The Random Acts of Cupid (Christian Romance) (11 page)

“And to you, that success is worth the tactics it takes to achieve it. The end justifies the means. You just lied to a man in order to set the poor, unsuspecting guy up on a blind date with a woman he’s never met.”

“I did not lie to him. I said I had a change of plans. And I already told you that I don’t usually do it this way. I usually like to observe people who already know each other and then make arrangements for them to find each other. This isn’t a typical match.”

“You’ve said that before. For just about every match I’ve seen you do. They never are typical, are they?”

Elise looked at him. He wasn’t angry; his tone was weary and maybe a little sad. And he was right. Every match she did was unique. She really couldn’t say she abided by any rules because there were always exceptions. The only constant was her sense of integrity and her desire to act in a way that would please her Savior. And from Ryan’s perspective, she had failed miserably at that.

Having no response, she turned back to the rail, and they were both quiet as they watched the dancing below a few more minutes. Elise saw Chelsie apparently step on Greg’s toes. Even from this distance, their tinkling laughter flitted up to her ears like delicate butterflies being released from below.

“I’m ready to go if you are,” Elise said, suddenly feeling very weary. Obviously, Greg and Chelsie had passed the awkward stage and were thoroughly enjoying their time together. “I don’t think I’m needed here. They seem to be doing just fine.”

Ryan nodded, and they walked back down the stairs and out into the Seattle night. They took a leisurely pace back past the Space Needle and to Elise’s car. She kept waiting for Ryan to say something, to ask a question or make another sarcastic comment about this latest match, but he remained silent.

As she drove to take Ryan home, Elise kept waiting for him to speak. This was her last stop for the night. He’d known it was the last one. Why wasn’t he asking questions or rendering a verdict? Her nervousness increased as Ryan’s silence lengthened. Was he not going to say anything?

Elise pulled to the curb in front of Kerry Park. This is where she had picked Ryan up, but she wasn’t sure which building was his.

Elise cleared her throat, trying to work up the courage to break the uncomfortable silence. “So I guess that’s about it. I know I only said 24 hours, and it’s been longer than that. I’m sorry. Thanks for sticking with me to the end. I appreciate you giving me this chance.”

He must still think her a terrible person. Why else would he be so silent? He was probably trying to find a way to tell her that he was going to follow through with exposing her secret. Elise felt tears burning in the back of her eyes. She had hoped that, once he’d gotten to know her a little better, he’d understand her and not be so judgmental of her character. That had obviously not happened, and now she just wished he’d leave so she could cry.

In her mind, she kept hearing Ryan’s tone as he’s said her matches never were typical. She didn’t play by the rules, and to him, coloring outside the lines was not acceptable.

When she felt she couldn’t stand the tension for one more second, Ryan finally spoke. “It’s not raining like it was earlier today. This park has the best view in Seattle. Do you have time to get out and talk a minute?”

It was a beautiful night. With the rain that had lasted most of the day and the late hour, the popular little park was nearly deserted. As they walked to the railing that bordered the overlook, Elise pulled her coat tight, thankful that the air was chilly but not miserably cold. The view of the city below was breathtaking. The Space Needle and the rest of the Seattle skyline stood outlined in lights against the black canvas of night.

“I doubt the view from inside the Space Needle could be more spectacular than this one from outside,” Elise mused.

Ryan looked at her funny but didn’t comment. Elise had lived in Seattle for years, and yet she was probably the only resident in the city who had never been to the top of the iconic Space Needle. She’d like to go someday, but she’d rather not go alone. So for now, this view from the park at the top of the hill was more than adequate.

Once again, Elise found herself waiting for Ryan to speak. He’d said he wanted to talk, but now it was as if they were both facing forward in an elevator, pretending that the other person didn’t exist. After several moments, the view began to lose its soothing effect on Elise.

What was Ryan thinking about? Was he secretly delighting in torturing her with the silent treatment? Or maybe he was trying to think of how to give his guilty verdict without having her fall apart. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. She decided on a preemptive strike.

“Look, Ryan. I know you dislike me. You think I manipulate people and purposely deceive them to suit my own whims. You saw the flowers Britney received as a lie from me because they had your name as the sender. And apparently, you’ll never forgive me for that single sin against you.

“Even after spending all this time with me, it’s clear that you still think my methods unethical and doubt my character. But the truth is, I think you’re judging me unfairly. I do not deliberately try to lie to people or deceive them in any way. My motive is to help. I do not make any matches lightly. I don’t take any action without thought and prayer.  Contrary to your opinion of me, I do not believe that the end justifies the means. I’ve actually struggled a lot with trying to balance my desire to help people by anonymously matchmaking with methods that do not compromise my integrity. I put a lot of effort into it. I would never want to hurt any of the people involved, and if I thought anyone would object, I would never make a match.

“I don’t know how you can call it deception when those supposedly deceived would not want it any other way. Is it a lie if the people being lied to would not expect or want the truth? My grandmother died last year of Alzheimer’s. Before she died, there were times my grandma would ask where my grandfather was. We had to knowingly lie to her, saying that he’d gone fishing for the day, when in reality, my grandfather passed away ten years ago. But it was kinder to lie to Grandma than tell her the truth and have her live once again a fresh grief she was not able to process.

