Secrets and Rendezvous

Chapter 5: Christmas and Kisses

Two weeks after the diner incident it's finally winter break and now Betty and I have two whole weeks to hang out and be together. We decided we would do our christmas shopping together the day after school got out. As we walked down the chilly New York streets we looked through the bright shop windows and sipped on hot chocolate.

Betty stares wide eyed through shop windows that I've passed millions of times. "Judith! They have a christmas tree in the window!" She squeals and presses her face flush against the window. "Have you never seen a christmas tree before?" I chuckle. She blushes and peels herself off the window "Never one in a store! Can we go in, Judith?" I smile warmly, walk to the door and hold it open for her "Youth before beauty." I say. She laughs and her eyes sparkle as she says "I'm older than you silly!" But she still walks through the door I'm holding open.

Inside, the warm shop smells of lavender and oranges. The shop is filled with antiques such as mirrors, art, clothes and even jewelry. While Betty scans through the art pieces I look through the glass case at the old jewelry. It has rings, lockets, pendants, bracelets and pearls.

They all look elegant and they all sparkle except for one unpolished bracelet. It looks to be a plain silver chain that hasn't been polished in years. Parts of the silver look washy and are covered with black gunk. I look up at the salesman and ask to see it. He seems surprised but grabs it for me anyway.

As I take a closer look I realise it's a 20s style bracelet that has an almost floral look and diamonds resting softly in the silver. "How much?" I ask him. He names his price, I pay and I place the bracelet in my purse. I walk over to Betty who is now looking at the boots. "Find anything?" I ask. She jumps slightly and says she's ready to go.

After shopping and walking for hours we head back to my house with our bags. Mother is sitting on the couch in the living room reading Edgar Allan Poe, our favorite poet. "Oh! Hello Betty dear! Did you find anything worthwhile?" I look at Betty and respond "If I told you what I got you it wouldn't be a surprise on christmas now would it?" Mother rolls her eyes and waves us away.

After Betty gets picked up I unpack my shopping bags and lay everything out. A hat for mother that I need to add a ribbon to and a new chain for fathers pocket watch. I remember the bracelet in my purse and pull that out as well. I walk to the living room and ask mother to borrow the silver polish. I grab a cloth and the polish and head back to my room.

I sit at my vanity and polish the silver bracelet. I wipe the grime away until it shines and sparkles even brighter than fathers watch chain. I hold it up to the light and look at the lilypad shaped diamonds woven into the delicate chain. It would make the perfect gift for Betty.

I invited Betty over on christmas eve, the night of fathers christmas party. The adults get together, eat, drink and show off their wives. I wrapped Bettys bracelet the week before in a velvet box and tied a white satin ribbon on it. On christmas eve Betty and I make popcorn and place Bing Crosby's Christmas Album on the phonograph. We dance, sing and eat popcorn all evening.

After awhile I turn the volume down and we sit on the couch and cuddle. Betty suddenly jumps up and runs to her purse, grabbing a long, thin leather jewelry box. She sits down and faces me with an embarrassed look on her face.

"I hope you like it." She mumbles as she shoves the box towards me. I flip the clasp and open the box. Laying softly in the velvet sits a thin silver chain with miniature emeralds sitting softly in the chain. The evenly spread emeralds sparkle under the lamplight. I look up at Betty who's nervously biting her lip and wringing her hands. I lean forward and place my lips softly against hers.

In one hand I hold the box with the beautiful emerald and silver necklace, and in the other Bettys chin as I hold her face and kiss her. As we kiss I notice she tastes like salt and chocolate. She tastes like christmas. Her hands push against my shoulders as she breathlessly asks "So I guess that means you like it?" I smile and pull away. "I love it!" I pull it from the box and clasp the necklace on. "How does it look?" I ask her. She blushes and smiles at me. "Perfect."

Finally it's my turn to give Betty her gift. I rush to my room and back to the living room within seconds. I plop down on the couch breathless once again. Except this time it wasnt due to a tantalizing kiss. I hand Betty the velvet box and hold my breath as she pulls the satin bow and opens it. I can tell when she sees it because a soft gasp rushes past her full lips.

She lifts the shining bracelet from the box, holding it to the light to see it sparkle. The bracelet reflects the light from the lamp all over her face. She stares at me shocked. "How expensive was this?" I roll my eyes as I grab the bracelet from her hand, unclasp it and place it on her delicate wrist. I leave a kiss behind on her knuckles and trace lines over hand with my fingertip.

"I got you this for christmas darling. The price does not matter as long as you like it. Do you like it?" She stammers for a moment before her words finally catch up with her tongue, "Of course I like it Judith, it's beautiful and it came from you so-" I cut her off with a kiss. My lips trail from her mouth to her chin, up her jaw and down her neck. Once my lips softly caress her neck she whimpers slightly and sits up.

"I saw your mother was reading Edgar Allan Poe last week. Would you read to me Judith?" Bashfully, I get up and grab the book from the mantel and start reading Annabel Lee. "It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know, By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought, Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee— With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven, Coveted her and me."

I pause and look at MY Annabel Lee. Betty...My lovely, sweet, and darling Betty. My secret love, my passion, my equal. The guiding light in my life. I was a ship heading for the rocks and she was the lighthouse, saving me and guiding me. I was a prisoner of her love. I love her!

By the time I stumble upon this realization Betty is staring at me like I've gone mad. "Judith? Why did you stop?" I let out a gasp as I'm pulled back to reality. I had to tell her! How did I not realize I love her until now! After almost four months of risking our lives! "Betty, you must know that..." I pause and take a shaky breath. "You Betty are my Annabel Lee. And I love you eternally and forever."

Her jaw falls open and her face turns a beautiful shade of pink. She doesn't seem to be breathing..."Betty darling? Breathe." She takes a shaky breath in and lets it out. She stares at me and tears well in her eyes. "What did I say wrong Betty? Please tell me!" She looks pained and heartbroken. "You didn't say or do anything wrong Judith! I'm the one who messed up! I can't stay here any longer!" She darts up, grabs her coat and shoes and runs out the front door into the snow.

I run out the door barefoot and chase her to the end of the walk. I grab her arm and pull her to me. The snow swirls around us so thickly we can't even see past our noses. Knowing no one would see us I crush my mouth to hers and kiss her...and kiss her. At first she tried to push me away but after a minute she melted in my arms. Without thinking twice I sweep her up in my arms and carry her bridal style back into the house.

I close the front door after setting her down on her feet. She sobs quietly as she takes her coat and shoes off. "Judith I have to tell you about my past. The real reason my family moved to New York..."

A/N I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please comment, follow, vote and share if you like what you're reading and want more of it! I love you all! xx Birdy Si