Our Love Story: Part 11

Preface: If you’ve missed any of the “chapters” of our love story so far, go back & get caught up before continuing below!
Part 1 — Part 2 — Part 3 — Part 4 — Part 5 — Part 6 — Part 7 — Part 8 — Part 9 — Part 10

We were completely lost.

As Naomi & I were trying to laugh off the fact that we had no idea where we were, Paul studied the map at the rest stop. He was upset, but keeping it cool: if we had made the correct turn, we would have had less than an hour to go on our travel clock and our missing the turn (and failing to realize it sooner) meant that we had instead tacked several hours on to our trip.

Sighing, he pointed to the map. “Okay girls, here is the situation. We’re here.” He pointed to the red dot. Then he traced the road backward with his finger, “This is where you should have turned off. And this,” he continued tracing upward, “Is Mom & Dad’s house.”

We all stared at the map. We were nowhere close to where we were meant to be. In fact, over 12 inches of space separated us from our destination (and on a map, you know that that’s pretty far). Instead of getting us closer, we had driven further & further away.

Deflated, we all got back into the car: Paul securely in the driver’s seat again. A quick phone call was made to his parents to let them know that we were still going to be a few more hours.

The rest of the car ride was quiet. A little over 2 hours later (almost 4 hours after Paul took his nap in the backseat and put Naomi & I in charge of driving) we finally arrived at the Abbey House.

It was after midnight. Everyone was groggy. Derrick came out to help us unload the car & I sleepily gave him a hug. We all fell into bed just a few minutes later, thankful that the ordeal was finally over, thankful to have finally arrived, and thankful that we didn’t run out of gas on those dark & deserted backroads we had to take to get to our final destination.

Saturday dawned with all of the newness & freshness of a new day. With a few hours of good sleep separating us from the events of the night before, we all laughed about it over pancakes & bacon for breakfast. Paul swore that Naomi would never drive again & we all laughed that the problem was more likely putting two best friends in control of the car over Naomi’s driving.

After breakfast, Derrick asked if I wanted to go for a walk. “Where?” I asked, curious. I had only been to his parent’s house once before, but I knew they lived at the top of a hill, off of a very busy road. “You’ll see,” he teased. “Bring your camera.”

Derrick took me all the way to the back of his parent’s yard and explained: “There’s a Christmas Tree Farm back here – it’ll be perfect to walk & talk & get away from everyone.”

And it turned out, Derrick was right. Not only did the rows of tiny evergreen trees provide the perfect place for a stroll, but getting away from everyone proved perfect for us. It seemed he was determined not to repeat our 4th of July weekend together (when we hardly talked at all & left disappointed).

We walked along, enjoying the warm sunshine, and simply being together. He told me all about his upcoming college classes for his last semester of school and explained that outside of his classes, he had a few other requirements that he had to fulfill in order to graduate: his senior recital, as well as several other performances outside of the school.

“Hey! I actually need to get a new suit for my senior recital – want to go to the mall with me & look for one?”

Excited, I agreed. The Abbey’s didn’t have much planned for Saturday, so after our walk, we headed out to the mall in Derrick’s white Jeep.

Once we arrived at the mall, the first order of business was lunch. We laughed: it was our first “official” “traditional” date. Inside the mall was a Friendly’s, and having never been to one, Derrick insisted that it was the best place to eat inside the mall (over Arby’s & Burger King).

We ordered burgers & french fries and then Derrick asked if I wanted dessert. Shy (and not wanting to add even further to our bill) I declined. And thus we entered the “dessert vortex” that every couple falls into at least a few times in their lives!

He asked again, “Are you sure?”, as he waved the dessert menu in front of my face.

“No, no, really: I’m full.”

He smiled, “Okay, well I’m getting dessert.” He looked thru the menu & ordered a slice of cheesecake.

I teased him, “You’re ordering cheesecake? Isn’t Friendly’s known for their ice cream?”

He nodded, “Yeah, but cheesecake is my favorite.”

Our waitress brought out the cake & instantly my “full” stomach wasn’t quite so full anymore. “Can I have a bite?” I asked.

Reluctantly, he pushed the plate toward the center of the table.

Let’s just say, by the time the plate was empty, I had eaten just as much (if not more) than Derrick. “Why didn’t you just order yourself a slice?” he teased, if he was upset, he was covering it up really well.

“I didn’t want a whole piece! Half of yours was just right.”

We walked thru the mall & stopped in several of the “big” stores (Macy’s, JCPenny’s etc.) to look at their suit selection. We couldn’t find anything there that was quite in Derrick’s (college-student-sized) budget. On a whim, we went into Burlington Coat Factory & found exactly what Derrick needed. We debated the merits of a plain black suit versus a suit with a tiny pin-stripe. What about a dark grey suit instead of black? Derrick tried on several coat/pant combinations and I sat out in front of the big mirror, pretending to be knowledgeable in suit fit & etiquette (in other words: I wasn’t very much help at all).

At one point, Derrick asked me to run back out into the store to grab a different size pant. As I carried them back into the fitting room area, I held them up to myself. They came almost up to my chin & I laughed at my reflection in the mirror.

“What’s so funny out there?” Derrick called from behind the fitting room door.

“Oh, I was just remembering – the night before Paul & Naomi’s wedding, Colleen & I steamed & ironed all of the dresses & suits for the wedding party.”

Derrick came out of the fitting room as I continued: “We both found it quite comical how long your pants were! Colleen actually took a picture of me, holding your pants up just like this, to show how they almost came up to my chin!”

He grabbed the pants from out of my hand: “I’m not that tall – you make me sound like a giant!”

“Well, compared to me, you are a giant!”

We had so much fun through the whole process and in the end, Derrick left as the proud new owner of a black (with small pin-stripe) suit.

That night, after dinner, we went for another walk in the Christmas Tree fields. The sun was setting and everything was golden & glowy.

As we walked side by side and talked away, we’d casually bump arms every now and then. My heart was full – it had been such a good day. Derrick & I had spent more time with each other, alone & away from family, than ever before. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so hard all day long.

As we walked along, Derrick casually reached down and took my hand. Not wanting to ruin the moment, we kept walking & talking (and definitely not mentioning the hand-holding-thing that was going on). Holding hands seemed so natural & yet was so electrifying. My hand seemed to fit into his just perfectly & I loved the feel of it (while trying in vain to slow my heart rate down).

We kept walking and Derrick didn’t let go. Even when we rounded the bend to head back thru the treeline & tall weeds that separated Derrick’s parent’s property from the Christmas Tree Farm property – he still held on. As we walked back toward the house, I could see Derrick’s Mom & Naomi peeking at us thru the kitchen window. I might have made it up, but in my head, I could only imagine them squealing and jumping up & down inside the house.

This was real. And our relationship was transitioning from friendship into love.

..Part 12 coming soon!