If people were to ask me to tell me a little about myself, I'm afraid I wouldn't have much to say. I am 15 years old with straight brown hair which falls to the middle of my back. I have coal colored eyes and am short but skinny. I guess you would have to say that I'm just another ordinary kid. Not much interesting goes on in my life. Well, at least until the day he entered my life.
It all began when he walked into the Inn. He was drop dead gorgeous with sandy - blond hair and close to royal blue eyes. He had the softest looking smile.
It was a hot summer day in August and as usual, I was sitting around looking for something better to do. I was reading a western love story and minding my own business when the bell rang. I strolled casually over to the front desk and asked, "Can I help you? You look lost."
"Yeah," he replied quickly, "can you tell me where first boulevard is?"
"Can't say as I can. I'm pretty new ‘round here." I answered.
"Well then, can you direct me to someone who knows?" He questioned.
We were in the midst of our struggling conversation when Papa walked in, "What's going on in here fella?" Papa hollered.
"Papa," I declared, "there's no need to shout. This here fella was just askin' for some directions." I smiled nervously trying not to show the embarrassment I felt concerning Papa's overly protective nature. He still thought of me as his little girl.
"Oh, in that case maybe I can help you." Papa gestured and turned his attention to the young man. "Sorry 'bout that."
"My name is Joshua, Joshua Thomas." The boy stuffed his hands deep into his pockets as though trying to prove he meant no harm. "I was just wondering how to get to first boulevard. Do you know where it is?"
"Why sure I do." Papa appeared much more relaxed and spoke in a friendly tone. " First you take a left at the train depot, then you go straight about a half block. Then you turn right, turn right again and you're there."
"Thank you kindly," Joshua replied, "maybe I'll see you around." He pointed to me, tipped his hat, and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. His presence remained only in my dreams.
The work day ended, and I walked home deep in thought about my upcoming birthday. I wanted so badly to have a great birthday party. So, like any intelligent teenager, I began pleading the minute I walked in the door. "Momma, can I please have a birthday party?"
"Well, Stephanie, I don't know," she left me in suspense. "We'll see. Now go tidy up your room."
I did as I was told in hopes that my obedient behavior would encourage my chances of having the party. While I was tidying up my room, I thought about Joshua, and if I were allowed to have a party, who I'd invite. I was still lost in my dreams when Momma called me for dinner, and it was at the dinner table that she finally gave me an answer. Her words were music to my ears. "Stephanie, this year, and this year only, you may have a birthday party."
I ran to her, hugged her neck, and smothered her with kisses. "Oh, thank you, Momma! Thank you!" I danced with glee.
That night I started making a list of people whom I wanted to invite. Of course I just had to include Jennie, Bethany, Matthew, Thomas, Mark, and Julie. The list included six of my best friends, but I knew it wasn't complete. I couldn't seem to erase Joshua's sweet smile from my mind. I scrawled out one more invitation. Afer all, if I invited him, he would get to know people his age, and get to know me better as well.
The next day at breakfast, Momma asked what color I wanted my new dress to be. I suggested blue with copper colored cuffs and lace. "That's mighty expensive if you ask me," Momma grinned, "but, I'll do it." Life felt great. Nothing could be better than a great birthday party and a new dress. I fairly floated out of the room.
As I walked to work that morning, I bumped into Jennie. I invited her to come and chat with me at the inn. "You'll never guess what happened yesterday!" I was more than ready to share my news with anyone who would listen.
"What?" Jennie sounded excited.
"You'll never believe this, but a very good looking man came into the inn." I left a brief pause of silence between us, the kind of pause every great storyteller enjoys. The kind that makes the listener beg for more.
"Yeah, so?!" Jennie shifted her feet impatiently.
"Well, let me describe him. Picture this, a guy about medium height with sandy blond hair, close to royal blue eyes, perfect teeth, and a soft smile." The memory made me feel tingly inside.
"Wow!" Jennie sighed as though she had just read a great romance novel.
With the knowledge that I had managed to captivate a dreamy-eyed, enthusiastic audience with which to share my story, I chatted on excitedly until my audience was forced to depart. Needless to say, my mind was not entirely on my work that day.
On my way home I stopped at the printers to check on how my invitations were progressing. The printer said they would be done in three days.
Those three days were the longest three days of my life, and when they finally came to an end, I rushed to claim my prize. They were beautiful! I rushed onward to the post office to buy some stamps.
That's when I saw him once again. My heart nearly jumped from my chest as he moved toward me. "Say," I noticed that even his voice sounded handsome. "Aren't you the lovely young lady that tried to help me at the inn?"
I stuttered when I spoke. "W-e-l-l yeah." Then, without even thinking I blurted out rapidly. "Oh, here this is for you. I thought you might want to come to my party." I thrust forth a newly printed invitation.
"Why thank you Ma'am." Joshua smiled. He glanced thoughtfully at the card. "Since you have been so kind to consider me as guest at your party, I think it only proper that I should know your name."
"Stephanie." I answered, feeling rather foolish.
"Oh that's a pretty name for a lovely girl." Joshua replied.
"Why, thank you." I blushed.
"Why don't I walk you to your house?" I suddenly began to realize that beneath his suave exterior, Joshua appeared to be a bit nervous himself.
