Lilacs Forever

Chapter 6: The Last to Leave

Delilah rushed to the elevator. "Alyce, aren't you coming?" she asked as she looked behind her.

"I thought you were inviting your neighbors," Alyce responded, a little confused.

"I mean... if you're not busy. You did help me plan, so why wouldn't you be a part of it?"

Alyce's eyes lit up.

"I'm formally inviting you to my housewarming party," Delilah started, "you can have some of my cooking too..."

"Well, I know I can't turn that down."

They went down the elevator together, Alyce drove them.

—-

The house party started at seven. A few days beforehand, Delilah and Alyce went from door to door to give the news and even posted a flier on the bulletin in the lobby. The first couple who arrived were probably in their 70s, the first person Delilah saw was a sweet old lady with short silver hair in a bob cut. She wore a floral dress with a knitted sweater over it. Her husband had small glasses and a bushy mustache. Delilah noticed that he had an old newspaper boy's hat. He was holding a tray of cookies and presented it to her.

"Why hello there, young lady," the old lady said. "Delilah, was it?"

She saw Alyce let in another elderly couple. Her heart started to pound like crazy, she wasn't used to inviting so many people besides family and friends. Well, they were her neighbors so she'll get to know them eventually, for now they were strangers.

Delilah turned to the old lady she was talking to. "What are your names?" She asked her.

"I am Molly, and this is my husband George. The couple that just came in are Barbara and Harold."

"Well nice to meet you, Molly and George. I'm not used to talking to so many people so I hope you don't mind me..."

"Well you're gonna have to get used to the attention young lady, you're the star of the show today" Molly winked.

"O-oh, that's right I did invite you after all... sorry..."

"That's quite alright. Cheer up, dear, you didn't do anything wrong."

Delilah didn't know why, but listening to Molly was very comforting. Maybe it was because she reminded her of her own grandmother.

"A-anyway, do a lot of people live around here? It's a lot quieter than back home in California."

"Wow, you're from California? That's all the way on the other side of the country!" Barbara commented. Delilah didn't know she was listening.

"It's quiet here because most of the people are elderly. Most of the residents don't leave their apartments. The only other young person here is Jacob Sheridan."

Delilah remembered the man she bumped into a few days before. "O-oh, that Jacob?"

"There's only one Jacob here," Molly smiled.

She heard a knock on the door. When she opened it she was met with a tall, slender young man with thick rectangular glasses. He wore a yellow, plaid shirt and suspenders. He also wore a blue bow tie, which stood out like his messy black hair and cornflower blue eyes. That must be Jacob.

"Look who's here!" Barbara gushed. Jacob was holding a vase of beautiful purple flowers.

"Sorry I'm late," he said as if he was out of breath. "I had some students make up a lab so I left the school a lot later than I usually do. I hope you don't mind!"

"Something tells me you weren't just helping students with their lab, you went to get last minute flowers for Delilah!" Barbara teased playfully.

"Well, I was on my way but I needed to bring something for the party. I saw a flower shop and found these," he said, presenting the flowers. "Your name sounded like lilacs so I immediately thought of you when I saw them".

"Aww that's so sweet of you!" Delilah blushed, this was the first time a man gave her flowers.

Jacob gave a nervous laugh. He reminded Delilah of a bird that way, but she liked it anyway. It was nervous but a nice laugh.

"You said you were helping your students with lab, are you a teacher?"

"High school chemistry teacher at your service," he said with a bow. Delilah felt a grin slowly creeping on her face. He looked clumsy but had a sense of humor to make up for it. She wished she had those qualities.

Alyce was busy talking to the elderly couples but Delilah noticed them looking at her from time to time. Their voices were hushed so she was afraid that they were talking behind her back. But why would they do that at her own housewarming party? She decided to take Alyce's advice, it's probably better she doesn't think that way.

But she heard along the lines of "I think they're perfect" and "they look so cute together ". Her face burned, flushed red despite her olive toned skin. Were they playing matchmaker with her and Jacob? But he was the first man outside of the work setting she's ever talked to. He was funny, and admittedly cute, Delilah blushed just thinking about it. Was he really cute? Delilah couldn't help but think, he really was. But she just met him so she didn't know him too well. Don't get ahead of yourself, Delilah, she thought.

"So where did you move from?" Jacob asked. His voice sounded like tiny silver bells swaying in the wind, it was light and clear and nice to hear.

"California."

"Wowza, I've never been there! What's it like?"

"Well, it's definitely warmer than here," Delilah chuckled.

"Yeah, it can get pretty cold here, and our blizzards get pretty bad. But it's like an adventure."

"Snow... I've been to the mountains sometimes, but it usually doesn't snow in LA."

"Winter's nice, but you better bundle up! It's also a pain to warm up the car, and don't even think about the delays that happen when the streets aren't plowed."

"Good thing I don't have a car, it sounds like a lot of work."

"Speaking of work, do you work in the city?"

"Y-yes, I'm a secretary at West Enterprise."

"Cool! I teach in town so I don't go to the city much. I only go there for errands and to the library. Do you like to read?"

Delilah's heart skipped a beat. She did like to read, It was like an escape for her. When times were tough she would daydream about the stories she's read. She imagined herself in the heroine's place, meeting with the characters. She stopped herself, she shouldn't get too carried away, she was talking to someone. Was he like her?

"I love to read." Delilah smiled. She hoped she didn't look stupid in front of him.

"Want me to show you around the library? I know the way, we can take the bus there."

"R-really? I'd love to!" It was just getting better and better. What were the chances she would meet someone kind and funny, and a little cute. Not to mention, someone who loved reading books too.

"Does next Saturday work for you? I'm a bit busy this weekend, my students had a test this week and I have to grade their papers."

"S-sure, no problem at all! Thank you!"

He smiled at her. He had a nice smile. "I know I just met you but I hope we can be good friends."

Delilah's heart raced. She had to take a breath so she wouldn't fumble with her own words.

"I'd love to be friends with you"

They talked on and on about what they liked, what they didn't like, what it was like at work, and even the little things like the weather and good places nearby to eat at. By then, everyone had gone home, turns out they've been talking for hours. Jacob was the last to leave.