“Really swell dinner, Annie,” Doug said with a smile when Annie brought out a blueberry cobbler and a dish of whipped cream for dessert. 

Her face lit up at the compliment and Jess added, “It was really good!”  She’d gone all out, making Doug’s favorite roast chicken dinner and added Jess’s favorite macaroni and cheese. 

“Well, I wanted it to be special for you since you’re starting school tomorrow,” she said smiling kindly at both of them and Jess grinned even more broadly as a thrill of excitement went through her.  As much fun as she’d had that summer, spending hours each day with Marty, she couldn’t wait to go back to school.   

“This is a big year for you, Doug.  I can’t believe you’re a senior!” Annie added, her eyes suddenly shiny as she gazed at him with pride, and then she turned abruptly and left through the swinging door to the butler’s pantry, wiping her eyes with her apron.

“That’s right!” Uncle Jonathon said jovially, holding his hand out for Doug’s dessert plate.  “This is your last year!  Soon you’ll be taking your place at the business, working beside me.”  Jess could tell by the sudden change in Doug’s expression that this news was unexpected, but Uncle Jonathon didn’t seem to notice as he spooned cobbler on his plate. 

“You’ve worked hard Douglas.  You’ve earned this.  I’m proud of you son,” he said meaningfully, handing it back to him, and then cleared his throat. 

“Thanks – dad,” Doug said hesitantly, looking at his father with concern. 

“Jessica,” Uncle Jonathon said without looking at her, holding his hand out and clearly embarrassed he’d become emotional.  She gave him her plate, while Doug frowned down at his cobbler.

“I was planning to give you the corner office that Reynolds is using,” Uncle Jonathon continued as he handed Jess her plate back.  “Unless there’s another one you’d prefer.  You can have anyone you like.  Well, except mine, of course,” he said, chuckling at his own joke.  “But someday that one will be yours, Douglas,” he added more seriously.

“Uh, dad,” Doug said hesitantly.  “I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“Yes?” Uncle Jonathon replied, digging into his cobbler.

 “As soon as I graduate, I want to start right away and –.”

“That’s fine, son.  Fine,” Uncle Jonathon interrupted, beaming at him.  “I’m glad you’re so eager to begin.”

“Well – the thing is,” Doug continued.  “I was thinking I, uh, would work through the summer, and then go to the state university in the fall.”  

Uncle Jonathon appeared stunned, his smile vanishing.  Watching his expression change, Jess’s stomach sank, and she was immediately worried for Doug.  What was coming wasn’t going to be good.

“Why would you want to do that?” Uncle Jonathon asked with incredulity, his loud voice echoing off the wood paneling in the room.

“I thought it would be a good idea for me to learn more about the business, you know?” Doug replied, his voice wavering. 

“I never had to go to college to know how to run the mine!” Uncle Jonathon shouted with outrage.

“But, dad –.”  Uncle Jonathon banged his fist on the table as he leaned towards Doug.  Jess had never seen his face so red before, and she didn’t know how Doug wasn’t cowering in fear. 

“My father dropped dead of a heart attack when I was nineteen years old!” he thundered. “I wasn’t off at some college when that happened!  I was right there beside him!  And I took over the entire operation from that day on!  If he hadn’t prepared me for it from the time I was a boy, this family could have lost everything!”

“I know that, dad!”

“I thought that’s what I was doing with you!”

“But there are new technologies, new processes –.”

“That’s what we hire engineers and scientists for!” Uncle Jonathon said with exasperation, throwing his arms out. 

“I could take business classes too,” Doug pleaded.

“What was the point of all these years of hard work, if you were just going to up and leave the minute you turned eighteen?”  Doug looked stricken.

“Dad!  It’s not like that!” he cried.

“And I thought you wanted this,” Uncle Jonathon said, shaking his head as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I do!” Doug said desperately.

“I thought the mine and this family were important to you.”

“They are!” Doug replied with his voice cracking as tears sprang to his eyes. 

“Then you listen to me,” Uncle Jonathon warned, leaning forward again.  “Your duty is here at home!” he demanded, jabbing the table between them with his index finger.  “I have big plans for you, but they’re not going to happen if you’re wasting time at some school!”  Doug slumped and then hung his head. 

