Between Friends. Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ even look at him. And Dad treated him like a criminal for having the audacity to ask his little girl out on a date. What neither of my parents seems to understand is that I’m not a child. I’m eighteen years old and perfectly capable of making my own decisions, and I reminded my father of this before he had time to tell me otherwise. Dad insisted that it didn’t matter what age I am. As long as I live under his roof, I have to do what he says and he doesn’t want me dating Nick Murphy. Then Nick and Dad started shouting at each other and Nick stormed out. I haven’t spoken to Mom or Dad since, but they can’t stop me from seeing Nick and they know it.

      They think that just because I’m leaving for college in a few weeks, what Nick and I feel for each other will end. I haven’t told Nick yet, but I’ve decided I’m going to marry him. I knew it the first time he kissed me. No, even before that, when he wouldn’t kiss me because I was wearing Scott’s ring. He’s everything I want in a husband. Three girls in our graduating class are already married. Lesley, Judy and Pam. Soon it will be Nick and me, and then we’ll see what Dad has to say.

      NAME: DAVID MICHAEL KNOWLES

      BORN: SEPTEMBER 29, 1966 WEIGHT: 6 LBS, 7 OUNCES LENGTH: 20 INCHES PARENTS: BUCK AND LESLEY KNOWLES

      JILLIAN LAWTON

       BARNARD COLLEGE PLIMPTON HALL NEW YORK, NY 10025

      October 10, 1966

      Dearest Lesley,

      I can’t believe it, you’re a mother! I opened the birth announcement and nearly screamed with excitement. I loved the picture, but really, Les, little David’s going to be mortified when he’s older and sees this photo of him only a few hours old with a blue ribbon in his hair. The poor thing. You didn’t say a word about labor. Was it horrible?

      I hate school. Well, not exactly hate it, but I miss everyone so much. Mostly Nick and you, of course. I’m living in a big dorm and sharing a room with Janice Stewart, a girl from Florida. She seems nice, but she isn’t you. We talk some but we don’t seem to have a lot in common. She doesn’t have a boyfriend back home and doesn’t understand what it is to miss someone the way I miss Nick.

      Speaking of Nick, he can’t afford phone calls and he doesn’t want me “wasting” all my allowance on phoning him, so we write nearly every day. Don’t be shocked if I tell you how much I love him. Please don’t be like everyone else. Just be happy for me the way I am for you and Buck.

      You asked about my classes, and thus far everything’s going all right, I guess. The classes, especially history, are wonderful, with lots of discussion. If it wasn’t for those I think I’d go nuts. Dad suggested I fulfill all the course requirements in my first year and I followed his advice, but I did sign up for one psychology class, which I’m really enjoying. New York isn’t so bad, either, not the way I thought it would be. Last weekend, Janice and I went into Manhattan and took the ferry over to Ellis Island and climbed the Statue of Liberty.

      Gotta scoot, but I promise I’ll write again soon. I hope David likes the baby blanket. It’s handmade (although not by me!).

      Love,

       Jillian

      DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

      Detachment C, 500th Personnel Services Battalion

       Unit 20121 APO AE 09107

      ORDERS 65-10 22 December 1966

      KNOWLES, DAVID JAMES, 552-02-3776, SFC 587TH SIG CO 9WFTXAA0 APO AE 09131

      You will proceed on permanent change of station as shown. Information concerning port call will be provided separately.

      You are hereby ordered to report for active duty in Vietnam.

      Reporting Date: 26 December 1966

      1967

      JILLIAN LAWTON

       BARNARD COLLEGE PLIMPTON HALL NEW YORK, NY 10025

      January 16, 1967

      Dear Nick,

      I know we only said goodbye a few days ago, and already I find myself missing you so much I don’t know how I can possibly go back to school. I can’t bear to be this far away from you! The Christmas holidays were wonderful because of all the time we were able to spend together, despite my parents. You’d think that by now they’d realize you and I are serious.

      I’ve always thought of my father as a man of wisdom, but these past three weeks have opened my eyes. Okay, he’s right, you do have a record, but that happened years ago when you were fourteen. Everyone makes mistakes and your record’s been clean ever since. I hate to say this, but my father is a fool.

      I don’t want you to feel bad about the argument between me and Dad. It’s been building for a long time. I tried to talk to Mom and she listened, but I know she immediately told my father everything I said. I can’t trust her. The only people I can talk to anymore are you and Lesley. How different all our lives are from just a year ago! Last year at this time the most pressing problem was what theme to choose for the Junior/Senior Prom.

      Lesley looked good, don’t you think? I didn’t mind that Buck wasn’t there when we went to visit. Little Davey is a beautiful baby. Holding him made me long for a baby of my own. I’d need to think about who his daddy would be. Any volunteers?

      Again, I want you to know that I truly love the medal of the Virgin Mary you gave me. I’ll treasure it forever. It’s especially dear to me because it once belonged to your mother. Every time I miss you, I reach for it and hold it tight and am instantly reassured of your love. It’s on a long chain and falls close to my heart. That’s where you are, even though we can’t be together.

      You don’t need to say the words, Nick. I already know how you feel about me because that’s the way I feel about you. I love you, Nick, heart and soul. I don’t care what my parents say. I don’t care what anyone says. I’m crazy in love with you.

      I want you to seriously consider what I mentioned on New Year’s Eve. I know Pine Ridge is your home and where your dad’s gas station is, but at least consider moving to New York. Just think of all the money we’d save on phone calls and stamps!! I can’t imagine what life will be like without you for the next three and a half years. I’m not sure I can continue with school if it means we can’t be together.

      Promise me you’ll think about it, okay? And write me soon. I live for your letters.

      Hugs and kisses,

       Jillian

      January 27, 1967

      My dearest Jillian,

      Me move to New York? I thought you were joking when you suggested it earlier, but I can see now that you were serious. Sweetheart, I can’t. Not because it isn’t tempting—I’m here to tell you everything about you tempts me and has since the first moment I saw you. More than anything, I want to be close to you, but Dad needs my help at the gas station. Jimmy’s getting to be a handful, too. He’s fourteen and the kid needs his big brother around to keep an eye on him. Besides, my dad’s working out a deal with one of his buddies who teaches at Bailey’s Trade School to get me my mechanic’s certification. I’ll be taking some night classes. Seeing that I’ve been tinkering with cars since I was twelve, it seems СКАЧАТЬ