Her cell phone rang beside her, causing her to tip her cocoa and spill a drop on herself. Quickly she grabbed the phone and turned off the TV. Answering it, her voice came out in a shrill, nervous squeak.
“Hello?”
“Lily? It’s John. Am I calling you too late?”
“No, not at all. It’s fine. I mean, its 11 PM here but that’s okay. I can have extra coffee tomorrow morning or…” she trailed off, suddenly shy. “I’m glad you called. I don’t care what time it is.”
“I’m glad,” he said with a smile, holding the receiver to his face. “I’m really glad. I got an extra calling card, so we have a bit more time today.”
“I sent you some too. Did they come in yet?”
“No, but I got your photos. Today, in fact.”
“Oh that,” she said flatly, cursing herself as she remembered that day. She’d been so stupid to think that one of those photo booths would have been a good idea. She’d not worn a lick of make-up, nor had she taken the time to really fix her hair. But Nooooo? Instead of throwing away the small strip of photos, she’d put them in the box and mailed it before she could change her mind. She should have changed her mind!
“My stars, you are gorgeous,” he breathed, slipping the photos from his pocket and looking at them. “I think Michelangelo missed the boat because I’ve never seen anyone so perfect in my life.”
“Is this a sick joke?” she said dryly. “If so, it’s really not funny. Are we being recorded?”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?”
“Well no, but…”
“No but’s about it. I feel like the luckiest man alive right now talking to someone that is heavenly, both body and soul. In fact, I want you to write down some information. Do you have a pen?”
“Let me get one,” she said, suddenly confused. One moment he sounds like he is spouting poetry and the next, he’s giving orders. She ran down the hallway to the kitchen that had her junk drawer full of pens, paperclips, tape and other oddities. “I’m ready. What’s going on?”
“Okay, when you get a moment, google this news station in Norfolk, Virginia. I want you to do a search for a story online, okay? We talked about the letters to the troops and they interviewed me. I wanted to get you a photo but couldn’t find a way to get it out of the secured camp. When the press showed up, I volunteered and hope that they didn’t cut my scene,” he told her. Lily took her phone and headed to her laptop, booting it up. There was no way she wasn’t looking this up immediately.
“I brought a list of things to tell you, things I wanted to talk about, so we don’t sit here awkwardly.”
“John,” she interrupted. “I got the earrings today. They are absolutely spectacular. You shouldn’t have.”
“I wanted to. You’ve done so much for me – more than you’ll ever know actually,” he said softly. He pictured what she might look like with the earrings, staring at her photo. “I got your letter about your friend. I am so sorry for your loss and know it must be hard. When I called you, I didn’t want to talk but needed to hear your voice. Radar got hurt and one of the guys nearly lost his life on my watch. I was devastated, and you were the only light in my life at that moment. Thank you for just being there.”
“Of course,” she said distractedly, searching the archives and clicking on the link. “I found the site!” she blurted out.
“TEN MINUTES REMAINING,” the voice intoned, and John sprang into action.
“Hang on and let me enter the other card really quick,” he muttered and pressed several buttons, beeping in her ear. She hit play on the video and turned down the sound, watching the screen. Three handsome guys stood there and were interviewed; the third one kept glancing at the camera and she knew in her soul that was him. She began smiling excitedly and couldn’t help the squeal of glee that escaped her.
He was drop dead delicious looking. Positively dreamy! Prince charming looked like a pansy next to this man and he was interested in her? She giggled happily and tried to smother it with her hands.
“Lily? Are you okay?”
“Oh, my word yes, I am practically downright-cotton-peachy-keen right now,” she blurted out happily. “Why didn’t you tell me you were utterly gorgeous? You look like a magazine model!” She heard his laughter and deep voice. Sure enough, his name flashed on the screen on a bar at the bottom, confirming her suspicions. It was him.
“I guess I do okay,” he teased, “But I’m glad you like the way I look because it makes it so much easier when I get back to the States to ask you out for dinner.”
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely. I am dying to take my girl out and to see that pretty smile in real life.”
“When are you coming to the States?”
“Hopefully sometime in November or December. I have a lot to do in the meantime. My family in Kentucky has some of my things in storage and I have to find a civilian job. I’m actually a little nervous because this life is all I’ve known, you know?
“Well, we should keep communicating and talking if we can because you have plenty of time to back out. You never know? I could be some weirdo that has horrible hygiene habits, or maybe I need to put my teeth in or color my hair. What if I said that photo wasn’t me after all, huh? We are still virtually strangers that barely know each other. We don’t, do we?”
“How else do I get to know you other than talking with you or going on a date with you?”
“You don’t have to do anything and you certainly aren’t obligated. I’m trying to give you an out in case you don’t like the real me. I mean, those photos don’t tell the whole story – you know? I need to lose thirty pounds and I’m not particularly entertaining. I smell like chalk erasers and white out, more often than not.”
