It was late October and all the leaves on the trees had changed colors and were starting to fall. I loved the autumn season. It was all about getting ready for the holidays, or cozying up by the fire with a book and hot cocoa. Unfortunately, this year would be a lonely one. My family was back home and I was sitting by the window of a teeny tiny house just off the campus of my preferred college. I had a roommate who was hardly home, so I used the larger bedroom. Liv didn't mind, she was at her boyfriends house, and only dropped by for help with her math.
I had the day off. My job was restocking books at the campus library between classes. It was easy enough for me, though at times I would get bored with the repetition and let my mind wander.
Getting up from the window, I decide to head over to the Food-Mart and buy some stuff to stock up for the week ahead. I grab my lightweight hoody off the back of my one dining chair. Locking the door behind me, I swing my purse strap over my shoulder.
It totally sucked that I couldn't afford to fly home for the holidays. Ah well, more book reading time by the fire, right? It was just plain stupid that the campus house had a fireplace and only tiny rooms. I would gladly switch it out for closet space. Dang, I'd have to park farther out from the entrance than I was hoping. My thoughts revert to the 'here and now'. Before opening the door, I pull my hoody over my head. I check the mirror for standing stray hairs and lightly add a coat of gloss on my unmade face. Day-off remember?
Shopping though the aisles was easier than the parking-lot let on. Just as I'm loading my food in the trunk of my Accord the wind picks up, an SUV pulls into the parking spot next to me, and the flimsy plastic bag splits from the handles. All of my canned veggies clunk onto the asphalt. The person in the SUV gets out and alarms his car with a loud BOK BOK.
"Here let me help you." The guy says bending over to retrieve a can that had rolled toward his back wheel.
While I'm chasing my run away can of mexicorn, a dark tinted Alero honks for me to get out of the way. I pick up the unruly can as the car swerves around me.
"You ok?" he asks as I less than delicately chunk the can in with the rest. "That guy almost hit you." He hands me a green labeled can, which I throw in too, then I shut the trunk.
"Yeah, no I'm fine." I look up at my green bean rescuer. Standing before me has to be the cutest guy I'd ever seen, at least in awhile. If I wasn't red, embarrassed, and flustered before, I am now.
His expression is filled with concern. "You sure?" He asks again. I manage to nod my head. "Well, ok." He starts walking toward the entrance of the Food-Mart.
"Thanks!" I yell before he goes in. Turning around, he smiles, waves, and then walks in. My hood had flopped onto my shoulder, so I fling it back over and get into my car. I look in the mirror, hoping to see something good. Nope. My hair is wind blown, there is a small blade of grass in my lip gloss, and my face is red.
I pick the grass off my lip, smooth my hair down a bit and start backing up. Catching movement in my rearview mirror I brake to let a glamorously coiffed girl walk toward the Mart. She'll probably meet up with Handsome and there goes my future as Mrs. Handsome.
As I drive back home, I hear the cans roll around in the back. This was looking like the start of a long autumn semester.


