4

Jackie and Jerry Meet

Soon after Jerry graduated from the Warton School in 1989, he rented an apartment in Princeton and commuted to his new job in New York. He was second in his class at Penn and landed a position with a most prestigious investment-banking firm on Wall Street. It was a real opportunity that didn’t come to many and was the result of his hard work at college. Jerry was an athlete in college and tried to keep himself in shape by jogging. Despite his busy schedule, he was able to hit the trail one or two times during the week and every Saturday morning. His dedication paid off, and he was able to keep his build in spite of the business lunches and evening business meetings.

It was on one of his Saturday-morning runs that he first saw Jackie. She, too, kept her body in perfect shape by a combination of jogging and working out at the spa. It was in the spring of 1990 when Jerry looked up after completing his five-mile course to see this beautiful girl getting out of her car on her way to the running path. She saw Jerry about the same time he saw her. His six-foot-one-inch-tall athletic body glistened with sweat in the morning sun. He had a butt that caught Jackie’s eye, and almost immediately there was an attraction between them.

Jackie walked to the path and said, “Hi. How was your run?”

“Great,” he replied. “My name’s Jerry French. What’s yours?”

“Jackie. Jackie O’Donnell.”

“Oh, that’s why you have that red hair.”

“You got it. Both my parents’ families came from Ireland.”

“Where in Ireland?”

“County Cork. Do you live around here?” Jackie asked. “I never saw you jogging before.”

“Yes, I have an apartment in town. I was late today. Usually I run early on Saturday and finish before seven. However, I had a late night and overslept a bit. Do you live in Princeton?” Jerry asked.

“Yes, I still live at home with my parents. I’m an art teacher at an elementary school in Princeton. Do you work in the area, Jerry?”

“I work in New York, but I don’t want to live there. I’ve gotten used to the ride in and out of the city, and it allows me to get some work done at the same time.”

Jerry was about to say goodbye and head for his car, when he said, “How about dinner tonight?” Jackie didn’t have anything planned, but was reluctant to let him know that. He sensed her hesitation and before she could answer, he said, “I guess that was a bit presumptuous of me. A girl that looks like you must have a full calendar.”

Jackie responded, “Why don’t you call me later.” She gave Jerry her telephone number and they said goodbye.

Jerry didn’t let any time pass before calling Jackie. In fact, he called her Sunday evening. Jackie’s mother answered the phone, and Jerry said, “May I talk to Jackie?”

“Who is calling, please?”

“It’s Jerry,” was his reply.

Jackie sounded very friendly when she answered the phone. “Hi,” she said. “Have you recovered from your jogging?”

“Yes. How was your weekend?”

“Busy. I can’t believe it’s Sunday night already.”

“How would you like to go to dinner and a show next Saturday?” Jerry asked.

This time Jackie answered without delay: “Sure! Sounds like fun. What show did you have in mind?”

“Let that be a surprise,” answered Jerry. “How about I pick you up at seven. That will give us time to get into the city for dinner by eight.”

“OK, see you Saturday,” Jackie replied.

The week flew by, and Jackie was looking forward to her first date with Jerry. She decided to go all out and wore a stunning midnight-blue dress that took every advantage of her outstanding figure. Jerry wondered what her body was like, since it wasn’t easy to see it in the jogging suit she wore the week before. He felt sure, however, that because she worked out he would be pleased with what would greet him at seven o’clock.

To say Jerry was pleased was an understatement. He couldn’t believe it when she opened the door. For a second he just stood there, but then caught himself from staring too long. “You look stunning! Your dress is beautiful,” he said.

Likewise, Jackie was pleased when she saw him dressed in a suit. “Hi. Come in.”

Jerry stepped into the entry room of the three-story colonial. The home was evidence that her family had money.

“Come and meet my parents,” Jackie said. She introduced her parents to him, and they spent a few minutes getting acquainted.

A little after seven Jerry said, “I think we should get started.” They said their goodbyes and headed for the train station.

“Do you use the train to go into New York?” he asked.

“Sometimes, but I don’t get into the city very often,” she replied.

Jerry had made dinner reservations at La Celebrities and had tickets for the Broadway show Cats. They both had a good time, and their date seemed to end all too soon. It was about 1:00 a.m. when they returned to Princeton, and Jerry drove her home from the train station.

When they arrived at her house she asked him, “Would you like to come in?”

“No, thank you. It’s late and I wouldn’t want to disturb your parents.” He gave her a kiss good night, which she returned. As he turned to walk to his car, he said, “I’ll call you this week. I had a great time.”

“So did I,” she replied.

Tuesday night Jerry called Jackie as he’d promised. “Do you like the Sixers?” he asked.

“Yes,” she responded.

“I have tickets for the game Saturday night. Would you like to go?”

“Sure. That sounds like fun.”

“We can have dinner at Bookbinders and then drive to the game.”

Jackie dressed in a sporty outfit, and Jerry wore his Dockers. He picked her up about five o’clock, and they drove into Philadelphia.

The evening was mild and they had a good time. It was eleven thirty when they returned to Princeton. Jerry said, “How about a nightcap at my apartment?”

“OK. I would like to see your place.”

As it turned out, Jerry’s apartment was about fifteen minutes’ drive from where Jackie lived. They went in, and Jerry asked Jackie if she would like some wine. They began a pleasant conversation, which led to an exchange of kisses that were very different from their first date. Jackie knew why she liked Jerry. He reminded her of François. Not by his appearance, but by his manner and the way he kissed. Before their two-hour nightcap was over, Jackie was sure that François and Jerry must have had the same lovemaking instructor. Jerry drove Jackie to her home, and they exchanged a kiss that said there would be many more.

From that second date, Jackie knew he was the one. Within a month, Jackie and Jerry were seeing each other on a regular basis, and they became engaged at Christmas that same year. The couple married the following June, and their wedding was the social event of the Princeton elite.