A Second Chance I
By: Tickie
(© 2006, 2007 by the author)
Editor: Radio Rancher
Re-write Editor: Gerry Young

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
 

Chapter 12

We pulled up to the General Aviation Terminal, and parked Buckaroo. We all deplaned, and Carl picked up the company car, then he pulled around picking up JC and me. We then headed to the company’s office in town. Carl and JC went shopping while I was attending to the business at hand. When I finished with the meeting, I called Carl on the cell phone and said, "I'm ready."

Carl said, "I'm out front, waiting here for you, Charlie, with a good looking hunk sitting next to me." He was chuckling, and in my mind's eye, I could just see them together.

My heart began to race as I thought of JC ... a huge grin crossed my face … and then I said, "You be careful with him; he's precious cargo!" I went outside, got in the car, and sat next to JC, myself.

"Did you both have a good time shopping?" I asked, with a broad grin on my face.

JC replied, "Well, I was just here a few days ago, but not on a shopping tour." He chuckled at the question.

"Oh, yes, I almost forgot, JC; sorry about that; must be the old man in me." I looked into his beautiful eyes as they were looking back into mine.

JC shot back at me with a snap in his voice. "Charlie, will you quit running yourself down like that? You have a bright, sharp mind. You're an intelligent, beautiful person whom I'm in love with."

Quickly, Carl said, "I agree with you, JC. He is all that, and then some." I could see he was looking into the rearview mirror at me, smiling, and I smiled back at him.

I spotted a jewelry store, then told Carl, "Find a spot and park there." I wanted to find something special for JC and myself. I turned to JC, and said, "Would you like to join me inside?" I wanted us to pick out something special.

After thinking to himself, ‘I wonder what Charlie has on his mind,' JC replied, "Sure, I'd love to."

We parked. JC and I got out and went inside the shop. I asked him, "What kind of jewelry do you like?" Planning a little surprise for him, I wanted to get us something very special. I didn't want to just buy something I liked, but I wanted something JC would be pleased with as well.

JC looked at me, with a little smile, then answered, "What's the occasion, if you don't mind me asking?"

God, I knew I was gonna have to fib to him, and even though I didn't like doing that to him, I said, "Ohhhh, nothing special; I just wanna get you a little something to remember your visit."

We browsed around the store for a bit, looking first at rings. Those reminded me too much of James, and what I was going to do later. We looked at necklaces with pendants. JC smiled at them, but I could tell he wasn't thrilled with them. Then I spotted some beautiful chain link bracelets in yellow gold. I looked at him with raised eyes and asked, "You like?" I held it up for him to see, then I handed it to him.

"It's gorgeous, but it's so heavy and expensive. Charlie, you don't need to do this. Please?" JC answered with hesitation in his tender voice.

"Ok, if that's what you want, love?" I had to think quickly. 'How do I get these for tonight, without JC finding out?' JC was still looking around the shop, while I was writing down some information on a slip of paper, namely what I wanted, with the stock numbers and what I wanted engraved on each item, along with other instructions for Carl. I still wasn't sure how to get it done without JC finding out. Then it dawned on me. 'I'll have Carl come back, get everything done, and then bring them to me at Mayoki's. JC picked out a nice bolo tie slide that he liked, so I bought it for him. He was happy with that, and so was I; at least it gave me a chance to do what I really wanted to do.

We both left the shop. Carl came around and opened the door for us. As JC got in first, as I handed the paper to Carl telling him in a whisper "I need you to take care of this fast. Ok?" Then I slid in behind JC.

Carl got in and we were off to Chef Mayoki's very exclusive and private restaurant. Greg had seen to it that Charles Lambert and guest had reservations for the evening. We arrived; JC and I got out. He looked at me as I started speaking to Carl.

"Carl, do you have that package Greg sent? Of course I knew he did.

Carl said, "Yes," then he handed the package to me with a big grin on his face.

"Thanks, I'll call you when we're ready to be picked up. You'll have a few hours to kill, so go and enjoy yourself." I winked my left eye at him, with a big smile on my face, knowing he would take care of the task I had set for him on the piece of paper I had handed him earlier.

