“We no longer build fireplaces for physical warmth; we build them for the warmth of the soul; we build them to dream by, to hope by, to home by.”
– Edna Ferber –
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Duncan Cary Palmer
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Part II
You'll definitely want to read those first...
And for all of you who were initially disappointed by my contest entry, I hope you'll find this to be a satisfactory conclusion of the matter... Please let me know in the comments! ;)
Baby, It's Cold Outside (source)
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Conclusion
~by Duncan Cary Palmer~
How do I get myself into situations like this? Wanting what I can't have...
By now, he's resigned himself to the inevitable. Liz is obviously just a warmhearted, loving person. A fellow enthusiast when it comes to Middle Eastern antiquities, to be sure. But she has a young, handsome, athletic boyfriend. It's pretty evident by now that I'm in her friend zone. Someone to have coffee with from time to time, a study buddy...
"Digby, I'd like you to meet my friend Chris. We sit by each other in Archeology 301."
Digby—what an Ivy League name.
Digby extends a hand, his expression warming slightly. "Nice to finally meet you."
There it is. The formal introduction, the proffered handshake. He's safe. Just an older gentleman who happens to share Liz's interests. Not a threat. But, '...finally meet you'... He's already heard about me?
"Chris knows so much about the Middle East, especially when it comes to biblical archaeology. I've already learned a lot from him, even though he says this is his first ever seminar on the subject."
"Now she's just flattering me." Looking directly into Digby's cerulean eyes, Chris matches his steady gaze and returns the handshake. Digby's grip is firm, no-nonsense. What else would he expect from a football coach? From the one damn lucky son of a gun to have a girl like Liz?
"No, seriously, Chris. I love talking archaeology with you. You've been a fantastic mentor."
Letting go Digby's hand, Chris feels his face flush, and it isn't the heat radiating from the fireplace.
He looks away from Digby toward Liz. She's positively beaming at him. Dropping his eyes, he manages to mumble a response.
"Well, Liz, you're pretty easy to talk to. Your enthusiasm for our field is hard to match." He looks back up. I could lose myself—easily—in those deep, blue eyes.
"Hey, if Liz says you're on top of the subject, it must be true. I've never known her to dissemble about something like that."
Chris looks back at Digby. Damn if he doesn't look sincere. How can he not feel threatened? Oh, right, I'm twice his age...
Liz bubbles on. "Honestly, Chris, I've been looking forward to this. I just wasn't expecting it tonight. Since I've been spending time with you, I thought it would only be proper to introduce you to Digby as soon as I could."
The room seems suddenly silent, as if expecting a momentous event. The CD has finished.
"Yes, of course." He gets it. Let's keep career and love life unambiguous. No reason to raise unwarranted suspicions. What a good woman! She wants to keep her man aware of this other, totally innocent, friendship. Where was she when I was his age? Damn, what a lucky guy. "I would never want your boyfriend to think something inappropriate was going on."
Liz's eyes widen and her lips form a near circle. She looks back and forth between Chris and Digby several times, then abruptly bursts into laughter. Though he's now completely confused, upon hearing that delightful sound, Chris imagines an icicle xylophone.
"Oh! You think... me and Digby?" She laughs again. "We're no couple. Digby is my younger brother."
Stunned—like an unexpectedly rescued drowning man, pulled from the grip of an icy sea—Chris begins to catch his breath. Liz comes alongside, wraps her hands around his arm, and smiles up at him. Just like she did when he walked her to the bus stop.
"Silly man. Digby and I have always been close. He looks out for me." She leans her head against Chris's shoulder. "My dear brother knew it was going to be extra cold tonight, so he came over to make sure the furnace was working, and to build me this nice fire. I really hope you two will hit it off."
"Chris, you are all she's talked about ever since I got here this afternoon." Through enlightened eyes, Chris can now see the family resemblance in Digby. "I swear, the entire evening, it's been 'Chris this, Chris that.'"
Liz disentangles herself from Chris long enough to punch her brother in the arm.
Chris recovers a bit of his wits. "I'm pretty fond of Liz as well. It's been a revelation discovering how well aligned our interests seem to be." Could we be as compatible as I've dared to hope?
