Category Two Hurricane:

Are you familiar with the song, “Genius of Love” by the Tom Tom Club, Frida? Yeah? That song reminds me so much of your grandfather. That song was on the day he proposed.

I had decided to keep the baby after all. (I didn’t know I had twins at the time.) Jim supported me like him promised.

“We’ll be parents then,” he told me.

“Are you this is okay?” I asked.

“Yep,” he said.

“But what about money?”

“I’ll find work.”

“Where will we live? We can’t raise a baby in two separate dorms.”

“Then we’ll buy an apartment together.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up his hand.

“I won’t abandon you,” he said. “Just leave it to me.” I tried to speak, but he cut me off.

“I’ve got this,” your grandfather assured me. “Anything else.” I drew my mouth closed. Your grandfather gave me that annoying goofy grin of his.

“Good,” he said. I resisted the urge to throw up on him. Even when serious, he could be annoying at times. Yet, he meant well.

I got a chance to see that in the spring.

I was three months pregnant then. I was studying in my dorm when I got a knock on my dorm.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Starlette!” one my roommate said. “Jim’s here.” I paused at that statement.

What the…, I thought. I got up and walked over to my window. I looked out to see your grandfather standing outside of his car, waving at me. I rushed all the way outside to him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. Jim grinned at me.

“I came to pick you up,” he said. I blinked at him.

“Pick me up?” I asked. “Why?”

“Cause,” he said. “We’re on a date.” I gave him a puzzled look.

“A date?” I asked. Your grandfather gave me a big smile.

“Yeah.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Now get in.”

“Where?”

“Where what?”

“Where are we going on this date?”

“You’ll see. Just come on! Get in the car.”

I put up my hands. “Okay, okay.” He opened the car door for me. I gave him a little smile. Glad to see that boy still had some manners on him.

“Thanks,” I said as I climbed into the car. Jim nodded at me and climbed into the driver’s side. He glanced over at me.

“Ready to go?” he asked. I nodded.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Let’s go,” Jim said. Then, we pulled out. He drove all the way out the park. Jim stopped in the parking lot. He turned to me.

“One second,” he said. He got out of the car and walked to the trunk. I watched his every move. Your grandfather pulled out a picnic basket and a boom box. I blinked at him in surprise.

“Jim…” I said. “What is…” Your grandfather grinned at me.

“Picnic!” he answered. “Come on.” I opened the door and got out. I stood next to your grandfather with a smile on my face.

“Lead the way!” I said. He gave me a little nod.

“Yes ma’am!” he replied. We began our walk to find the ideal spot.

We ended up near the lake. Jim set up everything.

“Do you need any help?” I asked as I watched him spread out the blanket.

“Nah, I’m good,” he said.

“You sure?” I asked.

“Yeah, you just chill, okay?” he said.

“Okay…” I said. In three minutes, we were all set. Your grandfather made most of the food. Let me tell you now, he could cook on his saner days. Oh! I had never had such a delicious meatball BLT before in my life. I couldn’t stop licking my fingers. Your grandfather watched eat the whole time. I happened to glance over at him when I finished my sandwich.

“What is it?” I asked. He sat up straight. “I want to ask you something.”

I blinked at him. “Okay, what is it?” He gasped onto my hand.

“Jim?” I asked, bewildered. He looked me straight in the eye.

“Let’s become a real family,” he said. “Marry me, Starlette!”

1985