Idiomatic Beginnings

Bella couldn’t believe that it was already October and her mid-term grades would be due in a couple of days. She sat watching the leaves fall and kiss the earth, trying to shift her perspective. The trees had a way of making their peace, while teaching her how to let go. She glanced into her brief case and eyeballed the stack of papers she had to tackle. Teaching had its rewards, but it could also be isolating and lonely. The pandemic and remote teaching had created a distant loneliness that had left its mark. As Bella spread her papers across the park bench, she couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever meet some eligible bachelor in her new school.  

 “Looks like you could use some help correcting those papers,” replied a tall handsome gentleman.

 Suddenly released from her silence, Bella turned around and smiled.  A man about her age with ice blue eyes was lingering by the bench.  She was embarrassed when she realized he might have been watching her for a while.

             “Mind if I join you?” he asked.

            “Please do,” Bella replied. “I don’t usually talk to myself, but I can’t correct one more paper that deals with idioms. I’m beginning to think in idioms.”

            “Ron Hilton,” he volunteered, extending his hand.  “I recognized you. You’re the new ESL teacher at the Horace Mann Charter School.”

            Bella looked surprised. “How do you know that?” she inquired.

            “I was on the interview committee that hired you,” Ron replied.  “I work in the administration office at the high school.”

            Bella squinted into the sun as she smiled. “Bella Sylva,” she said.  “I didn’t recognize you since we both wore masks at the interview.” 

            “So, let’s see,” Ron continued, “since you are at the end of your rope today and appear to be behind the eight ball, would you like to chill out, and chew the fat over dinner?”  

            Bella began to laugh as she quickly gathered her papers and shoved them into her briefcase.  She felt a pulse of recognition, as she began to reflect back on her interview. “You sure know how to break the ice,” she said.  “I’ll gladly have dinner with you, if you promise not to use another idiom today.”

             Ron chuckled as he gathered his thoughts. In his profession he was celebrated for his wit and insight; in his personal life he was confident, yet curious of mind. By nature, he was an observer, always a student himself, with a swiftness to act.

            Bella loved the early fall days that encouraged change and transition. The dance of the leaves whispered melodies of new beginnings in her ear, yet a reminder that everything that dies, will bloom again. 

The sun took a step back, giving way to the golden hues and leaves that surrounded them. In the balance of the autumn light, she saw him smile. She didn’t want to guess what he might see in her own face. Bella felt a rush of adrenalin as Ron reached for her brief case and began to lead them through the path that ran along the river to their destination.  As she glanced in his direction, she couldn’t help but wonder if he had been attracted to her during the interview.  She had been so nervous, that she hardly remembered anything about that afternoon.  Now, she was wondering what else he knew about her after reading her resume.

The path was narrow from the summer overgrowth, squeezing them gently together, as they walked in silence. Bella had lived near the river for over two years, never realizing there was a path that led to existence. The pandemic had isolated her from civilization, locking her into loneliness.

            “Here we are,” Ron said.  “I think you’ll find the menu interesting and enjoy the scenic view of the river.  We’re just in time for the early bird specials.”

            Bella grinned as she looked up from her menu.  “You already broke your first promise.”

            “Oops,” Ron began, “I can’t believe how many times we use idioms when we speak. I really forgot.”

            “You’re off the hook this time,” said Bella.  “Don’t let it happen again.”

            “Now look who forgot,” Ron said.  “You’ll need to bite your tongue.”

            Bella stared at the river as the light glistened on its surface, the image flowing with a renewed sense. “I remember reading about a poet who once said that life is like a river, symbolizing its journey. I think that he was referring to how the river ebbs, never passing the same place twice while creating its path.”

            “A river is a metaphor of our own lives,” Ron began. “It can be peaceful or turbulent, but always flowing. Its landscape, like life, is always new; yet cannot be changed or stopped”

              “Are you an English major too?” Bella inquired.

            “We’re both English majors and went to the same college,” Ron answered.

            “So, you did study my resume,” Bella giggled.  “What else do you now about me?”

            “I know that you’re like a river, flowing swiftly and gently in one direction, but sometimes meandering into the rapids.”

            Bella smiled as she pondered his words silently. She knew that those who could read books, could read hearts. A shadow seemed to be lifted from her face. As they finished their dinner, Bella wondered if Ron was simply being kind and welcoming a new staff member to the district, or had he been attracted to her from the beginning.

            When the check came, they both reached for it, their hands gently touching.  

            “My treat,” Ron replied.  “You can get it the next time.”

            Bella smiled as she released the check. “I have tickets to the Red Sox Game tomorrow night if you’re interested.” 

            Ron grinned as he stood up. “How did you know I liked the Red Sox?” he asked.

            “Didn’t we go to the same college?” Bella chuckled. “If you go to school in Boston, you have to love the Red Sox.”

            Ron reached for her hand and smiled gently. “You wouldn’t be throwing me a curve ball now, would you?” 

            Bella felt as if her mask had slipped away forever as she leaned forward and tossed her final idiom. “I don’t want to go back to square one.  Let’s touch base after school tomorrow,” she said confidently.