A Holland Kiss

by Dawn Michelle

  “No problem.” He looked so handsome, with his face a little scruffy, eyes still sleepy. If only I could be so lucky as to wake up to that every morning.

  Damn Britni.

  Stepping away from his truck, I couldn’t bring myself to go inside until he was out of sight. Watching him drive away, some of the safety I’d felt went with him. I shuddered from the chill and the fact that Jay had actually spent the night at my house.

  Yeah, yeah. It doesn’t really count, but still. He’d stayed.

  I dreaded going back inside, knowing the fresh morning air smelled so different from what I was about to walk into. Next door, Bill came out with Taco. We chatted for a few minutes. Bill wanting to know what he and Tootsie could do for me. I told him they’d done enough and that I could handle the rest. He didn’t like that. Bill likes being in charge of a situation.

  When I heard a vehicle pull into my drive, I turned around anxiously, hoping it was Jay.

  Glen yelled out his window, “Heard about the trouble last night. Everything all right?” The Works was no doubt humming about my window break-in. Junior had probably gotten his coffee and doughnut and was relishing telling the tale of a real crime.

  “Everything’s fine. Nothing a little cleaning won’t fix.”

  “Didn’t get a chance to talk to you last night after the auction, but you say the work will start in April?” Glen took in my robe, but didn’t comment.

  “Yes. They want two months to complete the work. That gives them some wiggle room in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.” For once in my life, I wasn’t in the mood to discuss Dutch and Tulip.

  “You’re coming to the next meeting, right?” Glen asked, even though I hadn’t missed one yet.

  “Yes. Thursday, just like always.” I smiled brightly, trying not to be sarcastic.

  “Good. We can start planning the unveiling celebration then. Make it a party like Holland hasn’t seen before.” Glen smiled, too.

  At the moment, celebrating wasn’t at the top of my to do list. I had a stink waiting for me and I was cold standing outside in my robe. “Absolutely. Dutch and Tulip deserve it. See you later, Glen,” I said, walking away while I had the chance.

  “Have a good day,” Glen said, laughing.

  Anyone else find that funny?

  Chapter 14

  “Last night, I had the strangest dream.” Tulip always had pleasant dreams, but this one wasn’t. And it frightened her.

  “What did you dream about, flower?” Dutch dreamt the same dream every night.

  “I sailed away in a little boat, but I was alone.” Tulip was getting upset now. “I searched everywhere for you, but when I found you, you said you didn’t want to kiss me anymore.” Was that possible? Tulip didn’t think so, but the dream had felt so real. When she’d woken this morning, she was overjoyed to see Dutch’s face smiling back at her.

  “That wasn’t a dream. That was a nightmare.” Dutch’s dreams always ended with him kissing Tulip. “It’s over now. I’m right where I belong.”

  “Did you have a nightmare too?”

  “No. I had a pleasant dream. You were in it.”

  Tulip was excited now. “What was I doing?”

  “We,” Dutch emphasized, “were walking through the park. The sun was out and there wasn’t a bird anywhere. You wanted to swing, so I was pushing you high. You were laughing and smiling. And then…”

  “And then what?” Tulip asked, anxiously.

  “Then we kissed.” He paused and said, “Let’s make my dream come true.”

  “It was just a dream, Dutch.” Tulip was disappointed. She’d imagined they were doing something adventurous. Not boring old kissing.

