Finding Libbie (6 page)

Jack’s family adored Libbie. Not only did his parents like her, but both Jan and Ray loved it when she came to the house, too. Libbie sometimes picked Jan up in the afternoon and took her shopping in town, trying on dresses and shoes just for the fun of it. Jack knew that Jan loved riding around in Libbie’s fancy car and being seen with her. It made her feel special, and Jack appreciated that Libbie did that for her. She was also nice to Ray, who had a wide-eyed crush on Libbie. Ray was into superhero comic books and baseball cards, and once in a while, Libbie brought him a new comic book or set of cards from her father’s store. Ray thanked her profusely each time, and Bev teasingly told her she’d spoil him rotten. But Libbie told Jack that she had so much fun doing it all. She’d always wanted a family like his, and she loved being a part of it.

They rarely hung out at the Wilkenses’ lake home anymore, opting instead to spend their free time either in town or on the farm. Jack and Libbie rode Sprite often, and they sat in the little rowboat on the lake. Sometimes Larry and Carol joined them and they had picnics on the lakeshore. Jack knew Libbie loved Larry’s quirky sense of humor. They always had fun when they were all together.

Late in August, Jack bought his very first truck with the money he’d been saving since he was fourteen. He proudly showed off his 1960 Ford F-100 to Libbie the day he bought it from the used car dealer in town. It wasn’t new and it wasn’t fancy, but it was his, and he beamed with pride when he took it to Libbie’s house for her to see.

Libbie had been sitting out by the lake with Carol, Matt, and Arnie when Jack showed up. They all whooped and hollered when they saw his truck, and the girls jumped into the front seat while the boys hopped into the bed to go for a ride. Jack had beamed with pride as they drove around the lake in his truck. Libbie’s friends had shiny new cars like she did, but they all acted like Jack had the best vehicle of them all, and he appreciated it. He felt like he was one of them, and it felt good.

CHAPTER SIX

A week before their senior year began, Jack took Libbie out for dinner to a nice restaurant in town. He had a surprise for her, and he wanted to give it to her in the most memorable way possible. They went to the Lakeshore Inn, a steakhouse with a lakeside view. Carol’s parents owned it, and it was one of the most expensive places to eat in their little town. Libbie had been pleasantly surprised when Jack had told her where they were dining.

She’d dressed up for him in a yellow sleeveless dress that had a wide white belt. It showed off her slender legs and tanned skin to perfection. Jack, wearing his only suit that was for special occasions, felt like the proudest person in town when he escorted her into the restaurant and to the table.

They felt very grown-up as the waiter asked them for their drink order and brought their sodas. They sat in a half-round padded booth that offered a view of the lake. It was cozy and intimate, exactly how Jack had hoped it would feel.

Libbie smiled up at him as she sat by his side. “This must be a very special occasion for you to bring me here. But it’s so expensive,” she whispered. “Are you sure you want to eat here?”

Jack reached for her hand. “I wanted to do something special,” he said. “Don’t worry about the money. Let’s just enjoy it, okay?”

Libbie agreed and they both ordered the steak and shrimp dinner. They talked easily as they ate and joked and laughed. Jack loved how easy it felt being around Libbie. She was more than a pretty face. She was smart and sweet and fun to be around. He just hoped she felt as strongly about him as he did her.

They shared a piece of cheesecake for dessert and then left the restaurant, hand in hand. Jack drove them to the other side of the lake to a favorite spot of theirs. It was a small park with huge old oak trees and pines and a narrow trail that ran beside the lake a short distance. It was still light out, so they got out of the truck and walked a short distance down the trail to a tree that grew out over the water. They ditched their nice shoes and carefully climbed out onto the thick trunk, their legs dangling and their toes barely touching the water.

“I love it here,” Libbie said, sighing.

“I have something for you,” Jack said, growing nervous. He pulled a velvet ring box out of his pocket and handed it to Libbie.

Her eyes grew wide as she stared at the box. “What is it?”

“Open it and see.”

Gingerly, she opened the box, and sitting there on the velvet was a brand-new high school ring with a gold chain attached to it. “Jack. This is your school ring. Why are you giving it to me?”

“I was hoping you’d wear it around your neck. Will you go steady with me, Libbie?”

Libbie gasped as she looked up into Jack’s eyes.

“I’m in love with you, Libbie. I told you I was going to try and win your heart this summer, and I hope I did. Please say yes, Libs. I want everyone to know that I love you and we’re together. Will you wear my ring?”

