Without a Word_ How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything - Jill Kelly [7]
Jim and I were not married when Erin Marie was born on May 4, 1995. We had met when Jim was at the top of the most-eligible-bachelor list; wealthy, famous, successful—and living like it. Jim was a notorious partier, and his extravagant postgame parties were the talk of Buffalo. I, in contrast, was twenty-one years old, fresh out of college, full of high expectations, and very naïve. While Jim had been completing passes in the end zone to fill Rich Stadium and take his team to the Super Bowl, I had been studying abroad in London, England, to finish out my final semester of college. I never would have expected the Buffalo Bills or Jim Kelly to be in my future.
But at one of those parties, after a preseason game in September 1991, Jim and I did meet. Some friends of a friend of Jim’s invited my friend and me—you know how it works. Jim’s parties were only for the “somebodies.” You had to know somebody or be personally invited to walk through the door. Otherwise, you wouldn’t make it past “Big Ed,” who happened to be a close friend of Jim’s. At six feet five inches and four hundred–plus pounds, Big Ed stood at the door enforcing the rules of the house. If you weren’t invited, you didn’t get in.
I will never forget the first night I walked through the doors of Jim Kelly’s house. Talk about intimidated. My girlfriend and I felt absurdly out of place, but we were determined to make this night go down in history. And that it did.
Jim’s party room was something to see. Even a non–football fan would have appreciated the one-of-a-kind sports and celebrity memorabilia that covered every square inch of wall space. The hallways leading to the bathroom were filled with framed photo memories of Jim and all sorts of famous people, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Cal Ripken, Donald Trump, Bill Cosby. While a few family pictures were scattered throughout, the majority of Jim’s wall of fame consisted of pictures of beautiful women. As I looked at Jim’s proud display, I thought to myself, Who is this guy and what’s the big deal?
Eventually, the highly anticipated introduction was made. It seemed like time stood still when we first met. I was so nervous. My dad would have done anything to meet this guy, and here I was. In the midst of that crowded room filled with famous athletes and beautiful women, Jim took the time to meet me. It was obvious that he had been drinking, and though our conversation was short and sweet, Jim was very gracious and polite. The last thing he said to me in those few moments was, “You have the most beautiful green eyes.”
While flattered by the compliment, my mind and heart had already determined not to fall for any one-liners. Throughout the rest of the night, Jim flirted with me while I played hard to get. My friend and I spent a lot of time in the bathroom laughing our heads off at all we were experiencing. We couldn’t believe we were actually at Jim Kelly’s house and that he was showing interest in me! Yet I didn’t want to take any of it too seriously.
Before we left the party that night, Jim asked me for my phone number and, believe it or not, I didn’t give it to him. Becoming another notch in his belt was not in my game plan.
At work about a week later I answered the phone and was shocked to hear Jim’s voice on the other end. As Jim explained how he’d found out where I worked, I did my best to keep my composure. He ultimately asked me for a date, which I agreed to without hesitation. Jim offered to have his limo driver pick me up, but rather than seem impressed by all the celebrity stuff, I decided to meet him at his home. Even now, I shake my head over that decision. What was I thinking? A gentleman should pick his girl up—it’s just the proper thing to do. (Don’t forget that, Erin and Camryn!)
I ended up driving to Jim’s house from that date forward. Afraid of what my father would think about me spending a night out with the NFL’s most eligible bachelor, I asked my mother