Rosewood

Chapter 4 Labor Day

Chapter 4: Labor Day Ruby’s Point of View

July 4th was awesome, Jayson kissed me on the check again, and later called me girlfriend. He played it down, but somewhere in my heart I knew how he meant it. It was fun laying beside him, watching the fireworks, my head laid in Jack’s lap.

My brother was the best anyone could ask for, hands down, he was very best friend. Yeah, I know we look weird to others, but we seriously just pick on each other and give support to the other when needed.

The rest of summer was pretty normal, we did one more picknick/campout on Labor Day weekend. Jayson, me, and a bunch of the others went over to the island on the ferry. We walked around for a while and then decided to have ice cream.

While we were having ice cream, Jack asked, “Ruby, do you like Jayson.” Jayson was at another table with Daisy, Stacy and Angelic. It was just me and Jack, Travis, and Viv. But Travis and Viv were in their own little world.

I answered, “Why, you are asking me that?” Jack said, “Because he likes you.” I couldn’t help the smile on my face as I replied, “Listen Jack, I’m too young to like anyone. But if I were older, I might would consider him. We get along, and he is already a good friend, and he is as protective as you.”

Jack said, “How did you feel, when he called you girlfriend?” I answered, “I thought it was sweet, he didn’t mean anything by it.”  “Sis, he says he loves you, and wants to marry you.” Jack spoke. I said, “Really, that’s kind of interesting. He told me that back in when first moved here.”

“Ruby you know if you wanted to like date him secretly, I would help.” Jack said. That got Viv’s attention, she asked, “What are we doing secretly?” Jack spoke, “Helping Jayson and Ruby secretly date.” Viv and Travis both said, “We’re in.”

Soon the table next to ours became empty and Jayson and the girls joined us. Jayson sat right next to me and said, “What going on over here?” As he and daisy pulled the table next to ours.

Jack smiled, and said, “We’re trying to figure out how you can date Ruby secretly.” Jayson thought for a moment, then said, “Nope it will be four to six years before Rick gives me permission. I don’t want to sneak around.”

He turned to me, “When I date you, I want everything in the open. I love you, Ruby. But I don’t want to take the chance of your dad finding out and you getting punished. Or even worse me not getting to come over and see you at all.”

He leaned close and kissed my cheek, I felt sparks that time, I pretty sure he did to. As I touched my cheek, he touched his lips, and we looked at each other then, he kissed my lips.

Not french kiss, just a regular kiss, but still I felt the sparks. Everyone looked at us, then as if they practiced it, all six of them said, “finally.” Jayson pulled his chair closer to mine and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“O.k. Jack, how do we make this work?” Jayson spoke. Jack said, “Well, you know,” he smiled at Daisy. “I want to date Daisy.” Daisy said, “You what?” Jack told her, “I like you, I’m not as obvious as these two…” he pointed at Jayson and me.

“But I would like to be your boyfriend. The four of us could go out as friends, like we always have. We’d act normal around our family, just when we went out, it would be a date.” Jack said.

Daisy got an all-serious expression on her face, looking to each of the seven of us, and asked, “No one here would tattle?” Everyone shook their heads no, then she said, “If Ruby’s in, I’m in.”

Jayson said, “what’d ya say sweetheart, want to give it a go?” I sat there for a couple of minutes, thinking about it. “Ruby?” Jayson spoke. “I’m thinking, what if…” He put his finger to my lips, “No what if’s, just yes or no. No hard feelings, no harm done.”

My mind was racing, here I sat with my family and friends, just twelve years old. I knew I wanted to be with Jayson, but I was scared. What would happen if I said yes? But then if I say no, I’d be breaking Jack and Daisy’s hearts as well.  

Finally, I said, “I gotta go pee.” I jumped up and went into the lady’s room. I entered an empty stall. I didn’t really have to go pee, I just needed to get away from the pressure and think.

I thought to myself, (if I do this, I make three people happy and myself. But if my parents find out, I’ll be grounded for life, and they won’t let Jayson come over. I’d rather wait, but I like the way it felt with his arm around me, and that kiss. I’ve never felt sparks before.)