Tears filled Libbie’s eyes as she nodded. “You did win my heart, Jack. I love you, too,” she said softly.

Jack smiled as he lifted the ring and necklace out of the box. Libbie turned slightly and pulled up her hair so he could clasp the chain around her neck. He gently caressed the side of her face before kissing her softly on the lips.

Libbie fingered the ring. “You didn’t even get a chance to wear this ring,” she said.

Jack grinned. “I didn’t buy it for me, silly. I only bought it so I could give it to you.”

“Jack, you are the sweetest boy I’ve ever known. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” She reached up around his neck and kissed him again. They lost their balance for a moment and had to pull apart to steady themselves.

“We’d better get out of this tree before we fall in,” Jack said, laughing. He climbed down out of the tree and then helped her down. They stood on the path, holding each other close and kissing until they were both out of breath.

“I want to tell the world that I love you,” Jack said.

Libbie laughed. “What’s stopping you?”

Jack turned toward the lake and yelled at the top of his lungs, “JACK PRENTICE LOVES LIBBIE WILKINS!” His words echoed across the lake as both teens laughed.

Jack walked her back to his truck with his arm around her. She fit perfectly next to him, as if they were meant to be together. When they got inside the cab, Libbie turned to Jack and reached for his hand.

She looked up at him, a serious expression on her face. “I do love you, Jack. I’ve never felt like this about any other boy. I just hope you don’t mind if we take things slowly. I don’t want to end up pregnant and having to get married. It’s happened to so many girls I know. I hope you understand.”

Jack looked at her tenderly. “I will never ask you to do anything you don’t want to do,” he said softly. “You’ll always be safe with me.”

Libbie smiled up at him, and then he started up the truck to take her home.

“Do you think my parents heard you yelling all the way across the lake?” she asked, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

“I don’t care if they did. I’ll go inside and tell them myself if you want me to.” He grinned at her.

Libbie hit him playfully on the arm. “Don’t you dare. They’d have a cow. They’re still trying to get used to the idea that I spend so much time with you.”

Jack glanced over at her. “Okay. Whatever you say. The woman is always right.”

Libbie hit him again and then slid over to sit beside him as he drove her home.

“What is that thing you’re wearing around your neck?” Libbie’s mother asked her one night at dinner. Gwen and the baby were there, but Walter was at his weekly golf league. All eyes turned to Libbie and the ring around her neck.

It was only a week into the school year. Until now, Libbie had made sure to keep Jack’s ring under her clothes whenever she was at home. Tonight, however, she’d rushed home after cheerleading practice and changed quickly for dinner, forgetting about the ring. She looked up at her mother and could tell by the expression on her face that she knew exactly what it was.

“It’s Jack’s class ring,” Libbie said, lifting her chin in defiance. “He gave it to me.”

Gwen gasped. “You and Jack are going steady?”

Libbie looked at her father, who sat at one end of the table, and then at her mother. She sat up straight, trying to be brave. “Yes, we are.”

Abigail dropped her fork onto her china plate and ran her hand over her forehead. “Oh my God!”

Libbie glanced up at Gwen and saw a smug look cross her sister’s face. She was enjoying Libbie’s discomfort. To his credit, Randall kept his expression calm and unreadable.

“Do you mean to tell me that you and that
gas station boy
are serious?” Abigail said, her voice rising. “Ridiculous!”

“Now, Abbie. Let’s be calm about this,” Randall said gently.

“Calm? About our little girl dating
that
boy? Why, he’s not good enough to clean her car windows, let alone date her.”

“Mother!” Libbie exclaimed, shocked that her mother was being so rude. She knew her mother didn’t approve of Jack, but she’d never heard her say such mean things about anyone before. At least not outright.

“Abbie, please,” Randall said. “We don’t judge people by how they earn a living.”

Abigail stared hard at her husband. Libbie recognized that glare. Her mother was about to fly off the handle. Libbie shrunk down into her chair. No one wanted to be in Abigail Wilkens’s path when she lost control.

“Don’t you dare get on your high horse with me, Randall,” Abigail said in a low, menacing tone. “I don’t see you inviting your employees from the grocery store, hardware store, or any of our other businesses to come to our home and socialize with you. No, you socialize with people from our own class. I refuse to have our daughter becoming involved with a lowly gas station attendant.” Abigail turned her burning eyes on Libbie. “You are
not
to see this boy again, do you hear me? It’s over.” Abigail stood, threw her napkin on the table, and stormed out of the room.

