Jack’s parents had invited an insane number of family members to their house for Christmas. The holidays were about loved ones for the Cooper family. Jack was about to be the host of at least a dozen cousins. I felt like I would be an unnecessary body in the house, but his parents insisted that not only was I welcomed but expected.
“You have to come. In fact, you won’t get your Christmas present if you don’t come,” he said as he pulled me closer.
“That’s not fair. You know I’m a sucker for presents.”
“Then I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.” He smirked, knowing he got to me with the gift bribe. He peered over my shoulder. I assumed he didn’t see either of my parents because he then gave me a lingering, passionate kiss.
“‘Night, Addy.”
“Goodnight, Jack.”
I shut the door and turned around. There stood my mother with her arms crossed around her chest. Her lips were pursed and her expression told me she was irked. It must have been a very long kiss. How did Jack miss her snooping presence?
I rolled my eyes. “What?” I asked tersely.
“Jack is what. He is entirely too serious about you, Adelaide.”
“Guess that’s my business.” I started to pass by her but she grabbed me by my arm, stopping me.
I turned my face to hers. She looked me sternly in the eye and said, “I guarantee you, you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t leave for college in August.”
“I never said anything was changing, Mom. Could you please just let me enjoy the time I have left with Jack?”
She released my arm and her face relaxed. I had obviously told her something she needed to hear—the time I have left.
“So you two aren’t serious?” asked Mom.
“No, we’re totally casual…I mean, I call him my boyfriend and we don’t date anyone else, but we’re just casual so don’t worry.”
Complete relief washed over her face. “Well, good. Keep your head on straight, young lady. Stay focused on our goal.” She gave me one last stern look then left the room.
I pounded up the stairs. I hated how she gave so little credit to my ability to think for myself. Obviously, I was focused. I had applied to every school she asked me to. I even secretly prayed I would get into the school she had attended. But it wasn’t our goal; it was my goal and the sooner she recognized that the sooner she could begin to heal whatever her own issues in life were.
I also hated that I had just lied to her. I was in no way casual about Jack. I knew I was falling in love with him and leaving in August would be extremely painful. My other focus in life was to convince Jack to leave with me. I didn’t care if he went to college, waited tables, or parked cars. I wanted him with me and Jack had just said he believed in magical possibilities.
********
“Jack is always welcome to come here instead,” insisted mom as she followed me to the coat rack.
“Mom, the Coopers are the ones with a house full of family.” I shrugged my shoulders into my black, leather coat.
“Your family is equally important, or did you forget that fact?” she curtly asked.
I didn’t have the patience for this argument so I called in a reinforcement. “Dad!” I called out to him. I pleaded with my eyes for his help but he wasn’t looking at me. Mom and I had been having this argument all day and I had grown weary of it and I suspected he had, too. It was time for me to leave for the Cooper’s Christmas party and she was being a baby about me leaving.
Dad didn’t even look up from the newspaper he was reading as he said, “Maggie, I do agree with Addy. It is much more difficult for Jack to come here. Besides, we’ve grounded Aaron. We could use some alone time with him, wouldn’t you say?”
“Then we should all be here. I guess Jack and Addy don’t need to see each other today,” stated Mom. It was such a ridiculous notion that she didn’t even sound confident in her own declaration.
“Mom! It’s a Christmas party! Besides, they invited you guys, too!” I raised my voice as frustration set further in my soul. “Just come with me if this is such a big deal to you!”
“Well, you are just casual, Adelaide. You told me that so I really think it’s no big deal,” she threw my words back at me. She took a seat and picked up the book Dad had just given her for Christmas this morning and began nonchalantly flipping through it. I knew she would throw it in my face that I had said we weren’t serious. She was lucky I had waited until the evening hours to go over to Jack’s house instead of spending all day with him like I wanted to.
“Dad…” I pleaded once more. This time, he looked at my mother over the top of his reading glasses with a troubled expression. I could tell that even he couldn’t understand why she was having such a problem with me going to Jack’s house.
He let out a heavy sigh. “Go ahead and go,” said Dad. “Right, Maggie?” He asked her like a real question, but you would have to be deaf to think he wasn’t sending a clear message that he wasn’t on board with her. He was allowing me to go with or without her consent. Dad placed his newspaper on the coffee table.
“Thank you! Finally, the voice of reason!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands to the air.
“Fine. I guess I have no say in the matter,” Mom curtly responded. She started to snap the pages of her book as she turned them.
She was lucky I didn’t break out my, “I’m eighteen and can do whatever I want” speech.
I snatched Jack’s gift off the entryway table, which was a computer program that would help him write his music. I doubted he needed any help.
My dad joined me at the door then gave me a hug. I kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, “Thanks, Daddy.”