“TEN MINUTES REMAINING.”
“Lily, stop. I get it. You’re scared and I am too. You are right. When you meet me, you might not be interested in me. We could be completely different and don’t have the right chemistry together, but I know in my heart that if I don’t try this I will always regret it and wonder why,” he said honestly. “I have faith that we were meant to meet somehow. I have a second chance to live the rest of my life how I want to – and the first thing I want to do is see if you smell like chalk or white out.”
“You do?” she squeaked.
“I absolutely do,” he breathed softly. “And if the chemistry is there, don’t be upset if I try to kiss you. I’m warning you now because as I look at your photo I can’t imagine seeing that smile and not trying to do just that.”
“I understand,” she whispered, staring at her computer screen where she’d frozen the video. His smiling face was staring at her and her face flushed with emotion. Gosh, she would just melt if he kept his words and turned out to be all of this and more! “And if the chemistry isn’t there?”
“Then I still want to hug my best friend and say thank you for getting me through and finding the person I used to be. Don’t be scared. Remember, have faith. I want you to know me and I want to know you. Still got your pen?”
“Yes?”
“TWO MINUTES REMAINING.”
Lily obediently wrote down a name, address and phone number as fast as she could, her hand shaking because she was afraid they’d run out of time again. In her mind there was a timer ticking mentally, playing the Jeopardy music aloud. “I’ve got it. Who is that?”
“That’s my mother. If you want to know what kind of person I am or how I grew up, if you need proof in order to know that I’m not some insane serial killer out to get you. Call my mother -but heads up- she’ll want to send you photos and talk for hours. She’s got a good heart and I was her only kid,” he said tenderly and felt a little guilty. He needed to call her too; it had been far too long.
“ONE MINUTE REMAINING.”
“John!” she said in a panicked voice. “I hope the calling cards get their soon. I mailed you another surprise too. Do you guys celebrate Halloween there?”
“Sweet Lily, you don’t h
ave to do anything. Just be you. I will call you next Tuesday, if I can-“and the phone line went dead. John got up from the table and was relieved there was no one else waiting. He quickly bought another calling card and slipped back in the room.
“Hello Mom? It’s John,” he whispered, feeling the tears fall freely at his mother’s voice. “It’s been too long and I’m so sorry to call this late. I’m coming back to the States, Mom, but I need your help with something and I don’t have long to talk,” he began, wiping his eyes and smiling with sheer happiness.
* * *
Lily stared at the phone. She hated how their calls ended, leaving her feeling such a sense of loss and yearning for more. Looking at her computer, she played the video again, this time with sound. Sipping on her now cold cocoa, she stared at the screen mesmerized, drinking in every aspect of him that she could. She played it repeatedly. Admiring the way he walked towards the woman giving the interview, the tilt of his head, even the way his sunglasses rested on his hair. She marveled at the small smile he gave the camera when he talked. John knew she’d see this video … and it was all for her.
“My name is CPO John Griffin from Afghanistan and I wanted to share with you how very important your letters are to our troops. Many of our men fight daily for their lives and dream of the little things from home. A photo colored from their child, a lock of hair from their infant, the sound of your woman’s voice so you can sleep peacefully at night.
These things are infinitely precious and more valuable than all the money in the world. Just knowing we aren’t forgotten, simply having a reminder of what we are fighting for, helps us through it all. So, take the time to write your service men that are gone. Tell them you think of them and how proud you are of them. They are willing to give up their lives for you and would happily do so; it would only take five minutes of your day to let them know it’s appreciated.
I’d like to give a shout-out to the children of Tyler, Texas for writing to my group – and I’d like to tell my friend, my beautiful Lily, that I think about her all the time.”
Lily watched as he took a step back and the reporter continued talking, giving out addresses and how to reach servicemen that were deployed. It was a wonderful tribute and plea for people to write to them. She wished she’d have done it sooner, truthfully, but then she might not have met John. Rewinding the video, she paused it and took a photo of the screen with her phone. She felt silly doing so but needed to be able to see his face. She set it as the wallpaper on her phone and smiled.
9
October 2015
Tyler, Texas
Lily was sipping on her second cup of coffee as the students had their heads bent down, focusing on the test she’d handed out. They would be dismissing early. The Tyler Rose Festival every year brought hundreds, if not thousands, of people to town mid-October. It was a massive event complete with a parade and a pageant where they named the queen. She loved it because you could purchase the most beautiful bare-root roses she’d seen. That was where she’d picked up several of her bushes in the back yard. She planned on going to the vendors again this year, but she was searching for something different- something special.
She’d told John of the festival in detail, or as much as possible on one of their brief calls. He claimed that he loved to hear her talk and she’d yammered on for the entire twenty minutes before the call ended. He called her weekly now and she tried her best not to panic if the call came in on Wednesday or Thursdays instead. Apparently, there was quite a line on Friday nights for the phone and it was nearly impossible to use. He admitted that he’d not known it was there because he simply didn’t call anyone. He’d retreated into a shell, hiding away from the world, and now he felt like he was ready to be free.
