It was a late hot Monday afternoon in June at the university library and it had been six years since Jack had been back at his alma mater. Being back on campus was a real trip down memory lane. The basement of the old library was nice and cool and smelled exactly as Jack remembered. Wandering through the building, the old smells and sounds were like an old familiar friend, and he opened his mind to the flood of great memories.

He’d been taking classes off and on at the local extension of the university while he was teaching, but this summer he’d returned to the U where he hoped to complete his master’s degree. When Jack was an undergraduate, he found an area down in the bowels of the ancient building with a couple of old tables stuck in a back corner. This had been his hangout where he studied, did his research and worked on his class work. He wondered if everything was still there.

It was almost cold down in the basement and he wished he was wearing a sweater. Rounding the end of one of the stacks, he saw the two massive old tables still sitting exactly where they’d been when he’d used them so many years ago. However, there was one thing different today. Sitting at one of the tables was a young lady, a stunningly attractive young lady. She had long, honey blond hair, and was wearing a powder blue V-necked sweater showing excellent cleavage and when she looked up at him, she revealed beautiful blue eyes. Her face was stunning, and her perfume teased his nostrils with its scent. In the darken recesses of the library, Jack thought she looked like a vision.

Jack realized he must have stood staring for too long because finally she asked, “Is there something wrong?”

He was positive he was blushing as he murmured, “I’m sorry, I don’t wish to be rude; when I was an undergraduate I used to hang out down here and study. I just didn’t expect to find anybody here. And to find somebody here, somebody as lovely as you ... well...” his voice dropped.

The young lady’s cheeks took on a lovely flush and she looked down. When she looked up, he was again struck with her allure. “Are you back here for more studies or...” her voice trailed off.

“I teach at Butler High School over in Bedford Falls. I’m here for the summer to finish my Masters. Are you a student here this summer?” After he asked, he realized he’d asked a rather stupid question. Why would an attractive woman be sitting down here studying in the library on a day like this if she didn’t have to?

“I have this quarter, and I’m finished with my degrees.” She told him.

“What’s your major?”

“I have two...” She told him.

“Wow, that’s impressive. All I have is a degree in US History and minor in psych.”

“Great. I always enjoyed history. Do you like teaching?”

“Well, I’m also the head football coach. I hate to admit it, but that’s my true love. Teaching history got me in the door. I love history mind you; but getting the youth to see why it’s interesting is a real challenge.” She laughed at his comment and her laugh sounded like soft music. Jack stepped forward, stuck out his hand, “I’m Jack, Jack Frost.” His name put a big grin on her face. “Yeah, I know, I know. My parents had a sense of humor. Let me tell you, junior high really sucks when your name is Jack Frost. But now, it isn’t so bad. Coach Frost has a nice ring to it,”

She held out her hand, and when he glanced down, he saw well-manicured nails, lovely long tapered fingers and a most interesting ring on her middle finger. “Tara, Tara Marshall.” When he grinned back at her, she quickly continued, “Looks like both of our parents had a sense of humor when it came to naming us. My mother loved the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’. I teased her one time she was probably watching the movie when I was conceived, and she was rather mad I’d say such a thing.” Again, the musical laugh and Jack laughed with her. He looked down at his watch and noticed he needed to get going if he was to make his next class on time.

“Tara, I hate to end this, but if I don’t leave now, I’ll be late for my next class.” Jack was surprised by the look on her face; her face seemed sad, and she looked almost like she was going to cry. He did want to see her again, so he asked, “Do you come here often?”

“Yeah, this is my hiding place too. I can study here without being bothered.”

“Oh damn, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you...”

She quickly held up her hand, “No, not you. I’ve enjoyed our little talk. I like it here, so I’m here off and on.”

“Would you like to meet for a cup of coffee with me after class?”

