Ten days before school began the Fraziers came for a visit. It was preplanned and looked forward to by the children, but Alec was not certain what to expect even though he’d had some contact with his in-laws over the summer and felt like things were improving. They had told him at the end of June that they would be on a cruise during November; it was one of the things he prayed for whenever the Lord brought them to mind. He wasn’t sure how it would go when they arrived and learned he was dating Sophie, and so he was relieved for all concerned when the Fraziers arrived and his housekeeper was out.
“Happy Birthday” were Peg’s first words to Tory, whose eleventh birthday had been on August 2. The older woman then handed her a large box.
“Thank you, Grandma!” Tory’s eyes were wide, and the family gathered around her in the living room to watch the unveiling.
“You’ve been shopping, Grandma,” Rita commented during the commotion. “I like that top.”
“Thank you, dear.” She seemed very pleased, and Jim spoke wryly to Alec.
“No one ever warns you about that.”
“What’s that?” Alec asked with a smile; his in-laws were in a great mood.
“The travel agent gives you all the totals for the flights as well as the cruise, but no one ever tells you that your wife is going to shop you into bankruptcy preparing for it.”
“Oh, Jim,” Peg chided, but they were both smiling. In fact, they both looked wonderful.
“Where’s Sophie?” Jim asked now.
“She wanted to give us some time with you, so she went home early.”
“Well, call her sometime, will you Alec?” This came from Peg. “We want to take all of you to Fitzgerald’s tomorrow night.”
“All right.” Alec smiled at her, but didn’t know how he managed to sound normal.
“Oh, Grandma!” Tory exclaimed again as she brought forth a blue-and-white striped beanbag chair.
“They’re becoming popular again, Tory,” Peg explained. “And I got it to match your room.
“I love it, Grandma. Thanks.” The little girl rose to kiss both her grandparents before flopping into the middle of her new chair. The rest took seats around the living room as well, and Alec and the kids questioned the Fraziers about their upcoming trip. The older couple was very excited and eager to talk. By the time they finished describing their itinerary, Alec was ready to take a cruise of his own. His mind wandered with that thought through the meal and also into the evening, until he finally had a chance to be alone in his bedroom and call the woman of his dreams.
“Hello.”
“Hi” was all Alec ever said when Sophie picked up the phone, and as usual her heart thudded. She absolutely loved the sound of his deep voice on the telephone line.
“How are you?” she asked, sounding a little breathless.
“I’m doing fine. How about yourself?”
“I am fine, too. Did Fraziers arrive safe?”
“Yes. They are very excited about their trip, and I haven’t seen them looking this good in years.”
“I am glad, Alec.”
“They want to take us to dinner.”
“Oh.” Sophie did not catch his meaning. “That will be nice for you.”
“I mean all of us. Peg told me to ask you for tomorrow night.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Are you teasing me, Alec?”
“No. I was pretty surprised myself, but she seemed genuine enough.”
“Oh, Alec, she does not have to do this.” Sophie’s voice was pained, but not for herself. “I do not want to see her hurting. I will be all right if the rest of you want to go.”
“I understand what you’re trying to do, Sophie, but I don’t think Peg will take it that way. I guess she’s really trying. If you turn away this olive branch, I think it will really put her off.”
“Put like that,” Sophie told him, “I will be glad to go. Is it dress-up?”
“Fitzgerald’s. I’ve eaten there many times wearing jeans, but I think Jim and Peg will be a little more dressy.”
“All right. Shall I walk over?”
“No, I’ll come for you. We haven’t discussed the time yet, but it will probably be around six.”
“Okay.”
“What are you going to do with the rest of your day tomorrow?”
“I’m going to help Mrs. Kent with her garden.”
“How is her ankle coming?”
“I think better, but she will not slow down. I know that Mr. Kent worries.”
“The kids and I prayed last night for all of you.”
“Thank you, Alec. I told Mr. Parman that I never had a chance to use what I learned in Life-style Evangelism, and now I have two people on my doorjamb.”
