Strawberry Wine
Page 1
Contents
May 27, 2011
June 20, 2014
July 5, 2009
July 7, 2009
July 8, 2009
July 1, 2012
July 12, 2009
July 10, 2015
July 17, 2009
July 11, 2015
July 22, 2009
July 23, 2009
July 12, 2015
July 25, 2009
July 12, 2015
August 7, 2009
July 12, 2015
August 8, 2009
July 13, 2015
August 11, 2009
July 14, 2015
August 20, 2009
July 15, 2015
August 22, 2009
July 17, 2015
August 31, 2009
July 17, 2015
September 4, 2009
July 20, 2015
September 12, 2009
July 20, 2015
September 14, 2009
July 20, 2015
September 21, 2009
July 20, 2015
September 26, 2009
September 27, 2009
July 21, 2015
September 27, 2009
July 24, 2015
September 28, 2009
July 24, 2015
October 3, 2009
July 25, 2015
October 23, 2009
October 24, 2009
July 25, 2015
October 25, 2009
July 25, 2015
October 25, 2009
October 26, 2009
July 26, 2015
Epilogue
June 8, 2021
“I’m sorry sir, but you didn’t meet our application criteria.”
Jason stared intently at the nervous desk clerk. He so wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“Can you tell me in what area I am lacking?” His voice was deep and smooth, as if he were hosting a hypnosis session. His calm demeanor only seemed to fluster the silly woman even more.
“It doesn’t say sir. Most likely it’s a credit check glitch. You should check your credit scores.” She was having a hard time meeting his eyes.
“I have impeccable credit.” He said softly.
The woman was literally fidgeting by this point. She shifted her weight uncomfortably and stammered an answer. “I’m sorry, sir. There’s nothing else I can tell you.”
Jason decided to spare her further embarrassment. They both knew why he was being denied. It wasn’t legal for them to discriminate against him like this, but he couldn’t see the point in taking out his frustrations on this innocent desk clerk. Why shoot the messenger? Besides, he wouldn’t want to take up residence in such a hostile environment anyway.
“Thank you for your time.” He said, giving her a curt nod and turning on his heel to leave. As he pushed through the revolving door, the crisp spring morning greeted him cheerfully, in stark contrast to his now sullen mood.
“Congratulations, Baby.” Greg kissed Alli, knocking her graduation cap off her head, but catching it before it landed on the ground. “I got you a little something...” He pulled a small velvet ring box from his jacket and opened the clamshell to reveal a platinum ring, set with a single round star sapphire. It was modest and elegant, like Alli herself.
Alli was speechless. Rather than delight, the beautiful piece of jewelry struck dread into her heart. She finally managed to draw a breath. “Oh, Greg. It’s beautiful... But it’s too much. I can’t accept it.”
“Now, now, don’t get upset. I’m not proposing or anything.” He squashed her refusal before she could get too worked up. “I just wanted to honor this special occasion. My pretty girl should have pretty things.” Greg took Alli’s left hand and settled the ring on her fourth digit. As he was commenting on the perfect fit, Alli’s parents and sister joined them.
Bill Wilson’s voice boomed over the hum of the milling crowd. “What’s this Gregory? Are you making an honest woman out of my daughter?” He laughed heartily and slapped Greg on the back.
Greg was a summer associate at Alli’s father’s law firm. The plan was for him to become a junior associate once he passed his bar exam. Bill was of course joking with Greg, but it was no secret to anyone that he was looking forward to the day that Greg did officially propose to his younger daughter.
“Not yet sir. A man should be able to provide for his bride before he makes that particular commitment.” Greg flashed Alli a playful wink. Greg came from old money, and providing for anything would never be a problem for him. Alli just gave him a weak smile and hoped he didn’t notice it didn’t reach her eyes.
Margot gave Alli an enthusiastic hug. “Congrats Li-Li! You’re an educated woman!” She squeaked. “Lemme see it!” She grabbed Alli’s hand and studied the star sapphire. “It’s grey.” She said in surprise. “I’ve never seen that color in a stone before.”
Greg’s voice cut in to their conversation. “It’s a highly sought after color, Margot. I find it sophisticated.”
“I’m sure.” Margot placated. “It’s unique to say the least. It’s not a color you see often in jewelry, is it.”
Alli scrutinized the gem stone on her finger, not liking all the attention she was getting. It was a strange color choice for a ring. Strange, but beautiful. Alli liked the way the light glinted off it, causing a six point star to form inside. Suddenly it dawned on her where she had seen this shade of grey before. It was the exact same grey as the eyes that belonged to the most beautiful man she had ever seen; the eyes that haunted her to this day.
Allison Wilson could recall her first and only kiss in great detail. It had been awkward, messy, and unwanted. Being back on her grandparent’s farm for the summer brought the humiliating experience to the forefront of her mind.
Josh Saunders. Ugh.
Josh was a nice enough boy. He had always been polite and respectful. When he had asked Alli to a movie, she felt obligated to say “yes” because she couldn’t come up with an excuse not to, and she hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings.
He had insisted on walking her to her door afterwards.
