I fell in
love. Instantly. I can best describe it as being struck by lightning. At first
I thought it might have been the fact that he, Emmett Brown, quite literally
saved my life, but even at the end of that exhausting day, his kind, brown eyes
kept haunting me. I didn’t even notice this amazingly courageous man was older,
I didn’t notice the young man accompanying him, nor why they were even there. I
even forgot my own name for a moment…
The pushy young man, who Emmett had introduced as Marty Eastwood, had entered
the canyon in which I would have plummeted, if it hadn’t been for Emmet. While
he was retrieving what was left of my luggage, Emmett had found the horses and
coaxed them into ease again. He really had a way with those animals. It didn’t
surprise me he was a blacksmith, next to being a scientist.
The next day I noticed that unfortunately, but understandably, my most prized possession, my telescope, was damaged. I thought a lens might be out of alignment. Immediately my head made a leap; Emmett might be able to repair it. My heart started racing even by the thought of seeing him again…
When I arrived at the workshop, clutching the case of my telescope, the double doors were closed. I could hear weird sounds coming from inside, so I knew this trip would not be in vain; he would be there. Tentatively I knocked on the door, but the noise inside must have drowned it out. I heard a whistle, as if there was a very small train riding around inside. “It couldn’t be simpler.” I heard Emmett say in the distance. I knocked again and called “Hello?” It stayed quiet for a second, my ears straining to hear what was happening. “Emmett?” I called, starting to feel a bit foolish. “It’s Clara!” Emmett yelped inside and he told the boy to cover something. I was done waiting, so I opened the door and stepped inside the workshop, where I encountered a sort of guilty-looking Emmett, with the boy Marty behind him. I felt star struck. “H…hello,” I managed. “Why, hello.” he replied, looking at me. “This is quite a surprise.” I knew he meant it. I glanced around, gathering myself. “Well, I hope I’m not disturbing anything.” I said briskly, striding forward, still feeling a bit breathless. “Oh, no, no, we were just doing a little model railroading.” Emmet explained. I glanced at the contraption ahead. “Oh.” I sort of gasped and tried to get to the point. “Emmet, when my bags were thrown from the wagon, my telescope was damaged. And… since you mentioned an interest in science, I thought you might be able to repair it for me.” As I looked him in the eye, I felt as if the world melted away. His gaze locked into mine, gripping me like a vice. “I would pay you, of course!” I added, as an afterthought. Emmett should not be thinking I’d ever expect someone to do work without me paying that person for it. He stepped forward, gently grabbing the telescope casing and smiling. “Oh, no, no, no, I wouldn’t think of charging you for this,” he said kindly. “Well, let’s have a look at it.” He wasn’t one to dawdle, apparently. I liked that. He placed the casing on the model railroad table and I opened the lid, extracting the precious device. “I think a lens may be out of alignment,” I said, bringing the telescope up to Emmett’s face. “because if you, if you move it this way…” I adjusted the dial. “…the image turns fuzzy. See?” Emmett noticeably held his breath when I came close. He smelled wonderful, like a field of flowers. “But if you turn it the other way, then…” I was right behind him now, my body sort of brushing against his back, which almost made me gasp. I closed my eyes, breathing in, as I noticed him tensing a bit. Emmett slowly lowered the telescope and turned towards me. “Everything becomes…” he whispered. Our eyes met. Time stood still. “…clear.” His soft, warm eyes were locked onto mine, holding my gaze, connected in a moment of perfect understanding and balance. If the moment had lasted longer, I know I would have taken a step forward to kiss him, embrace him, give my heart and soul along with everything else I possessed in this tumultuous world. Unfortunately, Marty cleared his throat at the exact moment I felt Emmett on the verge of doing the exact same thing my mind had conjured up, breaking the spell instantly. Emmett blinked and we parted immediately. I felt sort of sheepish, like a school girl with her first crush, being harshly interrupted in a moment of perfect connection. Emmett recovered quickly, holding up the telescope, and said: “I could repair it right a way and have it for you tonight.” His smile was very attractive, I could feel goosebumps on the back of my neck. Tonight was the town festival, however. A thought occurred to me. “Oh, tonight is the town festival. I wouldn’t…” I needed to take a breath now. “…dream of having you work on my telescope during such an important occasion.” I glanced at Marty, who smiled weakly. “You are planning on… attending, aren’t you?” I asked, turning back to Emmett, unblinking, willing him to understand me. Fortunately, he did. Marty started to sputter, but he interjected: “Yes, of course, the festival.” His amazing smile widened. “Well,” I breathed, “in that case, I’ll see you this evening at the festival, Emmett.” I put emphasis on his name. I did not care for the boy in the slightest. The mere thought of spending an evening of frivolity and dance with Emmett made my insides squirm. Even though my heart wanted to stay here, recreate and continue the ruined moment, I knew it was time to leave. I turned around. “Mr. Eastwood.” The boy nodded. “Ma’am.” he replied. As I strode to the door in what I hoped was a self-assured way, I felt Emmett’s eyes piercing my back. In spite of myself, I turned around once more, a grin on my face I could barely disguise. “Thank you for taking care of my telescope.” Emmett stood there, still holding my golden telescope aloft and staring at me like I was a glittering jewel in the September sun. Sighing one last time, I steeled myself and left, leaving the door open. “It’s a nice telescope.” I heard Marty say in the distance, as I walked to the horse that was appointed to me by mr. Statler. It was a wonderful animal; gentle and obedient, but surprisingly fast. I imagined he could catch up to a moving train… I couldn’t wait for the festival tonight.
I’ve never fallen as hard and as quickly for someone as I did for Emmett. He’s the one. I know it. Every fiber of my being knows he and I are meant to be, no matter what the universe decides to throw at us. I’ll follow him, no matter where he’d go and I know in my heart he feels the same way. Emmett is the one.