Keeping Up With the Joneses

Part Four

Author’s note:

In the previous chapters, Jonesy came back to the Fraynes’ residence to get the plow and fix Katie’s truck. He ends up making a good impression on Katie, as well as making convincing Jim that he had Katie’s best interests at heart.

This is Jixemitri Circle Writing Project #5. See the credits to find out what elements were used.

Chapter 9

August, five years before “The Secret of the Mansion”

Jonesy began spending a lot of time at the Frayne farm. He never had any trouble finding an excuse to spend his Saturdays there. He needed to replace the brake pads on the truck. He repaired the house’s air conditioner. He packed up all of Win’s woodworking tools to sell. Somehow, he always managed to get invited to dinner, especially when Katie was serving her homemade pecan pie for dessert.

His relationship with Jim was still strained. Both were trying to keep their deal, although for different reasons. Jim knew his mother needed assistance. He wanted to live up to his father’s last request, and he knew he needed help to do that. As much as Jim hated Jonesy, he knew Jonesy truly cared about his mother. Jonesy, while coarse and demeaning to Jim, always treated Katie respectfully and even tenderly. He was knowledgeable about repairs and seemed more willing to help Katie any way he could.

Jonesy’s reasons for keeping the deal were not quite as altruistic. He knew Katie would not like his “teasing” of Jim. He personally thought he was helping the boy grow up and become a well-adjusted male. After all, he’d endured similar treatment, and look how he turned out. It was a rite of passage. Katie, however, might not see it this way and Jonesy didn’t want to hinder his chances with her. He knew if he wanted to marry Katie, he had to appear interested in being a “good role model” for Jim. Katie was still a long way from accepting a marriage proposal. He knew his best chance was to capitalize on Jim’s need for a father and his role as a good provider.

That particular day he spent helping the Fraynes pack their belongings in boxes. Next Saturday Katie and Jim were moving to their new apartment. Currently, they were working in Win’s old study. Packing her husband’s possessions was making Katie sentimental. She told several stories, emphasizing her husband’s accomplishments and talents. Listening to Katie talk about Win made Jonesy ill, but he knew he had to endure it.

Katie stared down at an old family photo, her eyes full of love. “Oh, Jimmy. You look just like your dad. He was so handsome.” She ruffled Jim’s red hair. “Just like his son.”

“Mom!” Jim protested with a grin. Normally, he didn’t mind when his mother did that, but he didn’t want Jonesy to tease him about it later. He sensed that the older man was brooding about something.

Jonesy was brooding. He was growing increasingly more tired of the talk about Win. The insecurities of his youth were coming back to haunt him. Once again, he felt consumed with feelings of inadequacy. Could he ever measure up to the dead man in the picture? Every time he looked at Jim, he was reminded of Katie’s perfect late husband.

Still, Jonesy was on his best behavior. He bit his tongue many times when he had wanted to say something nasty to Jim. He had arrived at their house that morning and dutifully helped Katie pack. Jonesy had never been so domestic in his entire life.

If the guys at the bar could see me wrapping up this junk in bubble paper, I’d be ruined. He shuddered at the thought as he carefully wrapped an autographed picture of John Wayne that Win had acquired at an auction.

“Thanks for helping us, Jonesy,” Katie said, smiling shyly at him. “I didn’t think we’d ever get all this packed. You’ve been a big help today.”

“No problem.” Her smile strengthened his resolve to make this woman his. Hope welled within him that his plan was working.

“Look at this, Jim!” Katie exclaimed. She reached up and pulled something silver from the top shelf of Win’s bookcase. “It’s your christening cup from Uncle James.” She gently rubbed the mug, trying to remove some of the tarnish. “A little polish and this will shine like new.”

Jim took the cup and studied it. “So, Uncle James got this for me?”

“Yes. He brought it when he came to see you for the first time. He was so proud that we had named you after him. That’s why he’s giving you such a large inheritance after he passes away.”

“I’d rather get to know him while he’s alive,” Jim remarked. “As far as I’m concerned, he can keep his old money.”