“No problem. Have fun. But you might want to make it an early night, if you know what I mean,” he whispered back, nodding his head in the direction of the other room where Mom was seated.
“Only for you.”
On the short drive to Jack’s house I was excited and nervous all at once. I couldn’t tell why but I guessed that no matter how old you became, Christmas was exciting. Also, I was about to meet people who were very important to Jack and that mattered to me more than I probably even realized. I wanted to make a good impression.
Bright, beautiful holiday decorations were everywhere, inside and out. Outside, Ted had strung large, colored light bulbs the length of the driveway, along the long, white fence and tiny, white lights lit every pine tree. Large, red bows were tied on each tree trunk. It looked incredibly festive. All that was needed was a sleigh ride, large, puffy snowflakes, and a kiss from Jack to make this a perfect Christmas.
Jack greeted me at the door and I apprehensively entered the overwhelming filled room. I whispered, “These people are all family?” It was literally wall-to-wall people.
“Yep. That’s my Uncle Harold over there with the fiddle. That’s my Aunt Fay passing around the cookies. She’s married to Harold.” Jack continued to point out a few people then decided it was rude to point.
He pulled me along making introductions along the way. Some people were singing Christmas carols but they started to complain that they sucked because Jack wasn’t playing his guitar. He told me he’d better rescue them. They were so good they could have been the largest ever performing family. Jack picked up his guitar and played while he sang along with them. He stopped and mouthed the word, “sing” to me. I mouthed back “no way.” I could barely sing and I certainly didn’t have the talent of these people. Part of me couldn’t help but hope I could someday be a part of this family, the other part of me heard my mom’s voice detailing each one of her goals for me.
Ted announced he had a surprise for everyone and suggested we put on our coats and venture outside. Once we were outdoors, we found two large, red, sleighs.
“A sleigh ride!” I exclaimed loudly like a little girl. I even clapped my hands together. When everyone looked at me my cheeks became hot from the embarrassment of my childlike outburst.
“Um
…Addy’s from Southern California. She’s never had a white Christmas.” Jack offered a justification on my behalf and then there were a lot of “Ohs” and head nodding in understanding.
Jack whispered in my ear the names of his favorite cousins and we joined them in a sleigh. Once we were settled into our seats we covered up with plaid, wool blankets. We engaged in a conversation that was all about me and it felt awkward. It was more like the Spanish Inquisition because the most frequently asked question was about my intentions to leave in August. Jack could tell I was becoming uncomfortable. He leaned to me and said, “They’re just curious about the girl I’m so crazy about.”
I wasn’t sure if Jack had given them the cease and desist sign or what, but each person finally wandered off into a conversation with someone other than me until it was suggested they sing again.
I looked up at Jack and said, “All we need now are big, puffy snowflakes.” He nodded in agreement and put his arm around me.
Jack must have had connections with The Man Upstairs, because as if on cue, large, puffy snowflakes began to fall from the dark, wintry sky. My holidays couldn’t have been happier. Now all I needed was a quick kiss from Jack to top it off.
He read my mind.
********
Jack’s Journal
Saturday, December 25
Christmas
The entire night Addy was so adorable. She experienced her first white Christmas and it was fun to watch her be so childlike about everything. She seemed to be really happy with her Christmas present. I got her a new lens for her camera. I know she just got one for her birthday but as amazing as her photography is, I bet she can never have enough lenses. I don’t know much about photography, but I know when I see something I like and I love the pictures she takes. In fact, she takes downright amazing photos. I wish she would just decide to go into photography and then realize that Montana is the perfect place for that career—majestic mountains, mighty rivers—the outdoors magazine type of work for her would be awesome. I almost told her that back in October when we were hiking up to Castle Peak Falls but decided not to. She would have just ignored my suggestion anyway.
I wanted to give her an opal necklace to match the earrings I got her for her birthday, but I didn’t want to settle for just buying something. I wanted to pick the opal myself and I wasn’t able to get to Idaho. The mines are closed anyway. Maybe I’ll do that for Valentine’s Day.
She spent Christmas evening with my family. I could get used to that. They loved her, but my closest cousin, Jessica, is worried about me getting hurt. I respect her opinion and, frankly, I’m worried about getting hurt too, but if I don’t take a chance on this relationship, I’ll never know. I can only hope and pray I get my way on this and it isn’t really MY way, it would be OUR way…just me and Addy. Every day I’m with her, I get to know her more and it’s another day that makes me imagine my entire life with her. I’m a bettin’ man—I’ll bet she thinks we’re too young. I’d also bet she thinks she’s going to make me into a college man. That won’t happen.
********
New Year’s Eve was as much of a battle with my mother as Christmas had been. Her problem with me and Jack’s relationship was becoming more evident and it was really getting on my nerves. She should have been thanking her lucky stars that I was enjoying my time in Montana. After all, I had told her the day we left California I would never forgive her for moving us here.
