Falling Into Blue Read online

  “See, Jaycee?” he whispers, “we gave up the pretty blue field of blue bonnets yesterday but look what we got today.” Excited but still sleepy, I lay my head on Grandpa’s shoulder but keep my eyes on the animals in the field. This is the coolest thing ever, I think, and then I hear my brothers start waking. As they seem to share a brain, they realize at the same time that today is the first day of the vacation and they’re going skiing. They start kicking their bed covers off, yelling for my grandpa, who’s less than six feet away. “Boys, stop yelling and go get your swim trunks on and meet me at the truck,” he says. We laugh as they stumble over each other to the back room where our shower and dressing area is.

  Now we sit at my grandpa’s gravesite listening to the final prayer. As the soldiers begin removing and folding up the flag that draped my grandpa’s coffin, I look down the row and to the row behind me where my family sits. I’m sitting to my grandma’s right and my dad is to my right with Abigail on his other side. Uncle Duke is to my grandma’s left with his son Bradley to his left and I notice the pattern. First generation to second, first to second, and I wonder why? But then I see a soldier slowly start towards my grandma and then he kneels in front of her. After words of praise for my grandpa’s dedication, sacrifice, and service, they thank her and present her with the flag on behalf of the President of the United States. As he stands, my dad takes my hand in his one hand and Abigail’s in his other. I feel my grandma’s weak, damp hand reach for my other one and Uncle Duke reach for her other and I see what they’ve done. They’ve linked us. I feel both my hands being squeezed as the seven soldiers raise their rifles, aim, and fire three times. Three times my body jolts and my tears fall. The bugle player starts playing "Taps" and they all march off, seemingly vanishing into nowhere.

  After most of the people have left for their cars I look around the cemetery and see my uncle Brock a few rows away staring down at something. I walk over to him and ask, “Hey, Uncle Brock, you okay?”

  “Yeah. Look. They have it up already,” he says as he pulls me to him and puts his arm around my shoulder. I look down and see it. It’s beautiful, carved in marble:

  Colton J. McGinty

  CMSGT

  US Air Force

  Vietnam

  Gulf War

  Oct 15, 1946 - May 11, 2013

  Loving Husband

  Beloved Father and Grandfather

  and next to it:

  Katherine L. McGinty

  April 2, 1963

  Beloved Daughter

  Infant

  Chapter 5

  It’s been almost a year since my grandpa’s death and I admit, I’m stuck. I’m still working at the local grocery store down the street as a cashier. I’ve stayed extra close to Grandma because I thought she was going to need me, but it seems to be me who needs her. My brothers and sister, aunts and uncles, and dad come by all the time and try to get me out of the house. I’ve gone to dinner and to see a few movies with everyone, but I’m more content sitting at home reading or taking walks to clear my thoughts. I’m sitting on the porch swing reading the latest romance, dreaming of the day I can find that love for myself, but it seems my destiny is to become a spinster and collect stray cats. I hear a vehicle coming up the road and look up to see my brother Jake’s dual cab black Chevy truck pulling up. It stops in front of the house and all four doors open with my brothers getting out.

  Okay? I narrow my eyes at them. This isn’t suspicious at all. What are they up to? When they reach the porch, Jake speaks up, “Hey, Sissy. How you doing?”

  I return the greeting, letting him know I’m fine, but I say it as a question. “Fine?” I draw my response out while looking at all my brothers and then returning my eyes to Jake.

  “Well, tonight the whole family is going to Gruene for dinner and then over to the dance hall and we want you to come with us.”

  “Wow, okay, that’s nice, but y’all go on and have fun. I’m feeling pretty tired and planned on staying home, but thanks. Y’all go.” I look back down at my book, pretending to read, but really I’m praying they’ll just get back in the truck and leave. I hear footsteps coming up the porch and see a pair of boots come into my view—Nash.

  He takes a seat next to me on the swing and says, “Jayc-, please? We miss you and yes, we’re all worried—Dad, Uncle Duke, and Brock. But Grandma’s the one that asked us to come talk to you. She’s worried.” This gets my attention, so I look up at all my brothers, who give me a sympathetic look. They’re still hurting too. Then Nash says, “We all miss him, but let’s go out and have a few beers and get our groove on.” All of us laugh.

