[[[-RECOLLECTIONS06.TXT-]]]
----------------
Recollections
Written by: Kaadorix
M/F, F/F and a whole lot more
----------------
Chapter 06: "Investment"
-------------------------------------------
-*- Sunday, June 27, 2010 -*-
-*- Kansas City, Missouri -*-
(Seven Years Ago // Flashback)
Going to a professional baseball game at Kauffman Stadium
on the outskirts of Kansas City had always been very enjoyable
for me as a sports fan, and even more therapeutic as a human
being. On a muggy summer day or a crisp, autumn night, there
is nothing quite like the sights and sounds of a baseball
game, and all of the many spectacles that one has to offer.
The smell of the freshly cut grass. The vendors going up
and down the aisles, each with their very unique and loud,
boisterous personalities, belting out why you should buy a
snack or a cold beverage from them. Seeing the athletes that
you invest your time in as a loyal, devoted fan, stretching
and exercising, and feeling the anticipation in the air as
the game actually begins and they get down to business.
Hearing the first pop of a blistering fastball hitting the
catcher's glove. The timeless crack of a bat, and watching
in full speed as the base-runner stretches a double into a
triple. The energy of the crowd. Umpire, no! Bad call!
He was SAFE! Fans starting little mini battles and war chants
in the bleachers with supporters from the enemy team.
And then, there is one truly special event that can make
the memory of any baseball game on a random June afternoon
last an entire lifetime - catching your first foul ball.
I had been a season ticket holder of the Royals since 1997,
and went to about 50 or so of the 81 home games they played
every year. I had three seats in close proximity to the first
base dugout. When they were in the mood, I would happily go
with my brother and sister. My nephew, when he was younger,
was once my partner-in-crime. Sharing a season ticket and
going with Dad was always extra special. Hell, I went to
several games with my buddy Mike, and even encouraged him to
bring his latest girlfriend along (although sometimes, Mike
would have a brand new girlfriend by the end of the game).
But, especially as of late, I would simply go alone.
Today, however, I went to the Royals' game with Alexa. (!)
Call me biased, but there is not a more beautiful baseball
stadium in the world than the one you will find in Kansas City.
I miss the old waterfalls in the outfield stands from back in
the day, but still, nothing even comes to Kauffman Stadium.
It is truly THE crown jewel of all professional ballparks.
Oh, I knew my favorite team would never win a World Series
again. I remember jumping up and down, screaming, when the
Royals won it all in 1985. I was a kid back then, just 11.
Hope was supposed to spring eternal every April and, for me,
for a long time, it did. But as I have gotten older and
wiser throughout the years, I understand the flawed economic
system that baseball now has in its present day and age, and
that small market teams like my beloved Royals are simply
doomed to fail. Every season. I know they are going to lose
close to 100 games again this year.
No matter. They are still my team, and I support them.
But today was special, and incredibly fun. And memorable.
Not only did the Royals go on to defeat the Cardinals -
that hated squad from across the state who seemed to be in
the hunt for a championship every year (damn them!) - but
they did it in convincing fashion by a score of 10-3.
The three-day weekend series against the Cardinals was a
big deal across town. Everyone had been clamoring for tickets
and me, personally, with my season passes, there was no
chance in HELL that I would miss any of these three games.
Watching those wretched Cardinals bow down to my Royals never
got old. Just like 1985, when Kansas City beat them in seven.
I had Friday, Saturday and Sunday off from work, and it
was perfect. There were no meetings scheduled at the hospital,
and none of my patients were there. The sporting Gods were
smiling, rewarding me for my unwavering allegiance. My whole
universe, at least for this particular weekend, was going to
revolve around Kauffman Stadium and my hometown team.
But then, I met Alexa the Thursday before.
