Terry S. Bowers
September 15, 2002
She dreaded this day. Every year she wished and hoped it would not come, and every year it arrived, no matter what she did to ignore it, forget it or pretend it had no significance. A day she’d eagerly anticipated as a child was now one she’d just as soon ignore, not for the advance of years it represented but because... because... Oh hell, she really didn’t know why she wanted to ignore her own birthday, she just did. Julia knew it was a futile effort – someone always remembered and reminded her of it, but she lacked the enthusiasm for her birthday that others openly displayed.
At least she would be spared the party with balloons and a cake that her staff provided each year. She wasn’t going anywhere near Wyndecliffe this day, and while her staff would be disappointed, she was relieved. At least she’d told them last week she would not be in. Julia appreciated their concern and well wishes, but... did not share their sense of enjoyment or eagerness to mark the passing of another year. Julia hoped this birthday would be a quiet one for once and she would succeed in having it go unobserved.
Slowly descending the stairs to the front foyer of Collinwood, Julia glanced around, seeing that no one seemed to be about. Perhaps she would have a quick breakfast then leave the house, go somewhere that would allow her to spend the day in solitude. As she headed past the table toward the back of the house and the kitchen, movement in the drawing room caught her ear. Julia was hoping to slip past unnoticed when she heard footsteps, muffled by carpeting, hurry toward her.
“Oh, Julia, I’m so glad you’re up!”
“Good morning, Carolyn.”
“You must come in here. There is a delivery for you.”
A curious frown flitted across Julia’s face as she followed Carolyn into the drawing room and over to where a small sized shipping box rested on the piano. Julia glanced at Carolyn, then turned her attention to the box. It was sturdy and a bit scuffed, made of wood and looked a lot like the crates they were always getting shipments in on episodes of ‘Gunsmoke’. There seemed to be no damage to the crate, and was addressed simply to
Dr. J. Hoffman
Collinwood Manor
Collinsport, Maine
USA
There was no return address and no postage or postmark to indicate where it had come from. Julia could see Carolyn’s curiosity was about to bubble over, so she set about opening the box.
Inside Julia found a great deal of cushioning packing material and nestled in that a smaller, square box, neatly and elegantly wrapped. Julia lifted the box out and looked for a card, or packing slip or something. There was nothing.
“Julia, who is it from?”
“I don’t know. There is no card.”
“Are you going to open it? Maybe the card is inside that box.”
Smiling her amusement at Carolyn’s eagerness, Julia began to unwrap the package. She genuinely smiled when she saw the inner box – it had come from Caithness Glass, in Scotland. Carefully Julia opened the box lid and lifted out a paperweight. The yellow and gold colors swirled through the clear glass, mingling with the creamy yellow tendrils that accented the swirls. Carolyn gasped as Julia admired its beauty. She had been collecting Caithness paperweights ever since she’d visited the factory years ago while on a holiday in Scotland.
“Julia, it is beautiful!”
“Yes, Carolyn it is.”
“May I?”
Julia smiled and allowed Carolyn to hold the paperweight. She marveled at the way the color swirls seemed to move as she held the object at different angles, and ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the highly polished glass.
Reluctantly Carolyn returned it to Julia, who held it up and allowed the morning sun to catch in the design. She heard Carolyn’s ‘ohhhh’, and smiled again.
“Who do you suppose sent it?”
A twinkle came to Julia’s eye. She had a pretty good guess, but before she could reply, a knock sounded on the front door. Carolyn turned and crossed the foyer to answer it. Julia turned her attention back to the paperweight, admiring the colors as they were highlighted by the sun, the colors echoing those of the bright yellow and golden rays at the end of the day.
“Julia!”
She turned to see Carolyn coming her way, a large flower box cradled in her arms. She shook her head as she handed it over to the older woman.
“What is this, your birthday or something?”
Julia met her gaze and nodded once.
“Yes, actually, it is.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Most years I’d just as soon forget it.”
“Well, it looks as though someone isn’t going to let you forget it this year. Is there a card with these?”
Julia placed the box on the table and opened it, uncovering two dozen long stemmed yellow roses. The color was very close to the pale yellow in the paperweight. Carolyn sighed as she watched Julia open the enclosed card. It read:
‘An insignificant and pale attempt to mirror the sunshine you have brought to my life, to my heart.’
