"Do we have everything we need?" Jess asked, surveying the dining room table.

"I think so," Annie replied.

"I feel like we're missing something."

"No," Annie said slowly, looking at the place settings.  "I'm sure it's all here."

"Do you think we made enough food?"

Annie laughed.  "Yes, we made enough.  We could feed an army today."

"I just want this lunch to go well," Jess said, and Annie went to her with kind smile.

"It's going to go fine," she reassured.  "You don't need to worry about it."

"What about Uncle Jonathon?"

"He knows how important this is to you."  Annie put her hand on Jess's shoulder.  "I promise.  Everything is going to be okay." 

Jess sighed, knowing there was no use arguing.  Annie was still determined to see the positive in him, but she wasn't so sure.  Since when did her uncle ever care about what was important to her? 

Now that he'd lost control over the family and business, he'd become more insular, spending most of his days reading in the library or taking walks in the expansive yard with Annie.  But what hadn't changed was that Jess saw no sign he was truly sorry for what he'd done to her and Doug.  He acted as if none of it had ever happened.  Still angry for all the years he'd treated her badly, Jess had as little to do with him as possible. 

"They're here," Annie announced, and Jess suddenly felt sick to her stomach watching a well-used older Buick slowly approach the garage through the diamond paned window.  It was too late to back out now.  She just hoped her uncle wouldn't say or do something that would embarrass her today.

"I better get your uncle," Annie said, heading out of the dining room and Jess followed her down the hallway.  Annie disappeared into the library just as Doug stepped out of the grand parlor. 

"I was coming for you.  It looks like they're here."

"Will you come outside and greet them with me?" Jess asked, opening the front door.

"They're your friends, Jess."

"I know, but - please?"

"Okay, if you want me to," Doug said, giving in.

Harold was climbing out the driver's side door when they came out, and behind him, Marty got out of the back seat.  He looked so handsome in dark trousers and a short sleeved white button down shirt with his golden brown hair neatly styled, and Jess smiled, immediately feeling better.  Then she noticed his darkening expression.  He was walking around the back of the car, but the focus of his attention was on James who was scowling at him from inside the open garage. 

Jess rounded on Doug.  "Look at James!  Does he think my friends shouldn't be allowed to visit?"

Doug observed him with a frown.  "I'll talk to him later."

"I don't know why he has to be so rude all the time," Jess muttered.  "Can't he at least, just this once -."

"Donna!" Doug gasped, his eyes widening, and Jess turned back towards the car.

Marty was holding the door open for her as she got out of the back seat and Jess couldn't help admiring her.  She looked stunning, like a model from a magazine in a pale yellow print dress and white pumps.  Her hair was shorter than the last time Jess had seen her, and styled in a bouffant with a matching pale yellow bow pinned on one side.  The only thing that marred her beauty was the way she held her handbag tight against her chest and the worried look in her blue eyes as she examined the house.

"You invited her?" Doug asked under his breath. 

"I didn't think it was fair for me to get to be with the person I love, and you didn't.  I hope it's okay I asked her."

Doug shook his head with a grim expression.  "It doesn't matter, she'd never want me back, not after all the times I hurt her."

"She's here, isn't she?" Jess said, taking his hand.  "She wanted to see you."  He didn't say anything, his eyes full of uncertainty and pain.  "I know you still love her.  I want you to be happy, Doug.  Come on, this is your chance."  She gently pulled, and after a hesitation, he let her lead him off the porch.

Harold had opened the passenger door for Louise, and Jess let go of Doug so she could give her a hug.  "Thanks for coming."

"Gosh, Jess. Your home is so pretty," she said when Jess released her, and then leaned close and whispered, "I hope I dressed alright."

"You look great!" Jess reassured her.  "I love your dress," she said, noting how the mint green and white cotton dress complimented her auburn curls.

"Thanks!"

"Hello, Harold," Jess said, shaking his hand.  "It's nice to see you again."

"Hi," he said, ducking his head while his face flushed, and Jess had to suppress the urge to laugh that he was still so shy around her.  Then she turned to Marty with wide smile.