  But sometimes dreams are all we have. Sadly, this was true for Dutch as well.

  ~~~~~

  If you thought the spoiled milk through the window routine was bad, well wait till you hear how the rest of my week went.

  Sunday, as expected, was all about cleaning up my living room and trying to get rid of the God awful smell. When I went to get dressed, even my clothes smelled like rancid 2%.

  I called Mom and Kelly first thing. I knew they’d hear about what happened and I didn’t want them to worry. Within the hour, both were at my door. Kelly dressed to clean and Mom with her steam cleaner.

  This was probably the only good thing that happened all week. Well, this and one other thing, but I’ll get to that later.

  My beloved sage green velvet couch was a lost cause. The milk was dried and matted in the cushions. The three of us managed to get it out the front door and onto the porch. I was sad to see it go. The couch had been my first purchase as a homeowner. Mom had given me a hard time about buying a velvet couch, but I didn’t care. It was beautiful and timeless. I’d pictured myself sitting on that couch years from now. I’ll have Jonas come take it off for me later.

  During the course of the morning, after countless loads of laundry, a bottle of Murphy’s Oil Soap and three passes with the steam cleaner, my living room looked and smelled better. I’d thrown out all my pillows and decided that my one and only painting would have to go as well. The pillows weren’t a big loss, but I’d liked the painting. True, I’d only paid a quarter for it at a yard sale, but loved it all the same. It was an old paint-by-number of a wintry scene. It was unique, but the rank milk had made it even more unique, only not in a good way.

  I was both surprised and ecstatic when Jay showed up, this time in his work truck.

  “Hope you don’t mind, but I went to Home Depot and picked up a window. Lucky for you it’s a stock size.”

  Lucky me? Dang right I was lucky. Jay was back.

  Immediately, he set about removing the wood and Kelly was avidly watching him work, but who could blame her? Nothing like a man who knew how to use his tools.

  “That’s really sweet of him. Wonder what old Britni would say about that?” Kelly smirked.

  “Say about what?” Mom knew I’d had a crush on Jay as a child, but I guess she thought I’d grown out of it.

  I should have.

  “Nothing Mom. Just that it’s nice of Jay, that’s all.” I know it’s terrible of me, but at this point I was ready for Mom to pack up her steamer and go. My grandpa always said you can’t have two hens in one henhouse. Now I know what he meant.

  The entire time we were cleaning, Mom was pointing out what I should and shouldn’t be doing. All the while hinting that I should sew more. Mom, having known Jay since his birth, monopolized his attention, which made me want her to leave even more.

  Yeah, I’m a shitty daughter.

  While Jay worked, Mom, Kelly and I finished up. When it was close to lunch, Kelly suggested we take a break and get a pizza from the Gaslight. She knew she had me there. I love Gaslight pizza. No one has better. I’d wanted to make sandwiches, but Kelly knew she’d get me with this offer. It’s Kelly’s one food weakness, too. All her organic priorities fly out the window when it comes to their pizza.

  Lucky for me, Mom had done all she could and was eager to get home to Penny. The dog was probably having a panic attack wondering where Mom was. I wondered how the dog made it through an entire day without my mom. How would Penny find her blankie?

  Did I mention I’m a bad daughter?

  I’ll admit it. My mood sucked big fat ones. Someone had threatened me. Maybe threatened was the wrong word, but I felt violated. My things had been violated. Someone had intruded on the safety of my home.

  While cleaning, we ran through a list of possible suspects. Mom, Kelly and I would suck at being detectives, because we couldn’t come up with anyone. None of this made any sense. In the end, we all agreed it was simply a prank and since my house sits on the corner I was an easy target.

  Nothing personal. No one wanted to harm be specifically, at least that’s what I kept telling myself.

  After Mom left, and yes even though I was aggravated with her, I told her I loved her, Kelly went to Huntingburg to get our pizza. I’m sure she was doing this to give me tim
e alone with Jay, because the Gaslight delivers. Bless her heart.

  “Do you need any help?” I may not have liked what happened, but it gave me time with Jay. Thank you, rancid milk man.

  “Sure. Go outside. Once I get the window in place, just steady it, while I put the screws in.”

  Ah. Jay and screwing. Oh wait. He said screws.

  It didn’t take him long, unfortunately, and Jay was done. “What do I owe you?” I asked.

  “The window was cheap. Don’t worry about it.” He looked uncomfortable. Was he blushing?

  “Absolutely not. I have to pay for it. And I’ll owe you for your time. Especially since you came over on a Sunday to do it.” Which again was so sweet of him.

  I was sure he was blushing, because his face got really red. He looked awkward before saying, “I got you a dehumidifier, too. It’s in the truck.”

  “Okay, well thanks. I needed a dehumidifier.” Apparently. Lame, but he’d surprised me with that one. I’d always envisioned candy and jewelry from a man, but beggars can’t be choosers, so a small appliance it is. “And I’m paying you for it and the window.”

  His cell phone rang then. Katy Perry, letting me know it was Britni calling, but Jay ignored it.

  “Really, Lily, don’t worry about it. Besides you didn’t ask for the dehumidifier.” Jay’s face was returning to its natural color, but he still looked embarrassed.

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m paying for both. Now go get it and the receipt.” I said firmly.

