What May Come Part 4

After a minute, Jenny could see the light bulb flip on directly over his wavy brown haired head.

"Do you have any popcorn?" "I do."
"Do you, by any chance have Twister?" 
"Ha ha." Jenny's laughter floated into the air like a beautiful melody.  "I do, but how are we going to play with only two of us?"

"Jenny, are you telling me you have never played Twister with just two people?"  "Uh, yeah."  "It is so much better than when you have someone to spin."  "Why is that exactly?"  

"Because when you play with two, one person chooses the color and the second player chooses foot, hand, right, left. It turns it into a game of strategy instead of a random spin. So, my brown eyed girl, are you game?"

Jenny got a gleam in her own eye as she saw the playful glint in his. She knew that look, since she had seen it a thousand times before in her brother's eyes. Thad confirmed her thoughts as he rubbed his hands together saying, "What do you say, shall we play?"  "Yep", Thad had a definite competitive streak running through his veins, no doubt! 

 Jenny said, "I'll tell you what. I will make the popcorn and you can set up the game."   "Which, I will find where?"   " It's on the top shelf of the closet." Thad headed directly for the closet by the front door.  "No, not that one, the closet in my room."  "Oh, alright." Making a U-turn, Thad went to her bedroom feeling a bit intrusive, but only for a second.  As he moved toward the closet, he saw the same attention to detail as was evident in the rest of the apartment. The floors were consistent throughout. Jenny's room was cheerful, there was no other word that would do. Her bed, to his surprise, was king sized. Pastel yellows and lavenders mixed to perfection.  He found himself noticing little things. like the jewelry box on her dresser. It looked hand carved and he would bet it had sentimental value. The books on her side table, were the complete collection of Jane Austen's works; and under that was another collection of stories, "Winnie the Pooh."  Open on her bed, was her Bible. He glanced to see what she had underlined with the pen lying across it. It was Philippians 4:13.  Fascinating!

The far wall was covered in picture frames that looked like they were hung in a gallery, complete with special lighting that showcased each photograph. Thad thought, "Mom and Dad would love this." He saw generations of family photos. One particular photo got his attention; it was unmistakably little Jenny and little Rachel. A wall of history, of memories, and connection. Thad noticed something baffling; one frame was empty. He found himself saying out loud, "I like her so much....always full of surprises."

Thad could smell the popcorn and realized he was taking too long. To the closet he strode, locating the game in seconds and returning to the living room. He did make a mental note that Jenny's closet was perfect, nothing out of place. Maybe some of her organizational habits would rub off on him...maybe.

As Thad unfolded the sheet of dots, Jenny turned. "Oh, hey, what took you so long? Trouble finding it?" "No, it was right where you said, it's just that I got distracted looking at the pictures of your family...generations of them."   "Oh, yeah, that is them, well some of them. There are definitely more people in my family than would fit on the wall."  " I saw the little you and I even saw Rachel."

Jenny came into the living room carrying a tray. In the center was an enormous bowl of popcorn; on one end was a bowl of peanut M&M's and on the other were two glasses full of ice, accompanied by two cans of Cherry Coke. Thad took the tray, giving her a smile that melted her heart. She sighed a bit and he said , "What?"  Jenny answered, "I didn't say anything."  "Oh, I could have sworn...."   "Nope, not me....must have been the wind."  "Hmm, must have been."

"Thad, do you have any brothers or sisters?"  He had an idea and it showed on his face.  "I propose we make this game extra interesting."  "Uh-oh, how?"   "Relax, I was just thinking of all the different things I want to know about you and you me, so let's agree to answer any five questions the other person asks. Winner asks, loser answers and we have to agree to answer fully and honestly; no hedging." 

 She studied Thad's face, his expression, his features, and especially the light that shone from his eyes. "You're on, Mr. 007."

"If you want to, you can call me James."  "Why?"  "The answer to that question will only be answered if you beat me at this. Okay, my brown eyed girl, are you ready to play?" "I am!"

 Thad walked to the other end of the mat and took his position, placing his feet on the yellow and blue dots. Jenny did the same, then standing up tall, she said, "Wait a minute, who is feet and hands and who is colors?"  "Do you have a quarter? We can flip for it."  Jenny hopped off the mat and went to the mantle, grabbed a quarter out of the bowl filled with coin and handing it to him, she said, "I choose heads and colors."  With a smooth flick of his wrist, the coin flew upward; Thad caught it and slapped it over his hand, revealing that it was indeed, heads. He deftly slid the quarter between his fingers, presenting it back to its rightful owner.

"Madam, you are the winner; you will call the colors."  

With this, he slipped his arm around her waist gently, yet confidently, pulling her into his arms. With tenderness,
he kissed her. Raising his head, Thad continued to hold 
her close. He looked into her eyes asking, almost in a whisper, "How is it, that I feel as though we have known each other always?"

