Uncertain, but Faithful

Erin sat closely to Thomas in the dark theatre where there was a moderate number of spectators. She blindly wrapped her right arm around Thomas’ left as James Stewart skied down the mountain with a dying Margaret Sullavan in his arms. The flickering black and white screen was shining against the intense faces of the audience members.
“Oh…” Erin moaned as the movie was coming to a close. Thomas did a double take toward Erin. Concern filled his face at the sight of the young woman on the verge of tears.
“Are you okay?” Thomas whispered into Erin’s ear. Her eyes were still fixed on the screen with extreme focus.
“Yea…” she whispered back, not letting her eyes leave James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as they made an effort to reach the border of a free Austria. As Mr. Stewart began to cry, Erin couldn’t help but allow the dams behind her leaking eyes to break. Tears fell down her cheeks as the picture turned black. She was awakened by the lightening of the once dark movie theatre. She looked at Thomas with complete disappointment.

“They were there!” she cried silently.
“Well, you wanted to see this movie,” Thomas joked. Erin flopped back in her seat in disbelief. “Of course, it is a good message. You know, that’s what’s happenin’ in those countries like Germany, right now. They’re persecuting innocent people just because of what they believe.” Erin’s heart fell at his words. This was the type of thing she had been trying to avoid, but as she thought to herself, she wondered if she should be avoiding the topic. It is important to know what is happening. Maybe, it would be a blessing for those people if America did get involved. She halted her spinning mind. Erin blinked a few times.
“It’s awful…” she whispered, staring off into the distance. She wanted to stop talking about the horrid thing. Thomas stood up and looked down at her with a friendly smile.
“Are you comin’?” He thrusted out his elbow, prepared escort her out the theater. She looked up at him still dazed and grinned at his gesture.
“Of course,” she said as Thomas extended his left hand to convey Erin from her sitting position. She grabbed his steady hand and stood. He took her hand and placed around his opposite arm. They walked down the purple carpet of the theatre and out into the calm streets of the tiny city. The flashing lights of the theatre’s marquis were beaming on their backs. Their steps were slow and small. Erin held tightly to Thomas’ arm, unconsciously shivering in the night air. Thomas felt the vibration through his sleeve and observed Erin. She had not a jacket of her own but a small shawl. He pulled his arm away from a startled Erin. “What’s wrong?” she pleaded. Thomas began to remove his jacket.
“You’re freezing,” he said as he gently dropped his jacket over Erin’s shoulders. She was in shock when she touched her cool skin.
“Oh…” She felt silly. Erin cupped her hands and held them in front of her. She continued to walk with her head down bashfully. Thomas settled her self-conscious thoughts when he stretched out his arm, wrapped it over hers, and seized her hand. She glanced up at him with bright eyes. Thomas was staring straight ahead as if nothing had happened. Erin followed his lead and then rested her head on his shoulder. Unbeknownst to Erin, his eyes widened from her action and he tried to maintain his cool. Thomas’ eyes searched for a clock with haste as he thought of her father’s words. The time 10:30 bounced around in his mind. He looked at the courthouse which was illuminated by the neon signs of the diners and the street lights. A giant clock was hanging from the front of the building. The time read 9:50. There was still time but it was escaping from Thomas’ grasp.
Erin didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to say anything. The moment was perfect. Her holding onto Thomas as they strolled down and across the quiet street from the theatre toward Frank’s diner had her satisfied. Thomas, however, had thoughts swimming around in his mind that he knew had to be asked but he contemplated the timing. Was it too early to ask this type of question? They had known each other through two weeks of working together non-stop and there was an obvious attraction between the two. This relationship had to go further than a simple night out. To Thomas, discussing their future was a necessity.
“Erin,” Thomas paused to collect his thoughts, “where do you see yourself in five years?” Erin maintained her position as she thought about his deep question.
“I don’t know,” she murmured contently. “It’s kinda hard for me to see anythin’ five years from now with everythin’ that’s goin’ on in the world.”
“Well, aside from that?”
“Well…” Erin paused. She knew what she wanted. She wanted everything her parents had; a quaint country home with a courteous husband and great children; perhaps, many children. “I’m hopin’ to be…uh…married,” she spoke her words with some reluctance in fear that she might say the wrong thing, “within the next few years and…” Erin paused briefly.
“And?” Thomas was eager to hear her finish her sentence.
“And…maybe have a few youngins…” Erin squeaked. Thomas smiled.
“You know, that sounds like a good place to be within five years.”
“You really think so?” Erin stopped walking and turned to Thomas. She looked up at his slim face which was just inches from hers. She could feel the air from his nostrils on her forehead. Her eyes were hopeful and her face beamed with delight.
“I really think so,” Thomas confirmed.