They had stood on the porch, awkwardly shifting their weight from one foot to the other, avoiding eye contact. Alli kept waiting for Josh to leave.
“Well, thanks for the movie. It was fun.” She had said, hopefully prompting his “goodbye”.
She watched in dreaded slow motion as he leaned toward her.
Oh please, God, don’t try to kiss me!
Alli squeezed her eyes closed and tried not to flinch as Josh pressed his wet mouth against her lips. She was frozen with a mixture of revulsion and disappointment as she waited for him to step back. She dodged sideways when it looked like he was going in for another try. It was all she could do not to wipe the spit from her lips with the back of her hand.
“Uh, ok, goodnight!” She chirped. Grabbing the door knob, she had practically fallen into the entry hall before shutting the door in Josh’s surprised face.
It wasn’t that Alli didn’t want to be kissed. Like most sixteen year old girls, she spent a great part of her day thinking about just that. Her frustration had more to do with the lack of suitable kissing partners.
Bernard’s barking brought Alli back to the present. She watched as all fifteen pounds of brown fury launched himself off the porch to raise the alarm. She shook off the memory of that unfortunate kiss, and hopped down the porch steps to see who was coming.
Alli had spent every summer here since her grandparents bought the place four years ago. The farm lacked wifi and decent cell reception, but Alli loved it. Alli’s older sister, Margot, felt differently.
“I don’t know how you’re going to stand it.” whined Margot, as she wandered the kitch
en with her phone held out in front of her. “No bars. This is ridiculous!”
Margot meandered into the living room, knocking into a side table as she focused on her tiny screen.
Margot was a social butterfly. Going without Facebook for Margot, was like going without oxygen. Alli didn’t understand the appeal of social networks. Why would you want everyone knowing your business? She couldn’t care less what you had for lunch.
“Mag, you’re only here for the night. I don’t think the internet will crumble without you for twenty-four hours.”
Margot gave a half smile. “Said the bookworm.” She teased.
Alli took no offense at the label. She was a bookworm. She read any and every thing she could get her hands on. Mysteries, the classics, even romance novels, much to her mother’s disapproval.
“I don’t think it’s suitable for a young lady to be reading erotica. It encourages irresponsible behavior.” Her mother had said.
Ironically, it was Alli’s love of romance novels that had kept her from acquiring a boyfriend this long. When compared to the dashing, heroic men in her favorite stories, high school boys always came up wanting.
The whole melodramatic high school romance sagas were over rated in her opinion. It was all she could do to keep up with who was hooking up with whom. Couples that had been together for mere weeks, and pledged their undying love for each other, seemed devastated when they caught their partners cheating. Never mind that they themselves had cheated too.
Alli couldn’t understand why so many girls were eager to find themselves in some boy’s basement, making out after watching him play video games, and getting drunk off of wine coolers he stole from his parents alcohol stash. She would much rather be curled up with a good book.
The following morning, after saying her goodbye’s to Margot, Allie packed a messenger bag with a few snacks and some books. She grabbed a bottle of water and headed out the back door, letting the screen door smack shut loudly behind her.
She wouldn’t be missed until dinner. Her grandparents kept themselves busy with gardening clubs and golfing. This left her free to do what she pleased most days.
Her favorite reading spot was down by the back creek, but on sweltering days like today, she liked to hole up in the neighbor’s hay barn. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the hay barn wasn’t nearly as stuffy as you might think. The hay was a great insulator against the sun, and the doors were so tall, they allowed for a nice cross breeze.; all in all, an ideal location.
Alli was greeted by one of the barn cats.
“Hi kitty.” She cooed, while scratching the cat behind the ears. The two of them settled into the loft.
* * * * *
Alli wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she was startled awake by a loud clattering sound. She could hear a pattering of goat feet, accompanied by a soft bleating from below.
“All right, ya little bastard. What did you do with my shirt?”
Alli wasn’t expecting a voice. Her grandparent’s neighbors, the Taylor’s, had invited her to use their barn whenever she wanted, but she still felt a little shy about being found dosing in the hay loft.
“Did you eat it? Is it true, what they say about goats eating everything?”
The goat gave a loud bleat, as if insulted by the accusation.
Alli stifled a chuckle, trying to remain undiscovered. She buried her face in the shirt she was lying on, and realized with sudden horror that it must be the shirt in question.
Well, nothing left to do but come clean.
Peeking over the edge of the hay loft, she could see the toes of a worn pair of work boots. He was standing directly below her. The goat bleated a greeting, causing him to look up and meet her gaze. He did a comical double take upon seeing her.
“Oh. I didn’t realize there was someone up there. Forgive my intrusion, I thought I left my shirt in here this morning...” He let his sentence peter off, and stepped back to get a better view of the loft. This also gave Alli a better view of him. Shirtless him. Shirtless him with a gorgeous torso that is lacking all traces of a farmer’s tan, oh my gosh this guy has a beautiful chest to go with his beautiful face, say something you stupid girl, he’s going to think you’re a mute!
