Chapter 19 - Christmas 1979

"You look different," Meredith, Marie's cousin, said when she took her coat.

Marie asked, "What do you mean?"

Meredith closed the closet door and turned toward her. "Not a bad different… just different."

Marie smiled. "I feel the same."

Meredith returned the smile and led her into the kitchen. There Marie's mom, Aunt Judy, Aunt Kathy, and her grandma were cooking. They were talking and when they saw Marie, they gave her a hug.

"You look different," Abigail Harris said.

Marie laughed. "Mere said that, too."

Abigail smiled. "Are you doing ok?"

Marie nodded. "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

Her Aunt Kathy came over and gave her another hug. "We heard about Simon. It's a shame I didn't meet him. I would have hit him across the back of his head."

Marie tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and chuckled. "Simon is out of the picture."

Her grandmother took a hold of her hand and stated, "You're in love. I know that look. Who is he?"

Marie blushed. "His name is Dave. He plays for the hockey team."

"What?" Abigail asked. "When did this happen?"

Marie told them, "Two days ago." She was smiling her ass off and pointed to her face. "Look at me. I can't stop smiling."

"Why didn't you bring him?" Aunt Judy asked.

"Well… he's from Boston and he flew home this morning for Christmas," she told them. She leaned against the counter and put her face in her hands. "I'm already missing him like crazy."

"Is he a nice boy?" Aunt Kathy asked.

Abigail replied, "He is the most polite, good natured young man I have ever met. I am thrilled that you two are together."

Marie turned to her mom. "Do you really mean that?"

"That Thanksgiving game that Josh had, I kept watching you both, thinking they'd make such a cute couple," she told her.

Marie smiled at her mom. "That means a lot to me. I'm glad… no thrilled that you like him."

Meredith asked, "He's a hockey player?"

Marie nodded. "He's playing on the 1980 Olympic team."

"Does he plan on playing for the NHL?"

"He wants to. He got drafted by the Rangers."

"Remember our wish?"

A fourteen-year-old Marie and a 15-year-old Meredith were sitting in front of the TV watching a Minnesota North Stars game. Danny Grant, a right wing, for the North Stars just scored a goal and the girls were ecstatic. He was their favorite.

"He is so cute," Meredith said.

"I wish I could meet him and he'd fall for me so fast that he didn't know what hit him," Marie gushed.

Meredith smiled. "I just wish to meet a hockey player and from there we get married and have some kids."

"Me, too. Support them through the good times, the bad times. I wish that would just happen. I hope when we get older, there will be a cute guy on the team and we could meet him and all that jazz."

"That would be awesome."

Marie nodded. "I guess it happened."

"When do we get to meet him?"

"Meet who?" Josh asked coming in the room.

Marie smiled. "My new boyfriend."

Josh sighed. "What's his name?"

Marie rubbed the top of his head. He batted her hands away. "Dave Silk."

Josh looked at his sister and smiled. "Are you serious?"

Marie nodded. "So… what do you think?"

Josh gave Marie a hug. "That rocks. He's so cool. I am so happy for you."

Marie said, "I knew you'd be."

Josh got himself a drink before leaving the kitchen. Marie started to answer questions thrown at her from everybody in the kitchen. They wanted to know everything about him and she told them. She only mentioned how they talked about how they felt toward one another, she didn't want to mention how it all started. Later on that night, her dad, uncle's, other cousins, and Grandpa asked her about Silk, too. She was happy that everybody was happy with the news.

vvv

Marie nervously dialed the number to Silk's parent's house. It was Christmas night and it was after nine in Boston. She hoped it wasn't too late to call or that it was a really bad time.

"Hello," a sweet voice answered.

Marie hesitated for a second. "Hi. I'm sorry to call so late, but I'm calling for Dave."

"May I ask whose calling?"

"Marie."

The lady said, "Oh… he's in his room. I'll go get him for you."

Marie heard the phone being set down and she waited patiently for a few minutes before someone picked it up.

"He'll be right here. Marie… I'm Abigail, Dave's mom. It's so nice to finally talk to you. Dave has told me so much about you."

Marie was thankful that his mom couldn't see her blushing. "It's nice to meet you. He's told me about you, too."

"You'll be in New York for the games, won't you?" she asked.

Marie nodded, but realized that Mrs. Silk couldn't see her. "Yes, I will be."

"We'll talk then. Dave is standing here not being patient," she said to her miles away.

When Silk picked up the receiver, Marie's nervousness went away and a smile took over. "Hey, yourself."

"How are you?"

"Not bad now that I'm talking to you. How are you?"

"The same. I'm missing you like crazy," he told her.

Marie's heart hurt when she heard that. "Me, too. It's only been two days since I last saw you and I'm missing you like you wouldn't believe."

