“Send me some details. I’m not immediately opposed. And at the least, maybe knowing I’m actively looking at another option will convince them to hold to their promise that this was temporary.”
“You’d leave? Really?” Ji took the mugs out of the microwave and dropped teabags into them, putting one in front of David and the other in front of her husband. She got another mug down and filled it. “I can see if there are openings at my office. I haven’t because I didn’t think you’d even consider it.”
“I might not have before today. They brought six new proposals and just dropped them on my desk. Do you have any idea how much time that’s going to take? There’s no way I’ll get back to coding anytime soon. But that’s enough about that. Who’d you ask out?”
David blew across the top of his tea before sipping. “Jen. Didn’t Ji tell you about her?”
Min nodded. “Just making sure. What’s wrong with dinner and a movie? If I recall, that was our first date. Things seem to have worked out okay.”
Ji got her mug from the microwave and leaned against the island. “Or you can do dinner and something else. The weather’s been pretty good, you could try a walk downtown. The Mall’s pretty in the evening.”
“I guess. I was hoping for something more, I don’t know, creative? Unique? I want to make an impression.”
“What about Shirlington? Good restaurants, nice place to stroll and window shop. And you could check the theater there and see if there’s something live going on, comedy or some such. That’s a little more interesting than sitting in a dark movie where you can’t interact.” Ji pulled the tea bag out of her mug and then out of David’s. That was probably why it was starting to taste weird. He never remembered to take the things out.
“All right. I’ll look into that. Thanks. Where are the minions? They’ve gotten quiet.”
Min sighed and stood. “I should probably check on that. They’re supposed to be getting ready for bed. They’re probably playing. Good to see you, David. Let us know how the date goes.”
David watched his brother-in-law take the stairs two at a time before turning back to his sister. “He doesn’t really care about my date, does he?”
“Maybe he wants me to stop talking about how I wish you’d find a nice girl and settle down. I don’t know.” Ji shrugged and moved around to sit on the stool her husband had vacated.
David chuckled and took a long drink of tea. It was nice that his sister cared. Mostly. At least she wasn’t pushy like his mom could be. Though again, it was hard to mind too much when you knew they just wanted the best for you. Soo-Yi had not been what was best though, and he’d known it long before he’d had to guts to break things off with her. She’d known it too—had told him as much. The pressure to get married though...it got heavy.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s nice that you care.”
“Why wouldn’t I care? I’m your older sister.”
“But you were out of the house by the time I was what, ten? It’s not like we were buddies growing up.”
Ji slung her arm over David’s shoulders. “Maybe not, but we are now. Right?”
He chuckled. “Sure. But only because your kids say I’m their favorite uncle.”
She laughed and swatted his arm. “Go home. Don’t stress the date too much. I have a feeling that whatever you decide is going to be great.”
“Is that what you’re wearing?” Sara dropped her backpack on Jen’s couch and gestured for Jen to spin. “I guess it’s not too bad.”
Jen looked down at the black slacks and cheery yellow sweater. Casual but still dressy enough for just about anywhere. The peep-toe yellow heels were the perfect finish to the outfit. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing. It’s hanging a little oddly though. Have you lost more weight?”
Jen lifted a shoulder. She’d dropped another couple of pounds but there was no point telling Sara that. She’d just start harping on her about how pretty she was and how there was no point in trying to lose weight. “These have always been a little roomy. So the outfit’s okay?”
“Yeah. Any idea what you’re doing?”
“Dinner. Then he said a surprise. So I’m not sure. That’s why I’m trying to cover the bases with the outfit.”
“Hmmm. You’re not going to sleep with him on the first date, are you?”
“I’m not going to sleep with him on any date.”
Sara waved her hand, dismissing Jen’s objection. “You say that now. But when was the last time you had a serious boyfriend? College?”
Had it been that long? She’d dated, off and on, since then. But there’d never been anyone steady or exclusive. “I guess. Yeah. Why would that matter? Sex is for marriage. Period.”
“Sure, in theory. But by the time you hit our age, it’s just not realistic anymore. You need to let go of your prudish mindset and understand that guys aren’t going to stick around if they’re not getting what they want. Not that you just jump in right away. You have to make them wait a month or two, be sure you’re in a committed, monogamous relationship.”
Jen frowned at her friend. When had she become the kind of person who would think that, let alone say it? “The only relationship that meets those qualifications is marriage.”
Sara shook her head. “You need to wake up and join the modern age. You’ll see. Just remember, not too soon. You don’t want him to think you’re easy.”
That much was true. “So...you and Luc...”
“Not yet. Soon, probably. Maybe when he’s back. We’ll see how things go. We haven’t actually talked about being exclusive yet. That has to come first.”
Jen needed to talk to Rebecca. Didn’t the three of them share the same thought process? Well, obviously Sara didn’t, but was Jen really that unusual? Some of the couples in the single’s group thought that way, they made that clear by their actions. Weren’t they the minority? Or was giving up on abstinence just what you did if you didn’t happen to find your mate before you were twenty? This conversation was doing nothing to calm the butterflies in her stomach. She made a noncommittal sound.
