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I was confident that Jules’ dad officially liked me. He never quite warmed up to me on account of the night I accidentally spent with Jules, but I think this week convinced him of my intentions toward Jules and that made me very happy.
The next day was Thanksgiving and while the dinner was being prepared all the young cousins spent the day in the game room, after we put up all the cots of course. Jules and I had begun a game of darts before her mom came up looking for her.
“Come on Julia, all the women want to talk to you. You’re a well enough cook to make a difference in the work this year,” she said.
“But ma’? What about Elliott?” She asked, deep concern in her eyes.
“He’ll be alright sugar,” she said, smiling at me.
“Go on Jules,” I said. “I want to catch up on some reading anyway.”
“Okay,” she said and began to follow her mom down the stair case.
She peered up through the bars and I puckered my bottom lip.
“Don’t do that,” she mouthed.
I shooed her away and smiled. I grabbed my book from my bag and went downstairs to the sitting area. The entire downstairs was one large industrial looking space with concrete floors but rugs everywhere. I chose a chair near the kitchen but not too near so as I didn’t appear to be eavesdropping, but much to their disappointment I’m sure, I could hear everything they were saying as clear as a bell. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear the beginning and by the sounds of what I had stepped into, so to speak, it would have been so pleasurable to hear.
“And you plan on marrying him Julia?” A random aunt asked.
“Yes ma’am,” Jules said with confidence.
The entire kitchen was quiet until Jules interrupted the silence, “I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life. I am unwavering on the subject.”
“Well, she certainly is confident,” said memaw Joan E. “I see it in you child. I see what you so passionately proclaim. I also see it in him too. Of that, I’m sure.”
Good old memaw Joan E, I liked her.
“It’s awfully young to feel so certain,” an aunt said. “People change as they grow older and mature Julia.”
“Let me ask the entire room a question,” said Jules. “My entire life, have I ever been hasty? Don’t I bide my time? Aren’t I careful when I make big decisions?”
No one answered. That was a good sign.
“Yes dear, but there is a first time for everything,” Jules’ mom said.
Suddenly, I felt as if I was intruding. It was so ungentlemanly of me to be listening to this. I felt the urge to stand up and leave but my body might as well have been made of lead.
“You’re right mama,” Jules said.
What? Jules, what are saying?
“But,” she continued.
Whew.
“But you forget, we’re not looking to get married right out of high school. We both have big college plans and we don’t want my getting pregnant to hinder them. We’ve decided to wait until we graduate university.”
You’ve decided to wait until we graduate university.
“Who knows,” said the same doubting aunt to the room, “as long as they plan on waiting, she could change her mind or he could.”
“I have no doubts, but I won’t try to change anyone’s minds. I have made my choice and I am confident that he has as well. Time, in this case, is on our side. It will show you our devotion.”
“Whoo! I like your spunk Julia!” Said memaw Joan E.
All the women settled from the subject onto the next and I could feel the tension release from Jules’ body. I continued reading and eventually dozed off, my book in my lap.
