“Oh, Grandma Jean!” was all she could say. Inside the box was a beautiful pink and white book with the word Diary written on the front. There was also a white pen with a feather in the end. To have something so grown-up was beyond wonderful. She almost cried with joy. “Oh, Grandma Jean, thank you so much!”
“You are most welcome, my dear,” said Grandma Jean with a twinkle in her eye.
JuJu gently fingered her locket as she held the precious journal in her lap and looked up at the spectacular Christmas tree. This was the best Christmas ever.
**************************************************
JuJu was allowed to stay after Malcolm and Martha left, and she’d fallen asleep on the rug by the fireplace with Betty, her grandmother’s lovable black Lab curled next to her. Rolling over in her sleep, she was unaware the delicate chain of her necklace caught on Betty’s collar. The big dog stirred at the movement, stretched, and went to the kitchen in search of a snack. The necklace flew into the corner under the edge of a cabinet when Betty stopped to scratch her neck with a huge rear paw.
Grandma Jean whispered softly to her sleeping granddaughter, “Baby girl, you’d better wake up, or you won’t sleep tonight.” She gently shook JuJu’s shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart, wake up now.”
JuJu rolled onto her back, opened her eyes, and looked up at her grandmother’s smiling face. She smiled back and sat up.
“You’ve been asleep for an hour, child. Your mama said for you to come home by lunchtime, so you’d best get moving.”
“Okay, Grandma Jean,” she said as she took her grandmother’s hand and wrapped thin arms around her. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, my precious girl. So very much. Here, don’t forget your diary, unless you want to keep it here.”
“No, I do want to keep it here, so my secrets will be safe.” JuJu smiled.
“JuJu, always remember why we celebrate Christmas, okay?”
“I will, I promise.” She and her grandmother had put candles on the half-eaten cake and sung Happy Birthday to Jesus after her parents had gone home.
Jean smiled as she watched the child walk up the long drive.
**************************************************
JuJu sat quietly at the kitchen table, picking at her plate. She wasn’t very hungry since they’d had a late breakfast followed by the cake at her grandmother’s. Her dad was drinking the bad brown stuff again and she could feel his hard eyes on her.
“Is something wrong with your food?” Malcolm asked calmly. Too calmly.
JuJu looked up and replied, “No, Daddy, I’m just not hungry right now.”
“Well, if you’re not hungry right now, maybe you’ll be hungry by supper. Martha, wrap that sandwich up and save it for tonight.”
“Malcolm, she’s had plenty to eat already today...,” Martha’s attempt withered under Malcolm’s glare. JuJu looked down again as she heard her mother’s chair scrape across the linoleum. Martha pulled the tin foil from a drawer then took JuJu’s plate away, not making eye contact with her daughter or her husband. It was going to be a long day unless Malcolm left the house or passed out.
“Go on, get outta here. Go to your room,” Malcolm slurred.
JuJu jumped too fast and knocked over her chair which crashed loudly to the floor.
“Good God almighty, girl, could you be any more clumsy?”
JuJu struggled to right the heavy chair, so her father impatiently grabbed it, pushing her aside.
Before she could get out of the room, Malcolm’s cold voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Where’s your necklace?”
JuJu felt for the locket around her neck. It wasn’t there. She reached under her sweater to see if it had come loose and fallen inside. She checked the back, too, and panicked, even looked inside the front and back of her corduroys.
Hands clenched in front of her, she started to cry.
Malcolm exploded, blaming Martha for them ending up with such a useless kid, bellowing at JuJu for being so stupid and careless. “Do you have any idea how much that necklace cost? Ten whole dollars! Does that mean anything to you? I spent ten dollars on a necklace that you managed to keep for all of three hours!”
“I’m sorry, Daddy, I’m sorry,” JuJu sobbed. “It must be at Grandma Jean’s house. It must be!”