“Likewise, if given the choice, I don’t believe the couples I make matches for would want the truth, if that’s what you want to call it. I do not deliberately lie to people. I present them with a scenario, and I let them choose to believe what they want. Even if a match doesn’t work out, I’ve offered them the hope of a fairy tale, if even for a second. There is so much ugliness and hardship in the world, people want a little bit of fantasy and magic. They long for romance. They search for that special someone with the hope that something or someone will manipulate fate to help them find each other. They want the hope of an epic love story that will end in happily ever after. They need a Cupid.”

As Elise’s final words melted into silence, her heart was pounding with conviction, and yet, she had a strange peace as well. It was the peace of knowing she had laid her heart bare and said what needed to be said.

“That was a very good closing argument, Elise,” Ryan said seriously.

“What?” Elise responded, thoroughly confused.

“Yesterday you asked me to allow you a defense. Just now, you gave a beautifully worded, wonderfully executed argument to your case.”

“It doesn’t matter how the case was presented or how good the closing argument was,” Elise responded. “What matters is the verdict.”

Ryan nodded his head but didn’t speak.

Come on!
Elise thought, anticipating another lengthy silence.
Tell me what you’re thinking!

“How do you see me, Elise?” Ryan asked abruptly. At her look of confusion, he explained. “You’re so good at observing others. You seem to have a gift for being able to see who people really are, their motivations, their character. You know what they’re thinking and feeling. Where others only see what’s on the surface, you look deep to find out who someone is, and then you do whatever you can to meet his or her desires and needs. So, I’m curious. What have you observed about me? How do you see me?”

Elise’s brain fumbled to catch up with the unexpected subject change. “You confuse me,” she replied honestly, saying the first thing that popped into her head. “You’re right in that I’m usually very good at reading people, but I have a really difficult time reading you. I can never tell what you’re thinking. One minute you seem to despise me; the next you’re looking like you respect and possibly even admire me.”

“But how do you see me?” he repeated. “What kind of man am I? What do you observe in me?”

Elise wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted from her. So, blowing out an exasperated breath, she let him have it all. “You’re arrogant, judgmental, and harsh. You’re stubborn and quick to jump to conclusions. Once you form an opinion, it’s practically impossible for it to be changed or revised. In your world, there is no gray; everything is black or white, good or evil. But at other moments . . .” Elise’s voice softened and grew more thoughtful. “I also see glimpses of a different man. You’re kind, teasing, light-hearted. You’re thoughtful, loyal, intelligent. You have high values and a strong love and faith in God. You’re a man of integrity who’s willing to fight for justice and unwilling to turn his head to ignore evil. You’re a man to be admired.”

Ryan stared out at the Seattle skyline, seeming to avoid eye contact with Elise. Had she gone too far? Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned all that bad stuff.

He responded, “It’s funny to me that you can be so good at observing other people and their relationships and so bad about knowing how others view you. I am arrogant, judgmental, and all the rest of what you just mentioned. You’re right about me in all areas except one.” He turned and looked her directly in the eyes. “You apparently have no idea how I see you.”

“What do you mean? How do you see me?”

“You think I confuse you, but like you, I’m also a very good judge of character. I have to be as a lawyer. But I’ve never been more confused about someone in my life. You are a mystery to me that I can’t figure out. You’re right that I see everything in black and white. When I look at your matchmaking on the surface, it seems that you manipulate events and people to achieve your own ends. The tactics you use are borderline at best. There’s no difference if you knowingly lead someone to believe something you know to be false or if you verbally tell the lie yourself. You have no right to meddle in people’s lives like that, especially in their love lives. They haven’t asked you to, and it almost seems like you’re messing around with God’s job of bringing two people together on His terms.

“But on the other hand, you’ve forced me to follow you around and take a deeper look at who you are and what you do. I’ve seen a completely different picture. I see how God uses you to bless others and show His love and purpose in their lives. I’ve seen a woman with high morals and values who has gone out of her way to help everyone from a prison inmate to a lonely elderly couple, from high school and college students to a youth minister, a widow, and a dentist. You can be aggravating, stubborn, and manipulative. And yet, you are endearing, shy, and kindhearted. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met, and I’m completely . . . fascinated.”

“You make a pretty decent closing argument as well,” Elise said with a smile. “But what does that mean? You can understand my motives but still can’t appreciate all my methods. You’re complicated. I’m complicated. We probably won’t ever agree on everything. So is that a ‘Not Guilty’ verdict?”

Ryan frowned. “After seeing everything over the past day, I can honestly say that I’m okay with everything you’ve done. I may not have done it myself, but I can view it as a gray area and understand that not everyone may agree with me. However, there’s one action I still cannot excuse. The first one. You sent flowers to Britney and signed my name. There’s no way that’s a gray area. That was just an outright lie.”

“I’m sorry, Ryan, I have no excuse for that one, and I won’t even attempt to justify it. All I can do is apologize profusely and promise you that I will never again put you or anyone else in that position. I will never sign someone else’s name like that,” she shivered involuntarily as the cold seemed to seep into her coat. “Trust me, that’s a lesson I’ve well-learned.”

Ryan was quiet, once again looking out over the city, obviously in thought. Elise’s stomach was in turmoil. Would he be able to forgive her? Would his black and white world view prevent him from tolerating any gray?