Joy Argento - Carrie and Hope (8 page)

“Wow, you look very nice,” Hope said.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Carrie replied. “Come on in. I am just about ready, but I have to find my other shoe.”
 
She held up a black pump with a low heel.

Hope stepped into the house. “How could you lose your shoe?”

“I’m usually a tee shirt and sneakers kind of gal. I haven’t worn these in a long time. They were shoved towards the back of my closet and my closet is a mess, so it has to be in there. It must be hiding underneath stuff.”

“Want any help?” Hope pushed the sudden image she had of Carrie on her hands and knees, half in and half out of the closet, from her mind.

“Nope.
Make yourself at home and I’ll be right back. If I don’t find it quick, I’ll grab another pair.” Hope sat on the sofa while Carrie went to look for her shoe.

She returned two minutes later with two shoes in her hand. “Found it.” She sat down across from Hope and put her shoes on.

Hope handed her the notebook that she had brought along. “What’s this?” Carrie asked.
“Oh my God.
Is this your writing?” She was delighted as she opened the pages.

“Don’t get too excited. I don’t know how good they are,” Hope said. “That one has short stories and some of my poems in it.”

“But I am excited. I am looking forward to reading this.” She looked up at Hope. “Can I read one now?”

Hope laughed. Carrie was acting like a child that had just been handed a present. “I guess you can, but if you don’t like it, be gentle. If you tell me it sucks it’s going to hurt my feelings.”

“It’s not going to suck, now stop it.” Carrie thumbed through the book until a title caught her eye. She read the title out loud. “
Feel Again
.”

“Hey, don’t read it now.” Hope was a little embarrassed even hearing the title read out loud.

“Yes.
Why not?”
Carrie was determined. “Close your ears if you don’t want to hear it.”

Hope just shook her head in defeat as Carrie began reading.

What I would give to once again feel

The hope of my youth and force of my dream

And the faith that once flowed

Through my very blood stream

That bitterness owns now and will not redeem

In the search for my soul all I find is a ghost

Of all that I’ve lost I miss myself the most

Some people say they would not change a thing if they could

I’m here to say, that I would, I would, I would

Oh what I would give to have eternal peace and a good night’s sleep

And the silence that comes from so very deep

What I would I give to stop living the past with this heart made of
stone

And to learn to let go of the only love I’ve ever known

I don’t know if this is all said and done or just one of life’s interludes

I’ve persevered longer than most anyone

So pray for this hopeless cause to St. Jude

“Oh my God, Hope. That is so good. That is so good,” Carrie said.

“Thank you.”

“I mean it. I can’t wait to read the rest.”

Hope stood up. “Well, don’t read them now. I’m hungry. Are you ready to go?”

“Okay. I’ll read them later,” she said, putting the notebook on the coffee table and lifting
herself
from the sofa. “Let’s go.”

*****

Hope liked the restaurant as soon as they stepped in from the chilly night air. It had a warm and inviting feel to it, with the smell of fresh tomato sauce and grilled steak in the air. They were seated almost immediately at their table once she told the
maitre
d’ that they had reservations. A large double-sided fireplace sat in the center of the room across from their table. The waiter had arrived within moments of their being seated to bring them fresh bread in a basket and pour water into their glasses.

Hope glanced up from the menu in her hands. “Remember, this is my treat, so order anything you want,” she said to Carrie.

The fireplace added a soft glow to the low lighting and soft music played in the background. Dark, rich wood lined the walls, giving the place an elegant yet rustic look.

Carrie put down her menu. “Well in that case, I’ll have the lobster, the steak, the most expensive bottle of wine they have and two servings of tiramisu for dessert.”

“All right then.
As long as you’re sure.”
Hope’s smile lit up her face. Carrie thought it made her look even more beautiful. “I guess I’ll just have water then, because I’m not going to be able to afford two meals if you are going to eat all that.”

“Oh sure, offer me food and then make me feel guilty about it. I guess I’ll just get the grilled salmon, and a cheap glass of wine.”

“How about you get the grilled salmon and a good glass of wine?” Hope put her menu down on the table.

“And maybe we can share a tiramisu for dessert?” Carrie tilted her head with the question.

“If you behave.”

The waiter returned to the table. “Are you ready to order?” he asked. He was tall, with short dark hair and a handsome smile. His well-defined muscles could be seen even though his white dress shirt. But neither woman noticed.

“We are,” Hope nodded. “Go ahead, Carrie,” she said to her companion.

“I’ll have the grilled salmon. For my side can I get a baked potato with the sour cream and blue cheese dressing on the salad?”

“And to drink?”
The waiter asked.

“I am going to just have water,” she said, “and could we get some lemon wedges, please.”

“Go ahead and order wine,” Hope told her.

“No, I just want water tonight, thanks.” Carrie smiled.

“You don’t have to worry about driving. Are you sure you don’t want a drink?” Carrie just shook her head. “All right, if you’re sure.” Hope turned back to the waiter, “I’ll have the same.” She picked up both menus and handed them to him. “Thanks.”

He returned two minutes later with a dish of lemon wedges. Carrie picked up a piece of the yellow fruit and squeezed a bit of juice from it into her glass of water before dropping it in.

“How was your day?” Hope asked.

“It was good. I snuck out of work early and did a little painting.” She leaned forward and whispered, “But don’t tell anyone.”

Hope leaned forward, too, and whispered, “I won’t.”

Now it was Carrie’s turn to ask. “How was your day? Did you remember to wash after every mouth?”

“Yes, I washed after every mouth.” Hope grinned. “My day was good. We had two last minute cancellations so I got to leave on time, which doesn’t always happen.”

“You did a great job picking the restaurant by the way. I love this place. They have great food.”

