Sassafras, Part 67

Joan

“Do you know what I got for Christmas last year? Nothing. Well, Jenny and Billy sent me a bunch of cookies. That was it. I bought myself that pearl necklace. I was walking to the subway from work on Christmas Eve and saw it in a window. I wanted something pretty, something that would make me feel special, and I knew nobody was going to get it for me but me. I had them wrap it up and even put a little bow on it. I didn’t open it until the day after Christmas because I just liked carrying it around. Besides, I knew what was in it.”

“I still have the little bow. I taped it to my front door, so I’d never forget if I want something it’s up to me to get it. Nobody cares what I want but me. You know, Bill even saw it when he gave me that tarot reading. What was it he said? I’m obsessed about my job and have to fight to get what I want. I don’t want to be like that anymore. I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want to go back to New York.”

“Then stay here, Joan. Stay here with me.”

“I want to stay, Rick.”

“Then don’t leave.”

“Rick, you don’t understand….”

“Yes, I do,” he interrupted. “You’re just afraid….” I pressed my fingers against his lips.

“Rick, will you just shut up and listen to me. I want to stay, Rick.” I stroked my fingers along his jaw, admiring how strong he was. Every time I saw him I absolutely turned to jelly. “I want to stay here. I want to stay with you.”

“You want to stay.” It came out somewhere between a statement and a question. “You’re staying? You’re serious?” Definitely questions.

“Just shut up and kiss me, Rick.”

“I like the way you think, woman.”

“I like the way you kiss.” I liked it a lot. When Rick kissed me, it made my toes curl. I didn’t ever want to stop, but who knew when Billy would be back. Eventually, we just curled up together watching the movie. I noticed Rick was smiling a lot, and I liked it. Then I noticed I was smiling a lot, too.

“You know, I saw the president of your fan club today,” Rick said.

“Oh? Look in the mirror did you?”

“No. Tony.”

“Tony? Tony from last night? Tony Bellamy?”

“Yeah, Tony. He had a crush on you when he was little. He said you were his babysitter.”

”No,” she shook her head. “He’s thinking about Jenny, not me.”

“No, he was talking about you. He had some pretty unflattering things to say about your sister though. He said you only came over once, when she was sick. You made popcorn and read a story to him and his sister.”

“Good Lord, I can’t believe he remembered that.”

“You made quite an impression. You still do.”