Lion Eyes

by Casey Peeler

  “Hello, we could go Monday. I know you have practice, but what if we left Sunday night and then took care of that first thing Monday morning? We could skip our original plans and have a before-Christmas getaway.”

  “I haven’t gotten your present yet. That’s not even fair.”

  “I don’t care about that. I want to spend time with you. Or what if we left tonight?”

  “Where are we going?” he says with a laugh.

  “How about Gatlinburg? It’s like Myrtle Beach minus the ocean.”

  “You’ve got a point there. Sounds good to me.” I take my phone and surf the Internet until I find a cozy cabin located between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. “Booked. Let’s go.”

  “Um, shouldn’t we at least say hey to your dad?” he questions.

  “Probably, I’ll give him a call and see what he’s up to.”

  “Yeah, I need to call my mom and make sure everything’s set up in the system. I’d hate for us to drive that far and then something happen.”

  After he gets the green light from his mom, I call Daddy. After getting a lecture on safe sex and promising that I’ll call him when we get there, we are finally ready to load up. Tyke walks to my truck and I shake my head no. I love that thing, but let’s face it, it is as old as the hills, and the mountains will be hard on it. I motion toward the garage, and pop the trunk on my San Marino Blue BMW M6.

  “You mean to tell me this has been sitting here all this time? You never told me you had this car!”

  “What’s there to say? Hey, my daddy’s Kenton James, he bought me this kick-ass car, but I want to drive my pap’s old clunker?”

  “I guess you’re right. I can’t believe you’ve kept this to yourself though. This car is badass. It goes from 0-60 in four seconds and is easy on the eyes.”

  “If you think it’s badass now, wait until you hear the exhaust,” I say as we put our luggage in the trunk, take a seat, and start her up.

  “Oh baby,” Tyke says as the car rumbles to life.

  “Told ya.”

  Tyke plays with all of the car’s gadgets for the entire ride. He’s like a kid in a candy store. Before we know it, we are across the state line and within thirty minutes of our cabin.

  Pulling up to the cabin, I begin to think that I should have checked out the driveway conditions. This place is straight up a hill, and this car is about to get dirty. Guess it will be getting a wash when we get home.

  “Did you not think to check this?” Tyke asks.

  “Nope. We’re good,” I say as we climb the driveway to the cabin.

  As we pull up to it, the porch lights are all on, along with the green, red, and blue Christmas lights hanging outside. It’s quaint. It’s not fancy. The decorations are an added touch for the holidays, and it reminds me of our cabin on the river. Putting the car in park, Tyke comes around to open the door and grabs our stuff.

  Walking in, I’m met by the smell of pine from a Christmas tree in the corner. Funny, I wouldn’t have put that here, and not to mention, who waters it? I turn the lights on and wander around the open studio setup. The closer I get to the tree, I realize that it’s not real, but it is scented. That’s different. I’d bet money they have one of these in the Christmas Shoppe downtown.

  Looking at the different ornaments, I feel strong arms wrap around me and as I look up, Tyke’s lips touch mine.

  “Thank you for this,” he says.

  “Thank you for loving me,” I say. “Come on.”

  Tyke sets our stuff beside the bed and follows me.

  Chapter 26

  Tyke

  The look on Rilla’s face as we walk out the door is priceless. She pauses as we stare into the night sky. “Isn’t it beautiful out here? I think I could stay out here all night long.”

  “It is, but not as beautiful as you. Rilla, I can’t put into words how I feel about you. There was something about you the moment I saw you at the river. A pull that wouldn’t let me leave you there alone. You call me on my shit, tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear, and Rilla, I wanted to tell you what you mean to me. I have no idea what is going to happen with the draft, but before any of that happens, I want you to know that I’ll do anything for you.”

  She cuddles into my arm. “I know, Tyke, and I’d do the same for you. I know you can’t predict what’s going to happen or where you might end up but, let’s face it, we know they are going to take your declaration. It’s just a matter of who wants you the most.”