JC was curious about that particular restaurant and said, "I've been to Honolulu many times, but I've never even heard of this place." He looked at me with a questioning look.

I just smiled and told him, "Well, this is a very exclusive restaurant, JC, and they only serve one couple per night. Normally, it takes a year to get a reservation, but Greg seems to have an inside track. Don't ask me how, but he does. Of course, there's a little greasing of the Palm that goes along with it."

JC was stunned. He looked at me and said, "Are you sure about this, love? I'm flabbergasted but honored that you'd have me for dinner here." He was thinking to himself, ‘Charlie is SO spoiling me’.

I jokingly said, "I don't think I would bring you here to have YOU for dinner, I think THAT would be better in our own private bedroom on Buckaroo. And we wouldn't have to dress for it, either." I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes.

JC was laughing and blushing at the same time … "Stop it, Charlie; you know what I meant, dammit!" He was laughing so hard, he started choking. Then I slapped him on the back.

I again joked, saying, "Sorry, love, but you left the door WIDE open for that one."

As we entered the finest restaurant on the island, I met Chef Mayoki and said, "Hello, I am Charles Lambert and this is my guest, JC Andersen." I smiled broadly at him.

Chef Mayoki bowed and said, "Welcome to my establishment, please follow me."

He led us down a hallway through a set of sliding doors onto a covered patio; several tiki torches were burning around the outside, accenting the patio. There was the sound of the ocean; the waves were splashing on the rocks. We were so close to the surf that you could almost feel the mist of the ocean spray. The mood was totally romantic, and the evening air was sooooo comfortable. He seated us, and then said, "I shall return with refreshments and hors d'oeuvres." He bowed to us as he left.

"What do you think of this place?" I asked.

JC answered, "It's absolutely gorgeous. The mood is perfect for the islands, and for us." He was thinking, ‘I wonder what Charlie has on his mind? Could it be? If it's what I think it is, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. But don’t go there,' I chided myself; 'it's too soon.'

I then told JC, "I was only here once before, and that was with James, a long time ago. If I'm not mistaken, this Chef Mayoki is the son of the original Chef Mayoki."

JC smiled and said, "Charlie, you didn't have to bring me here; I don't like seeing you hurting over old memories. Don’t take me wrong, but I don't ever want you to forget James; it hurts me to see you hurting, for whatever reason. I guess maybe that's what love is all about -- not wanting to see your partner hurting." He stared at me with glassy eyes, not crying, just welling up.

I blushed a bit saying, "Thank you, JC, that's the most beautiful, heartfelt comment that anyone … and I do mean 'anyone,' has ever given me. I can't ever remember anyone putting love into any better phrase. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." I reached over the table and took his hand in mine, and held it for a long time. I just sat there looking into his beautiful eyes, we were talking without words, but we knew exactly what the other was thinking -- a melding of the minds at it purest state.

Then a nice looking young Polynesian lady appeared, carrying two Mai Tai's and a tray of hors d'oeuvres. Don’t ask me what they were, but they were exquisitely made, with a taste to match. She then placed them on the table and lit the two candles.

JC said, “I don’t want to be ignorant, but normally, you order at a restaurant. When do we order?" He looked nervously at me.

I chuckled at him and said, "Love, we don't order. Greg has arranged everything. Believe me, he knows me better than I know myself. And, he has done his homework and pretty much knows what you like and don't like as well. Sometimes, I think he used to work for the Secret Service"

Shock, JC said, "You have to be kidding me! I have never been into a restaurant anywhere that you don't order your meal." He was sitting there still holding my hand in total amazement. He looked like he was totally dumbfounded; it was so darn cute.

I looked at JC with an earnest grin, saying, "It's okay, love. Don’t worry about it; I'm sure we'll enjoy it; if not, it'll be the first time Greg has disappointed me."

We just sat there for a while, sipping our drinks, not really saying a lot … not out loud, at least … just enjoying each other's company and silently communicating with each other with our eyes and our smiles and our hearts.

