Just a Spoonful of Sugar, Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Chapter 15. The Longest Night
As soon as he stepped out into the hallway, Willy’s emotions felt as though they were being run through the wringer. While he wished that Tamara would try to understand his rationale, he could clearly understand why she was afraid and could not. Of course, deeply imbedded in him was the acceptance that he deserved every last cold word or brutal slam that she tossed into his face.
The most challenging part was the overwhelming guilt he carried.
He ran his hand across his face and lowered his head slightly as he remembered the coolness that was laced in the young woman’s green eyes. She did not even have to utter a sound for him to know the accusations that dwelled in her heart. She may have been too afraid to speak these words of anger and hostility, yet, he could see them each and every time he looked into her eyes. It was in those eyes where she displayed a strength of character that he did not see the evening they sat and ate candy on the bench. For whatever reason, he could somehow sense that this was all an act and that her façade could very well dissipate like snow during the first warm day of the year.
Willy made his way in the direction of the suite belonging to the Bucket family, his thoughts were still swimming about in his mind. The question that was raking havoc on him was whether or not she would someday forgive him. Or was the internalized hope of his gaining her pardon just a crop of wishful thinking?
He had done something that he knew was monumentally wrong. Each time she made note of it, he was simply reminded of how her impression of him hung on that one action. Willy felt as though the aching pain in his heart was growing by leaps and bounds.
It was no secret, he had no idea what was going to happen next, and he was too ashamed to tell his friends the extent of what he had done. If the truth got out that he abducted a young woman from off the street, it might cost him the respect and friendship of the older members of this remarkable family. To Willy Wonka, the world was quite conditional and he was not exactly sure as to what was going to happen because of said conditions.
He took a deep breath as he reached the door to their suite. He remained hopeful that he would be able to get some fresh clothing and warm socks for Tamara. It seemed a small commodity, and to him it felt strange that the young woman was not asking for money or some greater form of compensation for her troubles. Instead, she kept her requests surprisingly simple.
As his thoughts continued to wreck havoc on his conscience, he tapped lightly on the door and waited for one of the members of Charlie’s family to respond. As soon as they did, he found himself looking into the kind blue eyes of Clara Bucket.
She was dressed in a simple blue house dress and that alone seemed indicative of the uncomplicated lifestyle of this family. Willy recalled how they had lived in the factory for over three years and still she never changed. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail just as it had been the day they had first met. When she motioned for him to enter, he did and the door was closed behind him.
Taking a glance around the large sitting room, Willy smiled. The furniture from their old house was stationed throughout the room, giving it a mix of old and modern. Somehow that gave off a comforting essence to the place, and if anything, that made Willy relax.
Of course, it was her voice that brought him back to the present.
“Willy, I had no idea that you were planning to join us for dinner,” she said, the warm smile never leaving her face. “Let me set a place for you.”
“No, that’s not necessary, I wasn’t planning to stay, I just needed to ask a favor,” he began, his mind still on the request of warm socks that he still had to retrieve for Tamara.
“Well, Charlie’s not here, he’s in the main library doing some research for a paper,” she said. “After he left your office, he stopped by the kitchen, grabbed several cookies, and said that that was where he was going. If you want me to, I can summon him back here,” she offered as she slowly made her way over to the intercom system that was on the wall. Just before she had suppressed the button with her son’s name on it, Willy’s voice interrupted her.
“N-no Clara, it’s not necessary at all,” he said. “I was wondering if he mentioned to you about what happened two days ago.”
“No, he doesn’t usually mention the business stuff with me. I think out of respect for you, he would prefer to not share anything that might betray your trust,” she said as a loud beeping sound emerged, which made the chocolatier come very close to jumping.
At the last minute, he recovered, since it resonated from the kitchen and appeared to be the timer that was on the oven. “I’m sorry, but that’s dinner, and if I don’t get the casserole out of the oven, we’re going to have to settle on Oompa Loompa made pizza again. Although Charlie and my dad don’t mind that very much, it is not something that Georgina should be having too frequently, we have to watch her cholesterol.”