“So what’s it going to be?” Uncle Jonathon demanded, and Doug raised his head.  “Do you want to take your place at the mine?  Or do you want to leave?” 

“I want the mine!” he said desperately.

“Very well.”

Uncle Jonathon straightened to his usual stiff, upright position and picked up his fork.  Jess took a mouthful of her dessert, but it tasted like cardboard.  The tension in the air was thick, and she could tell that even though Uncle Jonathon gotten his way, he wasn’t happy.  He appeared shaken by the argument, but Doug looked far worse.  He was slumped over his plate, his eyes red-rimmed as he jabbed at his cobbler with a fork.  Sneaking glances at him, Jess’s heart broke for him, knowing his dream of going to college had just been shattered. 

She couldn’t help thinking back to her discussion with Annie.  As bad as she’d felt all summer being trapped on the property, at least she knew there would be a time when she’d be able to escape.  She could decide never to come back once she turned eighteen and left, but it would never be like that for Doug.  As soon as he graduated, he’d be tied to the mine for the rest of his life.  Even though it was the life he wanted, the confinement had to weigh heavily on him.

 “May I please be excused?  I’m finished,” he mumbled. 

Without looking up, Uncle Jonathon grunted in response, and Doug rose, leaving Jess alone.  Immediately uncomfortable, Jess hurried to finish the last of her dessert, not wanting to linger in case Uncle Jonathon focused his anger on her.  Luckily, he seemed lost in thought, and barely acknowledged her when she excused herself. 

When she reached the top of the stairs, she saw Doug’s bedroom door opened part way, and she couldn’t help peeking in as she passed.  He was standing in front of his desk with his hands on the back of the chair, his back hunched and his head hanging.  He looked utterly desolate and she stopped, her heart breaking for him all over again.  After a hesitation, she went to his doorway and knocked quietly on the frame. 

“Doug?”

He immediately turned his back to her, wiping his face.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice rough.

“Are you okay?” she inquired gently, walking into the room.

“I’m fine,” he muttered, still wiping his face as she approached him.  She sighed, looking up at his back, knowing he had to be in terrible pain.

“Do you – want to talk about it?” 

“No,” he said, and then sniffed.  She put her hand on his back, while he continued to wipe his face.

“I’m sorry your dad won’t let you go to college,” she said, and his shoulders curved inward.

“He thinks I don’t love him!” he sobbed.

“That’s not true, Doug,” she asserted, coming around to face him. 

Seeing the anguish in his tearstained face was too much, and she didn’t hesitate to step forward and put her arms around him.  He stiffened, and she worried maybe he didn’t welcome it, but then he relaxed and hugged her back.  She noticed right away how hugging him felt different than hugging Marty.  He was taller, her head barely reaching his shoulders, and bigger around.  Unlike Marty, he smelled like aftershave. 

“He knows you love him.  It’s just that – it’s been the two of you for so long,” she said, rubbing his back.  “He doesn’t want to lose you like he – like he lost your mom,” she added hesitantly, afraid she might make him more sad by mentioning her.

“Do you – do you really think so?” Doug asked hopefully.

“Yeah.  I know he loves you a lot.  That’s why he doesn’t want to let you go.”  He was quiet for a moment, but he kept his arms around her and she continued to rub his back while she waited, knowing he must be considering what she’d said. 

“I never thought about it that way, but you’re right,” he said, finally releasing her and wiping his face.  When she looked up at him, there was a mixture of gratitude and wonder in his blue eyes, and she smiled, knowing she’d been able to make him feel better.  “You know, I’m really glad you came to live here,” he said, his tone letting her know the thought had just occurred to him.

“Oh, thanks,” Jess said, startled by his admission, and then his face fell.

“I didn’t mean – I wasn’t trying to say – I’m not glad about your parents,” he sputtered.

“I know –.”

“Because that’s not what I meant at all!” he said, looking horrified.

“It’s okay, Doug,” she reassured him.  “I know you didn’t mean it that way.”

“It’s just –.”  He stopped and sighed.  “It’s better here, than it was before – with you living with us.  That’s what I wanted to say.”  Jess was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.  She had been so used to feeling unwanted for such a long time, to hear him admit his life was better with her there suddenly brought tears to her eyes. 

