7. Perfectly Broken Stick

Chapter 7

Perfectly Broken Stick

“ W here are we going?” Elizabeth asked as she followed Hugo along the dirt path.

The trees of Wildgrove Park darkened the light of the full moon. Small rays of moonlight broke through openings. The spring air was thick with humidity.

A bead of sweat rolled down Elizabeth’s face as she struggled to see the rutted path. Each step was slower and more deliberate than the last. She carefully planted her heel before fully committing to the step.

“Hugo, I can barely see anything. And I’m wearing heels. Where are we going?”

“Not much further. Just around the bend.” He paused and stretched out his hand, waiting for Elizabeth to catch up.

She took his hand, and he guided her along the path. Hugo stopped in front of a small alcove. A billowy, white renaissance chemise dress and an emerald green overdress hung from a tree branch.

“Hugo. Is that… Is that my Ren Fest dress?” Elizabeth asked. “What’s it doing here? ”

Hugo backed away from Elizabeth, continuing down the path. “Put it on. I’ll be right back.”

“Hugo! I’m not putting this thing on in the middle of the woods at night.”

“It’ll be fine. There’s no one around. Trust me.” His voice trailed off as he disappeared down the path.

“Hugo Dodds!”

He was gone. Elizabeth surveyed around, checking the path multiple times. She examined the trees. There was no one around. She grabbed the white chemise dress. “Unbelievable.”

She gave a quick sigh and unzipped her black dress. She gave one more look around. An owl hooted faintly in the distance. She carefully shimmied out of the black dress, so it didn’t touch the ground.

A bead of sweat rolled down to the small of her back. She flung the black dress over a shoulder, trying to cover up her half naked body. She removed the chemise from its hanger and replaced it with the black one.

Her head disappeared into the billowy dress as she struggled to put it on before finally emerging through the opening. She straightened out the long hem, then pulled out any hair still trapped beneath. Elizabeth slipped her arms through and tied the corset-like overdress. She gave one final adjustment and stood there. The soft glow of whitish-blue moonlight that made it through the trees splashed across her face. Elizabeth checked down the path.

“Hugo?”

No response.

“I have the dress on,” Elizabeth shouted.

Still nothing.

“HUGO?”

A noise, the clamoring of metal against metal, echoed in the woods. A figure bouncing in the pale moonlight galloped down the dirt path. He approached, closer and closer. Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

“Hugo, this isn’t funny! ”

A figured approached with the distinct outline of a knight’s helmet. A long stick dragged along the dirt path between the figure’s legs as he galloped closer. His speed increased.

“Whoa, Sir Galahad. Whoa,” Hugo commanded the wooden horse before coming to a stop.

He stumbled from the momentum and almost ran into Elizabeth. He heaved off the knight’s helmet and sent it tumbling to the ground. It crashed and clanged from the impact. Hugo gave a quick glance.

“I hope I didn’t damage it,” he said before looking back at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth snickered. “What are you doing?”

“My lady,” Hugo proclaimed as he dismounted the imaginary horse. He carefully placed the stick on the ground. “I have traveled far and wide. Faced many tribulations. Conquered many foes.” He swung his arms around in magnanimous poses with each grand gesture.

Her breath shortened, and her heart raced. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “What’s happening?”

“I have searched a lifetime for a lady more fair than thou, and I have found none. You are the light that doth maketh the sun envious. You are the joy that maketh me—” Hugo paused. He pulled an object from his pants pocket and concealed it within his fist. He knelt down, opened his fist, and presented a maroon velvet box to her.

Elizabeth cupped her mouth. Tears of joy fell down her face.

“I’m going to stop with the Renaissance Festival talk now.”

Elizabeth laughed behind her hands.

“You are the joy of my life. I have loved you since the day we met in elementary school. I could not imagine a world without you. We have been through so much together. Happy times. Sad times. But through it all, we were together. I want to spend the rest of our lives together. Elizabeth Clark, willest thou doeth the honor of being my wife? ”

Hugo opened the box. A diamond ring sparkled in the glow of a solitary ray of moonlight that made it through the tree branches.

