Page 52 of Across the Universe

CHAPTER20

Jo

It's justJo's luck that the contract for her first book comes in the day before Bill's launch. She stands at the mailbox, holding the official looking manila envelope that's addressed to her from Snell & Banks in New York City, and her heart thumps with joy.

Jo looks up and down the street, hoping that Frankie or Jude or Barbie might be passing by so she can flag them down and share the good news, but the children have gone back to school already for the fall, and the streets are nearly empty.

Jo goes back into her cool house and slices into the envelope in her kitchen with a pearl-handled letter opener she'd received as a wedding gift.

Mrs. Booker, the letter reads.

I am thrilled to inform you we have secured a contract for your first book,Lost In Time. Random House is prepared to offer you an advance of $1,000 for the rights to publishLost In Time.That contract is enclosed within.

Following, you will find the most important details and commitments that come with signing the contract. Upon receipt of the first ten chapters, Random House will forward payment to you via registered mail.

Please contact me directly should you have questions or pressing concerns, otherwise I eagerly await receipt of this contract so we might proceed with gettingLost In Timeonto the shelves of bookstores everywhere.

Best wishes,

Martin Snell

Jo reads the letter over and over. Her eyes go wide and cartoonish every time they snag on the figure:one thousand dollars. It seems an astronomical sum for sitting around at night, typing up love stories. Without realizing it, Jo has been twisting her necklace back and forth absentmindedly. She isn't sure who to call first: her mother? Frankie? Bill at his desk? Or maybe she should just head to the store and buy the ingredients for the special dinner she has been planning to make for Bill and the kids tonight--the night before his launch.

Yes, she thinks.That's what I'll do. This day is still about Bill, and maybe I can mention the contract over dinner. He'll be distracted, but still proud. And the things they can do with a thousand dollars! Her mind whirs with the possibilities.

Her book contract; the kids back at school and settling in; Bill's launch the following day… their lives are overflowing with good things. The bounty of this life they have together is rich. For the rest of the day, Jo smiles to herself happily as she goes about her tasks, and not once does she stop to think about Jeanie Florence, about Bill not wanting to see Dr. Sheinbaum with her, about the dangers of Bill's job. She simply counts her blessings, and counts the hours until her family is home with her again, safe and sound.

* * *

Dinner is poolside, and it's comprised of everyone's favorites: steak and mashed potatoes for Bill; macaroni salad for Jimmy; Jello for Kate; Shirley Temples with extra maraschino cherries for Nancy.

"This was quite a feast," Bill says, leaning back in his chair as they sit in the twilight, listening to the hum of the pool filter. In a neighboring yard, they can hear young boys tossing a ball back and forth, and Jimmy's eyes light up at the sound. "Yes, you can head over and join them," Bill says to his son before he can even ask.

"Thanks for dinner, Mom," Jimmy says, standing up and looking like he's ready to bolt.

"Dishes, son," Bill says to him, nodding at Jimmy's spot at the table. With a mild grimace, Jimmy stops, gathers his things, and races them into the kitchen, where Jo knows she'll find them deposited haphazardly on a counter or on the kitchen table. "Hey, I'm trying to get him to participate," Bill says to her with an apologetic shrug. "Can't have him making more work around here for you."

Jo smiles at Bill as she sips her watered-down Shirley Temple. The ice had melted quickly, but the festive feel of the dinner has been a balm for her soul. Even the girls are chatty and in good spirits, and everyone toasted Jo when she'd casually mentioned that her book had received a contract.

"I'm proud of you, hon," Bill says now, watching as Kate and Nancy stand and gather the rest of the dishes to take inside. Jo has agreed to let them indulge in an hour of television before bed, and they're eager to watchI Dream of Jeannie. "I don't know how you manage everything around here, and write books that big New York publishers want to acquire. You amaze me."

For his part, Bill has been subdued all evening. Jo can imagine that he's experiencing a heightened sensation of what one feels the night before embarking on a big journey: anticipation, excitement, maybe a bit of dread mixed in. The feeling of nervousness must be so overwhelming that it nearly silences a person, and Jo watches him carefully, noting how he sits extremely still, just looking around as if seeing things for the first time.

"Thank you," Jo says, reaching for his hand and clasping it on the table. The light goes on in the kitchen and through the window, they can see the girls moving around, laughing as they clean up and do the task their father has assigned to them. "I know it's been hard for everyone in different ways--us coming here and starting a whole new life--but I really took some time to adjust, and you were patient with me. I appreciate that more than you know."

Bill rubs her fingers as they hold hands. He looks almost remorseful. "I should have been easier on you, Jojo," he says in a voice roughened by emotion. "You wanted to volunteer at the hospital to get a foothold in this new life, and then you wanted to write to work out your own feelings, and I should have honored that more."

"Oh, you did alright," Jo says, dismissing his apology. "We learn things all the time, don't we?"

"We sure do," Bill says. "About ourselves and about each other. And what I've learned about you is how strong you are."

Jo flushes with the sensation of being seen. She looks down at their hands, knotted together there on the glass tabletop as stars emerge in the sky above. Bill has lit the tiki torches that are stuck in the grass for this occasion, and the little blazes of light that dot the pool area flicker and cast light on their faces. Jo looks up and into her husband's eyes.

"I think you're strong, too. You’re amazing, Bill. You wanted this for so long, and you made it come true. You got chosen by NASA, and you've jumped through all the hoops, and now you're going..."

"...to space," Bill finishes for her. "I'm really going."

Jo nods, squeezing his hand but trying not to let on how much this scares her. "We'll be here," she says, aiming for a lighthearted tone. "We'll be here waiting for you when you land--I promise you."

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