Chapter 44

"Hey Jack. How are you feeling?"

"A little better Coach Brown. The ankle is healing. It's healing a little slower than I would like, but it's progressing. How are you?"

"I'm good. I wanted to check on you. I saw the tape. It looked bad."

"Looked almost as bad as it felt."

"I bet. What did the doctor say?"

Jack spent a few minutes relaying the information to Coach Brown. It was early before school, but Jack welcomed the call from his new coach next year. Coach Brown seemed genuinely concerned about him. It just reinforced his thought process of accepting Bryan's as his college.

"Do what the doctor tells you. I know you, don't push it."

"You sound like Elizabeth."

"How is she?"

"She's being a loving girlfriend." Jack chuckled.

Coach Brown couldn't keep from laughing. He knew exactly what Jack meant by that statement. "That's what I used to tell my girlfriend when she was being too motherly to me when I was hurt."

"So, it's a female thing?"

"It's most certainly a female thing when they love you. There's nothing you can do about it."

"She's doing well. Trying to enjoy the last semester of high school."

"Well, enjoy it and have fun. Now, if you are still committed to us…"

"Coach, I gave you my word. I'm all in."

"Thank you, Jack. I know you've mentioned you received a couple of calls from other coaches."

"I have but no visits. I told them I was committed to Bryan's and to you."

"I am really looking forward to you getting here, Jack. I think you will enjoy your role here."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"We have a rising senior. You will have every opportunity to replace him. You just have to earn it."

"That's all I ask for coach. I look forward to the opportunity sir."

"Play your game and we'll see about the outcome."

"I really appreciate the opportunity you have given me."

"Jack, I haven't given you anything other than a chance. You will make of it what you do of it. Now, in three weeks, we can sign you to the university."

"Great!"

Coach Brown smiled. He really liked this young man. "I can't be there at the school. Usually there is a table set up and a photographer."

"Who can be there with me at the table?"

"Anyone you want. Usually family. You will need to talk with your principal. Just tell them and they should make all the arrangements."

"Perfect, I want Ma and Pa, Tom, Elizabeth, Coach Franklin and my teammates."

Coach Brown could only smile. Jack was a true team player. Brown knew this kid would fit in perfectly in his program. "I just wanted to check in with you before school started. Have a good day, Jack. If you need anything on my end, don't hesitate to call or text me."

"Thanks for everything coach."

"Enjoy your day young man."

…

Elizabeth rolled over growling at her stupid cell phone. She realized it wasn't her alarm when she noticed she still had ten minutes to sleep before that annoying alarm went off. It kept buzzing. Before she touched it, it stopped. She laid back on her pillow letting out a long, deep breath. It buzzed again. "You better be important!" She growled as she reached for her phone unplugging in from its charging cord.

She looked at the screen. She had three missed calls and six texts from her older sister. All within the last fifteen minutes. The text message bubble appeared with another text from Viola.

V – WHY AREN'T YOU AWAKE YET

Elizabeth glared at the red angry face emoji after all the caps. She narrowed her eyes reading all the other texts that were asking if she was up and why wasn't she awake yet. Instead of texting her sister back, she figured she should call her. She rolled onto her back again and pulled up the sheet and blanket. She was cold. She pushed her sister's name, and the phone made the call. With just one ring, her sister answered the phone.

"It took you long enough!" Viola huffed answering the phone. "Why are you still sleeping?"

"Viola!" Elizabeth growled back into the phone. "I have ten minutes before my stupid alarm goes off. I was sleeping. Why are you calling me and texting me so early?"

"Ebeth, you need to wake up!" Viola knew Elizabeth would be dozing off already.

"I'm awake because of you!" She opened her eyes. The tone in Elizabeth's voice was ruff.

"Why are you so cranky this morning?"

"Are you serious?! It's not time to wake up yet. I have eight more minutes."

"You could always wake up early." Sassed Viola.

"You have known me my whole life. When have I ever woke up before I was supposed to?"

"Alright Ms. Cranky…has Jack seen this side of you yet?"

"Good grief Viola! What do you want?"

"I met a guy." She blurted out.

"Mhmm."

"Wake up Ebeth!"

"What?!"

…

"Do you have a busy day, dear."

William smiled at his beautiful wife. She was making eggs. She handed him a cup of coffee as he approached her.

"Not too bad. I'm meeting with Charlette for lunch. Then we are going over to the library. They wanted us to look at something."

