Seasons of the Heart

I am no one of importance. I am like every other woman. I have lived, loved, cried, lived through hard times only to live again. I, unlike most women, defied all odds to achieve my childhood dream of finding one man I love through everything I have loved more deeply each and every day than anyone I have ever known in their lifetime.1

My name is Victoria Serene Hammond. Growing up in a small town wasn’t easy, especially since I moved every few years. But my story doesn’t start in the small towns I loved in. It starts when you least expect it.2

It starts the year I turned twenty-five. I was in the city to please my soon-to-be husband. Yes, my fiance. I was shopping around for a wedding gown when my life was turned upside-down. I was at a point in my life where I thought that nothing was going to change.3

I was much younger then, I was trying to stay a teenager forever. Though no matter how hard I tried, my age always came back to me. Even if I was engaged, I still flirted with all the wrong men for me. Wrong, in my mother's eyes, that is.4

I can still hear her yelling at me for coming home late like a teenager, rebelling against her family, because, in face, that is what I was doing. I was so involved in society functions that I didn't have a childhood. Repressing my "teenage drama," as my friends called it, put a huge damper on my adult years.5

Oh dear, I've babbled now, something I'm rather used to at this age. And like most people my age, I tell stories to my children that they would never believe, but are completely true to life.6

The one day I was in the city to be completely serious about my future, I actually had the time of my life and met the man of my dreams.7

Walking down the boardwalk, I peeked into the little shops, trying to find a theme for what society was calling "the wedding of the century." I was awestruck when I peeked into a wood shop and saw this muscular man carving into what was going to be a table leg. I was used to seeing men at work but he was so strikingly handsome. I must say now, though my fiance was handsome, handsomely wealthy, and the man my mother dreamed of me marrying, this man in the shop was much more handsome and more intriguing than most.8

To explain what I mean by "the man my mother dreamed of me marrying," I'd have to explain my life growing up. My father left us when I was barely five years old, even then, my mother was obsessed in making me the number one high society woman. My father didn't care for such things. He wrote to me every few months telling me he wished he was there to watch me grow into the beautiful young woman he knew I was going to be. My father didn't like what my mother was doing to me, but he couldn't do anything to stop it.9

My mother was the ultimate society con. We would move to a new town, buy the finest things with the little money we did have. We'd do that until they caught onto the fact that we didn't have much money anyways, and then we'd up and leave. Sometimes, my mother would wake me up around 2 am so then no one would see us leave, and that's what we'd do. We always had our things packed in case of an emergency.10

Moving from town to town became normal for me. I still hate to be in the same town for long. Then again, I loved meeting new people, seeing new places, but by the time I was thirteen, it had inhibited my social skills, I'd become restless and very troublesome.11

After one incident where I threw my teacup at an old woman for calling me insolent, my mother decided to pull me out of society until I could handle myself to her liking. When I turned eighteen, I moved out of her house, going to college, and worked as a nurse. Though there was no war, they felt I was needed, but it made things rather dull, excluding the occasions where there was a soldier in need of a check up, only to find out a woman would be doing it.12

Then one day, things seemed to change. A soldier got into a car accident and slipped into a coma. I was on call and my duty was to stay with him until he woke up so he wouldn't wake up in hysterics.13

I would sit with him, reading, writing my poetry, then reciting it, making sure it sounded just right.14

"Effervescent clouds15

Brightening a winter's frost16

Bringing the sorrow from the day17

That I lost you.18

Sprinkles falling as lovers do19

Cupid's arrown hath shown true20

Sun light, blinding21

Wind and rain tear away22

Yet through patience23

My love for you comes true24

And through it all25

I have learned..."26

I had stopped to think of the next likes when I heard a voice whisper, "Love as eternally as mine27

Doesn't deserve the reprose28

Of your dying lust."29

Shocked, I stared up at the soldier in front of me. He had awoken to the poem and smiled at me as he heard my joice. After I checked on him, he was laughing about how his dreams had come true, he asked me right then to marry him. I only agreed to dating him, but a few years later, there I was, in a huge city for a wedding between he and I. His name was Ronald Sharp. Probably unknown for everyone in today's society, but back then, things were very different.30