  Grinning at her mischievously, I say, “I have an idea who that is already.”

  “Do ya now?” she says with a smirk. “I think you’re absolutely right. How ‘bout we start a fire inside?” she states more than questions.

  “But there’s already one going,” I say, stating the obvious, then it hits me.

  She looks at me seductively, “I thought we could start our own.”

  Before she finishes her sentence, I pick her up and carry her inside the house and gently lay her on the bed before worshiping every inch of her.

  As the sun begins to creep into the cabin window, I glance at the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. She is fierce. She gets me. She’s going to stay with me. I know there will never be another girl for me. I want her to know that I want to stay with her forever regardless of what happens in our future.

  Rilla

  As I begin to wake up, I feel his strong arms wrap around me and hug me tightly.

  “Morning,” he says as I snuggle into his side. I could stay in his arms, and this cabin, forever.

  He’s looking at me when I open my eyes. “Can we stay like this forever?” I ask.

  “Works for me,” he says as he kisses my temple. This isn’t something we get to do often with all of my dorm rules. We take a few extra minutes and enjoy being wrapped up in each other’s arms. I wanted to have a weekend away with Tyke, and him being able to get his license back is a perk.

  Rolling to face him, I look into his eyes, and kiss his kissable lips.

  “You keep that up and we’re never getting out of this bed,” he says.

  “As you wish,” I say as I kiss him a little more. He lets out a little growl and wastes no time taking control of the situation.

  We finally make it from the bed to the shower and get ready for the day. It’s awful cold here today so I pull out a pair of leggings, boots, a long top, and my puffed vest to match. I hate wearing a coat.

  Once we’re ready, we make our way to the car and head to downtown Gatlinburg. We find a place to park fairly close to a small diner. The sign says Shoney’s and that sounds like a good place to eat.

  After breakfast, we walk through some small shops, go through the aquarium, and by mid-afternoon we decide to check out Ober Gatlinburg and grab food.

  As we wait in line to get on the tram, I notice that Tyke is a little uneasy.

  “You okay?” I question.

  “Yup.”

  “You sure?”

  “You think one of those cables has ever broke?” Oh gosh, he’s afraid of heights.

  “It will be fine. These things go up and down this track day in and day out. I’ve never heard of an issue, have you?”

  “No, maybe I should have had a beer before we got on here,” he says with a nervous laugh.

  “True, but too late for that now. Besides, you don’t need that to make it up this mountain when you’ve got me.” I wink.

  As we progress to the front of the line, we step inside the tram. As it begins to rise the two miles across the mountains, I’m amazed at the beauty of this place. The blue sky meets the treetops, and it’s as if we’re caught somewhere between the two. It truly is breathtaking. Looking at Tyke, I can see that he’s still not one hundred percent sure of this. I take my arm and loop it through his and lean into him. He smiles at me. Hopefully, that will take some of his worry away.

  Arriving at the top, we see people sledding and tubing. The shops are bustling with people going in and out, along with the bar that
seems to have caught Tyke’s attention.

  Tyke and I walk into the bar. We grab a high top that overlooks the mountain, which is full of skiers. After the waitress takes our order, we watch people play outside as a small band begins to play bluegrass in the background. We talk, we laugh, and we enjoy this time for just the two of us.

  Once we finish eating and the music gets a bit too loud, we walk outside and visit the shops, check out a few teenagers acting crazy on snowboards, and then make our descent back to town.

  The rest of the afternoon, we do whatever we want. We visit a few more shops and then grab a pizza, wings, and a few other things before going back to enjoy a campfire at the cabin.

  Chapter 27

  Tyke

  Only twenty four hours into this weekend, and I can’t get enough of Rilla. She’s everything I ever wanted in a girl and more. Last night we stayed by the fire and talked about life. That’s something that I don’t do often. Since the accident, I haven’t shared my life with anyone other than my mom and now Rilla.

