Jack & Diane (9 page)

“Rose, why do you keep calling my mother Cathy?”

“Because it is really getting her goat. It’s really funny that something so small would bother her so.”

“All this time I thought you were so sweet.”

“Too much sweetness causes cavities.”

♥♥♥

“Dad, this is Catherine and Robert Clark, Diane’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Clark this is my father Peter Sloan.”

Jack was glad to see that his dad hadn’t tried to stand. Last time he tried to stand too quickly he’d gotten dizzy and lost his balance. He stretched his hand out. Catherine looked a might perturbed that Peter had failed to rise to greet her and she kept her arms folded in front of her. When Peter tried to stand to appease her, Jack waved him off.

Robert took a step forward and shook Peter’s hand. “Nice to meet you. You can call me Robert.”

“Nice to meet you too. Call me Pete. Please have a seat.” Robert sat in the recliner next to Pete.

“Jack, can you direct me to the restroom?”

“What kind of car do you drive Robert?”

Jack heard the question as he left the room. He knew this was the question his father asked to judge every man’s character. Degrees and net worth meant nothing to Peter if you did not drive American.

“A three year old Charger. I want the new Camaro, but I’m having a hard time getting that one by my wife.”

Jack was relieved. Not only did he drive American, but he’d mentioned wanting a Chevy product.

“Chevy makes a mighty fine vehicle. I’ve had my truck for fifteen years and in runs like I bought it tomorrow.” Pete laughed at his own joke. “You can’t go wrong with anything made in Detroit. If Diane wasn’t driving one of them foreign jobs she wouldn’t have broken down on the side of the road.”

“I’m thankful for that foreign car. If she were driving American, I wouldn’t have met her that day,” Jack said from the doorway of the room. He was waiting for Catherine so he could escort her to the kitchen.

♥♥♥

Diane sat at the table cutting cucumber and tomatoes for the salad while Rose stood at the stove frying pork chops in a cast iron skillet. This had become their routine, talking and laughing while fixing dinner. They were both laughing about one of Jack’s childhood stories when Jack escorted Catherine into the large kitchen.

“Jack, Momma just told me another story about you. Pretty soon I’ll have the whole scoop on you.”

Catherine felt disconcerted by her daughter’s use of the affectionate term for this other woman. She was also taken aback by the easy camaraderie the two shared. Her relationship with her daughter was full of tension with an origin unknown to Catherine. The relationship between Diane and Rose was what Catherine had always wanted with her daughter, but had never been able to obtain. Her daughter’s closeness to her father was one thing, but this hurt more.

To knock that point home, Diane stood. “I’ve finished the salad. May I go watch the game now?”

It seemed to Catherine that Diane could not get away from her fast enough and that her daughter interacted with Rose as if she were her mother. Catherine realized that she felt jealous that her daughter was giving motherly affection to a woman she hadn’t known existed until today. She wondered if her daughter would keep a secret from Rose the way she’d kept her relationship with Jack secret from her.

“Thank you for offering my daughter a place to stay for the remainder of the semester.”

“It was no problem. When she told us what her roommate said, we didn’t feel she’d be safe there.”

Diane had called them before her own family. The pain fed by the closeness with these relative strangers grew in Catherine. “Yes, I agree. It is probably best she not stay there. She does not need any distractions during finals. After break we can find someplace else for her to stay.”

Rose just smiled but did not respond and the room went quiet for a few awkward moments. Finally Catherine broke the silence. “We must compensate you for her expenses.”

“No need. She’s been eating here regularly for the last few weeks and it just means a few less leftovers for my midnight snack. She has been going through desserts though. She has quite the sweet tooth.”

The room fell silent once again as Catherine contemplated how well Rose knew her daughter and how much Jack seemed to care for Diane. It had not passed her notice that he had even tried to protect Diane from her.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Catherine asked.

“Oh no, you’re a guest.”

Diane was a guest, but she was not treated as such. “You have a lovely home,” she said changing the subject before it fell into more silence.

