Testimony of a Rock Star: Fame Chapter 1

Chapter 24

24. Epiphany

“Konstance had always had the impression that my parents and everyone else, for that matter, including myself measured him up against Mav.

“I’m sure that everyone else did in a way, but not me. That was one of the reasons I had fallen so hard for Konstance. Because I couldn’t in any way compare Konstance to Mav. They were two completely different people.

“I’ll never forget the day Konstance called me to give me the news. I was sitting on my parent’s deck taking in the sunny afternoon when the phone rang.

“I’ve decided to join the military.”

“I was stunned, but relieved. I had been afraid of the fact that I had left him back in Raleigh, and that Konstance would maybe find his way back to the chemical escape.

“I think that’s a great! What branch are you thinking about?”

“Well, I’m not positive, but I’m actually thinking about the Coast Guard.”

“Again I was floored and unsure how to reply to this...

“Well...at least you will always be near the beach. What made you want to do all of this?”

“Honestly?” 

“Yea?” 

“I just feel like I need to prove to your parents and even mine for that matter that I’m not a screw up. Your friends and your family have always compared me to Mav, and I want to show them that I’m right for you, and that I love you, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to be with you and to have their approval.”

He was right, and I knew that it had to hurt. “First off, I don’t want you to do this to prove anything to me or my family. I already know what kind of guy you are, and I love you. If you’re going to do this, I want you to do this for you. Not for anyone else’s approval. You’re a great guy, and I’m already proud to call you my boyfriend.”

“Konstance signed the papers and joined the United States Coast Guard. I knew it would be rough dealing with being alone again, but I thought it was one of the best choices he had ever made.

“I drove Konstance to the hotel that day to meet with the other recruits and to be shipped off to New Jersey for boot camp. I felt like a mother sending her child off to school for the first day. I was so scared and nervous for him.

“Well, this is it.” Konstance looked back at me. I could feel the emotions rising up, but I tried to suppress them with my grin. 

He placed his hand behind my neck to pet it ever so slightly. 

“I really am proud of you Konstance.” My voice cracked. 

He looked heavy at me with his blue eyes and then inhaled. He took his hand off of my neck and then slid a silver ring off his finger. “I want you to keep this.” He placed the ring in my hand.

I looked down into the palm of my hand. It was an oversized silver ring with a Greek key embedded in it. I looked back into his anxious face.“Thanks.”

I could hold back the tears no longer, and took my attention back to the ring, placing it around my left thumb.

“Jaci, don’t cry. I’ll be back soon.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and then again on my forehead.

Finally, our eyes met and then he latched onto my lips as to take it all in. His lips moved over mine as they memorized every contour of them.

Konstance pulled away from me quickly and spoke one last time before getting out of the car. “Love is just a word, until you prove it, and this is for you.”