  As I get ready for the day, I can hardly believe that I’m going to be able to legally drive a vehicle whenever I want to. It’s kind of strange in a way. It will be weird to have that freedom again. When we’re ready, we make our way back down the mountain of a driveway and we stop for breakfast at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. The biscuits and gravy are amazing! They are the kind that would make you want to smack your mama. Rilla insists on us walking around the shops near The Old Mill.

  “Come on. Let’s go down there,” she says.

  “Are we allowed to?” I question.

  “Who cares? Come on.”

  She takes me by the hand and we walk down the grass to the rocks. We eventually make it to the water. She takes out her camera, flips it around, and holds it in the air. I lean in as she clicks it and then we spend several minutes listening to the sound of the water and enjoying the view.

  Afterward, we go in and out of the shops ranging from art galleries to a candy shop. As we walk down the street, I’m wishing I could find somewhere to sit and take a break. That’s when she sees one of those old time photo places. She gives me a big grin and I know what’s coming. She takes me by the hand and in we go. Rilla has a field day looking at costumes and before I know it, we look like something out of that movie with Christina Aguilera that had all the singing. Rilla is smoking hot in that little bit of nothing she has on.

  Once our session is over, we wait for the photo to print and continue to walk around from store to store. We laugh and carry on. I swear we’ve gone in every shop, down every street, and through every door that’s open.

  As we reach a building off to the side of the road, Rilla pauses. I glance to see what it is.

  “We’ve been in every other building on this street. Might as well buy a wedding dress while we’re at it,” she says with a laugh, and then it hits me. Why not?

  “Let’s go,” I say.

  “You’re kidding?” I pause for a moment because I don’t know if she’s going to think I’m an idiot after this comes out of my mouth, but yesterday when I woke up beside her, I knew I wanted her to be my wife. Never in my mind did I plan on it being today.

  I grab both of her hands and turn her toward me. “Listen to me on this for a minute.” She gives me her attention with caution in her eyes. “You might think this is a little crazy or even too soon, but there’s one thing I’ve realized. Life is short and we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. I love you, and know that no matter where life takes us we’re going to be together. From the day we met, you saw me as Tyke, not TD. You put me in my place and made me prove to you that I was worthy of you. You are the one. Rilla, will you be my wife?”

  She doesn’t say a word, and the longer the silence, the more I fear that I’ve said too much. Finally, she looks into my eyes, “Of course I’ll marry you, but you can’t see the dress until we tie the knot,” she says with a wink as she walks toward the shop door.

  As Rilla walks around, we’re greeted by staff. They whisk her away and I’m left with an older lady that reminds me of my mimi.

  “When’s the day?” she asks.

  “Today?”

  “Oh honey, y’all just messing around?”

  “Actually, no. We’re going to get married but it’s a last minute decision. We just decided.”

  “I see. Well, it might be your lucky day. My brother Donald’s the ordained minister at Cupid’s Chapel. They marry people every half hour. It’s the ‘Get-R-Done’ package. It’s right around the corner. Go grab yourself a suit and I’ll give him a call,” she says, pointing me toward the tuxedos and suits. I browse quickly and grab a tuxedo that’s not too much, but then see a grey suit that I could actually use. I glance at the tag, find my size, and excuse myself to the dressing room. Once I’m changed, I go back out and wait for Rilla.

  About twenty minutes later, she walks back out with a dress in a bag, and comes to a complete halt when she sees me.

  “Tyke, what are you doing?” she questions.

  “We’re getting married,” I say as I walk toward her and weave my fingers through hers. “If that’s what you still want to do.”

  “Absolutely,” she says as a smile spreads across her face.

  Rilla

  Opening the door to the chapel, my heart does a pitter-patter, and I can’t believe we are actually getting married. As we walk inside, we’re met by an older couple who greet us by name. Tyke said we could thank the wedding shop for that.

  The lady shows me to a dressing room, and as I enter, I look back and see Tyke watching me. I smile at him as she closes the door to leave me to get ready.