“Thank you, Doug,” she said sincerely, blinking hard.  “I should go to bed,” she said, heading for the door before she embarrassed herself by crying in front of him.  “We have to get up early tomorrow.”

“Good night, Jess,” she heard when she reached the door, and turned around.  Doug was looking at her with that look of wonder again, and she couldn’t help smiling.  She’d hoped he would be like a big brother to her when she’d come to live there almost a year and a half ago, and it had happened.

“Good night, Doug,” she replied happily before turning to leave.

The next morning while she dressed, Jess was a bundle of nervous energy, ecstatic about returning to school.  She couldn’t wait to see Louise, and Marty too.  She hoped she was in lots of classes with both of them.  When she went downstairs and entered the dining room, she wondered what mood her uncle would be in after the previous night’s fight with Doug, but he seemed the same as he always did, dressed in his suit and reading a folded newspaper.

“Good morning, Uncle Jonathon,” she said, taking her seat.

“Good morning,” he said distractedly, not bothering to look up.

“Hi, dad,” Doug said, coming into the room.  “Morning, Jess.”

Uncle Jonathon looked up and smiled. 

“Douglas!” he said heartily.  “Have a good night’s rest?” 

“Yes, sir,” Doug said, smiling back at him as he sat. 

Jess could see the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and when he dropped his head while putting his napkin in his lap, he seemed sad.  Even though he’d come to terms with why his father wouldn’t let him go to college, that hadn’t changed the fact he still wasn’t going, and she knew that had to hurt him terribly.  While the three of them ate their breakfast, Uncle Jonathon talked with Doug about the mine, not seeming to notice his subdued answers. 

On the car ride to school, Doug was especially quiet, and not knowing what more she could say that would make him feel better, Jess left him alone with his thoughts.  As soon as he’d parked the car and she got out, she heard, “Jess!”

Recognizing Louise’s voice, she grinned as she turned around, and then had to work to keep the smile going.  Louise’s red curls that always bounced as she walked, were now straightened and shaped into the popular tight hairstyle that most of the girls were wearing.  Jess couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t as flattering as her natural curls.

“How was your summer?” Louise exclaimed, bounding up to her and giving her a tight hug.

“Swell!  How was yours?”

“Busy, but fun,” Louise laughed, her eyes twinkling with joy.  “Well?  What do you think?” she asked, patting her hair gently as she tilted her head and posed.

“It’s really nice!” Jess lied.

“I always wanted to do something with my hair and my mom finally let me get it styled.  It was a lot of money, but she did it to pay me back for all the babysitting.”

“That was real nice of her.” 

“Get your schedule!” Louise exclaimed, pulling an index card out of her purse.  “Let’s see how many classes we have together!”  Jess quickly complied, and they held them up side by side.  “Oh, no.  We’re not in the same homeroom,” she cried disappointedly.

“But look!  We have English, P.E., chemistry, and typing together.  That’s pretty good!”

“I wish it was more,” Louise pouted just as the bell rang.  “But I’ll take it.”

“Come on,” Jess laughed, taking her arm and striding towards the building. 

Once she and Louise parted ways, she found her homeroom.  Walking through the doorway, her eyes immediately went to the back of the room, but Marty wasn’t there.  Taking a seat near the door, she said ‘hi’ to the people she knew, but then pretended to be busy looking for something in her purse so they wouldn’t start a conversation with her. 

She could feel her excitement and nerves increasing as she kept her attention on the door out of the corner of her eye, hoping to see Marty.  And then he was there.  She looked up at him, his warm brown eyes catching hers and reflecting the same happiness she was feeling.  Then he turned and headed to the back of the room and she leaned forward with her heart leaping in her chest.  Resting her elbows on her desk, she covered her cheeks with her hands to hide the blush she felt cover them. 

Attending her next three classes, Jess was disappointed that Marty was only in one, world history, but at least the teachers didn’t make a big deal out of her being there like they had a year ago.  Leaving history class, she walked close behind Marty, but then Louise found her and she reluctantly went with her to go eat lunch.  When they entered the small gym, Louise scanned the room, then headed for the table filled with all the same girls they’d always ate with. 

