Chapter 48 – Smitten
Adventures of the Melee
Nolan 17, Lissa 17, Ryder 13, Olivia 10
Annabelle 5, Victoria 5, Lucas 4
July 20th
At almost eight weeks pregnant, Amelia was battling exhaustion and ambivalence. With no morning sickness or other pregnancy-related issues, she had been able to trudge her way through her regular schedule at home and the hospital. Since people did not know she was pregnant, Amelia could personally hold off on accepting the reality that she continued to wish was only a bad dream.
Pregnant or not, Amelia was determined to spend every minute she could with Nolan. The summer was flying by quickly and the days until Nolan moved to school were few. Synchronizing their schedules and knowing time with Nolan alone was nearly impossible, Owen and Amelia intentionally set aside time to be with Nolan and Lissa. The four focused on having fun together and their activities ranged from playing mini-golf, eating out, hiking, and playing tourist in their own town.
One afternoon, in addition to the two couples being together, Ryder and Olivia joined in the fun. Owen and Amelia's colleague, Jerry, had offered to take the older members of the Shepherd-Hunt family out on his 30' boat for a day of inner tubing, water skiing, and relaxing in the sun. Jerry's wife, Paula, and their two daughters, Claire and Emily, rounded out the passenger list. Owen and Jerry had chatted more than once about planning a time when the families could be together since Claire and Emily were the same ages as Ryder and Olivia.
Jerry and his family docked on the seldom-used Shepherd-Hunt dock at 10:00 am. As Owen greeted them, the rest of the Shepherd-Hunts followed closely behind. The kids introduced themselves to one another and Jerry mentioned that Claire would show the kids around the boat. Upon first glimpse, Ryder pined for the bikinied and darling Claire. He made sure to be close to her as the tour of the boat began. Claire found his attention flattering and hoped she'd be able to talk the adorable doctor's son into posing for a selfie with her at some point before the day was through.
Pulling Olivia aside, Emily suggested that she could provide a much more interesting option. If they began on the front deck, they could stake out the prime spots to lay their towels before the teens stole the best places. Olivia readily followed Emily while attempting to find her sea legs.
Having been on a ferry but never on a smaller boat, Lissa held Nolan's arm for stability as the waves rocked the boat back and forth. While Nolan knew the day's adventure would be a new experience for Lissa, she requested he keep the information private. Every now and then, she would face a situation where she was reminded that she'd been raised as a Howe and not a Hunt. Sumptuous dinners, trendy clothes, nice cars, and travel were luxuries Lissa only experienced once she moved in with the Shepherd-Hunts. Having been educated in private school thanks to a full scholarship, Lissa had learned the hard way that her humble beginnings could be taunted and potentially embarrassing. Wanting to fit in, Lissa shied away from sharing details about the lean years she spent with Clarisse.
The adults sat down at a table and Jerry offered everyone drink. Jerry and Owen each chose a beer, Paula grabbed some wine, and Amelia requested a water. Although Amelia and Lissa were not aware of the thoughts in each other's heads, Amelia was experiencing a similar awkwardness about her private information as she sat amongst those who didn't know she was a recovering addict.
After cruising around and finding a nice secluded spot, Jerry anchored the boat and suggested everyone jump in the water for a swim. The boys and men readily responded, while the girls hesitated because they were comfortable soaking in the sun. A pick up water polo match with more broken rules than respected ones began as Jerry and Nolan teamed up against Owen and Ryder. Amelia, Claire, Lissa and Paula watched and laughed as the four guys actively dunked and attacked their opponents.
Meanwhile, Olivia and Emily had the front deck to themselves. The two 10 year olds were getting to know one another, sharing information about everything from favorite ice cream flavors to their favorite subjects in school. As the conversation developed, the two described their families.
Emily leaned over to Olivia and inquired, "What's it like to have brothers?"
"Stinky," Olivia nodded. "Not like 'oh, he's so stinky.' I mean truly, really, actually smelly."
"Eww," Emily responded with disgust.
Olivia added, "But brothers are also pretty great. Nolan is protective and funny. He's usually nice. Ryder can be a real pain. He and I have always bugged each other a lot. I also have a little brother who is 4. He can be annoying but no more than my little sisters who are 5. What's it like only having one other kid in the house?"
"Normal to me, so I'm not sure how to describe it," Emily disclosed. "Claire and I fight a lot... like all the time. If I use her hairbrush, she goes ballistic. If she comes in my room, I freak out. We hit or push each other or pull each other's hair. That kind of stuff."
