Unbroken Promises (17 page)

“You know, Donna,” Beth said as they made their way down to the boat..”Jesse is easy on the eye, but that doesn’t make up for all his bad habits. He is so-o-o grouchy. He’s also hotheaded.

Sometimes his temper is so violent that he throws and punches stuff. And, Oh my goodness, he is such a slob. He never does anything for himself like wash his own clothes or pick up his apartment. Um…You haven’t seen his bungalow, have you?” Beth was praying she’d say no.

“No, Elizabeth, I haven’t seen his home and from what you’ve said, I don’t think I want to. I didn’t know he had such a bad temperament either. I’m glad you told me these things.” How Donna held back her laugh she didn’t know. What an amusing young woman. Beth would make sure Jesse never had a dull moment. When she saw the love these two had for each other, she backed off trying to get romantically involved with Jesse. Not that she ever had a chance anyway, but she was not the type of person to come between two people. She knew they had already overcome some obstacles, and she planned to do her part to make sure they ended up together. She really liked Jesse, of course, as a friend now, and she was beginning to like Beth.

Now, as for Jesse’s friend, Beaux, that was a different matter. In high school, she liked the tall Cajun and thought he was so good-looking, but one of her best friends had a crush on him at the time. That girl was long married now and Beaux was not. Moreover, neither was she.

Beth had to run back up the steep rocky bank to the camp because she had forgotten sunscreen and she was already burnt.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, hurry up!” Jesse fussed at Beth as she ran off.

Donna looked at Jesse. “Calm down, don’t be such a grouch.” Then she lowered her voice.

“I’ve just heard what a hotheaded slob you are,” she said with a mischievous smirk.

“You have, have you?” Jesse chuckled. “I guess that’s a good sign. At least she doesn’t want anyone else to have me.”

“That’s for sure. She also told me how messy your apartment is and wanted to know if I had…seen it.” Donna fluttered her eyelashes and smiled.

Jesse roared with laughter then. Cody and Beaux joined in overhearing the conversation, both knowing the history of the two.

Beth retuned and climbed in. Jesse ribbed up the loud roaring motor and they took off, leaving behind the motor’s pungent exhaust fumes. The wind whipped against their faces bringing with it the fresh moist scent of the lake. As Jesse drove further out, he slammed against another boat’s wake causing a heavy spray of cold water to douse and chill everyone in the boat.

When they got to the middle of the lake, the men took turns skiing in the cool greenish brown water. From a relaxed and laid-back position, Beth and Donna watched and drank a cold drink.

Their legs were slightly angled so they could prop their feet up on the same cooler.

Jesse nodded to Donna and told her she was next. She took off her bathing suit cover to get in the water.

“Oh, my,” Beth thought, “she is gorgeous.” Unlike her tall frame, Donna was petite and had a darling shape, which was very well proportioned. Everything about her was perfect even her hair. It was reddish blonde and fell in thick waves to the middle of her back. Beth felt like an oversized giant next to her. Beth was 5’8”, but, next to this little beauty, she felt huge. Her boobs were big, her butt was big, and her legs were long. Beth knew the only thing little on her was her waist.

All the men were looking at Donna, but they were trying their best to be inconspicuous. “She is indeed lovely,” Jesse thought, but his heart and loins were not stirred. He had been sitting down while driving the boat; so, when Beaux turned quickly away from Donna, Jesse was eye level with the reason he had turned quickly away…Beaux’s loins were stirred. Jesse snickered when he heard Beaux whisper, “Mon dieu!”

“Jus’ shut your mouth,” Beaux cut, which only made Jesse laugh harder.

“Maybe you need to go back in the cold water, Beaux,” Jesse teased. “Hey, buddy, go for it.

Donna and I can be no more than friends. You know where my affection lies. I think you two would make a wonderful couple,” Jesse said more seriously.

“We’ll see,” was all Beaux said.

Donna had never skied, so Beaux jumped in to help her get started while Jesse drove. She didn’t do very well. She kept falling before she got up all the way. After she finally skied a little way, she was ready to quit because she was so exhausted. Beaux helped her back in the boat before he climbed in behind her.

Jesse looked at Beth, “Your turn.”

Beth took a deep breath, and took off her knee length shirt. She wore a whole piece underneath, but the front scooped low and the sides scooped high. She had tried on several bathing suits and she thought this style looked the sexiest on her. She wanted Jesse to think she looked good. As she raised her arms to pull the shirt over her head, her breasts pushed out.