When was the last time _I_ actually took a date here to
the old ball yard? My ex-fiancee, Suzi, in 2004? Yet there
I was today, behind the first base dugout, with my personal,
private Miss America by my side. How did I even notice the
game? Alexa was snuggled beside me the whole time, sipping
_Mountain Dew_ and eating popcorn. She had on a saucy,
little white tank-top, and a tiny pair of blue mesh shorts
that had a tied drawstring in front and the Royals' logo on
her left hip. Those shorts flattered Alexa perfectly, and
were quite the amazing sight in the hot, sticky summer heat.
Alexa giggled and talked with me non-stop throughout the
game, tossing in what seemed like an endless array of kisses
at the most random and pleasurable times. This was just our
fourth day together, and third as a _steady couple_, but I was
ready to raid the bank account and buy her an engagement ring.
Yet I held back on that urge, mostly because Mike threatened to
break both of my legs if I didn't ("You just met her, man!").
Hell, I was so head-over-heels, and Alexa had knocked me off
of my feet so much during these four days, that I did not even
know the results of the games from Friday and Saturday. Did
the Royals win? Did they defeat the powerful, big, bad bullies
from St. Louis? I had no idea, and honestly did not care.
My weekend was devoted entirely to Alexa.
And I wanted her to be my entire existence.
We were only here at the baseball game now (Sunday
afternoon) because last night, when I took Alexa out on the
water in my sailboat on Lake Quivira, I casually made mention
that I was a sports fan, and owned season tickets for the
Royals. Alexa piped up with curious interest immediately,
and asked if we could go to the game tomorrow. Sunday, today.
"I don't really care to watch sports all that much on
television, but I LOVE going to the games," she told me. "I
haven't been to many, but can we go tomorrow? PLEEEEEASE?"
Ummmmm...
"HE WAS OUT!" Alexa screeched toward an umpire at one point
when a call did not go the Royals' way. She stood up from her
seat with conviction, her ponytail whipping about in the wind,
and cupped both hands around her mouth. "BOO! BOOOOOOOOOOOO!
You need new glasses, ump!" And an instant later, she sat back
down and turned to me with a happy, vibrant smile, and laughed.
All part of going to the game. The experience.
As the bottom of the eighth inning got underway with the
Royals comfortably leading 7-2, Alexa and I had been getting
teased all day with foul balls as they landed in our general
vicinity. I had never snagged a foul ball during all of the
hundreds and hundreds of games I had gone to over the years,
not just as a season ticket holder, but even before that.
Catching a foul ball seemed like the holy grail to me.
A myth.
But then Scott Posednik of the Royals came to the plate,
and he took a massive swing on the fourth pitch he saw from
St. Louis' Adam Ottavino.
At first, the ball did not really look like it was going
to reach the stands. It was catapulted high into the bright,
summertime sky, as if it had been shot out of a cannon. But
it began to drift closer, and my eyes went wide as nearly
everyone in our section stood up with eager anticipation.
I reached up with my right arm into the sea of hands.
There was a momentary scrum, and soon I felt something
smack my open palm with great velocity. Instinctively my
fingers clenched and, before I knew it, I had a little piece
of baseball history - Royals history - in my grasp.
I instantly became a 10-year-old again, if just for a few
seconds, as I stared at the worn piece of rawhide in my hand.
I used to bring my glove with me to games here when I was a
kid, even when Dad and I sat way up in the upper deck. One
night when we had good seats, I actually came close. But
some big, drunken goof hopped in front of me at a 1990 game,
and stole the foul ball that was going straight for my glove.
It took 36 years, but I had finally caught my first foul
ball. Today! An older gentleman from behind patted me on
the back, saying, "Good catch, son! They oughta sign you up!"
And without even thinking about it, or noticing any of the
sudden, excited buzz in our section, I handed the ball to
Alexa. I wanted it to belong to her.
Alexa gasped and brought her opposite hand to her mouth,
shocked that I would do such a thing. I had just told her a
few innings prior of the foul ball that was literally stolen
from me in 1990, and how angry I was about it back then.
Alexa stared at the ball for several seconds as I insisted
she take it. Soon, I received a gracious hug for my kindness.
