Times Are A Changing Chpt 8
Johnathan had arrived at Kilmarron West, the massive piece of property formerly known as Peak's Bluff. He saw no sign of his uncle Jeremy. He was ready to abandon his search and head to the town in hopes of finding that Jeremy had gone there when he suddenly heard a moan. It emanated from the area where Jeremy's house was scheduled to be built, Johnathan ran over as he was concerned that Jeremy was injured. As he approached the sound, he could see a human body in the high grass near some of the construction. Panicked, he sprinted at top speed. Jeremy and Candy who had been enjoying their first-time lovemaking outside were suddenly aware of something approaching quickly. Jeremy jumped up buck naked with plans of defending Candy who was scurrying to get dressed. Johnathan fell backwards when his uncle sprung at him. "Uncle Josh sent me to ask you to come to the camp, but I think he would prefer you to be dressed. Do you hang out in the grass naked often?" quizzed Johnathan. At that moment, Candy appeared with Jeremy's clothes in her hands. Johnathan shook his head as he started back to camp muttering loud enough for them to hear "I am beginning to understand. All of you are worried about Cassie and me having sex because it is all you adults think about. Josh wants a family meeting back at the tent. For God's sake, put your clothes on first." Candy and Jeremy laughed as Jeremy quickly got dressed. Candy was having trouble catching her breath said "The poor kid really has been given a hard time by Telly and his parents about something that he has never done. Now, he finds his uncle and aunt partaking of the evil deed. I wonder what they could possibly be having the family meeting about. Why do they want you at the camp immediately?" Jeremy reasoned "Uncle Duncan should have arrived by now. Do you want to make a bet that it involves him? If he starts causing problems about this wedding, I do believe that Kathleen will serve him as the main course." Candy giggled "It is amazing that their first wedding was going to be so simple and this one quite grand. The weather better be perfection or Lottie's is going to be awfully crowded." Jeremy thought for a moment "Imagine dreaming about your wedding for 17 years. I believe that given 17 years to plan your wedding, you could give Kathleen a run for her money planning an extravagant wedding." Candy lovingly gave her husband a shove before her trek back to town when Jeremy called out "If this is a family meeting, you should be there. Would you mind getting Kathleen if possible?" Candy questioned "Are you certain?" Jeremy nodded yes and headed towards the camp.
Joshua stood outside of the office tent with his clipboard staring at the tree where Jason was located. He was having a difficult time focusing on his work since his brother's arrival in an emotional state in which he had never seen his brother. Josh was concerned about his safety in his state of mind. The tree to which Jason had been assigned was near completion when Jason went up. Josh was hoping that the effort required to finish the tree was enough to exorcise his demons. Josh was happy to see that Aaron, Jemma and April arrived in their buggy. The foursome went into the tent while Josh questioned "What the hell happened with Uncle Duncan and his guest. Jason is topping a tree in one hell of a mood to the point that I am concerned about his safety. If someone showed up at work in the state he was, Jason would be the first to refuse to let him work much less top." Jemma punched her brother's arm "Why did you let him go up there?" Josh frustrated replied "Let me introduce you to your brother when he comes down. Not to mention, he is the boss." Johnathan barged into the tent, his face was bright red and he was breathing heavily from running the entire way back. He frantically yelled "They were having sex right out there in the open. Where Chris, Molly and I often go to talk. They were naked. Do you understand naked?" Aaron tried to calm the youth while asking "Who and where?" Breathless he exclaimed "Jeremy and Candy at Kilmarron West." The three adults bit their lips in an effort to prevent the laughter which was attempting to escape. Jemma reminded her nephew" They are married Johnathan." Johnathan growled "You adults have a fit if I hold Cassie's hand, but it is alright to fornicate where the children and I go to talk and imagine our new homes." Jeremy entered the tent received a round of applause from Josh, Jemma and Aaron. Johnathan exasperated "Really, you clap. I just don't understand." Jeremy pat his nephew's back and said they would talk after the reason he was called there was revealed.
Candy found Kathleen at her cabin taking a nap with her dog. Candy first explained how Kathleen's son found her and Jeremy. Candy said that she and Jeremy couldn't help but laugh at his extreme reaction. Candy suddenly grew quiet and thoughtfully expressed her concern that both sets of parents aren't handling the subject of sex well. Johnathan needs to have someone who he can discuss sex calmly without threats of punishment. With a smile on her face, Candy whispered "Sex is a wonderful thing with responsibilities. Telly has been insane from the start but I think he has rubbed off on you more than you on him. When you are on your honeymoon, let Johnathan stay with us rather than the camp. We will talk to him. You are punishing him for something he hasn't done yet. " Kathleen agreed "Let's talk while we walk to the camp."
As Candy and Kathleen approached the tent, Kathleen stopped dead in her tracks "That is my Jason way up there in the tree. He is the boss. Why is he doing that?" After hearing Kathleen's voice, Jeremy poked his head out of the tent "Ladies, please come in and join the rest of the family." Kathleen was obviously less than pleased but before she could say anything, Josh informed her "In no uncertain terms, he demanded I get him a tree to top. He arrived here in a foul mood which Aaron and Johnathan know something about but refuse to discuss until Jason is here."