Katie sighed. “Your uncle is a stubborn man, Jimmy. It’s probably too late to reconcile with him. I’m just thankful that, with this inheritance, you’ll be able to go to college.”

“If Uncle James is so stubborn, how do you know he won’t give his money to someone else?” Jim argued, mostly for the sake of arguing.

“Because he doesn’t have anyone else to give it to,” Katie answered. “You’re all the family he has left.”

Jim put down the mug, and Jonesy nonchalantly picked it up. He studied the cup’s fine craftsmanship and the delicate inscription. James Winthrop Frayne II.

Looks expensive. Very expensive, Jonesy thought to himself. Wonder how big an inheritance Jimmy boy has coming to him? He put the cup down before Katie noticed.

He needn’t have worried. Katie was too busy exploring memory lane to pay attention to him. Smiling sadly, she held the family photo album out to Jim. “You may want to look at this, son. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen these pictures before.”

Jim took the book and flipped through the pages. Feeling Jonesy’s brooding gaze upon him, he looked up and noticed the older man’s sullen expression. Something about it made him nervous.

“Maybe we can look at it later, Mom,” Jim said nervously. As he handed the album back to his mother, a piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor. He picked it up and opened it. “Look, Mom! It’s your wedding announcement!”

Katie took the piece of paper. She smiled as she read it. “I wondered where that was. Your dad said he put it in a safe place. I should’ve known it would be here.” Her smile turned wistful as memories of her wedding day filled her mind.

Since neither of them had a large family, she and Win had had a small wedding. Her mother and father were getting ready to move back to Holland, so there hadn’t been time to plan an elaborate ceremony and reception.

She had worn her mother’s gown. It was ecru silk organdy and had an embroidered, raised-edge neckline and a raised, piped-edge waist seam. The ¾ length sleeves were sheer with ruffled cuffs, and they had roses embroidered on them. The skirt, a formal sweep with a ruffled hem, fell to the ground and swished around her feet. It was beautiful, and if she could’ve chosen any gown in the whole world, she would’ve picked that very dress.

The clearest memory she had of the wedding was of Win’s face as her father led her down the aisle. He had love written all over his face. Win had told her later that she almost floated to him. When they exchanged their vows, Katie had to blink back tears; she still meant every word. Richer or poorer, better or worse, till death do we part…

The ceremony had passed quickly. At the reception the band played “their” song as the couple shared their first dance. “Could I Have This Dance” had played on the radio during their first date, and Win had sung it to her. While they danced as husband and wife, Katie had never been happier. She snuggled closer in his embrace, looking up at him tenderly.

“So, where are we going on our honeymoon?” she whispered.

“Oh, I thought I might take you to the drive-in and see the original King Kong.”

Katie had smirked up at him, only antagonizing him to tease her more.

“Well, if that isn’t romantic enough, maybe I can throw a blanket in the backseat of the car and find a nice, secluded spot in Central Park, and then we could…Ooof!” His teasing had been interrupted by a quick punch in the gut. “I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.”

“A secret, huh?” Katie raised an eyebrow. “Now I’m really interested.”

“Patience, Katje Vanderheiden. Patience,” Win murmured as he kissed the end of her nose.

Katie sniffed indignantly. “I’ll have you know, Mr. Frayne, that my name is Katje Frayne. I don’t think my husband would appreciate you calling me by my maiden name.”

“A thousand apologies, Mrs. Frayne. Do you think your husband would mind if I kissed you?”

Katie had giggled and raised her lips to his. “Not at all, Mr. Frayne.”

“Mom!” Jim’s voice brought Katie back to the present. “Where do you want me to put this?” He was holding the album out to her.

Katie shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “Just lay it on the desk, Jimmy. We’ll look at it together later.”

Jim only nodded at his mom. He noticed her cheeks were flushed and she seemed short of breath.

“Are you feeling all right, Mom?” he asked, laying a freckled hand on her cheek. “You look kind of pale.”

“I’m fine, son. Just a little tired from all this packing.” She picked up a picture of herself from Win’s desk to wrap. Suddenly, there was a thud and the sound of shattering glass as Katie fell to the floor. Blood dripped from her hand where she’d cut herself. Both Jim and Jonesy were at her side in an instant. Jonesy led her to a chair so she could sit down. Worried, Jim hovered at his mother’s side as Jonesy carefully picked up the broken glass.