"That sounds nice."

"And your day?"

"A little busy with meetings. The normal." He shrugged his shoulders. "Let me know what the library says."

"I will."

…

"For crying out loud!" Elizabeth huffed as she sat up in her bed. "What?"

"I met a guy!" Viola basically yelled in the phone.

Elizabeth pulled the phone back while rubbing her ear. "That's great, but why in the world are you calling me so early to tell me that. You could have texted me later."

"It's not that early, grumpy."

"Viola, you're about to see grumpy." She growled.

"I went out on a date last night with a guy. He's was in a couple of my new classes. We began to talk, and I asked him out."

"You asked him out?"

"I did."

"Wow…"

"I know right. He's a music major. He plays classical piano."

"Impressive." Elizabeth stated. Her voice still wasn't too enthused, but it was getting better.

"What do you know about Jack's family?"

"What do you mean?"

"When you went with him to his grandparent's house. You met his family, right?"

Elizabeth quickly blinked. She thought this conversation was taking a strange turn. Why in the world would her older sister call her so early about some guy and then immediately change the subject to Jack's family?

"I met his grandparents, a couple of his aunts, and cousins."

"Did you met all of his cousins?"

"I don't think so…" She thought out loud. "But I'm not sure. I didn't take attendance." She huffed. "Viola…did you wake me up this early to ask me about Thanksgiving and who or who I didn't meet?"

"You really need to tell Jack about how grumpy you are early in the mornings."

"You're about to find out yourself."

"Calm down, Ebeth. Like I told you, I met this guy named Ted…Ted Milligan."

"Is that suppose to mean something to me?"

"Do you recognize the last name?"

"Milligan…that's Nana's and Pop's last name."

"Yes, from Buxton."

"That's correct."

"Ted Milligan's mom visited his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Milligan, in Buxton over Thanksgiving break. Ted's cousin brought home a new girlfriend to meet the family. He has never dated before. She is his first girlfriend."

Elizabeth sat on her bed staring at her wall in front of her. The trophy she won from her trip to Jack's hometown was still sitting on her dresser. None of this made sense to her. Viola gave the silence a few seconds to settle. She knew her sister's silence meant she was working through the piecing the puzzled pieces together.

"Aunt Shirley said that her oldest son wasn't there…something about volunteering to build a home or something. She wasn't very happy he wasn't there."

"Yeah…Ted thought he was going to be put up for adoption or something for missing the holiday." Viola giggled. That was the first time Elizabeth thought she heard her older sister giggle since she was a child.

"Wait…this Ted guy is Jack's cousin?"

"Yeah."

Elizabeth thought for a moment. Jack hadn't said anything, but then again why would he? They haven't discussed all the details of their whole lives to each other. "If I remember correctly, Ted was adopted as a young child. Aunt Shirley said he was about three or so. They adopted him just after Jack was born."

"I didn't know that. He looks a lot like Jack. They wouldn't pass as brothers, but certainly cousins. They have the same dimples. Ted said they grew up together when they would visit family."

"Jack's dimples are powerful things. They get me into trouble." Elizabeth laughed. Then she paused for a few moments. "Viola…you really like this guy, don't you?"

"Yeah…I do…" Her voice trailed off.

"Talk to me." Implored Elizabeth. She was certainly awake now.

…

Elizabeth talked with her sister while getting dressed for school. Viola needed to talk with someone, and Elizabeth was usually the person she sought out for such discussions. Elizabeth pulled quicky into the parking lot and into her normal spot. Her mini cooper was excellent at handling. She saw Jack standing by his truck talking to Cory and Step. She knew by his expression that he was going to aggravate her about her driving fast in the parking lot. She was running a little later than normal with the early wake up call and discussion with her older sister.

Elizabeth reached for her backpack in the back seat and quickly got out of the car. She looked in Jack's direction. She noticed his walk quickly changing. She placed her hand on her hip and began to tap her right foot that was slightly in front of her.

Jack knew he was busted. He hoppled toward Elizabeth trying to come up with something that would get him out of trouble. He did what he knew always worked…he flashed her a deep, dimpled smile. He approached her and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek. She never broke her gaze at him.

"Mr. Thornton…what do you think you're doing?"

"Kissing my girlfriend good morning. You didn't text me back."

"I was talking to my sister and that's not what I'm talking about, and you know it!"

"Good morning, Elizabeth." His dimpled smile grew deeper.

