Saturday Day 35

After a run with the dog, AJ filled a thermos with coffee, made three sandwiches and put the dog into the back of the truck. As he slammed the hatch, he came to a decision and made one more trip into the house. He kicked off his sneakers at the back door and took the stairs to his bedroom two at a time. He rummaged in the top drawer of the dresser for half a minute before wrapping a hand around the package. In the truck it took him forty five minutes, but he was at the ball diamond before Joey arrived. When she got there he helped her unload the gear and greet the kids and their folks. If she was surprised to see him, she didn't let on. The game, scheduled for ten a.m., started at ten after. He coached first base and earned his keep after the game, loading bases, bats, balls and helmets back into Joey's car. Parents nodded their thanks and the kids drifted away.

When it was just the two of them AJ and Joey sat on the bench behind the backstop at home plate. He poured hot coffee into her travel mug from the thermos and handed her one of the sandwiches. The other he dropped on the ground for the dog and ate the last one himself. Joey finally broke the silence.

"How would you like to take the team over when I go?" she asked between bites.

He shrugged and shook his head slowly. "I actually have something else in mind. But I'll give it some thought if that's ok?"

"Of course." she said. AJ shuffled his feet and Dammit stood, circled twice and flopped down again. AJ repositioned the lead and the tags on her collar jingled.

"Have you got anymore details about your new billet?" He asked finally.

Joey nodded. "I talked to my detailer Friday. He's sending over a briefing file for me to go through. I didn't ask him any questions." She waited a minute and when he didn't say anything. She moved away from him on the bench and turned so she could look at him more directly.

"I guess I'm in denial. I can't believe its turned out this way. I'm going to miss you."

AJ eyed her speculatively. He looked down at his feet then. This was the moment. Resigning had taken a certain courage which he had found easily, but this next step took nearly all he had. Finally he looked at her and shifted towards her on the bench.

"Maybe you've heard," he said "I resigned on Monday."

"AJ you didn't." She paled slightly. "It won't help me."

"No" he said, "I didn't do it for you." AJ shifted on the bench dropping his eyes to the dog at his feet. "It's complicated," he said, looking at her again. "I didn't do it with the intention of helping you out of this situation. I did it because professionally it is time for me to move on." Here he paused. The silence dragged as he began to switch the dog's leash from one hand to the other as he patted his coat pockets. Finally he reached inside the windbreaker and unzipped an interior pocket. His fist was tightly closed when he brought it out. He sat down beside her on the bench.

He said. "I listed my house for sale this week too."

"AJ?" She said. "Why?"

"Look I love you. I'm sorry about this mess over your career. But I'm not prepared for you to move on to a new post without me. If you go, we should go together." he paused then and slid off the bench onto one knee. The dog startled stood up and wagged her tail slowly. "What I'm trying to ask you is would you like to get married before I leave the Navy or after?"

Joey couldn't have been more stunned if he'd said he was running away to join the circus. She could hear the thud of her heart in her chest, but the warmth of the afternoon sun and bright green of the new spring foliage had all faded.

She looked into his face upturned, waiting for an answer. A ring sparkled in his hand.

"AJ" she shook her head slowly to clear the fog. "I don't know. I never expected. We never." Finally she reached out touching his arm and said "Just give me a minute. Sit with me."

He settled on the bench. The minutes stretching out. He had thought this through endlessly. At one time mission planning was a large part of his work and even now logistics wound their way into nearly everything he touched. But this stalling wasn't the reaction he expected. He had hoped she'd leap into his arms and accept immediately, but he knew thinking now more clearly than the past few days that that this quiet consideration was something he loved in her. She was spontaneous in small things, but thoughtful in all else.

"Do you love me?" He asked quietly. She turned and looked at him.

"Yes, of course" she said. "You're asking a lot AJ. We've never even discussed this."

"So lets talk about it now." He said.

"Big wedding or small?" She said.

"Big" he said "invite all our friends and coworkers and associates, but keep it casual."

"Right" she said. "When?"

"As soon as we can arrange it, within the month if possible." Joey nodded her agreement.

"What about my career?" She asked.

"Where ever you're posted, we go together. Married housing on base if necessary."

She nodded. "Will you work?"

"Yes, I'll practice law when I can or teach maybe."

"No children, right?" She said.

"Right, no children."

"What about the dog?" AJ looked at the dog laying at his feet, resting her muzzle on Joey's sneaker.

"Joint custody."

She laughed out loud. "Damn you AJ." She held out her left hand and he slid the glittering ring on to her finger.

There" he said. He leaned in and kissed her gently.

"I love you AJ." She said.. He let out a long sigh.

"Relieved?" she said.

"Yeah" he said, "there's already been an offer on my house and I wondered where I was going to live."

"AJ, you don't want a wife." She said pulling back slightly. "You want welfare and a room mate." She punched him lightly in the shoulder.

He shrugged and got to his feet, pulling her up and into a bear hug. "To late to turn back now." he said with a grin. He kissed her and she stalled as long as she could before responding. Dammit got to her feet too, and took this opportunity to revaluate her position. She circled them twice, drawing her leash tight against their legs, then laid down in a heap, while the kissing continued.

Note ... if you've read this far I'd appreciate some feedback. What did you love? What did you hate? Thanks!