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Date Posted: 00:43:54 05/09/01 Wed
Author: Lakota
Subject: Waiting for You - Chapter 24D

Waiting For You – Chapter 24D


Valentine’s Evening – February 14, 1944


234 W. 44th St., New York City - Heart of the theater district
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

“Oh, Mike, that was absolutely incredible.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah? That’s it?”

“Yeah, it was really good.”

“I can’t believe you.”

“What?”

“That that’s all you have to say about it.”

“Carrie, what were you expecting me to say?”

“Well, that it was worth waiting for….that it wasn’t like anything you’d experienced ever before, …you know.”

“I agree. It was wonderful but I just don’t feel quite the level of ecstasy you have about the whole thing.”

“I’m really surprised, especially since you were experiencing it with me.”

“Well, maybe not all of it. I have to admit I dozed off one time.”

“When was that?”

“I think I’m suddenly wishing I hadn’t brought that up. It was only a minute or two.”

“How could you sleep through something like that?”

“I…it was when they were doing the ballet, okay? I mean, come on, Carrie, let’s be serious. Cowboys do not dance on the range…..ride, yes, but not leap and frolic.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be taken literally, for goodness sake. It was interpretive…telling part of the story, advancing it, through dance. That’s one of the innovations of the play, the choreography of Agnes De Mille being used to convey the story without words and accompanied by Richard Rodgers’ music.”

“How do you know all that, Carrie?”

“I…well, I read a few reviews earlier this week so I’d know what to look for.”

“De Mille…….that name sounds familiar.”

“Her brother is Cecil B. DeMille…the movie director.”

“Ohhhhh, that’s why it looked familiar when I was reading the production names in the Playbill. Now, you didn’t see him having Gary Cooper leaping around the countryside in ‘The Plainsman”, did you?”

“No, but that wasn’t a Broadway musical, either. It was a movie, a western. I am so surprised, Mike, that you have this attitude. You’re usually so open to things….”

Carrie stopped her diatribe long enough to look up into Mike’s face and beheld his dancing eyes and sly grin.

“Gotcha!” he declared.

“Michael William Horton…I could just slug you.”

“Had you going, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did, I hate to admit it. I couldn’t believe what you were saying. You really are much too good at keeping a straight face, you know.”

“I couldn’t help it. You were so enthralled about ‘Oklahoma’ I just had to see what you’d do if I shook things up a little. Forgive me?”

“ No…..not for a minute or so, anyway,” Carrie said as she exaggeratedly turned her nose up and away from Mike.

“Oh, Honey, I’m sorry,” Mike said earnestly, wrapping his arms around Carrie as they stood at the entrance to Sardi’s restaurant. “You are kinda cute when you’re feathers are ruffled, though.”

“Why do I put up with your nonsense? Tell me that.”

“Simple, you love me.”

Carrie smiled. “Obviously I’m not making these questions hard enough.” She kissed Mike and hugged him before turning to look at the entrance to the famous restaurant facade. “How are we time-wise with the dinner reservation?”

Mike removed his left arm from around Carrie and looked at his Christmas present. “Hey, we’re
right about on time. I’m a little surprised considering how long the play ran. I thought we wouldn’t get here until maybe after eleven o’clock. When they say late dinner, they’re not kidding. Are you hungry?”

“Famished! I had to grab a sandwich at the deli today and spend most of my time in the newsroom putting all the bulletin copy together.”

“Deli? You had to eat a deli sandwich? And that’s bad because?”

“Oh, I momentarily forgot who I was talking to. Yes, I had a corned beef on rye.”

“Oh stop, you’re torturing me. I had some unidentifiable thing in the mess hall with Lucas and Jack. They made me take the first bite after flipping a coin…they both had heads and I had tails.”

Carrie audibly exhaled and shook her head. “You really do have it rough.”

“The guys and I figured that it’s just the military’s way of toughening us up for the food we’ll get in the field overseas…..” Mike’s voice faded out as he finished his sentence. Carrie’s face had turned solemn at the mention of the subject she avoided religiously. To not speak of it made it stay away - that seemed to be her belief. It she didn’t talk about it, maybe it would not come to pass at all.

“I’m ready to go eat. It’s getting cold out here,” Carrie said matter-of-factly. It was her way of telling Mike she would not talk about his leaving let alone think about it after having spent a wonderful evening with him. Mike knew to drop the subject and took her elbow as they climbed the stairs to the entry of Sardi’s in an awkward silence.

Subdued lighting, warmth and soft music greeted them as they entered the restaurant. Waiters moved briskly about in their famous bright red jackets attending to the patrons, who appeared to be other theatergoers by their style of dress. Having left their coats in the cloakroom, Mike and Carrie were escorted to a secluded corner booth. As they sat Carrie glanced about the room noticing the hundreds of cartoon sketches of the Broadway elite hung along the restaurant’s walls. She could identify a number of the famous faces exaggerated by the artists.

“Did you ask for this cozy spot?” Carrie asked with a sly smile on her face.

“Nope…I swear. I just told them we wanted to have dinner here Valentine’s evening when I called to make the reservation. I guess they just assumed we wanted to be alone,” Mike said finishing the sentence in his best Greta Garbo imitation.

