Oz - A Short Story (2 page)
“That’s hopeful, don’t you think? That
they’re still alive after so many billions of years.”
“A bloody miracle,” he agreed, looking
solemn. Then he asked her what she was working on, and she told
him—without interruption this time.
When the band took a break, instead of
releasing her, Geoff held onto her hand and led her outside to the
terrace. As he closed the door behind them, quiet replaced the
clamor of the reception.
Glenda sighed with relief and walked over to
the short wall edging the terrace. She sat and eased her feet out
of her shoes, and wiggled her toes. In the distance, Lake Michigan
glimmered in the cool darkness.
Geoff leaned against the wall next to her.
“So was your favorite book as a little girl The Wizard of Oz?”
“Oh, I see,” she said, after a moment. “The
good witch’s name was Glinda with an i. My name is Glenda with an
e. Besides, she was blonde.” Growing up with straight dark hair,
brown eyes, and a stick-thin body, Glenda had always felt she
looked more like the wicked stepmothers than the princesses. She
still felt that way sometimes.
“Don’t care much for blondes myself,” Geoff
said. “Too delicate. Can’t handle sun.”
“That’s a peculiar reason.”
“Not when you’re from Oz, love.”
“Oz?” Was he still talking about the
book?
“Australia. One thing we have plenty of, no
worries, is sunshine.”
A cool breeze sprang up, and Glenda
shivered. Geoff took off his coat and draped it on her shoulders.
It was warm from his body, making her feel like she was still in
his arms. “You’ll get cold.”
“No worries.”
She pulled the coat tighter, enjoying its
warmth and the pleasure of being here with this man, close enough
to touch. “So why did you tell me to dump Steven?”
He gave her a rueful smile. “Not much point
in knocking a bloke who’s already down.”
“And not having anything to gain from
telling me. What’s that about?”
He gave her a considering look. “I go back
to Australia in two days.”
Her heart sank. Just her luck. Meet a man
she felt drawn to, find he was, in fact, intelligent and
interesting, and then discover he lived on the other side of the
planet.
Deciding, she held out her hand. “It was a
pleasure meeting you, Australia. Thanks for the dance and the
advice.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Chicago.”
She pulled on her hand, but he held on to
it, giving her an intent look. “Please don’t go.”
“Why not?”
“The obvious answer is I can use you to fend
off Marissa.”
“Marissa?”
“You know. Short, blonde, yellow dress.”
“The monochromatic bridesmaid.”
“Indeed.”
“And the not so obvious one?”
“I would very much like to know you
better.”
“You live half-way round the world. What’s
the point?”
Glenda felt herself blush, and was glad the
dim light kept him from seeing it. She’d practically spelled out
how she felt—that spending more time together would just make it
more difficult to tell him goodbye.
Actually, she couldn’t remember ever
reacting quite this way to a man before—with this mix of
exhilaration and quiet delight. A well-spring of regret overwhelmed
her at the realization she’d never see him again after tonight.
He peered at her. “Perhaps you might share
some of those interesting thoughts.”
She shook her head, biting her lip.
“Maybe I can help.” He reached out a finger
and gently traced the curve of her cheek. “Here you are,
Flemington. After all these years, you finally meet a woman who’s
as smart as she is beautiful. And you may be as mad as a gum tree
full of galahs, but you already know you’ll regret it if you let
her walk away.”
His words warmed her and made her shiver at
the same time. Her heart tripped along and excitement fizzed for a
moment before she quenched it. It was absurd of course. There was
no such thing as love at first sight. Attraction at first sight,
maybe. And even that was due to a biochemical reaction. “What’s a
galah?” she said, to give herself time.
“Large, extremely noisy bird.”
Glenda swallowed, trying to assess the look
on his face. This was either the best pick-up line she’d ever
heard, or ... could he possibly feel the way he said he did? But
what did it matter, after all? In two days he was going back to
Australia, and that would be that.
“You believe in serendipity?” he asked.
She nodded, surprised and puzzled by the
change of topic.
“I think we’re victims.” He looked
completely serious. “Consider all the adjustments the universe had
to make in order for us to meet tonight.” He gestured first at his
foot, then toward the ballroom. “A car smash, a crazy bet, a
wedding.” He shook his head gently, smiling at her. “If you walk
away from all that, you have to have a kangaroo loose in the upper
paddock.”
This time she didn’t need to ask for a
translation. She cocked her head at him. “It might put a real crimp
in my career if it got out I had a kangaroo loose in my
paddock.”
“Upper paddock.”
“Upper paddock,” she agreed, smiling. “What
do you suggest?” “Spend the next two days with me.” He waited, no
longer touching her.
She felt as if he had picked her up and
given her a good shake, and she was still waiting for everything to
settle into its normal configuration, like snow inside one of those
crystal globes.
Her heart beat rapidly, warring with her
head as she clutched his coat closed and shivered with nerves. He
couldn’t be serious. But looking him in the eye, she couldn’t
believe he wasn’t serious.
“You’re afraid.” He spoke gently.
She gave him a direct look. “Yes.”
“That’s a good sign.”
She shook her head. “I don’t see why.”
“If you’re afraid you’ll be hurt, it means
you’re feeling some of what I am.”
She didn’t have an answer to that.
“Give us our two days, Glenda. If this turns
out the way I think it will, we’ll work on the geography.”
“You willing to come live in the
States?”
“If it comes to that, I’d be willing to live
in Antarctica.” “It doesn’t get that cold in Chicago.”
His smile made her heart do that flip
again.
