Chapter Eight: Flirting

Friday, June 24, 1910

"Jake? Come on, we're going to miss the wagon." Lynn was nervous. "Hold your horses" he replied from upstairs.

Jake ran down the steps, jumping off the final tier and nearly crashing into the front door. "Ta-da!" Jake smiled.

Sarah and Lynn said in unison: "A suit?"

Jake scrunched his face. "You said to dress up."

"I should've been more specific. Lose the coat and tie and let's go."

The trio jumped on their bikes and made a mad scramble to the park. It was the Kennedy's turn to host the Friday night trip to River City.

Dixie Kennedy was confused. "Lynn, Sarah, friends?" The girls nodded. "I'm proud of you two. And you are...?"

"I'm Jake Watson, my father and I just moved here."

He reached out his hand to Dixie Kennedy.

She shook it. "Charmed. Lynn, how old is Jake?"

"Thirteen."

Dixie inhaled through her teeth. "Um, Gene?"

Gene Kennedy rubbed his chin. "Is it alright with your father?"

Jake nodded. "He gave me $3 to spend. Also, Sarah and Lynn are with me and they're adults."

Lynn and Sarah smiled.

The Kennedys laughed. "Good enough."

As they started to pull out of the park, Dixie turned around. "Ok, we have Tommy Grossman, Sarah, Lynn, her cousin Jake, Mary Beth Lyndhurst, Kimberly Buchanan, Pete Jackson: seven kids."

"Fine."

Jake asked, "How long does it take to get to River City?"

Lynn replied, "About an hour."

"Do you go every week?"

"Not every week, just once every couple of months or so. Sarah and I used to hate each other. It was awkward to be around her. I'd sit on one end of the wagon, usually alone, sometimes with Mary Beth, or maybe, Kim. Sarah would be on the other end with Emily, cutting up and having lots of fun. That would be so lonely for me. Mary Beth and Kim are nice and all, but they are both thirteen, I am sixteen; we just didn't talk that much. Pete, Tommy, Russell, Leon, Kevin Hines, they are, or were in Kevin's case, all boys and I tend to be really shy around boys, so most of time I would be… I would be isolated. The River City trips were not that much fun for me. I'd sneak off, by myself, to the library and study for school."

Sarah was ashamed. "Lynn, I had no idea."

Lynn replied suspiciously, "No idea?"

Sarah looked down, she was humiliated. "Well, truthfully, I enjoyed singling you out. I tried getting Emily to go along with me and not talk to you."

Lynn had a tinge of resentment in her voice. "And we were friends. She pretended she didn't like me to please you."

Sarah shrugged. "I regret that now. I regret many things. The way I used to live was shallow."

Lynn was contrite. She pointed to her heart, "My attitudes were just awful too."

"I was selfish, cruel and childish. I thought I could get away with it because I made good grades and I was popular. But now, I'm trying to change. I don't know why it took me sixteen years to get to this point in my life."

Dixie thought, "Some of us are twenty-five and still not at that point."

Lynn hugged Sarah. "I'm so glad we're friends now."

Sarah smiled.

"When Em gets back tomorrow we have a lot to talk about."

Lynn raised one eyebrow. "Jeff?"

Sarah shook her head, no.

Lynn smiled. "Simon?"

Sarah whispered, "No!" Sarah rapidly clapped her hands together, "Wait, I mean to say, I don't care. That's fine. He's fine. I'm fine. Errrh! I do care, oh, this hurts."

Lynn hugged Sarah.

Jake said, "Girls are weird."

Mr. Kennedy rolled his eyes and said to himself, "Son, just you wait."

Tommy Grossman and Pete Jackson were discussing hunting.

Jake asked, "So there's a lot to do in River City?"

Sarah's eyes brightened. "There sure is. Do you roller skate?"

Jake smiled. "I love roller skating. Can we go?"

Sarah smiled. "Sure. You might even have to hold my hand, can you do that?"

Jake liked that response. He thought for a moment. "Sarah, why are you so nice to me?"

Lynn asked, "Yeah, what's that all about?"

"Well, for one thing, I'm trying to change. I want to treat everyone with grace. Secondly, someday I want to marry a good man. From what I have seen so far, there aren't that many good men out there. Jake, if I can help you be a good man, well, there will be more good men out there."

Jake was hopeful. "And you and I can get married?"

Lynn was mortified. "Jake?"

Sarah laughed. "I don't know. Can you drive a car?"

Jake shook his head.

"Then I am afraid the answer to your proposal is 'No.' That being said, I am flattered by your fascination with me. We all have our first crushes. Enjoy yours while at the same time, be realistic."

Jake hung his head. "Ok."

Sarah lampooned him and bemoaned. "Ok. Next week, you and I are going roller skating."

Jake smiled. "And we'll hold hands?"

"Absolutely."

Sarah patted his back. "Jake, you're ok in my book."

