May 24th & 25th, 1970
I had spent the day with my sister and Lily, still making up for the night out with Cameron earlier in the week. Turns out it was very scandalous to Lily and she had to be reminded that I was a good girl. By the time night fell, we were all tired and went to bed; Lily in her room on the main floor and my sister and I in adjacent rooms upstairs.
I was having trouble sleeping, it must have been around ten o’clock. I’d drifted in and out of sleep, dreaming of water flowing and the star-filled sky. After waking up in a near-sweat for the third time, I put on slippers and went to the small sitting room across the hall.
I looked at the phone for a few minutes, debating if I should call. I hadn’t spoken with Cameron since he brought me home Friday morning, and it was Sunday night now. Pushing my fears aside, I picked up the receiver and dialed the number he had slipped into my jeans pocket.
“Hello?” Cameron answered after multiple rings.
“Hi, Cameron,” I answered. “I hope I’m not bothering you. It’s Emily.”
“Emily,” he spoke as if my voice had soothed him. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good, I hope you have as well? I know it’s late and I'm sorry for calling, but I just couldn’t sleep. I’ve been tossing all night.”
“It’s alright, Emily. Don’t fret. I was up myself, in the studio,” he explained.
“Are you writing?” I asked, not able to help myself.
“Yes.” He paused. “I’ve been in here almost all day, writing and playing.”
Without catching myself, I spoke my mind. “I’d love to hear you play again, before I go.”
“You’re welcome to,” he told me. “I could come get you, if you’d like…”
“I would love that,” I said, interrupting him with my eagerness.
He chuckled. “I can be there in half an hour, Emily.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up. How was I going to explain this to Lily and my sister? A note would have to do.
I tiptoed back into my room and threw on some clothes. I put a change of clothes for the morning into a backpack I’d bought, and a hairbrush along with my toothbrush. ‘I won’t be caught without underwear a second time,’ I said to myself.
As quietly as I could, I went down the stairs and wrote a note:
Lil, Auntie, Cameron asked me over. I’ll be back today. Love, Emily.
I left the note on the counter and saw a flash of headlights turning on and off in front of the house. I quickly put my shoes on and went out the door, locking it behind me. Cameron had his van this time, so I put my backpack in the back and got in the passenger seat.
“Hi,” I said with a smile.
“Hello,” Cameron answered. “I hope you’ve told someone where you’re going?”
“I left a note,” I assured him. “Don’t want a repeat of last time.”
Once we arrived at his house, I dropped my bag on the sofa and he led me right to the studio. I saw the phone in the hallway and noted that he must have gotten up right away when he heard the first ring, to reach the phone so quickly.
“I didn’t interrupt you when I called, did I?” I asked, worried.
“Yes, but it’s okay.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You can call me any time of day or night and I won’t mind one bit.”
I smiled at him and he pulled out a chair for me to sit on.
“Thank you,” I said, sitting down across from his keyboard and mic set up. “So, what were you writing? A piece for the new album?”
“Possibly, but I don’t know if the others will like it. We don’t usually write love songs,” he admitted.
“It’s a love song?” I asked.
“Yes. Here, I’ll play it for you.”
He set his fingers on the keyboard and began to play. A sweet, soothing sound came from the amplifiers, then turned into a passionate display of yearning. I could tell what this song was about even without words. It ended with a repeat of the opening bars and then Cameron set his hands on his lap.
“That’s what I’ve got. It’s not finished, but it’s still something.”
“It’s beautiful, Cameron.”
“I’m pleased you enjoyed it,” he murmured. “It’s your song.”
My jaw dropped, I somehow wasn’t expecting that. “You wrote that for me?”
“I did,” he admitted bashfully. “I have it recorded but it’s just a demo, I don’t know if—”
I stood up and leaned over to kiss him, interrupting his worried speech.
“Cameron, I love it.”
“I love you, Emily,” he told me as he stood, keeping hold of my hand as he walked around the keyboard. “And I know I sound like a damned fool for saying it.”
His admission struck me like a hammer, and I looked at him in surprise. “You do?”
“I don’t know what else could explain how I feel.”
“Kiss me,” I pleaded in a whisper, putting my hands on his cheeks. I pulled him close and our lips met in a slow, aching kiss. Only when I felt my face grow wet from tears did I break away, looking to the ground as I tried to compose myself.