The ornate walnut mantle clock begins chiming the hour.
"Well, my work here is done. Liz, I trust you'll have a cozy evening?"
"Thanks to you, dear Brother, I shall."
"Chris, may I offer you a ride home? You, uh, didn't look quite adequately attired for this weather when I met you at the door."
"No!"
Distressed by her own outburst, Liz recovers. "I mean, there's really no need, Digby. I'll drive Chris home after he's had a chance to warm up."
She smiles at Chris—all the warmth he really needs. All the warmth he has ever wanted. "I can see he's not really dressed for this weather." She looks pointedly at his sandals.
"But, these are my winter sandals."
Liz's offer, and her magical laughter at his lame joke, reassure Chris that the future is very warm and bright, indeed.
Liz smiles up at Chris.
Image courtesy of Jacob Postuma and http://unsplash.com
~FIN~
Appreciation to The Writers' Block for editing support.
People like stories, and stories have a beginning, middle and end. Your post reminded me of my mother's exasperation at the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series on TV - They often left the audience hanging, which is what my mom would have done to Hitch if he were handy, lol
Yep. Hopefully, I've learned my lesson... ;)
I sensed it early on in this episode. Thanks. You offer a definite pleasurable style.
Thanks, Troy. Your encouragement is appreciated.
@moneyinfant really enjoyed reading this.
You really drew me in and made me want to know more...and I was surprised at the revelation of Digby as the brother, not lover.
Thank you. I'm glad I was able to surprise someone. ;) And delighted that you enjoyed my story. Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me so!
My pleasure. Your character development is very solid. I hope to learn from you as I feel mine is a bit lacking.
Such a wonderful story. I really enjoyed your writing
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. ;)
NICE ONE WAS A GOOD STORY LINE AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Thanks.
aww such a sweet ending. Im glad chris got his happy ending. Although i suspected digby was a relative earlier on, i wasnt really sure. Chris is so awkward here that its cute. great story.
Thank you so much for your encouragement! :D I'm glad you enjoyed my story... ;)
Very nicely written. all parts were great. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I'm so glad my brother hunch was correct. It'd be heartbreaking otherwise. And it'll be such a waste. All those times together and even braving the cold. Luckily, she's all his. Happy ending yay!
Yeah, I'm very partial to happy endings... :D
I'm glad you enjoyed my story. ;)
Sure they are, lol.
A splendid ending to a good read, my friend - I was easily hooked in. :)
Thanks, I'm smiling now... ;)
wonderful!!! it made me smile! and i could feel the warmth of that fireplace!
Glad I could make you smile... :D
The warmth you were able to communicate with just those few words “all the warmth he would ever need” was quite lovely. Evocative, and invites us into something quite intimate. I enjoyed it and so I thank you. It is a gift to bring people into that place where we are invited to feel alongside the character. Good stuff! Peace @genxrev
Greetings, @genxrev.
Thank you very much for reading my story. Your thoughtful comments are very encouraging.
So, responding to my initial sense of "who you are" just from reading your comment, I've just visited your blog. Welcome to Steemit, my new friend. I look forward to getting to know you.
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Hey thank you for the welcome. It has definitely been strange because I'm finding that the things I keep really appreciating are often people putting themselves out there and taking a pretty big risk of vulnerability... and then along I come as a total stranger and chime in. Feels a bit awkward but I've often been welcomed in warmly and am finding folks who seem like they are kindred spirits along the way. It's been good. Thanks also for checking out my creations too! Peace.
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" -The Grinch-
Hi dear..
Postscript:
My entry to this competition was met with much disappointment because the "ending" to my story was not very satisfying. I received many disgruntled replies for that reason, and justifiably so.
Thank you to all who commented, and please accept my sincere apologies in the form of an actual remedy.
For anyone who may still care, I have repaired the situation by finishing the story in two more installments, both of which are now on-line. Here are links to all three installments of a complete story:
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Part ][
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Conclusion
I hope all who were left without closure will now feel that this has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
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i am very interested your story,
i like your write story,
i enjoy it,
thanks for share