  “Our groove, huh? I guess so. Let me get cleaned up and I’ll meet y’all there. What time?” I ask.

  No one says anything for a second but Chase finally speaks, “Go on and get ready. We’re waiting for you.” In other words, “not leaving without you.”

  “That’s not necessary, Chase. I said I’ll come.” I’m getting a bit defensive.

  Jesse chimes in. “Listen brat—we’re waiting, so go on and hurry up. We’re hungry and we’re going to dinner at the Grist Mill before we head over to the dance hall. I’m craving their onion rings, so get moving.”

  That does sound good. I’m actually starting to feel a little excited about tonight. I smile at all of them and then I push off the swing and head in to get ready.

  I have on my most girly boots that are brown with pink flowers with pink gems in the middle, and a white sundress with a wide brown leather belt that matches the color of my boots. I’ve thrown on a few silver bangles and hoop earrings and left my hair down, which falls to the middle of my back. When I walk back out onto the porch and make my way down to the truck, my brothers all tell me I look pretty, but then Jesse makes a gagging noise and Jake pops him in the head and we all laugh. Jake opens the back door for me and I hop up into the truck with my brothers piling in after me and we head to Gruene.

  After parking in the gravel lot we start across the street to the Grist Mill where the family has been waiting on us to arrive so we can all order. I give out hugs to my uncle Brock and aunt Paige, uncle Duke, aunt Savannah and Bradley, who, since coming down when my grandpa got sick, hasn’t returned to Dallas. Finally, I see my sister Abigail, and Violet and my dad, and go over to them and give them hugs. My dad looks relieved and happy to see me. I wish I’d known they’d all been this concerned. I tell myself, no matter what, I’m going to have a good time tonight. They don’t need to be worrying about me.

  We have a really nice dinner as we talk and laugh while sitting on the outside deck of the Grist Mill. The view of the Guadalupe River below is beautiful. I asked why Grandma didn’t come, and Violet tells me Grandma is at the church helping set up for the upcoming church bazaar. We then head over to the dance hall where the men head to the bar to get us all drinks; Bud Lights all around, and wine for Violet.

  It’s getting later and we’ve all had a couple of beers by now and I’m starting to relax. The band hasn’t taken the stage yet, so songs are playing over the jukebox. AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” comes on, and all the women jump up and get in line. You wouldn’t think you could line dance to AC/DC, but you can. Towards the end of the song my sister grabs my hand and pulls me off to the side and breaks into doing the Carlton dance. I start cracking up and then join in by doing the “shopping cart” and then it’s on to the “cabbage patch,” “sprinkler,” and “moonwalk.” We’re cracking up and so is our family. My brother Jake announces that because of our “lack” of dancing skills we should never dance again, and he’s pretty sure we’ll be single forever.

  As we exit the dance floor I separate and walk to the bar. After all that, I need another beer. I catch a guy sitting at the bar grinning at me. I smile back but don’t look too long because I don’t want to stare, but from what I can tell, he’s hot. I order my beer and then I keep my eyes down toward the bar and play with a napkin, not w
anting to embarrass myself by gawking, but then I feel heat behind me and a voice close to my ear.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen moves quite like that. Your skills are unique and impressive,” I hear the voice say. Oh crap, I think I want to vomit. I’m so embarrassed but I don’t want to act like a complete loser, so I turn around and start to say something witty and thank him when I see he’s even more good-looking up close and my words get stuck in my throat. “Hi, I’m Rocky,” he says before I can speak. And still I stand staring and not speaking. He’s still grinning while looking down at me and continues to talk, “So, any of those guys over there your boyfriend or husband?”

  And that question snaps me out of it as I gag at the thought. “Um, no. Brothers, dad, uncles, and cousin,” I say as he glances back towards our tables.

  “So, are any of them going to attempt to kick my ass if I ask you to dance?” he asks and puts out his hand for me to follow him onto the floor.

