The House that Jack Built

By Tanya L. Orr

The etches of life are so fragile that we must be careful with every step that we take, for it is not the road a person travels that make them strong, but it is the choices they make along the way.

There is a saying, be careful what you ask for because you just might get it. Sometimes in life, we think we know what we want; however, more often than not, we don't want what we get. In the life of Jack Steel, that proved to be true. But through a series of unfortunate events, Jack learned, as do most of us, that if we submit to love, then our lives and our hearts will be transformed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098085094

Book preview

Chapter 1

Have you ever stopped during the course of a day, looked at what you were doing, and said to yourself, This is not my life? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Paula Steel because the woman staring back at her in the mirror was not the woman she wanted to be, and despite all that had happened, she knew in her heart that she was more than what she had allowed herself to become. She spent far too long deceiving herself, allowing her heart to be twisted and persuaded to support Jack’s overbearing, ambitious, and perverse dreams. As she gazed into the mirror, examining her own eyes, Paula realized for the first time that the woman staring back at her had become a stranger, someone she didn’t recognize and was beginning to despise because of the man she pledged her heart to on her front porch many years ago.

Once so full of life and promise, Paula now felt like an imposter, someone with her face but void of her heart and soul. She was beginning to understand that the circumstances she now found herself in did not define who she was as a person or as a woman and neither, to her surprise, did her love for Jack. The train that was carrying her life, her heart, and all that she held dear was about to leave the station, and the question she had to answer was would she be on it. It was without a doubt the hardest decision she would ever have to make, but did she have the strength, or did she sell that to Jack as well? Her love for him was deep, but the depth of it had taken her to places she never thought she would go.

For Paula, there had never been anyone else but Jack; but now, thinking back over her life, she realized that the moment she opened her heart to him was when all of her troubles began. While staring into the mirror, the soft memories of their early life together began to fill her thoughts, flowing like warm honey over her now-broken heart. Suddenly, a tear found its way into her eyes, and like magic, it began washing away all that had gone wrong and allowed the beauty of their once oh-so-perfect love to once again fill her up. As she continued to gaze, her mind drifted back to a place of carefree innocence where her love affair with Jack Steel began, and again, like magic, she found herself back where it all began in Joy Elementary on the first day of school. As the veil was pulled back, there in the distance, she could hear the wholesome childlike innocence of the voices from her past pushing their way in reminding her of what used to be. Ooh, she whispered with a slight shiver because as her memories resurfaced, she began to feel the same excitement she felt then on that life-changing day.

One could not have asked for a more beautiful fall day as the sound of laughter and nervous chatter filled the morning air with the voices of children echoing like song notes glued to every etch of the wind. However, unknown to all at the time, there was more than just first-day jitters filling the air. Fate, which had been entrusted with a difficult providential task sent from above, chose that morning to lavish her attention on two unsuspecting souls, Paula Jean Campbell and Jack Steel, and though they were mere children at the time, their lives would soon be melted together like butter on a hot biscuit. Growing up in an affluent community like Terrance Ville Virginia, they did everything together; they played together, argued together, as well as defended one another against anyone who dared to interfere with their friendship. And since they lived down the street from one another, every day after school, they would sit on Paula’s front porch and talk until the streetlights came on. They dreamed as most children do about what they wanted to be when they grew up. I want to be president of my own company and tell everybody what to do, and oh yeah, I also want to live in a big house with lots of servants.

Oh, Jack, you’re so funny.

Funny? What’s so funny about being the boss? I think that’s great.

Paula giggled, I suppose so, as long as you’re a good boss.

As he glanced up the street past the trees and large colorful houses, he asked, So what do you want to be?

She paused as she gazed up into the heavens and then quietly answered, I don’t know, maybe a nurse or a doctor, something in the medical field, I think.

As they sat next to one another pondering over their dreams, a red ball came rolling from around the side of the house accompanied by laughter. Hey, Jack, you want to play kick ball with us? shouted Nate, which was short for Nathanial, but he hated that name, so he made everyone call him Nate.

Sure, answered Jack while grabbing Paula by the hand and yelling, come on, you’re on my team. The two of them ran off the porch like grease lightning running and laughing with nothing but their whole lives stretched out ahead of them. It was truly the innocence of youth at its best. As time went on and they grew into their teens, they remained very close. Paula’s parents adored Jack, especially her mother Jean, and because her daughter was soft-spoken and at times timid, qualities she inherited from her father, Jean was of the opinion that he would be a good influence on her because of his fearless and brazen personality. She truly believed that exposure to those qualities would help bring Paula out of her shyness. Unlike her husband Stan, Jean believed in taking chances, and like Jack, she saw risk-taking as the only way to discover one’s full potential.

Over the years of watching him excel in almost everything he tried, it was her hope that some of his moxy would rub off on her daughter. As the years flew by, the relationship between Jack and Paula became more involved, and once again, fate cast her spell and the soft kiss of love found its way into both their young hearts. Both families believed that the two were destined to be together, but little did they know that it had already been written in the stars. It’s a match made in heaven, Jean gleefully remarked while peeking out from between the curtains, watching the two of them snuggling together on the front porch.

Jean, leave those kids alone and stop spying on them. Whatever will be, will be, remarked Stan with a slight grin.

Jean rolled her eyes as she looked back at her husband. Oh boy, now you sound like Doris Day.