“Besides being secluded it’s a great vantage point to see anyone who comes in. Maybe we’ll see a star tonight.”

“I’m looking at the only star I want to see,” Mike said, “tonight or any night.”

Carrie took Mike’s hand and kissed it before looking into his eyes. “And, I’m looking at the only leading man I ever want.”

Mike returned the kiss only on Carrie’s lips and drew back to smile at her. “The trouble with that is looking at you makes me forget all my lines.”

“Let me help you, then. The next line is, ‘Waiter, may we have menus?’”

Mike motioned to the waiter as he laughed. The menus were brought. Mike and Carrie listened to the combo playing, appropriately enough, an on-going medley of show tunes from the current Broadway offerings including “Oklahoma” and “On the Town” as they read through the multi-paged menu before deciding to order the famous Sardi scampi renowned for it’s flavor among professional restaurant goers. Mike ordered for them when the waiter returned as Carrie watched him by the candlelight of their table. When he finished, he placed his hands together in front of him on the table and looked over to see Carrie staring at him. He turned his head slightly in a gesture she recognized as his way of silently asking a question.

“I was just thinking how proud I am of you.”

“Uhhh….because I know how to read and order from a menu?”

“Noooooooooo, you goof, because of Jack and Jennifer.”

“Okay, I am completely lost. We haven’t seen them in about four and a half hours. How did they suddenly make an appearance in the conversation?”

“I was just thinking that all of us had such romantic plans tonight and how different that was from a year ago when we were all back in Salem….except for Lucas who was in Utah already.”

“Oh, but how does this all make you proud of me, if I may ask? I’m not looking for ego stroking; I’m just curious.”

“Because, the past few weeks, you’ve been so wonderful to her…Jennifer, I mean. You’ve helped Jack shop for a ring, get a great deal on that honeymoon place out on Long Island and be the best big brother and future brother-in-law they could ask for, not to mention the best man for the ceremony….that’s all I meant.”

“That’s a far cry from what you thought a couple of months ago.”

“I admit, I was pretty harsh on you that afternoon they told us they were getting married.”

“You had every right to be. I don’t think it was one of my finer hours. I do like seeing Jenn unable to stop smiling. She really is happy, isn’t she?”

“Mmmm…hmmmm….delirious practically and Jack looks like he about to have a stroke any minute.”

“Well, in his case it’s not the wedding that’s his focus…..try the honeymoon.”

“Mike!”

“Well, it is. I’m not sure I like what’s going through his mind particularly when it involves what he’s planning to do to my sister…”

“Michael, don’t you mean with your sister. After all it takes two to tango…or, well, you know what I mean.”

Even by candlelight Mike could see the faint blush cross Carrie’s face.

“I suppose we should consider this a trial run if Lucas succeeds with his plan he had for tonight regarding Sami.”

“Plan? Do you mean what I think you do?”

“I don’t know, do I? I’m not talking about him ‘tangoing’ with Sami if that’s what you think. I think he’s just trying to get his name as the only one on her dance card after tonight for the rest of their lives - to keep it in the vernacular.”

“Mike, is he asking her to marry him?”

“You mean you didn’t know? I would have thought Sami had a clue.”

Carrie sat back and stared at the gold flame of the candle and began to smile.

“So that’s what the fashion show was all about.”

“What?”

“Sami changed her complete outfit three times tonight before she was satisfied she would look just the way Lucas would like. I guess she did have an idea but she didn’t come right out and say it.”

“Think she’ll say ‘yes’?”

“Yeah….yeah I think she will. Amazing…she’ll exchange that class ring he gave her when they were in high school for a symbol of something even more permanent. I’m very happy for them. How do you feel about it – first your sister and now your brother making marriage plans in such a short span of time?”

Mike sat back in his chair with a serious expression.

“We sort of talked about this before, Carrie. I think they’re meant for each other. Lucas told me he wants to wait and marry Sami after he completes his flying missions. Nearly being killed has made him more cautious and the result of that is he wants to commit to Sami but not get married just yet. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say I think what they’re doing is more sensible.”

“Love isn’t always sensible, you know. It stems from your heart – not your head. Well, it’s their decision and I’ll support whatever they decide. They could change their minds. It’s tough sitting out the tango when you know others are on the dance floor.”

Carrie grinned at Mike as she saw his surprised expression in her reaction to her innuendo.

“Funny….a year ago tonight, Jennifer was going with that sailor she met at Christmas. I don’t even remember his name any more. Sami stayed home the way she always did since her breakup with Lucas and I was signing a Valentine card to give to my best friend at the Brady Pub party...wishing he thought of me as something more than that. Now, Jenn’s getting married in a matter of weeks. Sami, if we’re right, will be engaged to Lucas and I’m not just your best friend any more.”

“No, you’re that and so much more…you’re my life.”

The waiter arrived with their dinner. They talked through their meal of what they’d liked about “Oklahoma” - especially the music, what they had planned to buy as wedding gifts for Jack and Jennifer – all the kinds of things best friends shared…and more. When dinner had concluded Mike saw Carrie was in deep thought.