"Hi, Marty," she said quietly.

"Hey," he said, grinning back at her. She wanted to hug him, but not knowing who might be watching from inside the house, she squeezed his hand instead.  Then she went past him to greet Donna. 

"I'm awful glad you came," she said, taking Donna's gloved hand.  She could feel it shaking slightly and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thank you for inviting me," she replied, then looked over Jess's shoulder, her expression changing.  It was the same pain and uncertainty Jess had seen in Doug's eyes a moment earlier.  Jess turned to Doug and held her hand out to him.  When he took it, she placed Donna's hand in his.  "Doug is glad you're here too, aren't you, Doug?"

"Yes. Yes, I am," Doug said, but he was looking at Donna as if he was drinking her in.  "You look - beautiful," he said, and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. 

When he pulled back, her eyes were glowing, and Jess felt hopeful.  It was clear they were still in love.  If they could work through all the things that had happened in the past, they had a good chance of making it. 

Turning to her friends, she realized it was time to get through the hardest part.  "Should we go inside?" she said cheerily to mask her nervousness.

"What about our things?  Should we leave them in the car?" Louise asked.

"Why don't you bring them in," Jess said, grateful for the extra minute it would give her.

Harold opened the trunk and Louise and Donna pulled out canvas bags while Marty took a rolled up towel.  Doug led Donna inside with Harold and Louise following.  Jess held her hand out to Marty and he took it.  Even though he smiled, she could see he was just as nervous as she was.  She squeezed his hand, and he gave her a squeeze back.

Leaving their bags in the foyer, they followed Doug down the hallway to the dining room where Uncle Jonathon was seated at the head of the table.  As they entered, he stood while Annie stepped closer to him.  When Marty saw him, he came to a stop while his hold on Jess's hand tightened, shock registering on his face before he managed to hide it. By now Jess was used to seeing how much older her uncle appeared after the heart attack, but this was Marty's first time seeing him.

Jess forced her nerves down and came forward to do the introductions.  "Uncle Jonathon, Annie, this is Louise, my best friend."

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Annie said, walking around the table with her hand out. "I've heard a lot about you over the years."

"It's nice to meet you too," Louise said, shaking Annie's hand.

"Louise," Uncle Jonathon said simply when it was his turn, giving her short hand shake.

"And this is her steady beau, Harold."

Harold bobbed his head when he shook their hands, unable to speak when he was greeted.

"And - Marty," Jess said, not knowing how else to introduce him. The last time he'd seen both of them hadn't been under very good circumstances.

"Marty, I'm glad you're here," Annie said sincerely, taking his hand with a warm smile.

"Thank you," he replied smiling back at her, then it dropped as he looked at Uncle Jonathon warily.  Uncle Jonathon stuck out his hand and they had the briefest of handshakes before letting go, neither saying anything, and Jess breathed a sigh of relief.  

The most important thing to her was that Marty be welcomed into her family, or at least the family she cared about.  But with Uncle Jonathon stubbornly refusing to acknowledge he'd done anything wrong, it had left her in a terrible bind.  Marty deserved an apology from him, and that was probably never going to come.  It wasn't right, but in the end, Jess had decided she wasn't going to let her uncle deprive her of what she'd wanted for so long, that Marty be an accepted part of her life. 

"Dad, Annie, this is Donna," Doug said, bringing her forward. 

"It's very nice to meet you," Annie said kindly, taking Donna's hand in both of hers.

"Thank you," she replied, almost in a whisper.  "Sir," she said, bowing her head when she shook Uncle Jonathon's hand, and Jess felt for her, knowing how intimidated she must feel. 

"Why don't you come sit next to me," Annie said, putting her arm around Donna's shoulder and she visibly relaxed.  "Doug, you can sit next to her." 

At Annie's direction, Louise and Harold took seats on Uncle Jonathon's other side, and then Jess and Marty sat next to them.  Jess was grateful Annie had seamlessly sat Donna in a sheltered position, and put Marty in the spot furthest from her uncle. 