Stan raised his brow as he mumbled underneath his breath at his wife’s remark, Well it’s true, and besides, I like Doris Day, smart girl that Doris Day. Although it was common knowledge that Stan shared his wife’s enthusiasm about the young couple and he did like Jack, however, like his daughter, he was cautious. Her happiness was his main concern, and he wanted that more than he wanted Jack.

Over time, the gap between childhood and young adulthood began closing fast especially for Jack and because of it, he found himself becoming increasingly protective of Paula due to the many beautiful attributes that nature had endowed her with. Her physical changes were manifesting so fast that poor Jack could hardly keep up. He tried to contain his growing desire for her, which only intensified every time he looked at her. Wherever they went together, he watched over her very carefully because every young man with hormones wanted to talk with her and get to know her better; however, they first had to get past old eagle-eyed Jack and that was no easy task. Therefore, to all those looking on in admiration and hopeful expectation, he purposefully gave the impression that there was more between the two of them than there really was. Not that he was lying, because secretly, there were looks and glances and even soft utterances exchanged between them, but as far as all potential rivals were concerned, the deal had already been sealed.

He understood their attraction to her; after all, she was quite lovely. She had warm brown eyes that would drown a man if he gazed into them for too long. Her smile was kind and inviting, and she made you feel good just being around her. She was something special all right, and he knew it. The moment he first laid eyes on her at Joy Elementary, he knew that she was the one for him, and he was not alone in his feelings because she too felt the pinch of cupid’s arrow and the warm caress of fate’s hand on her heart. Her senses were aroused as well, but because of her upbringing, she refused to act on them. However, she did find comfort in the way Jack protected her from the other boys, but it also unnerved her the way he had of shattering her defenses each time their eyes met. She couldn’t explain it, but it was clear that no one else had that effect on her. There was a real gentleness about Jack that only she could see, and it was that hidden gem that assured her of his love. There wasn’t anything that she wouldn’t do for the man she loved, and she believed with all her heart that Jack felt the same for her. He wasn’t just handsome, kind, and loving, but for Paula, he was the man of her dreams, her soul mate, and every night throughout their courtship, just like when they were kids, the two of them would sit on her front porch and count the stars and dream of all the tomorrows they would share. Except that now, things were different because they were no longer children toying with puppy love and infatuation.

Those days of teasing and impish jesting were gone now; they were young adults uncovering and exploring the fascination of young love and all its splendor. When Jack looked at her, he saw more than just a childhood friend; he saw a beautiful woman who was smart and sophisticated with as much desire in her heart for him as he had for her. And suddenly, with his eyes now open, he began to notice more intimate things about her, things that before had slipped his notice. Like the way her hair swept the side of her face whenever she tossed her head to laugh at one of his stupid jokes and how it fell across her shoulders shining like black gold in the moonlight. He loved the way it smelled like lavender whenever he hugged her and the way her eyes sparkled even when there were no stars. Those simple little things just made his heart tingle.

As they snuggled underneath the heavens gazing up at the stars, Jack turned and pressed his lips against her cheek, and in that moment, he thought his lips would melt from the warmth of her velvety skin. Paula quickly responded with a slight turn of her head as she purposely and seamlessly joined her lips with his. As they embraced each other, their two hearts joined together, and they knew that nothing would ever come between them. They shared a love that was special, the kind that makes you a part of someone, a love so deep that neither time nor separation could ever erode.

While sitting cheek to cheek, a quiet utterance fell from his lips. Paula, promise me that you will always be mine, and that we will always be in love. To me, you will always be my pearl of great price, and I never want to be without you, ever.

As he kissed her neck, Paula whispered back, I promise that nothing will ever take me away from you because I love you too, with all my heart. As they held each other underneath the quiet sky pledging their devotion, they always knew that they would be together, and now, as fate would have it, it was again written in the stars. While snuggled in his arms, not feeling the chill that now filled the evening air, Paula could see that it was getting late, and she knew that soon her mother would begin flashing that darn porch light, signaling to her that it was time to come inside. She hoped that just this once her prying eyes would not notice the shades of gray creeping in to steal away the daylight thereby, allowing them more time to cradle together under God’s tapestry of lights. To her delight, a few extra minutes passed, and she began to relax in the notion that perhaps heaven was smiling down on them and decided to give them a break when suddenly, quick flashes of light interrupted the mood. Reluctantly, the two lovers released each other and said good night. Jack walked slowly down the sidewalk waving good-bye as he watched Paula go into the house and shut the door behind her. Once inside, like a girl in love, she rushed over to the window to watch him walk away while gazing at him until he disappeared into the night. In that moment, her heart melted because Jack Steel was everything she wanted. He was smart, funny, and drop-dead gorgeous, and best of all, he was all hers.

Now, it was no secret that Jack’s parents, Cynthia and Jerome, shared the same enthusiasm about Paula as Jean and Stan did about Jack. They loved her, and they felt that if there was ever a girl that was perfect for their son, it was her. She came from a good family, and she not only understood Jack, but she adored him as well, and that was especially important to Jack’s father, Jerome. He understood the benefits of having the love and support of a faithful wife. Someone to stand by him in good and bad times working with her husband to help him achieve success in life. And since he had become successful in business with the support of Cynthia, Jerome felt confident that soon Jack would enjoy that same kind of support and commitment from Paula. Now looking in from the outside, one might assume that Jerome’s attitude toward success came from a privileged upbringing, however, much of his attitude was born out of poverty and misdirected anger.