"That gorgeous smile isn't going to work this morning. What were you just doing?" She remained resolute in the purpose of staring at him. He could tell his little dimpled smile wasn't working this morning.

"How's my loving girlfriend this morning?"

"Dr. Elizabeth is doing just fine. You, however, must have hit your head last night or this morning."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because I saw you walking with your left foot. The doctor said you couldn't do that until tomorrow. Since you promised me and your doctor that you would follow her directions to the letter, I must assume you did something to your head that made you forget your promise to me."

"I just took a couple of steps…"

"A couple of steps that you're not allowed to take until tomorrow. Jack, we discussed this in the doctor's office. You need to follow her instructions. You promised."

Jack lowered his head. Cory and Steph couldn't help but laugh. Jack was busted. He had the look of a child that knew he was in trouble. Their snickering wasn't helping his cause.

"I'm sorry."

"That wasn't the first time you did that, is it?" Her stance only intensified. Jack had never been scared of Elizabeth except for the time she chased him around the pool trying to tickle him, but he was more scared of her at this moment than he was his own mother.

He let out a long breath. He couldn't lie to her, even over this. He shook his head no.

"Jack…" Her voice was full of several emotions. Anger. Frustration. Worry. She knew he would push it. The doctor strongly warned him not to. With a severe sprain, it would be easy to reinjure the ankle and then he would be back to square one.

"I'm sorry…"

"I think you're sorry you were caught. Go ahead, risk injuring it again and then you will be out even longer. You're a big boy, Jack. You own your own decisions." She softened her stance a little. "Let's get to class. We need to say hello to our group. We can't be late."

Jack sighed. He adjusted his backpack and began hoppling toward the school. Elizabeth fell in step beside him.

"Did you really have to use my father's phrase against me?"

"He isn't wrong. I'm not your mother. You are a big boy. You know what the consequences are. You know what can go wrong if you hurt it again. You also know the promise you made to the doctor…and to me."

"I didn't think about it that way." He thoughtfully stated. "Are you angry with me?"

"Not angry…disappointed. I just hope you don't hurt it again. I would hate to watch you go through all of that again."

"Yeah."

"It was hard enough to watch it the first time. Seeing how disappointed you were knowing you would be missing practice and games. Watching you hurting. Know how the ankle and your underarms hurt from those crutches. How exhausted you were from the pain. I understand you can get hurt during games, but his seems like you are inviting the possibility to get hurt even more."

Jack thought about it as he hopped up the stairs. Elizabeth walked every step with him through this whole ordeal. She was in the car with him to the hospital. She helped with the doors and the many other things when he needed it. She was with him when he was tired and hurting. She protected that side of him from their friends. She was there physically, but she was also there for him mentally. He wasn't the only person who was injured. She may not have physically felt the pain, but she did experience it just as much as he did.

He placed the crutches under his underarms and gently placed his left foot on the ground. He made sure not to put more than what he thought was twenty five percent of his weight on it.

"Hey guys…tell the group we'll be in in a moment." He nodded toward Elizabeth.

His guy friends nodded their heads in agreement. They understood perfectly. Elizabeth's girlfriends did the same. When the group left, Jack nodded for them to step out of the way for the other students to walk by. He leaned the crutches against the building and took Elizabeth's hands. While he did use them for balance, that's not why he took them. He felt she knew why.

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. You are absolutely correct. I was being stupid by pushing it. I should have heeded the doctor's instructions and not pushed it. I have walked a little on that foot this morning and late last night. I haven't put my full weight on it because it hurt too much, but I have been putting more than I should."

"Jack, I'm not trying to be your mother…"

"I get it, Elizabeth. I do. I shouldn't be pushing too fast here. You are looking out for me. You are protecting me, even protecting me from myself. Thank you."

"You are as good as you are because you push yourself to be better. I can easily see that in your DNA. You do that with every aspect of your life, not just basketball. But Jack, there are times when you can push too much at the wrong times."

"And that is where you come in…my helpmate."

"Not your mother and not your servant."

"My helpmate. The person who stands beside me holding my hand. My helpmate in helping us work toward our goals together and achieving those goals as one...my true helpmate."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven. I just don't want you to get hurt again."

"That's not why I'm sorry." He interrupted her. "I mean, I'm sorry I'm pushing too much, but that's not what I'm truly apologizing for."

"I don't understand."

Jack hopped a little closer to his precious girlfriend. He was a few inches from her. "I broke my promise to you. I am very sorry I did that. I never want to lie to you or break my promise to you. I am sorry."

