(Complete) When Tim Burke meets Julie at a party, she isn't impressed. When they see each other again, Julie decides to give him a chance. As Julie faces burdens and sorrow in her own life, Tim and his family provide the support and love she needs...
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Tim did not understand how anything she said would make him uninterested in her. He was as bad as Nick. Instead of talking about her, he was thinking of her. When he reached for her hand, he never wanted to let go. He ushered her into the tiny storefront restaurant. It was a traditional Italian with checkered tablecloths and dripping candles stuck in empty Chianti bottles.
Arthur had mentioned the food was good, but Tim had never eaten there.
Julie said, "My roommate likes it here."
Tim laughed. "Arthur told me about it."
"I didn't tell them."
"Tell who what?" Tim asked confused.
"Arthur and Kate. I was meeting you, but they will want to know."
Tim wanted to tell the entire world he was having dinner with the most beautiful girl. "Once you've told me about your family and I don't run away, you'll feel more comfortable."
She smiled. "You sound very sure of yourself." He winked and she laughed. He could listen to her laugh all night.
He reached across the table for her hand. It was soft and small in his. "I want to know everything about you."
Julie sighed. "My father was never an easy man, but he's been worse since he lost his job at the GM plant. He's been in and out of jobs since. The man is so closed-minded he could go head-to-head with Archie Bunker and win."
Tim knew plenty of men like she described. Pig-headed and bigoted men were everywhere. "What about your mother?"
"She's too busy working. She had to take a job out of the house. Meanwhile, she still has to take care of the housework and cook and wait on my father and brothers."
"Are you close?"
"With my mother? I was, but she doesn't try."
Tim felt sad for her. His mum loved him and missed him. "What about your brothers and sisters?"
"No, sisters... just three brothers. The younger two are twins and they are lazy. They take and never give. Both live at home and don't work regularly. They look up to my father and act just like him. My older brother, Kevin, and I are very close. He has a job and supports himself."
"Do you see him a lot?"
"Yeah, maybe once a month. He's three years older than me and is really smart. He went to college with scholarships and has a good job at TJ Maxx's headquarters."
Her face changed when she talked about her brother. She had an affection for him she didn't have for the rest of her family, not even her mother. It left Tim feeling sad with a desire to protect her.
"Why did you think I would run?"
Julie sighed. "Because we are poor and I never went beyond high school and you're so smart."
