She took his hands in hers. “Just say it baby,” Rose said.
“I am truly, madly, deeply, and hopelessly in love with you, my dear, beautiful Rose,” he said as tears gently rolled down her cheeks.
“I love you too. So, so much,” she managed to croak out as she embraced him. “And that was the sweetest and most beautiful thing anyone has ever said.”
“No,” Jett disagreed. “I do believe that was the sweetest and most beautiful thing anyone ever said.”
Rose kissed his lips twice quickly and held his face in her hands, suddenly giddy through her tears.
“I was starting to worry that you were never going to say it or that you actually didn’t love me,” she said.
“Well, make no mistake, I love you and I’m going to tell you I love you until you’re sick of hearing it,” Jett said, caressing her hands.
“I’ll never get sick of hearing that. And I’ll love you forever and always,” she said.
Jett came back to the present when he saw his sons come through the door. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw them. Though they were twins, they weren’t identical.
Both were powerfully built and had the look of athletes.
Matt was 6’3, 230 pounds, sandy hair, and blue eyes like his dad. Even though he inherited the dimples on his face from Rose, Matt bore a striking resemblance to his dad. But his personality – from his mannerisms to his sense of humor – came from his mom.
Dan on the other hand, stood 5’11 and weighed 215 pounds with dark brown hair and eyes. He too had deep dimples on his face, especially apparent when he smiled. Naturally shy and somewhat socially awkward, his personality matched his father at that age.
Jett stood up and both boys hugged their dad.
“Hi dad, good to see you,” Dan said.
“Hope you’re buyin’. I’m hungry,” Matt said.
“I am but we need to wait before we order. Bud’s joining us for supper,” Jett said.
Both brightened visibly.
“Great!” Said Matt.
“We don’t get to see Uncle Bud that much these days,” Dan said.
“Well, he’s got a lot on his shoulders and let’s face it, he’s not getting any younger,” Jett said.
“How are you doing today?” Dan asked.
Jett smiled. “I’m doin’ fine son. I saw you boys went by to see your mom.”
They nodded. The casual observer might not notice but Jett could see the sadness in their eyes. He imagined his own eyes had a similar look.
“She sure loved roses,” Matt said.
“That she did,” Jett said.
“I remember all of the rose bushes around the yard when were little,” Dan said.
“And all of the different colors,” Matt added.
Jett smiled again. “You boys couldn’t have been more than three. You used to call them the ‘mommy flowers.’ She loved that.”
“Start without me?” Bud asked as he placed a hand on the shoulder of each the twins.
Both stood and greeted their great uncle, who delighted in their company.
“Grab a seat Bud, the boys are hungry and I ain’t far behind,” Jett said.
Bud sat down and the four ordered and enjoyed both their food and the conversation, which ran the gamut from classes to football. When they finished their meal, Bud spoke up.
“How’d you boys like supper?”
“Mine was pretty good,” Dan said.
“So was mine, but to be honest, we would have been happy with a pizza from the R & R,” Matt said as Bud shot a glance to Jett who gave him an “I told you so” look.
Bud cleared his throat. “So have you given any thought to our conversation from earlier today?” Bud asked.
Jett looked at Bud and his sons.
“You don’t know this Bud but I told Matt this morning and I’m he shared this with his brother,” Jett said as Matt and Dan nodded, “that I’ve made a decision that I would let them know about tonight. That was of course before we talked and they don’t know about that,” he said to Bud.
They eyed their father curiously as did Bud.
“Well?” Bud asked somewhat gruffly.
“How would you boys feel about me moving back to Crystal Springs?” Jett asked.
“We’d like that,” Matt said.
“A whole lot,” Dan chimed in.
“Let me ask you something else. How would you feel about me taking over as editor of News-Democrat?” Jett asked.
They looked to Bud.
“I’m too old to be editor and publisher. I asked your dad to help me out,” he explained.
“Dad, if you’re happy, we’re happy,” Dan said.
“Absolutely,” Matt added, “but where would you live?”
“Our old house on Donahue Street is vacant. The renters moved out two weeks ago,” Jett said. “Is that too close to campus for you two?”
“No, that’s fine,” Dan said.
“Besides, it’ll give us a place to crash on weekends,” Matt said.
“I’d like that,” Jett said.
Chapter Two
It had been nearly three weeks since Jett announced his decision to his sons and Bud.
Larry Pope, his managing editor in Lexington, accepted his resignation with regret but understood his reasoning. Larry had been a good friend and colleague over the years. He recognized Jett’s need to move on to if not better, different, pastures.
Jett made many friends during his time in Lexington. He knew he would miss them, especially his next-door neighbors, the Fee family. They had been there for him and the boys during Rose’s illness and in the days, weeks, and months that followed.
Phil and Josie were good people. He counted them among a handful of people that were truly dear friends.
And now he was unpacking at the little house on Donahue Street in Crystal Springs. It really hadn’t changed much since he and Rose bought it shortly they were married. The boys lived there the first two years of their lives but had no memories of it. They were pretty much raised in the Lexington/Fayette County area.