Willy nodded, but started to follow her in the direction of the kitchen. “Clara, I need your help with something,” he began once they were in the room. He watched as she reached for two hand mittens and pulled them on before stooping down and retrieving the casserole from the oven. Once she had placed it on the stove, she straightened out and removed the mittens and tossed them on the counter.
As the soothing scents of noodles and cheese filled his nose, Willy almost wished that he could stop and have dinner with them. Clara’s food reminded him of those Sunday trips to his grandparents when he was a boy. Stifling the memory, his thoughts returned to Tamara who was alone in her room with soup and crackers. He knew that there was no way that he would be able to contend with having dinner and then rushing to the Rainbow Light Room to deliver the items she had requested.
“You need my help?” She asked, a smile breaking though the serious expression she generally had on her face. “Are you well, Willy?” She asked. “Or would you like to sit down?”
Willy grimaced. Generally, it was very rare for him to ask anyone for a favor besides Charlie. As soon as the blonde-headed lady had turned around and faced him, he knew that beyond any doubt, he could seek out her assistance. She had always been rather like an older sister to him since they had come to the factory, and he had grown quite fond of her.
“No, I’m fine,” he said, trying to shift his expression so that he was conveying a sort of forced cheerfulness.
“You seem a bit upset,” she offered as she rested her hand gently on his shoulder and exerted a gentle squeeze to it. Instead of elaborating on this, she released her hold, went over to the small table, and sat down. “I have a few minutes, why don’t we talk?”
“I can’t, I’m kind of in a hurry,” he said. “Did Charlie tell you that there is a young lady staying here at the factory?”
“He mentioned it, but he didn’t elaborate and I thought it best not to press him. I will say that he’s been quite worried about you. Actually, we all have been rather concerned,” she said. “You know, the only thing that he did tell us was that you were contending with a stalker. That’s not a nice thing for anyone to have to deal with.”
“No, I suppose it’s not,” he said honestly. “Clara, did Charlie tell you how it was that the young lady came to find herself here?”
“He said that you were trying to do what you could to get the woman to stop harassing you,” she said.
Willy nodded, but instead of elaborating, he took a deep breath. “She’s the wrong lady, Clara, and now because of me, she’s very sick. Presently, I need to get her a change of clothes and some warm socks. I mean; it’s the least I can do.”
“Socks?” Clara asked.
“Yes, she said that she has really cold feet,” he said with a slight smile.
She nodded. “Alright, then you just wait here, I’ll go get you the things that she’ll be needing.”
“Thank you,” he said as she quickly left the room.
With the efficiency that only a mother could have, Clara returned to the kitchen with a small stack of folded items. “I have a fresh set of pajamas and several pair of socks here. I will bring a dress to her room in a couple of days. It will perhaps not do her very much good right now, especially given the fact that she’s been sick.”
Willy nodded as he accepted the items that she offered. “I really appreciate your help. I just wish that I could tell you more about what has been happening here.”
Clara smiled. “I think I understand, Willy, but you do know that if you need us for anything, you should ask. We’re here for you, you know.”
Nodding, he started to walk through the room until he had reached the door. If only I could find the courage to give you more specific details, he thought despondently. With that, he stepped back out into the hall and made his way in the direction of Tamara’s room.
Once he had arrived, he went into the room and walked over to the sofa. He then placed everything except a pair of the socks on it. These, he placed inside his waistcoat pocket before approaching where she was seated.
The soup was now gone, and she had pushed the bowl far enough away so that she could rest her head in her arms. It was clear that while she had eaten all of the soup he had provided, she was still too weak and tired to move on her own. Wordlessly, he nudged her slightly and waited for her to raise her head.
“I must have dozed off,” she mumbled as she closed her eyes briefly.
“Do you want another bowl of the broth?” He asked gently.
“No, please just help me, I feel so dizzy,” she whispered. “Oh God, if only I had my medicine, then this nightmare could stop.”
“I managed to get your medicine while you were asleep, and now it will just be a matter of time before you feel better,” he said.
Instead of responding or even reaching for his hand, Tamara simply nodded. She allowed her eyes to close and with her hands still gripping the blanket that covered her, she started to sway until her body nearly toppled onto the floor.
