Chapter 12
Unfortunately the fun had to end. A few days later Taylor had to drive Christine to the airport to go back home. “Are you going to be able to come up and visit me during my spring break?” she asked on the way.
Taylor shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He didn’t want to answer the question. “I don’t know, it depends,” he finally said.
“Depends on what?” she asked.
“Well, Ike and Zac and I have been talking, and we decided to stay in Tulsa and do some recording in the next few months. If we get everything done I can come up, but if we don’t then I can’t” he explained.
“Oh” Christine said softly and stared out the window. She didn’t want Taylor to see the tears springing in her eyes. He’d already seen her cry enough that day. It was just so hard to leave, and now it was even harder not knowing when she’d see him again.
“Christine baby, please don’t cry” he knew her too well. “We’re going to try so hard to get it done quick. None of us want to be stuck in a studio for a long time, and I’m going to push extra hard so I can come and see you.”
“I believe you Taylor, it’s just that not knowing when I’m going to see you again is so hard” she told him with a wavering voice.
He took one hand off the steering wheel and clasped it around hers. He brought it to his mouth and gave her hand a kiss. “I know baby, I know” he whispered just as he was steering into the airport parking lot.
He pulled into a parking space and turned off the car, but instead of getting out of the car he reached into the backseat and grabbed a backpack sitting on the seat. “Before you go in, you haven’t opened you Christmas gift yet” he told her pulling a package out of the bag. “I hope you don’t mind the it being a little late.”
Christine unwrapped the package and opened the box. In it was a heart shaped pendent on a thin gold chain. One side of the heart was lined with small sapphires and aquamarines. “We were kind of thinking alike with the whole birthstone thing,” Taylor said softly.
“Oh Taylor, it’s so beautiful” Christine gasped. “I love it, and I love you too.”
“I love you too,” he said taking the necklace out of the box and clasping in around her neck. He then pulled something else out of his bag. “I have one more thing of you, but this is to open on the plane.”
“Okay” she said taking the gift. She didn’t quite understand, but she kept his wishes.
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Christine sat miserably on the plane. She felt physically and emotionally drained. Leaving Taylor when her plane was called was hard enough, but looking back at him with tears in his own eyes had ripped her heart into pieces.
She stared out the little window until she couldn’t make out the airport anymore. Tears blurred her vision; she couldn’t take it anymore. She turned away and buried her face in her hands and cried quietly for quite some time.
Then suddenly she remembered what Taylor had given her to open on the plane. She got it out of her bag and quietly tore back the paper. It looked like some sort of journal. She flipped through it briefly and found journal entries written in Taylor’s handwriting. She started and the beginning and read through carefully.
_
September 25, 2002
I met the most amazing girl tonight at some club. From the minute I saw her I could tell she was a beautiful person, inside and out. I brought her back to the hotel and started to mess around with her, but she stopped me. I didn’t get mad at her though, in fact, I felt guilty. That’s when I knew she was someone special. I can’t believe I almost screwed things up with her, but by some ounce of luck she accepted my apology as terrible as it was. I hope we can go out again sometime. I really want to get to know her, and make this all up to her.
_
September 27, 2002
I took Christine out again last night. The only word I can use to describe it is perfect. She’s absolutely perfect. We talked about what had happened the night before in a very mature way and worked it all out. She believes in waiting until you’re in love, and for the first time in my life, I don’t care. I feel like I could wait forever for her, if she gives me the chance. The only bad thing was saying goodbye. She had to go home to Michigan, and we’re going off to only god knows where. But, we exchanged phone numbers and I’m very hopeful that something good could come out of this.
_
Christine smiled as she remembered the beginning of their relationship. It had certainly been rocky, but it had only encouraged them to be open about things, and it let Christine know that she was in charge of their physical relationship and where it went. That made her even more appreciative of him. She kept reading until she got to a significant entry.
_
December 10, 2002
I love her so much, why can’t I just get up the nerve to tell her. I called her today just sure I was going to say it, but as she went to say bye I couldn’t get it out of my mouth. Whoever thought saying three little words would be so hard? I’m just so afraid that she won’t say it back, that she doesn’t feel the same way about me. I’ve never cared about someone so much, and I’m scared of losing her. God knows I’ve messed up my share of relationships in the past, I can’t do it with this one too. Not after all that has been put into it. Maybe when she visits we can get this all cleared up. Its only 16 days and counting.
_
Christine remembered that phone call. She had wondered what he had tried to say. Obviously Ike had been right that night at the bar. All he needed was a little encouragement. Finally she got to the last entry written just the night before.
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January 3, 2003
I can’t believe Christine has to go tomorrow. The past week and a half has been so amazing, I don’t want to give it up. I’ve had to leave so many friends with my career, but none have meant this much to me. I feel like without her my life will be incomplete. I guess this is what being in love feels like. Its such a wonderful feeling, but man it can hurt like hell sometimes. At least I know the feeling is mutual. Just few minutes ago I watched Christine cry herself to sleep. I just can’t believe how hard this is.
_
Christine turned the page and found a poem entitled “The Love Of My Life.” There was also music written that fit the words. Then it clicked in her head that he had written a song for her. She smiled though her tears as she realized how absolutely wonderful he was, and how lucky she was to have him. She may not always get to see him, but she knew he’d always be there for her.
