To be the man you love: By Romance Writer - David Manoa Conclusion Before reading find a quiet place, uninterrupted. If you haven’t read the previous parts, please do. It makes for a complete experience. Engage yourself as Henry. Get ready. Breathe in. Immerse in the words … Come with Me … “Henry, paying for Anna’s tuition does not give you the right to solicit her mother, into taking her to dinner! This behavior is highly inappropriate and you’re lucky she did not put in a formal complaint!” I closed the lid on the piano, shocked that she complained to the principal. “My apologies Ms. Cowan, it was a offer that she accepted.” “Being a total push over is not what I call an offer!” She pointed her finger at me and I tried to defend myself when Ms. Cowan continued. “I’m taking you off the recital, and the remaining practice sessions. I just don’t want any tension between the two of you, besides I’m confident that Anna can do the whole recital by herself.” I blinked twice to gather my thoughts, and nodded my head to accept her request. “Henry … whatever your side of the story is, I can’t let this escalate. Your term finishes in a week before the recital. Keep your head down and keep out of trouble.” Before I could say anything, she walked out the room. The next afternoon, I assisted for half an hour with the afterschool traffic patrol. I took onboard Ms. Cowan’s advice and I packed up and went back to the car instead of attending the recital practice. “Henry!” I turned to see Anna waving frantically from the window. “We have practice now!” I turned back to continue unloading my gear, when Anna ran out. “Henry we have practice, where are you going?” I looked down to try and think of an answer. Anna had these puppy dog eyes and she could sense that something wasn’t right. I knelt down to explain the situation as best, I could. “Anna, my time has finished here and I have to go back to the police station. Something important has come up, so I can’t do anymore practices or attend the recital.” I watched as Anna’s face sunk. Her mouth tightened, her eyes narrowed, she was so upset. “I’m so sorry … I really wanted to be there.” “But Henry you said we were going to play! The pitch of her voice changed, it made me so sad, watching her cry, it made my eyes well up. Lois came out and saw us, she stood back from a distance. “Anna you will do fine, you have practiced enough to give this a good shot, I’m so proud of you.” “Henry I’m scared, I don’t know if I can play it, if you’re not there.” I took of my hat and gave it her. “Anna when I wake up in the morning, I’m always scared too, to what the day may bring. There is a lot of bad people who want to hurt me. “You get scared too?” I nodded to acknowledge Anna’s puzzlement. But when I put on my police hat, I don’t feel scared. I want you to keep it, on the day of the recital, wear it and it will be like, I’m there with you. Can you promise me, you’ll be brave?” Anna nodded her head and I grabbed my hanker chief to wipe her tears. I looked up to see Lois behind her, with a look of concern on her face. “I have to go now, but you make sure you look after you mom ok?” Anna put on the hat and I gave her a hug. “I’m going to miss you Henry …” she said softly. “Me too kid. Go hard at practice ok?” I paused to watch her run inside when I faced Lois. She reached into her bag and pulled out the remaining cash she owed me. “Keep it, Please” as I put my palms out. I looked up to see Anna show her friends the hat I gave her, they crowded around her, she looked confident as she waved back at me. “Lois, when I look at how happy your daughter is, I can see how happy you could be - if you opened your heart. Regardless of how hard, you have had it or the pain you felt. It is up to you, if you let it affect your life. “I think you are an exceptional woman, what you have done for yourself and Anna in the circumstances is admirable. But there is something else, I know we both feel and that it is the attraction we have for each other. Lois jolted a bit when she took in those words, she adjusted her bag and stared at the ground. “Look at me, I understand why you push me away to protect yourself, but Lois I am not him, and it’s unfair to treat me like that, when you haven’t even given me a chance!” I paused to let what I’ve said sink in. She just froze again … not uttering a word … “Lois, There’s a part of me that wants to give up on you … but I can’t, you’re too beautiful to let go.” I put my palm over my face for a brief moment, to realize I wasn’t getting any response from her. I walked away to give her some time to think. *** The day of the recital arrived and I was stuck behind the desk, but I thought about Lois and Anna . Against the principals request I