Beaux leaned over to Jesse and whispered, “Impressive…are you sure you can handle all dat, ol’ man? I don know, I tink you might need some help,” Beaux teased.

Jesse gave Beaux a killer stare. “Just shut your damn mouth and turn your head,” Jesse ordered.

Jesse wore a sleeveless undershirt, which he was now taking off. He got up, walked over to Beth, and handed her his shirt.

“Here, put this on. That bathing suit is so low you will fall out of it the first time you hit the water.” After scolding he went back to drive the boat.

Cody was doing his best to keep from laughing. He thought the whole situation was hilarious. He couldn’t believe Jesse was jealous over Beth.

Beth liked the idea of Jesse noticing her like that, but his fussing embarrassed her, especially with it being in front of Donna and Beaux.

“It’s been years since I’ve skied, Jesse. I don’t think I’ve been since you taught me. Do you remember when you taught me?” Beth remembered it like it was yesterday.

She was 12 and they all went to the lake. Jordon brought the boat for them to ski; and, while he drove, Jesse got in the water to hold Beth steady while Jordon pulled her up. She was scared at first and clung to him.

“I can’t do this, Jesse,” Beth said her voice quivering.

“Baby, you can do this. I’m right here to help you. Now, do you remember everything I told you about how to get up?”

Beth nodded yes.

“Okay, if you get scared, all you have to do is let go of the rope.”

“But I’m scared now!”

Jesse laughed. “Just try, Beth, I have a feeling you’re going to do great.”

“Ready?”

Beth nodded her head and Jesse gave Jordon the go-ahead. The boat pulled her up and she was doing great. Then she started to wobble and fell. Jesse quickly swam over to her.

“Beth, are you alright?”

Beth coughed a little and then smiled brightly. “I did it! Did you see me?”

“Yeah, you did great your first try. Remember, don’t lean forward and you’ve have to be flexible after you get up. If another boat passes, don’t panic; just roll with the waves, don’t stand straight legged. Are you ready to try again? Jordon’s swinging the boat around.”

“Yeah, I think I can do it on my own now. You can get back in the boat if you want to.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

It didn’t take her long to get the hang of it.

When she finally got back in the boat, Beth remembered how Jesse and everyone else bragged about how well she did.

“Yes, Beth, I remember, now quit day dreaming. Are you getting in or not?” Jesse temper was already maxed out.

“But, Jesse, I might need someone to help get me started, too.” Beaux winked at Donna, bobbed his head toward Jesse, and mouthed the word “watch”. He and Donna talked a little in the water and she informed him that she and Jesse were strictly friends. She said she knew the minute she saw him look at Beth that he was in love with her.

Beaux told her he figured that out a while back also.

As Jesse was turning the boat around for Beth to have the best run, Beaux walked over to Beth. He began helping her with the ski jacket. He positioned her so Jesse would get the best view of him trying to help her. Jesse stopped the boat and waited for her to get ready. He steamed as he watched Beaux put his hands all over Beth.

“Mais, de zipper seems to stick some rat here. She might need another jacket,” Beaux said smiling as he zipped the jacket up and down over her breasts.

“Beaux, the jacket is fine!” Jesse said heatedly. “Beth, jump in.” Beaux looked at Jesse, “I’ll jomp back in and help Beth get started sk-…”

“The hell you will…!” Jesse fumed. “Cody, get ready to go back in and help Beth,” he ordered.

Cody, who was still laughing, jumped in.

“Aye, aye, mon ami,” Beaux saluted, and grinned. “Jus’ trying to help out a lovely lady in need of a gentleman’s assistance.” Then the smug chuckling Beaux took a bow.

“Gentleman, my ass. The man must have lost his mind if he thought I’d let him in the water with Beth knowing he would be putting his hands on her to steady her before the boat pulled her up. I have known him way too long to ever allow that to happen,” Jesse mumbled to himself.

“Jesse, don’t leave me in the water as long as you did Beaux. As soon as Beth remembers how to get up, swing around, and pick me up,” Cody said from the water After everyone took turns again, they headed back to the cabin. Jordon invited them all to stay overnight. He said they had plenty of room for everyone. Jesse knew he’d have a nervous breakdown before this was all over. Beaux was flirting equally with Beth and Donna. Beaux had driven his own vehicle, but did he decline Jordon’s offer to stay the weekend? No-o-o…the coonass said he would lo-ve to stay, Jesse pouted.

After they had eaten a light dinner, Beaux asked the girls and Cody if they wanted to play cards with him on the porch.