  “I don’t think so, um, Rocky? Like as in Balboa?” I ask as I take his hand and follow.

  “Yes,” he chuckles, “as in Balboa, but it’s actually Jennings. Rocky Jennings.”

  When we make it to the dance floor I look over to see the house band has finally taken the stage and starts to play Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” We turn towards each other. As he puts one of his hands on my waist and takes my hand in his other, I’m still standing there staring at him, but I finally rest my other hand on his waist and we start to dance. He’s really good and has me turning smoothly around the dance floor and he twirls me a couple of times. I can’t help but smile and I notice he’s smiling too.

  “So I was wondering something,” he pauses, “do you have a name?”

  Oh my God, yes, I do have one of those, I inwardly groan. “Jaycee. Jaycee McGinty,” I say out loud.

  He smiles a really nice smile at me. “Nice to me you, Jaycee McGinty.”

  “Nice to meet you, too, Rocky Jennings.”

  We finish our dance and he pulls me off to the side of the floor. He explains he has to get going soon, pulls out his phone, and asks for my phone number. I’m so lost in his voice that I don’t notice my dad walk up till he calls my name.

  “Jaycee, honey,” he says as he comes to stand next to me and faces Rocky. He puts his hand out to shake Rocky’s. “I’m Stone McGinty. I saw my daughter about to give you her number, so before her brothers lose their collective damn mind, I thought it best to come over and meet you and put everyone at ease,” he says.

  Holy heck, this isn’t embarrassing at all. I start to apologize when Rocky responds to my dad, “I’m Rocky Jennings, sir. No problem. If I had a sister I’m sure I’d be pretty protective over her too. It’s nice to meet you,” he shifts uncomfortably. “I have to get going, but I wanted to see if I could get Jaycee’s number so I could call her tomorrow and ask her out to dinner or something,” Rocky looks back over to me and we smile at each other. “Okay then, I’ll leave you to it. It was nice meeting you,” my dad replies and they shake hands again before he walks away.

  “I’m so sorry,” I say with a nervous laugh in my voice.

  “No worries, Jaycee. If you were mine, I’d be very protective, too. So, your number?”

  After exchanging numbers I walk back over to my family. My brothers are not looking too happy, but the women are ready for details. We huddle and I gush as I tell them everything. Rocky. Rocky Jennings. Very cool name for a very hot guy, we all agree.

  Chapter 6

  Early the next morning I wake to my phone ringing on my nightstand. I reach out to grab it to see who could be calling this early, and I bolt up when I see Rocky’s name on the screen. I actually start to jump out of bed and run to look in the mirror before I answer the phone when I remember he can’t see me. I roll my eyes at myself, take a deep breath and cough to clear my throat before answering.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Jaycee, it’s Rocky.”

  “Hi, Rocky.”

  “I was calling to see if you’d like to come with me to the lake today. I thought we could just hang out and talk, maybe swim and we can catch a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants near the water.”

  I want to scream like a lunatic but I keep my cool and reply, “sure.” Real cool, Jaycee.

  “Great!” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Give me your address so I can pick you up in about an hour if that’s okay.”

  I’m already out of bed and pulling clothes out of my drawers. I give him the address, disconnect and rush into the bathroom. After brushing my teeth, shaving my legs (only nicking them three times), and washing my hair at the same time, I jump out dripping wet and slip. Arms flailing, I catch myself before I fall on the bathroom tile. I stop, take a second to calm down, and then make my way to the pile of clothes I’ve yanked out of all my drawers. Crap, I need a second opinion, but I don’t have time so cut-off blue jean shorts, a blue t-shirt with rhinestones in the shape of a boot and my standard flip-flops will have to do. Okay, time for hair and make-up.

  While waiting for Rocky to arrive, I keep second-guessing my outfit. I’ve convinced myself to go change when I hear a knock on the front screen door. I walk around the corner to the front room and up to the screen door to see Rocky smiling huge, wearing black board shorts and a gray t-shirt that fits really snugly across his chest, and flip-flops. Nice. Very nice. I grab my purse and tote bag with swimsuit and towel and walk out to greet him on the porch. He has some really cool Oakleys hanging from the front of his shirt and a baseball cap in his hand. I’m pretty sure drool just fell out of my mouth, because my mouth is watering and it’s wide open with a ridiculous grin.