The speaker in her classroom crackled loudly. She idly wondered which one of her students had forgotten their lunch today since it was so early. She rarely got pages in her room, ever.
“Miss Hogan, you’re needed in the office for a moment.”
“Can I come between periods? We are doing a test right now.”
“We’ll just send them down to you instead. Not a problem.”
Lily stared at the speaker on the wall curiously; she glanced at her students to see if anyone’s face was expecting something. Their faces looked to be as curious as hers, and then she saw them. A massive bouquet of roses arrived at her doorway, held by Maria, since it was her in-service period.
“What’s that?”
“You tell me,” she snickered. “In here fellas!” Lily felt her mouth drop wide open in shock as three more delivery men arrived carrying bouquets of roses. The perfume filled the air and she couldn’t help the smile that split her face. They set all four down on her desk, effectively covering it completely.
“Boys and girls- please, no talking during test time,” she said suddenly as a small uproar of conversation started. “Mrs. Beckett – will you take my photo?” she asked firmly, handing her the near-empty Polaroid.
“Oh, you betcha. You! Eyes on your own paper, don’t think we don’t see you,” Maria blurted out, pointing at the boy in the first row. Lily stood as close to the roses as possible and smiled happily. She’d mail the photo immediately to John. She heard another click and whir, glancing at Maria.
“This one’s for you, girlie.” Maria’s warm eyes looked at her knowingly. Lily just smiled and nodded. She held up her phone, so she could see the photo of him, and was startled when suddenly she was hugged. “Good for you! I’m happy for you!” The older woman composed herself and straightened her outfit with a wide smile.
“You go ahead and get back at it, but I’d move this one if I were you,” she said, pointing at the boy in the front whose neck was stretched as far as possible towards the next desk. He was obviously peeking. Lily rolled her eyes as she spotted the boy Maria was talking about, and while she was disappointed in the fact he was cheating, nothing could take from her day at this point. It was Friday and she would have to wait a few more days before John called again.
She spent the weekend running a few errands and simply looking for the right shade of orange. She loved orange roses and as she perused the baskets, she came across a tea rose that seemed simply perfect: Over the Moon. It was a pale orange rose with an incredible scent. The petals were a deep gold that faded to orange. She opted for the larger potted variety because she wanted to be able to nurse at least a few blooms before it went dormant for the winter. It was still beautiful outdoors, but the air was taking a cooler turn in the evenings.
Lily had taken several of the roses John had sent her and selected the best ones, putting them in potatoes in order to force them to root. She loved roses and wanted a reminder of his gift for years to come. At this rate, she’d have bouquets everywhere from the plethora of growth she was trying to achieve for next year. Halloween would be here before she knew it , and she had mailed John & Radar a trick-or-treat box. She’d slipped the Polaroid inside, so he could see the gift. Part of her was curious of his release from the military and wondered if he’d miss this life. She knew he claimed to be ready, but who is ever really ready for their world to be turned upside down.
Tuesday rolled around, and she eagerly awaited his call. She’d watched that video several times over the last few weeks, just to see him move or talk. It was a yearning and silent prayer she acknowledged over and over again. Please let this be right, let this be true.
Looking at his eyes as he glanced at the camera in the video, she found herself imagining what it might be like to actually see him, see his smile, or hear his laugh. She wondered about the little things, such as if he had any bad habits? Did he smoke?
In the video she’d ogled how fit he looked and wondered if he was a gym-rat and would frown at her own lackadaisical fitness routine…as in non-existent. And deep down inside? She wondered if he would be disappointed in her or regret the things he’d said or done to kindle a friendship. She knew she had no confidence in herself, but the idea of this beautiful man find
ing fault in her made her ache with a pain like nothing else.
Lily was sitting there at her laptop watching him when her phone rang almost on clockwork. It was 10pm and their usual time.
“Hey John,” she chimed happily into the phone.
“Hey sweetheart, I can’t talk long; we are heading on patrol in just a few minutes. I just had to hear your voice.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Oh yes, I’m just wrapping up here and my discharge is November 1st. I wanted to tell you as soon as I got a date because I didn’t want you to mail anything else and it arrive after I leave. I can’t wait to get back to the States.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“My parents are picking me up at the airport in Lexington and then I will call you as soon as I get a cell phone there. Don’t forget about me or find some other guy, okay?” she heard the nervous tremor in his voice and her heart nearly broke.
“Like there could ever be anyone else? I mean, who else adores the orange food coloring they put in circus peanuts like we do? You and I are besties,” she teased softly.
“We are more than that, I hope.”
“John,” she began and heard him interrupt quickly.
“I gotta go- but don’t back out on me! Be my brave girl. I’ll call back as soon as I can. Sweet dreams, Lily.”
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