Ron was handsome compared to most men in high society so of course my mother had loved the fact that he wanted to be with me. I was happy, but I knew that there was something missing. We dated steadily for a few years before he proposed to me again. He made me go to Anaheim to find a dress. He refused to let me get a normal, simple wedding dress for the spectacular wedding he and my mother were planning.31

As I walked into the shop where the young man was, I was in awe of the intricate, ornate chairs, tables, frames... even a beautiful mahogany trellis that would even make my mother awestruck.32

"Hello?" Startled, I turned around to see the man not even a foot away from me. His dark brown hair was slightly long, just long enough to fall into his beautiful blue-green eyes. I realized we stared at each other when another gentleman walked in.33

"May I help you miss?" he said softly, reaching out for my hand. As he took my hand, I felt my heart flutter a moment, then when his lips brushed my hand, I could feel my face turn bright red.34

"Victoria is my name, sir. I just came in to better admire the work I saw from the window," I said shakily, looking around, but I couldn't help but to look back into his eyes. They were just so mesmorizing.35

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. I started roaming around the shop until I got to the trellis. I started running my fingertips over the vines, leaves, and roses delicately carved into the mahogany. Standing under it, I felt slightly incomplete. Turning slowly, I saw he was standing right beside me. Though I should have imagined my fiance and I standing under the trellis on our wedding day, I couldn't help but to imagine the man standing before me asking me to be his wife from that moment on.36

"And your name is...?" I asked suddenly to break the silence that devoured time and space.37

He mumbled slightly. Laughing slightly, I asked, "what Mr. Mumbley."38

Smiling, he answered, "Jacob Harland Jr." I could see a bit of a blush on his face as he answered. As we kept walking through his shop, I heard something creak above us. Standing for a few more moments, he walked off to fix a piece of furnature when the creaking started up worse than ever.39

Suddenly, I saw the beam holding up the ceiling fall and I curled up tightly on the ground. I could feel a body push me aside and cover me up. I could smell him strongly. The smell of sweat and wood and an expensive cologne overwhelmed my senses.40

I felt him move slightly and look at me. The rain hand just started falling as we stared at each other again. I started laughing as I found myself wanting him to kiss me. Then he started to laugh with me. His smile was so warm and sensual, as was his laugh. I felt him rub my arm softly as he looked at me.41

When our laughter had subdued, people were running all around to make sure everything and everyone was alright. Jacob stood up slowly, reaching for my hands and pulling me up with him. We kept looking at each other as people rushed about checking for reasons for the collaps, as well as making sure that he and I were alright. We didn't stop looking at each other until I heard the hour strike on the beautiful maple grandfather clock that I hadn't noticed, standing right beside us.42

"Oh no..." I stated quietly. Looking up at Jacob's questioning face, I said, "I"m going to be late for dinner."43

"I'll give you a ride. I've got a bike and I know all the back roads throughout town. I'll take you if you need me to." His smile was full of warmth and his eyes looked very concerned. I smiled softly and looked around.44

"What about the shop... all the wood in the rain?"45

Waving off my concern, "My employees will take care of the shop. The wood will be fine, as will all the supplies. Please, if you need a ride, I'll give you one freely."46

I smiled at his compassion towards me and agreed.47

My, how I remember the moment he saved me. Every time it rains, I go outside just to feel it, like the rain touching me was his hand and arms around me. Today I see young men everywhere that look so much like him.48

I can't seem to forget the days I spent with him. He became someone I would never forget in those few moments that I was near him.49

After we got on his bike, I told him where I needed to be. Thankful that I had worn pants that day, we were off. As he zig-zagged his way through traffic in the streets and side streets, all the way to the restaraunt that I was supposed to meet Ron at.50

