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Chapter 5
For
days afterward, James was afraid and excited by turns. He didn’t know what to
expect, but he certainly couldn’t wait to see her again. That was the hard
part of pretending he didn’t care as much as he did. He couldn’t seem too
eager, and so he had never asked to see her beyond their schooldays, and an
occasional lunch or dinner afterwards. Usually, though, he had tried wait for
class, and so that class had become his favorite event of the week.
Except for church, where he was a music minister and very busy with the
youth, he hardly ever had an outside social life. Alicia also went to church
with her family, within the same denomination, but in another congregation.
Being believers, and sharing the same doctrines, made them a good match
spiritually. James also felt a strong attraction to her. In an effort to
spend more time with her, James had asked her to visit his church, but she
had been hesitant. It made sense that she would be loyal to her church, so he
hadn’t pushed the issue. Still, he longed to have her by his side more often.
He hoped that this visit with her family might be the start of that.
Alicia walked into his house ahead of him as James held the door for her. She
didn’t miss a step on the way in, and she turned expectantly and waited while
he shut the door and bolted it behind him. Then, he hung up his coat in the
closet and offered to take hers, as well. She gave no sign that the suspense
was killing her, except to wiggle her fingers the way she often did during a
hard test. How many times had he stared at her hand, gauging her comfort
level during an exam, anxious to see her relax again? Really, James had to
admit, he had it bad for this girl.
Taking her hand for the first time, he led her into the living room where his
grandmother and sister would be waiting. He figured one surprise at a time
would be a safe tactic. Not batting an eyelash, Alicia went to his
grandmother and gave her a hug, telling her how many great things he had told
her about the woman. Then, hugging his sister, she said, “Now I agree that
James was right—we do look alike. It’s uncanny.”
Smiling, James ducked his head, remembering that he had told her that on the
first day they met, but unlike Alicia, he had forgotten it. Apparently,
Alicia hadn’t been as clueless as he expected—she had known something was up
and she had prepared herself well for it. How many times has this young woman
amazed me—she’s simply fascinating!
“I love being with you,” he longed to say. Watching her there, he fell in
love a little bit more as she smiled and greeted his four younger siblings,
the Mini-Ghosties as he and Jamie called
them. She hugged each little one and commented on their dolls or clothes,
greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek and smiled at his step dad while
offering him a firm handshake. She was lovely, and everyone was soon charmed
by her.
Dinner was quick and delicious, and then they all went out to the back yard
to sit and enjoy the lovely evening. A small breeze kept the mosquitoes away,
and the warmth of the air kept them from being chilled. As he shut the door
on the yard lantern he had lit, James spotted Alicia. Seeing her interaction
with the kids, James couldn’t keep his heartbeat steady. He decided that it
was time to have a long talk with her.
James walked over to where she sat with his youngest sister and pulled Alicia
to her to her feet. “Ghosty, I have to talk to
Alicia for a while, okay?” Smiling, the toothless four-year-old agreed to let
him pway a while with her. James
picked her up, gave her a big hug, and sent her on her way with a pat on her
bottom.
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