One Summer

49

On Saturday night Jenna helped Mikki get dressed in her new clothes and did her hair. She pinned most of it back but let a few strands trickle down Mikki’s long, slender neck.

Cory and Jackie were sitting on the couch together watching TV. They both stared wide-eyed at their sister when she came down the stairs followed by a proud-looking Jenna.

“Mikki bootiful,” said Jackie.

Cory didn’t say anything; he just kept staring, like this was the first time he’d realized his sister was a girl.

Sammy came out of the kitchen, saw her, and said, “Wow. Okay, people, heartbreaker coming through, make room. Make room.”

Mikki blushed deeply and said, “Sammy, knock it off!”

“Honey, take the compliments from the men when you can,” advised Jenna.

Sammy yelled, “Jack, get your butt in here. There’s big trouble.”

Jack walked in from the kitchen and froze when he saw her.

Mikki took in all the males staring at her and finally said, “What?”

“Nothing, sweetie,” said Jack. “You look terrific.”

“Jenna helped me.”

Jack flashed her an appreciative look. “Good thing. I’m not really all that great with hair and makeup.”

Jenna chuckled. “Gee, don’t they teach that in the army?”

“So where are we going?” asked Mikki.

“Like I said, dinner with the family. To celebrate your sweet sixteen.”

She looked at Cory and Jackie watching cartoons and munching on cheese curls. Jackie’s face and hands were totally orange and sticky. Cory let out a loud belch. “Great,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Sammy looked at Jack. “Hold on a sec. You said we had to finish that job tonight. Promised the lady. Remember?”

“Oh, damn, that’s right. What was I thinking?” Jack slapped his forehead in frustration.

Mikki scowled, “Tonight? What job?”

Jack looked stricken. “A big one. I forgot, honey.”

Mikki’s face flushed and her eyes glistened. “Dad, it’s my sixteenth birthday.”

“I know, sweetie, I know. Thank goodness I had a backup plan.”

“What?”

He opened the front door, and Mikki gasped.

Liam was standing there dressed in pressed chinos and a white button-down shirt. His face was scrubbed pink, and he’d even combed his long hair. In his hand was a bouquet of flowers.

Mikki looked from him to her dad. “Uh, what is going on?”

Jack grinned. “Like you really wanted to go out on your sixteenth birthday with your old man and two little brothers? Give me a break.”

“That would’ve been fine,” she said, trying to keep a straight face.

“Yeah, right,” scoffed Sammy. He turned to Liam, who hadn’t budged an inch. “Well, get in here, son, and deliver the flowers to the lady.” He grabbed Liam’s arm and propelled him into the room.

Liam handed the bouquet to Mikki. “You really look great,” he said shyly.

“Pretty slick yourself.” She eyed her dad. “How did you possibly manage this without Cory or Jackie squealing?”

“That’s easy. I didn’t tell them. But Jenna was a major co-conspirator.”

Jenna did a mock curtsy. “Guilty as charged.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Mikki asked.

“Like I said, dinner. For two. Reservations have already been made.”

Jenna amended, “Not the Little Bit. At the fancy restaurant in town. I know the owners really well. They’ve got a great table picked out for you and a special menu.”

“Wow, I can’t believe this is happening. I feel like Cinderella.”

Jack put his arm around his daughter. “Nice to know I can still surprise you.”

“Thanks, Dad. Well, I guess we better go,” she said.

“Wait a sec,” Jack said. “Close your eyes.”

“Dad!”

“Please, just do it.”

Sighing heavily, she closed her eyes. Jack slipped the necklace from his pocket and affixed it around her neck. “Okay.”

She looked down and gasped. She rushed to a mirror hanging on the wall.

“This was Mom’s necklace,” she said in a hushed tone.

Jack nodded. “I gave it to her on our first wedding anniversary.”

Mikki turned to look at him, tears glimmering in her eyes.

“Happy birthday, baby.”

Father and daughter shared a lingering hug.

After Liam and Mikki had gone off on their date, Jack stood on the front porch staring at the sandy yard. Jenna joined him there. Jack’s eyes were moist, and he wouldn’t look at her.

“You okay, Dad?” she asked.

“They grow up fast, Jenna.”

“Yes, they do. But growing up is okay. What we don’t want them to do is grow away from us.”

“You’re pretty good at this parenting thing.”

“You do something solo long enough, I guess you either get good at it or you crash.”

“So there’s hope for me?”

“I’d say definitely.” She slid her arm through his. “She’s a great kid, Jack.”

“Because of Lizzie.”

“Give yourself some of the credit. You did good tonight, Jack Armstrong.”

“You really think so?”

“Yeah, I really do.”