Okay, minute’s up.
“So what were you trying to tell me before my cousin rudely interrupted?” He looked down at me. Our faces were so close, that if I tiptoed I could kiss his neck.
I had a hard time remembering what I had to tell him, so focused on what I wanted to do to him. “I asked Bill and Tootsie to renew their vows under Dutch and Tulip next year, during the reveal. I know I should have discussed it with the committee, but I thought it would be sweet.”
Jay didn’t answer immediately, which made me nervous. “Good idea. My parents should do the same.” Jay looked away, but moved his hands from my hips to my back, pulling me closer.
“Why can’t they? We should try to get as many couples as we can and have a group ceremony.” At least I think that’s what I said. He was now rubbing my back. Slow delicious circles that were making me think I had vertigo.
“And you’re right. It is a sweet idea.” Looking down at me again, he whispered. “I think you’re sweet.”
Sensory overload! I was afraid I was going to start hyperventilating. This was just too much. Yet not enough. I wanted more.
“What’s going on here?” Britni didn’t look pleased to say the least.
Jay set me away from the closeness of his body, but didn’t release me. “Lily just shared some good news with me, that’s all.” Jay smiled at her and continued. “Jonas was trying to dance with her, but he’s drunk, so I came to her rescue.”
“Yes that’s right. Actually, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll find Jonas and drive him home.” My body protested as I left Jay’s embrace.
“What good news?” I heard Britni ask as I walked away.
Britni looked stunning, as always, in a skin-tight, strapless little number that was fire engine red. My very sensible little black dress and stick figure body couldn’t hold a candle to her bonfire. She’d replace me in Jay’s arms now and I wanted to scream.
And I knew just the person to scream at. Now I just had to find his drunken ass.
Chapter 12
“You should be a cowboy, with a hat and boots.” Tulip so loved seeing the kids dressed up, but she didn’t understand why they got candy. She never got candy and she was always dressed up.
“I want to be a hero, with a cape. Like Superman or Batman.” Dutch didn’t know what his superpower would be, but it would be something that would impress Tulip enough to kiss him.
“What should I be? A princess?” Tulip asked.
“You could be an angel because you are one.” Yep, Dutch’s superpower was going to be kissing. The hero always flew in and saved the day, earning him a kiss from the damsel in dress.
“Eww! I don’t like that one!” Trembling, Tulip watched as a monster approached them. He looked so mean. She wished she was braver. What if he hurt someone?
“Don’t worry, Tulip. I’ll protect you.”
Tulip screamed when a vampire came near. Fangs scared Tulip. Dutch didn’t particularly like them either. Didn’t vampires turn into bats?
When the vampire left, he said, “It’s fine now, flower. See? The vampire is gone. I saved you.” Dutch was disappointed, though, when he didn’t get his kiss. Tulip was now distracted by a group of butterflies and fairies.
~~~~~
Fall was turning out to be everything a picture perfect fall should be. The temperatures stayed in the 60s during the day, before dropping into the 50s overnight. It was perfect sweater weather.
The town was decorated for fall with sort of a harvest theme. Which made sense, Holland was a farming community. New banners on the light poles showcased Dutch and Tulip, along with pumpkins and corn stalks.
My own front porch was home to a dozen pumpkins and gourds. Mom always plants a separate patch just for decorating purposes and I was glad I had access to free pumpkins, because I’d already had to replace several that had been stolen and smashed in the street in front of my house. It would only get worse the closer we got to Halloween.
The kids think this is delinquency in its highest form, but I’d done the same as a teen, so I couldn’t expect anything less. I did move my Dairy milk box inside the house though, in case someone tried to steal it.
The milk boxes were a long ago part of the Dairy’s history. At one time, the Dairy would deliver milk products to your door. Mom always let me fill out our order form. I’d place it in the clip, under the lid, and know that in the morning my chocolate milk would be waiting for me.
Home delivery was discontinued years ago, but it’s a nice remembrance of a time gone by. I’d had to fight Mom for ownership of the box, but in the end I won out. I had to have it. Dutch and Tulip’s image graced the front.
