Rosewood

Chapter 6: Holiday's 1986-1987

Chapter 6: Holiday’s 1986-1987               

*** Ruby’s Point of View***

Got a little bit ahead there talking about homecoming, that was the senior year homecoming for Jack and Jayson. For me it was sixth grade and the year I met Eric. He was almost as handsome as Jayson the sky-blue eyes, brown hair, and a deep sultry voice.

That is also when I met Alisha, she was a blonde headed, brown eyed bomb shell. She and I quickly bonded over homeroom that first morning. We had several classes together, for which I was grateful.

With Jack and Jayson focusing on school their jobs and the extra things they had to do for senior year, the bike shop was closed, except for minor things. That left me with free time, so I spent that time talking on the phone and hanging out with friends from school.

It wasn’t long before I found out that Eric liked my friend Alisha. I took it upon myself to play the part of cupid and passed notes between them. Within two weeks, they were a couple. They would try to meet between class, but usually only got to spend lunch together.

On the weekends, we would organize group movie nights, or trips to the mall to walk around. Not that any of us had a lot of money, so we mainly window shopped. What money we did have was spent on drinks or food.

It was nothing for our group to spend six to eight hours just hanging out. The great thing was when the guys where off work and could spend time with us. Eric and Alisha were inseparable, as were Daisy and Jack. Travis and Vivian would run off by themselves whenever possible.

We were a mostly typical teenage group, with four to six couples. Stacy wasn’t into anyone, so she usually hung with me and Jayson. She would hang on Jayson, acting like his girlfriend. Even though she was his sister.

She’d say, “I’m helping you two out. People won’t suspect anything, if they see me, his sister, hang on him like you do, Ruby.” Jayson said, “Hey, I get the privilege of having two beautiful ladies on my arms. I’m all in.”

Jayson and I had to be careful, we didn’t know who was around that might try and get Jayson into trouble. He took a lot of risk, just for me. I didn’t want anything happening to him.

*        *        *        *        *

Thanksgiving, the O’Connell’s, and the Dewey’s (Angelic’s family) came to our house for dinner and to watch the football game. I was not then, nor have I ever been a fan of sports. But I did enjoy watching everyone else watch.

So, when I wasn’t needed in the kitchen, I went off to the living room, sitting in between Jack and Jayson. Jayson would a wink at me or a touch on my thigh, and I would do the same. We didn’t flaunt our relationship.

When the game was over, we had dinner, and then just sat around talking, laughing, and enjoying the company and fellowship with our friends and family. Jayson and I headed to the front porch swing.

This was our favorite place, when we get away from everyone else, and yes November in Colorado was cold, but we bundled up and stayed close to each other. This Thanksgiving was a little warmer than usual.

As we sat there Jayson asked me, “Ruby, may I kiss you?” I looked him, “you kiss me all the time, so why are you asking.” He smiled, “No, I want to french kiss.”  I replied, “Oh, … um … okay.” He said, “Really?” I just nodded my head.

He placed his hand under my chin, gently guiding me to him as he leaned into me. At first it was a simple kiss, lips on lips, twisting as we had always done. Then he licked my lips, I opened my mouth, and his tongue began to explore my mouth and I done the same to him.

Twelve years old, on the front porch swing, with a man that I loved, I experienced my first real kiss. A kiss I had been wanting to happen, it seemed to go on forever, even though it was only a minute or two.

When he pulled away, I said, “Wow!” He giggled then gave me a peck kiss and said, “I love you Ruby, I always will.” I replied, “I love you too Jayson.” As we sat there, he held me in his arms, I was so warm, and felt so loved.

***Jayson’s Point of View***

Thanksgiving 1986, I had just turned 18 in October, so I was risking my freedom by asking for a french kiss. But Ruby, looked more beautiful every day, and I needed to taste her; and taste her I did.

 Ruby always wore a perfume called “Love’s Baby Soft” it is a light fragrance, and I always picked up the rose scent. Does she taste as good as she smells? Was a question I’d asked myself on many occasions.

My Ruby tasted of the chocolate pie she had for dessert, and strawberries. The was no strawberries in any of the food, I also picked up vanilla. As I was kissing her, I saw fireworks, and heard bells ringing.

Yeah, I know that’s cliché, but it happens to be the truth. Not that I would have ever told anyone that; but now everyone will know. That one french kiss and I was addicted, I wanted more but would have to wait. I was willing to wait for the rest of our lives if that’s what it took.

We sat there on the swing, on the front porch of her parent’s house, Ruby leaned up against me, and my arms wrapped around her. I could definitely see spending the rest of my life like this.