Jason took a moment to enjoy the view of his family's property which now included Kilmarron West. He never thought of himself as person driven by possessions, but he had to admit, he was impressed with their expansive property. He finished the job and slowly climbed down the tree. There was nothing like being at the top of a tree and enjoying the scenery to clear one's head. He came to the realization that he missed his days of topping and decided going forward, once a month that he would treat himself to a day at the top enjoying the breezes, nature and maybe even a sunset.
As Jason entered the office tent, he immediately became aware that his entire family was present with the exception of Uncle Duncan. Jason squinted his eyes and looked at Josh "What is happening? Is Uncle Duncan, Lottie, Clancy or Maggie okay?" Josh gave a short laugh then said "No, the question is if you are alright after the lowkey entrance? I have seen you in bad moods but that was something else. We are worried about you." Kathleen quietly came forward with her eyes glassed over with tears "Are you having second thoughts about the wedding and don't know how to tell me?" Jason pulled her into his body and consoled her "There is nothing that I want more now, in the past or the future than to be married to you." "Well then big brother, what the hell happened at the stagecoach?" inquired Jeremy. Jason shook his head and placed his hands on his hips "This is much to do about nothing but if I am going to tell this story, I want to do it once, everyone should have a seat on the cots. Kathleen, you can sit on my knee."
Everyone obliged and made their best effort to get comfortable. Jason began "To understand everything we are going back to my childhood. When I was a youth, there was literally not much more than a handful of families here. I was excited when the Stempels moved here, only Mr. Stempel did not appear interested in us. My best friends were my books along with a set of trees to which I had assigned names and spoke practically on a daily basis. No one was ever told this including my parents until this very moment. "Josh's eyes slanted a bit "Oh, my God, is that the group of trees both Jeremy and I have wished to cut that you veto every time." Jason smiled "I have been found out. Now, never ask to kill my friends again." Aaron questioned "Okay Bolt, I hate to interrupt your walk down memory lane but what does this have to do with that insane woman?" Jason replied "It sets the scene, Aaron. My parents must have decided as I matured to just pretend that sex didn't exist. They probably felt safe as there were no girls my age. The girls were sent to schools in the cities. Finally, one day my poor father did have to deal with me being hysterical when I woke up and everything was not quite the same as it was in the evening. Until this point, I thought that I could say anything to my father but my father trying to explain masturbation was painful. I was 13 to 14 years old when my father asked if I would do some odd jobs for Widow Smith who was alone and needed help around her home. She worked with the trappers by creating garments. I agreed and look forward as I thought that I might make some friends with the trappers as loggers and trappers weren't natural allies. It took a few days before she started just touching me, I thought nothing of it. After about 2 weeks, what my parents neglected to teach me about sex, Widow Smith had been more than willing to teach me. I admit that I enjoyed it wholeheartedly. I didn't understand at the time there was an emotional component to sex which she was not teaching me. What I was experiencing was pure lust though I didn't know that. It went on for quite awhile until one day, I told Lottie that I was in love with Widow Smith and was going to marry her. I remember Lottie's one eyebrow going up and all she said was "Really?" The next day, Lottie made it her business to find out what was happening. Lottie was very close with my parents and informed my father of what odd jobs were being done at Widow Smith's house." Josh looked aghast at his brother "Dad was such a quiet, serious man was he ready to kill you?" Jason smiled "No, he apologized to me. He knew he should have told me about sex, but never did he imagine that she would take advantage of his innocent son. He went outside and threw up and then got his rifle and left. He didn't return for a couple of days and during that time she disappeared with all her possessions. Until this day, I feared that father had killed her. I would never read his journals around that time for fear of what I might discover. So, I was agreeable to take the ribbing from her when she arrived since I knew my father was not a murderer but when she attempted to touch Johnathan, I became hostile." Jeremy asked "Did the topping help you become as calm as you appear now. "Jason shook his head yes " It cleared my head. I realized that Kathleen, Telly, Marina and I are not handling the maturing of our children right. I apologize Johnathan and tomorrow we all will see Telly, Marina and Cassie and work on a better path." Johnathan hugged his parents "Thank you. Can I go tell Cassie?" Jason looked to Kathleen, she answered "Yes, please let Marina know that we all want to get together tomorrow when Telly and Jason were scheduled to meet."
Candy piped up "Jason, Kathleen and I discussed Johnathan staying with us while you are on your honeymoon rather than the camp. Jeremy can talk with him about a happy healthy relationship and the benefits of waiting." Jeremy suddenly said "WHAT? I am no sexual expert." Kathleen got up and gave Jeremy a hug "But you are an example of the happy relationship we would wish for our son. Suddenly Jeremy asked, "Where is Uncle Duncan?" Aaron answered "After Jason stomped off. I sent Widow Smith packing and Uncle Duncan is at my house wondering whether he is still invited. Jason, you are going to have to handle that. I think that he should be called Demolition Duncan rather than Uncle Duncan." Everyone laughed and at the same time agreed.
Jason stood up and extended his arm to Kathleen "My beautiful soon to be bride, would you like to accompany me to assure Uncle Duncan that he is still wanted at out wedding?" Kathleen rose and accepted his arm "It is my pleasure, soon to be husband. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that tomorrow is the rehearsal. We will see you later if not then."