“Oh, Emily, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Cameron worried. He wiped a tear away from my cheek with his thumb. “I shouldn’t have said it. I shouldn’t have played that song. Come,” he beckoned, but I didn’t move an inch.
“Cameron, I’m really glad you played it for me. And you’ve made me happy, too.” I sighed, wondering if I’d have the courage to tell him I loved him too. Why did I have to meet this man and fall for him so completely, in a place that was not my own, during a brief stay? Anger welled inside me. “I’m just… I leave in two days and I don’t know the answer to anything!”
“Emily…” He pulled me into his arms and held me tight. I cried, but all my shame at doing so dissipated when he stroked my hair and kissed my forehead. “This won’t be the last time we see each other. I promise.”
“I’m sorry for crying, I just… I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.
Cameron squeezed my hand, gently reassuring me. “Don’t apologize. It’s alright, love.”
We spent the next while sitting together on the sofa, mostly in silence. I was unnervingly frightened to tell Cameron that I felt the same way about him, and was glad when we eventually made our way upstairs.
In the ensuite bathroom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. My hair needed to be combed so I did that too, then came out of the bathroom to see Cameron taking his shirt off.
“It’s been a long day,” he noted calmly. He removed his socks and tossed them into the clothes hamper, along with his shirt.
I laughed nervously. “Sorry about crying.”
“Don’t feel bad about that.”
“I’ll try.”
“Promise me, Emily.” Cameron had suddenly grown serious. “Never apologize for showing me how you feel.”
“Alright. I promise.”
He smiled at me and I did the same. I began to unbutton my shirt when what he said struck me in a different light. ‘I’ll show you how I feel,’ I said in my mind. “Come, sit.” I motioned to the bed, my shirt unbuttoned but still on me.
Cameron did as I said, though he wore a confused look on his face. He kept his eyes on me as I slipped out of my jeans and leaned forward to kiss him. I tugged on the waistband of his jeans and slowly moved my kiss from his lips to his neck. I kissed his collarbone gently, wanting to show him what I felt but couldn’t say.
I slid down onto my knees and Cameron’s eyes widened with realization.
“Emily—”
I shushed him and pulled his zipper down, then unfastened the button. He lifted his hips as I pulled his jeans down, tossing them to the floor. I could see his wanting, and knew what I wanted, too.
I massaged him through his boxers until I heard him gasp. I nearly did the same when I lowered the fabric; the sight of him made my skin hot and my belly tighten. I worked on Cameron until I was wanting beyond want. When he warned me in a loud groan, I pulled back and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand.
“Do you want me to rinse my mouth?” I asked, but he shook his head.
“I want you to come here.” He spoke with such conviction I just did what he said, taking my shirt off and letting it fall to the ground. He was nude, and I was still in my underclothes; I reached behind my back and took my bra off.
Cameron pulled me towards him and slid down my panties, the feel of his body against mine made my head spin.
Unable to keep my desire to myself, I whimpered as his hands roamed. “I want you.”
His throaty laugh came first. “I’m wanting you too,” he grinned.
“So take me. I’m yours.”
When I woke, the sun hadn’t broken through the clouds yet. I looked at Cameron, his sleeping face beautiful. He had short stubble on his chin, dark brown hair framing his face. I could see a closed hole from earrings once worn in his ear, and wondered if he had the same thing done to the other side.
He shifted in his sleep and I put my hand on his arm, wishing I wasn’t so scared. If he was brave enough to tell me he loved me, I should be brave enough to tell him the same.
“Emily?” he mumbled, so quietly I wondered if he was still sleeping. When he said it a second time, I answered.
“I’m here.”
He smiled and snuggled into me. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“Me too, Cameron.”
We stayed in bed for a while longer, half-sleeping and bodies entwined, until the sun came out and shone through the lightly coloured curtains.
“I suppose we should get up,” Cameron said, stretching.
“I don’t want to,” I chuckled.
“Neither do I.”
‘So let’s stay here all day,’ I said inside my mind. “I’ll go brush my teeth.” I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, only to see the analogue clock in the corner that I had never noticed. “Cameron, it’s eleven.”
“Is it?”
“I should at least call Lily and let her know I’m okay.”
“Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” I walked, still nude, to the phone in the hallway and dialed Lily’s number. My sister picked up the other end and was audibly relieved when I spoke.
“Are you with Cameron? What time did you leave?”
“Yes, I’m at his house. Didn’t you see my note? I left around ten.”
