Tell Me, Baby, Do You Love Me?
First published by Steven Bowman © 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Steven Bowman All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Steven Bowman asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
First edition
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To be sure a stepmother to a girl is a different thing to a second wife to a man!
– Elizabeth Gaskell
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Itallstartedin2001whenImetaman,whoIlove,tomeet.
It could not have been going easier, well, until he and I were face-to-face with each other.
My world turned upside down, and I was speechless, and he would take my breath away and drop-dead gorgeous.
We bumped into each other sometimes during the day. It is always, “Hi, how are you?” and “Nice day, isn’t it, madam/sir?”
Stuff like that. And it would all be awkward.
My gosh, I would get all sweaty and nervous, starting to shake and have a dry mouth. I wish we could be together, but it is not going as planned.
My world somehow comes crashing down when our eyes lock, his eyes are greenish-blue, and mine are hazel.
It is just fate when I am around him. I do not have the nerve to fucking say, “Tell me, baby, do you love me?” Never mind that. I am just rambling on and on. I wish we could someday be together.
Oh, woe is me! I am just a woman, and he is a man that I love. We are nothing more than friends. I want to have this hubba-hubba and be his wife.
There is nothing else I can say. Maybe, someday, we’ll be together. Oh, I hope that “someday” will be sooner than later.
1
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Anyway, my name is Christina Miller. And I am a twenty-seven-year-old from Philadelphia, the one in Pennsylvania, no place else.
2
AsIhavementioned,IamChristinaMiller,twenty-seven, and I live in Philadelphia. It is 2001, and I am madly in love with a man that drives me insane whenever we are in each other’s presence.
I cannot blame him for being hot. I am just an average woman without him. I am a woman without a man. Somehow, that makes my life a wreck.
Like goddamn, shit, and fuck! It makes me go insane when I see his warm smile and his chiseled cheekbones. OH, BOY!
He completes my world, and I am stuck living in hell when I try to be near him. I need to fucking put on my big girl panties and be a woman and ask the hunk out.
However, there is just a flaw I lack. I am a nervous wreck when I am near a person I love. I mean, shit, what do I do?
Do I or do not I? If I cannot do it soon, he will ask another woman who is probably ten times hotter than me.
I mean way hotter than ten. In my opinion, I am ugly, and the last guy I had two years ago, in 1999, broke my heart.
He dumped me on my twenty-fifth birthday and left me heartbroken and crying. However, that is my past, and fuck him. I do not need him!
I could take time off from my life. I mean, I do nothing all 3
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
day. My life is boring, and I wish I had a job.
I used to be a School Librarian at an elementary school, but I got fired for cursing in front of students. Nevertheless, I could get another job.
But what could I do? I bet I could try to get another librarian job at another elementary school. However, I should present another résumé and seek another elementary school.
Before my firing from being an elementary school librarian in Pennsylvania, I was making $4.25 per hour. I was a nineteen-year-old, and this was in 1993.
However, now I have got to get another job since I got fired eight years ago. I can get a résumé and present it to an elementary school superintendent.
However, I am just living alone in my apartment in Philadelphia. And my life gets boring. I need a dress. And I need to wear makeup before I get a résumé and present myself to get a job.
4
Well,todayistheday.Iamreadytopresentmyself for an elementary school librarian job at George B.
McClellan Elementary School in Philadelphia.
All I have to do is print out my résumé, head to the school and talk to Superintendent Joseph Anderson, who comes from Crafton, Pennsylvania, who is also forty-five and was born in 1955.
“Please, Miss Miller, come in,” says Superintendent Anderson.
“Do you have got your résumé ready for me?”
“Sure I do, Mr. Anderson,” I responded. I handed my résumé to Superintendent Anderson. “Here you go, sir.”
Then, Superintendent Anderson looked over my résumé and came to a decision. He took his time for a minute or so and looked at me, saying:
“Okay, Miss Miller. It looks like you have got the job,” says Superintendent Anderson. “You can start as early as tomorrow.
Please be ready, smile, and enjoy yourself, miss.”
I was thankful and happy. “Thanks, Mr. Anderson. You will not be disappointed, sir. I will be ready by tomorrow. Enjoy your day, Mr. Anderson. Farewell, sir.”
“Very well, Miss Miller,” says Superintendent Anderson.
5
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Then, he smiled and motioned me out of his office. “Thanks, madam. You may now leave, miss. Goodbye, and enjoy your day too, madam.”
Then, I left his office and headed home for the rest of the day. I went to sleep and prepared for tomorrow.
I am thankful and happy that I have a job after eight years of being fired from my previous School Librarian job.
The next day.
It was now 7:15 am, and I woke up from sleep for my first day as an elementary school librarian.
And since it is 2001, in Pennsylvania, I will make $5.15 per hour while working at George B. McClellan Elementary School.