She paused so long he started to wonder if she had heard him. Finally, she frowned and replied, “That sounds wonderful, but I already have plans. Sorry.” Jack figured it was true, as her “Sorry.” sounded sincere; he said goodbye and headed off to class. Over the next few days, he returned often to the bowels of the library, but she was never there. Their brief encounter had left an indelible imprint on Jack; he desperately wanted to see her again. On Monday morning on his way to class, he remembered it was just last Monday when he met Tara at the library. Not a day passed since he’d seen her, he didn’t think about her; her beauty was seared into his memory. Jack wanted to get to know her better, to be able to talk to her. After his class, he ran down the stairs to the basement and headed back to his old haunt. Walking between the stacks, he wondered if she would be there today, and his heart leaped when he saw her sitting at the big table in exactly the same place as last time.

“Good afternoon, Tara. I was hoping you would be here today.”

“Hello Jack.” A slight pause, and then, “Why were you hoping I’d be here?”

“Well,” Jack felt like a schoolboy he was so embarrassed and tongue-tied. Finally, he blurted out, “I’ve thought about you every day since last Monday and I’ve checked down here several times to see if you were here. I really wanted to see you again.”

“Well, aren’t you sweet. Why don’t you sit down?”

Jack sat across from her and their conversation seemed to flow like a gentle stream right from the start. Today she was wearing a dark blue V-necked sweater and around her throat was a velvet band the same color as her sweater. He was pleased to discover Tara was as lovely inside as she was in her outward appearance, there was no guile about her. She was completely down to earth with a delightful sense of humor. As they talked, Jack started to feel her good looks were almost a hindrance. The time passed quickly and when he glanced at his watch, Jack realized he had missed his next class. His surprise must have shown on his face.

“What’s the matter?”

“I got so caught up here, I missed my class.”

“Is that bad?”

“Well, to be honest, I’d rather be here.” This comment brought out her musical laugh again. Jack continued, “Ah ... I have a question ... and I really don’t know how to ask it any way except to just ask.”

“And your question.”

“Are you like involved, or seeing anybody or engaged or...”

Tara held up her hand to stop his babbling. “No. I am none of the above.” She told him as she shook her head. “Are you ... how did you put it, involved?”

“No. I thought I found the person I wanted to marry, but at the last minute I realized she was not the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. One more question, how come somebody as exquisite as you and as interesting as you haven’t been snapped up yet?”

Again, the great laugh, “Just hasn’t happened, don’t know what to tell you.”

Jack really did have to get going but he didn’t want their meeting to end. Again, he asked her if they could meet for a cup of coffee, and she politely declined. He asked her if there were any other times she was in the library. “I’m here usually on Thursdays. I have a late afternoon class and then come here. I am here after 5, why?

“Because next Monday is so far away.” He said with a sad face, and she laughed. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” He stood and leaned over and picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. “Until Thursday?”

“We’ll see.”

Thursday seemed to take forever to arrive. All during his last class, he kept looking at the clock on the wall and the time seemed to drag. Finally, the professor released the class, and he quickly headed across campus to the library. Over the years Jack dated several women and had many girl friends; he always felt he was comfortable with women. Jack was a handsome man who played sports all through school and still moved with the grace and poise of a natural athlete. He hadn’t found the woman he wanted to settle down with, but if asked, he’d say he was picky. He had some romantic notion one day he’d meet the woman of his dreams. He had to admit, right now, Tara came close. However, the question was, how could he get a chance to meet her away from the library?

When he rounded the end of the stacks, Tara was sitting at the table. Today she wore a cute top which also showed off an abundant amount of cleavage. Her hair was up in a ponytail and Jack thought she looked adorable the way she was dressed. She smiled up at him and motioned for him to sit. He pulled up a chair and their conversation started as if they hadn’t been apart for four days. Finally, it was time for Jack to get going and he asked Tara once more if he could meet her for a cup of coffee. Once more, she politely declined. As he parted, he asked if she would be there on Monday, and she said she would.

In the past, Jack always felt weekends went by entirely too quickly, but this weekend seemed to last forever. Monday’s classes were just as bad and by the time he could head for the library, Jack was surprised by how much he wanted to see Tara. Heading across campus, he wondered if sharing some of his feelings with her might help her understand why he wanted to see her away from the library.