Taking Halloween as another golden opportunity to fundraise, I enlisted the help of the high school drama club and planned a Haunted Trail at the park. We also set up a Haunted House at the old log cabin. It would be perfect. I, of course, was going to dress as Tulip. I already had the costume.
I thought it best to have no scare hours, so we opened on Friday night at 5:30. The younger kids could go through the haunted house and walk the trail in the daylight, without any of the scary creatures jumping out at them.
They got a big kick out of seeing the older kids dressed as zombies, werewolves and any number of assorted bloody things. The drama club demonstrated how to apply scary makeup. We had games and bobbed for apples.
Kelly was instructing everyone to have their parents inspect their candy before eating any. She’d also brought alternative treats. Individually bagged mini carrots, called Scarrots. Each bag was decorated with a carrot dressed in a costume. My favorite was the Frankenstein one, complete with bolts extending from his carrot neck. No surprise that most of the kids passed, instead gravitating towards Ruth’s more traditional caramel-covered apples.
The committee had helped with the setup and many were back now. Glen and his wife, Linda had their granddaughter, a princess, with them. I shouldn’t have been surprised when Jay and Britni showed up with Seth. He looked adorable as a Ninja. Not having seen Jay since Bill and Tootsie’s anniversary, I felt uncomfortable as they approached.
“I love the costume! Did you make it yourself?” Britni, ever bubbly, but why wouldn’t she be? She had Jay and her very own ninja.
“Yes. I thought it was appropriate.” I answered.
Jay was looking at me funny, but he’d seen me in it before. I realized I looked kind of silly in my get up, but come on. I was working here. Not just farting around with a date. I was trying to accomplish something for the greater good.
That’s really not fair though. Jay had been more than helpful in getting the haunted house ready. He even loaned us a couple of snakes. Which Ruth now had draped around her shoulders. I shuddered hoping the python wasn’t hungry.
Seth led Britni away, for some reason he was interested in what Kelly had to say about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup, so I was left alone with Jay. Scary music played in the background. I’d found the CD at a party store. The X-Files theme, Star Wars, Jaws, Psycho, wolves howling, all the classics were adding another layer to our theme.
“Where’s Jonas?” Jay asked, picking up a jar of eyeballs.
“He came by earlier, but he had plans tonight.” Jonas had called me last night to tell me he had a date and to apologize for ditching me. He was supposed to judge the pumpkin decorating contest. He also apologized again for his poor behavior at the anniversary party. I’d chewed him a new one, then felt bad about it later.
“Ah.” Jay said, eyeing the eyeballs with intensity. “Really is a nice costume. The braids are a nice touch.”
“Thanks. And thanks for all your help with everything.”
“Don’t thank me. You’re the one working your ass off for Dutch and Tulip. If not for you, they’d already be in the other Holland.” Jay continued looking directly at me.
“Nah. Surely someone would have stepped up.” I hated to think about life without Dutch and Tulip, but right now I hated thinking about Jay and Br
itni more. I also hated the next words out of my mouth.
“Any chance you and Britni will be tying the knot? You know we’re looking for a couple to get married under them on the Fourth next year.” Please, please say no! At this point I found myself bargaining with God. I know you can’t really do that, but it was worth a shot.
Jay looked uneasy and abandoned the eyeballs for a jar of bloody fingers. “I don’t think I’ll be getting married under Dutch and Tulip.”
Crap. What did that mean? Was he planning on getting married and Dutch and Tulip were just too corny or was he not marrying Britni at all? “Oh, come on. Your parents married under them. Surely you’ll want to do the same?”
“Do what?” Britni asked. Seth was going to town on his caramel apple, getting it all over his black costume. Secretly, I hoped he got his sticky hands in his mom’s perfectly styled hair.
“Nothing. Lily and I were just discussing the restoration. I told her I didn’t want to be involved with the actual work. Let the professionals handle that.” He smiled good naturedly, set the bloody fingers aside, took Seth’s hand and led them away.
Whoa! He was lying to her. Probably because he wanted to surprise her with a ring. My Tiffany’s ring dammit! A million images flashed through my mind. None of them good.