“No, thanks, I’m too tired,” Cody said, but both girls said, “Sure.” On the way out Beaux whispered in Jesse’s ear, “Do you tink I can talk them into a game of strip poker?” Jesse wanted to choke him. “You can try,” was all he replied, knowing Beaux was just trying to get him riled up again.

They hadn’t played very long when Beth rushed back in the house asking who wanted to go into town to watch a movie. She explained that, if they left now, they could still have time to catch the late show.

“Beth, I’m tired and ready to go to bed,” Jesse said. He just wanted to get this weekend over with and sleeping through it sounded pretty good to him, but he couldn’t sleep and keep Beaux and Beth apart.

“I’m pretty tired myself; I think I’ll call it a night, too,” Donna said, knowing Beaux was up to more of his mischief.

“Well, shâ , I guess dat jus’ leaves you and me,” Beaux said as he came up behind Beth and put his arm around her shoulder.

Jesse came up out of the chair at the same time Jordon and Susan walked in.

“They don’t even have a movie theater in this little town,” Jesse said, feeling smug.

“Mais, dat’s a shame,…” Beaux said as he shook his head as in defeat. Then he looked up.

“But, you know, I did see an old drive-in movie theater in de next town; and, if I’m not mistaken, it plays movies all de’ night long. Come on, Beth, if were goin’, we better go or we’ll miss de beginnin’ of de first movie,” Beaux said with that cocky grin of his.

“That sounds fun. I’ve never been to a drive-in before. How do they work? Do they have popcorn and drinks or should I make some to take with us?”

“Non, dôn worry ‘bout dat, there’ll be a building in de center selling food and drinks. De theater is set up so dat you pull your car into a parking space facing a huge screen. There’ll be a speaker on a pole right next to de driver’s window. You put dat speaker on de window and roll your window back up. When de movie starts playin’, you watch and listen to it from your car.”

“So we sit and watch from the car. That sounds cool, and the weather is comfortable enough we won’t get hot,” Beth said.

“Well, Boo, if we get hot, I’ll jus’ turn de car on and let de air conditioner run.”

“Did you, by chance, see what was playing?” Beth asked.

“Yeah, Beaux, did you, by any chance, see what these movies were rated?” Jesse asked with the hope Susan or Jordon would help out some because he knew most the shows at that theater were rated “R” or even “X.” He didn’t want Beth in the car alone with Beaux period, but he especially didn’t want them alone watching an X-rated movie together.

“Beth, do you have your key to get in the house? We’ll all be asleep by the time y’all get home,” Jordon said, which made Jesse seethe with anger because he wanted Jordon to tell Beth she couldn’t go.

“Yeah, Daddy, I have it.” Then she went and kissed him bye. “I’ll see y’all later tonight,” Beth said as she turned to go.

“Hold up. Cody wants to go with y’all,” Jesse said and stared at Cody, with a “you know what I’m saying” look on his face.

“No, he doesn’t. We’ve already asked him,” Beth said.

Cody looked back at Jesse with an “I’m tired and I want to go to bed look,” but then said,

“No, I think I’ve changed my mind. I haven’t seen a movie at a drive-in before either. I’ll just be a minute.” As Cody passed Jesse, he said low enough for only him to hear, “You owe me big for this.”

Jesse nodded his head once slowly. Jesse stayed where he was until Cody came back down from the loft. When Cody walked by him, Jesse gripped his arm, and whispered in his ear.

“Cody, don’t fall asleep.”

“Shoot, Jess. I’ll do my best but I’m awful tired. I’ve been up since five. Why are you so worried? You’ve known Beaux since you were a kid.”

“You’ve just answered your own question.”

“Jess, even if I do fall asleep. I’ll still be in the same car with them. They ain’t gonna make out while I’m sitting in the back seat for goodness sake.”

“Just don’t fall asleep.” Jesse knew that what Cody said was probably true, but he didn’t want any form of ‘making out’ going on.

“Alright, alright, I’ll do my best,” Cody said exasperated, then walked out the door to join Beth and Beaux.

Beth enjoyed herself. She found Beaux to be very entertaining. The temperature was perfect with the light breeze blowing gently through the windows, carrying with it the smell of the concession stand. In addition, surprisingly there were no mosquitoes. The movies were as bad as the ones she had watched at Tammy’s when she was in tenth grade, but she still thought they were very romantic. Cody had fallen asleep in the back seat not 20 minutes after they parked.