Once Upon a Rooftop, Part II

Once Upon a Rooftop

Part Two

The Lamplighter has a reputation for excellent food as well as a romantic ambience. An attractive brass and iron lantern with a candle inside is attached to the wall by every table. Potted trees and ferns are situated to give diners an illusion of privacy. As I walk into the dimly-lit foyer, Sam rises from a bench to take my arm. He smiles at me.

“I’m glad you came,” he says.

We follow the hostess to a table and Sam orders for us. Chicken vol-au-vent. While we wait for the main course, I nibble on celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese and drink black coffee. Sam asks questions.

Surprised at how easy he is to talk to and even more surprised that I don’t mind his inquisitiveness, I tell him all about my dream of one day having my very own wood stove shop downtown and gradually renovating the hundred year old house I love. I explain that somehow my appreciation of  fireplaces is tied up with my belief that a wood-burner warms the heart as well as the home. I even tell him about Brad and Sylvia and Brad’s renigging on our engagement as well as our business partnership.

The waitress brings our food. I am famished and the chicken is delicious. I chew and swallow and finish my sad story of lost love and illusive dreams by saying, “So now, I’m not going to be able to keep up with business, with the actual cleaning, phone calls, and bookkeeping. Of course, I’ll have to give up my house and find something cheaper. My mother wants to include me as a partner in her dress shop. That would be the sensible, safe thing to do.”

Sam reaches across the table and covers my cold hand with his warm one. “You are a fascinating person, Sally Grant. I’m afraid I’m not much impressed with Brad’s intelligence.”

I scoot my hand out from under his and raise my coffee cup. “What about you? Are you a doctor or a minister or some other counselor with a knack for listening? Oh, I know! You are a lost traveler who just happened to wander into Elmdale by mistake.”

He laughs. “I came to Elmdale on purpose. I’ve taken a leave of absence from my teaching position in Oklahoma City. Elmdale is a quiet little town, or so I thought. I had visions of a peaceful street where I wouldn’t be interrupted while working on a book that I hope to publish. I had no idea Spring Street is synonymous with motorcycles and kids playing basketball.

I grin. “Or misplaced chimney sweeps?”

We eat in silence for a few minutes then I ask, “What are you writing about?”

“Oh, it’s just one of those boring books about the effects of a changing society on the working person. I don’t expect the book will ever make me rich.”

“But it’s your dream, Sam,” I say, noticing the light in his eyes when he speaks of writing. “Everyone needs a dream. Of course, sometimes dreams have to be traded in but maybe I won’t mind working in my mother’s store that much. It’s just that I like to be out in the open, on top of roofs where I can see forever and I had such hopes of restoring my beautiful old house.”

“I worked my way through the university by helping a carpenter,” Sam tells me. “Could you use the expertise of a building pro? I would love to help restore a house like yours.”

“Why bother if I have to move?” I ask.

“Never say die, Sally. Something good may happen yet. I have an idea.”

The upshot of Sam’s idea is that he will come to my house Saturday armed with willing muscles to help give my home a face lift. As we leave The Lamplighter, I feel the first stirrings of hope. Maybe I won’t have to move out of that antique of a house. At least, not yet.

The rest of the week passes quickly and business is brisk. At last Saturday dawns, crisp and perfect. I have just finished toast and coffee when I hear a knock at the door. Sam stands on my front porch wearing a red sweatshirt, blue jeans that hug his slim legs, and a lop-sided grin. The morning sun picks out a reddish strand in his black hair.  He has a tool chest in his hand.

“Morning, Sally,” he says. “Your handyman is here to restore this wonderful house of yours.”

How strange that my heartbeat quickens and I find myself smiling into those amazingly blue eyes.

(To Be Continued)