Although Athens would be their home-away-from-home for nine months out of each of the next four years, Miss Cora assured Ellie that her residence would continue to be the house on Pine Street for as long as she wanted.
In spite of their busy work schedules and preparations for the late summer move to Athens, the two still found time to have some midsummer fun.
In July they went tubing down the Flint River, and twice they went boating on Lake Seminole with the church youth group. Aaron Johnson, whose dad owned the powerful red ski boat with the inboard small-block Chevy engine, was very popular on those outings.
Ellie had never been water skiing before, but on her second attempt managed to stay up for five minutes. During the second outing, Caleb and Ellie skied together behind the boat. At one point, he inched his way close and attempted to hold her hand while skiing side-by-side. Losing his balance, he took a rather awkward and awesome tumble that generated a huge splash, and to his chagrin, plenty of teasing that lasted the rest of the summer.
As the summer months drew to a close, Caleb found himself experiencing a mix of emotions. Although anticipating the start of college with Ellie, and eager to begin the next chapter in his life, he nonetheless felt a certain sadness that some things were changing forever. The friends he’d grown up with all seemed to be going in different directions.
B.J. and Allison were staying in Baxter to attend the local community college. He promised to stay in touch with his best friend as much as possible. Aaron would be attending Florida State, and Kelli was going to a Christian university in South Carolina. He couldn’t help wondering if that separation would affect their relationship.
While bummed about the breakup of the long time group of friends, he was grateful that Ellie would be in Athens with him the next four years. Although unsure of how often they would be able to see each other, he knew it was going to be better than if they attended different schools in different states.
One early August evening, the two were discussing the upcoming school year as they sat on the porch swing. Ellie expressed a concern of hers.
“I’m worried that we won’t see much of each other once classes start.”
“Yeah, me too. It’s gonna be difficult with our full schedules, but we’ll figure it out.” He patted her hand. “We’ll eat lunch together, or study together in the library. Who knows, we might even have a few classes together. And don’t forget the games on Saturdays.”
“I know.” She looked a little down. “But we won’t have as much time together as we’ve had this past year.”
Caleb took her face in his hands. “Ellie, whatever happens, I’ll always be there for you. No matter what.”
That discussion prompted him to ask Miss Cora if he could carve their initials in the other arm of the porch swing. The widow not only gave her wholehearted consent, she offered the very pocket knife Henry had used to carve the other arm as the tool to make the inscription.
Carefully, with Ellie looking over his shoulder, he carved the initials C.S. & E.T. surrounded by a heart. While he was working on the masterpiece, Miss Cora excused herself to get some cookies and lemonade to complete the celebration. As soon as she disappeared into the house, Ellie gave Caleb a kiss.
“I’m so blessed to have you in my life, Caleb.”
“No, Ellie, I’m the blessed one.”
Laughing, they completed the now-familiar routine. “Well aren’t we the blessed ones!”
Then, underneath the heart, he added 4EVER.
Two weeks later, they loaded Caleb’s car and made the trip up to Athens. After helping Ellie move into her dorm room and meeting her roommate, he found an empty cart and hauled his own things into the elevator and up to the third floor room that would be his home for the next year.
They registered for classes, received their schedules, and then went to the student center for a bite to eat and to pick up a copy of the fall football schedule.
Caleb was excited about the approaching season, and eager to attend all the home games at Sanford Stadium. The preseason polls had the Bulldogs cracking the top ten teams in the country, and the consensus was that the team might be contending for a national championship in the next year or two.
Classes began three days later, and Caleb threw himself into his studies. Certain subjects were going to be a challenge, but he’d set high goals for himself, and was determined to do well.
Whenever they could, he and Ellie would get together and share how school was going.
Ellie loved her art classes and said her instructors were very demanding, but encouraging at the same time. They attended games together, and enjoyed hanging out at the student center, playing ping pong, or just walking around campus holding hands.
During registration, they had picked up information about the various campus organizations, and began attending the weekly meetings of a Christian campus outreach ministry. There was even a church that met on Sunday mornings in one of the buildings, and they were soon worshiping and enjoying fellowship with other believers among the student population.
College life steamrolled on. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Winter and summer breaks came and went. Time rushed headlong into the future, picking up speed, faster and faster, much like the spinning night and day cycles of the time traveler in H.G. Wells’ classic The Time Machine.
Amidst the blur of their college experience, some special moments stood out to Caleb.
For his nineteenth birthday, Ellie gave him a Bulldog jersey and a football that had been used in one of the home games. They became two of his most cherished possessions. The following year, she gave him a UGA football helmet, which he kept on display in his dorm room.
On Caleb’s twenty-first birthday, Ellie outdid herself compared to his previous gifts. She made arrangements with the groundskeepers to allow the two of them half an hour in Sanford Stadium, reminiscent of how Rocky Balboa rented the empty ice rink for Adrian in the movie Rocky.