The note was not signed, but Julia felt herself blush slightly. She knew from whom the gifts had come.
“Who sent them, Julia?”
“The card isn’t signed.”
“Surely you have some idea.”
“Yes, I do.” The smile that touched Julia’s eyes told Carolyn the older woman was not going to tell, but it wasn’t hard to guess either. Carolyn bent over to inhale the fragrance of the roses, then straightened up and looked at Julia.
“I’ll find a vase to put these in.”
“Thank you, Carolyn.”
“My pleasure, Julia and... Happy Birthday.”
Julia smiled at her young friend, then lifted a single rose from the box and inhaled the fragrance. She then walked back over to where she’d placed the paperweight. Julia absently stroked her cheek with the soft petals of the rose as she picked up the first gift and once again admired the colors, the play of light.
Yes, she knew from whom the gifts had come. Barnabas. He’d been fascinated by her small collection of Caithness paperweights when he’d spent several evenings in her company, in her apartment, during his stay at Wyndecliffe after the whole Angelique as a vampire escapade. Once Julia had caught Barnabas admiring one of the paperweights, but also regarding her from the corner of his eye. That was months ago – over three years ago. He’d never mentioned the paperweights again and Julia had thought he’d forgotten or lost interest.
Hearing footsteps in the foyer, Julia looked up, expecting it to be Carolyn, returning with the vase. Instead, Barnabas stood in the doorway, watching her.
“Barnabas...” She smiled as she crossed to join him, their gazes meeting and locking. Barnabas reached out to gently take the rose from Julia’s hand, his fingers caressing lightly for a moment.
Julia smiled and said nothing, reaching up to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. Barnabas welcomed the contact, the show of appreciation and affection. He had gradually come to appreciate and delight in Julia’s feelings for him, and better yet, began to return them. He slid his hand around her waist as he stepped closer to accept her kiss.
“Happy Birthday, dear Julia.”
He kissed her cheek, then both stepped away from one another when they heard footsteps in the foyer. Their gazes met briefly, both understanding they were not yet ready to go ‘public’ with their changing relationship. Julia suspected the entire family already knew, but she was content to let Barnabas set the pace.
Carolyn entered the drawing room carrying a crystal vase with enough water in it to keep the roses fresh. She smiled at Barnabas, her eyes twinkling with delight.
“Hello Barnabas. Did you see the wonderful gift Julia received for her birthday?”
“I was just about to show him.”
Barnabas placed the rose in the vase and followed Julia over to the piano. She picked up the paperweight and held it out to Barnabas, who smiled his approval and appreciation.
“Rays of sunshine have been captured in the glass.”
“That’s what I thought too, Barnabas. Someone must care a great deal about Julia, to send her a gift like that.”
Barnabas met Julia’s gaze, neither aware that Carolyn was carefully watching them from the corner of her eye as she saw to the arranging of Julia’s flowers in the vase.
“Indeed, someone must.”
Carolyn ducked her head and smiled widely when she saw the looks Barnabas and Julia exchanged. Her hunch about who had sent Julia the flowers and gift had been right. Both sets of eyes were shining as brightly as the sun when they looked at each other.
“There, finished.”
Carolyn indicated the vase. Julia and Barnabas reluctantly looked away from each other and over to the flowers. Julia smiled happily as she crossed to join Carolyn.
“Thank you, Carolyn. The vase is exquisite.”
“You’re welcome, Julia... Oh, I think I smell coffee. Will you excuse me?”
Carolyn made a discreet exit as Barnabas and Julia once again looked at each other.
“I was about to have breakfast myself, Barnabas. Would you care to join me?”
“That would be lovely, Julia, but I rather hoped you would join me for breakfast.”
He held his hand out to her, and Julia smiled, taking it. Barnabas led her out of the house, back to the Old House, and onto the terrace that caught the morning sun. There a simple breakfast was laid out. Julia smiled with delight.
“Barnabas, it’s been ages since I had a breakfast picnic, in the sunshine.”
He helped Julia with her chair, then sat opposite her.
“Then we shall have to make an effort to do so more often.”
Julia smiled and met Barnabas’ gaze across the table. He had brought the sunshine to her heart as well. She found she no longer minded that the day was her birthday, and was anxious to learn what other possibilities existed for Barnabas and herself, in the sunshine.