Rose

by Alison Chaffin Higson

  “I’d love to meet you again. I feel as though I’ve always known you. I don’t want to leave.”

  “I don’t want you to. Come on, I’ll walk you back.”

  Jacob wrapped the blankets up in some sort of waterproof sheeting and hid them between some large rocks. He then took my hand and pulled me back into his arms as we started walking to my house. Just before we came into view of Mother’s parlor windows, he turned me to him and kissed me with so much passion, he left me breathless. My toes curled, my skin tingled, but before I knew what had really hit me, he pulled away again. “I’ll see you, same place, but a bit earlier if you can make it on Friday.” He then turned and left me without another word. All I wanted to do was cry.

  How could I feel so much for a man I’d only met fourteen days ago?

  Chapter 8

  Mack checked her watch to see if she had enough time to read some more, but to her surprise, she hadn’t realized so much time had lapsed. She closed the diary and sat back, gazing far into the distance, right across the sea.

  Her mind was filled with thoughts of Rose and Jacob; she couldn’t help but wonder what had become of them. She really wasn’t going to jump to the last entry, to hopefully find out. At least she hoped she wouldn’t do that. Mack wasn’t exactly known for her patience.

  She collected her things together and started to walk back to the cottage to see if Thomas and Lucas had returned from fishing.

  <><><>

  She stopped dead when she entered the cottage, because she was greeted with the bloody mess of the kitchen.

  “Auntie Mack, you’re back. I caught a yellow perch and Thomas caught two, so Thomas is gutting them. Will you cook them for dinner?” Lucas asked with a very happy, excited face.

  She walked over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

  “Yuk, Auntie.” He groaned, rubbing his face.

  “What about me? I caught two you know.” Thomas stated, with a wink at Mack, pointing to his cheek.

  She grinned then walked over to Thomas and placed a kiss on his cheek as well. “Thank you for taking him fishing. He obviously had a really good time.”

  “That he did. I certainly did. Don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much before.”

  “Yeah, he can have that effect on folk. Come on, Thomas, show me how to cook this fish, because I have no idea.”

  Mack quickly cleaned the mess up and then turned to find Lucas standing behind her. “Auntie Mack, I want to help. I caught one of them, you know?”

  Mack laughed, ruffling his hair. “Okay Lucas. I think we both need an apron on, because fish can be smelly.”

  “Yeah, it stinks in here.” Lucas held his nose.

  Mack started opening the windows and the kitchen door to try and get rid of the putrid smell.

  “Okay, I think we’re ready now, Thomas.”

  “Well, I have one more to gut,” Thomas informed them with a grin.

  “You’re kidding right, because I can see three fish lined up on the block?”

  Thomas and Lucas both started giggling.

  “Okay, guys, enough. We’re never going to get any dinner at this rate.”

  <><><>

  Dinner had gone well and the fish had tasted delicious with the seasoning Thomas had asked Mack to mix together. Lucas had cleaned his plate as well, which had surprised Mack, because in the past he had always turned his nose up at fish.

  “Auntie Mack?”

  “What’s up, Lucas?”

  “Will you show me some of the places Mommy and Daddy are visiting?”

  Mack glanced at Lucas who stood in the doorway to the kitchen in his favorite Power Ranger pajamas, holding his new children’s atlas.

  He brought a lump to her throat. “I sure will. Come over here.”

  Lucas walked over to her as Mack lifted him on to her lap, while he placed the book on to the table.

  “Okay. Let’s find Italy first, because if I remember rightly they’re due to arrive in Nice sometime in the next few hours, and Italy is usually easier to find than France.”

  “I’ll find it.”

  She sat and watched him flip through the atlas and had to bite her tongue when he went past the page.

  “Found it!”

  Mack leaned forward and kissed him on the top of his head. “Are you sure that’s Italy and not, maybe, South America?”

  “Oh, Auntie Mack. Are you sure that’s South America?” he whined.

  “Well, you tell me what these letters are.”

