Kara sat crossed legged on the dusty floor causing even more dust to rise. Coughing she rubbed her sleeve over her gritty eyes. It was a job that needed to be done but not one she was excited about. Her Grandmother had somehow managed to convince her that to give up her first free Saturday in two months to clear out her attic, as she was moving into sheltered accommodation she no longer felt able to stay in such a big house all alone since her beloved had died the other year. As she rummaged thru boxes she came across a beautiful golden notebook edged with creamy lace. Getting up she settled herself down on the old oak rocking chair and open it up and began to read.


It was a beautiful summer day when I realised that I was in love. The sun was bright and the sky was blue and my heart truly belonged to the man who sat across from me. I had known him for years and had a secret crush on him for such a long time but somewhere along the line my feelings had morphed into something much stronger and more brilliant than I could ever imagine. I was in love, truly and hopelessly in love but I was in love with a man who saw me as nothing more than a sister or at the most a best friend. The pain was so intense that I felt like my heart would stop beating right there and then. I knew he was well and truly out of my league. Memories of the taunts from high school still haunted me, sapping me of my confidence especially when it came to men. I remember staring at him wishing that he would notice me for me, the distant memory of a shared kiss still lingered on my lips just as much as his hurtful words afterwards tortured my mind. My life felt void of all passion and excitement I honest had no clue what to do next. I did however know that I needed to get real and wise up stop living in my own dream world.


Kara leaned back on the chair and turned the crisp linen page.


Each day passes and each day my heart grows stronger for the man who doesn’t see me. Yes we laugh, and hang out but what he sees is what everyone else sees but I want him to see ME, to see my heart and my soul. I want to trust him completely with my whole being. I watch love blossom around me, Dear Jack and sweet Sue now there a match that cannot be denied. Their love is so rich and consuming that my heart craves Bobby even more. There I said his name, Bobby, sweet Bobby, my true love. Oh how I love to say that name, it just rolls off the tongue. Just wish I could tell him how I feel and more than that I wish he could love me back the way that I love him.

Kara giggled happily as she climbed down the ladders and raced to her Grandmother who was sitting in the sunroom at the back of the house staring out into the garden that was crawling with roses, honeysuckles and daisies.

That was beautiful .... and a little sad (but a good kind of sad because I have a feeling it all works out in the end).

Great job!
More soon please!

Fourteen-year-old Kara stood in front of grandmother and produced the book.

“MY dear, I haven’t seen that in years. I thought that went a missing in one of our moves when your mother was young.” Said the old lady as she gently turned over the book in her hand. “This was my memory book.” She said giving a small chuckle.

“Tell me about how you and Grandpapa got together?” begged Kara as she sat down on the squishy couch in front of her grandmother.

“Well it started many, many years ago, like all good lasting relationships it was founded in friendship and deep respect. I still remember the first time I ever saw your grandpapa, I remember thinking wow what a man. He was well over 6feet tall, with deep dimples and a cheeky smile. We soon became fast friends but for a long time that was all that we were. Your Grandpa fell in love with this woman called Darcy, she was a strong, confident, successful journalist and as a result I pushed my feelings aside. We continued to work side by side and I became a superb actress. Then one day it happened. Bobby your grandpapa invited me to this black tie concert thing, as Darcy was able to go, this was also at the time that Darcy was planning on moving to LA for a job promotion and Bobby was considering joining her. It was my favourite band playing and the night was spectacular and afterwards Bobby escorted me to my door and then we kissed and wow what a kiss.” Smiled Tara as she leaned back in the chair.

“You wrote about that kiss and then you said that Grandpapa hurt you afterwards.” Prodded Kara. “What happened?”

“Bobby decided that the kiss reminded him of how much he was still in love with Darcy”

“WHAT!” squealed Kara?

“Yes, my heart shattered into a million pieces and I thought that was it.”

“So what happened?”

“Darcy left for LA and Bobby decided to stay in DC.”

“Why?”

“It was a mutual decision that despite how they felt they went meant to be. We slipped back into our old moulds and we continued like that for some time. Me calling him Koala bear and him calling me whiz kid.” Tara chuckled as the memories continued to flood back.

“So what happened? How did you guys get together?” asked Kara as she leaned forward.

Tara took a long sip of her ice tea and stared out into the garden as her mind took her back to that era.