The whole stadium, it seemed, came alive with applause. Huh?
Yet an instant later, Alexa saw a young boy, probably age
10 or so, with his eyes transfixed on that ball in her hand.
He had his Royals gear on too, and a mitt on his left hand,
not to mention that look of _so close, yet so far away_ etched
across his sad, forlorn face. I knew the feeling.
For an instant, Alexa locked eyes with the boy.
She then turned to look at me.
I smiled, and gently nodded my head.
Alexa gave the ball to the young boy. The stadium erupted.
A random act of kindness, from a truly incredible young lady.
As Alexa laughed and held back the tears as the boy and his
father thanked her profusely, I looked up and noticed something
extraordinary. Oh, that's why the crowd was creating such a
decibel roar. Alexa and I, along with the boy and his father,
were on the big screen video board way out beyond center field!
Had these past few seconds of our lives been shown to the masses?
The bright, glittering image on the scoreboard zoomed in on
Alexa, who was so overcome with emotion from making that boy's
day that she had to wipe tears from her cheeks. There was no
way that she could have continued to hold them in. Also, Alexa
had zero idea that she was on the big board. Yet the sold-out
crowd saw what she had done, and they gave her a loud, rousing
ovation. That, and because she looked like Miss America.
Alexa was confused at all of the adulation until I pointed
toward center field. She looked out and then screamed wildly,
totally embarrassed to be the focal point of the stadium right
now (and probably live sporting televisions across the Midwest).
She immediately buried her face in my shoulder, seeking refuge
in her own patented, cute way. The crowd laughed in unison.
Yep. I so wanted to marry this girl one day.
* * *
It was back to the heavy grind on Monday morning as I
returned to work and my medical practice in one of the small
towns surrounding Lake Quivira. I was focused on the task at
hand and caring for all of my many patients as best I could
throughout the day, of course, but I have to admit that my
body was thrumming with desire and anticipation at the mere
thought of going on another date with Alexa tonight at 6:30pm.
Which meant that I could only stay over an hour today if I
wanted to get home and make our date on time. I tried to
keep the line moving throughout the day and even skipped my
lunch break yet again to buy myself extra leeway, but I did not
go as far as to skimp on any of my patients or their needs. I
would not be much of a physician if I did, in my eyes, at
least. I was very detailed and followed through on every
precise thing, as was the norm for me.
Karen [Last Name], who had been my primary, go-to nurse
here for the past five years, came out of exam room five and
plopped some documents down on the counter in front of me as
I studied medical information on the computer. I looked up
at her and found that she was smirking at me.
"I've never seen you like this, doc," Karen said with pure
amusement in her eyes. "You've had a smile on your face from
the moment you walked in here this morning that reaches from
one end of the county line to the other. You're always... so
strict, and professional."
"I've never felt like this way before."
"You seeing whomever-this-gal-is again tonight?" Karen
was an older woman with three grown sons and a husband, and I
got the feeling from these past five years of working with her
that she was someone I could confide in if needed, and trust.
For a few minutes this morning, I told Karen how Alexa had
flipped my world upside-down in such a short amount of time.
Today was not the first time I had spoken to her in confidence.
"You know I dated Suzi for two years and was even engaged
to her, and I suppose you could say that she was my deepest,
truest love," I told Karen earlier. "Or at least I thought
it was love, because now I am not quite so sure. Because in
the two years that I dated Suzi, I never thought about her
even one-tenth as much - or as deeply - as I've thought about
Alexa in the previous four days."
"I'm not trying to say that I am in love with Alexa." Even
though, you know, I was. "I think what I'm trying to say is
that being with Alexa these past four days has shown me that
I've never been in love at all." Until now.
Karen laughed and patted me on the wrist. "My husband
and I had a whirlwind romance. Even before you were born,
doc. We dated for two months and got married." She smiled.
"Been happily married for 38 years and have seven grandbabies.
I love Tom just as much as I did the day we got married."