"Don't you get in trouble for that?" Olivia asked with curious wonder.
"Not really. Our mom and dad tell us to work it out. Unless there's blood or pain, they don't get in the middle," Emily shared. "What happens at your house when you guys fight?"
Before answering, Liv's dilated eyes admired her new friend momentarily. Emily and her few-rules life seemed captivating and idyllic. "We pretty much get in trouble right away. My parents are pretty strict. If I hit one of my brothers or sisters, I'd have to do something nice for them and apologize. One time, Nolan was in charge and Ryder and I were fighting. He made me clean Ryder's room and made Ryder clean my room. That's the kind of thing my parents would have done if they'd been home," Olivia described.
"Wow, that's crazy. What about TV and phones?" Emily wondered.
"I don't have a phone yet. I think Ryder was 12 or 13 when they let him have a phone and they did it because he needed to be able to call them when soccer practices ended. We don't really watch much TV. No screens during the week," Olivia shrugged as she explained what she believed was simply normal life.
Emily's mouth hung open and her eyes widened before she responded, "No computers or iPads or gaming? No screens at all five days a week?"
Olivia nodded and suggested, "We need to stay the night at each other's houses to experience how different they are."
"We do," Emily exclaimed with anticipation.
"What are you two talking about?" Lissa asked as she walked over to join the girls.
"How strict our parents are and how not strict Emily's parents are," Olivia summarized.
Lissa chuckled, "Yep, there are a lot of expectations and rules Chez Shepherd-Hunt. It can be oppressive. They like to have their lives in order, that's for sure. I think that's because your dad was in the Army and your mom has to be so detailed in her job – that makes a difference."
"I'd like to try another system, just to see," Olivia imagined with a dreamy tone.
Laughing, Lissa agreed, "You and me both, girlfriend."
Emily excused herself, offering to fetch drink refills for everyone. Once Emily was out of range, Olivia leaned over to Lissa and buzzed, "Isn't she the prettiest girl ever?"
With a nonchalant shrug, Lissa replied, "She's cute, I guess."
"I think she's incredible," Olivia admitted wistfully.
Lissa smirked at Olivia and suggested, "Maybe she seems so attractive because her parents own a big boat and are so KB and lenient."
"No, she's adorable no matter what," Olivia grinned before lying down on her towel and closing her eyes.
Down on the lower level of the boat, Claire sat on the back deck attempting to be subtle as she watched Ryder's every move. Occasionally, he would shoot a quick glance her way and smile or nod when their eyes met. Taking his eyes off the water, though, came with the price of being attacked or dunked by Nolan or Owen. After 45 minutes of swimming, Ryder decided to lay in the sun and take a break from the game. He swam over to the boat as the other three taunted him for leaving. Ryder glanced back with a silly grin as he shook his head.
Claire jumped up immediately and eagerly handed Ryder a towel as he stepped onto the boat. "Thanks," Ryder smiled as he dried off his face and body. "I think I'm going to chill up top. Wanna come?" he asked Claire with a hopeful tone.
She agreed and followed him up the ladder. As Ry stretched out his towel, Claire casually advised, "You might want to reapply sunscreen. Even when it's waterproof, it washes off in the water."
"Good point," Ryder responded as he grabbed some sunscreen and began to rub it in.
"Here," Claire offered, "Lie down and let me get your back and shoulders."
As Claire touched him, his hormonal teen body reacted automatically. Ryder was relieved to be lying on his stomach. Her soft and petite hands massaged his back beyond what was necessary to apply sunscreen and Ry forced himself not to moan in delight. "You should be a massage therapist someday," Ryder joked as his green eyes glanced her way. Claire laughed and bashfully gazed at the deck without verbally responding.
No longer having an excuse to flirt, Claire stretched out next to Ryder and closed her eyes. The two shared quips and passing comments every so often. After a while, Ryder moved his arm from under his head to along his side, stretching his fingers a bit wide. As if by coincidence, Claire did likewise and the two found their pinky fingers brushing up against one another. Although neither would dare mention it aloud, Claire and Ryder were both in infatuation paradise.
Meanwhile, down below, Nolan stepped onto the boat dripping wet. "Hey, Shorty," he voiced as he raised his eyebrows and offered a sly grin.
"Don't. You. Dare," Lissa laughed as she watched his every move and backed up half a step.
"What?" he feigned innocence before running over to Liss and picking her up.
"Nolan!" Lissa screamed as she playfully. She feebly hit him and attempted to escape his grasp.