Still, I had to face the fact that the future was still six years away. However, my Ruby was worth the wait. The next few weeks I was busy with work, school, and being with Ruby as much as possible.

I took her shopping one weekend to buy presents for her family. I told her, “Buy whatever you want for your family, this is part of my gift to you.” She replied, “You shouldn’t spend all your money, on presents for me to give away, they should be from both of us.”

I wasn’t going to fight her, so I just nodded in agreement. We pick out stuff for all three of the families. We were all so close, we still are, even with the Dewey’s moving to another town, that was over an hour drive.

Ruby missed her cousin Angelic and her younger sisters, Helen, and Michele. Roger Dewey and his wife Edith made trips into town nearly every weekend. When I was available, I would go with Ruby’s family to visit them on their farm.

Yelp a farm just inside the city limits of Portsville, CO, they had a huge house and a huge barn that Roger turned into a workshop for building custom cabinets. He was the best cabinet maker in the state and well worth the price for his pieces.

For Christmas that year we all decided to meet at the Dewey Farm, on Christmas eve and wake up there on Christmas morning. Each set of parents had a bedroom, and then the girls all slept in the fourth bedroom, while us guys took up the fifth.

Christmas morning was a blast, Michele was the first to wake up at five in the morning, she was screaming, “Santa came, get up Santa came.” Of course, everyone got up, Wendy and Edith made coffee and hot cocoa.

We gathered in their living room sitting around, sipping on our warm drinks while Rick read the Christmas story. Then all hell broke loose as presents was passed around the room. It was a beautiful morning filled with love, and good cheer.

Ruby had gotten me a hat, glove, and scarf set, I got her a promise ring, with matching ruby earrings, and necklace. She smiled when she opened the set, then leaned over to thank me, giving me a quick peck on the lips.

I took the ring and put it on her finger saying, “I promise, one day to upgrade this to an engagement ring, and then a wedding band. Ruby, I am yours forever. Would you be mine?”

As she nodded yes, her eyes sparkled, and her smile was huge. I glanced at Rick, “May I kiss her?” he nodded. Then Ruby and I shared a stimulating french kiss in front of the families.

The afternoon was spent cleaning up, cooking food, playing with the numerous toys in the room, and just enjoying the company of good family. We all left to go home around 8 that night.

The following week, I had a lot of shifts to cover at work. I loved my job at Hillside, and the manager/boss/owner of the place took a special interest in me. I would not only keep the tables cleared but help with prep work.

Peeling potatoes, dicing onions, and other vegetables, so he started giving me shifts for prep, and then helping on the cook line. I was learning about food and having fun doing it.

Michael, the owner said, “Jayson you have a natural talent, and you learn fast. If you’re interested in a culinary career; I would be happy to support, you. Of course, I would have to have a five-year comment once you graduated from the culinary school.”

He continued, “You would continue to work here, and go to school, I would put up the money for your tuition and any fees associated with schooling. I see a lot of myself in you, and I want to support that drive and ambition. Think on it for a few days and let me know. You could start classes right after your high school graduation.”

“Mr. Hill, Chef, thank you so much. But I don’t need time to think about, I accept the offer and will commit to five years to the restaurant post-graduation from culinary school.” I responded.

That conversation was on December 27th. I couldn’t wait to tell Ruby. Once my shift was over, I headed straight to her house, barging in the door during dinner.

Not even realizing they was all at the table, I screamed her name. “Dude, we’re all in the dining room no need for screaming.” Jack said. I quickly sat down next to Ruby and told all of them my good news.

Ruby said, “I’m so proud of you Jayson, and so excited for your future.” I replied, “It’s our future, baby. As a professional chef, I’ll be able to give you a wonderful life. You won’t even have to work if you don’t want to.”

Ruby said, “Oh, I’m gonna work, I want to be a math teacher one day.” Little did my Ruby know that she later would find a different career path, that suited her much better. We sat there with her family discussion all the possible outcomes for our futures, and we talked about the current situations around the three families.  

***Ruby’s Point of View***

The end of 1986 was a few hours away, Jayson got off at ten tonight, and was coming over to watch the ball drop with us. It was just my family, Daisy and Travis. We just got done eating and was watching a movie in the living room, when Jayson came in.

Dad had gotten a TV in his and mom’s bedroom, so they decided to celebrate there. That left as three Warden kids alone with our dates. We danced and drank fake champagne and talked as we waited for midnight to roll around.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two,” and the kissing began. God, I loved kissing Jayson, and the ‘real’ kisses was the best. I cherished the way he held me; I could feel his love engulf me.

