Vivienne heard the grating of bird song. No one was more sweet sound of the afternoon before. Although the trees that shade projects to light, crossed by the rays of sun, the garden that twenty-four hours before seemed full of life and of hope was now a place deserted and sad.
Haroun took Robert to the room. Trent was sitting next to Vivienne. Continuing the conversation that had started some minutes before, she noted:
“It's a miracle! Robert looked so ill that I thought the worst. Trent agreed, and said:
“I knew a little of what was going. Some time ago, the doctors said to me that perhaps Rob could heal him. Asked permission to try a new treatment. Warned me that it would be very violent and there was no guarantee of results.
When I heard it, something came to mind of Vivienne.
“On the day we went to Tetuan! “She turned to him. “That morning, you stayed too long in hospital.
“Yeah! “Trent agreed. “I said nothing at the time, or later, because the treatment could not go right.
Vivienne has a butterfly opening its wings to a rock, making up the sun that remained, and he reminded herself, as commented:
“The doctors must have been very happy.
“There is no doubt that I will be eternally grateful to Paul Lazare and Georges Mame. Rob took a very expensive clinics, and yet unknown two doctors from a small hospital that is able to cure it. Will not be easy, but find a way to reciprocate.
“You want to something special? “She asked, noting that they were talking mechanically.
“Well, I can donate equipment ... things. “Get up, Trent got on your arm, and with the same feeling of the inevitable, they came. Vivienne was wondering, with a knot in my throat, it could be someone you feel totally happy and painfully sad at the same time. They had to protect Robert's true. There was no escape.
The field of sketch was abandoned. Exercise that Robert was in the past had been recommended to assist the treatment. But now I was going through a long recovery period, he had to rest. The sun had become too hot next to the pool and there is more than a week had passed the afternoon of climbing down, beside the house.
The grass was yellow. Although wet day, seemed to suffer the heat and Vivienne, looking at the chair, compared the situation of grass with his glory in decline. It seemed that she had left to live the day that helped women Berbers in the orchard. Still moving, smiling, talking and helping as I could. But it was at times like this, when looking at
Trent, so close and yet so distant it, when he knew he was close enough to touch it, but extended his hand, that the pain became unbearable.
Robert was in a wheelchair near them, browsing books of poetry. He was happy and that was all that mattered. But would it? Vivienne Trent and had not his life?
Robert was swinging his head.
“You will not ever, Vivi! “She was trying to repeat the verse he recited. If I knew how difficult it was! “So that has to be. “He read the words with feeling:
“I love it with the passion aroused by my old pain, and the faith of my childhood. “You now.
Vivienne began with a joke:
“I love it with a love that I have with my lost saints ... “She hesitated, and then a voice behind them said:
“I love it with the breath, the smiles, the tears of all my life and if God permits, I love it better after death.
All were in silence. These words simply said, with a spontaneous sincerity, produced a strange effect. Vivienne turned up slowly. Then, lifting up, exclaimed:
“Lucy!
The figures that was standing near it.
“Hello, I lived! I heard your voice. I spent two weeks on holiday in Tangiers and decided to come visit you. You do not mind, right?
Vivienne was stunning. Lucy in Tanger! She was no longer grow hair, which fell on his shoulders now. Was wearing a summer dress very elegant and it had a kind of brightness. Outside the letter, of course. Vivienne was sure. The letter said that provided that Robert would not die. Lucy dear! Happiness as a torch to illuminate, making his face almost beautiful.
Well, nobody is offering a chair for the lady? “Robert looked a fascinated, if this was lost in the final words of the poem. Vivienne dared not look at Trent, but felt that he sought his eyes, confused. She made the presentations, smiling a little nervous.
“This is Lucy Miles, a friend of mine from England. Lucy, this is Robert Colby. And this is his brother, Trent.
Trent, which had been raised to get a chair, close to: “Nice to meet you, Lucy.
Robert has bad time for her to feel.
“Where did you learn to recite well? You must have read those words a hundred times to be able to recite them without a single wrong syllable.
“Well, we know very well that poetry “Lucy admitted. Smiling. “It is very easy. “She opened the bag, taking a leather bound book. “I have all the Brownings poems that I read whenever I want.
“Wow! “Robert picked up the book, leaves you impressed. “Never seen anything like it. “He looked at the thick volumes at the next table. “This is how I read poetry. I did not know that there were these booklets.
“It is on sale “the Brownings are a couple of great poets of the last century “Lucy said, adding cautiously: “If you like, you can keep it.
“I can accept! “He looked, then said with an anxious smile: “Looking good, can do an exchange. I have editions of pocket like this, but I have a biography of the Brownings. And I will tell you that I also have: a very old copy of Browning poems. It has a signature
on the first page and the cover is engraved in gold. Trent said to be very valuable. “I would see him “said Lucy, timidly.
“You will see, yes “Robert seemed excited. Then exclaimed: “We are not offering anything to our trip! How about making a tea or something?
Vivienne stood up quickly. “Of course! I see myself.
