Chapter 59

A/N—Sorry it's been over four years since I've updated. Life got in the way...again! Sometimes that happens! Thank you for hanging in there with me! I can't believe I started this story TEN YEARS ago! YIKES! Again, thank you for your patience, especially since it was four years from when I published Chapter 57 to Chapter 58. I can't promise there won't be any more breaks, but I'll try not to make it so long. So, my apologies to those who are still with me. Now, on to the rest of the story!


The twins turned two around Thanksgiving. Carol is eighteen weeks along. The older kids have finished the fall semester. While Jan is looking forward to her last semester in high school, Peter has mixed feelings, since Julie has moved away. Although she has visited some, he doesn't believe this relationship will last the distance.

The week of Christmas Break

Peter and Jan are getting ready for their last high school Christmas dance. Jan is wearing an emerald green mini dress, paired with silver platform heels. Peter is nervous about seeing Julie. He paces the living room floor.

Jan: Descends the stairs. Pete? You okay?

Peter: Sighs. I dunno.

Jan: You haven't seen each other since she moved.

Peter: We haven't. What if she doesn't have feelings for me anymore?

Jan: You'll always have feelings for each other. She studies her brother. I'm guessing your feelings have changed somewhat.

Peter: I don't know. Yeah, I'll always love her, I guess, but I don't know anymore.

Jan: I guess you won't know until you two talk. Are you picking her up or are you meeting her there?

Peter: I'm picking her up. He looks at his watch. I guess I'd better go. I'll see you there.

The doorbell rings. Peter answers and reveals Billy Garst. They exchange a greeting and Peter leaves.

Billy: Glances at the door behind him. He nervous?

Jan: Yeah, he's afraid this is the end of their relationship.

Billy: Confused. Hasn't he been dating Shelley?

Jan: Yes, but I think he's afraid to admit that they've drifted apart.

Billy: Enough about them. You look gorgeous!

Jan: Blushes. Thanks.

Billy: You ready?

As the couple leaves the house, Mike and Carol look on.

Carol: I can't believe they've grown up!

Mike: It happens.

Carol: I remember when she was interested in Clark Tyson. He was more into Marcia. But she's blossomed into her own. She sighs. I hope Peter and Julie can work things out.

Mike: I don't think their relationship will last.

Carol: I know, but I hope they can last. She feels something knock her on the calves. She startles.

Ryan: RWAR!

Carol: Ryan! What are you doing out of bed?

Ryan: I di-no-tar!

Mike: Scoops him up. Well, Dinosaur, let's get you back in bed.

Ryan: RWAR!

Carol giggles and follows her husband and Ryan into the nursery. They put him to bed, and kiss him on the cheek. Carolyn is still asleep. They kiss her on the cheek and leave the room.


At the dance.

The dance is underway. After initial awkwardness, Peter and Julie relaxed into familiarity, dancing for most of the night. They gaze into each other's eyes, as the music transitioned into a slow dance.

Julie: Peter, can we talk?

Peter: Sure.

They walk outside, finding a space away from the crowd.

Julie: Sad. I've had a good time.

Peter: Me too.

He leans in for a kiss, but Julie stops him.

Julie: Peter. We need to break up.

Peter: Hurt. But why?

Julie: You're here and I'm in Oregon. It's not going to work out.

Peter: We're graduating next semester. We can go to State together.

Julie: Cries. I have a boyfriend!

Peter: Shocked. What?

Julie: Yeah. I have a boyfriend. We're going steady and we're planning to go to the University of Oregon together. Peter, I wanna marry him.

Peter: Tries not to cry. What about us and our plans?

Julie: There is no "us" anymore. She looks away. I shouldn't have come.

Peter: No, I'm glad you came.

Julie: I need to go. She starts to leave.

Peter: Don't go. Sorrowful.

Julie: You'll always be my first love, and we'll always have Caryn. She fingers her necklace, showing him the heart locket. My mom got this for me when we found out about Caryn.

Peter: It's beautiful. Sighs. I'll miss you.

Julie: I know you've been dating Shelley.

Peter: Blushes. I'm sorry. I should've told you.

Julie: It's okay. I should've told you about my boyfriend.

Peter: What's his name?

Julie: Gavin.

Peter: Smiles a small smile. Gavin better take good care of you.

Julie: Thanks.

They engage in a passionate kiss.

Julie: Goodbye, Peter.

Peter: Goodbye. Would you like me to take you home?