Alec chucked, but it was a silent laugh. He’d been wandering around the room with the cordless phone, but now he flopped on the bed, closed his eyes, and just pictured her in his mind. She would be barefoot since she always kicked her shoes off the moment she arrived home, and she would have her reading glasses on. He had only caught her in them a few times, but they were adorable on her huge, dark eyes.
“You have become very quiet.”
“Yes, I have. I was thinking about you.”
“Good thoughts, or am I in trouble?”
“Terrible trouble,” his voice now teased in order to hide his emotions. Sophie sighed on the other end, and for a time they didn’t say anything.
“I miss you,” Sophie suddenly said with wonder, “whenever our routine is not the same. I am glad that Fraziers are here, but I miss just being with you and the children.”
“I know what you mean, but I’m in worse shape because I’m growing very selfish in my old age. I want to be with you, but I’m often tempted to tell the kids to find something else to do.”
Sophie smiled. “Are we friends, Alec?” she asked suddenly.
“Yes.”
“Will we ever be more than friends?”
“I think we will, but I’d rather discuss it when we’re together.”
“I can’t,” Sophie admitted. “I would not have had courage if you could see my face.”
Alec was quiet for just a few heartbeats. “So what is it that you really want to know?”
“I am not sure.”
Again they were quiet—Alec desperately wishing he could be with her, and Sophie, face burning even though she was alone, wishing she’d never asked.
“I have been unfair, Alec. We have not dated many weeks, and now I put a spot on you. I am sorry.”
“No, Sophie, no. I’m not quiet because I’m upset or feeling put on the spot. I’m just trying to find the words. You’re not a passing fling for me, Sophie. In fact, I feel very strongly about you. For that reason, sometimes I have to tell myself to go slow.”
“Is this true, Alec? You force yourself to be slow?” Sophie had had no idea.
“Yes. You told me you did not want to rush this, and I think that’s wise, but it’s not always easy.”
Sophie couldn’t say anything for a time. She really did believe it was wise to move with caution, but in doing so she hadn’t had any idea how he felt.
“I think I’ve lost you,” Alec said softly across the line.
“No, but I am thinking now, too. In going slow we do not know what we are doing. I cannot have rushing with kissing and such, but I need to know my standing. Why are we dating? Is there a future here? Do we want that, or are we only having fun for a time? Am I make sense?”
“Perfectly, and I’m sorry I didn’t realize before.”
Sophie heard a lot of rustling around, and then Alec came back on the line.
“I’m holding a book in my hand—a book on marriage. I saw it advertised in a magazine, and hoping that someday we could read them together, I actually bought two of them at the Bread Shop in Madison. Have I scared you off, Sophie?”’
“No.” Sophie’s voice was breathless with excitement.
“Here, let me read the back cover to you.”
“All right.”
He cleared his throat. “ ‘Couples engaged, considering marriage, or husbands and wives who have been married for years, will all enjoy and benefit from this book. Sharing from personal experience, the authors honestly tell their own story in a humorous way that touches deeply. Biblical truths are at the core with practical tips and solid suggestions for gaining a greater knowledge of the man or woman in your life,’ and etcetera. I thought it sounded good. What do you think?”
“I think so, too.”
“Why don’t I get one of these to you tomorrow, then we’ll both read the first chapter and discuss it? In fact, the book has a discussion guide in the back. Does it sound like a plan?”
“Yes.” Sophie’s heart felt so light that she wanted to dance around. She would have made a joke to that effect, but Alec began to speak to someone in the room. Sophie thought it might have been Tory’s voice.
“I’m back.”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, but Tory wants me to put her to bed, so I’d better go.”
“All right.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Alec said quietly.
“Yes, and you’ll remember the book?”
He told her he would, and they hung up just a minute later. Alec had prayed for patience and at times it had been a real trial, but this was encouraging. This made things worth the wait. He shook his head at his own lack of comprehension.
Leave it to a man to think that when a woman wants to go slow, she’s talking about everything. Here she’s been ready to get serious about me, or at least to give the two of us a chance, and I’ve missed it because she’s not ready for me to kiss her again.
“Da-ad,” Tory called in a singsong voice from down the hall.
Alec tossed the cordless phone back in its base and moved toward the door, his thoughts awry. I can hardly wait to know Sophie well enough to tell her what a mess I’ve been.