The Greatest of These (Sequel to Kansas Summer) -- Faith

May 24, 2004 -- Jenna

--Jenna

        "How was work, darling?" I ask Colin as he steps into the door at exactly 5:13.

        He removes his hat and plaid jacket and hangs them in the closet.  "It was good.  Busy, but good."  He laughs.  "Busy is good!"  I answer him with his favorite smile.

        "Ready to go?" I ask him, twirling on my left foot.

        My husband studies me thoughtfully.  "Let's dress up and go to that new Chinese place downtown."

        I laugh quickly.  "You must be joking.  We--we don't have to dress up.  I mean, it's not that fancy.  I don't think..."

        Colin leans down and gives me a heart-melting smile.  "I would love it if we dressed up," he finishes with a kiss.

        "Well," I acquiesce, "I suppose it would be nice to be fancy for a night.  We'd better get going, though!"  I lean in to whisper to him: "Because I'm really hungry!"

        Colin chuckles.  "Alright, Jen.  Let's go get dressed."

.        .        .

        It takes longer than I wanted to get dressed, and I kept having to tell Colin to (ahem) save the romance for later tonight, but eventually, Colin is in his best suit and tie and I am in my best dress.  I twirl around in it, the black, knee-length fabric making a satisfying whoosh.  I rush over to my dresser to dab a little perfume on my wrists and a little faint lipstick on my lips.  Colin is nearly knocked out when he pulls his head out of the small closet.

        "Jen, I--oh, my gosh, you are so beautiful," he breathes, putting his hand to his mouth.  I do another spin, just because I like doing it; it's been so long since I've dressed up that I've forgotten how magical it was to play Princess with Sarah when we were growing up.  Now, I am a princess again, and Colin is my darling knight.  I offer him my hand, and he takes it like a debonair gentleman.  "You know," Colin confesses quietly to me as we descend off the porch, "I have always loved that apple perfume of yours.  You should wear it more often."  I can only blush.

.        .        .

        It must be odd to see a well-dressed couple to get out of an old red pickup truck in any other city than Goodland, Kansas.  These things don't seem out of place in this little one-horse town.  Colin takes my hand again after he opens my door, and like the lady that I am, I take it and descend to the sidewalk in front of the small Chinese restaurant. 

        "Thank you, sir," I tell him proudly, slipping my hand under his arm.

       "I'm honored, your majesty," Colin teases, pecking me on the top of my head.  He opens the door and we both enter the restaurant, where we are immediately seated at a small table near the back.  Colin pulls out my chair, and I sit down in it, smoothing my dress.  Colin takes his seat opposite me, never taking his eyes off of me, never letting that goofy smile leave his face.  I coyly turn my head and brush my hand through my hair, faintly blushing and definitely grinning.

        "Stop it, Colin," I giggle softly so that only he can hear me.

        "I can't help myself, Jen," he replies, resting his chin on his hand.  His other hand slides across the table, and I answer with my own.  We take a few seconds to intertwine our fingers, to let them explore their opposite.  It's a moment of romance that the smutty movies and books miss.  Just the magic of two hands feeling each other: every wrinkle, skin fold, and bone.  Colin takes special care in feeling around my wedding ring; I look up at him and see him smiling peacefully, remembering the moment that he placed that ring on my finger and claimed my body.  I grin right back at him, remembering ten seconds later when I placed his wedding band on his finger and claimed him.  I still don’t regret my decision and pray that I never will.