When he was a little boy, for as long as he could remember, Jerome always felt the need to be someone important, a person that others looked up to and admired. Growing up poor and watching his father, Perry, work mediocre jobs to scratch out a living for their family, just like his grandfather Jonas had done during his lifetime, bothered Jerome. Sometimes, he would sigh with great sadness as he relayed stories from his childhood to young Jack about what he considered to be embarrassing situations. "You know, son, I remember when I would accompany your grandfather Perry on labor intensive jobs for wealthy people who wouldn’t even make eye contact with him if they didn’t have to. As a day laborer, in their eyes, he was beneath them, and seeing that made me angry and embarrassed though not for myself, but for my father who, by the way, was a brilliant man with a gift for calculating numbers quickly in his head. I tell you, son, he could outcount any machine, but because he was uneducated and poor, he was denied opportunities that were only available to those with money and family connections.

"My grandparents Jonas and Stella had four children, and during that time, it was difficult to make ends meet. Sometimes, Jack, according to your grandfather, there wasn’t always enough food to eat or enough money to pay the bills, so being the oldest, he decided to drop out of school and get a job to help with the care of his younger siblings as well as with the bills, and though he secretly desired to finish school, he understood that his parents needed the help, although they never would have asked for it. So, every morning, before going to work at the Wilshire’s dairy farm, your grandfather, Perry, would walk his three younger siblings, your aunt Lavern, your uncle Gregory, and your aunt Nessa down to the bus stop that was at the end of the road. He would stand with a big smile on his face as he waved at the bus loaded with children, some of which he knew, on their way to being taught things he could only dream about.

They all pointed their fingers at him and laughed because to them, it was funny to see him standing in his torn overalls in the dirt with worn-out shoes and wearing a white apron with a picture of a cow on the front. They thought he was crazy for dropping out of school to go milk cows. However, your grandfather endured their snide remarks and the pointing of their ignorant little fingers as he smiled back at them.

Jack squirmed in his father’s lap and then looked into his face, and with a childlike innocence, he asked, If they made fun of him, why did he smile back at them?

Jerome paused in thought and then answered, You know, son, I asked your grandfather that very same question when I was a boy, and this is what he said. My smile was just a reflection of the hope I felt inside. Jack gazed at his father, still a little confused. Seeing his stare, Jerome attempted to explain his father’s words as plainly as he could. You see, Jack, your grandfather understood that his sacrifice was for the future and that the green-and-white-painted school bus represented hope for him and his family, and although times were hard, he truly believed that life as he knew it would not always be that way because there was something inside him that gave him that unspoken promise. He understood that he might not ever ride that school bus again, yet it made him proud that his siblings could, and it gave him confidence that one day, because of his hard work, his children would be educated, and through their hard work and determination, they would become leaders in industry and commerce instead of a day laborer like himself. The hope that filled my father’s heart along with that simple smile that rested upon his face was his way of not giving up on the future. He understood that because of everything he was not allowed to have or become, during that time, he knew that the one thing that could never be taken away from him was hope. ‘You may be passing me by now,’ he would whisper as he smiled and waved goodbye to his siblings that had just boarded the bus, ‘but I’ll catch up to you one day, you just wait and see.’

He told me that as he turned to walk away, he looked up at the sign that was nailed to a cross that stood at the end of the road, which read, Welcome to Paris, Tennessee, and although he had seen that sign a million times before, in that moment, it struck him in a most profound way, and he laughed out loud as he saluted it and then looked back at the cloud of dust created by the wheels of the bus as it sped out of sight. He uttered aloud, ‘Who knows, perhaps one day I will indeed see you in Paris, France, that is’."

Jack gazed up at his father with inquiring eyes and asked in a little boy’s tone, Daddy, what’s Paris?

Jerome smiled at his young son and answered, It’s a beautiful city very far away from here, but who knows, maybe you’ll go there someday. They both laughed as Jack climbed down and dashed off to go play. Jerome sat quiet staring into the past as he recalled the childhood he never wanted to remember but could never forget. As he sat quiet in deep thought, he remembered how he had to suffer through the hardships that existed when he was a little boy just about Jack’s age. As a young man, watching his father at the bus depot and at the train station doing things that no one else wanted to do, Jerome became angry with him for being poor and making him poor as well. For the longest time, he thought his father’s name was hey you instead of Perry because that’s what people called him all day, every day. The only one who called him by his Christian name was his wife, Rose.

Throughout his teenage years, as he grew into his own manhood, Jerome became even more familiar and uncomfortable with the ways of the world. He discovered that there were indeed a variety of people inhabiting the earth, but the only two classes of people that seemed to matter the most was rich and poor. It hurt him to see his father endure all of the indignities he had to put up with just to put food on their table, but through it all, Jerome did learn to respect the fact that his dad always remained true to himself; never allowing his poverty or the opinion of others to define who he was as a man. He never allowed the evil that was in others to destroy the good that was in him. Jerome learned to respect that about his father; however, he decided that he wasn’t going to be a poor man being forced into hard labor just to survive. Watching his dad struggle and hearing similar stories about his grandfather gave Jerome a will of steel, making him determined to create something wonderful with his life, and although he loved his father very much, there was no way in hell he was going to allow another man, rich or poor, to tell him what he could or could not do in life.

