THESE ARE THE TIMES
Chapter Fourteen

It was Saturday afternoon. Rose and Jack were just coming back to his house after a day at the park. Jack was having Rose pose for another picture. Afterwards, Rose had an urge to play with Jack’s little sister, so he brought her home.

"Chrissie is probably upstairs. I’ll get her." Jack had his head turned to Rose. He stopped in mid-stride, and his eyes widened when he saw who was sitting on the living room couch, tiredly watching TV, looking as if he’d just been rescued from Gilligan’s Island.

"Richard?" Jack stared.

Rose’s eyes widened in wonder. It was as if she was looking at an older version of her boyfriend.

"Hey, Jack." The young man smiled. "Long time no see, pal. How old are ya now? Fourteen?" the man known as Richard asked.

"Sixteen. What are you doing here? Where have you been all this time? Aunt Karen and Uncle Frank have been looking all over for you. Everyone’s been worried."

"Around. You know how it is when you’re a traveler. You just go where the wind takes you." Richard laughed, but strangely, the laugh didn’t reach his eyes. "So, who’s your pretty friend there?"

"Oh, Rose. This is my cousin, Richard. I was telling you about him," Jack introduced. "Richard, this is my girlfriend, Rose."

"Hey." Richard nodded nonchalantly.

"Hello." Rose smiled, still stunned by the resemblance to Jack.

"I know, I know. We could be twins." Richard noticed her staring. "You’re not the first to be shocked."

"So, where have you been, Richard? Tell us about all the places you’ve seen." Jack led Rose to the loveseat, and they both sat.

"It’s like I said. I’ve been around. Thailand…places like that."

"Richard!" Heather entered and immediately ran to her cousin, throwing her arms around him. "You’ve finally showed up! We’ve been worried! Where have you been?"

Richard rolled his eyes. "What’s with that question? Everyone wants to know where I’ve been."

"We’re just curious." Jack laughed.

"Mind if I smoke?" Richard took out a cigarette.

"As long as it’s tobacco." Jack shrugged.

"It is. I’ve had enough weed to last me a lifetime," Richard muttered. "I’m telling you, Jack, there’s places that can be called marijuana heaven. Places like the beach…ah…I mean…"

"I don’t think I’ll be visiting those places anytime soon." Jack sighed.

"Me, either," Richard muttered.

"Richie…what’s wrong?" Heather sat closer to her cousin. "You seem more closed off…"

"I’m fine. I’m just tired. It’s been a long flight and I’m hungry." Richard shrugged.

"Aunt Sarah has some leftovers. I’ll go fix you some. Jack, you want to help me?"

"That’s okay. I’ll stay and visit with Richard." Jack smiled, wrapping an arm around Rose’s shoulders.

"So, how long have you two been together?" Richard asked curiously.

"Oh, a couple of months, but it seems like we’ve known each other forever." Jack grinned.

"Still keeping up with the art world, Jack?"

"Of course. I’ll show you some of my drawings sometime." Jack grinned. "So, tell us about Thailand. I hear it’s real exotic over there."

"You have no idea." Richard smiled strangely. "I have seen and done things you never will, Jack. Most of them I hope you never will, anyway. Like drinking snake’s blood."

"Ew…gross!" Rose gasped. "How did it taste?"

Richard shrugged. "Like blood."

"That I definitely will never do." Jack shook his head. "What else? Did you meet any cute Thai girls over there?"

"Oh, I met a girl, all right. She was the most beautiful girl…but she wasn’t Thai. She was French. Her name was Françoise."

"Wow…" Rose breathed. "Were you two in love?"

"It was more like lust. If it was love, I would never have cheated on her…that was the biggest mistake I ever made. The woman wasn’t even worth it in the end."

"Well, that’s too bad," Jack replied. Looking at Rose, he knew it was the real thing. There was no other girl for him, so there was no reason for him to even think about another girl.

"Oh, Richard, you’re still here." Sarah Dawson stepped through the door.

"Yep. I think I’ll be staying for a while, if you don’t mind. I’ll sleep on the couch."

"Okay. Oh, hello, Rose. I didn’t see you there." Sarah smiled at her son’s girlfriend.

"Well, I guess we’ll leave you to talk to Richard. Come on, Rose. Let’s go to my room. I have a that new Jennifer Lopez CD you were talking about." Jack took Rose’s hand.