decided to head over, and sneak in and watch from the back. The score of parents rushed into the hall and I sat in the car and waited, till everyone went in, before I headed out. The hall was so packed that I could only find space in the aisle. I looked ahead to see Lois in the front row, the principal walked on the stage to announce the first segment which Anna was to headline. There was a delay, when the children in the audience started to make a racket. The principal got on the microphone to quieten them. Anna started to walk on stage, she looked so nervous by the way she was slowly walking, but she looked so cute wearing my hat. She kept her head down, I think she was too scared to even look into the crowd. She sat down by the piano to open her book. She started to hesitate in playing the first piece. “C’mon Anna you can do it” I said under my breath.” The whole audience was silent as they waited for her to play. I moved to the front of the aisle to get a better view. I noticed Anna’s eyes starting to well up. She started to close her book when I shouted out. “C’mon Anna you can do it!” “Go girl go!” The whole audience turned their heads to the man in uniform in front cheering her on. Anna gave that smile when she saw that I was there to support her and that confidence came upon her. She sat up straight and took a deep breath and she began to play the piece The room filled with the resonant sound of the piano playing. Everyone in the room was in awe as the melody and symphony of the song touched the hearts of everyone inside. I saw in my peripherals Lois staring at me while the song played, I kept my focus on Anna but I could sense a different energy coming from Lois. The principal had her arms crossed giving me the evil eye but I didn’t care. Anna finished the last piece and everyone got up and applauded. Everyone was clapping and shouting, Anna was reveling in the moment, bowing in appreciation to every corner of the room. I turned around to make my exit as the principal was making a bee line for me. I was so proud of Anna she did really well. I took one more glance at Lois, she was clapping and waving at her daughter. I walked to the door and I could only smile to look, when Anna pointed at me. I gave her the thumbs up and I noticed Lois got up from the chair. I closed the door to make my way to the car, I was stocked that Anna had done so well and it was great to at least see Lois one more time. I unlocked my car to open the door when someone behind me pushed the door back, before I could get in. “Lois?” She was paused to catch her breath, her eyes were puffy and her lips were murmuring, to spit out a sentence. “Henry, I have been a mess these last few days, thinking about what you said … It’s all true, I have been pushing you away … Blaming you, being torn from within …” I held Lois to comfort her “Hey I understand, you are scared but I promise whole heartedly to take care of you.” We both paused to stare deeply in each others eyes when Anna interrupted. “And me! Dont forget me Henry!” We both turned to Anna to see her smiling, and we both giggled. I took the hat off Anna and I put it on Lois. “Can you promise me, that you’ll be brave ? Lois wiped her eyes and nodded I took in a deep breath and I leaned in to give her the most passionate kiss, we both were longing for ... The End Epilogue Twenty years later, I watched as Anna walked across the stage to graduate as a police officer. She wore my old hat and acknowledged me as her source of inspiration for joining the force. When she got off the stage, Lois and I gave her a hug and congratulated her. She was excited about getting out there and making a difference. Lois was a bit apprehensive initially about her career choice, since she graduated previously from a psychology degree and two years as a psychiatrist. Anna called over one the other officers to introduce. “Henry, I want you meet my partner who will be showing me the ropes.” I looked at the man who would be taking care of Anna, out in the field. He was a solid bugger, stood as tall as me broad shoulders, chiseled jaw. I got the sense he had a military background from the hands behind his back posture and the blue steel look in his eyes. We shook hands and he had a firm grip, and we looked at each other, eye to eye. “My name is Tevita Suarvea – I promise to look after your daughter as if she was my own.” He said in a authoritative tone. Anna shook her head scoffing at the remark, but we held the firm handshake, when I said succinctly. “I wouldn’t expect anything less …” The Journey continues: Tevita Suarvea: Rose Live 27th Feb on kindle
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 03:38:00 +0000
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