“Do not bring that business to mint, Vivi. “Robert interfere “I think Lucy would prefer a good English tea.
“Looks great “the response was sensitive, while Vivienne ran to the side door of the house. Haroun was dozing. Momeen was in the Casbah with his wife and children and Maurice had not yet arrived. Therefore, had to fix everything yourself.
Prepared a tray with cups, then filled a dish with thin slices of bread and butter and one with the cookies from that found in Maurice crown. After the boiled water, filled the large pot of silver and took everything out.
When he arrived, Robert and Lucy chatted merrily.
“No, it was Elizabeth who first appeared in English literature. The first poems of her husband were very difficult and did not draw the attention of anyone.
“Yes, but that was before getting married. Do not forget that Elizabeth Barrett was six years older than Browning. His talent was recognized later, that's all.
“Yes, but in the fifteen years I spent in Italy, Elizabeth wrote a lot. “Still, Browning is today considered the best poet of the two.
Trent came to get the tray, and this time, his eyes met those of Vivienne. There was a curious glow. The conversation continued and she served the tea. When finished the food, consumed mostly by Robert, had agreed that Elizabeth Browning was now less well known than her husband.
Vivienne placed the cups in the tray and Lucy, his face stained, stood up and said timidly:
“Well, I think I need to go. I arrived this morning and neither the litter bags.
“But, and books? “Robert the look, his face a bit too colored. “A biography. If desired, can also lend the other. I would get it if it were not so stuck.
“He took the arms of the wheelchair. “You know, just for some more time. In a few weeks, I will say goodbye to her forever.
“I know where are the books. “Vivienne has offered. “And maybe Lucy please go to my room to cool a bit before leaving.
“Good idea! “Robert smiled.
Vivienne has accompanied. None of them spoke up as the stairs, but after that the door of the room is closed, all pretense is gone.
“Lucy! “Vivi!
They embraced, then moved away, laughing at each other. Lucy was the first to speak: “You're beautiful, Vivi! Maybe a little more lean, but lost that air severe.
“And you, then? “Vivienne smiled. Looked for the elegant dress and the hair combed and the friend, exclaimed: “Does this really is my friend Lucy Miles?
Lucy seemed happy, including:
“Dad is receiving assistance from the government to take care of the farm, so now that things are not so difficult at home. I received your letter just before. After the read, I
came here immediately. Vivienne stopped smiling.
“It was not easy to get along with Robert.
“But he did not suspect anything, do you? “Lucy wanted to know. “Sure “Vivienne replied.
“Never mind “said Lucy with simplicity. “Nothing matters now that he'll be good. “Come on, girls! “The voice of Robert came out. “What do you talk so much?
They smile. Lucy has been putting as Vivienne get the books in the left wing of the house, then fell, coming together on the terrace. Robert had been with his wheelchair. Haroun and Trent were arriving. Lucy holding the book with letters of gold. Browsing it with all due respect, commented:
“It is a marvel. Are you sure you want to trust me a book so rare? “I have the impression that you could trust my life, Lucy “Robert joked. She smiled tentatively, muttered:
“Promise to take great care.
Vivienne would ask for the friend how she would go back to the hotel, when Lucy said, hesitating:
“Does anyone could call a taxi?
“A taxi? “Robert back in the wheelchair. “We can not let her get a taxi. There is, Trent? Trent shook his shoulders, well-tempered.
“Abdul is done washing the car. He can take Lucy. “He said something to Haroun, who is running away.
As expected, Lucy looked at the road, commenting: “The place is beautiful. Those must be very old cedars.
“We have some older even than the pool “said Robert by his side. “You can not see them here, but they do we will have to sit at your shade with a book.
The car appeared, stopping in front of the house. Abdul, always impassive, went to open the door.
Once Lucy Abdul came and closed the door to the car, Robert noted:
“You will not invite her friend to come visit us again, Vivi? She can come whenever you want, is not, Trent?
“Of course. The friends of Vivienne are always welcome “Trent replied with a smile. Robert turned to look forward to the open window, adding, as the probe:
“That is, if you do not have other plans ...
“I spend fifteen days here and I have nothing special to “said Lucy, his face illuminated. Shake their hand and they were waving until the car disappeared from view, a curve, then returned home. Haroun pushed the wheelchair by a ramp alongside the steps of marble, and while crossing the arches, Robert said dreamily, as if talking to himself: “Imagine! She recited one poem as if it had been done to her.
“Imagine! “Trent said, with voice fun.
Lucy returned the next day, just after lunch. After becoming a bit near the pool, Robert wanted to know everything she was.
“I would show you the cedars. You're seeing those palm trees? We thitherward. Vivienne stood up. Would get a wheelchair, when asked Lucy, with diffidence: “Can I try?
some things to do in my room. Dropped everything lately, but now I take you here. “She let, smiling.
The room went through a real earthquake. In the days that followed, she arranged the drawers, washed their clothes, poliu the mirrors and the furniture and put up the curtains of damascus to aerate. Robert and Lucy spent the afternoon beside the pool, or were sitting together, beneath the ancient cedars. Sometimes, by source close to the palm or examined the foliage around the flag.