As frustrated as she was with Jack, his words meant everything to her. Jack wasn't perfect. Neither was she. They were both learning to be teachable. They weren't so proud to think they had it all figured out and did everything perfectly. She fell deeper in love with Jack because they did talk things through. Along with the issues concerning Charles in the beginning of their relationship to this very issue with Jack pushing too much, they just talked. They both felt like their voices were heard when they spoke. They just didn't brush off the other one when they disagreed with them. He listened to her as much as she listened to him. This is truly a relationship where they were heard, respected, and loved. They were each other's helpmates in the truest sense of the word. If this continued into their adult life and in their marriage, she would be extremely happy.

"Thank you for saying that. And for that, you are truthfully forgiven." She leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss on the lips." Now, our group is probably waiting for us."

"Yes. Ms. T."

…

Mr. Callahan slowly walked up and down the aisles of desks in his honors math class. He had a math question on the whiteboard. He was intently watching his students work on finding the equation and the answer to the question. He knew it was a difficult question. He tapped the top of Charles' desk to regain his attention. He was aimlessly staring in the direction of Elizabeth. He made his way around the back of the row of desks and began walking toward the front of the class. He noticed Elizabeth was diligently working on the question. He quickly glanced over his shoulder making sure Charles was working on the problem at hand. He passed the desks walking toward his desk.

"Yes!"

Mr. Callahan jumped as someone in the class yelled the one word statement. The whole class turned to see who yelled.

Jack was sitting tall in his desk with his hands in the air. "Yes! Yes!" He yelled again.

"Mr. Thornton!" Admonish Mr. Callahan. "What is your problem?"

Elizabeth lowered her head and shook it. "He's going to be impossible to be around." She whispered.

"I beat her!" He exclaimed. "I really beat her to the answer!" The victorious smile ever growing on his face. He did a little dance in his desk's chair.

"You didn't." Stated Elizabeth in disbelief. "It only counts if you have the right answer." She glared at him.

"She's right, Mr. Thornton." Mr. Callahan stated as he began to walk toward Jack's desk. He stood beside the desk and looked down at his paper. Jack was enthusiastically bouncing in his seat. He turned the paper so he could see it. He quickly looked over Jack's work.

Elizabeth leaned over to see the paper, but couldn't because of the angle the teacher had it. She looked at the smirking expression on Jack's face. Then she turned her attention to Mr. Callahan. She intently watched him. After a few long, excruciating seconds, he turned the paper to face Jack. He slowly looked in Elizabeth's direction. He knew the playful teasing between them in their constant contest of answering the math questions. He also knew Elizabeth always won that battle.

"Well Mr. Thornton…you won today."

"Yes…finally!" Jack interrupted.

"But to win the title, you have to do it more than once."

"Are you kidding me Mr. Callahan? I'm just grateful I did it once!" He stuck out his chest in triumph.

Elziabeth huffed at Jack's playful smirk. "If I hadn't received that early phone call from Viola, I wouldn't be so tired."

"Are you really saying that you woke up ten minutes before you were supposed to is the reason I beat you in math?"

"Yes." She sat taller.

The class erupted in laughter. They were enjoying the banter between the two.

"Don't gloat too much Mr. Thornton…you only beat me one time."

"Yes, but I did beat you." He stuck out his chest a little. He was enjoying beating Elizabeth.

"A blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while."

"Very true, Ms. Thatcher. However, I did arrive at the answer before you did."

"Good grief." She huffed.

"You still haven't told me about what Viola wanted."

"Alright…" Mr. Callahan interrupted. "Jack finally was able to reach and touch a star today. I bet Ms. Thatcher will regain her title tomorrow."

"You better believe it." Elizabeth stated with confidence.

"Maybe so…but not today." Jack smirked.

"Let's get back to schoolwork." Charles huffed under his breath.

…

"Hey man…how are you?" Cory asked as he stepped beside Jack. They were all walking toward the cafeteria.

"Ok. Tomorrow I can begin walking on it a little with the crutches. I'm ready to lose these stupid things."

"I bet. You have plans this Saturday?"

Jack stole a glance toward Elizabeth. She discreetly shook her head.

"What do you say we have guy's night?"

"Oh, that sounds nice."

"Yeah, and we can have girl's night." Steph stated.

"I'm in." Elizabeth and Connie stated.