I gripped onto him tightly from behind as he moved all through town. Smelling his cologne, the rain, and not caring about anything except that moment was pure heaven. It was about just us, being one, more surreal than when we were gazing deeply into each other's eyes in the shop.51

When we reached the restaraunt, I climbed off his bike and looked at him.52

"I suppose I'll see you soon, Jacob. I will definately be by your shop... Goodbye." As I turned away, he took my hand gently and turned me around to look at him.53

"Come by the shop again tonight. There's something I want to show you," he said quietly. I smiled in agreement and waved goodbye as I ran into the restaraunt only to run directly into my mother.54

"Who. Was. That." she said in an angry tone as I walked to the table where Ron was sitting. Sitting with them, I noticed someone next to Ron.55

"Sorry I was late. I was at a shop and the roof collapsed, so... yeah, here I am. Who is this?" I asked as I looked from the man to Ron.56

"Oh! Sorry darling. Victoria, this is my best friend and best man, Charles Baker. Charles, this is my wonderful and beautiful fiance, Victoria," Ron stated excitedly.57

"I've heard a lot about you, Victoria," Charles said lightly as he took my hand and kissed it.58

"And I you," I replied quietly, blushing ever so slightly. After ordering, we sat and talked, eating our salad, sipping on the finest wime they had, thanks to Ron.59

Before dinner arrived, I stood and whispered to Ron that I was going to the ladies' room and walked in, only to be walked in on by my mother.60

"Who was taht boy? The one who brought you here? You weren't out "doing things" with him were you? If you were, so help me, I'll-"61

"Please mother. I don't do that," I interjected. "He owns the shop I was at. The roof collapsed and he saved me from the pieces. When I realized I was late, he offered me a ride. No harm done." Sighing, I looked at myself in the mirror. My green-brown eyes were lit up, like I had died and gone to heaven only moments ago. My long brown hair, though still damp from the rain, had begun to dry and curl into ringlets. My outfit was too simple, black slacks with a red shirt. The high heels that I wore didn't help my height much, at five foot, I still can't get taller no matter what I try.62

Walking to the door, my mother took my hand. "Victoria, if you see that boy again, I will find him and make him unable to walk again."63

Scoffing softly, I started to walk out again. Her grip tightened around my wrist.64

"You know what I- we have at stake here! Your safety, your future, your happiness, my heart," she pleaded.65

Sighing softly, I turned to look at her. Here eyes were red from tears. Wiping them off her cheeks softly, I sighed again.66

"But it's not about me, mother. It's about making you happy. I"m marrying Ronald because you like him. He's your dream guy. I care about him, but don't push this "fling" with the shop owner. You should be thankful of him. If it weren't for him, I'd be in the hospital or dead. So please, don't speak of things you don't know about."67

As I walked away, I could feel her stare at me as if I were possessed. Maybe I was, all I knew was, I didn't care at that moment if I never saw my mother again just as long as I could find out what Jacob had wanted me to see that night.68

After eating, we sat and kept talking about the wedding.69

"We still haven't decided on if we were having it inside or outside, " Ron stated.70

"He wants it inside, I want it outside," I laughed. "But knowing my luck-"71

"It'll rain!" Ron and I laughed together, as he took my hand.72

"But we got lucky when we met," I said smiling at Ronald. His hand grazed my cheek as he leaned in and kissed me softly. Looking past him, Charles was glaring slightly, only to smile when he noticed I was looking at him, like there was something between them that I wasn't to know about.73

As we finished our desserts, we prepared to leave. Charles and Ron decided to go to Charle's house, I'd go to the hotel, which was in a different direction than everyone was going, and my mother would go to her apartment.74

When everyone left, I hailed a taxi and went to the shop again.75

"Out a lil late there, missy," the cabby stated as if I were a child.76

"I may look young sir," I retorted, "but I am no child."77

As we neared the shop again, I glanced at my watch. Nearly midnight! Biting my lip, I prayed he was still awake. I hoped I wasn't waking him.78

