K. Wendt's Blog, page 3

Alpine Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

             Jen and Aaron scooted into a booth in the drugstore after putting in an order at the counter for a chocolate malt for them to share. As they settle in across from each other, Aaron waited for Jen to be still.

                        “Okay, Jen,” he said. “What’s up?”

            Jen continued to fidget with her hands and stayed silent as he watched her. She took a breath as a waitress brought over their malt poured into two separate glasses. Jen began to fidget with her straw as she sipped her malt. Aaron couldn’t take another second.

                        “Jen,” he said.

             Jen looked at the man before her. How would she say what she wanted to say to him? What would it do to their relationship? She could see agitation creep up Aaron’s neck as he tried to be patient with her. She took another breath and began.

                        “Aaron,” she said looking at him. “How come we have never actually dated?

            Aaron choked slightly on his malt. Once he recovered, he met her eyes.

                        “Why are you asking me this, Jen?”

                        “I’m just curious,” she said hoping she sounded truthful.

            Aaron furrowed his brow at her.

                        “Liar.” He said.

            Ugh, he knew her way too well.

                        “I’m not lying. Well, not completely anyway.” She said.

                        “Uh-huh.” He answered as he sipped. “So, why are you curious about us dating?”

            Crap. He was always good at putting her on the spot.

                        “I’ve just been doing some thinking,” Jen began to play with her straw as she spoke. “I’ve been a fool for too long. I’m sure that’s what everyone thinks of me. I’m a poor pathetic fool still pining for a man who left me twenty years ago.”

                        “Uh-huh.” Aaron said.

                        “To tell you the truth, I don’t know why he still affects me the way he does. Maybe I haven’t given myself the full change to really get to know another man and try to find a new love. Maybe I have been screwing up my own ability to be happy.” Jen tried to explain to him.

                        “So, you think us dating would help you move on?” Aaron asked.

                        “No!” She said a little too quick. “What I mean is, everyone is always saying how we should be together. How we should be a couple because we kind of act like a couple already. So,…why not?” She finally blurted out.

            She watched as Aaron sat back in the booth. He stayed silent for a good solid minute just looking at her. Jen squirmed under his stare.

                        “Aaron, please say something.”

            Aaron leaned forward and took one of Jen’s hands that was becoming red from her gripping it.

                        “Jen,” he began, “I love you very much. Probably as close to a loving a soulmate as a man can get. But, I wish you had asked this question twenty years ago.”

                        “What?” Jen whispered not understanding.

                        “Twenty years ago, I would have jumped at the chance to date you because I wanted to then. I wanted to know what it was like to date you, to kiss you, to whisper I love you in an intimate setting. All those crazy kooky things that couples do.”

                        “And now?” Jen asked.

                        “Now, I won’t risk what I have with you. It sounds crazy to say that out loud because I always believed I would jump at the chance to date you. What we have now, though, isn’t worth throwing away if dating doesn’t work. Does that make sense?” he asked her.

                        “Kind of,” she tried to say. “Maybe.”

                        “What we have now is a mixture of a friendship and an intimate relationship. We both love each other and we know this, but we both know it won’t go beyond friends. We both have riding this relationship so close to the line for so long. I think we both know we can’t cross that line anymore. The opportunity to do so walk out with Thomas that night.”

                        “No, it didn’t,” Jen’s tone sharp.

                        “Yes, it did Jen,” Aaron said softly as he continued to hold her hand. “That night as you tried to drink away all the hurt he caused you, you needed someone there who could truly be a friend to you. Someone who loved you enough to know it would be a long time before you could love anyone the way you loved Thomas. I wish it hadn’t taken twenty years, but it did and here we are.”

            Aaron let go of Jen’s hand and picked up the napkin on the table. He scooted out of the booth and slid in next to Jen on the other side. He took the napkin and began to wipe away the tears silently falling down Jen’s cheeks. As he wrapped an arm around her to bring her into his chest, he whispered in her ear, “I love you. I will always love you and I’m not willing to lose your love. I wish more than you know that it could be me, but it can’t. I’m proud of you for being willing and ready to move on. Let’s find you a guy that’s better than Thomas…and me.”

            Aaron kissed her cheek lightly then as he lifted her face to look at her. In that moment, Jen realized everything Aaron said was true. She didn’t want to lose him either. She placed her hand on his as it rested on her cheek and smiled.

                        “I love you, too.” She said.

            Aaron pulled her into a full hug then and held her. When he let go, he tried to lighten the mood.

                        “Let’s finish these before they melt.” He told her, “I have to get back to the bar before Sam has a fit.”

Alpine Story Chapter Seven

It’s almost time to start seriously thinking about a title for this story. Feel free to send me suggestions!

Chapter Seven

            Jen pulled up to the Railroad Bar and parked her bike. Luckily, there weren’t any eight- legged creatures in her way as she made her way up the steps and walked inside.

“Hey, Sam,” she said as she came in.

“Hey, Jen,” he said as he looked up from getting set up for the Sunday crowd. “Out for a ride today?’

“Yeah, I needed to clear my head for a bit,” she told him. “Is Aaron here?”

“He’s in the back working on the books.” Sam said.

“Thanks.”

Aaron had taken over the bar five years ago when Sam decided to “retire”. He had been singing there since he was in high school. Neither Sam or Aaron had any family in the area. So, when Sam decided he was done running the business, he asked Aaron to take it over for him. Aaron agreed to do so as long as Sam remained there as a bartender. Everyone in town loved that old man and Aaron knew Sam wouldn’t be able to spend his time passing the day in a recliner for long. It turned out to be a wonderful arrangement for both men.

Jen peeked her head in the office door at the back of the bar. She stood there a minute and watched Aaron. His head was bent down staring at some papers on the desk. He chewed on a pencil as he made a fist with his left hand. Jen smiled. She liked seeing him like this. He hated the numbers part of the business and would spend hours trying to make sure he understood everything that was happening financially to his bar.

Jen heard him grunt as she wrapped lightly on the door trim with her fist. Aaron looked up and smiled at her.

“Well, good afternoon, cutie,” Aaron teased as he put the pencil down and sat back in his chair. “What brings you here on this fine afternoon?”

“I went for a ride,” she told him as she came in and sat down in the chair between the door and his desk.

Aaron scrunched his eyebrows.

“A ride?” He asked.

