Summer of Love & Sorrow (Completed)

Chapter Four

When we pulled up, Brin ran out to the car. "Save me! Please."
Lewis was going to open his mouth until I smacked him and covered his mouth. "What's wrong Bring?"
"My family and Betty's. They are talking about marriage." Brin leaned against the car.
Lewis and Jack laughed. I shot them a look. "Brin you haven't even got through university. Did you tell them to slow their roll?"
Brin bugged his eyes. "Do you want me to die?"
Jack put an arm around Brin. "How did you get away from Betty?"
"I told them I had to go to the bathroom. I hid in the bathroom until I saw you guys pull up and ran out here." We all busted out laughing.
Betty stomped out of the house. "I thought you were going to use the bathroom. The parents want us to take pictures and then eat."
Before Betty could gripe at any of us, I took her by the arm and saved us all. The parents were gathered in the den. Talking like parents do. One day that will be us. Sipping on the wine and whiskey talking about our youngsters going to university and getting married.
"There are our little birds." Ms. Fitzgerald came over giving us all a hug.
Mrs. Willick sat her glass down. "So, kids are you ready to take pictures?"
We looked at one another then to the parents. "Sure."
We posed like good teenagers for fifteen minutes. Which was how long it took the adults to figure out the camera. Taking turns arguing back and forth. Finally, with Jack's help, we got to take pictures. For a few pictures, we did nice poses. Like dominos, Lewis started acting up, then the rest was history. After frustrating the parents, Mr. Willick decided it was time for dinner.
"Hey dad, can we go to the pool house to eat?" Brin sat down.
His dad gave him a look. "Boy, it is a graduation dinner. Meaning friends and family eat together. After you eat you may go."
"Yes, sir." The tension could have been sliced with a spoon. Mr. Willick was a nice man. His rules were his rules though.
Dinner was pretty much how I thought it would be. Talking about the future literally made me sick. It isn't like I didn't know what I wanted to do. It all just made me anxious. Jack was quiet, with the occasional snicker or grunt. Lewis didn't know how to be quiet. Brin looked like he wanted to tear his hair out. Betty wanted his attention. Mom would scold me for my sarcastic remarks. Dad along with the other parents would try not to laugh. The remarks weren't offensive or towards the parents but mom still didn't like it. I don't know when mom is going to realize that; that is just how I am. I zoned out after a while. I just stuffed my mouth full of amazing food. I really needed to find my cat and I was keeping an eye on dad making sure he was okay.
Jack bumped my leg with his. I looked over at him. "What Jackie boy?"
"You still meeting me at the hill top?" He leaned over and whispered.
"What are you wanting to talk about?" I whispered back.
He put his hand on my thigh and squeezed. "You will have to wait and see."
The thigh squeeze was too much. Which only made me think of what him and Lewis talked about in the tree house. I loved Jack. He was my best friend. We got into trouble together. We were always glued to the hip. But if we got together, which I wanted to, I wouldn't want anything to change. I wanted it to be Jack and me taking on the world. I needed him.
Mrs. Willick interrupted my thoughts. "Well kids, if you are done, you can go do what you want. Just be safe. Have fun."
No faster she said it, we made our way to the pool house. Lewis and Brin sat on the couch grabbing the controllers to play a game. "Brin and Betty, when do you guys leave for India?"
Brin was into the game making Betty roll her eyes. "We are leaving in the morning, really early. It is going to be such a long flight."
I patted her back. "I am sure you will find a way to keep busy."
Lewis turned toward us. "Yeah, keeping busy on the mile-high club."
Brin paused the game. "Mile-high club?"
Lewis nudged his shoulder. "Sex in a plane while it is in the air."
Brin made an O face. "We could do that. Pass the time."
Betty smacked him. "Brin!"
Jack got up. "That is my que to go."
"What we just got to hanging out." Brin looked over at him.
Jack shrugged. "I have plans."
"Well good luck." Lewis said as they got back to their game.
Betty sat by Brin looking annoyed. Jack came over to me. "Don't forget to sneak out."
"I won't. I will have to wait for my mom to pass out. But I will be there, promise." I gave him a hug.
Betty kept poking at Brin. Wanting him to stop his game. After a couple of minutes of being poked, he turned off the console. Lewis threw his hands in the air. "Hey, I was winning."
Brin scuffed up his hair. "Sorry man, but we have to get up early. We are going to go and sleep."
"Alright, we will let ourselves out." Lewis got up coming over to me.
"Lewis can you give me a ride home?" I took his drink to take a sip.
"Yeah." He started towards the door. "You need a ride later?"
"What?" I got in his car.