“Thank you. I’ll give you a tour of the house after supper. If it weren’t so cold, I’d take you on the full tour of the farm.”

At dinner Diane sat between her mother and Jack’s mother. Jack was across the table giving her indecent smiles. The smiles weren’t really indecent, but they made her have indecent thoughts.

“These pork chops are better than the ones my mother used to make,” Robert said as he cut off another bite.

“It’s the freshness,” Jack’s father responded. “We have a place we can get them really fresh.” Once again he was the only one to laugh at his lame humor.

“I’d love to take some home. Where do you get them from?” Robert asked

“They raise pigs, I mean hogs, Daddy,” Diane answered her father’s question.

“Sweetie, can you use your phone to reserve us a room in town. I think it’s best we wait until the morning to head back home.”

“Nonsense, you can stay here. We have plenty of room,” Rose said.

“That is a kind offer, but a hotel will be just fine,” Catherine said wanting to be alone with her husband to process the events of the day.

“We insist. There’s no need for you to spend your money on a room,” Jack’s father said.

“We have the money so it is not a problem for us to get a room,” Catherine said a defensively.

“It won’t be a problem to stay here either Catherine,” Robert simply stated to his wife.

♥♥♥

The rest of dinner passed with only a few stilted words. Late that night Jack found a moment of time alone with Robert.

“May I speak with you a moment sir?”

“Yes Jack.”

They walked into the den and sat in two chairs that are separated by a small table with a lamp on it. Jack took a deep breath and began to speak.

“Sir, I know you didn’t even know of my existence prior to this afternoon. I also know that I’ve only known your daughter for a brief amount of time. That being said, I want you to know that I have thought greatly about this. What I’m getting at sir is that I would like your permission to ask your daughter to marry me?”

Robert did not say anything for a moment. Jack looked at the desk across the room instead of at the other man. His hands rested clasped together on his lap so that he wouldn’t fidget with them nervously.

“You definitely have not known her long. Are you certain?”

“Sir, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

“Is she pregnant?”

“No sir. I respect that she wants to wait until she’s married.”

“Is that the reason then?”

Uncomfortable with discussing sex with Diane’s father, Jack smiled an awkward smile. “Not at all, I just love your daughter sir.”

“If you truly love her now, you’ll love her a year from now. Why the rush?”

“I’ve come to understand how fragile life can be and not to waste a single moment. I don’t want to squander time when I know this is what I want.”

“This may be what you want, but what about what Diane wants.”

“I think she feels the same about me. She is cautious because it isn’t logical to her. I suspect I’ll have to ask her about three times before she says yes.”

Robert chuckled because he knew his daughter could be overly cautious. “If I say no will you hold off from asking her?”

“With all due respect sir, I likely will still ask her.”

Robert smiled. He liked that Jack was respectful, honest and did not back down from his feelings. “Are you trying to have a quick wedding?”

“Whatever Di wants. The next day or the next year is fine as long as she becomes my wife.”

“It’s good you know before marriage who is in charge. That being said, the wedding will likely be based on what Catherine wants. Even if she’s not thrilled about you two getting married, which she likely won’t be, there’s no way she won’t have something to do with the planning.”

“If that’s what Di wants, that’s fine.” Jack simply stated expressing that this was about what Diane wanted and not her mother.

“I know it’s old fashion for you to ask for her hand, but I appreciate that you did. Alan didn’t bother to. If he had I don’t know that I would have said yes. I never trusted that boy, he has shifty eyes. Catherine and I had only been dating for a couple of weeks before we married. Granted we’d known each other longer than you and Diane. I can understand that when you know, you know, even if you can’t explain how or why.”

“Does that mean I have your blessing sir?” Jack asked for clarification.

“It does. Though I think it may be best for me not to mention this conversation to my wife.”

“I can handle that.”

♥♥♥

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Diane stepped out of her final exam confident that she had passed it. She reached into her purse for her phone to call Jack. He’d sent a text just before her exam that said he needed her with a wink.

“Hey Di,” he said wearily.