Julie: No, my mom's here. She sees Shelley out of the corner of her eye. Go dance with Shelley.

They kiss one last time, and Julie leaves. Peter watches her go. Shelley gently approaches him, hand lying softly on his shoulder. He turns around.

Shelley: You okay?

Peter: Yeah.

Shelley: Looks in the direction Julie just left. You still love her.

Peter: I'll always love her, but it's over.

Shelley: Doubting. Are you sure?

Peter: I am.

Shelley: Do you want to go in and dance?

Peter: Sure.

They walk into the gymnasium, and dance. Jan and Billy observe the new couple.

Billy: Looks like Peter and Julie broke up.

Jan: I think they broke up back in September. It just took them this long to realize it.

Billy: Do you think we'll break up?

Jan: I don't know. So much can happen after graduation.

Billy: True. Let's forget about Peter and Julie and Shelley, and focus on us.

Jan: Absolutely.

They end the dance with a soft kiss.


Peter returns home the same time Billy drops Jan off. He sees them engaged in a long lip-lock, so he quietly makes his way through the living room sliding glass door. As he enters the living room, he sees Jan open the front door.

Jan: Calling to Billy. Goodnight.

She closes the door behind her.

Jan: Peter! She startles.

Peter: Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.

Jan: That's okay. How are you?

Peter: Julie broke up with me.

Jan: Sad. I'm sorry.

Peter: She has a boyfriend. They're going steady.

Jan: Winces. Ouch.

Peter: Yeah. He sighs. I knew it was over when she told me they were moving to Oregon. I just didn't want it to be.

Jan: Hesitant. So, are you and Shelley dating now?

Peter: I dunno. We've gone out a few times, but... we... we've decided to see how things go.

Jan: I get it.

Peter: Do you think you and Billy will still be together after graduation?

Jan: I don't know. We're just enjoying our senior year. She yawns. I'm beat! I'm going to head to bed. Goodnight!

Peter: Goodnight.

Jan ascends the stairs, as Peter turns off the living room lights, and goes to his suite. He climbs in bed, and tries to sleep, but it eludes him. After an eternity of staring at the ceiling, counting the tiles above his head, he makes his way into the kitchen for a glass of milk.

Carol: Peter?

Peter: Puts the milk back in the refrigerator. Mom?

Carol: What are you doing up?

Peter: Couldn't sleep.

Carol: Grabs some chocolate chip cookies from the cookie jar and places them on a plate. How was the dance?

Peter: Fixes a second glass of milk. Julie and I broke up.

Carol: I'm sorry.

They sit at the table.

Peter: I'm not surprised. I knew it was over when they moved to Oregon. I just didn't want to admit it.

Carol: I know you still love her.

Peter: Solemn. I do. We had Caryn. I thought we'd be together forever.

Carol: Startles. Oh!

Peter: Concerned. Mom?

Carol: Waves him off. The baby's kicking. She's been kicking all night.

Peter looks pained.

Carol: Understanding. I know this must be so hard on you, with Christine having her baby, and now your Dad and I are having one too.

Peter: Dismissive. Ah, it's okay.

Carol: No, it's not.

Peter: I'd rather not talk about it.

Carol: Fair enough. She takes another cookie. So... She trails off, unsure.

Peter: She has a boyfriend, and they're going to go to college together. And she figured out about me and Shelley.

Carol: Surprised. Are you two going together?

Peter: No. We've just dated a few times. Her boyfriend broke up with her, and so we've decided to see where things go. He looks at the clock, and clears his dishes. I've got an early shift tomorrow, so I guess I'll go to bed.

Carol: I'll wash up. Good night.


The next day:

While the twins nap, Carol is in the family room, watching the news and folding the laundry.

TV News Anchor: Next, we go to the Civic Center, where the school board is issuing updates on school zoning for the 1976-77 school year. Let's listen while Superintendent Clarence Rafferty makes his announcements...

Superintendent Rafferty: Our district has had record growth the last four years, and each year, we've had to make adjustments to school zoning and grade placements in each school. We have looked at the numbers in each grade and have made recommendations to the school board, who has convened today to cast their votes in favor or against the following recommendations.

Bobby and Cindy walk into the family room.

Bobby: What are you...?

Cindy: Shhh! Annoyed. They're going to announce whether or not they're going to put ninth grade into Westdale.

They sit, with rapt interest.