So, it took me twenty-five minutes to get showered, dressed, and ready. It was now 7:40 am, and it took me fifteen minutes to get to work.
It was now 7:55 am, five minutes before school began, and I got settled into my place before I had a group of kindergartners come into the library to read books.
Fifteen minutes after 8 am, at 8:15 am, the kindergartners left the library, and another group of kids came in. This time it is a group of second-graders.
One of the second-graders, who is seven, from Philadelphia, named Jimmy Andrews, comes to me and asks for a book.
“Do you have The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss?” Jimmy asked me. “I wish to read that book. Can you please tell me where I can get it from?”
“Sure, kiddo. I have to search for it on the computer first,” I 6
said with a smile. “It looks like The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss is in Aisle 6, rows 5 and 6. Please let me lead you there, okay?”
Jimmy’s face was joyful, and he said, smiling, “Sure, madam.
Please show me.”
I took Jimmy to the book he wanted, and he grabbed it, thanked me, and then he left to go back to his group of second-graders.
Two and a half hours pass, and it is now 10:45 am. Then, it is just forty-five minutes until my lunch break at 11:30 am.
Then, from 11:30 am, I have three hours and forty-five minutes until school ends at 3:15 pm. After school, I would have worked for seven hours and fifteen minutes altogether.
Once it was 10:50 am, five minutes after 10:45 am, a group of third-graders came to the library and went onto the computers until twenty-five minutes later at 11:15 am.
Then, I had fifteen minutes left until lunch. Then, fifteen minutes later, at 11:30 am, it was finally lunchtime, and I went to the cafeteria and grabbed lunch.
And then, I ate my lunch with my fellow staff members in the staff room. A half-hour passed at noon, and I then went back to my job and worked there until 3:15 pm.
Finally, my seven hours and fifteen minutes blew by, and I had a blast working today. I am now happy to head home and enjoy the weekend before I go back to work again.
Now, I have headed home and rested until tomorrow. Ah, the enjoyment of working again! It feels great.
And hopefully, I can earn money from this job. Well, enough money to take my future boyfriend/husband out on a date.
7
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
The next day comes.
8
Onemonthhaspassed,andnowweareinApril,andit is raining outside, and I decided not to head to work.
I have worked for those paydays, and now I get to relax.
They got a fifty-eight-year-old school librarian to work for me. I have been around enough kids to be so sick of working.
My job gets boring, honestly. I want to quit, but I cannot because I need the money to afford a date for Mr. Handsome.
However, the day is wet and rainy, and I feel so blue. Maybe I should knock on Mr. Handsome’s door and finally ask him out. But I cannot ask him out.
We need to remain friends before committing to a relation-ship. So, here goes nothing. I grabbed my umbrella, car keys, and purse and headed to Mr. Handsome’s house.
It took nearly five minutes to drive to Mr. Handsome’s house.
So, this is it. It is time for my big girl panties to be on and ask the guy to be my friend.
I went up to Mr. Handsome’s door, rang his doorbell, and waited for him to answer his door. Then, a minute later, he opened his door, and I said:
“Hello, my name is Christina Miller. I am a total stranger 9
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
knocking on your door. I was wondering, would you like to be friends with me?”
He smiled and nodded, “Yes, I know you, Christina. My neighbor’s son is a George B. McClellan Elementary School student, and she tells me that her son thinks you are a great person.”
“Oh, how nice of her son to say about me,” I smiled. “So, would you like to be friends?”
“Of course, we can be friends,” he says, “Would you like to come in and have tea with me, Christina?”
“Sure, thanks,” I said, then entered his house. “Wonderful house. What is your name, sir?”
“Jeffrey Boyer, madam. Thank you for liking my house.”
“You are welcome, Jeffrey.”
“Please, Christina, call me Jeff.”
“Okay, Jeff. Please warm up the tea, and thank you for allowing me to come in.”
“You are welcome, Christina. Anytime.”
“I cannot wait for tea. How about you, Jeff?”
“Me neither. It will be quite warm and wonderful.”
“Very well, then. I agree it will be.”
It took about ten minutes for the tea to be ready. Then, after that, Jeff and Christina drank their tea and bonded as friends.
Then, the two watched TV until it was almost dark outside.
And then, after a good day, Christina left to head home the next morning.
Christina hopes that Jeff likes her more than just friends, and she thinks they will be able to date, hopefully.
The next day.
10
Yesterday was great. I had fun hanging out with Jeff. Now that it is the morning and today is rainy, I am heading to work to be with the children of George B. McClellan Elementary School.
It was now 7:15 am, and it took me until 7:40 am to be ready for work.
Fifteen minutes later, at 7:55 am, it was five minutes before school began. And I worked until the kindergarteners came into the library to read books.
Then, fifteen minutes after 8 am, at 8:15 am, the kindergartners left the library, and another group of kids came in. It is second-graders this time.
