*Pt. 25*

Ashleys Mom took her to the Dr. to be tested- She went to the garage to talk to Jeff after, Rowdy took over for him & he & Ashley walked to the side of the building-
"So, what's the word ?" she looked at him,
"There's no baby-" he frowned,
"No ? Then what...?" she shrugged,
"He said 'Sexual Activity' can do things to your period." he was quiet, then pulled her close, his head on hers, quietly saying,
"Do you still want to get married ?" she looked up at him,
"Of course-"
"As soon as we planned before ?" she nodded,
"Yes Jeff. Oh, my Dad wants to talk to Us after work, ok ?"
"Yeah." she kissed him & walked to work- she told Jada what the Dr. said, Jada frowned,
"Didn't happen to me when I first started having sex-" Ashley shrugged,
"They took bloodwork, but say everything is fine-"
"Did he give you any birthcontrol ?" she made a face,
"Yes, and rubbers, like I'm gonna give those to Jeff !" Jada shook her head,
"You better do something Girl, You don't need a baby yet. Be different than Our parents & everyone else around here- Live some before having kids-" Ashley sighed,
"I guess-" she changed her clothes & got to work-

Jimmy was doing alot of work at the gas station, Chris would hang out some days, other days he'd be at the pond with Brandy & Jaime Sue & a few other kids-

Jeff drove Ashley to her house after work so they could talk with her Dad- he was on the proch, drinking a beer, he offered one to Jeff- She & Jeff sat on the porch swing, her Dad said,
"So, is the plan still to get married ?" Jeff answered,
"We'd like to Sir-" her Dad waved his hand around,
"You're makin' me feel old with this 'Sir' shit- it's just Michael-" Jeff nodded, "Ok, so when were you two wanting this wedding ?" they looked at eachother, Ashley said,
"In August, the beginning of August-"
"Your birthdays in August-"
"We were thinking of the 6th." he nodded,
"Your Mother will help with the wedding. I'll be sure to be home-" he paused, "There's candles and shit up at Maema & Gramps- Do you know who's been up there ?" she said,
"I'm sorry Daddy, we just wanted to be away from the gang-" he nodded, "It's ok Angel, You're Mother & I talked with Tom, and we all think you and Jeff should take the house as a wedding present. It needs some paint and new furniture-" she cut him off,
"You're giving it to Us ?"
"Mae & Dad..Grampa, would want you to have it. And they'd be happy with your choice in a husband." she went over & hugged him,
"Thank You Daddy !" he smiled,
"We need too fix it up-"
"Not really, We love it the way it is-"

They met up with the gang at the pond- Some people were swimming, even skinny dipping, it wasn't unusual-
Jesse was with Katey again, Tom had actually shown up & was apparently with Jada-

Jimmy was talking with Brandy, over by an old oak, she was leaning her back against it, he had one hand on it next to her, saying,
"I was thinking, we should go out while you're here-" she smiled,
"Is that what you thought ?" his eyebrows were raised slightly,
"Yep-" she shrugged,
That could could be cool. What happens when I go home ?" he was chewing gum,
"Write. Phone." he stared at her, "What do you think ?" she bit her lip,
"Alright-" he leaned forward, kissing her, moving & putting his hands on her hips,
"Damn. I knew you were a good kisser-" they spent the better part of the nite locked at the lips-

Chris & Jaime Sue continued their silent flirting, everyone noticed-

Jeff & Ashley were talking with Tom & Jada about the grandparents house- They had to weed out the yard & try to clean the gazeebo area, it had wild roses and vines-

Over the next week, Tom, Jesse, Jeff, Chris, Jimmy, Rowdy & Danny all worked on the yard, while all the girls worked on the house cleaning-
All the gang called Adrian, Mom,(Tom & Ashleys Mom), she told everyone what to do, then head off to work-

Ashley went out to talk to Jeff, he was in his levis & boots, no shirt, none of the guys were waering shirts, it was too hot & humid- (she was in cut off shorts & a tank top with Bob Seger on it) she went up to him, he was out of breath, she had to get his attention & he stopped digging,
"Ash-What's up ?" she pulled on his belt loops, pulling him closer, kissing him,
"You're so foxy-" he laughed,
"I'm all dirty & sweatin'-" she smiled,
"It's sexy. All Us girls been watchin' ya'll out here without your shirts, workin' hard-" the other guys turned, Rowdy said,
"No shit ?" she nodded, then said to Jeff,
"Anyway, I wanted you to come look at the house- We have all the walls washed, but I want to paint it-" Jeff nodded, looking at Tom who nodded, Jeff said,
"Let's take a break & get somethin' cool to drink-" everyone thru their shovels & hoes down & headed to the house- Tom caught Jesse checking out Ashley as they walked, he grinned, slapping Jesses shoulder, in a low voice saying,
"Son...you're gonna get yourself in trouble if you don't get that look off your face-" Jesse chuckled low,
"It ain't my fault she's walkin' around, half naked & lookin' all good & shit !" Tom laughed-

The guys had a cooler on the porch, full of beer, they all grabbed one & sat down to catch their breath- Tom & Jesse went inside with them, Jaime Sue & Brandy went out to sit with the guys-

Ashley & Jada took them thru the house, pointing out things she wanted to change or paint- she looked at Tom,
"Do you think Daddy will Mind if I repaint with different colors ?" he gave her a look,
"The house is yours & Jeffs Ashley, do what you want ! You should know that's what he'd tell you-" she shrugged,
"Yeah-"

She talked to her Mom later that nite-
"Ashley, paint away ! Daddy wants to provide for you & Tommy the way his parents did for Us and your Aunt Bella-" Ashley nodded, her Aunt Bella had married a rich real estate mogul from New Orleans and moved away, but the grandparents would have provided a house for her also-

The electricity had been turned on so they could paint at nite when it was cooler- the guys threw out the fridge, it didn't work-

The girls painted the upstairs, the first bedroom was a light apple green, the bigger, second bedroom, was lihjt peach, the hallway was a lite lemon yellow- the upstairs bathroom was lite plum, the hallway on the stairs was also lemon yellow, the livingroom was sky blue, the kitchen was cherry blossem pink, the bedroom was a darker blue, the bathroom was lavendar- Everyone loved how it looked when they were finished, all the clors blended together-

The outside needed painttoo, it had been white with brown trim, but was badly chipping away-
They ended up with white and a lite rose trim, the picket fence was repainted white as was the gazeebo-

It took them about 2 weeks to finish it all, with everyone working & all-

*CONTINUED*

*Pt. 26*

*HOME*