With that one thought always present in his mind, Jerome fought his way through school, sometimes with his books and other times with his fists, and it was during those formative years that he came to understand that his father wasn’t a weak man, but that in reality, he was a man of great strength and resolve. It became clear to him that his dad simply understood his limitations and did the best he could within their boundaries. Throughout the years, Perry took great pride in Jerome’s achievements because that was proof that the hope he held deep within his heart as a young boy standing at that bus stop, eating the gust of dirt left behind by the bus, was real and powerful. He could see the fruit it produced through his son, and hopefully, through his grandchildren as well. While sitting at his desk remembering what used to be, Jerome suddenly caught the sweet uninhibited laughter of his little boy Jack playing hide-and-seek with his mother. It pleased him to know that his son didn’t have to endure all that he had as a child, and he was going to do everything within his power to keep it that way.

Now, Jerome wasn’t only blessed with an unquenchable thirst to succeed, but he also possessed an adventurous spirit that led him into the field of aviation. He first developed his fascination for flying when he saw pictures of airplanes in magazines and heard them flying over his house in the mornings and again in the early evenings. Sometimes, he would stretch out in the middle of the field and look up toward the heavens with his mind drifting far beyond the white clouds and the blue sky. What was out there, he pondered, as he imagined other places and what they might be like. Did everyone in the world only see people through green shaded lenses? he wondered. He wanted to visit other countries and see for himself, and though his family was poor, that fact had no hold on his imagination because in his way of thinking, he was already at the bottom, so for him, the only place left to go was up.

In school, Jerome was often ridiculed by some for daring to have a goal for his life, such as becoming an airline pilot, but that wasn’t going to stop him, on the contrary, it made him even more determined to succeed no matter the cost. It was during that time that the blueprint from which he would build his life was created, and being successful at any cost became his motto. It defined his life dictating the kind of man he would later become, and it was that same blueprint that he would pass on to his son. Although he respected his father’s choices, deep within the hidden recess of his heart, Jerome always felt that his father was a fool for not demanding more of himself and for himself. Finally, after years of study and hard work, he became an airline pilot for a major airline, and his dream of flying across the world came true; however, his travels never took him to Paris France. But after several years of seeing most of the world as a single man, Jerome finally met and married his wife, Cynthia Ballard. She too had to overcome her own struggles growing up in rural America trying to become a successful business owner. Therefore, she understood and even admired her husband’s drive to succeed, celebrating his accomplishments along with her own. However, she didn’t share in his blueprint for life: success at any cost.

During their courtship, Cynthia came to know her soon-to-be in-laws, Perry and Rose Steel, very well, and she saw that religion was a large part of their lives and was the foundation upon which they reared their children. However, it wasn’t until after her marriage to Jerome that she discovered that somehow, along the way, he stopped believing in the God of his parents and decided to serve a god of his own making, one that would serve him, instead of the other way around. Growing up in a religious household herself, Cynthia was taught that even with God’s help, one must do everything within their power not to allow anything or anyone to occupy that sacred space in the heart where he alone should reign. Although Jerome didn’t share all of his wife’s religious views, he admired her accomplishments in education and in business and hoped that Jack would find a wife to support him, much like Cynthia had done, but without all of that religious garble. He convinced himself a long time ago that if God couldn’t help his father become rich and successful then he certainly couldn’t help him do it either; therefore, the God of his parents would have no place at his table. So as he watched Jack grow up, he was determined to ensure the success of his son’s life by not allowing him to be shaded by his mother’s silly religious beliefs that a person can receive nothing unless it is given to them by God.

Jerome would argue that it wasn’t God who had to fight his way through school while constantly being bombarded with insults and ridicule from ignorant people who obviously had no understanding about the great things he wanted to do. So, therefore, from his point of view, the credit for his success was his and his alone. And neither was it God who fixed him up on a blind date with Cynthia, who would later become the love of his life—that was his friend Tyler. He had found his pearl of great price, and his hope was that Jack would find his. She needed to be a woman who could understand the value of supporting her husband in his strivings toward success while sacrificing right along with him. In his opinion, that kind of woman would definitely be a woman to love. He was taught that by his father who was taught that by his father, and now, Jerome took pride in teaching the same thing to his son. Unfortunately, though, he chose to ignore the other values that were also taught by his parents like Be kind to others and treat them as you would want to be treated, and oh yeah, pride comes before a fall.

Throughout Jack’s early childhood, his mother would read him Bible stories at bedtime and encourage him to say his grace before every meal and to say his prayers in the morning and before he went to sleep at night. However, he also grew up under his father’s tutelage, and he was constantly told that the only thing that stood between a man and the grave was money. Jerome was often heard saying, Success breeds money, Jack, while failure breeds poverty and death. While the teachings of his mother made him feel good, the harsh teachings of his father scared him to death. So in his young mind, he deduced that perhaps success was the safest way to go after all: with enough money, he could purchase all the feel-good that money could buy. So, like a sponge, he soaked up his father’s words as though they were the secret to life, and since he grew up in a household where money was in large supply, Jack figured that he knew exactly what he was talking about. Therefore, his father’s blueprint for life became his as well, and just like his father loved his mother, Jack loved Paula, and he also believed that if she loved him, then she would do anything she could to help him succeed.