“What’s wrong? It sounds like you’re crying.”

There was a pause before he spoke so softly the words were almost inaudible. “I need you.”

“I’ll be at the farm in twenty minutes.”

“I’m not at the farm. I’m at the hospital in town.”

Diane stopped in her tracks. “What’s happened?”

“Dad passed out. Di, I know you have finals, but I could sure use to see you right now.”

“Don’t worry about my finals. I’ll be there.”

Jack hugged Diane so tightly when he saw her that it felt like she became part of him. When he let go she kissed him comfortingly.

“Thank you for coming.” He took her hand in his.

“No need to thank me for being where I’m supposed to be. What happened? How serious is it?”

Jack explained, “Back in October there was a spot on a CAT Scan Dad had. It was small and Dad convinced the doctors to wait until after the holidays to do a biopsy. Then today, I found him passed out in the barn.” Tears began to fall from Jack’s blue eyes.

“Oh, Jack.” She wiped the tears away.

“He was still breathing and had a pulse but he wouldn’t respond. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do.” Diane began to cry too. She began to stroke the back of his hand with her thumb. “They did another scan and it showed a larger spot. It was more aggressive than they thought. They went in for emergency surgery because they didn’t want to chance it getting any bigger.”

Diane wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. It was as much to comfort him as it was to comfort herself.

“Where’s Momma?” Diane asked.

“She’s lying down in the family hospitality room.”

“I want to go check on her,” she said

“I’ll come with you.”

They walked to the room and his mother was sleeping. The stress of the day prompted her to take a nap at the time she normally would have been adding a half a pound of butter to something for dinner. Jack returned to their waiting room. Diane went and got them something to eat from the cafeteria. They sat for a couple of hours, exchanging few words.

“You should have called me sooner?”

“I didn’t want to throw you off from taking your exam.”

Diane was amazed that he could think of her when his world was rocked.

“I’ll be right back. Let me go check on Momma again,” Diane said

Jack smiled internally at the love and concern she showed for him and his parents. “I love you, Diane.”

“I love you too, Jack.”

Diane walked into the room where Rose was sleeping. Diane did not want to disturb her so she pulled the covers up to keep the chill off.

“Boy, I told you to stop fussing over me.”

“It’s not Jack. It’s me, Diane.”

“Oh, hi sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re here. Jack’s beside himself. You can help keep him calm and convince him to go home.”

“I don’t think he’s going home anytime soon.”

“You convince him to. He can’t do surgery and he doesn’t know how to do lab work so the best thing he can do for me and his dad right now is rest.”

“Is there something I can get you before I go?”

“No I’m fine. I’m so glad Jack has you. Last time he didn’t cope too well with his father being in the hospital. I know I don’t have to worry about him because you’ll be there for him this time.”

“I’m here for you too.”

“I know sweetheart. What you can do for me right now is love my son.”

“I can do that. I’ll take Jack home now.”

Diane returned to the waiting room and sat next to Jack. “Jack your mother wants me to take you home and so you can get some rest and I agree.”

“But.”

“You being here or at home won’t change how long the operation will take. You need rest and the hospital only allows for one family member to stay over. Let’s go home and I’ll make you some dinner and we’ll come back out here first thing in the morning.”

He liked that she said home and not “the farm” like usual. “When you say cook do you really mean warm Momma’s food up?”

She smiled, “Let’s not split hairs funny man. There will be warm food in your belly that is all that matters.”

He kissed her hand and stood. “Okay. But I’ll drive myself. You have a test tomorrow.”

“I’ll drive, it’s been a long day for you. Don’t worry about me and my exams.”

Jack went to the room to tell his mother goodbye, “Ma, Di and I are about to go home. Do you need anything before we go?”

“I’m fine. I’ll call you with updates. Can we pray before you go?”

“Of course we can Momma.”