One of the second-graders, who is seven, from Philadelphia, named Elizabeth Moyer, comes to me and asks for a book.
“Do you have Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans?” Elizabeth asked me. “I want to read that book. Can you please tell me where I can get it from?”
“Sure, madam. Please allow me to search for it for you on the computer,” I said with a smile. “Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans is in Aisle 17, rows 2 and 3. Allow me to show you, okay?”
Elizabeth smiled and said, “Yes, madam. Please do show me.”
After that conversation, I took Elizabeth to the book she wanted, and she grabbed it and thanked me kindly.
She then left and headed back to her group of second-graders.
Then, three hours passed, and now it was 11:15 am.
By then, I had fifteen minutes to spare before lunch at 11:30
am. And finally, I had three hours and forty-five minutes until 3:15 pm, when school ended.
I am proud to work seven hours and fifteen minutes during the day. Well, as long as I am getting paid to work here.
11
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Fifteen minutes have passed, and it is now 11:30 am. I headed to the cafeteria to eat lunch with my staff members in the staff room.
Then, I finished eating my lunch and headed to work at 3:15
pm. The rest of the day was boring, the same old, same old. So, after work, I headed home for the rest of the day.
Then, I finally got some rest, and I slept like a baby until the morning. Boy, was the rest something I desperately needed?
However, it is now the end of the month. We can say hello to May and goodbye to April. Anyway, I am glad I became friends with Jeff.
Maybe I can take the next step in our friendship and become his girlfriend. Make him my special someone.
Christina sleeps and rests until the next day.
12
TodayisTuesday,May1st,2001,andnowitisMay,not April. The sun’s shining, and the birds are chirping.
My job has been thrilling, and I love working with kids. However, I overheard Jeff Boyer has a rich uncle that will pass his riches to Jeff.
Sadly, his uncle is dying soon, and maybe I will not have to work my job now that Jeff is rich. His uncle is worth $143,700,000,000.
I forget how his uncle became rich. However, now Jeff will receive $143,700,000,000 from his uncle.
With this money, I can quit my job and live with Jeff.
Maybe, he will give me half of his riches, which would be $71,850,000,000 for both of us.
If Jeff gives me $71,850,000,000, I can sell my apartment and live with him. I could think about quitting my job at George B.
McClellan Elementary School.
However, I make $5.15 per hour. So, I guess I cannot quit my job. But we’ll see. Anyway, Jeff wants me to visit him at his uncle’s house.
But he lives at 3494 Lee Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002, a nine-point-zero-three-mile drive. His uncle’s name is David 13
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Gordon. His Uncle David is on his mother’s side of the family.
Uncle David is a forty-one-year-old. His uncle was born in 1$960, and Jeff loves his uncle. He is sad that his uncle is dying. Well, I cannot say much. However, Jeff’s uncle has meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that causes meningitis, a swelling of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Meningococcal disease can also result in bloodstream poison-ing, a condition known as meningococcal sepsis or meningo-coccemia. Meningitis and meningococcal disease are inter-changeable.
That was the info I got by looking up on my laptop. However, I am moving on with this, and now I have to drive to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to visit Jeff’s sick Uncle David.
14
ItisnowSaturday,June9th,2001,andfiveweeksandfour days have passed since May 1st. Sad news, Jeff’s Uncle David died on May 17th, 2001, at forty-one.
Now, Jeff’s got his Uncle David’s riches. Good news, Jeff and I are splitting the $143,700,000,000. Now, we both get $71,850,000,000.
Now that I have the money, I have sold my apartment. And now I live with Jeff. Jeff and I are still friends. However, he and I are best friends. I love living with Jeff.
Also, I did not know Jeff had an eleven-year-old daughter named Jane Marie Boyer. Well, Jeff is a thirty-year-old man that was born in 1970.
His daughter, Jane, was born in 1989. Jeff was nineteen when his daughter was born. However, Jane’s mother divorced Jeff when Jane was four in 1993. That was eight years ago.
Jane is so cute. She loves being around me. That is a plus. Now that she goes to middle school, she is a sixth-grader and loves being in the sixth grade.
However, her sixth-grade year’s coming to an end. She will be in the seventh grade in the fall. By then, she will be a twelve-year-old and enjoy the summer with Jeff and me.
15
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Jeff and I have plans to go to Splashventures and have a blast doing stuff. After all, it would be both Jeff’s and I’s treat. I can also spend some quality time with Jane and Jeff.
Besides, there are twelve more days until the summer. And Jane’s school lets out on June 12th, three days from today, June 9th.
She has two more days left in school. Then, she will be a sixth-grader no more. Jane is sad that she will head into the seventh grade.
She overheard the bad things about being a seventh-grader.
But Jeff keeps reminding her that she doesn’t have to worry about that.
Also, Jeff tells her that she will always be his Little Princess.
Awe, how cute is that of him to say to his daughter?
