William and Ella

The room was bright.  They’d forgotten ? Or perhaps they’d silently chosen to leave the blinds open a bit.  Light fell into the room and danced across the sheets towards William’s chest.  As his eyes adjusted to the light , awareness flooded over him.  Ella’s back was nestled into his side.  The end of her long locs gently brushing across his arm.  Her waist and derriere meshed into the side of him.  He smiled as he thought of the day before.  She was breathtakingly beautiful as she walked down the aisle arm in arm with her younger brother, Jamie.  Ella’s dad had died just a year before - just weeks after they’d began dating.  Will was so grateful for the time he’d known Mr. Abraham.  By the time they’d met after his second date with Ella, he’d known that he was falling in love with her.  They’d taken a cooking class together - learning how to make home made papparadelle noodles , drinking cabernet -all the while talking , laughing and feeding each other.  Afterwards, Ella said in the car, “William, I know I shouldn’t say this.  It’s so soon.  But, I’ve promised myself that I would do things differently this time.  I mean - you’re different.  This feels different.  I …hope I’m not saying too much.”

Will grabbed Ella’s hand - sensing her need to know how he was feeling. He'd never believed in love at first sight until he'd met Ella.  He pulled over into a strip mall they were passing.  Once the car was stopped, he stepped out and walked over to the passenger’s side - feeling adrenaline pumping through his veins all the while.  He opened Ella’s door and reached out his hand.  She unbuckled her seatbelt , stood up, and allowed Will to close the door behind her.  He folded his arms around her waist and pulled her in slightly. Their eyes met. “This is different.  I feel it, too,” he said.  Right there in front of the Home Goods on Juniper Street, they kissed for the first time.  It was soft, slow and gentle.  Once back in the car they held hands.  

When they pulled up to Ella’s house a large, black,older model Mercedes S- Class was in the driveway.  “Oh, my parents ……” Ella said.  “They weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow.” There was an uncomfortable silence that lingered in the air momentarily when Will said, “Should I meet them tonight or tomorrow ?” They looked at each other and laughed .  It broke the tension. “Come in.  I want you to come in.  They might as well meet you now.  You’re going to be around.” Ella said , smiling.  

That night, William had stayed until after midnight , as Ella’s mom decided it was the perfect time to “whip up” a peach cobbler.  James Abraham and Will hit it off immediately.  James had been a musician in his late teens and twenties before becoming a pastor,  and loved hearing about the compositions Will had been part of creating. He was also a Dodgers fan which instantly put him on Will’s imaginary list of “VIP’s”.  Ella’s mother wasn’t quite as easy to read that night.  She and Will got along fine, but, she was mostly interested in catching up with Ella and less interested in getting to know her new love interest.  Will later found out that she was particularly cautious about who dated Ella for good reason. A reason Ella’s dad never knew.  

Nevertheless, Will remembered being completely smitten by Ella that night.  When he wasn’t knee deep in conversation with her dad about Quincy Jones' extensive catalog or Mookie Betts' rising batting average, he was watching Ella.  He loved the way she moved.  She was a tall woman.  Her stature somewhat thick , but athletic and toned.  She was ladylike, but, very commanding.  Her presence demanded attention.  Her bright , almond eyes twinkled when she smiled.  Her entire face moved when she talked.  Her hands moving in the air as if she were painting or directing a choir.  Everything about her was enchanting. 

As Will lay beside her, he leaned in to smell her hair.  Her long tresses carrying the scent of shea butter and coconut.  Her neck reminiscent of the apple and pear based perfume she’d worn yesterday.  As he placed his lips on her neck she moved a bit.  He wrapped his arms around her thick, warm waist and pulled her back into his waist.  “Mmmmm.  “ Ella said, beginning to wake up.  A smile spread across her face and Will began to kiss her shoulders and neck.  “I could get used to waking up like this” , she said groggily.  She turned over to face him , pulled the sheet up over her mouth and said, “Hi." As she looked into Will's eyes she felt it again. Safe. Safe to be loved. Safe to be herself. Safe to hope and believe that she'd always feel this way - seen, adored, and protected.