Jen sighed.

“Yes,” she said. “It’s a nice day for a ride.”

Jen squinted her eyes at him hoping he would get the message and not ask her about it.

“Well, the weather is nice enough for a ride, I suppose.” He said.

Jen began to breathe a little easier.

“Yes, it is.” She said.

“You still haven’t answered my question.” Aaron said to her as he began to stack up the papers on his desk.

“What question?”

“What brings you by?” he asked her again.

 

Thomas was still sitting at his desk when he ended the call, but the numbers before him had been forgotten. He leaned back in his chair, resting his head against it and closed his eyes. He was trying to figure out what to make of the conversation he just had with this Will guy.

Thomas had no idea who Will was. Why would he? Will didn’t attend Sul Ross with the rest of them. Apparently, this guy was someone who hung out with all of them now.

If Thomas understood what Will had told him correctly, there were at least two people who weren’t okay with Mike being back in town…Aaron and Jen.

He could understand why Aaron didn’t like it. Aaron was never one to hide his feelings well. Thomas knew Aaron didn’t like him or Mike back in college. But, Jen? Why would Jen care about Mike being back? Why would it bother her for him to be there?

That question seemed to be easy to answer according to Will. Mike represented Thomas. Will claimed Jen wasn’t over Thomas and wasn’t seeing anyone. Could that be true after twenty years?

Thomas found himself hoping it was as he thought about Jen and everything Will had told him. But, what really had Thomas’s wheels turning was the challenge Will had set before him. Could he actually do what Will suggested? Is he “man enough” as that guy had said, to face his past?

Thomas got up to fix himself lunch. As he put all the ingredients for a sandwich on the counter, he decided it was a great time to request a vacation from work. The homecoming game for the Lobos was in a week and a visit with his buddy Mike was long past due.

 

Jen leaned forward and placed her hands on his desk.

“Did you bring your bike today?” she asked him.

“Yeah,” Aaron answered. “It’s out back. Why?”

“Let’s go for a ride.” Jen suggested.

Aaron looked at her for a minute while Jen waited for his answer.

“Where do you want to ride to?” he asked her.

“Oh, I don’t care,” she said. “You pick where we go.”

Aaron looked at the clock.

“It’s lunch time.” He said, “By the time we get to Fort Davis, the lunch crowd will be done and we can get malts at the drugstore.”

“That sounds good to me.” Jen said as she got up.

“Just let me tell Sam I’m going and I’ll meet you out front with my bike.”

“Okay.”

Aaron watched as Jen walked out of the bar. He knew she wanted to talk to him about something. She always tried to pull him as far away from people as she could when she needed to talk to him.

“Sam,” Aaron said at the bar, “I’m going out for the afternoon. I’ll be back later.”

Sam didn’t look up from what he was doing.

“Enjoy the ride.” Sam told him.

Aaron could see a smile on Sam’s face even though it was angled down toward the counter in front of him.

“Yeah, thanks,” Aaron said as he made his way to the back to get his bike.

When he drove his Harley around front, Jen was geared up and waiting for him. He nodded at her as he pulled up beside her. She nodded back. Aaron put his bike in gear and took the lead out of the parking lot. His mind wondered a hundred different directs as he led them to Fort Davis. He couldn’t wait to hear what Jen had to say.

Alpine Story Chapter Six

Chapter Six

            Thomas was aggravated as he tried to work in his home office. The numbers on the spreadsheet before him were a mangled mess as he tried to make sense of things. He checked the phone beside him for the tenth time making sure he hadn’t missed a text from Mike.

He had texted Mike a few times last night wanting to know how everyone was. At least, he hoped it appeared that way because he just wanted to know about Jen. Mike had responded once or twice, but that was it and Thomas needed more information. He didn’t like what the few messages implied.

According to how he had read Mike’s responses, Jen and Aaron were together. Really? They ended up together? Jen always swore they were just friends. This aggravated Thomas. Why should it matter if they were together now? They had always seemed to have a special connection with each other. Aaron definitely didn’t hide his feelings for Jen on graduation night, Thomas thought as he absent-mindedly rubbed his chin where Aaron had landed his first punch on him that night.

Thomas took a deep breath and tried to shake all those thoughts away as he went back to the spreadsheet before him. As he started correcting his errors, his phone began to ring. Thomas was surprised when he checked the caller id before he answered.

 

Will knew he was butting in where he didn’t belong, but he didn’t like the tension that seemed to travel in the air the two times Mike had now been around the group.

Will wasn’t part of the original gang from the days they all attended college in Alpine. He came on the scene ten years ago as the new director of the Museum of the Big Bend located on the college campus. He had met Jen first and learned quickly that she was more about hanging out with her friends than she was dating.

Instead of being disappointed by this knowledge, Will had decided to embrace it and was now apart of a very tight knit group. Which made what he had decided to do hard, but it was time to move forward. As much as he loved his friends, they all held on to the past thanks to the actions of one man.

Before Mike had left the party, Will got Thomas’s number off his phone. Will had seen how Jen and Aaron stiffened when Mike showed up last night. He watched as Aaron stayed by Jen all night. It wasn’t unusual for those to hang out together when the group was doing stuff, but Aaron, was extra protective of her with Mike there.

This had infuriated Will. It always baffled him how one man could have such an effect on people so many years later. He would never admit this out loud, but he felt sorry for Jen. She needed to move on. She needed to give herself the chance to fall for the man she should have had all along, whoever he may be. Will had thrown his hat out of the ring within months of meeting her and learning her story.

Will grabbed his large cup of black coffee and sat on the small brown leather couch in his living room. He lived a block away from the girls and had come home before either of them had woken up.

He picked up his cell phone on the table beside him and swiped across Thomas’s name. It was time for someone to force the elephant that had been sitting on Jen’s chest since the day Thomas broke her heart to get off and walk permanently away. He put the phone to his ear and waited for call to be answered on the other end.

 

The number on Thomas’s phone screen was of the area code for Alpine. Mike’s number was saved under his name. Being curious about who else could be calling Thomas from there, Thomas answered the phone.

“Hello,” he said into his phone.

“Hello,” the unknown voice on the other end said. “I’m looking for a Thomas Nelson.”

“This is Thomas.”

Thomas could hear the caller taking a breath before continuing.

