Fiction Book: Finding Tracey

"I could cook if I really wanted to," Emma whined, as she tossed a salad.

"Yeah, right," Jewel said, as she went about coating chicken before placing it in the oven. "The day you cook is the day I sprout wings and fly."

"Jewel, you drive me crazy."

Jewel winced as Emma banged the salad bowl around the counter, praying it wouldn't break. It was a gift from her Grandma and she wasn't ready to part with it.

"Take it easy, Em! I can't help it if you can't cook," Jewel spoke while glaring into her eyes.

"Change the subject," enunciated Emma, while her eyes bulged from her head.

Jewel knew Emma was about to explode. "Good idea, Emma," Jewel replied before turning back to coat her chicken.

"So, how's your love life, girl-child?" Emma asked.

Jewel nearly fell over. "My love life is none of your business, Em," Jewel replied, testily.

"In other words, non-existent," Emma commented smugly.

"No, it isn't. It's just that you won't understand. You'll laugh at me if I try to explain."

"No, I won't."

"Yes, you will."

"I will not," Emma insisted.

"Yes, you will," Jewel was just as insistent. By this time, the two were, almost, nose to nose.

Emma sighed and moved a little further back. "OK, if I laugh, you can hit me," Emma promised.

Considering it, Jewel figured it was worth it. "I met this guy on the internet-" Jewel began.

Whoops of laughter followed. Jewel's slender, but powerful, body sprung through the air to pummel Emma into submission. "I told you not to laugh," Jewel barked.

"Whoa! I'm sorry," Emma apologized, while struggling to get to her feet. "I didn't realize this guy meant so much to you, or I wouldn't have laughed. It's just that you took me by surprise."

Jewel moved away from Emma wondering if she should even continue. Apologies were fine but they didn't take away the hurt and humiliation.

"Come on! Tell me about this guy."

"His name is Collin, but he's more like a friend than a sweetheart, even though he is a sweetheart. Am I making sense so far?"

"Yes," Emma responded with a smile.

"He's my age and he builds houses for a living. I think he calls himself a general contractor."

Jewel paused to place the chicken in the oven and asked Emma if she wanted a cup of coffee. When Emma declined, Jewel retrieved a cup and sat at the table.

"We met through our web sites. He signed into my guest book, leaving his web address, and I checked it out. I signed into his guest book and the rest is history."

"That's boring, Jewel! How can you be excited about that?"

Jewel ignored her, knowing Emma was not one to find much excitement in using her brain. "Em, if you want to hear the rest be quiet!"

Emma saw that flare of anger again and figured she'd be wise to keep her mouth shut.

"He thrives on helping people," Jewel continued, "and loves going to church. He's so much like me, and I'd really love to meet him, but he lives so far away!"

"Is he athletic like you?"

"Yes. He's a weightlifter, and he loves to swim. He teaches Sunday School too."

"Wow! I didn't realize that could be athletic! Does he teach monkeys or kids?"

Jewel sighed with exasperation.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. He sounds like a real peach."

"I believe so," Jewel replied frostily.

"Hey, girl-child! Don't go getting all uptight now, you hear? You know all I care about is that you're happy."

"Thanks."

"Is he cute?"

"Dreamy, in a rugged kind of way. He has brown hair, which he wears really short. He's clean-shaven, about 160 lb, and he has dark eyes. I'm not sure what color they are, but they're gorgeous, and they smile."

"His eyes smile? Are you taking drugs?"

"Em," Jewel whined. "Haven't you seen anyone smile with their eyes and mouth at the same time?"

"Can't say that I have. I think you've got it bad," Emma exploded with laughter. Jewel punched her in the shoulder. She sobered fast.

"If you promise to behave, I can show you a picture of him. I have one in my purse."

"I promise," Emma replied, while trying her best not to laugh.

Jewel gave her the photo and Emma's jaw slackened. "He's gorgeous!"

Jewel glared at her. She still hadn't moved her eyes from the picture. "Give it to me, Em," she said, reaching for it.

"Yeah, right." Emma pretended to put it in her pocket. "This one's mine, girl-child."

Emma didn't see Jewel's fist until it was too late.

Collin was about to drive the last nail into a sheet of plywood when the hammer slammed into his thumb.

He squeezed his eyes together, and held back the first retort that came to mind, knowing that if he shouted sugar he would never hear the end of it.

He ground his teeth together as pain sliced through his thumb. Tears stung the back of his eyes, and he blinked fast, hoping they wouldn't spill. He wanted to cry, but there were too many people around. It was the first time he wished he could be all alone on the job.

As it was, he yelled to the guys that he would be back in five. The sheet of plywood didn't need his attention so he might as well go kiss his thumb in private.

He had only been back with the group for ten minutes when a co-worker, BJ, came over and slugged his shoulder.

"How's it going, buddy?"

"It was going a lot better before you slugged me. One of these days I'll lay you flat," Collin replied with a smile as he turned back towards the plywood, hoping to drive the last nail home.

"Saw you hammer your thumb a few minutes ago. Boy, that must have hurt," BJ said as he bent to pick up a few nails.

Collin grunted in response.

"Come on, Collin. Can't you be like everyone else and scream or kick something? Man, if I hit my thumb I'd have been dancing all over the place. I wouldn't have cared about pride. I wouldn't need to lick my wounds in private, like some people I know."

BJ began to hammer nails, not even a hint of a smile upon his face.

Collin glared at him behind his back and walked away, knowing he'd slug him if he didn't.

Collin arrived home totally exhausted. He was tempted to check his e-mail, before preparing dinner, to see what news Jewel might have, but he stank too much and decided to take a shower.

After he tended to his mother and got her tucked away for the night, he would check his e-mails from Jewel, and dream of the time when he might see her.

Lord, it's interesting to care so much about someone I have never seen. I think of Jewel almost constantly.

To be honest, it was her fault that I hit my thumb. If I wasn't thinking so much about her, it wouldn't have happened. Of course, she will never know that. She won't even know I banged my thumb.

The thought of waiting two hours to check his e-mail seemed forever. He sighed as he went about preparing dinner, willing the time to pass, longing for a few precious moments of solitude.

Later, having answered all his e-mails, Collin decided to write a little just to unwind. It seemed writing helped to ease his tension, a lot like reading for pleasure.

Tension was an ever-present companion, it seemed, and like a good friend, it never left.

His journal completed, he turned out the light, intending to go to sleep, but his mind drifted to thoughts of Jewel.

I can't wait to meet her, Lord. It seems she's been part of my life forever.

Collin settled down, propping his head upon both pillows, and relaxing into the mattress. I wonder what her voice sounds like? And her laugh?

He closed his eyes and smiled, finally, allowing his mind to relax.