“Grandma Jean, Grandma Jean,” Malcolm sneered in a nasty sing-song voice. “You better hope it’s over there, or you’re going to work your butt off to pay me back. Do you think money grows on trees?”
“No, sir,” JuJu sniffed.
“Get outta my sight. I don’t wanna look at you no more. I oughta take you back where we got you from. No wonder your mama didn’t want you.”
JuJu fled down the hall as fast as her trembling legs would allow. Crawling into her bed, she pulled the covers up, buried her face in the pillow, and cried herself to sleep. What started as the best Christmas ever had turned into the worst.
Chapter 16
December 1971
Julia didn’t even realize she’d fallen asleep until the ringing of the phone awakened her. She pushed her hair out of her face and stumbled to the kitchen.
“Hello?”
“Julia? Are you okay?” It was Adam.
“Adam! Yes, I’m fine. I guess I dozed off for a while,” Julia replied as she tried to shake the fog from her brain.
“You’re not getting sick, are you?” Adam had a thing about germs.
“No, no! I’ve been decorating all day, and I guess I was more tired than I thought, but I’m fine. I promise.” She couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing him tonight.
“Okay, so we’re still on then? Seven?”
“Absolutely.” She tried not to sound too excited.
“Great! See you soon.” Adam hung up before Julia could reply. She glanced at the clock on the stove and panicked. It was five-thirty, and she still needed to finish decorating, take a shower, and get the lasagna in the oven. Looking around the small living room, she decided what she already accomplished would have to do. At least, she finished the tree. The ornaments from her grandmother’s house caught her eyes again. If not for those, she wouldn’t have bothered with a tree. She blinked her eyes against the tears that threatened, grabbed the empty box, and tossed it into a closet. Putting the noodles on to boil, she gathered the rest of the ingredients, went to her bedroom and laid out clothes for the evening. She put the red sweater back in the drawer and pulled out a black one. It would look nice with her jeans and boots. No, that’s too much dark. Looks too stuffy. She took the red sweater out again. Well, it is Christmas. Having made her decision, she rushed back to check on the noodles. They were done, so she drained them quickly, put everything together, and shoved the pan into the oven. One hour. Perfect. Now for a shower.
**************************************************
Julia just finished brushing her hair as the doorbell rang. She checked the mirror one more time, smoothed the red cashmere sweater, a big seasonal splurge, and went to let Adam in.
“Hi!” Julia gave him a big welcoming grin.
“Hi, yourself,” Adam returned with a grin of his own. “You look great.” He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, and her heart skipped a beat. He smelled so good.
“Is that lasagna by any chance?” Adam asked.
“It is. I remember you saying you liked it the way your mom made it from the Betty Crocker cookbook she’d had for years. So, I just happen to have my grandmother’s old cookbook, circa 1945, and I bet the recipe’s the same.”
“That’s very sweet, Julia. Thank you.” Adam leaned over again, this time planting a meaningful kiss on her lips.
Julia caught her breath and stuttered, “Uh, I need to finish up a couple of things, so make yourself comfortable. Oh, you brought wine.” Adam followed her into the tiny kitchen where Julia took her only two wine glasses from an overhead cabinet while Adam uncorked the bottle with the opener he’d brought along just in case. “
Good idea,” Julia said. “I don’t have one of those.”
“Well, I’ll leave this one here for future use.” The word future made her breath catch again.
After getting everything ready and tossing the salad, it was time to eat. The meal was delicious, and Adam said so every five minutes, or so it seemed. He brought chocolate cheesecake, so Julia set it on the counter for later. Adam poured more wine, and they took their glasses into the living room. She had turned the radio back on before Adam arrived, and he asked if she minded him changing stations.
“Of course not,” she replied. “Whatever you want is fine.”
A moment later Paul Anka was crooning “put your head on my shoulder.”
“I hope you don’t mind something a little older.” Adam smiled.
“I like older.” Julia looked him straight in the eyes as she replied.
“Glad to hear it.” Adam returned the look.
