“OK. I promise.” So cute, he sounded like a little boy agreeing to anything so he could open his Christmas gift.
“This is a journal I started writing soon after we met. I wrote in it after every date or conversation or even a fight. My initial intention was to journal my feelings and thoughts. This wasn’t written for anyone to read but myself. When I thought about what I wanted to give you for Christmas, I knew you would most appreciate my heart. Whatever I felt during our two months together…it’s all in here.”
My boyfriend looked stunned. He probably never imagined I would give him so much of myself emotionally. Rather than taking the present he came over and held me in his arms instead. I knew this man loved me unendingly. I too loved him just as much.
“I’m sorry I’m so frustrating. You’re a patient man to deal with someone so indecisive. This journal will hopefully answer all your questions and take away any doubt you might still have about us.”
His arms stayed locked on my body.
“OK, so back to the promise.” I pulled myself away from him. “You can’t read this till after I leave.”
“Why not? If you wrote it you know everything that’s in there.”
“It’s embarrassing. You can enjoy it when I’m not around. I also don’t want to see your ego blowing up page by page. Your head may burst.”
“Can I take a peak before dinner?”
“No. I’m taking this back if you don’t keep your promise.”
“All right. I promise. I can’t wait to read it.” He had an eager smile.
“I’ll leave it over here on your bookcase.”
We started walking out and I stopped him one more time, wanting to declare what was in my heart. “I love you, Jake, and I’m really happy to be here with you.” He swept me off my feet again and tried to take me back to his bed, but I forced him downstairs.
There were twenty-three of us at the regal dining table. I met every aunt, uncle, and cousin who lived within a two-hour radius of Jake’s house. Sandy put us at the middle of the table so that I could converse with as many family members as possible. I learned that Bobby was the oldest of five brothers and none of the children were married yet. They ranged from eighteen to thirty, with Jake being the oldest. Jake sat to my right, along with Uncle Roy, Aunt Pattie, and their three grown children. Then there was Uncle Billy and Aunt Sandra with their two college-age children. Sandy, Bobby, Jane, and Nick sat together. Uncle Dave and Aunt Debbie brought only two of their four college kids. Then the chief, Aunt Barbara, and their children, Doug and Lane, sat to my left. The chief kept me entertained with stories of all the nurses, interns, and female doctors who had tried to woo Jake since he got to the hospital.
“So, Emily, are you coming to the pre-party and football game with all of us on New Year’s Day?” Chief Reid asked.
“Um, I don’t think so. I wasn’t invited.”
He scolded Jake. “Why haven’t you invited this stunning lady to our New Year’s party and game day festivities?”
“Well, I haven’t asked her because I myself wasn’t invited. You have me working that day, remember? Will you give me that day off so I can go see the game?”
“Are you scheduled to work? I could possibly give you the day off and put someone else to work. Do you want to go to the game?”
“Actually, I’d be happy to work on New Year’s Day if you are willing to give me MLK weekend off.”
“Jake!” Jane complained from across of the table.
“That sounds good to me,” the chief answered.
“Fantastic!” Jake glanced over at Jane and gloated.
To my delight, Jake’s grandmother called during dinner. He had never spoken of any grandparents so I didn’t realize she was still living. Bobby answered the phone and greeted her, but quickly turned the phone over to Jake.
“Son, Gram wants to talk to her favorite grandchild.”
“That would be me,” Jake announced to the family with a smug look.
“Hi, Gram!” Before he could say much more, he answered, “Uh-huh” and handed the phone over to me. “She wants to talk to you.”
“Me?”
“Yup. You.”
A bit scared, I started my conversation. “Hello, Gram, this is Emily. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Emily, I’ve been waiting since David’s birthday to talk to you. Why haven’t you called me?” I took her question as a scolding.
Timidly I answered, “I’m very sorry, Gram, but Jake never told me I was supposed to call you. But I’m thrilled to meet you. I lived with my grandmother since I was thirteen. Talking to you makes me miss her so much.”
“Is she still alive?”
“No,” I answered tearfully, “she passed away a few years ago. Gram, why aren’t you here with the family? I wish I could have met you too.”
“I live in London. It’s too far for me to travel. Why don’t you come see me, Emily? Jakey tells me you’re more beautiful than I am, and that he loves you even more than he loves me.” She didn’t sound too happy about this.