Juliana – Chapter 75 Mistake

Time in Willow Creek: 1 year, 2 months, 1 week, 5 days

The next morning, Kevin was waiting for her on the side balcony on their floor.

“Good morning! Hope you’re not majorly hungry. We have a little walking to do before breakfast.”

She got excited about the secret excursion and wondered where they were going. They left the hotel and headed east on the main street that went all the way though town. The road twisted north when it hit the river. Juliana had seen that part of town many times as they had to pass it going to and from art club, but it was nice to see what she had been missing in the dark.

There was a large brick edifice ahead. When were in front of it, Kevin took a moment to stop and gaze upon it.

“Caroline and I lived in one of the units in this house.”

“This is a house?”

“Well, now it is. It used to be an old factory, but someone converted it into a bunch of tiny apartments to rent out. It was so cramped… We had fun here, though.”

He was still looking at the building like he was recalling every single memory he had. Juliana smiled nervously and didn’t know what to say. He snorted at something that flashed across his mind and turned away.

“Well, anyway…” He looked at her and kept walking.

They continued their journey toward breakfast. When she saw where they were headed, she said, “Ahhhhh, here!” The two of them had been there many times. He had been so secretive, she thought they were going someplace new.

“Yeah, sorry. I really felt like a scone and coffee, and theirs is the best. We can eat at the hotel tomorrow, ok?”

“It’s fine. I like it here.” She always got the same thing.

“You and your cannolis,” he said. “I bet your mother would not approve of all that sugary goodness for breakfast.”

“Nope!” She said with her mouthful.

“And so uncouth too? Harriett would not approve.”

She laughed and almost choked. “You are trying to kill me.”

He feigned guilt. “Yes…that was my plan the whole time,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “Just wait ’til I get you in the maze!”

She bit her nails in fake terror. “Spare me, please!”

“Oh…all right. I’m a sucker for cute girls with accents.”

They laughed and enjoyed the rest of their breakfast while he told her about the last time he had been to the Chalet Gardens. She loved how she could be herself around him. At times, she was a real goofball, but she was mature enough to know when it was ok to show that side of her. Needless to say, her serious moments tended to outweigh her goofball moments in her new life, and it was nice to let loose every now and then.

After breakfast, they hailed a cab to the Von Haunt Estate. She was so excited about finally getting to explore the place that had taken her breath away so many months ago. She was practically bouncing in her seat on the way there. Good thing it was only a 20 minute ride. When they arrived, she waited for Kevin to pay the driver, but he wasn’t moving fast enough for her. He didn’t pull out his wallet until the car actually stopped. Then, he reached in his back pocket to pull it out. He showed no sense of urgency as he thumbed through the bills to find what he needed. She wanted to scream at him, but she maintained her composure. When the transaction was made, she bounced out of the car like a jack-in-the-box.

“Someone is excited,” Kevin said. He barely had his door open by the time she was completely out of the car.

She stood on the circular drive gazing upon the estate. Seeing it’s magnificence in daylight was almost worth the entire weekend.

She stood there for a while, just taking it all in and enjoying the early afternoon sun on her face.

“So,” he said. “Are we going inside, or are you just going to stand here and gawk at it all day,” he said facetiously.

She shoved him, and he over exaggerated a fake injury.

“I think you’re the one who’s trying to kill me!”

She flashed an evil grin and headed for the door.

“You know what?” He walked ahead of her. “I have never read these things. I guess I should do that at least once in my life, huh? Especially if I’m going to die today.” He glanced over his shoulder at her like he was watching his back. “Let’s see… ‘The Von Haunt Estate was partially destroyed by a fire in 1898. The owners, Lord and Lady Shallot, died together in the blaze.’ Oh, how cute. Not! ‘Locals claim the estate is haunted, but Management strongly advises you to ignore these wild and unfounded rumors.'” He snorted. “That certainly is wild.”

As they were walking inside, Kevin had a question. “Do you believe in ghosts, Juliana?”

“Of course. Do you?”

“Oh… No. Not really. I guess…well, I think it’s a bit silly, you know? Bodiless souls hanging around because they have unfinished business or whatever? Seems farfetched.”