“Why would you leave so late in the night?”
I twirled the cord around my finger and frowned. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I couldn’t sleep and—”
“I bet you did a lot of sleeping there!”
“Can you be a regular person for like, ten minutes?” I asked in frustration. She didn’t reply, so I continued. “I just saw the time, I don’t know when I’m leaving but I’ll be back before lunch.”
“Lily wants me to tell you to bring him here for lunch.” I could hear the smile on her face.
“She wants to meet Cameron? I mean, I’ll ask, but—”
“Not negotiable. Bring him when you come home. Hope he likes roast beef.”
Click.
I stared at the receiver for a moment before putting it down. Somehow I doubted that this was my great-aunt’s idea.
I went back into the bedroom to find Cameron nearly dressed.
“You might want to slow down, you’ve been formally invited—I mean, forced— to come to lunch at the house,” I announced.
“I’ll shave,” he replied, and took off his shirt. He went into the bathroom and I followed to take a shower. Once out and dried off, I found a clean shaven Cameron sitting on the edge of the bed, putting socks and shoes on.
“I hope you don’t mind coming for lunch,” I worried. “At least once my sister meets you, she’ll see you’re not the trouble she’s imagining.”
“It’s alright, Emily,” Cameron chuckled. “Just more time to spend with you.” He smiled at me and I blushed despite myself. I would be leaving the country to go back to Canada in exactly 48 hours, and he was still happy to just be with me.
I was happy to be with him too, and once we were driving towards Lily’s house, I told him so.
“I’m really happy to be spending my time with you,” I admitted. “I’m sad to be going.”
“Who is taking you and your sister to the airport?” he asked.
“Probably Lily, but she always cries and makes a fuss, so that’ll be an event of itself.”
“Would you like me to drive you? I wouldn’t mind, and I could come pick you up in the morning and bring you. Your flight is at noon?”
“You’re too sweet, Cameron, honestly I couldn’t—”
“Of course you can, it’s easy.” He glanced at me briefly, then back at the road. “I’d be happy to see you off.”
We arrived at the house and he parked outside, turning off the engine.
“Ready?” I asked.
He smiled. “Always.”
He got out of the car and opened the door for me, obviously knowing that someone inside would be watching us approach.
“This way, my lady,” he said, mimicking a posh English accent.
“You’re too funny,” I said with a laugh. “Come on, the door should be unlocked.”
It was, and when we entered I said a loud hello, a distant answer coming from the kitchen. We took our shoes off at the front door and stepped into the kitchen. It was a good thing Cameron was holding my hand, because I might have fainted if I’d seen this and not had physical support: my sister was cooking.
“We’re all gonna get food poisoning! Why didn’t you let Lily cook?” I asked jokingly, until I saw her face.
“What’s happened?”
“She’s under the weather, so I’m taking up the chores for her. Whoever knew it was so difficult to cook roast beef?” she asked rhetorically.
“Oh God,” I groaned. “Cameron, this is my sister Liliane.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.
“Nice to meet you too. Do you know anything about roast beef?” she asked him.
Cameron chuckled. “I do, actually. Would you like me to take a look?”
“Please,” Liliane replied. “Emily, can you go see Auntie? Tell her you’re here.”
I nodded and walked to Lily’s room. She was laying in bed and looked not at all under the weather, rather looking quite pleased with herself.
“Hi, Auntie.”
“He’s here? Your... friend?”
“Cameron,” I reminded her. “Yes, he’s helping Lil with the roast beef.”
“Help me into the kitchen, dear? Arthritis is acting up today, so I took a little nap.”
“You look refreshed,” I told her as we crossed the hallway and made it to the kitchen.
“Hello, young man,” Lily said as she watched Cameron prod at the roast with a thermometer.
He turned and extended his hand to hers, giving a light kiss to the top of her hand. “It’s a pleasure. I’m Cameron, I’ve been seeing Emily.”
“I know,” Lily answered, “you’re the one who’s been taking her out of the house in the middle of the night.”
‘Oh boy,’ I thought to myself. ‘This is gonna be long.’
The roast beef was ready, so Cameron sliced it and I helped my sister with the potatoes and carrots. Lily sat at the head of the table and looked at Cameron as he worked. I caught her gaze and she winked at me.
‘That’s a good sign. Now to convince my sister.’
We sat and ate. The meal was delicious, and Liliane thanked Cameron for his help more than once. ‘Odd, but I’ll take what I can get.’ I thought.