“I know you don’t know me, but I’m a friend of Mike’s…and of Jen’s.” the voice said. “My name is Will Bradley.”

Thomas waited for him to say more.

“Mr. Nelson, I’ve been hanging out with Jen and them for a while now and quite honestly, I don’t have a very good view of you. Now, with Mike back here and what he’s contributed to what I know about it all…”

Will went silent again.

“Mr. Bradley is it?” Thomas asked.

“Yes.”

“Why exactly are you calling me?” Thomas asked.

Alpine Story Chapter Five

Chapter Five

            Jen awoke Sunday morning in a daze. She was laying in her bed and trying to remember how and when she got there. Her phone began to light up and buzz against the nightstand it was on. The screen shown bright in the semi-darkness of Jen’s bedroom.

Just wanted to check and make sure you were okay. The text message from Aaron read. You feel asleep on the porch, so I carried you to your bed. Sorry, you had to sleep in your clothes, while the idea of making you more comfortable was tempting, I decided to not risk losing you over it! This is was followed by a smile emoji just before he signed off with, I love you, Red, sleep well. Talk to you tomorrow.

            Jen laid there and thought about last night for a minute. She remembered being on the back porch with Aaron. They talked about Mike and Thomas for a bit and she started crying. She must have fallen asleep not long after that. She wondered how long Aaron had stayed there holding her until putting her in her bed. She picked her phone back to respond to Aaron.

Good morning. I’m fine. Thanks for not helping me get more comfortable. There are some things you just don’t want to see! It would ruin your perfect image of me entirely!! She followed her flirtatious comment with a wink emoji. She knew Aaron wouldn’t take her comment seriously. That was one of the great things about their relationship, they could flirt, cuss and cry and neither one would ever judge the other.

Jen took a deep breathe as she put the phone back down on the nightstand. She flopped her hands onto her stomach as she thought about Aaron and her relationship with him. Why didn’t they date? How come she had never allowed that? She knew he had wanted to at one point. Why did she say no?

She knew the answer. It was the same answer it had been for twenty years, Thomas. Jen signed deeply again. Why did she still allow a man from her past torment her present? Why was it so important to measure every man up to the man that shattered her heart?

Jen sat up and scooted out of bed. She knew the answer and as she gathered up her clothes for the day, she also knew it was a good day for a ride.

 

An hour later, Jen was showered and dressed to take a Sunday drive on her Harley. Lynn had gotten up while Jen was making a quick breakfast for herself. She mumbled good morning to Jen while she poured a cup of coffee and disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower. Jen was the morning person, Lynn took a bit to even be coherent in the mornings.

Once Jen was done eating and her dishes were in the dishwasher, she went back into her bedroom to retrieve her backpack. She kneeled down in front of the trunk at the end of her bed. She opened the antique trunk that had been one of her grandmother’s. Inside, hidden under some memorabilia was a stack of things only Jen knew about. She grabbed the stack and put the items in her backpack. She knocked on the bathroom door and yelled bye to Lynn before walking through the kitchen, grabbing a box of matches along the way.

Jen put on her helmet and put the backpack on her back before getting on the bike and starting it up. She saw Lynn peek out the backdoor just before she drove off. She waved bye and headed toward the only place that would clear her mind today.

 

Lynn stood in her robe with the screen door slightly ajar and watched Jen leave. She wasn’t surprised. Jen took a lot of rides on Sundays, especially after a night of hearing Thomas’s name more than once. Lynn closed the door when her best friend was out of sight.

She was never sure exactly where Jen drove to, but she had a feeling it was a certain curve where she and Thomas spent some time together. Lynn never asked Jen. She didn’t feel it was her place to do so and Jen always seemed to come back feeling better. If Jen needed to go to the spot that was once hers and Thomas’s to feel better, then so be it. Lynn wanted Jen happy and the rides she would take on her bike always seemed to help her.

 

Twenty minutes later, Jen pulled off to the side of the road. She tried to keep her breathing steady as she parked as far away from the road as possible. What had been just a spot beside the road when she came here with Thomas, had become a small picnic area with tables, benches, and fire pits.

She turned off her bike and took off her helmet. She placed her helmet on the seat knowing no one would bother her out here. She sat on top of the table facing the open field before her. She loved this area. She loved living here, and despite the pain attached, she loved this particular spot.

It had gone from being one the best memories she had made with Thomas to being a place of inner peace and finding herself when she felt lost. She never told anyone, but in a way, this spot kept her connected to Thomas and that connection made her feel whole when she was there.

Jen placed the backpack beside her and opened it. She took the matches out first. Carefully, she took the other items out of the bag as well. She had done this ritual before, always intending to burn it all and be done with Thomas and the memories of him. Somehow, every time she tried, she could only burn one or things and that was all. She was never fully ready to let go, but now that had to change. Twenty years was long enough.

Jen picked up the stack of letters Thomas had written her between semesters as college students. In the past, she would read each one and decide not to burn it. Not today. Jen stood up, grabbed the matches and went over to the barbeque pit. She put the letters down long enough to strike a match on the box to light it.

“I have loved for a long time now, Thomas. Even with as much as you hurt me, I still find myself loving you. I may never stop loving you, but it’s time to let go. I pray you’re happy and successful, just like you wanted. I’m successful, too, but now it’s time for me to be happy.” Jen said out loud to the memories surrounding her as she held his beautiful words in her hand.

She put the match to one corner of the letters and let the flame catch. Once she was satisfied they were going to burn, she placed them on the pit to finish.

“I love you, Thomas, I always will. You were the prince no man can compare to. I think maybe now, instead of pining for my lost prince, it’s time to focus on my knight.”

Jen went back to the pile of things sitting on the table. She knew she wouldn’t burn anything else today and started to put the items back into her backpack. She stopped and opened a small ring box. It held a small silver ring band with a turquoise shaped heart on it. It was the promise ring Thomas had given her when he promised her a future of forever with him and couldn’t afford an actual engagement ring. Jen loved this ring. It spoke volumes of who she was and how well he knew her. She didn’t need diamonds and he had loved that about her…or so she thought.

Jen closed the ring box and put it in the backpack with everything else. She decided she would have the jeweler in town turn the ring into a pendant. No sense in letting the beautiful thing tarnish just because she wasn’t with Thomas anymore. She sat back down on top of the table and watched the letters burn as peace entered into her soul as she found herself moving forward a little stronger this time.