He started the car, backing out of the driveway. "The hill top."
"He told you?" My eyes searched over Lewis's face.
He looked over at me. "Yes, when you took your bathroom break the other night."
"Do you know what it is about?" I turned down the music.
Lewis let out a sigh. "Maybe. I can't tell you."
I reached over twisting his nipple. "Tell me now turd."
Lewis almost ran off road fighting me off. "Torture me all you want. But I can't say. Jack would kill me, literally."
Lewis pulled up to my house. "Fine. I would like a ride there though. If you don't mind. He wants me to be there ten-ish. So, be here twenty minutes early. I don't want to be late."
I got out of the car walking up the driveway. Lewis rolled down his window. "Wear something nice!"
Then he took off like a bullet. I didn't know for sure what Jackie boy wanted to talk about. Though, I was hoping it would be about what I caught them talking about in the treehouse. Until then, I chilled out flipping through channels. Finding nothing on or I had already seen it about a million times. Going through all the channels for the fourth time, mom and dad pulled into the driveway. They were both surprised to find me sitting on the couch instead of out causing trouble with my friends.
"Opal, you are home?" Mom's eyes look like they would combust from shock.
I shrugged. "Jack had something to do. Lewis is spending time with his mom. Brin and Betty went to bed early because they are flying to India in the morning."
Dad sat down beside me throwing his arm around me. "Don't lie. You wanted to spend time with your old man."
I leaned into him. "That is right pops. You are the bee's knees."
Dad kissed my hair. "So, you want your present now or later?"
I looked straight to dad. "What? A present. You guys didn't have to get me anything."
Mom chimed in. "Opal, I know how things are. But you hardly ever ask for anything. So, come on, let's go check it out."
I followed my parents outside. There was an old Volvo sitting in the driveway. "No way! You got me a car?"
Dad threw me the keys. "It is your granddad's. You are lucky. He never let anyone drive it. But you must have him wrapped because he wants you to have it as a graduation present."
I squealed. "It looks brand new!"
Mom came and stood by dad. "It basically is. Your granddad took very good care of it. I am hoping you do the same."
"Of course." I hugged them both. "Thank you. I have to go call gramps and tell him thank you."
Wait until Jackie boy saw this. I was so excited. He was going to be so jealous. But thankful he wouldn't have to walk everywhere this summer. I ran inside to call my granddad. It rung a couple of times before I heard a smiling voice. "Hello."
"Granddad, thank you so much for the car!" I couldn't keep the excitement in.
He laughed. "I am glad you love it. I know I couldn't be there. So, I wanted to send something to you."
I was smiling like a crazy person. "It is perfect. I wasn't expecting it."
"I am happy you are happy dear. How was the graduation? Your mom and dad behave?" I heard him snicker.
I couldn't help but to snicker too. "It was good. My friends and I went nuts for each other. Dad, of course behaved. Mom always has something to say."
Granddad sighed. "You know your mother. She is just like her mother. Can't take them anywhere."
"Tell me about it." I picked at the icing on the cake mom made.
Before I could put it in my mouth, mom yelled. "Opal, stay out of the icing. Let me speak to your grandfather."
I licked the icing off my finger. "Granddad, mom wants to speak to you. Don't let her give you a hard time. I love you. Thank you again."
He laughed. "You're welcome. I love you too darling."
I left mom and ran upstairs. I had to text Lew that I didn't need a ride. He was happy I finally got a car. He loved Jackie boy and me. But he usually had to drive us everywhere. I just can't wait to see Jack's face when he sees the car.
I chilled out until thirty minutes before ten. I laid out probably every clothing I owned. I was nervous. Jack and I had gone to the hill top a million times before. But ever since his and Lewis's talk in the treehouse. That is all I thought about when it came to Jack.
Of course, I liked him. I have liked him since we were kids. He was always saving me, always there. Jackie boy let me be me and never asked for me to change. It was Jack and me against the universe. I was finally ready and trying to figure out how to escape. I waited until I heard mom snore. I snuck into say later to dad.
I bent down, rubbing his hand. "Dad."
"Sneaking out Op?" He smiled.
I grinned. Dad was okay with it. "Yeah, going to meet up with Jack."
Dad slowly got up. "Come on."
"What? Dad, where are you going?" I followed slowly behind him.
Dad slipped on shoes and went out. "You start the car. It may wake up your mom. You push the car, I will guide it out. That way you can make a clean get a way." He snickered.
I laughed giving him a hug. "Thank you, dad."
