Codi and I : Our love story

By Jason Brown

Just Want To Be Next To You

From a romantic encounter over a Singles Telephone Chat Line to the Grand Lake Country of Oklahoma, springs the true tale of a young, farming couple and the challenges they overcome to love each other, live off the land, and raise a family. Romantics of all ages will delight in this true story of love in the country and small-town America   

• Language: English
• Publisher: 8059
• Release date: Apr 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201643034

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Denton, Texas, 2004

Ipull in between an old Chevy truck and some lawn equipment in Justin’s yard. The boot-kicking beat and deep gravelly sound of Bocephus’ ‘Family Tradition’ blares from the radio. I cut off the engine and get out. Amber and russet leaves wave in the blustery wind. Stepping over the fallen ones, I rub my arms, folding them against my chest.

It’s cold in this t-shirt. It always gets this way after Halloween, heading into Thanksgiving.

As soon as I knock, Justin yanks the door open. Hey, Jason, come on in, buddy.

He pulls up two dining room chairs there in the front entranceway, then steps into the kitchen and returns with two beers.

Thanks. I flip the tab open with a loud snap. How about some Merle Haggard?

The chair squeaks as Justin eases back in it and grabs a CD off the table. You got it. He slips it in the CD player and sings the words of the tittle to Merle Haggard’s 1980s’ song, I think I’ll just stay here and drank.

I sit beside him and bring the can to my lips. The brew flows soft and full down my throat. Nothing tastes as good—having a cold beer with a good friend.

We chill, singing along to ‘Misery and Gin’, ‘She Acting Single,’ then ‘Empty Glass.’ By the time we go from George Jones’ ‘The One I loved Back then’ to ‘I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair,’ we are ready for a second round.

I follow Justin into the living room. He grabs two cold ones from the fridge.

The TV is on, so we settle on the couch, watching ‘Two And A Half Men,’ when this commercial for a dating chatline comes on.

Justin points to the television. That’s how I met my wife. He cocks his head toward me. You should try it.

I let out a low chuckle. No man, that's not my thing.

His brow furrows and he rubs his chin as if in deep thought. You need a female in your life. With a sideway smile, he adds, You should let me call for you.

I sigh. Then give him a 'whatever' shrug. If you feel like it.

I do. Justin flashes a mischievous grin.

I fling my hands up in surrender. Go ahead and call.

He punches the number into his cell and starts browsing North Texas singles. Aren’t any in the local area.

That’s it, then.

No, no, there’s a number for singles outside our calling area. Just give me a minute.

Pretty soon he’s chatting with someone. Me too.

What? I rub the tingle in my neck.

He holds the phone off to the side so whoever is on the line can’t hear. This girl from Oklahoma is calling for her friend, just like me. He pulls the cell closer to him. My friend is with me too. He nods as she speaks. Okay. Justin hands me the phone. The friend she’s calling for is on the line. Talk to her.

I bring the cell to my ear, and the warmth in her voice melts all my doubts. My chest feels light. Codi? My shoulders slide down and back. That’s a nice name. Mine’s Jason. Okay, she sounds interesting, like a nice person. Yeah, let me get your number. I mouth the word pen at Justin and soon I’m jotting her digits down. Mine’s 285-555-4122.

A couple of days later I text her.

Within a few minutes, she replies.

Yeah, this is Codi.

* * *

Every day, I perk up and hold the phone closer to my face when I get a text from Codi. Mostly, we talk and laugh about her dogs’ personalities and the funny things they do. Codi’s an animal lover too. She’s had dogs since she was a kid. There is Sassy, a wiener dog with shiny black fur and a skinny little tail. Then Amy, a Snoopy dog. Also, Elijah, with her gorgeous brindle coat. Two small Pomeranians with fluffy black and white fur. And then there’re the two female black Labs—Emily and Jo. I hear so much about Jo with her velvety black coat and large, floppy ears. Her pink tongue hangs out of her mouth as she tags along with Codi wherever she goes. I feel like I know Codi’s dogs. I feel like I’ve known Codi... forever. We need more time. More of each other.

Whenever Codi texts me, my breath hitches. I forget whatever I was about to do. In between texting her, I wonder what she’s doing.

She tells me all about her mother. Soon, we’re texting about our lives growing up. I want to know all there is to know. Everything about her.

Now, she’s asking me more about my life. My cheeks are hot as I blush—flattered by her interest. I’ve known my best friend, Justin, for about eleven years, but Codi knows more about me than he does.

We connect so easily. Our minds fit together. I don’t really understand it. I don’t want to understand it. I just want to enjoy it. Keep it. I want more of it. So does she. We start calling each other.

I melt at the clear, bright tone of Codi’s silvery voice. I call her every day after 9:00 PM. Also, whenever she gets free minutes from Cingular Wireless. Plus, we text throughout the day.

She takes a day off from calling or texting me. That day drags like a slow-motion animation. My mind slips into daydreams of Codi. At 9:00 PM, the time when one of us usually calls the other, I release a heavy sigh from my leaden chest. I hear her voice in my head even though she’s not there. Thoughts of Codi linger in my head until I finally manage to drift off to sleep.

We don’t share a single picture during any of our texts. So, since I don’t know what she looks like, I base my image of her on her voice and personality. She’s beautiful inside. That’s all that matters.

Now, in early spring as the lush earth awakens, birds hatch, butterflies flutter their colorful wings, flowers rise from the earth—opening their bright blossoms, and silver dewdrops shimmer on Eden-green grass... I know.

I love her. Her voice, her words, her laughter make me feel as fresh and alive as spring. I love her and I haven’t even met her.

Early March 2005, my boss calls me into the office.

You have a lot of vacation time built up. You need to use some of it soon.

Umm. I pause as an idea begins to form