There were greetings all around as they took their seats, then she opened her lunch sack and pulled out a sandwich, keeping an eye out for Marty.  When he appeared, she was relieved to see him carrying a paper sack, and she turned her attention back to unwrapping her sandwich.

“Oh, Jess, I, uh, need to go check my hair in the bathroom,” Louise said.  “Will you come in case I need help?”  Jess was about to laugh because it seemed like such a ridiculous request.  Surely Louise didn’t need help with her hair, but from the look in Louise’s eyes, it was clear something was up.

“Oh, uh, sure thing,” she said, setting her sandwich down.

When she and Louise stepped out into the empty hall, Louise looked all around, then leaned closer to Jess, putting her hand on Jess’s arm to slow her steps.

“My birthday is this Friday,” she said in a low voice, her eyes twinkling as they walked.  “My mom said I can celebrate after school with a few friends.  Do you want to go out for ice cream?”

“Yeah!” Jess said, grinning ecstatically.  This would be her first opportunity to do something with Louise outside of school.

“I didn’t want to ask at the table since I can’t invite everyone.  You’re my best friend, and those other girls – well, I’d rather just celebrate with you.”

“Yeah,” Jess replied, understanding exactly what she meant.  She’d made the same decision when it was time to celebrate her birthday, except she’d chosen not to celebrate with anyone besides family since Louise wouldn’t have been approved by her uncle.  Then disappointment washed over her as she thought of something. 

“But my cousin normally takes me home right after school,” she said with a pained expression.  “I don’t know how I’m going to get home.”  Louise frowned at her for a moment, and then her face lit up.

“Why doesn’t he come with us?  My mom said I could invite a few people.  Then he can take you home after!” she exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement, and Jess had to laugh.  She knew Louise’s sudden excitement wasn’t just because she’d figured out a solution.  Probably every girl in the school had a crush on Doug, and it was funny seeing her friend smitten. 

“Swell!  I can’t wait!” Jess said, opening the door to the bathroom. 

When she stepped inside, she was startled to see a group of girls huddled together at the far end of the room.  They all turned and from the looks on their faces, Jess knew she and Louise had just interrupted something.  Then she saw who was in the center of the group, and her heart sank.  Donna’s delicate features were red and tearstained, and it was clear the girls had been trying to console her.  When she lifted her head, a look of deep pain was in her blue eyes, but then she focused on Jess and her expression changed.

“You!” she said in a strangled cry, stepping out of the circle of girls as her face contorted in fury.  “Are you happy now?” she demanded, stalking towards Jess.

“What’s the matter?” Jess asked, shrinking under her withering glare.

“He broke up with me!” she cried.  “He broke up with me because of you!”

“You’re crazy!” Louise shouted with outrage, stepping in front of Jess to shield her.  “He didn’t break up with you because of Jess!  She’s his cousin, in case you hadn’t noticed!”

“It’s because of his dad!” Jess declared, coming around her friend with her hands out.  “He has these – ideas about money and status and – who Doug should be around.”  Donna stared at her, searching her eyes with confusion.  “He’s the reason Doug broke up with you, not me.  I’m really sorry,” she added gently, and Donna’s face crumpled. 

Overwhelmed with grief, she began crying again and the girls surrounded her, trying to console her while Jess watched them, tears pricking her own eyes as she listened to Donna’s sobs.

“Come on, Jess,” Louise said quietly, tugging on her arm.  “We should go.” 

Jess hesitated, not wanting to leave when Donna was obviously hurting, but what could she possibly do to make her feel better?  She reluctantly turned and followed Louise out the door.  She knew the fact that Doug had decided to end things with Donna right after the argument with his dad couldn’t be a coincidence.  Was this his way of trying to be a better son?  By breaking it off with a girl he knew his dad wouldn’t approve of?   No wonder he’d looked so sad that morning, she thought with a sigh. 

“Is your uncle really like that?” Louise asked as they walked back to the lunch room, and Jess slumped.

“Yes,” she replied simply, not wanting to lie to her.  The truth had to come out eventually and it might as well be now.

“Oh,” was all Louise said, and Jess was too embarrassed to look up, knowing Louise had just figured out that her uncle thought of her the same way.  When they sat back at the table, Jess tried to push her sad thoughts away by thinking about her upcoming classes and whether Marty would be in any of them. 