Well, I cannot wait for the summer. I am excited to spend quality time with Jane and Jeff. Well, Jeff and I have not spent time together for some time.
We are both super busy, plus I have to work and get paid.
Although now that I have $71,850,000,000, I may not need to work.
However, the salary I get would help my money grow bigger.
I am glad I have Jeff and Jane in my life. And once I marry Jeff, I will become Jane’s stepmother.
Wow, I will have a wonderful twelve-year-old stepdaughter and a wonderful husband. Ah, two of the best worlds. However, Jeff and I have to date first.
But I am afraid to date Jeff because of my nervousness. I cannot help being nervous around Jeff. He is a hunk of handsomeness.
My world’s been complete, wealthier, and happier since I met Jeff.
16
Before our friendship, I was piss-ass broke and a fucking pitiful mess. Jeff makes my world fuller. Also, I am glad that Jane accepts my and Jeff’s friendship.
Well, it could go even further than friends. It could be married and happily ever after. My gosh, I cannot believe the luck I had when Jeff and I became friends.
Things could not have gone better. Like I have said, my world is complete, two friends, riches, happiness, and ah, such a great life!
Twelve days later.
It is now June 21st, twelve days after June 9th. And we are now headed from 744 East Kingston Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19191, to 664 East Shade St., Philadelphia, PA 19143.7.
It will take us eight-point-twenty-nine miles from our home address to Splashventures.
Since it was the first day of summer, Jeff, Jane, and I prepared to swim at a water-themed amusement park. We then grabbed our swimsuits and headed out the door to go to Splashventures.
From 1 pm until 5:30 pm, we’ll stay there for four hours and thirty minutes. So, we’ll have fun in the wetness and the sun, and that will be that.
Then, at 5:30 pm, we will not get home until 6:06 pm. So, we can eat dinner. And in total, we would have spent five hours and forty-two minutes of our day with each other before getting home.
Forty-one minutes later.
17
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
We’ve now arrived at Splashventures at 1:05 pm. We took five minutes to find a parking spot once we got there.
Now that we are here, we can apply the sunblock and change into our swimsuits. So, we found the locker rooms to go into the bathroom to change.
After we were all set, Jane left to go off and do her own thing.
That leaves Jeff and me to ourselves. However, Jane had to check in with us every fifteen minutes.
So, now that Jane is off doing things by herself, Jeff wanted to do a lazy river with me. Well, it is my first lazy river.
I have never done one before. So, Jeff held my hand and led me to the lazy river. And then, at 1:15 pm, we grabbed a two-person float and relaxed as we slowly went down the lazy river.
Then, after fifteen minutes, at 1:30 pm, Jane checked in with Jeff, and then she went to do her own thing. Ah, what a relaxing day it is.
Fifty minutes later.
It is now 2:20 pm, and Jeff and I have been in the lazy river for one hour and five minutes since 1:15 pm.
And it has been one hour and fifteen minutes since we arrived at Splashventures. However, Jeff and I deserved to relax in the lazy river.
Meanwhile, Jane bumps into a random kid by the pool and apologizes. This kid was twelve, and this is how their conversation went:
“Oops, I am sorry for bumping into you,” says Jane apologiz-ing to the kid. “I did not see you there. <y bad.”
“It is quite alright,” said the kid as they accepted her apology.
18
“My name is Louis R. Hartman Jr., but you can call me Louie.
And you are?”
“Thanks, Louie. My name is Jane,” says Jane to Louie. “How old are you, Louie?”
“Anytime, Jane,” Louie laughed. “I am twelve. I will be thirteen soon. How old are you, Jane?”
“Okay, Louie. You are a nice person, kid,” Jane smiled. “I am eleven. I will be twelve years old in a couple of months.”
“Hey, thank you, Jane. You are a nice person, too,” Louie says.
“So, what brings you to Splashventures?”
“Um, I do not know. I have not been to Splashventures before,”
Jane answered. “What brings you here, Louie?”
“Very well, okay,” Louie smiled. “I love it here. I am here with my Mom and Dad and my older sister. Who are you here with?”
“Okay, Louie. That is cool,” says Jane. “I am here with my Daddy and his girlfriend, Christina. I believe my Daddy and Christina will get married, and Christina will be my stepmother.”
Louie chuckled, “How wonderful would that be, Jane?”
“Great, I guess,” replied Jane. “However, they are a couple for now. Hey, I have got something to ask you, Louie.”
Louie smiled and laughed, “Okay, what is that, Jane?”
“Do you want to be my boyfriend?” Jane said with unlikely hope. “Where do you live, Louie?”
“Sure, I would love to be your boyfriend,” Louie said gleefully,
“I live at 749 East Kingston Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19191.”
“Thank you, Louie,” Jane jumped with joy. “Hey, I live on East Kingston Lane too. My address is 744 East Kingston Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19191.”
“You are welcome, Jane,” Louie said. “That is cool. We live close. Like five houses close.”
