30% Chance of Rain:

Christmas came that year. It was rather nice. Momma and daddy spoiled me on Christmas like they normally did every year. Jim even gave me a kiss under the mistletoe. Ever since my birthday, things became easier between us. People still stared at us. I was still trying to stomach it. At least now, I wanted to spend more time with your grandfather. This became rather apparent on New Year�s in 1984.

New Year�s eve of 1983 was good. I spent that with my parents, granma, aunt, uncle, and cousins. It was rather nice�for something safe. To my surprise (and disappointment), Jim didn�t show up. Maybe he was celebrating New Year�s with his family or something. Quite sad, really. I didn�t grasp why at the time. But, I hid my disappointment from my folks. ( I couldn�t tell them I was dating a black boy. Different times then, Frida. Different times.)

Anyway, your grandfather made up for it in 1984, New Year�s Day. I awoke to rocks hitting my window. I opened my eyes and looked outside. Jim stood outside, waving at me. I couldn�t help but to smile this time. �Finally!� I thought. Then, I quickly got dressed and hurried out the door. Jim smiled when he saw me.

�Hey!� he greeted me. I gave him a little kiss on the cheek, He looked at me playfully puzzled.

�That all I get?� I stuck my tongue out at him.

�Silly! My folks could be watching! And besides�� I grabbed him by the hands tightly. �You didn�t show up yesterday, why is that?� He gave me his famous schoolboy smile.

�Cause.� I raised an eyebrow at him.

�Cause why?�

�You wouldn�t want me there.�

�Well, now you�re here.�

�That�s true.� I smiled and kissed him on the lips this time. He kissed back. We slowly pulled away. I kept my smile.

�Well, shall we go?� Your grandfather smiled back at me.

�Why yes my lady!� I giggled as we headed out into the city.

�So where are we going exactly?� Jim asked. I shrugged at him.

�Just wherever.�

�Ah.� I looked at him oddly.

�Why do you say it like that? I thought you enjoyed that sort of thing.�

�I do.�

�Well, what�s the big problem?�

�Nothing!�

�Okay then.� Jim narrowed his eyes at me as I laughed. Boys are always so fun to mess with.

It snowed that New Year�s Day in Houston, Texas. Seemed to add a nice touch to out winter �84 walk. Jim held my hand the entire time. I stayed close to keep warm. Not many people out that day. Much easier for me to work with.

�Seems quiet,� I muttered. Jim looked up some.

�Hm?� I looked over at him.

�Look around us. It�s like the snow is the apocalypse and wiped everyone out except for us. It�s like this is our kingdom.� Jim smiled at my crazy logic. He seemed to like what I was saying.

�Out kingdom, huh?� I nodded at him.

�Yes, our snow-covered kingdom.�

�Well then, what do you want to do, my queen?� I thought about that for a moment.

�I want to show you something.� Your grandfather looked at me.

�And what is that?� I smiled and dragged him down the street. I took him to the park. I looked at me as if I had lost it.

�More snow?�

�No!� Jim looked around again.

�Okay� Then why are we out here?�

�Will you just chill?� Jim went rather quiet.

��Cuse me!�

�Thank you!� I continued my search in the frozen paradise. �Come on,� I thought. �I know you are around here somewhere. Come out and show yourself.� Finally, I spotted it. I turned back to your grandfather.

�Jim, look! Up ahead!� He looked in the direction I was pointing in. He still didn�t get it.

�What am I looking at?�

�Keeping looking up ahead!� Jim squinted hard. He finally saw what I was talking about. A puzzled look came onto his face.

�A tree?� I turned to him, smiling.

�Not just any tree! Come on!� I led your grandfather straight forward. We stood under the dead, iced-over tree. I pointed to a carving on the trunk.

�See? My parents practically carved their vows on this tree!� Jim read the carvings to himself.

�P.H.M. luvs J.W.B. 4-ever� they read under a heart. Jim looked up at me again.

�And?� I smiled as I pulled out my carving knife from my coat pocket. Jim backed away in a heartbeat.

�Whoa! Be careful with that thing, girl!� I only giggled at him and walked over to a blank part of the trunk. I carved my initials into the bark. When I was done, I handed Jim the knife.

�Here.� He stared at me for a moment.

�You sure?�

�Yes!� He only looked at me a few seconds more before taking the knife and carving his own initials in our new tree. On that New Year�s Day in �84, your grandfather and I declared out love for each other on that old elm tree. �S.L.B. luvs J.M.R. 4-ever� was what we carved with a bigger heart than my parents did in the 60�s. It�s still there to this day.

1984