Calvin was surprised at his invocation of God. That was a name he had not uttered in many months. It did not taste like bile in his mouth now. But he feared it would literally push Jen over the edge.

            The young woman’s lips quivered. She hung her head.

            And grabbed Calvin’s hand.

            Calvin gripped her cold hand and yanked her toward himself. She collapsed in his arms, weeping, and they crumpled to the catwalk. Jen buried her face his shoulder and drenched it with tears. At once unsure and certain what to do, Calvin wrapped his arms around her and patted her golden head.

            For what seemed like hours, he just held her there at the top of Vienna’s water tower bathed in flickering colored light.

            When her crying finally quieted, he whispered in her ear, “Let’s get down.”

            She pried herself from his arms and, wiping her eyes, replied, “Sure.”

            They stood. Calvin helped her keep her balance as they walked around to the ladder. He glanced over the edge and realized how high up they were. He gulped.

            “You sure you can make it?” he asked. “I could call the fire department.”

            She sniffed. “I don’t want that attention.”

            Calvin took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll go first.”

            “Just don’t look down. Focus on me.”

            Calvin laughed.

            He gripped the ladder tightly and began his descent. Once he was one body length down, Jen climbed onto the ladder herself.

            Calvin did not take his eyes off her.

            The climb down was long and nerve wracking. Calvin prayed the next step would be the one that touched the bottom, his heart beating faster with each new wrung he found. Only the seemingly ascending oval-shaped top of the water tower assured him he was slowly descending.

            Finally, his foot touched the ground. He sighed in relief.

            But suddenly, he heard Jen gasp.

            He looked up and saw her hands had slipped. She was falling!

            Instinctively, he reached out and caught her. His arms ached under the strain.

            Their eyes locked in an awkward stare.

            A few second later, Calvin cleared his throat and lowered Jen to her feet. Then he nervously scratched the back of his neck while she walked over and picked up her nearly destroyed purse. He watched as she fished through it, found a moist towellette, and started wiping the smeared make-up off her face. She was unaware of his unwavering gaze.

            She’s just as pretty without make-up, thought Calvin. Maybe even prettier.

            As they walked back to Calvin’s car, Jen said, “I don’t even know your name. What is it?”

            He smiled slightly. “Calvin Clark,” he replied, picking up his trench coat. “But my friends call me Cal.”

            “I like it. I’m Jen Werling, by the way.”

            “I know.”

            They reached the car. As Calvin pulled the door open he saw the item that started his quest.

            “Oh! I forgot!” he blurted.

            “Forgot what?” asked Jen as Calvin reached into the car and grabbed the bag.

            He handed it to her. “I found this on a dumpster. It’s what led me to you.”

            Jen looked at him befuddled.

            “It’s a long story.”

            Jen untied the bag and looked in. Calvin expected she might cry again, but she did not. She merely sighed. Then she looked at him and smiled. “You can have it,” she said, giving it back.

            “But…”

            “You just saved my life. You’re my hero now. Merry Christmas!”

            Calvin looked down in the bag, overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions, only a few of which percolated to the surface and found expression. Some people said the Mayans didn’t predict the end of the world, but a new beginning. He looked up and simply said, “Thanks.”

            Jen nodded and then got into the car. Calvin walked around and sat in the driver seat.

            As he put the keys in the ignition, Jen rummaged through her purse some more.

            “Oh,” she said.

            Calvin glanced at her. “What is it?”

            She held up two small slips of paper. “I still have the two tickets I bought for the anniversary showing of ‘Superman.’”

            Calvin laughed. What luck! he thought, glancing up.

            “I may as well throw them away now,” said Jen.

            “Or you could try using them for the nine-fifteen showing. I’m sure Mr. Haydn will let you, considering what happened.”

            “True.” She paused, looking at him with inviting eyes. “You could come with me.”

            Calvin blushed. “Well, I was always a little more partial to Batman myself, but why not?”

Did you find this information helpful? If you did, consider donating.