Jeannie quietly walked into her room and sat on the edge of her bed. She sat there for a while without moving. She was hurting. Finally, she reached over and opened the drawer to her nightstand. Next to her Bible was a stack of love letters which had been collected over a span of years. Jeannie held them out with the intention of ripping them in half. She could only stare at them as she gripped either end of the letters. She couldn't bring herself to rip up the letters. Not just yet. She'd only had one romance her entire life. Was it really over?
Jeannie replayed his words in her head. It was over, alright. He'd made it perfectly clear that he'd met another girl, and that they were getting married. In all the years he'd been dating Jeannie, he never asked her to marry him. She took for granted that they eventually would wed, but now that Jeannie was really thinking it through, she had no reason to figure it that way. He wrote her very pretty letters claiming his undying love, but his romantic actions had remained largely the same as they'd been since the seventh grade. They kissed when they saw each other and they held hands, but there was never any serious discussion when it came to getting married. When Jeannie thought it through, he really seemed to see her more as a close friend.
Jeannie considered how Beverly would have handled the relationship. Bev was more forward, one might even say fiery. If she had invested years into a relationship, it would have been with full understanding of where it would eventually lead. And she would have made sure that she didn't have to wait long. Beverly would bait the hook with a tight sweater or a short skirt, grab his interest, then make clear that only a ring on her finger and a chat with the minister would allow for things to get any more serious. There was a certain cleanness to Beverly's direct approach. Jeannie had to wonder if the other girl had used a similar tactic.
Jeannie wasn't as forward as Beverly. Having had Beverly for a sister all her life, patience was the first skill Jeannie acquired -or rather, it was the first grace she had been blessed with. Besides, boys were indeed interested in her, it's just that Jeannie always had to turn them away because she thought she already had a fella. It's not that Jeannie couldn't find a better man, it's just that Beverly wouldn't have wasted so much of her life without knowing if it was going to work out. This got Jeannie to thinking. Beverly had never in her life been shy about giving Jeannie advice, asked for or otherwise. Yet, she never once questioned Jeannie about her romance, or gave advice on what to do about it. Beverly seemed to understand that romance was one area of Jeannie's life which was none of Bev's affair. Jeannie had to wonder what might have happened differently had Beverly taken an interest. But this was a sign of something.
Beverly rarely showed it, but she had tremendous respect for her sister. In a way, she'd always envied Jeannie's lasting relationship as it hinted at a serious connection Beverly knew she couldn't truly create by relying on her physical charms. Beverly basically presented herself as a prize to be won by the man who respected her enough to play by the rules. Jeannie really was a prize, though, and Beverly knew it. Guys could see it, too. What they didn't know was that there really wasn't the serious relationship Jean thought she had. How many better suitors might have come her way if she hadn't believed that she was spoken for? Really, Jeannie wasn't mad at him for calling it quits. If he met a girl who was better for him, it was a plus for him, and a plus for Jeannie since it kept her from making a mistake by staying with him. Yes, Jeannie was close to him, and had shared with him thoughts she never told anyone else, but their relationship was more habit than romance.
Jeannie took another look at the letters. While he didn't want her, it was hard for Jeannie to dislike him. He'd broken things off respectfully. And he'd never once tried anything funny with Jeannie. He was really a perfect gentleman through it all. And he was a perfect gentleman as he ended it. His new girl was within sight of Jeannie when it happened. She'd stood by with an expression of honest concern as he'd spelled it out for Jeannie. Jeannie at first thought the other girl was concerned about herself, or even him, but reflecting on it now, the girl seemed genuinely concerned about Jeannie's feelings. She didn't want his former flame to be hurt. The sudden love between the two seemed to be a surprise to everyone involved.
Jeannie mulled it over. Yes, her feelings were hurt, but she hadn't burst into tears or anything. Surely she would have if the relationship were as important as she figured it was. Maybe this was actually a good thing. He met a girl he was evidently in love with. Jeannie knew it was politic to step aside gracefully. And really, there was no reason not to. Sure, her heart would ache for a while, but more for the loss of a relationship the thought she had than for the loss of the relationship she actually had.
Jeannie sat the letters down on her bed and reached for the telephone. Rather than destroy the letters as Beverly surely would have done, maybe the better thing to do was to return them to him. There might be some lines in there he could use on his bride-to-be. And if he didn't want them, at least Jeannie would have a chance to tell him she was okay. Even if he loved another girl, he would want to know that Jeannie was going to be okay. They were friends, after all.
After the telephone conversation, Jeannie actually felt pretty good. She might've lost a romance, but her friend was gaining a spouse. Jeannie was truly happy for him. How to move forward, though? Beverly might doll herself up and hit the town to see if a better fella came along. Jeannie wasn't the type, though. She'd go through the usual routine that night, and carry on her life as normal, trusting God to send along the man who really was right for her. She was in no rush. After all, aggressive as Beverly was when it came to finding the right man, she wasn't walking down the aisle yet either. Jean's turn would come, just as Beverly's would.
A new world had opened up, though. The next time a boy came around, Jeannie could actually encourage him rather than discourage him. Granted, she didn't know how to do that, exactly, but it couldn't be that difficult. She'd seen Bev in action. Jean's style might not be as aggressive, but there might be something there she could use to take notes from. In a round about way, this helped Beverly. Many times she'd wanted to set up a double date, but Jeannie was out of the running. Now, however...
Unfortunately, not everybody learns of recent events at the same time. When Beverly caught sight of Jeannie's boyfriend kissing another girl at the malt shop, Bev saw red. Before she knew what she was doing, and certainly before he knew what was happening, Beverly leaped onto him and began clawing and kicking and biting. It was a very embarrassed Beverly who learned the truth after the Sheriff had driven her home in the back of his patrol car.
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