Chapter Twenty Eight

Twenty Eight

Andi and Demetrius

Early May

It had been thirteen months since April’s death. On the anniversary of her death a month previous, Demetrius had spent the day holed up in his apartment. He later explained to his brother, “I just couldn’t face anyone on that day.” Since then, he’d felt a greater peace than ever. It was as if the open wound of her death was finally covered in healing. He knew he’d never be the same, but he also was genuinely enjoying his life and anticipating new things.

Andi was one of those new things. Having loved only one woman in his life, he found it strangely odd to be attracted so powerfully to another. Yet there could be no denial about this attraction, and he could tell it was mutual. Demetrius frequently found himself watching the front door of Grace Coffee House in hopes that she’d be the next one to come in. And when she’d finally walk into the room, it was as if the lights went on in a new and colorful way. His skin felt electric. 

Other than a few moments of special intimacies, brushed hands, lingering hugs and the rare gentle kisses on the cheek from Andi, there had been no obvious moves on either one of their parts. There was inevitability about their budding relationship that – later both would freely confess – excited them and scared them simultaneously.

Demetrius found himself thinking more and more about Andi.  He’d lie in his bed at night reviewing the day and praying. He was discovering if he hadn’t spent considerable time with Andi during the day, he feel a degree of loss, even feelings of being cheated. He also was discovering he was increasingly seeking her opinion about decisions he was making.

“Demetrius,” Oliver said early one morning over a quick cup at the coffee house. “It is so obvious to anyone who knows you. You’ve got a thing for Andi. And, Sandy says she’s pretty sure Andi has one for you too!”

Trying to laugh it off, Demetrius sheepishly replied, “I don’t know bro. And even if I did, what am I supposed to do about it?”

“What are you supposed to do about it? Are you serious? What is this, Junior High School?” asked an incredulous Oliver. “Look, I know what your hang-up is, and I respect it, but even April would want you to move forward, she wouldn’t want you to be alone.”

It was then Demetrius shared with Oliver about the dream he’d had a few months previously. He also told him about the release he felt on the anniversary of April’s death.

Oliver nodded in understanding.

“I guess I’ve got to take a chance?” Demetrius said with a goofy smile on his face.

Later that day, in a quiet moment at the coffee house, Demetrius approached Andi. “Andi, there’s something I want to discuss with you. It’s important, and I don’t want to do it here.”

Looking up at him with her light blue eyes, she said in reply, “Yeah, me too Demetrius, I’ve got something on my mind too.”

“Really?” he said somewhat surprised. “Well, I was wondering, are you busy tonight?”

“Nothing I cannot change if need be.”

“Tell you what, I’ll get Sarah to close and I’ll come by your place at 5:30. Dress nicely, but warmly too. There’s a place on the Prince Edward Island I’d like to try out for dinner. We can catch the 5:45 ferry to PEI; enjoy a nice dinner and evening and then grab the 10:50 ferry back. Is that okay?”

Affecting her best fake southern drawl, Andi fluttered her eyelashes and said, “Why Mr. Grace, that sounds ever so delightful.”

Seated with a view of the harbor, Demetrius couldn’t get over Andi’s amazing beauty. Dressed in a simple black dress, with her long blond hair curled and flowing over her shoulders, she wore just a hint of makeup and the overall result was she simply glowed. Demetrius had managed to find his black suit and a necktie in the back of the closet, and looked presentable.

“Andi, I’ve never told you this before, but you are incredibly gorgeous.” Demetrius oozed while attempting to peruse the menu. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“Actually, Demetrius, that is the third time you said it. Once when you picked me up, once on the ferry ride and now,” Andi said lightheartedly. “But I’m okay with that, you are good for my ego!”

Demetrius felt his cheeks redden in a blush and was secretly glad the restaurant was predominately illuminated by candles.

While they ate their dinner they mostly talked about life in Paine Harbor, the coffee house and the wonderful spiritual changes they’d both experienced and witnessed. Both were genuinely enjoying themselves and felt comfortable with the other. The conversation never got bogged down or awkward. Rather it flowed easily and was filled with honesty and laughter.