As the evening wore on, and the wine flowed, Julia was euphoric. No one affected her the way Adam did. He was such a gentleman, so smart, and sophisticated. She felt as if she could tell him anything. And she did. Starting with her adoption, what she knew of it anyway, onto the abuse she suffered under her alcoholic father. She did not tell him about Ricky or the miscarriage, but she did tell him about Grandma Jean and how very much she missed her, the only person who truly loved her. Gazing at the ornaments and talking about her grandmother made her cry. She wasn’t usually emotional, embarrassed to be so in front of Adam.
“Oh, Adam, I’m sorry. You must think I’m a baby.” Julia tried to regain her composure. “I’ve never told that to anyone before.”
“Hey, don’t be silly. I’m honored that you would share that with me.” Adam reached across her shoulders to pull her closer to him. He stared into her eyes for a moment before kissing her gently. Julia returned the kiss with pent-up emotion. Adam pressed her against the arm of the sofa, his body strong against hers as she melted beneath him. The kiss deepened. Julia drew back to catch her breath.
“Adam, I don’t know...what do you, I mean, where...” she couldn’t seem to form a coherent sentence. Adam silenced her with another kiss as his arms wrapped tightly around her. He opened his eyes and sat back.
“Julia, I think I’m falling in love with you. I didn’t want to. I didn’t mean to, but you’re so darn adorable and smart. I feel like I’ve known you forever. There’s never been anyone in my life like you before. Do you feel the same way? Please tell me you do.”
“Oh, Adam, I do! I do! But I didn’t know how you felt. You never really said anything, so I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t want to be presumptuous...”
Adam kissed her in midsentence again, this time his passion and desire fully evident. Julia’s body responded against her will. His lips slid down her neck, his hands caressing her as Nat King Cole sang When I Fall in Love, and the cheesecake turned to soup.
Chapter 17
December 28, 1971
Julia was beside herself with excitement. She and Adam spent two whole days and nights together after Christmas before he left town to visit his mother again. Having not seen or spoken to him since then, she was ready to get back to work where she could be with him every day. She fastened a simple gold chain around her neck and fluffed her hair before heading out the door. She would like to wear the earrings Adam gave her, but he asked her not to because of the unwanted attention it might garner at the office. They were small diamond studs, and someone was bound to ask where she got them. She would save them for their times together. Just being with Adam was the most important thing.
Julia pulled her blue Toyota into the parking lot and was surprised to not see Adam’s sleek black Cadillac in its reserved spot. She hoped he wasn’t sick and realized again she had no way to contact him. Adam did not volunteer his number, and she was too embarrassed to ask. She parked, gathered her things, and locked the car doors before walking to the front entrance. Adam used his position to get her a better space, for which she was very grateful on this bitter January morning. When she first arrived, she was assigned a spot nearly a block away. She briefly wondered if someone else lost their prime location but brushed the thought away. Of course, Adam wouldn’t do such a thing. He was too kind and caring.
Julia walked down the hall towards her office, passing the tiny snack room on her way. She heard whispered voices and slowed her steps.
“...don’t believe it’s true,” a woman said as Julia stopped outside the door.
“Well, they’re awfully cozy these days, if you ask me.” Another woman spoke. Shelly was her name. “And what about that stuff with the grant proposal? Do you think Dr. Benson would really do that?” That was Maggie this time.
What are they talking about? Surely, they don’t suspect anything between Adam and me? We’ve been so careful. And what about the grant proposal? I’ve been working on that with Adam myself. It’s almost ready for submission.
Julia was debating whether to cough or just walk on by, but before she could decide, footsteps behind her made the decision.
“Julia, good morning, what’s going on?” Adam’s voice caused her to nearly jump out of her skin.
“Oh! Ad-uh, Dr. Benson, you startled me,” Julia said as she whirled around. Conversation in the snack room came to a halt as Shelly and Maggie appeared and made their way hastily down the hall.
