DINNER AND A MOVIE:

It was mid November. Joe was terribly excited. About two weeks ago, he received the tape of Jess' game. However, he's not been able to watch until now. A friend of him who works with video could not get the tape transferred until now. Because it had been recorded on an American camcorder, there was no way anyone here in England was going to be able to watch it. But, now it was ready. He went over to his friend's studio and picked up. Joe felt like Christmas had come early, however little did he know how good this day would turn out.

When he got back to the pub, he called Mr. Bhamra's cell phone to tell him what he had, and asked if he could bring it over to watch with them. Not only was Jess' father excited to finally be able to watch his daughter play a college game, but he was able to extend a very important invitation to dinner that night. Mr. Bhamra also had a gift to give.

After hanging up with Jess' dad, he made a quick call to Jess herself. However she must have been in class, so he left a message saying he was going to be at her parents' house that night to watch her tape and to have dinner…..and to tell her that he loved her.

He ran home real quick, and tidied himself up a bit.

Promptly at 6pm, Joe rang the doorbell and the Bhamra residence. Jess' father opened the door, and greeted Joe with a friendly handshake. Mrs. Bhamra called out from the kitchen, "Joe, it is so nice of you to join us tonight. It's not as much fun when it's just Moran and I. And I hear you have tape of Jessminder."

"Yes, Mrs. Bhamra, that is correct. I haven't seen it myself either, and I'm really curious to see what their coach does with them." replied an eager Joe.

"Are you thirsty Joe?" asked his host.

"I'll have whatever you're having sir." replied Joe.

While Mrs. Bhamra made the last minute preparations on their meal, the two very different men talked eagerly about Jess' season. Santa Clara had made the playoffs, and currently were in the middle of a push for the national championship. And from what Joe was able to piece together through stories online and Jess and Jules, they were a huge part of the reason for the team's success.

Eventually the three sat down for dinner. The chatter was friendly and comfortable. And the food was even better. Joe never left the Bhamra table hungry, that's for sure. And the compliments he always paid Mrs. Bhamra made her feel on top of the world. The more she was around this young man, the more she liked him. Her husband had hinted that their daughter loved this goreh and she could understand why. At first she was a bit shocked, but the more she thought about this and spent time with Joe, the more natural it felt. She was beginning to think he would make a good son-in-law. He even helped her clear the table. Yes, this was a good man.

The three then went into the room where the television was located. Mr. Bhamra popped the tape into the video player. They talked much during the first half, since Jess had limited playing time. Even Mrs. Bhamra wondered why her daughter wasn't playing with her friend. Joe assured her with his smile that that would change. Soon enough the unlikely trio watched on the screen as the two girls they knew took their place on the field. It all happened so quickly, but it was amazing. There were Jess and Jules charging the net. And there it was, Jess scored that important goal. Mrs. Bhamra even let out and excited yell. Joe figured if he got enough of these tapes, he would turn Jess' mom into a huge football fan.

They sat for a few moments talking about the game. Even though it was almost a month old, they were excited about what they saw. Jess' parents were very thankful that Joe decided to share this moment with him. Mr. Bhamra was surprised that Joe hadn't watched it by himself, and then brought it over. Another plus in a protective father's book. Mr. Bhamra knew these two young people were scared to approach him about their relationship, but he knew he was going to make it easy on them.

And because of that, he had something to give Joe. He waited until his wife was in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner mess. After she left the room, Mr. Bhamra turned his attention to Joe.

"So Joe, are you getting ready for the upcoming season here?"

"Yes, however Jess and Jules leave me with big holes on the team. It's going to be hard to fill them." answered Joe. "And with this season being the first pro one, I have a lot on my plate. I need to hire an assistant coach, and soon."

"Have you advertised the position yet?"

"Not yet, but we will soon. I need to talk to the league chairman, as I have an idea of a good assistant. In fact, one I would like your advice on." commented Joe.

"M-my opinion?" questioned a very bewildered Mr. Bhamra.

"Well, I was considering asking Jess' friend Tony to help me out. He knows a lot about football. Heck he taught Jess a lot of what she knows. And if he did that, he's the best candidate I know." said Joe. "Do you think he'd be interested?

"Hmmm……I think he would. However, you will have to ask Tony. And I know he's dealing with university plans as well." replied Mr. Bhamra. "Now Joe, I have something I must share with you. This is for you to read, and while you read that, I am going to assist my wife."

With that, Joe was handed a letter. Even before he really looked at it, he knew he was reading a letter from Jess to her father. Joe wondered what was contained within, that Mr. Bhamra felt that he needed to read it. Joe took a deep breath and began reading.

Dear Dad,

As you have noticed, you received this letter from Pinky and not from your own postbox. I needed you to read this without Mom's influence. I hope you understand why, after you have read everything. I also hope, that when the time is right, you share my feelings with Mom.

