Chapter 25
James and I are taking things slow. He’s the most patient man I’ve ever met. We kiss a lot, among other things, but I haven’t been ready to take things further. I don’t know why. It’s a Tuesday afternoon and Trish calls just as I’m stepping out to grab lunch.
“Lucy, I won the lottery!”
“What?” I stop so abruptly the person behind me walks smack into me. “I’m so sorry,” I say.
“What?” Trish says.
“Not you. What do you mean you won the lottery?”
“I won two tickets to see Hamilton. Tonight.”
“OK. Next time you might want to preface that you aren’t talking about the Illinois State Lottery,” I say as I rub the spot between my shoulder blades. Ouch, that’s gonna leave a mark. But I’m happy for Trish. “That’s awesome! I know you’ve been dying to see it.”
“I have. I’m so excited. Dax has a drinks thing. Will you come with me?”
“Yes, yes and yes. I’d love to see it.”
“Do you want to grab dinner before? The show starts at seven-thirty.”
“Sure. Let’s do the Grillroom. Meet you there at six?”
“See you then. And listen to the soundtrack. It’s on YouTube. You’re gonna love it.”
Trish knows the words to every song. Seriously. She’s obsessed.
When I get back from lunch I pull out my headphones and listen to the soundtrack while I do work. It’s not what I was expecting. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it takes some getting used to. Over dinner Trish gives me the narrative to the soundtrack. That helps. I never knew Alexander Hamilton was such an accomplished man. Or that he developed our treasury system. How cool is that?
I love the play. Absolutely love it. When it’s over Trish wants to know what I thought.
“It was amazing. I wished I had listened to more of the music before. Did you love it?”
She nods.
“What’s your favorite song?” I ask.
“That’s a tough one. I guess it would be ‘Wait for It.’ What about you?”
“‘Helpless.’”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“Nothing. How are things going with James?”
“Good. He’s taking me to Ravinia this weekend.”
“What night?”
“Saturday. The CSO is playing.”
“I’ll be there with Dax! We have pavilion seats but we can meet up with you before.”
“Perfect.” We’re back at my car. “Do you want me to drive you home?”
“Sure, thanks. I’ll put on ‘Helpless’ for you.”
The song plays and I hum along. It’s about when Eliza, Hamilton’s wife, realizes she’s in love with him. It was love at first sight. Right when she saw him, she looked into his eyes and she was down for the count, she was drowning in them. Trish looks over at me during the song. I know what she’s thinking. I wish I could say different, but I’m thinking the same.
The nice thing about working on the corporate side of the business is I rarely have weekend events. But since Charlotte’s been on leave I’ve had to cover more weddings. Fortunately my weekend event is on Sunday night. I head to the store on Saturday to buy some things for our picnic. Apparently most people at Ravinia sit on the lawn. Trish and Dax are joining us before the performance. It’ll be her first time meeting James, and my first time at Ravinia.
James picks me up at five and we head out to the suburbs.
“I can’t believe you’ve lived here for over ten years and have never been to Ravinia.”
“I know. But it’s not as though I often have a reason to go to Highland Park. Maybe if it were in the city. It’s kind of ironic we’re heading to the burbs to see the Chicago Symphony.”
“True. I’ve never heard them before.”
“Me neither. But I’m looking forward to it.”
“What’d you bring?” he asks.
“Cheese and crackers, black bean salsa, pasta salad, and of course, wine. You’ve got the sandwiches and dessert, right?”
“Sure do. I bought different kinds of wraps. And I made the dessert myself.”
“Really? You’re a baker now too? What’d you make?”
“Brownies. Technically Duncan Hines did, but I added the egg and oil.”
“I’m so proud.”
“You will be. I tasted one, they’re good.”
He asks me to tell him about Trish and Dax. I give him an overview and realize the way I’m describing Dax makes him sound stuffy. He’s a museum curator, very highbrow, and went to an Ivy League school.
“Yeah, I can see we have a lot in common,” James says.
“Don’t worry about it. He’s cool,” I assure him. Though now I’m worried they won’t have much to talk about. We arrive and it’s already crowded. We find a spot on the lawn and set up our blanket. I text Trish our location and she says they’ll be here soon. James and I set up the food and then we people watch. I never knew how serious some people were about Ravinia. They have cute, monogrammed picnic baskets, elaborate table set ups, candelabras, chairs with umbrellas in case it rains and cup holders for drinks.
“Sorry we’re slumming it,” James jokes.
I see Trish and wave her over. I make introductions and they sit with us for a while. I didn’t realize Dax was from Indiana, like James, so they have a lot to talk about after all.
“He’s cute,” Trish says.
“He is.”
James looks over and smiles at me.
“And that dimple! Have you sealed the deal yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Lucy!”
“What are you ladies talking about?” James asks.
“You,” Trish says.
“All good things I hope.” He plants a kiss on my cheek. After that we talk as a group and James is super sweet and affectionate. He tells funny stories about his students, which Trish eats up. “One time I was in the middle of a lesson on Halloween. Ten minutes into class one of my kids pops out of my storage cabinet wearing a ghost costume and screams, ‘Boo!’ Scared the crap out of me.”
“Seriously? I never pulled shit like that in school. Did you send him to the office?” Trish asks.
“Nah. He was just messing around. No harm done.”
“I bet all the kids love you.”
He shrugs. “I’m not there to be their friend. But it seems that once many of them leave, they find me on Facebook.” He laughs.
“Tell Lucy she needs to get on it.”
“I’ve tried.”
“Sorry. I have zero interest in posting status updates.”
“I know. You don’t like to share things about yourself. I thought maybe James here could change your mind. Are those brownies?”
I laugh at Trish’s abrupt change in direction.
“They are. Homemade by Chef James here.”
James passes them out and I make a big deal about how great they are. He rewards me with a big smile and seems embarrassed by my praise. It’s really sweet something so simple can make him this happy.
“We should head to our seats. Show’s about to start,” Dax says.
We say our goodbyes and Trish gives me a hug. “What’s wrong with you?” she whispers. “He’s so adorable and modest. Just do him already! Tonight.”
I laugh and look over at James. Maybe I will.
We settle down on the blanket and listen to the sounds of the orchestra. He pulls me against him and we lie on the grass, taking in the music. It’s so relaxing and a sense of calm washes over me. I close my eyes and savor his lips on mine. It’s just the two of us, no ghosts from the past haunt me. I’m in the here and now with James, and realize it’s right where I want to be.
When we get home later I follow Trish’s advice. Many times.