Chapter ?? Joe and Kandie “Popcorn and M&M’s”

Here is the “Popcorn and M&M” chapter….one of my faves!

Joe and Kandie
Chapter 2 “Popcorn & M&M’s”
I set my plate of food down on the table, then turned to go get the butter that had been forgotten to be put on the table almost running into Joe who was trying to balance his own plate in one has as well as hold the fat bucket of butter in the other.
“Sorry.” I apologized as I reached for the butter and set it down on the table.
“Thanks.” Joe set his plate down and pulled my chair out for me.
“Thank you.” I smiled as him as I sat down, he sat down in a chair beside of me. “Try the yams. I made them.”
“OK.” Joe put a forkful of the yams into his mouth. He nodded. “They’re delicious.”
“Really?“ I looked at him skeptically. (is that a word)
Joe nodded again. “Yes, really?” His brown eyes held honesty.
“Thanks.” I picked up my own fork and began eating.
Joe tensed up and looked over to my right side. I furrowed my brow and followed his gaze. Jonah sat in the seat to my right. I looked back at Joe, his jaw was set and his brown eyes flashed anger at his brother. I reached over and squeezed his hand. We looked up at he sound of aloud crash in the kitchen. Joe jumped up and rushed to the kitchen. I followed.
The sight in the kitchen made us both laugh. Austin sat in the floor with turkey stuffing all over him, the dishtowel he had tripped on sat beside of him.
“Austin Isaiah Guyer!” Melissa, Austin’s mom stood in the door way. “What happened?” She asked.
“I tripped mom.” Austin mumbled.
Joe reached down his hand to help his cousin stand. “You all right?” He asked.
Austin took Joe’s hand and stood to his feet. “Yeah, thanks.” He brushed him self off.
Joe nodded then lead me back to the dinning room where we finished eating.
Later, I stood wrapped in a thick blanket on the front porch watching the sun set. The orange disk barely showed above (the mountains) turning the clouds pink.
“Hey.”
I turned at the sound. I smiled at Joe. “Hey.” He came up beside of me.
“Are you cold?” Joe asked teasingly. He leaned against the banister.
I nodded and pulled the blanket tighter around me. “Mm-hmm.”
“Do you need a hug?” Joe’s smile melted me. His dark eyes teased.
“Yes.” I stepped into his open arms immediately feeling his warmth. “Much better.”
We watched the sun set and still remained outside.
“I think Austin was embarrassed when he saw you in the kitchen after he slipped.” Joe said after a few minutes of silence.
“I know. Poor Austin.” I looked out across the Guyers front yard. A familiar wolf lay underneath a tree. I smiled at her.
“Come on we better go on inside before someone comes to look for us.” Joe took his arms out from around me.
“All right.” I could still fell the pressure of his arms as I followed him inside. “It’s warm in here.” I remarked taking off the blanket.
“Let’s go see what everyone else is doing.” Joe led me to the living room.
Once we were inside the room we sat down on the couch with Joe’s parents.
“How cold is it outside, Joe?” Mr. Guyer asked his son.
“Probably below freezing. I am not sure.” Joe replied.
“Will it snow, Daddy?” Jane spoke from where she sat by the fireplace.
“I don’t know, sweet heart.” Mr. Guyer replied. “I’m sure snow wouldn’t help your aunts’ shopping spree tomorrow.” He slipped his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Is Mama not going?” Joe looked at his dad then his mom. Janise Guyer always went shopping on Black Friday.
Jonathan Guyer smiled at his oldest child. “No, not this year, son.” He told him.
“Why?” This question came from Celia Guyer, Joe’s grandmother. “Are you ill, Jan?”
“No, I’m fine. Quite the opposite, Celia.” Janise replied in her sweet voice. She was smiling and there seemed to be a certain glow to her skin.
“Mama, don’t jump to conclusions.” Jonathan said. “The reason mama is not going this year, Joe,” the man stopped and looked at his three children, “is because she’s expecting-”
Questions started flying before Mr. Guyer could finish his sentence.
“What?”
“How?”
“Since when?’
“What is it?”
“When is it due?”
Jonathan laughed. “About three months.” He answered his mothers’ question first. “How Melissa?” He raised his eyebrows at the woman.
“By how, I mean how does being pregnant prevent her from shopping?” Melissa told him.
“Because I want her to take it easy right now. At least until we know she’s OK.” Mr. Guyer was calm as he answered their questions.
“Do we know what the baby is?” Celia repeated Jane’s question.
“No, not yet.” Janise shook her head.
“And it’s due in May.” Jonathan answered the question he knew Celia would ask next.
Joe suddenly stood and left the room.
Jonathan leaned across his wife and whispered to me. “You might want to follow him.” He smiled at me.
I nodded and followed Joe. I came up beside of him were he stood on the porch. “Are you OK?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Joe nodded. “It’s just mama.” He looked down at me.
“Are you not happy that you’ll have another sibling?” I asked looking back up at him.
“No, that’s not it.” Joe shook his head. He turned and saw down on the porch swing. I saw beside of him. “The last time mama got pregnant she had difficulties with the baby. After five months she got sick and put in the hospital for several days.” He paused. “She lost the baby.” He explained.
“Oh. And you’re worried that that will happen again?” I looked up at him.
“Yes.” Joe nodded. “Not only losing the baby, but losing Mama.” He added. His brown eyes were clouded with worry.
