Hearts Afire

Hearts Afire

Enya hesitates momentarily at the mouth of her high-rise parking garage staring out the windshield of her Cadillac SUV. The winter has yet to start and already record amounts of snow are being dumped on top of piles of crinkly fallen leaves erasing yellow, gold and red hues under white frosting. Black branches of November trees etching the gray skies were being blanketed only on the north side. Planing on attending her friend, Calla's, baby reveal party she pulled out heading north and was soon swallowed by the blizzard.

Thrilled to be showing support for her college friend Enya hoped her friend appreciated her own sacrifice of time and effort battling the elements simply for the announcement of a second baby. Who's she kidding? She stayed too busy wrapped in her own business world chasing down clients and keeping up with market trends providing cybersecurity and risk management solutions for corporations in a male-dominated industry. Her world consisted of three piece power suits not nappies for infants. Much to her parents' dismay the cozy family life thus far eluded her.

Although it wasn't the life her father, especially, didn't want for her because it drained the spirit out of him, her expertise in security systems and corporation consulting passed down from him kept her in a comfortable high earning bracket but out of lasting relationships capable of leading to pink or blue reveal parties for herself.

She sighed thinking the very name he gave her reflected the fieriness needed to succeed in her chosen profession. 'Enya' means 'little fire' and everyone describes her personality as lively and spirited. Naturally spirited, strong-willed children become leaders, highly empathetic and intelligent. Everything her father aspired for her to be other than 'mother' added to her resume. Maybe someday, if not in her parents' life times. At thirty-five she's still within range. Right?

Calla was even more beautiful than normal glowingly showing off her baby bump. Sorority sisters together during university days they managed to maintain a close friendship although their lives were diverging. Calla returned home to her longtime best friend, Calvin, and finally married him.

“Enya, we want you to meet Ernest Byrne, Cal's old friend from debate club in college. He's now our local librarian. Steeped deep in all things knowledgeable and Dewey systematic.”

Enya shook hands as she looked up into incredible blue eyes behind Clark Kent glasses. The rest of the package also reminded her of Superman wrapped in argyle sweater minus the cape.

“Actually, everything is cataloged using computer these days. My favorite section is the children's corner where Calla brings Cal, Jr. He's full of boundless energy and unbreakable persistence.” Ernest clarified. “Computers are the essence cybersecurity, I would imagine.”

“You would be correct.”

“I haven't a clue exactly what you must do. Maybe we could discuss it in depth sometime?”

“Could be interesting. Where did Calla and Cal disappear to so fast?”

“Oh, if you know those two like I do you can't tell which one is the bad influence on the other.”

“I know what you mean. They are the reason someone invented the 'friends don't let friends' rules.” Enya chuckled.

“So, how does this work? We place bets on pink or blue?”

“You're wearing a mostly blue sweater so I think you're hoping it will be a boy. I hurriedly added a pink scarf to my suit so I'm sure it will be a girl this time around. I don't think there are any losers. They'll be happy with whatever gender they're blessed with.”

“You want those kind of blessings?”

“Someday perhaps. I know my parents have their fingers crossed but my clock is getting short, I'm afraid. What about you?”

“It would make me complete. Fatherhood certainly agrees with Cal. He was as wild as they come at one point.”

“Calla, too. People always say I'm the spirited one but she was floating way above me. Now I am bogged down by corporation needs while she's on cloud nine.”

“Speaking of a high-spirited child I seem to remember a little blond-haired, gapped-toothed second grader who exhibited independence, exuberance, determination, outspokenness, and at times was highly emotional and inflexible. We used to play together which could be super intense and exhausting for a nerdy shy boy.”

“Oh, my! You're my 'Ernie Bernie'! You moved away and I was devastated. I barely survived a total meltdown! Ask my parents.”

“So devastating you don't even remember me! Ha, ha. But I forgive you, my Little Fire. You went on to become a passionate, driven and dedicated leader. Not too bad.”

They continued to reminisce over shared memories of long ago until it was time for the big reveal.

Calvin and Calla stood together over a covered dish of cupcakes. Cal spoke, “We have continued annoying each other over these many years. Still we go together like cupcakes and frosting. The color of the frosting on these cupcakes will reveal the gender of our precious new family member.”

Together they lifted the cover to show fluffy pink frosting on the cupcakes. Cheers arose and anyone wearing pink got first choice of a cupcake.

The party kicked off the start of the holiday season and a fresh start of a renewed relationship between Enya and Ernest. Together they attended galas with big-wig clients in self-important circles or soirees surrounded by parents and children encircling tables of food or games. They reconnected with each other's parents over festive events. Sometimes they enjoyed quiet nights curled up on her davenport in her glass condo or on his couch in his cozy craftsman bungalow.

After many weeks of sharing their stories about each other once again Ernest presented his own big reveal down on his knee during a fancy private dinner for Valentine's Day.

“Our bond was sealed in childhood but will last a lifetime. We started as friends but I want to end as family. I am so in love with my spirited 'Little Fire'. Will you become my wife?”

“I've learned it's not what you have in life but who you have. Of course, I want you, Ernie, forever. Success is only success if you are happy. You make me happy.”

It was a May Day celebration of hearts entwined. Nine months later the happy couple stand before a covered plate of cupcakes ready for a big reveal of their own.