“What about the afterlife?” she asked. “Do you believe in that?”

“Hmmm… I don’t know. That might be farfetched too.”

She felt sad for him. Her whole life she was taught that when she died, she would be reunited with loved ones. In a world riddled with death, it was comforting for them to think this because they had lost so many. The afterlife had to be real. She was a long ways from death–barring any accidents or idle threats from cute friends–but knowing that she would see her father again kept her emotions in check when she was tempted to let them spiral out of control.

“So…you don’t expect to see your parents again?”

“I don’t think about my parents too much. And, when they died, I knew that was it. I don’t go around wishing they’d visit me or wishing I could die just to hangout with them.” There was a hint of mockery in his tone.

Poor man. He has no hope! “What about Caroline?”

She felt a cold stare boring a hole in the back of her head.

He shrugged and seemed agitated. “You wanna go to the garden? I’m getting bored of this old, dusty crap.”

“Sure.” She hoped she hadn’t offended him.

They walked in silence, making sure to stop and read all the signs at various points around the garden and tossing coins into the fountains for good luck. Juliana thought it was interesting that he didn’t believe in ghosts or an afterlife but was ok with wasting currency in a tank of water just for a chance of temporary good fortune.

Kevin saw a piano off in the distance tucked away in the rear of the garden next to a wedding arch.

“Hey! I’ve known you for all this time, and I’ve never heard you play! Do you mind?” he asked.

She was a better painter than she was a piano player, but her skills behind the keys were undeniable. Still, she was a bit nervous to play for him. To be honest, she thought it was weird. No one had ever requested a song for their private audience of one. It had all the marks of a serenade, but she agreed and played a simple song for him.

It was getting dark and Juliana wanted to run through the maze before it was too hard to see. The maze never thrilled Kevin much, but he played along…at first. She was a bit brazen and thought she could get them out quickly but kept running into dead ends.

“Have you gotten us lost in here?” he asked.

“No! I am going to find a way out.”

She ran off in search of their exit.

“You do that,” he yelled after her. “I’ll be right here! And, if you’re not back soon, I’m gonna find ya…and kill you! Say your prayers, little lady!”

“HA! You’ll have to catch me first!”

After 22 minutes, Juliana gave up and went back to Kevin. He did not kill her, and they walked out the same way they came in. They left the Chalet to go to a familiar yet unfamiliar place. They were right down the road from the museum at the place where they hung out around the bon fire one night. Little did Juliana know that there was a beautiful place to sit just steps from the bonfire.

“I used to come out here to think…and cry when I lost Caroline. I thought this spot was so beautiful… Beautiful like her.”

It was no wonder he still missed her after all this time, she thought. Without the hope of seeing her again, she imagined letting her go was hard for him. But, how could he let someone new in with his dead wife looming over him? He was such a troubled man. She wanted to ask him things but learned to tread lightly. Perhaps not that night, but maybe some other time.

There was a deep sigh before he changed gears again.

“You feel like walking?” he asked. The hotel was just down the road about two miles.

“Sure.”

They walked back to the hotel in silence. But, not an awkward silence. It was quite peaceful.

The next morning, Juliana reserved a table while Kevin checked them out. When he went to find her, he was bothered by the mess at the table.

“Aww, Juliana! This is where they put you?”

He grabbed the busboy who was passing by. “Excuse me…I’m sorry, but would you mind clearing our table?”

“Sure. Let me just take care of these,” the busboy said about the dishes he was carrying.

“Thank you.”

He sat down and perused the menu, trying to ignore the mess. Ten minutes went by, and the busboy did not return and the server hadn’t taken their order yet. Kevin was getting agitated.

“They can’t be serious. Are these dishes seriously still here?”

His words sounded more like thoughts that were supposed to stay in his head but came out as an utterance under his breath.

Juliana attempted to diffuse the situation–not that it had escalated much. “Maybe they are busy.”

His voice escalated just a bit. “You’ve been sitting here for like 20 minutes with this mess! It’s not cool.”

The sentiment was nice, but she didn’t think it was worth getting upset over.

Finally, someone came to take their order. He ordered Eggs Benedict and coffee–black–and she ordered a spring omelet with orange juice.

