CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jake couldn’t understand why he was so jittery. It wasn’t as if he’d never talked to a woman before. He’d been engaged, for heaven’s sake. And he’d dated before Victoria, not a lot of women but a few. A dozing Lucy arranged herself in his easy chair, and he picked her up and deposited her on the cushiony armrest. Sitting down with a thump, he picked up his phone, dialed Didi’s number, and inhaled a calming breath.

She answered on the second ring. “Hello.”

“Hey. You really are a night owl, aren’t you?”

“Always have been. In my baby book, there’s a picture of my dad rocking me. A caption under the photo says, It’s midnight and she’s still up.” Didi chuckled. “Mom says I was a year old at the time. I’m afraid I was a trial for my poor parents.”

Jake smiled as he imagined a doting father with a stubborn toddler on his lap. “I was the opposite. Early to bed, early to rise. My mom used to make me promise not to bother her until the sun came up.” Lucy leapt to the back of the easy chair and dangled a paw over his shoulder. Jake swung his feet up on the coffee table and settled in.

“Just your mom?” Didi hesitated. “You’ve never mentioned your dad. Is he a touchy subject?”

“Yeah, I guess he is. Dad left when I was nine and Lori was four. We haven’t heard from him since. Mom never remarried.”

“Aw, Jake, I’m sorry. You must have had to grow up fast. All of a sudden, you were the man of the family. Do your mom and sister live around here?”

Jake summarized his childhood living in a Baltimore row house on the wrong side of the tracks. He didn’t elaborate. There was no need to rehash the past. He didn’t mind talking about Lori, though. “My sister lives in Frederick. Sometimes she’s a pain in the neck, but basically, she’s a great kid. She can’t seem to find the right guy, but it’s not for lack of trying.”

“Yeah? That gives me a great idea. I’m writing an article for Fast Forward concerning the various ways people meet, connect, and break up. Do you think she’d be interested in being interviewed?”

“Knowing her, I figure she’d be overjoyed to recap the perils of dating in minute detail. In fact, she’d be delighted to discuss most anything. I could call her tomorrow if you want.”

“Would you? That’d be terrific.” Didi’s voice trailed off, and there was an unexpected silence on the other end of the phone.

Uh-oh. What was she thinking? “You okay?”

Didi sighed and answered softly, “Yeah, I’m fine. Before you called, I was going over my own sorry dating experiences.”

“You mean before I came along?” Jake chuckled.

The tension broken, Didi snickered. “Yeah. Before you came along. I saw my counselor this evening, and I’ve been working on a homework assignment. I was finishing up a poem when you called.”

“Poem? Now, that’s a novel approach to therapy.” Didi was a writer, a musician, and a poet? He’d often wished he had a creative side.

“I’m not very good at it, but it made me feel better.”

“What’s the poem about?” Lucy soared from the back of the chair onto Jake’s lap, and he stroked her sleek head.

“Uh…Kevin.”

Did he want to know more? Yes, but he didn’t want to pry. He breathed in a steadying breath and plunged in where stronger men feared to tread. “If you want, you could read it to me—that is, if it’s not too personal.”

Jake waited for her to decide. He hoped he hadn’t hopped over a boundary. This conversation would be a great deal easier if he could see her pretty face.

Didi exhaled. “I’d really like to read it to you, but please don’t laugh.”

Repositioning Lucy, he leaned back in the chair. “I solemnly promise not to laugh.”

“Okay, then. Here goes. But remember, you promised.”

He listened carefully as she read her poem start to finish.

I Thought That He Loved Me

I thought that he loved me

That he might be the one

I thought that I knew him

But what has he done

To deserve so much praise?

For my love did he fight?

Did he show me his heart

When he kissed me goodnight?

Did he know what I like?

That I love when birds trill?

That whipped cream makes me smile

That I’m good friends with Will?

Did he know I was lonely

Out there all on my own?

Did he know that I cried

When I felt all alone?

Sure, he’d tell me he longed

To be with me right now

But, no, maybe next week

If time would allow

He asked me to wait on

His fancies and whims

He tried to control me

Yet I waited for him

He commanded, I jumped

And I asked him how high

He couldn’t commit

And he’s not the right guy

I thought that he loved me

Certain he was the one

But now I don’t need him

For I know what he’s done

When she read the last line, Didi sniffled. His heart went out to her.

Whoa. That was deep. He swallowed hard. “Thank you. That must have been difficult to write.”

“It was easier than I thought it would be, and once I got going, and it was good for me to get it out. Hey, and now you know my deepest, darkest secret. I love whipped cream with a passion. Truly. Can’t get enough of it. Cream-filled donuts, strawberries and cream, Boston cream pie…but I digress.” She giggled, and the sound warmed him.

He shook his head and whispered, “She’s funny,” in Lucy’s ear. “I’ll remember and try not to hold it against you. I’m glad writing the poem helped.” He wasn’t sure if he should probe further but decided to risk it. “Uh, Didi, may I ask you a question?

“Sure. Ask away.”

“Who’s Will?” It might be none of his business, but Jake couldn’t help being curious.

“What? Who’s who?” Didi laughed without inhibition. “Oh. Well, if you must know, I was talking about Will Riker.”

Confused, Jake answered, “Will Riker from Star Trek?”

“Yeah. I had a rerun on in the background when I was writing, and I couldn’t think of anything else to rhyme with trill.” Now Didi was really giggling, and Jake’s heart swelled at the sound.

“Jake?”

“Yes, Didi?”

“Thanks for calling and for making me laugh.”

He grinned. “You’re welcome. Sleep well.”

“You too. Night.”

“Goodnight.”

It was after eleven—another late night, but Jake didn’t care.