Always a Gentleman is a historical fiction novel set in Miami, Fl. It is the story of a young couple who decide to get married as teenagers. They grew up across the street from each other, but do they really know each other?  They face some pretty tough struggles early in the marriage that form the foundation of their relationship. These struggles help mature them pretty fast. They meet unexpected characters along the way who also help to shape their marriage and give it some backbone. In all the struggles, they manage to stay together and seal the
love they have had for each other since childhood.
 

 

Spring 1980

 It is one of these sticky, hot and humid Miami days. A slight breeze still can’t take the heat away. I am on my way to the downtown library. Clicking my heels and humming along the sidewalk. I’m aware of the heat, but not letting it stop me from going downtown. Jackson and Ol’ Granddiddy are sitting on the porch across the street directly in front of my house, watching me walk further and further away. I give a courteous wave but keep walking, not waiting to see if they wave back.

“Jackson are you just going to look at her get away or are you going to grab that umbrella and walk her to the bus stop?” asks Ol’ Granddiddy.

Ol’ Granddiddy has watched Jackson going after hot tail girls. That’s what he calls them, girls with all body and no brain, going nowhere, faster than a blue jay being chased by a hawk. He wants Jackson to have the kind of relationship he has with Mae-Mae, his wife of almost 70 years. They married young and had 6 “younkins.”

He murmurs, “Boy, just wasting time chasing after them crazy, lazy girls.

 

Act like he ain’t got no sense.”

He tells Jackson, “See that Bijon, now that’s a girl doing something with her life. She ain’t ugly. No, I thinks she’s a pretty little thing. So what, she’s a church girl and an only child, probably spoiled to death, but at least, she’s going somewhere in life. You can’t make it by yourself; you gots to have help, Jackson. You need a woman who will help you in life, not somebody that’ll take every penny you work for. Open your eyes, boy, and see what I’m saying.”

 Ol’ Granddiddy is a man of few words, so when he does say something, he wants you to listen up. Ol’ Granddiddy can see something in Jackson he can’t see in himself just yet. He has good hands and a good work ethic. He is saving his money to get himself a place. But he likes them wild girls. Ol’ Granddiddy thought to himself, “if he gets caught with one of them, it’ll be his downfall.”

He added one more line to his speech, “And she’s from a good family.  Good neighbors and good people, that’s what they are. Now get that umbrella and walk her to the bus stop.”

I’ve heard Ol’ Granddiddy tell Jackson to quit chasing those fast tail girls , 

 who ask for everything and smell bad. But can he do it? Can I forgive and forget him dropping me like a hot potato to run after them? Can we get back together again?

Living across the street from one another, Jackson can see my comings and goings. I wonder if he likes that.

Jackson grabs the big, striped umbrella and trots across the street. I am in my own world and don’t hear him come up on me.

 “Hey Bijon, it’s hot out here, girl. Can I walk you to the bus stop?”

 “That’s entirely up to you, Jackson. I’m perfectly fine to walk by myself.”

 That’s what I say, but what I am thinking is thank goodness, this sun is roasting me, and I’m not halfway to the bus stop yet. What’s Jackson doing showing off, is my other thought. For a long time, he made it clear I would not be his girlfriend. He wants me to be like his other girlfriends, but I will not.

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Jenna Lee is an indie author and  nurse practitioner in private practice.  She lives and works in the  Metro Washington DC area. She  enjoys writing stories with themes of  love, healing, and the human experience. She loves to coupon, hike on nature trails, read, watch documentaries, and she loves the beach.  She is a mom and a grammy  and she is single again.

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