Some included me dressed as Freddy Krueger.
~~~~~
The weekend after Halloween was the PTO Fall Festival. As a teacher, I was expected to be there, but as a resident of Holland it was a given. Everyone came for the festival. An annual event starting…I have no idea when it started, but as a child I remember looking forward to it every year.
The gym was decorated for fall and there were games for the kids along with a silent auction and raffle. One of the locker rooms was used as the jail. It was great fun for the kids and some adults to get carted off to the “big house.” Insurance could be bought, and most adults took advantage and were walking around with a “Jail Free” sticker.
The school cafeteria was now acting as a restaurant, serving soups and desserts donated by parents. The older students bussed tables and refilled drinks. I ate more than my share of chili and pumpkin pie before showing up for my assignment.
Working the face painting booth, I silently prayed that no one wanted anything too intricate. Why does everyone assume that elementary teachers are artsy? I know I can sew, but I can’t draw to save my life. Luckily, Kelly had volunteered her services.
In college one of my education professors had given us the basics on face painting. It was actually quite easy. Even I could do it well enough to please six-year-olds. My favorite was a frog, tongue extending to the side of the face, capturing a fly. It was always a crowd pleaser.
After painting what felt like my hundredth frog and fly combo, my time was up. Heading to the silent auction, I checked out the usual items. Each class was responsible for a themed basket. The Christmas one always got my attention. I’m a sucker for Christmas stuff, but this year the third grade had outdone themselves with a spa basket. Loofah sponge, bath salts, the usual, but it also had a gift certificate for a massage and facial.
I bid $50.00. I could already feel my cares exfoliating away.
My class had been assigned a movie night theme. Basically, our basket was filled with $5.00 DVDs from the cheap bin at Wal-Mart, I hadn’t heard of most of the titles, and microwave popcorn. I didn’t have high hopes for our basket, but I’d sprung for a cute red and white striped bowl, with POPCORN written in big red letters. It looked like the containers you get at the movies.
I was happy to see my hand-sewn Dutch and Tulip dolls were doing well. $64.00. Modeled after the old Raggedy Ann and Andy, mine were dressed exactly as the real Dutch and Tulip. They would make some little girl very happy.
I’d sewn an extra set for myself. I couldn’t help it. They were too sweet. Maybe someday if I have a daughter her room can be decorated in a Tulip theme. How cute would that be? Plus I had the copies of the pictures and sketches found in Ruth’s attic. They would be the perfect wall art in a yellow painted room, with red accents.
Jay, Britni and Seth were there, too, Britni was admiring my dolls. Suddenly, I saw my Dutch and Tulip dolls in the bedroom of Jay and Britni’s future daughter. I wanted to grab them up and run. Especially after I saw Jay bid $75.00 for them, Britni smiling smugly by his side, pretending not to have noticed.
Jay complimented me on the dolls and I pretended that he thought they’d look cute in our daughter’s room. We’d name all our daughters with l’s and our sons with j’s. We’d even name our first daughter after his great-grandma, Lucille. See how well that works? Lily and Lucy.
“Did you make them?” Asked Britni. She was holding Dutch in her hands and I was sure Tulip wouldn’t appreciate another woman’s hands on her man.
“Yes.” I said, wanting to save this Dutch and Tulip as well.
“Just like your costume huh? I didn’t know you were so talented.” Jay was fingering Tulip’s red bow, which I’m sure she didn’t mind. Jay was as handsome as Dutch.
“I’ve got all kinds of talents,” I said, taking Tulip from him and setting her back down, Britni was still holding Dutch and I started to get a bad feeling.
Jonas was bidding heavily on the Colts tickets someone had donated, but I could tell he was torn between them and the signed Indiana University basketball. Just before the silent auction started, yeah that is kind of weird. It’s not really silent. Everyone bids on what they want, but then they open the bidding, starting with the highest silent bid. Principal Kyser asked me to join him at the podium.