Jack knew that Paula’s heart belonged to him and that her love for him was intense, passionate, and true. He also knew that she was a person who could give her heart only once, and she chose to give it to him, and although he loved her with the same kind of intensity and passion, he would soon discover that between his father’s blueprint and his own appetites, his path to success would ultimately prove to be more of a problem then either he, Paula or his father could ever have imagined.

Chapter 2

While dating through high school, they never once strayed from their commitment to one another. They agreed not to give into the temptations being brought about by their young bodies to have sex. And although Jack wanted to rewrite that agreement many, many times during their courtship, he knew they would get married one day, and he wanted to respect Paula’s decision to save that special moment for their special night. Family to both family’s delight, graduation day was upon them, and with it came all of the pomp and circumstance one would expect. While standing neatly in several rows, waiting to be let in, there were caps and gowns blowing in the wind that swept around the stone-cornered walls of the downtown stadium. There were young girls with gleaming faces, some with too much makeup, and others not enough.

The procession line was filled with young boys trying to walk up straight, attempting to carry their budding manhood firmly on their young shoulders, each one of them looking a bit timid and afraid. Outside was a new world awaiting young pioneers such as themselves, and with all their might, each one would try to take possession of it, and Jack was determined to take his fair share. He remained true to his childhood dream of owning his own business and being the boss. That’s why in college, he majored in business administration with a minor in mass marketing, and it was there that he discovered his love of advertising. In his second year, he landed a job working on the school magazine selling ads to community business owners. That job gave Jack his first real taste of how marketing worked. Part of his job was selling ads, but it also included pitching ideas to the business owners, convincing them that their money would be well spent if they advertised with the school’s magazine, and that’s when it happened, that’s when he was bitten by the advertising bug.

From then on, Jack approached his work with the same fortitude his father had when he decided to become a pilot. It has been said that each generation is a little hungrier than the previous one, and in Jack’s case, that would prove to be true. Owning his own advertising agency became more than just a dream; to Jack, it was his destiny. As a young man being pushed by his father to excel at everything he did caused him to immerse his mind into that pool of thought which demanded one to succeed no matter what the cost. However, as with all men of vision, Jack would soon find that living under the weight of such a cross would be enough to crucify a man. He was quickly becoming a force of nature, but the lessons life would ultimately teach him would reveal to him a different kind of strength, one found only in the unconditional and ever-yielding arms of love.

While working on the magazine, Jack met his best friend Andrew Young, who also shared the same love of advertising. They also shared several classes together during which time they bonded together like brothers. However, as Andrew got to know Jack better, he soon found him to be arrogant and self-absorbed. Jack was so impressed with his own smarts that he would joke that along with his good looks, it was really his super-intelligence that everyone envied. However, despite his self-imposed brilliance and charm, Andrew discovered the real reason why everyone was drawn to Jack, and her name was Paula. It was her beauty and charm that actually blew everyone away, especially Andrew. However, it wasn’t only her warmth, her intelligence, and her obvious beauty that stood out, but it was her unwavering devotion to Jack. Andrew envied their closeness to the point that sometimes he would stand back and observe them holding hands in the campus bookstore while secretly thinking How could someone as perfect as her love someone as greedy and egotistical as him? He’s going to break her heart one day, I just know it, he would whisper.

Although they both shared the same love of advertising, Andrew was not as consumed with the pursuit of wealth and power like Jack, but there was something that Jack possessed which he deeply desired. You see, Andrew had a secret that was hiding in the background of their friendship. In his heart, he nurtured a hidden love one he desperately wanted to reveal but was too afraid to. But as time went on and graduation grew near, he finally mustered up the courage to reveal his feelings for fear of never seeing her again, thereby missing his only chance for love. However, before he could make them known, his hopes were dashed with the announcement of a wedding, which was to be held in the coming months after graduation. When Andrew heard the news, his humbled heart sank as everyone else cheered for the happy couple. So on Valentine’s Day, Jack and Paula were joined in holy matrimony in the same church they both had attended as children. All the decorations were done in rose, bashful pink and ivory. Paula’s dress was a brilliant white with an overlay of soft pink lace that stretched to the end of her train. As for Jack, he looked quite dashing standing tall in his white tuxedo, waiting nervously next to Andrew who couldn’t believe what was happening. As he stood silent in the midst of all the commotion, he couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if only he had been granted a little more time. He was Jack’s best friend, and he loved him like a brother, but he couldn’t help but feel that Paula was making a big mistake.

Just by virtue of being a man, Andrew had gotten to know him a little differently than even she had, and what he discovered was a side of Jack that even he didn’t know was lurking in the shadows. And yet, there he stood, in silent agony, dressed like an Easter Bunny in his white coat and tails envying the bastard for marrying the woman that should have been his. In some ways, Andrew enjoyed believing that his love for Paula was sacred and more real than Jack’s could ever be, and the fact that it was a secret made it even more enjoyable. Andrew had met the woman of his dreams, but there she was, just inches away, marrying his best friend. As for everyone else looking on, they couldn’t have been happier. Both families were pleased that the two were finally tying the knot. To show their joy, together they bought them a surprise honeymoon package to Paris, France, fit for royalty.

