One Boy's Journey Chapter 43

Written by Brianna Demonet

As we walked in the house I could hear the girls giggling. James was cruising, trying to walk by holding onto the furniture. May was in the rocking chair with Caitlyn.

Becky was on the back porch with Cathy talking about something.

Ian was in his element in the kitchen.

Ree! Give me a hand, please? Asked Ian.

I'll set the table said Caleb. I'll give you a hand said John as John washed his hands.

We all sat down for breakfast.

Ian and I brought out the French toast and bacon. Without a word, John started pouring the coffee.

Such old-fashioned manners! May smiled at John.

He's a smart young man! Said Hank. He just fixed the brakes on all the quads!

Really? said May. I told you those brakes felt squishy!

You were right May! But be careful because they are touchy now! Said Hank.

Happy to help! Said John.

Papa's French toast! Announced Bree!

This is great French toast! What's that I taste? It's really good!

Bailey's Irish cream instead of milk! Said Bree it's my dad's recipe!

Hank and May were heaven with everyone around the table chatting.

Ryan started crying a little bit. As soon as May picked him up he stopped. Ryan clawed at May's blouse like he was hungry.

Here mom! I'll take him said Cathy. He's just like his father, always hungry!

A healthy appetite is a good sign for a growing boy! Said Hank.

That's easy for you to say, Dad! You're not his food supply!

Everyone laughed!

I saw Brianna tilt her head down and frown for a second. I remember what she told me about feeding Caitlyn. I decided to talk to her as soon as we had a minute alone.

John smiled the whole time. I think he understood why I considered these people, my family. As breakfast ended I offered to clear the table.

No Ree! You and John are coming with me! Said Hank. Caleb, are you coming? Asked Hank

One minute Dad! Caleb said.

Is anyone else coming?

No, Dad, we're good for now. Said Cathy.

I wanna go! Said Caitlyn

Okay, pumpkin! You ride with me! Said Hank!

Can I ride with Ree? Asked Caitlyn.

Sure honey just hold on tight! Said Hank.

I will Papa!

Hank took us through most of the vineyard and we stopped at the cabin for a short break.

This is a beautiful property, Mr Pambini! Said John.

Thank you, son! Call me Hank, John.

You know I never thanked you for looking out for Rianna!

Vanessa told me how you and your friends came to the aid of her and her friend. Hank said.

It wasn't that big of a deal! Said John, being modest.

Two bullies and a knife sound dangerous to me. Caleb said.

Ree handled herself pretty well! Said John.

According to Vanessa, you brought the entire wrestling team with you!

Most of them! Safety in numbers! Said John.

That's twice now you put yourself in harm's way for her! I'm very grateful to you young man! Hank said.

It was really only once! She was never in any real danger at the diner.

That's not the way Rianna told the story.

She said you and your friend Julius were ready to take on four drunken football players.

We were! But they were outnumbered!

4 to 2 sounds like the other way around!

Not when I have a Nevada's State 230-pound wrestling champion next to me! Fortunately, Blake's dad showed up, and nothing happened. Said John confidently.

What happened to him? His father is a Sergeant with the Clark County Sheriff's Department.

Blake is now a Clark County explorer for the Sheriff's Department. He has a new girlfriend, and since then he's apologized to everyone and is actually doing very well now.

Blake apologized to John and me and introduced us to his girlfriend, Peggy! She's a very nice girl. Peggy has been a good influence on Blake. In fact, we sat together at the New Year's party at the roller rink.

That's nice to hear he got his act together. A good woman can sometimes straighten up a man and help him see a better way! Said Hank.

Blake's team won the state championship for wrestling this year. Said John.

I like to think of him as a friend now. Said John.

That's very big of you John.

We rode through the vineyard and stopped and cut some grapes. John couldn't hardly believe how good they tasted fresh off the vine.

We went to the fermentation barn and Hank showed John the process. I love seeing the twinkle in Hanks's eyes as he explains how everything is made.

You don't have very many machines. John said.

No not too many. I'm looking at a few things to automate the process. But I haven't found any that I like. We make about 600 to 800 bottles a month.

I'd like to double my output. But doing things like I do now I can't. Besides I don't want to sacrifice the quality. On the upside of things, I never have any bottles stockpiled. Everything gets shipped as soon as it is boxed up.

Here try a little! Hank hands John and me two cups.

