A Watch In Time – Chapter Four, Part 2

A WATCH IN TIME

A Full Length Short Story by Golden Keyes Parsons

Chapter Four  – Part 2

Click here to start with Chapter One

“Aren’t you going to ask your wife to dance?” Her hazel eyes glistened as she flirted with her husband. “You’re still the best dancer in town.”

David smiled, and took her hand as he played along with her. “Of course, my dear. But we don’t need to stay late.”

“David Monroe! This is the biggest event of the year, and I’m not going to miss a minute of it.”

“Something has happened that I need to tell you … Lily, do you mind?”

“Of course not. I’ll just wait here for you.”

David and Garnet moved onto the dance floor. Her velvet skirt, the color of her name, swirled in time to the music as David led her in accomplished elegant dance steps.

They are indeed a handsome couple. What if we never get back to present day? Will David live happily with her? How is she going to receive the news about the baby? What about me—an old maid. Will I raise that baby to be my own?

Someone touched her on the shoulder. “Aunt Lillian?”

Lily turned toward the voice.

A roguishly handsome man about 35 years of age with a large handlebar mustache bowed slightly from the waist. “I thought I was going to miss everything. Just arrived home a couple of hours ago from my business trip. May I?”

“Oh, of course, please, have a seat.”

“It appears all our committee’s hard work has paid off.”

Lily stared at him.

He held a program in his hand and pointed to the listing of the committees. “We did well as co-chairmen, I’d say. The grounds turned out beautifully, although I must admit you shouldered most of the responsibility due to my absence.”

Lily looked at the program: Horticultural Committee, Miss Lillian Monroe & L.G. Garrett, Co-Chairmen

He sat on the edge of his chair and motioned toward the stage.

“I’m afraid I missed the crowning. Colonel Parrott looks very … well, uh, royal in all his regalia. And Miss Trice, I must say, is stunning.”

“I agree.” Lily Kate felt herself being drawn into the man’s sultry blue-gray eyes. What a handsome young man.

He leaned toward her. “I couldn’t help but notice your watch.”

“My watch?” She fingered the braided chain around her neck.

“It is most extraordinary. Was it a gift?”

“Not exactly.”

“Is there an inscription?”

The young man reached for the watch, and Lily drew back clasping the watch in her fist. “L.G., this is most inappropriate. Why so curious?”

He stood, and tilted his head toward her. “Please forgive my forwardness, Aunt Lillian. The watch looked familiar, that’s all. I’m very sorry. Please allow me to fetch you some punch.” The father of the baby, the child of a prostitute, left in Lily Kate’s care—her very own nephew! L.G. Garrett turned on his heel and melted into the crowd.

Lily Katy gripped the watch in her hand and opened it. I wait for thee. She remembered her mother’s last words, “Watch.”

Lily didn’t know how she knew it, but somehow this watch held the key to their mysterious past. And she was determined to discover the secrets of the watch.

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Join us next Friday for part 1 of chapter 5.

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