Stopping Jane

Title: Stopping Jane

Plot#: none

Date: Junior year high school for Creative Writing class

Jane was the perfect name for my sister. I don’t know how my parents knew they should call her that, but it’s perfect. Jane is the epitome of polite, proper and responsible.

I was not Jane. I was the opposite of Jane. You’d think that with our vast differences we would have a lot of problems getting along, but we didn’t. We were best friends. We told each other everything and if and when our differences came out too strong, such as Jane disapproving of my behavior or me telling her to live a little and take some risks, I simply ignored her and she politely listened to the advice and then never followed it. So you can imagine that I had long ago gotten used to Jane’s, what I considered overly good ways, and wouldn’t bother to object.
At this moment, that was not the case.
            “A nun?!”
            “Yes.”
            I stared at my sister in complete disbelief. How could she possibly consider being a nun? That would mean never speaking too loud, constantly crossing herself, never looking at a boy again and being even more uptight and subdue then perfect Jane already was.
            “Dad thinks I should consider it. He told me I don’t really have many other options right now. He’s right too. I can’t afford to move out or go to college. I can't stay here for long though.”
            “Jane,” I walked over to the bed and sat next to her, “You’re only twenty-one. It’s not like your some forty-year-old with twenty cats living in your parent’s basement. You have plenty of options.”

She shrugged, “I’m not so sure anymore. This isn’t the first time Dad’s brought up the subject. I’m beginning to think our parents are getting sick of me living here.”

“Correction, Dad is getting sick of you living here. And that’s not even totally correct. Dad isn’t sick of you being here, he’s just sick of everyone at church asking him what his daughter is going to do with her life. Especially Miss Blazzard, because we all know she is one of the most persistent gossips-“

“Florinda,” she knew to stop me when my speaking started speeding up, “I think we both need to face the reality that whether or not people talk, Dad and Mom are disappointed I have yet to make something of my life. I thought about it for a while and I really think a nunnery is my best choice.”
            “But a nun-“
            “It would make Dad very happy.”
            Our family was catholic. And by catholic, I mean catholic. Dad was the head preacher of our small town and was practically an icon for his opportunity to meet the Pope. The main décor or our house was angel statues and paintings of the crucifixion (death and damnation were common subjects in our house). My father would read the bible out loud every night for an hour (one of the reasons I was frequently ‘too busy to be home at nine’) and in order to have true respect from my parents, especially dad, I had to read the bible for at least twenty minutes every morning (I learned the hiding-the-smaller-book-you-are-actually-reading-behind-the-big-book-the-watching-aldult-thinks-your-reading trick very quickly).
            “What about you?” I challenged my sister, “Would you be happy wearing black and living in an old church with other lonely women for the rest of your life?”
            She just stared at me, “What’s not to love about a life devoted to God?”

                                                                        * * *

            I couldn't stand to stay in that house. So, after a failed attempt to get Mom to persuade Jane to make a different decision, I stormed out the door, slamming it behind me.

It was now apparent that Jane was not going to listen to me. Fine. I'd just make her change her mind. Before three years ago, I had been a rather shy girl, due to the heaviness of my home. That's when I made friends with Daniel.

Daniel has been my best friend since third grade. Dad didn't want me to be friends with him at first, since he's Mexican (well his heritage is Mexican. He, however, is an all American baseball player/ apple pie lover), not to say that my Dad is racist, but he had heard a lot of stories of Latino gangs and he instantly assumed Daniel would be a bad influence on me. Of course, Daniel had the opposite effect, pulling me out of my foreclosure shell and giving me some personality.

So it's no wonder that I practically ran to the park, where I knew he would be, working on his pitch or something, to vent this exasperating situation.

“A nun?”

“I know, it’s ridiculous.”

He tossed his baseball up and down in the air, “That's a bit extreme. Even for Jane.”

“Exactly, so I need your help.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don't know yet.”

“Did you try talking to her?” I just looked at him, “Never mind. That was a stupid question.”

“Wait!” I snatched the ball midair, “I've got it.”

* * *

Daniel fidgeted uncomfortably on the hard bench. He didn't come to church very often,

“Why am I here again?”