The couples enjoyed being together. They loved their significant other's company. They also enjoyed being with their friends. Since they all began dating, they haven't really hung out with just the girls or just the guys. They all hung out together. They all enjoyed being together, but it would be nice just to hang with the girls and with just the guys.

"Perfect. This Saturday, we hang out. We'll figure something out. Maybe we can end up at my house and get the fire pit going."

"Oh, that sounds great. We can find something to eat or go out. Then we can play music and just chill." Steven stated.

"Perfect."

"We'll get manis and pedis and then figure something else out." Elizabeth stated.

"That sounds awesome." Connie stated. "Maybe some shopping or something."

"Nice." Steph smiled.

They walked through the door of the cafeteria and their group was waiting for them with huge smiles.

"I thought you would spend the day studying?" Jack teased. He knew Elizabeth didn't like the fact that he answered the question first. She may be all prim and proper, but she had a competitive streak that ran deep. He thought it was great that she didn't play sports due to how competitive she is. She would foul out, start a fight, or be so competitive that no one would like her.

"Oh, I will." She smirked back as Adam came toward them for his customary hug.

…

"Hey. How are you today?" Viola smiled.

"Good. Are you having a good day?"

"I am Ted. I really enjoyed last night."

"Me too."

Ted sat down beside Viola. He began to pull out his biology book and notebook. "Thank you for meeting me there."

"I enjoyed listening to you play."

He bumped her shoulder with his. "Are you busy this Saturday?"

She couldn't keep the smile from forming on her lips. She really did enjoy the previous evening with this guy. He was so sweet, kind, and funny. "Do you have anything in mind?"

"Well…" He was nervous. He didn't know much about her background. From their first conversation, it sounded like she came from money. While her bag and clothes weren't lavish, over the top, they did seem nice. He came from a middle class family. They had everything they needed and many of their wants. It just wasn't extravagant. With him being a music major, money wasn't in abundance. When she smiled at him with that beautiful, perfect smile, he didn't care what she had. He was quickly falling for this girl. He didn't know her family nor had he googled her last name. He just didn't care. If she was willing to go out with him, he was going to make it the best date he could. He was still shocked when she spoke to him on the first day in class. "…I do actually."

"Saturday evening will be perfect."

"I'll pick you up at your dorm at nine."

"Nine? Ted, that's pretty late for a date."

"Nine in the morning…not at night."

"Nine in the morning…? Ted that's too early for a date." She gasped at the thought of getting up that early on a Saturday.

"Are you up for an adventure?"

She looked intently in those captivating eyes. They were beautiful and deep in meaning. She also saw a hint of mischievousness, or maybe a bit of a challenge. "Sure. I'm up for an adventure."

"Nine A.M. it is." He smiled. "I'll be at your dorm at nine. Wear jeans and a sweatshirt you don't mind getting dirty, wear boots and a jacket."

"Jeans and a sweatshirt and boots…and I'm going to get dirty?" Gasped Viola. "Where are you taking me?" She melted at his expression. It was so full of playful mischief. Then she huffed when the professor stepped into the classroom and immediately began speaking.

"You're not getting me in trouble like you did last week." He teased as he turned forward to face the professor. She stared at him as he began to find chapter four in the textbook.

"You got me in trouble." She huffed under her breath. "We're so not done with this discussion." She patted his forearm.

"We'll see."

…

Jack and Elizabeth had a good day. His ankle wasn't hurting. That was the first time since his injury it hasn't hurt at the end of a school day. They were past his stupidity from this morning. He was grateful she didn't hold that against him. He quickly realized when Elizabeth forgave him, she really meant it.

Jack still gloated over math class. Each time he brought it up, Elizabeth would just roll her eyes and look away. She really didn't like it, but she did love the look in Jack's eyes when he was teasing her. She couldn't understand how adorable he looked with that silly smirk on his face. It just didn't make sense to her. While he may have gloated, it never approached being mean. He was just ecstatic that he beat her one time. He honestly never thought he would. She vowed to herself that she would beat him on a history test.

Jack stopped hobbling when he walked through the front doors of the school. His cell phone buzzed in his pocket. He hopped to the side to get out of the way of students that were behind him. He settled his left foot on the ground to help in balancing.

"Huh…" He whispered in shock when he looked at his screen. He touched the button and slowly raised it to his ear. "Hey."

"Hey cous. How are you doing?"

"Good. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing well…Mom said you hurt your ankle. Is it healing well?"