The terrace covered with climbing plants of the field before the sketch was desert. Often Vivienne and Trent were sitting watching the yachts and fishing boats in the blue bay. Once, when it raised the same time to enter, almost touched it. It would have been easy, then transfer to magnetic force that drew so much.
The summer heat and spread his days were perfumed by fruit that ripens in the orchard. On the last evening of vacation Lucy, went to the beauty salon that gave to the arches. Robert was in a wheelchair near the door. Vivienne was sitting on the couch income preaching in a handkerchief. Trent had just come.
Robert, given the noise of steps, seemed uneasy and embarrassed, as if to say something. Finally, he had courage.
“Vivi ... need to talk to you about the day we came back from hospital. What I said ... was more or less an impulse of the moment. But we must not rush things ... well, you know ... as marriage.
“Of course not, Robert. I understand “Vivienne said, continuing to embroider. After a moment, said with a smile on his lips: “Since then, much has changed. Lucy came e. .. “We like her a lot. At least, when we see it “Trent entered the conversation, speaking of cold fireplace. “It is a pity that today is the last afternoon of Lucy.
Robert was red, then said with an air of relief, seeking to control the excitement that was in his voice:
“You can not. She thinks that the father would stay longer in Tangiers, then wants me to know his home in Ayleshurst. She lives on a farm. Look what a coincidence!
“What small world! “Trent said.
Suddenly, Robert is animated, and screamed:
It's her! “And, barely looking at them, he added: “You do not care I go? “He took the ramp beside the steps with all speed, calling: “Lucy! Stay where you are. See how well the maneuver a wheelchair!
Shortly after, the sound of voices and laughter began to diminish.
The silence of the room was marked by the singing of birds outside and the ticking of the clock in porcelain fireplace. Vivienne continued preaching income, temples throb with the effort to stay quiet. Finally, he had to raise the head and by doing so, met the eyes of Trent waiting for you.
They were so for some time after he drew with his deep voice: “Come here.
Obedient, Vivienne put aside his work and stood up, but not felt across the room. It was as if the arms of Trent in the same instant, with his lips kissing her hot. Give, finally, after those weeks of torture, having been so long away from each other, was out of a hell. There was nothing to control that first hug free of all concerns. Nothing to prevent the force of their emotions. Not Vivienne wanted. Trent which was finally lifted his head, saying with a laugh doddery:
“We sit down?
They turned, embraced, for the couch. Vivienne recline the head on the shoulder of Trent. After a moment, he asked, looking at the room:
“What do you think of living between French antiques?
“The house is very beautiful, but a little oppressive “Vivienne said, smiling.
“I bought a French diplomat. I put some more pieces Moroccan and thought it was getting well, but still needs a feminine touch. “He kissed the tip of the nose of Vivienne. “We can get some furniture and some smaller pieces “she suggested.
“Vai is great. We also give some feasts. The house is needing more animation. Furthermore, I want Tangiers is full knowing my wife. “His lips sought the ear lobe of Vivienne.
“We need to tell Robert. “She turned to look at it.
“I think he'll be very surprised. “Trent smiled. “He has eyes and is very smart.
“But he does not know the history of letters, or that I came in place of Lucy “Vivienne observed.
“He will eventually find and will not connect either. He loves Lucy and that is what matters.
“They always loved. And that reminds me something. “There was malice in the expression of Vivienne. “I think someone named Trent Colby will have to swallow their words. So cards can not cause a deeper relationship?
Trent capitulated soon.
“I agree with anything with you in my arms. “He has to embrace it. “Ate at me cruelly torment because the casino? “She continued.
Of course! I might irritate it. It was a kind of revenge for what you doing to me. “Oh! And what I was doing with you? “She asked, innocent.
“I was going crazy You slowly. “He hugged harder. “I know what I, seeing it every day in the pool with Rob.
“Something happened to us on the day we went to Tetuan. I also felt. “It followed the line of his chin with a finger.
Trent's eyes are dark.
“I spent a hell, knowing how Robert felt. I tried to expel it from my thoughts of my mind. But you were there, every day, just a kiss away. It was unbearable.
“I got lucky. “Vivienne smiled to remember. “I just thought about Gary. In the beginning was convinced you were a tyrant unbearable.
“That man? “The eyes of Trent made the dark. “I do not bother to count now, but I would have willingly done that night in my office when I thought there was something between you two. Tell me about it.
“There is much to tell. “Vivienne shook shoulders. “I never meant nothing to him. But I thought that loved him. It was good to have found it again. Everything just for once. “In this case, it was good. “He kissed his lips with delicacy.
Recline with your head on the shoulder of Trent, Vivienne said, dreamily: “I was thinking ... We could do a double wedding.
“No way! “The look of Trent was humorous. “Robert will still have to wait several weeks to stay in shape. I am ready. “They were contemplating the ceiling.
“Lucy may be his godmother and Robert will be my godfather. What do you think? “Perfect!
“We spend our honeymoon on the island Tahad? “He suggested after a moment.