I load as many books onto the wobbly old library cart as I can. There were so many returns today that it was taking that much longer to reshelf, and it was 6:35pm. I had 25 minutes. One of the stern librarians, who was working tonight, never let us stay behind. At the thought of Miss Brogan, I glance at the main counter where she stood. Looking up, she catches my eye and impatiently taps her wristwatch, then looks back down.
"Yeah, yeah yeah." I mutter to myself. Putting my head down, I focus on getting us out on time.
After quietly racing around the shelves, I go back to my almost empty cart and stop in surprise. Sitting atop the remaining books is a generic can of tomato sauce. I sweep the empty library for movement. Hearing a book thump to the ground at one end, I grab the can and race toward the sound.
I look down each aisle as I pass them. I stop short, when Miss Brogan flies around the corner.
"Really! A library is no place for running Kimora." Looking at the can in my hand, she looks back at me, and then brushes past.
"Who brought this in?" I ask looking down at the can in my hand. Turning, I try to keep up with her brisk pace.
Suspiciously, she looks over her shoulder at me. "A boy. Now if you don't mind, bring the cart around and I'll have to reshelf them tomorrow."
I sit the can on the cart as I wheel it back. The wall clock behind the counter reads 7:14. Her last statement rather hurt my feelings. She was the least favorite librarian among the student body, but still I tried being nice.
Grabbing my stuff from behind the counter, I make my way to the exit. I begin to wait for Miss Brogan but she waves me away as she turns the lights out.
There are only three cars in the parking lot. My heart flutters when I recognize the SUV next to my car. Leaning against the side of his vehicle facing mine is Mr. Handsome. I fleetingly experience the fight or flight adrenaline rush. I slow my steps to gain my bearings. Halfway there he looks toward the library entrance and sees me. Pulling himself away from the vehicle, he takes a few steps toward me hands in pockets.
"Hey." He smiles.
"Hi." I shyly reply. Awkward, just great.
"Hey, did you get your tomato sauce? I found it, after you drove away, in your parking spot."
"Oh yes, I did. Um thank you." I look through the stuff I'm caring feeling confused. Looking up at his equally confused expression I explain. "I think I left it behind in the library." I look back and see that the librarian had already closed and locked the door, and she was getting into her car.
He nods his head in the direction of Miss Brogans Buick. "She kind of pushed me out, saying I couldn't stay because the library would close."
I hold back a laugh. "I'm afraid she's very punctual, and I was running her late."
"I'm Jack, by the way." He extends his right hand.
"Kimora." I say smiling back.
"Pretty. Well, seeing as how your food is locked in the library, would you, I don't know, care to join me? We could grab something to eat." Seeing my hesitant expression he hurries on. "I'm hungry, and I'd love the company."
I look at my car, and think of the canned dinner I'd probably be eating at home alone.
"I understand if you have plans." He shrugs his shoulders and looks at the face of the library.
"Actually..." I begin which immediately puts a hint of a smile on his face and makes me feel silly happy. "I would love to."
"Great!" He walks over to the passenger door and opens it for me. I step up into the cab and take a look around as he closes the door. It smells like new vehicle. The interior is clean except for the usual, this time of year, dead blades of grass on the floor of the drivers' side, and an empty coffee cup in the holder. Hanging on a chain around his mirror is a brass key.
He gets in and starts the engine up. After clasping our seatbelts, he suggests a local restaurant. Recognizing the name, I agree and we start off.
Over small talk, I get the impression that he is out of college and just starting on his own. His shyness put me off a bit, because he appeared otherwise at the Food Mart.
As we pull into a parking spot I decide to enjoy the time hanging out with Jake instead of worrying if I'd be back to being alone tomorrow.


Over dinner Jake and I make small talk. Occasionally, we shyly exchange smiles. We share several interests; one of them being dancing.
"How about this Saturday night?" He suggests, as he pulls the check the waitress had just set down.
I open my mouth to decline and watch his hand claim the piece of paper on the table. Coming up with no reason not to, I accept." Sounds like a plan."
"A date?" His eyes lock onto mine.
I nervously smile, and nod as I say "A date."
He drops me off at my car and we drive our separate ways home. I couldn't stop smiling as I get ready for bed. Then reality hits me and I can scarcely sleep.
As the week progressed whether it was during my classes or while I reshelf library books my mind would wander to the way his eyes looked when he asked "A date?"
I knew it was unwise to allow my thoughts to wander, but I truly couldn't help it. Somehow I manage to survive the week without making any grade fatal mistakes.