“Your helping me find the perfect guy,” He was still confused, “For my sister.”

"Oh, that's right. One of your sisters few options is marriage. Anything’s better than the monastery right?"

"That's not the only thing it will accomplish."

“Okay, wait, you’re trying to keep your sister from pledging to a life of solitude by setting her up with someone?”

I rolled my eyes, “I'm impressed Danny, you catch on quickly."

He just fidgeted in his seat, probably praying for his chance to leave. I turned around in my bench watching the doors open and close as people walked in. I know waiting for Mr. Perfect to walk into the church probably wasn't the most effective strategy, but I didn't know where else to start. Most of the men that walked through the door weren't even worthy candidates, let alone 'the one'. Finally a guy about Jane's age walked in, and I know you can only tell so much from just looking at them, but he didn't strike me as her type. No wonder Jane wasn't already married, this place was desolate when it came to worthwhile men.

Daniel interrupted my searching, “Are you sure your sister is even serious about this whole thing?”

“Serious?” I turned to look at him, “Jane spent all day yesterday putting her things in boxes since my Dad already got in touch with a monastery in Maryland and they have a spot open for her,” I stared him in the eyes, disappointed he didn't already know this, “my family is the epitome of serious.”

He nodded, “So that means you’re serious too, about this whole matchmaking thing, that is.”

I sighed, watching the doors again, “I've never been more determined to get someone married in my life.”

I didn't pay attention to any of the service. I was continually looking around pondering the practicality of different guys. I noticed one boy sitting near the back, who looked to be Jane's age. I thought he was pretty good looking and by the way he was watching Jane chorister the hymn, I'd say he thought the same of her.

Daniel was a good sport and stayed with me, but after an hour long repentance sermon from my dad (who frequently looked at my friend when referring to a sinner) I showed mercy on him and let him leave during the closing hymn.

                                                                        * * *


            Jane was driving me home from school one day, taking it at the speed limit, as Jane always did. I was staring out the window still looking for worthy candidates. A cop was walking down the side walk towards his car. He was cute and the right age...

            “Jane, what's that!?” I pointed dramatically towards nothing in particular on the other side of the street. She instinctively looked and I grabbed the steering wheel yanking it in the opposite direction. We both started screaming as Jane had to dramatically over correct the car to keep it from hitting pedestrians. Jane slammed the brakes and we skidded to a precarious stop.

            The young officer immediately came running towards us.

            “Florinda!” Jane turned on me, “what in heaven's name did you do that for!?”

            The officer appeared in her window before I could answer, “Mam are you all right?”

            “I'm sorry officer, my sister...” she looked over at me and looked confused as to why I was smiling. She looked back at the rather good looking police man and back to me again. A light bulb switched on as her face went bright red.

            “You sure you're alright, mam?”

            Jane was still having her epiphany so I jumped in, “Our car tends to malfunction a lot, sir. It just scares her sometimes when it does.”

            He looked worried, “Oh, well is there anything I can do for you? Are you sure you want to keep driving this thing?”

            “No,” Jane answered this time, “we're fine. We can manage, although we appreciate the offer.”

            He didn't look to sure, but he didn't really have a reason to hold us either, so he just nodded, “Alright, if you're sure.”

            He stepped away and Jane took off down the road. She waited till the officer was out of site before she pulled over, glaring at me.

            “Florinda Clair Stevenson! You stop this ridiculous matchmaking, or so help me I will stop it for you!”

            “Jane, the car had a malfunction. Relax, I'm not trying to set you up,” I rolled my eyes.

            Dang it, she was on to me.

                                                            * * *

            Jane wasn't one to hold grudges, but I even she had a hard time letting go of the anger this time. I had attempted once again to hook her up when we were at the library the next day. Apparently guys didn't find having their books strewn across the floor as romantic as I did.

            So Jane stayed mad at me until the next Sunday, when she tried to make peace. I was sitting in the empty church watching the sun shine through the stained glass windows.
            Jane sat down next to me, “Hey.”
            “Hey.”
            She cleared her throat, “I know you’re not happy about my leaving-”
            I held up my hand, “If you are referring to that ludicrous event that is supposedly soon to come, unless all the members of our family suddenly see the light, I don't wish to talk about it right now,” I couldn't. I'd start crying.
            We sat there in an awkward silence until someone interrupted us.
            A guy walked into the church whistling to himself. He seemed embarrassed when we looked up interrupted, “Sorry, I was just looking for the St. Christians church meeting. I was told they start at nine.”