When they were about half way to River City, Mr. Kennedy began his lecture. "Ahem. Jake this your first trip to River City?"

"Uh-huh."

Lynn leaned in. "Yes, sir?"

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Kennedy spoke up as if he had memorized a speech, "Well, River City is a fine place to live and do business, but it is not Eagle Creek: the rules are different. They have areas which are off limits to children because of vice."

Jake swished his mouth. "Vice?"

Mr. Kennedy said, "Vice is: whiskey, gambling and women."

"But, isn't your wife a woman?"

Dixie laughed.

Lynn whined, "Jake?"

Sarah laughed.

"Um, yes, my wife is a woman. Come to think, that is one of the reasons why I married her. I am referring to women of, lowered standards of affection. There is all manner vice in River City. You are not permitted, by law to enter any establishment that sells whiskey. No casino, no bar will let you in. Dance Halls, well, they might let you in."

Tommy punched Pete and said, "Yeah, dance halls. We can meet some women there."

Mrs. Kennedy covered her hands with her face to hide her giggling.

The girls were chuckling.

Mr. Kennedy said, "Ahem. Gentleman, when we stop I want you two to stay with Dixie and I, we need to talk."

Sarah, Lynn and Mary Beth were laughing.

Jake looked confused.

Mr. Kennedy was trying to remain stoic. "Attention young passengers. Everyone, not just Jake must obey these rules. If you do not obey them, this will be your last trip to River City. Do I make myself clear?"

They replied as a group, "Yes, sir."

Mrs. Kennedy smiled at her husband. He stealthfully blew her a kiss.

She responded by raising her eyebrows. "Rule Number One: Once we park, you have two hours to enjoy the city. If you want to see a play that last more than two hours, that's fine, but you must let me know first. Understood?"

They replied, "Yes, sir."

"Rule Number Two: You must stay together as a group of two or more. You must not go alone under any circumstance."

They replied, "Yes, sir."

Dixie and Gene mocked them, "Yes, sir." They smiled at each other. "Rule Number Three: You must not go to anyone's house, unless they are a relative. Rule Number Four: You will avoid the area commonly called, the 'New Orleans district.' There is nothing there to interest a young person. It contains only clubs, casinos dance halls, and all of those are strictly for adults."

Jake replied, "Is that where you like to go?"

Everyone laughed.

"Um, no. I do not engage in vice. I could if I wanted to; after all, I am an adult."

Dixie raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Gene rethought his statement, "Let me rephrase that."

"Quickly."

"Post haste. I am an adult. Legally, I can drink whiskey, I can gamble. But, the women are off limits."

Jake asked, "Because you're married?"

Dixie turned to Gene. "Hey good question, Jake."

"Yes! Because I'm married."

Dixie questioned his tone, "Happily?"

He raised his voice to heaven, "Happily married!"

Dixie kissed her husband on the cheek.

Jake sighed. "My parents are divorced."

Dixie collapsed her shoulders, hurting for him.

"I wish they'd get back together."

Mr. Kennedy turned around. "I wish the same thing, Jake. I wish the same thing."

The wagon arrived at 7:00. The teenagers split up. Gene and Dixie went to a Chinese restaurant. Jake went with Lynn and Sarah; they give him a tour of the city. He was mildly impressed but he kept saying, "Billings is bigger."

Instead of a full meal, the trio got hot dogs and went to an arcade. In the arcade there was a combo: trumpet, piano and guitar. Sarah really enjoyed one particular song they played. During a break, she learned the name: Sweet Pie Rag.

Sarah asked Lynn and Jake if they could go to the library. Sarah thought about playing the song at the music festival.

At the library, Lynn showed Sarah the music collection. Jake wandered off by himself. They could not find Sweet Pie Rag so they looked for another song. As they sat in the small music room, in the basement, reviewing the music they heard someone running down the grand marble staircase.

Sarah whispered, "Is that Jake?"

Lynn cringed. "I hope not."

Jake burst through the door. "Lynn, Sarah, I have to talk to you, now."

An elderly woman wearing a shawl stepped into the room. "Hush!"

Lynn sank in her chair. "Sorry."

Sarah was trying not to laugh. "Lynn, I met a girl, upstairs. She's my age. I said, 'Hello'; she replied, 'Hello.' What does that mean?"

Lynn looked to her right and then her left. "It means she speaks English."

Sarah tried to keep from laughing.

"Does she like me?"

"Well, so far it means she doesn't hate you."

Sarah bobbed her head. "Your cousin's right, that's all it means."

"Should I talk to her again?"

Lynn and Sarah both nodded. Lynn cautioned, "Walk up the stairs."

Jake whispered, "Ok."

He quietly left the room.

Lynn and Sarah continued their search. They soon heard Jake's footsteps. At first he was running. They heard a muffled voice say, "Slow down." He walked the rest of the way. "I said 'My name is Jake.' She said 'My name is Angela.'"

