Easter's Lilly Page 5
“No problem there,” I answered. Okay, now I was worried.
Every day after that day, Johnny met me in the parking lot and we hiked out at the crossing. I began to bring a change of clothes and hiking boots to work with me to change into before we met. It was like we had known each other forever, and I never saw Rudy at the crossing again. I knew that I could never leave him. I was addicted. I could not let go of whatever that magnetic pull was he seemed to have over me. Pierre watched us leave together every day. I knew at some point he would want to collect on the fact that he never reported me to Jim.
“Marilyn?” Pierre asked. “Would you go to dinner with me tonight?”
“Pierre, every day you ask me out and every day I say no. When are you going to quit doing this to yourself?” He seemed to ignore my comment.
“This new seafood restaurant on the mountain just opened and all the chefs in the area are invited. I would like you to be my guest.” He stood before me almost demanding a “yes” from me.
“Well…” I thought about it for a second. It could be interesting. “All right,” I decided. “But just as friends.”
“You’ll be my date,” he insisted. “Come on, Lilly. You never go out.”
“Sure, why not,” I answered. “Besides, you called me Lilly. You remembered my name. I guess that deserves a small reward.” I walked away trying to figure out what to do. I guess I had no choice or I would lose my job for sure. I began to think that this might not be so bad. He was handsome and rich. Johnny never took me out in public. Maybe I should consider this as an option.
When I got to my car, Johnny was waiting for me as he always did. “Sorry Johnny, not today. But I’ll drive you home.”
“Why, what’s wrong?”
“I have a date. Yes, out to a restaurant.” He looked stunned, as though I had just punched him in the stomach and he got the wind knocked out of him. He must have known that this day would come. “We’re not in a committed relationship,” I reminded him.
“Who?” he asked. “You and me or you and him?”
I laughed. “Neither,” I answered. “Look, you were the one who said that you do not want to commit. So, I guess I don’t commit either.” He was still staring at me in utter surprise. “Safe is no fun.” When I said that it just fueled the fire. He began to get a little angry and I could see the blood drain from his face. He turned away from me and said, “Just take me home.”
When we got to his house he got out of the car and slammed the car door behind him. He said not one word to me as he walked straight for his front door and it appeared that there was no one there to greet him. Suddenly I felt a little empty inside. I knew his rules were simply unacceptable yet I continued to play by them. It was time for a reality check. So, I drove home and prepared for my date with Pierre.
CHAPTER 3
Is That a Yes?