"Alexa has this... thing," I also told Karen. "She's really
into fitness, and goes on a jog clear around the lake every
morning, apparently. I walk outside this morning at 6:30 to go
to work, and Alexa is waiting for me at my car in my driveway."
I grinned at the memory, a delightful one at that. "Has her
exercise gear on, her running shoes, her trusty water bottle
in hand. Offered me the biggest, brightest smile that just...
filled my heart, wished me a good day, and gave me a little
kiss. And then, Alexa continued on along with her jog."
Karen nodded her head knowingly. "Sounds as if she likes
you as much as you like her."
In the present moment, my technician came out of exam room
two and pointed at its door, indicating that a patient was
waiting, and had been prepped to see me. I held up a single
finger at the technician, Tracie, as I grinned at Karen.
"Bet your bottom dollar that I'm seein' Alexa tonight."
Karen seemed intrigued. "How did you meet this gal? How
did all of this come about for you so quickly, doc?"
Hmmmmm. I was not at the point where I felt comfortable
telling my nurse that after initially meeting Alexa at the
little doughnut shop last Thursday, she actually accompanied
Merissa - a patient of mine - in here for a medical appointment
later that same day. What would Karen, who had been a nurse
for close to 30 years and was very strict on doctor/patient
rules and protocols, think if she knew that THIS was the
place where I actually became infatuated, and fell in love
with Alexa? THIS was the place where Alexa actually asked
me out? The guest of an actual patient?
"I better go check and see who's waiting for me in exam
room two. Duty calls," I spoke with a smile, ducking the
question for now. "We can talk more later, Karen." And with
that, I turned and sauntered off to the aforementioned room
with an energetic hop in my step. "Oh, hi Irene!" I said
seconds later to one of my sweetest, elderly patients, and
possibly the nicest. "It's so great to see you again!"
The 86-year-old cancer survivor (twice over) waved a bony,
crooked finger my way. "My husband said he saw you on
television yesterday during the ball game. Was that you,
doctor? Said you caught a foul ball in the stands, but I
didn't believe him. Douglas can be an old hoot at times!"
I chuckled. "It actually was me, Irene. It was."
Sometime later in the afternoon, I was reviewing patient
files in my office and lifted my eyes at the sound of a hard,
forceful knock on the door.
"Yeah, come in," I called out. I was surprised to see
Mike, a fellow internist and my best friend, open the door.
His practice was closed on Mondays, so this was his day off.
Usually, Mike spent his off days searching for new conquests.
"Hey, man. So sorry I did not call beforehand... but
yeah, man, I wanted to see your ugly mug." Mike strutted
in, his muscles on full display underneath the veil of a
polo shirt and cargo shorts. Karen never seemed to care for
Mike and his surprise visits like this, but Tracie - usually
very reserved and straitlaced - lit up like a Christmas tree
whenever she was anywhere near him. And became incredibly
tight-lipped and flustered. Tracie had a massive crush on
Mike, but I doubt he had ever even noticed her.
I pointed to a chair. "I got a patient due in five, but I
can talk for a few. Relax, sit down."
Mike rubbed at the afternoon scruff on his chin. The usual
spark of mischief in his eyes dimmed to a concerned gaze.
"What's up, bud?" I closed the patient file and tossed it
elsewhere on the desk, offering him my full attention. How
often had Mike given me a serious and worried look like that
right off of the bat? "Is there anything wrong?"
Mike's lips curved up into a huge grin. "Nah, man. I
stopped by to make sure you hadn't closed up shop early for
the day, and ran off to buy an engagement ring for that
18-year-old chick of yours you met FOUR. DAYS. AGO."
"Alexa isn't a CHICK," I countered, my ire brewing.
But Mike laughed anyway. "So there I was yesterday at
home, man, with Naomi sucking my cock. Just slobbering all
over it like a desperate, out-of-work porn star!" I rolled my
eyes at him. Who was Naomi? Was she the red-head that Mike
picked up at the bar and took home on Thursday evening? "I
look up at the television, man, and what do I see? I see you
and the little teeny-bopper front and center at the Royals'
game, and she's fawning all over you."