Caleb, dressed in his jersey and helmet, and holding the football, ran out of the tunnel onto the field and struck the Heisman pose as Ellie, laughing uncontrollably at his melodramatic posturing, took pictures in an effort to create the once-in-a-lifetime memories.
And he loved her all the more for it.
In June following their junior year, they attended B.J.’s and Allison’s wedding. Caleb was the best man and Kelli, the maid of honor. Allison asked Ellie to be a bridesmaid, and she was happy to oblige. At the reception, Caleb learned that Kelli and Aaron had broken up, albeit amicably, and she was now dating a guy from Tennessee whom she’d met at school. Early into their senior year, Caleb and Ellie began talking about life after college.
They sat together at a small window table in an off-campus cafe late one Saturday afternoon following the season home opener. The Bulldogs had just defeated Alabama twenty-six to twenty-three in overtime, and the room was abuzz with excitement.
They were discussing the game when Ellie broached the subject of marriage.
“Caleb, there’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.”
“What’s that?” He took a long sip of his Coke.
She gave him a sly grin. “Getting married.”
He pretended to be shocked. “You’re getting married? Well, congratulations! Who’s the lucky guy?”
Ellie laughed. “Well, it’s going to be someone else if a certain person doesn’t hurry up and do something about it.”
He held up his hands in mock protest. “Hey, I’m workin’ on it, okay? I’m workin’ on it.” He took her hands in his and became serious. “Look Ellie, we both know where our hearts are leading us. And I want you to know, I’ve been praying a lot about it already.”
“So have I.” Ellie smiled. “Do you think we should wait until after graduation? That seems so far away.”
“Too far away,” he groaned. “But yes, I think we should finish school first.”
“Any particular reason why?”
Caleb hesitated
. “Well, I hadn’t planned on telling you just yet, but I talked with B.J. this week. He told me they’re discovering that being newlyweds and full-time students is harder than they first thought. It’s creating some stress in their relationship.”
“Oh my!” Ellie looked alarmed. “It’s not serious, is it?”
“They’re having trouble trying to fit everything into their schedules and still find time for each other. But remember, B.J. works part-time, too. Anyway, he said not to worry. They’re working it out.”
“But our situation isn’t quite as stressful. Neither of us has to work during the school year. Thank the Lord.”
“That’s true, but don’t forget, we’re just getting into some of our most difficult classes. The question is, do we want to risk introducing that kind of pressure into our own relationship right now?”
Ellie wrinkled her nose. “No, I suppose not. Being newlyweds on top of everything else might be too much.” She paused. “But being engaged wouldn’t be any trouble at all,” she hinted playfully.
Caleb grinned. “Funny you should bring that up. I’ve been thinking about that.”
Ellie looked surprised. “You have?” When he didn’t reply right away, she prompted him. “And . . . ?”
He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and smiled secretively. “I’m just waiting for the right moment.”
Caleb started the ball rolling when they returned to Baxter for Thanksgiving. While Ellie was out shopping for Black Friday bargains with Kelli and Allison, Caleb did a little shopping himself.
He drove to the jewelry store near the Southridge Mall. Once inside, he glanced around the room at the gleaming glass cases. The sheer volume of gold and glittering gems overwhelmed him. How in the world would he ever pick out the perfect ring from among so many?
A professionally dressed woman in her mid-fifties approached him. “How may I assist you?” she asked politely.
“I’m here to buy a . . . to buy an engagement ring,” he stammered, shaking his head, “and I have no clue where to begin.”
The woman gave him a warm smile. “I’d be happy to walk you through that process.”
She explained the four “C’s” of gemstone purchasing to him: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Then she showed him a variety of stones and settings within his price range. There were so many options. Too many. How could he ever be expected to pick the right one?
This was the hardest decision he’d ever faced. Almost two hours later, after looking at what seemed like hundreds of rings, he made his final choice.
Driving home with the burgundy velvet box nestled in the seat beside him, he was ecstatic with anticipation. When should he give it to her? What should he say? How would she react?
For the remainder of the weekend he could barely mask his excitement. He was greatly tempted to give Ellie the ring right now, but he decided to wait and propose to her on her birthday instead. That would give him more time to properly plan the all-important event. But the suspense was killing him, and he was afraid he’d blow it. He’d never been very good at keeping secrets from Ellie.
Late in the afternoon on December nineteenth, Caleb, dressed in his finest suit and tie, drove his father’s almost new car over to Miss Cora’s to pick up Ellie. He’d made reservations for seven o’clock at La Scala, a very upscale and highly-recommended Italian restaurant in Columbus nearly two hours to the north.
He wanted the night to be perfect.
Pulling to the curb in front of the old Victorian, Caleb got out of the car and walked up to the porch with a single red rose in his hand. The engagement ring was burning a hole through his inside breast pocket, and he hoped the shape of the box poking his ribs wouldn’t give away his secret too soon. The deep peals of the doorbell brought back many happy memories as he waited for a response to his announced arrival.