Alpine Story Chapter Four

I hope you are enjoying this story as much as I am enjoying writing it. At some point, I need to give a proper title to this story! Suggestions???

Chapter Four

            By the end of the night, Mike had been glad he had gone to the barbeque. He reconnected with some former classmates and there seemed to be the possibility of new friendships. He laughed to himself as he remembered Will trying to crack a joke but, appeared to be a little too drunk to say it correctly. Thankfully, Will had crashed on the girl’s couch, so no one had to worry about him being on the road.

Mike went into his small, shower only, bathroom and turned on the hot water. He thought about the girls as undressed and stepped under the hot water. They both appeared to be happy and seemed to be enjoying life. There were other girls at the party, but everyone seemed to center around Jen and Lynn. Maybe it was because the party was at their house? Mike wasn’t sure.

He had watched both of the girls intently throughout the night. He noticed how their movements within the group were fluid. Both girls could match wits with anyone there, and a lot of the men seemed to enjoy that about them. There had been a lot of laughter and good time at the party tonight.

Mike scrubbed his short curly hair vigorously as he remembered the way Aaron had eyed him throughout the night. Mike knew Aaron didn’t trust him, not then or now. It didn’t help that Thomas kept texting Mike and asking how the party was going.

Why did he care so damn much? Mike wondered as he turned off the water and opened the shower door to towel off. If Thomas cared so much about what was going on, then he needed to be here himself to see. Mike shook his head, no, Thomas proved way back then he couldn’t be trusted to make a good decision. Best to keep him in Dallas and not entice him to come this way. Besides, he stood in Mike’s way once, why would Mike let him do that again.

 

Aaron, Jen, and Lynn sat on the girls’ back porch listening to Will snore from inside the house.

“Holy cow, he’s loud!” Jen said. “He’s on the couch in the living room. Could you imagine if we were in there! We’d have to put earplugs in.”

“Oh, Jen,” Lynn said between laughs, “be nice. He can’t help the way he has to breath when he’s sleeping.”

Jen looked at Aaron and rolled her eyes.

“You were awful quiet tonight.” She told him.

Aaron scrunched his eyebrows together.

“Was I?” He asked. “I thought I was my usual charming self.”

Jen bumped his knee with her own.

“Come on, Aaron,” she said. “you know you weren’t very nice to everyone here tonight.”

Lynn stood up then.

“I think it’s a good time to go to bed,” Lynn said as she squeezed past them to go inside. “Good night Aaron.”

“Good night,” he told her.

Once Lynn was inside, Jen tried again.

“So,” she said.

Aaron looked at her.

“So,” he repeated.

“Aaron,” Jen said and sighed, “you weren’t very nice to Mike.”

“Why should I be?” He asked her.

Jen’s cheeks flushed red.

“He wasn’t the one that hurt me, Aaron,” she said. “It had nothing to do with him.”

“No, but being friends with that fool was bad enough.” Aaron shot back.

“Aaron, I can’t be ugly to Mike because of who he used to know.” Jen said.

“Knows,” Aaron corrected her.

“What?” Jen asked.

Jen wrapped herself up into her arms. She was cold and didn’t want to have this conversation.

Aaron opened her arms up, pulled her closer to him, and started rubbing her arms to keep her warm.

“He still keeps in touch with Thomas.” Aaron finally told her.

Jen slumped forward into Aaron’s chest.

“Oh,” she tried to say, “well, we can fault him for that. They were good friends back then.”

“I know,” Aaron said as he put his arms around Jen to hold her closer.

They stayed like this for a while. Jen listened to Aaron’s heart beat inside his chest as she tried to get a grip on what he told her. It shouldn’t matter that Mike still talks to Thomas, she tried to tell herself. As Jen readjusted herself to be more comfortable in Aaron’s arms, she thought It can’t matter. Thomas can’t matter anymore.

 

It had been barely a whisper, but Aaron heard it. He heard Jen say Thomas can’t matter anymore and Aaron wished to God Thomas didn’t. Truth was, though, that he did. He was the one that let go of a most precious stone and allowed it to be rolled down the mountain and shattered into pieces.

Aaron held Jen for a while. He knew she needed it. He knew she needed someone to hold her and his embrace was a safe place for her. There, she could laugh, scream, or cry and he wouldn’t fight her.

She had started crying softly after accidentally saying that bit about Thomas out loud. It angered Aaron that Thomas had that effect on her, even now. Aaron tightened his grip around her as he thought back to the night Thomas broke up with Jen. If he’s fool enough to show his face around here again, I’ll gladly remind him of how we last parted., Aaron thought as he tucked his head in towards Jen’s. I don’t mind one bit beating his ass now, just as I did then.

 

Alpine Story Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Mike felt a little uneasy as he rang the doorbell beside the girl’s front door. He liked Jen and Lynn, but he wasn’t sure how they felt about him. It had been Will that invited him to this party, he had been unable to read how the girls felt about Will doing that.

Once Mike had gotten back to his place, he had decided he wasn’t going to come. It wasn’t until Mike received a phone call while in the middle of dialing the Will had given him, that Mike changed his mind.

Thomas had called to tell him congratulations on the job and razed him about taking on a losing team. The two men had kept in touch after college. At first, they had met up with each other a couple of times a year, after Thomas got married though, that had all died down. They did still each other occasionally through the years. The last time had been about a year ago, when Thomas first told Mike of his divorce.

He had told Thomas about seeing the girls and being invited to the barbeque. Thomas talked him into going. So, now here he was on the front porch of a red brick home that was shared by two very interesting pieces to his past. Ugh, what have I got myself into. Mike rang the doorbell a second time. I hope you’re happy Thomas, Mike thought as Lynn opened the door.

 

 

“Hello there,” Lyn said as she opened the front door and held it there for Mike to enter. “We’re all in the back.”

“Hello,” Mike managed as he followed Lynn through a small square shaped living room with an oversize chair and one simple couch. They walked through a dining room that was set up for casual dining, through a quaint old-fashioned kitchen, finally going through a medium sized utility room before walking through the back door to join the others.

He was glad to see Will there and relaxed a little. He had followed Lynn to where Jen and Aaron were standing next to the barbeque pit. He felt a little bit like the lamb being led to slaughter as he looked from Aaron to Jen. Neither one seemed to be all that happy he was there.

