Jed looked at his watch for the third time in minutes. Julia should have been here by now. He’d expected her arrival fifteen minutes ago. This wasn’t like her at all. Punctuality could be her second name. Worry crowded him and he tried not to fidget with the napkin beside his coffee mug.

The small coffee shop on Fifth Avenue was as busy as ever. Every table was spoken for and the hum of conversation filled the joint with amiable mumble. The smell of strong coffee and fresh baked pastries floated through the tight establishment. There was a line at the counter, people eager to get their afternoon caffeine fix. Some people walked in, saw every table occupied, and left in search of a place they could actually sit down at. Others came for a coffee to go and they waited in line patiently.

Jed came early to save a table for them – the only way they’d have a chance at securing one. This time of day was always crazy. He’d left work early so he could meet her here. Julia usually finished her shift before he wrapped up at work. Tapping his fingers rhythmically on the tabletop, he wondered where she was staying.

Julia worked at the bookstore a few blocks over. This coffee shop was conveniently located on her walk home after work.

That’s where they’d initially met, at the bookstore. He’d been looking for a book that was out of print and Julia had stepped in to help him find it. She was a pretty thing with a cute figure. Before he’d left the store, he’d gotten her name and number. It surprised him that she’d given it to him so easily. The next day he’d called and they met for dinner at a restaurant located between their two apartment buildings. She didn’t live far from him – only about a twenty minute walk. Squarely in the middle, the restaurant was a ten minute walk for both of them.

That first night they’d hit it off spectacularly. Julia loved to read and so did he. They were both addicted to coffee, something he appreciated in a girl, and she loved pasta. He was tall, dark and handsome and she was just the right height for him with dark hair and striking brown eyes. What could be more perfect? Their pairing seemed ideal, like they were made for each other and he had that gut feeling right from the start. He liked her a lot and thought that maybe she was the one.

The only snag had been, on that first date, at the end of their wonderful pasta meal, when she told him about her two-year-old daughter. He’d hesitated, doubted he was up for that kind of responsibility. Sadly, his slowness to respond, to show some enthusiasm, caused her to withdraw emotionally. It was evident from the look in her eyes as he sat across from her.

They’d been dating for a while now, but Jed was still unsure as to their future. He’d tried to repair the damage and told her he really wanted to meet her daughter. Julia hadn’t been so convinced.

Ever since that first date, Jed had been working diligently to show greater interest and ask about Julia’s daughter. He’d gotten the girl’s name out of her eventually, Terra. They’d been dating for a while now but so far he’d never been allowed to see Terra, even though he’d asked to.

He liked Julia a lot. Everything about her was perfect. They connected well, could talk about anything and had so many similar interests. It was actually quite surprising. After dating numerous girls and always being the one to break it off, he was surprised he was still pursuing Julia. Something about her intrigued him. She was smart, funny, beautiful and spiritual.

God was important to her, she talked about Him all the time and how faith had helped her through so many things. She’d made some mistakes, got pregnant too young with a boy that was immature and ran from the responsibility. The decision she’d made to keep the baby, raise her alone and give up her dream of university was astounding to Jed. Julia still wanted that, still wanted to go to university, get a degree and make enough to support her daughter fully. Her parents helped her out right now, assisted with some necessities and paid part of her rent.

It was her faith in God, she always said, that gave her the strength to go on. When she was pregnant she’d thought about abortion, seriously considered it, but it was God that redirected her to an alternate path. Giving Terra up for adoption was another consideration but, in the end, she’d chosen to keep her baby.

Julia looked too young to be a mother. She was barely twenty but looked more like a teenager. Jed chided himself for even dating someone so young and yet she seemed so much older, more mature than her years. Her competence knew no bounds, holding down two jobs, the one at the bookstore during the day and a cleaning job at a business during evening hours. A daycare is where Terra stayed during the day and Julia’s mother took care of her in the evenings.

Reservation played with his mind at times. He wasn’t nearly as spiritual as she. He’d gone to church as a kid, catholic mass, and been an altar boy but he’d never really gotten into religion too much. As he got older he let that fall away and stopped going to church. Julia had suggested he attend with her. He’d done that a few times. Her church was so different than what he was used to. It felt uncomfortable being there but he went for her sake and he was willing to continue going. Maybe church would grow on him in time. Julia always left Terra with her mother during the services. Her parents didn’t attend and it was easier for Julia not having to take her toddler along.

