Page 37 of Spilling the Tea

“My brother likes you.”

Felicia Laverne gazed across the darkened cabin to Victoria’s bed. “That’s good because I like him, too.”

She could hear Victoria pull up in bed. “I knew it! The two of you seemed serious when I came out of the girls’ room. What did he say while I was gone?”

Felicia Laverne pulled up in bed as well. Resting her back against the pillow, her knees propped up, she said, “He asked me about myself. He wanted to know if I had a boyfriend, and I told him no and why. He didn’t seem bothered that other guys found my dad intimidating just because he’s a minister.”

She paused and excitedly said, “Milton asked if he could write to me this summer.”

“He did?” Victoria asked.

“Yes, and I told him he could. I asked if I could write to him, and he said that I could as well.”

“Will you do it, Felicia Laverne?”

“Yes, I’ll do, but only if he writes to me first. I really like him a lot, Victoria. He seems so nice.”

“He is nice. Just like my Waylon. They are best friends. Wouldn’t it be nice if two best friends married two best friends?”

Felicia Laverne chuckled, liking that idea. “I wish that would happen, Victoria, but I’m not sure my father will let me date a guy so much older than I am. He’s twenty-one, right?”

“Yes. That’s only five years.”

“I know, but then there’s also the distance of where we live. I’m not sure Dad will allow me to get serious about someone who lives so far away in Texas.”

“Well, I think Reverend Lee would love Milton if he were to meet him. I’m not saying that because he’s my brother. I’m saying it because he’s a man of honor just like my father. They are Madaris men. To them, that means everything. They work hard and believe their words are their bond. The same thing holds true with Waylon, which is why I love him so much. And thanks for helping me hang his picture on the wall by my bed.”

“You’re welcome, and your Waylon is very handsome.”

“Thanks. I’m counting down to when we can become officially engaged. I can accept his engagement ring after graduating high school next year.”

When Felicia Laverne said nothing for a long while, Victoria asked softly, “What are you thinking, Felicia Laverne?”

That answer was easy. “I’m giddy at the thought that a twenty-one-year-old man could be interested in me. Do you think he will write me?”

“Yes. If Milt says he will do it, then he will. You can count on it.”

Felicia Laverne felt good hearing that. Already, she was envisioning a future with him where she would be his wife, and they would have plenty of babies, both boys and girls. The boys would look after their sisters. She would name their first-born son Milton Jantzen Madaris Jr. after his father.

She and Victoria began talking about other things. Namely, all the fun they would have that summer. Later as she drifted off to sleep, her mind was filled with thoughts of Milton and how he had smiled at her several times that day. She couldn’t wait to receive her first letter from him.

Chapter Ten

My Dearest Felicia Laverne,

This is the eighth letter I’ve written to you this summer; each letter we share means more and more to me. I can’t wait to see you again at the end of the summer when I come with my parents to pick up Victoria from camp.

I love you, Felicia Laverne. I knew it the first time we met. I wished I could be there, standing before you, to tell you those words. However, I couldn’t pen another letter without making sure you knew how I feel.

I truly hope you feel the same way. Please let me know if you think I am moving too fast, and I will slow down.

Could I talk to your father when he comes to pick you up from camp? I want his permission to visit you in Atlanta in the fall.

Until I see you again, my love,

Milton

My Beloved Milton,

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