OK, so again, I might have fudged a little on when they first started wearing the promise rings. And maybe they don't like the Braves, but I do, so they will just have to deal with it. :-) But, here is chapter 5, the last of my already written chapters...now I must delve into the recesses of my imagination, and it's dark in there...so, wish me luck, cause I'm going with only a flashlight and a PB and J sandwich.
Chapter 5
*Cali-16, Kevin-15, Joe-13, Nick-10, Frankie-2...and FYI, Cali has just gotten back from her very first solo (minus mom) spring break vacation*
“Hey, Mom?” I knew she knew I was about to ask her for something by the look on her face.
“Yes, Cali?”
“I know I just got home, and I’m sure you’re just dying to spend time with me since I’ve been gone for a week, but…”
“Tell them I said ‘hi’.” I grinned, grabbed the purple plastic bag from the kitchen table, and shot out of our house.
“Cali!” Was followed by a loud thump as a Jonas avalanche occurred. Nick’s shout caused Kevin to lose his focus, and balance. And since Joe had been attempting to sit on Kevin’s shoulders, he toppled over, pulling Kevin and himself down onto Nick.
“Geez, guys. Falling all over yourselves just cause of me.”
“Cali!” Little Frankie was squirming around in Mrs. J’s arms as the two of them stepped out of their house.
“Hey, lil man. Did you miss me?” He reached for me. I sat my bag down at my feet, took him in my arms and he gave me a hug. “I got you something.”
“Presents?!?!” Nick and Joe practically lunged at my bag.
“Boys!” Mrs. J scolded and I grinned. “How about we let Cali have a moment to breathe before you pounce all over her?” She turned to me. “Let’s go inside, dear. I want to hear all about your trip.” She snatched my bag from her two middle sons and ushered me into the living room, with Frankie still attached to my neck. “Joe, why don’t you take Frankie and get him some lunch. Nick, you can go help.” It wasn’t a request and they both knew it. “I’m sure, if Cali brought you something, waiting another ten minutes for it won’t kill you.”
“But…” The look on Mrs. J’s face was enough to stop Joe’s whining. He grabbed Frankie from my arms and slung him over his shoulder. I sat down on the couch, next to Mrs. J, and Kevin plopped on the floor in front of me. “NICK!” Joe bellowed and Nick scurried out.
“Oh, my gosh, I missed you guys so much.” I grinned. “But I had sooooooooo much fun. And I got presents for everyone.” Mrs. J handed me my bag.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, Mrs. J, but I wanted to.” I pawed through my bag and began pulling out its contents. “Mrs. J.” I handed her a bag full of sugar coated pecans {pronounced pea-cans, not peh-cons}. “I know it’s not much, but I love these, and I thought maybe you’d like them too.”
“It’s wonderful. I love them.” She smiled.
“It’s kinda a joint thing for you and Mr. J. I hope that’s ok.”
“Oh, honey. It’s perfect.” I grinned again and continued to pull out more things from my bag.
“For Frankie, I got him this.” It was a wooden horse that stood about 6 inches tall. “I dunno if he really likes horses, or it’s just cause I do, but…”
“He will flip over that. And he’ll drool all over it, too.” Kevin grinned up at me. He took the statue from me. “This is hand carved?” I nodded. “Did you…”
“No. I may be good, but I’m not that good.” I laughed. Mrs. J chuckled and Kevin rolled his eyes. “This,” I said, holding up a baseball that held a bunch of signatures, “is for Nick. It’s the Atlanta Braves. They all signed it.”
“Whoa. That is way too much money for you to be spending on him.” Mrs. J said.
“Not really. My grandmother’s friend’s son is actually one of the players, so he got that for me.” I beamed.
“That’s so cool!” Nick shouted, running back into the living room. He took the ball from my outstretched hand and began to inspect all the signatures.
“NICK!!!” Once again, Joe bellowed for his brother. “Mom said you have to help me!”
“Let me go take care of this.” Mrs. J stood and walked out of the room. I couldn’t see what was happening, but I could make an educated guess. Joe was getting scolded for yelling, and then scolded for making a mess with Frankie’s lunch. Frankie was giggling happily at the predicament Joe was in. Mrs. J sent Joe back out to us while she started Frankie’s lunch all over again.
“What’d you get me?” Joe said, bouncing up to us. I pulled out a baseball glove for Joe, again, with all the signatures of the Braves players. “Awesome!”
“Let’s go play catch!” Nick suggested.
“You don’t play with autographed stuff. Duh!” Joe said, as if he’d known that all his life, when in truth, he’d learned not to play with autographed stuff when I’d had to tackle him for playing with my drumsticks that had been autographed by all four Beatles—not only valuable money wise, but also my closest connection to my dad since they’d been his.
“Here.” I pulled out two more gloves and a baseball, none autographed, from the bag. “I figured you’d wanna play.” I tossed them the items.
“Thanks, Cali.” Joe said, darting out the front door.
“Yeah, thanks.” Nick was only a few steps behind Joe.
“And, for being so patient, I have a final present for Kevin.” I said, handing him the almost empty bag. One eyebrow shot up as he pulled out a keychain with a picture holder—I had already put a picture of him and myself in the frame. “I know, it’s kinda lame, but the key chain is cause you’re gonna be old enough to drive soon. And the picture of us is cause you’re my best friend and I don’t want you to ever forget that.” I pulled another, identical (right down to the picture) keychain from my pocket. “That’s so no matter where I go, you’re always with me.” I sighed. “Lame, huh?”
“Cali, this is the best present I’ve ever gotten.” He surprised me with a bear hug.
“So, did you miss me?”
“Even more than Frankie did.”
“Whoa.”
“Yeah. So, wanna go to the park?”
“Race you there!” I knew he’d beat me, but he had the unfair advantage of practically sitting in my lap on the couch. “WAIT!” He looked at me, startled.
“What?”
“What is this?” I grabbed his hand and flipped it palm down. “I was gone a week, and I come back and you’re married?”
“No, dork. That’s a promise ring.”
“And you’re promising what to whom?”
“That I save myself for marriage. And I made the promise to God.”
“Um, ok.” I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just didn’t say anything.
“It’s no big deal. It’s a personal choice. Don’t feel like you have to get one just cause I did.” I nodded and he grabbed my hand. “Now, let’s get to the park. Maybe we can terrorize Joe and Nick for a little while.”
“Absolutely.”