“And can you send someone to clear this table?” he added.

“I’m very sorry, sir. I’ll take them with me.”

“Thank you.”

This trip was a great opportunity for Juliana to observe more of their differences. So far, she noticed his assertiveness. He took charge and was authoritative and looked comfortable being that way, but he was really nice about it unlike others she could recall who were total jerks. It was attractive.

They got a few bites in before engaging in conversation. Kevin snickered to himself, and she wondered what he was up to.

“What’s funny?”

“I was just thinking… You should be glad I’m a nice guy. What would happen if we got to your house and I told Harriett that we had been partying and getting drunk all weekend?.” His query amused him.

She knew he was joking, but part of her thought he was cheeky enough to actually do it. They were so comfortable with each other, making her mad for his amusement was always an option on the table in those days.

“You wouldn’t!”

“Heh, you don’t know that.”

“I’ll never speak to you again!”

Idle threats were always fun.

“We’ll see about that.”

Was that a challenge?

Watching her become unglued seemed to become one of his favorite past times. He was never serious and wouldn’t dream of hurting her, of course, but the look on his face while she was in damage control mode… It melted her. He looked like he thoroughly enjoyed her company, but there was more to it than that. It was that thing that gave her the mixed signals. Something he hadn’t come to admit yet.

For her plan of action, it suited her well for him to be oblivious. She could do without him professing his love and actively trying to woo her. She could focus on living her life until she was ready for all of that. But, at the same time, the oblivion caused more trouble than either of the knew. At least if he confessed, she could tell him how she felt about him and the hesitations she had. He might be disappointed but would be encouraged knowing how she felt. He would wait for her. But, the oblivion raised to many questions and occupied a lot of space in her brain. She spent more time wondering about hypotheticals and what-ifs than things that really mattered. Like their new business relationship.

“So, where are we going?” She had to change the subject to reel in her thoughts and stop focusing on that smile.

“The Ruins and The Bluffs.”

“Ooh! Ruins first?”

“As you wish, m’lady.”

There was that smile again.

They walked around the place where they had partied roughly six months ago. It was interesting to look at, but it was far more beautiful at night with all the lights.

“What’s down there?” Juliana asked.

“Uhh…I’ve actually never been down there before. I’ll race ya!”

He took off running, but she quickly overtook him, giggling the entire way like a school girl.

“Are you seriously beating me?!”

“Yep!”

Her ponytail bounced against her neck like a pom pom being waved.

“But, how? You’re wearing sandals!”

She stopped and did a brief victory dance. “Because I’m younger.”

He was the one to always play the age card. It felt good to use it against him, but the snort that accompanied the brief grimace told her he probably did not appreciate it. They sat on a bench and looked out at the smaller ruins.

“I wonder what all of this was,” he said.

She thought he knew. He seemed to be so knowledgeable about everything else.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“Don’t know. I imagine the big ruins up there was probably some…some colosseum…or maybe some great person’s house?”

“And this one was their garden?”

“Yeah! That’s a good one.”

They spent a few more minutes speculating about the ruins before they left to begin their final excursion before heading home.

The Bluffs was their last hurrah of the weekend. Kevin never enjoyed the tangled brush that lined the entrance and wished someone would cut it down. But, the view that welcomed them when they reached the clearing was always worth the effort. He knew Juliana and stayed back a ways just to watch what she would do. Smiling to himself, he was glad the scene played out exactly how he imagined it.

He couldn’t see her face, but he knew she was incredibly happy. They were alike in that way. See, he thought, I knew we wouldn’t need bathing suits. Why swim in a swampy pool when you can stand here and enjoy THIS! He stood right next to her just to confirm she was as happy as she seemed from behind. She was, and he felt like his job was done.

She felt his shoulder rub against hers, and she turned toward him and smiled. He was so close. The backs of their hands brushed against each other. She could easily move a couple of fingers to hold one or two or his. He could too. What would he do if she did? Did he get that close on purpose? Was he the kind of guy who wanted the girl to make the first move? Did she want to make the first move? Or any move? That was when she realized the whole weekend had been a mistake. She had received too many free samples of more, and now that was all she wanted. Co-existing with Kevin was going to be a lot harder now than ever.