Beauty & the Beast 1987 Series Ch. 02

The Lady of Shalott Chapter 2

In upstate New York the significance of the day was purposely being ignored and instead buried in her latest embroidery pattern. Every day Varina made a concerted effort to push all her memories of Jacob Wells and the world below out of her mind. It was too painful to remember and some days were easier than others. She preferred to lose herself in the vibrant colors of her embroidery work and music, a passion she had enjoyed since she was big enough to handle a needle. Most of her family's business was handled by her daughter Ada with the exception of bills and correspondence.

It had been a relief to Varina to begin the process of letting Ada take over. She was a natural business woman with incredible instincts when it came to innovation and investments. The pride of her grandfather. Although Varina was an exceptional business woman in her own right she had never had any interest in it. She was supposed to have married well, adding to the fortunes and aligning the family with another illustrious dynasty such as the Kennedy's. Her own dreams had been far more simple and for a brief moment in time they had come true only to have them snatched away. Now all she desired was solitude and her embroidery.

Despite her reclusive life, Varina had still taken care of herself. Perhaps she was not the idealistic adventurous girl with her heart on her sleeve like in her youth, but she was still a beauty. She still possessed her long dark curls but now there was a sprinkling of gray. Her face was still beautiful but the lines of time were there and where once she had possessed an easy smile and gentle playfulness, there was only melancholy and a stoic attitude. Her smile did occasionally appear but it was not carefree and had lost its joy.

Her favorite moments were spent quietly doing needlepoint, but as always she had to return to the great game of business and fortunes. Going back to her desk, she took up a stack of mail sat waiting to be sorted. She paid the bills and personally answered the correspondence. Towards the bottom was a Cornell magazine that listed all their latest and greatest achievements and all the amazing things students, faculty and alumni could look forward to. It was a hundred plus pages of patting themselves on the back. She received one yearly thanks to her family's endowments, but normally she tossed the magazine into the trash. Today, out of boredom she decided to flip through it and see if there was anything interesting.

Several pages in, Varina was ready to forgo the college life drivel and toss the magazine when something caught her eye. It was a page showcasing their newest professors and among them was a certain professor of English Literature by the name Devin Wells. A photo next to the name made her sit forward in her chair. There was no mistaking her own eyes looking back at her in the photograph or the familiar lines reminiscent of Jacob's face. Immediately she pressed the button on her intercom and called for her personal assistant, Blythe.

Blythe had been with Varina since she was a girl and had helped raise her when her mother died. She was a second mother, closest friend and confident, although even she was not allowed to know all the secrets of Varina's heart. Blythe assumed she was being summoned to take down an appointment or run a quick errand. She was surprised to see Varina all but leap from her chair and pull her close in a conspiratorial manner. This was a joy and liveliness she had not seen in her ward in many decades and for a moment she didn't even believe it was the same person.

"I have a very important mission I need you to go on."

"A mission?"

Yes," Varina said, excitedly. Seeing the eagerness of her boss, she was almost inclined to believe she was possessed. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen her so passionate about anything. "An important mission. One only you and I need ever know about."

"I suddenly feel as though I'm making a deal with the devil."

"Oh come now, I would never ask that much of you." Varina answered, a wry smile on her lips. "All I want you to do is take a car to Cornell university and find Professor Wells." She picked up the magazine and showed the older woman the picture. That's what he looks like." Blythe took the magazine and looked at the man's face trying to memorize it. Varina went over to her book shelf and opened a small plain wooden trinket box. There were a few papers inside but on top were two photos taken at one of those little sidewalk novelty photo booths that gave you five photos for a dollar. She took out one and stared at the picture for a moment. It had been many long years since she had looked at it. On one side was herself, young, fresh and happier then she would ever be again. Holding her was a young Jacob Wells, his hair dark, barely a hint of beard. There was the light of life in his eyes and a warm loving smile on his face. "If you find Professor Wells, ask him if he is related to Dr. Jacob Wells."

"Dr. Jacob Wells?" Blythe was the only one Varina had ever confided in about her youthful romance or the son that came from it. She had never seen them of course, but she believed they existed somewhere out in the world, if only because of what it had cost Varina when she attempted to go to them..

"Yes and if he should say yes, then give him this photograph and this note." Varina took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it then folded it and slipped it into an envelope along with the photograph. She sealed it and handed it to Blythe.

"Are you certain you want to do this?"

"Why not?" Varina furrowed her brow. "When will I ever have another chance? If he's my son..."

"It's not that, it's just... if it is him... and I do mean IF... what happens if you reach out to him and in the process alert someone else to your presence in New York. What about Ada?"

"I'm not telling him how to find me, sending a phone number or even my name. I just want him to know his mother loves him and is proud of him." Blythe pulled Varina to her and hugged her.

"Of course I'll take it to him. I just hope you are not disappointed."