Treading Water–Part 6
By Nancy F. Thysell (the Nifty Lady)
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It was a few days later as Chris stood next to Johnny. She thought he looked handsome in his dress uniform even though he had expressed how uncomfortable it was more than once. They were waiting on Roy and JoAnne to park their car and join them. The foursome entered the chapel of the Carson First United Methodist Church together. The sanctuary was packed primarily with firefighters in their dress uniforms. An usher led them toward the front of the room because Johnny had been injured in the fire that had claimed Louis Stillman’s life. Johnny was uncomfortable with the attention but didn’t want to make a scene. He stood aside and let Chris slide into the pew before him. Roy and JoAnne sat down next to them. Rob Joyner and George Andrews were both still in the hospital but their wives were present.
Chris noted all the beautiful floral arrangements that filled every available space of the room. A closed, bronze coffin held the focal point in front of the altar. An easel held an enlargement of Stillman’s department portrait. His young widow and two small children were seated on the left with the rest of his family. Mrs. Stillman sobbed softly into a handkerchief. Her children looked confused and bewildered. Chris’ heart went out to the young woman. She took Johnny’s hand in hers for its comfort. Johnny placed his right hand over Chris’ hand in his. She glanced up at him. His face masked his feelings. Chris knew how much this fireman’s death had affected Johnny but he was in control.
After an emotional ceremony, the congregation respectfully followed the family, coffin, and pallbearers outside. Engine 36 stood ready to take its fallen crewman’s coffin to the cemetery. The procession lasted for miles as fire department personnel from around the country escorted Louis Stillman to his final resting-place. Chris thought it was a beautiful service and couldn’t hold back her tears. She clung to Johnny’s arm throughout the ceremony. The crowd was quiet and somber. It was a combination of being the saddest thing she had ever witness to the most moving. The brotherhood of these men, these firefighters, was the strongest bond Chris had ever seen. She felt proud that Johnny was such a man. As they turned to walk back to the car, Chris slipped her arm around his waist. Johnny in turn, draped his arm about her shoulders. Neither one said anything. They both drew comfort in the closeness of the other.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
The ride back to Chris’ bungalow in the DeSoto’s station wagon was quiet. No one really wanted to voice what they were feeling. JoAnne had invited Johnny and Chris to come by for dinner, so they had promised to come over after they had changed clothes. They watched as Roy backed the wagon out of the yard and then they turned and made their way into the house.
Johnny removed his cap and tossed it on the table as Chris went into the bedroom to change. Then he took off his coat and hung it on the back of one of the dining room chairs. Finally he could loosen his tie. He hated formal attire and was anxious to get into his jeans. Chris emerged from her bedroom a few minutes later dressed in an oversized T-shirt and blue jeans. The jeans were new. Chris had lost so much weight since the night her and Johnny had met that she was having to buy a whole new wardrobe. Johnny took her in appearance appreciatively and grinned.
Chris looked up at Johnny and then down at herself, wondering if something was amiss in her outfit. She looked back and asked, "What?"
"Nothing, you look wonderful!" he responded as he crossed to her. He pulled her into his arms and held her close for a moment. Chris savored the embrace. Johnny pulled back and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"I’d better get changed," he announced.
"Yeah, I guess you’d better," Chris agreed. Johnny stepped by her into the bedroom. The clothes that he had worn that morning before the service were lying over a chair. He had been running late so he had brought his uniform with him to Chris’ and changed there. He sat down on the bed and removed his dress shoes and socks. He wriggled his toes, relishing in their freedom. He stood and unbuttoned his shirt. He hung it back on its hanger and straightened it. Then he removed the trousers and hung them up as well. He walked over and grabbed up his jeans. There was a rap at the bedroom door.
"Johnny?" Chris asked.
"Yeah Chris?"
Chris opened the door and was startled by Johnny’s state of undress. "Oh! I’m sorry!"
Her face tuned beet red. Johnny grinned. Bashful was something John Gage wasn’t.
"Hey! Don’t be!" he teased. "After all in another month, you’re going to be seeing me this way a lot."
Chris giggled. "I guess."
"What did you need?" he asked, wondering why she had called.
She held out a jar of pickles, sheepishly. "Could you open this for me?"
Johnny laughed as he crossed over to her. He draped the jeans over his arm and took the jar from her. He struggled with it a moment until the vacuum seal popped, then the lid came off easily. Chris felt heady. There was something about being this close to Johnny and him being half naked. She looked up at him dreamily as he handed her back the jar.
"Thank you kind sir," she drawled and leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him. Johnny pulled her to him and kissed her intently. Chris almost dropped the jar of pickles as she gave in to the passion of the kiss. Johnny pulled back and gazed lovingly into her eyes. He took the jar from her hands and set it on the dresser and tossed the jeans back in the chair. He took Chris by the hand and led her over to the bed and they sat on the edge. He brushed the hair away from her eyes and leaned in and kissed her, softly at first and then more intently as he eased her back onto the bed. Chris felt like she was on fire as they explored their passion. It scared and thrilled her at the same time. She wanted him so much. She knew Johnny wanted her too. Alarm bells went off in her head. No, it was too soon.
"No, Johnny, we can’t. Not yet," she whispered breathlessly as she pushed against him. She felt Johnny sigh heavily as he rolled onto his back.
"I’m sorry. I’m sorry," she apologized almost in tears. Johnny turned on his side and pulled her into his arms and held her.
"No, I’m sorry. I told you we’d wait." He drew in a deep breath and sighed again. "I’m sorry sweetie. I just want to be with you so much. I need you."
Chris pressed her head against his bare chest and listened to the beating of his heart and closed her eyes. "I love you Johnny," she whispered. He kissed the top of her.
"I love you too, sweetie."