"I suppose Alexa and I are celebrities now. I saw someone
asking on an Internet message board last night if anyone knew
who that _hot, little blonde_ from the Royals' game was.
Surprisingly enough, no one was asking about me."
"That's not surprising," he quickly chuckled.
"Gee, thanks."
Mike hesitated, looking serious again. "You tap that yet?"
My nostrils flamed as I stared a hole straight through him.
"Just raggin' on you, dude!" Mike bellowed, reaching across
the desk and slapping my shoulder. Perhaps he was, but I still
felt the monster lurking inside of me. I had already gotten
rough and physical with Mike once over this. I did not enjoy
his crude, albeit harmless, little remarks about Alexa. What he
sought from the women in his life was the complete, polar
opposite from what I was looking for with Alexa, and hoping to
build with her. Together. For Mike, this was just his
personality, his make-up. He had always acted this way.
"I'm happy for you, man," Mike then said, his tone much
softer. "I know how long it's been since you've had some
real happiness in your life." And then, Mike actually did
turn serious. "But you're my best friend, and I don't want
to see anything bad happen to you. I don't want you to get
your hopes up. I know how you are, man. You'll crash and
sink faster than The Titanic if this doesn't work out. You
get so intense on things, and I fear you may scare her off.
She is SO MUCH younger than you."
I rose to my feet, and Mike followed. "Listen, I really
appreciate all of the advice you've given me since Thursday,
and I know you are looking out for me. But I'm a big boy,
Mike. And contrary to what you may believe, I am really
watching myself with Alexa, and going as slow as I possibly
can with her. I am not going to screw this up like I have
with others in the past." I smiled at him. "Besides, I
believe the feeling may be mutual. Did you ever even consider
that, buddy? I think Alexa may like me as much as I like her."
Mike stifled a laugh. "What? She got some serious daddy
issues going on that she needs taken care of?"
I shot him my most disapproving glare.
"Just kidding, man. Just kidding." He waved a finger my
way. "You talk to me, Jeremy, before you go off the deep end
and say something crazy or monumental to her. I'm FUCKING
SERIOUS, man. You talk to me first, okay?"
"I will," I nodded at him.
* * *
"Hey handsome," Alexa grinned, coming in for yet another
kiss. God, how I loved kissing Alexa. Each and every one of
them, it seemed, was filled with emotions that were fresh and
exciting. The promise of a future with unlimited possibilities.
Even the most tiny peck felt like a pulse-pounding adventure.
Just being with Alexa - simply having her in my presence -
was like nothing I had ever experienced before. She filled all
of the places that I did not even realize beforehand were empty.
Not just my heart, but my mind too, and certainly my soul.
Alexa and I had journeyed 30 miles west to the town where she
would attend college in the fall - Lawrence, Kansas - and,
after having dinner at a pizza parlor, we now found ourselves
at _Royal Crown Lanes_ just off of the campus grounds. Yes, a
bowling alley. Alexa amazed me yet again with the things that
she was willing to do with me, the places she was willing to go.
First a history museum and then the baseball game, and now a
bowling alley? Granted, I had not been bowling in 15 years,
but this girl had me floating on cloud nine with her outgoing
demeanor and playful, energetic nature no matter the location.
I feared the worst earlier, showing up 25 minutes late at
Alexa's aunt and uncle's house for my date with her. One of my
patients came into the office at 5:20pm. He had been battling
a severe colon disorder (diverticulitis) for over a week. The
poor patient was still in really bad shape, and I ultimately
sent him to the emergency room, but I spent time with him first
as a caregiver and answered his questions. I did my absolute
best to make him feel comfortable. I could not shove him away
because I had a hot date lined up. He was so bad off, though,
that I was positive he would be admitted into the hospital.
