CHAPTER THRITY SIX
Over the following months Mitch helped Albert clean out his home and get his affairs in order. The simple things were the most tedious; cancelling the phone account and advising Veteran Affairs his house was now available. The latter would soon be bulldozed and replaced with a bigger, more appropriate home for another family. That saddened Mitch but Albert knew better things awaited his returned to Kym Ho. The arrangements slowly came together and as they neared, and the time for Albert to leave Sydney forever, Mitchells sadness deepened.
He donated his braille books to the library of which Lucinda Albright was extremely thankful. She too was sad Albert was leaving and never once suspected he could now see her for the first time. His dark glasses and cane only adding to the charade. Albert thought Lucinda was very pretty in a homely type of way, and after saying goodbye, ribbed Mitchell that he should ask her out sometime. Mitch thanked him for the suggestion but politely told him to mind his own business.
Albert understood. He knew what Mitchell wanted.
Albert also had something for Christina. He had posthumously been awarded a medal for his bravery on the HMAS Hobart following that day in the South China Sea. By defiantly staying at his post, his actions saved many lives which the military had formally acknowledged. Albert though never fully accepted the recognition, seeing it merely as his duty, and hadn’t seen the medal until unpacking his belongings from the boxes residing under his bed. Christina’s gallantry in helping Albert escape the library fire was beyond her years and he though she more deserving of it than him.
Cristiana’s was bustling as usual and Sarah welcomed Mitchell and his friend at the counter.
“Nice to see you Mitch, your usual?”
He had been to the café every day since saving Albert and Christina and re-introduced himself to Sarah and Allesandro. It was like starting over and during those months the friendship they once shared slowly returned.
“Hey Sarah. No not today I’m sorry. We are here to see Christina if she’s around.” Sarah looked a little confused and called Christina out from somewhere in the kitchen.
Albert told them he was leaving the country and had something special for Christina. He spoke of the fire and if it weren’t for Christina, he may not be embarking on the trip at all.
“I can’t thank you enough young lady for what you did that day, and as a small token, I’d like you to have this.”
He handed a small velvet box to Christina who opened it cautiously.
“I was given this many years ago for something certain people thought was brave. But I assure you, it was nothing compared to the bravery you extended me. No one knows what we went through that day, but this might hopefully help explain.”
Christina was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to say. She thanked Albert graciously, promising to cherish the medal.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Sarah, I’ve got to go to the airport early but will pop in on the way home for a coffee.”
“I’m holding you to that Mitch,” she threatened.
Mitchell’s leg had progressively improved but the limp still remained. The two men walked through the shopping centre laughing at their reversal of roles. Mitch truly needed his cane, Alberts was only part of the disguise. Everyone knew he was blind but neither man could explain his miraculous recovery.
Who would believe them anyway?
≈
Mitchell lay in bed that evening pondering what might have been. Though happy with the changes he’d made to some lives, his regrettably wasn’t one of them. It is said you can’t change the past, but you sure can change the future. Mitch laughed knowing the common saying was incorrect. But who would believe him anyway?
Winter approached and the days shortened. The winds picked up and the trees begun their annual molting of leaves. The cicadas had long passed their six-week life span and the temperature grew ever colder. He tugged the bed covers over himself to escape the rising chill and once more thought of what might have come of the metal plate if he had more time…
But Mitchell was startled by a beep from his mobile phone.
A text message, not a call.
The distinct tone had been assigned to a special person years ago, but he hadn’t heard it in a very long time.
Reaching to the bedside table he didn’t need to read the alert to know its origin. But he did. Through tear filled eyes Mitchell only just made out the words on the screen.
TXT Message
Juliana
EPILOGUE
On a warmer morning than usual, as the cloudless skies allowed the first rays of sun to slip through the crack in the curtain, Mitchell blinked to remove the seal a good night’s sleep creates on the eyes. A welcomed sign meaning morning wasn’t a dream.
He had begun to dream with such clarity again it was hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t.
Today was warmer not from the weather though, but from the person sleeping beside him. With his arm draped over her side, Mitch gently stroked her silken back with a touch deft enough to send tingles through his own fingertips.
She slept.
Her breathing gentle, rhythmic in nature: the upward motion accentuating her perfectly shaped breasts. He looked at her face; her angelic face and longed to wake her. To talk with her, to kiss her. To love her.
But he allowed her rest, content to bathe in her beauty as she lay next to him in serenity. Perhaps an hour passed before the first signs came of her awakening.
It was her smile.
A smile Mitchell confidently knew came from the gentle finger kisses drifting down her back that he’d continued since his own rise. Beginning at her nape, through the small of her back then circling her buttocks and thighs, pausing only momentarily before making their way upward again to complete the journey.
Her sweet, full lips parted to reveal the radiant smile he loved so much. The smile that brought light to anyone blessed enough to see it.
As her smile widened her nose squinted ever so lightly, revealing cute fold lines like a rabbit sniffing a distant scent on a spring breeze. Next her dimples appeared like sentinels standing guard either side in protection. The beautiful indentations came to life, just like Mitchell always came to life when she smiled.
She stretched lightly arching her back, rolling her shoulders and pushing her breasts closer to his chest. Almost touching. Her arm reached for him now, mirroring his over her shoulder and she caressed the back of his head. Mitch waited in anticipation because he knew what would be next; he’d waited all night for it and was eager for it to happen. It stirred deep within him, his heart fluttered slightly, his pulse quickened in excitement...
Her eyes opened!
The two most beautiful things he’d ever seen came to life.
And so did Mitchell.
She lifted her rested eyelids revealing the windows to her soul: a gateway drawing Mitch deeper, and further into her being. He was mesmerized by her eyes and stared deeply into them; momentarily hypnotized. They stared back and together they were soon lost in each other’s worlds. Lost in each other’s souls. His heart briefly stopped beating, his hand ceased moving, his eyes unblinking. Mitchell’s body went rigid almost in shock.
Juliana was so beautiful he could have spent eternity just as he was, just as they were that very instant.
He leant down, a motion requiring only a small movement, and gently kissed her forehead. Mitch smiled and welcomed her to the day.
“Good morning beautiful girl.”
Without losing her smile or averting her gaze, Juliana whispered…
“I love you Mitchell.”
Mitch removed his hand from her back and with it took hers; he held it firmly with each finger dovetailed for security, never releasing the connection with her eyes. He swore in silent proclamation that he would never let her go. Not again, never again. He squeezed her hand tenderly.
“I love you too,” he said glancing over her shoulder to see the mulberry scarf sitting alone on the bedside table.