They all held hands and bowed their heads, “Dear Lord, I know we’ve prayed so many times today, but I come to you once again. I know you’re a powerful healer. I pray that you continue to guide the hands of the doctors as they remove that mass from my father. Please let the tumor be benign. Bless us all with the miracle of dad home and healthy soon. It is in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus that we pray. Amen.” They both kiss Rose on the forehead before leaving.

The drive home was quiet. Diane did not know what to say. Nothing she could say could soothe him. Once they were home, he went to finish up some of the minimum chores that needed to be done on the farm. When he came in he sat in the den and mindlessly flipped through channels while she finished cooking.

“Did you cook this?”

“Yes, and it’s a first attempt so be nice. It won’t taste like your mother’s and I’m almost certain that it’s edible.”

He took her by the waist and kissed her. She felt so right. “Why didn’t you just warm the leftovers up, darling?”

“I thought I’d use you as a guinea pig. If this is good I can be more of a help in the kitchen when your dad comes home. It’ll give momma one less thing to worry about.”

“Diane, just when I think I couldn’t love you more you surprise me.” He kissed her again. A sweet and loving kiss with just a hint of passion.

“Dinner will be cold if you keep kissing me like that.”

Jack hesitantly took a bite of the food. “This is good Diane.”

“Really? I’ve been taking mental notes but I wasn’t certain how good it would be.”

“It’s really good, just like you.”

They sat relatively quiet as they ate. He finished all the food on his plate and got seconds. Either he liked it, or he did not want to discourage her. Either way, she was greatly appreciative. Diane stood to do the dishes.

“Let me get those, you go study.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. I’ll clean this up and then I think I’m heading to bed.”

Diane studied for a while then headed upstairs to call it a night. She was about to get in her bed, but left the room instead. Quietly she opened the door to Jack’s room. He was sound asleep on his back. She tipped toed across the old squeaky floor and pulled the covers back. She was happy to see that he was sleeping in a t-shirt and boxers and not his birthday suit. She snuggled in close to his warmth and rested her head on his chest. He moved and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

“What are you doing in my bed Diane?” he asked without opening an eye.

“Shhh. Just sleep.”

He tilted her chin up and kissed her. “If I weren’t so tired, I’d take advantage of you.”

“I’d let you.” She lay her head on his chest and he pulled her in close until they drifted off to sleep.

♥♥♥

The next morning Jack woke feeling more rested than the few hours of sleep he’d gotten. He knew that was because of the woman next to him. During the night they’d changed positions and her short- clad perfect, round butt was nestled snug against his intimate area which only enhanced his normal morning excitement. He wished New Year’s Eve would get here soon. The sooner he got the ring on her finger, the sooner she’d walk down that aisle which meant the sooner he’d be able to give into his desire for her.

He tried to get up without disturbing her with no luck. She sat up and the covers fell down exposing her top half. Her nipples strained against the tank style pajama top she wore. She yawned with a big upper body stretch that made her shirt rise exposing her gently rounded stomach.

“Good morning.”

Her voice made him realize he was staring. “Um, good morning.”

“You want to head to the hospital?”

“After I feed the hogs, I’m going to come and get a quick shower and go.”

“I’ll help you.”

“With the shower?” he asked with that dimple highlighting his grin.

“As if,” she said much more lightly than she felt. “If I help you with the feeding you’ll be done faster and we can get you to the hospital. Did Momma call?”

“Let me check.” He looked at his phone and let out a little chuckle. “She sent a text, or probably had one of the nurses do it. She said the surgery went longer than expected, but they were able to remove the tumor successfully.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “That’s a blessing.”

“It is. I’m so relieved.” He returned the embrace and added a quick kiss to her lips. “Are you sure you want to help?”

“Of course I am. It’s the least I can do.”

Diane helped him feed the hogs. She wasn’t certain she was of much help, but he was encouraging and appreciative for her novice attempt at hog farming. One tried to escape and she caught it, but Jack had to get it back in its pen between burst of laughter. By the time they were done she was filthier than she’d ever seen Jack and possibly smelled worse than the animals. When they got back to the house he stopped her in the mud room.