  “All right, but I won’t take anything for putting the window in.” Jay smiled, looking more his old self.

  While Jay went to retrieve my better than candy gift, I risked a look in the mirror, hoping that I’d been transformed into a beauty, but I looked the same as always. Jay plugged my shiny new dehumidifier in and instructed me to empty it once a day. Said I could use the water for my houseplants. Maybe he hadn’t noticed I don’t have any.

  I offered him a drink, but he declined. On the way to the door, Jay stopped and looked at me like I was a math problem he couldn’t solve.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing.” After more looking, “You’ve got my cell right? If anything else happens don’t be afraid to call me. Okay?”

  Again with the looking. What? Did I have something on my face? I probably stunk to high heaven. That had to be it.

  “Are you dating Jonas?”

  Where had that come from? He and Jonas were as close as brothers. Surely he knew we were just friends. “Of course not. Besides he’s been dating someone since Halloween. Don’t you guys talk?”

  Guys are so weird about that kind of thing. As teens they couldn’t wait to share every detail, but as adults they didn’t? Women did, or at least Kelly and I did. And what business was it of Jay’s if I was dating Jonas.

  Before I knew what was happening, he kissed me. Jay pulled me into his arms and just laid one on me. I was so stunned that I didn’t respond immediately.

  Then just as quickly he pulled back, but didn’t release me.

  Touching my fingers to my lips, I tried not to look at him, but couldn’t help it. Jay was still holding me, looking confused.

  Before he could pull away, I went up on my tip toes and touched my lips to his.

  Yep. I laid one on him. I hadn’t taken advantage of the first kiss and I wanted the full effect. I’d waited my whole life for this kiss and wanted to get my money’s worth.

  The kiss went on, but not long enough for me. Jay’s lips were soft, warm and he knew how to use them. I pulled back first, not that I wanted to, but because I had to.

  I couldn’t breathe and was feeling dizzy.

  Proud to say that Jay looked the same.

  “I’m sorry, Lily. That was wrong,” Jay said.

  Wrong? Are you kidding me? The kiss couldn’t have felt anymore right.

  We hadn’t heard Kelly pulling into the driveway, but when she opened the back door Jay released so fast, I stumbled into the door frame.

  “Hey guys. Get the window all in?” Kelly asked. Her hands were full and I took the pizza from her.

  “Yeah.” Jay ignored me, instead focusing his attention on Kelly. “Well I gotta go.” He left in such a hurry that he tripped on the threshold in his rush to get away from me. Maybe I’m a bad kisser?

  “What’s wrong with him?” Kelly asked. “He looked kinda weird.”

  “I don’t know.” Honestly, I didn’t know what was going on with Jay.

  “Oh shoot. Sorry Lily, but I forgot to get your pepperoncinis.” Kelly said.

  Opening my pepperoni, mushroom, with extra cheese pita pizza, I shrugged. “That’s okay. I keep a bottle just in case.” I was dying to tell Kelly about the kiss, but for some reason I didn’t want to spoil it by telling anyone.

  It was mine and I would treasure it always. To kiss and tell would taint it somehow.

  Kelly, like Mom, stayed longer than I wanted.

  The kiss was weighing heavily on my mind and lips. As helpful as Kelly had been, I wanted to be alone with my thoughts and to relive the kiss, before the strength of it faded into memory. Finally Kelly left, but then Jonas did the worst thing possible and showed up. Argh! Well, at least he could take my couch off for me.

  “I just heard what happened. Are you all right?” Jonas looked embarrassed and ashamed for not showing up sooner.

  “I’m fine. I don’t have a couch, but the rest is all good now. What’s up?” I was sitting at the kitchen table, leafing through a magazine and waiting for the living room carpet to dry.

  Jonas took a seat across from me and smiled wickedly. “What’s up? Oh let’s see. Someone throws milk through your window and then Jay spends the night. That’s what’s up.” Jonas looked pleased by the events.

  “How did you know about Jay? And he didn’t really spend the night.” I wish.

  “His truck was here all night and you’re telling me he didn’t sleep here? Or maybe you weren’t sleeping?” Jonas was having way too much fun with this.

  “Yes. No. Dang it. Technically, he did sleep here, but in his truck. He was worried whoever broke my window might come back.” I was flustered now, but continued, “How did you know about that?” I was dreading the answer.

  “It’s all over town. Mom called me. Wanted to know if Jay and Britni had broken up. Did they?” Way too curious, that was Jonas.

  No. No. No. This could not be happening. “I don’t think they’re broken up. She called while he was here. What are people saying?” More dread on my part.

  Jonas ignored my question, though. “Let me get this straight. Jay spent the night. Then came back today to fix your window?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t know he spent the night until I saw his truck in my drive this morning.” I was trying hard to justify what had happened.

  “Oh this is gonna be good.” Jonas smiled, adding his trademark wink.

  Chapter 15

  Tulip shocked Dutch by saying, “When I grow up, I want to be a mom.”

  What?! This was good. This was very good. Surely if Tulip was the Mom, then he could be the Dad. Surely moms and dads kiss.

  “You’re already a mom, flower. You’ve heard the people talk about us in their yards. I think we must have lots of children. Daughters who are as beautiful as their mother.”

  “Well, if I’m a mom, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

  “I want to be a farmer. So I can drive a tractor. We could have a tulip farm.” With a plentiful harvest of tulips, his own Tulip would be too busy to be a mom. She’d be busy kissing him all day.