Yet Alexa was not upset or even one bit agitated when I
showed up 25 minutes late (at 6:55pm) for our date. Alexa
assured me that she would never feel jealous or angry if I
had to put in extra hours at work, solely because I was
helping people feel better. It was my job - what I had
dedicated my career to - and I was proud of the way my little
practice had grown and blossomed in the past several years.
I cared about all of my patients deeply and would do whatever
it took to make them feel at ease.
Alexa's willingness to accept the fact that I had this type
of job - and that there were some days when I would work extra
hours - was just another reason for me to believe that she was
that special woman I had been searching for my entire life.
Suzi, my ex-fiancee, used to moan and complain when I was
late getting home, claiming I cared more about my patients
than I did her. That was never the case, obviously, as the
caring - one being romantic, the other being my life's career
passion and duty - were two entirely different things. Back
then was the early stages of my practice, when I was trying to
build a strong goodwill with the community so Suzi and I could
ultimately live a comfortable and worry-free lifestyle.
Now that I had that goodwill, I did not want to lose it.
I wanted to add onto it, in fact, and be considered the best
and most well respected family doctor in all of Kansas City.
I did not want any patient to ever believe that I had not
given them my all. Just the mere idea horrified me.
Alexa was a pretty good bowler, believe it or not, and it
was fun to watch her exert all that athletic effort in her
black spandex leggings and matching, pull-over blouse, and a
pair of hot pink bowling shoes.
"Oh, that's a fault..." I noticed, taunting her.
"How's that a fault?" Alexa exclaimed in return, turning
to face me, as she had just flung a bowling ball down the
lane and I watched it roll toward the stacked set of pins.
"Wait for it, wait for it," I grinned, "OHHHHH! Nine pins!
You knocked down nine pins!"
"How is that a FAULT?" she repeated, hands on hips.
I chuckled and pointed at the white stripe on the floor at
the head of the bowling lane. "You stepped over the line as
you released the ball. Didn't you hear the penalty buzzer?"
Alexa titled her head back and forth, and even gave me a
sassy, playful leer, and then stuck her tongue out to boot.
"How is Merissa doing? Her ankle?" I stretched my back,
feeling somewhat sore after working 11-and-a-half hours today.
"I trust that Merissa is using her walking boot like I asked
her to whenever she leaves the house?"
"Oh, I'm making her," Alexa informed me. "Merissa also
had her first appointment today with the physical therapist in
Mission Hills. She did really well, I think. And right now,
Merissa is on a date with her boyfriend, Grayson."
"She has a boyfriend?"
"They've been dating for the past two years," Alexa said.
"I think Merissa could do much better than him, but she is in
love, and I suppose that is all that really matters. They've
been going out since we were sophomores in high school."
"He the same age?"
She nodded. "Close. Grayson is a year older than us."
Alexa pouted for a moment, then brought my hand into hers
and slowly guided me toward one of the long benches here in
the bowling alley. "I've had so much fun the last couple of
days with you, Jeremy, but we... we need to talk."
My chest tightened with sudden fear. "Oh?" The tone of
her voice did not sound promising at all.
She dropped down onto the bench and seemed to mew inwardly.
"I've been hiding something from you, baby, I guess since the
first day we met." Concerned, I sat down beside Alexa as she
exhaled a deep, tense breath. "You know how, like every time
you've come over and picked me up, I'm always waiting outside?
About how I might seem irritated, or even a little sidetracked?
I don't seem my normal self?"
"What is it, honey?" I asked, squeezing her forearm.
She shifted her eyes away for a moment. "It's Uncle Kyle
and Aunt Becky." Alexa then seemed to force herself to look
back at me. "I'm staying with them, you know, and they are
NOT happy that I am seeing you."
"Why?"
"Because I told them that you are 36," she answered flatly,
and I immediately dropped my head in exasperation. "Uncle Kyle
and Aunt Becky think, with you being so much older, all you
really want to do is take advantage of me." Alexa sat up
straight and fidgeted both of her hands together in her lap.