“Sorry. Were you eavesdropping just now?” Adam grinned at her in that way that made her knees weak.
“No, of course not! I just...I was thinking about a cup of coffee on the way in, that’s all.” Julia knew she sounded lame but couldn’t come up with anything better.
Adam smiled as he spoke, “I’ll be glad to get a cup for you, Miss Ready.” He looked to his right and left before leaning over to whisper, “I happen to know how you like it.” Julia thought she might faint.
“No, no, that’s okay. I’ll get it later, thank you.” She tried to smile but was so flustered by Adam’s boldness right here in the office that her lips were stuck together.
“As you wish,” Adam smiled again as he turned towards his office. “Let’s get that grant proposal knocked out this morning.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll be right there,” Julia managed to reply. Glancing back towards the glassed-in administrative office, she saw Shelly and Maggie huddled together.
They’re just jealous.
**************************************************
“Great work, Julia. This is ready to go, and I think it’s the best proposal yet. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Julia beamed under Adam’s praise. She was proud of herself as well. Writing grant proposals was something new, but she’d caught on quickly and been determined to impress her superior. After developing a relationship with Adam, however, it became much more. It was a joint accomplishment, something that combined their individual talents and their personal feelings for each other.
“I just need to attach the statistical information and send it off.” Adam gazed at her as he continued, “I wish I could add your name to this as well. You deserve as much credit as I do.”
Julia felt herself blush. “Thank you, but your appreciation is all I need.”
Adam leaned forward, putting his elbows on the desk and grinning mischievously. “Well, how about this weekend I show you how much I appreciate you?”
All Julia could do was take a deep breath and smile.
Chapter 18
February 1972
Marley sat on the screened porch, enjoying a cup of coffee in the unusual warmth of a February morning. He loved these teasers for the spring that was to come and could hardly wait for the rich, fertile soil to welcome the sharp blade of his plow. Farming was in his blood. He’d never wanted to do anything else and could not understand “city folk” at all. Who in their right mind preferred fumes and noise to the neighing of horses and mooing of cattle? Yes, the tractor produced diesel smell, and it was, indeed, noisy, but it was the smell and noise of accomplishment, not chaos. He looked forward
to the delivery of seed and fertilizer.
Marley looked down at Coco as she snored quietly beside him. He knew she still mourned the loss of her mistress, but they weathered it together and now she was Marley’s constant companion. The Ready farm had been home to Labs right from the start, according to Miss Jean. She and Will had Buster who sired Blackie, among others, who sired Betty, followed by Chester, who was the dad of Coco. Coco was the first chocolate Lab to live at the farm. Somewhere along the way, the breeder allowed a black to mate with a chocolate, and the result was four black puppies and four brown puppies. Jean decided she wanted a female last time, and Coco being the only one of the bunch, she became the newest member of the family. Betty died not long before Marley was hired, so Coco was the only dog on the farm when he arrived. At first, she was suspicious of him, taking the long way around if he was near the house, or in a room she needed to pass through. It wasn’t long, though, before she accepted his presence and granted him the privilege of scratching her ears. The treats he kept in his pocket cemented the friendship.
Marley finished his drink and looked towards the outbuildings. He could hear the horses and cows shuffling about. Coco lifted her coffee-colored head as well, gazing in the same direction.
“Come on, girl, we’ve got work to do.” Marley ruffled her head as he got up and stepped into the kitchen. He rinsed his cup and set it in the drain rack then grabbed his jacket from the back of a chair. The letter on the table caught his attention again, and he frowned. It was from Julia Ready, informing him of her plan to contact a realtor in preparation for selling the farm. Since this was the first official notice, she was required to give him six months before listing, which would be July, right in the middle of the second harvest. Well, he wasn’t going to sit around twiddling his thumbs. He would go into town next week and talk to the bank, hopeful he would be approved for a loan to buy the farm. Julia May Ready wasn’t getting rid of him so easily.
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