Never is an Awfully Long Time

The Party

Wendy

Wendy used to really enjoy her birthday parties, but now she dreaded them. How could she celebrate her life when each year was just proof that she was growing up? Eighteen. Eighteen years completely gone.

This birthday party was extra dreadful. 

Over the past few years, Mr. Darling’s position at the bank had vastly improved; he was now the financial advisor to the bank’s president. One of the perks of being close to the president was access to properties that the company owned, such as the building where Wendy’s party was being held. It was directly across the bank and only a few blocks down from Wendy’s home.

 The decorations and interior design of the room were very well put together. The bank’s interns had spent almost all day hanging streamers and lights around the room to make it seem as welcoming and festive as possible. A beautiful chandelier hung down from the center of the ceiling, producing a magnificent glow throughout the space. Wendy had to admit that even though she wasn’t in the mood to have a party, the setting was absolutely beautiful and her spirit was slightly lifted when she stepped through the threshold.

Wendy was also completely taken back by the amount of people that were somehow taking up almost every inch of floor space. There were some people she knew and some people that she had never seen in her entire life; she assumed they were father’s colleagues.

Many of the guests clapped and shouted cheers of excitement at Wendy when she walked in. She only had a moment to catch her breath when several of her friends from school rushed over to admire her attire for the evening. Hands reached out to feel her hair, her pendant, the fabric and lace of her gown. It was all very overwhelming and Wendy was sure she was going to suffocate amidst the commotion but luckily, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her from the cramped circle that had been engulfing her. As soon as they were out of the clear, Wendy caught her breath and glanced at the face of her rescuer.

“Oh! William…” Wendy was surprised to see the face of William Quiller Couch, the grandson of Mr. Darling’s boss, Sir Edward. William went to Wendy’s school and was in many of her classes before they graduated and received their marks that would help them in the real world. Wendy had not spoken to him since leaving school at the end of term, but when she saw him, she still found him as handsome as he had always been. William was only a year older than Wendy, but he much taller and had a masculine build to him. He had curly, light blond hair that fell to his ears and just passed his hazel eyes and a strong face that Wendy believed the great Michelangelo must have sculpted. 

Wendy did not realize that she had been staring at William like a little girl until his eyebrows rose in confusion as he waited for Wendy to say something else. 

“Ummm…I…” Surely he thought she was an idiot seeing as she couldn’t even put a proper sentence together.

“Forgive me, Miss Darling.” He began in his sweet, smooth voice. “I did not mean to pull you away from your guests but your expression led me to believe that you needed saving from their malicious hands.”

“Your intentions are honorary for I don’t know how I could have survived without your heroic deeds.” She said as she smiled and let out a small chuckle.

The corners of William’s mouth rose as he looked down at his feet, anxiously. “I could never leave you to fend for yourself.” 

At this, Wendy broke out into a full on laugh. “I’m completely helpless.” She said, stepping back and holding up her dress in a curtsy, “And I am forever in your debt, dear William.” She continued to giggle as she rose.

Refusing to break his grin, William stepped back and made his bow to her as she did to him. Before straightening up, he grabbed her left hand and kissed the top causing Wendy’s cheeks to burn and turn red.