"Cool." Rose smiled as he pulled her away. "Uh…it was nice to meet you, Richard."

"Same here." Richard nodded as Jack pulled Rose into his room.

"Your cousin seems interesting." Rose smiled as Jack shut the door and turned on the stereo.

"He’s all right, I guess." Jack shrugged, noticing how Rose was looking around the room. This was her first time there. "Well, what do you think?"

"It’s nice. I like it here." Rose smiled, turning to her boyfriend. "So, where’s that CD you were talking about?"

"Right here." Jack smiled, popping in the CD. Rose smiled and began to dance as My Love Don’t Cost a Thing began to play.

"I love this song. Come on, Jack." Rose pulled him over to her, and they began dancing together. They spun around until they were dizzy, and fell backwards onto Jack’s bed.

They were in each other’s arms, laughing, when their eyes met, and suddenly, they stopped, lost in each other’s eyes. Jack tightened his embrace, and gently they kissed. Jack pulled away and gazed into her eyes.

"I love you, Rose. There’s no one in the world like you."

"I love you, too, Jack." She pulled him down for a passionate kiss. They didn’t stop. Soon, Jack’s hand was snaking up her blouse.

"Jack, stop!" Rose gasped for air, pulling away. "Your family is in the next room."

"We’ll lock the door." Jack hopped off the bed and locked the door. "Now, we have privacy." He hopped back on the bed, and soon they were engaged in a bit more than passionate kissing.

Rose was stripped down to her bra and panties when there was a knock on Jack’s door.

"Jack? Rose? Can anyone come in, or is this a secret club you two have joined?" Heather’s voice floated through the door.

Rose groaned. "Why am I not surprised?"

"We’ll be right there!" Jack let go of Rose so she could redress. Once she was done, he opened the door. "What do you want?"

"Sheesh...what took you two so long? Aunt Sarah wants to know if Rose is staying for dinner."

"Yes, she is. Now, leave," Jack hissed.

"Why? All you two are doing is making out, right?" Heather shrugged, pushing her way into the room.

"What do you want, Heather?" Rose got up from the bed, disappointed that the moment between Jack and herself was ruined. They hadn’t made love since the first time aboard the ship.

Heather turned to Jack. "Richard is back home, and all you seem to care about is bedding your girlfriend once again."

"You know, Heather, you need to get a life." Jack glared at his cousin. "Richard could care less whether I was out there or not. Now, why don’t you go back out there, and leave us alone?"

"Frustrated, Jack?" Heather smirked, crossing her arms.

"Shut up, Heather." Rose stood next to her boyfriend. "We weren’t doing anything in here, so why don’t you grow up?"

"What’s going on in here?" Sarah Dawson appeared in the doorway. "It sounds like World War III in here."

"Heather’s just being Heather, Mom. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take Rose home. I’ll be back." Jack grabbed Rose’s hand and led her out of the room.

They drove to Rose’s house in silence, their minds on what could have happened before Heather interrupted. Rose sighed. She really did want to be with Jack again. It felt like forever since they’d been together in such a way. There had to be a place where they could be alone. No interruptions. Finally, they arrived at her house. Rose placed her hand on the door to get out of the car when Jack stopped her.

"Rose, I’m sorry about earlier." Jack sighed. "I guess I wasn’t really thinking."

"Jack, you only did what your heart told you to do, and mine was telling me the same thing. It was just bad timing. That’s all."

"Well, then, we’re going to have to make a good time, then. What are you doing this coming Friday after school?"

Rose shrugged. "French homework. Why?"

Jack grinned, a plan forming in his head. He had recently sold a couple of his drawings for a good price and had a pretty penny stashed away. He was saving up for a new car, but Rose was well worth the price, and a car could wait. His Rose couldn’t. "Dress your best. I’ll pick you up at eight." Jack grinned mysteriously.

"Jack?" Rose arched an eyebrow suspiciously. "What are you up to?"

"You’ll find out. Just be ready Friday at eight." Jack grinned, letting Rose’s hand go so she could get out of the car.

Sighing, she leaned over to kiss him good-bye. "Fine, then. Night, Jack."

"Night, sweetie." He waved as she got out of the car and disappeared into her house. He was determined to make Friday the most romantic night of her life.

Chapter Fifteen
Stories