Dear Jamie (on hold)

6 - people watching

December

"Could you explain to me what we're doing, again?"

"We are simply observing innocent bystanders and their daily activities. More popularly known as 'people watching.'"

"Oh, well, that makes sense," Jamie replies, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

I smile at her. "Nathan and I do this every year. It's kind of a Christmas tradition," I explain.

"You and Nathan have a lot of traditions, don't you?"

Now that I think about it. "Yeah, I guess we do."

We're sitting on the far end of the food court, right in front of the shops, drinking hot chocolate. "Here, you take a crack at it. I'll pick someone." I pause, choosing carefully. "Him," I say, pointing to the guy in the flannel, walking out of Comic Book World.

"I didn't know people still read comic books," she says.

"Really? There's another one of them just two miles from my house." Jamie looks at me. "I mean ... not that I ever buy them ... or anything..." She giggles to herself. "That's beside the point. You have a task at hand."

"Oh, right," she responds, suddenly getting serious. "Well, now he's sitting on the bench, so he's obviously waiting for someone. Girlfriend, perhaps?"

I snort.

"What? He very well could be waiting on a nice, pretty girl."

"Valid point, but I disagree."

"Let us wait it out then."

"Deal."

We shake on it and end up making a few other bets.

I lose most of them. My biggest loss? That guy's girlfriend showed up just a few minutes later.

"So, how is this specifically a Christmas tradition?" Jamie asks.

"Not a clue."

"Interesting... Do you two have any other 'traditions' we should participate in?"

"I mean, other than taking little Nathan to get his annual picture with St. Nick, there isn't anything else on the list here."

"Good, because I have a paper on Gatsby to attend to."

"Ah, that is rather important. I'll drive you home."

She loops her arm through mine, resting her head on my shoulder as we head toward the car.

It's December now, Will is back in New York, but we're planning to join him at the end of the month. My mom was somewhat emotional the day he flew back. She didn't come to the airport with us, knowing it would be too difficult.

Before departing for his flight, Will pulled me aside.

"I just want to say one more thing before I leave," he told me.

"Okay, but I think you've gotten in enough advice over the last few days." I replied.

"Knowing you, you'll need it anyway," he smirked.

"Fair enough... What is it?"

"I want to say that I'm proud of you. I was so hesitant to go back to school -- to leave you and Mom alone. But you've done great. You're growing up," he smiled. "I'm not trying to be too sappy, so I'll leave, but I also want to tell you that I think Jamie is an awesome girl. You're lucky."

"Thank you. I really appreciate that," I grin.

"I'm serious. Don't screw it up."

"I'll remember that."