“I’ll call her today.”
“Thank you; you’re amazing.”
There are voices in the background again. I’m afraid we’ll get cut off before I can say what I really want to say.
“I have to go,” he says again. “I’ll call you again as soon as I can.”
“Please, anytime, day or night. Call my cell phone. I’ll keep it with me all the time.”
“I will. I miss you so much. Good-bye, Jess. I love you.”
“I love you too, Jacob. Good-bye.”
The call disconnects, but I don’t want to hang up. I’m clinging to the phone. I wish I could bring him back.
Bittersweet, always bittersweet with Jacob. He’s mine, really mine. But so far away. Safe for now, but... I try not to think about the months that he has left in Iraq.
twelve
Diamonds and Emeralds
Kendra and Matt are cuddled on the couch, more into each other than the stack of gifts around them. Tyler is tearing into presents like a three-year-old. I'm trying to be patient as Mom digs through the gifts under the tree. Finally, she hands me a little blue box with a white bow on it. The card reads, “To Jess, Love Jacob," in handwriting I recognize as Jacob's mom's.
I slide the bow off carefully and lift the lid. Inside is a little velvet box that looks a lot like the one Kendra’s ring came in. I hold my breath as I open it. Diamond stud earrings sit on a bed of red velvet. Small, but I know immediately they’re real. The gift takes my breath away.
“Let me see,” Mom says.
Kendra comes over to see. “Wow. Those are the real deal. Put them on.”
I slide them into my ears. I stand up and go to the mirror, turning back and forth and watching how the diamonds catch the light.
Kendra stands behind me. “You’re glowing.” She holds her hand up so the diamond on her fingers sparkles. “There’s just something about a diamond, isn’t there?”
I touch my ears. “I’m never taking them off.”
Kendra laughs, "I’m never taking mine off, either."
Matt doesn’t say anything. I can’t help but feel smug. Maybe now he understands how me and Jacob feel about each other.
I’m ready to go up to the computer and thank Jacob for the earrings now, but Matt picks up another present, wrapped in gold with a wide green bow.
“This one's for you,” he says, handing me the box.
“Thanks,” I reply.
“It’s not from me.” The way he says it makes me dread reading the card. In square, bold letters it says.
“Looking forward to New Year's, Michael.”
I’m afraid to open the box. I slide the bow off and unwrap it slowly. Inside is a beautiful red sweater, a lacy white camisole to go underneath, and a white lace skirt to match. There’s a smaller box inside the big box. Inside that is a silver choker of snowflakes inset with little emeralds. I hope they aren’t real. The snowflakes and the green make an odd combination, but I get the message—a gift from the guy with emerald green eyes who can make it snow on demand.
I wonder how Michael pulled off this miracle. When did he buy the clothes? Where did he find the necklace and how did he get his gift to my house in time for Christmas?
I’m in my bedroom working on a long email to Jacob when voices come through the wall between Matt's room and mine. It's something I’ve never heard before—Matt and Kendra arguing. They’re talking loud enough for me to hear without trying.
“...five months may be plenty of time for a guy, but not for me.” Kendra is saying, “I have plans for our wedding, plans that will take longer. I need a dress, flowers, and a reception hall. All the things you would never think of.”
“I’m just saying, things would be better for you if we got married before I leave.” Matt is trying to keep his voice calm. “There are benefits that you would have as my wife that you wouldn’t have as my fiancé.”