Needless to say, the newlyweds were speechless, and Jack’s father was especially proud. Finally, thought Jerome, my son has his future by the tail and the right woman at his side and now, he’s on his way. As Jerome thought back to his own father, Perry, and the struggles he faced in his life, as well as Jerome’s own challenges as a young man starting out, he smiled within as he watched Jack and his new bride head off into their bright future together. With a small sigh, he found himself wishing that his father had lived to see this day. I hope you’re looking at all of this, Dad, and I hope that I have made you as proud of me as Jack has made me of him, whispered Jerome. And as he looked up toward the church ceiling just as a plane was flying overhead, he uttered, They’ll see you in Paris, France, that is.

Upon their arrival, both Jack and Paula were overtaken with the beauty and old-world charm of the city. The hotel was stunning; it was the most romantic place they had ever seen. Everything was displayed perfectly; they even had monogrammed towels hanging in the bathroom as well as a bottle of champagne and a basket filled with assorted treats waiting for them on the dining table.

Oh Jack, isn’t this wonderful?

Yes, indeed it is. Boy, our folks must really be happy to have arranged for all of this. Paula walked onto the terrace and took a deep breath. Just smell that Paris air, it’s simply intoxicating.

With a coy grin, he replied, Yes, it is, but not as intoxicating as you are, Mrs. Steel.

Paula blushed and then softly whispered, I love you, Mr. Steel.

He whispered back, I love you too, Mrs. Steel.

At first, they were a little timid toward each other, but that all went away the moment he saw his bride wearing a sky-blue transparent nighty. Suddenly, like a tsunami, all of the pinned-up desires he had been suppressing for all those years came rushing in. At first, his touches were polite as he gently caressed her face as if he could taste her sweetness through his fingers, and then, gently, he leaned in and kissed her lips with slow passionate strokes. Her perfume, which was a wedding gift from her mother, was so stimulating to Jack’s senses that it made him drunk with excitement. As he began caressing her shoulders, soon, his hands found their way to where they wanted to be. The moment he touched her in that special place, every sensation in him came alive, and he realized that she was finally his to claim as his own. So, with great care, in a warm yet seductive way, he pressed his thumb against her shoulder, thereby asking her permission if he could lay her down. As he stared into her eyes and waited, suddenly, he saw her answer in her smile inviting him into her arms. And so, with love and tenderness, they lay with each other, and she became his wife, and he became her husband. They loved one another throughout the night playing and teasing with each other all over their honeymoon suite until the break of dawn found them fully awake but exhausted on their private terrace.

Oh, Jack, I love you so much, Paula whispered as she stroked the small of his back.

In silence, he held her close as he kissed her and caressed her cheek. Then with his heart opened wide, he whispered, Paula, I love you, and I need you to be by my side throughout my entire life because without you, I’m nothing. You are truly my pearl of great price.

She squeezed his shoulder as she drew him close, pressing his chest against her own, and then gently, she took the palm of his hand and placed it over her heart and uttered softly, Can you feel my heart beating, Jack? If so, then you must know that it beats only for you.

With their devotion to each other on full display, his eyes melted into hers as he covered her lips with his, and they loved one another again, and again, and again.

After two days of immersing themselves in each other’s affections, they emerged from their hotel suite ready to tour Paris and inhale as much of the Parisian culture as they possibly could. They visited many historical sites, which they read about in college and had only seen on television. In his senior year, Jack wrote a research paper about Europe with Paris being his favorite city. Because of the stories his father told him as a child, he was naturally drawn to it. Alas, this was his opportunity to impress his new wife and share with her his limited knowledge about the city. You know, Paula, in 1891, Mark Twain called the Champs-Elysees the liveliest streets in the world. It was designed for the favorite pastime of Parisians called promenading, which I think means strolling. However, it’s probably too simple to rank walking as Parisians’ number-one pastime, but it does come in as a cool second. Paula smiled and tightly held her husband’s hand while listening intently as he described the beauties of Paris as though, he was not just a visitor but a Parisian himself. Ah, to be young and in love in such a romantic city, he uttered as they both were now caught up in its magic.

While strolling along with Jack at her side, Paula began to feel a strange sort of kinship with the city, as though it would become a part of her in some weird yet wonderful way. You know, my love, many great leaders of our country have walked the streets of Paris. If only these stones could talk, I’m sure that they would reveal stories as old as Paris itself. Ever since the days of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, Americans have gravitated here. Paula chuckled. Can you believe it, you and me in Paris on our honeymoon? Boy, I bet your grandfather Perry is rolling over in his grave laughing his head off and beaming with pride.

Jack looked around at the beauty of it all and replied, You’re probably right. According to the stories my father told me, my grandfather used to talk about one day seeing Paris, but unfortunately, it was a dream he would never live to see fulfilled. Then Jack paused in reflection as he thought back to those innocent days of sitting on his father’s knee and hearing about his grandfather’s life. Suddenly, he stopped walking and stared. Paula knew instantly that his mind was no longer in Paris, but it had traveled back to his childhood. So, like a loving wife, she squeezed his hand thereby, inviting his heart and mind back to their romantic stroll. Suddenly, Jack blinked his eyes, and in an instant, he was back. With a soft chuckle, he remarked, Ah, but look at him now, he’s walking the streets of Paris through me. Understanding the significance of that statement, they smiled and resumed their romantic stroll through the streets of Paris. They were so happy; they had everything they wanted, and they truly believed that their love was one for the storybooks, but as life sometimes so cruelly reminds us, nothing lasts forever.

