© Copyright 2006 by Marsha Smith

She held his hand tightly in her own. The whirring sound of the hospital equipment was barely noticeable as she stared intently into his ocean blue eyes. Funny she thought how a face and body age but the eyes stay the same. Who knew how much time they had left together on this earth. At this stage in the game every moment was precious for them both. Her mind began to wander, taking her back into that place where everyone has been...the past.

Tennessee 1956

“Hey, would you mind tossing that back?”

Dawn Graham turned her attention to the clear autumn sky and a handsome young man that seemed to be calling in her direction. Dawn had just closed the Chemistry book she had been pouring over for the past hour. Her eyes needed a rest. Studious as ever, the test was a week away but Dawn was cramming like it was tomorrow.

“Hey! Do you mind?”

Suddenly Dawn realized she was being addressed. It took her a moment to come out of her study fog and notice the football laying a few feet from her plaid blanket. She gave a quick wave of acknowledgement and picked up the football. Like an old pro she threw the ball to the dark haired stranger she had noticed before. With four brothers she had learned how to throw a football with the best of them. Instead of returning to his game, to Dawn’s surprise, he began to come toward her.

As he approached, Dawn couldn’t help but notice how handsome he really was. Before she had only glanced and he was cute, but now, as he approached, she noticed his hair was curly and dark and his eyes. They were perfectly blue. He seemed so at ease as he approached. The word comfortable came to mind but Dawn felt anything but comfortable. She was not used to being approached by handsome strangers and was at a complete loss.

“That was some throw, I’m impressed. My name’s Eddie Hawkins.”

Dawn placed her slender hand into the rough masculine hand extended to her. As Eddie bent down she noticed his hair was wet with perspiration, dark brown curls had fallen out of place onto his forehead. Suddenly she realized her hand was still in his and he had an amused grin on his face.

She pulled her hand away a little embarrassed. “Dawn...that’s my name. My name’s Dawn Graham.”

“Very nice to meet you Dawn.” Eddie lifted the Chemistry book she had just set down. “Say, you think you could take a break from this and teach a guy how to throw a ball?” His smile was so warm, so kind.

“Hey Eddie, quit flirting with the girls and let’s finish the game!”

“Well, I guess I better quit flirting and get back to my game. It really was nice to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

With that Eddie gave a little wink and thankfully before he could see the blush come into Dawn’s face he was gone. Dawn gathered up her things and strapped them to her bicycle. “Was he really flirting with me?” Without even realizing it she hummed all the way home.

Eddie rejoined his friends on the other side of the park but his mind was still crouched down on the grass next to the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Dawn...he said to himself.

He had noticed her at once, she pulled up on a bicycle and spread out a blanket on the grass. She had long golden brown hair and she wrinkled up her nose when she read. He kept stealing glances at her but she didn’t seem to notice anything but the book in front of her. That played to his advantage when he purposely threw a football in her direction. To his surprise she picked up the ball and threw it as straight and nearly as far as one of his buddies. He smiled to himself as he thought about how flustered she’d seemed when he came over to introduce himself. He’d almost lost his nerve when he bent down and looked into her deep brown eyes.

Stew, Eddie’s cousin, interrupted his thoughts. “Uh-oh boys! I think my cousin is in love. Look at that goofy face.”

Eddie threw the ball at Stew and shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah Stew maybe I am but at least my girl is real and not imaginary.” Uttering the words “my girl” gave Eddie butterflies in the pit of his stomach. All the guys had a good laugh at Stew’s expense and went back to their football game.

Sunday morning Dawn awoke with a start. Rain was pouring outside her bedroom window. She rubbed her eyes, got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. Like every Sunday morning, the whole Graham family was gathering to have breakfast together before church.

Dawn helped her mother prepare breakfast while her brothers, Michael, Marvin, Gregory, and Derek slowly and sleepily drug themselves to the table. David Graham met each one of them with a nod and a “Good morning, Son.”

An early bird, her father had already showered and dressed for church. Dawn kissed her father’s cheek as she placed a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of him. He put his hand over her own, “You’re going to make some lucky man very happy someday.”

“Who’d want her!” piped in Derek, Dawn’s youngest brother. Her Dad gave him a warning glance but everyone knew he meant no harm.

“Thank you, Daddy.” she replied to her father but her thoughts were elsewhere. An image of a handsome blue-eyed man with dark curly hair flashed into her mind.

“Why would I be thinking of him?”

A hour and a half later Dawn and her family were heading out the door for church. The storm had not let up at all. Dark clouds filled the sky, the rain was falling heavily in large drops and the only thing louder than the pounding rain was the thunder. It was only a short drive to the small town church Dawn’s family faithfully attended. They quickly piled out of the car and ran inside to escape the rain.

As soon as they were seated Dawn realized in the rush to get inside she had left her Bible in the car. With a quick explanation to her parents she excused herself to retrieve her well worn Bible. As she exited the wooden double doors of Trinity Baptist Church she chastened herself for not grabbing the umbrella.

Dawn ran quickly to the car, opened the back door and found her Bible right were she had left it. She began running with her head down back to the familiar old church building.

