Chapter 51

It’s Christmas Eve! I realized that I had always enjoyed Christmas but never been as excited until spending this time with Alice. I mentioned that to her. She smiled, “It does mean more and is more emotional now.” She kissed me. “Get moving. We can be up early.”

I got moving and stopped in the bathroom. When finished, I went into my bedroom and dressed for the day. Alice used the bathroom and we met outside our rooms. We kissed and walked to the kitchen. We were first. I started coffee while Alice began to ready breakfast. We were acting quite domestic. Grace came in after watching us from the doorway. “You two are operating like an old married couple.” She smiled.

“We’re just practicing,” said Alice. She smiled back.

Grace smirked. “What else do you practice?”

I grinned. “Hand holding, kissing, and walking together pretty much covers it all.”

“All of what?” Missus Meadows asked that as she walked into the kitchen.

I said, “Grace wanted to know what else we practiced other than looking like an old married couple in the kitchen. I told her. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”

“Do people get the wrong idea often?”

“No, fortunately. Most people just see the truth which is that we’re just two normal people who are in love with each other.”

We prepared a big breakfast since Missus Meadows said that there would be no lunch today. We would have sloppy Joe’s for supper before the church service. I had set the table and made a second pot of coffee.

Breakfast was a little later than usual. We enjoyed kidding around. Through it all, Alice and I held hands or otherwise touched, frequently leaning to each other.

The weather had turned cold and drizzly. No one wanted to go out. Missus Meadows took the remote and tuned to the Hallmark Channel. The shows weren’t bad just predictable. A bit early, Missus Meadows and the girls started the sloppy Joe mix to let it simmer. She had some buns with sesame seeds on their tops for a little extra taste. We would toast the buns just before serving them. In addition, we would have homemade sweet pickles and potato chips to go with the meal.

That’s what was done and we finished eating in time to go to church. The evening service was inspiring and joyous. We came home feeling warmed by God’s Spirit despite the cold air. Once in the house, I sat on the couch with Alice curled up leaning against my body. She felt good there.

We watched a program on TV with Christmas carols. At a commercial break, Angela Jones did a promotion for “a special featuring a football couple.” It would air next! I was surprised though hoped it wouldn’t be too noticed. Alice said, “Jerry, call your mother. She will want to know it’s on.”

I called and said, ‘Hi, Mom. Merry Christmas eve. We’ll see you tomorrow but we just heard that the special will be on in a few minutes. Alice warned me that I should give you a call.”

“Very good, Jerry. Your father and I will watch it and look forward to the two of you driving in tomorrow afternoon. See you then.”

We waited for the series of commercials to complete and then Angela Jones came on and said, “We’re bringing to you a special tonight featuring a very special couple. We have interviewed Jerry Short a number of times this year and have also interviewed his girl, Alice Meadows. Jerry led his team to an undefeated season for the first time ever. Coach Marshall, the head coach of the Bobcats, has said that he is a special player. Jerry has won two MVP awards in each of the two games of the Bobcats’ post-season. I checked and that has never occurred before particularly when the player didn’t play a complete game in the final game. Alice Meadows is no less special. She has led an informal cheering section for the team. She and her friends have made the games and practices more interesting. Now, we will let you get to know this two young people and their motivations. Here is the tape of my interview with them.”

The interview was played almost in its entirety with cuts to make the flow better. The clear message of our Christian life and of life outside football being more important clearly made it through the broadcast. The other thing that was obvious was the caring we have for each other. Miz Jones came on after and said, “I’ve enjoyed meeting with them both and getting to know them. They have many marvelous things to say to anyone who will listen. Merry Christmas. This is Angela Jones”

Missus Meadows said, “Wow!”

Alice said, “They hardly cut any of it. That was us!”

I nodded. “She said that the station wanted to present a true picture of us and knew that our Christian walk was a vital part of that picture.”

I guess it made a nice topper for our Christmas eve because we all went to bed shortly thereafter. Alice snuck in with me for the night. In the morning, she woke and scurried into the bathroom to clean up and get ready for Christmas day. When she finished, she knocked and said moderately loudly, ‘Wake up. I’ll see you in the kitchen.”

I acknowledged her and took my turn in the bathroom and then dressed. I went into the kitchen and met her with a kiss. “Good morning, my love. It’s going to be a merry Christmas with you.”

She smiled. “Merry Christmas to you, Jerome.”

“Ah, fair Galadriel, we are formal this morning.”

“My mother is watching.”

“Then, I’ll kiss you again.” I did, too. Her mother, when I looked over at her, was smiling.

Alice grinned, “If you’re going to continue to do that, you should marry me.”

“You mean I can’t just live with you in sin.” I grinned.

Alice grinned back and huffed, ‘It won’t be in sin nor any other way but marriage.”

“I guess I’ll have to do something about that. Are you allowed to wear a ring when playing volleyball?”

“Yes, why are you asking?”

“I wouldn’t want you to have a ring that you couldn’t wear publicly.”

“Jerry, that’s not funny.”

I smiled. ‘No, it isn’t. Galadriel Alice Meadows, will you marry me in the fullness of time.”

“Yes, you think it will be a long engagement?”