“Yes,” Elizabeth said, unable to hold back the tears. “Yes, I will doeth this honor.”

Elizabeth presented her left hand. Hugo removed the ring and slowly placed it on her finger. Hugo locked with Elizabeth, and he sprung up. There was a small audible rip of cloth from his pants. He paid no attention to it. His hands cupped her face. His fingers traced along her jaw and neck before resting on the back of her head. Her heart raced, and her breath shortened. He leaned in, kissing her lips softly, gently—each kiss more passionate than the last.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She took in his scent, a mixture of mint, vanilla, and cedar cologne. The smell lingered, as Elizabeth etched it into her memory. Their bodies pressed against each other. He pushed forward. She leaned back. Their heartbeats synchronized. The world was silent.

Eternity passed.

They stopped for a moment of air, foreheads resting against each other. Their eyes were closed, searing the moment into memory. Their breathing labored.

Hugo broke the silence. “I think I tore my pants.”

They laughed, opened and locked eyes. Her hazel eyes forever lost in the desire of his icy blue eyes.

“We can get them fixed,” Elizabeth said, trying not to lose herself to tears of joy. They both laughed.

“I love you, Elizabeth.”

“I love you too, Hu—”

The memory of that night faded and plucked Hugo back to reality as Max violently pulled on the leash, impatient to continue down the path. His heart raced, breathing intensified, and his head throbbed. He stumbled before looking around. The world spun for a moment. Max gave out a loud session of barks before tugging again on the leash.

“Max, stop. Sit! ” Hugo commanded.

Max ignored all commands, attempting to chase whatever caught her attention. Hugo shortened the leash, trying to gain control over the rambunctious puppy. Max relented, standing at attention, chest out, nose pointed, and tail wagging. Watching. Guarding.

Hugo gathered his composure, looking back to the alcove that years before held Elizabeth’s emerald green dress—the tree now barren of leaves. Its gray branches twisted up to the partially clouded skies. Brown and yellow leaves piled over its roots. Hugo’s back shivered from the chilly wind as it whisked the pile deeper into the woods, like discarded memories of a past long forgotten. Hugo gave out a quick breath and continued walking as Max pulled ahead.

He paused. The outline of a familiar black wool hat emerged from around the bend—its curved point was unmistakable. The purple hair bounced with every gleeful step. An unzipped black leather jacket covered a white blouse. The black and purple plaid dress sashayed with her every movement. Black tights matched the thick-soled boots, and a pumpkin shaped bag bounced off her hip.

Hugo couldn’t help but stare. Each step was an eternity. His eyes widened. A lump formed in his throat.

Please don’t talk to me .

He stood waiting. Frozen. Enraptured. Max tugged to greet the stranger, but Hugo held her back. He could hurry past her, never having to say more than a simple greeting. His body stood paralyzed by her sight. His heart beat faster and faster—his eyes mesmerized by her purple lips.

‘You might enjoy yourself,’ Oliver Raskin’s words from a week ago echoed through his mind.

“Well, hello, Hugo Dodds,” Alice said as she approached, stopping within an arm’s length of Hugo. With a mischievous smile, she pulled on the strap of her purse .

“Fancy meeting you here.”

“I saw you going for a walk and decided to follow to see what mischief the two of you were up to,” Alice retorted with a sly smile. “You sure do take a lot of them.”

“Are you spying on me?” Hugo asked with a chuckle.

“Do you want me to?” She tilted her head and batted her emerald green eyes.

Hugo paused. “Not what I asked.”

“But is it what you wanted to hear?” Alice swayed back and forth.

Words failed Hugo.

Alice squatted down in front of Max, rubbing her chin and ears. “How’s my good girl doing today?”

Max’s tail thrashed violently against Hugo’s leg.

“She’s being her usual pain in the butt self,” Hugo replied.