You and I have talked about Joe on occasion. I really don't know where to start, so I will try to explain everything. All I really know is that I love him. I love him so much, that I really can't imagine my life without him in it. He has given me the moon and the stars, and I feel like I have given him nothing in return. All I can give him is my love.

No one planned for this happen. I never planned on playing football. I didn't plan on going to America to play football and get an education. Nor did I plan to fall in love with my coach. And even more, I never planned on falling in love with a white man. But that is what has happened. God has somehow planned for this to happen. I don't know why, but who am I to question him? You always taught me, that we cannot change our future. I believe what is happening now if part of my future. And Joe will be my future.

All I can hope for, is that you let us have a chance to discover our future. I know this isn't what you and Mom wanted for me, but it's what I want. Joe has changed my life, and made a huge impression on it already. That will never change. I would hate to live my life with this impression in it, and not have the man responsible for that impression in my life.

We can talk more about this when I am home on break, however I just needed you to know how I felt before I get home. I plan on spending as much time with Joe as possible over my holiday. Three weeks will give me plenty of time with you and the family as well. I have no plans on skipping out on you, because you are my family and I miss you all terribly.

Please Dad…all I ask is that you hear me out. I will try to live by your wishes, whatever they may be. But I really don't want to be tempted to go against your wishes. No matter what happens Dad, I love you. I hope you and Mom always remember that.

Love,

Jessminder

Joe sat there bewildered. He felt terribly honored and humbled that Mr. Bhamra had chosen to share these personal thoughts with him. The emotion in Jess' words made him cry. He was wiping his eyes as Jess' father returned to the living room.

"I see you had the same reaction that I did." commented a quiet Mr. Bhamra.

"I really am undeserving of her words." said Joe. "I haven't given her nearly as much, as she has given me. Before I met your daughter, I thought my life was pretty good. But after…well after I met her, I realized just how empty my life really was. At 22 years of age, I thought I had everything all figured out. But I found out that I didn't, and in reality, I was pretty stupid. She is the one who convinced me to contact my dad about the successes I was having coaching the girls' team here. I haven't talked to him in four years. It's because of your daughter, that I am slowly rebuilding a relationship with my family. I never would have thought it was possible, but somehow your daughter has made this possible for me. She says that I gave given her the stars and the moon. That's not true. She has given that to me. I will have to work my entire life to repay her for what she has given me. And sir, I would like to be given that opportunity. And you can call me crazy if you like. But even though I haven't know her long, I know that I want to marry her."

Joe looked at Mr. Bhamra. Then he bent his head. To Mr. Bhamra, Joe looked like a man praying, which is exactly what he was doing. Joe hadn't prayed in years, but he hoped that God heard his prayers. Prayers that Mr. Bhamra wouldn't kick him out of his house. God obviously listened to Joe that night.

"Joe." Mr. Bhamra said to break Joe out of his solitude. "You have my permission. Please remember however, that she is my daughter, and one of God's most precious gifts to me."

Joe nodded. He was completely speechless. Joe attempted to hand him back Jess' letter, however Mr. Bhamra wouldn't accept it.

"No Joe, that belongs to you now."

"Th-thank you sir."

"Now, you can go out and buy one of those fancy engagement rings you gorehs buy." laughed Mr. Bhamra.

"I assure you sir, it won't be too fancy…I don't have that kind of money" laughed Joe.

Joe suddenly turned serious. "Mr. Bhamra, I was wondering if Jess could accompany me to Ireland for Christmas. I'm leaving for home the day before Christmas Eve and coming back two days after Christmas Day. I would really love it if Jess could come and meet my family."

Mr. Bhamra thought to himself for a moment. Why not, he thought to himself, he's asking for permission just like he's always asked for permission. Mr. Bhamra had complete trust in this young man, there was only one answer he could give.

"Joe, you may take Jessminder to Ireland with you. Just promise me that you two spend as much time as you can with her mother and I. We're planning on having a big party on New Year's Eve, and would appreciate your presence there…especially as our future son-in-law."

"Thank you sir. I hate to do this, but I really must get back to my place. I have some bookkeeping to do before I go to sleep. And I was hoping to talk to Jess before going to sleep."

"Joe, no apologies are needed. Go, and tell our daughter we love her."

The two men shook hands, an exchange of trust had taken place. He said his goodbyes for the night. As he walked out the door, he felt like he had been handed the world. Mr. Bhamra commented to his wife, that there goes our future son-in-law…and surprisingly, she didn't question him. She simply nodded in agreement.

When Joe got home, he turned on his computer. By doing that, he was greeted by the message he knew would be there waiting for him.

"I love you Joe."

To which Joe responded, "I love you Jess." And by doing so, he was up far later than he planned on, but after the gift he'd been given tonight, nothing like a lack of sleep could hold him down.