A Gentleman's Agreement by Joy Avery

his
hypnotic eyes.
    “You should see The
Farm at Christmas. Solemn really outdoes himself. That man conquers anything he
put his mind to.”
    Eunice understood where
Blake got it from. “You two make me smile. What you and Mr. Farrington have is
what every woman wishes for.”
    Mrs. Farrington glanced
up at her. “Forty years and counting. I thank God for every second, and pray
for many more years with him.”
    Eunice accepted the mile
high plate. If Mrs. Farrington kept insisting on fixing her breakfast, she’d be
twenty pounds heavier by the time they left. “How did the two of you meet?” Eunice
asked, dipping her spoon into a bowl of buttered grits Mrs. Farrington had just
slid her way.
    “I got this.”
    Both women redirected
their attention. Mr. Farrington sauntered into the room, a wide smile stretched
across his face.
    “I was on my way to
football practice,” Mr. Farrington said. “I’m not sure what prompted me, but I
glanced to my right.” He turned his head as if he were reliving the moment. “Just
as I did, the most gorgeous bluebird I’d ever seen perched on the stone bench
next to Thelma. Seconds later, I lie to you not, this bird started to sing to
her. A melody so soothing it rooted me to where I stood.”
    Eunice glanced to Mrs.
Farrington for confirmation. When the woman nodded, Eunice smiled.
    “When Thelma’s hand
moved toward the creature, I thought for sure it would fly away. Do you know
that bird didn’t budge. Simply nibbled the crumb of bread she offered it. I
remember thinking, how in the world was that possible?”
    Mr. Farrington gazed
off as if he were trying to make sense of what had happened so many years ago. He
finally snapped back to reality and continued, “I asked myself, what was it
about that girl that beckoned one of God’s most angelic creatures to her side? I
was completely blown away by what was unfolding right in front of my eyes. And
if that wasn’t enough, she took a delicate finger and smoothed it over the
bluebird’s head. It didn’t flinch.”
    Eunice nibbled her
toast, hanging to Mr. Farrington’s every word. He ran a hand over his head, a
perplexed look on his face. What was going through his mind? Eunice grew eager
for him to continue.
    Mr. Farrington leaned
against the counter. “I convinced myself something about her was magical. I
approached Thelma from behind, trying not to startle her or the bird. The second
I was as close to her as that bird, I completely understood what that bird must
have experienced.”
    He stared at his wife
with the most delicate eyes Eunice had ever witnessed. A wave of emotion rushed
over her, but she willed herself not to cry.
    “There was an energy that
radiated from her. I felt it through my entire being. I rounded that bench,
looked her square in the eyes and said—”
    “ We’re going to have
a wonderful and beautiful life together ,” Mrs. Farrington said, finishing her
husband’s thought.
    Eunice caught a tear
before it slid down her cheek. “That is so romantic. What did you say, Mrs.
Farrington?”
    “I rolled my eyes,
snatched up the book I’d been reading, and stormed away. I didn’t have time for
his foolishness.”
    Eunice laughed. “You
walked away?”
    Mr. Farrington slapped
his hand against the marble top. “Yep, she sure did. I couldn’t believe it
either. I was the star football player, most popular boy in the school, and she
flat-out rejected me.” A sly smile spread across his face. “But as my father
instilled in me, and I my boys…never give up. I was determined to make her
mine.”
    “Yes, he was,” Mrs.
Farrington said, a warm smile touching her lips.
    Mr. Farrington tilted
his head and eyed Eunice. “Can you believe this woman turned me down ten—”
    “Eleven,” Mrs.
Farrington corrected.
    “ Eleven times before
finally agreeing to go on a date with me.”
    Eunice eyed Mrs. Farrington.
“Why did you finally agree to go out with him?”
    “I was tired of him
stalking me.