A Holland Kiss

by Dawn Michelle

  If only life was as simple as a single kiss righting all the world’s wrongs.

  “We’ve been through this, Dutch.” Tulip hated disappointing her love, but a girl couldn’t be too careful with her kisses. “Not until I get my flowers.”

  ~~~~~

  The rest of the week flew by. I used my time wisely, printing up more flyers and took Jay’s advice and asked people to attend the meeting. Mom and Kelly were coming, not that their opinions mattered, since they don’t live in town, but I needed their support.

  All my neighbors would be in attendance, along with several teachers. Overall, I felt optimistic, but didn’t really know what to expect. Would it be as simple as a handful of people showing up in support of Dutch and Tulip? Probably not.

  This time all five members, six with Faye’s husband, were on time. Since Dutch and Tulip were the only items on the agenda, the council wasted no time. “This meeting is to discuss the future of the kissing couple statues.” From the look on Glen’s face, it was obvious he was unsettled by all the extra people in attendance.

  “As many of you know, the statues no longer bring tourists to Holland. This, in addition to the insurance premiums, and now the damage to one of the statues the council feels it would be best to sell them and use the profit to better Holland. We’ve outlined a number of projects that would benefit the town and its residents.” Glen continued his obviously practiced speech for several more minutes, all without every mentioning Dutch and Tulip by name.

  I wanted to jump up and scream their names. Was Glen afraid that if he said them out loud, he might ruin his chances? Jinx his nefarious plan somehow. By the time he was done I was sure Dutch and Tulip were already on a ship bound for the Netherlands.

  Along with my wedding.

  Faye spoke next, “It’s true we’ve discussed selling Dutch and Tulip.” I was relieved she could verbalize their names. “But, I think we should discuss it further.” Maybe she hadn’t appreciated Glen’s use of the word “we” in his “let’s sell them” speech, because she looked at Glen with narrowed eyes.

  “I agree,” added Gloria.

  “Let’s vote on it,” Tiny suggested.

  “Agreed.” This from Glen. “The council will vote. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ll do just that.”

  I’d sat here, in an incredibly uncomfortable chair, and listened to him and now he just wanted everyone to leave so he could persuade the council to sell. I started to rise, but Tiny stopped me.

  “No. Not that kind of vote. I say we have a special vote. We’ll let the town decide.” Tiny looked around the crowded room, nodding his head. Several people were standing due to lack of seating. I took this as a good sign.

  “This is hardly something the five of us should do. I sure as hell don’t want the responsibility. My mother, God rest her soul, would tan my hide if I had a hand in getting rid of them.” Tiny finished.

  I love Tiny! You can never go wrong with a man who is scared of his mama. Dead or alive.

  Glen looked flustered, but what could he say? Of course he figured it out pretty quickly. “A town vote? Seriously? They’re just a couple of statues for Christ’s sake. Selling them is best for everyone.”

  Wrong answer. It most certainly is not the best thing for me.

  I couldn’t take it anymore, so I didn’t. I scooted back my chair, making that fingernails on a chalkboard sound, “A couple of statues? Dutch and Tulip are so much more than that. They represent all that is good in Holland.” I gestured around the room, hoping everyone would feel a fraction of what I felt. “They are Holland. They just need a facelift.”

  Glen laughed at me, but the rest of the crowd nodded in agreement. “You’re saying Holland is a couple of rundown old statues that have seen better days? Excuse me, but that’s not sayin’ much.”

  Glen is an asshole.

  Ignoring his nasty comment, I looked around the room for moral support and found it. Mom smiled proudly. Kelly gave me a big thumbs up. I’m sure in her head she was giving Glen the finger and in the back I saw Jay and Jonas. Jay’s smile and reassuring nod lifted my spirits.

  “A vote is perfect. Let the people decide.” I’m not sure where my sass was coming from, but I had to do something.

  “Listen young lady, you’re not part of this council.”