“What time will he be here?”
Jen checked the time on the DVD player. “About forty-five minutes.”
“That’s probably my cue, then. I’ll leave you to get Tribble ready for her evening alone. Have fun, okay? And try not to be too serious. It’s a major failing of yours.”
When Sara was gone, Jen sank into a chair. Too serious and a prude. Was it any wonder she hadn’t had a date in longer than she cared to calculate? Was there anything worthwhile about her? A familiar heaviness began to settle over her, the weight centered in her chest. Tribble hopped up and settled on Jen’s lap. She stroked the dog, her tense muscles loosening. After a few minutes, she grabbed her cell and punched in Rebecca’s number.
“Hey, Jen. I was wondering when you were going to get around to calling me.”
Jen smiled. Her friend always had a calming presence. Even on the phone. “I was trying to give you a few days to get settled. Plus, work’s been really busy. How was your honeymoon?”
Rebecca laughed. “Really, really good. Is that why you called?”
“No. I’m going out with David tonight.”
“David. David from the wedding David?”
“Yeah. And Sara was just here, helping, kinda, with my outfit and such...”
“Did she do the whole don’t sleep with him right away but don’t hold out too long speech?”
Jen sighed and closed her eyes. “She gave you the same one?”
“Only about twelve times. I...I’ve just been praying for her. I don’t know what else to do. She’s convinced that a relationship can’t last without sex. She didn’t used to be like that. I’m not sure what changed. I guess there are enough other people at church, people who you and I would think are solid Christians, who believe the same thing. So arguing with her is nearly impossible. Listen to me though, you don’t have to buy that. Ben and I didn’t. It wasn’t a
lways easy, but it was worth it.”
“Okay. That helps.”
“Have fun tonight. And let’s do lunch sometime next week, the three of us.”
“That’s a deal. Thanks, Rebecca.”
“Anytime.”
“That was delicious. I’ve driven by here on 395 a number of times and always thought I should come by, see what there was, and just never made it happen.”
David grinned. “I’m glad you liked it. Ice cream? There’s a really neat place across the street and down a way.”
Her mouth watered. Ice cream. Were there sweeter words in the English language? Of course, those words went along with an extra two hundred calories. On top of the largest meal she’d had in forever. “I don’t think I have room.”
The corners of David’s mouth poked down, but he nodded. “All right. Want to walk a little, see if some space opens up?”
“Sure.” Jen smiled. David held out his hand, a questioning look on his face. She slipped her hand into his. Tingles crept up her arm.
“You’ve really never been here? I think I first came with a group from church. The theater down at the end of the road was performing a musical that our music pastor at the time had helped write. They do a ton of locally-written stuff. Some of it’s completely off the wall weird, but there are gems here and there.”
“You like live theater?”
A flush crept across David’s cheeks. “Yeah. Don’t you?”
Jen shrugged. She didn’t dislike it, but it hadn’t ever crept into her top hundred things to do. “It’s okay. Not something I go out of my way to see usually. You go to a lot of it?”
“Not as much as I’d like.”
Silence stretched between them. Why was conversation so awkward tonight? When they’d gone to lunch they’d had lots to talk about. Jen cleared her throat. “So other than theater, what do you do with your free time?”
“There’s a group of us from college and work who do stuff. Bike rides, hikes, volunteering for political campaigns, that kind of thing. Runs the gamut, really. Not everyone does everything, but there’s usually something that sounds fun and takes up the day. It’s getting a little trickier now that a lot of the guys are getting married. Their wives, who hung around all the time when they were dating, suddenly have no interest in continuing. And the guys are caught in the middle. So things have been slowing down. When there’s nothing that sounds interesting with the gang, I’ll do more work—there’s always work to do—or go for a bike ride on my own. Sundays are church, and then usually lunch with my family, which can turn into an all-day affair if I’m not careful. What about you?”
“Lately it’s been me and my dog. My parents usually invite me over, and sometimes I’ll do that. Then Rebecca, Sara, and I try to hit lunch after church on Sundays. The rest of the time I’ll work out or do a puzzle. And...that sounds pathetic and lonely. It isn’t, I promise.” Most of the time, at least. She flashed a grin. There was no point in letting him realize just how pathetic she really was.
David slowed and peered in the window of the shop before turning back to her. “You sure you don’t want ice cream?”
Someone pushed through the door, bringing the sugar-and-chocolate scented air with them. She could do an extra hour on the treadmill tomorrow. “That smells too good to pass up.”
“Hey, Mom.” Jen watched Tribble sniff the grass, looking for just the right place to do her business before bed. “Kinda late, isn’t it?”
“I wanted to know how your date went. I wasn’t sure when you’d get back, so I waited. You’re still up, right?”
“Yeah. Taking Trib out for one last potty break.”
“So?”
Jen sighed. She wanted to gush...but there hadn’t been anything to gush about. They’d had better conversations at work during lunch. Even at Rebecca’s wedding, when things had been in the awkward getting to know you stage it had felt less weird. The bright spot was holding his hand. She was attracted to him, no doubt. But that wasn’t the foundation for a lasting relationship. “I don’t know. It was okay.”