Sarah giggled, "I now pronounce you man and wife."

"Sarah!" Lynn was humorously mad. She whispered, "Good sign."

Sarah agreed with her. "Very good sign."

Jake smiled. "What do I say now?"

Lynn pondered and advised him, "Tell her about your art."

"Ok." He quietly left the room. Sarah and Lynn rolled their eyes.

Lynn asked, "Was I ever like that?"

"I didn't know you when you were thirteen, but, yes, you were exactly like that."

Lynn chuckled.

Two minutes went by; they heard him run and then stop and then walk down the steps.

Lynn begged Sarah, "Can we hide this time?"

Jake entered the room. "She doesn't like art. She likes to roller skate. Should I ask her on a date?"

The girls waved their hands disapprovingly and replied in unison, "No!"

Sarah cautioned, "You'll scare her. Girls at this age get spooked, easily."

Lynn nodded her agreement. "Jake, just relax. Tell her about Billings. Ask if she's ever traveled."

Jake whispered, "Ok." He quietly left the room.

Sarah said to Lynn, "Well, as long as we're here. I'll look for something else. Maybe a Sousa march or something."

Lynn shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe, I dunno."

As they looked a dashing young man came into the music room. He smiled at Lynn, she smiled back.

Sarah was equally enticed. "Hello? Paging Mister Tall, Dark and Handsome."

Lynn winced, "Sarah, hush, he'll hear you."

They heard someone skipping down the steps. A muffled voice confronted him.

Jake replied, "I wasn't running."

Lynn looked to the ceiling and silently prayed, "Dear Lord, please do not allow Jake into this room."

Jake burst through the door, "She's never traveled."

Lynn smirked and spoke through her teeth, "Come... back... later!"

Sarah motioned with her head.

Jake looked at the young man. He spoke in his regular voice, "Oh, do you think he's handsome?"

The stranger chuckled.

Sarah spun around and pretended to look for music.

Lynn sank into her chair. She angrily whispered, "Yes, Jake." She took a moment to compose herself. "I think he is dreamy."

Jake nodded. "I'll ask if he has a girlfriend."

Lynn was confused; "Huh? What?"

Jake jumped up out of his chair and began walking towards the man.

Lynn raced around after him desperately whispering: "Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake!" Lynn almost tackled him. She pinched his ear and dragged him away from the alluring stranger and drug him back to their table.

Sarah was biting her finger, trying not to laugh.

The gallant gentleman turned to Lynn and winked.

She hopelessly mouthed, "Hi" and let him go. Lynn was fuming.

Sarah sat down and asked, "What should be his next move?"

Lynn frantically whispered to her, "The basement. Idaho. Jupiter. Anywhere but here!"

She put on a coy smile and turned back around. The gorgeous man had left. She put her right hand over her eyes and leaned on the table.

Jake said, "The cute guy left."

Lynn peeked at him through her pinky and ring finger. She was livid when she whispered, "Yes. I noticed. And now I will strangle you to death."

Sarah put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Lynn."

Lynn moaned to herself, "He left! He left! He walked out." She made a zoom motion with her hand. "And I said, 'Hi' with all of the grace and sophistication of someone juggling pigs."

Jake said, "I'm sorry that I ruined your one chance for love."

Lynn drummed with her fingers.

Sarah gave Jake some pointers. "Jake, ask what she likes to do in school. Find out what she likes to eat. Does she like music? Ask questions and listen, actually, listen to her. Girls like that because guys are usually not listening and even when we do say, 'Hi' in a coy, playful tone, they are still utterly clueless as to your reception for further conversation."

Lynn whimpered, "Mmm hmm."

Jake nodded. "School? Eat? Music?"

Sarah said, "And, most of all, listen to her."

Jake whispered, "Ok." He confidently walked away.

Lynn spun around to Sarah, "Do you think the hunk will come back?"

Sarah shrugged. "Beats me."

A half-hour passed before Jake returned. "Angela likes pizza. Her favorite subject is history but she said it makes her feel strange because most girls do not like history. She's from River City. She's in eighth grade, like me."

Lynn was impressed. "Jake you listened to her; I am proud of you."

"Thanks. Did your man come back?"

Lynn growled, "No. He didn't."

"That's too bad. You'll probably never see him again either."

Lynn garbled, "Probably not."

"Oh well. But, you can be happy that I found some one."

Lynn said nothing she just drummed her fingers on the table. Sarah mouthed, "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Sarah."

On the way home, Jake fell asleep on Lynn's lap. She gently stroked his head. Sarah thought he looked sweet.

Sarah whispered, "I wonder what he's dreaming?"

Lynn raised an eyebrow, "He's a thirteen-year-old boy. Do you really want to know?"

Sarah slowly shook her head. "Um... no."

Lynn smirked and whispered, "Some things are better left a mystery."