Page 4 of Christmas Hearts

I get up from my chair and start pacing around the room. My brothers’ eyes follow me, and the room is in complete silence.

"I want to run for mayor."

My brothers look at each other, and some silent message passes through them. "Good luck." They say in unison.

"I still think the easier thing for you to do is ask the girl out on a date. All your problems will be solved." Michael says.

They file out of my office, and I'm able to breathe easy again. That was hard, but not as hard as convincing Ana Maria Gonzalez to be my wife and the mother of my daughter. I have her number on my cell phone. I asked her for it some time ago when I was doing work for the library.

An ache goes through me when I remember I can no longer go to the library as a volunteer. I've spent so much time there in the past five years that it's like a second home to me. I don't think I can survive not seeing Ana every day.

Coward that I am, I text her instead of calling her.

Me: I'd like to meet with you tonight if possible

Ana: I'm not sure we should do that

Me: I'd like to apologize in person and explain a few things

Ana: You can apologize right now, no need to make a show of it

Me: Please, Ana. There are several things I want to talk to you about

Ana: Okay, but I want it in writing here that I don't think this is a good idea

Me: Thanks. I'll meet you at Over the Roast at six?

Ana: I'll see you then

The exchange leaves me exhilarated, mostly because I'm going to see Ana again. I need to make sure I have a good argumentto lay out in front of her so she's more open to considering my proposition.

The wait until six o'clock in the evening is eternal. I spend most of the afternoon practicing the speech I'm going to say to her. At one point, my mother knocks on my office door, startling me.

"Hey, Mom, is everything okay?"

"That's what I was going to ask you. Were you talking to yourself?"

"Um, sort of. Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, sweetheart. What is it?"

"What do you think of Ana Maria?"

"I think she's a wonderful librarian, but most importantly, she's a warm and caring person. She's made friends with Daisy and encourages her to read. I really like her. Why do you ask?"

"I can't tell you. You'll tell me I'm being crazy."

"Is that what your brothers told you at this morning's meeting?"

"Something like that."

My mother looks at me as if she's just figuring out some things about me.

"You're the youngest of your brothers, but you've got a good head on your shoulders. Whatever it is, I trust you, and you have my support."

"That means a lot to me, mom."

I reach out and hug her tightly, then I lift her and twirl her around the room until she's giggling like a schoolgirl.

---