This is my Chardonnay. It is my most popular type. I have several single-barrel batches I sell for a premium. The California billionaires buy it as soon as I post it online for purchase. No batch has ever sat for more than a day.

It ages very well too. I have several cases of aging as we speak. Some for more than 10 years. I sell off a few bottles every year. More if we need the income. I try to keep the cost down if I can help it.

It's very impressive Hank.

Lunch should be ready soon. Let's get back to the house.

Caitlyn was so cute! Go faster, go faster. 15 mph on the bumpy farm roads was plenty fast. She had her arms locked tightly around my waist. It made me wish I had a little sister.

When we got back Bree and May had made salad and sandwiches for lunch. I noticed Cathy packing up the picnic basket.

Don't get comfortable Ree. Mom, you, me, Becky, and Brianna are going on a girl's picnic! The guys are going to watch the kids for a while. Said Cathy!

John looked a little worried. I kissed his cheek and said we'll be back in an hour, two tops! Besides, You guys can bond while we are gone!

I'll miss you! Said John.

I'll miss you too!

We took the prowlers up to Cathy's secret spot.

May and Bree laid out blankets and we sat down to eat.

Okay, Rianna Maria Stevens! Spill it! Said May. She was serious, but smiling.

Spill what?

You and John? Asked Cathy.

About what? I retorted.

You two seem very intimate with each other said Bree.

The last time I was that emotionally close to a boy I was very intimate with him! Said Becky.

I swear all we do is kiss! I said defensively.

Rianna you can be honest with us! Said Cathy.

I swear we haven't done anything! I said.

He's never tried? Asked May.

No! Never! I swear!

Are you sure? Asked Bree.

Boys that age were always all over me! Said Cathy.

Me too said Becky.

May just smiled and nodded in agreement.

I'm surprised you can resist him! Said May. He's a very handsome young man.

He's also a gentleman! I said defending John and myself!

I appreciate your concern, I do! But John and I have no interest in screwing up our futures!

So if that's true, and I would like to believe you! I have to ask you, did you and John have a tea ceremony in Korea? Asked May.

Yes, we did! Yon and Soo-Min set it up in the garden.

So I have to ask Ree, is he a good kisser? Asked Cathy.

Why do you ask? You want to trade? I asked smiling!

We laughed!

Yes, he's a very good kisser!

Ree, we love you! We like John! We just want you to be safe! That's all.

I am safe with him. We never fight, we never disagree, he's always very punctual.

I'm crazy in love with him. I'd be lying if I said I haven't harbored a desire for him. But I know it would ruin everything I have worked so hard to accomplish so far.

May smiled at me.

Cathy said I knew it! She's a good girl!

I knew that! Said Bree.

So, did I say Becky?

I'm sorry Ree! I had to be sure! As a grandma, I worry about you!

I'll forgive you all if I can have a glass of wine!

Fair enough Ree! Said May.

On another subject! How was your law class? Asked Becky.

It was tough! But I got an A on everything I'm just waiting for my grade to be posted after the final exam.

How long did they give you for the test? Asked Cathy.

Three hours. I finished in two hours and three minutes. I was the sixth person to finish out of over 100 people in the auditorium.

Well, either you rushed taking the test or you nailed it! Said Becky.

I think I nailed it. I was brain-drained after it was finished!

She nailed it! Said Cathy. I was like that after every test, including the bar exam! I slept for hours after I took the test.

So did I! Becky laughed.

So you are dead set on becoming an attorney? Asked Becky.

More than ever. If it wasn't for lawyers like you girls and Mr Fountain I don't know where I would be! Mr Stieg was trying to fit me for an orange jumpsuit!

He won't be a problem for anyone. According to a friend of mine who sits on the bar review board. He's got a hearing coming up to review his actions. I doubt he'll be practicing law for a while if ever again. His actions make every attorney look bad. Said Becky.

Did you know it was Mr Fountain's wife who threatened me in the country club bathroom last year? Or that his daughter Cheryl was being mean to me at cheer camp last year?

No, I didn't! How did you handle it? Asked Becky

I avoided Cheryl at all costs and never talked about her at all.

When her mom threatened me, Aunt V heard it and put her in her place. Two days later, Mr Fountain made them both apologize to Aunt V and myself.

After school started, I helped Cheryl in gym class with the cheer routines, and we have since become friends. Cheryl actually discovered the evidence that cleared everyone a few weeks back. We are friends now!