As he rounded the stacks, Tara was sitting at one of the tables. A warm smile lit her face and Jack felt she was truly pleased to see him. Her hair was down today, and she was wearing a sweater almost the same color as her hair. Around her neck was a band of blue velvet the same color as her eyes. Jack felt if he wasn’t already smitten by her, he surely would have fallen for her today.

The time they shared together again passed quickly and finally Jack realized how late it was. He decided to take a chance and share his feelings with her. “Tara,” he began, long pause, “Um, I find I’ve developed strong feelings for you. I’d like for us to meet someplace else besides here,” Jack motioned with his hand, indicating the basement of the library, “Um, a date if you will. Tara, I feel you like me, and I know I like you and...”

Tara hung her head and when she lifted it, Jack thought he saw a tear in her eye. “Jack, I just can’t. I can’t tell you any more than that, and I ask you ... I beg you, if you really care for me, you’ll not ask for more information. Please.”

“Tara, I don’t understand. In one breath, you tell me you care for me, and in the next, you tell me you won’t see me away from the library. Is it you don’t trust me?”

“Jack, please don’t ask questions. Please...” now there were tears brimming in her eyes. Jack stood and told her he needed to go. As he turned to leave, she asked, “Will you be back on Thursday?” Her voice was so soft Jack barely heard her.

“Why?”

“I understand if you don’t ... maybe someday I can explain. I do enjoy our conversations and if you still want ... Thursday?” Her last word was more of a question than a statement.

Jack wanted to see her again. Somehow, he was going to find out why she wouldn’t leave the basement. “Thursday. Good night, Tara.” Jack turned and left.

On Thursday, Jack had a mid-term test. The instructor told the class once they finished their test, they were free to leave. Since this was Jack’s favorite class, he was well prepared for the test and breezed right through it. As he left the classroom, he noticed he was going to be almost an hour earlier than usual to meet Tara. He wondered if she would be there when he arrived. He hoped so; it would give them more time together. When Jack turned the corner to pass down the row between the last stack, he thought his heart had skipped a beat. He was pleased to see Tara in front of him; but facing the other way. Walking towards her, Jack noticed she was wearing a different sweater today along with a skirt of matching color. When she took a step, her body dipped slightly to the right and Jack noticed her right leg was bent and disfigured, also her right shoe was built up to partially compensate for the difference with her left leg. Tara took another step, again with a noticeable limp. Jack watched her take several steps before he came up behind her. When she became aware she wasn’t alone, she whirled around. Jack wasn’t prepared for what happened next. Tara’s face crumbled as she moaned, “It’s you, oh no!” Tara’s hands went to her face as she bowed her head, and she started to cry. Jack stepped forward to slip his arms around her and try to comfort her. She put a hand on his chest, pushing him back.

“No, please go.” She cried. “You don’t have to stay; you don’t have to be nice to the handicapped cripple.” Tara continued to sob.

Jack swept her hands from his chest and gathered her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head, whispering, “Hey, stop crying. What’s this all about?” A thought suddenly came to mind, and he asked, “Is this why you wouldn’t meet me away from here? You didn’t want me to see you had a limp ... see your leg?”

Jack felt her nodding against his chest as she continued to cry. Her words were difficult to make out as she spoke against his chest. “I wanted to see you some more. I wanted to have a few more meetings before you found out and ... and...” her tears came again, and she could no longer speak.

Jack pulled her tightly against his chest again. In the softest and most gentle voice he could, he told her, “Tara ... for a person of your intellect, you are rather stupid.” She stopped sobbing, leaned back and looked up at him, tears still brimming in her eyes.

“Excuse me, I’ve never been called stupid!” Even though her lips were quivering, Jack was pleased to see she stood up to his insult.

“Can’t you tell? Look at me. Don’t you see I care about you. The person inside? The package is cute, and I don’t care about the limp or your leg. To me, those are not who or what you are. Listen to me, I have feelings for you. Do you understand?”

Her bottom lip still quivered, and she hiccupped. “I didn’t want to. I tried so hard. I wanted to be just a friend. I didn’t want to care for you the way I do. I just knew once you found out about ... well ... you know ... that I’m handicapped, you could never be interested in a cripple ... and...”

