"I... uhh... excuse me..." Jake stumbled over the words, "But do you mind if I ask you a question? You seem familiar to me ... and at the risk of my being very embarrassed ... have we met?"
The blond stood at the end of the isle, holding up a CD of Sarah McLachlan's "Adia". She glanced up at him and back to the CD without saying a word.
"Sorry . . . I really wasn't trying a come-on." He said. "But you do look familiar, and I suppose we haven't. . . because how could anyone ever forget you if they had?" He watched the girl as he spoke. A faint smile approached her lips before she regained control.
Maybe the reason she looked familiar was because ever since seeing him come into the store she had followed him. Not sure if he were alone, she had gotten close enough to see he wasn't wearing a wedding band. She had caught his eye twice - glances - and each time she felt as if she were looking into a volcano, heat instantly flooding her.
He was older - maybe 45 or so, with salt 'n pepper hair and a radience. She had lagged behind her friend in order to get a closer look for so long that they became separated. She caught up and still found herself looking down every isle to catch another glimpse and then taking the opposite isle, picking up anything just to look disinterested - apparently failing miserably because he had noticed her.
Jake watched the girl while she starred at the CD. He realized that she wasn't truly a 'girl'. She was older than he had first guessed - maybe early thirties, but still beautiful. With sun-streaked light blond hair and slightly taller than he, she was enchanting. "Sorry, I really thought maybe I had met you before - perhaps just wishful thinking . . ." He repeated, turning away.
"Maybe." She whispered.
He halted, turning back. "Pardon me? Have we met?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"My name is Jake. Jake Walters." He said, holding out his hand, hoping she would offer hers in return.
"Hello, Jake Walters." She didn't.
"Hello . . . you look so familiar. Have we met and I'm just a fool that forgot?"
"Umm . . . I don't think so. But I wouldn't call you a fool." She blushed. "If we haven't before, we have now."
Jake smiled, then realized he still had his hand extended. "Well, only partially. You know my name, but I still don't know yours."
She smiled. "Umm . . . I'm not sure . . ."
"JENNIFER! Are you going to finish shopping? We have to get going if we're going to make it to the Kennedy Center this evening." Her friend demanded, coming around the corner and suddenly stopping when she saw Jake standing there, hand extended.
"Oh! My apologies. I didn't know you were engaged..." She said, eying Jake. "Jenn, when you're ready please find me, we must be leaving soon."
"I'm ready. We were just discussing whether we knew each other or not. I don't think we did." Jennifer responded.
Jake lowered his hand and glanced from Jennifer to her friend and back. "The Kennedy Center? "The Taming of the Shrew"? Wonderful play. Perhaps I'll see you there. . ." He smiled. "This time I will certainly remember you - and I know your name, Jennifer."
Jennifer smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Are you a patron also? It is a large venue, but perhaps we will meet again."
"One can only hope . . . " Jake smiled too. "And since 'hope' is not a plan, perhaps I can escort you - unless of course you already have someone . . ."
"Thank you for asking, but I think not." Jennifer replied. "I never date strange men I just met at a strange store."
"Yes, of course. Do you date men you've met before? Do you date men you meet at the Kennedy Center?" Jake joked. "Perhaps if I see you there I won't be a strange man and the Kennedy Center won't be a strange place."
"Perhaps." Jennifer laughed. "But I do have to run. Nice meeting you, Jake Walters." She said, holding out her hand.
Jake waited a moment before responding. He slowly lifted his hand, palm up, and took Jennifer's hand in his. Instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his lips and, ever so gently, placed a light, lingering kiss on the back - her perfume intoxicating - then released it.
Jennifer put her hand on her chest, breathing deep. "Perhaps . . ." She whispered before walking away with her friend.
___________________________________________________
"Sir?"
Uh, sir?"
"Hey, mister! The store is closing now. We're going to lock the door soon and you're
going to have to stay in here all night if you don't get a move on."
"Huhhh?" Jake blinked and looked blankly at the salesclerk standing beside him.
Ummm . . . I'm sorry, I must have slipped away . . ."
"Yeah, blonds can do that to you." She laughed. "You can take your purchases to the counter and I'll check you out . . . but not in the same way she did." She laughed again.
