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“I’ve noticed,” she laughed. “What was that about my teeth being mistaken for a horse’s?”
I buried my cherry red face in my hands and groaned. I lay back on the stone and laughed. I moved my hands and looked up at a smiling Jules.
“I, uh, resort to accidental insults when I’m nervous, I guess.”
“I don’t want to admit it, but I almost died laughing when I got to my car after school. I held it in as long as I could.”
“Oh my gosh. That is so embarrassing.”
“Nah, not as embarrassing as your genetically altered vegetable comment.”
She laughed until she fell onto the stone next to me. I covered my face in humiliation.
“Please Jules! Don’t remind me!”
“It’s okay. I’m loathe to confess it but I was incredibly charmed by you that day.”
“Thanks Jules. You know? I’ve never dated anyone like you. Truth is, I’ve never dated anyone really. I’m trying really hard......Perhaps, a little too hard?”
I rubbed the back of my neck trying to distribute the blood but she wasn’t fooled. She grabbed my hand and laid it in her lap. She traced the outlines of my palm and fingers. It tickled, but not on my hand, this time in my stomach. I could feel it rising into my throat and messing with my head. I could barely concentrate.
“It’s not possible to try too hard Elliott. Truth is, every girl deserves someone who tries hard. Personally, I couldn’t spend time with anyone unless they did. When I start to date someone,” she cleared her throat, “they need to be as fervently interested in me as I am in them. I wouldn’t take anything less, because that’s what I deserve and so do you.”
“I will never stop trying hard Jules. Never.”
“Neither will I.”
d, whom we thought wasn’t listening, poured himself a cup of coffee in the corner of the kitchen and chimed in.
“Don’t listen to her son, we fell in love just like everyone else. Sounds to me like it was just the hormones,” he playfully answered.
“He’s lyin’ through his teeth Elliott. That man was a fool for me then, just as he is now.”
He walked out of the room smiling without a peep of disagreement. He knew she was right.
“Well, it sounds to me like it was quite a day for you. You hungry? Oh! What am I sayin’? You just ate. Well, you go to bed sweetheart and we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
She stood and kissed the top of my head, but before she left, declared, “I love you Elliott, very much. Remember the rules darlin’.” She pointed at me. “You treat her as a lady, always. You handle her with kid gloves young man, she’s precious.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.
Then she strolled down the hallway through the living room on her light feet to the master bedroom. She turned right before opening her door.
“Is she the student you were having trouble with baby?”
“She was.”
She turned with a smile and opened the door to her bedroom.
I woke an hour earlier than usual and rang Julia to let her know to anticipate me at seven-thirty, an hour before school. I knew it wouldn’t wake her mom or her dad as they would have been at work at six a.m., along with my dad. She answered and her voice impressed on me like freshly baked bread, warm and soft.
“Hello?” she said, half asleep.
“Miss Jacobs? It’s Elliott.”
“I know who it is,” she laughed.
“You may expect me at seven-thirty this morning.” I detached all formality and almost whispered the rest, “I’m calling this early because I don’t know how much time girls need to get ready and wanted to cover all my bases.”
