Coffee Shop

1997

Four years, and many long letters later, Evy spent New Years in Oklahoma City. She knew David would be home from college and she wondered what it would be like.

They had seen each other a few other awkward times since their night on the bridge, but Evy knew that this New Years would be different. When they had seen each other before, she wasn't sure if he still felt the same. Their letters were always other worldly and full of deep conversations, but Evy couldn't tell if they were really love letters. She pulled away when they saw each other and pretended not to care. She had been hurt since their meeting on the bridge and had built up new walls.

She had dated other guys and learned more about the world of "love," and understood there were many shades of gray within its definition. This time Evy knew it would be better. David and Evy spent the evening running around downtown Oklahoma City to the different musical events and acts and when they cut through the gardens near midnight to make it to the ball drop on time, David grabbed Evy's hand.

It fit just right and Evy smiled. She loved his hands.

They all ran, David never letting go of Evy's hand, to the center of town. The thousands in the plaza gathered around and counted in one magnificent voice, "Ten, Nine, Eight," David put his arm around Evy in the crowd, "seven, six, five, four," Evy was confused and didn't know what to do so she looked away. She didn't want him to think she was slutty and would kiss boys that she wasn't going to marry. She had heard his ideas on courtship. She was confused, but felt as a good Christian girl she should hold back those silly physical urges. She counted along with everyone smiling, "three, two, one!"

There were cheers all around and everyone grabbed the person next to them for a kiss except for David and Evy. They looked at each other and Evy said, "Happy New Year David, " and David said, "Happy New Year, Evy, " and they hugged, not ever wanting to let go. When the moment had passed they all made their way back to the car.

The next day Evy had to drive home to Texas, and David offered to follow her to the truck stop outside of town to make sure she got her trip started right. When they got to where David was to let her continue and turn around to go back home, Evy pulled into the parking lot and David followed. Evy sat in her car for a minute wondering why she felt the need to stop until David came to her window. She got out and clumsily dropped her glasses on the ground and they giggled together at the silly picture it made when she squatted down to find them. When she stood up David put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her with tears in his eyes, "Evy, I love you and someday I want to make you my wife."

Evy's emotions took over. This was what she had wanted. She had been trained to want this. It was as if one of her romance novels was coming to life. He said some other things that Evy sort of heard. Things about how she was an amazing person, and how they should still keep things low key. Through sobs of joy she said, "I love you too," and they kissed their first kiss.

That kiss that could never be duplicated through years of conscious effort on both Evy and David's parts. A true love’s kiss.

Evy eventually got back in the car and drove the whole way home alone sobbing tears of overwhelming joy the whole way. She called home to tell her parents she was engaged. She was 18. They were more concerned than thrilled.