Seeing this, Willy positioned his body in so that instead of her falling onto the ground, the weight of her body landed securely in his arms. Smiling slightly, he picked her up and carried her back over to the bed. “You’re as light as a feather,” he said affectionately as he laid her on the bed amidst the pillows.
Once she was lying there and before covering her with the blanket, he removed the socks from his pocket and carefully put them on her feet.
“Just like you promised,” she muttered softly as she closed her eyes.
Willy said nothing, instead, he finished the task of putting the socks on her feet and pulling the covers over her. As soon as he had finished, he started to back up, but abruptly felt her hand reaching out and touching his.
“Please don’t go,” she whispered. “I don’t know why, but I kind of like having you here.”
Was this delusional state some kind of side-effect of the medicine? He asked himself. Instead of contemplating this further, he covered her hand with his and spoke. “I’m here, Tamara, and I will not leave your side if you wish for me to stay.”
“Just don’t hate me for causing you so much trouble,” she whispered as she began to shake her head. “I didn’t mean to.”
“No, your being here is no trouble at all. In fact; it’s me who should be apologizing to you.” He released her hand and carefully tucked it under the covers. “Now, just lay back and try to go to sleep. If you need me, I’ll be nearby.”
She nodded and did as he suggested. After several minutes, her body completely relaxed against the softness of the pillows.
Leaning over, he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Tamara,” he whispered as he stared entranced at her while she slept.
What is happening to me? He asked himself. Of course it is only natural for me to feel this sort of empathy for her, he thought. Yet, now there’s something else going on, something that I have absolutely no control over.
His memories shifted as he recalled the moment when he had sat next to her next on the bench. She had spoken to him about things like camping as though he was a normal person. While he liked that feeling, he knew internally that he was anything but ‘normal’. Now that she actually knew his identity, the awareness of his own unconventional life was unavoidable. Now, his heart seemed to overflow with indescribable emptiness.
“Somehow you have changed me I never even realized it until now,” he said softly, his words now filling the silence of the room. “How could I have assumed anything but goodness about you?”
For whatever reason, Willy somehow knew that this would perhaps be one of the longest nights of his life.
Chapter 15. The Longest Night
As soon as he stepped out into the hallway, Willy’s emotions felt as though they were being run through the wringer. While he wished that Tamara would try to understand his rationale, he could clearly understand why she was afraid and could not. Of course, deeply imbedded in him was the acceptance that he deserved every last cold word or brutal slam that she tossed into his face.
The most challenging part was the overwhelming guilt he carried.
He ran his hand across his face and lowered his head slightly as he remembered the coolness that was laced in the young woman’s green eyes. She did not even have to utter a sound for him to know the accusations that dwelled in her heart. She may have been too afraid to speak these words of anger and hostility, yet, he could see them each and every time he looked into her eyes. It was in those eyes where she displayed a strength of character that he did not see the evening they sat and ate candy on the bench. For whatever reason, he could somehow sense that this was all an act and that her façade could very well dissipate like snow during the first warm day of the year.
Willy made his way in the direction of the suite belonging to the Bucket family, his thoughts were still swimming about in his mind. The question that was raking havoc on him was whether or not she would someday forgive him. Or was the internalized hope of his gaining her pardon just a crop of wishful thinking?
He had done something that he knew was monumentally wrong. Each time she made note of it, he was simply reminded of how her impression of him hung on that one action. Willy felt as though the aching pain in his heart was growing by leaps and bounds.
It was no secret, he had no idea what was going to happen next, and he was too ashamed to tell his friends the extent of what he had done. If the truth got out that he abducted a young woman from off the street, it might cost him the respect and friendship of the older members of this remarkable family. To Willy Wonka, the world was quite conditional and he was not exactly sure as to what was going to happen because of said conditions.
He took a deep breath as he reached the door to their suite. He remained hopeful that he would be able to get some fresh clothing and warm socks for Tamara. It seemed a small commodity, and to him it felt strange that the young woman was not asking for money or some greater form of compensation for her troubles. Instead, she kept her requests surprisingly simple.
As his thoughts continued to wreck havoc on his conscience, he tapped lightly on the door and waited for one of the members of Charlie’s family to respond. As soon as they did, he found himself looking into the kind blue eyes of Clara Bucket.