"I would never take advantage of you. Ever..."
Alexa seemed to be battling her emotions. "I know that.
I honestly believe that. I know that you would never take
advantage of me, or try to trick me into something bad." Even
if I did, Alexa was probably too intuitive and quick-witted for
me to succeed. She was so level-headed and mature beyond her
years. "But Uncle Kyle and Aunt Becky, they don't."
"So what does this mean?"
"When I am with you, Jeremy, everything is amazing. But
back there," she explained, pointing toward the direction of
Lake Quivira, "I've had a rough last couple of days with
Uncle Kyle and Aunt Becky. I've had three, maybe four HUGE
arguments with them about you. They say I'm too young and
gullible. I say it's not fair that they judge you, especially
since they DO NOT EVEN know you. They tell me I'm foolish,
going out with a man your age. A man older than my father."
"What are you saying?" Oh, there was hurt in my voice.
"You... want to break up because of what your aunt and uncle
think about me?" I felt a tumbling sensation within me. Was
this how the beginning of a swan dive off the cliff felt?
"No!" Alexa screeched, upset. "I don't want to break up
with you at all. Uncle Kyle and Aunt Becky, they tried to
talk to Mom and Dad about you, get them to agree with them.
But I TOLD Mom and Dad that you are not a bad guy, Jeremy,
you're not some psycho pervert!" She gazed into my eyes,
and I felt my resolve slipping away. "I told Mom and Dad
that you're nice, you're sweet, you want to put me first.
Even Merissa has been in on the arguments with my aunt and
uncle, standing up for you. She put in a good word for you
with Mom and Dad, too. The best word, actually."
"Again, what does all of this mean?" Couldn't be good...
She shook her head. "Uncle Kyle and Aunt Becky said that
Merissa and I cannot stay with them in Lake Quivira any more
this summer. I... they're making us go back home, back to
Overland Park." Tears streamed from Alexa's eyes, and she
wiped them with a finger. "They think that by splitting us
apart, you and me - our relationship will... dissolve."
"What?" I asked, stunned. "Overland Park is just 10, 12
miles down Shawnee Mission Parkway. How is that going to
split us up? I'd travel thousands of miles to see you if I
had to, honey. All the way around the globe, and back."
"10 to 12 miles is a lot longer than a 10 minute jog
around the lake," Alexa reminded me, sniffing her nose. She
then shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, Jeremy. I DON'T
KNOW!" Alexa balled up a fist and grunted. "I won't be able
to jog by your house bright and early every morning like I
have been, and try to spy on you. I mean, I REALLY like it
in Lake Quivira! For the first time in my life, I feel as if
I have been on an actual vacation these past two weeks. I
cannot BELIEVE that my aunt and uncle are taking that away
from me over something they know absolutely NOTHING about!
I cannot believe they would think that by..."
Her words trailed off, and she glanced away in hurt.
"What is your parents' opinion of me?"
"Mom and Dad trust my judgment a lot more than Uncle Kyle
and Aunt Becky do," she answered, providing me with at least
a little sense of relief. "They're cool with you, Jeremy, I
think. But they also said that they want to meet you."
"Any time," I swore to her. "Just tell me when and where.
I would love to meet your mom and dad."
"Can I tell you something, Jeremy? You've been honest with
me, you told me all about what that nasty Suzi did to you, how
she hurt you so much six years ago. I want to be honest, too,
and totally straightforward. May I?"
"You can tell me anything, honey. Anything at all."
Alexa shot some quick, furtive glances in all directions,
making sure that no one was eavesdropping on us in the bowling
alley. "I'm a virgin." I felt a tight lump in my throat -
not expecting those words at all - as she elaborated, "I know
that's something a girl is NOT supposed to tell a guy less
than a week after meeting him. I... I know it's not."
"But Uncle Kyle and Aunt Becky, they know I'm a virgin too."
Alexa stood and paced about, looking devastatingly beautiful and
in pain, and that made me ache more than anything had in years.