The more I thought, the more I was thinking of just having the cabby take me back to the hotel. When he stopped and asked for his fare, I realized there was no turning back. Walking to the door, I reached my hand up to knock and paused.79

"What am I doing here?" I asked myself quietly. I turned and started to walk away when I heard the door open slightly.80

"Victoria?" I heard whispered into the cool night are. I turned back to see Jacon staring at me. He reached his hand out for mine as I walked to him. He smiled widely as we walked into his shop together.81

"I started to suspect that you weren't coming," Jacob said softly as he grazed his fingertips over my cheek, brushing off some drops of rain. Blushing brightly, I pulled away from his touch. I found myself gazing into his eyes once again. His eyes were so amazing. They seemed like I could truly see into his soul, his smile seemed to come from his soul. I could see and feel his and my heart grow and feel so warm inside as we held hands.82

For what seemed like only seconds, we stood in front of one another, when it was just long enough for the clouds to open up and rain on us again. Looking up at the sky, letting the rain hit my face was so relaxing. I looked back to Jacob and grinned happily. Hearing his laugh, the kind that just bubbles up no matter how hard you try to hold it back, it  became contagious as I began to laugh with him.83

We walked into his shop to dry off. Looking around, I noticed the ceiling was fixed. Even all the debris was gon. As he saw my face become rather surprised, he whispered in my ear.84

"My employees did that when I took you to the restaraunt," he said. Taking my hand, he led me through the trellis, under a matching gazebo and to a hidden flight of stairs. Ascending the stairs, I found myself wishing to be in his arms. Hoping for him to do or say something, I almost ran into him.85

Looking back at me, he smiled. "Close your eyes, Beautiful." As I closed my eyes, I felt his hand wrap around mine and pull me up the last few steps and into a room. Leaving me at the doorway, I heard him rustling things around, making things perfect for me, in his eyes.86

"Okay, open," I heard Jacob say. As my eyes opened and focused in the dim candle light, I saw what stood in front of me. An absolutely beautiful oak sleigh bed. Looking at it more focused, I could see why Jacob would want to show me this bed. The detail was amazing. Cherubs, hearts, and roses detailed the sides and on the head board, there was a beautiful ornate portrait of a man and a woman looking out onto a lake under a weeping willow.87

It was utterly beautiful. Just looking at it put me into a state of shock. But knowing that the handsome man standing next to me had carved each inch with his own two hands was even more amazing.88

"I was making it so long ago, for a girl I was in love with, " Jacob whispered. "She moved away before I even got to learn her name."89

Smiling softly, I whispered back, "I know how that feels." He looked at me, slightly confused as I continued. "I was moving constantly as I was growing up. Never really had a chance to make friends or have crushes."90

"That sounds horrible," he said sadly.91

Smiling a little more, I continued, "I remember when I was thirteen or so, I saw a shop like this in a small town that I had lived in for a small time. I can't recall the name.. Garden Towne, I think. The carvings are so simular," I said running my hand over the carvings on the bed frame. After a few moments of silence, I looked at Jacob to see a surprised look on his face.92

"That's the town where I grew up," he said quietly. "My dad had a shop, That's where I learned it all, that's why I do this. It's the family business."93

Gasping slightly, I remained still, thinking I had fallen into a dream. Looking up at him, I realized how familiar he seemed. A boy I ran into so long ago. I had been arguing with my mother when I stormed out of a store, stumbled through the doorway and literally fell into the arms of a young man.94

"Oh wow, that was you," I whispered. As he looked at me, he smiled. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. "Thank you for saving my life twice."95

Pulling away slowly, we looked at each other again. His hand moved up slowly, moving my hair out of my face, then placed it on my cheek softly, pulling me closer to his face until our lips touched. The instant they touched, an explosion went off i my body. Feeling his hands move all around my body, under my jacket, taking it off slowly. As we seem to move in unison, taking off each other's clothing and never removing our lips from the passionate embraces they have embarked on.96