  Mack reached around him and pointed out the large letters to mark a country, while Lucas tried to concentrate on them.

  “B…R…A…Z…I…L. Brazil. Ugh, yuk. That’s where you get bananas from.”

  Mack burst out laughing. Bananas being the only fruit that Lucas hated. “Okay, champ. Let me help you find Italy, otherwise we might be here all night.”

  She turned a few pages back and pointed out, boot-shaped Italy to him. Lucas took his first sticker from the back of the atlas and with Mack’s direction, found Nice over the border in France, hoping one day she’d get the opportunity to visit, providing she could get her head around a long flight.

  “Let’s go and tuck you into bed.”

  Lucas jumped from her lap and ran upstairs as she followed at a slower pace with her usual hot chocolate, and of course, Rose’s diary.

  Chapter 9

  March 19, 1947

  I miss Jacob already….

  It really hadn’t been long since I’d last seen Jacob. Last night actually. I missed him so much. I wanted to talk to him and tell him about my day at work and the funny antics of my boss. I wanted his arms around me, and most of all, I wanted his lips on mine. I’d been kissed before, but I’d never reacted to anyone the way I did with Jacob. Right from our first meeting, I’d felt comfortable with him, with his touch. He listened to me, and didn’t talk down to me. When he looked at me, it was as though I was the only woman in the room.

  I was in my room after a busy day, unable to think about anything else, except the man who had my emotions tied in knots. Just about to change into something more comfortable, when there was a knock at my door. I opened it and found my mother on the other side, looking rather flustered. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

  “Oh, I’m fine, but Richard is downstairs and really wants to talk to you,” she told me, all excited. That filled me with dread. I really hoped she wasn’t excited, because she was thinking of wedding bells. That was not going to happen.

  I felt stubborn. “Please tell him I have a headache.” I put my hand to my head and swooned onto my bed. Opening one eye, I saw my mother still stood in my room with her hands on her hips, not looking impressed at all.

  “Put your shoes on and join us in the parlor. Now.” With that, she shut my door. Oh fiddle sticks.

  With the scruffiest pair of shoes on, I headed downstairs to the parlor. Richard saw me immediately and jumped up from his chair, nearly sloshed his tea all over Mother as he went to put it down, and then raced to me. He took hold of my hands. “Rose. I’ve really missed you. I’m glad you’re here.”

  I wasn’t sure where he was coming from with this. I pulled my hands out of his. “Richard, it’s nice of you to come calling. Are you well?”

  “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” He took my elbow and led me over to the sofa, sitting me down beside him.

  He poured me some tea, just as my mother stood and made some excuse to leave. Great.

  “Thank goodness, I thought she was going to stay with us.” I just looked at him and tried not to panic.

  Once my mother left, he seemed to sag in relief. “What’s gotten into you?” I asked him.

  “This is a mess.”

  “What is?” He really wasn’t making any sense to me.

  With a quick glance at me, he put his head in his hands and took a deep breath. “My father told me last night that if I didn’t ask for your hand in marriage today, he would stop my allowance.”

  “Oh my God. Please don�
��t tell me that’s why you’re here? We’ve discussed this already.”

  “Then tell me no,” he said in desperation.

  Stunned, I said, “No.”

  He sighed. “Rose. I’m sorry about all this. I really am. I don’t suppose we can be friends?”

  I felt such relief, that was over with. “Yes, I would like that, but no talk about marriage.”

  “Thank you. Now that we’re friends, would you like to go to the movies with me on Saturday?” he asked with a grin, “as friends.”

  I hoped Jacob wouldn’t mind me going to the movies with another man, even though we were only friends. “That would be good.”

  “Then I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. Is that all right?”

  “Yes. I’ll see you then.” I opened the front door for him.

  Just about to walk through it, he stopped and grinned slightly. “Err… Rose?”

  I looked up at him. “Yes.”

  “Your shoes have a tear in them.”

  I put my hand to my mouth to stop the giggle from escaping, and closed the door behind him.

