Chapter Four

September 5, 1978

"She was quite the little spitfire back then," Rudy noted.

"Still is," Steve said with a chuckle. "But the tame ones aren't any fun; I've always liked a challenge."

"When did you finally figure out she was more than pigtails and overalls?" Oscar asked.

"It took awhile..."

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June 11, 1961

..."Happy birthday, dear Jaime, happy birthday to you!"

Jaime looked around the table, smiled at everyone in turn. She had been very firm about not wanting a party this year, so they held a family celebration, instead. James and Ann Sommers (of course), and - a part of their family for nearly seven years now - Jim and Helen Elgin...and Steve.

She and Steve hadn't seen as much of each other in the past year, since he had 'graduated' from the K - 8th grade school they'd always attended together. He was in high school now, and Jaime was surprised to find herself suddenly feeling very shy, unable to look at him without blushing, so her smile for him was as sweet as it had always been, but very, very brief.

Steve was looking at her, though. He'd been noticing girls for quite awhile now, but she'd always been...Jaime. When had she gotten so pretty? What happened to the pig-tailed, tree-climbing tomboy? He was sure going to miss her. Then again, this Jaime definitely had her charms. He knew what he had to do.

When the cake, presents and birthday whoop-de-do was over and the adults moved into the living room with their coffee, he looked conspiratorially at his longtime buddy. "Wanna visit the tree house, for old-time's sake?"

Jaime blushed. "Ok..."

"Happy birthday," he told her softly, once they were alone among the branches.

"Thanks." Why did she suddenly feel so awkward?

"I've really missed you this year."

Jaime smiled, still blushing. "It's weird, walking to school by myself."

"I'll bet you've got half a dozen guys competing to carry your books."

"Yeah, right, Austin."

"You're still going to your parents' cabin this summer, right?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Well, I had to pretend that I thought it was lame," he began. He looked into her eyes and was momentarily tongue-tied. "Wouldn't miss it, though," he added once his voice returned. "Are you?"

Jaime looked shyly at the floor. "If you're going, then I guess I will, too." She looked up at him and smiled with her entire face.

Steve couldn't stand it any more. He had to try; he had to know. He reached over to gently trace her smile with his fingertip, then leaned in close and...he kissed her. Quick and soft, sort of a trial basis, before gazing into her eyes and seeing someone other than a tree-climbing buddy looking back at him.

Jaime was shocked and surprised, but in the happiest possible way. She, too, had been wondering what that might be like, but - it was too quick to tell for sure! Still curious, she moved closer. As if following some mutual signal, their lips met once more, longer and a little harder this time, until, once again in near-perfect unison, they leaned back and began to laugh. The tree-climbing, bike-riding pals had returned, finding total absurdity in what their counterparts had just done. They chuckled, giggled and belly-laughed, on and on, finding themselves unable to stop.

The kiss - its feel and the meaning behind it - were filed away for possible future reference.

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September 5, 1978

It was almost time to go, and Jaime - with Peggy and Lynda by her side - was giving everything the once-over as she told them how her relationship with Steve had finally blossomed.

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December 12, 1963

Things changed, slowly but surely, once Jaime reached ninth grade and for one glorious year, they were once again at the same school. Steve had introduced her around on the first day, but he had his own crowd to hang with, and so did she. Over the past four summers, they'd found their friendship to be as strong as ever. They could tell each other anything and everything, or go for long walks together, content without having to say a single word. There'd been no repeats of the tree house incident, though. It seemed they were destined to be the closest of friends and nothing more.

This afternoon, though, while she was batting tennis balls around the practice court, Jaime noticed a lone figure in a varsity football uniform, watching her through the chain link fence.

"Hey, you're pretty good, Kid," he told her when she retrieved a ball that had 'accidentally' bounced in his direction.

"Thanks. Call me Kid again, though, and I'll be forced to take drastic measures."

"Oh really? Such as?"

"Well...like bopping you over the head with my racket!" she said playfully. "I'm not a kid anymore, Steve."

He nodded in appreciation. "I noticed."

Jaime grinned. "And guess what? I made Varsity!"

"Freshmen don't make Varsity -"

"I did."

"Wow. I am impressed - congratulations! How'd you like to celebrate by coming to my Senior class New Year's Eve party?" He'd forced his voice to stay casual, but held his breath as he anxiously awaited her answer.

"Me? A lowly Freshman?"

"No...you, Jaime."

She was utterly charmed. Of course, she said yes. It was her first real 'grown-up' type date, and at the stroke of midnight, Steve presented her with one more first: her very first real kiss. His lips lingered on hers, savoring the sweetness, and this time, nobody laughed.

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