"Uhhh . . ."
"Oh, come on. I should be so lucky that some guy would would zone-out over me."
"I, uhh . . . I wasn't . . ."
"Umm-humm. Right. And Santa Clause just retired Rudolph and bought a Porsche. You're a cute guy and all . . . but you sure are dumb." She bubbled. "I wonder if she knows that? Probably - women have a thing about that - and that woman sure didn't seem dumb."
Jake realized he was standing near the front of the store, looking at the large plate-glass windows into the gathering summer evening dusk. The windows reflected the interior of the store back at him - and at him staring at his reflection. He didn't know how long he had been there. His trance broken, he sighed and smiled at the clerk
"Obvious, huh?"
"Mister, I suggest you find that lady and finish this . . ."
"Do you know her? Ever seen her here before?"
"Nope. Sorry. Didn't you get her number? Her name even?"
"Uhhh, no. Oh! I do know her first name - Jennifer."
"Jeez, why are men so stupid . . ."
Jake grinned, liking the girl more each time she spoke. "I suppose we are and will always be when it comes to women. But I'll bet you really wouldn't want us to be any different."
"Hah!" The clerk laughed loudly. "Maybe that Jennifer wouldn't, but I sure would - at least about some things."
"Jennifer . . ." Jake repeated the name, looking again into the reflection off the glass, wondering where she went and where she was.
"Perhaps." He whispered.
___________________________________________________
Kate and a bubbling, breathless Jennifer crossed the parking lot after leaving the store. Kate had never seen Jennifer so animated and chatty but could certainly guess why.
". . . and, oh! I just don't have a thing to wear tonight. Can we stop by Saks and see if that cute little dress you were looking at is still there, please? Oh! And maybe those matching shoes too . . ."
Kate glanced at Jenn and sighed. "Come on, Jenn. You know that $850 for that little slip of nothing was too much for a single night. You even said anyone just thinking of buying something like that ought to have their head examined..."
"Yeah, I know . . . but I've been thinking about that - a lot - and I've changed my mind . . ."
"And just since when have you been thinking about that - and changed your mind? Like, maybe 5 minutes ago when he said he was going to be at the Center tonight?" She smiled at her friend.
Jennifer blushed before answering. "Perhaps." She said, realizing that was the last word she had spoken to him too. She looked toward the store and was surprised and delighted to see him standing in front of the counter, a salesclerk at his side. He was looking out the window, seemingly straight at her. She couldn't help herself and raised her hand to give him a small wave. He didn't respond, instead turning and smiling at the clerk - talking to her. Jennifer's arm froze and she realized that she was acting like a silly schoolgirl. Her armed dropped back to her side and she reached for the door handle of the car "You're right, of course. It's too expensive and I don't need it anyway. Let's just go home."
On the radio LeAnne Rimes was singing "How do I get through a night without you...? How do I live without you?" It's easy, Jennifer thought. You just realize that there is no one out there and don't let yourself get fooled into thinking there is. She starred out into the evening dusk, her reflection on the window staring back - sadness in the shadowed eyes.
Perhaps . . . she thought, perhaps not.
___________________________________________________
"I'm going to the powder room - want to go with me?"
"Again? Come'on Jenn, this is the fourth time in an hour. People are going to think we're lesbians or something."
"Oh, come on."
"Tell you what . . . you go stand under the Kennedy bust . . . if he comes by, grab him and just leave me a note stuck to Kennedy's nose."
"Yeah, right." She said, taking a playful jab at Kate. "Well . . . this place holds what, maybe a thousand people?" Jennifer asked, glancing around the darkened Eisenhower Theater. "It may be the smallest in the building, but that's still a lot of people - it's too dark to see."
"So what makes you think he's going to be outside then? Maybe, just maybe, he actually came to watch the play. Or maybe he's not even here at all."
He's here alright, Jennifer thought but didn't say out loud. I know he is. Somewhere.
"All right then, stay here. I'll be back in a few minutes." She said as she rose up from her seat and excused herself over and over again before reaching the end of the isle, knowing it was rude to keep leaving and entering the theater in the middle of the play and not entirely sure why she did. Ever since she had seen him enter the store she seemed to have lost control of her reason. When he had kissed her hand - she had lost control of her senses.