19
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
“That is cool and very close, Louie,” Jane says. “Sorry, I should check in with my Daddy in five minutes. Do you want to hang out for a little? Then, I can take you to meet my Daddy and Christina. Eh, what do you say, Louie?”
“Okay, I would be delighted to go with you,” Louie smiled.
“What is your Daddy’s name?”
“Okay, thank you, Louie,” says Jane. “His name is Jeffrey, but he goes by Jeff. However, you can call him Mr. Boyer.”
“Oh, cool. I like your Daddy’s name,” Louie said. “I would love to meet Mr. Boyer. What will Mr. Boyer say about us as a couple, my love?”
“Okay, cool. Thanks, Louie,” Jane thanked. “I believe he will be fine with us dating Louie. How about your Mom, Dad, and older sister? What would they think about us?”
“I am twelve, almost thirteen. I believe I can date whoever I want,” Louie said as he started getting angry. “I do not need their approval, Jane.”
“Whoa, Louie. I did not mean to upset you,” Jane started backing up. “Sorry, did I do something wrong, Louie?”
“It is my fault, my love. I am sorry for getting so upset,” Louie apologized. “I believe they will be fine with us dating. Once again, I am sorry for getting so upset.”
“It is nothing to be worried about, Louie,” Jane said, accepting Louie’s apology. “So, it is time to check in with my Daddy. Eh, are you coming, Louie?”
Louie slowly left the pool and said, “I am coming, Jane. Wait up for me!”
Meanwhile, Jane and Louie went to the lazy river and met with Jeff and Christina by 2:35 pm. Then it took some time for Jeff and Christina to leave the lazy river.
20
“Hey, Daddy. I would like you to meet someone,” says Jane.
“Please, may I have a moment of your time?”
Jeff and Christina get out of the lazy river.
“Yes, what is it, Princess?” Jeff said as he wrapped a towel around his waist. “You have got Daddy’s undivided attention, Jane.”
“Um, this is Louie Hartman. And he is my boyfriend,” Jane smiled. “What do you say about us as a couple, Daddy?”
“Hello, Louie. How old are you, young man?” Jeff wondered.
“Where are your parents?”
“Hello, Mr. Boyer. I am twelve, almost thirteen,” replied Louie respectfully. “My parents should be coming down the lazy river with my older sister. Yet, I do not know how long that will be.”
“Well, Louie. Hmm, do your parents know about you dating my daughter?” Jeff says as he rubs his chin. “But I am delighted to meet your parents, Louie.”
“Um, you do not need to go through any trouble, Daddy,” Jane started getting worried. “Please, Daddy, do not make a scene.”
“Yes, she is right, Mr. Boyer,” agreed Louie. “You do not want to bother my parents, sir. So, what do you say about your daughter and me as a couple, Mr. Boyer?”
“Very well, Louie. Then, I will not bother them,” Jeff smirked.
“If it makes my Princess happy, I am all about it, Louie.”
Jane says, in her mind, “Yes. ”
“That is very cool of you, Mr. Boyer,” Louie smiled. “Your daughter’s very pretty, cool, and nice, sir.”
“Thank you, Louie. I believe you are such a nice young man,”
Jeff giggled. “Well, where are your parents?”
“I see them, thanks,” Louie says as he spots his parents. “They are coming down the lazy river as we speak, sir.”
21
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
“Okay, Louie,” says Jeff. “I would like to meet them.”
“Daddy, I am thirsty,” says Jane. “May I please have a bottle of water?”
“Sure, Princess,” Jeff smiled. “How about you, Louie?”
“Wouldn’t I have to owe you, Mr. Boyer?” Louie says curiously, “How much will I have to give you for the water bottle, sir?”
Jeff laughs and says, “No, silly. It is fine. I can buy one for you, no problem. You do not have to owe me.”
“Okay, cool. Thanks, Mr. Boyer,” says Louie with delight.
“You are a nice person, Mr. Boyer.”
“No problem, Louie,” Jeff said with a smile. “Thanks. You are a nice person as well, Louie.”
Louie smiled, “Thanks, Mr. Boyer.”
Jeff purchased three water bottles and handed one to Jane and one to Louie. Then, he drank the last one.
“Is that your parents with a girl, Louie?” Jeff wondered. “If that is them, I would like to introduce myself and Christina to them.”
“Um, I believe so, sir,” replied Louie. “Yes, that is my Mom, Dad, and older sister. I will get them to come over, Mr. Boyer.”
Jeff nods his head, “Okay, Louie. Please, hurry back, kiddo.”
Louie motions his parents and sister towards him. Jeff, Christina, and Jane finally got to meet Louie’s family. First, Jeff introduces himself, then Jane, and lastly, Christina.
“Hello, madam, sir. My name is Jeffrey Boyer,” Jeff says to Louie’s mother. “You can call me Jeff. And your names are?”
