Turning Tables

Chapter 1- If You Don't Come Back

1956

Tallahassee, Florida

December 22

I watched anxiously for James as other men rushed off the navy ship to meet their families. I stood alone, waiting. Where was he? My heart began beating faster than normally, and I placed a hand across my heart.

"Anne Marie!"

I turned, a grin breaking out across my thin lips. My handsome sailor ran toward me, grinning wider than I was. He dropped his bags, and picked me up, holding me strong in his arms. I felt his warmth and strength all around me. I missed it. I missed him being here. "Oh baby, I missed you!"

James sat me on my feet and stared into my eyes. "Do I get a hello, or are you just going to stare at me?"

I grabbed his face and planted my lips on his. He chuckled against my lips, and I forcefully held his face against mine. He kissed me back even more forcefully, making my head feel dizzy. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, and when I tried to let go, he didn't let me. "I'm not letting you go, my love."

His lips moved from my mouth, and I let my head fall onto his chest. He kissed the top of my head. "My sweet Anne Marie..."

"Hello," I said, with a smile, and he looked down into my eyes and ruffled my hair. "Hey! I worked on that just for you."

"And it looks perfect," James said, adoringly. He took my hand, and picked up his duffel bag with the other, and casted it over his shoulder.

I felt heat rush to my cheeks, but I looked away quickly, and we were headed toward his truck, that I'd driven here just for him. There were so many memories I had with James. We'd been together for over a year now.

"You don't know how glad I am to be back," James said, setting his stuff in the bed of his truck. I slid into the passenger seat. "I missed you so damn much you wouldn't believe it."

"Already swearing like a sailor and you've only been out six months," I said, and he jumped into the driver's seat like a monkey. I giggled.

"So what, are you going to make me put a penny in a swear jar each time I use a bad word?" he asked, and grinned. His hair was messy but still perfect.

"No, but I may just make you kiss me every time you use a bad word," I looked into his eyes with my face glowing red.

"In that case, baby, I'll be swearing a hell of a lot worse than a sailor," he smirked, and reached for me. James yanked me onto his lap, and kissed me passionately. I knocked his hat off his head, and tangled my hands in his hair.

"I love you, Anne Marie."

I loved hearing him say those words to me. I loved the perfect way his lips moved when he said them, and the beauty of the way they rang out around me and seemed to come from every direction. I loved him.

"I love you too," I whispered, and kissed him again. All of a sudden a loud noise made me jump, and I realized I'd hit the horn on the truck. James and I looked at each other, and we burst out in fits of laughter.

We were young and in love. And that was it. James was perfectly gorgeous. He had brown curly hair, but most of the curls were gone due to his buzz cut. I didn't mind. He still looked as handsome as ever. Even handsomer than I remember. 

5:35

James helped my mother and I set the table for dinner. I picked up the pot of pork roast and moved it to the center of the table. 

"When will Mr. Rowland be home?" James asked, and set the last of the silverware on the table.

"He should be home any moment now," Mother said, with a smile, and wiped her hands on her apron. "Now, why don't we sit down?"