“Aww,” Alice said. “She’s not a pain in the butt, are you?”

Max smiled as Alice continued to scratch her head.

“Do you have any pets?” Hugo asked.

“Umm. Sort of.” She stood up, inching her way closer to Hugo, and smiled.

His back tightened from nervous anticipation at her close proximity. He wanted her to move closer and yet step away.

“At least, he thinks he’s a dog.”

“Thinks he’s a dog?” Hugo asked. “A cat that thinks he’s a dog?”

“No. No… No cat,” Alice replied. “He grew up around dogs on a horse farm. He acts like a dog at times. Part horse, part dog.”

“Ah. A horse.”

“Something like that.”

“Never took you as a rider, but I guess if it fits…” He winked at her.

“Fits what?” Alice inquired, turning a curious ear toward Hugo.

“Well, you dress as a witch, so I guess riding comes with the territory.” Hugo chuckled.

“More than you know.” Alice winked back .

“I’m sorry about Johanna the other day. She’s not the nicest of people to get along with. She tends to keep to herself.”

“I’m used to it,” Alice replied.

“But you really do like dressing like it’s Halloween, don’t you?”

“It’s who I am.”

“Well, it’s definitely a style that most people in town are not used to seeing.”

“Trust me, I know. I’ve had quite a few looks the past couple of days.”

“I like it, but you know others might think you really are a witch.” Hugo laughed.

“What if I secretly am a witch?” Alice asked, causing Hugo to pause for a moment. “Or maybe I just like to dress the part?”

“Well, if you were a witch, I’d say you have to be who you are. You can’t change it for something you’re not.”

Hugo caught Alice trying to hide her blushing grin by burying her head into her shoulder. She hid only for a moment before looking back at him. Her emerald green eyes locked with his icy blues. Emotions stirred within Hugo, and his stomach twisted in knots.

“Thank you,” she replied. “That means a lot to me.”

“Although,” Hugo added, “I wouldn’t wear a black and purple dress to the high school football game next week.”

“Oh?” Alice asked. “Why not?”

“They might burn you at the stake for wearing the colors of their biggest rival.”

“Well, I’ll keep that fashion tip in mind.” Alice paused and smirked. “I don’t want to be burnt at the stake, now do I?”

Hugo smiled back. “Umm, we were heading in that direction, but do you mind if we join you?”

“Not at all. I could always use someone to talk to.”

The three of them continued on down the path.

Hugo asked, “So, what do you do for work?”

“I’m in beverage distribution.”

“Bartender? ”

“No,” she chuckled. “I oversee bottling and distribution.”

“Ah, I see. That’s cool. I hope they give you free samples.”

“Of course. What about you? I never see you leave, except when you walk your dog. Do you work from home?”

“I’m a professional dog walker. I only have one client, and she doesn’t pay me.”

“Seriously?”

“No, I’m joking. I actually do nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Hugo stopped and dropped his eyes toward the rut filled path, trying to find the words. Alice stopped as well, her puzzled expression now a concerned look. Hugo paused for a moment before looking at Alice.

“I used to be in finance. That was… until Elizabeth died. They gave me a week to grieve. Only a week. Then they expected me to go about life like nothing happened. Like how? How can I grieve for an entire lifetime lost in only a week?”

“That’s horrible. I couldn’t imagine the emotions you were going through in that week.”

“I lasted a day. We were in a meeting to discuss budgets or some nonsense. People were arguing. I sat there listening. After a few minutes, I slammed my fist on the table and yelled, ‘WHEN WE ALL DIE, NONE OF THIS WILL MATTER, SO WHO CARES?’ Everyone sat there in stunned silence. I stood up, went to clean out my desk, and then I left.”

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” She hugged Hugo.

He smelled a hint of lavender from her clothes. The embrace of a woman stirred even more feelings within Hugo—feelings he locked away to be forgotten. Never to be embraced again. Thoughts stirred in his mind. Thoughts he tried to suppress, but the emotions were too strong. He wanted more.

