A Prior Engagement Read Online Free

back of her mind, exhaling the breath, her anger, her disappointment, and him from her system.
    “Have fun,” she said right before the door closed.
    Even though it was a warm day in late April, Tom’s mood had been chilly. Looking out the window, she wanted sunshine, not rain. It was beautiful outside and she wasn’t going to let him ruin the day. It was as if the clouds of her heart had cleared and the sun broke through, lighting her from within.
    She went into her small corner of his large walk-in closet and pulled down a cotton sundress. She was dressing for sunshine, but also grabbed a cardigan just in case.
    The chauffeur rang to let her know he was waiting to take her home and she left Tom’s place the way he liked it, tidy as if she hadn’t been there at all.
    As she ran down the stairs of his building, preferring it to the elevator this morning, she got an idea. What if she walked today? Not for exercise, but for pleasure. She considered her options as she neared the doors leading to the waiting car.
    Con : She knew Tom would not be happy when the driver reported she walked home instead. She could already hear his lecture in her head: “It’s not of society and good breeding to be wandering the streets of New York unaccompanied and aimless in direction.” It was his fancy way of saying no to her idea.
    Feeling his words heavy on her heart and not able to come up with any ‘Pros’ to justify her actions to him, she got into the car. But another daring idea started forming and a plan was hatched on the way back. For appearances, she would arrive safely home. No bad reports, no witnesses, and no judgments could be made. She smiled, but quickly tugged her lip between her teeth, stifling the smile of excitement that was dying to reveal itself.
    She thanked the driver as Walter held the door wide open for her. Okay, there was one witness she hadn’t counted on— Walter . She walked into the lobby and waited at his desk for him to re-enter and sit down. “Walter, I was wondering if I could possibly ask a favor of you?” She wasn’t above using a little harmless charm to get her way. She couldn’t take her bag up to her family’s apartment because her mother would be home and would want to spend time together, which would keep her from leaving. She couldn’t risk it if she wanted to accomplish her day’s mission.
    “Yes, ma’am, of course.”
    “I want to see an exhibit downtown and was hoping I could store my bag behind your desk?”
    He didn’t question her though it would have been acceptable. “No problem,” he replied as he took the overnight bag from her and hid it behind his desk. “It will be here when you return.”
    “I shouldn’t be long.” She reached for the door not wanting to bother him with the task, but stopped before she left, and said, “Thank you, Walter.”
    She rushed into the sunlight of the morning feeling whimsical. She used to be more carefree, but she tended to avoid any thoughts of her girlish dreams of how she envisioned her future. Those memories would make her sad and it was too pretty of a day to be sad.
    Feeling energized, fifteen blocks passed under her feet faster than she thought possible and she wasn’t the least bit tired. She decided right there on the steps of the public library that she would start walking more. This city had too much to offer to only see it through the tinted glaze of a car window, no matter how nice the car window was.
    The library was majestic and still one of her favorite places in all of New York City. She climbed halfway up the stairs before stopping to admire Patience and Fortitude, the marble gargoyle lions that guarded the library’s main entrance, before carrying on.
    The doors were already open, displaying the information for the rare book collection. She made her way to the Genealogy Room, by far the most beautiful room in the entire library, and stopped to take a deep breath. She could smell the age of the books and the