Lunch and a Revelation

By Layne and Atonia

During the drive to his apartment, she decided it was best to stay on neutral ground.  "You haven't told me what sort of books you like to read."

 “Ah books, I don’t read any particular genre, I just finished “Peace Like a River” by Lief Enger, I like books with a good story, it’s an escape you know? I read non-fiction also. You will see evidence of this; I have no bookshelves so they are stacked on the floor. You know the store we just left has a book section, some old books that are out of print I like to read.”

March directed her toward the beach, “Is not far now,” he said.

As she parked at his building, Libby sighed.  "I'll bet you have a gorgeous view."

When she got out of the car, she stopped and closed her eyes.  "And the sound of the waves.  Beautiful.  You probably sleep like a baby,
listening to that at night."  Then she blushed. 

March caught the blush and smiled to himself. Getting out of the car he directed the van that had followed them with the table and chairs to a parking place.

“Come,” he said reaching for her hand, “you can listen for yourself.” He unlocked the door to his townhouse and led her up the stairs to the main level, the wall of windows in his lounge area and dining room were open, the sheer curtains dancing in the ocean breeze. He led her out to the balcony that faced the ocean. He had a plant stand on the balcony that held an assortment of herbs but nothing else.

Libby sighed as she stood on the balcony, listening to the ocean and feeling it's cool breeze blowing her hair.  It felt calm and peaceful.

"You're so lucky," she said to March, without opening her eyes.  "You know, I've spent time on the beach before, but just for swimming.  Mostly with friends.  I never just stood and listened, and enjoyed it."

March came up quietly beside her, “It is a comfort you know when you are alone, to know something so vast and alive is there,” he stood looking out watching the waves, “one can feel very small compared to the ocean, it was there before, it will be there after it is eternal, while I am only temporary. It is stronger and wiser and keeps me from becoming caught up in self importance.” His door bell rang, “that will be the table,” he said smiling touching her hand he turned and went back downstairs to let the men in with the furniture.

While she waited, Libby took in a few more deep breaths of the ocean air.  Then, she went over to the plant stand and sank down on her knees next to it, sniffing the fragrant herbs.  When March and the men came back, she was still there, trying to figure out what varieties the pot contained.

“Ah Libby,” he said after getting the table set where he wanted it, “would you mind watering them for me, I forgot this morning and with the breeze here they dry out so fast. There is a water pitcher in the kitchen.” March tipped the men and walked them back downstairs to the door.

Finding the pitcher, Libby filled it and carried it out to the balcony.  She didn't deal with plants very much.  Seemed she was always running around too much to remember to take care of them.

As she poured the water into the pot, she thought about March.  He seemed to be kinda domestic for a man who said he hadn't been interested in hearing wedding bells.  While he talked about himself quite a bit, he was still something of a mystery to Libby.  She had to wonder if there was something important about himself that he hadn't told her.

Then, she wondered why she was so interested.  Again, she thought to herself, her initial date with March had been meant as something to make her forget about Dan Evans.  Was she actually becoming interested in March?

March saw she was watering his herb pot and he went into the kitchen and took the salad and chicken from the fridge. He was wishing he had the rest of the day to spend with her but he would have to be at the restaurant ready for work in a couple of hours. He picked up the fresh loaf of Italian rustic bread and a bottle of olive oil and took it to the balcony.

“Thank you Libby, I try to keep them alive but sometimes I forget. I have bread and oil from my father’s press.” He placed the large plate on the table and went back for place mats and napkins. “What would you like to drink with your salad?” he asked tilting his head a little, she seemed deep in thought.

"What-?"  Libby came back from her thoughts at the sound of March's voice.  "Drink?  Oh, anything you have is fine!"

She rose and went to wash her hands, then came back out to the table.  March was still fussing with the plates and the food.  As she sat down, Libby remarked thoughtfully.  "You seem awfully-  domestic, for someone who wasn't interested in getting married March.  Was the girl you were dating just not the right one, or-  Was there something else?"

March went still for a moment and sat down his eyes widening, had Andy said something, he was the only one in The Glen that knew.

“Well I am domestic because I have to be, I have no woman to do these things. I like to eat well and live as well as I can so I learn,” he broke off a piece of the bread and dipped it in the oil debating whether to tell her now and get it over with before it went any further. He was afraid she would not see him again if he told her.

“As for marriage I am not opposed to it with the right woman…but for me…” he bit into the bread and met her eyes and feeling the pain and frustration feeding into his he dropped his gaze to his plate. “I cannot marry because I am already married,” there it was.

“In my country there is no divorce a silly mistake when I was nineteen and thought I’d got a girl I went with one time pregnant. It turned out she was not…after the marriage had taken place. My family asked for an annulment her father refused.” He looked out toward the ocean gathering strength.