“Tara, all right. Now I know about the leg. It doesn’t matter to me. Can WE get the hell out of this dungeon and go someplace together?” Jack had stressed the word, ‘we’.

“You still want to be seen with me?” Her voice showed her surprise and pleasure about his request.

Jack tipped her face up and gazed into her eyes. Slowly he lowered his face to hers and kissed her gently on the lips. His lips parted slightly, and he felt her tongue tentatively slip between them. As their tongues gently touched, she whimpered softly. When he pulled away, Tara was breathing deeply, and her face was flushed. “Does that answer your question?” He asked.

Tara gathered her belongings and showed Jack to the elevator she took from floor to floor to help her get around the library. He carried her stuff, and she held onto his other arm. They walked into the student union and sat down at a corner table. She asked for a soda, and he went off to get them both one. When he returned, Jack found one of his classmates talking to Tara. His classmate asked him how he felt Jack did on the test. Jack explained how much he liked the subject and why he felt he aced it. The classmate turned to look at Tara and asked, “Why is this beautiful lady wasting her time with you?”

Tara smiled as Jack made the introductions and as the classmate left, he looked at Tara and told her, “If you ever get tired of this oaf ... give me a call. You are stunning.”

Jack smiled at her. “See, I don’t think he even noticed your...” Jack paused.

“Say it, my handicap. If we’re ever going to go anywhere together, you need to get over.”

“Wow, ain’t this the kettle calling the pot black? Besides you are not handicapped. You have a limp, and one leg is a little shorter than the other. But you do well and for the most part, it is not a big deal. Except you seem to make it one.”

Tara dropped her head for a moment, when she looked back at Jack; she had a warm smile on her face. “Thanks. I was so afraid once you knew, once you saw me ... Jack, all my life I have been ... well ... ashamed.”

“Would you please tell me what happened?”

Tara told him about the bicycle accident when she was 13 and how she was riding home at dusk and about the drunk who hit her. She continued telling him about the massive settlement the court had awarded her due to his considerable wealth and his several prior convictions for drunk driving. “I really don’t have to go to school if I don’t want to. There is such a vulgar amount of money that I could never spend at all and it’s just making more money.” She smiled at him a little and then went on to tell him at one time the doctors thought she might lose her leg and then about how they finally were able to save it.

Tara continued explaining the doctors were sorry nothing could be done, but the leg would be shorter, even though part of it could be compensated for with a built-up shoe, there would still be a limp. “I have always been so self-conscious about it. I thought that was all people would see, not see me, just my handicap. Mama always told me I was going to be a spinster, she said nobody wants to be with a cripple, handicapped people like me are supposed to live alone.”

Jack smiled at her and told her, “Your mama is mistaken! The only handicap I see is you are so attractive I find it difficult to concentrate when we talk.”

Tara giggled and put her hand on Jack’s arm. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed. “Thanks, thanks for coming here with me.” As they sat talking and nursing their drinks, Jack found himself falling big time for the lovely lady sitting across from him. Once he stopped mid-sentence and told her, “Do you have any idea what I think of you. I just can’t believe you are sitting here with me. I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“No, I’m the lucky one. Look at you, I’ll bet you were a jock all through school; right?”

“Yeah, but what’s that got to do with anything.”

“I always felt the jocks looked down at me. In junior and high school, I was this poor little cripple handicapped girl. Because I couldn’t participate in PE class, I was teased.” Tara motioned towards her lovely breasts, “I didn’t even start to develop these until I was a junior in high school. Due to the medication, they had me taking, I didn’t even start my period until I was 18. I took a lot of teasing and when you told me you were a high school football coach, it just took me back to a time I’ve tried to forget.”

“Oh God ... I’m so sorry. I didn’t...” Tara put her finger against Jack’s lips.

