by Alle Wells
“Yes, ma’am.”
I hadn’t even gone to bed yet, and Mama was already telling me what I was going to do the next day. It’s just like Jack said, “The establishment has your whole life all planned out for you, even before you get a chance to live it.”
Two weeks later, Jack walked into the Bluebird Café just before closing time carrying a large cardboard box. Rosie had left for the day, and the place was quiet.
Jack placed the box on the first table by the door. “Yo, Dude and Dudette! I thought y’all might like some new threads.”
He reached inside the box and pulled out a tie-dyed tee-shirt just like the kids wore on TV. The bright splashes of yellow and orange on the white shirt reminded me of the sunset on the hillside.
“Oooo, that’s pretty! How much are they?”
“You just help yourself, pretty lady.”
“For real?”
I rambled through the box and found dozens of tee-shirts with sunbursts of blue, yellow, and orange. I loved the brightly mingled colors.
Andy walked over. “These are real nice, Man. Where’d you get them?”
“A buddy of mine stopped by on his way to Florida. He had a whole truckload of them. I’ve got another box just like it in the van.”
Andy said, “They’re pretty nice, all right.”
Jack looked at me and grinned. “Just take whatever you want there, Darlin’. A tiny thing like you would probably wear a small. Just take them all, the small ones. That’s probably what you’d wear.”
“For real?” I squealed.
Jack winked at me. “Sure, Baby, anything for my pretty lady.”
Jack pointed to his own white shirt, splotched in brilliant orange and red. “Andy, my man, you might take a large like mine.”
Andy handed Jack a Mountain Dew. “Here, Man. On the house. It’s the least I can do.”
“No sweat, Man. What are friends for? Hey, you guys want to take a trip up to the hill?”
“Sure, Man. It’s about closing time, anyway.”
Andy grabbed a couple of shirts from the box and headed toward the kitchen. I looked at the big stack of shirts I’d chosen from the box and felt guilty.
“Jack, are you sure I can have all of these?”
Jack looked at me with a steady gaze that reminded me of Prince Charming in Cinderella.
“By all means, anything for my lady.”
I felt my face go red. “Well then, I guess I could try one on.”
I jumped when I saw Jack leaning on the wall just outside the bathroom door. “Ah, lovely, my dear, almost a flower child, but maybe this will help.”
He lifted his hand in the air, and a dandelion magically appeared. I looked up at the tiny flower dangling from his fingertips and shivered when he placed it behind my ear. Jack made me tingle from head to toe.
We went to the hill together that night. After that, sometimes Andy stayed behind, and it was just the two of us sitting on the secluded hillside watching the sun go down. I spent most of that time listening to Jack talk about his adventures, ideas, and beliefs. I had never done anything worth talking about, so I just listened. I hadn’t had time to form my own opinions about life, so I clung to his. Even though I was madly in love with him, I was nervous about being alone with him after what happened to me. But Jack was always a perfect gentleman. He continued to call me “his lady” and showered me with compliments and friendly hugs. I was thankful when the subject of sex never came up.
August, 1971
One hot day in August, Andy and I just gave up on the afternoon clean up routine.
“Oh, Man, it sure is hot,” Andy said, tossing a playing card into a bread basket.
I took another swig of my Dr. Pepper. “Yeah, it’s so humid that Rosie’s big hair might fall flat as a flitter when she steps out of Miss Ruby’s Beauty Parlor.”
Andy chuckled. “You know what, Annette? You’ve really changed this summer. I mean, for the good, you know. And I think it’s because of you and Jack. You two make a cute couple.”
“You think so?”
“Sure, I mean, look at how sad you were before the summer started and how happy you are now. You two are meant for each other.”
“Does he know what happened to me?”
Andy picked up the cards from the basket and looked at me sideways. I gave him the evil eye because I could tell that he had told him.
“Yeah, I told him. Now, don’t get mad at me. I know true love when I see it, and you two are meant for each other. That’s all that matters in life, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so. What did he say?”
“That he wants to marry you.”