"It is. How's everyone?"

"Good. Mom is mom…you know how she is. My sisters are doing well in school. The youngest is working on her violin solo."

"That's great. How's college?"

"That's why I'm calling…"

"Yeah…"

"I've met this girl."

"You met a girl?"

"Yup."

"You, the guy who has to practice so much that he doesn't have time to eat, met a girl?"

Elizabeth nodded and smiled as Steph walked by with Connie. She was standing beside Jack. She couldn't hear the caller's voice. She was absent mindedly listening to Jack as he spoke. She was also waving as other friends walked by.

"Am I talking to my cousin who said for years that he was never going to date in high school? Yet, he just brought home a girl to Nana's and Pops' during Thanksgiving break?"

"You got me man. I couldn't be happier." He reached for Elizabeth's hand. "Best decision of my life."

"I hear ya…I kind of feel that way about this girl."

"Have you dated her long?"

"We've talked a couple of times in class. I was playing at a fancy restaurant. She came to listen to me. We had dinner after I was playing."

"That sounds nice. So, what can I help with?"

"I'm planning on something this Saturday. I'm really nervous. What I have planned, I'm sure she has never done anything like it."

"How so?" Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand three times.

"I'm pretty sure she comes from money. Jack, I'm in college. I'm a guy who plays the piano for a couple of hours to dinner."

"So, Aunt Shirley told you about me and Elizabeth. If she's the right one, it won't matter. Elizabeth comes from money, but you would never know it. She's great." He lovingly spoke as he looked at his girlfriend. Jack knew she was the right one for him. Elizabeth didn't know what he was talking about, but she loved the look of love in his eyes. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Everything ok?" She whispered.

Jack nodded his head.

"That's why I'm calling you…I need your advice about her?"

"Hey man, how in the world would I know her? She's in college with you. I don't know anyone you know up there."

"You know this girl…"

"How can I know the girl?"

"She's Elizabeth's older sister."

"What?!" Jack's eyes immediately cut to Elizabeth. She saw the shock in his face and in his voice.

"Yeah, what do you know about Viola?"

Jack paused for a moment. He had to let the information from his cousin sink in a little. "Hold on a second." Jack spoke into the phone as he looked at his girlfriend. "I think you have something to tell me…" He whispered to Elizabeth. She looked at him very confused. He lowered his phone and touched the mic icon to place the call on speaker.

"Well Ted, the first time I met her she threw a towel and hit me in the head. She was very angry with me. She threatened me several times. She yelled for me not to touch Elizabeth again. Then scolded me for thirty minutes about being with her sister in the pool when she was dating another guy. I honestly thought she was going to jump into the pool to grab me by my ear."

Elizabeth's eyes opened wide. "Oh…yeah…" She whispered. With the day's busyness, she forgot to share the information she learned from her early morning phone call with Jack. They seemed to be interrupted all throughout the day. Plus, with the disagreement first thing, she had completely forgot to tell him.

"Yeah, she told me about that. Something about walking out and finding you and her little sister in a passionate kiss."

Elizabeth's face turned a little red with embarrassment at someone else knowing what happened. Then she remembered the feeling of being in the pool in Jack's arms. She also remembered the feeling of his backside in her hand. She leaned forward and whispered in Jack's ear. "We usually open the pool in late April. Ready for another swim?" She laughed when she felt Jack shiver.

"Elizabeth!" Jack blushed bright red.

"Is Elizabeth there?"

She waited for Jack to say something, but he was too flustered to speak. The image of her in a bikini and her closeness now, was just too much. She loved that she could get to him like that. She paused his brain. She just never knew she could affect a guy like that. She just didn't see herself that way.

"Hello Ted. I'm Elizabeth." She spoke after a few moments of silence.

"Elizabeth…" Ted voice was nervous.

"Don't worry. Jack just put you on speaker. I received a phone call this morning from my older sister about you."

"Oh no…"

"It's ok. I think Viola likes you." Elizabeth could sense a little bit of peace coming back to this new guy. "Hey Jack, I'm going to talk to the girls until you finish. We'll be by the car."

"I'll find you. Thanks."

…

Connie and Steph looked up when they noticed Elizabeth walking toward them. She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of her older sister dating Jack's cousin. She remembered during one of their conversations when Viola asked if Jack had another brother or cousin.

"Hey girl, what are you smiling about?"

"You're not going to believe this." She shook her head again.

