From: regan1016@bestsd.sdsu.edu (T. ELIZABETH HARVEY)
Subject: Re: That smile ... (Part II)
Organization: San Diego State University, College of Sciences
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 04:30:00 GMT


>******************************************************************************
>Kimmy's editorial comments will be enclosed in asterisks
>******************************************************************************
>==============================================================================
>Elizabeth's comments will be enclosed in equality symbols
>==============================================================================
> 
>Part II:
> 
> 
>                      ===+--- Elizabeth ---+===
> 
>                     (closing scene from Part I)
> 
>.... He shakes his head slowly.  "No ... just one room ... just one bed ... 
>king-sized."  He punctuates that sentence with a less-awkward grin.  
>Meanwhile, a middle-aged man walks by, tips his hat, and takes our bags 
>upstairs.  Kim is still holding the picnic basket.
>I try to get my eyes back to normal size before they dilate.  He smiles and 
>puts his arm around my shoulders, stroking my arm.  I sigh deeply.  He puts 
>the basket down and takes my face in his hands.  I try to speak, but he 
>places a finger on my lips and mouths the words, 'Trust me'.  I hug him and 
>whisper, "Okay, okay ...", even though my heart is racing.  I look into his 
>face and smile.  "Well, what are we going to do with that picnic basket?"
> 
>                        ---+=== Kimmy ===+---
> 
>.... "Like I said, we're gonna have a picnic.  I didn't say it would be outside
>did I?"  Wow, I'm suprised my brain is still functioning well enough to con-
>verse, after that episode by the car!  Could she feel the heat too?  When she
>kisses me like that it's like bein' hooked up to the Primary Grid.  I wonder
>if she realizes how close I was to losing control.  How bad I wanted to melt
>down into the grass with her in my arms, regardless of who could see.  But
>that would spoil everything.  I must not rush.  Patience is the main component 
>of Passion.  As I lead Elly up the staircase to our room I force myself to
>relax.  Just a little longer.  As we arrive in our room, Obidiah Ross welcomes
>us to the inn and tells us a little about it's history.  While he rambles on
>about Great, Great Ancestors, antique furiture, points of local interest etc.,
>I survey the room.  Perfect.  Elly seems fascinated by Obi's story.  I thank
>him when he finishes and softly request a bucket of ice for the Dom P. that
>I have hidden away in the picnic basket.  With a knowing smile and a hushed
>assurance he closes the door behind him.  I turn to Elly and suggest she take
>a few minutes to freshen up while we wait for the wine.  She agrees and
>heads off for the shower.  When she has gone I spring into action.  First the
>fireplace.  Obi has done his job well.  One match and it's cracklin' to life.
>Next the rose-scented tea candles.  All four dozen of them!  Just as I've
>finished placing each candle in it's own little pink crystal cup and arranging
>them about the room, Obi comes back in with the ice.  Seeing me rushing about
>trying to get the candles lit, he smiles and takes up a fireplace match and
>helps me.  I thank him and ask if there is another shower I can use.  He
>gives me directions and exits.  On the rug in front of the hearth, I spread
>the classic red & white checkered blanket and arrange the "fixin's":  Truffles
>shipped all the way from a little shop in Frisco, sherried walnuts glazed
>with sugar, assorted german chocolate.  She loves chocolate.  Now the pillows.
>Turn down the bed.  I grab my kit and robe on the way to the shower.  As I
>start to leave I turn and look things over.  Yep, perfect.  I wonder how she
>will wait for me ...? 
> 
>******************************************************************************
>Elizabeth.  Excellent!  You worked the picnic thing back into the story well.
>You're doin' great and I'm REALLY enjoying this!  Others are too apparently.
>******************************************************************************
==============================================================================
Thanks, Kimmy ... you are guiding the story really well ... I am very 
impressed, and I'm glad you're having fun, too ... How long do you think 
this will end up being?
==============================================================================

[*Elizabeth*]
I step into the hot, steaming shower and let the water pour over me as I 
mull over the day's events.  Ah ... my head's awhirl.  Neither my heart nor 
my body seem to be listening to my mind's entreaties to stay aloof.  I wish 
I could, but at times, it just doesn't seem possible.  But logically, I 
need to keep my distance!  Kim and I are two totally different people, 
can't he see that?  And even if we weren't, after Regan ... my mind rebels 
at the thought of my first love, who seemed so right for me, who claimed I 
was so right for him ... only to desert me, never contacting me again, and 
without leaving me avenues to contact him.  To all extents and purposes, he 
vanished.  I told Kim a few generalities concerning it: "Oh yeah, it was a 
net romance ... it just didn't work out in the end ... yeah, we met once 
.. hey, no biggie ... you win some, and you lose some, you know ... yeah, 
lucky for me I didn't get too involved ..."  If he only knew how much I 
loved Regan ... how I wanted to literally tear my heart when I realized 
something was very wrong.  After him, I wanted nothing to do with men 
beyond the platonic level ... nothing.  Until Kim came along.  But it's not 
right, I think to myself as I shed a few tears that mingle with the water 
streaming down my head on all sides.  Kim doesn't need or deserve damaged 
goods ... I shouldn't let this go on.
Suddenly, I snap to attention.  'Stop wallowing and *do* something", I hear 
an inner voice say.  I nod silently, finish washing up, and step out of the 
shower to dry off.  While towelling off, I go through the travel bag, 
looking at the clothes he bought for me to wear this weekend.  As I reach 
the bottom of the bag, I note to myself that 'clothes' isn't the most 
accurate term for what he's bought ... the majority of it seems to be 
lingerie.  Not underwear, lingerie.  A camisole, a couple of teddies ... 
lots of satin and lace ... my cheeks burn as I eventually find only two 
outfits suitable for wearing outside of the room.  And in the side pocket, 
I find a note in his handwriting: "Elly, trust me .... Love, Kim."  As I 
stuff the note back in the bag, I take a few moments to collect my 
thoughts.  As I pull on a camisole set of black satin, along with a 
deep-blue shirt and blue jeans, I realize that I must leave here before I 
lose all control and fall in love with him completely, and the damage would 
be irrevocable.  I put on some comfortable black flats, grab the bag and 
rush out of the bathroom, thinking that perhaps kindly Mr. Ross could tell me 
how to get out of this mountains before morning ...
I sweep into the room, and am arrested on the spot.  The room is gorgeous.  
Tastefully decorated, with a large, foru-poster bed in the corner, the room 
would be pretty regardless, but the fire, and all the candles make it 
breathtaking.  I sigh, spellbound by the cracklin flames in the fireplace.  
Pulling my eyes away, I pick up one of the tea candles and marvel at the 
glow of its flame.  While inhaling its scent of roses, my eyes catch a 
glimpse of the picnic spread out.  So *much* chocolate ... I glance at the 
ice bucket and take out the bottle to read its label.  "Dom Perignon??"  I 
take a deep breath.  "I must be on my way ..."  I drop his bag, and grab my 
purse, looking for a pen and paper.  The pen I have no problem finding, but 
I ramble through my purse for several minutes looking for a scrap of paper, 
until I spy a pad of stationery for the inn.  Hurriedly, I write: "Kim, I 
am so sorry ... this cannot work.  Please don't bear a grudge.  Take care, 
E."  Kim, you are going to have to trust me on this, I think to myself as I 
choke back a melodramatic sigh.  I place the note against the ice bucket, grab 
my purse, and rush to the door ...

---<--<-{@ | "I believe that before all else, I am a reasonable human being,
Elizabeth  | just as you are -- or, at all events, that I must try and 
	   | become one." _A Doll's House_, Henrik Ibsen
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