Once they were settled, they began passing around dishes heaping with potato salad, buttered beans, fried chicken, mustard greens, and corn bread.  When they began to eat, there was a tense silence, and then Annie asked Louise about her family's restaurant.  Soon there was a steady stream of conversation and Jess could feel her friends relax.  With the exception of Uncle Jonathon and Harold who remained silent, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Jess was relieved that even Marty was laughing at jokes and contributing to the discussion.

As they finished, Annie looked around the table.  "It's been swell having all you young people here.  This is just like the old days, isn't it?" she added, beaming at Uncle Jonathon. "You and Billy used to have the best parties!" 

Jess and Doug glanced at each other and he seemed just as startled as she was.  It was hard to believe Uncle Jonathon and her dad had friends over for parties.  Except for Doug's birthday and Uncle Jonathon's yearly office Christmas party, they never had people come to the house.

"Yes, we did," Uncle Jonathon said, studying Annie, and then he looked at his plate.  "I - miss them," he said, his voice suddenly gruff.

"I miss them too," Annie said sadly, reaching for his hand. "Too many of the old gang are gone."

Uncle Jonathon continued to frown at his plate while Annie blinked hard.  It seemed they were lost in memories, their sadness over lost friends palpable.  Then Jess noticed the intense way Doug was watching Annie holding his father's hand and when his eyes met hers, she knew he'd just figured out what she'd known for nearly two years; that Annie was in love with his father. She gave him a comforting smile, hoping the knowledge wasn't as big a blow to him as it had been for her.

"Should we change into our bathing suits?" she suggested to cover the awkward silence.

Everyone stood while thanking Annie for the wonderful lunch.  "It was my pleasure," she said, smiling happily even though her eyes were red. "I'll pack some fruit and cookies for you to take with you."

Jess led the way to the foyer so they could collect their bags and then the girls went with her to change.

"Your bedroom is huge!" Louise said with wide eyes as soon as she'd walked through the doorway. 

"You're so lucky," echoed Donna, seemingly equally impressed as she took in the room. 

It had been a long time since Jess thought about how big the room was and she looked around with a fresh perspective.  "When I first came here, it scared me to have such a large room," she said, remembering how unsettling it had been. "It was quite an adjustment coming from a tiny apartment in New York City to - all this."

"I bet.  And you'd just lost your parents too," Louise said.  "I could tell you were still sad about them when I met you."

"It wasn't easy - but Annie did a lot to make me feel welcome," Jess said, not wanting her friend to feel sorry for her.  "She became like a mom almost right away, and then there was Marty." Louise opened her mouth, but Jess spoke up. "I'll tell you all about that later.  We should change so the boys won't be left waiting."

As soon as they had their bathing suits and cover-ups on, Jess led them down the back stairs to the kitchen.  Annie was washing dishes at the sink and on the counter was a picnic basket and folded blanket.  "Have fun, girls," she called out cheerily, while they headed to the butler's pantry. 

Jess had been right. Even though they'd been quick to change, the boys were already waiting for them at the front door dressed in swim trunks and t-shirts.

"Took you long enough," Doug said with a smile.  He had Jess's portable record player and a stack of 45's in one arm, but held his free hand out for Donna.  She smiled as she took it and he went out the front door, followed by Louise and Harold.  Marty threw his towel over his shoulder and took the picnic basket from Jess.  Slipping his fingers through hers with a huge grin, they stepped outside.

With Doug in the lead, they went behind the garage and then were on the path.  They hadn't walked very far before Jess felt Marty's hold on her hand tighten as he stopped walking.  She gave him a questioning look as he pulled her towards him, but he was peering over her shoulder to make sure Louise and Harold hadn't noticed.   As they disappeared from view around the curve, he wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her close. 

"I'm overdue for my first kiss of the day," he said quietly, and before she could respond, his mouth was on hers. 

Feeling his tongue touch her as his lips caressed hers, she gasped and he tightened his arm, holding her more firmly against him.  It was something he'd started doing with more frequency, and the effect was always instantaneous.  A fire rose up inside her as she kissed him back fervently, all thoughts of what they were supposed be doing leaving her mind. 

