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Joe and I sit in the living room and wait for the girls to come out. They nearly take our breath when they appear in dresses, earrings, and their makeup. They’re stunning. Our mouths hang open because we’re justthatspeechless. Ginger and Adalee blush as they walk toward us.
I slide my arms around Adalee’s waist. “I don’t think I’m good enough for you, Adalee Summers.” She has on black strappy heels that show off her legs and an ivory sweater dress that hugs her curves and contrasts with her chestnut brown hair.
“I bought this when Ginger and I went to the mall. You’re fairly handsome yourself.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Fairly?” She keeps telling me that my eyebrows betray my emotions. Those little muscle movements giveaway my thoughts, and as much as I try to not use them, it’s in my DNA. I wear my feelings on my sleeve for her, and I don’t care if everyone knows how much I love her.
After dinner, Joe and Ginger have one glass of wine, and then we head to the dance floor in the other room. It’s all classical music, and Adalee loves it. I love learning new things about her, but classical music doesn’t jive with her favorite candy, Blow Pops. Although it may be why she’s a natural. We slow dance next to Joe and Ginger, and I’m loving every moment of it.
There are only a few others on the dance floor when Joe drops down on one knee. Ginger gasps, and so does Adalee.
“Red, I know we’ve only been together six months, but I know I love you and want you with me for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?” He flips the top of the box open.
Ginger’s hands fly over her face. This is not an act; she had no idea this was coming. She’s crying. Adalee’s tearing up.
“Yes. I love you Joe.”
They’re on their knees kissing and hugging. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. I was hoping Adalee would vocalize her feelings, but if she said she loved me now, I know it would be forced.
Love is patient.
We dance the night away until we drop Joe and Ginger at a nearby hotel to celebrate by themselves. Adalee and I talk about our best friend’s engagement on the way to her apartment. How will this work? “Will they get married and kick me out of the apartment?” she asks as her she corkscrews her mouth.
“I think Joe wanted to show her how strongly he feels about her. We graduate in a year and a half. Technically, Joe or I could be drafted this year.”
“What? You could leave?” Her voice is thin and scratchy laced with anxiety.
I know that tone anywhere. This is how Hap felt when I left. She put on a brave face but I knew it was going to difficult for her. If I was drafted, I wouldn’t take the offer. I can’t leave Adalee.
“Yeah, but that’s not what I want. I’m not sure I want to play professionally. If it doesn’t happen it won’t kill me.” I need to figure it out though. I have an extra year of eligibility so technically I don’t have to decide anything now but it’s in the forefront of my mind. Because when I do propose to Adalee one day, I want to have a plan. In my family, we make plans, lists, and goals.
“Oh.” That’s all she says. It’s perfect opportunity for her tell me she loves me. Damn, maybe she isn’t feeling it the same way I am.
We go inside and change into our sweats. We have everything packed to leave for Chicago early in the morning.
We make notes about our project outline—hoping to finish it while we’re in Chicago for Thanksgiving. I asked Adalee if she wanted to go to Florida to see her dad, telling her I would go with her, but she refused. I can’t imagine not seeing my parents on Thanksgiving.
Her daddidinvite her, but it would be a seventeen hour drive each way, and he didn’t give her money for a plane ticket. When I offered to pay for the plane ticket, she said, “Money isn’t the reason.”
He moved to Florida right after he came here and told Adalee that he remarried. Her childhood home is on the market. Her dad said he would give her half of the profit. He’s trying to make amends, but he doesn’t realize it isn’t money that Adalee needs—it’s love.
* * *
“No pajamas?”Adalee asks my mom.
She chuckles as she uses the hand mixer to mash the potatoes. “No. That’s reserved for when the entire family is here. Reggie and his family alternate Thanksgiving between her family and ours. But everyone else will be here shortly.”
“Thanks for having me.”
She turns off the mixer and taps the silver prongs against the edge of the bowl. “You don’t have to be with Hagan to come here. You can call me, or George, for that matter, whenever you need anything.”
“Call me about what?” Hagan’s dad asks as he comes in with a copper hammered bucket of ice that matches their cabinetry.
After he sets the bucket on the island, he saunters over, kissing Mom on the cheek. “Just telling Adalee we’re here if she needs us.”
“Hagan, how about you and Adalee show me your outline while we wait for your mother to finish basting the bird?”
Adalee retrieves her backpack from the bedroom, and we meet in the sunroom. Dad smiles as Adalee’s face lights up as she shares our engineering project. Dad makes some suggestions. Then to my surprise, repeats what Archer told me months ago at the football game. “Son, you’re gifted. When it’s time and you’re ready, I want you to be the visionary for the new construction of Kodiak Stadium.”
