I heard the knocking on my door as I raced down the stairs. I throw the door open and sprung myself and the person standing there. I felt his head sink into my shoulder and arms snake around my waist, tears leaving both our eyes. We stood like that for a while before he whispered into my ear, "What am I going to do?"
"Well right now, you are going to come into my house, and we are going to take a shot, then down some strong coffee and eat some cake." I whispered back as I pulled away, taking his hand and guiding him inside.
He just sat on my couch as I brought out the coffee, bourbon and then went back for the cake, he was so still, not even a tear could come out, because he had no more to give. I sat next to him and poured the liquid into the glasses, which he just stared at until I asked, "What happened?"
"Suicide." He took his shot, and then mine, then tried to take the bottle from me.
"Why?" I pulled the bottle closer to me, he placed his hand down and just laid his head on my chest, right over my heart.
"I don't know." I looked down at his face, his eyes shut, trying so hard to relax.
"Wanna go upstairs?"
He just shook his head as I took his hand and led him up to the bed. He crawled into the bedding and I tucked him in, kissed his cheek and was about to leave when his voice stopped me, "Will you come lay down with me Lecia?"
I curled up behind him on the other side, his hand placed over mine as we just stared at the wall, he finally broke the silence, "I remembered what I told you."
"What do you mean Darling?"
"When I was drunk, I remembered everything after Ma told me what I told Maggie."
"Oh." I whisper, "so I don't have to tell you that..."
"I figured you didn't feel the same since you never mentioned it."
"No I just figured I won't bring up my feelings if you didn't bring up that you said it."
"Oh well that's part of why I said..."
"Jimmy, I love you too." I squeezed him a little more and then he said, "Ma would be proud that I finally told you."
"Ma would be proud that I finally admitted to loving Lobster Boy." I smiled remembering all the proud moments I shared with Ethel as I slowly drifted to sleep.
I woke up with my head in Jimmy's chest, his hand was wrapped around me, once again I tried to get out without waking him up but the moment I moved he squeezed me tighter to him.
"Darling I gotta go to work." I whispered, lifting my head to look at his face, which was accessorized with his cute dimples and brown eyes, which glistened.
"Don't go today."
"You gotta go back to the troop."
"But what will I..."
"Simple, you will take care of your family, just like your Ma would want you too. You will be the hard working, loyal, and adorable man she raised ya to be."
"I don't know if I can." His smile fell, tears building up in his beautiful brown eyes.
"They need you Darling."
"And I need ya."
I pushed myself up and patted the area on his chest over his heart and whispered, "and you'll have me, after I go to work and do something."
I kissed his straight face and then rolled out of bed, "Ya comin to the diner today with the guys?"
"Na, I got business to attend to." I heard him get up and move towards the bathroom, where I stood tying my hair back. He walked behind me and rested his head on my shoulder, looking into the mirror, "Alicia Mae, did I ever tell ya how happy you make me?"
"No Jimmy, but you make me happy too."
"Ma really liked you, she always said that Maggie was nothing compared to you."
"I love your Ma Darling. I just wish she could have seen us together."
"She did though, everyday, for three hours, for four entire months."
"Yea. I need my uniform."
I twirled out of his arms and into the bedroom, throwing the uniform on real quick before hearing the beeping.
"Maria?" He asked, plopping back on my bed
"Oh she will have a million questions about your bike in my front lawn." I teased as I once again kissed him, before racing out the door.
As I approached the car door I heard him scream out the window, "I love you Lecia!"
"I love you too, Darling." and then got in the car to be greeted by 15 minutes of questioning from Maria.