She took his hand and placed it on her face, then closed her eyes. She felt two hands sculpting the contours of her face. Moving, caressing and gently probing first her ears, and then her eyes and finally coming together to touch her parted lips. Karen's heart began to race in her chest.
He withdrew his hands, and placed them on her shoulders.
"Why didn't you tell me you were so beautiful?" he asked.
"I'm not even close to pretty." Karen answered. "I appreciate what you said though. But unless my mirror has been lying to me all these years, I have to face the truth that I'm just plain."
"Plain is in the eye of the beholder." Drew countered, "Let all the mirrors be damned, my hands would never lie. I know what I felt, and you are beautiful. You have the face of an angel. But most importantly, I see your heart, and this I perceive with my soul. You are generous, honest, caring and beautiful."
Karen wasn't accustomed to receiving such praise and was embarrassed.
"If I was a sculptor that had formed you," Drew continued, "You would be my triumphant work of art."
"Please," she put her hands up, "No more compliments."
Then she collapsed onto the sofa.
"Believe me, Karen. I'm not trying to flatter you; I am just stating the truth. Maybe you can't see what I see. "
Perhaps she could not see. Was she blind? Eyes can be so easily deceived. Sometimes, it is the heart that looks past the physical limitations of sight. Yes, the heart is quicker than the eye. Although Karen found it inconceivable that she could be beautiful, she did believe he was telling the truth.
Drew sat down beside her on the couch. His lips slowly parted, and she longed to reach out and touch them. His mouth was both delicate and masculine at the same time. From it breathed his life, and words that had breathed life into her. She was starting to look at things differently now. And from the mouth of a blind man, she was beginning to see; the beauty in the world around her and inside of herself. This was what philosopher’s called irony, but it really was about perception.
* * *
That night in bed, Karen was tormented again. Her attraction for Drew was growing stronger, and she could not stop it. There was only one thing left for her to do, and this she feared even more. But it was the only way she could resolve the problem. Karen had to leave her job and never look back.
All night, she tossed and turned restlessly. Nightmares of flying creatures were attacking her. When Karen awoke, she was standing before an open bedroom window. That was the second time this had occurred in less than one week, and she did not want to see Dr. Hamlin again.
Karen looked out the window into a foggy sky. What time was it? The digital clock on the bedside table said 9:30 a.m. She had better collect her things before she changed her mind again. She threw her journal into the knapsack, took a quick look in the mirror and fixed her hair.
What reason could she give to Maude for her sudden departure? Karen was not good at lying. Maybe she could invent some half-truth that could pass as a mental reservation.
As she dashed down the stairs she nearly collided with Maude.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mrs. Waverly." she apologized.
The woman eyes widened.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"Actually, something's come up and I need to leave. It's sort of an emergency. I honestly don't know when I'll be able to come back, so you may want to hire somebody else."
Karen's face reddened. She was never good at this sort of thing, especially goodbyes. And even more, she dreaded having to face Drew before leaving.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything at all I can do to help?" Maude volunteered.
Karen shook her head sadly, "No, unfortunately this is something that I got myself into."
"Well, I'm sure my grandson will miss you, Karen."
She took in a deep breath and made a quick decision.
"I really need to get going, Mrs. Waverly and he's probably still asleep. Would you please tell him for me?"
The woman frowned and was silent for a moment.
"Of course, dear,” she said, “but if you change your mind or you need anything, please don't hesitate to call."
Karen nodded.
"Again, thank you for this opportunity. And I'm sorry to let you both down on such short notice."
Maude shook her head.
"Don't you worry, dear," she smiled. "It was very nice meeting you and I do hope everything works out for you."
She gave Karen a quick hug which increased her guilt.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Waverly." she said.
"Just Maude," she winked. "Remember, you're like family here." Karen waved as she faded into the mist of dawn.
* * *
Karen spent most of the day at the boarding house in tears. By doing what she thought was best in the situation; she had rejected Drew, someone she truly cared for. His face haunted her every waking moment, with his words "I won't ever leave you" echoing not far behind. But that was exactly what she did; she had abandoned him, without so much as an explanation or goodbye. What could he be thinking now? Would he assume it was because of his handicap that she had left, and what of her own handicap? Karen had become more a prisoner from her lack of beauty than Drew was by his lack of sight. They both had these limitations imposed on their lives, invisible boundaries that restrained them from venturing any further. Indeed, he was the beauty and she was the beast. How could she be such a monster to treat him like this?
* * *
While Karen spent her Saturday alone, Maude recounted the events to Drew at the cottage.
"So what do you think happened?" he asked his grandmother.
Maude sat down beside him on the sofa and heaved a long sigh.
"She didn't say, except that it was some sort of emergency."
Drew rubbed his head. The unexpected news had completely stunned him.
"Did she have any idea when she would come back?"
Maude wondered if she should tell her grandson that Karen would never return.
"Well," she began, "Karen doesn't know when she'll be back."
