I look out of the window, and there he is, laughing at something with his dad. He looks so carefree, and yes, I do love him.
“Yes. More than anything in the world.”
“I know I’m not saying anything that hasn’t already been said before, but I will give you my thoughts, for what they are worth.” My mom pulls me in for a hug. “Our time here is so short. Life is … precious, Kate. I don’t want you living your life because of other people’s expectations. I want you to live your life however you feel it needs to be lived. Don’t waste your time on worries about what other people will think or feel. Sometimes, you have to be a little selfish.” She kisses the top of my head.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
She holds me close, like she used to when I was a child.
“Are we interrupting something?” Frank asks as they open the door, blowing in some snow and a whole lot of cold.
“Nothing.” My mom pulls away from me with that secretive smile of hers. “Just girl talk. Hot chocolate?”
Myron comes toward me, pulling me close.
Then with our parents watching, he kisses me. It’s the first time we’ve been openly intimate in front of our parents, but rather than feeling weird, it’s right.
“You okay?”
“Let’s leave them to it,” my mom says.
Within seconds we’re alone, and Myron holds me.
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
“Everything is more than fine. My mom, she is just putting a whole load of things into perspective for me.”
“Like what?”
“Like … that I love you and I shouldn’t worry about what other people think or feel.”
He laughs. “I did tell you that.”
“You didn’t have it with all of my mom’s wisdom. She knows what she is talking about.” I chuckle.
“Then does this mean I’m not going to have you fighting me?”
“No. I’m not going to fight you. I don’t know how we’re going to make this work with me finishing up college.”
“Easy. I’ve got a cell phone, and we can talk to each other whenever we want. You can tell me about your classes. We’ll make this work because it is what we both want.”
“Good.” Then, I kiss him. “Because I really, really want to.”
It’s the truth.
I haven’t put up much of a fight, but why would I fight something I really want? I love him. I need him. I want to be with him. It’s stupid to fight that.
****
Myron
On Christmas Eve night there is always a small parade to celebrate the festive season. Drinks, food, and good cheer are always plentiful, and tonight is no different.
I’m standing back, watching Kate with her mother.
She has accepted me, us, which was all I wanted.
I did see a couple of people noticed us together. I don’t care what they think. Kate is mine, and she should have been mine for a hell of a lot longer.
“I’m really proud of you, son,” my dad says.
“Why?”
“You did as I asked. You waited. It was all I could have hoped for.”
“I didn’t do anything great or meaningful.”
“No, but you took your time, and that’s what she needed. It’s also what you needed.”
“My feelings for her haven’t changed. They’ve only ever gotten stronger.”
“I know, but there is no doubt in what you want. When you realize it, you’re like me. You’re stubborn. You’ll go after what you want until you get it.”
I know my dad would clap me on the back if his hands weren’t so full.
Hearing his praise, even now, I’m happy. I’m doing the right thing.
“I’m going to ask her to marry me,” I say. The ring is already in my pocket. I turn to my father to see the shock in his face.
“Marry?”
“Yes. I’ve got the ring.”
“Don’t you think you’re moving a little fast?”
“No. As far as I’m concerned, I haven’t been moving fast enough. I’m going to make her mine before anyone can even have the chance of looking in her eyes and telling her to pick someone else.”
Frank laughs. “Kate loves you. I can see it. I’ve known for a long time. She has tried to fight it. Badly, but you two, you’re both meant to be together. I can see that now. You’re perfect for one another.”
The crowd cheers as the parade finishes. Kate and Suzy come back to us.
I hand Kate her soup back, a nice warm vegetable one. I know she likes it.
“This is so good.” I hold her hand as I drink my own soup.
“Let’s head back.”
We walk two by two, back to the house. Suzy glances back at us, and Kate is too busy looking at the decorated houses to see. She gives me a big thumbs-up and quickly turns back.
“I want a nice big house one day,” Kate says. She leans in close. “And I want a dozen kids. Maybe more.”