"How was your Christmas?"

"Well, yesterday my Grandma was like… you're in love. My mom was thrilled that we got together. She really likes you. Josh was ecstatic about it. Dad was happy. Tom can't wait to meet you and actually threaten you."

"So I don't have to worry about Mac telling me he'll kick my ass, then?"

Marie smiled. "I think that'll happen, too."

Silk laughed. "Can't wait."

"My cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all want to meet you as soon as possible."

"Mine, too. I told my mom last night and she smiled and hugged me. The rest of my family is thrilled."

"Speaking of your mom, she's not mad that I called after nine, is she?"

"Are you kidding? She's standing nearby, smiling her butt off, being annoying," he said to her.

Marie laughed. "I can't wait to meet her."

"I'm pretty sure she can't wait either."

"Have you seen any of your friend's yet?"

"The day after tomorrow," he replied. "I already talked to Dan and we mad plans to hang out."

"That's cool."

"What are you planning on doing the next few days?"

"Hanging out with my friend's and working."

"Fun times."

"Of course."

They talked for a half an hour before they hung up. He didn't want her phone bill to rack up, but she knew if she told him it didn't matter, he'd just argue over it. So when she hung up, she sighed and went off to bed.

vvv

"Are you having the New Year's Eve party this year?" Marie asked her friend, Josie.

"Parents are going out of town," Josie replied. "I've been planning it."

"So we are going to meet Rizzo and Silk, right?" Frankie asked.

'We're bringing them," Regan told her.

Marie asked Frankie, "How are the wedding plans coming along?"

Frankie smiled. "Good. We decided to make it really small. Only two couples. Rick didn't want a big wedding and I agreed. We wanted to focus on us. We want it intimate where everybody was going to have fun."

"That's what it's all about," Connie replied.

Josie replied, "I want to elope."

"What?" Frankie asked.

Josie shrugged. "You guys know me. I hate being the center of attention. I'd freeze up if I have to walk down the aisle. Besides it's not like we can't have a reception to celebrate the marriage."

"True," Greta stated.

"Hey, you're already married," Stephanie replied.

"So? I think it's a brilliant idea. You saw my wedding. It was nuts," Greta replied.

Marie started laughing when they started to get in a small argument. She swore if she had a quarter jar, she'd be really rich. Those two usually got into an argument every time they get together. After a couple of minutes, she started thinking about Silk and she didn't realize how big of a smile was on her face.

"What are you thinking about?" Regan asked. "Oh wait, never mind. I know who, Silky."

Marie turned red. "How'd you tell?"

Frankie smiled. "I think it's great. The best love's are usually when two friend's get together."

Stephanie asked, "Is he a good kisser?"

Marie chuckled in astonishment. "Oh man."

"I guess he is," Greta remarked.

Regan put an arm around Marie. "I know how you feel? I miss Rizzo," she quietly told her. "We talked yesterday."

"I have no clue what I'm going to do when I see him," Marie said.

"What do you mean?"

"When we hung out the day before they left, we kept on kissing. There's a spark every time. I'm scared that when we hang out when he gets back, we're just going to do something that we might not be ready for."

"You mean you aren't interested in seeing…"

"Regan!" she quietly exclaimed. "God, you're horrible."

"You're the one that brought it up," she pointed out. "Seriously…"

"We've done it," she whispered.

"Say that again?"

"When we went out last week I asked him because I wanted to tell him I loved him. I lost my nerve, but I went back to tell him. I kissed him and one thing led to another," she explained.

Regan stared at her for a few minutes before smiling. "Oh my."

"Please don't ask me anything like was he good," Marie said.

"I wasn't going to," Regan replied. "I'm shocked."

"So unlike me, I know."

"I think you should follow your heart," Regan stated.

Marie smiled. "I know." She went back to listening to the group.

vvv

Marie was sitting outside on the crate again a few nights later on her break staring at the stars. She wasn't paying attention to anything that was going on around her and just like a week ago, didn't hear someone walk up.

"What is a beautiful girl like you sitting outside in the cold for?"

Marie turned in shock toward the person, but leapt up and ran over to Silk. They hugged and then kissed. They stayed like that for a few minutes before they parted.

"Why didn't you call me to tell me you were coming back today?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

"I am surprised all right."

"When do you get off? I was thinking about hanging out."

"Tonight is not good. Tomorrow I'm free."

"Don't make any plans."

"I won't."

They leaned in again. It's been only six days since they saw one another, but you'd think it was a year. They kissed until her break was over and yet it didn't stop them. She was ready to call it a night just to be with him. She knew they were becoming one of those couples that you wanted to yell at to get a room, but she didn't care. They were in love and to her it was a really awesome feeling.