 

 

Aaron had watched as Lynn led Mike over to them. Mike appeared to be uncomfortable. Good!

Aaron purposely kept his voice tight as he motioned toward Mike’s left hand.

“You plan on sharing that or is that your personal case for the evening?” Aaron asked.

It took a minute for Mike to register what Aaron was saying to him. He had to look down in the direction Aaron was pointing to see what he was talking about.

“Oh, I thought I would contribute to the cookout.” Mike said. “Is that okay?”

Lynn opened the cooler on the ground next to her and took the case of Shiner Bock from Mike.

“Sure, it is.” She told him.

“Hand me a cold one, since you’re in there Lynn.” Aaron said as he tossed the empty can he was holding into the trash can near the pit.

Jen spoke up for the first time since Mike had joined them.

“Lynn, we need to go finish setting up the side dishes.” She said as she started to walk back to the house pulling Lynn with her. “I think Aaron is almost done cooking.”

 

 

Aaron looked Mike over as they stood there drinking their beers. They were equal in height, but that appeared to be all. Aaron was trim and in shaped, but Mike’s muscles were toned and flexed with every movement of his body. Aaron was brown haired, brown eyed, and had olive skin. Mike was blonde haired, blue eyed, and seemed to have a creamy complexion.

“So, what made you come back to Alpine, Mike?” Aaron finally asked after a long silence.

“It was time for a change. I discovered this job was open when I was about two months into hunting for a new job. So, I decided what the hell and applied for it.” Mike explained between sips from his beer can.

“What about you?” Mike asked. “Have you been here the whole time or did you go away and come back?”

“Me? I tried going away for a while, but I learned quickly that my place was here.” Aaron answered with an edge to his voice.

“What about the girls?” Mike asked, “did they leave?”

Aaron took a drink of his beer and looked at Mike for a hard minute before answering.

“Lynn left for a while, too, but she was back soon after I was.” Aaron began, “As for Jen, she didn’t have the strength to out into the world after graduation night. So, she stayed here and got her doctorate in English and became an English professor for the college.”

The look on Mike’s face told Aaron he understood what Aaron was saying.

“Well, it’s good to know that at least one of them is happy in their life now.” Mike said.

Aaron laughed as he turned toward the pit to flip the meat over.

“I don’t know what gave you the idea that Jen is happy, but I’m glad to know that son of bitch is suffering.”

 

 

Lyn waited until they were back in the kitchen before she addressed the subject hanging in the air between them.

As she leaned against the counter, she asked. “What was that about Jen? You know we have everything ready.”

Jen took a deep breath. “I had to get away from there. I don’t think Aaron likes Mike being here. His demeanor changed as soon as he saw the two of you walk out the back door.”

Lynn rolled her eyes. “He’s just being his over protective self as always.”

“That maybe,” Jen said as she fiddled with paper plates, “but at least I know I can trust him.”

“That’s not fair, Jen,” Lynn almost screamed. “Mike was never given a chance to show how he felt about things.”

 

Jen shook her head.

“You’re right, Lynn, and the last thing I’m going to do is get a fight with anyone over a man that existed twenty years ago.” Jen said. “It’s time to move forward and enjoy life.”

Lynn reached out and hugged her best friend. She wanted to believe those words, but knew Jen well enough to know that would never fully come to pass. Thomas had done quite the number on her.

When they released Lynn said, “Well, let’s look at tonight as a step into the future. Let’s have a good time with our friends and get to know Mike for the first time.”

Jen laughed at Lynn’s words but shook her head in agreement. They walked out to their cozy backyard arm in arm looking forward to a night full of fun and friends.

Alpine Story Chapter Two

Here’s a little secret about me and how I write…I don’t typically put chapters in my first draft. So, by typing this story out through my blog this year, I’m trying to train myself to do that and see if I like writing that way. That being said, if you disagree with the chapter break, you can tell me so…thank goodness for rough drafts!

Chapter Two

            Thomas came back from an early morning run the next morning. Most of the time, he could clear his head when he went on a run. This morning, his head was just as clouded as it had been when he left his apartment an hour earlier. He had grabbed his mail from his box in the first- floor lobby on his way to his apartment.

Once inside, he made himself a glass of orange juice and sat down in his favorite leather recliner. He tossed all the junk mail and bills aside as he opened up the Alpine Avalanche. He had been a subscriber to the small -town paper since he attended college there. He liked seeing what was going on there even now, twenty years later. He skimmed the pages until he saw a familiar face.

One of his friends from college was now the coach for the Sul Ross Lobos. Thomas laughed to himself as he read about Mike Abbott returning to the small school to coach the football players and maybe win a game or two.

When Thomas finished reading the article, he put the paper on the table beside him, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Right there, in that moment, he was jealous of his friend Mike. Thomas knew part of the jealously he was feeling was because Mike was able to move back to Alpine and live there. That didn’t really bother him. He was happy for him. What bothered Thomas was Mike would now get to see Jen again. He and Mike had both had a crush on Jen back in college and Thomas had been the one Jen liked. He wondered if Mike would try to date Jen now.

Thomas suddenly found himself to be upset by that thought. Jen was his girl. Wasn’t she? He thought. No stupid, you pushed her aside to chase your dream. The dream you thought she couldn’t support you through. Thomas shook his head as he got up to take a shower. Idiot.

 

 

After eating pizza with the gang, Jen and Lynn went back to their place. It had been decided they would all meet up there later for a barbeque. Jen and Lynn needed to go pick up the house and make a quick grocery run before Aaron showed up with the meat for the cookout. Lynn was frantic as she helped clean the house.

Mike, the new coach, had shown up to the pizza joint as they were getting done eating. Will had invited him to cookout and Mike had accepted.

“Jeez, Lynn,” Jen said as she tried to clean around the Tasmanian devil of her roommate, “you’d think you were hanging out with Mike for the first time.”

Lynn sweeping the kitchen floor and looked at Jen.

“Twenty years ago,” she said, “Mike didn’t know I existed until you chose Thomas over him. By then, I was dating Jonathan and didn’t give him the time of day.”

“And now?” Jen interrupted.

Lynn smiled.

“Now, I get to show him just how well I exist.” Lynn answered as she raised an eyebrow toward Jen.

Jen busted out laughing.

