Chapter 3
Promptly at 6:30 Taylor buzzed Christine’s brother’s apartment. “I’ll be right down” she called to him. She grabbed her jacket and purse, gave Melissa and Sarah a nervous smile and headed out the door.
Once outside she found Taylor leaning against the fencing with that little Taylor grin spread all over his face. “You look great,” he said walking over to her and giving her a quick kiss.
“Thanks, so do you” she told him feeling like she was walking on air. “So, where are we going?”
“Well, first we have to walk down the block to get back to my car” he said laughing. “Other than that, I haven’t really decided.” He took her hand and led her in the direction of his car.
“Yeah, don’t you just love Chicago traffic” Christine joked. “By the way, did you have any trouble finding the place?”
“No, you’re directions were fine” he told her as they continued to walk onto his car.
They drove around and found a sports bar type place to eat at. It was one of the types that served good food and had TV’s going at the same time. Taylor ordered a cheeseburger and Christine ordered a pasta dish as they sat and got to know each other a little better. Christine told Taylor a little about her family and school while Taylor told her more about his life on the road. They found themselves enjoying each other’s company more and more.
“Okay, so its only 8:30 you can’t possibly be taking me back yet” Christine said as they were leaving the restaurant. “I’m sure you have some more tricks up your sleeve.”
“Honestly, I don’t know why, but I didn’t make any plans for tonight. I was figuring we’d just go with the flow. So, is there anything you want to do?” he asked.
Christine thought about it for a moment. “Well, of all the times I’ve been to Chicago I’ve never gone to Navy Pier, and it sounds so fun. Have you ever been there?” she asked.
“I’ve been there once, but I’d love to go again especially with you” Taylor told her.
“Great, lets go then.”
They drove down close to the pier and then got out and walked down its length looking at various little shops and attractions. “Come on, lets go ride the Ferris wheel” Taylor said with a devilish look in his eyes once they had gotten bored of looking around.
“I don’t know Taylor” Christine stopped dead in her tracks.
“What’s wrong?” he asked looking back at her.
“Well, I’m sort of afraid of heights” she said biting her bottom lip.
“How afraid?” Taylor asked. Christine shrugged her shoulders. “Come on, it’ll be fun. And if you get scared you squeeze my hand” he coaxed.
“As hard as I want?” Christine asked.
“Sure” he told her.
“Okay” she agreed and let herself be dragged to the line. They soon boarded and were on their way up. About half way up Taylor felt Christine clutch onto his hand. The next thing he knew she had squeezed her eyes shut and buried her head in his shoulder.
“Christine, open your eyes” Taylor whispered a moment later. She could tell by the feeling in her stomach that they were right at the top, but she did anyway. “Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked.
She looked out at the city lights on one side of her, and the reflection on the lake under the moonlight to the other side. She had to admit it was breathtaking. “Yes” she agreed.
She felt his light fingertips go to her chin and turn her face towards his. His lips brushed hers, softly at first, then more forcefully yet still sweet. She forgot all the nervousness of being so high up, and concentrated on the feeling of him. It was even more breathtaking then the view before.
He broke the kiss a moment later and put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and enjoyed the rest of the ride worry free.
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15 minutes later they were sitting together on a bench watching waves crash into the shore. “So, am I going to have to be the one to ruin this wonderful moment?” Taylor finally asked breaking the silence.
“What do you mean?” Christine asked.
“Well, I want to see you again, but I’m worried about two things” he explained. “The first being the distance. When do you go back home?”
“Tomorrow we’re leaving around noon,” Christine said. “I want to see you again too.”
“I want to work out a long distance thing if you are willing to also,” he admitted.
“I’m willing” Christine agreed.
“Okay” Taylor agreed simply. Then there was a long pause.
“Taylor, what was the second thing?” Christine asked hesitantly.
“Its about last night” he told her softly.
“We can pretend it didn’t happen” Christine said softly after thinking about it for a minute.
“But it did happen, and no matter how wrong it was it showed us that we have conflicting views. If we are going to go anywhere in this relationship we need to talk about it and get it out in the open” he reasoned. “So, what are your rules?”
“Well, I don’t know if I have any rules. I guess when I say I’m ready, I’m ready” she told him.
“Do you know when that will be? Not because I’m impatient, but be cause I’m curious” he asked.
“Well, I don’t necessarily think you absolutely have to wait for marriage, but I think you should love the person very much, and see it as a possible future. I mean, I think if you are with someone you love very much you should want to marry them, but know that things could change. But as long as you are both at the point where you can see that as a future that’s a good time for it” she tried her best to explain.
“Okay, I think I got that” Taylor said. “And I only want to live up to your wishes.”