Ellie opened the door. She was a picture of perfection. Her hair was pinned in a very attractive upswept style, and she wore a pair of sparkling earrings that complemented the two-heart necklace he’d given her their first Christmas together.
But it was the dress that caught his full attention. He’d never seen it before. It was an elegant, full length black dinner gown with a V-neckline. A thin silver belt and matching shoes completed the ensemble. She looked absolutely stunning in it.
He must have stared speechless for longer than he thought, because her words snapped him out of his trance.
“Well, are you going to come in, or are you just going to stand there gawking at me?” She tried to sound serious, but the poorly hidden grin on her face gave her away.
Caleb stepped sheepishly across the threshold into the foyer. “I don’t know what to say. You look . . . you look absolutely amazing, Ellie.”
“Why, thank you.” She smiled sweetly at him. “And you look very handsome yourself tonight.” She crossed the tiny room to fetch her clutch purse from the credenza against the stairway wall. He gave her the rose, and helped her on with the shawl that had been hanging on the coat tree next to the front door.
As they stepped out onto the porch, Caleb turned to her. “Ellie, I think you may have to drive to Columbus tonight.”
She gave him a startled look. “What’s the matter? Don’t you feel well?”
He could contain himself no longer. “Oh I feel fine. It’s just that I don’t think I can take my eyes off you, that’s all.”
Ellie laughed and gave him a playful hug.
When they reached the curb, he held the door open for her, and then got into the driver’s seat. As he started the car, he looked at her once again, shaking his head in amazement.
“I can’t get over how beautiful you are tonight.”
Ellie frowned. “You sure you don’t want me to drive?”
“I’ve been looking forward to this evening ever since you suggested it,” Ellie exclaimed, once they had merged onto Highway 27 for the two hour drive to Columbus.
She was obviously excited about the evening ahead.
He shot her a sideways glance. “So have I.”
The pair drove in happy silence for a while.
Caleb felt a few butterflies in his stomach. He was eager to propose to the woman of his dreams. This was going to be a night they would never forget!
When they arrived at their destination, they were met by a valet. Caleb gave him the car key and then, with Ellie on his arm, escorted her inside. The host welcomed them and said their table was waiting. The maître d’, dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie, introduced himself and ushered them to an intimate damask draped table for two. After they were seated, he lit the centerpiece candle and said their waiter would be with them shortly.
Caleb glanced around at the Tuscan décor. Plaster statuettes graced small alcoves inset into the brick and stucco walls, which were lined with grapevines and elegantly framed portraits of the Italian countryside. The flickering wall sconces cast a warm, yellow light that reflected in the crystal goblets and highly polished silverware in front of them. His gaze returned to Ellie.
“Pretty fancy place, isn’t it?”
She glanced around the room. “I’ve never been in such a fancy restaurant before. It’s stunning.” She flashed an impish grin. “I’ve got to admit, your taste in fine dining has greatly improved since we first met.”
Their waiter arrived, introduced himself, and presented them with menus. After telling them about the evening’s specials, he left them alone to make their dining selections. As they studied the menus, the sound of soothing violin music caught their attention. Across the room, a musician stood in front of another table, playing a song for its two occupants.
Ellie turned back to Caleb. “Not a strolling violinist, too! Do you think he’ll come over here and play something for us?”
“Let’s just say I’ve already made the necessary arrangements,” he replied.
She looked lovingly at him. “Caleb, you’re so romantic.”
He seriously considered proposing to her right then and there,
but decided to stick with his original plan to “pop the question” afterwards at the pond.
Their dining experience at La Scala proved to be eccellente. The fine dinner, the candlelight, and the strolling violinist created the perfect mood, and set the stage for what was to come.
It was sprinkling as they left the restaurant. Caleb borrowed an umbrella from the valet and held it over Ellie as they walked to the nearby park.
By the time they arrived, the skies had cleared. Strolling arm in arm, they reached the center of the park and stopped on the white arched bridge straddling the pond. They stood at the railing and gazed silently at the lights reflecting in the calm water below. Caleb slipped his arm around Ellie. She smiled and leaned into him.
“Thank you for such a wonderful evening. You’re a real sweetheart.” She turned and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Caleb Sawyer.”
Caleb placed a hand over his jacket pocket to make sure the little box with its precious cargo was still there. Then he placed both hands on her shoulders and gently turned her so that they were facing each other. He gazed into her beautiful brown eyes. The dark orbs sparkled in the light of the old-fashioned lampposts on either side of the bridge.
“And I love you, Ellie Thompson.” He cleared his throat and fought to regain his composure. “Want to know how much I love you?” he asked. Before she could answer, he pulled out the black box and knelt down on one knee. “I love you this much!”
Ellie sucked in her breath sharply, put both hands over her mouth, and took a step backward. “Caleb!”
Holding the box in front of him, he looked up into her eyes. They were glistening with anticipation. “Ellie, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He slowly opened the lid to reveal the large solitaire diamond seated majestically in its white gold throne. “Will you marry me?”
A Future and a Hope Page 18