When he finally released her, the corners of his mouth were twitching.  "I sure hated having to wait for that."

"Me too," she said breathlessly.  "But - we better go."  She started down the path, but he pulled her back.

"Not so fast.  I'm overdue for my second kiss of the day too."  Before she could protest, his mouth was on hers again, taking her breath away, but after a moment, she struggled to get out of his embrace.

"They're going to wonder what happened to us," she said.  He began kissing her neck and her eyes fluttered closed, feeling him taste her skin. 

"No - they - won't," he said between kisses.

"What if - what if they come looking for us?" she said, and he lifted his head.

"Alright, alright," he said, reluctantly letting her go with a rueful smile.  "I can see I'm going to have to get used to sharing you."

"I guess you are," she said sympathetically while taking his hand.

They rounded the corner and to Jess's embarrassment, the other two couples were waiting for them.  "We thought we'd lost you," Louise said with a glint in her eye.

"You two lovebirds need to save it for the pond," Doug teased, and Jess could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks.  "You're holding up the show."

"Sorry," Jess said, and then turned to Marty.  "I told you," she mouthed angrily, and he barked out a laugh, clearly not embarrassed at all.

Upon entering the clearing, Jess heard an audible gasp from Donna.  "What a charming little cabin!  Can we look inside?"

"Uh," Doug said, drawing it out.  He put his arm around her waist to keep her walking.  "It's just a shack, really.  There's nothing to see in there."

"Oh, alright," Donna said, sounding disappointed, and Marty and Jess exchanged looks.

"I can't wait for you to see the pond," Doug said more brightly, and Donna smiled up at him.  "It's really pretty.  I know you're going to love it!" 

"Did you ever find out what the deal is with the cabin?" Marty whispered close to Jess's ear.

"No," Jess replied, keeping an eye on the others to make sure they couldn't hear.  "Whatever happened there must have been pretty bad, the way everyone acts when the subject comes up.  It's never seemed like a good time to bring it up, but the next time I'm alone with Annie, I'm going to see if I can get her to tell me the story." 

When they reached the pond, they stashed their things under the willow tree, then waded into the water.  Almost immediately, Marty and Jess started splashing each other and soon a water war ensued between all of them.  After a while, they tired of swimming and Jess started up the record player.  With song after song playing, they danced near the shore while the sun dried them.  Thirsty and hot, Jess went to the picnic basket to get bottles of Coca Cola for everyone.  When she handed Doug and Donna theirs, he led her away from the group to sit under a tree by themselves.

"I'm ready to swim again," Marty declared after draining his bottle. 

"Not me, I'm tired," Jess said.

"Me too.  I want to rest," Louise added.

"Swim?" Marty asked Harold.

"Sure, why not," the boy said with a shrug and they splashed back into the water.

"I didn't know Doug and Donna were back together again," Louise said once they were alone.

"This is the first time they've seen each other in a while," Jess said, spreading the blanket out for them.  "I'm hoping things are finally going to work out for them."

"So - you and Marty," Louise said as she sat next to Jess.  "You two were really seeing each other all these years?" 

Jess took a sip from her bottle to hide her sudden guilt.  She knew this question was coming since she and Louise had been too busy with their lives to talk after her uncle's heart attack and graduation.  Was her best friend going to be angry for all the lies she'd told over the years?  She took a deep breath.  "Yes, we were seeing each other.  I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth from the beginning."

"I knew there was something going on between you two," Louise said, shaking her head.

"I wanted to be honest with you.  I really did!" Jess continued.  "But it had to be a secret.  He was trespassing on the property and if my uncle found out, it would have been bad."

"It's okay, Jess.  I understand why you had to be careful."  Jess was relieved.  She could tell by the sincerity in Louise's eyes she meant it.  "How are things with your uncle now?  I mean, if Marty and me are coming to your house, it must be a lot better between the two of you."

Jess shrugged.  "It's better because he's no longer in charge of my life.  He can't tell me what to do anymore, but - I wouldn't say things are okay between us.  He did a lot of things he shouldn't have to me and Doug, and to Marty.  Until he's apologized, and I know he means it, I'm not going to be able to forgive him." 