To her delight, she discovered he was in her next two classes, geometry and chemistry, and then she and Louise had gym at the end of the day.  When they left the school, Louise said, “Don’t forget to ask Doug about Friday!” and then gave her a quick hug before walking off. 

Jess located Doug and surreptitiously scrutinized him as they walked to his car.  The stony look on his face let her know he was just as upset as Donna. 

“Are you okay?” she asked as soon as they were in the car with the doors closed.

“I’m fine,” he replied through clenched teeth.

“I know what happened with –.”

“Don’t!” he snapped, cutting her off and glaring at her, but she could see the pain in his eyes.  “Just don’t,” he muttered, turning the key in the ignition.  The engine roared to life and he backed out of the parking space.

Wanting to change the subject, Jess said, “Do you remember my friend, Louise?  Her birthday is on Friday and she wanted to take me out after school to celebrate.  You can come too and then we can go home after.”

“Yeah, sure, Jess,” he muttered.

She turned her head to look out the window while he drove, her heart breaking for both of them.  If only her uncle wasn’t so rigid, so many people would be happier, she thought sadly.  Doug would be free to date the girl he loved, he could pursue his dream to go to college, and Jess could be open and honest about her friendships with Louise and Marty.  Instead, he ruled over all of them, his skewed beliefs on status and power making them miserable.

Once home, she gave a quick hug to Annie and reassured her she’d had a good first day of school, then hurried upstairs.  After all the sadness her uncle had caused, she couldn’t wait to get to the cabin.  She just wanted to relax in Marty’s peaceful presence where she could forget about all of it for a little while. 

Changing out of her school clothes, she gathered her school books and ran downstairs, grabbing the basket on her way out the door.  As soon as she saw the cabin, she felt better, even though the door was closed.  This was her sanctuary as much as it was Marty’s, she realized.  She opened up the cabin, then set the food out on the table so it would be ready when he got there. 

“Hey, Jess,” Marty said, smiling as he strode through the living room with his books.

“Hi, Marty,” she said grinning back, her heart swelling with joy.

She felt the urge to leap at him and give him a big hug, grateful to finally be alone with him, but she took her place at the table instead and he set his books down so he could get a drink of water at the pump.  Throughout the summer, she and Marty had been careful around each other, not hugging or holding hands once since the incident when she’d fished for the first time.  She knew it was important to keep her distance with him so she could protect him and everybody else she cared about, but it was still hard. 

“Looks like we got some good classes this year,” Marty said, taking his seat opposite her.

“Yep, I think it’s going to be a good year.”

“I told Mr. Dwyer I got chemistry, and he said he’d teach me some things,” Marty said, beaming with pride.

“That's really good.”

“He reckoned I might even be able to make some of the simple compounds if I get good enough.”

“That’s swell, Marty!” Jess exclaimed, understanding what an opportunity Mr. Dwyer was offering him. 

While they got started on their first geometry assignment, Jess couldn’t help watching him, thinking about how much he’d changed since she first met him.  The lonely boy with shaggy hair and grimy, tattered clothes that didn’t fit him was gone.  Now he had a job that paid well enough he could afford new clothes and haircuts, and his future looked much brighter.  Perhaps with Mr. Dwyer’s help, he could even become a druggist.  Having a career like that would mean he’d never have to worry about money again. 

“What?” Marty asked, lifting his brown eyes to meet hers, smirking he’d caught her yet again.

“Nothing,” Jess said, leaning over her book, blushing heavily with embarrassment. 

****

Sad times for Doug and Donna!  What do you think of Uncle Jonathon's blow up at Doug's decision to go to college?  And what about Doug breaking up with Donna?  Do you think it's really the end, or will Doug not be able to stay away from her?  Marty and Jess aren't prominent in this chapter, but I think you can get a sense of how their relationship is progressing.  I can't wait to hear what you think about that, and everything else in this chapter!

Thank you so much for reading and loving this story!  I really hope you liked this chapter and if you did, please consider giving me a vote!  The video is Arrivederci by Marino Barreto.  The picture is Sandra Dee aka Donna.