“We were working on this difficult case that was draining us all of all energy and emotions. After weeks and weeks we were exhausted when the case was finally wrapped up. Everyone else had left but I remained behind, for some reason it had hit me harder than anyone else. The lights were out except for the one on my desk and night had fallen outside. I just sat there and let the tears flow. I never heard the footsteps when all of a sudden I heard Bobby say ‘Tara what’s wrong luv?’ I looked up and simply said, ‘Hug me!’ and the next moment I found myself crushed into his warm chest. He stroked my head and just his presence clamed me right down. I still don’t know how long he held me for; time just seemed to have stood still. Somewhere along the line he had managed to lift me onto his lap and he was now sitting in the chair. Eventually I looked up and our eyes meet and I couldn’t have looked away if someone had offered me a million bucks. He was looking right at me and really seeing me and finally in a right husky voice asked, ‘Kiss me?’ I couldn’t believe that such a hunk was looking at me so vulnerable asking me to kiss him and of course I wasn’t going to say no. I thought our first kiss was amazing well this kiss outstripped it.”

“Wow” sighed Kara as she hugged a cushion to her chest.

“After that well we had to be honest with each other. Bobby told me with me in his lap that he was in love with me and had always loved me but had been a right drongo. Fear makes a man do crazy things but he was no longer afraid, in fact he was more afraid of losing me than of love itself. I told him that I had always loved him and that I always would.”

“How romantic!” sighed Kara.

“From that day on we were inseparable. Rules had changed at work and we were allowed to date and work together. And it didn’t take Bobby long before he proposed. It was all I ever wanted and more. I am not going to lie, life has been difficult they have been times when I wanted to jack it all in and run away. Marriage is hard work, I think that should be the definition of marriage but it is the most rewarding work as well. When your mum and uncle came along well that was cherry on top of all the gooey ice cream. I’ve had a happy life.”

“Do you miss Grandpapa?”

“I always will, without him I am not complete but even though he is not here with us physically he is here in my heart” said Tara patting her chest. “The love we shared is the ever after type of love.”

Kara got up and snuggled into the side of her grandmother. “I love you,” she whispered.

“And I love you too angel.”

Together they sat together watching as the sun crept to bed and the moon awoke from its slumber.



FIN

It's so sad that Bobby has died, but so wonderful that he and Tara had a long loving life together.



It was a unique and beautiful look at their relationship in the long run. I loved it!

WOW! Too short, but WOW! I really liked this.

Wow... super cute... It was a beautiful!!

That was sooo *happy and sad sigh* sweet.. Wonderful job!

Oh, how sad and beautiful.

Great Job!

Oh, Ails, that was so sweet. It's sad that Bobby is gone, but it's good to see that Tara still loves him after everything they'd gone through.

Perfect hun

*tries unsuccessfully to wipe sniffly tears away*

That was very sweet - I loved it in that tear-jerker-movie kinda way *watery smile*

This is absolutely perfect, Ails!! You really show the love and caring Tara and Bobby shared throughout the years, and it was fun to see how it all turned out!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

Nicely done...very sweet.

happy tears!

That was so sweet. Well done!

Melissa

WOW....I'm amazed....wonderfully written....perfect...


~laura michelle~

Simply wonderful!
thanks,
Terie

So sweeeeeeeet!

Beautifully bittersweet. It brought tears to my eyes, but a smile to my face.

This story is a little gem! Sweet and full of love..

Outstanding Job, Ails!

Ornella

Well, hey you snuck that in when I wasn't looking! A lovely short story, though, even if it was . I know Tara and Bobby had a wonderful life together but now Tara's all alone preparing to leave the home she shared with her beloved Mind you, now that you've finished this one so quickly you have oodles of time for another challenge story. There, that's cheered me up immeasurably. I'll be right here waiting.

kav

I'm with Kav...

Great story...

and you have tons of time to give us more challenges...

Don't make me send the over there to getcha!



These new smilies are great! but Avast ye matey's ... I still didn't get my facesmooshedinthewindow smilie that I requested during Kav's Polar Express...

<tears> So sad that Bobby died...Lovely memory book, just lovely

Beautiful memories to share with her granddaughter

That was a bittersweet and beautiful story. I'm pleased that Tara and Bobby had a good life together.

Thanks for sharing.

Sairs

So sad Bobby is gone. But such a beautiful love story. You did a wonderful job sharing so many emotions in such a short story. Loved the memory book and that Tara is sharing it with her grand daughter. Precious moments for sure.