Steps that Dawn had climbed probably hundreds of times failed her as she slipped on the wet surface and twisted her ankle. It seemed as if everything was moving in slow motion. She felt herself falling backwards, she thought she heard someone call her name. Her body tensed as she prepared for the impact but it never came. Dawn had fallen into something or rather someone. She spun around to find herself securely in the arms of Eddie.

Eddie Hawkins had only recently moved to the quiet town he hoped would be his new home. Only one year out of high school, he came to attend college with his cousin Stewart, or as most called him just Stew. Stew and his family invited Eddie to attend services at their church. Since he was planning on staying around he decided Trinity Baptist would be a good place to start his search for a new church home.

Running a few minutes late he quickly pulled into a parking space. The parking lot was already full. “I must be more than a few minutes late” he groaned. He jumped out of the car and decided he would just grab a seat in back so as not to be noticed sneaking in late. He looked up at his possible new church and saw the last thing he expected. It was her.

Dawn was running toward the steps of the church. She was already drenched from the rain. Eddie had thought about Dawn almost nonstop since their meeting the day before. He didn’t believe in love at first sight but he hadn’t been able to get this girl out of his mind. He determined in himself that he would get to know this beauty that made his heart beat too fast and tied his stomach in knots.

As Eddie made his way to the double door entrance he intended to show what a gentleman he could be and at least open the door for Dawn. He took a couple of running steps to catch up and say hello. Almost to the bottom of the steps he came up right behind her but she didn’t notice. She was running with her head down to get out of the downpour.

Eddie too felt as if his world had slowed to a snails pace. As he neared Dawn she slipped on the wet steps leading into the church. Eddie did the only thing he could think of in that split second of time. He caught Dawn up in his arms and held her close to him.

“Whoa! I got you.” The suddenness of it all left Dawn trembling. She allowed herself to be held by the strong arms that were supporting her. She lifted her eyes to meet the ocean blue eyes she had been dreaming of since yesterday.

Eddie could see how shaken Dawn was. Something in those beautiful brown eyes looking up at him made Eddie long to comfort her. The butterflies that had seemed to take up residence in his stomach the moment he met Dawn returned.

He had no way of knowing that most of the trembling in her could be attributed to the young man trying to comfort her and not the near fall. He held her more firmly and cupped her cheek with his hand. “I got you , it’s okay , I won’t let you fall.”

Dawn was completely speechless. How had all of this happened? She was only going to run and get her Bible, now she was in the arms of the one who had been her constant thought since Saturday. Tears welled up in her eyes though she didn’t exactly know why. Not wanting Eddie to see, Dawn once again rested her head on his shoulder. When she felt more herself again she began to feel embarrassed. She pulled back to stand on her own but Eddie did not release her hands.

Both were completely soaked but neither seemed to care or notice. Dawn finally brought her eyes to meet Eddie’s once more. She saw something in those deep pools of blue that made her knees weak. There was a tenderness and caring. She became even more aware of Eddie’s strong hands holding her own. Heat began to rise to her cheeks and she knew she was blushing and had no power to stop it.

The embarrassed part of her wanted to run and hide but another part wondered if she shouldn’t slip and fall more often. Dawn knew she should say something or they might stand in the rain staring into each others eyes all day. “Nice catch.” Dawn said with a slight smile.

Eddie’s heart melted in his chest. He knew his nearness was causing her to blush but he couldn‘t pull away any more than she could. In fact, his only desire was to be closer. She was even more beautiful now than when they met. He smiled in return, his heart still racing.

Reluctantly, Eddie released the soft white hands that had felt so right in his own. They both took a step towards the church. Dawn felt pain shoot through her ankle when she stepped. She stumbled and reached out to steady herself. Eddie welcomed being a support for her. He gently swept her off her feet intending to carry her into the church. No chance of sneaking in now.

“What would I do without you?” whispered Dawn into his ear. Eddie looked deeply into her eyes hoping she could see all he felt. “Let’s not find out Dawn.”

Dawn’s mind traveled years and years in only a few seconds, through a tender courtship, a beautiful wedding, children and grandchildren, family altars, and prayers of a husband and wife. Dawn never found out what life would be like without Eddie.

She smiled as she focused again on those beautiful blue eyes that had become so familiar. She squeezed the hand of her husband. “I love you Eddie. I have loved the life we’ve shared.” Eddie gently bent down to kiss the wife he loved so dearly. “I love you too, Dawn.”

Dawn suddenly felt so very tired she closed her eyes to rest. An instant later Dawn opened her eyes feeling more rested than she thought possible. She was no longer in a hospital bed. As she took in this Place she beheld the Love of her life. She fell at the feet of her Savior.

“Welcome home little one.”

There was no sadness, only joy in His presence.

Eddie allowed his tears to fall. He could only imagine what his beloved wife was beholding at that moment but he knew he would soon see it for himself. Husband and wife both knew in their hearts that their love story would continue someday...forever.




HEY! and don't forget to e-mail Marsha Smith if you have a comment!


kiletile@bellsouth.net

Author's Note: The Story Of My Life: Ephesians 2:4-8 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.





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