While on their honeymoon, Jack’s mind was far from everything back home, but as time drew near for them to return, he began wondering about the interview he went on two weeks before the wedding on the urging of Andrew who suggested to Jack that he apply for a position at the Lance and Roberts advertising agency where Andrew himself now worked as an ad executive. He began working for the agency soon after graduation through a job fair on the suggestion of a college friend of his, Jason Parks. Andrew loved working with Michael Lance and Phil Roberts who were the senior partners because they truly seemed to care about the success of their employees, and to demonstrate that concern, it was customary at the agency for all lower-level executives to meet with senior executives once a week so that everyone knew what everyone else was doing and to offer support, if any was needed. It was during one of those meetings that Phil Roberts mentioned to Andrew that a position for another ad executive would soon become available. So naturally, the first person he thought of was his old friend Jack. Although loyalty to their friendship was the primary motivation behind Andrew wanting to help Jack secure that position, there was also a hidden desire behind his willingness to help his friend.

With Jack being close, that would give Andrew the opportunity to be closer to Paula. The secret that he so valiantly tried to hide had once again invaded, as well as captivated his thoughts. So, with conscious deliberation on his part, Andrew mapped out a way for the secret desire of his heart to be satisfied, but still remained a secret. So with that purpose in mind, he strongly suggested to Jack that he schedule an interview with his boss. Reluctantly, Jack promised to consider the suggestion and talk it over with Paula. Although he wasn’t happy working at the Bridgestone law office as a research assistant, still he wasn’t sure if starting a new job was the right thing to do at that time; after all, he was about to get married, and a steady paycheck was better than no paycheck. It was true that at Bridgestone, his pay was just above okay, and besides that, he wasn’t even interested in law. He only took the job at the urging of his father. It was Jerome’s hope that Jack might become a lawyer; however, that wasn’t his son’s dream.

So again, reluctantly, before he would schedule an interview, Jack did a little research on the agency, and needless to say, he was quite pleased with what he discovered. According to his research, which was supported by several sources, the Lance and Roberts advertising agency was the second largest in the country. Now finding that out did cause even Jack to feel encouraged but also a wee bit intimidated. However, being his arrogant and egotistical self, those wee feelings of intimidation passed quickly because he was confident that his talent, his drive, and enthusiasm would be enough to open those formidable doors. But still, he hesitated because in his heart, he never wanted to work for anyone, and working for Bridgestone only helped to solidify that conviction. Since childhood, Jack nurtured the idea of running his own business and being his own boss, so the thought of going from one form of servitude to another really didn’t appeal to him, but, working for an advertising agency did.

In college, he discovered his love for advertising, but because his father pulled some strings with his old college buddy, Roy Bridgestone, he felt obligated to accept the position when it was offered to him after graduation. So, therefore, after considering his options, the first one being to work in the field that he loved, and the second, to continue working in a field that he absolutely hated, he decided to say yes to Andrew’s suggestion. Besides, having a severe lack of ready cash available due to his just above-okay salary as a research assistant made the position of ad executive, with the word executive being highlighted, in Jack’s mind sounded awesome. So with Paula urging him to at least give it a try, and although it wasn’t his dream of owning his own business and being the boss, which bugged him, he swallowed his young pride and scheduled the interview.

When the big day arrived, Jack was excited and nervous, and although he felt that he was making the right decision, he still felt a little out of sorts, which was a feeling that wasn’t common to him because of his father’s teachings. However, in everyday life, amongst everyday people, it was called fear. Upon arriving, Betty, who was Phil’s executive assistant, greeted him with a bright friendly smile as she led him straight into his office. During the meeting, it was clear that Phil liked him. Jack was sharp, enthusiastic, and eager to learn, and with more than twenty years’ experience behind him, Phil had learned to trust his instincts. It was obvious that Jack had raw talent, and from the moment he stepped into his office and began to unpack his suitcase of thoughts and ideas, Phil could see that he was a young man who was full of bright, new, energetic concepts. However, to his surprise, also packed in Jack’s suitcase was a set of brass gonads, which stood out like brass doorknobs. Nevertheless, Phil liked what he saw in Jack because secretly, he reminded him of himself back in the day. And since his agency was built off brassy gonads, confidence, and hard work, he planned to use as much of what Jack had to offer as he could. After the meeting, Jack was pleased with how he handled himself because not only was he asked a lot of questions by Phil, but he also asked a lot of questions of Phil.

However, he still couldn’t determine how much of an impression he had made. So on the drive home, Jack decided not to worry about the outcome. If I get the job, I get the job. If I don’t, I don’t. Besides, I still have my job at Bridgestone so, therefore, I can still pay the bills. As soon as he said that, he cringed because he hated that job. Anyway, he didn’t have time to dwell on it because he was getting married soon, and after that, they had a honeymoon to enjoy, and enjoy they did. It was wonderful, romantic, and just the start they needed for their new life together.

After returning from their honeymoon, all was quiet on the home front as Jack returned to his job and Paula learned how to be a loving homemaker, which she enjoyed, but a part of her secretly wanted more. She still had her dreams too, but discussing them with Jack was difficult because he carried his father’s notion about what a loving wife should look like, and Paula never felt that she completely fit that idea. However, now that they were home, things were about to change in the Steel household, sooner rather than later, because Paula was hiding a little secret of her own. While in deep thought, she suddenly heard a commotion, and it was Jack yelling, Hey, Paula, I got it! I got it! while waving a letter, in the air. She looked up just in time to see him come running into the house. I got the position, he exclaimed.