There was something else that bothered him. He was too old for her. He was twenty six and looking for a wife. She was barely twenty. That very fact should cool his jets but it didn’t. The more time he spent with Julia, the more he wanted to see her.

Julia was different than any other girl he’d ever dated. She had very strict rules on dating. No man was allowed in her apartment. They always met elsewhere, restaurants, coffee shops, movie theatres but never her place. Maybe it was one way to keep him from her daughter. Perhaps that’s why her rule bothered him so much.

Terra was on his mind a lot lately. He really wanted to meet her, see if this could work. Being a dad played with his mind a great deal the past few months. Envisioning the three of them as a family was becoming a habit for him, even without meeting Julia’s daughter.

That’s one thing he wanted to talk to her about this afternoon. He wanted a promise from her, some commitment on her part. If she agreed to let him meet Terra, that would be a huge sign for him. He’d actually prayed about it and he wasn’t a particularly praying man. It was interesting, since his relationship with Julia, he’d been praying more and more. Maybe he was more spiritual than he’d first thought himself to be. Julia was drawing it out of him.

Jed was desperate to know where they stood. It was clear that he was falling in love with her but he had to know if she carried any similar feelings for him. If Julia refused to let him meet Terra that would be a clear indication that she still didn’t trust him and that maybe it was time to give her up. To allow himself to continue falling further in love while Julia gave no indication of deeper feelings for him seemed stupid.

Looking at his watch again, he realized that twenty five minutes had passed. Taking out his cell phone, he called her. On the third ring, she answered.

“Hello?” her sweet voice said.

“Hi, Julia. What’s up? I thought we were meeting today at the coffee shop. You’re late.”

“I’m so sorry, Jed! I totally forgot to call and let you know. I’ve been really distracted. The daycare called just before I left work. Terra wasn’t feeling well and I had to head over there right away and get her. I just got home, gave her some baby Tylenol and put her to bed. I won’t be able to meet you for coffee.”

Disappointment crowded around his heart at the news. He pushed it down and said, “I’m sorry about Terra. I hope she’s feeling better soon.”

“I’m sure she just needs to rest.”

“What’ll you do tonight during your evening shift?” Jed asked.

“I already called my mom and she said she’d come over here tonight to watch her for me.”

“That’s nice of her.”

The line went quiet at the other end for a minute. “Jed?”

“Yes.”

“Would you want to drop by here?”

“Now?” Her suggestion shocked him.

“I really am in need of a strong cup of coffee and I would love to see you.”

“What about Terra? Are you ready for me to meet her? And what about your rule?”

“You won’t really be able to meet her. She’s sleeping. And my rule still applies; I’m just bending it a little today because I really do want to see you, and I’m kind of desperate for a coffee.” She giggled nervously as if embarrassed to admit her addiction. “It’ll be a short visit; you won’t be able to stay long.”

“Oh, okay.” It was another let down. Early on, Julia had made it absolutely clear that her apartment was off limits for dates and he respected her strong convictions. That’s not why he felt discouraged. He was ready, more than ready to meet Terra and prepared to take their relationship to the next level and Julia’s reticence bothered him.

“You can see Terra if you’d like, peek into her room and see her snuggled under her covers.”

His hope soared. “You’d let me do that?”

“Only if you want to.” Julia sounded cautious, not sure of his response.

“Of course I want to! I’ve wanted to meet her for months now.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes of course.”

Her end went quiet again. Then she said, “Maybe the three of us should have dinner together sometime.”

“I’d love that!”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, absolutely!”

She giggled in her girlish way.

It warmed his heart to hear it.

Julia said, “Okay I’ll plan that then. Maybe we’ll do it this coming weekend.”

“That’d be great.”

“So you’ll bring me a coffee?”

“You want a Danish too?” He knew that was her favorite, the cream cheese and strawberry Danish was her absolute addiction.

“I shouldn’t but it sounds fabulous.”

“A Danish and a coffee it is then,” Jed said.

“See you soon.”

“Okay. Bye.”

The concerns of a few minutes before vanished as Jed headed to the counter to stand in line. Things were looking up, he’d finally meet Terra and Julia’s reservations about him were evaporating. He was thrilled and couldn’t wait to get to her place. There wasn’t much time till her next job started, two and a half hours to be exact, so he wouldn’t take up too much of it. His heart soared with hope at the turn in their relationship. Julia was starting to trust him and he was eager to prove he was worthy of it. Perhaps his prayers were being heard up there.