“Whatcha thinkin’?”

“I was just wishing everyone I knew could feel as loved and special as I do when I’m with you.”

“Anyone in mind specifically?”

“Kurt and Victoria. They’re such terrific people and have become wonderful friends. I could see they were both watching us tonight….us meaning all three couples and there was a sadness to them. I wasn’t just imagining it. I do have an idea…”

“”uh…oh…”

“You saw the way Victoria was looking at Eric’s photo on the desk New Year’s Day, didn’t you?”

“No.”

“Well, she was. Sami and I both noticed it. I was just thinking - maybe I could encourage her to write to him. She can sort of be his pen pal.”

“Oh, sure….pen pal…that’s what you want her to be to him.”

“For starters and who knows where it could lead….”

“Well, at least you picked the appropriate day to play Cupid. I shudder to think who you have in store for Kurt.”

“That’s just it…..I don’t. Everyone I can think of who’d be perfect for him is taken. I’ll just have to think more about it…maybe someone at work…...”

“…..Carrie, I ……can I be serious for a minute?”

“Of course, Mike, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ve been thinking about this not just this evening but for a couple of weeks. The thing is, I don’t know how to say it.”

Rather than interrupt, Carrie kept quiet and watched Mike’s face struggling with emotions she hadn’t seen before or at least not at this level of intensity.

“I…I know we’re going to be busy over the next three weeks with work, the parties for Jack and Jennifer and the wedding. We won’t really have time for us. So, I thought that after the wedding - maybe a week or so…”

Mike stopped and stared at the table as he searched for words. He looked up with a defiant sparkle in his eyes.

“Dammit….I don’t know what I can’t just say what I want to. Do you love me, Carrie?”

Stunned at his question Carrie fleetingly wasn’t sure how elaborate to be with her answer. The look on his face made her believe the briefer the better.

“Yes, I love you, Mike…..very much. I try to tell you that as often as possible.”

“Okay…..okay… then…then….you know how much I’m always telling you that I love you?”

Carrie nodded.

“I think we say it too much.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Do you think we’re just saying words?” Carrie asked Mike. Her heart pounded with the frightening thought that maybe Mike wanted to back pedal on where they were going with this relationship. The term St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was beginning to take on a whole new meaning for her. Had he taken her to the theater and dinner as a way to soften the blow when he decided to tell her that he didn’t want what she wanted any longer? It didn’t make sense and that scared her more.

“Not exactly, Carrie, but we do talk a lot about this relationship. There isn’t anything wrong with that but I see my younger sister and brother both moving on with the people they want in their lives the way I want you in mine. I think, maybe, it’s hit me that we’re letting them get ahead of us.”

“It’s not a contest, Mike.”

“That didn’t come out right. No, it isn’t. Two people involved with each other should only be concerned with what’s right for them. I just think ……forget it.”

“No, I’m not going to forget it, Mike. Tell me what you’re thinking…say it….I can handle it.”

Mike stared across the room gathering himself before he slowly met Carrie’s eyes. She knew whatever he was going to say would change something about their love…she just didn’t know what it was.

“I think we need to be alone and really be …………together. With Sami being at your place until after the wedding, the apartment is out of the question. What I want to ask you is…….would you spend the weekend with me at the Grand Hotel? I have that prize I won at the Red Cross ball on New Year’s Eve, remember? It’s a suite in the hotel and it includes a champagne breakfast on Sunday morning. Will you come with me….be with me?”

Mike’s eyes never stopped staring into Carrie’s as he spoke. His intent was clear. It would be the two of them, alone. Carrie knew everything that implied. It was here…that moment she’d thought and dreamt of so often. It was scary…downright terrifying but only momentarily. She leaned toward Mike as she gave him her answer.

“Yes, I will come with you. I want to be with you.”

Mike slowly nodded his head.

“When would you be able to go?”

“Well, how about March 11th? Jennifer and Jack won’t be back from Long Island until the following Tuesday. Sami and Lucas could have the apartment to themselves if she hasn’t gone back to Salem yet.”

“That’s just about a month from now. It’ll give you a chance to change your mind…”

“…I won’t change my mind, Mike.”

“Okay, March 11th it is. I’ll call the hotel and make all the arrangements.”

They continued to stare at one another until a familiar tune began to play.

“May I have this dance? I know it’s not a tango.”

“No, it isn’t but I’d love to dance with you, Mike. I love doing anything with you.”

Mike rose from the table and extended his hand to Carrie. She took his and let him escort her to the tiny dance floor. They began to sway to the soft rhythm of the Gershwin tune. Each understood the lyric as never before as the singerbacked by the combo gave her interpretation. Carrie closed her eyes, leaned her head on Mike’s shoulder and slowly began to feel as if the other patrons of the restaurant were fading into the background leaving them ……..alone.


It’s very clear - - our love is here to stay
Not for a year, but ever and a day
The radio, and the telephone, and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies, and in time may go.

But oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Together we’re going a long, long way
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibralter may tumble
They’re only made of clay
But, our love is here to stay.

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