August 2, 1964
Lizzie leaned into Benjamin’s warmth, feeling the brush of his lips on hers. His fingers skated across her jaw, raising gooseflesh on her arms, and her head swam with longing.
She couldn’t believe it was already August. They’d grown so close over the past two months. She’d never felt so close to anyone. Had never cared so much what another person thought. She wanted to be with him every waking moment. She wanted to be privy to his every thought.
She finally knew what all the songwriters were singing about. She was in love with Benjamin Schwartz. She believed he felt the same, though he had yet to say it.
His hand fell to her shoulder, a delicious weight. Over the past couple weeks he’d touched her in places she’d never let a boy touch before. When she sat in Mass on Sunday mornings she was consumed by guilt. She told herself she’d draw a line and ask him to respect it. He would, if she only asked. But his kisses were like fuel on a raging fire. She lost her head when he touched her.
She shifted on the log. She didn’t have to worry about that right now. Nonnie and Earl were somewhere behind them, enjoying the sunset. The muted sounds of their chatter and laughter carried to her on a breeze.
Benjamin drew away from her, his eyelids weighted, his breath shallow. He undid her with that smoldering look of his.
“I can’t believe we only have two more weeks of summer,” he whispered.
“I know.” He was headed back to Tennessee, then two weeks later she was off to nursing school in Ohio. It was so far from Jasper. She didn’t want to go to college at all now. She only wanted to be with Benjamin.
He cupped her face, his eyes searching hers. “I don’t want that to be the end of us, Lizzie.”
Her relief seeped out in a sigh that seemed to come from her toes. “I don’t either.”
He wetted his lips, looking adorably unsure. “I know it’s only been two months but . . . I love you, angel. I’ve never told another woman that, other than my mother.”
She couldn’t stop the smile that stretched her lips. “I love you too, Benjamin. So much.”
He kissed her again, this time slow and gentle. Reverent. She was buoyed by his declaration. Her heart sang with joy. But thoughts of the quickly ending summer began crowding out her bliss. How could they possibly make this work? Their lives would be in two different states.
And then there were her parents. She didn’t even want to think about that obstacle.
She drew away, her mind spinning with worry.
He smoothed her brow, giving her a gentle smile. “What’s bothering you?”
“You’re going back to Jasper, Ben. And then I’m going off to college.”
“I guess we need to talk about all that. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking . . . What if I moved to Ohio to be near you?”
Her heart felt full to bursting. She could hardly believe what he was offering. “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you, angel. Don’t you know that?” When he said it like that, when he looked at her like this, yes, she believed him.
“I don’t even know if I want to go to college anymore.”
“You got a scholarship. You can’t just pass up an opportunity like that.” She heard the censure in his voice. Sometimes, when she was with him, she felt a little spoiled.
“But what if you can’t find another job in Ohio?”
“Have a little faith.” He took her hand and held it gently. “And just so you know . . . My plans involve a future for us—a wedding and a family. I want all that with you, Lizzie. Does that sound like something you’d like?”
Her heart gave a heavy sigh. “It sounds wonderful. Oh, Benjamin.”
He chuckled and ducked his head. “I’ve gotten way ahead of myself. You make me lose my head. I still need to ask your dad for his blessing.”
A jolt of fear went through her. “That’s not necessary, Ben. It’s not the Dark Ages anymore.”
“He’s your father, Lizzie. I want his respect.”
“It’s too early for that; he hardly knows you. And it’s my future, not his.”
He gave her a placating smile. “Nonetheless, having his blessing is important to me. I want to start things off right.”
The fear that jolted through her before multiplied into a million shocks. He didn’t know how deeply rooted her dad’s prejudices were. He would never accept Ben. Would never find him good enough for his baby girl. She had to get that through to Benjamin without scaring him off.
“You don’t know him,” she said. “Daddy won’t be so easily won over.” He won’t be won over at all.
He patted her hand. “You worry too much. Just leave it to me.”
“Let’s talk about it later, okay?” Like after they’d moved to Ohio. And after they’d said their vows. They’d get married, and then her dad would have no choice but to accept Benjamin into their family. Right?