I Remember (Remembrance Series) (9 page)

“But, how can we act as though nothing is wrong?”

“You know that is your father’s way of dealing with things. If we press it, he will fight harder for us and will be unwilling to let go, which can only prolong his suffering. I don’t want that for him, do you?”

Mom had a point. “No. I love him too much.”

When we arrived at the hospital, we found Dad as Mom predicted, acting as though the previous day’s events had not transpired.

“How are you feeling today, Honey?” Mom asked, as we entered his room.

“I feel better than I have in days. Maybe I can talk the doctors into letting me out of here. I would love to get back to my own bed.” Dad was definitely upbeat and positive.

Mom gave me a look that told me to play along with what she was about to say. “We will try to see what we can do.”

I knew Mom meant every word she said. If my dad desired to go home, she would find a way to get him there.

Dad asked, “Are you headed back home tomorrow, Jordan?”

“Well, yes and no. I will come by to see you in the morning and then go back to get a few things; but I will be back tomorrow evening.”

“Why are you coming back?” Dad looked a bit puzzled.

“I talked it over with Mom and decided to commute back and forth to work for a while, at least until you get better. She said she could use the company and besides, I want to spend some time with you.”

Mom quickly spoke up, “Honey, I feel all alone at home with you here. It would be nice having Jordan to keep me company.”

“I don’t like the idea of you driving back and forth on the Interstate. But, it is nice that you are there for your mother and me.” He couldn’t really argue with my mother’s request for company.

The next morning we stopped by the gift shop on the way to dad’s room, to pick up a Valentine’s bouquet and a couple of Mylar balloons.

Before we even stepped foot into the room, Dad yelled, “Happy Valentine’s Day to my two favorite girls!” He was sitting up in bed looking cheerful.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Dad! ”

Mom leaned in for a kiss and a hug.

“I’m sorry I am in here on Valentine’s. I feel bad that I don’t have cards for either of you.”

Mom was quick to answer. “Don’t worry about it, Honey. The best present you could give us is to feel better.”

“Still no plans for Valentine’s, Jordan?”

“Dad, we’ve been over this. I cancelled my plans for today so I could be with the two people who mean the most to me. Besides, I am talking with someone new and he seems more my type.”

Dad’s eyebrow arched. “Why don’t you give this new guy a call then and go out with him, today?”

“Dad!” I was shocked by his candor. “We’ve only talked on the phone once. Actually, he was quite nice to talk to but I want to get to know him better, before we go out.”

“Maybe you should give him a call to wish him a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“So, what have you been up to this morning?” Mom changed the subject, thankfully.

Before I knew it, it was time for me to get on the road.

Traffic was fairly light, considering it was a Sunday and Valentine’s Day. I arrived at the apartment in record time.

I began to make quick work of everything that needed to be handled.

I called Alley and reassured her I would continue to pay my share of the rent and utilities and be back to stay as soon as I could. I told her not to be alarmed if she saw a few of my things go missing during the time I was gone, as I would drop by on occasion for the mail and a few more clothes.

I called my boss, Caroline, and most of our relatives—aunts, uncles and cousins. I also got in touch with a few of our closest friends from our hometown of Clewiston, FL. The conversations were full of tears, well wishes and promises of keeping them updated.

I was very thankful that Caroline was understanding of the situation and offered to work with me on whatever schedule I needed.

It did not take long to pack the items I needed for the week.

Before heading back, I decided to take a break, turn on the computer, and see if Gregory had written. I could not believe that I had three emails waiting for me.

The first email, written Friday, read:

“Hello Jordan. I know you don’t have a computer at your parent’s house, but didn’t know how to get a hold of you any other way. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed our talk on the phone and I did dream of you! My thoughts are with you and your family, today. I pray the tests went well and that all is fine with your father. Please know that I am thinking of you. Take care and I miss talking with you! – Gregory”

The next email was written on Saturday and read:

“I want to call you so badly, to know that you are okay, but I don’t have your number. I have gotten accustomed to our late night chats and keep searching for you online. I hope everything is fine and you are having a good weekend with your parents. Know that I am a good listener and need to hear your voice! Take Care! - Gregory”

The last email was written early this morning and read:

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Jordan! I hope you are having a good day and receiving tons of Valentine wishes. I wish we could have met earlier so that we might be able to meet today, and I could ask you to be my Valentine. But, I like that you want to take things slow and get to know one another better. I don’t have any plans today, other than going out to a computer and electronics show at the Convention Center. I figured I would check out the latest technological advances. Write me an email, though I would prefer a call, to let me know how you’re doing. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! – Gregory

P.S. Just so you know whom you are talking with, I have decided to enclose a recent picture. Hope you don’t mind. No need to reciprocate, only when you feel comfortable.”

I couldn’t believe how sweet he was, almost too good to be true. I’d heard that my dad had been the same way when he first met my mom; so maybe there was hope for me finding that special someone.

I pulled up Gregory’s picture and did a double take. It was Daniel! The guy from my Victorian dream! Granted, the face was always a bit fuzzy in the dreams, but all the other details were identical. It was definitely him!
How could this be?
He was strikingly handsome, looking more like a model than an average guy.