"Um, well, I'm not going straight home. I have to make a stop at the General store." I had the feeling I was babbling and probably sounded like a complete idiot. I decided it best to accept the invitation gracefully and shut my mouth before I said something extremely stupid. So, I finally ended with, "But sure, I'd love the company."
As we walked, we got to know each other a little better, and I found myself blurting out an invitation once again. "Joshua, would you like to come to my house for dinner tomorrow night?" My own voice sounded strange to me as though someone else might be controlling my words. Indeed, it felt as though they were.
"Why yes, Miss Stephanie. I would be more than happy to dine with you." He took my hand in his and kissed it gently. Then he smiled and said, "see ya around."
I opened the door and the first thing that momma asked was "Who was that fella?"
I replied with a smile, "Oh Momma, he's gorgeous. That's Joshua, may he come to dinner tomorrow?"
"Oh, Stephanie's found her first love!" Momma teased. "I don't know how I could say no, best go ask you pappa to be sure."
"Thank you," I blushed, "where is Pappa?"
"In the barn."
I walked out to the barn, but Pappa met me half way. "What can I do for ya Steph?" He gave me that little darling look again like I would never be allowed to grow up.
"Pappa, may we have a guest tomorrow for dinner?" I blurted.
"Well Steph, I would like to know who the guest is first." Pappa seemed to be working extra hard at using his fatherly type of voice.
"Do you remember that fella from the Inn?" I questioned carefully expecting nothing less than the worse. He was going to stand out here and drill me about my personal life until I was much too old to date. Then his troubles would be over.
"Oh Joshua," Pappa tilted his face toward the sun thoughtfully. "I guess I don't see why not."
"Oh thank you, Papa!" I threw my arms around his tanned neck. Maybe he was going to let me grow up after all.
"You are getting to be a might fine young lady." He kidded.
I barely heard his words as I skipped back toward the house. I had major planning to do.
The next day, all the people whom I had invited stopped by the inn. First it was Matthew, then it was Thomas, Bethany, Julie, Jennie, Mark and finally Joshua. They all came bearing the great news that they were allowed to come to my party. Joshua stayed and talked for a while.
"By the way, you're allowed to eat over tonight." I said quickly.
"Sounds good to me, where should we meet?" Joshua questioned.
"How about right here at 6:00, sound good?"
"Fantastic!" Joshua smirked.
"How old are you?" I questioned boldly.
"Fifteen, how 'bout you?"
"Same, going on 16 next Monday." I stressed the word sixteen like it was the magical word of maturity or something.
"Well, I'll meet you here at 6:00?" Joshua asked.
"Sounds great. See ya then."
"See ya."
I spent a great deal of time watching the clock that day. Finally, It was 5:55. I hurriedly fixed my hair, brushed down my dress, and put the closed sign on the door. I was locking the safe when Joshua walked in.
"Are you ready?"
"Um," I hesitated glancing around, "yeah."
I hesitated only a moment to lock the door behind us as we departed. It felt great to venture out into the crisp air. Summer was ending and fall was around the corner. That meant that school would be starting up again. I hadn't even studied my grammar! "Are you going to school this term?" I asked Joshua.
"Um, it depends on if my father needs me to work the farm or not, but I sure hope so." Joshua always appeared so mature for his age. The entire walk home was like dancing on a dream.
Mama greeted us cheerfully when we walked into the kitchen. "Hello there Stephanie, young man."
"Hello." Joshua replied in his usual polite tone. I could tell by the way their eyes met that Momma was impressed from the start. By the time dinner had ended, he had won the hearts of both Mama and Papa. It was the perfect evening, and I know that my party was going to be even better.
I was surprised when I heard Joshua's knock on my door early the next morning. "Hey Josh what's up?" I sensed tension in the air almost immediately.
"Oh not much." I noticed that Joshua seemed to be avoiding my eyes as he spoke. "Look Stephanie, I can't come to your party because something came up." He blurted the entire sentence in one quick breath.
"Oh, Josh, I'm sorry to hear that." I was too stunned for any other reply.
"But, I still hope to see you around." Joshua uttered these last few words then hurried away.
"Joshua?" I called after him, but my cries were carried away with the wind. I was just walking back into the house where I could fall apart when matt came sauntering up the walk.
"Hey, Matt, what's on your mind? Are you going to tell me that you can't come to my party either?" The words stumbled from my mouth. Sarcasm seemed easier than tears at the moment.
Matt looked at me oddly. "No, what are you talking about?"
"Oh, Joshua just informed me that he's backing out of my party." My sarcasm seemed to be on a roll.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I still plan on coming. I just came to tell you that you have a letter at the mail station. I have something else to tell you too." Matt let his voice rise a bit as though trying to encourage excitement.
"Did you see who it was from?" I did feel a bit curious.
"No, but I can run and get it for you." He offered.
"Thanks, Matt. You're a real pal." I was thankful for his offer. I really did feel like being alone with my sorrows for a while.
After he left, I began thinking about what he had said. He said there was a package, and that he had something else to tell me. Why was he being so secretive, and why didn't he tell me right away?
I was lost in thought when Matt came in breathlessly, "Stephanie, Stephanie!!!"
"What is it, Matt?" I glanced at the clock in amazement. It seemed like he just left.