Eternal love

PROLOGUE

  She was pretty. Without any doubt. She was slim and rather tall, with dark brown, long, curly hair and almond shaped, big, green eyes. When you looked into those two emeralds, shining like the brightest stars, you could see how they darkened or glowed with her inner light, depending on how her mood changed. She had small, amaranth lips and a little, cute nose. Her complexion was soft, smooth. Her skin tone was darker and more olive coloured than this of other kids in the neighbourhood. She was nineteen and had just started a new job in a small antique shop. Her boss was a short elderly man. His silver hair was always carefully combed. He had kind, brown eyes, but there was a bit of sadness at the very bottom of them. He treated her very kindly, as if she was his own granddauther. He loved listening to old records, reading books and petting his seven cats. His wife died years ago but he loved her very much and still was in mourning.

   One day, when she was at the back of the shop, dusting books and listening to „My way" by Frank Sinatra that had been put on a record player by the old man, the bell at the door rang and her boss, Mr. Bennett, called- Corrina, would you mind bringing me a copy of Goethe's „The sorrows of young Werther"?

-I'm coming!- she called back. -Just a second, please.

She searched a big, oaken bookstand and finding what she wanted, hurried back to the store.

-Here Mr. Bennett- she said, handing him the old book.

-Thank you- he handed it to a young man standing in front of the counter. -That'd be 10$, sir.

The customer was rather short and skinny. His brown, curly hair was a mess. He had a crooked, biggish nose and oval, piercing, blue eyes, that scanned the room all the time. He was wearing a light blue, denim shirt, tucked into navy blue jeans and a pair of brown, cowboy boots.

The boy payed for the book, smiling at her in the process, what made her blush slightly. He said ''Thank you!'' and hurried to the door, but stopped in the middle of opening it. He turned around, looking slightly ashamed.

-I nearly forgot- he said quietly. -Do you have any records for sale?

-Yes, of course!- the older man said. -Corrina will show you what we've got. I have to take care of the papers. If you excuse me- and with that he went to the office.

She smiled nervously and said- Follow me, please.

   She led him to the furthest part of the store and opened the curtain that hid five tall, heavy bookstands. He nearly gasped at the sight of so many records gathered in one place. She giggled at the sight of him standing there in awe and cough quietly to get his attention. He snapped out of his trance and blushing lightly, looked at her.

-So. Are you looking for something specific? Jazz, modern pop, swing, skiffle, rock 'n' roll...- she asked.

-Actually... Do you have any Hank Williams records?

-Hank Williams?- she said in disbelief.

He was one of her favourite musicians. Her friends always made fun of her because of that and she'd never met another fan of his work.

-So?- he asked.

-Oh! Of course we've got his records!- she exclaimed. -I'm a big fan of his- she added, smiling sweetly.

She started to rummage through the shelves and soon found a few records. All the time, the boy was looking at her with his crystal blue eyes, deep in thought.

She straightened herself up and handed him a few records.

-Here- she said. -Personally, I love this one- she pointed to one of the albums.

-"I saw the light"- he read out loud. -That's a good one.

She smiled and nodded.

-I'm Bob. Bob Dylan- he said, extending his hand.

-Corrina. Corrina Wise- she said, shaking his hand.

-It's nice to meet you Corrina- he gave her a grin that made her insides melt.

-So... What such a pretty bird is doing in a place like this?- he asked with a glint in his eye.

She looked at him. Her face fell.

-"Oh no!"- she thought to herself. -"He can't be another jerk that acts as if he likes the same stuff as you and after you get close, leaves you for another girl."

He saw disappointment in her eyes and quickly said- Hey! I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm just not good with girls and find it hard to ask a beauty like you out, properly- he mentally kicked himself.

-"Great Bob! Now you're definitely going to get her!"- he thought sarcastically.

-I'm sorry. I'll better go now- he said and turned on his heel. -But actually- he turned around- I'll take this record- he pointed to her favourite album.

She nodde and motioned for him to go back to the counter.

-That'd be 12$- she said and he paid her.

She wrapped the record in a brown paper and handed it to him. He thanked her, said goodbye and left the shop.

   When he came back home, he immediately unwrapped his purchase. He noticed a small piece of green paper, lying on the floor.

-"What is it?"- he thought.- ''It must have fallen out of the record."

He picked it up. There was something scribbled on it.

-Call me, 111 222 333- he read out loud.

He smiled happily and started to dance around the room. He picked up his black, fluffy, green eyed cat and hugging it he shouted excitedly- Mr. Darcy, she doesn't think I'm a weirdo! I'll call her right away!

The cat looked at him with big, fearful eyes. Bob skipped to his phone, sat down, put the cat on his lap and dialled the number. He waited for a while, until he heard a sweet voice.

-Yes?

-Hi Corrina, it's me, Bob- he said smiling.- You know, the weirdo from the shop. You still remember me?- he asked a bit worried.

-Hi Bob! Of course I remember you- she laughed. - You already miss me?- she laughed even more.

He blushed. He was glad she couldn't see him right now.

-I just wanted to hear your voice- he said in a dreamy manner. He heard her giggle through the phone. He realised what he had just said and his face became crimson.

-Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to say that! I mean I did but...- he quickly tried to explain himself.

-It's all right- she giggled.- It was actually quite nice.

-Listen. I was wondering... Would you like to go somewhere with me?- he asked nervously, praying for her to say ''yes". But he heard nothing. It was quiet on the other side of the phone. He stopped breathing and waited. After a few painful seconds she finally spoke.

-With pleasure- she said and he sighed in relief.

-Great! So maybe tell me your address and I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7pm?

-Uh, sure. It's Rocky Road 7. The doorbell doesn't work, so please knock.

-Ok. I will.

-See you tomorrow, Bob- she said and hung up.

The short man smiled to himself and petted the purring cat.

-Mr. Darcy, I've got a date. With the most beautiful creature that ever walked the Earth.

The animal looked at him sceptically.

-I know you think you're the prettiest, mate- he laughed- but that girl is special.

He got up and put on his newly bought record. He lied down on the couch and soon drifted off to sleep with a grin spread on his face and a cat, happily purring on his chest.