I slapped his hand, and the cards fell back into the basket. “What? Andy Slick, don’t you be lying to me!”
Andy grinned like he’s tickled to death with himself.
“I ain’t lyin’. Cross my heart!”
After that, I couldn’t think about anything else but what Andy said and dream of becoming Mrs. Jack Harris. Even though Jack had never kissed me, I knew that Andy was right. We are meant for each other.
***
I woke up early and practiced braiding my hair in front of the bedroom mirror. I admired the blazing sunburst on the hippie tee-shirt Jack gave me, along with the new bell bottom jeans and leather sandals I bought. I loved having my own money and buying clothes I liked without Mama’s approval. Turning sideways to check the braid hanging halfway down my back, I caught a glimpse of Beth staring sleepily from her bed.
“Why are you up so early, Annette?”
“I’m getting ready for work.”
Beth giggled into her hand and pointed at my A-Cup bra hanging on the closet doorknob.
“Uh, I think you forgot something.”
“Aw, I’m not wearing that thing anymore. I don’t have anything to put in it, anyway.”
Beth crawled out of bed and slipped into one of those granny housecoats Mama made us wear. “Well, don’t you think that’s kinda like a sin, not wearing a bra?”
I grabbed my macramé bag and turned to go. Beth stood in front of the door, blocking my way out. I used to think my sister was everything. But that morning, she looked so uncool standing in front of me in her granny gown.
“Look, don’t hassle me now. I’ve gotta jet over to work.”
Beth squinted at me through half-closed eyes. “Annette, you act different now. You even dress different, like somebody from another planet.”
“Right on, Beth. You’re from Serenity, and I’m from Mars.” I pushed past her, down the hall, and out the door.
***
Not long after my run-in with Beth, Mama started bugging me about where I was and who I was with. I always said that I was at work. But she must have known that something was up because I was totally surprised at what happened next.
The Proposal
I watched the front window, searching for Jack who showed up nearly every day now. He would sit at the counter and watch me work. I looked forward to feeling his loving eyes on me. For the first time in my life, I was happy that someone was watching me. My heart leapt in anticipation every time the little bell over the door tinkled. But my heart skipped a different kind of beat when Jeff, Beth, and Earl Junior walked in.
They chose a booth next to the window. I felt invaded because they were on my turf, raining on my parade. Andy leaned toward me with his hand over his mouth. He said, “Be cool, Baby.”
I picked up an order pad and walked over to the booth.
“Hey. What are you guys up to?”
Earl Junior looked at the menu board. The hair growing out of his ears made him look old enough to be Beth’s father. Jeff fiddled with the salt shaker and looked nervous.
Beth smiled. “Well, we just thought we’d come see where you work, is all.”
I felt my pencil flicking back and forth on my thigh. “Is that all?”
Earl Junior snorted like a forty-year-old. “Umm, let’s see here. Gimme one of those dough burgers and an order
of fries.”
Jeff piped in. “Yeah, me too, and a Pepsi.”
Beth smiled at me, happy as a clam. “Me, too!”
I rolled my eyes at Earl Junior. “You want a Pepsi, too?”
“Oh, sure. Yeah. Atta do.”
Andy helped me out by giving them their food and drinks. I stood at the edge of the counter, not knowing what to say to them. The bell on the door tinkled. Jack stepped through the door wearing a tie-dyed shirt, bell bottom jeans, and leather sandals identical to mine.
He slipped Andy a hi-five. “Andy, my man, what’s hangin’?”
Andy answered quietly, “Not much, Man. How about you?”
Jack wrapped his gorgeous arms around me and said, “Just thought I’d come by to see my lovely princess, here. Ain’t that right, Baby?”
I blushed and looked at the floor. “Yep.”
I watched my siblings’ heads turn and then look away. Jack hadn’t noticed them because he was too busy being Jack, and he was a little stoned.
Jack released me and backed off. “Hey, hey. What’s with the kiss-off? Did somebody die or something?”
