Subj: Together We Stand-sequel part 10
Date: 7/10/00 1:30:37 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Julianka
Barnabas looked up as Julia came down the stairs. "She's beautiful!" He thought to himself. "I've never seen her look like this before."
"Julia, my dear, you look lovely. But you needn't of dressed so formally. I assumed you would know I meant for us to dine at Mario's." said Barnabas.
"Mario's? I'm sorry I don't understand." replied Julia.
"Mario's," said Barnabas, "for dinner. You did get my note. Why else would you be dressed to go out?"
"Oh, yes. Your note. It slipped my mind." When Julia took note of the shocked look on Barnabas' face, she amendented her answer. "I'm very sorry Barnabas, but I have other plans."
"Other plans! When did you make other plans. I assumed..."
Julia interrupted him, "I know what you assumed. You assumed I would come panting at your heels like a puppy! You took it for granted, I would jump at the chance to have dinner with you. You didn't invite me so as you told me to have dinner with you!"
"Julia.." Barnabas stopped speaking as Elizabeth entered the foyer.
It was painfully obvious to Elizabeth, she had walked into a scene. Barnabas' face was beet red. Julia, on the other hand, was utterly calm and composed.
Deciding to take the diplomatic approach and ignore the emotions swirling around her, she said, "Barnabas, just the person I wanted to see! You must stay for dinner. Eliot and I have a very pressing matter to discuss with you."
"Could it wait until tommorrow, Elizabeth? I..I'm..It isn't convenient tonight." stammered Barnabas.
"Nonsense, Barnabas. I feel I must insist. Please believe me when I say it's extremely important." stated Elizabeth. "Here's Roger now."
Roger stopped at the top of the stairs. He uttered not a word, but the look on his face spoke volumes. As he descended the stairs, Julia admired the cut of his tux. She had always admired his taste in clothes. She thought it was more than his fit body, it's his inborn sense of himself. The very way he carrys his body says I am somebody.
Roger came straight to Julia. Taking both her hands in his, he said simply, "Thank-you, Julia." And kissed her cheek. "Shall we go?"
Smiling Julia said, "Give me a minute, Roger please." Turning to Barnabas, she said, "A word with you." Indicating the drawing room with slant of her head.
When the drawing room doors closed behind them, Julia said, "Barnabas be truthful with me and yourself. Why are you upset really? Because your jealous? I don't think so. I do think you're used to having me around. It feeds you ego." she shrugged. "I believe if you examine your feelings, you'll see I'm correct."
Dismayed at her words, Barnabas thought about his reactions of late. He had been rather high handed in his note. He thought of his resentment of Julia's abandoning him and her seeming indifferance of his feelings. "No, Julia still cares, I'm being childish! And selfish! Julia hadn't abandoned him. She was trying to make a life for herself. She needed something he couldn't give her. If he continued to demand Julia's complete attention, he would lose her all together. He couldn't bare to lose Julia's friendship." Brewing over this, Barnabas thought if Roger can make her happy, I have no right to stand in the way!"
"Please Barnabas, don't ruin this for me. Can't you be happy for me?" implored Julia.
Looking into her eyes, he said, "Alright, Julia, I'll try."
To be continued...