The Wrap-Around Porch
a short story by Cindy Swanson
"Tara,I don't know how to say this. I--I'm really sorry,but...I think we should stop seeing each other."
Tara Hanson was speechless. She felt the blood rush to her head and something heavy plunge to the pit of her stomach. This couldn't be happening!
She had prepared a lovely lasagna dinner,complete with candlelight and fancy place settings,to mark the first anniversary of her first date with Brad Phillips. Her apartment,on the second story of a Chicago "three-flat," was spotless--in deference to Brad,who liked everything to be immaculate.
Tara had taken special care with her own appearance,wearing a pretty spring dress that she had gotten for a song. Access to quality clothes at bargain prices was just one of the perks of her job as an assistant buyer at Brannum's Department Store. Her dark shoulder-length hair was shining,every hair in place just as Brad liked it,her make-up painstakingly applied.
But now,the evening she had taken such care with had imploded with one simple statement: we should stop seeing each other.
Brad was sitting across from her at her antique oak dining table,a look of mingled pity and determination on his handsome face.
Tara finally found her voice,but she sounded like someone just speaking again afer a long illness. "Brad...why? Why are you doing this?"
He cleared his throat and reached for her hand,which must have had all the warmth of a dead trout. His heart-stopping blue eyes were earnest. "Tara...there's someone else."
"Who? That woman you work with,Alicia what's-her-name?"
"Carrington. But that's not important. And honestly,Tara," he said,releasing her hand,"that's not the only reason. There's the matter of your religious beliefs. I respect them,but I just can't go along with them. I mean,we've been dating a year,and you still refuse to go to bed with me. I'm only human,you know!"
That was another punch in the gut. She had known Brad was not,in his words,"religious," but she thought he was at least open to it--and that he respected her decision not to have sex before marriage.
"There's no point in dragging this out,Tara." He stood,an up-and-coming young Chicago executive,blonde,handsome,and impeccably dressed,and dropped his linen napkin on his plate in an almost casual gesture of dismissal. "I really do wish you all the best. You're a sweet,beautiful girl. Goodbye,Tara."
She watched him walk out the door,feeling almost detached,as if she were watching a melodramatic scene in a movie. But this wasn't a movie; it was her life,and at that moment,she felt it might as well be over.
What to do now? It was only six-thirty on a beautiful May evening in Chicago. She heard the familiar,comforting sounds of a guitar strumming,and the chords somehow brought comfort. Too stunned for tears,she needed to talk to someone,and instinctively knew who that someone would be. She followed the sound of the music down to the wrap-around porch that she had always felt was one of the nicest things about her building.
Scott McCaslin was sitting on the steps playing his guitar,as he so often did. He lived in the flat above Tara,and in the several months she had lived there,he had become a friend and confidante.
He glanced up at her and paused in his strumming as she settled on the step beside him. "What's up? I just saw Brad leaving. I thought this was the night of the big anniversary dinner?"
She nodded. "It was supposed to be. But he--he broke up with me." The admission was humiliating.
Scott's brown eyes registered disbelief. "You're kidding me. The guy's a fool!"
The delayed tears finally made their appearance. "He s-said there was someone else."
He shook his head and carefully laid aside his guitar,putting his arm around her as she cried in earnest. "Hey,shh,it's going to be all right," he murmured soothingly. "He'll probably realize what an idiot he is and come crawling back. And if he doesn't...well,he isn't worth it."
"Scott,why? Why do people always seem to leave me? What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing's wrong with you." He withdrew his arm from around her shoulders and ran a hand through his short,dark hair. "And people don't always leave you,Tara. Your parents dying in a car accident when you were a kid...that wasn't voluntary on their part. And the Lord isn't about to leave you."
She sighed,sniffed and swiped her tear-stained face with the back of her hand. "I guess I'm not as good a Christian as you are,Scott. My faith is so weak! And when something like this happens,I question whether God even cares about what goes on in my life."