“Oh, Mike better watch out.” Jen teased. “Lynn intends to win herself a coach!”

Lynn started laughing with her and then swept the broom toward Jen.

“Shouldn’t you be cleaning the bathroom?” Lynn asked Jen as she calmed down.

Jen slumped her shoulders as she raised her hands to show she was holding bathroom cleaners.

“I really hate that job.”

“I know,” Lynn said as she swept the broom toward Jen again, “but it’s your turn to clean it this week. Now shoo!” she swept harder toward Jen as though she were chasing her away.

“Okay, okay.” Jen said. “I’m going.”

 

 

 

Aaron was agitated as he waited his turn in the meat market. He didn’t like Mike being back in town. Mike was a connection to Thomas and that was bad for Jen.

Dammit, He thought to himself. The idea of Mike being back gave Aaron a bad vibe. Jen was doing great. She had a good job and great friends. She was happy…mostly.

Aaron knew Jen would never fully be over Thomas. Jen had dated some after Thomas. She even tried being in a relationship with someone once or twice, but she always ran from them when it appeared she would be getting as close to them as she did to Thomas. Jen had told Aaron many times, she couldn’t experience heartache like that again. She wasn’t strong enough, she always told him.

Not strong enough, ha!

Jen was the strongest woman he knew. He would never admit to anyone out loud, but he did love her. He even thought about asking her out on dates, but he never did. Their relationship was hard to explain to others. It was more than a brother and sister relationship, but it wasn’t quite a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship. Jen admitted to him once that she did love him, but she just didn’t have the guts anymore to attempt a relationship. Aaron understood that and tried to respect her decision.

Now with Mike back, though, Aaron didn’t have a good feeling about things. Mike and Thomas had been good friends in college. Aaron thought after twenty years, Thomas would definitely stop poisoning Jen her heart. Now, he wasn’t so sure. What’s to stop Thomas from coming back to Alpine now once he finds out his buddy from college was back. That’s if they keep in touch, he tried to tell himself.

Aaron shook the thought out of his head as he stepped to take his turn at the meat counter. Tonight, at the barbeque, he would have to feel Mike out and see what the chances were he still kept in touch with Thomas. Hopefully, the answer would be not at all.

Let’s Create a Story

This year is a year of change for me in the writing world. It’s time to make some crucial changes and move forward. As I do this, I ask that you please bare with me. I have decided thru the request of many, that this year’s blogs will focus on the writing of a new story. If you were with me in November, you know the beginning of the story already. I am reposting that story in today’s post as chapter one. My plan is to post a new chapter every week. So, please read either for the first or second time. Feel free to email me your suggestions and comments as we walk this story’s journey together. Now, back to a place I love…

**There will always be typos, but I invite any proofreading you offer.

Alpine Story

K Wendt

Chapter One

            The gravel kicked up from under the black Harley’s tires as it came to a stop in front of the bar. As the dust settled back down, all the men outside watched as the black leathered figure turned off the bike. Cat calls and whistles escaped the lips of a few of the drunken idiots toward the bike’s rider.

Jen rolled her eyes underneath her helmet. She needed to get off her bike and go into the bar. Her friends were waiting for her, but the eight-legged creature between her and the door was taking it’s time to get out of her way.

“Jen!” Lynn called from the doorway.

Jen took off her helmet, letting her long red hair flow down her back as she did so. She pointed toward the eight-legged creature.

“Oh, good grief!” Lynn said as she turned and disappeared back into the bar.

A few of the cat calls continued as Jen stayed where she was. Most of it had died down when some of the men realized who was sitting on the bike.

Lynn came back out of the bar. This time, she had Aaron with her. He had a broom in his hand. Jen watched as Aaron walked over to the tarantula preventing Jen from getting off her bike. She saw the direction Aaron intended to send the tarantula.

“Aaron!” she screamed. “Don’t you dare!”

With one sweep of the broom, Aaron helped the tarantula jump closer to Jen’s bike.

“Aaron, I swear!” she screamed again.

Aaron was doubled over laughing. The tarantula decided to get a little closer to Jen.

 

 

“Aaron!” she screamed. “Seriously, I’ll start this bike back up and run you over!”

“Okay, okay, Red.” Aaron stood to his full six-foot height. “Calm down.”

He went over to the tarantula and helped to redirect its’ path. When it was far enough away, Jen finally got off the bike.

“I hate you, Aaron.” She said between clenched teeth.

Aaron walked over to her, put his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Naw, Red, you love me, and you know it.”

She punched him in the chest.

“Ow!” He said laughing.

“I may love you, but I sure don’t like you right now.” She squeezed out of his grasp and walked up the steps to the bar. Lynn was on the ground in tears from laughing so hard.

“And you,” Jen said. “What sort of best friend does that to a person? There was nothing funny about that.”

“Oh, yes there was,” Lynn said as she tried to calm down. “You’re just mad because it was at your expense.”

Aaron joined them on the porch. “Shall we go in and drink the night away, ladies?”

Jen looked down and realized she hadn’t taken her protective gear off.

“Hold on,”

She walked back out to her bike and proceeded to strip off her leather pants and jacket. All male eyes watched her. She smiled to herself at the obvious ogling. Too bad they weren’t going to get everything they were hoping for. Under her leather pants she was wearing skinny jeans that were tucked into her riding boots and hugged her hips and curvy butt. The casual black tank top draped across perfectly shaped breasts. She combed her fingers through her long hair, shaking it out as she did so. Satisfied, she went back to the porch to join her so called friends.

“Jeez, Jen,” Aaron said, “For someone who swore off dating, you sure know how to mess with a guy.”

Jen smiled as she walked to the door, “I don’t mind showing them what they’re missing. Now, how about a Jack and Coke before your set?” she said as she walked into the bar.

Her two friends followed her.

 

 

 

 

“Hey, Sam,” Jen said as she sat down on a stool.

Sam turned from the customer he was serving.

“’Bout time you came in,” Sam told her. “I was losing customers because of you.

“Me?” Jen smiled. Sam liked to tease and she knew it.

“Yeah, you,” every guy in here had to see who was causing all the fuss outside.” Sam leaned across the bar and looked at Jen with a serious face, “tell me, did this one survive?”

“What?” Jen was confused. “What are you talking about?”