“Hello, Jeff. My name is Barbara A. Hartman,” replies Louie’s mother. “You may call me Barb. I am Louie’s mother.”
“Hi, Jeff. My name is Louis R. Hartman Sr.,” replies Louie’s 22
father. “You may call me Lou. I am Louie’s father.”
“Hello, sir. My name is Emily D. Hartman,” replies Louie’s older sister. “You may call me Emmie. I am Louie’s fifteen-year-old older sister.”
“Hello to all of you,” Jeff says with glee. “It is nice to meet you all.”
“I am sorry. Is Louie bothering you guys?” Barb wondered.
“Shame on you, Sonny Boy. You know better than to bother people.”
“No, madam,” says Jeff. “He is a perfect angel. He is not bothering us at all.”
“Oh, okay, Mr. Boyer,” says Barb. “Tell me, why am I over here, Louie?”
“Gosh, Mom,” Louie huffed. “I am not doing anything wrong.
Also, I would like you, Dad, and Emmie to meet someone special.”
Barb smiled, “Who is it, Sonny Boy?”
“This is Jane Boyer. She is my girlfriend,” replied Louie.
“What do you have got to say about this, guys?”
“Nice to meet you, Jane,” Barb greets with a smile. “My name is Barb. I go by Barb or Bex. However, you can call me Mrs.
Hartman.”
Jane respectfully says, “It is nice to meet you too, Mrs.
Hartman.”
“Hello, nice to meet you, Jane,” Louie greets himself. “My name is Louie. I go by Louie. However, you can call me Mr.
Hartman.”
Jane respectfully says, “Okay, you too, Mr. Hartman.”
“Hello, my name is Jane Boyer,” says Jane as she greets herself.
“It is nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Jane,” Emmie greets herself. “My name is 23
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Emmie. I go by Emmie. However, you can call me Emmie or Emmie.”
“Hello, Emmie,” says Jane. “I am glad that I finally got to meet you.”
Christina had time to introduce herself to Louie’s family. First, it started with his mom, then his dad, and finally, his sister.
“Hello, you may call me Christina,” Christina greeted Barb.
“It is so nice to meet you, Barb.”
Barb politely says, “Hello, Christina. It is nice to meet you too.”
“Hello, my name is Christina,” Christina then greeted Louie.
“A pleasure to meet you, Louie.”
Louie politely says, “Hello there, Christina, a pleasure to meet you as well.”
“Hello, I am Christina,” Christina politely greets Emmie. “It is finally nice to meet you, Emmie.”
Emmie politely says, “Hello, Christina. It is nice to meet you too, madam.”
After a greeting, Louie’s family left to do something else. And so that left Jeff, Christina, Jane, and Louie to themselves.
By the time this greeting happened, it was now 3:35 pm, an hour, and they had an hour and fifty-five minutes until 5:30 pm to be at the water park.
“So, Louie,” says Jane. “What is your middle name?”
“Richard,” replies Louie. “I was born Louis Richard Hartman Jr. What is yours?”
“Okay, that is cool,” Jane smiled. “My middle name is Marie.”
“Very cool. I like your middle name, my love,” Louie says. “Do you want to know what Emmie’s middle name is?”
“Thanks, I like your middle name too,” says Jane, “Sure, what 24
is her middle name, Louie?”
“Diane,” replied Louie. “She was born Emily Diane Hartman.”
“Cool, I like her middle name,” Jane smiled, “What are your Mom and Dad’s middle names?”
“Anne is my Mom’s,” says Louie. “Her full name is Barbara Anne Hartman.”
Jane nodded, “Okay, very cool. And what about your Dad?”
“Richard is my Dad’s middle,” says Louie. “He was born Louis Richard Hartman Sr.”
“Okay, that is cool,” Jane nodded. “Do you want to know my Daddy’s middle name?”
“Sure, cool,” says Louie, “What is his middle name, my love?”
“Michael,” says Jane. “My Daddy was born Jeffrey Michael Boyer. Isn’t that cool, Louie?”
“For sure, my love,” says Louie. “Eh, I like your daddy’s middle name, Jane.”
“Eh, thank you, Louie,” Jane says with a smile. “So, what do you want to do, babe?”
“Anytime, Jane,” Louie says gleefully. “Eh, I do not know.
What about you, my love?”
“Okay, I have got until 5:30 pm,” says Jane. “So, I do not know.
What is there to do with you, my love?”
“Eek, that doesn’t give us much time,” Louie frowned. “What to do? What should I do? Oh, I know. We could go swimming in the pool where we met. Is that cool with you, my love?”
“Yeah, sure. It is cool with me, Louie,” Jane nodded. “Let us do it. What is there to lose?”
“Okay,” Louie smiled. “So, at 3:57 pm, you have got to check in with your Daddy. It is now 3:42 pm. So, let us go swimming.”
Jane nodded, “Sounds good, Louie. Let us do this!”