I decided it was time to come clean. I grabbed Jack’s arm and pointed him toward the booth a few feet away. “Jack, there’s some people here I’d like you to meet.”
A flash of insecurity crossed Jack’s face. He looked lost for just a fraction of a second as I guided him to the booth to meet my family.
I felt the quiver in my voice as I began. “Jack, I’d like you to meet my sister, Beth, my brother, Jeff, and Beth’s boyfriend, Earl Junior.”
Jack snapped to attention like he was back in the Army. He stuck his hand in Jeff’s face. “It is my humble pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir.”
Jeff looked confused and a little bit amused. After all, he was just a boy, and Jack was a grown man. When Jack let go of Jeff’s hand, he bowed to Beth.
“Young Lady, please forgive my casual attire. I would have dressed more presentably had I known that such an enchanting young maiden would gratify my day.”
Beth looked up at Jack’s perfect face and blushed. “Thank you, nice to meet you, too.”
Earl Junior continued to smother his fries in ketchup like nothing was going on.
Jack pulled me closer. “But, please, enough about me. May I present my lovely lady and bride-to-be?”
Jeff looked at me. “Oh, really? And exactly when did this come about?”
I opened my mouth, but Jack jumped in. “I assure you, sir, that my love for your darling sister is pure as the driven snow and will last for all eternity.”
Beth asked, “So when are you two getting married?”
I looked at Jack to fill in because I was completely wordless. “You will know when you see the last glimmer of our taillights fade into the sunset. Now, if you will excuse me, I have urgent business to attend to.”
Jack skipped toward the bathroom, and I wondered how long he would stay in there. Jeff’s eyes followed him until the door closed behind him. I tried to walk away, but Jeff jumped out of his seat and yanked my arm.
“Annette, that’s right where he belongs because that guy is full of crap! Besides that, he’s a hippie, probably on drugs, or something like that.”
Jeff’s attack on Jack made my blood boil. I snatched my arm away from him.
“Why? Because he loves me? Because he’s not some redneck hillbilly or a rapist? Of course, you wouldn’t know any better because that describes ninety-nine percent of the guys in this town.”
Jeff rolled his eyes at me. “I’m just telling you not to believe anything that comes out of that guy’s mouth.”
I grabbed the plates from the table. “I’ll make a believer out of you when you see those taillights fade into the sunset.”
***
News flew like electricity through the Serenity grapevine. Mama and Daddy knew about Jeff and Beth’s visit to the café before I got home that night. I slipped in the front door. I was hoping to make it to my bedroom before anyone noticed, but Mama’s voice stopped me cold.
“Margaret Annette!”
I froze in mid-step. “Yes, Ma’am?”
“Come in. We would like to talk to you.”
I sat lightly on the edge of the sofa opposite Mama. Daddy was leaned back in his recliner, distracted by the Sports Illustrated magazine in front of him.
Mama put her needle down and dropped the school skirt in her lap. She inhaled deeply as if she was getting ready to bellow out a hymn. “Your father and I heard about that little tantrum you pulled at the café today. That place is obviously having a bad influence on you. We feel that it’s best that you quit that job and get ready for school to start.”
My nerves jumped like needles through my skin. I felt the tears boiling up in my eyes as I raced through the reasonable arguments. “You’re making me quit my job? But what will Rosie do without me? And what about Goldie?”
Mama looked dazed. “What?”
Daddy prompted Mama. “Goldie is the car, dear.”
Daddy dropped the magazine and leaned forward in his recliner. “Your bank account looks great, Trooper. I’m proud to say that you’ve saved six hundred dollars this summer. That’s more than enough to take care of Goldie for a while. I agree with your mother that you should take a break and get ready for school. You’ll be an upperclassman this year. You have a lot of fun activities to look forward to. Jeff will be going to the community college this year. And since your sister is afraid to drive, it’ll be a great help to your mother and me if you’d drive her to school and to her music lessons.”
Mama broke in. “Annette, those people at that café aren’t like us; they’re very ordinary. It’s time for you understand that and make better decisions when choosing your friends.”