“Are you all right, Mom?” Tears filled Jim’s eyes. Not Mom too! he pleaded silently. Please, take me instead of her!

Katie tried to stand up but couldn’t. “I just got a little dizzy. I’m fine, Jim.”

“But you passed out, Mom! We need to take you to a doctor!”

“Katie, you do need to see a doctor,” Jonesy said, examining her carefully. “Even if it was just a dizzy spell from working too hard, you have a nasty cut on yer hand from the glass in that picture. You probably need stitches.”

“You don’t understand,” Katie protested weakly. “We don’t have any insurance. And money isn’t exactly plentiful either.” She tried to get up, but couldn’t find the strength. “I’ll be fine.”

Katie’s protests abruptly ended, however, as Jonesy picked her up in his arms. “You need to go to the hospital, Katie, and that’s final. Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll take care of it myself.”

Jim followed Jonesy to his truck. For once the weatherman’s predictions were accurate; as forecast it was starting to storm. Jonesy’s truck had a large crew cab, so he was able to lay Katie in the backseat.

“Get in the front with me, boy, before you get drenched out here!”

For once, Jim obeyed without questioning.

“Yer ma’ll be more comfortable back there,” Jonesy explained as he pulled onto the main road. “Now, which way to the nearest hospital?”

Forcing himself to remain calm, Jim gave directions to the hospital. The pair didn’t talk much during the half-hour trip. Their former squabbles were inconsequential at the moment; their common love for Katie put things into perspective.

For all his faults, Jonesy was a good driver. The late-model Ford F-250 Super Duty had a lot of power, and he was able to get there quickly. The tires squealed as he turned into the hospital’s emergency entrance and slammed the truck on the corner. He ignored the hissing sound of air leaking from his tire as he gathered Katie in his arms and ran into the hospital. Jim was following close behind. Jonesy gave the receptionist at the desk all the necessary financial information, while a nurse led Katie and Jim to the back.

Once he’d finished filling out the paperwork for billing, there was nothing left for Jonesy to do but worry. Nervous about what was wrong with Katie, he twiddled his thumbs as he sat in the appropriately named “waiting” room. He finally grabbed a magazine to occupy his time.

Jim returned to the waiting room and sat down with a huff in a seat across from Jonesy.

“What’s wrong with you?” Jonesy demanded.

Jim scowled. “They wouldn’t let me stay in there with her.”

“Well, it ain’t gonna kill you to stay in here with me.”

“It’s not that,” Jim argued. “I need to be in there to take care of her.”

Jim’s obvious love for his mother caused a brief lapse in Jonesy’s cynical attitude. His expression softened slightly as he tried to comfort the boy. “Look kid, the doctor knows best. I know you wanna take care of yer ma, but she’ll be okay. Is she gettin’ any help back there?”

“They aren’t busy, so they already put Mom in an examining room,” Jim answered. “Our family doctor is the attending physician on call, so he has our medical records.”

Jonesy nodded and continued looking at his magazine.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t there with us. Thanks for bringing her,” Jim whispered.

Jonesy lowered his magazine to look over at the boy. It was obvious that the words had been hard to say, but that the thank-you was heartfelt.

“Yer welcome, kid,” he answered gruffly. “I may not like you much, but I really do care about yer ma.” He looked out the window. “Well, I better get out there and change that tire now that the rain’s slacking off.”

Worried that he was getting soft, Jonesy hopped up from his chair and bounded out the door, leaving Jim alone. If he sat there any longer, he’d end up holding the kid’s hand.

Chapter Ten

One size fits all! Katie thought in exasperation, studying the hospital gown she wore. How about one size fits none.

The nurse had already been in and checked her blood pressure, weight, temperature, and all those other things that only wasted time until the doctor graced the patient with his presence. She was thankful that their family doctor was on call in the emergency room. She’d feel more comfortable dealing with him than a stranger.