  “What did you say?”

  I turned around to find Mother standing behind me. “I said no, and not to ask me again,” I replied stubbornly.

  “Well, really, Rose. What on earth will your father say?”

  “He’s not the one who would be marrying him.” I ran back up stairs to my room, and this time I locked the bedroom door.

  March 20th, 1947

  Only one more day….

  It was one more day until I met Jacob again, and I could hardly wait. I’d missed him so much. Thoughts of Jacob had been keeping me going these past couple of days.

  Father wouldn’t speak to me after turning Richard’s proposal down. As far as I was concerned, Father was acting like a child.

  “Ashoo.” Damn dust!

  For two hours I’d been dusting the shelves and books in the library. I’d lost count how many times I’d sneezed or how many spiders I’d seen.

  The library had been very quiet today, and Mr. Young decided he wasn’t going to let us sit around doing nothing. That’s why I was full of cobwebs and sneezing.

  “Boo.”

  I jumped a mile and turned around to see Jayne doubled over laughing. “That wasn’t nice.”

  “It was funny. You should see the sight of you. You look a mess….”

  “Well, thank you for that, and hush up before Mr. Young finds us. What are you doing here?” She very rarely came into the library. My boss scared her.

  “Will you double date with me tomorrow night?”

  “Oh.” I needed to think quickly. “I’m sorry, Jayne, but I’ve promised Mother I would keep JT occupied.”

  “You’re seriously going to pass, because of your brother?” she asked me in disbelief.

  “I’m trying to keep the peace after rejecting Richard. So on this occasion, I am.” It was close to the truth.

  “Heck. Okay. I better get back to work. See you later.” She turned and headed out of the library.

  After my very boring day at work, I ate dinner at home, then took JT to the beach. We had fun again and hunted around for crabs this time. JT found two and I found none! He gloated the whole way home, like a little brat. I ought to stop using his nickname, and maybe then he’d start acting more grown-up.

  JT was otherwise known as Thomas James. He was fourteen years old and regardless of what he may think, I loved him dearly.

  March 21st, 1947

  Tonight I meet Jacob….

  At dinner I told Mother and Father that I was meeting some friends in town. Without giving them time to reply, I ran up to my room, and changed my clothes.

  Opening my closet, I retrieved my new yellow dress, which had a low neckline and showed too much of my breasts. Daring, but I didn’t care. I knew my mother wouldn’t approve, so I placed a white cardigan over the dress and buttoned it up high. I slipped my feet into my yellow pumps and walked to the mirror to see how I looked. I smiled. I looked pretty good.

  I opened the door to leave and bumped straight into JT. “What are you doing lurking on the landing?”

  “You’re going meeting him? That guy from the cliffs.”

  I was speechless, I didn’t know what to say. “Um... What?” I pulled myself together and opened my purse. “Here.” I handed him ten cents to buy a comic. “You have to stay quiet about who I’m meeting.”

  He grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks, sis.”

  Brothers!

  I sneaked down the backstairs and exited through the kitchen, then ran through Mother’s rose garden. I doubled back towards the beach path.

  When I rounded the bend, Jacob was waiting for me. He saw me and smiled, then started walking towards me. To be in his arms again felt like coming home. I pulled back slightly, but Jacob kept his arms around my waist. As he looked down into my eyes, there seemed desire burning within them – for me. My skin began to sizzle with awareness. I needed something, but I wasn’t quite sure what.

  He leaned down and took my mouth with his, sliding his tongue over mine, as we groaned into each other’s mouths. He tasted of chocolate and felt so good. I didn’t want to let go of him.

  All too soon, he broke from the kiss and placed butterfly kisses all over my face. “I’ve missed you, Rose.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  He let me go and took my hand, then led me to the shelter we shared the other night. Sitting on the blanket, he used the other blanket and wrapped it around us both to keep the evening chill at bay. I managed to unbutton my cardigan without Jacob noticing, although he’d notice soon enough.