Scott cupped her chin and looked straight into her eyes. "Don't ever say that. God cares about you and what goes on in your life more than you'll ever know."
"Oh,Scott." She smiled ruefully. "Pretty soon you'll be leaving too,and then whose shoulder am I going to cry on?"
He chuckled softly. "Springhill isn't that far away. And you can always give me a call when you have a tragic break-up."
Tara punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Don't make light of this! My world is falling apart!"
"Is it really?" He was suddenly serious. "Stop and think about it,Tara. From what you've told me,I don't think Brad was really right for you. He wasn't a Christian. He expected perfection all the time...your hair and make-up always had to be just right. God forbid the breeze ruffle your hair like...it's doing right now..." He glanced distractedly at the way the evening wind was playing with a dark strand. "Well,maybe it's not as bad a development as you think."
She faced the street,hugging her knees. "You're right about those things. But you don't understand. After losing my parents...and my grandma having to go into a nursing home...Scott,she's my only close relative! Brad represented stability,security. He might not have been everything I might have wanted, but he was there. Now," the tears began to spill again,"he's not there. And he won't be,ever again."
**********
The note on Tara's desk,with the heading "From the desk of Kathy Anders," didn't look ominous. The scribbled message read: "Tara,See me in my office. Kathy."
She didn't anticipate a problem; Kathy,the head buyer,genuinely liked Tara and consistently praised her work.
So she wasn't prepared for Kathy's pained expression and apologetic words. "Tara, I'm so terribly sorry to have to tell you this. You've probably heard through the rumor mill that Brannum's is in deep financial trouble. Well...it's true. Every department is having to make drastic cuts."
It still wasn't sinking in. Kathy toyed nervously with a pen as she looked at Tara sympathetically through trendy glasses. "I have to let you go,Tara. I'm so sorry."
"You--you what?" Tara was dumbfounded. Her brain was swimming as she vaguely heard phrases like "decent severance package" and "two weeks' notice."
"Please don't think this has anything to do with your performance," Kathy continued gently. "You're a bright,talented young woman,and I know you'll be able to get a job somewhere else. I'll give you a fantastic reference, I promise."
Several hours later,it was a very defeated Tara Hanson that stepped off the el train and walked up the steps of the wrap-around porch. The pleasantness of the late-May evening was lost on her. At first,she barely registered the U-Haul in front of the house,as Scott and a few male friends loaded cardboard boxes and furniture items. That's right,Scott is leaving me too,she thought dispiritedly. Just another loss in my life--my best friend!
The thought startled her as she unlocked her apartment door and fell onto the sofa,kicking off her shoes. My best friend? Since when do I think of Scott that way?
But,she realized,it was quite true. She had female acquaintances,friends she "did lunch" with and engaged in casual girl talk. But not even Brad had been there for her when she was down or just needed a listening ear the way Scott had in the past several months.
He had encouraged her to walk more closely with the Lord--something she was still working on--and even cheered her with his sense of humor,his singing and guitar-playing. But now he had completed his graduate studies at a nearby seminary,and he would be going to a small town some two hours away to be a youth pastor at a church there. He had mentioned he would be living with an aunt of his who ran a bed-and-breakfast in the town.
Now,slumped on her sofa with her life unraveling around her,Tara came face to face with how much she was going to miss him.
First Brad,then my job, now Scott leaving. How much more can I take?she thought wearily. As if in response,there was a knock at the door.
"You in there?" It was Scott.
"Come in,it's open," she called, too drained to even get up.
"You O.K.?" He sunk down on the sofa beside her.
"Quite frankly? No. Two days after losing my boyfriend,I've lost my job. Can you believe it?"
She explained the situation briefly,and there was answering concern in his dark brown eyes. "You think you'll be able to get another job soon?"
Tara sighed. "I put out some feelers today,but it doesn't look promising. I don't know if I'll even be able to keep this apartment."