She was dressed in a simple blue house dress and that alone seemed indicative of the uncomplicated lifestyle of this family. Willy recalled how they had lived in the factory for over three years and still she never changed. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail just as it had been the day they had first met. When she motioned for him to enter, he did and the door was closed behind him.
Taking a glance around the large sitting room, Willy smiled. The furniture from their old house was stationed throughout the room, giving it a mix of old and modern. Somehow that gave off a comforting essence to the place, and if anything, that made Willy relax.
Of course, it was her voice that brought him back to the present.
“Willy, I had no idea that you were planning to join us for dinner,” she said, the warm smile never leaving her face. “Let me set a place for you.”
“No, that’s not necessary, I wasn’t planning to stay, I just needed to ask a favor,” he began, his mind still on the request of warm socks that he still had to retrieve for Tamara.
“Well, Charlie’s not here, he’s in the main library doing some research for a paper,” she said. “After he left your office, he stopped by the kitchen, grabbed several cookies, and said that that was where he was going. If you want me to, I can summon him back here,” she offered as she slowly made her way over to the intercom system that was on the wall. Just before she had suppressed the button with her son’s name on it, Willy’s voice interrupted her.
“N-no Clara, it’s not necessary at all,” he said. “I was wondering if he mentioned to you about what happened two days ago.”
“No, he doesn’t usually mention the business stuff with me. I think out of respect for you, he would prefer to not share anything that might betray your trust,” she said as a loud beeping sound emerged, which made the chocolatier come very close to jumping.
At the last minute, he recovered, since it resonated from the kitchen and appeared to be the timer that was on the oven. “I’m sorry, but that’s dinner, and if I don’t get the casserole out of the oven, we’re going to have to settle on Oompa Loompa made pizza again. Although Charlie and my dad don’t mind that very much, it is not something that Georgina should be having too frequently, we have to watch her cholesterol.”
Willy nodded, but started to follow her in the direction of the kitchen. “Clara, I need your help with something,” he began once they were in the room. He watched as she reached for two hand mittens and pulled them on before stooping down and retrieving the casserole from the oven. Once she had placed it on the stove, she straightened out and removed the mittens and tossed them on the counter.
As the soothing scents of noodles and cheese filled his nose, Willy almost wished that he could stop and have dinner with them. Clara’s food reminded him of those Sunday trips to his grandparents when he was a boy. Stifling the memory, his thoughts returned to Tamara who was alone in her room with soup and crackers. He knew that there was no way that he would be able to contend with having dinner and then rushing to the Rainbow Light Room to deliver the items she had requested.
“You need my help?” She asked, a smile breaking though the serious expression she generally had on her face. “Are you well, Willy?” She asked. “Or would you like to sit down?”
Willy grimaced. Generally, it was very rare for him to ask anyone for a favor besides Charlie. As soon as the blonde-headed lady had turned around and faced him, he knew that beyond any doubt, he could seek out her assistance. She had always been rather like an older sister to him since they had come to the factory, and he had grown quite fond of her.
“No, I’m fine,” he said, trying to shift his expression so that he was conveying a sort of forced cheerfulness.
“You seem a bit upset,” she offered as she rested her hand gently on his shoulder and exerted a gentle squeeze to it. Instead of elaborating on this, she released her hold, went over to the small table, and sat down. “I have a few minutes, why don’t we talk?”
“I can’t, I’m kind of in a hurry,” he said. “Did Charlie tell you that there is a young lady staying here at the factory?”
“He mentioned it, but he didn’t elaborate and I thought it best not to press him. I will say that he’s been quite worried about you. Actually, we all have been rather concerned,” she said. “You know, the only thing that he did tell us was that you were contending with a stalker. That’s not a nice thing for anyone to have to deal with.”
“No, I suppose it’s not,” he said honestly. “Clara, did Charlie tell you how it was that the young lady came to find herself here?”
“He said that you were trying to do what you could to get the woman to stop harassing you,” she said.