Jett walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. He looked around the small kitchen. The walls were painted antique white. The cabinets were oak with dark green marble counter tops. He leaned back on the cabinet near the double sink. The stainless steel refrigerator and stove were new. The little oak dinette set had been brought out of storage and looked perfectly natural in its original home.
So much of the furniture in the rest of the house was transported from the house in Lexington. Jett still hadn’t made up his mind about whether to sell it or just rent it. He leaned toward renting it for the time being.
Jett returned to the living room and found his recliner. He sat his Chicago Bears coffee mug on the table next to the recliner and put up his feet to rest a minute. The last three weeks were a blur of activity and it had finally caught up with him.
Jett flipped TV on and changed the channel to ESPN just to have some noise in the house.
The house wasn’t always quiet. There was a time when that house was host to any number of friends at any given time of the day or night. He smiled at the memories as he closed his eyes for just a little rest.
As he drifted off into a light sleep he heard the strains of “True Blue” by Madonna. The laughter of friends and sound of a multitude of voices fighting to be heard over each other seemingly echoed in his mind.
Jett opened his eyes to see a small crowd of twenty-something men and women in front of a floor model television screaming at a football game. Across the room stood his young bride carrying his Chicago Bears coffee mug and having what appeared to be a very light-hearted conversation with Alicia Clement, her best friend and former college roommate. At 5’6, Alicia was a little taller than Rose. She had a slim build and long light brown hair and green eyes. Attractive and personable, Alicia was also extremely intelligent. She was in grad school at SKU, working on her master’s and eventual doctorate in quantum physi
cs.
Jett smiled as Rose animatedly shook her head and laughed as Alicia waved her arms wildly. The diamond on the engagement ring sparkled on left hand.
Jett felt a hand slap his shoulder and a voice say, “I think we both hit the jackpot buddy!”
It was James David “J.D.” Blake, his best friend and best man at his wedding. J.D. was a first year law student at the University of Kentucky visiting for the weekend. He and Alicia had recently announced their engagement.
“I do believe you’re right. Not bad for a couple of slow footed country boys,” Jett said.
In the background the music changed to “The Lady in Red.”
Rose turned her head away from Alicia. There was that look in her eyes and that sparkling smile. She extended her arm and gestured with her hand for him join her.
He stepped toward her and felt as though he was moving in slow motion. She continued to look at him and she spoke.
“We need to talk my love,” she said as her smile faded. Rose stepped back and slowly waved goodbye. “I love you now and forever,” she said.
Jett tried to hurry to her but found the harder he tried, the slower he moved. Desperate, he called out to her. “Where? When? Please baby, help me!”
As her image and those of their friends faded away he saw her point to Alicia and nod.
Jett awoke with a start. His heart pounded like a bass drum in his ears and the chilly perspiration trickled down his spine. He was breathing as though he had been in a sprint.
Jett looked slowly around the living room. The 1986 crowd and music were gone. He was once again a lonely, middle-aged single father sitting in a recliner.
He knew it was a dream but once again it felt so real. Jett picked up the mug and as soon as the coffee touched his lips he realized it was ice cold. Had he slept that long? Pulling the mug away, Jett saw something that grabbed his attention. There was red lipstick on the side of the mug as though Rose had been drinking from it recently.
As he held the mug, he realized he was trembling. His case of the shakes was less from fear and more from excitement and confusion.
Jett knew what he had to do but was unsure of how to continue. He wasn’t even sure of what question or questions to ask. On top of that, he hadn’t spoken to Alicia since J.D.’s funeral – a period of nearly three years.
He pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket and searched for the right number.
After several rings, he got a voice mail prompt: “Hi this is Alicia. Since you’re hearing this I obviously can’t answer the phone right now so please leave a message.”
“Alicia, this is Jett. I know it’s been a while...”
***
Bud put the finishing touches on the most recent edition of the paper and took a little time to breathe. Production day was always hectic and he normally felt somewhat of a rush when the final page was proofed and sent back to the pressroom.
Today was a different. There was no urgency to plan the story budget for next week. Ordinarily he would take an hour or so and visit with a few people around the office and unwind with idle chitchat or just plain gossip. Bud noticed that was getting increasingly more difficult to do because the number of people that he could have an enjoyable conversation with was getting fewer and fewer. Age had way of doing that to people.
He reached for the tobacco pouch on his desk and started to open it and changed his mind. Bud realized he didn’t know how to feel. He had been the editor for so long he didn’t know how not to be editor.
In a way, he felt like he did when he walked across the stage in the old gymnasium at tiny Woodbine High School in 1960. Bud knew that night that his life was forever changed. And now he was just the publisher.
“Just the publisher,” he chuckled to himself.