The six of stayed up for a while, then camped out in the living room. Jack and Daisy piled up in Dad’s recliner, Vivian, and Travis on the floor. Jayson and I on the couch.

Jayson had his back to the sofa, and I had my back pressed up against his chest, his arm around my waist. It was the best night of my young life. No, we didn’t do anything other than kiss. Jayson was the perfect gentleman, he never even tried to touch me anywhere inappropriate.

The weekend was fun, we had a blast, partying and hated for the fun to end. The guys worked, but as soon as they were off, they’d be at the house. Daisy, Travis, and Jayson stayed with us until after church on Sunday.  

Travis and Jayson slept in the living room, while Daisy slept with Vivian. I was alone in my room, as was Jack. Not that either of us cared, just having our loves under the same roof was good enough.

Of course, the three ‘loves’ went home to get cloths, it wasn’t planned for them to stay, it just happened. We’d get wrapped up in games or a movie and it would be too late for them to go home, so they just stayed.

Monday we all went back to school. Even though I loved my teachers, and my school friends, I missed having the three ‘loves’ around all the time. Jack and Jayson had lots to do in the next few months as graduation approached.

You should have seen those two in their cap and gowns, talk about handsome. Both my brother and Jayson pulled off the graduate look with style and class. Their cap and gown pictures were going to be amazing.

The next thing was ordering graduation announcements that was hilarious. Deciding how many was need, which of the school approved themes they wanted. Bruce, Marie, Momma, Dad, Jayson, Jack, and I all sat around the table discussing them.

After hours of debate and deliberation, the guys picked the same simple black and white cards, with a trace drawing of the school on the front. Each one ordered 150 sets and then ordered 150 wallet size photos of them in their cap and gowns.

When Valentines rolled around, my momma had the brilliant ideal of hosting a V-Day celebration at the house for all the couples. She made spaghetti, salad, and homemade yeast rolls (my favorite).

We sat down at seven for dinner, and then watched a classic romantic movie “Gone with the Wind.” It was a perfect night, after the movie Jayson handed me a box, he said, “Something beautiful, for the most beautiful lady in the world.” I opened it, and inside was a wooden rose, painted purple and green.

The petals were fully bloomed, each petal started with a deep purple at the base and faded gently into a lavender color. The stem was a dark green, and the leaves a grassy green, the veins of the leaves darkened just a little. Simple perfection, and this beautiful rose, was all mine.

Throughout the rest of our lives, Jayson would give me wooden roses, for special occasions. I learned that he was the craftsman behind these roses. He painstakingly made and painted each one he gave me.

 *        *        *        *        *

 My birthday fell on a Friday, so my parents planned a sleep-over for me and a few of my gal-pals. Alisha, Angelic, Stacy, Daisy, and Vivian was all there. My Dad ordered pizzas, and we camped out in the living room. My mother made a cake, and we had ice cream, lots of different candies, chips, popcorn, Kool-Aid, soda, and water.

The guys were there for the dinner, cake, ice cream and presents. Daddy bought me three red roses, in a white heart shaped vase. That had ‘I Love You,’ written on it just above a red heart.

The week before he had been teasing me about my ‘birthday spanking.’ So, naturally when he came in hiding something behind his back, saying it was time for my spanking. I was nervous and yeah, I started crying. I didn’t want to be humiliated in front of my friends.

The more he teased, the more I cried, then he pulled the roses from behind his back. Of course, everyone ‘awed,’ I was just so pleased it wasn’t his belt behind him. I gave him the biggest, wettest hug he probably ever had.

Jayson’s gift for me was equally impressive, he had burned a rose design onto a heart shaped piece of wood. He told me, “The wood represents me, strong and sturdy and the rose represent you, Ruby, soft, beautiful, delicate, and fragrant. Separate the two are good, but together they are magnificent.”

Since, everyone there new Jayson and I was sort of a couple, I gave him a hug and a gentle kiss on the lips as a thank you. After gifts the guys left, and Mom went into the kitchen to clean up some.

Us ladies played lots of games, including ‘truth or dare,’ and various board games. Then we share gossip and ghost stories. We had a blast, staying up till almost three in the morning. It’s a night, I’ll never forget, nor would I want to.

The next morning, well afternoon when we got up mom made pancakes, bacon, and eggs. We sat down at the table enjoying our food. Then one by one the girls all went home. The next big event was prom and I’ll let Jayson tell you about that in the next chapter.