By the end of the meal we had all learned how Cameron had gotten into music. He was taught guitar at an early age, but when he heard the piano he knew that was what he wanted to play. He switched when he was ten and hadn’t looked back in over fifteen years.
He even said some things that I hadn’t known about him, that his father had passed away when he was young. I touched his thigh below the table as a soothing gesture, and he glanced at me.
“I’ve always had great friends, and Emily is no exception.”
“I’ve heard you’re more than friends,” Liliane spoke.
“You’ve assumed,” I corrected.
Cameron smiled and didn’t seem to mind the bickering. “You are right though, Liliane. I am quite fond of your sister.”
“Well, we’re leaving on Wednesday, so you’ll have to say goodbye.” Liliane was brute, and I felt ready to yell, but Cameron took it with grace.
“Speaking of that, I was hoping that I could take you both to the airport on Wednesday. Of course, if Lily doesn’t mind.”
Lily nodded and gave her permission, so that was settled.
“I’m going to go to bed, I’ve got a headache. Liliane, can you handle the cleaning up?” Lily asked.
“Of course, Auntie. Have a good rest.”
Cameron stood and bid his farewell to Lily, who walked by herself to her bedroom.
We finished eating and cleared the table together, but left the dishes for later. Liliane had a few more questions to ask Cameron, but I feigned that he had a band meeting to go to and we headed to the door. We put our shoes on and went outside; I walked with him to his van.
“Thank you for coming. You know, you didn’t have to.”
“It was no trouble at all,” he answered. We stood in silence for a moment before he asked me a question. “If I asked you not to open something until you got back to Canada, would you?”
“Would I not open it?”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t open it,” I told him truthfully.
He went to the passenger door and opened it, reaching into the pocket behind the seat. He pulled out a small envelope that seemed to be important.
“Here. It’s from me, of course. Just, don’t open it until you've at least crossed the ocean.”
He leaned down and took my face in both his hands and kissed me. I didn’t want him to pull away, but I knew my sister was watching some way or another.
“We will talk soon, Emily.”
With that, Cameron got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. I felt like this was goodbye, even though he was going to bring us to the airport, and I didn’t want it to be goodbye. Not yet.
“Cameron!” I shouted, so he could hear me over the engine.
He looked at me and somehow seemed sad. What could I say to him while he looked like that?
“Be safe.”
I was having trouble sleeping, it must have been around ten o’clock. I’d drifted in and out of sleep, dreaming of water flowing and the star-filled sky. After waking up in a near-sweat for the third time, I put on slippers and went to the small sitting room across the hall.
I looked at the phone for a few minutes, debating if I should call. I hadn’t spoken with Cameron since he brought me home Friday morning, and it was Sunday night now. Pushing my fears aside, I picked up the receiver and dialed the number he had slipped into my jeans pocket.
“Hello?” Cameron answered after multiple rings.
“Hi, Cameron,” I answered. “I hope I’m not bothering you. It’s Emily.”
“Emily,” he spoke as if my voice had soothed him. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good, I hope you have as well? I know it’s late and I'm sorry for calling, but I just couldn’t sleep. I’ve been tossing all night.”
“It’s alright, Emily. Don’t fret. I was up myself, in the studio,” he explained.
“Are you writing?” I asked, not able to help myself.
“Yes.” He paused. “I’ve been in here almost all day, writing and playing.”
Without catching myself, I spoke my mind. “I’d love to hear you play again, before I go.”
“You’re welcome to,” he told me. “I could come get you, if you’d like…”
“I would love that,” I said, interrupting him with my eagerness.
He chuckled. “I can be there in half an hour, Emily.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up. How was I going to explain this to Lily and my sister? A note would have to do.
I tiptoed back into my room and threw on some clothes. I put a change of clothes for the morning into a backpack I’d bought, and a hairbrush along with my toothbrush. ‘I won’t be caught without underwear a second time,’ I said to myself.
As quietly as I could, I went down the stairs and wrote a note:
Lil, Auntie, Cameron asked me over. I’ll be back today. Love, Emily.
I left the note on the counter and saw a flash of headlights turning on and off in front of the house. I quickly put my shoes on and went out the door, locking it behind me. Cameron had his van this time, so I put my backpack in the back and got in the passenger seat.
“Hi,” I said with a smile.
“Hello,” Cameron answered. “I hope you’ve told someone where you’re going?”
