My Foolish Heart
Ginger walked along the sidewalk; waddled along, would be a more
accurate description, in her state.
She was nearing her house and dreaded having to apologize to Jeff for
her earlier outburst and quick exit from their home.
She was over a week past due and the doctor told her not to worry.
Sometimes that happened.
Miserable wouldn't even describe the way she felt. Her lower back was
killing her, her whole body was swollen; so much so, she thought Lake
Michigan held less water, and her temper was short--shorter than usual.
Even she didn't like being around herself.
She sighed as she stopped in front of the steps to her house. It was
time to face the music. Once again she had lashed out at Jeff over
something silly. This time it was because he had tracked dirt onto her
recently mopped kitchen floor. Didn't he know how hard it was to mop
the floor nowadays?
Even though it was hard, she tried to follow the doctor's orders. He had
told her to stay up and active as much as possible. For one, it would
help with her swelling and second it would help the little guy get ready
to make his appearance on this earth.
Ginger had decided she was having a son. She wanted that more than
anything, to have a son with the same dark hair and eyes as Jeff. Of
course he would have to have his smile and the little dimple in his chin
too. Having a son was fine and dandy with Jeff too, his own little
short stop.
Placing one hand on her lower back and the other on the railing, she
slowly made her way up the steps and into the house. The radio was on
and turned down low. She cocked her head to try and hear where Jeff
was. Just as she was about to call out to him, she heard a crash, then
"Criminy!"
She walked towards the kitchen and saw Jeff on his hands and knees on
the floor. The chairs were turned upside down on the kitchen table,
except for one that had evidently fallen on him while he hand mopped thekitchen floor.
"Oh, Jeff. That's so sweet of you," Ginger gushed before she started to
cry.
Jeff stood up and dropped the rag before he placed his arms around her.
"Aww, Gin, don't cry. I'm really sorry about tracking dirt on your
floor. Next time I'll take my shoes off before I come in."
"You are the sweetest man, you know that don't you?"
He smiled down at her. "Does this mean I'm forgiven and I can have a
little kiss?"
"Why would you want to kiss me. I must look a sight," she said as she
ran her hands over her hair.
"You're still the best lookin' dame in River Run. And you're all mine,"
he said before he tilted her chin up and kissed her softly.
"Oooh!" Ginger grunted.
"Did my little slugger hit a home run?" Jeff laughed as he placed his
hand on Ginger's stomach.
"Mmm hmm. I think it was a grand slam," Ginger replied weakly.
"Are you alright?" he asked as a frown creased his brow.
"I'm right as rain. I think."
************
Ginger stirred slightly and opened her eyes. She heard soft whistling
and turned her head in the direction that it came from.
Jeff sat in a rocking chair holding their new daughter. So, it wasn't
the son they were sure they would have. But who cared? Certainly, not
them. The look on Jeff's face as he gazed at his daughter, made Ginger's
heart swell with love.
Jeff had never felt anything like what he was feeling right this moment.
Nothing in his life so far, could compare. Not his first kiss, nor the
first time he fell in love, not his first home run, not even winning
the World Series. He was a father and he was holding the most beautifulbaby girl ever created.
The baby had been fussy earlier, but his whistling seemed to soothe her.
The only thing he could think of to whistle was the song that had been
playing on the radio as he and Ginger left the house.
He looked up as he heard Ginger begin to softly sing the words to the
song.
~Someday, when I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
Jeff continued to whistle as he got up and walked over to the bed.
~Oh but you're lovely
With your smile so warm
And your cheek so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
Just the way you look tonight
He handed his sleeping daughter to Ginger, who gladly cradled her in her
arms.
~With each word, your tenderness grows
tearing my fears apart
And that laugh, that wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart.
She turned her gaze on him and sang the last verse of the song just for
him.
~Lovely, never, never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it
For I love you
Just the way you look tonight.
Jeff leaned over and placed his mouth inches from Ginger's. A tear
trickled down Ginger's cheek as Jeff closed the gap between their lips
and whispered against them. "Just the way you look tonight."
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