“Just okay? That’s...not at all what I expected.”
“Me either. I don’t know, Mom, maybe I’m not cut out for a relationship. We were on our way to being friends, I think, and then this date...maybe we’re better off leaving it alone. I can always use a friend.” Tribble raced over and danced in a circle at Jen’s feet. She bent down and scooped up her dog, carrying her back inside.
“Jennifer. Don’t give up so easily. On yourself or on him.”
“Yeah, I guess. I’d just like, for once, to have one of those dates that you read about. You know, the ones where you’re swept off your feet and you end up feeling like you’re the reason the sun came up that morning, that you’re special. You know?”
“I do.” Her mom sighed. “Sometimes you have to figure out what that looks like in real life though, baby. It’s not likely to be what you read about in books. You have a good head on your shoulders, don’t get sidetracked by fantasy. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom. Night.”
Jen pushed ‘end’ on her phone and hooked it to the charger. Don’t get sidetracked by fantasy. Easy as that. If fantasy never happened in real life, why were there so many books about it?
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Jackson. No wedding plans to take care of?” David lightly punched Jackson’s shoulder as he slipped between the closely packed tables and chairs in the local politician’s office. Most of the chairs were occupied with young adults folding letters and stuffing them into envelopes.
“I wasn’t expecting you, either. You’ve been absent from the political scene lately.” Jackson grinned. “Have a seat and dive in. Heard you had a date last night. How’d that go?”
David’s eyebrows lifted. “How’d you hear that?”
“Jen told Rebecca, Rebecca mentioned it at dinner last night at Season’s Bounty. And you didn’t answer the question.”
David pulled out the chair next to Jackson and dragged a box of letters close. He skimmed one, flipping to the other side to ensure it was a single page, and then began to fold. “I’m not sure.”
Jackson frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Dinner was good. But the longer we talked, the more stilted and awkward it got. At the end of the night, I was wondering if we had anything in common. Jen’s someone I was beginning to consider a good friend, on top of the attraction I feel for her and now...I don’t know, maybe I’m better off alone.”
“Dude.” Jackson shook his head and stuffed a letter into the envelope. “You like her, right?”
Hadn’t they had this conversation already? “I thought I did.”
“One bad date doesn’t ruin a relationship. Give it another shot.”
“You’re speaking from experience here?”
Jackson winced. “Well...no. But it seems to me that Jen’s someone worth fighting for.”
David sighed. A day ago he would have agreed. That date though. “I don’t know, man. Shouldn’t it be easier than this?”
“Not if it’s worthwhile.”
David frowned and continued to stuff envelopes with donor letters. He wasn’t afraid of hard work, but you had to start with something, didn’t you? Something other than chemistry. Chemistry was easy. At least it was in his experience. Look at Soo-Yi. They’d had a ton of chemistry, had very nearly crossed lines that you couldn’t go back over once you did. And yet they still were completely unsuited for each other. The chemistry was probably to blame for them staying together long after they both realized there wasn’t anything more there. He didn’t want to go down that path again.
“That’s a long silence.” Jackson stacked his filled envelopes in a box and tapped the edges flat.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Pray about it.” Jackson shrugged. “I know it sounds trite, but that’s the first place to start, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I guess. Hey—since you’re here. I was thinking of tryi
ng out some different churches, see if maybe there was someplace that fit me better. Do you like yours, would you recommend it?”
Jackson grinned. “I do and I would. Why don’t you meet us there? We hit the ten o’clock service usually. There’s a small group for singles and young couples after that we don’t always get to, but it’s nicer than the larger college and singles group. That one...is really only focused on finding dates. I think the leaders are trying to change things, but change takes time, I guess. Anyway, come with us and have lunch after.”
“Yeah, all right.” David took the small stack of stuffed envelopes and put them in his box before pulling another pile close.
“I’ve gotta run, Paige wants me to go look at cakes.”
“Look at cakes? She’s not catering your wedding?”
“See, that’s what I thought, too. And her dad and the crew are handling the reception food, but I guess she doesn’t trust them with the cake—wants a real bakery to do it.”
David laughed. “Poor you, you have to go eat all kinds of cake.”
Jackson shrugged. “I guess it’s not so bad when you put it that way. See you in the morning.”
David stared at the screen of his laptop. Was he really going to do this? Online dating. It was barely one step above having his grandparents find him a wife. Though at least this way he’d have a little say in things. He pictured Jen’s face at the end of their date. Was there any chance for them? Not that filling out his profile would necessarily mean they couldn’t go out. It just meant that he was open to other options.
Why did it feel like cheating?
His head dropped back and he stared at the popcorn ceiling. Why had people decided that was a good idea? Not that he was going to move out of this apartment simply because of the decor. He was right in the middle of things, his drive wasn’t terrible...and why was he obsessing about his apartment when he needed to decide what he was doing?
A Handful of Hope Page 6