Read a Romance!
Fireworks and love
Kate thought the honeymoon was long over . . . then Jack gave her a surprise
Hal wrote me a love poem,” my sister Liz bragged. “Isn’t he the most wonderful fiancé ever?”
I chuckled, glancing past my sewing machine. “The best.” “What’s that for?” she asked. “Fourth of July costumes.” Liz shot me a puzzled look. “The third grade has a float in the town’s annual parade. We can all go together.”
“I wish Hal wasn’t out of town.” She glanced at her watch. “Are you almost done? I thought we’d go shopping.”
“I really don’t need anything. Besides, I still have to make something for the bake sale.”
Liz pointedly assessed my clothes. “What happened to my fashionista sister?”
I looked down at my baggy T-shirt and scruffy jeans.
She frowned. “Dressing like that is not going to keep the romance in your marriage.”
And then he kissed me just like he used to!
“I hate to break this to you, but marriage isn’t one long honeymoon.”
My husband, Jack, entered the room. “It sure isn’t.”
When he laughed, I threw a towel at him.
“What’s this?” He assessed the box of expensive chocolates on the counter and popped one into his mouth.
“They’re from Hal,” Liz chirped. “He misses me.”
“Got it bad, huh? I feel for the guy,” Jack said.
Hands on hips, I faced my husband. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know. Guys do all kinds of crazy stuff when they’re in love.”
“Meaning you’re not in love?”
“I didn’t say that.” Panic streaked across his face. “Come on, Kate. You remember those red velvet cupcakes you used to bake me when we were dating?” “Yes.” “Well, you don’t make those anymore, do you?”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I’m just busy.” I waved the red, white and blue fabric in the air.
“That’s my point.” Jack quickly ducked out of the room.
A moment later, our thirdgrader, Mikey, walked in the door, head down, dragging his backpack. “Honey, what’s wrong?” “Mr. Feldman is sick. He can’t be in the parade,” he said.
“Isn’t there another teacher who can step in to be Uncle Sam? Or maybe a parent?”
“No.” He shook his head. “No adult. No float. No parade.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure out a solution.”
On Friday, Hal sent my sister flowers. A dozen red roses. He and Liz talked on the phone for hours, wrapped in a bubble of romantic bliss.
“We never acted like that, did we?” I asked Jack.
He shrugged, flipping channels on the television.
I sat next to him on the couch. When baseball came on, he leaned forward intently and turned up the volume. I got up and headed to the kitchen. “Hey, where are you going?” “Baking for the festival.” I caught a reflection of myself in the hall mirror and froze. What happened to the woman Jack married? It was time for some changes, not just for my husband, but for myself.
“What’re we going to do?” Mikey asked later as I added cocoa to the mixing bowl. “I’m working on it, sweetie.” “The parade’s tomorrow.” “I know, I know.” “Don’t worry,” Jack said, stepping into the kitchen. He pulled open the refrigerator. “I checked. A dad volunteered.”
The next day, I took my ratty T-shirt and jeans and threw them in the trash. After a long bubble bath, I grabbed a special outfit from the back of the closet and pulled my hair into a sassy ponytail.
“Wow, you look amazing,” Liz said, as we left the house. “Thanks,” I said with a grin. As we watched the parade, I searched for Jack. Minutes later, I saw the third-grade float. Next to Mikey, wearing the Uncle Sam costume was Jack. He’s the dad who volunteered.
I asked Liz to wait for Mikey and hurried back home.
When Jack walked in, he pulled off his Uncle Sam hat and smiled. “You look absolutely beautiful, Kate.” “You look terrific too.” He glanced at the counter. “You made my favorite cupcakes, just like you used to.” He bit into one. “Delicious.”
“Have I told you lately that you’re wonderful?”
“Even though I don’t send you chocolates?”
“Chocolates don’t last.” I wrapped my arms around him. “This does.”
“Come on, break it up,” Liz interrupted.
“No way,” Jack said. “Maybe you and Hal should take notes.”
And then he kissed me just like he used to.