Saturday evening. My hair is piled in a towel atop my head, hands on hips. I look from one pair of jeans to another lying across my bed. I grab the more faded and comfortable pair.
I'm glossing my lips as I hear a neighborhood echoing "Bok-Bok." The reflection of my eyes in the mirror widens. Finishing my lips, I turn and grab my jacket and purse from the one cleared corner of my unmade clothes-piled bed.
I open the door a little breathless after he knocks on the front door.
One hand in his jeans pocket the other still in a raised fist, he looks completely surprised. Immediately upon seeing me, his expression is replaced by a beautiful smile. I breathe out loudly as I grin back.
He looks and smells wonderful.
"Wow," he says, "you look beautiful." He then exaggeratedly extends his elbow to escort me.
"Thank you." I give him a lady-like curtsy and take his arm. He laughs out loud and I smile at his upturned face.
In the car he asks me about my week. Careful to not mention my main distraction I go over my week. In going over it I see that it wasn't too bad. I look at him and ask the same.
"It was ok for the most part; I had a problem focusing though.
Looking over towards me, he catches my eye and grins. I laugh and nod in agreement. "Yeah."
We dance to as many songs as we can between breaks. During one of the breaks, I lean across the small round table and loudly tell Jake. "I'm gonna run to the ladies room." I don't hear his response over the blaring music but I see his lips mouth. "OK." I walk past him since the rest rooms were located a ways behind him.
The music is dimmer in the ladies room. I couldn't believe how much fun it was being with Jake. I hum the familiar tune as I lean over the sink and reapply my make up. I snap my purse shut as I head back out holding the door open for a girl going in.
Across the room, I spy a stunning beautiful girl leaning on our table talking with Jake. My heart takes a painful dip and I slow down. I want so badly to turn and find a phone to call my friend so that she could get her boyfriend to give me a ride home.
I mechanically make my way through the crowded club toward the two despite my self preserving desire to run away. Two tables behind Jake I'm force to stop as a waitress sets down drink and is paid.
A slow song begins and I hear over the din of people talking. "'¦yeah, but she's not here right now is she?" The waitress moves and I'm morbidly drawn to hear his response.
"And I told you, no. I'm with her."
Prettily she pouts and puts a hand on his arm. "Aww, come on just one."
Taking a dangerous edge to his tone, he shrugs her hand off. "I am not interested."
A bubble of happiness wells in my chests. I approach his ear and whisper "need help?"
Jumping, he looks and sees it's me. Shoulders relaxing considerably he smiles at me. "No, but thanks."
This time surprising me, he pulls me close and kisses me ever so gently. My face I can feel turns red. I take my seat and glance at him. His eyes are shyly downcast. Quickly looking around I see that the girl had moved across the club and was pestering another guy.
Jake takes a sip, sets the glass down and coolly looks across the table at me. I see the smallest hint of anxiety.
I smile and ask. "Wanna keep dancing or do you wanna head out for something to eat?"
Seeing that I wasn't going to get mad or start asking questions, and then force him to become defensive, he smiles back.
"Whichever the lady prefers."
"Good." I say louder since the music started back up. I grab my jacket and put it on.
I look at Jake's confused expression. "I'm hungry." I yell.
Nodding his head and laughing, he reaches for his jacket and we head out.


That semester Jake and I started dating. We agreed to take things slow. What's the rush these days? For Christmas he bought me what I most wanted, a two way flight to see my family. When I got back he was waiting at the airport to pick me up.

Two years and a few months later, I was the first to congratulate him when he started his own business. It was late spring so we did the whole champagne and sandwich in a basket thing. Ants invaded the blanket; we spilled most of the champagne in the frenzy, and ended up eating dry sandwiches and sharing the last of the champagne in one cup.

Less than a year after that, I graduated. As always I had Jake's support. The heel strap of my left sandal broke. I graduated barefoot. The pretty petite Dean understood, and I'm sure now everyone in my class has a commemorative picture of my bare feet. We do.


I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The memories of our first few years together were always fun to remember
I glance down at my SUV clock. I had five more minutes. I look at the other waiting cars and wave and smile to familiar faces. I straighten the brass key around my mirror. Jake had given it to me the evening he proposed, which was the summer I graduated. We had only two and a half months to prepare. I had wanted an autumn marriage.
Suddenly and loudly a buzzer sounding bell goes off. I tear my eyes from the red and gold leafed trees to the door of the primary school as children begin to pour out.
I spot my two as my cell phone rings. Keeping an eye on them, I greet my husband of eight years over the phone.
"You got the kids yet?" My favorite voice asks.
The back seat door opens and all the noise enters the cab.
"Uh-huh." My seven year old daughter greets me with a sticky kiss on the cheek. My six year old son yells out "Hi mom!"
"Well, tell them I've got a surprise for them and I'll bring it home after work."
I'm looking back to make sure the kids strap in. Over their less than quiet talking, I turn and face forward again. "Oh, Jake, you didn't?"
"Yes, Kimora my love, I did. We'll talk when I get home. Tell them I love them and you."
"I love you too." I snap the phone shut a little grumpy. I pull away from the curb and start driving home in silence.
Sensing something not quite right my daughter asks. "What's the matter mama?"
"Nothing baby doll. Daddy says 'hi and he loves you'. So how was your day?"
Both start talking at once. Planning ahead I decide to wait until their homework is done before telling them of 'the surprise'. That daddy was bringing them home their little hearts desire, a puppy.
I wasn't too keen on the idea of them having a pet at their age, but I lost the argument.
As the kids finish their snacks and prepare for their homework the phone rings.
Seeing Jakes number, I hesitantly answer. "Hello?"
"Hey good looking, got plans for tonight?"
I look at the disaster path the kids had just created. My mind goes over the meal plan. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Good, I've got a surprise for you too."
He had my attention. "Oh yeah?"
"I've got a babysitter, we're going out tonight."
I smile into the phone. "I'll be ready."

Who would have thought that lousy fall semester back in college would be the beginning of a new and happy life?

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