"I'm sorry about that, Jess," Louise said, her eyes full of pity.

"Enough about me," Jess said quickly, wanting to change the subject.  "I want to hear about you and Harold.  It looks like things are going well between you." 

Louise's face lit up at the mention of his name.  "They're going very well," she said, and then she leaned closer.  "You won't believe it!  When he picked me up, he asked if he could talk to my dad tonight." 

Jess's mouth dropped open.  "No!"

"Yes!  I was so shocked, I couldn't speak.  I think he thought I was going to say no."  Jess couldn't help laughing.  "We've been talking about getting married for a while, but I wasn't sure he'd have the courage to actually ask my dad for permission."

"Well, good for him.  I'm so happy for you!" Jess said, hugging her friend,  and Louise let out an excited squeal.

"Someday, it'll be you and Marty," she said when Jess let go.  "And then we'll be two old married ladies."

"College first," Jess said, looking out at the pond where Harold and Marty were talking while they floated.  "Marty doesn't want to get married until we've graduated and he can support me."

"Do you think you can wait that long?" Louise asked quietly.

"It won't be easy," Jess said, feeling her face flush as she remembered the heat from Marty's kisses earlier.  "But I think we're strong enough," she added, focusing her attention on Doug.  After seeing how much pain had been caused because Doug's mother hadn't been married when she got pregnant, she and Marty were determined to be careful.

"What are you two talking about," Marty asked, appearing through the willow branches with Harold following.

"Oh, nothing," Louise said, giving Jess a knowing smile.

Marty flopped on the blanket next to Jess.  "Then why is Jess blushing?"

"I'm not blushing!" Jess said, covering her cheeks while her face got hotter.  Seeing her embarrassment, Marty smirked and she tried to grab his arm to give him a shake, but he dodged out of the way, laughing loudly.  "You're incorrigible!"

"What did I do?" he asked sweetly, his eyes feigning innocence.  Louise and Harold laughed, and Jess couldn't help joining in.

~

When the sun began to sink below the tree line, Louise stood and stretched.  "We should get going," she said.  Jess wanted to beg her friend to stay longer since they were having such a good time, but she understood why Louise wouldn't want to linger. 

While they packed up their towels, empty Coca Cola bottles, and the 45's, Doug said, "Uh, I'm going to take Donna for a walk, to show her around the property.  I'll take her home later."

"Oh, okay," Jess said, trying to sound casual, but inside she was giddy that her plan to get them back together was working out so well.  While Doug shook hands with Marty and Harold, Donna came up to Jess and gave her a tight hug.

"Thank you for inviting me," she said in Jess's ear.

"I'm really glad you came, and I look forward to seeing lots more of you in the future."

Then Doug stepped forward and surprised Jess by giving her a hug.  "Thanks, Jess," he said, and kissed the top of her head.  "Thanks for everything.  Really." 

"I'm just happy to see you two together." 

After saying the last good-bye's, Doug and Donna set off across the grassy field, hand in hand while the remaining four retraced the route back to the house.  When they reached Harold's car, Jess and Louise hugged. 

"Call me tomorrow," Jess whispered.  "I want to hear everything."

"I will," Louise said with a giggle.

Marty put his arm around Jess's waist while they watched them drive away, and Louise stuck her head out the window.  "Bye!" she yelled, waving with a happy smile, and Jess waved back until the car was behind the trees.

"What now?" Marty said, looking down at her.

"I'll take these inside," Jess said, balancing the record player and 45's on the folded blanket so she could take the picnic basket from him.  "Once I'm changed, I'll meet you at the cabin."

Marty lowered his head.  "Don't take too long," he growled with mischievous grin.  "I'm overdue for a few more kisses, ya know."

"I won't," Jess said, trying to keep from laughing.

Once inside, she set the 45's on the table with the telephone and then went to the kitchen to drop off the picnic basket and blanket.  She didn't waste any time changing and then went down the front stairs.  Seeing the records on the table, she decided to put them away instead of leaving them for Annie to deal with.  Scooping them up, she went in the grand parlor and headed for the stereo cabinet.