“Shhhh, stop. You had no way of knowing. I only told you, so you’d understand a little more about me. I was always jealous of jocks. To me you jocks seemed to be so at ease in every situation. Be honest now, would you have dated me back when we were in high school? You’d have dated cheerleaders. Right?” Jack was embarrassed. He knew she was right. Back then he wouldn’t even have noticed her. He hung his head as he nodded. “I understand, however, when you sat down the first day and we talked, it was like you were no longer a jock, you became a real person, with wants and desires and feelings; it was such a revelation. You hadn’t seen my handicap, and I was able to look beyond you as an athlete. I started feeling things about you I knew I couldn’t do anything about.”

“Please, stop. Are you telling me you ... um ... care about me. You have feelings for me? Too??”

Tara blushed and nodded. “Yes, but I felt it was hopeless. Once you saw me standing and my handicap, that would be the end. I wanted to try and keep your visits going as long as I could.”

“In a way, I guess I’m a bit hurt. You didn’t even give me the chance to show you I might be different. But to be honest, back in school I’d never have noticed you. But getting to know you the way we did, all I saw was your beauty, your intellect and your cute sense of humor. I got to know you. and your ... well, your limp never got in my way of getting to know you the person. Now I don’t care. It’s part of you. It’s something that makes you unique ... special, more mysterious...”

“Mysterious? You do know how to turn a girl’s head. I never thought of my handicap as unique or special and never, ever mysterious.” She laughed and Jack enjoyed the sound and the knowledge he was able to make her laugh.

“Tara, will you let me take you to dinner?”

“Do you really want to?”

Jack interrupted, “Look, can we make a deal. If I ask you something, I mean it. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to do whatever I’m asking. So, if I ask you to dinner, I asked you because I want to take you. By asking, you may assume I want to! Now, will you let me take you to dinner?”

The way she answered almost broke his heart, “Yes Jack. I’d love to.”

Jack took her to an old favorite restaurant of his. He hadn’t been able to afford going there very often when he was in school, but he really liked the ambiance of the place. They were shown to a booth and Jack slid in first and asked Tara to sit next to him. He explained why he slid in first, “That way you don’t have to move so far.”

“You need to stop being so thoughtful, I just might decide you’re a keeper.” She told him with a grin.

Dinner was delicious. There was a bottle of wine to go with the excellent Italian food and afterwards, they sat side by side looking at each other. Jack leaned over and kissed her softly on the mouth. When he started to draw away, she reached behind his head and pulled him back so she could kiss him. When they drew apart, she made a heavy sigh. “What was that for?” he asked.

“I need to tell you something, and I really don’t know how to go about it.”

“How about you start at the beginning?”

“Well, I have been on very few dates. I never dated in high school and only a few times here at school. There was a young man here at school when I was a freshman I dated a couple of times; well, no ... wait, he was more of a boy. Anyway, we went on two dates and on the second one, he took me to his room and...” Jack could tell by the way she fidgeted this was a memory that still pained her.

“Did he rape you?”

“NO! He told me I was lucky to be with him as most men didn’t want to waste time with a cripple like me and then he started to paw me and when he tried to pull on my clothing, I was able to kick him in the ... well, you know ... down there.” And she pointed to his lap.

“So, what are you telling me here? That you haven’t’ dated much? I don’t care.”

“No Jack, I’m trying to tell you I’m a virgin.” She bowed her head and looked down at the table. I’ve read men don’t like to have to teach a woman how to ... well, you know ... do those kinds of things.”

“Well, I never read any books on the subject. In addition, I’m sure there are a lot of men who are much better at teaching ‘those kinds of things’ as you call it than I am. If and when it comes time, just promise me you won’t worry. OK?”

Tara laughed, “If and when huh? So, you think there might be an if or a when?”

Now it was Jack’s turn to blush. Tara enjoyed watching him squirm seeing how uncomfortable he was right now. She leaned close to him and whispered into his ear. “I hope someday there is an ‘if or when’.”

The evening sped by and soon it was time to take Tara home. Sitting in the car in front of her house, he asked her, “Where do we go from here? I want to see you again, tomorrow?” They compared schedules and agreed to meet after their classes.