“What was she expecting last time?” I didn’t like the look in his eyes. “Do you know?”
Joe nodded again. “A girl.” He smiled but only for a moment. “Jane was thrilled about it. I think it hit her harder than Jonah or myself.” He rested one arm on the top of the swing behind me.
“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t look at him any longer, his eyes hurt my heart.
“It’s OK.” Joe traced his finger along one of the chains holding the swing to the porch ceiling. “She would have been six in January.”
It was silent for a while and it didn’t bother me. I enjoyed sitting beside Joe, enjoying the company. “I’m sorry I’m so quiet.” I apologized afraid the quietness bothered him.
“No, you’re fine.” Joe smiled this time it made his eyes brighten. “I like this.” He pushed on the porch floor with his feet setting the swing in motion.
“Are you sure?” I felt the wind blow sending shivers down my arms.
Joe nodded. “Are you cold again?” His brown eyes sparkled once again as he teased me.
I nodded too. “But I’m OK.” I smiled at him. “I hope it does snow.” I again let my eyes roam over the huge yard.
“Me too.” Joe reached up and pushed my hair out of my face. His finger tips felt warm on my cold skin.
I shivered again.
“Let’s go inside. I don’t want you to freeze.” Joe stood, waited for me to also before going inside the house. After hanging our coats up we headed back to the living room. The room was vacant except for Jane’s cat Tibby. The big cat lie on the hearth soaking up the heat from the fire. “Move over, Tibby, Kandie needs to thaw.” Joe told the animal as he reached over and shoved at her. Tibby meowed, looked annoyingly at Joe, stood, and leapt off the hearth.
“I smiled at Joe as we sat down on the floor. “She could have stayed.” I told him.
“I know.” Joe glanced over at Tibby now laying on the couch. “But she doesn’t like me.”
“That’s hard to believe. I thought everyone loved you?” I teased him.
“Tibby is a cat. Not a person.” Joe defended himself. “And not everyone loves, or likes, me.” He said.
I laughed. “My animals seemed to like you.” I remembered how Trimsy had acted.
“That’s different.” Joe argued. “And you know it.” He added.
“Yes.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
Joe laughed. “Do you want to watch a movie?” He stood.
“Sure.” I shrugged. “You can pick it out.” I sat back against the warm hearth and looked at him. His dark hair hung across his forehead, his chocolate-brown eyes searched the shelves of moves, with his coat off I could see the muscles in his arms. For a fifteen (fourteen) year-old boy he was strong. He turned back towards me after putting the DVD in the player. He smiled, the dimple in his right cheek made me blush.
“Ready?” Joe asked as eh sat down beside of me.
“For what?” I tilted my head slightly.
“___________” Joe named the movie (what should it be) he had put in.
“Yes.” I nodded and moved my eyes from the boy beside me, to the TV.
“The couch would be comfier.” Mrs. Guyer said from where she now stood in the doorway.
Joe paused the movie. “But the fire’s warmer.” Joe said. “Kandie, got cold outside.” He added so as not to seem disrespectful.
“At least use some pillows for your backs, the hearth can not be good for them.” Mrs. Guyer told us. “Do you want some popcorn?” She asked.
Joe stood. “ I can get it, Mama, you go rest.” He told her joining her in the doorway.
Janise smiled at her son. “Just like your daddy aren’t you?” She patted his arm with her hand. “Don’t worry about me, Joseph. I’ll be fine.” She encouraged him before leaving.
I had never heard Mrs. Guyer call Joe by his full name but I liked the sound of it. I got two pillows off of the couch while Joe went and made the popcorn. I looked up as Tibby hissed at something in the window. Trimsy stood peering in the glass. I smiled at the wolf and went to crack the window. I raised my hand and motioned for her to leave. “I’m fine.” I said to her. She rubbed her head against my hand. “At least stay out of site.” I rubbed her head before closing the window back. I turned around just as Joe walked in the room carrying a tray with a bowl of popcorn, a bag of M & M’s, and two glasses of milk on it. He set the tray on the hearth as I sat down. He took his spot beside of me.
“What were you doing by the window?” Joe asked.
“Trimsy was on the porch, and I had to tell her to stay out of sight.” I replied. I eyed the bag of M&M’s. “What are those for?” I pointed at the bag.
“Have you never had M&M’s and popcorn before?” Joe sounded shocked.
“No.” I shook my head. “Is it good?”
“It’s delicious.” Joe said. He took my hand put a few piece of popcorn in my palm then picked up the M&M bag and poured a few pieces of the chocolate in my hand as well. “Now eat it.”
I did as he said, dropping a couple pieces of each food into my mouth. I chewed slowly first tasting the salty popcorn, then the sweet chocolate. “It is delicious!” I exclaimed.
“You really like it?” Joe asked not sure if I was being serious or not.
“Yes.” I nodded not sure if him not believing me hurt or bothered me.
“Then can I pour the M&M’s into the bowl?” He lifted the candy bag he still held.
“Mm-hmmm.” I mumbled before pouring the rest of my handful of the snack into my mouth.
Joe poured the bag of candies into the bowl of popcorn, and shook it causing several piece of popcorn to fly out of the bowl. “Whoops! I probably should’ve waited to pour the popcorn in too.” He tossed the dirtied snack into the blazing fire. “Are you ready to watch the movie now?” He asked.

