The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture
and we ended up having a terrific time.
After I returned to Pittsburgh, I offered her my frequent flyer
miles and asked her to visit me. She had obvious feelings for me, but
she was scared—of both my reputation and of the possibility that she was
falling in love.
“I’m not coming,” she wrote in an email. “I’ve thought
it through, and I’m not looking for a long-distance
relationship. I’m sorry.”
I was hooked, of course, and this was a brick wall I thought I could
manage. I sent her a dozen roses and a card that read: “Although it
saddens me greatly, I respect your decision and wish you nothing but the
best. Randy.”
Well, that worked. She got on the plane.
I admit: I’m either an incurable romantic or a bit Machiavellian.
But I just wanted her in my life. I had fallen in love, even if she was still
finding her way.
We saw each other most every weekend through the winter.
Though Jai wasn’t thrilled with my bluntness and my know-it-all
attitude, she said I was the most positive, upbeat person she’d ever
met. And she was bringing out good things in me. I found myself
caring about her welfare and happiness more than anything else.
Eventually, I asked her to move to Pittsburgh. I offered to get her
an engagement ring, but I knew she was still scared and that would freak
her out. So I didn’t pressure her, and she did agree to a first step: moving
up and getting her own apartment.
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