Then the young lady appeared carrying two more drinks, and two very large shrimp cocktails in brandy snifters. She placed them on the table, putting one of them in front of each of us. She bowed and left the patio. The shrimp cocktails were fabulous; the shrimp was so tasty and mouth-watering, and the sauce was superb.

JC just sat there, eating and not saying anything, but I could tell he was in heaven, enjoying the fine food.

It seemed like an hour since the shrimp cocktails, but in reality it was more like twenty minutes, when the young lady returned with a beautiful large wooden bowl filled with a fruit salad and two smaller bowls. She placed them on the table, picking up the used dishes.

JC said, "This food is out of this world, Charlie; everything is delicious." As he smiled at me, I returned the smile. He was thinking, ‘I still have a funny feeling something special is going to happen tonight. Or will it?’

I knew he was enjoying things, so I said, "Yes it is, love, it’s scrumptious, or delicious, whatever you want to call it."

Then Chef Mayoki and the young lady came in … he was carrying a large platter with a suckling pig dressed with all types of greenery, and the young lady was carrying dinner plates, silverware, and two more drinks. I thought, with a giggle, 'They're trying to get us drunk.' Setting the platter down, he picked up the two large utensils and began to carve. It was just a little bit larger than a football. It smelled delicious and looked scrumptious. After carving, he dished up my plate first and asked me to taste it, waiting for my approval or disapproval. I tasted it and it melted in my mouth. It had the most exquisite taste I'd ever had in a piece of pork; I remarked, "Delicious! Very delicious!" Then I looked at JC with a dreamy expression of how good it tasted.

Chef Mayoki then dished up his second plate, placing it in front of JC, and then asking HIM to taste it, waiting for his approval or disapproval.

JC exclaimed, "It’s out-of-this-world delicious. By far, the best pork I've ever tasted." Chef Mayoki and the young lady bowed and left us to eat.

We had no idea that we were as hungry as we subsequently appeared, but, we devoured that suckling pig. We were both completely stuffed. We just lay back in our chairs. I thought for a minute that we were going to fall asleep. We just looked at each other, reached out and held each other’s hands. I said, "JC … I have something I want to ask you, before … well … before something else I have planned." I looked at him with a devilish glint in my eye; his returned expression was yet ANOTHER shocked look.

Before he could say anything, I continued, "I know I keep telling you that there are too many years between us to become lovers, companions, partners, or soul mates, but these last few days have changed my mind. I can see the love in your eyes, and I can feel the love in my own heart. I just don’t know if this is too soon to ask you this, but I'm going to, anyway."

I wasn't able to finish when JC spoke, "Charlie, if you are about to ask me what I think you are, the answer is a resounding 'yes;' I love you more than life itself. Ever since I saw you on that plane going into Paris, I've been attracted to you. I set my sights, that night, on getting to know you better. I hoped against hope, and prayed that we would get together forever. All I can say is three simple little words … 'I love you'."

"Now … can I finish what I was saying?" I smiled at JC. He nodded with an apologetic but loving smile. I went on, "I was gonna ask you, if you would become my life partner. Only God knows how long that would be? But you've already answered that question." I stood up, walked around the table, reached out, pulled JC up, and kissed him -- a deep passionate, long-lasting kiss. Then I pulled out the small box and opened the outer wrapper, until there were two small boxes. One box had a letter "J" on it. The other box had a letter "C" on it. I put them on the table so he could see the letters on them.

"Those are something very, very special to me. I'm not here to give you one. I just wanted you to see them, before I do what I need to do." I had tears again, and I promised myself that I would not cry, but holding back the tears was getting unbearable.

JC said, "Are you asking me to look at those two boxes?" He thought, ‘I know what they are, but what's he going to do with them? God, I hope not, he wouldn't do that.’

"Yes, I am asking that you look at what's inside both." I had to do this, for myself, or I would never get over James...

JC reached over, and opened the box with a letter 'C' on it; inside was a simple gold band with the inscription on the inside that said 'To Charlie, with all my love, James.' JC said, "Oh, God, Charlie this is your wedding ring?" Then he put the ring back so gently, and picked up the box with the letter 'J' on it. Inside that box was the same type simple gold band with the inscription on the inside that said. 'To James, with all my love, Charlie.'

