October 12, 1933
It was a beautiful mid-autumn Saturday afternoon. John-Boy was walking up on the mountain when he met a very special young woman. Her name was Jennifer Pendleton, but everyone called her Jenny.
"When did you come here?" John-Boy asked her later that evening when he took her to the Walton homestead.
"To be honest, I've somewhat run away. I wanted to make a life for myself here. Since my parents couldn't move at the time, I came by myself."
"How old are you Jenny?"
"I just turned 17."
"When?"
"Guess." She smiled.
"May." He smiled.
"I'll give you a hint. My birthstone is the sapphire."
"September." He smiled. "September 12th."
"Very close. I'm impressed." She smiled. "My birthday's actually September 16th, but your guess was pretty close. Let me guess yours. What is your birthstone?"
"I don't know the technical name for it, but it's the green one."
"Oh, I bet you're referring to the peridot!" she smiled.
"That's the name." he smiled.
"Then your birthday is in August. Let me guess, August 7th."
"August 17th." He smiled.
"Well I guessed one of the right numbers in your date."
"That you did." He smiled. "It was my golden birthday this year."
"So you were 17 on the 17th." She smiled. "Mine was last year when I turned 16 on the 16th."
"Jenny, I want to know everything about you. How tall are you? What's your favorite season? What's your favorite color? Favorite food?"
"Five feet five inches. Fall. Pink. And apple pie." She smiled.
"You're good." he grinned.
"Well John-Boy, let me direct it towards you. Height. Favorite season. Favorite color. Favorite food."
"Five feet eleven inches. Spring. Red. And applesauce cake."
She smiled. "I like you John-Boy Walton."
"I like you Jenny Pendleton. And I'm glad you're here."
"I am too." She smiled.
"Well where are you staying?" John-Boy asked.
"At my father's house. I'm Charles Pendleton's daughter."
"You're Charles Pendleton's baby girl?!" John-Boy exclaimed. "Well I should've made the connection!"
Jenny chuckled. "It's okay. I haven't been here for a long time. I was a year and a half the last time I was here. But I heard my father's stories about this place and I just knew I had to come back!"
"Well I'm glad you found your way back." John-Boy paused. "Jenny, I'd like to invite you to take in supper with us."
"I don't want to put your mother to any trouble."
"I have six siblings. Plus my grandparents live with us. One more to feed isn't going to be a big deal. Plus, my mama would insist."
Jenny paused. "I can just run to Ike's and get some groceries too."
John-Boy looked Jenny straight in the eyes. "Jenny, my dad would take me over his knee if I wasn't hospitable to a young pretty girl."
Jenny giggled. "All right! You win!"
John-Boy grinned. "Good!"
"Six siblings you say."
"Six. And they ALL have very different personalities!"
"Well I can't wait to meet them. I'm an only child. I like it but I also sometimes wish I had siblings."
"Well I know my siblings will like you, especially my sisters."
"How many sisters do you have?"
"Three."
"What are their names? How old are they?"
"Mary Ellen's the oldest. She's 13 ½ year old. She is the definition of a tomboy. She never wears a dress except to school and church but as soon as she gets in the door at home after either of those, she'll run upstairs, put on her overalls and grab her baseball mitt!" John-Boy chuckled. "Erin is the middle sister. She's 11. She's almost the complete opposite of Mary Ellen. Whiny, girly, stays close to the house, rarely goes outside and plays with the boys. She and Mary Ellen are like oil and water and they fight ALL THE TIME. Then there's Elizabeth. She's actually going to have a birthday very soon. She'll be a whole five years old. She's just the cutest little thing. I know you'll love her."
"I can't wait to meet all of them. And tell me about your brothers. You must have three brothers. All younger?"
"Yes, all younger. Jason is 15. He'll be 16 in February. He's very quiet, but he's really a great leader. I'm really proud of how much he's matured in the last couple years. Then there's Ben. He's 10 ½. He and Erin are only 9 months apart in age. Ben is a budding salesman. Charismatic, persuasive, outgoing, he's got it all. Then Jim Bob is my youngest brother. He's 7 years old. He loves anything to do with flying. He also has a quick wit that sometimes catches you off-guard. He's very smart. He's going to be one of those straight-A students."
"You're so lucky to have so many siblings! I wish I had siblings. Being an only child can be lonely at times."
"Well, consider yourself an eighth Walton tonight, Jennifer. Let's go." John-Boy smiled, taking her arm.
"I can't wait to meet them all!" Jenny grinned.