It was the eyes. She had known the moment she had glanced into that burning volcano. If the eyes were a window into the soul, then he contained an all-consuming fire. They also had a sparkle, exuding warmth and humor, life, happiness and love. Apparently she wasn't the only one that had noticed. That store clerk seemed to know him and two other shoppers had stopped and put their heads together, giggling, when he smiled and said "Hello". But it was she that he had captured.
Jennifer left the confines of the theater, pausing briefly in the doorway, silhouetted against the dimness of the hallway lighting, and entered the Grand Foyer. One of the largest rooms in the world, it would soon be full of after-theater goers. Now it was empty. And lonely. At the center of the hall sat the bronze bust of President Kennedy. Jennifer walked toward the bust, thinking of the comment by Kate. "Dear Kate," Jennifer's note would say. "I'm off to see Marrakech with my new friend. Don't wait up . . ."
She entered the stairwell leading up to the terrace. The Roof Terrace around the building displayed a panorama - the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Watergate, Potomac River, Georgetown University, Francis Scott Key Bridge and the National Cathedral.
Jennifer saw none of it.
___________________________________________________
"Uh, excuse me . . . but, I, ummmm . . . have we met?"
The moonlight bathed the Jefferson Memorial, it's reflection rippling on the gentle waters of the surrounding waters – the only movement in the warm, still air.
"Sorry.. I really wasn't trying to flirt . . . you look familiar. But I can't have met you before . . . I would remember . . ."
The voice was light, hesitant. Full of hope and anxiety.
A shape turned from near the railing overlooking the monuments. "Um, maybe. I'm not sure. . ."
"Ah... then how can we be sure?"
"A kiss, perhaps?"
"Of course." A hand extended - but not taken.
"You know, this is the second time I've offered you my hand and both times you have ignored it . . ." Jake whispered.
"I don't want to kiss your hand . . ." Jennifer said.
"I don't want you too either . . ." Jake replied, taking her into his arms. "I have other ideas . . ."
___________________________________________________
The yellow paper was conspicuous - waving from the bridge of J.F.K.'S nose like a weather flag on the lanyard of a ship - yet the mass of people exiting the theater seemed either not see it or just ignore it. When Jennifer had not returned for the second act of the play, Kate had begun to worry and had found it after looking everywhere else. She couldn't believe Jenn would actually leave without telling her - and leaving a note on the nose - that had only been a joke.
"Kate - HE'S HERE! I SEE HIM! If I don't return tonight then I'll call you later - afterward. Don't worry about me. - Jenn"
Kate smiled, clutching the note. GOOD FOR HER! She thought. Now, if only she could be so lucky.
________________________________________
"What is your favorite time . . . ?" She asked.
Jake could see her eyes, intense and full of laughter, glazing deep into his over the top of the Merlot. He sipped the burgundy liquid, letting the woodsy taste permeate his taste buds and allowing him time to think before responding.
"Midnight . . . the sounds of waves breaking nearby . . . a warm tropical breeze . . . low lights and soft music - piano perhaps - played with passion . . ." He said.
"A romantic! How sweet." She giggled. "I would have guessed you have a romantic side."
"Romantic!" He laughed. "If I were a romantic, I would have thrown in a gently rocking boat instead of the sounds of the waves. Besides, it would be difficult to be a romantic when there is no romance."
It was her time to sip her drink as she continued to gaze into his eyes. Jake smiled and gave her an almost-wink.
"Actually, I most enjoy times just like this . . ."
"You mean sitting across from some strange woman that you only met a few days ago in a store. One that insists on asking you personal questions?" She almost-winked back, "This you favorite time?"
"Actually," he replied, thinking that she had all-most winked again, "That's exactly what I mean. How often does a man meet his beautiful lady simply by chance? Yes, this is my favorite time . . ."
"But you also enjoy soft lights, warm breezes and passionate music . . ."
"Absolutely." Her reflection soft and glowing as he takes another sip from the Merlot. "How about you? See, you've wormed a secret from me already and I know nothing about you . . ."
"Umm . . ." She did a full, slow wink and her hand reached out and gently touched Jake's, "Let's just say that I know a friend with a place on the beach in Trinidad . . ."