25
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Both Jane and Louie went swimming in the pool until 3:57 pm. Once it reached 3:57 pm, Jane and Louie went to Jeff to have Jane check in with her father.
By that time, that gave Jeff, Christina, and Jane an hour and thirty-three minutes until it reached 5:30 pm.
“Hey, Daddy. It is now 3:57 pm,” says Jane. “It has been fifteen minutes. Now I am checking in with you. I have brought Louie with me.”
“Okay, Princess,” nodded Jeff. “Hey, Louie. Kids, have fun. I will see you at 4:12 pm. That is the next fifteen minutes from now.”
“Sure, Daddy. I love you,” Jane smiled. “See you then. Bye, now.”
“Bye, Princess. I love you too,” Jeff says with glee. “Have fun, you guys.”
Then, Jane and Louie came at 4:12 pm, when the fifteen minutes were up. After checking in with Jeff, Jane had to say goodbye to Louie since it was an hour and eighteen minutes later, and 5:30 pm.
After Jane said goodbye to Louie, Louie gave Jane their first kiss, and Jane knew that Louie was the one she truly loved.
“Goodbye, Jane,” says Louie as he kisses Jane on her cheek. “I had fun being around you, Jeff, and Christina. I love you, my love.”
“Awe, thanks, Louie,” Jane blushes. “I had fun being around you too, my love. I love you more, Louie.”
Louie then waves goodbye to Jane as she heads into the car and drives off. Then, later, Jeff, Christina, and Jane arrived at their home at 6:06 pm, ate dinner, then that was it for the day.
They all went to sleep for the rest of the day. Finally, the day 26
was especially for all of them. And it is a desperate need for a day of relaxation for Jeff and Christina.
27
ItisnowJuly26th,2001.Ithasbeenfiveweekssincethe first day of summer. Furthermore, it has been a month and five days now since June 21st.
In other news, Louie’s now a thirteen-year-old. His birthday was back on June 29th, three weeks and six days ago today.
Since dating, Jane has been over to Louie’s house more.
They’ve been dating since June 21st, five weeks or a month and five days since.
Nothing may be so cute, and they are a great couple. Hopefully, Jeff and I can be a couple. Hmm, I am thinking about that.
However, it has been with Jeff since April 1st. From April 1st to today, Jeff and I have been friends for three months, three weeks, and four days.
Now that it is July, it has been hot this month. And some girl named Paula Burton has been knocking on Jeff’s door asking for Jane to play with her.
She is this eleven-year-old girl that sounds like she is southern.
However, I am not sure where in the south it is. Speaking of the devil, here she is.
“Howdy, there,” Paula Burton said. “Wait, you are not Jane.
Who are you?”
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“Hello, Paula. Jane is out with a friend,” I replied. “My name is Christina Miller. However, you can call me Miss Miller.”
“Howdy, Miss Miller. Sorry for bothering you,” Paula apologized. “If you see her again, please tell her I am waiting to play with her.”
Then I shut the door, “Okay, I will let her know, Paula.
Goodbye.”
I shut the door as Paula left. Then, about fifteen minutes later, some southern boy knocks on the door. He sounds like a polite young man.
I believe he is a twelve-year-old boy.
“Howdy, madam. My name is Daniel Taylor,” the boy said.
“However, you can call me Danny. I am here looking for someone named Jane Boyer. I have got some mail to give to her.”
“Hello, Danny. What is this about some mail to give to Jane?”
I questioned Danny. “You could give it to me, and I will hand it to her. However, she is not home right now.”
Danny nodded his head, “Very well, then. Okay, I will leave it to you to give her the mail.”
“Okay, sir,” I smiled. “Random question, Danny. How old are you?” Danny smirked, “I am twelve, miss. Why?”
“No reason, sir,” I giggled. “What is your address? Sorry, another random question, Danny.”
Danny laughed, “I live at 3 South Courtland Road, Philadelphia, PA 19177, but I am from Chattanooga, Tennessee. My old address was 463 Rockwell Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402,”
Then, Danny stopped laughing, “Why do you ask?”
“No reason, sir,” I laughed. “Sorry for asking silly questions.
My apologies, Danny.”
Danny giggled, “Oh, it is okay,” Then, he had to leave, “Bye, 29
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
miss. I hope to see you another time.”
Danny left. Then Paula Burton came knocking at the door again.
“Howdy, Miss Miller,” says Paula. “It is me again. Is Jane back?”
“Sorry, she is not home, Paula,” I said. “Random questions, Paula. Are you eleven? Where do you live, and where are you from in the South?”
“Okay, yes, I am Miss Miller,” Paula frowned. “My address is from Philadelphia. I live at 91 N. Rockville St., Philadelphia, PA, 19191. However, I am from Dallas, Texas. My old address was 85 Stonybrook Drive, Dallas, TX 71.85226.”