Jane stood up, “We are scheduled to start at nine, but in this small town everyone is at least a half hour late.”
            He smiled, “Sounds like my home town,” He squinted looking closer at my sister, “Jane? Jane Stevenson?”

            She seemed surprised, “Jack?”

            He laughed, “Long time no see,”

            They both hugged like two long lost best friends.

            All I could think was ding ding ding, we have a winner.

                                                                        * * *

            Today was going to be a good day, I could feel it. Jane was supposed to leave for Maryland in two days, but she and Jack had been spending every day together for the last week and something told me that Jane wasn't going to go so willingly with the new relationship in her horizon.
            So you could say I was on some sort of version of cloud nine, since I felt rather accomplished in the success of my mission. Not that I really could take credit for Jack happening to appear and them happening to know each other already, but it made me feel better to take the credit anyway. Jane had been talking about the Nunnery less and less, despite Dad's protests against her spending time with a boy right before she's headed to life as a Nun. That was about as close to rebelling as you got when it came to Jane.Part of me was still worried though, since she had yet to officially announce she wasn't going to Maryland anymore.
            I was curled up in the rocking chair on our front porch, thinking all of this when Jane came running up the front walk.
            I looked up from my book, “How was your date?”
            She ignored me, running through the front door into the house.
            Oh no.

                                                                        * * *

            “He asked you to stay?”

Jane sat on her bed on the verge of tears, “He said he couldn't bear to lose me again.”

“I don't understand. What do you mean again?”

            She sniffled, “Can I tell you a secret?” my ears perked up, “When I was going to Madison High in Maryland Jack and I...dated. Exclusively.”

            I nearly fell off the bed. Jane had gone out with someone behind mom and dad's back? That wasn't just Jane level rebellion that was normal level rebellion.

            “So, why didn't you say yes?”

            “How could I? Dad has gone through so much trouble making arrangements for me to go to the monastery and it's all he ever talks about, he's so happy. Mom can't get over it either,” she sighed, “Also, Jack and I didn't just break up because I was moving. Jack was a lot of fun, but he always had trouble when it came to taking our relationship seriously. What if I stay and he just ends up leaving again? Should I really throw away a solid future for something that could fall through, just like all my other plan since graduation have?”

“Do you love him?”

            She looked surprised by the question. She started crying instead of answering me.

                                                                        * * *

            The air was wet and the sky gray. It perfectly matched the mood I was in, as well as Jane. The family was all standing outside on the driveway, loading Jane's week old packed bags into the car. I was still outraged she was going and she was still depressed because she was being pulled between two factions.

Dad, however, was practically jumping for joy, “Who would have thought I'd have a daughter who wanted to devote her life to God so fully?” He spoke as if she'd saved the world.
I had to bite my lip to keep from saying something snide as I climbed into the car. We drove in relative silence to the train station. It started pouring rain and the dirt roads began to get muddy.
The car was silent when I heard someone's muffled yelling from the road. I turned around to see Jack running after us down the middle of the road, “Um, Jane.”

            She turned around as Dad looked in his rear view mirror, “What in heaven’s name is he doing?”

Jane looked more surprised than either of us, “Pull over Dad. Dad, pull over!”

She jumped out of the car into the pouring rain, “Jack? What are you doing?”

I poked my head out the window to watch the whole thing. Jack was soaking wet, panting with water streaming down his face. He looked as if he had just figured out everything that was wrong and was determined to fix it.

“Jane,” he stood straight, but his hands were shaking, “I don't care if you want to 'devote your life to God'. I want you here with me.”

Jane looked defiant, “Jack I can't throw away a solid future for a future that's only a maybe.”

“Then trade it for a solid one,” he then made that moment movie perfect by kissing her right there in the rain. Dad's head looked like it was about to explode. I wanted to start clapping.
            “Marry me?”
            I assume her kiss meant yes.