  Did I mention Glen’s an asshole?

  Tiny cleared his throat and shot Glen a disapproving look. Glen composed himself. “Well.” He seemed to be thinking something over. “What if we sold them and replaced them with a smaller version? Would that satisfy you?”

  Nice try. But I wasn’t about to be placated so easily.

  Dutch and Tulip are irreplaceable. Period.

  Faye and Gloria both rolled their eyes at Glen. “How about this? Next week both sides will present their case to the town. Then, in another week, we’ll have a town vote. Whichever way it goes, that’s what we’ll do.” I knew I had an ally in Gloria. Thirty-five years ago, she’d married her high school sweetheart under Dutch and Tulip.

  If Glen looked flustered before, he looked ready to have an aneurysm now. “Fine. Next Tuesday it is. Who exactly is going to present the case for keeping the couple?” He was looking around the room, ignoring me.

  “I’ll do it. I will represent Dutch and Tulip.” What was I a lawyer now? “Next week I’ll show you exactly why Holland needs Dutch and Tulip.”

  “Fine.” The asshole spoke again.

  “Fine.” I said, only I’m not an asshole.

  Tiny thought things were getting out of hand, because he called an end to the meeting and instructed everyone to pass the word around town about next week’s vote.

  Wait! “We should meet somewhere else. This isn’t big enough.” There was no way the town hall, which was just one room and already full to capacity, could hold the meeting. “How about the gym?” I suggested.

  “That’s not a neutral site. You work there.”

  Oh for the love of Christ! I shook my head and felt like I was dealing with one of my students. “Now I own the gym? Glen I’m simply trying to think ahead. Where would you suggest we meet?” I was full on in teacher mode now.

  Gloria agreed with me though. I guess Glen didn’t want to look like a cry baby so he didn’t argue anymore.

  With everyone starting to leave, I didn’t notice Jay until he was beside me. “Listen Lily if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know. Okay?” I watched as he pulled something out of his pocket. Not gonna lie, I pretended it was a little blue box from Tiffany’s, but it was only his business card.

  “Here’s my cell number. Call if you need anything.” Okay so it wasn’t an engagement ring, but hey at least now I had his cell number.

  Jay was so gorgeous that I wanted to tell him there was plenty he could do. It included a kissing couple, only not statues. I put those thoughts aside. I had to if I was gonna save Dutch and Tulip.

  Now was not the time for me to obsess over Jay. That’s what the rest of my life is for.

  “Thanks Jay. Just help spread the word about next week and about the vote.” Wearing a button down chambray shirt, his blue eyes twinkled under the fluorescent lights.

  Britni Eisen approached us then. Three years older than me, Britni is beautiful. Tall, with short brown hair and divorced, she’s the type of woman that looks good no matter the situation. I watched in horror as she wrapped her arms around Jay. I wanted to cry on the spot. This was something Mom had failed to mention.

  “Hey Lily. I just love Dutch and Tulip. I always thought it would be sweet to get married under them. Maybe that’s where I went wrong the first time.” She was looking at me, but I could tell she meant this as a not-so-subtle hint to Jay. “Give me some of those flyers and I’ll pass them around at the shop.”

  Britni owned Britni’s Beans, a coffee shop on Fourth Street in Huntingburg. As much as I now hated her it was a good idea and kind of her to offer.

  “That would be great. Thanks.” I tried to smile and sound grateful,
but I’m afraid it may have come off wrong. Then I sneezed. Probably from Britni’s perfume.

  Britni looked at me funny, before returning her attention to Jay. “You still coming over tonight? I made dessert. Seth’s been expecting you to read him another bedtime story.”

  Gag! Dang Mom! She should have warned me about this. Britni and Jay have obviously been dating awhile. I watched as the two of them left, but didn’t get a chance to feel bad before Mom and Kelly surrounded me.

  “You did great. Seriously you were awesome.” Kelly has always been my biggest cheerleader. “What do you have planned for next week?”

  That is an excellent question. Sadly, I don’t have an excellent answer.