"Jessica."  The sound of her uncle's voice startled her.  He was standing up from one of the high backed chairs in front of the fireplace with a book in his hand.  It was the first time she'd been alone with him, and she immediately felt uncomfortable. 

"I'm going out again but you can tell Annie I'll be back later," Jess said firmly and turned her back to him.  She was not going to let him see how unnerved she was.  Sliding open the lid of the stereo cabinet, she hurried to put the 45's away. 

"Have your friends left?"

"Not all of them," she said tightly, and slid the lid closed.  She walked to the doorway, trying to appear at ease.

"You understand why I did it, don't you?" he said when she was half way across the room, and she stopped.  "It was for Douglas.  I did it all for him."

Jess turned around with shock.  "How you can you say that?  You didn't do it for Doug, you did it for yourself!"

"That's not true!" he insisted.  "When Billy died, I could see!  It was happening all over again."  Jess opened her mouth to argue, but he continued.  "So many times!  Everything would be going just as it should be, and then - it would all be taken from me.  Only this time it was Douglas who was losing everything.  I didn't want him to have the same fate.  I didn't want him to get hurt!" 

She was astonished he really believed this.  "But you hurt Doug!  Don't you see that?"

"No!  Douglas loved the mine.  That's what wanted."

"Doug loved Donna!"

"That wasn't serious," he said, shaking his head, and Jess took a step closer to him, her body shaking with anger.  It was clear he still didn't care he'd hurt her, but she would make sure he knew what he'd done to Doug.  "That was just a -."  

"Donna was here today because he's still in love with her!  He's been in love with her for years, and you made him break up with her." 

"But - he would lose everything!" he sputtered.

 "Would you have given up all of this if it meant you could spend the rest of your life with your wife?" she shouted.

He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.  He blinked as he stared at her, understanding coming into his eyes, and she knew she'd finally broken through.  Collapsing on the arm of his chair, he put his head in his hands.  Jess watched him for a moment, and then left him to be alone with the knowledge of what he'd done to his son. 

When she closed the front door behind her, the cooler evening air surrounded her and she took a deep breath, holding it in before she let it out slowly.  She didn't know if her uncle would get any further in coming to terms with his actions than this, but at least she'd been able to get him this far, and it made her feel better for Doug's sake. 

Trying to rid herself of the lingering negative emotions inside her, she looked up at the darkening sky where puffy clouds were tinged with orange.  It was promising to be a beautiful summer evening and she wanted to spend it with her fellow instead of being trapped in the painful past.

"What took you so long," Marty said when she stepped inside the cabin.

"My uncle," Jess started, and Marty's smile fell.

"What happened?" he demanded, going to her with a frown.

"He tried to explain things to me, but - in the end, I think he at least knows now what he did to Doug."

Marty pulled her close, still looking concerned.  "What did he say?"

"I'll tell you another time," she said, reaching her arms around his neck.  "Today was a good day.  I got to have you and my friends in my home for the first time, and I just want to enjoy the rest of it with you - without anything ruining it."

"It was a pretty good day," he said, smiling as she relaxed against him.

"We'll have to make sure to do it again.  Before long, we'll be away at college."

"I don't know," Marty said, stroking her hair.  "I reckon we'll be coming home for some weddings."

Jess lifted her head.  "What?  Some - who do you mean?"

"Well, Doug and Donna look like they're pretty tight, and Harold and Louise -."

"How do you know about them?"

"He told me" he said casually with a shrug, and then grinned.  "In a few years, it'll be our turn." 

Seeing the happiness in his brown eyes made her heart swell with joy.  How did she get to be so lucky?  He'd been the most important person in her life for years, spending nearly every day with her.  The two of them had shared so much growing up together.  And now she was going to get marry him and spend all the rest of her days working alongside him at the drug store and raising a family.

"I can't wait," she said, rising up on her toes.

"Neither can I," he breathed just before she kissed him.