CHAPTER 39: A Declaration

 

There'd been something gnawing away at Barbara Dubois and it wasn't the alleged rat that her work colleagues and the sandwich bar claimed existed in the dry food storage. The last few days she couldn't get Jeremy Saint out of her mind. The more she thought about him, the more warmly and fondly she felt. Despite the outwardly square and awkward demeanour she knew he was really a romantic and caring person. Plus he was the first guy she'd dated who wasn't interested in one thing and one thing only. Barbara wasn't a prude by any means but she liked being courted, wooed and romanced and that's what Jeremy brought to their courtship. He was also the first American she'd dated since her move from Montreal to Sim City and that made him seem more exotic, crazy though that seemed.

But this lunchtime she'd finished her shift and and was desperate to see him. Maybe he was in, maybe he'd had lunch at home? Sure, she could wait until after 5pm but she HAD to visit him just in the slight chance he was there....to see him and tell him how she felt. However, knocking at the door she knew there was no one at home. Sighing in disappointment she began to trudge off when an idea struck her...she'd leave a note for him, telling him she wanted to see him soon. Not too desperate, but clearly displaying her eagerness to meet up. She wrote a note, folded it and pushed it through his letterbox.

At a little after 5pm Jeremy had arrived home feeling crushed, disappointed and embarrassed. He was certain he was going to get a promotion today after all the nods, winks and "attaboys" he'd been getting from some of the senior staff at Dewey, Cheathem & Howe. He'd heard his name being spoken in corridors along with the word "promotion" so when he was called into J.J. Gotcha's office he began by saying to his boss "Thank you, you do me a great honour and I'm pleased to accept the appointment...can we talk about my salary?"

"What salary? What are you talking about?" said Gotcha.

"Well, the promotion" replied Jeremy

"But what's your salary got to do with Henderson's promotion?"

"Henderson?" said an incredulous Jeremy.

"Yes...Henderson is being promoted to department manager. You didn't think it'd be YOU, did you? Ha. Ha-ha. Ha-ha-ha!"

"Well, sir, it's just that there were rumours...." said an embarrassed Jeremy.

"Hey! Bronson...come in here for a moment!" said Gotcha, calling to a passing colleague who stopped to listen. "Saint here thought he'd be getting the promotion! Ha-ha-ha-ha- ha!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" said Bronson, bursting out laughing.

"What's so funny?" said a woman clutching a folder who was also walking past. When Bronson explained that Jeremy thought he was being promoted to department manager she started laughing as well. The laughter was so contagious it started to spread around the office. Soon Jeremy couldn't take it anymore.

"Gahhhhhh!" he said, running out.

When he got home he just wanted to die. If that didn't happen then he'd probably pack his bags and move back to Crested Butte.

He opened the door, sighed and noticed a little note on the floor. Opening it up, he saw it was from Barbara.

I have to see you, is this evening any good? Please call me....hugs and kisses, Barbara

What could she want to see him about? Knowing his luck is was another dumping, just like Bianca. But she did sign it hugs and kisses so maybe it wasn't all bad? He raced to the phone and called her.

"Barbara...are you alright?" he said.

"Jeremy! Oh I'm so glad you called. Did you get my message?" she replied.

"Yes...I'm free tonight as a matter of fact. Is everything OK with you?"

"Oh absolutely...I'm so looking forward to catching up with you. See you shortly" she said, enthusiastically. Jeremy smiled....she didn't sound like she wanted to dump him. He went over to the radio and switched it on and noticed his "employee of the month" award. How long ago did that seem? Now he was "laughing stock" instead.

He changed into a casual suit and started to prepare some dinner for him and Barbara. Just as he was putting the finishing touches to a clam chowder, the doorbell rang. Springing to life he saw that it was Barbara.

"Jeremy, thanks for inviting me over" she said, entering the house.

"My pleasure. So you really wanted to see me?" he replied.

"Is that so strange? I'm.....very fond of you" she said, sheepishly. She wanted to say something else but fear had gripped her out of worry of being rejected.

"Well you're in luck because tonight I've cooked another of my grandmother's recipes...clam chowder, I hope you like it"

"I love chowder...it's a favourite dish back home" she said, smiling.

They ate and soon Jeremy forgot all about the work humiliation he'd suffered. Barbara was the ray of light in his life and he wanted to tell her....to tell her how fond he was. No, that sounded weak....he felt much, much more for her but he couldn't quite say it. What if she rejected him just like Bianca did?

Barbara joked and told silly stories about her work but she was barely supressing what she really wanted to say to him. Everything was perfect right now, what if she said something that panicked him?

After dinner they went to Jeremy's study where they talked about their favourite books, places they'd like to go and things they both enjoyed. But there was an elephant in this small room and it wanted to escape! Barbara looked at her feet and scuffed one of them on the floor whilst clasping her hands....

"So....I really wanted to see you tonight. I couldn't stop thinking about you at work today" she said, hesitantly.

"I sometimes feel that way about you" Jeremy replied, looking around the room, too frightened to look her in the eye.

"I....think....well...I KNOW that I...." she began.

"I...I...I..." said Jeremy, trying to fill the silence. "...I want to say, what I mean to say is....

"I LOVE YOU!"
"I LOVE YOU!"

They both said it simultaneously.

There was a short laugh and then silence. Both looked each other in the eye and couldn't break contact. Then they drew towards each other, as if by magnetism, neither wanting to stop what was happening naturally.

They parted after kissing for what seemed like an age. Jeremy stroked Barbara's hair and finally they spoke.

"What were we ever nervous about?" he said, softly.

"I know" she said, looking deep into his eyes. "What next?" she said.

"Stay" he said. She nodded.

"I was hoping you'd say that" she responded. "As it so happens I packed some nightclothes in my bag just in case"

"Good call. Shall we retire to the bedroom?" he said, a new found confidence in his voice. Anything was possible now, he thought.

"I'll just go to the bathroom first" she said. Jeremy went to his room and changed into his pyjamas, neatly folding his clothes on top of his dresser. His heart was starting to pound...he was going to spend the night with her and...well, this could be the night where they would...he couldn't bring himself to think of the word.

His heart began to pound faster when Barbara entered the bedroom. She'd changed into her nightclothes but they were not what he expected. She was wearing a white satin basque with matching garters and sheer white stockings. She'd gone the extra mile.

When Barbara packed a bag earlier on today, in the hope that she and Jeremy would spend the night together, she wondered about how risque her lingerie would be...maybe it would make Jeremy think less of her? As she put the garments on, however, she felt seductive and alluring. Sauntering into the bedroom she stood resplendent. Jeremy's jaw almost hit the floor.

"You're....beautiful" he said, admiring her from across the room.

They slid into the bed and began to snuggle and kiss. Each wanted the other so much but....it was late, and slowly, as they were canoodling, tiredness overcame them. Before anything else could happen they were fast asleep.