Nothing but make me love you even more!
I’m so ashamed of myself for not believing in you.
* * *
We have a wonderful dinner and a wonderful conversation. Val is a really nice person and she and Brad are obviously very close. She tells me stories about their childhood, some of them very funny and others – many others – very sad. She tells me of the time that they were notified that he was missing in action and presumed dead only for him to turn up unharmed a few days later.
Apparently Val likes me too as she is constantly asking Brad if we have set a date yet.
“We’re not even engaged,” he replies and she gives him a look that says ‘hurry up, what are you waiting for?’
“Val’s in town for only a few days,” Brad explains, reminding me that she lives on the west coast.
“Where are you staying,” I ask and she names a hotel.
“Come stay with me,” I invite, “you can have my apartment, I can stay with Brad.”
I really like her and want to get to know her, she’s a big part of Brad’s life.
Val accepts and after lunch we go to her hotel and check her out. We spend the afternoon in my living room just talking. I learn almost everything about Brad and it’s wonderful.
Bedtime comes and I go to my bedroom to get the few things that I’ll need at Brad’s.
“Let’s us girls have a sleepover,” Val suggests and I quickly and happily agree. Brad is banished to his apartment and we settle down for a real girl-to-girl chat.
Val tells me about Brad’s failed relationship. It was with Margie, a girl he had known and dated since high school. When he went away to West Point she was excited and proud and visited him often while he was there. In his second year he proposed and they planned to marry when he graduated, cadets are not allowed to be married. When graduation day neared he got his army assignment, jump school and then ranger training. That meant the he would see combat and that was too much for Margie. Without even talking to him she returned his ring – she gave it to Val to give to him – and that was it. Brad was devastated and has never been serious about another woman.
Not until now.
I tell Val about me and Ethan, Brad already knows everything but I think that Val should know too. She is sympathetic and understanding.
Val is married and has two children, both boys. They love their Uncle Brad, Captain Brad they call him, but don’t get to see him very often.
Val presses me to set a wedding date too but I am reluctant and she understands.
Early in the morning we finally manage to get to sleep.
* * *
Morning comes and we all have to go to work. Brad is well rested, he slept alone for the first time in many nights, but Val and I walk around like zombies. We somehow manage to get dressed and have some breakfast – which we make Brad prepare – and we go off to work. I drive myself while Brad takes Val wherever she has to go. I imagine that Brad is getting an earful of what Val really thinks of me, I hope that it’s good.
I really do!!!!
* * *
The days fly by and Val has to leave. By now we have really bonded and I can see that Brad is pleased. Val confides in me that Brad wasn’t sure that we should meet but she insisted and so we have. I’m glad that we did too, we have become sisters. We hug and cry as we get into Brad’s car for the trip to the airport and hug and cry when we get there. We must be a strange sight but we don’t care.
* * *
Things are wonderful between Brad and me. Our lovemaking is more intense and passionate than before and we can’t seem to get enough of each other. I have enough seniority at work that I no longer have to work some weekends so we are together more often. We explore parks, fancy restaurants, casual cafes, coffee shops, shopping malls, anywhere and everywhere that we can be together.
* * *
We talk marriage, Val has lit the fuse. Val is Brad’s only living family but I do have my parents and my brother. Even though I don’t really see them anymore they are family and deserve to be told of my plans whenever we get around to making some we are content with our current life style.
But Val is pushing and so is the Coven. I invite the girls over one Saturday afternoon for dessert and coffee but Brad is the main attraction. Everyone is a bit nervous but Brad is his usual charming self and soon we are all talking like old friends. I speak to Janice on the phone the next day and she tells me that all the girls think that he is wonderful and I should marry him before he gets away.
I agree.
We have dinner in Brad’s apartment one evening. He cooks one of the prepared Italian meals that we both like. I usually bring desert but tonight he brushes mine aside with a box that he has. He makes me open it, I find a cupcake with an engagement ring stuck in the frosting. He formally gets down on one knee and proposes.
It is the happiest moment of my life and I accept. He grabs me out of my chair for a passionate kiss and we forget about desert.
* * *
I call my parents to tell them the good news. I get them both on the phone, my mother seems happy but my father just grunts. When I tell them that Brad is white they both just grunt but offer feeble congratulations and hang up. Neither has asked about a wedding date.
My brother wasn’t home but they don’t see a need for me to call back, they will tell him. I’m sure that he will be thrilled.
I call Janice, Gloria and April in turn and they are truly excited. They do inquire about a wedding date. I again ask Janice to be my matron of honor and she accepts. Gloria, April, and Val will be my attendants.
Janice has consulted Maurice and the date for the barbecue has been set. It will also be our engagement party.
Chapter Seventeen
The engagement party is a huge success. In addition to April and Gloria and their families Janice seems to have invited the world. She and Maurice have a wide circle of friends and their backyard is filled to capacity. Maurice has purchased a new grill, the biggest one everyone has ever seen and he is in his element, cooking up a storm. Brad grabs a spare apron and chef’s hat and jumps in to help and he and Maurice instantly become fast friends.
It’s wonderful.
I am so happy.
I have Brad and I have my friends.
* * *
We decide on a date and since we don’t have much family – only Val – the Coven decides that their final act will be to plan and organize the wedding. Neither Brad nor I are churchgoers so Janice enlists the aid of her minister and church. It will be a small wedding so the reception will be in Janice’s backyard with Maurice manning his grill. Brad volunteers to assist but is firmly told that since he and I are the honored guests he will not be allowed anywhere near the grill.
* * *
Thanks to the Coven’s excellent planning the wedding goes off smoothly. The reception is a success also. The girls have arranged for a DJ and a temporary plywood dance floor has been laid. Gloria’s husband tends bar and the liquor flows.
I love my friends.
I love my husband.
* * *
We both have a lot of vacation time so we decide on a month-long trip to Hawaii. We fly out with Val and stay with her and her family for a few days. Her boys are disappointed that Captain Brad isn’t wearing his uniform but Brad has brought them some army medals and patches and they are happy.
* * *
The honeymoon is over far too soon and we return home to settle in. We no longer need two apartments and decide to give them both up in favor of a larger apartment on another floor.
Life is wonderful.
I’m no longer confused…
And I am definitely no longer alone!!!!!
The End
Note from the author:
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Bobbie Sue
Love Thy Neighbor Page 7