Switching gears, Andi reached across the table and took Demetrius’ hand in hers, “Thank you, Demetrius. This is absolutely lovely. I cannot tell when I’ve had such a nice time. And I’m pretty sure I’ve never enjoyed myself on a first date as much as I am right now.”

“I’m glad, Andi. And me too!” Demetrius replied with a dry mouth. This was new territory for him, and he was obviously nervous.

“This is a date, right?” Andi asked for clarification.

“Oh, yes, absolutely.”

“I’m glad.”

“Me too, Andi.”

The waiter approached with a dessert menu. Not wanting the evening to be cut short, Demetrius suggested they split the raspberry cheesecake. Andi agreed.

“Would you like coffee as well?” the waiter inquired.

The coffee snobs laughed and declined politely.

As they finished up the cheesecake, Demetrius knew the time was right for him to speak his heart.

“Andi, remember I asked you on this date because I had something I wanted to talk with you about?”

She nodded. “Me too, Demetrius. I’ve got something to say as well.”

Sensing a way out, Demetrius said, “Well, ladies first.”

“No way, pal. You asked, you go first. I’m waiting.”

Grabbing his water glass, he took a long drink. Wiping his face with the cloth napkin, he spoke up, “Well, this is hard. So be kind to me.”

She smiled.

“Look, you know about me. You know about April. You know how much I loved her, and how hard it has been for me to let her go.” He paused waiting for her response.

“Yes. It’s been terrible for you.” Andi said softly.

“Well, what you don’t know is I’ve had a couple of dreams and encounters with God. Involving you.”

“Really?”

Demetrius shared briefly the ballroom dream and his encounter with the Voice in his apartment. Andi was stunned by this revelation.

“Uh-huh. Okay, let me get to the point. I will always love April. Always. She was my first love and she would have been my only love. But…” he paused. “But, well you know.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I can’t live in the past. She’s gone. There is nothing I can do about that. And it’s time for me to move forward in a new relationship. With a woman.”

“Well, I’d hope it’d be a woman,” Andi teased.

Swallowing hard, he blurted it out, “I’d like it to be you. You and I connect. You fascinate me. I think about you all the time. Did you know that? I guess what I’m saying, Andi…” he reached across the table and took her hand in his, “Andi… I’d like to be with you. You are amazing, and I’m… well…” nearly gasping for air, he pressed on,  “alright, I’ll say it, I’m falling in love with you.”

Andi pulled her hand back and covered her mouth in a squeal of delight. Demetrius didn’t know if she was horrified or thrilled and searched her face for a clue. Andi calmed down and looked deeply into his eyes. Taking her time to find the right words, she smiled at him with a look of joy and pleasure.

“Demetrius, you just said the very thing I wanted to say to you. I too am falling in love, and it is with you. In fact, I’ve felt this way for a couple of months, but I didn’t dare say anything because I just didn’t know if you were ready, if your grief was to the point where your heart had room for another woman.” Andi said as the tears began to run down her cheeks. “And I was terrified I couldn’t fill April’s shoes. Demetrius, I cannot be your first love. That was April. And I understand I cannot replace her, ever. But, if you’ll let me, I will love you as only I can. It’ll be different, but it will be love.”

“Andi, I love you. I really do.”

“Demetrius, I love you too. With all of my heart.”

The two lovers, still sitting across the table from one another suddenly fell silent. Gazing at one another with joy and extraordinary amazement that somehow they’d found each other on an island in the North Atlantic. Demetrius stood up, walked around the table and offered his hand to Andi. She stood. Facing one another, they kissed. It was one of those first kisses that involved a couple of awkward adjustments but they kissed with love and they kissed with passion. The two of them were lost in each other and their love. Suddenly their cocoon was interrupted by the spontaneous applause of others in the restaurant.

The waiter walked over and said, “Your dinner check has been covered by the gentleman in the blue suit at the bar.” Shocked by this news they looked over to the bar area and saw Captain Oscar smiling and tipping his hat in approval.

They walked over to thank him, and he said laughingly, “Well it is about time you two got together! Everyone in town has been talking about this for weeks!”

Andi and Demetrius looked at one another and broke out once again in laughter.

Demetrius said to Oscar, “I wish someone had told me!”