Drew winced with pain, and turned his head away. He must have done something to drive her away, but what?
Maude reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I know what you're thinking, and it has nothing to do with you."
"How do you know that?" he nearly shouted.
"And maybe it's for the best." she consoled him, "After all, you are engaged and I don't know how Dalice would feel about you spending time with another woman."
"Oh grandmother, it was only for three months, and she only spent three days with me."
Drew realized how attached he had already become to her. In that short span of time, he had come to enjoy Karen's company with her quiet, simple and sensitive nature. And perhaps he felt something more than he was willing to admit to himself.
"I need to ask Roger to run some errands." Maude announced. "We're almost out of groceries and your birthday is only a few days away."
Drew sat silently as Maude left closing the door behind her.
Then after a few minutes, he paced the floor and thought about Karen. He missed her company, and wanted to make sure she was alright.
Maude had programmed Karen's phone number into his cell phone the day she started.
He took the phone out and pressed a button. After a few rings it went over to voice-mail.
He couldn't think of anything to say, so he hung up, laid himself on the sofa and fell asleep.
* * *
Karen awakened to a buzzing sound. She looked around sleepily. Her phone vibrated on the bedside table. She reached over to see who was calling. She had missed a call earlier, and did not recognize the phone number. It was a local area code so it wouldn't be her family checking in with her. She pressed the button to return the call and see who it was. After a few rings, a man answered the phone.
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"Hello?" The voice was familiar.
"Drew? Is that you?" she asked.
"Karen, are you alright?"
She sat up in bed.
"Yeah, um I'm really sorry for leaving on such short notice."
"It's alright; I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."
"I'm okay, how about you?"
"Yeah," he said, "I thought it was something I did that made you leave."
"No, it was something I did, and I'm sorry about that."
The phone was quiet for a moment.
"Well, the other reason I called was to invite you to my birthday this Wednesday that is if you're able to come."
Karen stared up at the ceiling and debated with herself. She longed to see Drew, but then she would also see his fiancé there.
"Please," he said, "It would really mean a lot to me, Karen."
She took in a deep breath.
"Okay," she relented. "What time would you like me there?"
She heard a sigh of relief on the phone.
"Noon, at the main house," he confirmed. “We’ll be in the dining room."
"I'll be there." she answered.
Now Karen needed to find a gift. Something personal and meaningful, Maude had recommended. But what do you give a man who cannot see? She pondered this awhile, and remembered how he enjoyed when she read him "Beauty and the Beast". Perhaps she could purchase an MP3 player and record herself reading the fairytale. That would be a unique and personal gift.
So she spent the next day shopping for the player and that evening recording herself with the laptop. Karen transferred the file along with some music to the device. She remembered that he enjoyed classical records, and she had a few of those in her library.
* * *
June the twelfth arrived with a hesitant breeze and clouds. She made her way back through the small forest to the Waverly house with some trepidation. Karen hoped she had been forgiven for her abrupt departure a few days ago.
"Hey you," a voice called out.
It was Maude. She was sitting in the gazebo like the first day when Karen arrived. She waved at the woman, approaching the gazebo.
"Hi there," she said "Where's Drew?"
"Drew is getting ready at the cottage, and Dalice hasn't arrived yet."
Karen sat in the chair opposite Maude and set the gift down on the table.
"I see you decided to bring something after all."
"Well, I felt really bad at how I left off the other day, and I know that buying something could never fix what I did, but it was the very least I could do."
Maude smiled.
"There's nothing to forgive." she said simply.
"Wish that I could believe that." Karen replied.
"Ah," Maude stood up, "Here comes Dalice."
Karen turned her head and saw an attractive blonde in her early thirties approaching.
Maude introduced the two women and then they followed her up the short path to the Victorian house.
"Why don't you ladies make yourself at home while I go and get the birthday boy?"
Maude left, and the two women took a seat in the drawing room.
Dalice appeared to be disturbed and distracted. Something was obviously agitating her.
"So tell me," she began. "How did you meet Drew?"
Karen shifted uncomfortably.
"Actually, I responded to a want ad in the newspaper a week ago."
Dalice eyes glowed with curiosity.
"So, you're helping Drew out?" she asked.
"Yes, for the summer months." Karen replied.
Dalice smiled at this. "I think that's great. And I bet the two of have already hit it off."
She did not appear to have a jealous bone in her body.
"Unfortunately," Karen admitted ruefully, "something came up a few days ago, and I had to leave."
Dalice's eyes grew sad.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Is there any way you could come back after it's resolved?"
How could Karen answer her question without revealing everything?
But as fortune would have it, the front door opened and Maude entered with Drew alongside her.
"Come on ladies; let's move across to the dining room."
Everyone took a seat at the long table in the room across the hall.
The table had already been set and there a candelabra in the middle. Maude served chicken masala with refreshments, followed by a delicious marble cake.