Superintendent Rafferty: Because of the large numbers of upcoming seventh and eighth graders, I recommend that sixth grade remain in elementary school.

Cindy inhales, with anticipation, hoping she'll be going to high school next year.

Superintendent Rafferty: And because of the large numbers of upcoming ninth graders and the declining numbers of upcoming tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders, I recommend that ninth grade be placed in high school for the 1976-77 school year.

Cindy: Excited. Yes! I'm going to high school!

Bobby: Annoyed. Now, you're going to be impossible.

Carol: Bobby!

Cindy: No, I won't! I can't wait to try out for cheerleader. I'll miss being captain, but I want to be a high school cheerleader so bad! Maybe Shelley can give me some pointers. Maybe I should have her and some of the other cheerleaders give a workshop for my squad... I could ask Coach Muncie, and maybe even include the JV squad too!

Carol: Laughs. I'm happy you're excited. I just don't want you to let going to high school go to your head.

Cindy: I won't.

Carol finishes her folding and gives a set to each of the kids. She sees Mike out of the corner of her eye.

Carol: Put these in the linen closet, please. And would you peek in on Ryan and Carolyn and make sure they're still asleep?

Cindy: Okay.

Bobby: Sure. Cindy and I are going to drill each other on our spelling. Can we go to the park?

Carol: Sure. Just be back before dinner.

The kids leave, and Mike enters, holding Carolyn. She turns the TV off.

Mike: Ryan's still asleep. He sets the toddler on the floor. Here you go, Kitten!

Carolyn: Picks up a book and signs. Read, mama!

Carol: Did you have a good nap?

Carolyn: Read, mama!

Carol: Chuckles. Okay, kiddo.

Carolyn climbs on the couch by her mother, and puts the book in her lap.

Mike: Leans down and gives his wife a peck. I'm going to work on the movie theatre project. I think I have an idea.

Carol opens the book and begins to read:

One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish,

Black fish, Blue fish, Old fish, New fish.

Carolyn: Signs. Fish! Fish! Fish!

Carol: That's right, fish! She continues to read.

This one has a little car.

This one has a little star.

Carolyn: Star!

Carol: Yes, star! She kisses her daughter on the cheek. Say! What a lot of fish there are.

Yes. Some are red, and some are blue.

Some are old and some are new.

Some are sad, and some are glad,

And some are very, very bad.

Why are they sad and glad and bad?

I do not know, go ask your dad.

Some are thin, and some are fat.

The fat one has a yellow hat.

Carolyn: Hat! Yellow hat!

Carol: Reads:

From there to here,

From here to there,

Funny things are everywhere.

Here are some who like to run.

They run for fun in the hot, hot sun.

Oh me! Oh my! Oh me! oh my!

What a lot of funny things go by.

Some have two feet and some have four.

Some have six feet and some have more.

Where do they come from? I can't say.

But I bet they have come a long, long way.

we see them come, we see them go.

Some are fast. Some are slow.

Some are high. Some are low.

Not one of them is like another.

Don't ask us why, go ask your mother.

Carolyn slides off the couch, and plays with her toys.

Carol: Laughs, closing the book. Okay, sweetheart. She struggles to sit on the floor. Carolyn, your little sister or brother is growing like crazy.

Ryan: Runs into the living room. Mama! Mama! Pway twucks!

Carol: Did you have a good nap?

Ryan: Frowns. No nap! Pway twucks!

Carol: Okay, son. Which truck do you want me to play with?

Ryan: Hands her a yellow truck. Dis wun.

The phone rings, and Carol has difficulty getting up.

Carol: Ugh!

The phone continues to ring.

Carol: Grunts. Coming! She answers the phone. Hello? Hi, Alice!

Alice: What time is the Christmas Eve service?

Carol: Seven.

Alice: Are Roger, Mary and the kids going to be there?

Carol: They are. We'll have dinner after the service.

Alice: Sam and I will bring over the brisket around five.

Carol: That'll be perfect!

Alice: Will Greg and Nora, and Marcia be there?

Carol: Yes. We'll have the whole family together. My parents and Mike's parents will also be there. Aunt Jenny will be on one of her adventures, so she won't be.

Alice: What a shame. I love hearing about her travels.

Carol: So do I. Alice: Where is she going this time? Africa? Antarctica? Carol: I don't know, but nothing would surprise me. Alice: Well, I've gotta go. I've got a roast in the oven. Carol: All right. See you in a couple days.


End of Chapter 59