Sure, he would be there every day, going over the advertising manifest and even making a few sales calls on old friends. But he wouldn’t be writing the stories that informed the community or helped shape local issues. About the best he could hope for along those lines was to write a weekly column but he was determined to let Jett have full editorial control. If that meant he no longer had a column – or more bluntly – a voice in the pages of his own paper, so be it.
Bud wasn’t worried about the future of the paper. Jett would do as well as he – if not better – in the editor’s chair. Things had finally come full circle. He trained Jett to be a newspaperman but he also recognized the natural talent the kid possessed all those years ago.
Bud wasn’t surprised Jett became a success in Lexington or by the numerous awards state and regional honors he garnered over the years. No, the paper would be in good hands.
Bud’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“C’mon in,” he said.
Mallorie stuck her head into his office.
“I hate to bother you with this but there’s a problem with the coffee maker in the kitchen. You’re the only one that knows how make it work,” she said, giving him an almost pleading look.
Not for the first time, the thought ran through his mind that if were 20 years younger she would certainly be ex-wife number four.
“Alright, I’m coming,” Bud said as he stood and walked to the door. Checking the manifest, calling on a few old friends, and fixing the coffee maker – not exactly an exciting life, he thought. “I guess that’s the damn point of cutting back,” he mumbled.
“Excuse me?” Mallorie asked.
“Nothing, just thinking out loud,” Bud said as he started walking down the hall. Mallorie walked just fast enough to get slightly in front of him. There were those blue pills to consider.
As he enjoyed the view of her swaying hips, Bud said, “You need to watch what I do in case I’m not here. The first thing to keep in mind is that it’s a Bunn –” he was cut off by the loud shout of “Surprise!”
Bud truly was surprised. In fact, he was stunned. He looked up and the office kitchen/conference room was packed with employees past and present as well as a few local elected officials and community leaders. In front of the pack of well-wishers stood Bud’s handpicked successor.
Jett stepped forward and extended his hand.
“We thought we would mark the occasion,” Jett said as he gestured at the spread on the table, which included finger foods, soft drinks, and a large chocolate cake and ice cream.
“Well, I want everybody to know I appreciate it but y’all know I’ll still be here Monday morning,” Bud said.
“We know that you old bag of wind,” Ed said. “After all these years of cranking out papers we wanted to celebrate this one,” said Edna, the former receptionist.
“How many has it been?” Mallorie asked.
“Who keeps track? It’s been enough,” Bud said as Jett nodded and smiled.
At that point someone cranked up the sound system and the speakers blared “Never to be Forgotten,” by the Bobby Fuller Four.
About an hour later when the well-wishers started thinning out Jett approached Bud.
“Enjoy your party?” He asked.
“Don’t tell me it was your idea,” Bud said.
Jett laughed. “No, I wouldn’t do that to you. It was actually Mallorie’s idea. I think she has a thing for old goats,” he said.
“Yeah. It’s called pity,” Bud laughed and so did Jett.
“You never did tell me what you’re planning to do with all of your free time,” Jett said.
“To tell you the truth, I really hadn’t thought about it much. Maybe do a little fishing and hunting if I can find some old coots to join me...won’t be golfing any, I know that. I hate golf and ugly pants. There’s some research I’d like to do on some writing projects I promised myself I’d do someday,” Bud said.
“Why don’t you come by the house later? We’ll have some coffee and maybe catch a Cubs game on the tube. With any luck, the boys might drop by,” Jett said.
“Okay, I’ll drop by later. But I refuse to drink what you call coffee. I’ll bring a libation of
my own choosing if you don’t mind,” Bud said as he started walking away.
“Where are you going?” Jett asked.
“To thank Mallorie. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings,” Bud said with a lopsided grin.
“Hope springs eternal,” Jett said.
“I was thinking ‘no fool like an old fool’ but that works too,” Bud said as he continued his retreat.
***
Alicia listened to Jett’s message again. The tone of his voice sounded so unlike him. He sounded unsure, agitated, and almost confused.
She met her late husband, J.D., because her roommate Rose Elkins started dating his best friend Jett Bradley.
J.D. and Jett were also teammates on the SKU football team. Where J.D. was a two-year starter at quarterback, Jett was a reserve linebacker that never cracked the starting lineup due mostly to knee and ankle injuries.
J.D. was an extrovert and enjoyed being the center of attention while Jett was reserved, shy, and unremarkable – until you got to know him. He had a great sense of humor and was every bit as quick-witted as the more outgoing J.D.
As different as they appeared to be on the surface, they were actually very much alike. Both were driven, self-motivated, and hard working. Each was also the youngest child in his family.
“The Judge” (her pet name for J.D. after he was appointed to the state court of appeals) used to explain their friendship this way: “We’re each the little brother the other never had.”
Though they had a class (American Lit I) together, she never really knew Jett until he started dating Rose. But after their first date, Alicia had a feeling she would get to know him well.
She could still remember Rose went on and on that night until the wee hours of the morning about how special he made her feel. Alicia had known Rose for a couple of years and had never seen her respond to a date in such a way.
Only When I Dream Page 3