Willy nodded, but instead of elaborating, he took a deep breath. “She’s the wrong lady, Clara, and now because of me, she’s very sick. Presently, I need to get her a change of clothes and some warm socks. I mean; it’s the least I can do.”
“Socks?” Clara asked.
“Yes, she said that she has really cold feet,” he said with a slight smile.
She nodded. “Alright, then you just wait here, I’ll go get you the things that she’ll be needing.”
“Thank you,” he said as she quickly left the room.
With the efficiency that only a mother could have, Clara returned to the kitchen with a small stack of folded items. “I have a fresh set of pajamas and several pair of socks here. I will bring a dress to her room in a couple of days. It will perhaps not do her very much good right now, especially given the fact that she’s been sick.”
Willy nodded as he accepted the items that she offered. “I really appreciate your help. I just wish that I could tell you more about what has been happening here.”
Clara smiled. “I think I understand, Willy, but you do know that if you need us for anything, you should ask. We’re here for you, you know.”
Nodding, he started to walk through the room until he had reached the door. If only I could find the courage to give you more specific details, he thought despondently. With that, he stepped back out into the hall and made his way in the direction of Tamara’s room.
Once he had arrived, he went into the room and walked over to the sofa. He then placed everything except a pair of the socks on it. These, he placed inside his waistcoat pocket before approaching where she was seated.
The soup was now gone, and she had pushed the bowl far enough away so that she could rest her head in her arms. It was clear that while she had eaten all of the soup he had provided, she was still too weak and tired to move on her own. Wordlessly, he nudged her slightly and waited for her to raise her head.
“I must have dozed off,” she mumbled as she closed her eyes briefly.
“Do you want another bowl of the broth?” He asked gently.
“No, please just help me, I feel so dizzy,” she whispered. “Oh God, if only I had my medicine, then this nightmare could stop.”
“I managed to get your medicine while you were asleep, and now it will just be a matter of time before you feel better,” he said.
Instead of responding or even reaching for his hand, Tamara simply nodded. She allowed her eyes to close and with her hands still gripping the blanket that covered her, she started to sway until her body nearly toppled onto the floor.
Seeing this, Willy positioned his body in so that instead of her falling onto the ground, the weight of her body landed securely in his arms. Smiling slightly, he picked her up and carried her back over to the bed. “You’re as light as a feather,” he said affectionately as he laid her on the bed amidst the pillows.
Once she was lying there and before covering her with the blanket, he removed the socks from his pocket and carefully put them on her feet.
“Just like you promised,” she muttered softly as she closed her eyes.
Willy said nothing, instead, he finished the task of putting the socks on her feet and pulling the covers over her. As soon as he had finished, he started to back up, but abruptly felt her hand reaching out and touching his.
“Please don’t go,” she whispered. “I don’t know why, but I kind of like having you here.”
Was this delusional state some kind of side-effect of the medicine? He asked himself. Instead of contemplating this further, he covered her hand with his and spoke. “I’m here, Tamara, and I will not leave your side if you wish for me to stay.”
“Just don’t hate me for causing you so much trouble,” she whispered as she began to shake her head. “I didn’t mean to.”
“No, your being here is no trouble at all. In fact; it’s me who should be apologizing to you.” He released her hand and carefully tucked it under the covers. “Now, just lay back and try to go to sleep. If you need me, I’ll be nearby.”
She nodded and did as he suggested. After several minutes, her body completely relaxed against the softness of the pillows.
Leaning over, he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Tamara,” he whispered as he stared entranced at her while she slept.
What is happening to me? He asked himself. Of course it is only natural for me to feel this sort of empathy for her, he thought. Yet, now there’s something else going on, something that I have absolutely no control over.
His memories shifted as he recalled the moment when he had sat next to her next on the bench. She had spoken to him about things like camping as though he was a normal person. While he liked that feeling, he knew internally that he was anything but ‘normal’. Now that she actually knew his identity, the awareness of his own unconventional life was unavoidable. Now, his heart seemed to overflow with indescribable emptiness.
“Somehow you have changed me I never even realized it until now,” he said softly, his words now filling the silence of the room. “How could I have assumed anything but goodness about you?”
For whatever reason, Willy somehow knew that this would perhaps be one of the longest nights of his life.