The next few days flew by. Jack and Tara had dinner every evening together until finally Jack decided he wanted to take Tara out to some place special. Tara was pleased with the way Jack treated her, but there were still the doubts; seeds of doubt planted by her mama over the years. Tara could still hear her mother’s words ringing in her ears, “Honey, remember you’re handicapped. Men don’t want to live with a handicapped person. Men will just take advantage of you and after they get what they want, they’ll break your heart and dump you. To them, women like you are just to use. Men know women like you are desperate. Remember, men don’t marry handicapped women, cripples like you.” Years and years of hearing those words took their toll and Tara could not help but wonder when Jack would leave her. Desperately she wanted to believe her mother was wrong about Jack, but her mother’s words kept coming back.

Jack decided he was going to take Tara to a special dinner. Since the semester would be over in a couple of weeks, Jack wanted to make their relationship a bit more permanent. He at least wanted her to move to Bedford Falls and live with him. Jack picked a restaurant, which featured a large, massive deck across the front of the place with a commanding view of the bay and mountains in the distance. He checked to see what time sundown was and made reservations for a front table, making sure they’d be seated just in time to catch the sunset.

When Jack picked her up, he was pleased with Tara’s outfit. Her hair was down, the blue velvet band around her neck and a dress that showed off her cleavage to it’s best advantage. When she opened the door, Jack just stood and gaped at her. “What? You don’t like the outfit?”

“Like? No dear, I don’t like it ... I love it! You are beautiful.” Her smile warmed his heart, and he leaned forward and kissed her. They pulled apart and he whispered, “And you smell divine.”

“And you look most handsome too ... and you don’t smell so bad yourself.” She pulled his face down and kissed him again.

When they arrived, the valet took his car away and they entered the restaurant arm in arm. The table was perfect. There was nothing to obstruct their view of the setting sun or the passing ships in the distance. After the sun finally slipped behind the distant mountains, Tara leaned close and kissed Jack’s cheek. “Do it again daddy, that was beautiful.”

“If I could make it happen, I’d do it over and over for you if that’s what you wanted.”

“Jack, the past few days have been like a dream for me. I’ve never been so happy, so at peace with things. For the first time in my life, I don’t curse my leg or the person who did this to me. For the first time, I don’t care. You gave me that, you’ve helped me, and I adore you for it.”

“I have a question to ask. I understand if you don’t want to do this, or if this is too soon; but in a couple of weeks, the semester is ending, and I’ll be going back to Bedford Falls.” Tara looked at Jack with trepidation in her eyes. She knew the semester was ending and she wondered what was going to happen. “I have football practice I need to get started and to be honest, I should already be there working with the assistant coaches. But I need to do something about us.” Tara thought to herself, “Here it comes, the kiss-off! But at least we didn’t have sex.” Jack’s next words caught her by surprise, “Tara, will you move to Bedford Falls and live with me?”

Tara was stunned. She was convinced he was going to tell her he needed to get back to his coaching and he’d call when he could, and that would be the end. She was not ready for this. Just as she was ready to give him an answer, she heard her mother’s words ringing in her head. Tara wanted to make sure she heard him correctly, “What did you just ask me?”

“Will you move to Bedford Falls and live with me?”

“Are you sure?” Tara asked with trepidation.

“Hey, remember what you promised, if I ask, it means I want to do whatever I asked. I wouldn’t ask unless I wanted it to happen. Remember?”

“Jack ... I ... uh...” and at that moment the waiter came to the table. As the waiter took their orders, Tara thought about his proposal. She knew in her heart she really did want to be with this wonderful man, but; how long would it last. She wondered how long it would be before he grew tired of the handicapped woman. Even now, after living so long with her handicap, she still couldn’t believe any man would want to live with her. She was sure it was just a matter of time, and he’d send her on her way; he’d break up with her. She heard her mother’s words echoing in her head, “Men will just use you and then dump you. No man wants to live with a handicapped woman.” By the time the waiter left, she knew what her answer would be.

Jack reached out and took her hand, “Where were we, oh yes, will you come and live with me?”

“Jack, you are a dear, and I do adore you. But I think we’re rushing things. I don’t think it’s a good idea. Maybe, once the football season is over, you come and visit me, and we can see how we feel then.”