"It was a late afternoon in Chicago, the air brisk and full of color, when I met him. I was on my way to the candy store to get some of my brother's favorite candies for his brithday. Bundled up in my grey peacoat and hat and golves, I walked slowy there from my house. I remember, I had begun to look at the array of autumn leaves on the sidewalk when I abruptly walked into a handsome young man. No matter how many times I try to remember anything else happening in that moment, I can't." I spoke softly to my daughter. She had looked at me with such curiosity, clearly knowing that the man I described was not her father. Yet she was not upset. She knew how I loved her father, and she knew how I was not in love with him. There is quite the difference between love and being in love.
***
1959, Northbrook, Chicago, Illinois
"Mom, could I go to Harold's to get Richy his sweets?" It was my little brother's birthday the nest day and he adored Sugar Daddies. I had also gotten him a new necktie since he felt it made him look older.
My mother untied her apron and walked into the foyer where I was waiting for permission to leave. "Of course, just dont get him too many, we don't want him to rot his teeth now do we?" I nodded and slipped a few coins in my pocket. I hustled outside and let out a breath into the air, making a small puff escape. Looking at all the leaves and clouds I smiled, it was all so simply perfect.
About four blocks down the street, I saw the small candy store and hurried forward. The leaves on the pavement of the sidewalk were so captivating, orange and yellow combined to weave a tapistry on the ground. I was so busy admiring them, I ran into someone. I looked up, startled, and gasped. "S-sorry, I wasn't paying attention." I mumbled and slightly smiled.
"No, I understand. It's such a glorious time of the year.. I can see why you wouldn't want to look at anything else." He said in a dulcet voice. In that moment of time, I could think of one exception. But then, I didn't know I would be able to look at that one exception. And when I did, I never thought I couldn't.
I nodded my head and started to walk forward. "Thank you for understanding." And I turned away.
"Wait!" I looked back at him and he held out his hand. "I'm James, and I was walking that way as well. Would you mind if I accompanied you?" I shook his hand and nodded. We didn't say much after that, just fell into each other's step and walked along. We were approaching Harold's when I stopped. James furrowed his brow and looked down at my shorter stature. "What is it..?"
"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Charlotte, but most people just call me Lottie." I lightly laughed and looked up into James' brown eyes.
He chuckled as well, "It's nice to meet you Charlotte, and most people call me Jem."
We continued to walk along and when we reached the front of Harold's candy store, I looked at Jem and smiled. "Well, I guess this is where we part ways. It was nice meeting you."
Jem smiled at me and looked me deep in the eyes. "It was wonderful meeting you as well. And I was wondering.. if you would like to meet me at the park sometime, for a picnic, perhaps?" He gestured to the nearby park a few blocks down Main Street.
"I'd love to! When and where should we meet?" I asked, a little too excitedly, but it was a spark.
Jem combed his fingers through his hair and smiled. "How about under the willow tree, noon tomorrow?" I nodded. "Great! I'll see you then Char. I-I mean Charlotte." He stuttered, then waved and started to walk away.
"I'll see you later, and call me what you'd like, Jem." I chuckled and waved. He turned away and walked down the street with a slight bounce in his step as if he were walking to the tune of a song. I walked into the candy store and grinned to myself. "Jem." I whispered, I liked the way it rolled of my tongue and sent chills down my spine.
As I reached for a few Sugar Daddies, I saw out of the corner of my eye, Jem, walking back the way we had come. Then I realized, when I had run into him, we were going separate ways, not the same. Could it have been that he had lied, for a good purpose, just to spend a few minutes in my company? I started giggling in the middle of the candy store. The man working at the counter, looked at me, smiling. "Anything you find funny, miss?" I shook my head, more to myself than to him.
"No, just something sorta.. remarkable." I said as I paid for the candies.
***
"Mom! I'm back from Harold's," I took of my boots and put them in the line of other shoes on the marble floor of our foyer. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw my mother in the midst of making a cake for my brother, Richard. "Where's Richy and Dad?"
"Your father and Richy are outside chopping wood. Could you please help me with preparing for his party?" My mother asked, so I immediately nodded and strolled into the dining room.
I put up a few strands of streamers and sprinkled the table with confetti. When I set the table, I made sure to tie balloons to his chair. I ran to my bedroom and grabbed the box from under my bed that had his tie in it and placed the candies in there too. I put this box on the table, in front of Richy's plate and told my mother I was done. She nodded and I left to my room, to read.
While I read my novel, I couldn't help but think of James. I wasn't sure why, but it felt like I knew him like the back of my right hand. I wanted to know him more than that.
***
Hey yall it's Lizzy! What did you guys think? I've been contemplating everything and I think I've got he storyline down. Spoiler: it'll be great. Please share, comment, and vote! And if you haven't already, follow me so you can see when I publish all my other stories! I have two more in line!
Love,
Lizzy