“Well, you never know. You visit Australia
in February and you may be the one who wants to move.”
The door to the ballroom opened abruptly,
and light and sound spilled out. A tall figure stepped through the
door and lurched toward them. “Is that you, Glennie?”
Steven. She’d forgotten all about him.
Although she didn’t answer, he came closer
anyway, swaying slightly. “Marissa said you were out here. Whose
coat are you wearing? Oh, it’s you, Flemmie. You two talking
research are you?”
Glenda’s stomach tightened. “Not
exactly.”
Steven blinked and moved closer. “S’time to
go home.”
He was too drunk to be driving. But, before
she could respond, Geoff did. “I’ll call you a cab, shall I?” Not
waiting for an answer he pulled out his phone.
“Don’t need a cab. Got a car.”
“Easier to take a cab. Door-to-door service.
My treat.” Geoff’s tone was calm but firm.
“Glennie, too?”
Glenda realized she was holding her
breath.
“I’ll take Glenda home when she’s ready,”
Geoff said, speaking easily.
The breath she held whooshed out.
“I brought Glennie. Means I take her home.”
Steven sounded determined in spite of his slurred words, but he had
a puzzled look, as if he couldn’t quite understand what was
happening.
Before he figured it out, Geoff took
Steven’s arm, saying, “Actually, there should be cabs out front.
We’ll go see, shall we, mate? Did I tell you how the Pies season
went? They’re in the Premiership.”
“That’s good, isn’t it,” Steven mumbled.
At a signal from Geoff, Glenda took Steven’s
other arm, and between them they steered him through the ballroom
and to the entrance of the hotel, with Geoff talking about the Pies
and the Premiership the whole way. There was a final sticky moment
after Steven was in the cab and Glenda stepped back to stand next
to Geoff.
“What’s going—”
“No worries, mate.” Geoff closed the door,
and the cab moved off.
Glenda sighed in relief and turned to meet
Geoff Flemington’s gaze. “Thank you. You handled that beautifully.
I owe you one.”
“And I aim to collect.” He cupped her face,
his thumb caressing her chin. “I choose those two days with
you.”
It was crazy. To take a chance on falling in
love with someone who might take her away from everything and
everyone she held dear. It was like skiing full tilt toward the
edge of a slope with no idea what was beyond—short drop or
abyss.
She didn’t take risks like that.
But if she walked away from Geoff Flemington
tonight, she wouldn’t forget him, and she’d be diminished somehow.
And she might very well regret it the rest of her life.
She raised her eyes to his. They were
standing in shadow, and his eyes gleamed like water touched with
starlight. She felt as if the earth was sliding from under her. But
it was okay because Geoff took her hands and held them firmly.
“Give it a go, Glenda. What do you have to
lose?”
She shook her head, beginning to smile at
him. “Everything. Absolutely everything.”
He met her eyes for a
moment, nodded, then leaned forward and brushed her lips with his.
“No worries, love. Me, too.”
Back to
the Beginning
Thank you so much for reading
Oz.
If you enjoyed this story,
I hope you will check out my novels at
http://www.AnnWarner.net
A former clinical chemist/toxicologist and university professor,
Ann took a turn down a different road when she began writing
fiction.
For more information about
Ann Warner's novels, visit Ann at
http:\\www.AnnWarner.net
Other Titles - The following are all full-length
novels.
Counterpointe
Art, science, love, and
ambition collide as a dancer on the verge of achieving her dreams
is devastated by an injury. Afterward, Clare Eliason rushes into a
marriage with Rob Chapin, a scientist. The marriage falters,
propelling Clare and Rob on journeys of self-discovery. Rob joins a
scientific expedition to Peru, where he discovers how easy it is to
die. Clare’s journey, which takes her only a few blocks from the
Boston apartment she shared with Rob, is no less profound. During
their time apart, each will have a chance to save a life, one will
succeed, one will not. Finally, they will face the most difficult
quest of all, navigating the space that still lies between
them.
Absence of Grace
The memory of an act
committed when she was nineteen weaves a dark thread through Clen
McClendon's life. It is a darkness Clen ignores until the discovery
of her husband's infidelity propels her on a quest for redemption
and forgiveness. Her journeying is providing few answers and peace
remains elusive, even during the time she spends in an abbey. But
when Clen makes a decision that is both desperate and random to go
to Wrangell, Alaska, she will learn choices are never truly random
and they always have consequences.
Dreams for Stones
Poignant and
haunting, Dreams for Stones is a story of loss and second chances.
Alan Francini, a man who has given up on love, and Kathy Jamison, a
woman who has learned to let go of love too easily need all the
magic of serendipity, old diaries, and a children's story to take
another chance on love.
Readers’ Comments
...incredibly vivid
and emotional tale of love and loyalty, friendship, loss, and
faith...
Lynne Welch, Booklist
...a lovely story about life changes
and love lost and found
. Cindy
Himler, Romantic Times
Persistence of Dreams
(Sequel to
Dreams for Stones) An arsonist seeking revenge, and the ending of a
love affair, are the catalysts that alter the shape and direction
of deputy district attorney Charles Larimore's life. Forced to find
a new place to live, Charles finds much more as he reaches out to
help his neighbor Luz Blair. Then he learns Luz is being sought in
the disappearance of the two children she is caring for, and he
must decide whether to report her. As he weighs his responsibility
as an officer of the court against his growing conviction Luz did
the right thing in running away, he risks not only his career but
the integrity of his soul. It is the kind of decision that will
alter everything that comes after.