Baby Lynn, sensing the turmoil in the air, began crying. Gwen lifted her from her high chair and tried comforting her.

Libbie’s body shook with fear as tears filled her eyes. She looked at her father for support, but it was useless. He only shook his head and shrugged. Libbie knew he couldn’t help her. He ran the businesses and controlled the money, but when it came to the family, her mother’s word was law.

“I’m sorry, kitten,” he said softly. Then he stood and headed in the direction Abigail had gone.

Libbie knew he was going to try to calm her mother down, but he’d be unable to change her mind.

“It’s for the best,” Gwen said over baby Lynn’s head. “That boy would never be able to give you the life you’re used to, if it came to that. Be thankful that Mother sees what a mistake you two are before it’s too late.”

Libbie narrowed her eyes at her sister. “You mean a mistake like getting pregnant and having to get married? You’re a good one to talk.”

Gwen’s lips formed a thin line. “You spoiled little girl. You have no idea how difficult life can be when you don’t have money. And if you stay with that boy, you’ll always be poor. Is that what you want? To live on that farm for the rest of your life? He’ll never be anything more than he is now, so don’t throw my life back in my face. At least my husband earns enough money to support me properly.”

Libbie stood so fast her chair fell back onto the floor with a thud. Lynn began to cry again. “There’s more warmth and love at that farm than all the money in the world can buy, so don’t you dare say another word against Jack or his family.” She turned and ran into the kitchen and up the back staircase to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Libbie dropped onto her bed and sobbed.
They can’t make me stay away from Jack! They just can’t!
She felt as if her whole world was caving in on her. Just last week, she’d been so blissfully happy, because of Jack. And now she felt trapped.

I could run away and never come back here,
she thought. But then what would she do for money? How would she live? She wouldn’t be eighteen until next April, so going out on her own would be difficult. And she’d have to give up so much if she did. But there was no way she was giving up Jack.

Wiping her tears away, Libbie sat up and carefully picked up the phone in her room. No one was on the line, so she dialed the number at the farm. After the second ring, Jan answered.

Libbie took a calming breath so she’d sound normal. “Hi, Jan. Can I talk to Jack?”

“Sure. Just a minute,” Jan said. Libbie could hear Jan hollering to Jack that the phone was for him. Even in her sadness, it made her smile. She pictured Jack in his room, sitting on his twin bed, doing his homework. She could practically hear him running down the stairs to the only phone in the house, in the dining room, to answer it.

“Hey, Libbie. What’s up? I was just thinking about you,” Jack said, sounding happy.

His sweet voice made her tears begin to flow again. She didn’t want to lose Jack. She just couldn’t. “Something’s happened. My mom and I had a terrible fight. I need to see you.”

“Are you okay?” Jack asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Yes. But I have to see you. Please come, Jack. Park down at Carol’s house and I’ll meet you there. You can’t come to my house. Hurry. Please.” She began sobbing again.

“I’ll be right there,” Jack told her. “I’ll hurry.”

Libbie hung up the phone and grabbed a handful of tissues to wipe away her tears. Finally, when she felt calmer, she changed into an old pair of jeans and a sweater, then went to her door and quietly locked it. She crossed her room, opened her bedroom window, and climbed out onto the slanted roof. There was a tree that grew close to the house, and she carefully climbed onto the thickest branch and made her way down the tree to the ground. She’d done this many times before, when she’d wanted to sneak out to a party with Bill, and she’d never been caught. Hopefully she wouldn’t be caught tonight, or it would make her situation even worse.

Carol lived two houses away, so Libbie headed to the bushes that separated their house from the neighbor’s and walked through them, so her parents or sister wouldn’t see her. The sun was just setting, so no one noticed her as she made her way to Carol’s house. She waited beside a large oak tree until she heard the rumble of Jack’s truck come down the road. Just as it came into view, she ran out and he stopped.

Libbie climbed up into the cab and reached for Jack. Tears fell down her cheeks and onto his shirt as he held her tight.

“What happened, Libbie?” Jack pulled away and looked down into her eyes. He wiped the tears away from her cheeks with the side of his thumb.

“My mother saw your ring,” Libbie said between sobs. “She was livid. She . . . she said I couldn’t see you anymore.” Libbie broke down again, and Jack pulled her close.

“Shh. It’s okay, Libbie. Everything will be fine.” Jack turned off the truck lights so no one would see them there and held Libbie as she cried. “I’m sorry your mother was upset about us going steady. Maybe if I talk to her it’ll be okay. She’ll see that I’m not all that bad.”