Then Paula starts to leave, “I am so sorry, Miss Miller. But I need to get going, Miss Miller.”
Then Paula leaves, and Christina shuts the door. Now, it is dark outside, and Jane stays at Louie’s house for the night.
Of course, this means now it is Jane’s first sleepover at Louie’s house. So, Jeff and Christina rested until the morning.
Forty days later.
30
ItisnowSeptember4th,2001,fortydaysfromJuly26th.
And now, Jane has begun the seventh grade.
She has been with Louie for two months and two weeks now. It has been five months and three days since Jeff and I have been friends.
Things have been going great. We split the money from Jeff’s Uncle David. However, due to deductions, Jeff and I have $143,645,000,000.
It took $55,000,000 from our money. However, I am going for it this time. I will not ask Jeff to be my boyfriend. No, I am going to be his wife.
So, now that it has been long enough, maybe today, I will ask Jeff to be my husband. First, we have to get rings. We’ll pop the question then. Oh, boy! I am ready to be a wife! How exciting!
A few hours later.
It has been such a friendship with Jeff. Now that he has a ring, he has finally popped the question. And I was not nervous. We have spent $25,000,000 on a wedding.
Now we both have $143,620,000,000 left. We also had to take Jane out of school for the wedding. And today, September 4th, 31
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
2001, is our wedding day.
And I am now Mrs. Christina Boyer. I am also Jane’s stepmother. Now that I am married to Jeff, I am blessed to have him in my life. Also, also Jane My life is even more complete than ever before. Now everyone can call me Mrs. Boyer and not Miss Miller. Hello, world! I am now married!
The love of my life, Jeff, has made me the happiest woman on planet Earth. I am so thankful for my friendship with Jeff.
My fairy tale ending has come true. It might be fake, but I feel like a new person. I like Mrs. Boyer’s ring and not Miss Miller’s.
Life has been going well for me. Well, ever since Jeff and I became friends. God has blessed me with Jeff and Jane in my life. I will not let them down, no matter what!
I must become a wonderful wife and stepmother. Likewise, I am so thankful. I cannot believe it! I am grateful for my life. I love being Mrs. Christina Boyer!
This story is about to come to a close. However, I started being lonely, broke, and a fucking hot mess. Now I am a wife, rich, and goddamn beautiful!
My world is complete and fuller. I am not lying to you all. I am proud to be Mrs. Boyer. I cannot stop thinking about it!
My life has started rocky, but I am now better. I started a new leaf when I became friends with Jeff, my Mr. Handsome.
I am thankful, blessed, and grateful that I am now a wife to the man of my dreams. Not only that, but I have been around on this planet for twenty-seven years now. And Jeff for thirty.
We are a happily married couple, and we love each other more and more every day. It must be our destiny, and God has 32
blessed us with a good friendship and marriage. Thanks are to God, amen!
You may remember me, but some will not. I hope everyone will remember my life and story and happy ending. I am thinking about every one of you.
I hope you will be thinking about me as well. My life has turned around completely. I am glad I have my husband, Jeff, and stepdaughter, Jane.
Now that I am Mrs. Boyer and not Miss Miller, I am much happier that I had Jeff and Jane.
Hopefully, you will get my repetitiveness in what I am saying.
Yes, I said these things repetitively, but you get my point. Right?
I am a happy twenty-seven-year-old woman with a handsome man and stepdaughter, and nothing could change that life!
I am happy with my world, and I am so thankful as well. Jeffrey Michael Boyer, I am glad to be your wife! And I am a gorgeous wife and wonderful stepmother. Ah, life is good!
Also, Jeff and I will be heading to Aruba for our honeymoon.
It will be just us, and there will not be any distractions. Again, ah, life is good! Yeah, it is!
I am sorry to those who have reached this part of my story.
Sadly, this is the end of it. I hope you have enjoyed reading my story.
It has been a great story, eh? My life has to end at some point.
I am sorry to say this to you. However, this is not the ending yet.
Well, Jeff and I both headed to Aruba for our honeymoon.
Then, we came home, and things were getting better for us. Jeff and I were happy and blessed to have each other in our lives.
33
TELL ME, BABY, DO YOU LOVE ME?
I am the happiest and most blessed to have each other in our lives. This story is a good one, eh? I hope you loved reading my story. Thanks for being with me throughout it all. I love you!
Okay, now the story is over.
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“Tell Me, Baby, Do You Love Me?” is a heartwarming book that follows the journey of Christina Miller, a young woman who finds love in an unexpected place. After meeting the charming and handsome Jeff, Christina is swept off her feet, but soon realizes that he comes with a unique challenge - his daughter, Jane. Despite the hurdles, Christina falls deeply in love with both Jeff and Jane, and the trio embarks on a new life together in Philadelphia in the year 2001.
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Self-Publishing Date Tell Me, Baby, Do You Love Me? was self-published originally on February 19th, 2020.
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