I hit the reply button and wrote:

“Hi Gregory and Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too! I miss talking with you. I would have called, but the past couple of days have been a nightmare. My father’s tests came back as cancer and it’s inoperable. I’m picking up some items at my apartment and will be commuting back and forth from their house to work every day for a while. I don’t like the idea, but I want to spend as much time with my father as possible. I will try to check my mail periodically, both snail and email. So, it may be a while before I can write back. Feel free to continue to write if you would like; or if not, I will understand. Thanks for the picture. It was not necessary; but you’re right, it is nice to know who I am talking with. To be fair, I have attached my picture to this email. Take care and I will try to call you, soon. I shouldn’t do this, but I am going to take the risk…here is my cell, 321-4576. Hope to talk with you, soon. - Jordan”

After putting everything I needed into the car, I took a piece of paper and quickly scribbled out a note to Alley, thanking her for everything, wishing her a wonderful Valentine’s Day and promising to keep in touch.

I called my parents to let them know I was headed back, and would stop off at the house to drop off my stuff and turn on some lights before heading to the hospital.

Traffic was heavier on the way back and I found myself suddenly feeling empty and alone. I knew who I wanted to talk to. The voice inside my head kept telling me to call him. Just when I was about to give in and pick up the phone, it rang.

The number looked familiar. “Hello?”

“Jordan, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad.” Gregory’s voice was pained and full of emotion. His words pulled at my heart. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Tears swelled at the corners of my eyes. “I’m not sure this is the best time to talk. I am very emotional right now and probably not the best conversationalist.”

“Don’t worry about that. I just needed to hear your voice, to know you’re safe. Where are you?”

“I’m on my way back to Deland.” I couldn’t believe I let that piece of information slip.

I wanted to change the subject. “What are you doing today?”

“I am at the Convention Center for the Technology and Wireless Expo. I didn’t have anything to fill my Valentine’s, so I came out here and have been walking around bored, hoping you would call. Then I got a notification that I had an email. I read your message and called immediately.”

“I don’t need a pity call,” I said, vehemently.

He took a deep breath “While I feel for your situation and wish I could do something to help remedy things, I am calling because I have felt lost the past couple of days not being able to talk with you. I’ve missed your voice, terribly.

“By the way, you are breathtaking. You look exactly as I had pictured you in my dreams.”

I could feel the blush spread across my face. “You’re not so bad yourself,” I said, giggling. “I don’t know what the future holds but I do know I already consider you a close friend. One I would like to get to know better. And I meant it when I said if you need me, don’t hesitate to call. I will be there for you.”

I didn’t know quite how to respond with all this forthcoming honesty.

“Jordan? Are you still there?”

Tears began to flow freely and after a moment I finally found my voice. “Yes.”

“Oh, no, …please say I haven’t made you cry.” He sounded scared.

“Sorry, I am just so overwhelmed right now with my dad and your words. This is just not a good time to start anything, Gregory.” There, I said it, honest and to the point.

“Your family is priority. I get that and respect it. It is as it should be. Enjoy the time you have with your family. I just wanted you to know I care for you as a friend, maybe more, but we will take things at the pace you need.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you are too…” Before I could complete the sentence, the phone died.

Great, now he is going to think I freaked and hung up on him. I grabbed the car charger and plugged it in, hoping I could get it to come back on in a few minutes.

As soon as the phone had enough power to turn back on, it registered five missed calls. Before I could even look who had called, it was ringing.

“Hello?”

Gregory’s voice was panicked. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, my phone died.”

“Did you charge the battery?”

“Yes, plus I just purchased a new battery; but it doesn’t want to hold a charge, anymore. I guess I need to find some time to get a new phone.”

“Jordan, can I ask you to please consider doing me a favor?” His voice was sincere.

“That depends on what you are asking.”

“Let me send you an extra phone I have. I’m not using it and it won’t cost anything. It’s an extra employee line of mine. Before you say, ‘no’, just hear me out. I really enjoy talking with you and understand that our timing isn’t the greatest, right now. I’m guessing your parents don’t like the idea of you commuting and neither do I, but I understand why. You need a phone that is safe and reliable while you’re on the road. Plus, you don’t need to worry with taking precious time away from your family to find one to your liking.

“I would loan the phone to any friend in need and I expect nothing in return. It will be a means of communication with your family, with me, and to keep you safe on the roadway. Ok?”

Gregory’s words made sense. “If I knew you better, I might say, ‘yes’, but I don’t know.”

“I could send the phone to the hospital, to your workplace, to your parent’s house or your current address. Just let me help you. I want to keep you safe and get the chance to know you better.

“Please listen to your heart, Jordan, and think about the safety and communication issues I’m talking about. As for me, you already know I work at Teleco Wireless in Lake Mary and my full name is Gregory Anthony Riley.

“You could use the phone for now and if, for some reason things don’t work out, then you could return it; end of story.”

“As long as I have your solemn promise that there are no strings attached and if you should get charged for anything on the phone, you will let me know; so I can pay for it. Then maybe.”

“Jordan, I promise it is an extra employee line. We are all given one to give a family member, spouse, or significant other. The phone just sits around not being used and it costs me nothing.” His voice was pleading and determined.

“I normally wouldn’t do this, but something in my heart is telling me to trust you, Mr. Riley.”

He let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you for accepting my offer. Where should I send it? I can either mail it out or send it by courier to the location of your choice.”