TJM34

The Metcalf house was bustling with activity when Tommy & Sam arrived. Sam couldn't believe how many people were there. "Are you related to all of these people?"

Tommy laughed, "Yes, in one way or another we are all related. But even before my Uncle Mike married Emma Sloan, Charlie Hailey was like family to my grandmother. Heck, my mom almost married him."

Sam's expression showed her puzzlement. "What?"

"They were high school sweethearts," Tommy laced his fingers with hers. He started to walk toward the huge brood of people. "C'mon, Sami, I will explain it all as we go."

Ginger walked out of the house carrying a huge bowl of her famous potato salad when she saw Tommy & Sam walking through the yard hand in hand. Ginger blushed slightly as she recalled how she had confronted Sam at the ballgame earlier. Gina approached Ginger, noticing she had stopped dead in her tracks. "Ginger? You, ok fine?"

Ginger looked from Gina to where Tommy & Sam had joined Charlie & Hank's conversation.

Gina followed her gaze. "She looks very nice. Like she makes him very happy. To me it is almost as good as when you find love yourself, when your children find love."

Tears formed in Ginger's eyes, "Yes, it is." She handed Gina the bowl of potato salad. "Please excuse me, Gina, I need to get something from the kitchen." Ginger turned abruptly & disappeared back into the house.

Linda was talking with Judy a few feet away when they witnessed Ginger's sudden disappearance. They walked over to flank both sides of Gina. "What's wrong with Ginger, Sweetie?" Judy asked Gina.

"I do not know. One minute we were talking about how wonderful love is and then next she hand me the salad & leave crying."

Linda knew that crying was completely out of character for Ginger, "Something must be wrong. Ginny never cries. In fact, I don't believe I have seen her cry since we got drunk in mom's kitchen the night the GI's returned."

"You're right, Linda. Ginger is a spitfire & tears don't come easily for her. We had better see what we can do," Judy said as she led them inside.

The girls found Ginger inside hacking into a watermelon. She was trying to keep the tears from running down her face. Finally after they all begged her to come clean, she explained how she treated Sam at the ballpark.

"Ginny, that is just plain silly. Jeff adores you & would never hurt you like that." Linda rubbed her hand acrossed Ginger's back.

Ginger turned to face her 3 best friends as she wipes the tears from her eyes. "I know that, that is why I feel so foolish. But when I saw Jeff with Samantha the other day all sensibility & reasoning went out the window. I can't begin to compete with a young girl at my age."

"You never have to compete for anything, Ginger. You won my heart 34 years ago!" No one saw Jeff standing in the doorway. "There isn't a woman alive who holds a candle to you in my eyes." Jeff looked at the ladies standing around & ever the gentleman said, "Present company excluded, of course." Jeff flashed them that beautiful Metcalf smile & winked at Ginger. Jeff was getting older, but with every passing year it made him more handsome.

Ginger walked over to her loving husband & kissed him. Linda, Judy & Gina slipped passed then out went back outside. "Good Lord," said Jeff as he pulled away from Ginger. "If you are going to kiss me like that, I will surround myself with young girls more often."

Ginger put her hands on her hips. "Not if you know what's good for you, Buster."

Jeff pulled her back to him & kissed her again, making Ginger melt in his arms.