Dating : The Necklace

He moved slowly as she watched him.

She liked how he moved. He moved with a confidence that he didn’t really deserve but never seemed to care and that made him all the better.

He was different that any other guy she’d dated, especially the ones she dated after Michael died.

She was standing there thinking about the first time she met him.

She had spent too much time in the city. Too much time around boys and not men.

They were all a little too polished and a little too well spoken as though you’d never really be able to trust what they were saying.

She used to have a thing for lawyers. But, dating professional liars never ended well. To be honest, it didn’t begin well either most of the time.

Then one day, she got a call that her grandfather was sick, and her grandmother wanted to see if she’d stay awhile and help. Only if wouldn’t be a bother, her grandma told her. She knew it was bad if she was asking.

The old woman wouldn’t dare ask for help.

She dropped everything. She called work and took a leave of absence and was heading up north by nightfall.

Three hours later she walked into the home of the two people who took her in all those years ago.

It was also where she stayed after he died. She couldn’t bear to be at home alone for months.

Her grandfather was ill. It wasn’t as bad as she feared, but she was able to help around the house and take some of the load off her grandma.

Before too long her grandfather was feeling better. He was eating more and back to watching television.

She was tidying up and stating to think about going home when there was a knock at the door.

She opened it see a tall guy with a old baseball hat and a flannel shirt.

“Hi, uh, I live next door. I haven’t seen Mr. Henry around in a few days. I wanted to make sure he was okay.”

“He’s fine,” she said, “he’s been sick for a while, but he’s getting better.”

“Jake Crawley,” he said sticking his hand out.

“Jennifer Henry.”

“Nice to meet you ma’am.”

“Don’t call me ma’am,” she said blushing. He was the same age as her. She was far too young to be getting called ma’am.

“Sorry ma’…mmm Miss Henry it’s a country thing.”

“I know Jake. Jen is fine.”

“Are you the Jen?” he said.

“I’m their granddaughter yes.”

“They talk about you all the time.”

“Oh no. What have they said?”

He laughed, “Nothing that bad. They just are really proud. They’re so happy their granddaughter is a big shot in the city.”

“Oh jeez. I’ll have to find out what stories they’ve been telling.”

“It’s what grandparents do. Don’t worry about it. I’m next door if you guys need anything.”

“Thank you.”

“Was that Jake?” her grandmother called.

“Yeah you just missed him.”

“Oh shoot. I have his container.”

“His what?”

“He brought food over for your grandpa and me one day. I wasn’t able to get to the store and he was here helping Dad with something. He came back later saying he cooked too much. He’s a sweet boy.”

“I’ll say,” she said watching Jake disappear into the woods as he made his way home.

The next morning Jen was determined to cut the grass. But every time she tried to start it the motor would die.

She was about to head in when she saw Jake.

“I heard the tractor stopping. I thought Mr. Henry was having engine trouble.”

“Not grandpa just me.”

“You’re starting the mower too quick. Let the engine run for a few minutes and then turn the blades on. It should be fine.”

She did as he said and the tractor ran fine.

It took nearly two hours but she got the grass cut. She was glad to be done. She was sweating and covered in dirt but it was far more pleasing than pecking at a keyboard all day.

She pulled the tractor into the garage. Jake was there with her grandfather.

“Nice job honey,” he grandpa said.

“Thanks Mr. Henry but Jen did it,” Jake said.

Her grandfather laughed so hard he started to cough.

She was worried at first but it was good to hear him laugh again.

“You fish?” Jake asked.

“Not since I was a kid.”

“Come on. I’m going to the river.”

“I should really stay here.”

“We’re fine dear,” grandpa said “you have some fun.”

And so they went. Jake found a shady spot near the water. There was a log they could both sit on.

They fished and talked and mostly watched the water.

She was playing with her ring. She was doing it longer than she realized as she felt Jake’s eyes on her.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be…It must have been hard.”

Jen didn’t say anything.

“Your grandparents told me when I moved here.”

“I supposed I should take them off.”

“Why?”

“Because one day I might meet someone. I doubt they’d want me to keep wearing it.”

“Screw that. If a guy couldn’t understand why you’d want to keep wearing them then he’s a dope and not worthy of your time.”

She laughed and he would keep her laughing every day.

And she never went back to the city.

She was was looking at Jake. They’d been together a year and he was different. Plain spoken. Rough around the edges, but she never doubted he loved her.

She would still play with her rings occasionally and true to his word Jake never said a thing.

She liked how he looked at her, as though she was the only woman in the world.

She’d been thinking of something and now seemed the right time to say it.

He was watching her and she took off the rings, and held them in her hand.

“Are you sure?” was all he said, “I promise I don’t mind.”

“It’s time.”

“Here,” he said and handed her something.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a chain,” he said taking the rings and putting putting the chain through them. He then brushed her hair away and put the necklace on.

He tucked the necklace into her shirt.

“There,” he said, “now you never have to take them off. And it will be our secret.”