  I slide my dress on. It’s simple yet elegant and fits perfectly. It has a sweetheart neckline with a lace overlay down my arms. Taking a step back, I look in the mirror. As I toss my hair and apply a little lipstick, there’s a knock at the door.

  Gently, I pull it open and find the lady asking if I’m ready. When I nod my head yes, she tells me to follow her. We wait in the foyer until the music begins to play. She hands me an artificial bouquet, and I look down the small chapel aisle to see Tyke standing at the end. I can’t control my smile or the emotions that are running through my body because there are too many to try and explain.

  As I meet him at the front of the chapel, he takes my hand in his. He looks me in the eyes and tells me that I’m beautiful. A single tear escapes as the minister begins.

  The service is short, sweet, and to the point, and when he announces us as Mr. and Mrs. Tyke Jamison, Tyke wastes no time kissing his bride.

  Walking back down the aisle, it hits me that I’m now a married woman and that my life will never be the same. Looking at the empty pews, I wonder what it would have been like for our parents to be here, and wonder how we’ll tell them.

  As we walk out of the chapel, we see another couple dressed and ready to tie the knot. They congratulate us and as Tyke and I walk down the street hand in hand, with a bag containing our everyday clothes, I can’t help but treasure this moment. I stop as we approach the river and pause to capture this moment again. It’s hard to believe that earlier today we were goofing off down there as Tyke and Rilla and now we stand above it, dressed in wedding attire as Mr. and Mrs. Jamison. I ask Tyke for my phone and as I start to take a selfie of us, a group of women with armloads of shopping bags stops and offers to take it for us. They have a field day with the two of us, and we have our very own photo shoot.

  “You look absolutely stunning,” one lady says as she hands me the phone back.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “You know, my husband and I got married in this town forty years ago on a whim. It was the best decision I ever made. I can see it in your faces. It will be for you too.” I smile and say thank you because what do you say to that?

  As they walk down the street, Tyke takes his hand in mine. “I know she’s right,” he says. I feel it too.

  Chapter 28

  Tyke

  Waking up next to Mrs. Jam
ison is something I will never forget. I want to stay in this bed with her in my arms for the rest of the day, but with the sound of the alarm, I know that we can’t. Today is not only a new beginning for us, but for me as well. The D.O.S. opens at eight and I have to be back for practice at two.

  We quickly get ready, pack up, and say goodbye to our cabin in the mountains. This place will hold a very special piece of our history.

  As we pull out and drive toward the highway, I look over at Rilla in the driver’s seat. She’s my freaking wife! What are we going to do once we’re at school? What are we going to tell our parents or, more importantly, her dad?

  She looks my way. “What’s wrong? Everything’s going to be fine today,” she tries to reassure me.

  “I know, but I didn’t ask your dad for permission yesterday. That’s like a golden rule in the South.”

  As she turns at the stoplight and into the D.O.S. parking lot, she puts the car in park. “Tyke, it will be fine. Yes, that’s how it should have been done, but he’ll understand. He knows how I feel about you, and as long as I’m happy he will be too.” She leans over the console and kisses me gently. “Now, let’s go get that license. I might even let you drive her home,” she says with a wink.

  Before walking into the building, I make sure that I have my birth certificate. Mom has faxed all the other information to the office. After taking a number, I have a seat and wait for my number to be called. Rilla never lets go of my hand. As the examiner calls my number, I stand and take the final steps to getting my life back on track.

  I approach the open seat and sit down. The examiner asks me a few questions before looking at my birth certificate and ID card. After he hands them back, I’m ready to take the road signs test. Within fifteen minutes, I’ve passed and the restrictions have been removed from my record. Now it’s time to take my picture and I’m standing in front of the blank background grinning from ear to ear. After a few minutes, the piece of plastic is ready and just like that, I’m back to full-fledged freedom. Walking into the lobby, Rilla stands as she sees me and a smile spreads across her face as I flap the rectangular piece of plastic her way.