How is motherhood treating you, Cathy?

After changing the subject to the baby. The focus shifted to Cathy, Caleb, and Ryan.

Turns out Caleb is quite the father! He changes diapers and bathes Ryan. He's good with rocking him to sleep.

I wish Caleb could breastfeed! Said Cathy.

The thought crossed my mind about children and breastfeeding. I wish I could breastfeed, but I remember Bree telling me she was breastfeeding for a while. So maybe I could if I could adopt a baby.

We continued to talk about child care and Men. As intimidating as the conversation started I understood these women only had my best interest at heart.

They weren't treating me as a child but as a woman! Gosh, I love these women.

We packed up and headed back to the house.

Meanwhile

The men were talking with John about our relationship. Hank pretty much was dominating the conversation.

John! I have to ask! Are you and Rianna????

Intimate? John finished the question.

No sir! Never! That's not how I was raised! I have way too much respect for my family and Rianna!

Have I thought about it? Asked John rhetorically.

Yes, I have because I do love her! But Ree and I have bright futures ahead of us. I have no desire to derail either of us.

Especially after everything Rianna has been through in the last year!

You know about Ohio? Asked Caleb.

I know everything! From before the attack at school to the present day!

To survive and fight through her recovery, court dates, and moving to Las Vegas to start a better life. I don't think I could have done it! That takes an inner strength most people don't have!

She is an incredible person.

You understand our concern, son! Hank said.

She might not be my granddaughter by blood, but May and I think of that way.

She's like a little sister to me and Cathy said Caleb!

And niece to me said, Ian!

I understand guys! I do! I have two little sisters I love and adore!

Since I met Ree, all I ever wanted to do was protect her! When she started Hap-ki-do at my parent's studio, I felt something inside me that told me she was special.

At first, I made it my mission to train her a little harder than the rest of the class. I pushed her and guided her to get up to speed with the rest of the class.

I fell in love with her before I knew her truth and was still in love with her after I found out about her. She is a true woman! Every bit as much as my mother with the same strength and fortitude.

I asked my parents for permission to ask her out. When I delivered food to her house for dinner the first time she was with her friends wearing a bikinis when she came to the door!

I never really looked at her body. I was fixated on her eyes and smile. When she looked back at me and flipped her hair I was captivated by her. I asked her out the next chance I got.

You guys have nothing to worry about with me! I swear!

I believe you said, Caleb!

A hair flip? She must have taken a page from May's book! That's how May captivated me!

The men laughed together.

I told you Ree was a good judge of character! Said, Ian!

Yes, you did! Said Hank.

My apologies, John. Cathy is an only child, and I can be a bit overprotective. Said Hank!

No apologies are necessary! Besides you should have seen the way my father went after Brianna at the dinner table. She handled it perfectly!

We heard the story! She also mentioned how you defended her without insulting your father!

She's a very intelligent young woman. She even helped me with my Spanish!

Look guys! I get it! If my sister was dating a guy two and a half years older than her, I'd be worried too! But I swear to all of you, She and I only ever kissed.

To be honest with everyone here. I love her way too much to ruin her future!

I'm very happy to hear that! Said Hank.

Besides Dan and I already had this conversation! Step-dad or not he's a pretty protective father! I have way too much respect for all of you to disappoint any of you!

I knew I liked you the moment I met you, John! Said Caleb.

I hear the girls coming! Said Ian.

Good! Said Caleb. My boy is getting hungry!

Mine too! Said Ian.

How was your picnic? Hank smiled at me!

Intense! I said smiling back at him. I looked at John, he smiled and rolled his eyes at me. I figured they ambushed him like they did to me!

We had a nice heart-to-heart with my granddaughter! Said May!

An ambush was more like it, I thought to myself. But I knew they only did it because they cared about me. As a boy, I always felt the need to crack off a comment. Being a girl I actually discovered that saying less often communicated a lot more!

John and I are going to go for a walk by the stream! I said.

Alright! Be back by 5 dinner will be close to ready by then, said May.

I led John by the hand. I held his hand a little more firmly than usual. I waited until we were near the noise of the stream before I said a single word.

We sat on a large rock by the stream.

So you got ambushed too! I take it?

Pretty much! Said John. I was kinda expecting it at some point.

How did it go? I asked.

Pretty well I'd say. One thing is for certain, these people love you as much as I do!