There was a brusque knock at the door and Dr. Phillips entered. He was a large man with a thick shock of graying hair. He had kind brown eyes that almost seemed to have the power to diagnose with a mere glance. He’d treated the Frayne family for years and knew of Win’s recent death. He’d attended the funeral, and had even sent them a fruit basket.

“So, Katie, what’s the problem today?” He looked over her chart.

“I’m not really sure, doctor. I felt a bit faint, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor. When I fell I broke a picture, and a piece of glass cut my hand.”

The kindly doctor examined the cut. “Hmm. Looks like it might need a few stitches.” He put down her hand and turned his attention to her face, taking note of the paleness of her skin and the dark circles under her eyes. “So, do you know of any reason you would faint?”

Katie shrugged. “I’ve been doing a lot of packing. It was probably exhaustion.”

“You’re moving?”

“Yes, I have to sell the house. I can’t make the payments,” she answered, tears welling in her eyes. “Jim and I are moving to an apartment next week. It’s been stressful making all the arrangements.”

“Have you been sleeping well?”

“Not really,” Katie admitted. “It’s so hard to sleep without Win in bed beside me.”

Doctor Phillips studied her chart. “I see you’ve lost a few pounds since your last visit.”

“I guess so. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”

“Any other symptoms?”

Katie hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, “I have been having a few chest pains.”

“How often?” The doctor began furiously scribbling something down in her chart.

“Not very often. I’ve only had a few.”

“Like when you worry,” the doctor suggested. “Or maybe when you’ve been thinking about Win?”

Katie nodded.

“You had a complete physical a few months before Win died, and according to it, you were healthy as a horse. A bit too skinny, in my opinion, but healthy nonetheless. I can order some new tests to see if anything turns up, but in my professional opinion, I think you are suffering from extreme grief.”

“Grief?” Katie repeated. “Can that cause these particular symptoms?”

The doctor nodded and took her hand. “Katie, I’m going to be totally honest with you. You’ve lost a lot of weight, which you shouldn’t have lost in the first place. You’re not sleeping. You’re working too hard. Now you’re having chest pains and passing out. If you aren’t careful, you’re going to grieve yourself to death.”

Katie gasped. “Nothing can happen to me, doctor! What would Jim do if I died? There’s no one to take care of him!”

Dr. Phillips patted her arm. “Now, don’t start worrying about that. I’m going to write a prescription for you for a mild sleeping pill. It should help you sleep at night. Be sure you read all the directions before you take them. I’m going to call this in at the pharmacy, and then I’ll be back in here to stitch up that hand. Make sure that you come back if you have any more of those chest pains.”

The doctor left the room and went to the nurse’s station in the waiting room. He whispered some directions to the nurse who’d checked in Katie. Jim saw Dr. Phillips and ran over to him.

“Dr. Phillips! How’s my mom? Will she be okay?”

The doctor put a kindly arm around the boy’s shoulders. “She’ll be fine, Jim. We’re going to put a few stitches in her hand, and I’m giving her a prescription to help her sleep.”

“Is there anything I can do to help her?”

“Jim, your mother is suffering from a severe form of grief. As you know, she loved your father deeply. Her physical health is being affected by her emotional turmoil. She’s had a few chest pains that I’m worried about, so you need to try not to upset her. Help her out as much as you can.”

“Chest pains?” Jim started to tremble. He knew some kids at school whose parents had died from heart attacks. “Does she need to have surgery or anything?”

The doctor smiled. “Unfortunately, that’s one operation I can’t do. There’s nothing we doctors can do for a broken heart. Surgery can’t fix it. You just help her with things around the house and, most important of all, try not to worry her needlessly.”

“I can’t lose her, Dr. Phillips,” Jim murmured. “She’s all I have left.”

“I’m sure she will be fine, Jim,” he said reassuringly. “Now I need to go see about her hand. She’ll be out in a few minutes, okay?” The doctor walked away down the hall. Suddenly, he turned back to Jim and called, “You keep an eye on her and make sure she comes in if she has any more pains. And remember, try not to worry her.”

Jim nodded and hung his head sadly. He felt the weight of the world on his young shoulders and a helplessness in his soul. Something was wrong with his mother’s heart, and he had no idea how to fix it.