Oh, Jack, I always knew you would because you’re so smart and creative, and now the whole world is going to know just how good you are. She was thrilled for her husband; she knew how important his dreams were to him, to both of them. But upon hearing his news, she felt a twinge of guilt because without telling him, she had endeavored to satisfy her own passion for nursing. A few weeks before the wedding, she applied for a job as a private nurse. She was hesitant about telling Jack because she knew how much he wanted to take care of her in the traditional way. However, she didn’t adhere to the old-fashioned school of thought, which suggested that a woman was at her happiest when she was home being taken care of by her husband and caring for their children.

Paula did want kids someday, but she also wanted the opportunity to realize her dream. And thankfully, her mother-in-law supported her in that. During some of their private conversations, Cynthia instructed her not to give in to those archaic ideas that were sure to surface after they were married. Cynthia would often say jokingly of course, that Jerome doesn’t realize it, but me spending a few hours each day outside of the house, away from him, saved our marriage. As she recalled her advice, Paula smiled and no longer felt guilty. However, she knew that when she broke the news to Jack, he would object to the idea, but she also knew that in very short order, he could be persuaded to see it her way due to their immediate need of funds. Her job as a private nurse, seeing to the needs of Mr. Arthur Kenneth Mills, a wealthy retired industrialist, who had become too old to care for himself, paid quite well. His family wanted to commit him to a rest home, but because he was not senile and desired in-home care, they had no legal grounds to stand on. He was simply a wealthy old widower who missed his wife, and due to the frustrations and complications of old age, he became cranky and willful. He disliked everyone including his children. Paula, who graduated at the top of her nursing class, was highly recommended for the job because of her compassion, her skills, and her patience, which were qualities she was sure to need in dealing with Mr. Mills. He was stubborn, overbearing, and used to having his own way, but during her initial interview, she could tell that there was a kindness behind his rough exterior. Behind that stone wall lived a man who missed his beloved wife, Sofia, and who was simply tired of being alone. All but one of his four children had moved away with lives of their own, and the only thing he had to keep him company was his money. Paula sensed that with patience and a little nurturing, she could turn that stone wall into a soft pillow, just in time for his reunion with Sofia.

Fortunately for Paula, her job wouldn’t start for a few months because the family needed to conclude the old contract with the previous agency. However, when the time came for her to tell Jack her big news, things went just as she predicted. He was furious because he had their life all worked out, but the only problem was that he didn’t discuss it with his wife. However, once she put her own special jam on Jack’s bread, he calmed down and listened to what she had to say. And although he did come to accept his wife’s employment as well as her relationship with Mr. Mills, he quickly began to hate the fact that so much of her time was being monopolized by him. However, if the real truth be told, Jack was jealous. He resented the idea that Paula enjoyed spending that much time with someone else other than him. Why do you work for that old fart anyway? He’s always cranky, and I don’t like the long hours he makes you keep.

Paula huffed quietly before replying, Sweetheart, I know you don’t like him, but I enjoy my job, and you must admit the money is pretty darn good.

Yeah, yeah, grumbled Jack as she continued to defend her desire to work outside the home. Besides, it’s not just the money. I really like being a nurse and taking care of people.

What about me? I need you to take care of me too. With a naughty twinkle in his eye, he flashed a teasing grin, hoping for a reaction. She cut her eyes at him and then smiled while waving him off with her hand and uttering, Oh please. With that response, he peaked over the top of his glasses making a motion with his eyes, and when that didn’t work, he cleared his throat loudly while making a more pronounced gesture toward the stairs with those same naughty eyes. She tilted her head to the side with a starry-eyed glance, but this time, she added a teasing grin of her own. Then, all of a sudden, she made a surprising dash for the stairs. Suddenly, being caught off guard, Jack leaped off the couch and chased after her, catching her on the top landing. As they laughed with each other, he swept her up in his arms and whisked her off to the bedroom. After they shared their love, he tried again to convince her to quit her job. Jack was determined to make her see that he was right and she was wrong, but as she lay under the sheets, wrapped in his arms feeling safe and loved, she continued to stand her ground. I know how you feel, you’ve made that very clear, but we need the money, and besides, Mr. Mills is in his nineties, so the job probably won’t last too much longer anyway.

Jack grumbled and then uttered, You promise?

Paula laughed and then spouted, Shame on you.

What? I didn’t say it. You did.

She snickered a bit and then responded with a subtle, No, I didn’t, and anyway, I didn’t mean it like that. Besides, Jack, you’re new at the agency, and we really need the money for our next house. Building a family takes money and space. Hearing her talk about having a family pleased the heck out of him because having children with Paula would make his world complete. As they lay together laughing and teasing with each other, the evening shadow began to fall, and they found themselves drifting off to sleep in an embrace. Soon, the morning came, and it was time for another day of career building for Jack, but for Paula, it was yet another opportunity to make a difference in the life of a lonely old man.

Being an ad executive for a little while now, Jack was starting to feel pretty confident in his work performance at the agency, and due to the success of a few major accounts, he began to think that he knew everything there was to know about the advertising game. He had learned his way