“Ruby?” a voice said from the other side of the stall door, looking down I recognized the shoes. “What Vivian?” my sister had come to check on me. “Are you okay?” she said. “No Viv, I’m not.”

She said, “Come out and talk to me, please.” I opened the door, still sitting on the toilet. My sister said, “Ewe, I not talking to you while you’re peeing.” I said, “Look I’m just sitting here, I didn’t have to pee. I just needed some space.”

“What’s going on in that mind of yours?” Viv asked. I replied, “Jayson is one of my best friends, I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want him banned from the house. And most of all, I don’t know what he expects of me as his ‘secret girlfriend’?”

Suddenly, Jack, Daisy and Jayson appear. “Guys, get out, this is the ladies room!” I screamed. “The manager knows we are in here. Jayson got permission, to kind hijack the area.” Jack said.

Jayson squatted down in front of me, took my hands in his and said, “I want to hold your hand, tell you that I love you, kiss those sweet lips. Nothing more than that. We’ll go as slow or as fast as you say. I’m not going to lie, I’d love to french kiss you, but not until you want me too.”

“Jayson, I need time. Look Jack and Daisy can ‘date’ if they want. I won’t say anything. But as much as I care about you and our friendship, I’m not ready for more than that.” I spoke.

Jayson pulled my hand and said, “Come on let’s head back to camp with everyone else.” I let him pull me up and he pulled me into a hug, whispering in my ear, “No hard feelings, I’ll always be you friend.” Tears fell down my cheek, I just hoped I was doing the right thing.

All of us cleaned up our tables then headed to the ferry boat. There was a little talking going on. But I was quiet, and Jayson walked beside me, glancing over every now and again. I know I had hurt him, but he stayed right beside me.

Once we made it back to the mainland, and our camp site. We were split off to different areas. Mom had me come into the camper to help her bring stuff out for our dinner. While Dad took Jack off in one direction, and Bruce went another with Jayson. Daisy and Marie went into the other camper.

Wendy’s Point of View

The kids all went to the island for the day while we parents, sat around talking and fishing and getting started on dinner. I was the first on to notice the kids walking back towards the camp. I also noticed Jack was holding Daisy’s hand. I nudged Marie.

“Do you see that?” I asked. “Are you talking about Jack and Daisy, or the look on Ruby’s face?” Marie spoke. I looked over toward Ruby sure enough, she had been crying and was still upset about something.

Once they all got closer, Jack dropped Daisy’s hand, then smiled toward her. I went to Rick and told him to have a talk with Jack. Then I pulled Ruby into the camper to help me get stuff.

When we got inside, I sat down at the table and asked Ruby to sit down to. She sat down and I looked at her and said, “You gonna tell me why you’ve been crying and why your upset?” She smiled, “I can’t hide anything from you can I mom?”

I said, “Nope your eyes betray you.” She said, “I can’t talk about it. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, it’s nothing major.” As her mother, I knew it was something major. So, I asked, “Does this have to do with Jack and Daisy holding hands?” She looked at me, shock clearly visible.

“I saw them, so no use lying.” I spoke. She replied, “Mom, I don’t want to be the tattle tale. Talk to them please.” I told her, “Your dad is talking to Jack and Marie is talking to Daisy. I want to know about you.”

“Mom, I just had a disagreement with somebody. No big deal.” She spoke. I took in a deep breath and sighed, “Wouldn’t happen to be Jayson that this disagreement was with.” She smiled, “No Jayson and I are cool, we’re good friends.”

The door opened as soon as she finished her sentence, and in came Jack, Daisy, Jayson, Rick, Bruce, and Marie. Jayson slid in the seat next to Ruby while Rick sat next to me. Jack went out and brought some folding chairs in and the remaining 4 sat down.

