The Restaurant(38)
Dear Diary, Jay asked me to marry him! Of course I said yes. It was the most romantic thing. He took me to our favorite restaurant in the North End, Cantina Italiana and instead of our usual wine, he ordered a bottle of champagne and I didn’t think anything of it. I had no idea. I just thought he wanted something different. But once it was poured, and we put our orders in, Jay got down on his knees and held out the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. It was his grandmother’s, and it’s so delicate and pretty. I can’t stop staring at it.
The rest of the night was magical. I barely remember eating my pasta, we were so busy making our plans for our life together. We decided that we’ll aim for a New Year’s Eve wedding, so that gives me six months to plan. I’m so excited that I don’t think I’ll sleep a wink tonight.
The next few entries were more about the wedding planning and her grandmother’s search for the perfect dress. The search was put on hold though when the US entered the war and Jay promptly enlisted.
Dear Diary, We’re at war now. And Jay and his friends went down as soon as it was announced to sign up. I understand why they did of course and I support it, but I wish he wasn’t going. I won’t be able to fully relax until it’s over and he’s home. The wedding, of course, is on hold until he comes back. It might be sooner or later, no one really knows. It’s a scary time for all of us.
Her grandmother’s worry was evident in the next few entries, which spanned several months.
Dear Diary, It looks like this blasted war is never going to end. I write to Jay every week and hear back maybe once a month if I’m lucky and it’s a relief every time. He says he’s well, but I know he’s anxious to get home too. I have these awful dreams sometimes, nightmares really where he never comes home. It’s my biggest fear. But I try to stay focused on my job and I pray for him every night and every Sunday in church.
There were a few more entries and then nothing until nearly two years later.
Dear Diary, I know I have ignored you for the longest time. I just haven’t felt like writing for the longest time. My biggest fear has come true. A telegram arrived saying that Jay is missing in action and presumed dead. His plane was shot down. I held out hope that maybe it was wrong information. But his parents are having a service this Sunday, which makes it real. I feel like I’ve lost a piece of my soul. I don’t think I will ever be able to love anyone the way that I loved Jay. I miss him so much.
Mandy closed the diary through blurry eyes. Now she knew who Jay was to her grandmother and her heart hurt thinking of the pain she must have felt. She was only halfway through the diary, so looked forward to reading more and learning about when her grandparents met, and about Mimi’s Place.
Chapter 16
Billy’s flight from New York arrived Thursday night a little after six. Jill smiled when she saw the familiar tall, lean figure get off the plane and walk towards her. He left his power suit at home and looked comfortable and still very handsome in faded jeans and a navy button-down shirt and a chocolate brown leather jacket. He grinned when he saw her and pulled her into a bear hug that lifted her in the air.
“Is Nantucket ready for me?” he asked as he set her back down.
She laughed. “That remains to be seen.”
They walked to the luggage area where a baggage handler was wheeling out a rack of bags. Billy spotted his duffle bag and grabbed it.
“You just have the one bag?”
“I’m only here for a few days. Though you’d probably need a bag just for your shoes?” He knew her well.
She smacked his arm. “Very funny. Let’s go.”
They put Billy’s bag in the back seat of Grams’ white Volvo sedan and Jill drove them home. The house was quiet when they walked in.
“Where’s Emma?” Billy asked.
“She’s working tonight. We’ll see her later or tomorrow morning. Mandy says hello too. We thought we might all do brunch with you on Sunday before you head out?”
“Great. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.”
“Are you hungry? I thought we could get some takeout and just relax in tonight. Maybe go sightseeing on Saturday and out to a restaurant after work tomorrow?”
Billy set his bag down and flopped into a chair at the kitchen table.
“That sounds good to me, and I could eat.”
Jill laughed. She knew that was Billy’s way of saying he was starving. She fished a Thai takeout menu out of a drawer and handed it to him. “Take a look and let me know what sounds good. I have some wine and cheese and crackers we can snack on for now.”
She opened a bottle of cabernet, poured a glass for each of them and set out a plate with a container of creamy pub cheese, a block of cheddar and an assortment of crackers.
A few minutes later, she called in the order for Thai delivery and settled at the table across from Billy, who was slathering pub cheese on a cracker. They talked shop for the next hour while they waited for their food to be delivered. Billy caught her up on everything going on in the office and once they finished their Thai food, they opened a second bottle of wine and spent the rest of the night laughing and talking about everything under the sun. Jill realized how much she’d missed Billy’s company. More than anything, they really were best friends and often finished each other’s sentences.