"Hmm…" Nolan wondered aloud with a Cheshire Cat smile, "Should I just shake off my hair while I hold you or should we go for a swim?"
"I mean it," Lissa huffed and laughed simultaneously. "Don't you dare get me wet!"
"What were those last three words? You want me to what, Blondie?" Nolan taunted.
"Put me down," Lissa screeched as she pushed on Nolan's ears and face.
"No, those weren't it, hon," Nolan shook his head as his voice paused. "Get me wet, that's what they were."
"Throw her in, Nolan!" Ryder bellowed from above. As Ryder began to sit up, he squeezed Claire's hand and held it.
"Ryder, stay out of it!" Lissa begged.
Throwing Claire a quick glance, he quipped, "Excuse me." Then Ryder ran across the deck and down the stairs. "Want help?" he asked Nolan.
"I hate you both," Lissa growled playfully and nervously.
"Sounds like she's getting a little… I dunno… heated," Nolan explained to Ryder.
"And you've always talked about how hot she is," Ryder jumped in.
"Maybe we should help her cool off. You know, work together like brothers for a good cause," Nolan winked.
"Put me down, Nolan Charles," Lissa growled with half-opened eyes.
"I've got her feet," Ryder declared.
With Ryder following step-by-step, Nolan carried her down to the diving shelf and pulled on her arms so they could swing her into the water. "Ready?" They swung her with a count of 1-2-3 and tossed her into the deep water.
"She's going to kill me," Nolan fearfully stated as he braced himself.
"Yup… she is," Ryder smiled widely.
Lissa came back to the surface and swam away from the boat with a grin.
"Where are you going?" Nolan protested.
"Away from you!" she giggled before turning around.
Ryder, pretending to stumble, crashed into his brother and caused him to fall into the water. As he began to fall, Nolan grabbed Ryder's arm firmly and took him with him.
"Our children are so well behaved," Owen groaned with a chuckle as he dropped his head into his hand.
Paula laughed and reassured him, "They're just having fun, Owen. They're fine."
"I dare you to swim out here, Mr. Big Shot," Lissa taunted.
Blowing a puff of air, Nolan responded, "Oh really? Should I be scared?"
"My friends, the sharks, they're just waiting for you. See them circling?" she teased.
Nolan swam underwater and returned to the surface right in front of Lissa's face. "I only see beauty, no sharks," he grinned with ample charm.
"You're rotten and a kiss up," Lissa giggled as she put her arms around him and kissed him quickly before returning to treading water.
"I've got a surprise for you…" Nolan hinted playfully.
Glancing down at the water unimpressed, Lissa reminded him, "Mmm Hmm. You've tried that line before, Romeo."
Owen flung over a huge tube, hollering, "You guys wanna hang out on that?"
Nolan helped Lissa climb up before pulling himself out of the water. With eyes only for her, he repeated, "Really, I have a surprise waiting for you when we get home."
"You're going to throw me in the water again?" she questioned dryly.
"No. I'm going to give you a tiny little bag that's waiting on the dock and then we're going to walk over to the driveway," Nolan blinked proudly.
"You're going to hand me leashes, we'll walk over to Barkley and Bogey and I'll get to walk the dogs?" Lissa teased.
"No," Nolan responded as he looked away.
"The front lamp needs its lightbulb changed?" Lissa continued. "The lightbulb is in the tiny little bag."
"Bigger than that," Nolan gleamed.
"You're just doing this so I won't be pissed that you threw me in the water," Lissa guessed as she lightly shoved his shoulder.
Nolan leaned toward Lissa and hugged her. His mouth was by her ear and he whispered some strong hints about the surprise to her.
"What?!" Lissa screamed like a fan on the Oprah show who had just found out she was on the annual My Favorite Things episode. "Nolan?! Seriously?!" As she repeatedly kissed him, Lissa bellowed, "I love you! I love you!"
"What's going on out there?" Owen wondered as he sat in a chair and rubbed Amelia's legs and feet.
"Oh, Lord. He'd better not be proposing," Amelia feared.
The rest of the day on the boat was filled with starry eyed teens. Every time Lissa would glance at Nolan, she'd giggle with delight. Ryder and Claire pretended to be nonchalant, but were obviously smitten. The ten year olds were not much better as they admired one another's lives and became fast friends. All in all, the day was an enormous success.