Rick said, “Somebody better speak up and tell us what happened on the island. Or all four of you will be grounded till Memorial Day next year. That means, no homecoming, no prom, no dating, no talking on the phone, no TV and definitely no friends coming over after school.” He looked at Bruce and Marie, “Y’all okay with that.” Bruce said, “Yelp.” The kids looked at each other and finally, Jack broke.

He said, “I’m the oldest it’s my fault, don’t punish them. I want to date Daisy, and I knew Jayson likes Ruby. So, I suggested we date secretly.” Bruce said, “Jack you 18, right?” Jack nodded, and Bruce continued, “Daisy is fourteen, she is jailbait.”

Jack said, “I understand that, but I can’t help the way I feel. She’s not like anyone, I’ve dated. She is smart, funny, beautiful, and I know there is four years between us…” He looked over at Daisy and continued, “I know she’s the one. Just like Jayson does with Ruby.”

Bruce said, “How, when did this come about Jack. You’ve always treated her like a sister. What happened that changed your view of her.” Jack answered, “July 5th, we were swimming, and I noticed her up on shore talking to some scrawny wanna be surfer boy. I felt jealous and wanted to scratch the little prinks eyes out.”

Rick said, “Watch your mouth, Jack.” Then Jack continued, “Once Daisy joined us in the water, I asked who he was. She said, ‘some boy from school.’ I told her I didn’t want her talking to him.”

Daisy said, “I asked Jack why, and he said, ‘Well, because I like you, or at least I think I do.’ Then I swam closer to him, looked around to see that nobody was watching, and kissed him.” Marie said, “You did what now?”

Daisy answered, “I kissed him, on the lips, my arms wrapped around his neck, his arms wrapped around my waist. I never felt so alive. Mom, Dad, Rick, Wendy, I want to date him. Please let us, date.”

Jack interrupted, “I promise to treat her with respect, love, kindness, and gentleness. I won’t take advantage of her. You can send us out with a chaperone, I’ll follow any rules and curfews you place.”

Bruce looked at Marie and she nodded, then he sat down the rules. He said, “No dates alone, must be at least two other people, who meet our approval. No dates on school nights. Church on Sunday’s, and Wednesday’s is a must, and if either one of your grades suffer then the deal is off.”

Rick said, “Alright Jayson, let’s hear your side.” So, Jayson began telling us everything that happened at the ice cream shop, how Ruby’s rejection did hurt, but he would never give up on her. Then Rick told the kids to leave, while he spoke to us.

“Bruce, I appreciate you giving my boy a chance, and I want to do the same with Jayson. However, Ruby had been abused back in Hamilton. It has caused scars, that may never be healed. In your honest opinion, do you think Jayson can handle that?” Rick said.

Bruce answered, “I understand your concerns. I’ve noticed the friendship Ruby and Jayson has, it’s a lot like what Marie and I had before we dated. Granted she was 18 and I was 26 but still. Ask him.”

Bruce and Marie left and sent Jayson and Ruby back into the camper. As they settled into the seat, Rick began. “Jay, I know you’re a good man and you’re like my own son, but there are things you don’t know.”

With tears in his eyes, Rick turned to Ruby and said, “If you want to date him, fine, but you have to tell him about the past. He deserves to know if he loves you like he says. It won’t matter, but it will help him and you both in your relationship as a dating couple.”

Ruby sat there for a minute, and then told Jayson everything about Hamilton, about her brother finding out and protecting her. She even let him know that was the main reason we left Hamilton.

Jayson had tears in his eyes he twisted in the seat to face Ruby. He started to speak, “I promise you Ruby, if I ever come across that guy, he’ll die. I promise you; I will not force anything on you. I will be patient, even if it takes 30 years. Having you share this we me, has just made my love stronger. I want more than anything to be your boyfriend, if you’ll have me and your parents approve.”

Ruby smiled for the first-time sense they all returned to the camp site. She looked at us and said, “Is it okay?” Rick looked at me, I nodded, and he said, “Yes, but the same rules apply here. Only I want to know where you’re going as well as who goes with you.”

Ruby threw her arms around Jayson, then looked at us and said, “Thank you, you’re the best parents in the world.”