  “Tell me more about you. I want to know everything,” I said, and Jacob laughed.

  “I work for the fire department at the moment, but my dream is to become an engineer. I’ve applied for an apprenticeship in Boston.” He grinned. “I’m a huge baseball fan, and can’t wait for the baseball season to start. I support the Boston Braves, and I’m going to the game in Boston on April 18th, against the Philadelphia Phillies. Hey, come with me?”

  “Yes. Will you take me with you if you get the job in Boston?” I held my breath waiting for his reply.

  He took my face between his hands. “Rose, I’ll take you anywhere you ask, within my means.” He leaned in and kissed me.

  Pulling away, he caught sight of my chest. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. He gulped. I hid a smile. I really wanted to feel his hands on me. Heck. I didn’t know what was going on but I was shivering all over. My skin felt alive, and between my legs, it was like I was on fire. The feeling was so new. I wanted more.

  “Jacob, please kiss me.” I turned into him.

  He lifted a shaky hand to my face in a caress. “Rose.”

  He sealed his lips to mine. He slipped his tongue into my mouth. We both groaned. I climbed into his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. One of his hands pulled me in tight to him, his other hand traveled up my torso and smoothed along the top of my breasts.

  I pulled away from his mouth. The pleasure was so intense. He kissed down my neck. I arched into him, coming into contact with the hardness between us. He kissed across my chest and lifted one of his hands to cup my breast. He squeezed me and rubbed his fingers over my pebbled nipple. He groaned. I quivered and rubbed against him.

  “Rose.” He growled.

  I couldn’t stop moving my hips. Never had I experienced pleasure like I was.

  “Oh God, Rose.” He unbuttoned the front of my dress and reached into my brassiere, he pulled it down and bared my breasts. My nipples were so hard.

  The pleasure between my thighs started to intensify. I reached up and held onto Jacob’s shoulders, pushing myself harder against his groin. He panted. His mouth went to my breast. He sucked it into his mouth and used his other hand on my other breast. My pleasure exploded. I saw stars, rainbows. Oh my God.

  Panting, Jacob wrapped me up in his arms. “Hell. Rose. That was not supposed to happen. You turn me upside down.”


  “Can we do that again?” I laughed. I had no embarrassment, being half dressed with Jacob after doing what we’d done.

  He fastened my dress with unsteady hands and lifted me from his lap.

  I felt rather languid after the pleasure he’d caused my body to experience for the first time.

  Blushing, I glanced to Jacob and noticed the large bulge I’d been rubbing against.

  He pulled his legs up with a wince and took some deep breaths. “We can do that again,” he whispered. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. I loved what you did to me.”

  He groaned. I blushed.

  I never in a million years expected to be so, brazen. He was the one. I had no embarrassment with him when I was half-naked. He felt amazing. Next time, I wanted him half-naked. I looked away so he couldn’t see my longing.

  After a few minutes, he stood and helped me up from the sand. “I need to get you home. That’s not what I want to do with you, but I know it’s what I need to do. Now. Before I lose further control with you,” he said blushing. “I’m working until Wednesday. Do you want to go to the movies?”

  When I heard Jacob ask me about the movies, I was reminded that I had arranged to go with Richard.

  We walked back to my house, hand in hand. “Jacob. I’m going to the movies tomorrow with a friend, Richard.” He stopped walking. “He really is just a friend. You’re the one I want to be with.”

  “Okay, Rose. I trust you.”

  He placed a goodbye kiss to my lips. We parted with the promise of the movies on Wednesday. In five days. It was difficult to put one step in front of the other after experiencing Jacob’s touch.

  Chapter 10

  A week later, Mack was exhausted. First Lucas had been sick with a bad cold, which had kept her house bound, then Thomas had come down with it. She’d insisted he move into Rose Cottage while he was sick so she could take care of him as well. Then two days ago, she woke in the night feeling yuk and sick, so Thomas had played nursemaid, because he had started to feel better. Of course, Lucas tried to help, but kept getting under foot.