One More Writer

Yes, the photo is what you all might guess it is.

Lillian and I intended to stay apart until May. That was the plan, and we forged it in September after we realized the distance was killing what was left of our relationship.

I've grown a lot in the last few months. I've grown closer to God, I've made new friends in Arkansas and I've been out on the occasional date. But I missed Lillian. I missed the way we laughed together, and talked, the way we worked as a team, and the way we loved.

I called her up 20 days before Christmas. Did she want to come out and see me during the holidays?

She flew in Christmas Eve, and we went straight from the airport to a candlelight service together. Usually, I'm on edge during the candlelight service - when will I get my presents? How can I possibly wait until Christmas morning? What about my Satsuma in the Christmas stocking? But this time, I already had what I wanted for Christmas.

We opened gifts the next morning in my room, the foot high fiberglass Christmas tree blinking out a rhythm as we emptied stockings full of toys and games. Can anyone really be too old for Christmas?

She and I spent New Year's in Kansas City at a dance club, bringing in 2006 with waltz and west coast. Later, we got drunk, and morning found us at a Denny's, nursing hangovers with buttered toast and big glasses of water.

When we split in September, she and I, there were some real problems with the relationship. There are still things we'll have to work through now, 3 1/2 months later. But there's trust again. And there's love.

I have applied to eight law schools, and the ninth application is growing legs as I speak to walk out the door and into the mailbox. I don't know how much they'll like my low undergrad GPA but my test scores are pretty decent. Perhaps I'll have a chance. In the meantime, I'll be back in Oregon soon, as I save up money for school and spend what time I can with my friends, family and girlfriend.