Daddy rolled and unrolled the magazine as he talked. “Your mother is right, dear. Being around people like that isn’t good for you. How would you like to be on the cheerleading squad this year? You’ll meet some nice girls there.”
I sat there, helplessly listening to them take away my freedom. Going back to school and being a cheerleader was the last thing on my mind.
“Can I go to work tomorrow?”
Daddy looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “Okay, you can work there until school starts. I think that’s fair enough.”
“And be sure to give those awful tee-shirts back to your employer,” Mama added.
Daddy leaned back and reopened his magazine. Mama turned back to the skirt in front of her. I couldn’t picture myself going back to school or wearing those ugly skirts again. Deep inside, I had a gut feeling that it wasn’t going to happen.
“Can I go now?”
Mama concentrated on her needle. “Yes, you can go to bed now.”
“ ’Night, Trooper!” Daddy called out as I closed the door.
Stretched out on my bed, the room felt like a prison guarded by my parents, the wardens of my life. I thought about the life I wanted and the life they wanted for me. They didn’t know me or even want to know me. Working at the café made me feel important and needed. I liked earning my own money and having the freedom to buy what I wanted. When I was at work or with Jack, I felt like an adult, not the little cheerleader Daddy wanted me to be.
That night, I dreamed that I saw Goldie’s taillights speeding away from Serenity.
The next day, my face felt as long as the braid hanging down my back. I dreaded telling Andy and Rosie that I had to quit. I took breakfast orders, cleaned, and silently resented my parents’ control over me. After the breakfast rush was over, I noticed Andy standing at the counter, checking me out as I wiped down the tables.
“Hey, Annette! Whassup?”
My head felt heavy from thinking so hard all day. I needed to spit it out and get it over with. So I dropped the dishrag in the bucket and plopped down on a stool at the counter. I stared absentmindedly at my distorted reflection in the chrome napkin dispenser.
“My parents are making me quit when school starts.”
Andy nodded at the countertop and said nothing.
“Well, don’t you even care that I’m leaving?”
Andy lit a Marlboro. He took a drag, as if he’d find the answer in the dregs of the cigarette. “To be honest, I’m not surprised. That was a pretty dumb stunt you pulled yesterday.”
I stared at him, not believing that my best friend was weaseling out on me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Andy concentrated on his smoke instead of me. His words came out staggered and uncertain. “I mean, you just kinda flipped out. Jack was stoned out of his mind, and then you just kinda flipped out. I mean, that ain’t kosher for the business. I mean, even Rosie said something to me about it.”
Andy’s words sank into the pit of my stomach. “Oh. So I guess it’s okay that I’m leaving, huh?”
“Yeah, well, we had a blast this summer, right?”
“You pushing me out, Andy?”
“I’m just sayin’. You gotta go back to school anyway.”
I jumped when the bell on the door tinkled. A wave of relief washed over my face when Jack walked in.
“Hello, my lady, my man. What’s shakin’?”
Andy and I sat still and avoided each other’s eyes. Jack threw one leg over the stool next to me.
“Hey, this place is getting to be a real drag, Man. Why so bummed out, Dudes?”
I sucked in a breath of air. The smoke from Andy’s cigarette lodged in my throat and I coughed.
Andy said, “Summer’s over, Man. Annette’s got to go back to school.”
Catching my breath, I said, “Not to mention that Andy’s practically firing me!”
Jack wrapped a comforting arm around me. I just wanted to sink into his arms and hide. Andy’s stare ruined the moment, and I felt self-conscious.
“No way, Jose! This here’s my main squeeze. She ain’t going anywhere. Ain’t that right, Baby?”
Andy straightened up and crossed his arms. The words that flew from his mouth sounded stern, not like my friend.
“Sorry, Rosie’s orders.”
I stared at him wide-eyed. “You’re firing me, for real?”
Andy’s face turned beet red. “Sorry, Annette. You know I like you, but Rosie’s real tight with the Sneeds. See, she don’t want no trouble. You know how it is around here. Everybody’s tight.”