Getting the car out was a success. Dad even gave me a twenty just in case. I made sure he was safely inside before I took off.
As I pulled up, Jack was waiting by the gates that lead up to the woods. He looked handsome. Black on black with his hair in a neat mess. I got out with Jack throwing his arms in the air. "What is this?"
I laughed and leaned against the car. "My granddad sent me his Volvo as a graduation present since he couldn't be here."
Jack hugged me. "Damn. Great present gramps."
"It was very generous and awesome of him to do. Though mom wasn't for sure if he should have given it to me." I looked from the car to Jack.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Good ol' mama Linwenski."
I shook my head walking to the gates. "What are we doing here? If you wanted to hang, we could have gone to the park or the treehouse."
Jack scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah but Lewis would have bothered us at the treehouse."
I looked down to see where I was going. Jack leaned in to whisper. "As for the park, well, this is more romantic."
We came upon a clearing. There was a couple of blankets spread out. There were candles lit and all kinds of good junk food laying out. Along with my favorite drink in the world, root beer.
I cleared my throat to speak. "What is all this for Jackie boy?"
"I like you Opal Jane Linwenski. I have since we were kids." He shrugged nervously. "I know it took me a long time to come out and say it. Just didn't think I was worthy of you."
I giggled. "Oh, Jackie boy. If anyone isn't worthy, it is me."
He was standing behind me, his head on my shoulder. "Let's be unworthy together. Be my girlfriend?"
"Jackie boy, I thought you would never ask." I kissed his cheek.
He smiled taking my hand leading me to the blankets. "You really went all out. Even got the good kind of root beer."
"Only the best for you Linwenski." Jack leaned over kissing my cheek.
If there was ever a time I needed more oxygen. It would be now. I could barely breathe from being so in awe. The Wilson's raised one amazing guy. Thank god, they fell in love and produced such a guy.
Jack nudged my shoulder with his. "What are you thinking about?"
I smiled. "How I am so thankful your parents meet, had sex, and gave life to you."
He blushed, shaking his head. "You always know what to say."
I always had a good time with Jack. But tonight, was the best. Jack went out of his way to put everything together. We laughed, talked, stole kisses, and repeat. Before I could blink the tired out of my eyes, it was going on three in the morning. I was happy Lewis didn't spill the beans.
We were laying side by side holding hands. "It is late."
"Actually, it is early." Jack poked my cheek. 
I tried to bite his finger. "I have to get back before my mother wakes from her beauty sleep."
Jack got up, pulling me up with him. "Let's get going then. Wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes."
I crossed my arms. "Since when does Jack Wilson care about stepping on toes?"
"Since I am dating the toe's daughter." He kissed my forehead.
I helped pick up the blankets. "You are weak."
Jack laughed. "We will see who the weak one is when you can't see your handsome and oh so sweet boyfriend when your mom locks you in your room all summer."
I snapped my fingers. "We can't have that. Hurry up."
We stuffed everything in his bag and scurried down the trail. When I knew everything, including us were safely in the car, I took off hurrying to get home. Thank the heavens it was only a ten-minute drive there. Or I would have been so screwed.
Jack walked me to the door. "See you later today?"
"Yeah, I don't have much to do." I smiled.
He took my hand. "Good, you'll need rest for tonight. We are going with Lewis to a party."
"Who's? I thought everyone was gone for the summer." I got closer to Jack.
He wrapped his arms around my waist. "One of the popular kids is throwing a party or parities I guess before his parents get back home."
"Then it will be party central." I wrapped my arms around Jackie boy's shoulders. "You said he. He, who?"
Jack swallowed hard. "Well."
My breath hitched. "Nope. I am not going. I don't like that dickhead."
"You'll be with me Op. I won't let him say or do anything. I promise." Jack put his forehead to mine.
"Fine but I need to go in and get a few hours of sleep." I really didn't want to let go of Jack. I also really didn't want to go to Nathan Bottleman's party.
"I will see you later, Linwenski." Jack kissed me then headed for his house.
I was really going to have to get sleep to deal with Bottleman later. I went upstairs and laid down. My phone went off. A text from Jack.
                                              
Still no sign of Slinky? -Jack
                                                                                                
                               No. I am worried... - Opal
                                                            
She will show up. Love you O -Jack

                                       Love you too J -Opal