Page 10 of Love Story
“No. Not at all.” Now John understood Ashley’s hesitancy when she first got here. He swapped a look with her and she managed the slightest shrug. John turned to Cole again. “I’m... I need to... Well, truth is, Cole, I haven’t seen that picture in a long time.”
Cole rushed ahead. “Grandma gave it to me for Christmas when I was little. On the back it says, ‘I love you, Cole. Now and always.’ ” He looked at it again. “She has this amazing peace about her. In her eyes.” He lifted his gaze to John’s. “I really don’t remember her.” He paused. “I wish I did.”
“Yes.” Ashley looked from Cole to John. “I told Cole how the two of you had an interesting love story. How none of us would be here today if it wasn’t for what happened between his grandparents back then.”
John nodded. His breathing was back to normal, but his heart still pounded. He needed to talk to Elaine about all of this. If she wasn’t comfortable with Cole’s project, then John could steer the boy to another idea. An in-depth look at John’s early days as a doctor or how Cole’s great-great-grandfather had served in World WarII, how the man had been one of the heroes at Iwo Jima.
Anything but his love story with Elizabeth.
Cole was still talking, explaining something about how his mom’s comment that day led him to think that his grandparents’ story would be perfect for the project. How he wanted to know more about the grandma he had loved so much when he was little.
Every so often John nodded. But he wasn’t really listening. He couldn’t concentrate. It wasn’t because he felt uncomfortable about the project. It was because of the photograph.
Elizabeth had loved Cole with everything in her. Back then Elizabeth babysat Cole whenever Ashley worked. Their daughter’s life had been complicated and lonely and Ashley had relied on Elizabeth to help.
Before dying of breast cancer, Elizabeth made a copy of the photo, framed it and gave it to Cole. A reminder of those early days.
John knew the photograph well. He owned the original, of course. The picture was part of an aging collection in a leather scrapbook tucked away on the bottom shelf of the living room bookcase. In a place where the kids and grandkids could easily access it whenever they wanted to remember days gone by. Life when they were little.
The years when John’s first wife, Elizabeth, was still alive.
“You there, Papa?” Cole planted his elbows on his knees.
A cough and John found his focus. “Yes. Definitely. I agree.” He made eye contact with Ashley and then looked at Cole again. “It’s a great idea, Cole. Her story is very important.”
Cole pulled what looked like a school planner from his backpack. “Not just her story. Your story. The two of you together.” Cole opened the book. “I’m supposed to do four hours of interview research at least. Like, super-detailed.”
“With me?” John blinked.
“Definitely.” Cole looked at his planner and then back at John. “Mom says your love story could be a book. So that’s what I’m doing my report on. How you fell in love, what life was like when you first started your family. All the details.”
“If that’s okay with you.” Ashley was quick to interject. She raised her brow at Cole. “That’s why we’re here, right?”
“Right.” Cole chuckled. “Sorry. I meant to say if that’s okay. If you’re not too busy, I could come here and talk to you, maybe once a week. Like an interview. Get all the details, you know?”
“Absolutely.” John’s heart felt strangely heavy. “All the details. Right.” He remembered to smile. “I’d love that, Cole. Really. Let me get back to you tonight. Is that okay? Just to check my schedule.”
Cole hesitated. “Of course.” He closed his planner and returned it to his backpack. “I’ll wait till then.”
John was silent. Again an awkward feeling filled the room. Ashley seemed to sense it, too, because she took a deep breath and smiled big. “All right then. I’m sure it will all work out.” She stood and gathered her purse. “We’ll head home, and Dad, you can just call Cole whenever you know.”
For a moment John thought about recommending the other ideas, but he stopped himself. Cole wantedthisstory, not something else. He would check with Elaine and make a decision. But even as Cole and Ashley hugged him and headed to the car, John knew this was less about Elaine and more about him.
Whether it would be good for him to spend four weeks reliving his love story with Elizabeth. He returned to his chair just as Elaine joined him from the kitchen.
He lifted his eyes. “You heard?”
“I did.” She sat down across from him, a glass of ice water in her hand. “Want some?”
“No. I’m fine, thanks.” He groaned and closed his eyes, lacing his fingers behind his head. For a while he stayed that way, sorting through the decision ahead. He opened his eyes and looked at Elaine. “What are you thinking?”
“You have to do it, John.” Her smile reached the depths of his heart, her kindness a tangible force. “It’s a beautiful story. All the grandchildren should know what happened with you and Elizabeth.”
“But four weeks?” He kept his gaze locked on hers. “Four weeks of talking about Elizabeth and me? Our story?” John stood and stared out the front window. He turned and faced his wife. “I don’t know.”
Elaine hesitated, but only for a moment. Then her hint of uncertainty became a smile once more. She took her time as she spoke. “Elizabeth was your first love.” There wasn’t the slightest bit of jealousy in her voice. “I meant what I said. Tell Cole what happened. Let yourself go back, John. You and Elizabeth, that’s part of the legacy of all the grandkids.” She held his gaze. “Remember, Elizabeth was one of my closest friends. I want the kids to know her.”
“Elaine.” John went to her and helped her to her feet. He pulled her into his arms. “How did I get so blessed to marry you?”