“It turns out we did not even like each other, so it is an impossible situation and I leave home at twenty years of age. She now has a lover and two children by him and yet her father will not agree to an annulment. Our families are neighbors and now they do not speak. I’m sorry,” he looked across the table at her.

For once, Libby was speechless.  He was married?  With no hope of ever being free?  That threw a bucket of cold water on the situation!  Or did it?  She found this man very attractive, had been having a lot of fun with him in spite of their differences.  But now-

Suddenly, she thought of Dan Evans again..  For some reason, he wouldn't or couldn't become involved with her.  Now March had something impeding a relationship as well.  Was she jinxed or something where men were concerned?  Would she ever meet anyone that didn't have something standing in the way her being involved with him?

Libby realized that she had been quiet for a long time.  In something of a daze, she spoke without knowing exactly what she was saying.  "Sorry for what?" she asked March, seeing worry and hesitation in his eyes.  "It doesn't sound like it's your fault.  I don't really know much about these things but, now that you're both older, can't you do something without her father's consent?"  She was looking at him hopefully.

“There is always hope, there is a new priest and my father has made friends with him, sometimes this helps you know. He has made a new petition so we will see. She is ruled by her father still today, it is a very traditional family. He is a stubborn man who has brought shame on his family by not agreeing to an annulment.”

March played with his salad, “I was sorry to have to tell you because I enjoy being with you. I think it best to be honest. I can be your friend or your lover but you mentioned marriage I think you are looking for a husband yes?”

"Oh, no!"  Libby said quickly, enjoying his company, not wanting it to end.  "I mean-  I just got out of college.  I'm not looking to get married for a long time yet!  It's just that-  Well, you're the second guy I've had an interest in who seems to have some sort of problem in that area.  Sort of made me wonder if I was jinxed or something!"  She forced a little laugh.

"Besides, the whole situation seems so unfair to you.  It seems so unforgiving of an early mistake like that.."  She gathered her courage and looked him in the eye.  "I really like you, March.  And that doesn't matter to me.  It's just something of a strange situation.  One that takes some getting used to, you know?"

“You know usually when I tell a girl this then that is the end that’s why I hesitated. I don’t want it to end, I find you refreshing and fun to be with. I would like to see you again Libby but that is up to you. I don’t live my life as a married man you understand I couldn’t and therefore I am vulnerable too. It is an impossible situation for me because I am at a point in my life where I would like to get married and have a family you know, all my brothers are producing grandchildren for my parents. This pains my mother for me because I cannot.”

March broke another piece of bread and dipped it in the oil, “But let us talk of happy things, you are satisfied with your purchase today?” He smiled across at her, “you are neglecting your lunch.” 

Libby returned his smile and answered,  Well, I think I'm satisfied.  I guess I'll know for sure when I actually see the table and chairs in my apartment.  Excuse me, my flat!  I'm determined that I'm going to start getting that right!"

Libby was surprised to find that she actually giggled.  She'd never been a giggler.  It was then she realized just how nervous she was about all this.  She'd told March she was all right with what he'd just told her, but it was true that something like that could take getting used to.

"And the lunch is delicious," she went on, pushing her long, blonde hair back over her shoulder.  "Guess I'm just not very hungry today.  I haven't exactly done anything to work up an appetite."

“No?” he feigned surprise, “But shopping is hard work, me I am famished,” he forked up a piece of grilled chicken. “Maybe you will come back sometime eh, we could take a picnic down on the beach there is an outcropping of rocks just down the beach it’s nice, I go there sometime and sit listening to the ocean.” He sipped his wine thinking he would like to take her there, a thought rose up that he would also like to take her downstairs to his bedroom. He sighed, she may not want to see him again after what he’d told her. He didn’t think she was comfortable with it.

“Thank you Libby for today for asking me to go with you and for coming here to my home, it’s been fun.”

"Thank you for helping me out," Libby replied.  "And thank you for lunch.  It's been fun for me too.  And a picnic on the beach sounds nice.  You'll have to call me when you're ready for it."

March smiled broadly and reached across the table taking her hand, “I will, I will call you.” Suddenly he felt lighter it was going to be all right.

Libby squeezed his hand in return.  Knowing he had to be at work before long, she said goodbye and headed for the Glen.  She needed to be at work at the paper this afternoon too.  She'd left Abby to handle things too much lately.

All the way back, she thought about what March had told her.  About his being married.  She thought she'd handled the news pretty well.  After all, it was like she'd told him--she wasn't looking to get married herself.  March was a very good-looking-heck, he was a downright sexy-man!  Having a man like that as a lover should make any woman happy.

Parking outside the newspaper office, Libby sat for a moment, thinking.  Then, suddenly, she surprised herself by breaking into a flood of tears!  She leaned her head against the steering wheel.

There were problems with Dan, and now there were problems with March!  Was there something wrong with her?