When he refused to tell my why, I started to worry. Surely, he wouldn’t fire me in front of all these people? I hadn’t done anything wrong. Not a hair sighting of a chipmunk in months. And, trust me, I was constantly on the lookout for the impish creatures.
Using a bullhorn, Principal Kyser announced that it was time for the auction to begin. After everyone quieted down, a fifth-grade student, Clair Reister, came to stand next to me. Miss Mein, this is for you,” Clair said, handing me an envelope. “Go on, open it.” She was smiling brightly, as only a ten year old can.
It was a check for $721.37.
I was overcome with emotion. The .37 cents is what got me.
“All the students took a collection. We want you to have this for Dutch and Tulip.” Clair was proud of their efforts and of the fact that she was acting as spokesmen for the student body.
Hugging Clair, I had to fight back tears. This was what Holland was all about. What Dutch and Tulip were all about. I’d make sure they got a special brick, in honor of the children of Holland Elementary.
Taking the bullhorn, I thanked the kids. “I also want to thank all of you for coming to tonight and supporting our school. The money raised here will be used by the PTO for end of the year field trips and Field Day.”
I thought this would make Principal Kyser happy, but since I had the bullhorn, I took the opportunity to give a Dutch and Tulip update and urge people to keep donating. “We’re close to the money needed. I’ve been in contact with the restoration company and preservation group. If all goes as planned, the restoration will begin in April.” I felt like a cheerleader, only without the pompoms.
After a thunderous applause, Principal Kyser took the podium and began the auction, now not so silent. I went to stand by my dolls and was shocked to see that someone had outbid Jay and that he had in turn, outbid them. The price was up to $125 now.
“Ruth!” I yelled. I could see her standing by the jail, trying to get in.
“Yes, dear. Oh, Lily, the dolls turned out so cute. You really out did yourself.” She was holding Tulip in her hands, playing with her braids.
“Yeah, yeah. Listen I need you to bid on these and win them. I’ll pay you back. Okay?”
Ruth looked confused and with good reason. She knew I’d sewn myself a set and was probably wondering what was wrong with me. I just couldn’t let Jay win them for Britni. I couldn’t. Dutch and Tulip wouldn�
��t feel comfortable in Britni’s house.
“Why don’t you just bid on them?” Ruth asked genuinely.
“I just can’t. It would look weird.”
“All right. How high should I go?” Ruth looked excited now.
“As high as you have to. Just get them.” I urged.
Jonas got his Colts tickets, but Bill beat him out on the IU basketball. The auction’s pace was picking up. “Next we have our town mascots brought to life as dolls, kindly donated by our own Miss Mein.”
Holding my dolls, Mrs. Bass walked around with them held high, as Principal Kyser started the bidding.
Jay and Britni were sitting in the front row and I got that bad feeling again.
“I see we already have several interested buyers. Bidding starts at $130. Do I hear $140?”
Ruth, Jay and a dozen other people raised their hands.
Clearing his throat, Principal Kyser continued. “All right how bout $150?”
That figure didn’t scare anyone and even more people raised their hands.
“$175?” Principal Kyser offered.
Ruth looked at me and I nodded, then leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Get them.”
She raised her hand, and I’ll be danged if the same people didn’t as well.
“$200?” Principal Kyser was getting into it now. Like a real auctioneer. He was doing the whole “Do I hear” thing. I rolled my eyes.
At $300, I thought Ruth had them won, but Jay nodded and so did Tootsie.
Dammit! Now I was bidding against the man I loved and my neighbor. I wanted to scream at Tootsie to stop. I’d make her a set for free. Then Glen got in on the action.
For the love of God! How much was I gonna have to pay for my own dolls?!
At this point, Principal Kyser was too far gone, pretending he was an auctioneer. “$500?” He yelled.
Ruth raised her hand. I sighed and cringed.
Ouch! That was a lot of money, but it was money well spent if it saved my dolls from the hands of Britni. I bet she was one of those girls who cut her doll’s hair or ripped their heads off as a child, so no one would be prettier than her.
“Do I hear $600?” Principal Kyser waited and was just about to say sold, when Jay raised his hand.
A Holland Kiss Page 10
