For the twentieth time, I smooth down my floral print dress, wondering if it’s too much. It’s white with bright red petals and black stamens. It’s fun, but maybe too fun. I don’t know where he’s taking me, so I didn’t know how to dress. When a knock sounds at the front door, I jump and giggle at my silliness.
“Hey,” I say as I open the door. When I look up, my breath catches. Before me is a cleaned-up Jess looking like a rebel schoolboy in dark pants and a bright blue dress shirt rolled to his elbows. With his hair down, he’s a dream.
“Wow,” he says. He takes me in with equal appreciation, and I tug at the skirt of my dress. “That’s some dress.” His eyes rove back up the form-fitting bodice, and he gives me a crooked smile.
“Let me grab my purse.” I reach for a crossbody bag that I wouldn’t normally pair with this dress and step back toward him. When he holds out his hand, my palm starts to sweat, but I set my hand in his, and he leads me to this truck.
We have a forty-minute drive, he tells me, and we chat about Katie at first.
“I spoke with her future teacher and a special education one. The SPED teacher is familiar with the picture program and has all kinds of ideas to help Katie continue to communicate with others.”
“Jess, that’s amazing.”
He swipes a hand through his hair and smiles. “I can’t believe my luck. Katie will start meeting with the teacher before school begins in order to get familiar with her.”
“This is such great news, Jess. I’m so excited for Katie and for you.” I reach for his forearm and squeeze.
“I owe it all to you,” he says, his voice dropping as we speed along the highway to our destination.
“I didn’t do anything,” I say. I don’t want all the credit. I had an idea. They took it to the next step.
“You’ve done more than you know.” His voice softens, and I want to ask what he means, but I’m trying to keep things light, safe for tonight.
“Just a date,” he’d said, cutting off all conversation about how it might not be a good idea. The clock is ticking toward my departure date. When I think of Katie and the potential for her success, I’m so pleased, but I’m also saddened that I won’t be a part of it.
“So where are we going?” I question.
“You’ll see soon enough.” He’s excited about wherever he’s taking me, and we fall into easy conversation about other things. Eventually, we pull into the parking lot of Interlaken, a school for the musically talented.
“I hope you like this,” he says, squinting through the windshield, suddenly nervous about his decision. I read the marquee once we pass it in the lot.
An Acoustic Night of the Classics.
“What is this?” I’m familiar with the school but not their activities.
“It’s a concert.” Jess parks the car and then shuts off the engine. “I typically take my mom on a date for my birthday.” His face pinks when he mentions the sweet gesture. “It’s my thank you to her for helping me with Katie, but she told me to take you instead.”
“Your mother told you to take me out?” I shriek. An anxious giggle mixes with the question.
“I asked you out. My mom just suggested I use the tickets with you instead of canceling them.”
“You canceled a date with your mom to go out with me?” Disbelief colors my voice. She’s going to hate me.
“I only have so much time with you, Emily. I can make it up to her later.”
We stare at one another, and my heart breaks with what he isn’t saying. He accepts that I’m leaving so he’s trying to make the most of the time before I go. Without further discussion, Jess opens his door, walks around the truck to my side, and helps me out of his truck. He leads me to the outdoor amphitheater without letting go of my hand.
It’s a beautiful setting. A white canvas canopy hangs over the sunken stage. We actually enter at ground level and walk down to stadium-style seats. After we find our seats, Jess asks me if I’d like a drink. He slips away with my order and returns shortly after with a wine for me and a beer for himself.
“To living in the now,” he says. He taps his beer gently against the edge of my glass, and I stare