Chapter 1

George Washington Carver Elementary School is literally a stone's throw from the Capital Building. You can see it from the front porch of the school. It is a view most of our parents love, but fail to see anymore. I make sure to point it out to my students every so often. I also make sure they realize what it means and how many people have died for their freedom. If I teach nothing else, that message will get through.

My name is Natalie Owens and I teach second grade. I have many students from immigrant families and some children from the poorer families in Washington, D.C. Many of these children's parents are in the service of our country. They live with grandparents or with a single spouse because their parents are deployed. It makes for interesting class interactions. You can tell what is going on at home by behaviors exhibited by the children of an affected family. Half of my student's fathers are deployed to Afghanistan. My time is evenly spent between teaching and wiping tears. Inner city kids are tough, but not that tough.

It's the end of March and while it may be sunny the days can still have a bit of a bite to them. We go out as long as it is above 20 degrees. One day we were on the playground and two boys, Jaquan and Dashel were at the fence. They were motioning to a man across the street. He was on the taller side and handsome in a military kind of way with an authoritarian bearing about him. His salt and pepper hair was cut in a Marine cut and he wore an older brown overcoat. The boys seemed excited to see him. They called more children over to the fence to say hello to the man. He crossed the street to talk to them. I slowly edged my way to the fence to find out what was going on. He was a soft spoken man. The children all knew him and they spoke kindly and politely to him.

My curiosity was roused. Who was he to hold these children spellbound like this and why? "Maybe you should be a teacher."

He actually blushed and had a shy smile. "I don't think so. I don't want to take your job."

I smiled up at him and noticed his beautiful blue eyes. "Yeah, I kind of need it."

The children dispersed as if by magic, leaving just us to talk. He looked a little uncomfortable, as if he hadn't expected the boys and girls to leave.

I looked back at him and noticed the discomfort but I still was curious about him. "Why do all my kids know you? Do you have children in the school?

He looked down at the ground and away. "No." His voice held a resonance of sadness. He looked at me, smiled and then said, "Do you like pizza?"

"Yes." He surprised me.

"Good. How about joining me this Friday night, about seven o'clock?"

I was stunned. I didn't know him but was intrigued and said "OK." He smiled and began to walk away. "Hey, I don't even know your name."

He smiled again and said to find out from them, as he pointed to the kids. I had two days to play detective and find out more about the silver haired fox that had just asked me for a date. I called the kids and we went inside.

I waited until the next day to start my detective work. It took all I had to wait. Jaquan and Dashel are best friends and I figured they knew the most about him. What else could I call that handsome man? I asked the boys to join me at the back table to discuss what had happened at the fence yesterday. Both of the boys were big fans. They told me his name: Mr. Gibbs. One question was answered. He's a neighbor who looks after families of servicemen. That seemed nice of him. Dashel told me that Mr. Gibbs had helped their mom when her washer broke and she couldn't afford a new one. He fixed the old one and didn't charge her for the parts. Jaquan's father had started a tree house for him and his brother and then was deployed on an aircraft carrier. Mr. Gibbs had helped the boys to finish it. He sounded like a wonderful man.

Dashel's mom liked Mr. Gibbs but he didn't smile often enough. "Mom says that he only smiles when he talks about you, Mrs. Owens." I was shocked. How did he know me? I don't remember ever meeting him before or had I and not remembered it. I can't imagine not remembering him.

Chapter 2

The week progressed and soon it was Friday. I had made it through to after school and then began to have butterflies. I hadn't been on a date for years, not since my divorce two years ago. Ralph, my ex, had found someone more to his liking. She was epitome of what I wasn't; twenty something and stupid. I got nervous. I hadn't heard from Mr. Gibbs and wondered if he would stand me up. I put this line of thinking out of my head, he didn't seem the type. It occurred to me that he didn't know where I lived. Maybe the boys told him.

It was almost time for our date and the phone rang. Here it comes, the let-down. It was him and I felt the butterfly's dive bombing my stomach. I answered and his voice asked if we were still going. I hesitated for a second and said, "Yes. Do you need my address?"

I could hear him laughing. "No. I know where you live." He arrived about twenty minutes later. "Do you like Domanici's Pizza?"

"Sure everyone in this neighborhood loves it." He escorted me out the door to the pizzeria. Domanici's pizza is delicious. The place is more like an Italian restaurant than a pizzeria. They serve all kinds of dishes. I have take-out from them quite often. As we sat there many families came in and he seemed to know so many of them. A lot of the young men came to say hello and share some of what they'd been doing with him. He was all smiles and gave some advice as well. Some of the boys knew me as well and said hello, but they were there for him. It impressed me greatly.

After dinner we went for a walk near the Washington Monument. Washington, D.C. can be beautiful at night. That night was cold and I was beginning to lose feeling in my toes. I suggested he come over for hot chocolate.

"Make it coffee and it's a deal." He gave the impression that he was feeling the cold as well.

I nodded in affirmative. "Let's go. I'm freezing."

He grabbed my hand and held it all the way to my door. I made the coffee and hot chocolate and apologized ahead of time. I don't care for coffee and don't really know if I make good coffee. He said it tasted fine and not to worry about it. We sat and talked and talked. We talked about the weather, hobbies such as wood-working and quilting. I had learned earlier in the evening that his name is Jethro. That is a name you don't hear often. He said that most people just call him Gibbs. I asked what he preferred and he said whatever I wanted. I'd have to think about it.

It closed in on midnight and he said it was time to go. Where did the evening go? I walked him to the door and he touched my cheek and asked, "Can we do this again?"

Not wanting to appear too anxious I waited one second. "Alright, what will we do?

"Go to the beach, of course." I do believe there was a twinkle in his eye.

"Can I bring something?" I wanted to pull my own weight.

"Just bring yourself and warm clothes. I have a friend's cottage to borrow for the day and we can stop for food on the way."

"Alright then." I felt like I was going to explode with joy.

He looked at me and smiled. "Nine AM too early?"

"That's the perfect time to go to the beach."

"Ok, Sunday morning at nine o'clock. See you then."

I could have sworn I saw him pump his fist in happiness.

Chapter 3

The next day I had to keep reminding myself that I had been on a real date and had enjoyed myself. I was actually looking forward to the beach with Jethro. I finished all my school work and began working on a new quilt. I have no idea why I was making it in all browns. It just felt right. I got the pieces cut but was sidetracked by a visit from a co-worker.

Arlene Wisnoski is the other second grade teacher in our building. She is sort of a nosy-parker. I have never had a visit from her, ever. "Who was that nice looking man at the fence the other day?"

I was not about to tell her my business so I acted dumb, "What man?"

She looked at me quizzically. "The one all the children were talking to."

"I don't really know." I looked at the quilt pieces as I put them away.

"You were talking to him after the children went to play." She just loves prying into other peoples lives.

"Oh, you mean him? He's just some man that helps their parents while they are deployed. Nice guy I guess." I didn't think that she bought it, but that was all she was going to get from me. She didn't need to know what was going on in my life. "Listen, Arlene, I was just getting ready to go to the store and I am in a bit of a hurry so…" She took the hint and left. What a busybody that woman is. I did go to the store to get some more hot chocolate packets to take with me. I also needed food to take to school next week. I must admit I was excited by the idea of a quiet day alone with Jethro. I wanted to get to know him.