“Yes, I am.” I nodded. “Are you?” I turned to face the TV, and rested my back against the pillow.
Joe smiled. “Yep.” He set the bowl of popcorn and M&M’s on his leg. “Your milk is behind you so be careful.” He said as he hit play on the remote.
“OK.” I stretched my legs out and realized I was still in my jeans. “Wait.”
“What?” Joe paused the movie for the third time.
“Can I go change? If I fall asleep I don’t want to be in my jeans.” I asked feeling embarrassed. “Sorry,”
“It’s OK. That’s a good idea.” Joe stopped the movie, we stood up, and went up to our rooms to change.
I opened my drawer and pulled out a set of pajamas. The purple pants had stars on them. I stepped out of my jeans and into the pants. I then changes shirts, tossed the clothes into the dirty clothes hamper and rushed back down stairs. Joe was already there waiting. He held his glass of milk away from him, his face twisted in disgust.
“What is it?” I asked hoping it wasn’t me.
“The milk.” Joe replied. I sighed in relief. “I think it sat in front of the fire too long, it’s bad.”
“Here let me have yours, give me mine too and I’ll go refill them.” I reached for the glass.
“I can-”
“No, you can’t. I can do it. You’ve been up enough. I’ll get them.” I insisted.
Joe handed me the glasses. “OK, Kath.” he gave in.
I liked the sound of the shorting of my name. “Thank you.” I smiled sweetly at him before turning and heading to the kitchen. I poured the two bad milks down the drain, refilled them with fresh cold milk, then carried them, to the living room.
“Thank you.” Joe took the glass I handed him.
“You’re welcome.” I sat down beside of him once again. “Is the popcorn still good?” I asked when I realized he had eaten some.
“Yeah.” Joe took a sip out of his drink. “OK, are we ready [I] now [/I]?” He asking holding up the remote.
“Yes.” I nodded and settled back against my pillow. I noticed he had changed into a pair of lounge pants and a white t-shirt. Joe pressed play on the remote, then set it on the hearth.
The popcorn and M&M bowl was empty and our milk was gone by the middle of the move. By the time we were 45 minutes into the movie I was beginning to get sleepy. I tried not to yawn but it slipped out. I covered my mouth as I did.
Joe smiled. “Sleepy?” He asked.
“Mmm-hmmm.” I nodded. “No!” I grabbed his arm as he reached back for the remote. “I can stay awake.”
Joe chuckled. “All right.” He let his hand fall back to its place. “You can lean on me if you want.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “Kandie.” Joe whispered my name 15 minutes later. “Katherine?” He smiled when he realized I had fallen asleep. He stopped the movie when the credits started, carried me up to my bedroom, laid me on my bed, and covered me with the sheets. “Good night.” He whispered before leaving.

~Joe~
“You really like this girl don’t you?” I heard my dad ask as I put the dirty dishes from mine and Kandie’s movie into the sink. I turned to see him sitting at the kitchen table drinking a glass of milk.
“Yeah, I do a lot, Dad.” I replied. I wondered where he was going to go with this.
“Why do you like her?” Dad asked next.
I knew he wanted me to think about it, and so I did. A few minutes later I replied. “I am not sure I ever [I] stopped [/I] liking Kandie, Dad.” I paused. “Not only because she’s pretty, extremely pretty, but because she cares. She listens, she doesn’t have to talk the whole time, or be the center of attention. She’s [I] nothing [/I] like most of the girls at school, Dad.”
My dad smiled. “All right.” He stood, moved over to where I still stood by the sink, placed his cup in the sink, and looked at me. “I just was making sure you were for the right reasons, son.” He said.
“I know, Dad. I think it’s part of God’s plan.”
“That’s good.” Dad winked. “Because so do I. Always have.” He then turned and left.
As I turned my bedroom light out, and crawled under the sheets of my bed ten minutes later, I thought about how much I hoped my dad and I were right.

DestinyLies