"From the window in the bedroom, you can see that cable car I described." he said, coming up behind me. "This is why people pay the high rents."
"High rents? This is expensive?" He laughed.
"An apartment in this neighborhood with these views? Thousands and thousands."
I shook my head in disbelief. If Uncle Simon stood out here, he would grimace with such distaste and disgust, the owner of the apartment would think about moving out that day. You had to look hard to see any real greenery. Even up on this floor the traffic noise was considerable-- horns sounding, brakes squealing. Suddenly, my heart had such a longing to be back on the farm, to look out over our seemingly endless fields, to feel the warm, fresh breeze and smell the flowers, to simply dig my hand into the soft, warm and moist earth.
"Pretty nice, huh?" he asked. I smiled at him.
"I guess I'm too much of a country girl, Tony. It's nice, but not what I would like."
He held his smile. but I saw the warm excitement go out of his eyes like a snuffed candle. Did he really think I'd be so impressed?
"Sure. I understand. Frankly. I like being on the open sea the most. There's nothing like sailing, like feeling the wind in your hair, the sea spray on your face and looking out at the never- ending horizon. on. You feel... free," he said.
That did bring a deeper smile to my face. That I could understand.
"It sounds wonderful."
"Gotta get you out there. Honey. You'd hear music you've never heard before, and all of it composed by Mother Nature herself, with terns as the chorus."
I guess my eves brightened, and that
encouraged him enough for him to take the liberty of bringing his lips to mine before I could even prepare for a kiss. It wasn't a long kiss, just a smack on my mouth, more like a firecracker.
"Sorry, but I had to do that," he said. "You look so fresh. Elope you're not mad."
He turned before I could reply and headed for a cabinet. When he opened it. I saw the audio equipment. It looked elaborate, sophisticated, and technical. He pushed some buttons and lights began blinking. Then he opened a drawer and began sifting through a thick pile of CDs.
"I know I've seen a whole section on classical music..."
I walked in and stood behind him, waiting, wondering why I didn't get upset with his impulsive kiss. Was I giving him the wrong idea by not being angry? Should I just say I was leaving? How can someone kiss you and behave as though it was nothing more than a handshake? What would Cinnamon do? Ice? Even Rose? Was I suffering through this moment of confusion because I had such little experience with boys?
"Here they are," he declared and held one up. "A collection of Mozart. I knew it."
He held up what I recognized as the sound track of Amadeus, the movie about Mozart.
He slipped it into the CD player and pressed some buttons.
"Sit right here." he said steering me to the center of the sofa. "The speakers are all around you. Just close your eves and listen while I get us something to drink."
It did sound very good, but it was nothing like being at a live performance. Perhaps he really had never been to one. I thought. I tried to be polite about it. He seemed so excited and wanted so much to please me, how could I be otherwise?
"Great, huh?"
"Very nice," I said. "Yes."
"Told you so," he said. returning. He had two glasses with what looked like tomato juice in them. "Try this," he said. "I'm getting very good at it."
"Good at it? What is it?" I said, taking the glass from him and smelling the drink.
"They're called Bloody Marys. Ever have one?"
I shook my head.
"Go on, try it. Tell me how it tastes."
I took a sip and immediately choked as the spice brought tears to my eyes. He laughed.