“You know damn well what I’m talking about,” Sam told her, a smile forming on his lips, “the last encounter you had with a tarantula resulted in the poor little guy’s death.” Sam, Lynn, and Aaron all busted out laughing.

Jen tilted her chin up, “They are not poor little creatures,” she said trying to defend her fear of the eight-legged creations. “They are creepy.”

“You know, Jen,” Lynn said, “if someone who didn’t know you heard you talking they would never believe you love this place so much.”

“Ain’t that the truth!” Aaron agreed.

“I do love Alpine. I could just do without those things living here.”

“Enough about spiders,” Aaron said. “Are you going to sing with me tonight, Red?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, come on,” Lynn said. “you should. You cowrote some of the songs with him after all.”

“Nope, I’m just fine with writing the lyrics. I don’t need to sing and no one needs to hear me sing them.”

“I’ve heard you sing, Red, You’re not bad.” Aaron teased.

“When have you ever heard me sing?” Jen asked.

“Oh, I don’t think this the time to discuss that,” He said with a grin. “Besides, it’s time for me to onstage.”

Aaron walked off quickly.

“I wonder what he’s talking about.” Jen said.

“Oh, based on how red your cheeks are right now,” Lynn replied. “I think you know.” She gave her best friend a wink before turning to get a good view of the stage to watch their friend perform.

Jen did know what Aaron was referring to, but that was always supposed to remain between them. She wished he hadn’t teased her about it in front of everyone else.

 

 

It was two in the morning when Jen got back on her bike to go home. It had been a good night. Aaron was, as usual, great on the stage. She thought about him as she waved one last time to him before driving away.

She wished he’d leave this small town and chase his Nashville dream. She didn’t know anything about the industry, but she did know he had talent and it was being wasted here.

She decided to turn left and take the long way home. It was a cloudless sky tonight and the stars were beautiful. She loved riding on the open road under the stars. For the most part it was calming to her. Just think of now, not then, she would always tell herself as her mind drifted to a time so long ago now.

Jen shook her head and instead thought about the good time she had had with her friends. While, Aaron sang, Jen and Lynn drank drinks that other hopeful men bought for them. Jen knew her limit and she also knew neither one of them would be going home with someone. It was a rule they had made many years ago:  If you want to remember everything that happened, don’t get drunk and no man is worth the drink he’s buying. They both believed love was found outside the bar, not in it.

Jen’s mind wandered again. She knew that to be true. Love, did indeed exist outside the bar. Too bad she wasn’t able to hold on to it. Jen slowed down as she came to some deer grazing on the side of the road. As she crept passed them, she realized where she was. Memories came rushing back to her of another cloudless night, sitting on his hood, snuggled into his arms and wishing they could stay like that forever.

Get over it Jen! She chided herself. It was so long ago. He’s gone. Not coming back. Let go! Jen shifted gears and sped up her bike. This time going a little faster than she should around the curves. She was running from the memories again, just like she did every time she took that drive. Her vision blurred under her helmet as she attempted to will the tears to stop. She hated that he still affected her so much. It had been long enough. Why did she care anymore? As Jen blinked the tears away, she knew the answer.

 

 

 

“Hey, Jen,” Lynn said as she shook her best friend. “We’re going to be late.”

Jen opened one eye and looked up at Lynn

“For?”

“It’s almost time for the game.” Lynn said getting up and pulling the covers off  Jen.

“Ugh,” Jen moaned and turned over. “Tell me why we go to watch a losing team again.”

“Because,” Lynn said, “we should support them whether they win or lose.”

Jen sat up. “Right! That’s why we go. It has absolutely nothing to do with the new coach.”

“Oh!” Lynn swatted Jen with a pillow. “Maybe it does and maybe it doesn’t, but you need to get up.” Lynn swatted at her again.

“Alright, alright,” Jen said getting out of bed. “I’m up, just let me take a quick shower.”

 

 

After the game, Jen and Lynn met up with Aaron and a few other friends at the only pizza joint in town. The Lobos had lost another game but, no one was surprised by that. The school was known for its’ rodeo and ag program, not for football or really any other sport. But, you support your town’s local teams no matter what and most of their friends liked to go for pizza after a game.

“Hey, girls,” Will said as they came into the restaurant.

“Hey, Will,” Lynn said as she scooted into the corner booth next to him.

Jen scooted in next to Aaron. He put his arm around her and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Are you still mad about last night?” he asked her.

 

 

“You know I hate tarantulas,” she frowned at him.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, Red.”

Jen knew what he was referring to. She just didn’t want to talk about it. Not then, in front of all their other friends. Never again, actually. She didn’t want to discuss one of the worst nights she had ever experienced with anyone.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Aaron. Please don’t bring it up again.” She told him.

“Whatever you say, Red,” Aaron kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Just remember I do love you and I am always here for you.”

Jen blushed slightly as she caught Lynn watching them. Lynn had always teased that it should have been Aaron Jen ended up with instead of wasting her time on Thomas. Thomas…

Jen wondered how Thomas was doing. Where was he now? What was he doing? Was he happy? Did he think about her? Jen shook her head slightly. She chided herself inwardly for falling back into the pit of memories she swore she’d never visit again. She knew better. Every now and then, with the voicing of certain phrases, certain times of the year, and every damn time she took that ride, memories of the only man she had truly loved came flooding back and her heart would break all over again.

 

 

Lynn watched her two best friends across the table. They really were perfect for each other. Aaron didn’t let anything happen to Jen he could prevent and there was a night long ago, he nearly killed a man over her. Lynn wished the two of them would get over the “we’re just friends” wall they built up for each other and just be the couple they were meant to be.

Lynn knew when her best friend was happy and when she wasn’t. Her happiest times always seemed to involve Aaron. Even when she dated that pain in the ass, Thomas, Jen was still happiest when Aaron was around. Thank God that jerk left, Lynn thought.

She didn’t like Thomas. Never had. Something about him made her cringe every time he came around. Maybe it was the fact that his nose actually appeared to be stuck in the air when he was around Jen’s friends. The man had high expectations and ambitions. He couldn’t be faulted for that, but it was obvious he had a very clear idea of the type of people that were going to be worth his trip to the top.

 

 

Jen was an ideal person for him. At least in the beginning, when he was still finding his way. He was her first college sweetheart. She was his…. Lynn wasn’t sure what Jen ever was to Thomas, but oh how Jen had loved him. Bastard!