  ~~~~~

  On Monday morning I got called into the principal’s office again.

  “Lily, do you know why I called you here?” Principal Kyser looked less than thrilled with my presence.

  “No sir. Is this about Dutch and Tulip?” The smell in the office was clear evidence that he was losing the battle with nicotine and I sneezed.

  Handing me a tissue, he asked, “Is everything about Du
tch and Tulip with you?” Actually the answer would be yes. Currently my life revolved around the kissing couple and my obsession with Jay. I should probably seek professional help with the obsession thing. They are so not healthy. Fun? Yes. Healthy? No.

  “Did Jay Heimerschmitt spend the night at your house over the weekend?”

  “Not exactly.” You have got to be kidding me!

  “Just answer the question.” Principal Kyser huffed, obviously not happy with my answer.

  “There was an incident at my house Saturday night after the Fall Festival. When I called 911, Jay showed up. In an official capacity.” I had to throw that in. “He didn’t want to leave me alone, so he slept in his truck. Not in my house.” Why? Oh why was I having to explain myself?

  “Yes, I heard about the window. Any idea who did it?” He wanted in on any juicy gossip.

  “None at all,” I answered truthfully.

  “I’ll be honest with you, Lily. I’ve already received several phone calls about this. Parents aren’t happy and that’s putting it mildly.” Sitting back in his chair, Principal Kyser patted his breast pocket, but then seemed to remember I was there and he couldn’t light up in front of me.

  “You know as well as I do that teachers are role models. We have a responsibility to set a good example for the children. You being single and having a man spend the night is not doing that.” He finished.

  Of course I knew this. When you’re a teacher, you’re on twenty-four/seven. Not all jobs are like this. In other professions, people can separate their private lives from professional. But as a teacher, I’m not supposed to have a life? It’s not like I ever did anything to bring shame upon myself. “Are you serious? But I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Correct me if I’m mistaken, but aren’t I the victim here?

  “Be that as it may, it doesn’t look good for you or the school. I’m sorry, Lily, but I’m going to have to add this incident to your permanent file.” I guess the look on my face could be called horrified. “I let the chipmunk incident slide, even though two students were injured, but in all fairness to the rest of the faculty, I have to note this.” I gotta give him credit, he did look sorry.

  I didn’t know what to say. Pleading and begging would get me nowhere. “Are you sending me home?” Standard procedure for dealing with a troublemaker like me.