“That’s okay. I’m fine.”

“I thought we agreed to not use that phrase,” Alice scolded as she pulled back.

He wanted the hug to continue.

Hugo chuckled. “You caught me. I am most certainly not fine. I’m lucky that I have the luxury of not needing to work.”

“Oh?”

“I still have half of Elizabeth’s life insurance money. Plus, money left over from when her parents passed. I paid off the house. Sold my car. Kept hers. Got Max to keep me company. And every day, I wait for answers about what to do next. Hopefully, I get them before the money runs out.”

“What will you do if it does?”

“I don’t know. Work for the Raskins, I guess. Maybe then I’ll actually fill up my fridge, since I won’t have to use that as an excuse to visit them.” He laughed.

They continued their journey. Alice occasionally picked up leaves, sticks, or other objects of nature found on the ground. One spot caught her attention. She stopped and carefully sifted through the brown, discarded leaves.

Hugo waited for her. Max investigated what Alice was doing, but was impatient to continue their walk. Alice kept digging to find the most prized ones. She picked up a few, placed them in her bag, and then they continued down the path.

“So, do you like collecting nature things?” Hugo asked.

“Sort of. I like to make things with them, but only the perfect ones.”

“They all look the same to me. Dried up, shriveled leaves and broken sticks are all around us, so you have plenty to choose from.”

“I can tell which are the perfect ones.”

“And how can you tell which ones are perfect?” Hugo asked, his voice raised in a higher sarcastic pitch.

“Take this one, for example.” Alice squatted down to grab a stick that was as long as her hand.

The grayish-brown stick snapped in the middle; the two halves barely held together by the bark. “This is a perfect stick.”

“That’s a broken stick,” Hugo replied .

“Only to the untrained eye. Look.” She pulled out a small roll of gaffer’s tape from her bag. She wrapped the tape around the stick, mending the two pieces back together. “This stick has been damaged, yes, but with a little mending at the right parts, it will be as good as new.” She ripped the tape off from the roll and gave it one final press.

“That looks like a stick with tape on it.”

She placed the stick and tape back into her bag. She smirked at Hugo and continued down the path. Hugo took off after her. Max followed behind briefly before charging ahead. She tugged and pulled at the leash to get Hugo to move faster. After a brief game of leash tug-of-war, Max relented and took a more leisurely pace at the head of their newly formed pack.

“So, there is this thing coming up. A big fall, pumpkin, Halloween type festival the town puts on every year. You’d really love it,” Hugo said.

“Oh, yeah?” Alice asked with a raised inflection.

“Well, I was thinking, since you are new in town—”

“I’d love to.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”

“I didn’t have to.”

“Great, so they’re looking for volunteers to run some of the food booths—”

Alice’s pouty look, as if that wasn’t the question she expected, stopped Hugo in his tracks.

“I’m joking.”

“I don’t think you are.” She playfully stormed off ahead of Hugo.

He and Max hurried to catch up to her.

“I was going to ask if you wanted to accompany me to the festival.”

Alice paused and turned back to Hugo with a beaming smile. “Are you asking me out on a date, Hugo Dodds?” She bit her lower lip in anticipation of his answer .

Hugo froze. His mind raced, trying to find an excuse to claim it wasn’t a date. He wanted to say those words: It’s not a date .

Those words failed him.

“Well, um, it doesn’t have to be a date if you don’t want it to be,” he replied. “But it can be, if you want it to be.”

“I already said yes,” she replied.

“Yes to which question?”

“Yes to both,” Alice answered with a smirk.

Hugo stood there in dumbfounded relief. “Great. So. It’s a date.”

“I guess so.”

“Besides, I need someone to stop everyone from asking how I’m doing.”

“Deal.” Alice leaned her head back and smiled. “But on the condition that I can be as witchy as I want to be.”

“Always,” Hugo was quick to reply. “You have to be you.”

Alice blushed. “Then it’s a date!”

Hugo smiled. They continued along the path, with Max leading the way.