Scott rubbed her back. "Hasn't been a great couple of days for you,has it? Something will work out,though. Keep your chin up."
"So much for the Lord caring what goes on in my life," Tara murmured with a hint of bitterness.
"Tara,listen to me. He does! He'll be there for you if you'll turn to him. Have you talked to him about all this?" Scott turned to face her,his expression serious.
"Got me again,preacher," she grinned ruefully. "No,I haven't really consulted the Lord about all this. I'll do that. But in the meantime..." she stood,stretching..."I need to think about something besides my problems. Let me get you and your buddies some iced tea."
His smile revealed a dimple,lighting up a face that Tara had never really thought of as handsome compared to Brad's drop-dead-gorgeous looks. But right now,Scott's face looked good...and very dear. "Hey,I won't turn down a glass of iced tea," he responded. "You're on!"
**********
Tara hummed as she finished decorating a Fourth of July cake that was nothing short of a masterpiece.
Strawberries and Cool Whip made up the stripes of the "flag," with blueberries in the star section. It was perfect! Hopefully,it would taste just as good as it looked.
Looking around the spacious,high-ceilinged kitchen of Springhill House,Tara could still scarcely believe how her life had changed in such a short time. She sat down at the kitchen table for a break and sipped lemonade,remembering the turn of events that had brought her here.
The two weeks remaining in her job had expired quickly,and every other employment door available to her had slammed shut. Just when she was ready to despair,Scott had called her from Springhill. His Aunt Karen needed help at her bed-and-breakfast. Could Tara come,at least on a temporary basis?
Scott had thought of everything. He had even sweet-talked Tara's landlady,Mrs. Coppolletti,into allowing her to sub-let her apartment to three girls who were summer-school students at the seminary. That way,if Tara did get a job later, she could go back to Chicago and her apartment would still be waiting for her.
It had taken some persuading,but Tara had agreed. And it was amazing how quickly she had adjusted to life at Springhill House. She had always been a good cook,and enjoyed turning out tempting delicacies for the guests. Karen McCaslin was personable and kind; more like a friend than a boss.
Yes,the wound from Brad's sudden break-up was still tender to the touch,and she sometimes fantasized about getting back together with him. But to be honest,there were whole days that went by without her giving him a thought. She was so busy.
So was Scott,for that matter. Although he lived at Springhill House,he spent hours at the church and with the kids in his youth group. Still,Tara saw him fairly often. This house was Victorian also,but even more lovely and well-kept than the one in Chicago,and it had its own expansive wrap-around porch. When she had free time,Tara would follow the sound of Scott's guitar and sit beside him,enjoying his songs and his soothing voice. And they would talk. Sometimes their conversations would be light and humorous,sometimes deep and spiritual.
Giving my problems to the Lord and trying to be more faithful about reading his word has made a difference,Tara thought. And I love Scott's church! I actually look forward to going to services...I always seem to get just what I need to keep me going.
"Gorgeous job on the cake,Tara!" It was Karen. She was a forty-something,bright,energetic womanwith red hair that was blunt-cut in a chin-length 'do that turned slightly under and swung freely during her animated conversations. Her eyes were bright green and usually sparkling. "But isn't it time for you to get ready for your big date?"
"Oh,Karen,it's not really a date," Tara corrected. Karen was always trying to match her up with Scott,refusing to believe that the two were just friends. She had given Tara the night off to go out to dinner with him. "Well,I guess dinner out is technically a date," she amended. "And you're right. I need to change out of these scuzzies and try to make myself look decent. You sure you'll be O.K. without my help tonight?"
"I'm positive. Now,scoot!" Karen shooed her away goodnaturedly.
Less than an hour later,Karen descended the winding staircase,wearing a long,airy dress that was cool,comfortable and utterly feminine at the same time. Scott was waiting at the bottom of the stairs,looking pretty spiffy himself in khaki's and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
He whistled softly,visibly impressed. "Wow," was all he said,his voice deep and a bit husky.