In the end, it was another compromise. I spent all day with my family and even played video games with Aaron, which secretly I loved. I hated admitting to myself that I was having fun and felt a touch of regret when it came time to for me to go, but I wanted to be with Jack when the new year arrived.
“You wanna go to The Barn with me and Jack?” I couldn’t believe what just escaped my lips.
Neither could he. His eyes popped open wide in surprise. “Really?” exclaimed Aaron.
“Sure. Why not. It’s a new year and maybe you and I can have a new beginning.” This must be my new found maturity.
“You sure Jack won’t mind?”
“Oh, please. You know Jack won’t mind.”
“Well, okay, then…sure!” He was genuinely excited. This would be his first outing since being grounded for having beer in his room. When that happened, it had been a bum-luck-type-of-day for Aaron. It was that one time Dad didn’t knock before entering and he only did it as a joke because Aaron put a sign on his door with those specific instructions.
Mom and Dad would only allow him to leave the house without them if he was with me or Jack. I didn’t ask him to go so that he would owe me in some way, but now that I thought about it, he did. If I needed to call in a favor, I was certain to get it.
“One more thing, Aaron,” I said firmly. “You gotta be good. Don’t run off on me with Dumb and Dumber.” I shook my index finger in a very parental way at him.
His face reflected an expression that said I had just dampened his spirits. He was surely plotting a high with Jeff and Troy and I had just killed that plan.
Jack arrived to take us to The Barn and only minutes later, we arrived at the New Year’s Eve party. The energy of everyone’s excitement filled the room. Aaron had indeed found Jeff and Troy, but I kept an eye on them until I could no longer repress my need to use the restroom. I may have felt responsible for him, but nature was calling. I didn’t want him to do something stupid and then have to deal with the wrath of Mother.
“Jack, I’m sorry to ask this of you, but could you keep an eye on Aaron for me?” I asked.
“Of course. No problem,” he replied.
“I’m going to the restroom. I’ll just be a minute.” I had waited so long I was now doing the potty dance.
“Seriously, it’s okay. Go,” urged Jack, waving me away.
“Thanks.” I ran to the restroom.
After my much needed bathroom break, I was about to come around the corner when I was stopped short by the sound of Jack’s voice. I was so familiar with his voice I could have picked him out of a crowd of one hundred people. Jack rarely sounded angry, so it really caught my attention. I stopped to listen.
“Like hell you are,” demanded Jack.
Uh-oh…Jack cussed. That means not only is he serious, but he’s really mad.
“Who put you in charge?” asked Aaron.
“Addy did.”
“Dude, you’re so whipped.”
“You’ve obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a crap about comments like that.” I smiled and stifled a laugh. That was exactly one of my favorite things about Jack. Unlike me, who worried so much about what other people thought, Jack lived his life the way he pleased without concern for the recognition or validation of others.
“Whatever, Jack. Just back off. I’ll be back in two seconds. She’ll never know.”
“She’ll know because I’ll tell her.”
“Dude, what the hell’s your problem?”
“You’re my problem. I happen to be in…insane for your sister, who happens to care a lot about you. If you screw up this night for her, I’ll be on you like stink on shit.”
“You’re a total buzz kill.”
“Sorry, man. I can’t let you do it.”
“Fine. Just take me home then,” groaned Aaron. “I’ll meet you at the door.” I could hear Aaron stomp off like a little boy because he had not gotten his way.
“Yep. Meet ya at the door. I’m waitin’ for Addy.”
“You would!” Aaron shouted back at him.
I waited ten seconds then rounded the corner. I kept it to myself that he had just been my hero, and in about another five years, Aaron would be able to admit Jack had just been his hero, too.
“Oh, hey, I guess Aaron wants to go so let’s take him home, okay?” said Jack. I could tell getting rid of Aaron couldn’t come soon enough for Jack. Even he had his limits.
“Oh, really? Where is he?” I looked around, playing ignorant to his location even though I knew he was standing at the door
pouting.
“He’s at the door waiting for us,” grumbled Jack. He was trying to hide how irritated he was with Aaron, but I knew how he was feeling.
We said a quick goodbye to everyone, loaded ourselves into the Jeep and went home. The moment we walked inside, Mom and Dad were all over us questioning why we had returned so early. Mom ran to Aaron to inspect his eyes and breath, which further irked him so he lied, saying he felt sick to his stomach. He pounded up the stairs to his bedroom. When Mom and Dad questioned us about his sobriety, we vouched for him but didn’t explain his bad mood. We told them we were going back to The Barn and that we’d be back after midnight.
Once we left, Jack turned his Jeep back in the direction of The Barn.
My Blue River Page 21