"What?" An excited Steph asked.

"Jack's cousin and Viola went out last night. She called me this morning to tell me about him."

"Jack's cousin?!" Connie and Steph said at the same time in a raised voice. They stopped walking to their cars.

"Yeah…"

"How did she met him?" Connie stated.

"Where?" Steph added.

"At school. She said this hot guy came and sat beside her in Biology III class. He said there weren't any seats available. There were but she wanted him to sit beside her. He plays classical piano…" Elizabeth went into the story of how Viola met Jack's cousin. They made their way to Connie's car to sit and get out of the cold. The young ladies spend the next twenty minutes catching up on Viola's story. They also caught up on each other's life.

No one could believe the fact that Elizabeth's older sister met and went out with Jack's cousin. She didn't even know he was Jack's cousin when they began to talk. Each was excited that they would be attending colleges with their boyfriends. They were each playing basketball in college.

…

"So…you went out with Elizabeth's older sister?"

"Yeah…we talked a couple of times in class. She told me her last name and it sounded familiar. I just couldn't place it."

"Her dad owns a major shipping company."

"She asked if I knew of her father. She seemed a little shocked that I didn't. Do you think she would be ok with a guy who isn't a successful businessman?"

Jack thought about it for a few seconds. "To be honest, I just don't know her well enough to answer that question. I know Elizabeth isn't concerned about that at all. Her father and mother are fine with me becoming a teacher. They don't expect Elizabeth to date within their financial circles. Ted, they really are good people."

"That's great to hear."

"She caught Elizabeth and I in the pool and was very protective over her little sister. She threatened me a few times and even threatened to come into the pool to get us out of it."

"That must have been fun."

"A memory I do not wish to relive."

"I was just worried. Classical piano players usually don't make a ton of money."

"Wait, how many times have you two went out?"

"Only once so far. We have talked a few times in class. We have plans this coming Saturday. Jack, I really like her."

"Evidently." Jack laughed. "Elizabeth and I happened pretty fast too. You realize, Tom is dating their little sister, Julie."

"Wait…little Tommy is dating their sister?"

"Yeah…for months now."

"Months! That guy hasn't done anything for months let alone be with a girl that long." The shock was evident in Ted's voice. Jack couldn't keep from laughing. He leaned his back against the school. He glanced up and saw his girlfriend getting into Connie's car. He couldn't keep the smile from overtaking his lips.

"I hear you. Who would have imagined me, you, and Tom are dating a set of sisters."

"I can't believe it."

"So, you said something about Saturday. What do you have in mind?"

…

"Hey beautiful. How was your day?" Tom asked as he approached Juile at her locker.

"I'm good." She smiled staring at her phone. "Tom, you're not going to believe this!" She squealed in typical Julie fashion. She turned the phone so Tom could read the text from Viola.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Tom's eyes grew wide. "Your older sister is dating Teddy?"

"Teddy?"

"Yeah, he calls me Tommy and I call him Teddy. Neither of us likes the names. We do it to rag on each other. Where did she met him?"

"Evidently, they go to the same college. They met in class."

"Wow…that's crazy." Tom stated while Julie turned the phone back so she could see it.

"They have plans this coming Saturday that's freaking her out."

"Why is that. Teddy is a good guy. I don't know your sister very well, but Teddy is a great guy. He plays classical piano. That's what he is studying."

"Viola is a good one when she went away to college. She quit trying to impress people or be impressed with what they had. She was always nice to Elizabeth and me. I think she just got caught up in all the social stuff. We talked when she was home last, she seemed like she settled down a lot. She was talking about wanting to meet some guy. She was beginning to feel a little lonely."

"I can't get over that I'm dating you, Jack is dating Elizabeth, and my cousin, Teddy, is dating your oldest sister. This is just crazy." He could only shake his head at the incredible weird notion.

"Was he in Buxton?"

"No, Aunt Shirley was a little upset with him. She threatened to put him back up for adoption."

"He's adopted?"

"Yes. Around the same time when Jack was born…maybe a little after. I don't remember exactly."

Tom stated as he opened the front door of the school. As they walked through it, he glanced to his left. He noticed Jack leaning against the building. Julie noticed it too after she found Elizabeth's car still in its normal parking spot.

"Hey, Elizabeth is still here. I'm going to catch a ride home with her."

"Jack is over there. I'll catch a ride home with him. I'll call later."

"Perfect." She tip toed for a soft kiss.