"Maybe we’d better get dressed and get over to Roy and JoAnne’s before were tempted to do anything else," Chris suggested. Johnny laughed.
"I think you’re right." They both sat up and quickly got dressed. Chris stood in front of the mirror brushing her hair when Johnny came up behind her and kissed her on the nape of her neck. Chris giggled and looked at him in the mirror.
"Hey you! Don’t start something you can’t finish!" she admonished him. Johnny looked back at her in the mirror and gave her a mischievous look.
"Sweetie, I’d finish it if you let me," he said wickedly. A blush crept into Chris’ cheeks and he grinned triumphantly. He loved making her blush. Then he swatted her on the butt. "Get a move on, girl!"
"Ouch!" Chris complained at the swat. She pointed her brush at him. "You! Behave!"
"Come on, let’s go," Johnny urged with a smile.
"Okay, I’m ready," she replied. Johnny took her hand and they left the bungalow hand in hand.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
Johnny wandered out to Roy’s back yard to find him beside the grill, trying to get the charcoal to cooperate into an even fire.
"Need any help?" he asked politely and took a sip from his cold beer as he handed another beer to Roy. Perspiration beaded Roy’s brow and he took the brew gratefully.
"This should cover it, thanks," he responded as he wiped his face with his apron. Johnny peered into the grill.
"That ready?" he questioned, suspiciously. Roy shook his head.
"Nah., I tried a different brand of charcoal and it’s terrible. I’m half tempted to run out and get my old brand and start over," he conceded.
"Well, why don’t we?"
Roy looked at his partner and shook his head and grinned. "You’re right. Let’s go."
The two men walked back to the house. Roy opened the door to the kitchen where JoAnne and Chris were busy with the other dinner preparations.
"Honey, Johnny and I are going to run to the store and get some more charcoal. You need anything?"
"Oh, yes! As long as you’re going. I need another jar of mayonnaise. Pick up another bag of chips and some ice cream. I didn’t realize we were out. Oh, and you and Johnny may want another six-pack," JoAnne rattled off.
"That it?" Roy was almost afraid to ask since she’d already requested more than Roy wanted to bring back.
"Yes, thanks honey."
The door closed behind the guys and JoAnne returned to chopping vegetables for the salad.
"So, Chris how are the wedding plans coming?"
Chris smiled. "Pretty good. I finally got all the invitations mailed. What a hassle!"
"So, where are you guys going on the honeymoon?" JoAnne prodded.
"I honestly don’t know. Johnny’s keeping it a secret even from me. All I know is that I need a swim suit," Chris admitted.
"Well, then it must be some place warm," JoAnne surmised.
"I don’t care. I just want to be with Johnny," the younger woman told her friend.
"Do you have everything you need for your trousseau?"
Chris shook her head. "No, I haven’t been shopping for anything yet. Say, JoAnne, would you like to go with me to pick things out?"
JoAnne was flattered. "I’d love to Chris. When would you like to go?"
"Well, it will have to be on the weekend. How’s next Saturday for you?"
JoAnne turned and looked at the calendar stuck on the refrigerator with a magnet. She squinted at the writing on it.
"Jennifer has a birthday party and Chris has a soccer game but Roy’s off so I guess I could relegate him to taking care of the kids."
"Great, then Saturday it is. Thanks JoAnne, I appreciate your help."
"Think nothing of it."
"I wish you and Roy could be with us in Kansas," Chris remarked sadly. JoAnne turned and looked at her young friend.
"I know. We wish we could be there too but we’ll be with you for the ‘Ring Ceremony.’ I’m really glad you two are doing that. This way at least we’ll be a part of your wedding," the older woman commented.
"I am too. It just solved so many problems. Especially for Johnny. He really didn’t want to get married without all his ‘family’ here."
"Well, I think having us witness the exchange of your rings is sweet. I’m looking forward to it," JoAnne confided.
"Thanks Jo." Chris looked at her watch. "Shouldn’t they be back by now?"
JoAnne glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. "Yeah, they should until the store was unusually busy or..."
"...or they only have one check out opened," Chris finished for her and they both laughed.
Chris DeSoto ran into the room flushed with the thrill of victory of a neighborhood game of football.
"Hi mom. Hi Aunt Chris," he greeted as he made a bee line for the refrigerator.
"Hi honey. How was the game?" his mother asked.
"We won!" he responded enthusiastically and he peered inside the appliance.
"Chris, we’ll be eating soon," JoAnne informed him.
"Awe mom! I’m starving!" he groused.
"You may have an apple. As soon as your dad and Uncle Johnny get back from the store, we should be eating."
Chris made a face at the thought of eating just an apple. He pulled out the carton of juice.
"Can I have some juice?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes you can but no, you may not," his mother answered correcting his use of verbs. Chris rolled his eyes. ‘Aunt’ Chris giggled at the exchange. Dejectedly, the young man reached in the crisper and took out an apple. As he started to take a big bite out of it, his mother swept it out of his hands and took it to the sink and washed it off.
"Mom!" he complained. Then he took the rinsed fruit and headed toward the back door.
"Oh, no you don’t. You go get cleaned up for supper first!" his mother ordered. Reluctantly, he turned and stomped through the kitchen.
"Christopher DeSoto. You’d better change your attitude or you can go to bed right now!" she scolded.
Christopher gave his mother a pained look, took a bite of the apple, turned and went to his room.
"Kids!" JoAnne exclaimed as if that answered everything. "Aunt" Chris just smiled in agreement. They had just finished preparing all the dishes for the meal. They just had to wait on the guys to get back. So JoAnne poured a couple of tall glasses of iced tea and she and Chris went out to the patio to wait.
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END PART 6–CONTINUED IN PART 7
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