How do you heal a broken heart? he wondered.

Sadly, he realized that the only person who could mend his mother’s heart had already gone to heaven. And although Jonesy was trying awfully hard to get the job done, he wasn’t making any progress at all.

Chapter Eleven

Jonesy had played the part of a diligent family man. He’d waited patiently at the hospital until Katie was released, and then he’d gone to the pharmacy to fill her prescription. When they’d arrived at the house, he helped her inside. He promised that some acquaintances of his who moved furniture would be there the next week to finish packing. He ordered Katie to take it easy and let them take care of everything. Then he gently persuaded her to go up to her room and rest. She tearfully thanked him as he helped her climb the stairs to her bedroom.

Without a word to Jim, Jonesy walked back down the stairs and out the front door. Jim followed after him. As much as Jim detested the man, Jonesy had helped their family that day. Gathering up his courage and biting back his animosity, Jim called out Jonesy’s name.

“Thanks for all your help today,” he said solemnly when Jonesy turned to face him. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been here.”

Jonesy’s stony expression softened momentarily. “Like I told you earlier, kid, I did it for yer ma. I really do care about her, you know.

Reluctantly, Jim nodded. “Yeah, I know you do.”

“You take care of her,” Jonesy ordered. “Don’t you be worryin’ her none. You heard what the doctor said.”

“I won’t. Dr. Phillips talked to me at the hospital. He told me not to worry her, and I won’t.” Jim looked at his feet sadly. “I’m really scared.”

For a split second, Jonesy almost felt sorry for the boy. He quickly dismissed that feeling from his mind. “She’ll be fine. She’s just worn out and has a bad cut on her hand.”

“The doctor said she has a broken heart.”

Jonesy chuckled in disbelief. “That’s a bunch of bunk, kid. Yer ma’ll be fine after she gets some rest.”

The fire returned to Jim’s green eyes. “I’m not lying,” he insisted. “When I talked to the doctor, he told me that Mom was sick because she misses my dad.”

“That’s foolishness! This is the real world and not some fairy tale!” Jonesy sputtered.

“It is not! My parents had a love for each other that you’ll never understand!”

“What yer ma needs is a real man to take her mind offa yer dead daddy!”

Jim stared at Jonesy in disbelief. He couldn’t believe what a monster this man was. He wanted to lash out at Jonesy and hit him as hard as a boy his age could. Somehow, he controlled his redheaded temper and looked coldly at Jonesy. “My mother will never love anyone the way she loved my father. Especially somebody like you. I appreciate what you did for us tonight, but you’ll never be like my father.”

Jonesy angrily stalked over to Jim. I hate Win Frayne and I hate his kid! He balled up his fist, intent on punching the boy, but something stopped him. I’m not going to let this brat get to me! Katie will be my wife and she will love me! I can make her forget about Win and fall in love with me!

“You better watch yerself, little prince,” he growled in Jim’s ear. “Someday the little crown prince won’t have his loyal subjects around to take care of him.” Then Jonesy strode to his truck, got inside, and spun out of the driveway. This evening he’d almost let his guard down and let Jim inside. He’d never make that mistake again. From now on, he and Jim were enemies. No more trying.

It was better that way for everyone.

Credits

This has been a Jixemitri CWP #5. Elements included are a see-crud (Win’s honeymoon surprise), pecan pie (Katie’s), auction (Win purchased John Wayne picture at one), King Kong (Win teased Katie about seeing it on their honeymoon), changing a tire (Jonesy changed one at the hospital), shattered glass (broken picture), a missing personal paper (Win and Katie’s wedding announcement), a storm (rainstorm on the way to the hospital), a broken heart (what Katie is suffering from), Could I Have This Dance? (song played at Win and Katie’s wedding), and the carry-over item was from #1 sex in a park (Win teasing Katie about honeymoon plans).

A huge thank you to my editors, Kaye, Kathy, and Lori D! You ladies are the absolute best! I would have made a majorly bad boo-boo if it had not been for one of my astute editors. I would have gotten the bad KK award of the year!