Jim started the drive back to his mothers’ house with every intention of getting some sleep before his date but when he came to the turn off for Jill’s house he took it and drove down her road. He knew he was going to see her in a little while but after his disturbing run in with Pete he didn’t really want to be alone right now. If he went home his mother would just want to ask all kinds of questions he didn’t want to answer.
He didn’t want his mother right now. He wanted Jill.
If he was going to talk to anyone he wanted it to be Jill. She at least might understand a little bit about what he was going through since she’d heard Grandma’s story. When he stopped in front of her house he was surprised to see Grandma sitting on the front porch.
“She ain’t here,” she said as he got out of his car. She didn’t sound too good to Jim. Now that he thought of it he hadn’t seen her at Tommy’s funeral either. She sounded tired. Not wanting to pry he just assumed she wasn’t feeling well. He couldn’t really blame her what with all the stuff going on. She’d been close to both Tommy and Rob when they were little. It was probably actually harder on her since she’d watched them grow all the years he’d been gone. When he’d dropped Jill off earlier he hadn’t thought to ask about her and now felt bad about it. She looked as if she might blow away in the wind if the screens hadn’t been covering the windows.
“She said she was going for a walk and would be back later,” Grandma said.
That was a little strange, he thought since he was supposed to be coming by in a little while to get her for their date. He knew he was early but he wasn’t that early. His disturbing conversation with Pete had taken longer than Jim had thought. The sky was beginning to darken and he worried for Jill’s safety. Trying to put the unpleasantness from out of his mind and wanting to find Jill he asked, “Do you know where she went?”
“No, no idea,” she answered. “Just said she was going for a walk, gave me a kiss and left. I was in the back so I couldn’t even tell you which way she went. All I can say is she did.”
Jim looked at the sky. It was getting dark out faster than he’d thought. Even if she’d left just before he’d arrived she still would’ve come back before dark for their date.
“She’s a good girl Jim. She’ll be alright,” she said seeing his concern.
He smiled at her trying to make her think she’d reassured him but she hadn’t really helped at all. He was still worried. Walking out to the road he looked both ways hoping to see her approaching. He saw nothing. Coming back to the porch Grandma tried talking to him but soon found his concern for her grand-daughter out weighed his social needs at that moment. Jim stayed for a few minutes before his impatience got the better of him and he stood to leave.
“You take good care of her when you find her Jimmy,” she said stopping him before he could take a step. “She’s a nice girl. She doesn’t need to be hurt anymore than she already has been, so you make sure you take care of her.”
He didn’t know what to say. Were his feelings that obvious? Had Jill confided something in her Grandmother? If she had what was it? He admitted things were off to a good start between then and he already cared for her more than he probably should this early on but it wasn’t like they were getting married or something. They were just dating. He was leaving soon too so who knew what was going to happen then. Maybe nothing, then again maybe Jill had told her Grandmother something. He wished he could ask but he knew she wouldn’t reveal anything to him. That would be too easy.
“Don’t worry Grandma. I will,” he said instead of asking his question. He quickly walked to his car only to have Grandma stop him again.
“Oh yeah Jim, I forgot something. That Maria girl came by looking for Jill about a half an hour before you got here. Don’t know what she wanted or whether that helps you any but there you go just the same.” He thanked her and got in his car.
Why would Maria come looking for Jill he wondered as he drove off. As far as he knew they didn’t like each other much less come and visit each other at home. He didn’t know what the problem was other than him. He didn’t want to seem conceited but they both seemed to have the hots for him. Every time he’d been around the both of them at the same time he felt like a fight would break out any minute. Jill usually tried to control herself and settled for just making a few barbed comments but Maria acted like she was in heat and he was the only male around that could satisfy her. He couldn’t understand why she didn’t just give up and go after Johnny. It was obvious from what he saw that he was in love with her. Johnny was a good guy too. Maybe she just couldn’t see it.
Trying to figure out where Jill might be he slowly drove down the road through the quickly gathering darkness hoping his headlight would spot Jill walking back to her house. Unfortunately he reached the end of the road and had seen nothing. Since he had no idea of where to look for her he decided he would do the next best thing. Grandma said Maria had come looking for her earlier. He might not know where Jill was but he knew where Maria was. If he couldn’t find the one he would ask the other. Hopefully she knew where Jill could be found.