I knew I had to be careful what I said at this moment. I didn't want to give anything away...okay, I wanted to, but I knew I shouldn't. After all, I told myself, the Jamie that he's talking about could just as easily be a friend back in Tulsa. Somehow, though, I doubted that. Somehow, deep in my heart, I knew that he was talking about the girl in his dreams, my friend Jamie. I didn't know how he knew her name, but it was her.
"Ike," I asked carefully, "who is Jamie?"
He blushed. Leaning close, he whispered, "I think it's her. I had another dream the other night. We were doing a show, and singing 'I Will Come To You'. All of a sudden, the same thing happened that happened on our first tour...I nearly broke down. Then...I saw her. She was in the second row, right in front of me. And I finished the song without breaking down. Then, the scene changed. I was backstage at the same show, doing the meet- and-greet. I looked up to the next person in line...and it was her. She smiled...such a gorgeous smile...and said, 'Hi, Isaac. I'm Jamie.' I have to find her, Monica," he insisted. "I know she's the only one for me. Will you help me?"
I couldn't speak at first. Finally I nodded. "Yes, of course I'll help. I'd do anything to get you two together...I mean, to help you find her," I covered quickly, hoping he hadn't noticed my slip.
He hadn't. He just sighed in relief. "Thanks, Monica. I just have to find her soon. I hope she isn't having all this, too. I wouldn't wish this kind of pain on anyone."
I wished I could honestly tell him that she wasn't having all that, but I could only smile sympathetically and wish him luck.
Not long after my conversation with Isaac, it was time for the Hansons to leave. Michelle and her family had left a few minutes before. As we were walking them out, Taylor pulled me aside.
"Moni, can I talk to you for a minute?"
I smiled. "Of course, Tay."
"Well, I was talking to Michelle a few minutes ago. I hear the prom is coming up soon."
"Yeah, it is," I said. "The second Saturday in May."
"So...do you have a date yet?"
"No, not yet," I said slowly.
"Um...will you go with me?"
"Of course I will, Tay! You know, we still haven't been on an official date yet."
"Yeah, I know," he agreed, laughing. "I guess this will be as good a time as any."
"Better than any," I corrected. "This will be the perfect night."
All of a sudden, Taylor groaned.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"Now we have to go shopping again!"
I burst out laughing. "You mean I can't wear the dress I wore to the other party?" I asked jokingly.
He considered for a moment. "Well...I suppose you could...you'd probably burn up dancing, but I guess it's better than shopping." He started to say something else, but he was laughing too hard.
When we finally stopped laughing enough that we could talk, I said, "I guess it's a good thing Michelle and Ike aren't going out anymore."
"Why is that?" Taylor asked.
"The prom is just for juniors and seniors. Ike's only a sophomore!"
We both burst out laughing again. Then, all of a sudden, Taylor stopped laughing.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"I don't know," he said slowly. "I'm really worried about Ike. I don't know what's going on with him and Michelle. He told me that they had just both decided that it wouldn't work out, but I'm not convinced. I think there's more to it than that, but he won't tell me what it is. I'm really worried about him, Moni," he said, leaning close. "Do you have any idea what's going on?"
I didn't know what to say. I wanted to tell him everything, but I knew Isaac must have had a reason for not telling him. Finally, I sighed. "Yes, I know what is happening. But I'm not sure I should tell you. Ike obviously has some reason for not telling you. Why don't you ask him again?"
At first Taylor seemed to reject the idea. Finally, he nodded. "Okay, I'll talk to him."
Just then, we heard Diana call, "Taylor, are you coming?"
"I'll be right there, Mom," he replied, then turned back to me. "I had a wonderful time, Monica."
"Oh, Taylor, I did too. I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked.
He thought for a second. "Yeah...it's still Spring Break, so you don't have school. I'll call you tomorrow and...let you know what happens, okay?"
"Okay. See you then!"
"Bye, Monica." He leaned over and hugged me gently, and then he was gone.
Chapter 38
Love Takes Time
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