Hitched

57

When Victoria was safely back in her apartment, she called Jeffrey.

“Are you all right?” he asked solicitiously.

“Yes, sweetie. But I want to get out of here.”

“I know. I’ll come pick you up.”

“I need some time to get ready.”

“I can’t wait to see you again-I’m leaving now. As soon as you’re packed, we’ll drive out to the country.”

Victoria smiled. “Just be careful. I have the feeling that everyone is watching.”

Twenty minutes later Jeffrey was hurrying up the first flight of steps inside Victoria ’s building. He was reminded of a quote by Guy de Maupassant, who wrote: “The best part of love is walking up the stairs.” How true, he thought. With Victoria it is so true.

He rang the bell and waited while Victoria unlocked all the locks. Finally she opened the door. The apartment was a mess. Victoria grabbed his hand, pulled him inside, and melted into his arms. When they finally let go of each other, Jeffrey looked around.

He smiled and made a joke. “You didn’t have to clean up because I was coming over.”

“You should see the bedroom,” she answered gaily. “But you really shouldn’t! Whenever I pack I have a hard time deciding what to bring. I end up throwing things all over!”

When she disappeared into her boudoir, Jeffrey sat on the couch. He felt restless. He didn’t want to turn on the television in case there were more stories about the wedding dresses. And he didn’t like to sit in such an untidy room. He looked around and noticed that dirty dishes were piled in the sink. A thought occurred to him. He stood and walked to the doorway toward the tiny bedroom. “ Victoria, have you talked to your parents about…?” he said as he pushed open the door.

Victoria turned to him and gasped. “I told you I’d be right out, honey.”

Jeffrey looked down at the floor, then back up at Victoria. Nervously, he asked, “What are you doing with that?”

Victoria giggled. “Jeffrey, I told you I love costume parties!”

As she leaned over to give him a kiss, Jeffrey felt a pit growing in his stomach. A very large pit.