Remembrance

Part Four

I met my husband, James Daniels, just before my fourteenth birthday. James was tall like me which was in his favor even when we were younger, at least in my eyes. Being a lanky young teenager wasn't good if you were a girl. James had a dark brooding look even then with his black hair and creamy brown eyes. His father was of Italian and English ancestry which you couldn't see in him at all. His mother was from a Greek background that was obvious right away. He showed up at my brother, Gabe's birthday party uninvited with his cousin Nick. Nick brought him along and no one minded we were all having a good time. James was shy even then having been orphaned at a young age he had been raised with Nick and his family. I was in the kitchen helping Mom with the cake when they came in he smiled at me and as they say, my life was never the same.

He introduced himself with a smile showing that he had nice even teeth and a dimple in his cheek. His looks certainly didn't hurt but his shyness floored me. Most guys with his looks are arrogant even as teenagers. I hesitate to write this knowing he may read it but, I was hooked on him right away. Of course at my age my hormones where all over the place. Nick had left him in the kitchen with me and Mom but he didn't seem to mind he even helped us take by taking out the plates and napkins. Gabe's birthday turned out to be a life changing day for me.

What I learned: Love can spring from unexpected sources.

After I met James and we became friends I became more involved in sports than before up until then I played volleyball with the local kids or went biking with my cousins but I wasn't really into to those things until James. Of course it was because I wanted to spend time with him. I got those funny feelings in my stomach whenever he was around. My Mom and Aunt Missy let us joined the activities sponsored by the community center since we were all getting older so it turned out well for all of us, even Michael liked joining in. He was still stubborn and strong willed so I felt sorry for Uncle Sam when he had to get on to him. Uncle Sam was always laid back about it though he figured Mike would grow out of his ways.

When I first begin to be interested in James my parents decided they better have "the talk with me". I tried not to roll my eyes as we all sat down at the kitchen table after the other kids were asleep. Gabe had already had his turn with Dad almost a year before, I think Dad was concerned that Gabe had his genes in the women department. I could tell Dad was uncomfortable he looked like he wasn't sure why he was even there. Bethany had already given me details, more than I am sure I needed to know, from her point of view anyway. We had only just begun sex education in our home studies. But this was the personal talk the one that would tell me what the boundaries were in our household, not the general anatomy type lessons.

"Jessica," Mom began.

"Cassie maybe you should be the one who tells her this since…uh… she's a young lady," Dad said trying hard to get out of this. I was his little Sweet Cakes after all.

"Dean please, I think you will want to add something," Mom said as she pleaded with him with her eyes and she touched his hand.

I felt like she might need some support too, I stifled a grin.

"First off let's just say that you will not be dating, one on one until your sixteen, that's how it will be, no exceptions."

"Yes, Mom," I said.

"Until that time I want you to understand that …what we discussed in class is a special relationship that should be reserved for your husband, without a doubt."

"Mom?"

"Let your Mom finish."

"Yes, sir."

"I don't feel I have to dictate other wise what you do, I personally feel hand holding for a couple of years is sufficient but I trust you to have good judgment," she stated.

"I agree with your mother," Dad said as though some how that was in question.

Mom looked at him like she hoped he might input some Fatherly insight. He didn't he just looked uncomfortable. I could only imagine the thought of his little girl doing any kissing other than on his cheek was not a happy thought for him. Dad never has wanted to let me grow up though I had noticed him hovering over Mags not that I was jealous again.

"Do you have any questions? We both know we've taught you right from wrong and with your gift I am confident that you will do the right things," Mom ended.

"I do have a question?"

"Yes," Dad said.

"Um, …so the time from now until I am sixteen, any time with James has to be in groups, right?"

"Exactly."

I hesitated to say anything else.

"You know you can talk to us about anything. What's on your mind?" Mom asked.

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?" Dad asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Positive, is that all?"

They nodded as they both got up from the table. How could I break their hearts and tell them James and I had already kissed. I promised myself from that point on to be a better daughter, explaining to James was something I dreaded. He actually seemed relieved when I told him I didn't feel good about where our kissing seemed to be headed. He agreed we were too young for little more than hand holding so we backed off, though James was a year older than me. I felt closer to him after that; so things went back into the normal track.

What I learned: Honesty and straightforwardness are virtues

One of the few supernatural encounters that I have had occurred around the same time. I was alone in the house using the bathroom while everyone else was outside in the yard because we were having a barbecue. I walked out of the bathroom and straight into something opaque. It was a spirit of some sort. It didn't seem malevolent I didn't feel any type of warning bells go off ; it just wasn't evil. It just stood in front of me. It was a female with blonde hair and she smiled at me. I put my hand right through her. It hit me after I did that it was my grandmother, it was all suddenly clear.

"Grandma?"

"Jessica," she whispered.

"What?" I tried to utter.

Then I saw flashes in my head. There was a fire, a woman on the ceiling, then a little boy with a baby. I had heard the story a few times but it was there in my head like a movie; it was so real like I was standing there watching. But why was I seeing it? What could I do? I felt momentarily depressed. Then she touched me but it seemed feather light on my cheek.

"I love you," she said against my cheek then she was gone.

I sat down at the kitchen table to gather my thoughts then Dad came in the back door.

"Hey, you okay?"

I told him what happened. He assured me that his Mom was watching over us. He said that sometimes she showed up that way and not to worry. He suggested maybe the images where so I would know for sure who she was since I had never met her.

"It was …strange to finally meet her that way," I said with a smile.

"You'll be fine, Sweet Cakes," he said as playfully tickled me.

Then James came in looking for me and Dad encouraged us to come back outside.

What I learned: Ghostly encounters can be blessings.

My father once told me that he thought I was an "old soul". When I asked what he meant he explained that it is someone who matured early or has a more advanced understanding of things. I felt it was a complement. Interesting thing is with some of the stories Dad has told me about his past I believe he is one also. I guess it was another thing he and I had in common.

TBC

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