EPISODE ELEVEN
THE FOUNTAINS OF BELLAGIO
THE FOUNTAINS OF BELLAGIO
I push the exit door and walk into the bright sunlight of early afternoon, shading my eyes with a hand to look for the car waiting for me. The limo idles near the front gates, the driver leaning against the front door smoking a cigarette. As I approach, he extinguishes it and opens the rear double doors for me, ushering me inside.
George hands me a glass of champagne and a note, a hint of a smile on his face.
"You got here fast," I say, sipping the champagne and placing the note on the seat next to me.
He nods and taps the glass, giving instructions to the driver about our destination. I do not hear and am happy, for I am in the mood for a surprise after the events of the day. Still feeling the cold wetness against my skin, I take the note into my hands.
George hands me a glass of champagne and a note, a hint of a smile on his face.
"You got here fast," I say, sipping the champagne and placing the note on the seat next to me.
He nods and taps the glass, giving instructions to the driver about our destination. I do not hear and am happy, for I am in the mood for a surprise after the events of the day. Still feeling the cold wetness against my skin, I take the note into my hands.
Ella,
After all these years, our time together approaches. I can't tell you how many times I've imagined having you in my arms and kissing your lips.
Until I see you again, enjoy the champagne.
Always yours,
Ray
After all these years, our time together approaches. I can't tell you how many times I've imagined having you in my arms and kissing your lips.
Until I see you again, enjoy the champagne.
Always yours,
Ray
I can smell his cologne on the paper and close my eyes, imagining his face. Can it all be happening, finally after all these years? The limo jolting to a stop snaps me from my thoughts and I push the button to lower the window, seeing the beautiful Bellagio Casino to the right.
"This is your stop," George says, holding out a pair of headphones and music player to me.
Tilting my head, I put the headphones on my ears and exit the car into the afternoon crowd of tourists watching the water show at the fountains. Pushing my way forward, I take a spot near the middle, giving me the best view of the dancing water spouts moving to the rhythm of a Frank Sinatra song.
Looking down at the music player, I press play and let the song chosen for me become the soundtrack of the fountains. I hear a song I am unfamiliar with and increase the volume. Letting the words flow into my mind, I close my eyes and think of Ray.
"...I long to see the sunlight in your hair...I wonder where you are...are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you...let me start by saying..."
A hand touches my shoulder and turns me. The soft afternoon breeze touches my face and I feel Ray's arms wrap around me. And suddenly we're slow dancing and I put my head on his shoulder. We move to music only I can hear, in the bustle of tourists that don't give a care about it and I feel tears in my eyes. A gentle spray of water touches my cheek and I turn down the music to hear Ray sing the song.
"...Let me start by saying...I love you..."
"This is your stop," George says, holding out a pair of headphones and music player to me.
Tilting my head, I put the headphones on my ears and exit the car into the afternoon crowd of tourists watching the water show at the fountains. Pushing my way forward, I take a spot near the middle, giving me the best view of the dancing water spouts moving to the rhythm of a Frank Sinatra song.
Looking down at the music player, I press play and let the song chosen for me become the soundtrack of the fountains. I hear a song I am unfamiliar with and increase the volume. Letting the words flow into my mind, I close my eyes and think of Ray.
"...I long to see the sunlight in your hair...I wonder where you are...are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you...let me start by saying..."
A hand touches my shoulder and turns me. The soft afternoon breeze touches my face and I feel Ray's arms wrap around me. And suddenly we're slow dancing and I put my head on his shoulder. We move to music only I can hear, in the bustle of tourists that don't give a care about it and I feel tears in my eyes. A gentle spray of water touches my cheek and I turn down the music to hear Ray sing the song.
"...Let me start by saying...I love you..."
