Chapter 09.01

Slowly, my life at university settled into a rhythm.Daryl and Aaron found out I transferred here, and they were happy about it. I spent several evenings a week at my girlfriend’s place, swam in the mornings, met up with our friends weekly, and once a month, I went home to do house calls with Uncle Steve. Jenny would either translate or study, but she always came home with me. After she and Adam finished negotiations, she only took on interpreting jobs in rare cases.

I was balanced and happy, and my girlfriend shone more brightly each day. She was finally starting to believe that I truly loved her. I was sure plenty of people tried to win her over, but I trusted her completely.

At university, no one knew I was Uncle Steve’s apprentice, but in every lecture, I had to be able to answer at least one of his personalized questions.

“Are we going to the game tomorrow?” Daryl asked one Friday evening while we were at Brian’s.

“Of course, it’s Frankie’s birthday tomorrow,” Brian said. “He’s really excited about the game.”

“Do I have a ticket?” I asked, not knowing when this had been planned.

“Since I got the tickets back in the summer, yes, you do,” Paul laughed.

The next day, we went to the basketball game. On the outskirts of the city, about a half-hour drive from the park and the universities, there was an open-air basketball court with massive bleachers. Our seats were arranged in three rows, one behind the other, directly across from the big screen.

Jenny and I sat in the top row, which I was glad about since I wasn’t particularly interested in the game. In the bottom row sat Daryl with Diane and Paul with his sister—four of them. Just beneath us were Brian, Mayoko, Frankie, and Aaron with Jessica, five in total. It was already chilly, so everyone wore jackets, and the girls and Frankie had hats on.

“Babe,” I whispered after we settled into our seats. “This is an unusual plan—whose idea was it?”

“Let’s just say,” she switched to Italian, lowering her voice, “That I don’t bet on things I’m sure about, which is why I didn’t suggest any bets.”

She ran her fingers through my hair and kissed me. Since neither of us cared much about the game, we ended up in a gentle kissing battle until halftime.

During the break, I wanted to continue, but Jenny gestured with her head.

“Watch the screen and the lower row,” she said, still in Italian.

On the big screen, a message appeared: “Diane, will you marry me?” The camera zoomed in on tall, tanned Daryl, who was kneeling and holding a small box. Jessica let out a quiet squeal, and except for Jenny and Paul, everyone was surprised.

“Yes!” Diane shouted over the crowd as the camera showed her tearful, glasses-wearing face.

The crowd erupted in applause, Daryl slid the ring onto her finger, and kissed his fiancée.

Everyone quickly congratulated them, but the game resumed, so we sat back down to avoid disturbing the spectators.

“You knew, Babe,” I stated in Italian.

“Yes, Messyhair,” she smiled. “And so did Paul. As you know, Daryl hates giving speeches, but Diane always wanted a public proposal—at a club or a wedding, somewhere with a big crowd.”

“Since today is Frankie’s birthday, Paul and I figured this would be his gift, and Daryl could propose with minimal talking. Luckily, Diane had no idea,” she explained quietly in Italian. “And a basketball game suits Diane,” she smiled.

“I love how you pay attention to details,” I whispered.

“Well, yes,” her eyes sparkled mischievously. “It would surprise me if I didn’t know in advance when you plan to propose.”

“I’ll make a bet, little girl,” I whispered in her ear. “If I surprise you with the proposal, I get to plan a full day of our honeymoon. If you know, you get it.”

“We’ll see,” I winked. “Deal, little girl?”

“Deal, Messyhair,” she laughed and ruffled my hair, and I kissed her.

For the first time, she brought up the proposal without fear.

“That’s easy,” she laughed. “I’ll just say I knew.”