So I take it you were interrogated? John asked

That's a good way to put it! I said.

I'm betting it was more intense than mine! With two of them being lawyers!

It was a pretty well-rounded attack. But I prevailed! It's not hard when you don't have to lie!

What did you learn from your interrogation? Asked John.

I learned that they like you a lot! But they don't want me making any mistakes that could damage our futures.

Same here! Said John.

These people really love you, Ree!

That's why I consider them my family!

It certainly feels that way to me! Said John.

We kissed by the stream for a while and took a walk by the cabin and walked back to the house. It was beautiful that day. It was warm out but the mountain breeze kept us comfortable.

John and I held hands and kissed as we walked. We stopped kissing as we approached the house. May and Bree were wanting in porch swing for us!

Did you two have a nice walk? Asked May smiling at me.

Yes, we did, Grandma!

This place is beautiful! Said John.

We love coming here to wind down and reset. Said Bree.

I can see why. You don't get scenery like this anywhere else! Said John.

May and Bree smiled.

What would you two like to do tomorrow? Asked May.

I'd like to go into town, I need to buy some more spices for Aunt V and Martina.

I'd like to walk around town a bit said John.

We can do that! Said Cathy I would love to pick up a few things!

What smells so good? Asked John.

Ian's baking a bacon-wrapped pork roast.

I love it when he visits! I get a break from cooking all the time said May.

I'm happy to help May! But I do enjoy your cooking too! Ian smiled as he poked his head out the screen door.

Drinks anyone? Asked Caleb

Some water, please, I said.

John?

Water, Caleb thank you.

Ladies? Water for now sweetie! Said Cathy.

Same, said May.

Does he always wait on you like that? I asked Cathy.

Pretty much! Since Ryan was born, he's been nonstop when he isn't working. It's almost smothering! Sometimes it drives me crazy! But I know he means well.

Your father was the same way when you were born. Enjoy it while you can honey! Said May.

I'll try, Mom!

I remember my Dad was always on the move when my sisters were born. We both were! Sometimes, it drove my Mom nuts when my Dad was always doing things. John said

When she gets frustrated from him doing so much, he says to me, go hug your mother!

That usually worked. Sometimes he'd run a bath for her and send her to the bathroom. It was kinda funny but my Mom always appreciated the effort.

Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man. Said May.

He and Mom are my heroes! They run two businesses and still always find time for us! One of them is always there. I don't know how they always manage it. But they do!

Having the Hap-ki-do studio helps. Now, after seeing Ree dancing in the recital, they both want to take ballet this year.

It's going to be a busy school year coming up. Said John.

Where do you want to go to college?

Like Ree, I want to go to Stanford if I can get an academic scholarship. UNLV has been very interested in me this year, but they want me to play football. I'd rather wrestle. I only play football for extracurricular activities. I never planned on playing football in college.

I've seen you play John! You're terrific on the field and a true team leader. Said Cathy.

Caleb thinks you're the next Roger Craig!

Thanks! But I would rather concentrate on my martial arts and school.

What about a UFC tryout? I know a guy! Said Ian.

UFC would be great! But I'm not interested in getting permanently injured. I really want to represent the USA team in three years for the Men's team. Their 190-pound guy is retiring from fighting, and I would love to be on the First USA team to beat the Korean men's team.

I know Ji-Ho won't miss it! My grandfather and Ji-ho's grandfather were on the Korean team together. Our families are good friends. But we are also competitors on the mat!

What do you want to study in college? Criminal Justice, maybe forensic science! I was also leaning towards criminal psychology.

I would love to earn enough money to run my own martial arts studio. I'd like to teach underprivileged kids the beauty of martial arts.

Right now, my goal is to get Ree her blue belt before I get out of high school.

Blue belt but I just got my yellow belt four months ago? You're ready for your green belt test! My mom said so herself.

I'm not ready for that! I said defensively! Sure you are Sammy is too! You two are my best students. Besides if you are going to start running to people's rescue all the time, I need to prepare you for combat! John laughed.

We all laughed.

Seriously Ree! You're ready for green! Mom wants me to run you through the trials when we get back. Don't worry you're going to do great!

Mom, why didn't you teach me any of this? Asked Cathy.

Because you didn't need it! Besides your father taught you how to take care of yourself! I was way out of practice when you were born. May said.

Dinner! Ian called out!


--
Sent with mail.com Mail app