“I’m glad you like it. I’ve never been here before.”

Carrie was surprised. “How come you picked a place that you’ve never been too?”

“I looked up some places online. I wanted some place nice, but not so nice that you had to wear your bridesmaid’s dress. The thought of that just scared me.” Hope gave a laugh that was matched by Carrie’s. “I looked at what got good customer reviews. This place came out on top. So, I guess you aren’t the only one that likes it.”

“I guess that means I have good taste.”

“Yes, I think that means you have good taste.” Hope couldn’t help but notice the fire nearby casting a warm glow on Carrie’s skin and dancing in her green eyes. She felt lost in those eyes for a second.
Carrie is a beautiful woman. Anyone would notice how smooth her skin looks and how green her eyes are.
Hope justified the thoughts to herself, and she believed it…at least for a little while.

Carrie was right. The food was delicious. There wasn’t enough left on either woman’s plate to take home doggy bags.

After taking the dirty dishes away the waiter returned with one tiramisu and two spoons. Carrie dipped her spoon into the dessert and took a bite. “
Mmm
, this is so good,” she said, her hand covering her full mouth. She took another spoonful and offered it across the table to Hope. “Here eat this.”

Hope leaned forward and took the bite from Carrie’s spoon. She swallowed before speaking. “Wow, you’re right. That’s good.” Hope used her own spoon and took another bite.
 

They were both very full when they left the restaurant and walked to Hope’s car. She pulled out of the parking space and headed in the direction of the movie theater.

After buying their tickets and entering the theater, both women passed by the popcorn and candy area without
so
much as a glance. They were too full from dinner to even think about eating anything else.

Large movie posters hung on the walls that led the way to room five where their movie would be starting in about fifteen minutes.

Carrie pulled open the door to the large room. The previews hadn’t yet started so the lights were still on, making it easier for Hope and Carrie to choose their seats. There were still plenty of seats to choose from. “Where would you like to sit?” Carrie asked Hope.

“Somewhere towards the middle, if that’s all right with you. I don’t like to be too close to the screen.”

“That’s perfect. I don’t like to be too close to the screen either.” They had only taken a few steps when the room was plunged into darkness. The movie screen lit up with a warning about talking during the movie and turning off cell phones. A dim light bounced off the screen.

Hope’s eyes didn’t adjust to the change in darkness as fast as Carrie’s did and she reached out and grabbed Carrie’s hand as she realized that Carrie was moving forward without her. They walked like this until Carrie asked, “How’s this? Not too close.”

“This is fine,” Hope said into Carrie’s ear as music from the first preview filled the room. She was suddenly aware that Carrie’s hand was still in hers. She could feel its warmth and let it go.
 
She ran her hand through her hair, nervously.
 
She refused to let her mind think about how good Carrie’s hand felt in hers. They moved into the middle of the row and took their seats, watching the previews until their movie began.

Hope thoroughly enjoyed her evening with Carrie. The food and conversation at the restaurant were wonderful, and she had even enjoyed the movie. Romantic comedies were her favorites and Sandra Bullock never disappointed.

She was sorry to see the night end as she pulled into Carrie’s driveway. “Well, here we are,” she said.

“Would you like to come in for something to drink?” Carrie asked, “Or a snack?”

“I would love to, but I really should get going.” Hope resisted the urge to spend more time with Carrie tonight.

“Okay,” Carrie said and leaned across the seat to give Hope a hug. “I had a great time. Drive careful.” Her smile was bright, even in the darkness of the car.

“I had a great time, too. Have a good night.”

 
Hope waited until Carrie had unlocked the door and entered her house before she backed out on the street and drove towards home.
    

*****
    

Carrie hung up her coat and took her shoes off at the door. She poured herself the last glass of wine from the bottle that Hope had brought for dinner the week before, and made
herself
comfortable on the couch. With her feet tucked under her she reached for the notebook with Hope’s poems and short stories and began to read.

It was two a.m. by the time Carrie looked up from the notebook. She was shocked when she looked at the clock. She had become so engrossed in reading that she had lost all track of time. She put the notebook on the coffee table, rose and stretched to remove the kinks from sitting in the same position for so long.

She had liked Hope before, but she liked her even better now. Reading the words that Hope had written made Carrie feel liked she had seen a glimpse into Hope’s soul, a soul that was full of love and kindness and at the same time full of want and a life unfulfilled.

Carrie made her way to the bedroom. She stripped out of her clothes and slipped on an old long sleeve tee shirt that she used as pajamas. She fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Her night was filled with dreams of Hope, dreams that faded into tiny sliver-like memories when she woke up the next morning.

Chapter 9

“I finished reading your work. I really, really like your writing,” Carrie said as she and Hope walked on the canal. It had been a little more than a week since they had gone out to dinner and the movies. Since then, they had spent several evenings talking on the phone, their conversations often moving from serious, personal topics to light, humorous ones that sent them both into fits of laughter.

It was during one of these conversations that Hope suggested a walk along the path of the Erie Canal. They were hoping for a bright sunny day to help cut the chill in the air, and that was exactly what they got on Saturday.

There were few other people on the trail. In the summer it would be full of people walking, jogging or riding their bikes. Most people found it much more appealing in the warmer weather.

“Thank you,” Hope said. “I have never let anyone read my writing before.”

Carrie’s voice betrayed her surprise, “No one?”

“No. I guess my writing has been like a private piece of me that I kept for myself,” Hope said.

Carrie stopped walking. Hope took another two steps before realizing she was walking alone and stopped. She turned back toward Carrie. Carrie just looked at her.

“What?” Hope asked.

“You never showed them to anyone, ever? But you let
me
read them? Wow. I am truly honored.” She took a step closer to Hope and touched her arm. “How come you showed them to me?”