  ~~~~~

  I took a personal day on Friday. Hey! I’m allowed to do that. I have them, their mine. That’s why they’re called personal. Only working 182 days a year, I do feel bad though, but I was afraid the weekend wouldn’t leave me with enough time to prepare.

  I’d called Dad earlier in the week and gotten some sound advice about how to get money for such a project and who might do the restoration work. He suggested a company, Indiana Restoration Group, out of Indy. After researching their past projects, I was impressed with their work. They also gave me a ballpark figure for the restoration.

  A figure that scared me like Pennywise had when I’d watched the movie IT.

  I always think of Dutch and Tulip as one entity, but in reality they are two separate statues. I was going to need double the money.

  I also paid a visit to the quilting ladies at my church. Even though it’s held at the Augustana church, ladies from the other four churches attend. It’s not mutually exclusive membership. Anyone who wanted to join could. They meet every Thursday at 1:00 and make a day of it, each bringing something for a potluck supper.

  Mom is of course a member. I knew telling them about the meeting would be better than putting it on the news. This way members of all five churches would know, hence the entire community.

  I also knew I had technology on my side or so I figured. I made a killer Power Point presentation. Glen’s probably not that tech savvy, so I’d have him beat there. That’s bad of me to judge, but my own mother could barely text let alone produce a presentation.

  Using some of my savings, I printed up more flyers and had a dozen t-shirts made. They said “Save Dutch and Tulip” on the front. On the back it said “Can’t Dutch This!” I didn’t spend the extra money to have them in color, but the black silhouette looks great against the red background. Plus red and black are the school’s colors, so I was showing good team spirit.

  The best part was that Dad also put me into contact with a preservation group that provided matching funds to restore historical and significant structures in Indiana. Dutch and Tulip met both criteria.

  All I had to do now was get my application accepted. And I can’t do that until I win the vote.

  Which I will.

  On Sunday, I reminded everyone at Church about the meeting, even though I didn’t have to. The whole town had been in a buzz about it all week. I received warm hugs and several people called to wish me good luck or share their own Dutch and Tulip story. It was like I was the human face people put with the couple. I like that. It felt good to be connected to them. I felt taller somehow.

  Jonas stopped by on Monday, watched my Power Point and commended me on a job well done. He hinted that I should dress like Tulip, made remarks about my butt and how he couldn’t stop fantasizing about me in the costume.

  “I bet all the men in town would love seeing you dressed like Tulip.” I kicked him out after that, but he won’t stop. He never does.

  Too bad I’m not in love with Jonas.

  Chapter 6

  “Roses may be red, violets may be blue

  But tulips are by far the best, just because of you.

  My only wish is to make you my prize

  You are my perfect match and just my size.

  I stand here now in perfect bliss

  Hoping and wishing for my first kiss.”

  “Oh Dutch! It’s beautiful. I love it.” Tulip was flattered that her love had written her a poem. And impressed by his literary skills.

  “It’s nothing really. Just a little something I wrote to show how much I love you.”

  Tulip might have been impressed, but she wasn’t fooled by his sweet words. “You aren’t by chance thinking that I’ll kiss you, are you?”

  “Well, the thought did cross my mind.” Surely his words would be enough to earn her affections. But by the look in her eye, his words weren’t enough.

  “I love you, Dutch, but pretty words aren’t what I want. If you really loved me you’d give me my flowers.” Wasn’t a boy supposed to give the girl he loved flowers? That’s what men often did, while standing under them.