After everyone finished eating, Drew opened his presents. Maude gave him some new outfits for summer. Dalice had given him a gift card to a local restaurant. When Drew opened the present from Karen, she described what it contained.
Drew reached out his hand and placed it on top of Karen's.
"That was very thoughtful. You already know me too well."
Then he stood up.
"I want to thank everyone for coming and these wonderful presents."
Dalice was the first to leave and motioned for Maude to follow her outside, leaving Karen alone with Drew.
"So Karen," he said sitting down, "I hope you will make yourself welcome. As much as I will enjoy listening to you read, this recording could never replace you."
Karen was touched, but tried to separate herself from the feelings. She could not allow herself to fall apart again.
"So tell me Karen, when is your birthday?"
"August 25th." she replied.
"And what sort of things do you like?" he asked.
"I'm fond of porcelain ponies and watercolor paintings." She paused for a moment. "But my favorite thing of all is a music box."
His lips parted with a smile.
Karen glanced out the dining room window to see what was keeping Maude. She saw they were deep in conversation, and though she could not hear their words, Karen could see that it was serious. In fact, Maude's face appeared to be alarmed.
Dalice handed the old woman something, glanced quickly at the window, and then walked away. Maude watched as she disappeared and then looked back at Karen through the window. She made a motion for her to come outside.
"I'll be right back." Karen said to him, and then hurried out to see what was going on.
"You're not going to believe this," the old woman held out her hand. A small ring rested on her palm. "Dalice received an email from her first love. She told me he was recently divorced and wanted to get back together again." Then her eyes met Karen, "At my grandson's expense!"
Karen shook her head in wonder.
"Why couldn't she at least tell him?" she asked in disbelief. But no longer were the words out of her mouth, when Karen realized that she herself had done the very same thing to Drew. It was hard enough to reject someone, but when that person was handicapped, it was even more difficult. There was no time for Dalice and Drew to be alone and talk with her there. So that must be the reason why Dalice looked troubled and had encouraged Karen to come back to work. Karen looked through the window at Drew who was still in the dark about what was going on. She could not imagine how painful this would be for him.
"Why doesn't matter anymore," Maude speculated, "but I don't think that I can break his heart."
Karen felt sympathy for the woman.
"What will you do then?" she asked.
Maude took a deep breath and gazed up at the heavens for help.
"I honestly don't know. If only..." Her voice trailed off and then she searched Karen for an answer.
"Is there any chance that you could stay for a couple days?" Her voice sounded desperate.
"Sure," Karen responded automatically, without even thinking.
They walked back into the house.
"Good news," Maude said, "Karen will be staying with us this weekend."
Drew's face lit up.
"So that's what all that girl-talk was about?" he ventured.
Maude stroked his head fondly.
"You know your old grandmother." Then turning, she said, "Karen, co
uld you walk Drew back for me? I need to go lie down."
Drew furrowed his brow.
"Are you alright, grandmother?"
"Nothing to worry about," she reassured him. "I guess preparing this party knocked the wind out of my sails."
He chuckled and stood up. Karen took his arm and they walked off to the cottage together.
* * *
Drew sat on his bed in the cottage while Karen demonstrated how to use the MP3 player.
"So tell me," he began. "What made you change your mind?"
Karen set the player down and sat next to Drew.
"Your grandmother can be a very persuasive person."
"Don't I know it?" Drew raised his eyebrows. "But I'm really happy that you decided to come back, even if it was just for the weekend."
Karen thought about it now, and realized she really was no longer a threat since Dalice had broken off their engagement.
"Why so quiet?" he asked.
"Just thinking,"
Drew opened his mouth. "About..."
"Actually, I was thinking of staying to the end of summer, if that's okay."
His face brightened.
"So glad you've decided to join the dark side again."
"Well, I'm partial to guys with midnight eyes."
"Yep, you're definitely a poet." he replied.
Then Drew’s cell phone rang abruptly. He removed it from his pocket.
There was a pause.
"Hey Dalice, long time no hear."
Then there was a length of silence.
"Alright," he responded and hung up.
Karen wondered what Dalice has said to him. She noticed he was frowning now.
"What's wrong?" Karen prompted.
"Dalice said she won't be working at the blind school anymore. She's going to stay with her mother in Vermont."
"Did she say why?" Karen asked.
Drew shook his head. "I know her mother has been sick for quite a while, so she might be going there to take care of her. Dalice grew up in Vermont. She didn't move out west until after graduating from college."
He paused and became silent.
"Where does that leave us?" Drew asked himself. "We were planning our wedding around the Christmas holidays."
Karen did not know how to respond to this, so she placed her arm around him.
"You know something, don't you?" he said.
Karen pulled her arm back as if she were shocked. The man must have a six sense in the place of his fifth sense.
"Why would you say that?"
"Well, I noticed earlier that Dalice was acting peculiar. And the fact that she tells me now, even though she had every opportunity before, just didn't feel right. Not to mention how all of you disappeared on me, I knew something was wrong."