Chapter 35
Running up to Ashley's 4Runner she gets out and gives me a hug I giver here a kiss. Almost wanting to say the "L" word. I refrain
"Let's go, I'm starving!" I said with total excitement.
Theres this little mom and pop diner called Tommy's Diner and they sell your typical southern good home cooking. Think Cracker Barrel only much much smaller. On the way I'm dreaming of the biscuits. I had went one other time with Jake when I had a class that got cancelled. Although I did not grow up in the south or really knew much about it, I loved southern cooking. It's a pretty quick trip from Campus so we don't talk that much. Ashley parks, we walk over I get the door for her and the lady behind us. We grab a seat at the counter Looking over the menus.
"What do you think you're gonna get Daniel?"
Looking it over for the most vegetarian item I could find. "I think I'm going to do this spinach and cheese omelet with home fries."
"Oooo good idea, I'm going with the Texan omelet" she says chuckling "Not sure what makes it Texan, but I'm about to find out".
After that's sorted out, I reach out and hold her hand on the counter. Taking in the moment that here I was having breakfast with my girlfriend! Feeling equally proud and happy I say.
"Im gonna really miss you... It's going to be like three weeks! And we'll be almost on opposite parts of the country."
Looking over Ashley says "I'm gonna miss you to Daniel" (and I could tell she really meant it). "But we'll call each other and I wanna hear all about your Christmas! Like what presents you get... if you and Alex make it snowboarding... if you get snow make sure you take a picture (before camera phones this was with an actual camera), I wanna see pictures, I know we won't be having a white Christmas!"
"You really wanna see snow! I wish I could bring you some back! We'll have plenty I"m sure my dad would let you have all you can take with you back too Texas! I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been home since I left in August....." (I spent Thanksgiving week at my uncle's in Nashville)."
Interrupting Ashley says "I bet your family is gonna be happy to have you home. Well I know your mom will be."
I start to get this feeling almost as if she's asking me to invite her home for the holidays as she's been talking up snow and winter and how that must look like "real Christmas". As the waitress pours our coffees I blurt out
"You should come visit!" I said surprised that come out of my mouth.
"Really Daniel! You sure! Oh, I'd love to!" she says with glee.
Now sitting there realizing you just invited a girl to your house over the holidays with your family in the winter stuck indoors. Knowing I couldn't back out now. I proceeded forward.
"Of, course, I could pick you up from the airport, depending on when you come I may be in Pittsburgh visiting my grandparents, I could show you around!"
Our food arrived and it was every bit of what I had imagined. I gobbled up every bite slurped down cup of coffee after cup of coffee while we talked about the details. It was determined that when Ashely could come I would be in Pittsburgh. Typically my parents stayed at their house I had one aunt there and she hosted my mom's brother and my uncle from Nashville always stayed at a hotel. Which left plenty of room for me to invite Ashely along. I stood up to pay the check, Ashley gets our coats. We head back dorm so Jake and Sherri can take me to the airport. Sitting in the parking lot we started to kiss and began to make out, after all this was THE last time we'd see each other in what would feel like forever! Per usual I had a massive boner and at this point in our relationship didn't care if she saw. She pauses, looks at the clock on the dashboard and then down to my crotch.
"Daniel, you better hurry, but I'm really gonna miss you and I'm gonna miss that too" as she points downward.
Honestly I loved hearing her say that. For the most part we had a pretty typical good Christian relationship, but there were times like now when it felt good to be bad. Giving her one last kiss goodbye.
"Good bye Ashley, tell your family Merry Christmas from me and I'll see you in Pittsburgh!"
"Bye Daniel and Merry Christmas to you!"
I run up to our room, as I open the door I see Jake is fully dressed and "reading" a Victory Secret catalog. He looks up as I walk in. Seeing the big smile on my face.
"Dude tell me she ordered a side of Daniel's breakfast sausage?" Jake says
"No, not this time.. but I think I'm really starting to like her Jake... I almost said the "L" word today! And somehow I invited her back home to visit me...". I said forgetting to add in the fact that Ashley said she'd miss my boner.
Interrupting "You invited her to Columbus .... with your family?"
Responding "Well yeah but I'll actually be in Pittsburgh visiting my grandparents, and she's gonna fly there."
Jake smiling back "Well look at you Daniel... got yourself a lady and bringing her home to mom! You pick out a ring yet?"
Admittedly the idea had crossed my mind. I had already heard of several Freshman who were already engaged after meeting their boyfriend/girlfriends that same semester. So the idea wasn't totally foreign. Now grabbing all my things and putting them by the door. Jake had his there already. Looking one last time around the room. Checking for my wallet, keys, and plane ticket.
"I'm ready Jake"