“Hi.” Was all she could manage, while her inner monologue was chanting, keep looking at his eyes. His beautiful, piercing, grey eyes. you don’t even notice his shirtlessness. His eyes. His eyes are smiling at you. Crap. Did he say something? Are you supposed to respond now?
“Hi. I’m Jason. This is my folks’ place.” He said, raising his brows in an unasked question.
“Hi, Jason. I’m from next door. Your parents let me crash in here sometimes to practice being a homeless vagrant.”
He laughed. It was a deep, appealing sound. Infectious.
“How kind of them. Always giving back to the community.”
Alli smiled sheepishly, and held up his wrinkled shirt. “I’m also the resident shirt thief.” She smiled apologetically, and picked off a few stray pieces of hay before dropping it into his waiting hand.
“Ah, thanks. Does the shirt thief have a name?” He smiled up at her as he casually put on his shirt.
Alli’s insides melted. Is he flirting with you?! No, of course not. He just wants to know the name of the crazy person squatting in his barn. Probably for future reference when he’s filling out a restraining order.
“Alli. Allison.” She stammered, cringing inwardly. Real smooth, Alli.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Alli Allison. I knew a John Johnson back in school.”
“No, it’s just Alli. Short for Allison,” Off his grin, “...and you knew that, you were teasing.”
Jason smiled wider. “May I ask what a shirt stealing vagrant is doing in a hay loft on a hot day?”
“You mean, aside from stealing shirts, and loitering? Reading. Oh, and petting the cat.”
“Oh? What are vagrants reading these days?”
Alli glanced down at the tattered cover of her favorite romance novel. Oh God. He’s going to think you’re an idiot! Please tell me you packed something respectable in the bag. She grabbed the top book from her bag, and was relieved to see it was somewhat respectable. She tossed it down to him, and quickly shoved the romance back into the bag. Checking to make sure she had everything, she made her way to the ladder.
He caught the book easily. “Atlas Shrugged. One of my favorites.”
“Mine too!” Alli quickly made her way down the ladder. When she turned around she was startled to find him only inches from her. His closeness sent an immediate jolt through her body, and it took her a moment to realize he was running his fingers through her hair. Her heart lodged itself in her throat before she could say anything.
“Sorry, you had a bit of hay...” He said, making a point of dropping the straw bits to the ground.
Her face was flushed, and she prayed he assumed it was from the heat of the day rather than his closeness. Stepping back, he gestured to take her bag for her.
“Thanks.” She managed. Please don’t tell me you’re blushing. You are officially the most socially inept person to have ever lived. Stop standing there like an imbecile. Do something!
Fumbling the cap off her water bottle, Alli took a big gulp, pleased that she managed to do so without choking or drooling.
Jason watched rapt, as her tongue caught a stray water droplet on her bottom lip.
“May I?” He asked, gesturing toward the water bottle.
She nodded mutely, and handed him the bottle. It sent a shiver through her body when his lips touched the bottle where hers had just been. He drank deeply. Greedily. She watched in fascination as his throat moved with each swallow. She let her eyes make their way down the length of him, appreciating the view afforded by his open shirt. Mortified, she realized he was watching her.
“Well, I guess I should be on my way. I’ve got a dozen more barns to loiter in before nightfall, and shirts don’t steal themselves.”
He put
the bag strap into her outstretched palm. The full weight of the bag proved too much for her to hold so far from her body, and the bag dropped to the ground with a thud, spilling its contents onto the barn floor.
By reflex, Jason bent to pick up the books. Alli snatched the romance novel out from under his hand, but not before he got a look at the cover.
“Of course I dropped my bag, and of course you saw my trashy novel, because I haven’t managed to mortify myself enough this afternoon.”
Jason laughed. “You’re a funny girl, Alli. I hope I see you again.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will. Probably when I’m out buying toilet paper, or some other embarrassing necessity. I have all summer to top this little meeting.”
His brow furrowed. “You don’t live here full time?”
“No. I just come visit my grandparents for the summer. You know, free rent and all.”
“Well, that’s a shame. I’m newly permanent here, and it would have been nice to have a friend. Maybe I can buy you a drink sometime, as a thank you for the water?”
A drink?! Of course he would want to get a drink. He’s an adult. You are a child. Still, better admit you’re underage now, and spare yourself the embarrassment of getting carded at a bar.
“That sounds wonderful, Jason, but I’m underage.”
His brows shot up. “Oh, right! Sorry. Underage. Of course.” He frowned again. “Uh, how underage are we talking? Just drinking underage, or I should be arrested for asking you out, underage?”
Lie to him! If you tell him you are sixteen he will avoid you like the plague. You just want to talk to him. And look at him. You admitted you are too young to drink, what harm could it do?
“I’m nineteen. Well, almost nineteen.”
His shoulders relaxed a notch. “Oh, thank God. For a minute there I thought you were going to think I was a pedophile. I honestly thought you were older. Not that you look old or anything, you just have a wit about you. I guess I find you easy to talk to is all...
“Okay, I’m done making an ass out of myself for the day. It was lovely meeting you, Alli. I’d love to buy you a legal, non-alcoholic beverage of your choice some time.”
She laughed. “I’d like that too.”