  “Yes. But don’t I deserve something for my efforts?” Frustrated, Dutch the bard sighed, but smiled brightly anyway.

  ~~~~~

  It was a beautiful early May morning, so I decided to ride my bike to school. See that’s why it has a basket. Excitement was in the air, my air at least. Tonight is the night I save Dutch and Tulip. It was gonna be a great day, but my day started off with a bit of a rough patch.

  It’s never a good thing when a group of children is huddled around something on the playground. Sure as the world, there’s probably a kid bleeding to death on my watch.

  Approaching the gathered students, I saw the reason. A cat had wandered into the fenced playground and nabbed itself a chipmunk. Doing what all cats do, it was toying with its prey until it finally killed it and left it on someone’s doorstep.

  Some of the kids were crying, others, mostly boys, were excited about the upcoming slaughter. Chipmunks are just so darned cute. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Separating the students was like trying to part the Red Sea. Although I’m sure Moses had an easier time of it. Nothing like a good mauling to get kids attention.

  Grabbing the cat by the scruff, I shooed it away. Picking up the chipmunk, I felt like a kid. I’d always wanted to hold one, but there so elusive. And so cute. Like a teacup squirrel.

  I stood holding the tiny ball of fur, whose heart was racing so hard, I feared it might have a heart attack. Do chipmunks have heart attacks? But the next moment, I stopped caring about chipmunks and their demon hearts.

  I was being attacked.

  Apparently the chipmunk didn’t view me as its savior and returned my kindness in saving its life by trying to end mine. Okay, so maybe that’s a touch dramatic, but when it bit into my finger, I wasn’t so sure.

  Pain shot through my hand. In case you didn’t know, chipmunks have very sharp teeth. Staying calm is what I should have done as a teacher, but at the moment I was under attack like one of those people you see on TV where they lived to tell how they survived a mountain lion attack.

  Screaming and jumping around, I tried to shake off the tiny demon spawn, now hanging from my finger. The blasted thing would loosen its jaws, only to tighten them again and again. I was being mauled.

  I guess all my screaming was alarming to the kids. The ones who hadn’t been crying were now. The ones who had been crying had graduated to screaming and running around. Brayden and Cheyenne, not watching where they were going, ran straight into each other. In a loud smack of young heads they collided, each falling to the ground.

  Meanwhile I was still contending with the maniacal creature attached to my finger. Finally getting ahold of myself, I grabbed the chipmunk and yanked. Silently praying that it didn’t take my finger with it.

  After I had my finger safely extracted, I threw the chipmunk to the ground. Luckily Kaleb leapt out of the way, because I threw it directly at him.

  Principal Kyser showed up just then. Clearly not happy with the events taking place on his playground. “What the devil’s going on? Miss Mein?” He was waiting for, I’m sure, a logical explanation.

  Shaking from my near death experience, I tried to calm down enough to answer clearl
y. “There was a cat. It had a chipmunk. I saved its life.” Ungrateful wretch. “But it bit me.” Rabies! Just what I needed. As if I don’t have enough on my plate today.

  Principal Kyser glared at me. “All right kids. Everything is fine now.”

  Of course everything wasn’t fine. Brayden and Cheyenne were both bleeding. A huge goose egg already forming on Cheyenne’s head. Brayden, since he’s taller, had a bloody lip. Taking in the injured students, Principal Kyser took control of the situation and called another teacher to escort the now traumatized kids inside.

  Turning to me he said. “Go to the bathroom, I’m sure the nurse will be quite busy with Brayden and Cheyenne. Get cleaned up and meet me in my office.”

  Here I was an adult and I was being called into the principal’s office. Sad thing is, Mr. Kyser had been my principal and as a student, I never had been called to his office.

  In the teacher’s bathroom, I assessed my injuries, which I was sure would be horrific. Washing my hands, I was shocked that the skin had not been broken. There was no blood. How was that possible? I was sure I’d find half my finger gone and that chipmunk cooties were already racing through my bloodstream. Taking an extra few minutes, before making the dreaded walk to the office, I washed my face and took a calming breath. Twenty-three to be exact.

  Mrs. Bass, the school secretary, offered me a sympathetic look before telling me to go right it.

  “Have a seat Lily.” Principal Kyser instructed, obviously not worried with my nearly chewed off finger.

  Doing as instructed, I took a seat and looked around. The office was clean, pictures of his grandkids on the desk. I took a deep breath and sneezed. Principal Kyser had been trying to kick the habit for years, but my sinuses detected cigarette smoke.

  “How are Cheyenne and Brayden?” Please, please, please let them be alright.

  “I’m sure they’ll be fine. Mrs. Bass called their parents. Brayden broke a tooth. The nurse took him to the dentist.” Lucky for me the dentist office is directly across the street. “Lily I’ll be honest. I’m worried about you.” Principal Kyser did seemed concerned. I was surprised.

  “Honestly, I’m fine. It didn’t even break the skin. Can you believe that?” Again, thank you God.

  Shaking his head, Principal Kyser actually snorted. “Not the chipmunk. You and your behavior lately. What’s gotten into you?”