“I left a note,” I assured him. “Don’t want a repeat of last time.”
Once we arrived at his house, I dropped my bag on the sofa and he led me right to the studio. I saw the phone in the hallway and noted that he must have gotten up right away when he heard the first ring, to reach the phone so quickly.
“I didn’t interrupt you when I called, did I?” I asked, worried.
“Yes, but it’s okay.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You can call me any time of day or night and I won’t mind one bit.”
I smiled at him and he pulled out a chair for me to sit on.
“Thank you,” I said, sitting down across from his keyboard and mic set up. “So, what were you writing? A piece for the new album?”
“Possibly, but I don’t know if the others will like it. We don’t usually write love songs,” he admitted.
“It’s a love song?” I asked.
“Yes. Here, I’ll play it for you.”
He set his fingers on the keyboard and began to play. A sweet, soothing sound came from the amplifiers, then turned into a passionate display of yearning. I could tell what this song was about even without words. It ended with a repeat of the opening bars and then Cameron set his hands on his lap.
“That’s what I’ve got. It’s not finished, but it’s still something.”
“It’s beautiful, Cameron.”
“I’m pleased you enjoyed it,” he murmured. “It’s your song.”
My jaw dropped, I somehow wasn’t expecting that. “You wrote that for me?”
“I did,” he admitted bashfully. “I have it recorded but it’s just a demo, I don’t know if—”
I stood up and leaned over to kiss him, interrupting his worried speech.
“Cameron, I love it.”
“I love you, Emily,” he told me as he stood, keeping hold of my hand as he walked around the keyboard. “And I know I sound like a damned fool for saying it.”
His admission struck me like a hammer, and I looked at him in surprise. “You do?”
“I don’t know what else could explain how I feel.”
“Kiss me,” I pleaded in a whisper, putting my hands on his cheeks. I pulled him close and our lips met in a slow, aching kiss. Only when I felt my face grow wet from tears did I break away, looking to the ground as I tried to compose myself.
“Oh, Emily, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Cameron worried. He wiped a tear away from my cheek with his thumb. “I shouldn’t have said it. I shouldn’t have played that song. Come,” he beckoned, but I didn’t move an inch.
“Cameron, I’m really glad you played it for me. And you’ve made me happy, too.” I sighed, wondering if I’d have the courage to tell him I loved him too. Why did I have to meet this man and fall for him so completely, in a place that was not my own, during a brief stay? Anger welled inside me. “I’m just… I leave in two days and I don’t know the answer to anything!”
“Emily…” He pulled me into his arms and held me tight. I cried, but all my shame at doing so dissipated when he stroked my hair and kissed my forehead. “This won’t be the last time we see each other. I promise.”
“I’m sorry for crying, I just… I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.
Cameron squeezed my hand, gently reassuring me. “Don’t apologize. It’s alright, love.”
We spent the next while sitting together on the sofa, mostly in silence. I was unnervingly frightened to tell Cameron that I felt the same way about him, and was glad when we eventually made our way upstairs.
In the ensuite bathroom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. My hair needed to be combed so I did that too, then came out of the bathroom to see Cameron taking his shirt off.
“It’s been a long day,” he noted calmly. He removed his socks and tossed them into the clothes hamper, along with his shirt.
I laughed nervously. “Sorry about crying.”
“Don’t feel bad about that.”
“I’ll try.”
“Promise me, Emily.” Cameron had suddenly grown serious. “Never apologize for showing me how you feel.”
“Alright. I promise.”
He smiled at me and I did the same. I began to unbutton my shirt when what he said struck me in a different light. ‘I’ll show you how I feel,’ I said in my mind. “Come, sit.” I motioned to the bed, my shirt unbuttoned but still on me.
Cameron did as I said, though he wore a confused look on his face. He kept his eyes on me as I slipped out of my jeans and leaned forward to kiss him. I tugged on the waistband of his jeans and slowly moved my kiss from his lips to his neck. I kissed his collarbone gently, wanting to show him what I felt but couldn’t say.
I slid down onto my knees and Cameron’s eyes widened with realization.
“Emily—”
I shushed him and pulled his zipper down, then unfastened the button. He lifted his hips as I pulled his jeans down, tossing them to the floor. I could see his wanting, and knew what I wanted, too.
I massaged him through his boxers until I heard him gasp. I nearly did the same when I lowered the fabric; the sight of him made my skin hot and my belly tighten. I worked on Cameron until I was wanting beyond want. When he warned me in a loud groan, I pulled back and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand.