“Lynn, what do you want to drink?” Will asked, shaking Lynn back to reality.

How long had the waiter been standing there?

“Sorry, I’ll have Pepsi please.” She told the waiter.

“Where did you drift off to?” Will asked.

Lynn looked across the table at her best friend.

“Nowhere, really,” she lied. “Just remembered something I have to do before my first client on Monday.”

 

 

It had been another stressful day at the office. Thomas threw his mail on the counter as he walked into his downtown apartment. Dallas was booming with the Cowboys winning last night’s game.

He took off his jacket and tie. He hated having to wear a tie a work. It always made him feel like the life was being sucked out of him. What he wouldn’t give to be in an old pair of Wranglers and straddling a horse right now, he thought as he took out a glass to pour his evening relaxer in.

Jack and Coke. That had been their thing. He had taught Jen how to drink it one night. Damn.

If Thomas were honest with himself, he would admit that he missed her. Needed her. But, he didn’t think she would ever want to see or speak to him again. Not after the way things ended.

 

It happened on graduation night many years ago. Everyone was celebrating being done with college and moving on officially into adulthood. He had a career waiting for him Dallas. Moving up the scales in the financial world was his goal and he had decided the girl he loved was too small town to go on the ride with him.

Thomas had decided it was best to wait until the end of the night when it was just the two of them to tell Jen. He had to settle on doing it in front of Aaron because it seemed that guy wasn’t going to leave. Maybe he sensed what I was going to do?

 

 

Thomas had taken her outside into the backyard of the house Jen rented. He had thought maybe putting some distance between them and Aaron would help him say what he needed to.

As he took a drink from his glass, Thomas remembered Jen’s reaction. He had never seen her so angry, or so hurt the whole time he had known her. He knew she had every reason to be upset. He chose his career over her. That was a decision he didn’t think he would ever regret. That was also twenty years and one divorce ago. Now, as he downed his glass, he’d give anything to have her back, laughing in his arms.

This is Me

This is Me

Well, here we are, the last day of 2017. Overall, this has been a good year for me. I have learned many things and moved forward in many ways. I won’t bore you with all the details. The purpose of today’s blog is to acknowledge where I’ve been and embrace where I’m going as an author.

I have only been on this author journey officially for three years. It seems with each year I grow a little more. When I first started this journey I was still quite shy and didn’t like the idea of even reading my books in front of people or giving speeches. I just wanted to write the book. Please don’t make me read it out loud!

I will admit to having others read my books at the first few events. I was too busy fighting the urge to vomit. So, someone, like my mom or sister, would read the book and then I would get up and speak to the group. I was always honest and up front as to why I didn’t read my book. Most of these events were at schools and it gave me the opportunity to teach the kids that you can still achieve your dreams and do things that help you stay comfortable in your own skin. Make sense? Hope so.

Anyway, I eventually started doing speaking engagements with adults explaining my journey to them. I got better the more I did, but to be honest, even today I still want to vomit before I speak.

Another thing I struggled with in the beginning was writing what I wanted to. My writing career didn’t exactly start the way I thought it would and because of that, I found myself feeling a little restricted in what I wrote. I didn’t want to be branded as one particular type of writer and when I saw it start to happen, I did my best to stop it from continuing.

That’s also about the time I decided that if I wandered down the writing line I really wanted to explore, I would do it under another name. I kept this to myself for a while. My reason for that?? I would have purposeful conversations with different people to feel them out. I got the vibe that certain people wouldn’t be able to handle what I’ve already written being on the same table as what I wanted to try to write.

I’ve hid this desire for a while due to the reactions I got, but over maybe the last year and a half, my desire to follow this idea started getting stronger. I was growing as an author. I was getting more comfortable with crowds and selling my product. I was also starting to finally like who I was in my own skin. Can you believe that?! I’m in my forties and I’m just now liking things about me and paying attention to who I am and what I want.

Now, as this year ends and the new year begins tomorrow, I’m beginning anew as well. I have started to make some changes in my author life. It was time. I have grown and it’s time to take the next major leap forward. I am looking forward to a year of embracing all the ideas screaming in my head to get out. It may be a bit rocky here in the beginning, but growth spurts sometimes hurt, but I’ll come out better on the other side! See you there!!

A Year in Review: Growing Pains

A Year in Review

Growing Pains

            Here we are, one more week and this year is over! I don’t know about you, but for me it went way too fast in certain areas of my life. In a few areas, the end of the year couldn’t come fast enough. But, that’s not what this blog is about this week.

            This blog is about the growth that was experienced throughout the year as an author.

            When I began the year, I was still (admittedly) sort of whiny when a show didn’t go well. Of course, it always helps to be able to talk to people at the shows. So, the one show in which I was losing my voice doesn’t count! Yes, it does. It totally does.

           Anyway, I’m still fairly new to this game of playing author. When you go to a show, it’s rare to be the only author there. You have to convince people that your books are worth their money. You have to do that even if you’re the only author there, but it’s a lot easier when it’s just you.

           I have a great friend that is also a children’s author. We live close enough to each other, that we try to have girl’s night out when possible and we team up on events quite a bit. She’s been at this a little longer than me so she way more experienced at bringing people in and making the sale. You would think it would be easy for me too, since my day job is in retail. No, it’s always harder when it’s your own product.

            My friend and I used to set up next to each other at events. Thanks to my whininess, however, (especially the weekend I couldn’t talk), we decided that our friendship was more important than “competing” for the sale. Now, unless we are sharing a booth, we set up away from each other when we can.

            As I say that, though, I remember that at one of the November shows, we were next to each other and we both did quite well.

            Maybe, it’s because between the day I lost my voice and now, I’ve learned how to push my own product a little better. I’ve learned what numbers work for me as far as feeling successful and I always build up whoever is around me. That’s what a person should do. It shows respect for the craft and it shows a mutual understanding of the importance of everyone trying to sell their books.

           Make sense?

           I hope so. I don’t know how many of you have your name on what you do for a living, but trust me when I say it becomes a whole lot harder and personal when you are virtually selling yourself. (“Burned on Sunday”….harlots…fire…and…whiskey).  Sorry for the quick new book coming announcement, but then again, no I’m not. I have to sell it somehow and I’m no longer afraid to do what is necessary to move forward!