JC was crying, knowing what was about to happen, not wanting it to. But this was my decision, and he had no control over it. Then he told me, "Charlie, I think I know what you're about to do; I'm not going to try to stop you. But, personally, I don't think you should do it."

I couldn't say anything in response – the emotions were too heavy, too strong, within my guts.

I reached over and took the two rings out of the boxes and held them in my right hand; I asked JC to hold my left hand. Then we walked off the patio toward the sea; JC pulled back saying, "Please, Charlie, think about what you're doing." He just walked with me to the edge of the sand and the rocks.

"I must do this, JC, or I'll never be over him." I pulled JC up onto the rocks, and walked out to the edge. I looked at him, then at the ocean and I solemnly said, "James, my love, I have been faithful for a long time without you. I've now found someone who loves me, and I love him. I must now let you go. I will always cherish the memories we made together for eternity; goodbye, love, until we meet again."

I then threw both of the rings as far out into sea as I could; I watched, but didn’t see them hit the water. JC took me in his arms, and began hugging me. We were both crying … no, we were sobbing onto each other’s shoulders. I asked, "Can we go back to the table, love?"

JC thought to himself, ‘I cannot believe what just happened; my heart aches for him, knowing that that had to be the most difficult, the most terrible thing for him to have to do. I wonder what else he has on his mind???'

Then, I could see him come back from his thoughts as he answered, "Yes, Charlie, let’s go back."

We got back to the table, and by then the young lady had cleared it of all the dirty dishes, and had two more drinks, and there were yet two other boxes on the table, wrapped individually; one said 'JC' and the other said 'Charlie.' These two boxes were long and slender. I knew what they were because I had had Carl get them for me. True to his word, they were on the table before dessert was served.

JC looked at the table and said, "I see there are more surprises, but I don’t think I can take much more." He knew this had to be a wonderful evening for both of us, but also a heart-wrenching experience for me.

I looked deep into JC’s eyes, then told him, “That was hard for me, but it’s something I had to do."

JC said, "I understand. I just hope you don’t regret it tomorrow, my love." He was still wiping tears from his eyes.

"Here." I handed JC the box marked with his name. I watched him began to open it. I hoped he would enjoy it.

As he opened it, JC sniffed and brushed another tear from his eyes, saying, "Oh, my heavens, Charlie, it’s gorgeous! I told you not to do that." He held it in his hand again, for the second time tonight, only it was now engraved. He was thinking to himself, ‘How did he do that? He is amazing’.

Each link of the chain was engraved with an unusual design; engraved on the surface of the wide ID section were the letters 'J.C.' in script; on the inside it was blank. Except for the '18 Karat Gold' that was stamped into it.

JC smiled at me; he looked like a little kid at Christmas; then he said, "Thank you, Charlie; it’s truly beautiful. Can I look at yours?”

"Sure" I said, wanting him to see them both.

JC opened my box and it was identical, except that the ID plate was engraved with 'Charlie' in the same script as his was. He smiled and said, "They are truly exquisite"

"I was hoping you'd like them." I then took his hand and put the bracelet that said 'Charlie" on his right wrist, "Now I have branded you!" I smiled at him.

JC took the one that said 'J.C.' on it and put it on my right wrist. "Well, if that's the way you do it in Wyoming, I guess I have just branded you, my love.”

Then the young lady came out with a flaming dessert of some kind, I still don't quite know what was, but it was good. After we finished our dessert and coffee, Chef Mayoki came out and asked us how everything was. We both told him it was fabulous. And I gave him a rather large tip. I called Carl to let him know we were ready. He was outside, waiting for us; as we walked up to the car, Carl got out and came around to meet us.

Carl was wondering what had happened (we both looked like we’d been crying), saying, "How was your dinner? You both look like something went wrong?"

"Nothing, Carl, nothing at all; everything was absolutely RIGHT! I just had some old memories that I had to shed, and some new ones I had to start!" I gazed lovingly into JC’s deep dark blue eyes.

To be continued...