“Do you want me to rinse my mouth?” I asked, but he shook his head.
“I want you to come here.” He spoke with such conviction I just did what he said, taking my shirt off and letting it fall to the ground. He was nude, and I was still in my underclothes; I reached behind my back and took my bra off.
Cameron pulled me towards him and slid down my panties, the feel of his body against mine made my head spin.
Unable to keep my desire to myself, I whimpered as his hands roamed. “I want you.”
His throaty laugh came first. “I’m wanting you too,” he grinned.
“So take me. I’m yours.”
When I woke, the sun hadn’t broken through the clouds yet. I looked at Cameron, his sleeping face beautiful. He had short stubble on his chin, dark brown hair framing his face. I could see a closed hole from earrings once worn in his ear, and wondered if he had the same thing done to the other side.
He shifted in his sleep and I put my hand on his arm, wishing I wasn’t so scared. If he was brave enough to tell me he loved me, I should be brave enough to tell him the same.
“Emily?” he mumbled, so quietly I wondered if he was still sleeping. When he said it a second time, I answered.
“I’m here.”
He smiled and snuggled into me. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“Me too, Cameron.”
We stayed in bed for a while longer, half-sleeping and bodies entwined, until the sun came out and shone through the lightly coloured curtains.
“I suppose we should get up,” Cameron said, stretching.
“I don’t want to,” I chuckled.
“Neither do I.”
‘So let’s stay here all day,’ I said inside my mind. “I’ll go brush my teeth.” I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, only to see the analogue clock in the corner that I had never noticed. “Cameron, it’s eleven.”
“Is it?”
“I should at least call Lily and let her know I’m okay.”
“Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” I walked, still nude, to the phone in the hallway and dialed Lily’s number. My sister picked up the other end and was audibly relieved when I spoke.
“Are you with Cameron? What time did you leave?”
“Yes, I’m at his house. Didn’t you see my note? I left around ten.”
“Why would you leave so late in the night?”
I twirled the cord around my finger and frowned. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I couldn’t sleep and—”
“I bet you did a lot of sleeping there!”
“Can you be a regular person for like, ten minutes?” I asked in frustration. She didn’t reply, so I continued. “I just saw the time, I don’t know when I’m leaving but I’ll be back before lunch.”
“Lily wants me to tell you to bring him here for lunch.” I could hear the smile on her face.
“She wants to meet Cameron? I mean, I’ll ask, but—”
“Not negotiable. Bring him when you come home. Hope he likes roast beef.”
Click.
I stared at the receiver for a moment before putting it down. Somehow I doubted that this was my great-aunt’s idea.
I went back into the bedroom to find Cameron nearly dressed.
“You might want to slow down, you’ve been formally invited—I mean, forced— to come to lunch at the house,” I announced.
“I’ll shave,” he replied, and took off his shirt. He went into the bathroom and I followed to take a shower. Once out and dried off, I found a clean shaven Cameron sitting on the edge of the bed, putting socks and shoes on.
“I hope you don’t mind coming for lunch,” I worried. “At least once my sister meets you, she’ll see you’re not the trouble she’s imagining.”
“It’s alright, Emily,” Cameron chuckled. “Just more time to spend with you.” He smiled at me and I blushed despite myself. I would be leaving the country to go back to Canada in exactly 48 hours, and he was still happy to just be with me.
I was happy to be with him too, and once we were driving towards Lily’s house, I told him so.
“I’m really happy to be spending my time with you,” I admitted. “I’m sad to be going.”
“Who is taking you and your sister to the airport?” he asked.
“Probably Lily, but she always cries and makes a fuss, so that’ll be an event of itself.”
“Would you like me to drive you? I wouldn’t mind, and I could come pick you up in the morning and bring you. Your flight is at noon?”
“You’re too sweet, Cameron, honestly I couldn’t—”
“Of course you can, it’s easy.” He glanced at me briefly, then back at the road. “I’d be happy to see you off.”
We arrived at the house and he parked outside, turning off the engine.
“Ready?” I asked.
He smiled. “Always.”
He got out of the car and opened the door for me, obviously knowing that someone inside would be watching us approach.
“This way, my lady,” he said, mimicking a posh English accent.
“You’re too funny,” I said with a laugh. “Come on, the door should be unlocked.”