  “Hey,” I croak.

  His smile gets bigger. He knows how badly he’s getting to me. “Hi, Jaycee. You ready?” He points to my purse and bag.

  “Yep, I just need to lock up,” and I turn my back to him and lock the door. My grandma’s up in Fredericksburg with some of her church friends doing some shopping and will probably be gone most of the day. I turn back to face him and he leans down and softly kisses my lips, surprising me. He waits for me to respond and when I finally do, our tongues start to touch a little. Right when I’m about to really get into it, he pulls back.

  “Sorry. I’ve been wanting to do that since I had you on the dance floor and it was going to kill me if I didn’t do it soon. Come on. We better go now before it’s too late.”

  Too late for what? I don’t mind being late! But he’s pulling me down to his car. It’s definitely a muscle car—black with shiny wheels. I don’t know how far this is going to go, but I really think I like him and I can’t help but feel like I should let him know a few things about me. Like, I’m a virgin and have no idea what I’m doing.

  Chapter 7

  We make a quick stop at Buc-ee’s, the biggest convenience store in Texas and a must-stop for tourists and anyone heading to the lake, where we browse a little at all the cool country-style gifts and food. I notice that Rocky has kept his baseball cap and sunglasses on most of this time since we left my house. I realize I should have grabbed something like this for myself to avoid having to squint all day and prevent the sunburn that I get on my nose. I decide to pick up a pair of cheap shades and a weathered-looking blue jean baseball cap with rhinestones in the shape of Texas. Anything with rhinestones, anything shiny, attracts me like a bee to honey. At the checkout, when I start to reach into my purse for my wallet to pay, Rocky reaches over and takes them from me, adding them to his stuff and pays for everything. I have to say, it feels good to have him want to do that for me. After dumping the ice into a cooler filled with Bud Light and coke, we get back on the road. I stash the bag of snacks—beef jerky, fudge, and some chips—beside it.

  During the rest of the drive we talk back and forth about each other. I tell him about me and my family and I share a little of the heartbreak, still fresh, from my grandpa’s passing
. It starts to overwhelm me so I stop before I think I might break down and make the situation uncomfortable for Rocky. I pull it together.

  My grandpa, dad, and uncles have always been awesome at giving comfort when I needed it, but I know that is rare, since my brothers all tend to the be “there, there, it’ll be okay” type. If I was scared and crying or even hurt and crying, this was their response. Retreat and run, screaming for our grandparents. In my freshman year of high school, I experienced my first heartbreak from a puppy dog love-crush I had on a boy named Harry. Harry had also been a good friend of Nash and Jesse’s. His family attended the same church as mine for years, always playing our parts in the yearly Christmas pageants. We even played Mary and Joseph in the church’s Christmas pageant one year. I’d fallen head-over-heels for him that year, and when he asked me to be his girlfriend I couldn’t have been happier. But when I pulled back because I wasn’t willing to let him get to second base, he cheated on me with the high school slut. I remember coming home in tears when I’d broken up with him because that slut, Brandi, shoved it in my face that they were messing around behind my back. When I walked in the house wailing hysterically, my brothers froze from shoving food into their mouths. As they slowly and cautiously started coming close to me, their eyes scanning me for injuries, I sobbed, “Harry cheated on me with that slut, Brandi, because I didn’t let him touch my boobs and now the whole school knows.”

  I stopped crying and quickly sobered when I looked at each one as I saw they’d all put their snacks down and their faces had gone stone cold. Jake yelled for my grandma and as she rushed in wondering what all the commotion was about, they rushed out. My grandma pulled me into the living room and we sat down on the couch. I was telling her what happened when I whined out another cry and flung my head into her lap and started sobbing harder, my body jerking with my sobs over Harry’s betrayal and my puppy love heartbreak.