Chapter Fourteen

Morning came much too quickly. Bo rolled over and reached for Nora, but her side of the bed was empty. He raised himself up on an elbow and saw her in her robe looking out the tower window.

“Good morning,” she said when she saw his tousled head looking for her.

“Hey Red...I’m feeling lonely over here…” He drew back the blankets and patted the space beside him.

She joined him, and without speaking, he pulled her into his arms. They made love one more time, knowing it was their last time in this faraway hotel room away from the cares of the world.

Bo fingered Nora’s hair as she lay with her head on his chest.

“Well, Mrs. Buchanan, did you enjoy your honeymoon?” he asked.

“It was perfect…just not long enough. I wish we didn’t have to leave...that we could just hide away here forever so they couldn’t take you away from me.”

Bo snuggled her closer and kissed her hair. “Honey...they aren’t taking me away...I volunteered, remember?”

“A technicality,” she said.

“Not really.” Bo sighed. “Listen…” He stopped a moment trying to decide how to proceed. “I really need your help with this. I know the time apart is going to be hard for you...for both of us...it’s hard for me to think of leaving you, but I need to know that you’re going to be alright. I need for you to be strong.”

He looked into her eyes and continued as she peered up at him, “I need you to settle into a routine at the apartment and in your job...and I need you to try to be happy...and, of course, I need you to write to me...and pray for me...for all of us. Can you do that?

She nodded her head silently.

“I would venture a guess,” he said quietly still looking into her eyes, “that this is the most difficult thing you have ever faced in your twenty years.”

She nodded again, tears in her eyes.

“You know what? No one knows their strength, until it’s tested. Now...I don’t know what lies ahead for us, but I do know that we are going to come out stronger on the other side. I believe that...and you need to believe it too.”

Nora rested her head on his shoulder. “I know you’re right,” she said softly, “I’m going to be fine and I can take care of everything; but...I’m gonna miss you like crazy...there's nothing I can do about that..."

He held her close. “Yes, there is...you can look back on all those memories we’ve made...those pictures in your mind that we talked about…that’s what I’m going to do. Think you can do that?”

“Yes,” she said quietly.

“So...what do you say, Mrs. Buchanan? Are you ready to leave this sweet place and venture on through life with me?”

“Yes, I am. So where is this venture through life going to take us first, Mr. Buchanan?” she asked smiling through her tears.

“I think our first stop will be a little apartment above Salvadore’s…are you ready?”

“I’m ready,” she affirmed giving him a kiss.


* * * * * * *

Bo clamoured up the steps suitcases banging against the walls of the narrow staircase. He looked behind him to see Nora lugging a garment bag and a small handbag.

“What are you doing?” he asked. “I told you I could get it.”

“I’m not completely helpless, Buchanan. I carried my own things for twenty years, you know…”

“Looks like I’ve married a stubborn, independent woman…” he mumbled.

“Are you grumbling at me, Mr. Buchanan? We’ve only been married a few days, and I detect grumbling.”

Bo ignored her remarks as he put the suitcases down and fumbled in his pocket for the apartment key. This was the apartment he had shared with Mick. Mick had moved into another vacated apartment across the hall leaving this one for Bo and his new bride. Bo only hoped Mick had left it clean. He opened the door and peeked in...he was impressed to find that Mick had indeed left everything tidy.

“Wait here,” he told Nora slipping in the door with his suitcases. Then he took everything she was carrying inside also before opening the door for her. Before she could enter, Bo scooped her quickly off her feet and into his arms.

“What are you doing?” she exclaimed laughing.

“Tradition...I’m carrying you over the threshold of our new home…”

Before he made his next move, the door of the neighboring apartment opened and a thin, balding man appeared.

“What’s going on out here?!” he shouted. He looked at Bo standing there with Nora in his arms.

“What do you think you’re doing, young man?”

“Well, I…” Bo began. But he was cut off before he could give an explanation.

“Oh...don’t even bother trying to explain this away. I know exactly what you’re doing! And in the middle of the afternoon! Young people nowadays...have no shame...can’t wait til the dark of night...have to flaunt their dirty deeds in public...right in the middle of the daytime! I am appalled! And you, missy!” he said pointing a gnarled finger at Nora, “have you no shame? You’re not...one of those are you? One of those women…” He spat the word ‘women’ as if it was bitter in his mouth. “I won’t stand for this! I’ll be talking to the landlord about this! Mr. Salvadore will put a stop to it. Mark my words, he will!”

By this time Nora had heard enough.

“I beg your pardon! I am not one of ‘those women’! I am Nora Buchanan, a respectable wife of two days to this ‘young man’, as you call him…”

Bo tried to interrupt, “Uh...honey…”

She continued, “We happen to be returning from our honeymoon to our new home where…”

“Nora…” Bo tried again.

…”we will do whatever we please at whatever time we please! And you can talk to Mr. Salvadore if you like, but he’ll be on our side!”

The old man shuffled quickly back into his apartment and slammed the door.

“Of all the nerve!” Nora exclaimed fuming.

Bo stepped over the threshold. Nora had her arms around his neck, but her brow was furrowed.

“You okay now?” Bo asked grinning still holding her in his arms.

She looked at him. Who was that little man? He was so rude. And just what are you grinning at?” she questioned.

“That was Reuven Berkovich, our neighbor...and I’m grinning at you.” Bo shook his head. “I don’t know what I was worried about. You’re going to be just fine.”

“Sassy again?” she asked softly.

“Uh huh,” he answered.

She had calmed down. “I’m sorry. I guess I spoiled your moment…” She gave him a kiss and played with his earlobe. “Lock the door,” she whispered. “Suddenly, I’m in the mood for... ‘a little of that’", she said raising her eyebrows.

“Ooooo, but Mrs. Buchanan...it’s the middle of the afternoon…” he teased, “have you no shame?”

She held his face between her hands and kissed him. “I don’t care…” she said. “I want you now... lock the door…and give me... a tour...of my new home...starting with...the bedroom…” she continued between kisses.

Bo was happy to oblige.