It was, and when we entered I said a loud hello, a distant answer coming from the kitchen. We took our shoes off at the front door and stepped into the kitchen. It was a good thing Cameron was holding my hand, because I might have fainted if I’d seen this and not had physical support: my sister was cooking.
“We’re all gonna get food poisoning! Why didn’t you let Lily cook?” I asked jokingly, until I saw her face.
“What’s happened?”
“She’s under the weather, so I’m taking up the chores for her. Whoever knew it was so difficult to cook roast beef?” she asked rhetorically.
“Oh God,” I groaned. “Cameron, this is my sister Liliane.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.
“Nice to meet you too. Do you know anything about roast beef?” she asked him.
Cameron chuckled. “I do, actually. Would you like me to take a look?”
“Please,” Liliane replied. “Emily, can you go see Auntie? Tell her you’re here.”
I nodded and walked to Lily’s room. She was laying in bed and looked not at all under the weather, rather looking quite pleased with herself.
“Hi, Auntie.”
“He’s here? Your... friend?”
“Cameron,” I reminded her. “Yes, he’s helping Lil with the roast beef.”
“Help me into the kitchen, dear? Arthritis is acting up today, so I took a little nap.”
“You look refreshed,” I told her as we crossed the hallway and made it to the kitchen.
“Hello, young man,” Lily said as she watched Cameron prod at the roast with a thermometer.
He turned and extended his hand to hers, giving a light kiss to the top of her hand. “It’s a pleasure. I’m Cameron, I’ve been seeing Emily.”
“I know,” Lily answered, “you’re the one who’s been taking her out of the house in the middle of the night.”
‘Oh boy,’ I thought to myself. ‘This is gonna be long.’
The roast beef was ready, so Cameron sliced it and I helped my sister with the potatoes and carrots. Lily sat at the head of the table and looked at Cameron as he worked. I caught her gaze and she winked at me.
‘That’s a good sign. Now to convince my sister.’
We sat and ate. The meal was delicious, and Liliane thanked Cameron for his help more than once. ‘Odd, but I’ll take what I can get.’ I thought.
By the end of the meal we had all learned how Cameron had gotten into music. He was taught guitar at an early age, but when he heard the piano he knew that was what he wanted to play. He switched when he was ten and hadn’t looked back in over fifteen years.
He even said some things that I hadn’t known about him, that his father had passed away when he was young. I touched his thigh below the table as a soothing gesture, and he glanced at me.
“I’ve always had great friends, and Emily is no exception.”
“I’ve heard you’re more than friends,” Liliane spoke.
“You’ve assumed,” I corrected.
Cameron smiled and didn’t seem to mind the bickering. “You are right though, Liliane. I am quite fond of your sister.”
“Well, we’re leaving on Wednesday, so you’ll have to say goodbye.” Liliane was brute, and I felt ready to yell, but Cameron took it with grace.
“Speaking of that, I was hoping that I could take you both to the airport on Wednesday. Of course, if Lily doesn’t mind.”
Lily nodded and gave her permission, so that was settled.
“I’m going to go to bed, I’ve got a headache. Liliane, can you handle the cleaning up?” Lily asked.
“Of course, Auntie. Have a good rest.”
Cameron stood and bid his farewell to Lily, who walked by herself to her bedroom.
We finished eating and cleared the table together, but left the dishes for later. Liliane had a few more questions to ask Cameron, but I feigned that he had a band meeting to go to and we headed to the door. We put our shoes on and went outside; I walked with him to his van.
“Thank you for coming. You know, you didn’t have to.”
“It was no trouble at all,” he answered. We stood in silence for a moment before he asked me a question. “If I asked you not to open something until you got back to Canada, would you?”
“Would I not open it?”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t open it,” I told him truthfully.
He went to the passenger door and opened it, reaching into the pocket behind the seat. He pulled out a small envelope that seemed to be important.
“Here. It’s from me, of course. Just, don’t open it until you've at least crossed the ocean.”
He leaned down and took my face in both his hands and kissed me. I didn’t want him to pull away, but I knew my sister was watching some way or another.
“We will talk soon, Emily.”
With that, Cameron got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. I felt like this was goodbye, even though he was going to bring us to the airport, and I didn’t want it to be goodbye. Not yet.
“Cameron!” I shouted, so he could hear me over the engine.
He looked at me and somehow seemed sad. What could I say to him while he looked like that?
“Be safe.”
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