"They're convinced that you want to take that from me, Jeremy -
rip it away - and then just discard me like I've lived my use
to you. Yesterday's news." She couldn't stem the flow of tears
running down her face now. "Because that's what guys your age
typically do to girls... m-m-my age."
Mike! Like Mike did with all of the teenagers he had bedded
over the years. Hell, like most of the women he bedded, period.
Mike and I were the same age...
"Do you think that I want to RIP that away from you, honey?"
I looked deep into her eyes, and spoke softly. From the heart.
"Do you think I would ever possibly hurt you that way?"
"No!" she cried, even more upset.
"I want to marry you," I told her bluntly. Oh, boy. Here
we go. "I want to hold you in my arms and look into those
gorgeous blue eyes every night until we fall asleep. I want
to provide for you, care for you, give you all of the love
and support you could possibly ever handle." Ummmmm, where
was that proverbial engagement ring? "And I want to have
children with you. Lots of them. I want our sons to play
baseball and our daughters to be gymnasts. Little Jeremys,
little Lexis everywhere." I grinned at her. "Alexa Hope
[Last Name], I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Silence reigned between us for a good 30 seconds. Alexa
was clearly trying to process all of that and make sense of
it. Myself, I could not believe what I had just said.
"You want honesty, sweetheart?" I then whispered in the
aftermath. "That's honesty." I brought Alexa into my arms
and held her close, and dabbed at the tears on her face with
my fingers. "I would never hurt you. Ever. I love you."
I gently rocked and cradled her within my arms for several,
long seconds, thinking about what I had just said. What I had
just proclaimed. Mike was going to butcher me limb from limb!
But I did not care. At this point, it needed to be said.
"You're moving back to Overland Park tomorrow, I assume?"
I asked, her face buried in my chest. She nodded her head.
"Do you need help moving any of your stuff? I will cancel
all of my appointments tomorrow, and help you move if need
be." She vehemently shook her head as I assured, "Anything
pressing with a patient, I can direct them to my friend and
business partner, Mike. He would be happy to help me out.
Or they can go to the emergency room."
"I don't want you to skip work and all those patients who
need you just because of me." Alexa pulled her face away
from my chest and locked gazes with me. Tears were just
gushing down her face now, unstoppable, unwanted, gnawing
at my heart with every fresh, thick droplet.
"You're more important to me than my job."
"I'll be fine!" she insisted. "Merissa and I will be fine.
We just got a few suitcases to move, anyway."
"Okay, honey."
Alexa reached out and cupped my face in her soft, delicate
hands. "I'm not leaving you, Jeremy." Her eyes were red,
completely bloodshot. "I'll never let anyone, no matter who,
tear us apart. I make my own decisions in life." Her
expression appeared conflicted for a moment, stormy even, but
she then slid her fingers into my hair, holding tight. Soon,
her lips were on mine, and Alexa was actually kissing me.
"I love you too, Jeremy. I... I do."
As the ramifications of those words swirled throughout my
mind, my very soul and innermost core, Alexa tossed her arms
around my shoulders and again found refuge in the center of
my chest. Right next to my beating heart, even.
This... this was Heaven. Total bliss.
I hugged Alexa in return, temporarily speechless, but heard
a slight, muffled giggle. One of her many cute trademarks.
"Please don't tell my parents that you want to marry me just
yet. Okay, Jeremy?" Alexa giggled yet again and added, "Let's
hold off on that news - THAT THOUGHT, even - for awhile, okay?"
I was willing to wait for however long it took for Alexa to
feel 100 percent comfortable offering me any of her countless,
precious gifts. Whether it be her uncompromising trust, her
extreme loyalty, her heart, even her hand in marriage.
Or whatever else she ultimately may decide to share with me...
<<<- End of Chapter 06 ->>>
==---- -- -- -- - --- -- -- - - --- -- -- --- - -- - - - - --- -- ----==
"Recollections"
(c) 2017 Kaadorix
Feedback is always appreciated!