"You're not looking so bad yourself," she teased,smiling. And they were off on what she had to admit was...a real date.
**********
Tara and Scott sat side by side on the porch swing. Dinner had been delicious,the conversation companionable and pleasant. But there was an undercurrent of something different between them,a physical awareness Tara had sensed only a few times before. Glancing at him from beneath lowered lashes,Tara wondered how she could have ever not realized how attractive Scott was. Although not exceptionally tall,he had a pleasingly athletic build,and she had noticed how the muscles in his forearm played under tanned skin. His short,crisp dark hair served to accentuate his masculinity. His eyes,dark and deep,were one of his best features, and how did guys get away with having such long eyelashes? And then there was his smile,and that irresistable dimple...
"What are you thinking?" His voice was soft and low.
Tara cleared her throat. "Oh...nothing in particular. Just how much I've enjoyed this evening."
"I'm glad." He put his arm behind her on the porch swing,and she was very aware of its warmth and weight against her shoulders. "I enjoy being with you. I can't tell you how glad I am that you came here."
Tara felt strange,almost light-headed,and she couldn't for the life of her figure out why. This is just Scott,for heaven's sake!she thought. My friend...my best friend!
But she had to admit,she had never had a friend whose nearness affected her like this. Scott moved closer;he was looking at her intently with those dark eyes. She felt the flutter of anticipation that happens just before you realize you're going to be kissed.
And that was the very moment when a car pulled up in the circular drive in front of Springhill House. In an instant,Scott and Tara pulled apart,and the moment that had been so heavy with portent was completely dispelled.
Especially when they realized whose car it was.
Tara stood in disbelief when a very well-dressed, very goodlooking blonde man emerged from the car. "Brad! What on earth are you doing here!"
"Well,that's not exactly the welcome I was expecting!" Brad laughed and swept her up in a warm hug. "I found out from Mrs. Coppoletti where you had gone. I had to see you,Tara."
Tara scarcely noticed that Scott had gone into the house,leaving her alone with Brad. He pulled her down on the porch swing beside him. "Tara,are you listening to me? I had to come here and talk to you. I haven't been able to get you off my mind. I made a big mistake in letting you go."
She finally spoke. "But what about Alicia Carrington?"
Brad made an impatient gesture,as if whisking Alicia Carrington out of the picture. "That didn't work out. It's you I love,Tara. I want to marry you. Will you marry me?"
**********
The fourth of July had dawned in hot,glorious splendor. Tara showered and dressed in cool,light clothes. She packed a duffel bag,thinking how very strange last night had been. She could hear guitar strumming on the wrap-around porch,and carrying the duffel bag,she followed the music as she had so many times before.
Scott glanced up,put the guitar aside. "So you're leaving,huh? Going back to Brad?"
Tara put the bag down,sat beside him on the step,and smiled. "No," she chuckled softly, "I'm going to spend the fourth with my grandma. I'm going to take her to a special concert and to see the fireworks, but I'll be back late tonight."
He looked confused. "But I thought...well, I was sure Phillips would talk you into getting back together with him."
She nodded. "He tried to. He said he loved me and wanted to marry me."
Scott released a frustrated breath.
"But I said no. And you know what,Scott? I didn't even have to think about it. Thanks to you and the Lord,it hasn't taken me long to realize Brad isn't what I want at all. Scott..." She reached for his hand,grasped his strong,tanned fingers. "You've become such a part of my life. After being here for this short amount of time, I can't imagine ever...being away from you. Am I wrong,or do you feel the same way?"
This time the kiss happened,without interruption,and it was everything that Tara had dreamed it would be and more. "Hey,listen," Scott said huskily. "I'll be waiting for you when you get back tonight. I'll always be here for you."
And she knew he would be,and that the Lord would be. And that was the most wonderful thought of all.
The End