After Jerry and his family helped the Shepherd-Hunts gather and unload their belongings, Owen thanked him profusely for the wonderful day. Ryder and Claire not only took the selfie she'd hoped to have, they exchanged numbers and promised to be in touch. Nolan told Lissa more than once to calm down and be patient while he helped Owen. Lissa, wiggling anxiously like a 3 year old who desperately needed to go potty, was eager to discover her surprise.
Once everyone said their goodbyes and Jerry's family departed, most of the Shepherd-Hunts made their way toward the house.
"Nolan? Lissa? Are you coming?" Owen asked curiously as the lovebirds remained on the dock.
"We'll make it up to the house in a while, Dad," Nolan disclosed with a wide smile.
Shrugging and displaying his confusion, Owen mumbled, "We'll… uh… I guess we'll see you inside then."
Lissa wiggled and giggled as she locked her eyes on Nolan. He sighed and spouted, "Ah…finally."
"I've been waiting," Lissa laughed with eager anticipation.
"You know it's something big. And red. You know it belongs in the driveway and holds 4-5 people…" he teased as he strung out the unveiling as long as possible.
Jumping up and down and clapping, Lissa urged, "Please… please give me the first part."
Nolan put his arm around Lissa and began walking toward the driveway. "Here's the problem: once you open the small bag, the big part of the surprise is obvious."
"I don't care," Lissa giggled with glee.
From the lounge chairs on the porch, Amelia and Owen spied the excitement and wondered what in the world was happening. Nolan guided Lissa toward the turn that would put the driveway in sight. Before rounding it, he stopped and shared with a hint of concern, "I hope you like it." He handed Lissa a tiny bag no more than 2" x 3". Inside it was a key.
Lissa tiptoed around the corner with wide eyes and a giddy grin. "Nolan!" she screamed with utter joy as she spotted the Dodge Dart parked in the driveway. "Are you serious? This isn't a joke, right?"
"No joke," Nolan grinned as he reveled in Lissa's joy and excitement. "Go check it out, Shorty."
Lissa ran to the car and clicked the fob – laughing with joy as the car beeped in response. Nolan caught up to her as she opened the door and sat down in the driver's seat. He strolled over and leaned on the open door, "So? What do you think?"
"I think you are way too generous and absolutely amazing," Lissa proclaimed before peppering him with questions. "How in the world? Did you get a loan or something? How'd you pay for it? Can you afford it?"
"Don't worry about that. I'm taking care of my Blondie," he grinned with happiness while watching her giggle in disbelief. "Shall we take it for a spin?"
"I need to change and get my license and put on shoes and…" Lissa eagerly listed.
Nolan interrupted, "Go do all that. I'll meet you back down here in 10 minutes." He pecked her on the cheek as she popped out of the car and embraced him in a hearty hug.
Lissa burst into the house and ran up the stairs at full speed.
As she ran, Amelia entered the living room and called out, "What's going on, Liss?"
"Nolan, he totally surprised me. OMG," she responded before entering her bedroom.
Amelia and Owen swapped quizzical glances. Nolan entered the house beaming.
"You appear to be boyfriend of the year," Owen chuckled.
Bashfully, Nolan laughed, "Yeah."
"Why?" Owen inquired. "I know you're a great guy and all, but why is she bursting with enthusiasm right now?"
With a coy grin, Nolan admitted, "I bought her a car."
"Excuse me?" Amelia faltered as her chin neared her chest and her eyebrows headed for her hairline.
"A car," Nolan smirked. "I bought her a Dodge Dart."
"Uhh… wow," Amelia sputtered. "That's quite the gift."
"Yeah…" Owen, speechless, managed to utter.
"Are you ready?" Lissa urged as she ran down the stairs with a bounce.
"You bet," Nolan chuckled. "Let me grab my wallet and a fresh shirt. I'll meet you out there."
"Can you believe it?! But I bet you're not surprised. You knew, didn't you?" Lissa shrieked completely oblivious to Owen and Amelia's feeble grins. "Come see it! Come see it!"
They followed Lissa out as she announced, "We're going to take it for a drive. Do you want to come?"
"You and Nolan enjoy it," Owen remarked. "Make sure to drive carefully – you're pretty excited."
"I will," Lissa beamed and reassured.
After Nolan returned to the car and the two loaded up, Owen and Amelia waved and smiled as they watched Lissa drive away.
Through his smile, Owen grumbled, "I'm going to kill him. This is why he shouldn't have access to as much of his trust fund as he does."
Amelia stressed, "Deep breaths, Dad. Deep, slow breaths."
