
down in her seat. "Who? Who is it? Some fabulous babe?"
"Somebody from
work."
"Oh, poo!"
Will grinned in
his glass. He hated to prevaricate, but unless he was sure, he
didn't want to get Gina's - and his - hopes up.
Gina was quiet for
a minute. "What did'ya get me for Christmas?"
Will chuckled. "Now,
you know I'm not going to tell you."
"I'll tell
you if you tell me."
"Nice try,
squirt."
"I'll find
out, you know. Mrs. Reynolds will tell me. She can't keep anything
from me."
"Nice plan.
Glad to see they're teaching you to think over there in Auburn,
besides coming up with new alcoholic drinks."
"Thank you."
"Too bad Mrs.
Reynolds doesn't know," he said as he sipped his drink.
"What? You
tell her everything!"
"Not this time."
"You rat!"
"I've known
about your 'secret source' for a couple of years. You're sharp,
little sister, but it will be a while before you catch up with
your older brother."
Gina looked at her
brother with affection. "I'm never going to catch up with
you, Will."
Will looked over
at her. "Yes, you will, Gina. You're an outstanding young
woman and I'm very proud of you."
Gina bit her lip.
"Thank you."
Will reached out
a hand. "Thank you for being you, Gina. Don't try to be
me. Be yourself."
"But…I
want to…"
"Please…be
yourself. It's easier and better. Trust me."
She nodded. "All
right. I'm going to bed now, okay?'
"Sure."
"Don't stay
up too late."
"I won't. Love
ya."
"Love ya, too.
Good night."
After Gina closed
the door, William returned his attention to the fireplace before
him. If this is gonna work, I can't trust my instincts. I
can read most people, but I can't read Elizabeth. Can't pressure
her. I've got to let her take the lead.
I'll send two
invites - anonymously.
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