“You better take that stuff off here. I don’t want Momma to hurt you for getting her house dirty.”

“Okay.”

“Here, let me help.”

He slowly removed every article of dirty clothing leaving her in just her bra and panties. His body responded immediately to the sight of her full breast barely contained by the bra. Her dark tips called to his mouth through the transparent lace. His hand could not resist and reached out to touch her hardened nipple.

“Why are you torturing me Jack?”

“Torture doesn’t even begin to describe what seeing you like this does to me.”

“You didn’t need to see me like this. I am perfectly capable of undressing myself.”

“Are you capable of showering by yourself as well?”

She was tempted to say she needed his help, but the phone rang saving her. Instead she said, “You should get that.”

“Hello.”

“Hi, Jack. I thought I’d missed you. Can you bring me a change of clothes? They offered me scrubs, but I don’t trust their washing enough to wear them.”

“Yes Momma. Diane will be dropping me off as soon as we shower?”

“Excuse me?”

“She helped me feed this morning since–” he was going to say since dad wasn’t here but changed it to “so I could get there sooner.”

“How’d she do?” The humorous smile could be heard in her voice.

Jack smiled at her, “Pretty good for a newbie.”

“Diane’s really special. Give her a kiss for me.”

His body responded to the thought of kissing Diane, but he was certain that the kiss he had in mind wasn’t the kind his mother meant. “I will Momma. See you in a bit.” He hung up the phone.

He watched Diane head up the stairs. Her underwear barely covering her bottom giving him a beautiful view of smooth dark brown flesh as her rounded bottom swayed from side to side up the steps. He knew his shower would be colder and longer than normal.

♥♥♥

After her last exam she rushed over to the hospital. Jack and Rose were both in Pete’s room. Diane started to enter, but was stopped by one of the nurses.

“Only family is allowed to visit.”

“I am family.”

The nurse looked Diane up and down. “Really? You’re his family?”

“Yes, I am his family.”

“I don’t see the resemblance.”

“He’s not my father. I am his son’s girlfriend.”

“Well there you have it. Son’s girlfriend does not qualify you as a relative of the patient.”

Diane was trying to hold tight to Jesus and not let some very choice words fly when Rose walked out.

“Diane you’re here! What are you doing out here? Why didn’t you come in? Jack’s been waiting on you.”

“I’m not a relative.”

“According to who? You’re family.”

“Can you tell Nurse Ratched that?”

“Mrs. Sloan. ICU rules are family only. She’s only your son’s girlfriend.”

“If my son’s best friend could come in earlier, she can come in now.”

“Mrs. Sloan, I’m not sure which nurse let his friend in, but I’m sorry, I can’t let her in.”

“You were the nurse on duty when he came here a half hour ago. You didn’t even question him. Did you assume that because he was white he was a relative?”

“I didn’t see him go in or I would have stopped him.”

“You were sitting right there behind the desk. So why don’t you resume your seat and continue adding cellulite to your thighs with Twizzlers while you don’t see her walk through that door.”

“Mrs. Sloan! Insults aren’t necessary.”

“I agree, so stop insulting my intelligence by acting like you’re enforcing a hospital rule and not being bigot,” Rose said.

“I’m simply following the rules. You and this girl aren’t worth getting written up for,” the nurse said speaking only to Rose.

“You should avoid ending sentences with preposition, it makes you seem uneducated. This educated woman,” Diane said pointing to herself, “would like you to get your supervisor before this situation gets any uglier.”

“Is that a threat?”

“She was likely talkin’ about your face.” Rose’s southern accent was getting stronger as she became more angry.

Diane held back her laugh and continued in her most poised tone. “Not at all. The ugliness was in reference to your treatment of me. At this time it can be settled with an apology and my entrance into the room. If it continues, the settlement will be for my pain and suffering and likely result in your termination. If you would please, get your supervisor.”

“I am the head nurse.”

Jack walked out the room looking tired. He hadn’t shaved and Diane felt bad for thinking the inappropriate thought of how sexy he was. He smiled when he saw her.