Jenny gazed upward, smiling a knowing smile. "Let's play shall we?" "Okay."  He released her and went back to the end of the mat, planting his feet on the yellow and blue dots. Jenny thought his stance looked like that of a Sumo wrestler, but thought better of voicing it.

Thad gestured ladies first with a sweep of his arm and said, "Right foot, little lady."  "Okay, green," Jenny added. With that, she placed her foot on the green dot. She returned the gesture, "Men second." He responded immediately with, "Right hand." She added, "Red." Thad bent to touch the red dot. Quickly he assigned Jenny's left hand; she added "Blue." She bent to reach. They faced each other and couldn't help but laugh. "Hurry, Thad!"  "Okay, um, right foot."    Jenny said, "Yellow" as she simply slid her right foot over. Thad again...."Right foot."    "Red."  Jenny answered.

With a cross maneuver, Thad's toes touched red.  Looking over Jenny's position, he said, "Left foot." She said, "Green." Oh, oops Thad waited, bent and twisted and hoped this one would do it. 

Jenny crossed her leg over to reach..reaching....reaching 
touching and losing her balance, she was on her back.

Thad voluntarily collapsed, exclaiming, "Oh, thank God!" They both laughed uncontrollably; partly from relief, but mostly from pure pleasure. "Wow." Thad said through his laughter. They caught their breath slowly. 

When he recovered, he turned over on his stomach and looked at Jenny. "I'm thirsty," he announced. "How about you?" Jenny turned on to her side, propping herself up on one elbow, "Yeah, sounds good."  Thad reached over to the tray at their side, popping a can open with one hand. As he poured, the ice crackled and the bubbles fizzed. Not looking in her direction, Thad said, "Jenny, if I remember correctly, we decided on an addition to this afternoon's game. "Oh, yeah, we did, at that. Fair enough, I lost this round, so ask your question."  Thad paused, as if he had to think of one. "I would like an answer to my question from earlier. You gave me no answer, just a smile." As Jenny's thoughts drifted back to the kiss, she found herself needing to ask, "What exactly did you ask me?"  

He handed her her glass. He took a long drink from his, then looked her straight in the eye, as he had done earlier, and  with equal tenderness in his voice, I asked, "How is it that I feel we have known each other always?" Jenny smiled again....that knowing smile, then she took a deep breath. Thad realized that was a sign that she was about to say something that meant a great deal to her. "I believe it's rare for people to find the quiet comfort, the familiarity, that sense of home you can find in another. If I may be so bold, your true self and my true self come together with ease. I think we are home for each other."  Thad listened to every word and when she was done, he stayed quiet, taking her in a few moments longer. Then with simplicity, he said,  "That works for me, quite nicely." 

Now, as if flipping a light switch, Thad changed the subject. "Popcorn?" Jenny thought to herself  that men have aspects, uncomplicated aspects, to their make up that she deeply appreciated. He just received what she had to say; it satisfied him and he didn't need to talk it to death. She smiled and said, "Yes, I'd love some."  "Are you ready to go again?" Thad asked. His voice dripping with enthusiasm.  "I'm game if you are."

Jenny won the next go around. She wasted no time, nearly pouncing on Thad. "O.k. now, answer me, why can I call you James?" "Because, although my brothers have decidedly Italian names, I was named after my grandfather Thaddeus and my uncle James, allow me to introduce myself, Thaddeus James Hollingsworth."  

Jenny rolled on her back laughing. "Oh, my goodness, you are actually James?" laughing harder now, "No joke, that is positively hilarious." 

On the next try, it was all Thad. "That empty picture frame on your wall?" Instantly, Jenny blushed right down to her toes. She could not manage eye contact with Thad. "Oh, that...it's nothing, really." "Play by the rules, girl. Honestly...holding nothing back."  Jenny mumbled, but he heard her. "It's for my husband; just holding his spot." Thad laughed louder than he meant to...."Well, well...... interesting."  Changing the subject, Jenny piped up, " Let's go again, I feel motivated to beat you!!"  "At the game?"  "Yes, at the game!" Again under her breath, "Among other things!"  Thad, even with effort, could not wipe the smile off his face.

Back and forth the game went until they both had had enough. Finding the comfort of the couch, they each grabbed a blanket and cozied up sharing, laughing, listening, and learning. Midnight was the hour they decided to call it a night. Feeling emotionally drained from the days events, they parted sweetly with full hearts to find some much needed sleep.

As Thad lay back in bed, his head sunk comfortably into the pillow. Lying there, surrounded in darkness, he said, right out loud, "This has been the best day of my life."

Jenny brushed her teeth, looking at herself in the mirror and thinking, "Life will be forever different." She rinsed her mouth, dried her face, and found a giggle bubbling up as she slipped under her covers and drifted off to sleep, dreaming sweeter than ever before.